Local women business owners in downtown Palmer are dominant. Women in Palmer play a prominent role in our town, and they’re not afraid to show it!
Ailis Vann, director of Palmer Chamber of Commerce, was the first to suggest the idea of a virtual version of another event, Cash Mob. She went to the founder of Cash Mob, Denise Statz, and then to Ronalee Moses, owner of Peak Boutique, and they proved the concept! It was only natural that Who Let The Girls Out would stay that course, and that’s how Who Let The
Girls Out went virtual! Tune in to our Facebook Live session, on April 25th, to watch a series of local shop owners, mostly women, give a guided tour through their businesses. Sales, demonstrations, local musicians - familiar faces in familiar places, all online!
The 10th Annual Who Let The Girls Out will be happening on Facebook!
With the help of our loyal sponsors like MTA, Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union, The City of Palmer, Greater Palmer Chamber of Commerce, and Silva Insurance, we are adapting and overcoming the current circumstances
to bring you Who Let The Girls Out... Online!
Each participating Palmer business will receive a 10-15 minute livestream, on location. Popular local musicians will also be live-streaming mini-concerts from our WLTGO page in-between the business showcases.
Though none of us are ‘out’ and about, we can still support locally-owned businesses in downtown Palmer, virtually! Creative ideas and solutions are the life-blood of our event, after all...
An Alaskan Bird: the Redpoll
COMMUNITY
Contributed by Debra McGhan
During this darkest of storms, we need to believe there will be a rainbow that follows; that glimmer of hope that lives deep in our hearts and just requires us to dig deep, pull it out and hold firm. This Covid-19 Pandemic will pass and we will come out okay if we focus on science, facts and logic.
There is a lot of confusion and anxiety. Stay strong, have faith and we will get through this major bump in the road of life.
Working for years with a bunch of dedicated people ‘role playing’ potential emergencies taught me a lot about possible disaster scenarios that could impact our lives. For more than 10 years, I made it an annual practice to participate in the MatSu Emergency Preparedness Expo. We spent hours strategizing ways to deal with all kinds of disasters in partnership with the Mat-Su Borough Emergency Services, American Red Cross and numerous other agencies.
I spent weeks visiting schools giving presentations designed to teach kids about why it’s important to think about what could go wrong in order to plan for things to go right. Disaster preparedness has been a big part of my life.
Despite that, I never imagined anything quite like what we are dealing with today.
Three weeks of quarantine has given me time to ponder those many
years. I’m grateful I did think about all types of emergencies, including pandemics, and that I took the time to actively prepare. I’m relieved that I am able to shelter in place so I’m not interacting socially. I’m thankful I have a home where I can set up rooms that make me feel like I’m going places, even if it’s just a few feet away.
I’m one of the fortunate that has a job I can do from home. And I’m relieved to know that there is an army of people just like me who are also working hard and doing everything we can to help all of the people who are not able to work.
In order to be successful living and working at home with the hope of coming out the other side of this pandemic sane, healthy and basically intact, I’ve found some strategies that work for me. I thought sharing my top ten might help others experience the peace and calm I’ve discovered through these practices.
1. Have a routine. I get up at the same time every morning and start with a big glass of water and some breathing and stretching to get my motor going, then shower and brush my teeth.
2. I eat after my workout, so I’ll have fuel in my tank. This doesn’t work for everyone, but I find it helps me think clear and avoid snacking unconsciously.
3. I get dressed for the office, even though my office is just on the other side of my bedroom door.
4. I make a hot cup of tea. Something warm to drink just helps start the day.
5. Then I go to my ‘office’ and log into my work computer. (My time is tracked, so punctuality is critical.)
6. While I’m working, I try to take 60-second breaks to stretch every hour and a 15-minute break after two hours. Plus, an hour for lunch. (I’m not always good about this and tend to cut breaks down. Be smart, don’t. Take those breaks.)
7. At the end of my work day, I log out of my computer, clean up my office and put everything away.
8. Then I change into outside clothes and go outdoors. If it’s too cold, I’ll go to the green house. Otherwise, I go for a walk or a ski or a bike ride to get my blood pumping; Recess. Recently, my neighbor and I took turns sledding down our hill like two little girls. I don’t think it matters what you do, just going outside and being active for an hour is critical for a clear mind and a healthy, happy outlook.
8. Most evenings, I eat dinner, relax, watch television, listen to music, write, sew… do something just for me for a few hours.
9. Finally, I waterpik, floss and brush my teeth (I’m a fanatic about this because when my mouth is healthy, I’m healthy.)
10. Then I finish by going to bed at the same time every day. I find I fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer and get a more restful sleep when I stick to this goal. I live alone now, but adapt and adjust when family is here.
Don’t let the stress get you. There are a lot of rumors and outright lies circulating, starting from the very top. In order to survive, it’s up to each of us to find the truth for ourselves. Don’t believe anything unless you fact-check it yourself. Study peerreviewed, scientific evidence and take care of you. Soon it will be clear exactly what we all must do in order to survive and discover the rainbow waiting for us on the other side of this pandemic.
Contributed by Linda Myers-Steele
Senior Education classes are offered free (except for occasional supplies as noted). There are no tests, no grades and no homework. Wasilla Senior Center, 1301 Century Circle, Wasilla hosts the classes at no charge, and all the presenters are volunteers who are experts in their field! Please join us: senioreducationwasilla@gmail. com.
The following scheduled is planned for May 2020. However,
classes will be held only if the mandate to limit gatherings has been lifted due to COVID-19 concerns. Watch for local notices.
MAY 2020 SCHEDULE: Independence Mine History & Operations Tuesday, May 5th, 3:00PM-4:00PM Learn about this local treasure located in the Hatchers Pass area.
Spring Gardening & New Thoughts About Extremely Warm Summers
Tuesday, May 12th, 3:00PM-4:0PM
Book Club “I Read What I Want To Read” Tuesday, May 19, 3:00-4:00 p.m.(Meets every third Tuesday until May 2020) Share a book summary and learn from others of interesting books.
Facilitator: Andi Nations, Retired Public School Educator/Non-Profit Facilitator
Senior Education classes will be closed for the summer with plans to resume a schedule after Labor Day, September 2020.
Photo taken by Debra McGhan near Seward, AK
Photo by Debra McGhan
Anglers & boaters find serenity in the waters of Susitna Valley
Presented by Linda Myers-Steele, Master Gardener
COMMUNITY
Along with many other non-profits, the last few weeks at the Musk Ox Farm has been dominated by COVID-19 emergency meetings and contingency planning while frantically building up our online infrastructure to maintain our communications and educational outreach with our local, national and international communities.
We want you all to know that the health and safety of our musk oxen continues to be our top priority, along with the health and safety of our staff during these unprecedented times we've all found ourselves in.
We may have closed our doors to the public for now; but rest assured, we will continue working hard to keep you - our incredible followers, supporters, musk ox cheerleaders - connected to our farm and those musk oxen you've all fallen in love with as best as we possibly can! We hope to be a beacon in the darkness, sharing the incredible animals that have certainly brought perspective and brief moments of peace to us during these uncertain days. We can draw from their strength and their unparalleled ability to survive and thrive in the harshest of
environments. Our team here truly is like a family, and we know that with our combined strength, skills, and love for each other and all 80 (soon to be more!) of our musk oxen out there, we will pull through this. There has never been such a thing as a 'normal' day on the Musk Ox Farm, which we'd like to think, helps our resiliency - something we'll be leaning on heavily in the days and weeks to come. We hope that you'll continue to support us and follow us on this wild ride.
SOMETHING TO LOOK FORWARD
TO: Musk Ox Calves!
While the world may feel like it has come to a halt, nothing is going to stop our new calves from coming. Calf checks are starting this week, as they are expected to arrive between mid-April and mid-May. We look forward to the pure joy that these little balls of fluff always bring to us, and sharing that joy with all of you!
As soon as that first calf is on the ground, you’ll be able to find photos and videos of the new arrival(s) on our website, Facebook and Instagram pages.
VISIT THE FARM FROM YOUR LIVING ROOM!:
LIVE from the Farm: Join us every Thursday at 11am on Facebook as we go live from the farm and see what
Meet a Musk Ox Monday: Each Monday, we’ll post a new video on our Facebook and Instagram pages that introduces you to a new member of our herd! Learn what makes each animal unique in personality and physical traits.
Don’t have Facebook or Instagram? Head to our website, www. muskoxfarm.org/videos, to see recordings of past live sessions and other educational videos. More content will be added each week, so check back often to get your musk ox fix!
As we enter into our usual summer season, we will continue to monitor and adhere to the recommendations of local and federal mandates in response to COVID-19. Any changes to our current status of temporary closure will be updated on our website as we receive the information necessary to make the best choice for our community and our organization. Please check our website before planning a visit to our farm, and don’t hesitate to call: 907-745-4151.
Be well, be safe, be sane, and most importantly, be musk ox strong!
Contributed by Mayor Bert Cottle
With the arrival of warmer weather and weeks of social distancing and indoor isolarion, the parks and playgrounds will become a source of additional entertainment and activity. However, we must still observe the governor’s mandate on gatherings and social distancing.
