What happens when two sisters embark on a mission to preserve a piece of Palmer’s rich pioneering history? They unleash a torrent of transformation!
Sarah Lorimer and Jennifer Johnston are two Alaskan sisters who
strive to save the historic Matanuska Colony barns of Palmer. Sarah and Jen bought their first two colony barns at auction with no warning and no plan. Next, they scrambled to find and buy 2 acres of lakefront property to house them on.
Then, they had to transport the barns through the country roads of Palmer to their new forever home. All of this caught the eye of Magnolia Network, and they were offered an episode on “In With the Old.” The sisters are huge fans of Chip and Joanna Gaines and were honored at the idea of being featured on their network.
This sisterly duo proved to be a formidable force in their quest to bring these iconic structures back to life for generations to come.
On December 29th, viewers tuned in to watch the barn sisters rekindle Alaska’s historic hot spots, one ‘colony barn’ at a time. “In With the Old” is now streaming on Discovery+ and HBO Max.
to music festivals and large-scale fundraisers,
Contributed by Emerald Kroeker
Marketing Manager Arctic Winter Games
COMMUNITY
Contributed by
The Scotty Gomez Foundation
The Scotty Gomez Foundation in partnership with Lynden; Alaska’s leading transportation and logistics company, and The Seattle Kraken, announced that the 2024 Last Frontier Pond Hockey Classic will take place live at the Burkeshore Marina February 23rd-25th 2024 in Big Lake Alaska. The Last Frontier Pond Hockey Classic
Contributed by Maya Narang
It’s January which means Girl Scout cookie season is here! Not merely a time to indulge in delicious treats, the cookie season celebrates girl entrepreneurship, empowerment, and community.
The Girl Scout Cookie Program began in 1917, when the Mistletoe Troop in Muskogee, Oklahoma baked cookies and sold them in their school cafeteria as a service project. The tradition lives on today, helping girls unbox their potential.
Through participation in the Girl Scout Cookie Program, girls develop essential business, marketing, and financial skills. From handling money to creating
booths to interacting with customers, girls gain real-world business experience. One of the most valuable skills girls practice is goal setting. Girls set cookie goals and create a plan to achieve them. As a result, girls realize that they can accomplish their goals, their voice matters, and that they can make a difference in the world.
“Something I learned about myself I learned that I can accomplish anything I set my mind to, even when it’s extremely hard I can do it if I try.” –9th Grader
Beyond personal development, the cookie program supports the activities of local Girl Scout troops. Girl Scouts troops use their proceeds to travel, to fund troop activities, and participate in community
Contributed by Paula Nance
The fresh scent of Alaskan air and people jumping into freezing water! Say goodbye to cabin fever, it’s getting wild in Wasilla, Alaska. It’s the event people love!
Mat Su Sertoma’s 14th Anniversary of the Original Valley Dip expects substantial numbers to join in the shenanigans! This year’s event is hosted by the Palmer Elks Lodge, on Saturday, February 17, 2023. Participants from all over the world dress head to toe in colorful costumes to help raise money for hearing health and the local community. In fact, the local Sertoma Club is honored to have the National Executive Director of Sertoma, Jason Camis, his daughter Luciana from Kansas City, MO present along with the
Mountain West Regional Director, David Oppenheim. All three have signed up to jump so we’re pleased funds are flowing in from everywhere!
Jean Stanefski, the president of the Mat-Su Sertoma Club, said that although the event requires a lot of preparation and challenging work, the outcome is always worth it. “The weather usually cooperates, and the community at large turns out to support our annual event. Alaskan’s never stand for the status quo, that’s why the local plunge has been so successful,” said Stanefski.
The event needs lots of volunteers and our sponsorships are second to no other. To jump at the event, each participant must raise a minimum of $100 while most jumpers look to score the Annual Biggest
capable
Fund Raiser Iceberg Award.
Sertoma has numerous scholarships available to local youth and young adults.
Funds go to Mat Su Sertoma Summer Camp Scholarship Winners and a substantial donation was provided to the Colony High School American Sign Language Honor Society Club.
Stanefski said “Life is short. So come on and join us! You’ve got to have a little fun! It’s something everyone should try at least once. So, scratch this one off your bucket list and come have a blast.”
