Make A Scene March 2014

March 2014

Visit www.MakeASceneAK.com

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First Outdoor Show of 2014

And for anyone planning on a larger purchase for outdoor adventures, boats, travel trailers, atv’s, and other uniques items offered for the first time this year can be great buys at the MSOS. Tracked wheelchairs and elevated, atv-portable hunting blinds are two such items.

March 21st through 23rd

Contributed by Tony Russ The 2014 Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show is at the Curtis Menard Memorial Sports Complex. This is the ninth year of this very successful show. Being the first Alaska trade show of the year for outdoor people, you will not want to miss it.

Community Radio Annual Meeting

By Lee Henrikson > Mark your calendars for

> Come along, and join in the fun!

The event features a performance by the Red Hot Llamas, an Anchorage-based folk band.

Meet local DJs and program hosts and get the latest on community radio for Palmer and the Valley.

The festivities will be at the Palmer Depot.

It’s a great opportunity to renew your membership or join.

April 6, 2 p.m. for the Radio Free Palmer, KVRF 89.5 FM, annual meeting.

Several thousand outdoors people will attend the show again this year in anticipation of another Alaska summer.

Visit www.MakeASceneAK.com

After another Alaska winter, vendors will be offering some great deals to get their season off to a good start. Fishing charters, in particular, will often discount buy now/fish later packages 20-50%. It is a great opportunity to buy those oncein-a-lifetime fishing trips for friends and relatives who plan to visit this summer.

In addition to fishing and hunting charters, lodging packages, and dozens of unique outdoor gear vendors selling thier products and services, there will be another few dozen booths dispensing valuable, inside information on their area of the state.

Also, over two dozen seminars from local experts will be running continuously in two seminar rooms.

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Community

March 2014

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Pets & Animals 907-373-2698 (office) 888-383-9909 (fax) makeasceneak@mac.com www.makeasceneak.com Josh Fryfogle Owner, Publisher Bryce Burkhart Lead Graphic Designer, Sales Associate ..........................

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The Rewards of Fostering a Dog Contributed by Angie Lewis Fostering a dog is one of the most rewarding experiences that a person can have.

When a dog is fostered, a spot is made available for another dog.

Socializing and training a foster dog helps him to become more adoptable.

Rescue groups rely on foster homes to provide a more wholesome and loving environment than most Animal Control or Shelter facilities can offer.

Many rescue groups do not have a physical shelter and therefore depend upon foster homes to care for dogs until a suitable home is found. Another reason that a foster home might be needed is that a dog may be recovering from surgery or an illness and needs to be in a home to recuperate.

Some dogs are too stressed by a shelter environment and blossom in a home setting.

Many homeless dogs are not properly socialized and this process can be better facilitated in a home. Young puppies are safer from germs and diseases in a foster home, rather than in a shelter environment.

The most vital reason that a dog might need to be fostered is that shelters often run out of room for dogs and this can result in euthanasia.

If you are unsure of how to begin your journey to becoming a foster home, research rescue groups in your area or contact your local Animal Control or Shelter for help with selecting a rescue organization.

Once you have met a representative of the rescue group, you will most likely need to fill out paperwork that will clarify what responsibilities you will have and the type of support the rescue group will provide. It is vital that you understand the philosophy of the rescue organization to make certain that the practices employed by the rescue group are things that you can be comfortable supporting.

So, if you believe that every dog is adoptable and worthy of saving, you may experience distress with a group that doesn’t feel that euthanizing a dog with health or behavior problems is wrong.

DO YOUR RESEARCH! Many people do not take part in the fostering experience because they believe that they will become too attached to the animal and will be unable to let him go when the time comes.

I am often reminded of this quote when people who want to foster a dog are reluctant to do so because of the sadness of watching their animal friend leave their lives.

“I would rather cry watching them leave our home, to go live a full, good life in a loving forever home of their own, than cry because no one stepped up for them in the shelter where they died all alone, scared, unwanted and unloved.”

PLEASE FOSTER AND HELP SAVE A LIFE! Angie Lewis – President of Alaska Animal Advocates (AAA)

View the online edition of

MAGAZINE

Positive & Encouraging Community News

No Staff of Writers, Only Community Submissions

> He is a good friend to other animals and is great with children, except that he isn’t always aware of his great size.

Gabriel is a huge boy, at 165 pounds.

He has had a procedure that prevents him from getting bloat.

Only serious enquires please: Natasha Niver spazy_child@hotmail.com Sponsored by Alaska Animal Advocates

March 2014

Although a very loving dog, Gabriel doesn’t make demands for attention. He loves to go for walks and runs.

Contributed by Angie Lewis

Gabriel’s human is very particular as to who she will allow to adopt Gabriel and is hoping that Gabriel’s next family will have more room and time to provide him with the type of home that he deserves.

Visit www.MakeASceneAK.com

Meet Gabriel, a Magnificent Wheaten Irish Wolfhound

Unfortunately, he ended up with Colitis, which can be addressed with Tylan, once a week to prevent flare-ups.

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Pets & Animals

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March 2014

Community

WHAT’S NEW

AT THE ALASKA VETERANS MUSEUM (AVM)?

By Suellyn Wright Novak AVM Executive Director Glad you asked, as we have many new exhibits and exciting events coming up!

We have a new exhibit “70 + Years of Service - the Ed Knoebel Story” and a special exhibit “Military Dog Mushing in the Last Frontier.” The former pays tribute to the 30 years of service ion the Navy and the 40+ years of community service.

Our mushing exhibit features a McGrath homesteader’s sled (of the type used by Army and Air Force mushers), Air Force PJ (pararescue jumper) Percy Blatchford’s arctic boots, gloves and crampons, a pair of bunny boots, Air Force coyote ruffed parka and “fat boy” pants. Our sled has harnesses from the 1950s and a stuffed husky pulling the sled -- the best type that we

don’t have to walk, feed or clean up after!

We also feature photos from the 1940s to 1960s, and an interview with Joe Reddington Jr. telling stories of his and his dad’s Army mushing days!

This exhibit went up the 2nd week of February and will be up until 1 Apr when we move in the Japanese 37mm Anti-Tank Gun from Attu, which is on indefinite loan from the US Fish & Wildlife Service -- subject for next month’s submission!

Our Vietnam Exhibit has been vastly revamped and enlarged by the kind loan of items from the Alaska Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association.

They’ve done a fan-damn-tastic job for us and are volunteering at the museum too. Come join our volunteer corps and meet extremely interesting folks.

The training is quick, easy and painless and the benefits are HUGE.

> On Sat 29 March, AVM

will be participating in the free Alaska Vietnam Veterans Day celebrations by having displays,

photos and posters, plus running the Vietnam Veterans Panel from 7-9 PM at the Egan Center. The doors open at 4 PM, and there is a ceremony at 6 PM. We will be on the street level, as there will be Homeland Security training downstairs.

> On Sat 12 Apr, 7 PM at the

museum, 333 W 4th Ave, Suite 227 (corner of 4tH Ave and D Street in the Market Place Mall) we will have a lecture by Capt Howard “Mike” Hunt on his WW II Lend Lease flying days as well as his time with Air Transport Command and his own airlines after the war. He’s a super speaker and appears in his original WW II Army Air Force uniform.

We will have light refreshments, regular admission of $3 per person.

> On Fri 18 Apr, 7 PM at the

museum we will be paying tribute to Doolittle’s Raiders with a film and taped interviews. This will also be our 3rd Anniversary Party with cake and beverages. Please come join us to celebrate.

We’ll provide the goodies, regular admission price of $3 per person.

Valley Bike Film Fest > Mark your calendars: Friday, April 11th

Contributed by Pat Owens Valley Mountain Bikers & Hikers 2nd Annual Bike Film Fest will take place Friday, April 11th at the Valley Cinema in Wasilla from 6 to 10 pm.

We will have exclusive use of The Bistro café, located inside the Valley Cinema, for food and beverage (nonalcoholic and alcoholic) purchase.

Film screening begins at 6: 30 pm with a great line-up of films that will entertain both adults and children. You don’t want to miss out, so be there early for good seats.

Luna Fest

at Mat-Su College > Mark your calendars:

Don’t miss Luna Fest this year!

org for more information, or visit our website vmbah.org for more details.

Tickets may be purchased in advance - $20 adults and $10 for children (13 yrs old & younger).

Tickets are available at Backcountry Bike and Ski in Palmer, Backcountry Bikes in Wasilla, Active Soles in Palmer, Rock-On Climbing in Wasilla, and Midnight Sun Yoga in Palmer.

The films are by women, for women and about women, and you are guaranteed to laugh, cry and ponder life in someone else’s shoes.

The films are also very inspirational, and anyone who has thought about making a film should attend. It’s inspirational to see the films from around the Country and World, by women from all walks of life.

> Open your mind and your heart and grab your girlfriends, get your tickets online at www.lunafest.org or at the door.

March 2014

For the second year in a row, the Luna Bar Company will be welcomed by the National Honor Society at UAA Mat Su, National Organization for Women and MY House for a film festival that is also a fundraiser.

> Email trailhead@vmbah.

Friday, April 4, 5:30 pm Mat-Su College

The money raised from this event will be used to fund the SprocKidz (a summer mountain biking program for kids), the Palmer Bike Park construction project, and the Government Peak Singletrack trail construction project.

Visit www.MakeASceneAK.com

There will be films for all ages, food and beverages, and a silent auction.

It will be a fun night with wonderful films about bikes, biking and trails.

The silent auction will run throughout the evening. We have lots of great items for the bidding - everything from raft trips to dinners at local restaurants to bike accessories.

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Film

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March 2014

Coming Soon to VCRS TWO-MONTH

DETOUR

PLAN “B” AHEAD While our new wind-proof drive-thru is under construction, recycling will take place in the big tent at the back of the lower lot.

Thanks for your patience!

Recycling Drop-Off Hours

Tues thru Fri 12 - 6pm Sat 11am - 3:30pm Closed Sun - Mon

745-5544

www.valleyrecycling.org

Community

The Recycling Center’s ‘Ides

of March’, March-ing Out Like a Lion…

Contributed by VCRS March is gathering force here at your recycling center. VCRS is in the midst of growing our program for the long term good of all, and that includes you!

Bid proposals for the reconstruction of our residential drive-thru dropoff area will be opened and the contract awarded March 11.

This will have an immediate impact on both the residents dropping off material and the recycling center staff. The construction work could take up to two months and is likely to begin during the second half of March.

During the construction, starting as soon as the end of March and lasting until the beginning of June, you will need to follow the signs to the big white tent (the one that was our drive-thru for several years up on the Palmer-Wasilla Hwy).

The tent is located at the back end of the lower parking lot on the left side of our building as you enter the property.

We will all be getting used to a different way of doing things. Please be patient with staff and volunteers during this rebuild.

The staff will be gathering all the loose materials from the tent and transporting them across the parking lot into our building where it will be processed. Staff will be doing their best to make this a smooth interim stretch while the contractors focus on getting the work completed as quickly as possible.

You, our users, our staff and volunteers, may find this temporary change awkward or frustrating, and some patience may be required. But if we all work together, we can make it through the next two months of recycling and be rewarded with a more efficient and safer recycling program.

hopper which we currently use.

With the new equipment we will increase our capacity to process more material faster and efficiently.

Coming prepared with your materials sorted according to our categories will make the process flow a lot smoother for us all. If you have any questions please call us at 745-5544 or visit our website at valleyrecycling.org.

These will be challenging times for all of us here at the recycling center, yet the end results will be well worth it. Thank you for your support and cooperation!

> About VCRS:

The rebuilt drive- thru will be wider and completely enclosed with two garages doors at each end. This will allow the area to be open for receiving materials no matter how high the velocity of the winds are on any given day. The widened area will accommodate two lanes of traffic with drop-off bins along the outer lane, allowing us to serve users more efficiently.

Valley Community for Recycling Solutions (VCRS) is a nonprofit organization devoted to establishing recycling as a part of daily life in the Mat Su Valley region of Alaska.

Also during March, in addition to the rebuild, our long awaited new baler will arrive. The new baler is a 2-stroke horizontal auto-tie fed by an in-floor convey.

Since 1998 VCRS has provided recycling opportunities for our community; recovered and recycled tons of common household materials; and advocated for waste reduction and recycling best management practices in the MatSu Borough.

This is an upgrade from the singlestroke manual-tie baler fed via a

We are over 3000 strong, a community of enthusiastic recyclers with a vision for our future.

The Original

Valley Homeschool Prom Saturday, May 3rd

By Aaron Pinnick > The Valley Homeschool

Prom is a non-profit, volunteer based, and open to all homeschool programs.

The prom has been run by students and their parents on a complete volunteer basis, the students choose the theme, decide on the decorations, gather the materials, and sometimes even create custom handmade decorations.

In order to pay for the cost of renting the space and the decorations, the students hold fundraisers. Several fundraisers were held at Carrs Wasilla, Sportsman’s Warehouse, and various local school curriculum events.

The prom committee is also helping out in the community by providing an option for attendees to bring some canned goods or non-perishable foods to the prom to receive a discount on their admission ticket.

The prom has donated well over 125lbs of food every year to the local food bank. The prom committee has been headed by Laura Pinnick for the past 7 years, donating a substantial amount of time and effort into assuring that the homeschooled students of the Mat-Su Valley have an annual prom that they can attend if they choose.

Laura has 2 children both having graduated high-school, and devoting time to the prom committee every year as well. Even though she no longer has a connection through the school, she still runs and maintains the prom committee.

She says “I just want the kids to have a prom, the thanks and appreciation that I receive from not only the students, but from their parents make it all worthwhile.”