Playground equipment in our parks will be off limits effective immediately due to the inability to effectively and efficiently sanitize all the common “touch” surfaces that are exposed to the public and especially our children.
The parks will remain open for other activities, and we encourage our citizens to get out and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine that comes with this time of year.
Walk, run, bike… Be creative with normal activities while still ensuring you keep six feet apart and don’t share common surfaces.
The measure listed above will be in effect until further notice.
As always, we encourage our residents and businesses to follow our best practices and to expand ways of social distancing so that the
risk of community transmission is minimized. The City is constantly evaluating for the future and will announce other measures as they become necessary and possible reopening as conditions allow.
We will get through these trying times if we all prepared mitigate exposure and support each other from a safe distance.
Thank you all for your flexibility as we navigate this together.
Sincerely,
Bert L. Cottle
MAT-SU VALLEY, ALASKA
Contributed by Kerry Nelson, The Musk Ox Farm
the herd is up to that day!
COMMUNITY
Contributed by Randi Perlman
In case you haven’t noticed, we’re in the month of April, which brings longer days and warmer sunlight, the return of our migratory birds, gardening and fishing, and for some, that urge for spring cleaning. With so much worrisome news of late and stuck inside more than we’re used to or like to be, this is a great time to give in to your urges and tackle some of those household projects you’ve been putting off…‘til now!
For some of us, this time at home with family can mean extra hands available, so gather up the players, divvy up the tasks, and make spring cleaning fun and productive. It’s also a great time for the whole family to learn about the benefits of recycling and how to sort it out. Whether it’s the hallway closet, your garage, the basement, or all of the above, many hands make for shorter work hours and fun togetherness, with a
real sense of pride and accomplishment when it’s done. And good news! To add to your spring cleaning enjoyment, both the Mat-Su Borough Central Landfill and your local recycling center, Valley Community for Recycling Solutions (VCRS), are open, ready and eager to take trash and recyclables off your hands.
Both facilities are located on N 49th State Street, off the Palmer Wasilla Highway, and both are following all appropriate protocols to ensure the safety of staff and the public. Recent recyclers arriving at the VCRS residential drive-thru greeter’s booth have expressed joy and gratitude to find it staffed and open for business, with comments like, “Thank goodness you and the liquor stores are still open,” and “Ahh, recycling in Alaska, livin’ the dream.”
In addition, Terry’s innovative approach to greeting recyclers is a must-see! Since both entities are considered essential
services, having the landfill and recycling center open during this hunkerdown moment in time not only gives folks an outlet for their disposables, it provides an element of normalcy for our community, while also bringing a sense of purpose and job-well-done to both workers and Mat-Su residents.
One important way recyclers can move the process along smoothly and efficiently while respecting social distancing standards is having materials pre-sorted for quick offloading.
If items are not sorted, please be willing to pull around, park and sort in order to keep traffic flowing and groups of people to a minimum. We appreciate everyone’s patience, understanding and generosity during this pandemic.
Our Valley community is strong and resilient, and we are united in finding ways to help each other get through
just sit in the rocking chair on your front porch and let your mind wander.
this challenging time. From folks creating face masks out of extra sewing material, to donations of toilet paper, to restaurants providing meals to our heroic frontlines and more, there are many stories of local businesses, non-profits and individuals reaching out in kindness and support. That’s what makes the Mat-Su Borough such a wonderful place to live, work, play and come together, and we all look forward to the day we can come together again…
For now, enjoy the melting snow, the coming spring, indoor/outdoor home projects and each other.
For more information about the landfill or recycling center, as well as hours of operation, visit www.matsugov.us/central-landfill or www.valleyrecycling.org
Together, we will make it through, because together, we can turn this around!
return to work, the economy will begin to recover, and the medical field will do what it does best and find a vaccine for COVID-19.
Contributed by Randi Perlman
We are anxious. We are tested. We are torn. We are loving. We are giving. WE ARE STRONG.
We are hunkered down, at a distance, stand-offish, but with purpose. We are six feet apart, but a community united, doing what’s required to keep ourselves and each other safe. Our wide-open and well-spaced Valley is helping us play out social distancing, while neighbors and strangers are reaching across to bridge the gap.
Situations and circumstances like the unsettling one we’re living thru right now bring out the best in humanity. They show us the stuff great hearts are made of, and bring forth the ideas and ideals that will shape our future. The way we come through this challenge will forge a tighter, closer community, with a greater understanding and appreciation of how tough, yet how fragile, we can be. It will humble the mightiest of us, show us we can live
with less in ways we never imagined, conjure up resources we weren’t even aware existed.
These hours at home, or wherever we are sequestered, will allow for the flow of creative juices, out of which will likely come exquisite works of art, many fine writings and bestselling books, an explosion of online businesses and new social media platforms. While some may feel bored and cooped up, others will see this as a rare opportunity to relish and put to good use the one commodity there is never enough of: TIME.
Time to sleep-in or take naps whenever we feel like it; time to re-connect with family, old friends and acquaintances via phone or other technology; time to learn a new skill or polish up an old one; time to spend with our in-home family group and pets, or maybe adopt a pet; time to do with as we see fit, whether that’s to read, meditate, binge watch TV, listen to music (or create some), take a walk or drive to some of Alaska’s finest offerings and find solace in nature, or
Time can also help rekindle the romance. A surge of happy babies will likely appear late next fall, and we will want them to become part of the healthy, vibrant community they deserve to be born into.
As we navigate these murky waters, now is a great time to re-vamp your resume to help procure that great new job when we can all re-join the workforce. It’s also a good time to work on that science project that’s been whirling around your brain and that you just KNOW will make a difference, or to map out and develop that novel [pardon the expression] business idea that can change the world for the better.
In essence, we have the time to let our imaginations run wild, to work on unconventional solutions to age-old problems, to use our logistical prowess to invent new modes of travel that transport us to magical places. The possibilities are exciting, and endless, but our time is not. Sooner rather than later [we hope], this too shall pass, and life will return to some form of ‘normal’. Kids will go back to school, we will
Take advantage of this brief moment in time, while we are held hostage by our desire to stay safe, and put it to good use. Make note of our cleaner air from fewer vehicles on the road. Do something meaningful. Be kind to your neighbors. Take care of your elders. Open your home and heart to a stray dog or cat. Donate to the food bank. Celebrate the High Holy Days of Passover, Easter, and Ramadan. Churches are streaming services online. The Mat-Su Jewish Center is providing seder to-go kits. Many groups are finding new and unique ways to connect and get the message out. Keep the faith!
Beware of the scammers, because uncertain times can bring out the worst in humanity, too. Our hearts mourn for those we have lost in this battle; we mustn’t lose sight of them. But we are Alaskans, and we are tough. Let’s come out of this as a species enlightened, as an even stronger, acutely aware, less complacent and more united community than ever before - we owe it to ourselves, and to our future.
Contributed by Linda Lozanoff
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” - Anne Frank, 19291945 German Jewish School Girl Diarist
During these past weeks of sheltering in place and social distancing, we have been contributing to the slowing down of the spread of Covid-19. While adjusting to our own individual new normal, we have all had to become creative to continue with daily life. Reducing the amount of trips to the grocery store, fulfilling job responsibilities from home while simultaneously monitoring children’s
schoolwork, endless handwashing and disinfecting our homes and places of employment, keeping up with the newest mandates, and on and on have resulted in all of us having to dig deeper into our inner strength to carry on each day.
During this unprecedented time of change and challenges, an observation has been made. In my neighborhood, I have never seen so any individuals and families out walking together, riding bikes, skateboarding and exercising their dogs. Even though we might miss those trips to the gym, kids miss their team sport activities after school and on the weekends, dining out and
socializing at our local breweries, we have been given an opportunity to spend time with those with whom we live without the constant running from one activity to the next which left us with little time to just spend time together. This new-found time has brought people outside to enjoy this incredible place we live in.
As spring approaches and more people will be outdoors, consider this to improve the beautiful world we live in. Let us all contribute to the Mat-Su environment by carrying a bag or bucket on our walks and gather up remnants of trash that has been hidden by the winter’s snows. So
many of us will be outside walking our neighborhood roads and trails, we can now witness firsthand and up close what has been discarded. The benefit of this simple task is twofold. It brings us an instant sense of gratification to contribute to our community while making the community a cleaner place. As children learn from observation what an opportunity to model for them community participation for a common goal. We do not need to wait to see if the annual community clean-up days will happen this spring, be delayed or cancelled. We can begin this now and hopefully include it in our days outside throughout the year.
When time has passed and we are able to resume the activities we were once accustomed to, may we remember the joy that being outside with family or friends brought us and find time to continue to do so while making the Mat-Su a cleaner place adding to its natural splendor.