More information can be obtained at www.matsuhearing.org or contact Paula Nance at 907-232-1506. See you there!
service projects. Next time you savor a Thin Mint or enjoy a Samoa, remember you are investing in the future of a strong,
young woman.
Beginning January 12, Girl Scout
cookies can be purchased from a local Girl Scout. Watch for cookie booths in your local area in March—use the cookie finder to find a booth near
Cookie Rally 2023
Troop 20003 wins the Bling Your Booth 2023
COMMUNITY
Contributed by Kierre Childers
Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation
(MSTPF) is excited to announce our 2024 Winter Discovery Day event on Saturday, February 24 from 10AM-2PM at various trailheads in the Hatcher Pass area. Local businesses, nonprofits and clubs will be hosting a variety of gear demonstra-
Contributed by Alys Culhane
A visitor recently dropped by our distribution center, the former banquet room of the historic Eagle Hotel. She was a newcomer who wanted to see what we were up to. Like most, she gazed in awe at the rows of carefully labeled boxes. I gave her a tour and showed her where the children’s books and the fiction and nonfiction books were located. I also showed her our back room, which contained several boxes of books that were soon to be taken to VCRS, the Palmerbased recycling center. There they would be recycled.
A brief conversation followed; it went something like this:
“You’re discarding books?
“Yes.”
“Well, how do you decide what to keep and what to scrap?”
My off-the-top-of my head response was that this is a book-by-book decision.
My answer satisfied her, but not me. I continued to mull over her question long after she was gone, just in case someone else asked it, or a similar question.
My example-related context was Christmas books. I began saving this year’s supply on December 26, 2022. Over the following year, books were donated to us by a variety of sources including Title Wave Books, private donations, thrift stores, and VCRS. I put them in boxes and labeled them Christmas with the sub-titles being Crafts, Children, Adult, and Cookbooks.
In July, Georgie Hollander, the founder of Borealis Dancers, took seven boxes of Children’s Christmas books that she distributed to kids on December 25th, 2023 at the Menard Center holiday dinner.
The day after Thanksgiving, BLBP volunteers cleaned and stamped an additional 15 boxes of books. After, I put roughly half of these books in the distributor’s boxes. The Polar Express, the
tions, educational activities, hot chocolate stops and more for recreationists.
Discovery Day questions can be directed to event organizer, Kierre Childers with Revel Treks and Tours.
More information is available on the Revel website: www.reveltreksandtours. com/events/winterdiscoveryday
Nutcracker, The Night Before Christmas, and the like soon graced our Palmer, Eagle River, and Wasilla bookcases. And on December 8, 2023, a handful of BLBP volunteers descended upon the Kolosky Building lobby and handed out an additional four boxes of books to children and their parents during the Colony Christmas parade.
The volunteers had, when cleaning and stamping books, set aside those that were torn, tattered, marked up, overly worn, and/or water stained. They put these books in two boxes, leaving me to decide what to do with them. I wasn’t looking forward to having to make what I knew would be some rather weighty decisions. Behind every half joke is a truth. I knew that some agonizing would be involved.
I took each book in hand and assessed the situation. I deemed Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer and The Grinch that Stole Christmas to be salvageable since both had torn pages but otherwise were in good condition. I deemed The Christmas Pony and a Child’s Christmas
in Wales to be unsalvageable because the covers were missing. I put these and a handful of other unsalvageable books in the back room discard box. It didn’t seem right, throwing these in with books that had an expired shelf life. But, I thought, no one would want these books.
But wait. I had an idea. I’d recently met with Sacha Pettit’s Colony Middle School Leadership students and told them about the Bright Lights Book Project. I then passed out a dozen books and asked the group as a whole, is or isn’t this book salvageable? The kids looked carefully at a dozen books and decided that all were worthy of saving. Some were old favorites, some had beautiful illustrations, and still others (they thought) were valuable. And so, in answer to my question, would you be interested in learning some about book restoration, the students said yes. The following week, a Mat Su College librarian talked with the students about book restoration.