414-2858

GIFT SHOP Alaskan Coffee

Pickled Salmon & Halibut

Alaska Made Jewelry

Hand Turned Bowls

FROM AK COFFEE CORNER

BY MAGGIE MCDANIEL

FROM PICKLED2PERFECTION

BY DENNIS BLAND

<< CREATE A CUSTOM EASTER BASKET WITH YOUR CHOICE OF PRODUCTS FROM DOZENS OF VENDORS

The fundraisers were usually bake sales and the products were prepared by students and parents on a regular basis.

The prom committee also offers graduation gowns, and caps to rent for high school graduates. The prom has also been supported by local businesses by receiving donations from; Home Depot, Walmart, 3 Bears, and Mat-Su Water.

Visit www.MakeASceneAK.com

The prom has been held for the past 6 years and will be completing it 7th prom this year on May 3rd.

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Community

Lakeside Center, Next to Papa John’s

907-414-2858

March 2014

1451 E. Parks Hwy, Ste 102 in Wasilla Open Tues-Sat 11am-6pm

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March 2014

The People’s Paper

Alaska’s Healing Hearts The Warriors Notebook Contributed by

James Hastings WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today announced the phased roll out of newly designed, more secure Veteran Health Identification Cards.

The new cards are distinguished by additional security features and will have a different look and feel.

In addition to being more secure, the card has been transformed into a Veterans Health Identification Card (VHIC). Similar to a typical health insurance card, the VHIC displays the Veteran’s Member ID, a new unique identifier, as well as a Plan ID, reflecting the Veteran’s enrollment in VA health care.

“VA is committed to providing high quality health care while ensuring the personal security of Veterans,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. “These new identification cards are an important step forward in protecting our nation’s heroes from identity theft and other personal crimes.”

The VHIC is personalized to display the emblem of the Veteran’s branch of service. It also provides features that make it easier to use, such as the addition of “VA” in Braille to help visually impaired Veterans, and the printing of VA phone numbers and emergency care instructions on the cards.

Veterans who are not enrolled in the VA health care system can apply for enrollment at any time by visiting www.va.gov/ healthbenefits/enroll, Calling 1-877222-VETS (8387) or visiting their local VA health care facility.

The card replaces the Veteran Identification Card (VIC), which was introduced in 2004. As part of a phased rollout, starting this month, the card will only be offered to newly enrolled and other Veterans who have not been issued a VIC. Then, in early April, VA will begin a three month effort to automatically issue the more secure VHIC to current VIC cardholders. VA recommends Veterans safeguard their VIC as they would a credit card, and cut up or shred the card once it is replaced. While not required to receive VA health care, all enrolled Veterans are encouraged to get a VHIC. Enrolled Veterans can get more information about the VHIC by visiting their VA medical facility enrollment coordinator or the website www.va.gov, calling 1-877222-VETS (8387) or visiting their local VA health care facility.

Based on our own experiences these programs help bolster confidence and self esteem, while serving as a venue for them to assimilate with the public.

Thanks to donations from people like yourself and corporate sponsors we are able to continue these programs at virtually no cost to our wounded heroes.

Thank you!

Alaska's Healing Hearts is a 501(c) (3) tax-exempt #27-4036000, nonprofit organization.

> About Alaska’s

Article Brought to you by:

Healing Hearts:

Alaska's Healing Hearts year round nationwide outdoor programs include hunting, fishing, and other outdoor recreational programs for our nations brave wounded warriors, these activities are termed "social reintegration" by therapists.

They are not just the clinical rehabilitation programs which injured military personnel usually participate in; they also provide disabled Veterans with hope that they can live active and productive lives.

> LIKE us on Facebook and Follow us on twitter @AKHealingHearts

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ELEMENT 47

Contributed by Aubry Okayama Palmer/Wasilla-based Element 47 is an exciting, high-energy, rock ‘n roll band - a musical powerhouse known as one of the hardest-working bands in the Valley. With years of experience entertaining audiences across Southcentral Alaska, Element 47 is the band to call to make your party, dance, festival, reception or special event fun, exciting and most importantly, memorable.

Alice L. Smith, vocalist, was born in Lancaster, California in 1959. At three years old, Alice would get up on stage and sing and dance at the Jack of Diamonds club there in Lancaster while her father played the drums. At 18 she started performing professionally in Bakersfield, Ca at the Gold Rush and was picked up by a band called Al Garcia and the Rhythm Kings singing both lead and harmonies and toured all through Northern California.

Later moving to Bull Head City, Arizona and teaming up with the Angles band. Back to California she started working construction and sang time to time at the Hideaway Club in Ridgecrest. The construction industry took her to many places and many bands from Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Nevada and Missouri, eventually landing back in California with a band call Jokers Wild.

> Jeremy Strunk originated in the Music City of Nashville, Tennessee

March 2014

This very experienced band became her tutors while playing all the top 40’s at Mr. P’s Playhouse! This was a regular weekend gig for two years. In 1993, after moving to

The name Element 47 – silver on the periodic table of the elements – reflects both the members’ long years of playing music for appreciative audiences, and the dazzling energy they bring to every show. Rooted in the guitar-based classic rock of the 70s and 80s, but with touches of blues and countryrock, Element 47 performs with fun and flair that’ll have you wishing the night would go on forever.

> CONTINUES ON PAGE 38

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Music

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The Marvelous Wonderettes

March 28th and runs through April 20th, 2014.

The Marvelous Wonderettes is a cotton-candy colored, non-stop pop musical! It takes the audience to the 1958 Springfield High School prom and the 1968 tenyear reunion where we meet the Wonderettes – four girls with hopes and dreams as big as their crinoline skirts and go-go boots, with voices to match!

Visit www.MakeASceneAK.com

Contributed by Valley Performing Arts

We learn about their lives and loves accompanied by the girls performing classic pop songs from the 50s and 60s. You’ll tap your toe with “Mr. Sandman” and “Stupid Cupid”, sway with the melodic “Secret Love” and “Dream Lover”, get rebellious with “Son of a Preacher Man” and “You Don’t Own Me”, and get your groove on with “Heatwave” and “Respect” - that’s just the short list!

March 2014

Don’t miss this uplifting show! Call VPA at 373-0195, visit our website www.valleyperformingarts.org, or come by the office, Monday through Friday 9am to 3pm to purchase your tickets.

Theatre

This delightful family play is directed by Garry Forrester, the director who brought you last season’s award winning production of The Sting.

If you grew up with songs like these, wished that you had, or just want to enjoy a great evening full of music, laughter, and the joy of being together, then you’ll love VPA’s production of The Marvelous Wonderettes!

Join Cindy Lou, Suzy, Betty Jean, and Missy as they take you on a wonderful journey of love, friendship, and the pure delight of singing in four-part harmony!

It’s musical fun for all ages!

The Marvelous Wonderettes opens March 28th and runs through April 20th, 2014.

Bring your family to see an awesome production of The Marvelous Wonderettes and join us at Valley Performing Arts, 251 W. Swanson Avenue, Wasilla.

> Tickets for this play are on sale now!

Regular admission is $19 and tickets for students and seniors are $17.

Rob Czarnezki Fundraiser

Contributed by Emily Barry When: March 30th, 2014 Where: 4-Corners Lounge, Palmer

After traditional and naturopathic treatments in Alaska and the lower 48, tumors have also developed in the spine and the jaw. Rob and his wife Margaret have owned and operated Czar of Guitars in downtown Palmer for over five years and have enjoyed living in the Valley for over twenty years.

While Rob has some medical insurance, Rob and Margaret have incurred numerous other expenses including out of state housing, transportation and lost wages while Rob continues treatment.

Amongst the fun will be haircuts by BBella Hair Salon with donations going to Locks of Love.

There will also be a silent auction with memorabilia donated by local businesses as well as Rob himself such as photographs autographed

by Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson.

We are still taking donations for the auction and they can be dropped off at BBella Hair Salon in Palmer.

“The Lead Dog” hot dog cart will be there to feed us with donations going to the cause.

Local Arkose Brewery has donated a keg of Rob’s favorite beer with donations also going toward the cause.

The music will last from 3pm8:30pm with an open jam session afterwards for any one who would love to play a song for Rob.

> There will be a cover charge

at the door of $10 per Adult $5 per child and $20 per family.

2014 Diva Night & End of the Road Fashion Show Contributed by

Call me about Life Insurance.

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Life

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Annuity

Holli Papasodora When: April 12th @ 7:30pm, doors open at 7 Where: Sheldon Community Arts Hangar in Talkeetna This April Diva Night returns to the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar, with the simultaneous unleashing of the first annual End of the Road Fashion Show.

As our Divas knock your socks off with their remarkable vocal performances, local models will strut Free-Box fashions and locally designed clothing.

Donated Designs will be auctioned off live from the runway, and proceeds from sales will help fund the Free-Box.

> This will be a non-smoking, family friendly event so come out and enjoy your Sunday afternoon with us.

WRITE ON. > For more information visit www.denaliartscouncil.org

March 2014

“The fun will begin at 3pm with Music from Alaska’s renowned country artist Ken Peltier.”

Jim Davis 907-745-8030 jim.davis@horacemann.com

We are having a fundraiser for Rob on Sunday, March 30th, 2014 at 4-Corners Lounge in Palmer. The fun will begin at 3pm with Music from Alaska’s renowned country artist Ken Peltier.

We will also be blessed with an appeara”nce from the lovely Brook Faulk, Slide Country Blues artist Shane LaBoucane, local band Against the Grain and Singer/ Songwriter Emily Kathryn Barry.

4900 E. Palmer-Wasilla Hwy Ste 3 and educator rates!

Visit www.MakeASceneAK.com

Please join us as we come together to help a member of our community.

Rob Czarnezki owner and operator of Czar of Guitars was recently diagnosed with a four centimeter Trigeminal Nerve Tumor.

The LLC Call Insurance me about lifeStore, insurance

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Community Events

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March 2014

Arts Artwork Courtesty of Mat-Su College Art Department

Drawings by Mat Su College Students Saturday April 10 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Contributed by Lee Henrikson > Radio Free Palmer, in collaboration with the Fine Arts Department of Mat Su College, will host a show of drawings by Mat Su College Art students.

The opening is on Saturday April 10 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

If you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make the opening, stop by and see the drawings from 10a.m. - 2 p.m.

Monday - Friday, April 9-23. Radio Free Palmer is at 550 South Alaska Street, Suite 201, in Palmer (second floor of the Downtown Palmer Plaza building).

Stop by and see the fine work being created

by Dr. Felicia Desiminiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s students.

This is the second showing of Mat Su College student work that Radio Free Palmer has hosted. The show in the fall featured works in pencil, charcoal, and chalk as well as a few paintings.

It was amazing to see the quality of the work the students produced and we at Radio Free Palmer look forward to an even more amazing spring show!

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Arts

4th Annual Machetanz

ArtS Festival

> Save the Dates! Mat-Su College presents the 4th Annual Machetanz Arts Festival

Friday, June 6th and Saturday, June 7 th

Contributed by Felicia M. Desimini This summer, the 4th Annual Machetanz Arts Festival at Mat-Su College expands to Friday, June 6th and Saturday, June 7 th . The Festival celebrates the legacy of Fred and Sara Machetanz, artist and author respectively, who splendidly captured the Alaskan spirit and way of life.

> CONTINUES ON PAGE 39

March 2014

The festival offers two workshops on Friday, June 6th: a 3 hour Plein Air Painting workshop with Don Kolstad; and a 3-hour alcohol-dye painting workshop with Francine Dufour Jones.

Then on Saturday, June 7 th, the Festival offers 22 half- and full- day instructor- led workshops.

There truly is something for everyone!

Comedy

Patton Oswalt Returns to UAA Contributed by Zac Clark

ANCHORAGE, AK – UAA Concert Board is proud to present Patton Oswalt, Friday April 25, 2014, at 7:30 PM in the Williamson Auditorium.

at music festivals like Bumbershoot, Bonnaroo, Comic-Con, and Coachella.

In 2011, UAA Concert Board’s first show featuring Oswalt sold out.

Oswalt has received praise for his roles on the big screen. He was nominated for a Critics’ Choice Award for his brilliant performance in Jason Reitman’s 2011 film Young Adult, starring opposite Charlize Theron. In 2009 Oswalt received critical acclaim for his performance in Robert Siegel’s Big Fan, which made its debut at Sundance and was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award. Oswalt also starred in 2007’s Ratatouille, which won an Oscar for Best Animated Feature. In total, he has had roles in more than 20 films.

Additionally, Oswalt’s television roles have gained him a wide reaching audience. He played Spence for the duration of CBS’s The King of Queens.

He was a series regular on Showtime’s United States of Tara, HBO’s Bored to Death and Flight of the Conchords, and Comedy Central’s Sarah Silverman Show.

He has appeared on a huge variety of programs, including Seinfeld, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Tim and Eric’s Awesome Show, and Caprica.

> Tickets are $15 advance/$20

Oswalt, one of the funniest comedians out there, has shot four television specials and recorded four albums, two of which garnered him Grammy nominations. Oswalt starred in 2005’s The Comedians of Comedy with Brian Posehn, Maria Bamford, and Zach Galifianakis. He tours regularly and extensively, headlining both in the United States and UK, and is a regular

door for UAA students and $35 advance/$40 door for the general public.

Tickets become available Friday March 21, 2014, at www.uaatix.com or in person at the UAA Student Union Information Desk.

Student tickets are only for current UAA students enrolled in three or more credits at the Goose Lake Campus.

Theatre

M. Butterfly by

David Henry Hwang

Contributed by Andrea Miller Anchorage – The UAA Department of Theatre & Dance is proud to announce its upcoming production of M. Butterfly written by Chinese-American award-winning playwright David Henry Hwang.

