Make A Scene Magazine March 2018

MAR 2018

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www. MAKEASCENEAK .com MAR 2018

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Non-Profit Directory

www.makeasceneak.com/nonprofitdirectory Families & Children: Family Promise Mat-Su www.familypromisematsu.com (907) 357-6160 A community response for families without housing. Family Promise Mat-Su, “FPMS” uses area churches for shelter while providing meals and case management to help homeless families move back into housing and self-sustainability.

In addition we provide state funds(BHAP) for homeless prevention.

Connect Palmer Inc. www.ConnectPalmer.org (907) 746-9675 Connect Palmer is a Christ Centered Training Center and Housing for Women located in downtown Palmer. Connect Palmer’s two primary programs are God’s Work Design, and LIFE Connect. We also have Sarah’s House, which a Safe and Caring place for ladies, without homes, to live while they participate in our back to work and life skills programs.

We also offer different community assistant programs, such as The Locker, to provide personal care and basic house hold cleaning items and Scarlet Tapestries which offers basic sewing skills instruction. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization.

OTHER Mat-Su Health Services, Inc. www.mshsak.org (907) 376-2411 Dedicated to improving the health of our community, one person at a time – through affordable medical, dental and behavioral health care.The clinic is a Federally qualified Health Care Center and we accept Medicare, Medicaid, and most other third-party insurances. For those who qualify, there is a sliding scale payment, based on household income.

We offer early morning and evening appointments appointment. You can also contact our 24/7 behavioral crisis intervention line by calling the main number: 376-2411.

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Mat-Su Sertoma Club www.matsuhearing.org or www.matsuplunge.org “CAN YOU HEAR ME?” Sertoma stands for SERvice TO MAnkind. Mat-Su Sertoma is a 501(c )3 non-profit membership organization whose purpose is to support hearing health in the Mat-Su Valley through education, hearing testing and support of services that assist individuals with deafness and hearing loss.

Mat-Su Sertoma membership is open to the public. Anyone can attend one of our membership meetings. Won’t you join us on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at the Windbreak (Trout House) 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Sertoma’s Annual Scholarship Program …

Apply: www.matsuhearing.org.

Families & Children:

ARTS:

Denali Family Services

Valley Arts Alliance

291 East Swanson Ave. Wasilla, AK 907-222-2331 or eolivares@denalifs.org Denali Family Services provides therapeutic foster care to Alaskan children with mental health needs. If you are committed to working with a team, receiving training and implementing positive interventions to schoolage children and teens, we need your talents and skills.

We are in search of professional, therapeutic foster parents who are willing to make a commitment to the children of Alaska by providing a stable home environment.

For more information, please call or email our Foster Care Recruiter, Ernestina D. Olivares, at 907-222-2331 or eolivares@ denalifs.org.

www.ValleyArtsAlliance.com Valley Arts Alliance, bringing the community together through the arts... 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.

Join us at our informal weekly meetings, every Thursday @ 11 at Sophia’s Cafe, 9191 E Frontage Road, Palmer-Wasilla Hwy. Check out our archives www.ValleyArtsAlliance.com

Mat-Su Health Foundation

Valley Community for Recycling Solutions

healthymatsu.org (907) 352-2863 The Mat-Su Health Foundation offers financial and strategic support to well-managed 501(c)(3) organizations that offer services and practical solutions to significant health-related problems impacting the citizens of the Mat-Su Borough.

The foundation also offers academic and vocational scholarships to Mat-Su residents who wish to pursue health and wellness related careers.

Pets & Animals: Alaska Animal Advocates www.alaskaanimaladvocates.com (907) 841-3173 Alaska Animal Advocates is a non-profit group of dedicated volunteers who are devoted to enriching the lives of companion animals in Alaska.

In order to do this, we will place homeless pets in loving environments, address medical concerns, spay or neuter, microchip, vaccinate, and offer training as is needed.

We believe that every animal deserves a loving home, for his/her entire life and Alaska Animal Advocates will provide the resources to make this happen.

In order to make this mission possible, we need the help of volunteers and foster homes.

CONSERVATION: www.valleyrecycling.org (907) 745-5544 RECYCLING – It’s not just for hippies anymore!! Everyone in the Mat-Su valley can recycle. Drop your stuff off Tues – Fri 10:30 to 6 and Sat 10:30 to 3:30. Recycle cardboard, magazines, this newspaper and more at your community recycling center. Remember to REDUCE, REUSE, and then RECYCLE! Your community recycling center is located at 9465 E Chanlyut Circle, next to the MSB Animal Shelter at the MSB Central Landfill. Volunteer opportunities available. Make a difference in your community!