This was at the semester’s end, so the students didn’t do any hands-on repairs. However, they set the wheels in motion. I am now planning on reducing the number of books that end up in the recycle boxes by offering book restoration classes. No, not all the books that come into the hands of the BLBP volunteers can be salvaged. But many of them can. And, as importantly, (as I learned from Sacha’s students) looking closely at a book opens literacy-related doors. Book repair is then a literacy-related activity.
I have since retrieved the Christmas books that I’d previously considered to be unsalvageable and put them in what I’m now calling the restoration box.
There. I made a short story long. I’m going to include it in a book I’m now writing: Shelf Life: A Book about an Overabundance of Books.
In the heart of Alaska, Stacee Frost Kleinsmith stands as an example of compassionate care and community service through her role as the franchise owner of Home Instead®. Anchorage-born and raised, Stacee’s life story intertwines seamlessly with her commitment to providing exemplary care for aging adults, veterans, and those with the desire to stay in their home while coping with chronic health conditions.
As the eldest daughter of Dr. John “Jack” Frost, a well-known retired orthopedic surgeon. Stacee was instilled with a sense of responsibility and a desire to uphold her family’s reputation in the community. Her journey into the world of senior care began during her college years at Penn State University when she became a family caregiver for her grandparents. Witnessing her grandfather’s resilience for 10 years after a stroke and caring for her grandmother until her passing fueled Stacee’s deep-seated passion for helping seniors.
Upon returning to Alaska in 2006, Stacee opened a Home Instead office, driven by her personal experiences and a genuine vow to making a difference in the lives of seniors and their families. Her academic background, which includes
a bachelor’s degree in horticulture and a master’s degree in business administration, reflects her diverse skill set and commitment to excellence.
Stacee’s horticulture degree, she explains, nourishes her soul during moments spent gardening or hiking in the Alaskan wilderness. Meanwhile, her master’s degree has elevated her business proficiency, enabling her to lead Home Instead with a unique blend of compassion and strategic acumen.
As a pioneer in the industry, Stacee played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Alaska Chapter of the Home Care Association of America. Emphasizing collaboration, she notes, “We are collegial in the market space. There is such a need for service in the community, and each company serves a particular niche. Home Instead does not try to be all things to every family. But what we do, we do very well. We are Alaska’s most
trusted source for non-medical in-home care for seniors.”
Beyond her professional achievements, Stacee is a testament to balancing work and personal interests. Married, with three dogs, including a Russell Terrier and two Belgian Tervuren, Stacee is not only a pilot but also an avid bow hunter. Her support for the Becoming an Outdoors Woman events hosted by the Alaska Department of Fish & Game reflects her commitment to community engagement and fostering a love for the outdoors.
Drawing inspiration from her parents, who imparted practical life skills acquired during their service in the United States Air Force, Stacee was motivated to give back to veterans who shared a similar commitment. To honor their collective commitment, as well as her husbands who served in the United States Navy. Stacee and Home Instead proudly extends its support by providing dedicated home care and respite services for veterans in Alaska. This initiative reflects Home Instead’s deep-seated commitment to serving those who have selflessly served our country.
As Stacee continues to lead Home Instead with a commitment to providing top-notch care for seniors and veterans alike, she has left an indelible mark on the community she holds dear.
Contributed by Jayme Carr & Ashley Jaynes
COMMUNITY
Contributed by Alaska SBDC
In the heart of Alaska’s Eagle River, Kai’s Coffee and Barkery has emerged as more than just a coffee shop—it’s a vibrant hub where the love for dogs and the coffee hut culture unite to create an unparalleled experience for both twolegged and four-legged patrons.
When Jeremy and Emily Anderson first set foot in Alaska, they were immediately drawn to the unique charm of the local coffee hut culture. The friendly baristas and the delight their dogs experienced receiving free bones at the coffee windows ignited a spark in their minds. This inspiration led to the birth of Kai’s Coffee and Barkery, a place where coffee enthusiasts and dog lovers converge in a harmonious blend.
Beyond a simple coffee shop, Kai’s is a haven for dog lovers. The Andersons envisioned a place where humans and their canine companions could enjoy a shared experience. Inspired by their dogs eagerly awaiting treats at coffee hut windows, they introduced a drivethru concept that caters to both human and canine tastes. The menu is a delightful array of homemade dog treats, including pupcakes, gourmet biscuits, and Barkuterie Boxes, ensuring every dog leaves with a wagging tail.