M Butterfly is referred to as “a work of uncommon brilliance” and is known as “one of the most compelling, explosive, and slyly humorous dramas ever to light the Broadway stage.” UAA’s production, directed by Jessica Jacob, will include allusions to the Puccini opera, traditional Japanese movement in the Nihon Buyo style, quotes from Chinese Revolutionary Dance, and traditional Chinese Opera movement in the Jingju style.

Based on a true story that stunned the world – M. Butterfly revolves around a French diplomat in China, convicted of espionage, who is prisoner to his government and enslaved by his fantasy of the Perfect Woman. Living out his illusion of finding his own “Butterfly” in China leads him down a path of clandestine love, lies, blinding East-West stereotypes, mistaken sexual identity and finally scandal.

The play intertwines the plot of Puccini’s opera Madame Butterfly, with this French diplomat’s skewed perceptions, seduction, and ultimate betrayal as well as his belated discovery that his Perfect Woman was in fact, a man.

David Henry Hwang is an American playwright, librettist, and screenwriter best known as the author of M. Butterfly, which ran for two years on Broadway. Many of Hwang’s plays

focus on the role of Chinese Americans in the modern day world and the clash of eastern and western cultures.

This exploration of culture-crises is a reoccurring theme for Hwang, and is evident in M. Butterfly which penetrates the common myths of the two different cultures, as well as the myths of gender identity. Resulting from M. Butterfly, Hwang received the 1988 Tony, Drama Desk, John Gassner, and Outer Critics Circle Awards, and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.

M. Butterfly premieres March 21 at the Jerry Harper Studio in the UAA Fine Arts Building, and will run for three weekends. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sunday matinees at 3:00 pm. For ticket information, please visit www. uaatix.com or call the Fine Arts Box Office at 907-786-4TIX (4849).

The performance contains sexual situations and harsh language.

Parental discretion is advised.

M. Butterfly is presented by a special arrangement with Dramatist Play Service, Inc. New York.

What: M. Butterfly

> Tickets:

$18/$13/$11 at www.uaatix.com

The Art Heist

Contributed by Taylor Ruble

In 1911 one of the most famous painting’s in the world, The Mona Lisa was stolen. This painting was artnapped by Vincenzo Peruggia, and was recovered in 1913 after the theft had occurred. In 1962 the painting was said to be worth $100 million dollars.

Art heists are still alive and well and even happen here in the Matsu Valley. Our art studio had an art show in December, in Downtown Palmer. The art was to remain on exhibit for three weeks.

However, this was cut short due to three art pieces being stolen. Two of those piece happened to be mine.

The third stolen piece of art was by Talia Villnerve.

“No questions will be asked of anyone, and I will even give the person who returns the stolen paintings copies free of charge.”

Over the years I have taken numerous art classes and lessons for drawing.

I decided to take up painting in my senior year of high school. I thought it would be something new to try.

I began taking classes at Upper Room Arts Studio,with Tina Fisher. I have enjoyed every lesson and grown as an artist under her leadership.

My paintings are scheduled to go before an AP art board for evaluation and only originals are accepted. I printed this right before Easter hoping that the pieces that were stolen will be resurrected and returned to the rightful owners.

No questions will be asked of anyone, and I will even give the person who returns the stolen paintings copies free of charge. To the person who took my paintings; please know I completely forgive you as Jesus forgave me.

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In todays society with an adjustment to inflation the painting’s estimated worth is currently $743 million dollars. This was known as possibly the greatest art heist of the 20th century.

The three paintings were stolen right before Christmas. They may have been given as gifts to someone as a present. We would be grateful if whomever has them would return them to Upper Room Arts.

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Arts

March 2014

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March 2014

Community

> Contact 907-892-2927 or visit www.akwildbirdrehab.com for more information

Alaska WildBird Rehab Center – Monthly Flights Contributed by Randi Perlman

> The Alaska WildBird Rehabilitation Center (AWBRC) has begun a series of mini-programs that will focus on a particular theme each month The themes are designed to loosely correspond with wild bird activity around us, and the programs will capture your attention while highlighting each of our education birds on a rotating basis.

Our mini-programs are part of the Valley Arts Alliance Second Saturday events, and take place from noon to 2:00 pm at AWBRC’s new home in Houston.

February’s theme was ‘Owlentine’s Day’, and of course, featured several of our resident owls in the most romantic of settings, the clinic!

March’s ‘Second Saturday with Sandy’, the Sandhill Crane, was hugely popular, and Sandy voiced her approval loudly several times during the show.

Next month will be ‘Migration Madness’ on Saturday, April 12, where you can meet Rhett, the Red-tailed Hawk, Kachina, the Short-eared Owl, and Sandy, our resident DIVA, just a few of the bird species that will migrate into Alaska soon.

Please join us on Saturday, May 10, for ‘Cinco de Flyo’ with Rhett, Taku, the Black-billed Magpie, and Skuya, the Great Horned Owl. When asked to join in, Kachina said, “I ain’t wearin’ no stinkin’ sombrero…!”

The center is located at 12235 W. Birch Road, off Kenlar, between Big Lake Road and Hawk Lane, in Houston. Come meet the birds, tour the center, and enjoy light refreshments.

February’s theme was ‘Owlentine’s Day’, and of course, featured several of our resident owls in the most romantic of settings, the clinic!

March’s ‘Second Saturday with Sandy’, the Sandhill Crane, was hugely popular, and Sandy voiced her approval loudly several times during the show.

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Arts

By Carmen Summerfield We’ve just “jumped ahead” to Daylight Savings Time, and the Vernal Equinox is upon us… I’m so confused… does anyone know what time it is?

In the beginning, we looked to the heavens as our timepiece. We arose when the sun came up, we stopped for lunch when the sun was high overhead, and we went to sleep when the sun dropped below the horizon. Pretty simple, right?

The shadows cast by a stick or rock upon the ground told us how much of the day was done. Marks placed upon the ground allowed us to more accurately judge the hour of the day, and that is the basis for the sundial.

Depending on the time of year, the Sun’s altitude is different, which affects the shadow and therefore the accuracy of the sundial. We wanted a simple sundial, and decided to simply adjust our sundial to be most accurate on their anniversary day (April 14).

We started by finding a nice marble base and round tabletop at the local home center. My brother acquired brass sheets and wire, and cut and formed the numbers and gnomon (the “stick” that casts the shadow). He drilled holes in the marble top, and using epoxy fastened them tightly.

We visited my parents the morning of their anniversary, and while my sister kept them occupied, my brother and I selected a nice spot in the garden, dug a hole and erected our sundial, carefully orienting it to astronomic north.

“A few years ago, as a 40th wedding anniversary present for my parents, my brother and sister and I decided to build a sundial for their home in the Netherlands, calibrated precisely for their correct latitude.”

March 2014

A few years ago as a 40th wedding anniversary present for my parents, my brother and sister and I decided

Based on their design, sundials can generally be divided into three main types: equatorial (usually shaped like a globe), horizontal (flat to the ground), and vertical (usually placed on the side of a building). The horizontal type is easy to make, well suited for mid-latitude regions and is very common. So we decided to make our sundial a horizontal type.

Sundials measure time as it is. Noon is when the sun is highest in the sky (when it crosses the noon meridian). On the other “hand”, watches measure time as we would like it to be, exactly 24 hours from day to day.

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The Art of Telling Time!

to build a sundial for their home in the Netherlands, calibrated precisely for their correct latitude.

March 2014

Visit www.MakeASceneAK.com

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> CONTINUES ON PAGE 25

FORMERLY GELATO KUDRINO Now WE have expanded our location and menu stop in daily for great lunch specials between 11am-4pm

> Chad Carpenter with his brother Darin Carpenter, during the writing of the script for the upcoming “Moose” movie

Fresh made Gelato and Pastries Soups, pasta, sandwiches & wraps FRESH JUICING - TRY ONE OF OUR GREAT DRINKS OR MAKE YOUR OWN!

1601 Parks Highway | 907-357-0066 | Fred Meyer Parking Lot

Film

A Q&A WITH DARIN CARPENTER

By Jamie O’Connor

Ask an Alaskan who Chad Carpenter is and they’ll immediately mention Tundra comics; but who is the mysterious man behind the plywood throne? Who is this Darin Carpenter; the other half of the Carpenter Brothers?

To find out, Jamie O’Connor, social media director for the “Moose” the movie project, sat down on the other end of a phone to find out.

JO: I actually did a bit of Googling on you and there isn’t much; but what I did find says you live in the North Pole.

DC: Right, that is correct. Yeah, I try to keep a low profile for the most part. But yeah, I do live in North Pole, married to my wife Kristi. We have eight kids. Three of them are still at home.

JO: I find it really interesting that you have a power behind the throne with Tundra that nobody knows about. Did you do that intentionally? Keep a low profile?

DC: Yeah, I haven’t written for quite a while for Tundra itself. For a while there I was pretty involved.

JO: That’s really interesting. So it was kind of like a hobby at first?

took us quite a while to get it done; five years just for the editing.

DC: Yeah, for Tundra I used to write a lot of the cartoon strips and send them to Chad and he would use them. Then it kind of evolved to where I would be the one who would do the story lines for the cartoons that would involve a story line over a week or two weeks or up to four to six weeks. When other newspapers started picking him up and only ran weekly and we kind of lost that part of it.

We took a break for a little while after that. Then Chad got this wild hair, he was ready to do it again, and ready to do it better. He came up for a show a couple months later to Fairbanks and that’s when he first approached me with it. He said, okay, I was thinking about doing another movie. And I was like, are you crazy? He said no, I want to try it again.

JO: So you allowed Chad to be the front man and you got to do the fun stuff.

DC: Yeah, pretty much. He’s the pretty face. I try to do what I can in the background I guess. He’s got an amazing gift for dealing with people. For as successful as he is and as much as he’s done I’m always impressed at how humble he is and how approachable.

JO: How long has “Moose” been in process; percolating around in the old gray matter?

DC: Just over a year now. Of course we did the “Frost Bite” movie which was a very small scale thing. It was fun, it was tough but it was fun. It

JO: So what was your favorite part of writing this script?

DC: So my favorite part is working with my brother. We do so well together and we have very similar sense of humor so usually if I find something funny he finds it funny.

Another thing I really like about writing it is when I’m doing it I can almost get lost in the story where it almost becomes to me, in my mind, as if it’s actually happening. It’s hard to describe I guess. I get to know the characters, the personalities. So it’s almost like, in my head, I have this community, and these characters and these people and it’s almost like they’re real people. When I’m writing, to me, it’s fun and exciting. I think, wow this is all fiction and yet it feels real. So yeah, I find that enjoyable.

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Food & Entertainment The Northshore

Ale House

By Aubry Okayama > The Northshore Ale House

has officially opened its doors and is concluding its full body make-over of the historic Mat-Su Resort.

“In taking over this venture, we really thought about what we, as valley residents, want and need out here; and that’s a venue where you can do just about anything through any season. From a great meal service with friends, to playing on the lake, enjoying live music, and playing games with your kids.

Or maybe just kicking back and watching a great sports game or soaking up some sun out on a big deck.”

Dykman has implemented a close knit management structure to execute his concept and ensure exemplary customer service and public relations.

With the passing of so much time since the hay days of the Mat Su Resort, it has been easy for us to forget that the building was once the premier venue for food, drinks, and entertainment in the Valley. These recent rumors and reputations will be the most challenging rebranding obstacles for Mr. Dykman to overcome.

“We don’t want or need a club in Wasilla, nor do we, as residents have any desire to be surrounded by belligerence.”

Dykman is ready and eager for community feedback and involvement in the rebranding of the Mat Su Resort, and he has an open door policy on comments and suggestions regarding the reestablishment of the Mat Su Resort as a nostalgic local staple.

> The Northshore Ale House is scheduled to open their steak house concept dining room in May of 2014

March 2014

Chef Jason Anglin describes the new atmosphere, “We don’t want or need a club in Wasilla, nor do we, as residents have any desire to be surrounded by belligerence. We enjoy our families, leisure time, and a nice hot meal with an ice cold beer after a hard day’s work. That’s who we are.”

The facility has been isolated from the community for so long that emersion into local organizations will be first and foremost on the agenda.

“These guys are dedicated, selfmotivated individuals who are thriving under every new challenge that presents itself.

We work together as a team to produce a good and service that Wasilla can be proud to call their own.”

The Mat Su Resort has been the center of excitement, disappointment, and controversy for many years. Most of us are familiar with the recent establishment of the venue as a night club and a center for rumors of poor management and substandard service. Some of us can reach back into our catalog to remember the days of great steaks in the sunshine on the deck, pig roasts, and winter golf.

Visit www.MakeASceneAK.com

The remodel and image change has been a both daunting and rewarding task for local business owner Kevin Dykman, who is pleased with the many changes and excited to present them to the Matanuska Susitna Valley community.

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March 2014

Politics

Dereliction of duty

By Stuart Thompson Fellow citizens, I just concluded a simple live test of the Alaska government’s apparatus to police against judicial misconduct. To see if this apparatus really works, I used what’s really a low-level transgression---exposed by uncontestable public-record evidence--under judicial canon and statutes defining judicial misconduct.

The apparatus doesn’t reliably work.

Both the Alaska Commission on Judicial Conduct and the Alaska Supreme Court utterly failed to uphold discipline in a way that places the whole judicial branch in disrepute.