Contributed by Ben Rowell, Highway 3 Angler
COMMUNITY
Contributed by Jessica
Gilbert
Locally-owned and operated technology/communications cooperative, MTA has partnered with the City of Wasilla, the City of Palmer, the City of Houston and the MatanuskaSusitna Borough to install “drive-in” WiFi hot spots in various parking lots that allow residents to connect while still respecting the need for social distancing amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Contributed by Lisa Knight,
Mat-Su YMCA
We are excited to announce that on Saturday, February 8th, the Mat-Su YMCA hosted its 1st Annual Shoots and Ladders Fundraiser that included a competitive basketball game and chili cook-off at Wasilla High School. This exciting event drew hundreds of
WiFi hot spots currently set up include: Curtis D. Menard Center’s South Parking Lot, Matanuska-Susitna Borough Administration Building’s East Parking Lot, Houston Fire Station 9-1’s South Parking Lot, Palmer Library’s Front Parking Lot, Big Lake Library’s Parking Lot
“The need to close public spaces like libraries has left those who don’t have internet at home and who rely on hot spots without any way to get online. We
community members of all ages to watch an entertaining basketball game where our local law enforcement volunteers challenged our fire department and EMS volunteers. Law enforcement ended up with the win. Competing for the title of “Best Chili in the Valley” were Everett’s, Hacienda, My House and Loco Mamas. It was a close decision, but ultimately Everett’s took home the win. This annual fundraising event was an effort
wanted to work with the community to create a unique solution,” said Michael Burke, CEO of MTA. “We work every day to make sure we’re equipping members of our co-op and our community with the technology and resources they need to continue leading a connected life during this crisis.”
In addition to the public WiFi hot spots, MTA has taken a number of other actions to address this crisis, including temporarily suspending
to bring awareness to YMCA activities to the Mat-Su and support YMCA programming within the community.
The success of our first Shoots and Ladders Fundraiser was a direct result of hundreds of community volunteers and sponsors! We were blessed to have our Master of Ceremony, Joshua Fryfogle, agree to shepherd the fundraiser and we want to send a special shout-out to
service disconnections, supporting students and educators with temporary service upgrades at no extra cost, and completing installations of new equipment without MTA specialists entering members’ homes.
For more updates and resources on MTA’s response to the COVID-19 crisis, including additional hot spots that may be built moving forward, please visit www.mtasolutions.com/covid-19/.
him! There are so many valuable and mentionable sponsors and volunteers that we will be giving shout out to in the next People's Paper!
The Mat-Su YMCA is a place for everyone to belong! If you have an interest in learning more about your local YMCA you can visit www.matsutmca.org or contact Program Executive Lisa Knight at lisa@ymcaalaska.org.
Contributed by Julie Cascio,
UAF-CEF
‘Tis the time of year to enjoy food items which have accumulated in your freezer. Use it for the meals being made in your house. My mouth is watering as I think of wonderful recipes that combine the meat and vegetables in our freezer and pantry cupboard.
Another option is to preserve your frozen food in jars. This opens that space in the freezer for salmon, other fish, moose and vegetables you’re planning to harvest this year.
When canning low-acid food (fish, meat, poultry) in jars use a pressure cooker/ canner with tightly-closed lid that prevents steam from escaping. If a dialgauge regulator is used, check that it has been tested within the last year for accuracy. With current social distancing needs, CES is not able to test dial
gauges this month. When that changes CES will let the community know. If using a pressure canner before that date, however, an option is to change from a petcock (on All American Pressure Cooker/Canners) to a vent pipe and a weighted gauge, also called a pressure regulator weight.
The All-American company states that the, “Steam Gauge is only used as a reference to what the pressure regulator weight on a vent pipe indicate. The steam gauge lets you know that when the gauge has returned to zero you can safely remove the cover.”
If using a Presto pressure canner and the dial gauge regulator has not been tested recently, a 3-piece adjustable dial gauge pressure regulator may be used instead. Presto says that most Presto pressure canners can be used with the 3-piece adjustable pressure regulator
used as a substitute for the pressure regulator that is original to the canner. There are just a few older Presto models, ones which originally had petcocks, that will need to have the vent pipe replaced with a different style in order to use the 3-piece regulator.
If you have questions on this, call Julie Cascio at 745-3677 or email jmcascio@ alaska.edu.
Do use recent research-based recipes when canning/jarring food. Reliable sources are UAF Cooperative Extension publications are found at cespubs.uaf. edu or through the National Center for Home Food Preservation at nchfp.uga. edu.
Someone asked recently for a meatloaf recipe. Here is one I enjoy as it has various ingredients that can be changed around based on what is in the house. I
serve it with whatever veggies need to be used, in the fridge or freezer.
Meat Loaf
1 ½ pounds hamburger or ground moose
1 cup dry or soft bread crumbs, cracker crumbs, dry bread cubes, bread slices torn into pieces, or oatmeal
1 ¼ cup milk
1 egg
¼ cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 ½ teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon dry mustard
¼ teaspoon pepper
¼ teaspoon ground sage
1 clove garlic, crushed (optional)
Mix all ingredients together. Spread in ungreased loaf pan, 9x5x3 inches. Cook uncovered in 350° Fahrenheit oven until done, about 1 ½ hours. Serve with mushroom gravy or catsup. 6 servings.
Klapperich
(Please follow all COVID-19 mandates and limit all close contacts (people outside of a family unit) to be farther than six feet from each other to prevent the spread of the virus.)
All the winter snow is melting fast, and some of those bare areas are revealing some unsightly trash! Get the family out of the house and help brighten the local parks, right of way, and public lands around Wasilla. Take pride in beautifying your local community by picking up that ugly trash and participate in the area wide City of Wasilla Clean Up Days May 4th – 9th!
How it works: Pick up your free yellow ALPAR (Alaskans for Litter Prevention and Recycling) bags at the following locations: (or use any trash can liner you may have)
Wasilla City Hall: (Finance Foyer), Menard Sports Center, Wasilla Museum, and the Wasilla Chamber of Commerce.
Families are required to provide their own personal protection and safety gear to pick up trash alongside the City streets, parks, and public lands. Don’t forget to secure your load if needed by tarps, ropes, bungees, nets, and/ or straps during transportation to the dumpster!
Fill your yellow ALPAR bags and take them to the dumpster (it will be labeled Clean Up Days) located in Iditapark by Wonderland in the parking lot next to the basketball courts off of Nelson Avenue.
Drop off your bags during these designated times: 5pm – 7pm daily May 4-8th, and from 10am – 2pm on Saturday May 9th. The dumpster will be monitored to prevent any household garbage, car parts, appliances, or hazardous materials from getting into the dumpster.
DO NOT drop off any unattended bags at the dumpster site.
Items not allowed in dumpster:
Acid Pesticides Adhesives
Photography Chemicals
Antifreeze Poisons
Batteries (NiCad, Lithium, etc.)
Printer ink Cartridges
Caustics
Propane Tanks resins
Disinfectants
Transmission Fluid
Engine Oil
Floor Wax
PCB’s (and PCB Ballasts)
MAT-SU VALLEY, ALASKA
Contributed by Joan
ADULT PIANO LESSONS
Hitchcock Piano Studio ........ 745-3134
APPAREL & CLOTHING
All Seasons Clothing ........ 357-0123
D’s Tuxedo ........ 707-6585
Mila’s Alterations ........ 830-8339
ART & CRAFTS
Artists Uncorked… 982-2675
The Gallery ........ 745-1420
BOOKSTORE
A Black Sheep Shop ......... 376-8198
Black Birch Books ...... 373-2677
Fireside Books ........ 745-2665
CAFÉ & COFFEE
Alaska Artisan Coffee ........ 745-5543
Gathering Grounds ........ 376-4404
Vagabond Blues……..745-2233
CANNABIS RETAILER
Matanuska Cannabis Co. ...... 745-4211
CREATIVE ENTERTAINMENT
Artists Uncorked ........ 982-2675
EDUCATION
Learning Essentials ........ 357-3990
FOOTWEAR
Northern Comfort ........ 376-5403
HEALTH & WELLNESS
All About Herbs ........ 376-8327
Just Botanicals ....... 414-3663
Lone Wolf Aura ........ 631-0482
HOME DÉCOR
Peak Boutique ........ 746-3320
PIZZA
Humdingers Pizza ........ 745-7499
PHLEBOTOMY SERVICES
Valley Phlebotomy ........ 376-6435
PRINT SERVICES
The UPS Store ........ 746-6245
REPAIR, RESTORATION
Comtronics ........ 373-2669
S&S Drilling ...... 746-0225
Steve’s Toyostove Repair ..... 376-9276
The Powdercoat Shop .... 841-1300
SPECIALTY GIFTS
Alaska Midnite Scents ........ 357-7364
Non-Essentials ........ 745-2258
The Boardwalk Shop ........ 357-8980
THRIFT SHOPS
Steam Driven Boutique ........ 376-4404
Turn-A-Leaf Thrift Stores ........ 376-5708
TOYS
Just Imagine Toys ........ 357-1543
Learning Essentials .......... 357-3990
POLITICS / OPINION
Contributed by David Vesper, AK TFRM Chapter Lead & TFRM Legislative Manager
No doubt. We live in unprecedented times in Alaska right this very minute. Many Alaskans are losing their livelihoods, careers, jobs and wages under the government’s attempts to flatten the curve of the novel coronavirusknown as COVID-19.