What sets Kai’s apart is its commitment to local partnerships. The shop sources its espresso beans from Aethereal Coffee and drip and cold brew from Farm Loop Coffee, both local roasters in Palmer, AK. This not only guarantees top-notch coffee quality but also strengthens the bonds within the local small business community.
Adding a unique touch to the business is the owner who brings a special
Contributed by Brenda McCain
The wonderful Alaskan tradition of the State Winter Carnival in Willow Carnival will continue February 2-4th 2024.
The interesting and exciting events will be held inside and outside the Willow Community Ctr at 69.5 Parks Highway and take off on trails all around the community!
This historic event has continued so long because there is truly something for everyone to enjoy.
It begins Friday February 2nd the Carnival Kick off Dinner.
Doors open at 5 pm with the local Artist’s Quick Draw and the start of the Alaskan Art silent auction.
Roast Beef dinner will be served at 6 pm. This dinner is usually a sell-out. Tickets must be purchased in advance at Newman’s Hilltop Tesoro or Willow Library. $23.00 age 16 and up, $12.00 age 8-15. Free age 7 and under.
The Carnival King and Queen will be crowned during dinner and the evening will conclude with a spectacular Fireworks display by Gorilla Fireworks.
Saturday & Sunday- 8 am-11:00 am Willow Elementary PTA will serve their famous breakfast.
Admission to the Carnival is free!
Parking is $1.00 per carload, but every person gets a door prize ticket! Some competitions have an entry fee.
Daytime activities are 10:00 am – 4 pm.
Friday January 27th is Carnival Bingo. Doors open at 6:00 pm. Bingo starts at 7 pm Saturday Febr the Fire Dept is hosting
perspective to the coffee shop. Kai’s Coffee and Barkery goes beyond the ordinary by offering holiday specials such as pumpkin pup-pies, apple pies for dogs, custom birthday cakes, and Christmas stockings filled with homemade treats. The shop also engages in holiday giveaways in collaboration with other
a Family Dance. Inside activities include Diverse stage acts, cribbage tournament, local vendors, ice cream eating contest, Pie Auction, Mini-raffle, Magpie shirts, Carnival kitchen and more.
Outside activities include Vintage snowmachine show, Outhouse races, Snowshoe softball, Kid’s Mushing game, Historic Sven Erikson 25 k run, ski, bike, skijor tour, Homesteader games, Poker run and other snowmachine competitions and much more.
For full carnival schedule see: https:// www.waco-ak.org/waco-events/
This the THE State Winter Carnival and all are welcome to come celebrate winter in Willow.
local dog-centric businesses, fostering a strong sense of community spirit.
Taking their passion beyond the shop’s walls, Kai’s Coffee actively participates in various markets to showcase and sell their gourmet dog treats. These events have become instrumental in building connections within the community. What further makes Kai’s stand out is their use of SHOTT syrup, a specialized natural syrup from New Zealand known for its real and concentrated flavors. This unique choice underscores their commitment to quality, positioning them as the only coffee hut in Eagle River utilizing this exceptional product.
Acknowledging the vital role of working with the Alaska SBDC, Jeremy Anderson emphasizes the support that helped them open with Anchorage Center Director Carlos Machuca providing essential resources and expert advice on developing a comprehensive business plan and financial projection model, Carlos played a key role in identifying a suitable lender and securing a small business loan for Kai’s Coffee and Barkery.
Jeremy expresses his gratitude, stating, “The SBDC was integral in our success as a startup, offering us guidance from small business resources, to helping create a strong business plan, to securing a small business loan. We wouldn’t be where we are today without their support.”
Located at 12551 Old Glenn Highway, Eagle River, AK, stop by this unique haven, where coffee and canine companionship intertwine, creating a community that celebrates the joy of shared moments and wagging tails.