Check out our website for details, follow us on Facebook. www.valleyrecycling.org - Call us at 907.745.5544 with questions or comments.

EMPLOYMENT SERVICES: Mat-Su Regional Adult Basic Education (Nine Star) MatsuAdultEd@ninestar.com (907) 373-7833 Mat-Su ABE provides basic education in math, language arts and English as a second language (ESL), aiming to raise student skills beyond the high-school level in order to pass tests like the GED, enter training programs or college, and advance on the job. Enrollment is open to all adult residents of Alaska, year-round.

Youth Employment for ages 16-24 not in school -- get a job, keep a job, advance on the job. Nine Star 300 N Willow 373-3006 (in the MYHouse building)

FAITH: Valley Interfaith Action (VIA) www.valleyinterfaithaction.org (907) 230-1006 To address quality of life issues for all residents of the Mat-Su Borough, utilizing the faith values of our members, developing community-wide interest and mobilization around quality of life issues.

Through training, leaders address community problems by providing forums for discussion, researching alternative solutions, and working as facilitators with residents and leaders for institutional change.

HOMELESS YOUTH: Mat-Su Youth Housing (MY HOUSE) myhousematsu.org (907) 373-4357 MY House is a homeless youth drop in center with two for-profit businesses that train and employ homeless youth. Gathering Grounds Cafe is a coffee shop with homemade soups, sandwiches, salads and baked goods.

Steamdriven is a trendy thrift shop featuring Steampunk items made from repurposed donations by our youth designers.

Fiend2Clean and Young People in Recovery offer support for substance abuse recovery with activities and events.

We offer transitional housing for qualified 18-24 year olds, Outreach services to connect homeless youth, organizations and groups to services, and access to Public Health and NineStar job/education services on site.

SOCIAL ADVOCACY: Wasilla Homeless-Committee www.wasillahomeless-committee.org (907) 521-2949 Wasilla Homeless-Committee is a 100% volunteer organization funded by private donations and regular fundraising events. Our sole purpose is to assist the homeless, those at risk of homelessness, and others who do not meet the criteria for help that is required by other advocacy agencies in the valley.

Wasilla Homeless-Committee provides case management, housing search assistance, move in assistance, job search assistance, clothing, furniture, help with transportation, and resource guidance for homeless and disenfranchised in the Mat-Su Valley.

Visit our website for application, or call 907521-2949. Find us on Facebook facebook.com/ wasillahomelesscommitteepage

Calendar of Events THE GREEN DAY GALLOP 3/18/2018 - 2PM Active Soles Performance Footwear Palmer Train Depot 610 S Valley Way, Palmer Cost: $25 - (907) 746-0600 activesoles@mtaonline.net www.runsignup.com/Race/AK/ Palmer/TheGreenDayGallop NATIONAL KICK BUTTS DAY 3/21/2018 Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Breathe Free Mat-Su Nationwide FREE Event www.kickbuttsday.org Check us out on Facebook HISTORY NIGHT! 3/21/2018 - 7PM Palmer Historical Society Palmer Moose Lodge 1136 S Cobb St. Palmer FREE Event - (907) 745-1935 ptownhistory@gmail.com www.palmerhistoricalsociety.org ANCHORAGE WRITERS DAYTIME CRITIQUE GROUP 3/21/2018 - 12PM Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Modern Dwellers 530 E Benson Blvd. Anchorage FREE Event alaska@scbwi.org www.alaska.scbwi.org CRITIQUE GROUP MEETING AWG VALLEY 3/22/2018 - 5:30PM Alaska Writers Guild, Wasilla Public Library Wasilla Public Library, Small Multi-Purpose Room 500 N Crusey St. Wasilla FREE Event ww.alaskawritersguild.com ANCHORAGE ILLUSTRATORS GROUP 3/22/2018 - 6:30PM Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Barnes and Noble 200 E Northern Lights Blvd.