Accordingly, I have appealed to the Legislative and Executive Branches to check apparently chronic judicial branch misbehavior with a report entitled “Evidenced Dereliction of Duty & Disrespect for Rule of Law (Under the US & Alaska Constitutions) by the Alaska Commission on Judicial Conduct & the Alaska Supreme Court”.

What follows are excerpts from that report, and a much abbreviated summary of the facts upon which it depends.

“Honored sirs: By the authority of your oath of office, I call on you to redeem the US Constitutional guarantee of a republican form of government for Alaska against infringement through patterns of practice and virtual contempt for Rule of Law by the Alaska Commission on Judicial Conduct & the Alaska Supreme Court. The 1955 Alaska Constitutional Convention was advised of defects in the Judicial Branch’s design. The Convention did not heed this advice, and allowed the Alaska Judiciary to be peculiarly self

The People’s Paper

policing. Consequently, the warning that the Alaska Judiciary would eventually mutate its degree of judicial independence into [only] self-serving respect for Rule of Law, and an elitist refusal to be accountable to the true source of its power, has come to pass.

This directly abrogates the Alaska people’s right to a republican form of government.

taking well over 6 months---as exposed by public record. The definition of timely judicial work is ruled by Judicial Canon 3(8) [“A judge shall dispose of all judicial matters promptly, efficiently, and fairly.”] and AS 22.15.220 Compensation [which requires a judge swearing that no judicial matters under his consideration are older than 6 months to get paid].

Central to any form of republican government is Rule of Law---which self-evidently compels all government officials to openly found or trace all their judgments, acts and conduct to authorized (by public process) constitutional, statutory, or regulatory direction.

2) As my judge was otherwise treating me fairly, I petitioned the Presiding Judge of his district to do his statutorily defined duties [AS 22.10.130 Appointment & Duties of Presiding Judges ]and a) adjust my judge’s case load so he had adequate time to rule on the backlog of pending motions in my cases; b) investigate his office for why this dilatory judicial conduct hadn’t been handled by his superiors months ago [when Supreme Court rules of court administration require judges to report to their presiding judge on outstanding judicial matters every 10 days]; and c) grant de facto clemency, instead of effectively making my judge into a scapegoat for negligence by his superiors.

This is also the ultimate expression of accountability, as it embraces the concept that no-one is above the law so all government activity is able to be anticipated by the people governed.

This public capability to anticipate what government will do is what really divides Government of, by, and for the People from the elitism of Rule of Men. History is full of kings, emperors, and other aristocrats being elected to office.

So for the Judiciary to be so organized or empowered as to neglect or refuse public disclosure of the competent basis of it judgments and conduct is plainly disrespect for Rule of Law. Furthermore, it is dereliction of duty to have this same lack of accountability manifest itself in the self-policing processes for addressing judicial misconduct established by the Alaska Constitution.”

> Here’s an abbreviated

recounting of what happened: 1) While litigating civil cases files against me, I observed the judge assigned my cases failing to rule in a timely fashion on critical motions properly filed for his consideration. In over a half a dozen examples, he was

The Presiding Judge blew the whole thing off with no relevant citation of authority; and filed judicial misconduct complaint on his subordinate with the Alaska Judicial Conduct Commission..

3) Consequently, I turned in a judicial misconduct complaint against the Presiding Judge---with full public record documentation of the facts and full citation of ruling statute and case-law, and a defense brief on the misconduct complaint filed by the Presiding Judge.

The Commission returned, without any grounded explanation, a dismissal of pursuing proper investigation. This was in the face of the uncontestable public records provided, and meticulous

citation of relevant ruling authority.

4) I appealed this refusal to investigate judicial misconduct and demonstrated rebellion against Supreme Courtissued Alaska Rules of Court. The Supreme Court denied my application for review in the face of uncontestable facts and clearly cited ruling authority.

Furthermore, they refused to even look at a notice of perjury committed by the attorney representing the Commission on Judicial Conduct---evidenced by a recording of the Commission’s Chairman speaking. This is a blatant refusal to uphold discipline.

CONCLUSION: Far from being a shotgun condemnation of Alaska’s career jurists, this report is confirmation that the warning given the Alaska Constitutional Convention--that the design of the state’s judiciary will eventually fail to ensure proper public accountability---should have been heeded. These defects need to be faithfully addressed by true judicial reform using the checking powers of the executive and legislative branches of Alaska government.”

To date, our Governor’s office has refused to recognize and acknowledge receipt of the report. Our Governor’s office also ignored repeated communication about it from Rep. Don Young’s office. Members of our legislative branch have all deferred to their respective judicial committees--who are “reviewing it as time permits”.

One wonders what it takes to engage the oath-bound interest of elected public officials. Does one have to video Alaska Judicial Branch officials beating up on people who annoy them or using copies of the Alaska and US Constitutions as toilet paper? What do you think?

> Author: Stuart Thompson PO Box 870702, Wasilla AK 99687 ////1-877-950-7980

CLASSES BEGIN: APRIL 7TH, 8TH AND 10TH MAY 5TH, 6TH, AND 8TH

Community

PALMER TOASTMASTERS

Contributed by Jan Thurlow Vicki Kluever of Palmer Toastmasters won the Area 5 Evaluation Contest.

She was representing the Anchorage Advanced Club at the time where Kluever is also a member.

Kluever will compete in the Yukon Alaska Council of Toastmasters Speech Evaluation Contest. The contest will be held in Fairbanks on Saturday March 15th. Good luck Vicki!

Speech Evaluation is a common practice in every Toastmasters meeting.

The Speech Evaluation is an unrehearsed, timed speaking opportunity, and helps to develop or improve on the crucial thinking and listening skills that are important to effective communication.

> DARIN CARPENTER Q&A CONTINUED writing him he just took on a life of his own that was different from what we expected him to be. So here you are creating this character and how he is but he’s almost pulling away from you and becoming his own character and you don’t have as much control as you thought you did in how he evolved.

In the speech evaluation contest, the contestants know nothing in advance about the speech or even who the speaker will be. nights from Kluever is a local artist who creates unique and beautiful jewelry.

JO: Can you see doing more movie projects? Has it been enough fun that you want to do more?

You can view Kluever’s “Classy Glass Expressions” at The Gallery in Palmer.

Kluever is president of the Palmer Toastmasters Club and a Mobile Notary.

> The public is welcome at all

Toastmasters meetings. We meet on Tuesday nights from 6:007:00 PM.

> Join us at the Palmer MTA Building at 480 Commercial Drive. We have a lot of fun!

JO: That’s really powerful. I’ve heard a lot of professional writers feel that way. They get sucked in and they know these characters.

DC: Yeah, and I felt that way.

Actually, I was writing for Chad doing a lot of the cartoon stuff and, the main characters, I actually felt like I really knew them.

That’s huge; to see when people read the script and really like it it’s pretty amazing. I mean, wow, I’m doing something like this and people are enjoying it.

“So to me that is humbling and exciting and gives me confidence. I’m like, what other things can we do? But we have to finish the movie first.”

March 2014

You know Sherman the squirrel and Andy the lemming? When Andy the lemming was created, initially we thought okay we’ll make this lemming and he’s going to be depressed. So that was the idea but when I started

DC: Yeah I would like to. If we could figure some way that I could do this for a job that would be great. I don’t know if that’s going to happen. I like creating places and it’s really fun to see other people and how they react to it.

The Speech Evaluator has very little time to collect their thoughts before presenting their oral evaluation to the speaker. The Speech Evaluator typically offers praise, mentions what they most liked about the speech and offers 1 or

Film

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Kluever Wins Gold

2 helpful and specific suggestions that would help the speaker improve upon the speech or the manner in which the speech was given.

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APPROVED HOMESCHOOL VENDOR

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March 2014

Religion

TLC Corner Chat

By Prayer and Supplication

Contributed by Tiffany Rye As I sit to put my thoughts to my keyboard and type this article, I feel overwhelmed by the Holy Spirit dwelling up inside of me like a fountain that has just been plugged into an energy source and is full of life giving water as it starts to rumble from within and the air pushes its way through the water and out of the top of the spring where it bursts forth with life and then starts to flow over the terrain its presence inhabits below. I feel a shower of words coming to me as I type. I could go on for hours and days if you let me.

Those who personally know me can attest to this as they have been with me in our store or even a grocery store and watched and listened as I have shared a testimony of what The Lord has done in my life for many years. I share this as a preface to what I sense The Lord has called me to share with His people who choose to read this.

Not as a boasting of who or what I have been through or accomplished but as a TESTIMONY of His TRUTH and LOVE in my life to strengthen, encourage and comfort whoever is reading this.

As I sat in a quiet time of breakfast, prayer and communion with The Lord this morning, I wondered what it would be like to share that experience with those reading this article and perhaps someone who has not experienced what I have through the simple act of giving Him the first part of everything not just my money, my time each morning. I am going to share a brief yet very transparent overview of what a morning in my life and my mind looks like with our readers.

Tuesday, March 4th, 2014. I awake at 7am as my kind and loving husband comes to kiss me and snuggle with me before he leaves for the day (away from me all day, which is not something I enjoy, I love this man more than any other human being on the face of this earth and he is a living example of Christ to me so why would I want to be away from that kind of influence?).

Reality check: He still falls short like I do and if we spend too much time together we can irritate each other.

Yes, we are human just like you.

I finally get up about 7:30am, go through my emails from my business, respond if necessary, scroll through Facebook and see if there is anyone I can pray for and comment with a prayer if I feel led by The Lord. Yes, all of this while still lying in bed. By 8am, before my feet hit the floor I speak out loud, “JESUS JESUS JESUS, come and break my heart for what breaks Yours today. Teach me Your ways everlasting and show me how to love like You do.

Give me Your Strength, Your Love, Your Power, Your Grace, Your Mercy, Your Compassion and most of all Your Will to love my enemies whoever they may be. Take out the one who comes against me and crush his head as he tries to bruise my heel. Lord, give me Faith beyond measure where I fall short and Lord love on those people who I have the opportunity to touch with Your words today. Bring on Your Divine Appointments as You will them in my life. Use me up Lord, fill me up Lord, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Then I turn on my phone to the Internet and bring up the song, “Fill Me Up” by Jesus Culture and play it as I pray and cry out to The Lord with my desires for my life and those around me who are hurting. I use this time to let Him convict my heart of those things I need to be thankful for that He is already doing and has done in my life! Fill Me Up God!! I usually end by crying

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and singing along with the song as He calls me to worship Him. “Love of God overflow, permeate all my soul.”

I sit and eat breakfast at the dining table with “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young daily devotional and The New Life Ministries “Life Recovery Bible NLT” in front of me. I can already feel His Presence around me. I read on. Jesus Calling by Sarah Young (readings portrayed as Jesus calling to us through the pages) page 67, March 4th, reads, “REFUSE TO WORRY! In this world there will always be something enticing you to worry. That is the nature of a fallen, fractured planet: Things are not as they should be. So the temptation to be anxious is constantly with you, trying to worm its way into your mind.

The best defense is continual communication with Me, richly seasoned with thanksgiving.

Awareness of My Presence fills your mind with Light and Peace, leaving no room for fear. This awareness lifts you up above your circumstances, enabling you to see problems from My perspective. Live close to Me! Together we can keep the wolves of worry at bay.”

Book of Luke12:25-26; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 As I look up the scriptures and read them aloud I see the truths God wants me to see in front of my eyes on a page from Him. Luke 12:25-26 NLT reads, “Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?” There is such power and truth in these words. Since animals and plants don’t worry about food and clothing, neither should we. As we make His Kingdom our primary concern, He will take care of us as He takes care of these things.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT reads,

“Always be joyful. Never stop praying.

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus,” Paul’s final good advice.

Our part is to participate in the good plan He has set out for us.

As I prayed after reading these devotions, I wrote the words, “By Prayer and Supplication” on a paper.

Then I looked it up to see what God was showing me. Philippians 4:6 NLT “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God.” I was led to look up the word “supplication.”

Supplication: (aka petitioning) is a form of prayer, wherein one party humbly or earnestly asks another party to provide something, either for themselves or on behalf of someone else. WOW!! By Prayer and Supplication now means to me that I should pray and do it earnestly on behalf of myself and others with a heart of thanksgiving according to His Word.

So today Lord, I come to You as Your humble servant and I pray on behalf of myself and those who are taking the time to read this article and really take it in, that You would move mountains in their lives. That You Lord would take away the burdens of this life and shine Your Light onto the dark places that inhabit their minds. That You would show Your grace and mercy in an even greater way than You have in the past as they call upon Your Son’s name, Jesus Jesus Jesus.

That You would show them Your Truth through a choice of their own to open Your Living Word and their eyes to see and their ears to hear what You Alone, the I AM, the Alpha and Omega, their Creator has to say to them with all wisdom, power, glory and love, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Adventures in Eating…

AARDVARK CATERING AND PIZZA THYME Contributed by Lori Gorsch

But you don’t have to imagine!

All these things can be found in nearby Big Lake at the Pizza Thyme

Owned by gena and Sherman Weinberger-Caruthers, both from Big Lake, this eatery serves not only a yummy variety of Pizzas, but a refreshing choice of handmade pasta and sauces.

Making everything possible from scratch takes a little longer but shows in each mouthful.

Both the Seafood Fettucini and the Chicken Alfredo got a thumbsup (their mouths were full) from my notoriously picky sons. The “Drunken Pork Chop” was fun to order AND taste.

If you come on a Friday after 3:00, order the Clam Chowder in a bread bowl. The taste is awesome and the clams tender but it rarely last long so order early! DO leave room for the Mexican Brownie!

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Imagine a relaxing Sunday afternoon. Imagine sitting around a table with family/friends or neighbors after finishing a delicious dinner made with all fresh ingredients and love. And imagine listening to a “gentle jazz” being played live in the background to ready you for the chaos of the weekdays ahead.

restaurant and Aardvark Catering (live jazz on Sunday only).