The stark reality of managing a diminished budget on limited resources as well as preventing oneself from becoming infected is a much different world than just two months ago. I am confident noncustodial parents and their families in Alaska are facing a particularly daunting hardship greater than anyone else with impending child support payments due and the oppressive punitive measures if not paid on time and in full.
Cathy Muñoz, deputy commissioner at the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, says they are seeing a seven to eightfold increase in unemployment claims. “Leading up to this pandemic, this situation, we were at probably the lowest unemployment rate in our history. We have been slammed with new applications…”
(Source: KTVF)
Early last week and before the job numbers were released, I wrote to every Alaska senator and representative
about the precarious situation involving noncustodial parents and child support. I asked them to consider the following:
Provide PFD backpay to every Alaskan under the statutes and rules.
Provide a 3-month moratorium on interest in child support arrearages. Forgiveness on all interest for missed payments due to the loss of 15% income or loss of job after 30-days of filing a petition to modify child support if the case is not heard due to COVID-19 restrictions with 30-day extensions if the case is still not heard.
Update the AK CSSD to provide this guidance to Alaskans during this pandemic.
So… how does the Alaska 31st Legislature react? With petty and feckless leadership.
Not only did the majority of legislators not care about Alaskan noncustodial parents, but they defecated on you and laughed as they did it. On 28 March, the Operating Budget Conference Committee chaired by Representatives Neal Foster (D) and Jennifer Johnston (R) and Senators Bert Stedman (D) and Natasha von Imhof (R) stripped the $1,000 Coronavirus stimulus to PFD recipients and cut this year’s PFD to $500. Also, this committee devised a strategy to divvy up $1.5B in a “Reverse Sweep” that further drains our state savings, known as the Constitutional Budget Reserve or CBR. According to the Alaska Department of Revenue on 28 February, the CBR stood at $2.2B.
Mind you, this was done before the market crashed last week. Backed by Speaker of the House Bryce Edgmon (U) and Senate President Cathy Giessel (R), a binding caucus forced their members to support these provisions in HB 205 and it passed in both chambers with overwhelming bipartisan support.
Congratulations. Out of billions of dollars of revenue in this state, you are worth $500 in a year that features the greatest pandemic since the Spanish Flu of 1918-19 and the greatest economic collapse since the Great Depression. I hope you can pay rent, utilities, food, car, AND child support with that money… in October!
For every horrible decision that comes out of Juneau, I hear 100 people say, “VOTE THEM OUT!” Easier said than done. The fact is simple. Campaigns are funded by special interest groups like Big Labor, Big Oil, Big Education, and party ideologues. The people in their districts usually vote them back in because it is special interest that shows up to influence their votes and the voting records of these lemmings in Juneau.
Your vote only belongs to one district. Even then, the lack of political activity on your part contributes to the nonsense down in Juneau. You have one vote. Leverage it. You leverage your vote by speaking out. Unless you are apathetic and do not care about your present situation. Then, by all means, continue on to your daily business.
You can find out their votes and who contributes to their campaigns on Legiscan at https://legiscan.com/AK/ rollcall/HB205/id/955063.
Contributed by T. John Nelson, John Nelson For Alaskans
Please take a moment and listen to this important interview with U.S. Congressman Thomas Massie: https:// youtu.be/qk1X0c02MJg
FOOD SHORTAGES ON THE WAY: Meat processing workers sick with coronavirus and it's 'going to be ugly’.
I am well aware that our supply chain was impacted from shipments coming into the US from overseas. It now appears that the COVID-19 Virus is having a severe impact on our national food supply chain as well. This is deeply concerning.
More evidence here:
https://youtu.be/m4jr0wkt7HY
FOOD SHUTDOWN: Farmers Told to "QUIT FARMING"
If in fact, food producers cannot get their milk, meat and vegetables to food processors in the Lower 48 our local grocery stores here in Alaska may very well be at risk too. We do not have the food producers or food processors here in Alaska to feed all Alaskans. What is our plan if we cannot get food from the Lower 48? Plant a bigger garden?
As a sovereign state, Alaska need not wait for the federal government to solve this. The Feds are busy bailing out Wall Street bankers, hedge funds, buying up corporate debt, nationalizing industry and spending TRILLIONS OF DOLLARS, then giving our small businesses a non-repayable grant in the form of a loan (free money)? Are we to wait for the federal hand-out of $1,200 per person to stay home while we bankrupt our entire free enterprise
economy? This makes no sense. Over the last three weeks, tens of thousands of businesses have closed their doors and some 17 million people have found themselves unemployed.
Their personal economy has not stopped, but their income has and they have families to feed and bills to pay. What is more concerning is if the supply chain is in fact fractured, there may not be any food on the store shelves for people to spend their government hand-out checks on. Wake up people.
While I am fully aware of the risks, we cannot afford to wait days or weeks for this COVID-19 Virus to burn through the population. We are told that sooner or later, everyone is going to get it anyways. Thankfully, for most it does not appear to be fatal. Thank God! If people are encouraged to boost their natural immune systems (Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Zinc, etc.), then perhaps the effects of the virus would be more manageable for many people. Yet some states are mandating that health food stores close their doors.
People need to get back to work and get our economy moving, and quickly. Why aren’t we testing everyone? If you are asymptomatic and infected, stay home. If you are not infected, then wear a mask and get back to work. In order to do this, we need to encourage our leaders to ask everybody to get tested, wear a mask, and get back to work.
Congress really needs to meet via web/ teleconference. If people working in critical infrastructure and the government are expected to work from home, so can Congress. We need to make sure
that special interests aren’t ramming bills through Congress. These bills need to be monitored and debated in order to protect our God-given rights and the constitution from excessive federal over-reach.
Perhaps we can come together and ask our elected officials to work on removing the red-tape and help our local farmers and ranchers get their food to the local stores more efficiently?
Perhaps we can remove the red-tape to allow local processors to put moose meat in our grocery stores to feed Alaskans? How about beef-up our seafood processing and local distribution as well?
Perhaps passing legislation to protect small businesses if they take measures to ensure a safe working environment?
We can get through this, if we all got tested, wear a mask and go back to work to keep America great!
....in my honest opinion.
Go outside, get some sun, and consider planting a garden. I hope you had a healthy and happy Easter.
Stay safe and God bless.
Respectfully,
Thomas “John” Nelson 2020 Congressional Constitutional Candidate U.S. House of Representatives Alaskan Republican Party www.johnnelsonforalaska.com john@JohnNelsonforAlaskans.com 907-360-1572
POLITICS / OPINION
Contributed by Wes Keller
Which will we recover from first, the COVID-19 virus, or the “financial solution/ help/cure” for the virus?
It seems the “cure”, even if it was motivated in good faith to help elderly and vulnerable, may turn out to be worse than the disease! The unprecedented shutdown of the global economy has been willingly, almost eagerly, imposed by all of us, driven by a combination of fear and compassion. An enemy could not possibly have destroyed our economy to the extent we have done it to ourselves – in record time!
The impact of the unanimous decision to devalue the American dollar by printing 2.2 trillion new ones is incomprehensible. (2.2 trillion is approximately the number of seconds in 1,000 human lifetimes!... Ask SIRI!). This “cure” leaps into unknown, uncharted waters - a VERY COSTLY untested drug without clinical trials! Now, we watch for contraindications! It will likely produce spectacular harm to the American dollar, and to Americans who have grown to trust it!
While the overwhelming compassion, resiliency, and innovation we see in our threatened neighbors is heart-warming, we need to be alert for those who will exploit fear and greed for selfish gain by pretending to help. Could our government slip into this category if we are
not careful? We need to be very slow to surrender more of our freedoms to an even larger government in exchange for pretense of providing security it cannot deliver!
Here is the simple formula for personal recovery from the “cure” (or the disease) I recommend: Take advantage of your self-imposed isolation to contemplate your worldview: Your “philosophy” on the source of government (God and His laws) Acknowledge God when you encounter your blemishes and weak spots (you will!) and dare to admit them. Adjust your own worldview, even if you have to tear it down to the starting point: Does God exist? Or not? If so, what does He want? Then rebuild. You have been given complete religious freedom to pursue answers. This is America! Nobody can force you to follow my advice or not. It is super encouraging to hear reports of this happening. Listen for them.
Consider our nation’s founding values. They do not place false faith in human government! The Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Bill of rights, and Federalist Papers make it very clear they had “faith” in something greater than the new government they were creating. Historically, we know we have depended on the “Creator”, “Supreme Judge”, and the moral absolutes (“Nature’s Law”). We know human govern-
ment cannot deliver what is available from “Divine Providence”. We also know our faith is misplaced if we trust security from human government.
Consider, and be thankful for America’s exceptional prosperity. It CAN be recovered! America is the product of subscription to the very highest and best source of law. America stands tall compared to all other nations! Because of just laws, our cities are graced with parks, arts, cultural centers and worldclass marketplaces. Our plains have become the source of food and goods, including crops and herds to fill our supermarkets. Our meats and grains are consumed world-wide! We produce and export vast amounts of energy from natural resources. We travel the globe in cars, buses, and airplanes. Our manufacturing, technology and science sets global standards. “Made in America” is a label to be proud of… a boast of the highest quality.