Anchorage FREE Event alaska@scbwi.org www.alaska.scbwi.org 13TH ANNUAL MAT-SU OUTDOORSMAN SHOW March 23-25, 2018 Friday @12PM, Saturday & Sunday 10AM Chinook Shows Menard Sports Center 1001 S Clapp St. Wasilla Cost: $5 General, FREE Children/Military www.chinookshows.com

MARCH MARIMBA SHOWCASE 3/24/2018 - 4PM Percussion in the Valley Palmer Downtown Deli 550 S Alaska St. Palmer FREE Event - (907) 631-8079 percvalley@gmail.com www.percussioninthevalley.com INKLINGS (A DISCUSSION GROUP ON FAITH & CULTURE) 3/25/2018 - 7PM Inklings 8260 Duchess Dr. Palmer FREE Event - (907) 982-5609 barry.dorman@yahoo.com HITCHCOCK PIANO STUDIO MONTHLY MINI-RECITAL/TALK 3/26/2018 - 7PM Hitchcock Piano Studio 950 W Edinborough Dr. Palmer FREE Event - (907) 745-3134 “DRINK BEER, SAVE FARMS” FUNDRAISER 3/27/2018 – 6PM Alaska Farmland Trust 49th State Brewing Company 717 West 3rd Ave. Anchorage Tickets: $20 Adults, Suggested Donation Children (Ages 0-12) www.49statebrewing.com ARCTIC PERMACULTURE GARDEN SERIES 3/29/2018, 4/12/2018 Seeds and Soil- ORGANICS Throughout Palmer Cost: $15-$35 seedsandsoilorganics@gmail.com https://seedsandsoilorganics. com/2017/11/04/arcticpermaculture-garden-series/ LOST COST SHOT CLINIC March 30-31, 2018 Friday @6PM, Saturday @9AM Palmer Veterinary Clinic 1451 SE Crimsonview Dr. Palmer Cost: $13-$18 - (907) 745-3219 www.palmervetclinic.com DISNEY & CAMERON MACKINTOSH’S MARY POPPINS 3/30/2018 – 4/22/2018 Fridays & Saturdays @7PM, Sundays @2PM Valley Performing Arts The Glenn Massay Theater E 8295 College Dr. Palmer Tickets: $23 Students/Seniors, $25 General www.valleyperformingarts.org GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE 3/30/2018 - 7PM First Baptist Church of Palmer 1150 E. Helen Dr. Palmer FREE Event - (907) 745-4483 www.fbcpalmer.com NEIGHBORHOOD EASTER EGG HUNT 3/31/2018 - 12PM

www. MAKEASCENEAK .com First Baptist Church of Palmer 1150 E. Helen Dr. Palmer FREE Event - (907) 745-4483 www.fbcpalmer.com SPRING INTO ACTIVITY BLOCK PARTY 3/31/2018 - 1PM United Way Mat-Su, Mat-Su School District Colony High School 9550 E Colony Schools Dr. Palmer FREE Event BOWL FOR KIDS’ SAKE, MAT-SU 3/31/2018 - 4PM Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska, Mat-Su North Bowl Wasilla 3250 E Palmer-Wasilla Hwy. Wasilla Donations Only - (907) 376-4617 amy.lalor@bbbsak.org www.bbbsak.org/bowl VFAA JURIED ART SHOW April 1-28, 2018 Valley Fine Arts Association Dorothy G Page Museum 323 Main St. Wasilla FREE Event EASTER SUNDAY WORSHIP 4/1/2018 - 10:30AM First Baptist Church of Palmer 1150 E. Helen Dr. Palmer FREE Event - (907) 745-4483 www.fbcpalmer.com AWG MAT-SU VALLEY PROGRAM MEETING 4/3/2018 - 5:30PM Alaska Writers Guild, Wasilla Public Library Wasilla Public Library, Small MultiPurpose Room 500 N Crusey St. Wasilla FREE Event ww.alaskawritersguild.com GAS METAL ARC WELDING (GMAW) April 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 2018 – 6PM Alaska Works Partnership/ Mat-Su Construction Academy FREE Event, Apply Online mark@alaskaworks.org www.alaskaworks.org AK TUESDAY NIGHT FIGHTS 4/3/2018 - 7:40PM AK Tuesday Night Fights Menard Sports Center 1001 S Clapp Dr. Wasilla Tickets: $18-$35 - (907) 232-3727 www.aktuesdaynightfights.com KALADI BROTHERS COFFEE PHOTOGRAPHY EVENT 4/5/2018 Daniel Kaasa Kaladi Brothers Coffee 591 George Parks Hwy. Wasilla Proceeds go to the Mat-Su Food Bank (907) 357-2590

Dkaasa32@gmail.com

www.cityofwasilla.com

CONSIGN49 SPRING 2018 CONSIGNMENT EVENT April 5-8, 2018 - 9AM Consign49 Raven Hall, Alaska State Fairgrounds 2075 Glenn Hwy. Palmer FREE Event info@consign49.com www.consign49.com

WASILLA CITY COUNCIL BUDGET MEETING 4/11/2018 – 6PM Wasilla City Council Wasilla City Hall 290 E Herning Ave. Wasilla FREE Event www.cityofwasilla.com