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Food & Entertainment

March 2014

> CONTINUES ON PAGE 33

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March 2014

Community

Mika Hoage’s Eagle Project

By Mika Hoage

The purpose of my project was to make foster kids feel more comfortable in their new home, by giving them items that they could call their own.

Some of the items included in my project were: colorbooks and crayons, journals and pencils, sippy cups and various sizes of clothing ranging from infant to teenager.

All of the items (aside from clothing) were put into backpacks to

complete the "kits". Each backpack was appropriately sorted to go to a specific age range of child. The age ranges I used were: Infant/Toddler, Elementary, and Above Elementary Children. Boys and girls packs were also sorted as well. At the end of the day, we had 65 backpacks filled!

The reason I chose this project was because my family has taken care of foster children since 2011. I have seen that these children come with little or nothing to their new home.

I wanted to give them something to definitely call their own, as well as give them the basic essentials until their foster families can purchase more items. I think that by giving foster kids these kits, the caseworkers, the foster parents, and the kids themselves will benefit.

> Mika worked with The Children’s Place, 357-5157 (the local Child Advocacy Center) and Alaska Center for Resource Families, 376-4678 (support and training for foster, relative and adoptive families.) > The 65 backpacks will be stored at the Office of Children’s Services to be given to children that come in to foster care.

Please contact us for more information if you are interested in developing a project like this.

Community

Contributed by Hillary Saffron

Eligible employers are private sector businesses, non-profit organizations, and non-government employers.

The employer must have a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) and a current Alaska business license. On the Job Training reimburses an employer for a portion of the wages during the training of a TA client/employee.

If an employer does not have any jobs available but could use some extra help, and would like to assist a participant in developing job skills, then hosting a work opportunity such

Community Work Experience allows participants to develop job skills and recent work experience, network with potential employers, and contribute valuable services to their communities.

Clients acquire knowledge, skills and work ethics that employers find beneficial when seeking new employees.

Work assignments include work duties that match the participantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vocational interests, and enhance their skills and abilities to find paid employment.

For a business that operates as a for-profit entity, a Business Work Experience (BWE) participant could be very beneficial to the company hosting a placement opportunity.

If, at a future date, a Business Work Experience participant secures an offer of paid employment, it is agreed that this Business Work Experience Agreement may be ended with short notice. The participantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s entry into a paid job represents a positive and meaningful outcome for all parties.

Successful employment for employers and workers helps to create a healthy and productive Mat-Su Valley.

> If you are an employer or organization that would like more information about these valuable programs, please contact Hillary Saffran, Alaska Family Services Job Development Specialist at 907352-2634, or hillarys@akafs. org > If you have general questions

about Alaska Family Services, or would like more information on all the programs and services offered by Alaska Family Services, please contact 746-4080 for additional information.

March 2014

If so, then the On the Job Training program might be the answer for you. Alaska Family Services Job Development program would like to give employers in the Mat-Su community the opportunity to tap

A Temporary Assistance participant employed in an OJT position is to be considered a regular employee.

The working conditions, wages, and required federal and state benefits in OJT positions must be equal to those provided to a regular employee employed a similar length of time, and doing the same type of work.

Community Work Experience is an activity in which clients perform assigned duties and provide useful public service without receiving wages from an employer. Clients engage in needed work tasks at nonprofit, government, and charitable organizations or as a member of their community, while gaining valuable work skills.

When a business accepts a Department of Public Assistance Business Work Experience participant, they are providing an individual the chance to develop skills necessary to be successful in paid employment.

Are you a business that needs some extra help and would like to receive monetary compensation for training a potential employee?

On the Job Training (OJT) creates a job opportunity for Temporary Assistance participants by subsidizing an employerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s training cost when they hire and train a Temporary Assistance (TA) recipient.

as a Community Work Experience (CWE) or Business Work Experience (BWE) site might be what you are looking for.

Visit www.MakeASceneAK.com

Creating a Win-Win for Employers and Workers

into a pool of workers who are good candidates for a job, but just may need some additional training.

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2/15/14

makeasceneak@mac.com

SENIORS

March 2014

Visit www.MakeASceneAK.com

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To have your non-profit organization included in this free community resource list, please email your info to:

Palmer Senior Citizens Center, Inc.

The priApry mission of the Palmer Senior Citizens Center, Inc. is to assist individuals age sixty or older, individuals of any age with Alzheimer’s Disease or Related Disorders, individuals of any age on the Medicaid Waiver program and other eligible individuals in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough remain as independent as possible in the least restrictive environment possible and out of expensive nursing homes for as long as possible.

Services include: congregate and home delivered meals, transportation, adult day services, care coordination, senior employment, family caregivers support, information / referral, chore services, senior housing, chore services, Better Choices Better Health classes, HELP program, activities and volunteer opportunities.

745-5454, pscc@mtaonline.net

Alzheimer’s Resource Agency of Alaska

As Alaska’s resource on Alzheimer’s disease, the Alzheimer’s Disease Resource Agency of Alaska (ADRAA) is committed to providing information, education and services for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders (ADRD) and their caregivers. We have served Alaskans since 1984, and today we help more than 5,000 people annually.

As a non-profit statewide organization, we provide family consultations, care coordination, in-home services for frail elders & individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and education programs to family caregivers and health care professionals. We are your resource for information and can refer you to services in Alaska or the contiguous U.S. Sam Meneses, 746-3432, www.alzalaska.org

Valley Charities, Inc; dba Turn-A-Leaf Thrift Store

Provides medical equipment to all income brackets in the Valley; provides clothing and household goods to Valley residents that are economically disadvantaged.

John Rozzi , 376-5740

Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc. (WASI)

A Health and Wellness Campus for Seniors on the Go! The goal at WASI is to assist and refer services for Seniors 60 and older so they can live as independently as possible for as long as possible.

Some of the services provided are: Meals: Family Style Meals Monday through Friday 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Center. Meals on Wheels home delivered meals.

Housing: Independent Housing for low income and Aprket rate individuals. Optional Assisted Living Services Transportation: Partnership with MASCOT Bus $.60 per one way ride. Dr. visits by appointment Other Activities: Cards, Wii, and Painting at the Center Blood Pressure Checks Club50 Fitness Center, Strong Seniors Program ($5/8 weeks) Shopping Trips and other outings Valley Performing Arts Theater Visits And much more… call 376-3104 opt.2 for more information.

Dennie Jaques , 376-3104

Mat-Su Area Partnership (MAP)

An organization of non-profit agencies in the MatSu Valley. MAP holds a monthly meeting on a Thursday at the Menard Sports Complex in Wasilla. www.mapartnership.org/matsu/

Mid-Valley Seniors Inc

Mid-Valley Seniors, Inc. Mid-Valley Seniors has 3 senior housing units-18 apartments and serves a congregate meal Mon-Fri at 12:00pm. Home delivered meals served daily fresh Mon-Fri, weekend meals are frozen.

Transportation to Adult Day Services is available Mon-Fri 8:00am-3:00pm Come up to the Center for activities or lunch.

Lisa Byrd, 892-6114 mvscadmin@mtaonline.net

FAMILIES & CHILDREN Alaska Family Services

Alaska Family Services is a multi-dimensional non-profit that has over 20 programs serving the Mat-Su Valley. Major areas are: domestic violence, behavioral health, WIC, family support, and residential for youth with emotional issues.

Donn A. Bennice, Ph.D. 746-4080 akafs.org

LINKS Mat-Su Parent Resource Center.

We provide support and assistance to families with disabilities. LINKS provides support and trainings, parent to parent connections to mentor, information and referral, and access to library materials.

These services are provided through one-onone assistance and individualized workshops for small or large groups. Our vision is to ensure that every parent and family who has a child with a special need has access to information, education, outreach, and support in a culturally competent environment and to empower then to be advocates for themselves, their children, and their families.

New location on the Palmer-Wasilla Hwy next to North Star Bakery, across the street from MSSCA. Amber Parker, Admin Assisiant. amberp@linksprc.org , 373-3632

MYHouse Homeless Teen Shelter in the Matsu

is a non-profit that exists to provide services to unaccompanied youth, ages 14-24, in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough. The services we provide include, but are not limited to, hot meals, shelf stable foods, gas cards, transport to shelter, clothing, tents, sleeping bags, laundry, shower, hygiene products, street outreach, access to medical, dental and mental health care, vocational services and employment opportunities, educational advocacy and life coaching. Our youth center, The Gathering Place, is located at 300 N. Willow St in central Wasilla. Also on campus is the MYHouse Café, Gathering Grounds, which exists to provide employment for homeless and at risk youth, as well as our partnering agencies and businesses, Nine Star, Mat-Su Public Health Center and Car Deets (an automotive detailing business which hires homeless youth). To learn more, visit our website at myhousematsu.org or call 373-4357.

Family Promise Mat-Su

Provides a shelter for families without housing.

We mobilize community resources and local congregations to provide compassionate care through shelter, meals, and case management to families without housing. Guest families are housed in area church buildings at night for a week at a time...moving to new host church on Sundays.

Applications are available on our website.

357-6160, www.familypromisematsu.org

The Children’s Place

The Children’s Place child advocacy center is a child-friendly, neutral facility where professionals from many agencies involved in the evaluation, investigation and treatment of child abuse meet to coordinate and bring their services to the child and their family. We provide child forensic interviews, medical exams, linkage to mental health providers, follow-up support and referrals throughout the investigation process. Referrals to The Children’s Place are made through law enforcement and Office of Children’s Services.

The Children’s Place, 357-5157, www. alaskachildrensplace.com

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska

Strengthens our communities by providing mentors to all children who need and want a caring adult role model – special friends who can help them expand their horizons, realize their potential and enrich their futures – changing their lives.

Alaska Center for Resource Families

Provides support, training and education for foster, relative and adoptive families caring for children that have been abused and neglected. ACRF also

helps support the Mat-Su Grandparents Support Group in collaboration with Links and Volunteers of America. For more information about foster care and adopting children that are in the OCS child protection system visit our website www.acrf.org or call 376-4678.

376-4678, bwoodin@nwresource.org

Pillows for Kids Foundation

We provide little pillows of support and little scholarships for local children to participate in brain-training activities such as art, music, gymnastics, swimming, skiing, snowboarding, skating, horseback riding, and Aprtial arts..

Mentors and community members contact us when there is an identified need to keep kids, preschool through college, connected with good activities in our community. We plan to publish a book and CD/DVD of Evan’s “Little Pillow” song (copyrighted) soon. Currently, we are selling washable, decorator pillows of all shapes, sizes and colors for kids and adults as a way of creating funding for the scholarships.

Valerie Koivunen pillowsforkids@gmail.com

The Moose Boosters Wrestling Club

A youth development organization that provides aid and funding to low income recreational facilitates and athletes at the high school level. Funding supports athletes who participate in wrestling programs while meeting academic standards.

Michelle Heun 355-7099

Set Free Alaska

Brief description about non-profit: Our children, friends, co-workers; there is someone we know who is struggling with addiction and destructive behaviors. It is the goal of Set Free Alaska to provide excellent, individualized services to our clients. Set Free Alaska is a Christian outpatient substance abuse treatment center that uses a mind-body-spirit approach to recovery.

Our programs are designed to assist people in gaining freedom from the bondage of addiction and destructive behaviors. Set Free Alaska realizes that cost can be a huge deterrent to people seeking and receiving the help they need as well as a huge relapse trigger. Our assessments are based on a sliding fee scale. It is the goal of Set Free Alaska that no person be denied the services they need due to lack of financial resources. Our offices are open Mon-Fri 10-6 and we are located on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway across from the AT&T Sports Center.

Philip Licht, Executive Director 373-4732, www.setfreealaska.org/

Big Lake Community Clothing Closet

Donated by local Alaskans, Big Lake Community Clothing Closet provides quality clothing to people in need, at no charge.

Clothing and footwear for people of all ages is available. Also, assorted household items as they are available.

This unique program helps people locally.

Donations are accepted, to further the program.

Any money donated helps pay the rent for our location at 2955 Big Lake Rd., Big Lake, Alaska.

Financial donation could also be mailed to the Big Lake Community Clothing Closet, PO Box 527069, Big Lake, AK 99652.

Open Wednesday’s from 11am-3pm All donations of quality clothing in good condition can be donated at the above address during regular hours of operation.

We are a non-profit organization, all donations are tax deductable. Tax ID available to donors.

Check us out on Facebook.

Co-Administrators Stephanie O. 892-5450 Christy M. 775-3238

The ARTs Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums, under the leadership of Pipe Major Aja Stewart, are now seeking Pipers and Drummers who would like to play with our Band. We want to increase the size of our awardwinning Drumline, so if you are already familiar with drumming (snare, tenor, or bass,) or if you want to

learn to play, we would like to hear from you! We would like to extend a cordial invitation to anyone who would like to learn to play bagpipes or drums, to FREE lessons with our Band.

You don’t have to be Scottish, or even have any musical background, to start. We firmly believe that you’re never too old to learn; we have active students and performing members of the Band ranging in age from 7 to 70!

We are a grade IV competing, family-oriented Pipe Band, established in 2005, and we are very active in supporting our community with music at parades, concerts, and special events. Our purpose is to advance the rich cultural heritage of Great Highland Bagpipe music, and to have FUN doing it! ACPD provides free instruction in piping and drumming, with Band practice to follow, every Friday evening at 5:00 and 5:45 pm at Eagle River Presbyterian Church, 12836 Old Glenn Highway, in Eagle River.