We are free! We are a beacon to the world held high by the Statue of Liberty. We have enjoyed generations of security. Nations determined to destroy us have themselves been destroyed. The Bill of Rights confirms our constitution respects everyone’s potential. It is no coincidence this review of “blessings” is suspiciously similar to the blessings recognized by Christians or Jews!
The conditional blessings promised in scripture to an ancient mid-eastern
know how to apply their knowledge to the real world situation, or they’re just afraid of the people en masse, just like politicians are.
nation are still the desirable goal. Check out the promises recorded in Deuteronomy 28:1-14, 4:1-14 and Leviticus 25:18-22! While you read it, deal with the fact these blessings were specifically conditional; the consequences of obedience to “good” laws. Our Declaration of Independence presumes our foundation to be on the very same premises (laws) given to ancient Israel: “Nature’s law”, “Nature’s God”, the “Supreme Judge”, and “Divine Providence” all refer back to ancient truth… There is truly nothing new under the sun.
Contemplation on the source of law is called “jurisprudence”. Resulting thoughts are unavoidably “religious” thoughts. Consider, the constitution prohibiting the establishment of religion presumes the influence of religion. Webster’s 1828 Dictionary characterized “religion” as a relationship with the one true God (http://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/religion).
As you know, this has ironically become a point of contention in the “maintenance” of our civil and criminal law (the job description for our legislatures). Our road to recovery is inescapably tied to religious thought and renewal. John Adams wrote what was commonly understood and confirmed by virtually all other founders: “Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious [God-fearing] People. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other”.
The “cure” for the “cure” starts with you! Wes Keller www.WesKeller.com
All these politicians in NY or CA… They are like, fearmongers, right? Shutting down the entire state? Stay at home?
Contributed by Huhnkie Lee
I was wondering whether I should title this article as it is, or as ‘corona la la land’. It is because I was driving down the street and it was empty, like Alaska once was and I liked that.
But at the same time, I went to Walmart and couldn’t find a kitchen towel and I didn’t like that. But it was interesting though, like, zombie apocalypse or something.
We Americans are, surely enough, really enjoying this corona news of the day, it’s like addictive.
So, what’s going on here? Are we like, being in an amusement park, on a rollercoaster ride, or are we watching a horror movie, craving for a vicarious danger or simulated harm, knowing that we are all safe and sound behind the seatbelt and harness, behind the silver screen or something? Are we faking the fear just for the sake of having some exotic fun like, enacting the secular doomsday prophecy?
The sad thing is that we don’t get to see politicians these days quoting Mr. President F.D. Roosevelt’s, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” So why don’t politicians say it?
One blind spot of democracy is that politicians fear people. It could be a good thing or a bad thing. So, when people fear coronavirus, politicians fear it too, because politicians fear people. Ergo, politicians would never say, “Hey, coronavirus is nothing to be afraid of,” because if they say so, they will be unpopular and they will not be re-elected in the next election cycle. Politicians, they act like, a scared employee. A politician, whether s/he is a Republican or a Democrat, whether s/he is the President of the U.S. or a city council wo/man, a politician is always mindful of what people think of s/him. In other words, in democracy, a politician is not a leader, but a leadee, who get led by people, by the majoritarian, mainstream, by the herd, by the wagon to jump in and chime right in.
So… What should we do about this coronavirus? Anybody? Hmm?
If you ask me, I say this, “What should we do about coronavirus?”
Nothing. Yes, absolutely nothing. Why? Because, there is nothing special about coronavirus. So many Americans are afraid of coronavirus because they’re scientifically illiterate. Even so called “scientists” are afraid because they don’t
So, let’s do some science. A virus is like, a very small quasi-organism with a protein coating that encapsulates a piece of DNA or RNA. A typical virus looks like a moon-landing space ship in a college biology textbook.
Fortunately, our human bodies, as well as plant or other animals, have immune system. We have white blood cells that produce so-called antibodies. An antibody is a protein complex that molds itself against a protein that is foreign to the host organism. When an exotic material comes into a person’s body, s/ his immune system respond by producing antibodies in order to capture and surround that extraterrestrial matter. So an antibody is like, a custom-made handcuffs, so to speak. To capture that piece of strange protein foreign to a person’s body, it takes some time to learn and adapt for our immune system to prepare against a brand new pathogen. Coronavirus, it’s just latest.
So, what should we do about coronavirus? Nothing. My recommendation, just live your life as before. Go to work, do healthy diet, do regular exercise, do personal hygiene. Yes, do clean the bathroom, do the laundry, vacuum the carpets, bathe your pets, etc. Then you will be fine.
Like many of us in the U.S., I think that’s not a good idea, forcing people to stay at home. Because, biologically speaking, your immune system weakens if your body is inactive. If you stay home 24/7, you will not be as healthy as you go out in active fashion. Health is all about blood flow in your body, a good rest, lean and fibrous nutrition from beans, veggies, etc.
Like many people in the world, I am blessed to have experienced some difficulties in my life back in the days, which roughened and toughened me. I’m a veteran of the U.S. Army and have been deployed in Afghanistan.
I’m also, so privileged to be an Alaskan! I’ve been living in this fantastic place with fantastic people. We, we Alaskans are like, the last Americans. We’re like, the last free people in this country. We’re tough people, you know. Coronavirus? Ha ha ha. That’s what I’d say. It’s a joke. Come on, guys and gals. It’s all in your mind. There’s nothing special or different about coronavirus. It’s all from fear of the unknown.
Then please, know. Learn biology. Stay in school, go Wikipedia or other websites. Learn about exercise, diet, hygiene. Ok? //!-)
POLITICS / OPINION
Contributed by Ben Wilterdink
Alaska is in the midst of a perfect fiscal storm. The coronavirus has forced the temporary closure of many businesses throughout the state, and global events have pushed oil prices – and state revenues – to near historic lows.
Even before the present crisis, our state faced large budget deficits and tough decisions about how to make ends meet. Just as Alaskans have come together to solve past crises, so too will these current challenges be overcome. But as Alaskans look to the future and develop plans for an economic recovery, it is essential to minimize uncertainty and prioritize stability. That’s why adopting a functional limit on the growth in state spending is essential for long-term economic success.
By limiting the growth of state spending, Alaskans can ensure a stable and sustainable state budget that greatly reduces the risk that sudden changes in revenue needs will leave businesses and individuals picking up the tab. Moreover,
Contributed by Lawrence D. Wood
I sent an e-mail to the entire legislature awarding the Noble Order of the Blue Falcon with a left-handed salute to those legislators who voted to remove the emergency multiple PFD payments contained in the governor’s COVID-19 aid package.
The emergency declarations and the fall-out from the COVID-19 emergency are now hitting Alaskans hard. Businesses are being destroyed, employees laid-off, the misery and deprivation from this emergency are having a draconian effect upon Alaskans.
A family member was laid-off in Conoco’s cessation of its drilling operations on the North Slope. Friends have been laid-off from their jobs, because of businesses having to shut their doors by edict.
If Conoco has stood down, there will be worse news to come. The recovery we were enjoying from the 2014 oil price crash is shattered.
The recent oil price crash is part politics, but also, very much so, a matter of declining demand due to economic inactivity. The price crash was about OPEC and the Russians halting the U.S. oil production and regaining market
a functional limit in the growth of state spending decreases the temptation to dramatically increase spending when economic times are good, creating new budget expectations that are difficult to maintain during inevitable economic downturns, something that our state has struggled with in the past. Maintaining a predictable state budget, and the steady tax climate that accompanies it, greatly reduces the kind of uncertainty that discourages long-term investment. That kind of investment is the foundation of sustainable economic growth and development.
Technically, Alaska already has a constitutional spending cap in place, but the formula used renders it basically meaningless. Since its enactment in the 1980s, the cap has done nothing to control growth of the state’s actual spending, even during years with our highest levels of revenue.
While more than half of states currently have some form of tax and expenditure limit, the most effective is Colorado’s Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR), which
share in a failing global economy. There are those in the Legislature who believed the PFD money would be squandered by those in the Bush for drugs and booze. In their infinite wisdom, they chose to allegedly save a percentage of the 15% of Alaska’s population that is Native from themselves by penalizing all 730,000 of us and insuring the destruction of the economy. That was painting with a rather broad brush with respect to penalizing the many for the sins of a few.
I understand that there was some confusion by some of those legislators regarding what was meant by the COVID-19 aid in the justification for Noble Order of the Blue Falcon citation issued. I was referring to the multipayment proposed from the PFD amounts still owed and the current PFD. These are the only monies that would have given a direct benefit to a shattered economy and allowed Alaskans some degree of solace and hope in what is a very confusing, fearful and draconian response by government to this emergency. That money would have gone directly to the people to pay business for needed goods and services.
In this emergency, no one is in a position to squander a dime.
Further, it is believed that money, issued under the governor’s emergency
constitutionally limits spending growth to the rate of inflation plus estimated population growth. The stable budget and tax climate created by TABOR has served Coloradans remarkably well. Over the past decade, Colorado’s gross state product (GSP) has grown by 45.5 percent, personal income has grown by 59.5 percent, and non-farm payroll employment has grown by 15.8 percent.