COMMUNITY
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
To the North, the games extend all the way to Sutton Elementary, where participants will compete in the Dene Games Snowsnake and Pole Push. To the South, biathlon participants will compete in snowshoe and ski based biathlons at Kincaid Park. In between - a slew of other games and cultural learning, and even a community carnival can be found at 20 different locations in Wasilla, Palmer, Eagle River and Anchorage.
Countless resources have been pooled to make this event a reality.
Anjanette Steer, Director of Care & Comfort, and her team of volunteers have ensured meals for over 2000 people, bus routes, sleeping arrangements, airport logistics and more.
Mandy Mitchell, Volunteer Manager, has been working tirelessly to ensure that every piece of the puzzle has the hands they need to represent our Valley well.
Cheryl Metiva, Sponsorship Coordinator, has been working with local businesses to ensure
Contributed by Marilyn Bennett
One of the first things we did when we moved into our home in Palmer was to build a deck and put up a bird feeder. Almost immediately this attracted not only lots of darling little birds but a feisty red squirrel.
Being from Minnesota I was used to having a pair of grey squirrels living in the back yard tree and another pair living in the front yard tree. Since we had bird feeders in both the back and front yards we fed a lot of squirrels along with the birds. We always enjoyed the antics of the little guys and so did not make war on them as many of our friends did. We could see that it was a losing proposition to try to outsmart those little guys.
A close neighbor of ours constantly demonstrated the folly of going to war with a squirrel. He put his bird feeder in the center of a clothesline only to watch the squirrel deftly walk along the clothesline like a high rise acrobat or daredevil. I personally thought his constant battle against these super smart grey squirrels was rather hilarious. However, I was careful not to laugh when he talked about his ongoing losing war as he was quite serious and was sure he would eventually outwit the little guys.
I was reminded of my friend’s war with the squirrels when we moved up here to Alaska and found we had moved into the territory of red squirrels. I thought it was interesting that the red squirrels did not behave the same as the grey squirrels that I was used to. Instead of the apparently happy couples that the grey squirrels seemed to be, the red squirrels lived a solitary un-neighborly life.
When we first put up our bird feeders we had a red squirrel at the back yard feeder and another at our deck feeder. Then we noticed the squirrels chasing each other around and thought they were playing, until we realized we now only had one squirrel. Then last year our squirrel had babies and I began to worry as there were now six squirrels in the big tree across from our house. That was when I decided to check on the internet to learn more about red squirrels. I found out was that female squirrels are pretty loose women as they race around the day of ovulation to find as many males as they can to ensure they will get pregnant. According to the internet males compete with one another for the opportunity to mate and the females will mate with between 4 to 16 males in that one day. I
Contributed by Kimberly (Kiki) Kellar
A Mat-Su wide project for homeless children, youth, students, single adults, seniors, and families of the Mat-Su Borough is returning to the Menard Center on Tuesday, January 30, 2024. This event will offer free haircuts, clothing, and food as well as access to numerous services from Mat-Su Valley nonprofit organizations.
Project Homeless Connect 2024 is a one-day, one-stop event to provide housing, services, and hospitality directly to people experiencing homelessness in the Mat-Su Valley. It is a way to bring service providers, government agencies, and the general community together to address a problem that affects everyone. The goal is to move from simply managing homelessness towards making progress in ending it. This event is quickly becoming a very popular event in communities across our nation and as our tradition grows here in the Mat-Su Borough, it has also become very popular here.
This year, the leadership team has set the specific goal of gathering over 125 caring commu-
them maximum economic return on such an event. The community support needed to get these games to the finish line is great, and we have seen so much support rise up thanks to Cheryl’s efforts. Sponsorship is not just about supporting the Games, though. Sponsoring the Games also means sponsoring your community. Aside from the 2000 youth participants coming in from across the Circumpolar North, the Valley will see hotels at maximum capacity as dignitaries and support staff, families, media members, and special guests from each of these participating countries come in to support their homes on foreign soil - and they come by the thousands. What does this mean for the Valley? It means a week-long tourism boost during winter that can otherwise be bleak for local businesses.
These ladies, Anjanette, Mandy, and Cheryl, are just a few of the great minds working behind the scenes at Arctic Winter Games.
Get ready, Mat-Su Valley, Arctic Winter Games is coming up fast, and we can’t wait to share our hard work with you!!