Phenomenal!

Those interested in lessons, or in playing pipes or drums with Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums, please contact the Band by email at craigag@mtaonline. net or by telephone at (907) 688-4196. The band’s website can be found at http://www.alaskaceltic. org , plus, we’re on Facebook! “The Pipes, the Pipes are calling...”

Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums of Eagle River

Radio Free Palmer

Our mission is to promote, plan, support and conduct educational and cultural activities and opportunities for the benefit of the citizens and residents of Alaska. We do this by providing an outlet for the many talented musicians in and around our area to perform and a venue for the public to come and enjoy with us our music.

Rehearsals are every Mon. from 7 to 9 p.m. at Teeland Middle School. For more information, contact Gleo Huyck at 746-0628. matsuconcertband@gmail.com

Radio Free Palmer is community radio serving the Sutton and Palmer communities as KVRF 89.5 FM and online at radiofreepalmer.org. On air since 2011, KVRF’s mission is to foster community involvement.

Currently we produce great local shows on topics from health to mushing - and the list of programs is growing. Online we add important community events such as the Borough Assembly and School Board Meetings. Listen to Radio Free Palmer KVRF 89.5 for more community-centric news, music, sports, music or come volunteer to to help bring great radio programming to the valley.

Mike Chmielewski, COO 745-8951, Manager@radiofreepalmer.org Radiofreepalmer.org and on Facebook and Twitter

Valley Fine Arts Association

VFAA was formed to teach techniques, and encourage fellowship among visual artists in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. we strive to promote a supportive attitude toward visual arts in our Alaskan community.

We welcome beginners, students, part-time and professional artists who focus mainly on twodimensional art mediums and want to connect with other creative people and gain more exposure locally.

Throughout the year, we inform our members about opportunities to show their work, participate in group events, view other local artists, and enroll in workshops. During the school year, we organize regular sessions for painting together and host monthly artist demonstrations on the 1st and 3rd Mondays from 4 - 8 p.m.; Room 212 at Mat-Su College. Aprch 7 @ 6:00 p.m., Charles Gause will be the guest speaker.

Membership in the Valley Fine Arts Association provides many diverse opportunities for artists. Check our website calendar at www. valleyfineartsassociation.com for upcoming events.

Mat-Su Community Chorus, Inc.

As Musical Ambassadors of The Valley, The MatSu Community Chorus has provided quality vocal music, in its various forms, for the benefit, education and enjoyment of its members and the surrounding communities since 1970. Our membership is open to the public, inviting all who wish to add their voice in song. We offer complimentary performances at public celebrations and deliver formal concerts twice a year.

We are a 501(c)3, non-profit organization, currently with twenty-two members and we are looking towards expanding the organization to better serve the community. With the support from individuals, businesses and other civic organizations we are able to grow our group by bringing the community together through music and to continue our standard of excellence.

We meet Octember through Nov. on Thursday evenings at 7-9pm in the Choir Room at Wasilla High School.

Nan Potts 745-8788 matsucomchours@gmail.com

Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums of Eagle River, under the leadership of Pipe Major Aja Stewart and Drum Sergeant Bryan Gonzales, are actively recruiting pipers and drummers, as well as those interested in learning Great Highland Bagpipes and Highland Drumming (snare, tenor, bass.) We would like to extend a cordial invitation to anyone who would like to learn to play bagpipes or drums, to FREE lessons with our Band.

We are a grade IV competing, family-oriented pipe band established in 2005, and beginners of any age are welcome. Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums are very active in supporting the community in which we live. Our purpose is to advance the rich cultural heritage of Great Highland Bagpipe music, and to have FUN doing it! ACPD provides free instruction in piping and drumming, with Band practice to follow, every Friday evening at 5:00 and 5:45 pm at Eagle River Presbyterian Church, 12836 Old Glenn Highway, in Eagle River .

Those interested in lessons, or in becoming members of ACPD, please contact the Band by email at Nov.gstensgericht@yahoo.com or by telephone at (907) 376-5060. The band’s website can be found at http://www.alaskaceltic.org

Mat-Su Concert Band, Inc.

The Whirling Rainbow Foundation

Grandmother Drum International Peace Project The Whirling Rainbow Foundation is an international spiritual and educational non- profit organization which honors and celebrates the diverse cultural and spiritual paths of the human family. The foundation cultivates the universal teachings of inner peace, loving compassion, wisdom and understanding at the core of every culture and spiritual tradition. We are starting a Global Peace Sanctuary and Sustainable Community in Palmer.

The GrandMother Drum International Peace Project travels the world as the international voice of the Whirling Rainbow Foundation. As a symbol of the heartbeat of love that connects all nations and all races, the seven foot, crystal inlaid GrandMother Drum holds local and global events promoting peace and unity through the universal language of music, dance, cultural and healings arts.

White Eagle Medicine Woman (Suraj Holzwarth) Executive Director www.whirlingrainbow.com

Valley Performing Arts

We’re celebrating 36 years of Quality Live Theatre!

VPA performs seven plays a year from Octember through Nov.. We welcome actors, volunteers, program advertisers and play sponsors to join in supporting VPA, the Valley’s oldest live theatre. The VPA Summer Theatre Arts Programs take place Nov. through Nov. and are for youth 6-11 and 1217. The VPA Annual Meeting & Awards Ceremony is held each Nov. and Annual Fundraiser in October.

Purchase your tickets online or from our office.

Check out audition dates and show times on our website. VPA is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization.

373-0195, www.valleyperformingarts.org

Valley Arts Alliance

The Valley Arts Alliance is a group of like-minded individuals who have joined together to encourage, sponsor, facilitate and support artistic expression.

We are a place for both new and established artists of all types—painters, sculptors, musicians, and those involved in the performing arts—to network and to experiment with new ideas and media.

We work with local libraries, schools, museums, art councils, and music and art groups to create more venues for the arts, and to help promote art related events. www.valleyartsalliance.com

VARIETY

AK Cat Kitty Rescue

The Last Frontier Honor Flight

is a local small kitty rescue. We specialize in litters of kittens, and our facility is designed that way.

We will take in litters from the community, and will assist in getting their mom cat spayed. ALL of our kittens are up to date on vaccines, and have been spayed/ or neutered prior to adoptions. We are a 501c3, so any donations are tax deductible. If you are looking to adopt, or need help placing a litter, please call us! We are currently looking for help with computer type tasks, updating website, or updating our adoptions and monthly expences.

AK CAT 907-232-4444 www.akcat.org

Alaska Dog & Puppy Rescue (ADPR)

Alaska Assistance Dogs (Aad)

AAD provides service dogs to Alaskans with special needs (physical, physiological & mental health), and incorporates therapeutic programs into service dog training. AAD works with special education students at school, provides teen mentoring in community training venues, offers domestic violence/PTSD support groups, FASD/ Autism programs, and provides service dogs and support groups for veterans with PTSD and their families.

Therapist on staff, and all trainers are certified by the founder of the service dog concept, Dr. Bonnie Bergin.

Carole J. Shay, Lpc. carole@alaskaassistancedogs.org

Meadow Gates Farm Sanctuary

Meadow Gates Farm Sanctuary has provided shelter and care for unwanted pet rabbits since 2001. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable corporation. Rabbits are taken in when space is available. They are evaluated for behavior and personality, spayed/neutered, then adopted to new pet homes. Bunnies not able to be adopted are maintained permanently at the sanctuary.

Responsible adult volunteers are always needed.

907-357-6437, www.meadowgates.com manager@meadowgates.com

All Donations are tax deductible, according to state and federal laws. You can make a donation to The Last Frontier Honor Flight PO Box 520116 Big Lake, Alaska 99652, or pay with a credit card on our website at www.tlfhonorflight.org. If you would like to volunteer you can contact our President Ron Travis at (907) 892-6097 for meeting times and places.

The Sertoma Club - Wasilla

In case of emergencies such as fire or earthquake in the valley, the Food Pantry of Wasilla also cooperates with other organizations and government agencies to render assistance.

Eddie Ezelle, 907-357-3769 Main 501 E.Bogard Rd., Wasilla www.foodpantryofwasilla.org

Valley Residential Services (VRS)

North America Outdoor Institute

VRS provides special needs housing to individuals who experience behavioral or developmental disabilities, low-income levels or those who are homeless. VRS currently has 168 properties in the Mat-Su Valley with special programs to assist with rental assistance and we can assist with linking individuals to social service agencies who can assist with life skills programs.

(907) 357-0256 , valleyres.org

We host the Mat Su Polar Plunge raising funds for non-profits in the Matanuska Susitna Valley, Alaska. February 2011 we saw 85 jumpers raise almost $20,000 which was then given to the Food Pantry of Wasilla and Turn A Leaf Thrift Stores. The Food Pantry provides emergency food supplies to families in need. Turn A Leaf has a medical lending equipment program which is now organized with software purchased with funds received. Both were grant recipients from the Mat Su Sertoma Club. Grant applications for the 2012 Mat Su Polar Plunge are located on our website: www. matsuplunge.com.

Alaska Attachment & Bonding Associates (AABA)

We have a wonderful club of volunteers! On a weekly basis you’ll find a Mat Su Sertoman at the Food Pantry, Wasilla Senior Campus, Valley Charities, helping Special Olympics and the list goes on and on! Our goal for 2011/2012 year is to raise more than, $25,000 in polar plunge funds.

You can pledge or sign up to jump! Just visit our website for more information.

Food Pantry of Wasilla

Join us every other Thursday at 5:00pm at the Tailgaters Sports Bar and Grill. Our next meeting is Nov. 25th. We always have new speakers and a great time. See you there!

TOPS

Take of Pounds Sensibly Non-Profit Weight Loss Support Group Three (3) Chapters meet weekly in the Valley.

Kathy Miller - 376-9571 or write to matsutops@webtv.net

Valley Community for Recycling Solutions (VCRS)

Our mission is to educate and provide opportunities in our community to reduce, reuse, and recycle for the long-term good of all.

Our vision is to establish the Mat-Su Borough as

Educates and supports foster, adoptive, kinship care, step, grand and guardianship parents and professionals who care for children with emotional mental health issues, such as Attachment Disorder.

AABA provides workshops, e-mail/telephone support, resource/referral information, selfadvocacy, AABA web-site www.akattachment. org, RAVEN Respite, newsletters, brochures, lending library, and Mom2Mom/Dad2Dad parent support group. For more information: Laura Wagner 907-376-0366 The mission of the Food Pantry of Wasilla is: “To provide persons who reside in the Matanuska Susitna Valley with needed supplemental food supplies. Food Pantry of Wasilla distributes goods to its clients in a manner which gives dignity to all.”

All distributions made by the Food Pantry of Wasilla shall be made notwithstanding any person’s race, color, sex, age, handicap, religious affiliation, or national origin.

Our hours of operation are: Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

We offer two food programs to residents of the Mat-Su Valley. We operate a community-supplied food pantry, accepting cash and food donations from individuals and groups and supply clients with food for nutritionally-balanced meals to help people get back on their feet.

We also administer distribution of TEFAP government commodities. TEFAP is (The Emergency Food Assistance Program). This is a needs-based program, which Nov. be accessed monthly by any client who meets the governmentestablished-qualifications. Food distributed is based on availability and instructions from USDA.

OUTDOORS The North America Outdoor Institute (NAOI) is a not-for-profit community outreach organization providing outdoor safety and environmental awareness education programs for the general public in an effort to save lives from preventable outdoor injuries and deaths. Debra McGhan, debra@naoiak.org 376-2898 , www.naoiak.org

Alaskans for Palmer Hay Flats

Alaskans for Palmer Hay Flats is dedicated to conserving the natural and cultural resources of Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge through public awareness, recreation, education and enhancement projects. Healthy, outdoor recreation in a safe, beautiful setting is what APH helps provide to all users.

357-8712, info@palmerhayflats.org www.palmerhayflats.org

Alaska Frontier Trappers Association

The Alaska Frontier Trappers Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the ethical and lawful practice of trapping Alaska’s fur bearers.

We work to educate fellow trappers, children and the public in general about trapping as a necessary wildlife management and research tool.

Our monthly meetings usually include a guest speaker and/or a demonstration and fur handling information. Meetings which are held at 7 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month at the Palmer Library. Everyone is welcome to attend. www.akfrontiertrappers.com

The Center is operated by dedicated volunteers helping to feed the birds, administer medical treatment, clean cages, and do whatever it takes to help these wild birds survive and gain strength for their eventual release or participation in our education program. Volunteers also plan and conduct fundraising events to keep the birds fed and warm. It’s all “for the birds.”

AWBRC has recently signed a long-term lease for 25 acres in the City of Houston, and is looking forward to the beginning phases of a permanent facility there. To volunteer, donate or for further information, contact AWBRC at 907.892.1670, 907.230.7049, or visit www.akwildbirdrehab.org.

Wasilla Soil & Water Conservation District (WSWCD)

The WSWCD is a non-profit formed in 1948 to assist landowners & land managers with conservation & development on land through technical assistance, projects & education programs & services. WSWCD is an active, yearround community-based organization; a nonregulatory agency; a strong partner with various government & non-profit agencies/groups; a credible, knowledgeable advocate for conserving soil & water resources supported by the time & energy of neighbors & volunteers dedicated to making a positive difference in their communities. Our priorities are: Salmon enhancement & restoration; Soil, forage crops & manure testing; Stream & lake bank stabilization; Water quality & instream flows; Arbor Day activities & tree planting; Invasive weed assessments – land & water; Trail use & salmon stream crossings; Cooperator & community conservation needs; Public information, involvement & education.