By comparison, during the same time period, Alaska’s GSP growth was 0 percent, personal income growth was 33.5 percent, and non-farm payroll employment growth was 0.3 percent. But it’s not just Colorado that has benefited from a functional tax and expenditure limit. Nationwide, states with tax and expenditure limits have outperformed states without them in GSP growth, personal income growth, and employment growth.
Based on the difference in economic performance between states with functional tax and expenditure limits and those without, a recent study estimated what Alaska’s economic outcomes
would look like if a functional tax and expenditure limit had been adopted in 2008. The results are striking. If Alaska’s economic indicators had tracked with the outcomes experienced by states with functional tax and expenditure limits, our GSP would be $20 billion higher, personal income would be between $4 and $5 billion higher, and we would have 25,000 more jobs.
While Alaskans can’t retroactively adopt a meaningful spending limit, we can ensure that those economic benefits are captured going forward. Right now, the state’s economy is being squeezed from every angle and securing long-term investment will be a key component in charting a path out of the current fiscal malaise. Adopting a functional constitutional spending cap can provide the certainty necessary for sustainable economic development far into the future. Ben Wilterdink is a Visiting Fellow at the Alaska Policy Forum and a resident of Anchorage.
Contributed by Jessica Wright
Alaskans weren’t happy that their dividends were capped the last four years. It will soon to be years if Dunleavy cannot successfully block the legislature to take our dividends again.
The estimate amount of stolen dividends is close to $8867; (2150+1145+2012+1400+2160 = 8867) per person between 2016-2020 based on Jim Crawford’s calculation in 2018 and my calculation in 2019 and 2020. Why is our state legislature so determined to take our dividends even though Governor Walker is no longer in charge? The answer to that is the deep state in Juneau has controlled our legislature, and they want our dividends to pay for their government programs. Let’s look at the state expenditures and find out where do your stolen dividends go?
According to FY 2019 Federal Revenue Allocation, revenue in operating and capital budgets, by recipient agency: Health and Social Services: 71% Education and Early Development: 9%
UAA: 5%
Labor: 3%
Other: 12%
Looking at our state budget report, it was from $3.8 billion jumped to 5.2 billion just in health and social
services. Why? It was due to the Walker’s medicaid expansion sine 2008. Ever since he took over the office, he decided to adopt all 26 elective or non-essential services while other states adopt only a few. The medicaid covered 44,000 people in 2008 to 219,000 people in 2018.
Our quest now is to reduce the cost on health and social services.
Here’s some suggestions: Forego the Medicaid Expansion: We don’t need the expanded version, but the basic. We don’t need to pay for the sex exchange, abortion, dental services…
Privatize It: A sure way to trim the cost is to privatize it. Pay for Alaskans Only: We need to focus on the real Alaskan residents, not anyone who move here to receive the services and leave. There should be a length of residence of minimum two years for us to pay for their expensive necessary medical procedures.
It’s a well-known fact that people used to move here to get employment, but now people move here to get benefits. We do not want Alaska to turn into a welfare state, but the Walker’s Medicaid Expansion Program is using our dividends to pay for their extravagant medical expenses. We don’t want our state to be the next California or Oregon or Virginia. If we keep this up, we won’t
declaration would have been subject to federal repayment for all or a percentage thereof as part of the federal response, given the existing federal declaration of emergency. Senator Cathy Giessel and Speaker Edgmon and the rest of the elitist snobs may have played the Grinch without cause
.I was dumbfounded that both former Governor Sean Parnell and former U.S. Senator Mark Begich could possibly agree on anything, but they did in proposing a multiple payment plan, and that plan, or the governor’s or one proposed by Sen. Costello, or even this peasant, should have gone forward. No. Can’t be done. Yes, it could have.
Senator Giessel and Speaker Edgmon and others chose to destroy the economy of the state and cast great misery and consternation upon all, because these elitist snobs thought someone would squander a dime?
How arrogant of you Giessel, Edgmon, etc. You penalize the many for what a few might do? You would let people, families, kids suffer deprivation, because you think someone might squander a dime? Incredible!
Further, what joke that attitude is! Alaska is in 51st place in 4th grade literacy amongst the states in education, and 50th in public safety, jobs and
opportunity. How many billions have we spent to achieve those lackluster achievements? Many of you were responsible for those failures. You just kept shoveling the money into a hole, without demanding accountability.
Yet, there are those of you who hold yourselves as omniscient and judgmental with respect to how others would spend such a disbursement? I guess you decided to let the economy collapse, just so you can feel superior?
The idea that the state contributes to the economy is a false premise, because government only absorbs money, it produces nothing, it does not create wealth. Business and individuals create the wealth that drives this state and this country.
With your failure to act responsibly, you all may have crushed an economy that had some chance of an early recovery, once we saw the other side of this emergency.
This emergency is open ended. The alternative is far worse than trying to save a few from themselves. I don’t think some of you (legislators) really understand the far reaching implications of what you failed to do.
see any prosperity, but hardship which unfortunately has already happened.
We were at the last place in economy in 2017 even with our rich natural resources. History has proved Socialism does not work. Those who practices Socialism only end up with destitution.
Look at Venezuela who once was a wealthy country with rich natural resources like Alaska, but with the naive thought of practicing Socialism made them lose their freedom and wealth. Their people now often go hungry and many people flee from their country.
The danger of keeping Walker’s medicaid expansion is the everincreasing cost. The cost jumped from $3.7 billion to $5.4 billion from 2018 to 2020. If we don’t trim the cost right now, we see the trend coming from the legislature, proposing a 80/20 formula to replace the traditional 50/50 formula which must not occur without a vote of the people.
We have seen the dividend been paid around $1000 each year; but in reality, it should be $2500-$3000 the last 4-5 years. Liberals have been mocking our dividends and call it a welfare check even though we know it’s for our mineral rights. Many of them are eyeing our PFD.
My dear fellow Alaskan, I plead with you to take this matter seriously because our
PFD is our wealth and inheritance. If you allow these people deplete our PFD, we will have no revenue to back us up. You may encounter some people who laugh at you and say you are so poor, that you have to count on your dividend check every year. But we all know PFD is more than a dividend check, it’s our shared resources. The perfect balance between private and public sectors, we must have 50-50 or no deal.
Furthermore, we must require that our shared dividend be restricted from direct general fund transfers. The CBR is a protected account that should be used for earnings account transfers to the public sector. Federal matching is their request, but not from our mineral rights which should not be used to pick winners and looser, but to benefit all.
Without the PFD, we have nothing. Do you really want to see our state go bankrupt because we are subject to the deep state in Juneau?
We need to register to vote and vote these PFD thieves out in this election cycle particularly in Primary Election during August 10-18, 2020 when all challengers are up facing the incumbents so we can save our PFD and our state.
Alaska, it’s time to rise up and break our yoke and take control of our state by voting them out. Time to fire AKLEG!!!!
POLITICS / OPINION
Contributed by Lance Roberts
We’ve reached the end of the legislative session and have learned the same hard lesson we learn every year. There are many politicians who talk good about what they’ll do, but when push comes to shove they won’t do what’s right. Let’s go over what happened recently in Juneau.
Alaska is in the middle of the virus scare: businesses are being shut down and many people are out of work. The governor asked the legislature to pay back some of the PFD money that wasn’t paid in the past to help out the people of Alaska. On March 23, the Senate refused to pay back any of the money owed by one vote, but Sen. Mike Shower was able to get an amendment passed for a $1,000 stimulus check in the spring (the PFD in the fall had already been cut down to 22% of the Earnings Reserve withdrawal, $1,000). The vote was 12-7, but one senator changed her mind but
Contributed by Joe Ford
Tired of the malfeasance and thievery taking place at the highest levels of our federal government?
Tired of seeing your tax money go to people that already have too much money and don't pay taxes anyway?
Tired of seeing the federal government spend billions of your money annually on stupid wars and even stupider weapons systems? Then stop buying stupid stuff!
Consumption is 70% of our economy and it is that money that gives our inept leaders the big stick to travel the world beating poor people with.
Been stuck in your house for the last month chompin' at the bit to get out
Contributed by Paul Johnson
I am writing to propose a plan to get Alaska’s economy back up and running on an intrastate basis. The Nonessential Interstate Travel Ban Mandate MUST remain in effect until there are reliable treatments for Covid-19 and a safe vaccine can be found. The Intrastate Travel Ban SHOULD remain in effect until the end of April, which should expose all of the existing cases in Alaska, as of now. At that point, every Alaskan should have been tested and cleared either way. If that is the case, the intrastate ban could be lifted, with provisions for communities on the highway system to only shop in their communities (a simple I.D. check to match community w/address) in order to stop the inter-community hoarding. Then Alaskans could start serving Alaskans again, just like before the “Pipeline Days”. Remember, back when all we had was the fishing industry (gone for this summer) the timber industry, the coal industry (test everyone first) and tourism (also gone for at least this summer) and we got along just fine?
wasn’t allowed to revote, so really it was 11-8. The House refused to give any stimulus or larger PFD, though it made sure to increase the budget for government. A conference committee was called between the two, and three of the RINOs - Republican-in-name-only - and one of the Democrats voted to yank that $1,000 stimulus check out. So, don’t expect any help from the State.