To learn more about Mat-Su 2024 Arctic Winter Games, visit awg2024.org, email hello@awg2024. org or stop by our offices at 902 E. Palmer-Wasilla Hwy.
can certainly understand why she only does it for one day a year.
That summer we got to watch her child rearing. I was amazed that she never allowed the little ones to come anywhere near our feeders. Also, as soon as they were full grown she made them leave home. If young squirrels are to survive their first winter, they must acquire a new territory and enough food to make it through the winter. Not surprisingly they have a pretty low survival rate. Then when all the little ones were gone I noticed that she seemed much more aggressive on my deck disturbing many of my potted plants.
I was beginning to wonder if I did want to have a red squirrel at my feeder when the five Magpies showed up. They woke us up in the morning with their noisy cawing and they attempted to take over the two bird feeders. This is when I saw just how aggressive our little squirrel was as she took off after those big birds with a vengeance. It was amazing to watch her leap around the deck and up to the bird feeder to keep them away. Then when they tried to eat the seeds on the ground she raced back and forth from the deck to the fenced back yard until she chased them all off. Over the next few weeks a Magpie or two would show up, but ever vigilant she quickly showed them who was in charge of these particular feeders.
This certainly changed any prior feelings I might have had about how much this squirrel was dominating my bird feeder. Now I only had admiration for how tough this little squirrel was against those big birds. Also, I had to admit I was grateful that she chased away all those noisy birds and seems content to live in harmony with the sweet chirping little birds who share her yard. What a joy it is to be allowed to be an audience to the birds and the squirrels who share our yard with us.
nity volunteers, over 40 service agency/organizations, and assisting over 150 homeless, or near homeless, individuals and families. Additionally, we have the added goal of demonstrating the positive aspects of collaboration in our community. This event will enable us to gather muchneeded data on the needs of the homeless, and near homeless, to share with our community and state agencies. This information is vital and will assist us in gathering the proper resources to meet those identified needs.
Our goal is to serve our Mat-Su Borough residents who don’t have permanent, adequate, or a regular night-time residence. The Mat-Su Project Homeless Connect 2024 also strives to connect with 150 homeless individuals and families.
Free transportation is available on the day of the event, call 907-631-1542 for a ride.
SAVE THE DATE | PROJECT HOMELESS CONNECT 2024
Tuesday, January 30, 2024
10AM to 2PM
Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center 1001 S Clapp Street, Wasilla, AK 99654
COMMUNITY
Contributed
by Ken Hagler
Get ready for this cast iron cookie, that is simple, quick and requires just 5 ingredients. It is bursting with melty chips and comes together in a flash. No fancy special skillets you can only use once, a simple 8” skillet is all you need!
Ingredients:
The Mat-Su Valley’s Community Newspaper and Entertainment Magazine.
-½ box yellow cake mix
-¼ cup chocolate chips (feel free to go wild and add more!)
-1 egg (or your favorite egg alternative)
-¼ cup vegetable oil
-1 teaspoon brown sugar (optional, for extra depth of flavor)
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Take your skillet and drizzle in a little vegetable oil and swirl it around to coat the bottom.
Mix it up: In a large bowl, whisk together the dry cake mix and chocolate chips. In a separate bowl, beat together the egg, oil, and brown sugar (if using) until combined.
Wet meets dry: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Then pour it in the skillet.
Bake to melty perfection: Pop your skillet in the oven at 375°F and bake for 12 minutes, or until a nice golden brown.
Rest and devour: Let the cookie cool for a few minutes in the skillet before digging in. Slice into “pie” slivers and if you got ice cream, add it to the dessert…boom!
Tips from Ken:
Make it large: Use the whole box and double the other ingredients and use a 12” skillet.
Egg Alternative! Save your eggs! Use 1 ½ tbsp of vegetable oil, 1 ½ tbsp of water, and 1 tsp of baking powder for each egg needed when baking.
Remember, in Ken’s Cast Iron Kitchen, it’s all about having fun and letting your creativity sizzle!
So, grab your ingredients, fire up your skillet, and whip up a batch of these irresistible Chocolatey Chip Cake Cookies.