THE SPOT: UNDER 21 MUSIC VENUE 4/6/2017 – 6PM MY House, The People’s Paper, Q 99.7, Valley Arts Alliance, Mountain Sound & Entertainment, Barrett & Associates Insurance MY House 300 N Willow St. Wasilla FREE Event - (907) 373-4357 BIG CABBAGE RADIO’S 10TH ANNUAL MEETING 4/7/2018 – 2PM Radio Free Palmer aka Big Cabbage Radio Turkey Red 550 S Alaska St. Palmer FREE Event www.radiofreepalmer.org FRAMING, SHEETROCK & TAPING April 9-13, 2018 – 8:30AM Alaska Works Partnership/ Mat-Su Construction Academy mark@alaskaworks.org www.alaskaworks.org BABY & CHILDREN’S FAIR 4/9/2018 - 10AM Mat-Su Regional Medical Center 2500 S Woodworth Loop, Palmer FREE Event www.matsuregional.com WASILLA CITY COUNCIL MEETING 4/9/2018 – 6PM Wasilla City Council Wasilla City Hall 290 E Herning Ave. Wasilla FREE Event www.cityofwasilla.com ANCHORAGE WRITERS NIGHT CRITIQUE GROUP 4/10/2018 - 6PM Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Barnes and Noble 200 E Northern Lights Blvd.

Anchorage FREE Event alaska@scbwi.org www.alaska.scbwi.org WASILLA CITY COUNCIL PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING 4/10/2018 – 6PM Wasilla City Council Wasilla City Hall 290 E Herning Ave. Wasilla FREE Event

MAT SU LIBERTARIANS MEETING 4/11/2018 - 6PM Mat Su Libertarians Greg Clark’s Home 1593 W.Gold Bar Rd. Wasilla FREE Event PALMER WRITER’S CRITIQUE GROUP 4/12/2018 - 6PM Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Vagabond Blues 642 S Alaska St. Palmer FREE Event alaska@scbwi.org www.alaska.scbwi.org THE HUNTING GROUND VIEWING 4/13/2017 – 5PM MY House Gathering Grounds Café 300 N Willow St. Wasilla FREE Event - (907) 373-4357 MAT SU TENNIS SPRING KICK-OFF MEETING 4/13/2018 – 5PM Mat-Su Tennis Association Jack White Real Estate Building 865 N Seward Meridian Parkway, Wasilla FREE Event - (907) 301-5818 matsutennis@gmail.com www.matsutennis.org LIBERTY FIRST BY KRISANNE HALL 4/13/2018 – 6:30PM Valley Republican Women of Alaska Palmer Senior Center 1132 S Chugach St. Palmer Tickets: $15 Check us out on Facebook BABY & CHILDREN’S FAIR 4/14/2018 – 10AM Mat-Su Regional Medical Center 2500 S. Woodworth Loop, Palmer FREE event – (907) 861-6807 ELECTRICAL PRE-APPRENTICESHIP April 16-20, 2018 – 8:30AM Alaska Works Partnership/Mat-Su Construction Academy FREE Event, Apply Online mark@alaskaworks.org www.alaskaworks.org

Calendar of Events

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Music

Contributed by Meggie Aube, Percussion in the Valley Percussion in the Valley Summer Percussion Camp 2018 June 4-8, 2018 www.percussioninthevalley.com Summer 2018 will mark the 6th year of the Percussion in the Valley Summer Percussion Camp. This camp has become a yearly staple for local young percussionists from across the Mat-Su Valley and Anchorage. Every summer over 40 students ranging in age from 7-18 convene at Colony Middle School for a week of percussion education, music making and fun.

Erika Bills, mother of a student who has attended the summer camp every year, exclaimed, “This camp is an amazing

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Radio

opportunity for our kids to learn about all aspects of music! My daughter looks forward to it every year!�

This year will be no different.

Enrollment is now underway for the 2018 summer camp. The camp will be held again at Colony Middle School from June 4th-8th. There are three sessions to accommodate all ability levels and ages.

- Session 1 is for beginning level students, age 7-11, with little to no experience. They meet daily from 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

- Session 2 is for students in 4th-7th grade who have at least one year of musical experience and meets from 9:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. each day.

- Session 3 is the most advanced session, for students entering 8th grade through those just graduated from high school. Students enrolling in this session must have at least one year of musical experience. They meet from 11:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. each day.

Students from all sessions have the opportunity to work with amazing faculty from around Alaska and from out of state. 2018 camp faculty will include: Program Director, Dr. Meggie Aube from Palmer; Anchorage

Percussion Professionals: Kyle Drake and Cameron Cartland; Featured Guest Faculty, Jerry Noble, from Ohio.