It’s actually much worse than that. They put a poison pill in the Conference Committee bill substitute that said if the conservatives didn’t vote for the funding to come out of the Constitutional Budget Reserve, then not only would the PFD be cut in half to $500, but they also wouldn’t fund the coronavirus response money. That’s right, they gambled and blackmailed over your lives. It was the cruelest, most malicious thing I’ve ever seen come out of Juneau, and that’s saying a lot. Senate and House leadership led by Bryce Edgmon, Steve Thompson, Cathy Giessel, John Coghill and Click
there and resume recreational consumption? Please reconsider. I understand the regular rat race allows little time to dig deep into current issues and gain an understanding of the nuances underlying this system but we've been shut down for a month. Plenty of time.
Log off FortNite, tune out of Netflix, ignore all the outlets of distraction promoted, with a greasy, million dollar smile, by our mainstream "journalists" and find sources that offer real news and detailed analysis of the lies and corruption we're being fed by the people driving this train wreck.
Real information is as hard to come by as getting a handle on pentagon expenditures. That is by design. Relevant reality does not serve the system.
If Fox News viewers knew the many
It was a circular economy with the same few hundred million changing hands on a constant basis. Alaska’s money wasn’t going “outside” at the rate it is now, with the advent of the WWW, Amazon and the like, either.
I’m not suggesting succession from the Union, as many have in the past. I’m being bluntly realistic. The North Slope is shutdown thanks to the oil company’s ignorance of the local hire laws and the State’s lack of enforcement of those laws. Bristol Bay has already come to the realization their season is shot and the natives of Western Alaska won’t be fooled again, by the white man’s lies. As noted before, the cruise ships and airlines aren’t coming back for at least a year, either. So why try to force the issue and “invite” Covid-19 back into Alaska, WE SHOULDN’T!
What you SHOULD be doing is looking out for the wellbeing of every Alaskan, getting out ahead of this and embracing a “New Normal”. You SHOULD also be making plans on how to protect the Bristol Bay Fishery. With no one out and
Bishop were instrumental in making that deal with the devil.
The usual response in a rational environment would be that when it got back to the Senate, those who voted for the stimulus would vote no on concurrence with the substitute, and they’d have to go back to negotiations. What happened was the all-too-usual thing in Juneau: Three of the senators - Peter Micchiche from the Kenai Peninsula and Josh Revak from Anchorage, both of whom voted against paying back the PFD, and David Wilson from the Mat-Su - changed their stands on this and voted for concurrence.
In the House, the Democrat-led majority easily passed the concurrence vote. It was questionable whether the House would give into blackmail, since just three days earlier it had put out a press release saying that it committed to protecting the Constitutional Budget Reserve.
ways they were being fleeced, the Tea Party would all become Independents. If mainstream media viewers understood the reasons they can barely keep their heads above water, political heads would roll.
If red states realized the many ways they were being screwed, they might turn blue… maybe pink.
Nobody in power wants that 'cause that would be the end of their power.
Big corporations and the CEOs in charge get to divvy up a half a trillion dollars of aid money, not to mention the trillions being passed out behind the curtain, through a program with loopholes big enough to drive private jets through on thier way to secluded retreats to wait out the pandemic while we get a thousand bucks for some beer and some Hulu.
I wish Trump would retreat to his gaudy New York digs to ride out the crisis. I
about, the Chinese & the Russians are going to RAPE it. Covid-19 has fundamentally changed how the entire planet has to do business, at least for now.
A key component of this is to keep the Nonessential Interstate Travel Ban in place for as long as it takes to fulfill the two basic parameters noted above, treatment and a vaccine. It would be foolhardy to “invite” this deadly virus back into Alaska without, at least, the former in place. Other states would be wise to follow along. That’s up to them.
I’m concerned for my fellow Alaskans. Plus, we have a geographical advantage over the Lower 48, and the rest of the world for that matter. We control the ports, airports and rail way. We just can’t keep letting slope workers from outside slip from one plane to their Prudhoe Bay flight, unnoticed, anymore. Or let China Air Cargo pilots go wandering through our largest city, INFECTED. Every single case of Covid-19 in Alaska today, can be directly traced to TRAVEL to and from the outside. STOP THE TRAVEL, STOP THE VIRUS.
Those who do choose to, or have to leave Alaska and return home, would be subject to the 14-day quarantining already in place, upon their return.
When the dust settled, the blackmailers had got exactly the 30 votes they needed. All of the Republicans from Fairbanks in the House and the Senate voted for this monstrosity. Oh, it gets worse. The vote didn’t just tap the last of the money in the CBR, it also stopped a “reverse sweep” from happening that would have put money from state accounts (slush funds) back into the CBR.
They just passed the largest budget in Alaska history.
Two years ago, we changed out 25% of the legislature, and it looks like we’re not done yet. On critical issues in the last two years we were always within a small margin of votes, many times just one vote. I would like to encourage those who are tired of our legislature spending our future into the grave to step up. Many of those incumbents need an opponent to remind them that the people still care about what is going on and hold their feet to the fire. Alaskans need people there who really care about them.
wish he would invite Pence and the entire congress to join him in the tower. Bring your families. Entice them with free accommodations and an open bar. Reality-based pols would decline the opportunity, but Moscow Mitch and his crew would gladly join Pelosi and her sycophants to feed at another trough. Then we shut the city down, cut their supplies and bar the exits. Make a no-fly zone like 911. Check back in a month and see if the virus left anyone alive. Start over. I live in a bus. I opted out many moons ago. This virus has given 2.5 billion people a taste of what they can live without. Factories have shut down, airlines hardly have any costumers, the cruise industry has come to a halt and the oil industry can't find a place to sell their poison but look, you can see the sky again. We can breathe easier. Pundits pining for a return to "normality" have a skewed vision of what normal could and should be. Capitalism is competition. Where would cooperation take us?
However, this would be a monitored quarantine at that person’s expense. This would cause people to think long and hard if this is actually “Essential Travel”. It would also root out a lot of snow birds who collect PFDs. And seasonal, out of state, lodge operators. (Alaska’s money leaving Alaska.)
Finally, imagine Alaskans getting to enjoy Alaska for themselves. The charter boats, the train, Denali, hunting, fishing and RV-ing, all without the hordes of tourists running around. Due to ongoing social distancing rules, combat fishing would have to be outlawed though. In my eyes, that’s a plus too!
If we all pull together and support one and other, we can do this. We did it before the pipeline and all that oil money, we can sure as hell do it during Covid-19. The business’ tied to the tourist industry could cut Alaskans a break. After all, we’re the only ones that will be keeping them afloat this summer. So what do you say, Alaska for Alaskans or, I just want things to get back to normal?
Those days are GONE, step up to the plate. Choose Alaska for Alaskans! We will be a stronger, healthier, happier, state for it.
COMMUNITY
Contributed by Marilyn Bennett
How many of you have ever heard of a Redpoll?
Pretty silly name for a tiny little bird who is only 5 inches long and loves the cold weather. I decided to do some research on this bird who has been coming to our feeder. I found out that they are called Common Redpolls, as
differentiated from the Hoary Redpolls, who is apparently lighter in color. Who comes up with these names?
You might think that just because the bird feeder is right outside my patio door, that I know something about birds. You would be wrong. I have always enjoyed watching birds, but it is my partner, Doug, who sets up the bird feeders, buys bird food, takes pictures of them and checks his birdbook to see exactly what kind of birds are visiting our feeders.
We were pretty familiar with a wide variety of birds at our feeders in Minnesota, but had never seen a redpoll. The past two winters, we have been inundated with swarms of redpolls, and they do come in huge flocks.
They are the northern-most member of the Finch family, all of whom have short, heavy conical beaks to crack seeds. They also eat insects and berries but spend most of their time in trees in the winter where they feed on the seeds found in seedpods of the birch trees. It turns out that because the summer of 2018 was pretty wet, the
birch trees produced lots of seed pods.
Apparently, these seeds are the favorite food of the redpolls. I guess they send out scouts to find birch trees. In any case, they quickly descended upon Palmer and discovered our feeder, as our yard is surrounded by birch trees. We are so happy they remembered us from last winter and came back again this year.
It has been crazy watching them on these very windy days. We are hunkering down because of the coronavirus and it is too windy for humans to want to go outside. We stay inside and watch in amazement as these tiny little guys are out there ignoring the wind to get a meal. I have to admit I am a pretty lazy birdwatcher, but we do feed a lot of birds. I read another interesting thing about the redpolls. Apparently, they will tunnel into the snow on cold nights to stay warm. I haven't seen them do this, but then I am not up at night watching birds. It is my understanding that they spend the winters here and leave in the spring to nest in the Arctic. I never before thought of the Arctic as a good place to nest.