Follow my Reels on FB or on YouTube at “Alaska Life Southern Fried” Oh Yes!!!!
Contributed by Shawna Mobley-Murray
I enjoyed creating an ad for Nine Star Education and Employment Services regarding a Keyboarding class that is starting soon. I find myself naturally thinking up scripts for radio advertising, print advertising, and social media. The thing is, my job is as an instructor. I just can’t help myself. This organization is very
Contributed by Ken Hagler
Trying to find ways to save money after the Christmas bills come due and you know tax season is coming? Well, have you ever wondered why your electricity bill seems high even though you don’t feel like you’re using that much energy? It might be... Phantom Loads!
Phantom loads are the sneaky amounts of electricity your devices use even when they’re turned off. Think of it like a vampire slowly draining your energy bill in the night! These loads come from devices still plugged in but not actively being used.
special to me, one that is easy to want to promote and share what they are doing for the community.
For example, for ONE price of $40 can enroll a student in any and ALL classes. Our quarters go on for approximately nine weeks. So, for nine weeks, an adult learner can go to school for seven hours a day to brush up on their education or to learn new skills. On the other hand, if an adult
> Chargers for phones, laptops, and other devices
> Electronics with standby lights or clocks
learner wants to just go to one class, $40 covers that. If a student cannot afford $40, vouchers are available.
Due to a grant that helps make all this possible, all learners have to take a TABE test in both math and reading to join classes. This is covered under the $40 fee. Jessica, our Program Assistant, will schedule this before the first class. Anyone who is not currently enrolled
device can be plugged into any outlet to measure the amount of power being used by whatever is plugged into it.
Turn them off. How to save money on phantom loads. Once you’ve identified the phantom loads in your home, there are a few things you can do to save money:
> Unplug devices when you’re not using them. This is the simplest and most effective way to cut off phantom loads.
in high school is eligible to enroll. Keyboarding is one of a number of classes being offered (both in-person and online) at Nine Star this quarter. GED prep classes include Writing, Reading, Math, Science, and Social Studies, but English Language Learner classes are also available as well as Intro to Office Skills and Technology, and Veterinary Assistant.
Ages 16-116 are welcome. If interested, call or email the Nine Star office: 907-3737833, matsuadulted@ninestar.org
Here are some extra tips:
> Consider using smart plugs, which allow you to control devices remotely and even set schedules for them to turn on and off.
> Look for Energy Star certified devices, which are designed to be energy efficient.
Written by Alaskans, for Alaskans.
Common culprits of phantom loads include:
> TVs and other entertainment devices
> Computers and peripherals
> Kitchen appliances like coffee makers and toasters
While each individual device might only use a small amount of power in standby mode, the larger effect of all these devices can add up to a significant cost on your electricity bill. In fact, studies have shown that phantom loads can account for up to 10% of a home’s total energy consumption!
Find them. There are a few ways to identify the phantom loads in your home:
> Look for devices with standby lights or clocks. These are a dead giveaway that the device is still using power.
> Feel the power adapter. If it’s warm to the touch, even when the device is off, it’s using power.
> Use a kill-a-watt meter. This handy
> Use power strips with on/off switches. This makes it easy to turn off a whole group of devices at once.
> Look for devices with energy-saving features. Many newer devices have built-in features that can help reduce phantom loads.
> Take these steps to reduce phantom loads and you can save money on your electricity bill and help the environment. It’s a win-win!
> Make sure your home is well-insulated to prevent heat loss, which can also help reduce your energy bills. By following these tips, you can easily identify and eliminate phantom loads in your home and start saving money on your electricity bill.
Remember, every little bit counts when it comes to saving energy!
For more tips about enhancing life, home, and your knowledge of Alaska Real Estate, follow me at www.kenhagler.com or youtube.com/@kenhagler
We’re more than just a newspaper!
Contributed by Jennifer Castro
Eklutna Hydro mitigation program is out for public comment. Here’s why it matters.
Over the next few months, there is an opportunity for you to make your voice heard about the future of the Eklutna Hydroelectric Project. The project currently supplies the cheapest renewable energy in the Railbelt, however, the not-for-profit utilities that own the project are working to balance the affordable and sustainable energy needs of the communities we serve along with the cultural and fishery resources of the region.