Mr. Noble is the percussion faculty at Wright State University. He is experienced in all areas of percussion and this year will be focusing on drumline with the camp students.

bonds through music while having fun!

Every year, the summer camp is an excellent opportunity for local students to hone in on their technique on all percussion instruments. They spend time playing music in a variety of genres from all over the world.

Most importantly of all, they make connections with students from outside their schools and create lasting

All of the enrollment materials and more information about the camp can be found at www. percussioninthevalley.com and on the Percussion in the Valley Facebook page.

The camp has been reaching capacity every summer, so early enrollment is highly encouraged. Sign up before April 13th and receive an early enrollment discount.

631-8079 or percvalley@gmail.com

Contributed by Michael Consalo The Spot: Under 21 Music Venue 4/6/2017 – 6PM MY House 300 N Willow St. Wasilla FREE Event

The second act of the night was a real treat with a young lady doing slam poetry. Deep, insightful words poured from the youth as they talked about love, relationships and heartbreak. The crowd of 6-8 kids watched and listened intently, supporting their peer. We are hoping that more poets will use the space and share their craft with the group of musicians that is building monthly.

Back for the second month in a row, “Reason to Continue” hit the stage with their hard rock covers and melodies. Two brothers make up the band,

Phil and Rob. Phil has been seen wearing a smile at every event, happy to be a part of The Spot. “I’ll be back every month!” Phil said as he helped his brother pack up their drum set for the evening.

Another young lady graced the stage and sang songs performed by “The Rough Spots”, the house band that can provide the music for a large list of songs if artists choose to simply sing. “Hey There Delilah”, “Rolling in the Deep” and others could be heard throughout the facility as another young artist grabbed the attention of those in attendance. Any under 21 singers are also welcome to bring their own instrumental tracks on a USB drive.

Being a substance free venue, the staff gathers some information on how substance abuse has impacted youth or their families. This time, it was identified that 60% of those in attendance had a family member affected by substance abuse; and if they didn’t have The Spot, 50% said they would have only one other place to potentially perform. The other 50% said that The Spot was their only option.

With more and more musicians and artists showing up each month, The Spot is really gaining traction. The next night will be on the first Friday of April, the 6th.

This wonderful event is still seeking sponsors and help reaching young musicians. If you would like to help or know musicians interested, please direct them to our Facebook (The Spot) or Instagram page (the_spot_wasilla)

www. MAKEASCENEAK .com

The cold and snow didn’t stop a group of young musicians from rocking the night away at MY House on a Friday night. The Spot, an under 21 open micstyle, substance free music venue, opened its doors for the third night this year. The night started off with the staff of The Spot, Michael Consalo, Jerry Wessling and Dillon Winn, playing some tunes under the name “The Rough Spots”. The name of the staff band changes from week to week, always including “spot” in the name, just one of the many fun things that the staff do to lighten the mood as the evening kicks off.

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Entertainment

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Museum

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www. MAKEASCENEAK .com

Contributed by Richard Estelle The new computerized cash register in our Museum & Visitor Center Store may be able to do everything but make hot coffee, but it comes up way short of the old register in our collection for “fancy”.

for government offices requiring extraordinary documentation of transactions, rather than simply making change.

While our research continues into the history of this old machine, we do know that it was made by the National Cash Register Machine Company of Dayton, Ohio sometime in early 1916.

In fact, we believe this particular machine did service through the 1950s and ‘60s in the office of Palmer’s magistrate, Dorothy Saxton.

It has setting tabs marked, “TITLES”, “RECORDING”, “PAS PLATES”, and “TRK PLATES”, indicating that automobile licensing may have been an important part of the magistrate’s job.

Its ornate drums housing paper rolls may indicate it was built specifically

Even though a hand crank activates some of the register functions, there’s

Arts

also an electric motor integrated into the back to operate some things as well.

A total of at least seven locks control access to the machine’s various compartments. Most of the locks have an embossed number beside them corresponding to the proper numbered key that operates them.

We have some of those keys; but, of course, not the key of most interest the one that will open the long-locked cash drawer. Don’t you just wonder what might be in that old cash drawer?

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Film & Entertainment

Sudsy Slim Rides Again Worldwide Premiere 4/20/2018 – 12PM Nomad Cinematics, Tundra Comics The Valley Cinema 3331 E Old Matanuska Rd. Wasilla From the team who brought you “Moose the Movie”, we are proud to announce the upcoming worldwide premiere and release of “Sudsy Slim Rides Again”. This full-feature film is a spaghetti Northwestern comedy, action, heist film about the tale of a small Alaskan town by the name of Scratcher Pass. Unfortunately, Scratcher Pass’ boom days as the world’s largest asbestos mining operation have long since faded.