One thing that helps them survive is a pouch within their throat where they can store food for several hours. This allows them to feed rapidly in the open when it is bitterly cold. They can then digest their food later on while resting in a sheltered area. It has been fun watching the redpolls. Because they come in such large flocks they tend to swarm around our bird feeder, which makes them a very messy bird. It also makes them confused and several of them would fly into our patio door and the kitchen window and knock themselves out.
To save them from killing themselves, we ordered several hawk decals to warn them away. These translucent, ultraviolet decals on the windows are advertised as acting like stop signs.
Birds are supposed to see the blue shape and veer off to the side. Well, some of them do and some of them still come crashing into our patio door, good thing they are too tiny to break the glass. Maybe a decal of a cat would
work better. We also have chickadees, downy woodpeckers, nuthatches and an occasional magpie at our feeders. The magpie is too large to perch on the feeder, so he just works at cleaning up some of the seeds that are scattered on our deck.
We really enjoy the redpolls because they come in such large flocks and are a true Alaskan Bird.
Hope all of you out there that are hunkering down find something as interesting to watch as this cool little bird. Stay warm.
One thing that helps them survive is a pouch within their throat where they can store food for several hours and this allows them to feed rapidly in the open when it is bitterly cold. They can then digest their food later on while resting in a sheltered area.
It has been fun watching the redpolls. Because they come in such large flocks they tend to swarm around our bird feeder, which makes them a very messy bird. It also makes them confused and several of them would fly into our patio door and the kitchen window and knock themselves out.
To save them from killing themselves we ordered several hawk decals to warn them away. These translucent ultraviolet decals on the windows are advertised as acting like stop signs. Birds are supposed to see the blue shape and veer off to the side. Well, some of them do and some of them still come crashing into our patio door, good thing they are too tiny to break the glass. Maybe a decal of a cat would work better.
We also have Chickadees, Downy Woodpeckers, Nuthatches and an occasional Magpie at our feeders. The Magpie is too large to perch on the feeder, so he just works at cleaning up some of the seeds that are scattered on our deck.
We really enjoy the redpolls because they come in such large flocks and are a true Alaskan Bird. Hope all of you out there that are hunkering down find something as interesting to watch as this cool little bird. Stay warm.
PETS & ANIMALS
Contributed by Angie Lewis, Alaska Animal Advocates
Yes, Yukon is still around. He has lived at his foster home for about a year and a half. Not because he is a “bad” dog, but he just takes some time to warm up to others. So many people want instant
success. Yukon just needs a bit more time. He is great with kids, even babies. Yukon is a fun guy. Please, someone give him a chance.
To meet Yukon, please call Angie at Alaska Animal Advocates at 841-3173 OR email us at akaarescue@ hotmail.com.
Contributed by Angie Lewis, Alaska Animal Advocates
Although it is not uncommon, altering a dog’s body surgically is a very controversial topic. The surgeries involved in these modifications are ear cropping and tail docking. Organizations such as the American Kennel Club require certain qualifications for a purebred dog’s appearance and these are related to the function that the dog provided originally.
For many of these dogs, this means ear cropping and docking tails. The American Kennel Club refuses to change their expectations for these dogs’ appearance, despite public opinion to stop these requirements.
A consequence of the change in the appearance of these dogs is that they
are viewed as more aggressive. Dobermans, great danes, schnauzers, brussel griffons and boxers are some of the dogs that are viewed as dangerous as a result of these surgeries. Even the dogs’ owners are seen as more tough.
These procedures are cruel and inhumane. A human being has a choice about whether or not they decide to have cosmetic surgery, but a dog cannot do so. Typically, these dogs are just 8-12 weeks old when they have these surgeries imposed upon them. The pain and trauma is monumental and the psychological impact is equally dangerous. Dogs use their ears and tails to communicate and are damaged when they can no longer do so.
Contributed by Judy, Clear Creek Cat Rescue
Rose is as beautiful as her namesake. She is a lovely girl with a lush coat and a darling little face. She is a couple years old.
Rose is the sweetest thing. She is friendly and affectionate and happy to be in a home with kind, loving people. She was in the shelter a long time. She got a cold there and was in quarantine.
It was hard time to be so alone without a family to love her. She is trying
to make up for that by being the absolute most wonderful girl you could imagine. Rose will be the purrfect girl for a home with a kind family and a safe yard for her to play in. She is fine with other nice cats.
We don't know about dogs. Yes, we are still doing adoptions within the community. All adoptions are done in “safe mode”, by phone--calls, messages and Facetime and by internet. It all happens through the ether, but the cat is real! In Palmer, call 980-8898 for more info.
Many countries around the world have made tail docking and ear cropping illegal. However, the United States is not so humane and restrictions are rare. Contributed by Judy, Clear Creek Cat Rescue All in warm, sweet camouflage, caramel and brown sugar, Toffee is a beautiful calico. She is maybe a year or two old. Toffee is a little lover girl. She is affectionate and snuggly with her family. She does okay with the other critters in the house, but she would be fine if she was the only one. She was found
outside, abandoned or lost and she was instantly purring to be inside with a family. She would like a yard to play in during the warm times. But she very much is hoping for a forever loving family who will never lose her or dump her. It's time for joy and cuddles for this sweetheart. She's in Wasilla. All adoptions will be done in safe mode, with no human-to-human contact. Please Call 980-8898.
MAT-SU VALLEY, ALASKA PAGE 11
Photo of the Month: Eureka Roadhouse
COMMUNITY
Contributed by Rabbi Mendy Greenberg
It was Sunday, December 15, when I visited the local assisted living center to meet with a fellow there. As a rabbi, on my way out, I asked the nurses if there are any Jewish residents or if there was anyone there who might like to speak with a rabbi.
The nurse took me to the room of Mr. Fred Mane. Through the door, he asked Fred if he would like to speak to a Rabbi. I walked through the door to meet a fellow who – in his words - is “91 years young”, full of energy and great humor.
During the conversation, Fred told me that both his parents were Jewish! I was very excited to tell him that makes him Jewish, and that he has a perfect opportunity to do the mitzvah of lighting the Chanukah menorah this coming Sunday!
He didn’t exactly share in my excitement. “No, Rabbi, I’ve been disconnected from all that stuff for many, many years, it has nothing to do with me. I forgot about it a long time ago.”
Finally, I said, “You know what, let’s forget about all that. Tell me about your parents, your childhood…”
“1929, Wachenheim, Germany – I was born. At the age of 10, my 7-year-old sister and I were pushed onto a train from Germany to France to save our lives. My father, Simon and mother, Helen? Killed by Hitler.”
I was in utter shock to find a Holocaust survivor right here in Palmer, living in Alaska since 1951.
He began to tell me some of his memories of growing up in an observant home…he even remembered the Passover Matzah! He told me that each morning his father would put him on a train to a different city to attend the Jewish day school.
I was extremely moved, having had the great privilege of meeting a man like Fred. “After the Sabbath”, I told him, “I would really like to bring my children here to meet him.”
Fred told me that it’s been so long since he has identified and acted as a Jew. He was so thankful to us for coming and bringing the light of Judaism and of Chanukah to him.
The next Tuesday evening, I went with my daughter and son to meet Fred.
They helped him kindle the Chanukah lights for the very first time in eighty years. The one and only word of the blessing that Fred remembered was the name of G-d, and he repeated it over and over. The kids and Fred became real buddies, sharing notes and discussing different Jewish traditions and customs.
I told Fred that it is our greatest honor and privilege to be able to assist somebody who is literally a survivor from the ashes of a most terrible time in our history, which wiped out 6 million precious souls from our nation. On one of my later visits, while Fred was putting on the Tefillin (phylacteries worn during prayer), he mentioned to me that if his parents would’ve been able to see him today, they would be proud. I responded that Hitler was able to destroy bodies, but souls are divine and eternal. His parents are watching him and gaining much pride that 80 years after being cruelly ripped from one another, he is embracing his Jewish identity and celebrating his Judaism proudly and freely. The Torah tells us that the candle of G-d is the soul of man. Every soul is a candle. Yet some candles are waiting
impatiently for their turn to be ignited, so that they too can shine bright. At the Mat-Su Jewish Center Chabad this is our mission- this is our vision. As mandated by the great spiritual leader, the Rebbe, Rabbi Schneerson to find the essential G-dliness in every human being and to go to extreme lengths to let it shine brightly.
Our many programs, classes, and celebrations that are available to the whole community are in this spirit; to bring unity, kindness and light to the entire Valley. Many of you have been to Chanukah celebration at the Depot, stopped by the Jewish Cultural Booth at the Fair, attended the adult education classes or have been involved in many of our other programs in the area. With the current social distancing protocol, we’ve moved classes online, are busy delivering food packages, and finding creative ways to be there for our community.
We are currently in the midst of an online fundraising campaign, with generous supporters who have pledged to match every dollar donated- every dollar you donate, becomes $2 for the Mat-Su Jewish Center! Help us build a community playground, expand our parking lot, increase our programming and do much good in the Valley. Visit www.fuelthegrowth.rallyboung. org to learn more about our campaign and to donate. Checks can be sent to the Mat-Su Jewish Center 9530 E Horse Play Circle, Palmer AK 99645. Feel free to contact Rabbi Mendy Greenberg 907-350-1787 to learn more.