We want to hear from our impacted co-op members and other Alaskans to help ensure we strike the right balance among renewable energy, drinking water, and fish habitat in the final fish and wildlife program we submit to the governor this spring. The public is invited to come and learn more about the draft program at multiple open-house events this month, have the opportunity to ask questions of subject matter experts, and submit comments. Public comments can also be sent by email to info@eklutnahydro.com
Upcoming public meeting schedule:
January 16 – Palmer Community Center (Depot)2 pm to 4 pm and 6 pm to 8 pm January 17 – Arctic Rec Center (Anchorage) 2 pm to 4 pm and 6 pm to 8 pm January 18 – The Workplace & Event Center (Eagle River) 2 pm to 4 pm and 6 pm to 8 pm
The Eklutna Hydroelectric Project, located about 30 miles northeast of downtown Anchorage, is owned by Chugach Electric Association, Matanuska Electric Association, and the Municipality of Anchorage. When the owners bought the hydro project from the federal government in the 1990s, we agreed in the 1991 Fish and Wildlife Agreement, called the 1991 Agreement, to work with the State of Alaska and federal fisheries agencies to recommend to the governor a program to protect, mitigate damages to, and enhance fish and wildlife impacted by the hydro project.
The Draft Fish and Wildlife Program out for public comment is the result of four years of collaborative study with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Departments of Fish and Game and Natural Resources, the Native Village of Eklutna (NVE) and several conservation-based organizations.
Based on the study results, the owners invited state and federal agencies and interested parties to suggest alternatives to meet our commitment of mitigating the impact of the Eklutna Hydroelectric Project on fish and wildlife. We conducted a comprehensive alternatives analysis of more than 30 proposals from this group of stakeholders, including a deep dive into the technical and economic feasibility of each option.
The draft program out for public comment uses the existing water supply infrastructure to provide year-round water
flows to 11 out of 12 miles of the Eklutna River. The studies and analysis indicate it will significantly benefit four species of salmon that are currently observed in the lower river, while balancing fish habitat with protection of the public water supply and renewable energy. You can read the entire draft program at www.eklutnahydro. com
The 1991 Agreement specifically requires the owners and the governor to consider eight items:
> Efficient and economical power production
> Energy conservation
> The protection, mitigation of damages to, and enhancement of fish and wildlife
> Protection of recreational opportunities
> Municipal water supplies
> The protection of other aspects of environmental quality
> Other public uses
> Requirements of State law
Among all 30 options investigated, each has pros and cons when considering the eight required items, and there are none without controversy, including a wide range of costs. There is no question the draft program is the result of tradeoffs and tough choices. We believe the proposed program strikes a reasonable compromise among all eight required elements that creates significant fish habitat while protecting this important renewable energy asset and controlling ratepayer costs.
We recognize the co-op members served by this project are facing unprec-
edented times. The Cook Inlet gas supply used to power and heat our homes and businesses is uncertain and predicted to sharply escalate in price. Water returned to the river reduces available, dispatchable, renewable energy that cannot be replaced with wind or solar. Eklutna hydro power is also the least expensive power on the Railbelt, with the only reliable replacement for this power currently generated by natural gas, which grows more expensive and uncertain. At a time when the call for more use of renewable energy is getting louder, it is the member-owned utilities’ obligation to act responsibly to ensure the clean, lowcost energy provided by the hydro project is not unduly compromised while meeting the obligations of the 1991 Agreement. We respect the history of the Eklutna people. We enjoy the Eklutna River watershed as many Alaskans do and understand its cultural significance to the Eklutna people. We believe the draft program proposed will promote fish habitat while continuing to provide reliable, clean, and affordable energy to Alaskans for decades to come. The owners are continuing to work with the agencies who signed the 1991 Agreement and NVE to find common ground so we can bring a satisfactory and successful Final Program to the governor this spring.
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Signed
Kolby Hickel, Deputy Municipal Manager, Municipality of
Anchorage
Andrew Laughlin, Chief Operating Officer, Chugach Electric Association
Tony Zellers, Director, Power Supply, Matanuska Electric Association