Chuck Kaucic, District Manager 357-4563 X 103 distmgr@wasillaswcd.org

CONSERVATION The Alaska WildBird Rehabilitation Center (AWBRC)

The Alaska WildBird Rehabilitation Center (AWBRC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that offers bird rescue and rehabilitation services for the growing Mat-Su Valley community. Our mission is to rescue and care for injured, orphaned and sick wild birds with the goal of returning healthy birds back to their native habitats, and to educate the public about Alaska’s wild birds through live wild bird programs.

March 2014

To have your non-profit organization included in this free community resource list, please email your info to: makeasceneak@mac.com

Visit www.MakeASceneAK.com

Alaska Dog & Puppy Rescue is an all volunteer, non-profit organization formed for the purpose of rescuing homeless dogs and puppies. We have rescued dogs throughout Alaska, including various Bush communities. These rescued dogs are placed in foster homes, where they are socialized, vaccinated, dewormed, and taken to the vet to be microchipped and spayed or neutered. It is our goal to have an animal sanctuary, so that all adoptable dogs are given an opportunity to find their forever homes. We encourage individuals to volunteer for this very worthy cause.

745-7030 adpr03@yahoo.com

Our mission is to transport WWII, Alaska Territorial Guard and Korean War veterans to Washington D.C. to visit those memorials dedicated to honor their service and sacrifices AT NO COST TO THE VETERANS.

a model recycling community for Alaska. We are open for residential recycling Wednesday through Friday 12-6pm and Saturday 11-3pm. Businesses can call ahead for hours. Your permanent community recycling center is located in our new green building at 9465 E. Chanlyut Circle, next to the animal shelter at the Central Landfill. Volunteer opportunities available. community@valleyrecycling.org www.valleyrecycling.org, 745.5544

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ANIMALS

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Visit www.MakeASceneAK.com

March 2014

The People’s Paper

Politics U.S. Supreme Court Decision

Contributed by Vic Kohring In late February, the Anchorage Daily News gleefully reported with a big headline that the U.S. Supreme Court turned down my appeal. They trumpeted, “Kohring’s Last Chance Squashed,” an article written in typical, manipulative ADN fashion.

Aside from the fact that the publisher and editors were no doubt pleased with the court’s decision as I’m sure they saw it as another nail in the political coffin of a conservative rival whose been a thorn in their side for years, the “News” once again attempted to deceive unsuspecting readers. This time it was into believing that the court ruled against me over the basic merits of my case, implying that I was guilty after all. Besides, the Supreme Court said so. Wrong!

To set the record straight, the court ruled on whether my single conviction - forced upon me in 2011 by the government as part of a plea agreement after it dispatched FBI

agents to intimidate family members - should be thrown out based on new evidence revealed in the criminal investigation ordered by Sen. Ted Stevens judge. Judge Sullivan threw out Stevens convictions in 2009 after learning the prosecution cheated by deliberately concealing crucial evidence. I was assigned the same thugs who committed the same acts against me.

Consequently, Sullivan ordered the investigation to determine the extent of the prosecutor’s misconduct. It centered around Stevens case, but surprisingly unearthed significant new evidence involving mine that I had no idea existed. Unfortunately for me, the results were not available until six months after my forced plea deal, the reason for my appeal.

When it was revealed the acts against me were more egregious than previously known, I made the decision to go directly to the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals - bypassing Alaska District Court Judge Sedwick, whose hostility toward me over personal conflicts of interest would make his court a waste of time.

As fate would have it, my strongest ally on the Ninth Circuit, Judge Fletcher, unexpectedly passed away, leaving

me with two lukewarm supporters on the three judge panel (a court with an anti-conservative reputation), who would not back my request that my case be dispensed.

Fletcher was no longer around to sway the other two, neither of whom delved deeply into the issues as thoroughly and conscientiously as Fletcher. Their knowledge appeared superficial, which did no justice to my case. This is why it was advanced to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Another major obstacle was that I had to go it alone with my Supreme Court appeal, without formal legal representation. My Seattle federal public defender was forced to withdraw, explaining there was no way Judge Sedwick would authorize that I be provided continued legal help. The strength of my case would matter none to Sedwick.

It was all about politics, which again reared its ugly head, and the judge’s personal vendetta directed at me. Many defendants are granted continued legal help at the Supreme Court level. But not me. I was stuck in the back once more by Sedwick.

To keep my case alive, I proceeded “pro bono,” meaning representing myself.

I knew from the start it would be a long shot. Of course the Daily News failed to report any of these facts.

They have little interest in presenting me in a positive light as their goal is to bury me politically once and for all.

Representing myself made my efforts extraordinarily difficult as I’m not an attorney or trained in law, nor had I ever filed a motion or brief with the Supreme Court.

Moreover, as strong as my arguments were, statistics show that my chances of succeeding before this particular court - let alone having my case heard before the justices in the form of oral arguments - were less than one percent.

Prevailing would be akin to winning the lottery, considering the thousands of appeals the court looks at each year. So the odds were greatly against me. I filed an appeal anyway as I didn’t want to always wonder what “may have been” and because nothing is gained if not ventured.

I may not have prevailed with the Supreme Court and my name may never be cleared in the eyes of the government, but my conscience is clean. That’s something the Feds can never take away.

33

If you’re a hopeless carnivore and are tired of that freezer full of moose, their weekend Prime Rib is reported to be awesome.

> ADVENTURES IN EATING CONTINUED

All of this is accomplished in true Alaska fashion by adapting to “what you have”.

When Aardvark Catering moved to this site, the only ovens were Pizza ovens, giant mammoth things designed for….pizzas.

This couple manages to cook all the dishes in these ovens. The homemade breads that are served with most meals seem to gain extra flavor from it!

> Come in and enjoy –

Visit www.MakeASceneAK.com

Food & Entertainment

ask about Aardvarks!

“Imagine a relaxing Sunday afternoon. Imagine sitting around a table with family/friends or neighbors after finishing a delicious dinner made with all fresh ingredients and love.”

March 2014

Tue.- Thurs. 12:00 Fri. – Sat. 12:00 – 10:00 Sun. – 12:00 – 8:00 (Mon. – Closed) Catering – Anytime/place needed

50th Anniversary OF

Good Friday Earthquake

March 2014

Visit www.MakeASceneAK.com

34

Community

Contributed by Tara Nokelby > The Valdez Museum launches

new exhibits to commemorate 50th anniversary of the Good Friday Earthquake

Valdez, Alaska – It’s been 50 years since the record-breaking Good Friday Earthquake shook Alaska, causing widespread devastation and claiming 128 lives. In Valdez, the magnitude 9.2 earthquake was so destructive that the town was forced to relocate four miles from its previous location.

An indication of the violence of the surge waves that struck Whittier during the 1964 earthquake: a man holds a mounted ten-ply tire, through which a 2 by 6-inch plank of wood has been driven by a wave.

Image credit: U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior

This spring and summer, the Valdez Museum and Historical Archive is launching two new exhibits, as well as facilitating a series of events, meant to bring new insight into this significant disaster in Alaska’s history and commemorate this tragic event.

“The Good Friday Earthquake had a huge impact on Valdez, and has really shaped the history and landscape of our town,” said Patricia Relay, executive director of the Valdez Museum. “We are excited to commemorate this significant anniversary and feel like our new exhibits and anniversary events will offer valuable and intriguing information about the Good Friday Earthquake to our visitors.”

On the night of the earthquake, oil from broken piping at the Standard Oil tank farm was ignited and floated into town. Around the same time, the Union Oil tanks caught fire and exploded, the smoke darkening the sky for days.

Although the tank farm fires themselves caused relatively little damage, the burning oil floating along the shoreline created an additional hazard.

The Valdez Museum’s new exhibits commemorating the earthquake include: A new permanent exhibition at the Valdez Museum’s Egan location On March 27, the Egan location will unveil “A Moving Experience: A Look Back at the Good Friday Earthquake,” the

museum’s newest permanent exhibition.

Funded by the City of Valdez and the Rasmuson Foundation, the exhibit features an Old Town kitchen set midquake and a new look at the experience of the earthquake and its effects on Valdez, including rarely-seen artifacts and photographs from the museum’s collection.

A series of special events will take place throughout the afternoon on March 27 in remembrance of the earthquake, including: 4:30 p.m. – Bill Kendall will give a presentation at the museum’s Hazelet location, with new images from the earthquake.

5:30 p.m. – The Pioneers of Alaska will meet on Kelsey Dock for their Annual Memorial Service.

6:00 p.m. – The City of Valdez will host a public reception followed by the unveiling of “A Moving Experience,” a new earthquake exhibit at the museum’s Egan location.

For additional details about the events, exhibits and offerings surrounding the 1964 Good Friday Earthquake, please visit the Valdez Museum website at www.valdezmuseum.org.

> The museum is located at 217 Egan Drive in downtown Valdez, with the “Remembering Old Valdez Exhibit” at 436 S. Hazelet on the Valdez waterfront.

The Valdez Museum and Historical Archive is an active place that brings the stories of Valdez’s history alive through programs and activities.

10th of month by 5PM Email information to:

makeasceneak@mac.com Gardening Classes March 7 - April 30 Good Earth Garden School Various locations Good Earth Garden School 907-745-0758 www.goodearthgardenschool.com HOW TO WRITE A BUSINESS PLAN

March 18th, 12-4pm Mat-Su SBDC $50, 373-7232 ALL THE GREAT BOOKS March 20th - April 13th A play by Cyrano’s Theatre Company, Anchorage MAT-SU

OUTDOORSMAN SHOW

March 21st through 23rd Curtis Menard Sports Center M. Butterfly March 21 at the Jerry Harper Studio in the UAA Fine Arts Building, and will run for three weekends.

Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 pm and Sunday matinees at 3:00 pm.

For ticket information, please visit www.uaatix.com TATTOOS AND TATTERED LACE Saturday, March 22 Element 47 will be playing at the Northshore Ale House alongside Anchorage entertainment group Red Light Roulette Burlesque for Tattoos and Tattered Lace show.

LEADERSHIP SUCCESS WORKSHOP

Saturday, March 22nd MTA Conference Center $35, Palmer Toastmasters Club March for Babies Walk Sat, March 22, 9AM - 12PM AT&T Sport Center

Community Radio

FREE March of Dimes,

Annual Meeting

907-276-4111, marchforbabies.org

April 6 @ 2 p.m

WASILLA LIBRARY

COMMITTEE MEETING Wednesday, March 26th

KVRF 89.5 FM Palmer Train Depot RADIO FREE PALMER

4:30pm-6:30pm

ART SHOW

Menard Sports Center

Saturday April 10

FREE

From 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

GARDENING: High Tunnels & Season

Extension Grower

Training

Radio Free Palmer, in collaboration with the Fine Arts Department of Mat Su College, will host a show of drawings by Mat Su College Art students.

March 26th, April 2nd & April 9th Palmer Soik & Water Conservation

Valley Bike Film Fest

District

Friday, April 11th

Good Earth Garden School

Tickets are available at Backcountry

745-0758

Bike and Ski in Palmer,

50th Anniversary OF

Good Friday Earthquake March 27th

Backcountry Bikes in Wasilla, Active Soles in Palmer, Rock-On Climbing in Wasilla, and Midnight Sun Yoga in Palmer.

Valdez Museum A series of special events will take

2014 Diva Night & End of the

place throughout the afternoon in

Road Fashion Show

remembrance of the earthquake

April 12th @ 7:30pm,

The Marvelous Wonderettes

Doors open at 7 Sheldon Community Arts Hangar in Talkeetna

March 28th and runs through April 20th

COMEDIAN Patton Oswalt

Valley Performing Arts

Friday April 25, 2014, at 7:30 PM in

Rob Czarnezki Fundraiser March 30th, 2014

the Williamson Auditorium, UAA $35 advance/$40 door for the general public.

4-Corners Lounge, Palmer LUNA FEST Festival for Women, April 4th, 2014

The Original Valley Homeschool Prom Saturday, May 3rd

UAA Mat-Su College MAT-SU HOME BUILDERS

HOME SHOW

April 4th-6th, Friday,

ST HERMAN COUNTY FAIR Sat, May 31st Saint Herman Orthodox Church FREE

Saturday & Sunday Curtis Menard Sports Center

Machetanz Arts Festival

$5.00 Entry Fee, FREE Parking

Friday, June 6th and Saturday,

376-2620

June 7th

WORMS AND

VERMICOMPOSTING Saturday, April 5th 10am to Noon Artemisia Acres, in Palmer FREE

UAA Mat-Su RECURRING Mat-Su Toastmasters 889 N. Elkhorn Drive Wasilla, AK 99654 Located upstairs in the Pub Every Tuesday from 7:30am to 8:30am Mat-Su Toastmasters 907.841.9818 or 907.355.3039

Free Community Concerts Palmer Salvation Army Every Sat Night, 8:30 pm $5 suggested donation StrongWomen - Palmer Mon - Wed - Fri, 11am - 12 pm Mat-Su Cooperative Extension Service 809 S Chugach St.., Ste #2, Palmer, $5 for a two month session Julie Cascio 907-745-3360 http://www.uaf.edu/ces/districts/matsu/ hhfd/strongwomen/ Palmer Public Library’s Events Every Tues at 10am: Baby Lap Sit Every Tues at 11am: 2 year old Story Time Every Wed at 2pm: Open Room for Preschoolers Every Thurs at 10:30am: 3-5 year old Story Time Fri, February 8th: 7pm. Foreign Film, Hospitalite (see library website www. cityofpalmer/library for synopsis) Mon, February 18th: 7-8pm. Friends of the Palmer Library Meeting Sewing Circle Meets the first and third Wed of the month 1-3pm, Free Mat-Su Senior Services 1132 S. Chugach St. Palmer 745-5454 mat-suseniorservices.com Caregivers Connection Last Mon of each month 1-3pm Free Mat-Su Senior Services 1132 S. Chugach St. Palmer, AK 99645 745-5454 mat-suseniorservices.com NuKreationZ Art & Creativity Center Tues-Sat Noon-6pm Art gallery, classes and workshops Make your own pottery Palmer Museum New Hours Wed-Fri 10am-5pm Sat, 10-2pm Free Admission Art Exhibits & More Mat-Su Community Chorus Rehearsal Thurss @ 7pm Wasilla High School All vocal ranges welcome No auditions necessary, unless 18 years of age or younger Mat-Su Concert Band Rehearsal Musicians Welcome Rehearsals are every Mon. 7 to 9 pm Teeland Middle School.