The only thing keeping this little community alive is the feeble tourist industry. The main attraction? Scratcher Pass’ most famous resident, the 100-year-old corpse of conman, Sudsy Slim. However, when two escaped prisoners stumble into town, Sudsy mysteriously ends up missing and the townsfolk panic. That’s when Agent Dudley Sherman of the Alaska Bureau of Criminal Detection is reluctantly dragged in to investigate.

“Sudsy Slim Rides Again” was written by Darin and Chad Carpenter, the same fellas responsible for creating the newspaper comic strip, TUNDRA, and full-feature film “Moose the Movie”, and is once again being directed by G. Logan Dellinger of Nomad Cinematics.

SSRA features over 150 local actors, including our main three stars: Raymond “Chappy” Chapman as Agent Dudley Sherman of the Alaska Bureau of Criminal Detection; Katy Schmidt as Kate Maringoni, Scratcher Pass Tour Director; Zack Lanphier as Burt, a short-tempered escaped convict, teamed with another short-tempered escaped convict, Joe LeCompte, as Andy.

Chad Carpenter, Writer/Producer (907) 441-1526 Chad@tundracomics.com

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World premiere and release of “Sudsy Slim Rides Again” will be on April 20th at Coming Attractions Theater in Wasilla, Alaska. To view the official Sudsy Slim teaser trailer, go to www.nomadcinematics.com. For additional info, go to www.tundracomics.com or www.facebook.com/sudsyslim.

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Museum

Contributed by Judy Vars

www. MAKEASCENEAK .com

WASILLA MUSEUM: April 1, 2018 - Valley Fine Arts Association Juried Fine Art Show Art will be on display throughout April.

Artists Reception will be on April 21st from 3PM-7PM, meet the artists and enjoy some snacks and refreshments.

HUMDINGERS PIZZA: March – April - “The Big Picture Show” Large-formatted artwork by very talented artists: Jefferson Davis, Dianne Paoletti, Judy Vars, Alicia Armstrong, Susan Sinclair, Barbara Hunt, Martha Happs THE PEAK BOUTIQUE: Judy Vars and Barbara Hunt’s art is at the Peak Boutique in downtown Palmer on Main Street. A charming little shop selling upscale previously-loved furniture, knobs, chachkies, designer Annie Sloan chalk paint for your own projects and ART! Ronalee Moses, proprietor.

PALMER DOWNTOWN DELI: March – May - Palmer Downtown Deli Diverse artists from the Valley, organized by Barbara Hunt, this show is about all things March. Stop in for art and a deli snack.

TAMMY PHELPS GALLERY: Valley artist, Glenda Field, is featured in a solo show at the Tammy Phelps Gallery in Fairbanks. Reception is on April 6th, from 5PM-8PM.

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ESPRESSO CAFÉ: March - Linda Peters April - See artist Kelly Doherty Leonard’s vibrant works of art.

PALMER MONDAY MARKET: Beginning in March, Alice Palin’s origami card making, from 12PM-1:30PM and 2:30PM-5PM.

Questions? Contact Alice Palen at 460-8481 or email enhancedwellbeingak@gmail.com or apalen@gci.net.

KALADI BROS: March Artist - Sheri Burnem BEAR PAW RIVER BREWING COMPANY: April – Reception is on first Friday, April 6th, from 4PM-8PM. “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure; nothing could be truer when it comes to artistic endeavors.” - Jefferson Davis ABOUT VFAA: VFAA was formed in 2005 to fill a need for artists in the Matanuska and Susitna Valley to create art, teach techniques, connect with each other and gain more exposure for their artwork. Our mission then and now is to bring artists together, to encourage fellowship amongst artists and in the community as a whole; we strive to promote a supportive attitude toward visual arts in our Alaskan community.

Check out our website calendar for upcoming events, www.valleyfineartsassociation.org and like us on Facebook.

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Theatre

Contributed by Valley Performing Arts Disney & Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins 3/30/2018 – 4/22/2018 Fridays & Saturdays @7PM, Sundays @2PM Valley Performing Arts The Glenn Massay Theater E 8295 College Dr. Palmer Tickets: $23 Students/Seniors, $25 General Valley Performing Arts has been entertaining the community with an eclectic mix of dramas, comedies and musicals for over 40 years. For certain, everyone has their favorite show (or shows!), and when asked to share, very often they’ll tell you about their favorite musical.