For more info, contact Gleo Huyck at 746-0628 Learn to Skate 60 minute class for ages 3- Teens Curtis D Menard Memorial Center Class schedule and registration forms are available online: www.cityofwasilla.com Wasilla Strong Women Strength Training Mon * Wed * Fri 10-11 am * Year Round Program * Call Sharon 376-4434 Tues * Thurs 4:00 pm. Call Peggy 7156338 Lower Level of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 501 E. Bogard Rd. Improve balance, strength, stamina and fight osteoporosis. $5.00 per 8 week session.

Women, Wine & Wed Third Wed every month Presented by Lakeshore Studio East Lake Mall, Big Lake 6:30pm $25 RSVP 230-0935

Free Hearing Screening provided by Mat-Su Sertoma Club First Sat Every Month 10am-1pm Wasilla Physical Therapy Deana Moore 761-5229

Full schedule of classes online www.naoi.com

Whatever! Teen Lounge Featuring Wii gaming at Palmer Library T-Th, 2-4pm 746-4700

Palmer Museum of History and Art Open Everyday 9am-6pm Free Admission and light refreshments 725 S Valley Way, Palmer 746-7668 www.palmermuseum.org

Alaska Celtic Pipes and Drums Free piping and drumming Instruction Every Fri Evening, 5-5:45 pm Eagle River Presbyterian Church 12836 Old Glen Hwy, Eagle River Wasilla Meta-Rose Library: Toddler Storytime Wed at 10:30am and 1:30pm Preschool Storytime Thurs at 10:30am and 1:30pm Baby Lapsit Storytime Fri at 10:30am Discussion Junction Family Book Club First Tues of each month Wasilla Meta-Rose Library

The Crystal Mandala Classes A variety of creative classes Every Sat 2-5pm

Museum of Alaska Transportation Open Everyday10am-5pm 3800 W Museum Drive, Wasilla 376-1211 Mat-Su Central School Enrolling K-12 Homeschool Support & Distance Delivery Education www.MatSuCentral.org Wasilla 352-7450 Mat-Su College www.MatSu.Alaska.edu

Palmer Public Library:

Wasilla Shotokan Karate Club Tuesday and Thursday 6:30 to 8:00 pm Wasilla Alaska Club Instructor Dr. Jeffrey L. Sponsler Age 7 and up.

Fee is $10 per month for members $15 for non-members.

907 376 7733 for more information

2 year old Story Time Every Tues at 11am

Free Community Concerts Palmer Salvation Army Every Sat Night, 8:30 pm $5 suggested donation

Reading Rendezvous Last Sat of every month.

Wasilla Meta-Rose Library Baby Lap Sit Every Tues at 10am

Baby Lap Sit Every Wed at 2pm 3-5 year old Story Time Every Thurs at 10:30am Foreign Film Every Second Fri at 7pm Schwabenhof Live Music Every Fri & Sat 9pm until…

Sun Blues Open Mic Jam 9pm Tues Dart Night Fairview Inn Music Talkeetna Every Thur at 9:30pm Open Mic. Every Fri at 8pm and Sat at 10pm Live Music.

Sahara Storm Studio and Circus Arts Clinics 982-4955 Valley Arts Alliance Meeting Thurs at 11:00am Sophia’s Cafe Neo, Palmer Wasilla Hwy Tammy’s Turf for Tots!

For children 6 & under $5 per child Mon - Fri 10am-1pm Tues & Thurs FREE! Menard Memorial Sports Center: 3579100 Baby Steps Walking Program for New & Expectant Moms & Dads Mon & Wed 8AM-Noon Menard Memorial Sports Center 357-9100 Business Networking International Every Tues 9am Menard Memorial Sports Center 357-9100 Wasilla Bible Church Sun- Menard Memorial Sports Center 357-9100 NAOI Outdoor Safety Classes

www.MakeASceneAK.com

SUBMISSION

1507 N Double B Street, Palmer

Calendar Submissions

CALENDAR

36

Visit www.MakeASceneAK.com

March 2014

Social Issues

Trapping Law – Han Solo & Chewbacca Contributed by Eric Conard

animal not be physically restrained, or in a form of recognized hunting which requires the use of an animal such as a retriever; or (c) the condition of an animal when on the property of its owner, in visual contact with the owner, and obedient to the owner’s command.

I read Mr. Zeddies’ article LEG HOLD TRAPPING: A

BY GONE ACTIVITY, in the February 2014 edition of Make a Scene...

MSB 24.05.010. And an “animal” is defined as a vertebrate domestic or domesticated member of the Animalia kingdom. MSB 24.05.010.

I imagine most, like myself, were saddened to hear of the pain inflicted upon his pet, Ranger. I was likewise troubled that the trapper did not offer an apology, if for no other reason to sympathize over an unfortunate event, even if the trapper had no culpability.

Every indication from Mr. Zeddies’ article is that Ranger was not under restraint. I recall the snow depths in 2011. From the context of Mr. Zeddies’ article, Ranger appears to have been left out. He travelled a plowed road like most animals do in heavy snow. He was then lured off the road by the trapper’s set.

Basic civility dictates as much. As Mr. Zeddie noted the investigating officer did not find a legal violation.

Nor has Mr. Zeddie, pointed to a violation of Alaska Law. I do not agree with Mr. Zeddies’ view that trapping should be vanquished.

I respect his right to advocate for any legal change that he desires. That’s America. Mr. Zeddies’ legislative agenda would probably have to start with erasing existing law. The Matanuska Susitna Borough Code provides that all animals shall be continuously under restraint. MSB 24.05.070(A) “Restraint” is:

The People’s Paper

On a nighttime jog within the past month, I almost witnessed someone’s unrestrained dog get wiped out by a car. It wanted to run after me. But doing so required it to cross the highway. Of course, the dog did not look both ways. A few years back a friendly dog followed me for a five mile jog.

He obviously did not know the way home, as I saw his face on a lost dog poster the next day. I was bitten in the calf by camper’s dog in 2011. It was unrestrained on a local salmon stream. All of these examples are good justifications for the Borough’s policy in favor of restraining animals.

This means that Ranger was not on a lead; not within a fenced area; and not within Mr. Zeddies’ vision and command. This section of the Borough Code is observed more often in the breach than in the adherence.

The Wikipedia entry for Chewbacca explains that George Lucas based the character on his dog. In Star Wars lure: Chewbacca became Han Solo’s first mate and companion after Solo, then an Imperial Captain, refused an order to kill him while Chewbacca was a slave of the Empire. Solo was dismissed from the Imperial Navy for disobedience and became a smuggler. Chewbacca owed a life debt to Han and would protect Han Solo for the rest of his life.

As a former poultry keeper, I’ve lost chickens to dogs on my land. Even without chickens, I see neighbors’ pets roam my yard daily. The night time raids on my trash are more often dogs than fox.

From all I saw of Han Solo and Chewbacca, they were too busy to be changing intergalactic law or even worrying about how intergalactic law impacted their daily lives. It was all they could do to have eachothers back!

> NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHER:

(a) actual physical control, such as a leash, chain, fence, or building;

This article, submitted by Eric Conard, is in response to Leg Hold Trapping: A Bygone Activity, written by Bill Zeddie and printed in the February 2014 issue of Make A Scene.

(b) competent voice control while actively engaged in an organized activity which requires that an

You can read Bill Zeddie’s submission and previous editions of Make A Scene Magazine at:

www.makeasceneak.com

The Crystal Mandala Ask about our classes on Saturday from 2-5pm

907-892 5562

Poetry

Eastlake Mall, Big Lake

Tues-Sat 11am to 7pm Sunday 11am to 5pm

Flowers

She

Wow, what a sleep.

I am well rested Ready to get up.

Her hair was like mine unwired, untangled and receeding with the moisture

The sun is shinning.

The bees are buzzing.

Butterflies flurry.

the tightest beads of sweat were seeling fast

Contributed by Ann Lyons

Contributed by Shaina Melin

as eyes were cut and violent towards the sun like a slipping blackness that sulked with the pain of fire

Colorful birds cawing; Like diamonds, morning dew Sparkles in the warm sun.

Happy now to greet the day, Time to sprout my leafs and buds, Stretch my stems up to the sky.

first, she was naked in the snow letting the ice set her bones new

My blooms, now bright, too soon will fade.

Enjoy me now before they fall.

I’ve come to visit but can’t stay.

then i saw her nude in the ocean for it must have melted

A small seed, I awoke from winter’s sleep.

Buried ‘neath the snow in the cold dark ground.

The sun did warm me and did bring me forth.

when the fires fell

The autumn breeze carried me to my bed.

Winters blanket covered and kept me warm.

Spring showers, sustained and fed me well.

on the breasts and ribs of her caving chest that had convulsed into her

Summer sun now has lifted my head.

Enjoy me now before the wind blows And returns me to my restful sleep.

her Photo courtesy of Ann Lyons

-the open creature that swallowed the sky

38

Visit www.MakeASceneAK.com

March 2014

Music

Arkansas with construction work, Alice won a karaoke contest at a Ramada Inn in Rogers, Arkansas and was immediately picked up by another house gig at the Music Room with a band called D.N.A. This time only a 2 piece band and a computer and still brought the house down every performance. After a break from music to become a wife, Alice joined a blues band called Lucy and the Outkatz as their lead vocalist where she wowed the crowds again! She became well known throughout the N.W. corner of Arkansas.

In 2006 she came to Alaska to be with family and again won a statewide karaoke contest held at the Alaska State Fair! She joined with Element 47 as their lead singing and has been practicing every weekend for the last 6 years while the band developed into an energetic talented band. Alice states that she is very proud to be a part of a band that just keeps getting better!

Jerry Berg has been rockin’ Alaska since the early 80’s when his mom and dad gave him his first electric guitar.

His early years were spent perfecting techniques of his idol Van Halen. Jerry’s true talent came to light when he and Rocky Murrill began the band Element 47. Jerry can play anything he hears. His versatility

> ELEMENT 47 CONTINUED is a strength and asset to those he plays with.

Rocky is rock-steady with the rhythm that’s the heartbeat of Element 47’s rock ‘n roll sound. He combines a passion for the style of late-70s classic rock, amazing energy and a powerhouse beat that drives the band and audiences alike to exciting new summits of rhythmic satisfaction.

Jeremy Strunk originated in the Music City of Nashville, Tennessee but has migrated steadily northward since childhood. His Life so far has been almost entirely a musical resume of sorts spanning almost any imaginable genre. He can be found doing anything from directing a jazz ensemble for school kids to playing tuba for Christmas concerts.

He has been a private music instructor in the Wasilla area for over a decade and is proud to see many of his students go on to be successful band leaders and musicians. But of course, there have been many bands along the way. From classical guitar performances to bass player in several country bands, there’s apparently nothing he isn’t willing to do.

He even played a gig once in a ditch beside a highway. As lead guitarist for more bands than can be named, he has become no stranger to most any stage around. Now as guitarist for Element 47, he brings those years of entertainment experience and a love of all things soulful and funky with him.

> Element 47 will be playing Saturday, March 22 at the Northshore Ale House alongside Anchorage entertainment group Red Light Roulette Burlesque for Tattoos and Tattered Lace show.

> Rocky is rock-steady with the rhythm that’s the

heartbeat of Element 47’s rock ‘n roll sound.

39

> MACHETANZ ARTS FESTIVAL CONTINUED

Come to a painting or printmaking class, take a deep breath and realize the transformative power of art!

His paintings, like Fred Machetanz’s paintings, illustrate the extraordinary beauty of ordinary scenes, scenes that might not be appreciated, unless brought to life by the artist who invites the viewer to gaze upon them.

> Mark your calendars. Come

to Mat-Su College and take a workshop or two with us.

March 2014

This year the Festival offers some new workshops: pin-point printmaking, mixed media with watercolors, Introduction to Maskmaking, alcohol dyes, and pleinair painting (painting outdoors) to name a few.

Don’t forget to Join us for 4 days, June 3 through June 6th, as our featured artist-instructor this year is nationally recognized watercolorist Robert J. O’Brien, who will instruct all level watercolor painters to create richly detailed and brilliantly colored watercolor paintings.

Ever wish you could draw more than a “stick figure?” Ever say you can’t draw a straight line? Do you know that you’re not really supposed to be able to draw straight lines? Come to a beginning Drawing Workshop – spend some time with a pencil and a piece of paper, and discover the magic that is within you.

Visit www.MakeASceneAK.com

Arts

Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District

ENRO

LL TO

DAY!

Twindly Bridge Charter School

HOMESCHOOLERS WELCOME

A K-12 pROgRAM tHAt bRidgES HOME, SCHOOL & COMMunity LEARning.

FREUTEOR

MATH T

ARCHERY class

LEARN MORE AT: www.twindlybridge.us 376-6680 | 140 E Seldon Road, Wasilla