VPA is well-known for its quality live musical productions – from smaller shows like “The Fantasticks” and “The Marvelous Wonderettes” to large-scale productions like “The Wizard of Oz”, “Elf: The Musical” and “Beauty and the Beast”, and each is performed with much care and attention to detail.

Musicals have been referred to as “the full meal deal” because they have everything (singing, dancing and acting), and often the characters are so memorable and larger than life…Who can forget “The Cowardly Lion” or “Cogsworth” the talking clock?

VPA’s production of “Mary Poppins” will definitely be a “filling meal” for all of the senses, with all of the characters they we’ve grown to love and the songs that have become part of the fabric of our life. When the curtains open at The Glenn Massay Theater on Friday, March 30th, the audience will know instantly that they’ve been transported someplace else and to a different time altogether.

A talented 18+ member orchestra will accompany bestknown songs like “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” and “A Spoonful of Sugar” and big dance numbers like “Step in Time”, and are just some of the treats that lie in store for theatregoers.

“Mary Poppins” will run from Friday, March 30th, to Sunday, April 22nd, with show times of 7PM on Fridays and Saturdays and 2PM matinees on Sundays, with two special Saturday matinees also included in the mix.

Tickets can be purchased online at www. valleyperformingarts.org or by phone through the VPA office at 373-0195. Ticket vouchers can also be purchased at the Three Bears store located at Four Corners on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway. Get your tickets early, so you don’t miss this great family presentation!

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From the first song to the last dance step, and from the Banks’ home to the London Park, people will be dazzled by the trip and better for the journey. This Broadway musical has elements from the best-loved Disney movie and also incorporates things from the stories of P.L. Travers, so there will be many familiar sights, plus a few surprises along the way. Rest assured that Mary, Bert and the entire Banks family will be there, along with some new friends and new sights to ensure that a fun time will be had by all.

“Mary Poppins” is the first show that Valley Performing

Arts has done at the Massay Theater, and just like productions at their own theatre, they’re pulling out all of the stops. With the assistance of 90 dedicated and hardworking cast and crew volunteers, Director Larry Bottjen has created a show that will indeed be memorable on both sides of the curtain. This main stage production will showcase the talents of some of the most gifted individuals that the Valley and Anchorage have to offer with huge hand-painted back drops, several custom-built set pieces and hundreds of custom-made and one-of-a-kind costume pieces – all part of the “Mary Poppins” canvas that will also include wonderfully choreographed dance sequences, heartwarming vocal numbers and well-known character interactions that will inspire and delight all ages.

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Creative Writing / Storytelling

www. MAKEASCENEAK .com

Contributed by Mike Dryden for CJ Allison Critique Group Meeting - AWG Valley Date: Thursday, March 22, 2018 Time: 5:30pm-7:00pm Location: Small Multi-Purpose Room, Wasilla Public Library 500 N Crusey St. Wasilla, Alaska 99654

be more than 8-10 pages in length. Time for critiques will depend upon the number of participants. At the start of the meeting, we will form small groups of writers with similar content (speculative fiction, crime drama, nonfiction, etc.) and those groups will provide feedback on the work of their group members. More specific details will be provided at the event.

Please join us for the first monthly Alaska Writers Guild Program Meeting in the Mat-Su Valley! This month, local Valley author, Christiane ‘CJ’ Allison, will be discussing best practices and resources available to writers who are self-publishing their work.

This meeting is free, open to the public and cosponsored by the Wasilla Public Library. Join us with a small sample of your writing that you would like to have critiqued by peers in your community.

Writing samples for critique should follow standard guidelines (12pt. font, double-spaced) and shouldn’t

AWG Mat-Su Valley Program Meeting Date: Tuesday, April 3, 2018 Time: 5:30pm-7:00pm Location: Small Multi-Purpose Room, Wasilla Public Library 500 N Crusey St. Wasilla, Alaska 99654

This event is free, open to the public and co-sponsored by the Wasilla Public Library.

Arts Contributed by Carmen Summerfield Are you curious, like me, and wonder why Easter occurs on a different Sunday each year? Well, it all goes back to gazing at the stars. First, we need to talk about the origins of the holiday, Easter.

Easter derives its name and some of its symbolism in English-speaking countries from a pagan source. Bede (c.

700), the English monk and historian, ascribed the holiday’s namesake to Eostre (also called Ostara or Eastre), the Germanic Goddess of Spring and Fertility. Germans to this day call April, ôstarmânoth.

MAR 2018

Come learn more about how to transform that manuscript into a book both online and in print.

But regardless of how the name evolved, the modern Easter holiday celebrates Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead and is Christianity’s most important holiday.

Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection occurred after he went to Jerusalem to celebrate Pesach, the Jewish festival commemorating the ancient Israelites’ exodus from slavery in Egypt. The Hebrew word Pesach was translated to the Greek and Latin Pascha or Pasch, and eventually became what we call Passover. In Spanish, Easter is known as Pascua; in French, Paques.

The majority of Western Christian churches (including the Catholic Church and many Protestant divisions) celebrate Easter using the Gregorian calendar, and it occurs on the first Sunday following the full moon after the vernal equinox. And the vernal equinox, that time of year when we have equal day and night time, usually occurs on March 21.

Therefore, Easter observed by the Western Christian churches can be anywhere between March 22nd and

April 25th every year.

Eastern or Orthodox Christian churches use the Julian calendar to calculate Easter, and it typically occurs a week or two after the Western churches.

The Jewish Faith has its own formula for calculating Pesach, a springtime festival.

Regardless of the method used to calculate the exact day of celebration, Easter is actually an entire season, as opposed to a single-day observance.

Lent, the 40-day period leading up to Easter Sunday, represents the 40 days that Jesus spent alone in the wilderness before starting his ministry, and is a time of reflection and penance.

Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is the day before Lent, and is known as the last hurrah of food and fun before the fasting begins.

Holy Week is the week preceding Easter, and includes Maundy Thursday, which commemorates Jesus’ last supper with his disciples.

Good Friday, honors the day of his crucifixion, and Holy Saturday focuses on the transition between the crucifixion and resurrection.

After Easter, a 50-day period called, Eastertide, celebrates Jesus’ ascension into heaven.

Over the centuries various ancient pagan traditions and folk customs, including colored eggs, chocolate bunnies and marshmallow chicks, have now become a standard part of marketing this holiday Regardless of your beliefs, let’s celebrate the spirit of this holiday together!

Poetry & Creative Writing

Poetry & Creative Writing

Poetry & Creative Writing

Poetry & Creative Writing

Arts Contributed by Charice Chambers Jill Marshall came to Alaska in 1975 for a 3-month stay that has never ended. Her artwork blends her love of Alaska with the wildness of Alaska’s people and places. These themes are woven into all of her designs.

Marshall started her graphic design firm, Marshall Arts Design, nearly 30 years ago in Fairbanks, Alaska. At that time, much of her work was done by hand; today, it’s all electronic. As time progressed, Marshall realized that she missed the hands-on feel of her early days in art. In an effort to recapture that approach to her art, she created a line of watercolor nature cards. The designs featured many iconic Alaskan animals, including bear, caribou, moose and wolf. She also rendered many of Alaska’s native birds with great success including cranes, owls and eagles. Most were watercolor creations.

Watercolor has always been Marshall’s favorite medium. She uses a unique layering approach to her paintings called glazing. It features laying wet color over dry. Often four to six layers thick, the method builds unique hues with great intensity, richness and depth.

She is so invested in watercolor, that

she offers two classes that take the beginner from blank canvas to the pride of a successful finished product. The single-session 3-hour class includes a glass of wine to enhance both creativity and fun for the participants.

Her 2-day sessions feature much larger canvases with more complex watercolor techniques. With a smile, she describes her instruction as equal opportunity ridicule with lots of laughter and lots of learning. Many of her students have gone on to become outstanding watercolor painters.

Several years ago, Marshall came up with a new idea, which was wild and whimsical. It featured a style that combined the drawing she missed with the computer work she knows so well.

Her “Wild Women” series was born! The funny thing is, Marshall is not very wild herself. “I think I’m channeling for the ghost of a wild woman,” she says, “The ideas just keep coming to me, even in the middle of the night!”

Featuring a cartoon style appearance, the wild women are seen in carharts, pearls and tiaras - on special occasions, as they urge others to be wild women, too. Other Wild Women cards attest to the fact that Alaskan wild women are fresher than farmed, love wild and mild men, and wear white after Labor Day. In

short, they are fun, fresh and funny.

Marshall’s designs have been wildly popular, (pun intended). Within Alaska, she has sold over 45,000 cards featuring her designs, a fact of which she is quite proud.

Marshall lives in Fairbanks with her husband Charlie, McMahon, and kitties, Annie and Leo. Their son, Josh, resides in Anchorage.

Her designs may be found at the Mat-Su Senior Center Gift Shop, 1132 South Chugach Street, across the street from and adjacent to Palmer Junior Middle School. Open Monday through Friday, from 10am to 2pm, the shop features art, crafts and gifts at prices seniors can afford and the community appreciates.

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www. MAKEASCENEAK .com MAR 2018