The People's Paper June 2023

Alaska Scottish Highland Games

Strings Attached: An Interview With The Harp Twins

What It Takes To Succeed As Independent Musicians

as possible. We try to get a reasonable amount of sleep whenever possible. We’re also vegetarian and we don’t drink any alcohol, which we feel works best for our health and lifestyle.

Q: Touring can be an expensive endeavor, especially for up-and-comingmusicians. Can you share any practical tips on budgeting for a tour?

A: Don’t out-spend your means! We have heard of (and witnessed) touring musicians who have made some big mistakes by touring like they are on vacation.

Submitted by Joshua Fryfogle

Make A Scene Media Company, and our flagship publication, Make A Scene Magazine, were built on the ethos of making a local arts and music scene happen here, locally.

As a musician myself, I see touring musicians coming to Alaska as an intrinsic part of the growth of the Alaskan music and arts scene, so we’re happy to share this interview with this plucky pair of internationally recognized touring artists, Camille and Kennerly Kitt, AKA, The Harp Twins.

Camille and Kennerly were gracious enough to answer my own questions, and I also included several questions that were submitted by other local musicians, the latter being included at the end of this interview.

Q: What were the key steps in building your fan base both locally and nationally/internationally?

A: “When we began performing, all of our gigs were local events in our area. As word of mouth spread in a wider circle, so did our performances. We started creating music videos to show to clients and eventually others started to find them as well. The gigs started to find us! We live in a global age, so finding an international audience is just as easy as finding a national audience, especially in a market as universal as music. All you need is to find your niche and the have tenacity to continue to follow your dreams.”

Q: How do you maintain your physical and mental health while on tour?

A: We’ve always enjoyed staying active, working out, and spending time in nature. Even while touring, we try to stay as healthy

While on tour we shop at grocery stores, rarely eat at restaurants, “shop around” for the best deals on hotels and accommodations, and just generally save wherever we can. Maybe you don’t need that tour bus, or a bunch of back-up musicians! For many years, we toured just with our mom in a mini-van. Just a few years ago, we got to the point where a venue owner sat us down and said, “you need help.” He told us that we were performing at too large of venues to do everything ourselves, and that we were doing way too much work for only 3 people. So, we now tour with 2 additional people. However, we waited as long as we could! Sometimes less really is more.

Q: Business and creativity are two very different things. What advice do you have for balancing creativity and the business aspects of music?

A: “We think it’s important to realize that not all of your work is going to be ‘fun’. We hear a lot that ‘it’s not work if you love what you do’. However, being an independent musician doesn’t mean that you are sitting in musical bliss with your instrument all day and the rest just falls into place. If you have

trouble making the time for the business or ‘not fun’ aspects of your career, set aside a certain time of day for that portion of your job. Often the things that we as humans avoid are the things that most need to be done.”

Q: Can you talk about a time when things didn’t go as planned on tour and how you dealt with it?

“We’ve always enjoyed staying active, working out, and spending time in nature. Even while touring, we try to stay as healthy as possible. We try to get a reasonable amount of sleep whenever possible. We’re also vegetarian and we don’t drink any alcohol, which we feel works best for our health and lifestyle.

“No matter how well things are planned, eventually something happens that is out of your control. Our touring van once died in Nebraska when we were on our way to a performance in California. We lost a day, had to get a new van, and then drove straight with no overnight stops to make it to our performance in time. We also had a venue power outage for our Christmas show in Colorado, followed by the venue owner getting injured during that same windstorm. We personally stood outside (in the middle of winter) at a theater with no lights or power to meet every car who showed up for the concert and let them know that it was postponed. Those are just a few examples! Sometimes you just have to go with the flow!”

READ MORE OF THE

Home of the Grand Parade, Slippery Salmon Olympics, Teddy Bear Picnic, Human Foosball Tournament, Classic Car Show, Bear Paw Community Awards, AND SO MUCH MORE!

The Chugiak-Eagle River Chamber of Commerce Proudly Brings You:

ADVANCED DISCOUNTED TICKETS for the 42nd Alaska Scottish Highland Games are available online, at Fireside Books in Palmer, The Book Shelf in Eagle River, and Bosco’s in Anchorage.

COMMUNITY

Contributed by Sabra Nord Sturgis

Barbara Nord, an exceptional educator who dedicated over three decades of her life to shaping young minds at Palmer High School, passed away on June 8, 2022. Teaching was her passion, and she often commented that she truly did appreciate all of her students. One of her last requests came out of this love for her students: A parade of former students at her funeral.

A Celebration of Life, including a parade, is being organized by family and friends. The event will take place on Saturday, June 24, 2023, with a funeral at the United Protestant Church at 1:00

Contributed by Sam I

I’m just not one of those guys... Normally when the topic of cars is brought up, it’s something I shy away from. I don’t know much about them, and I’m honestly not a car guy. I couldn’t tell you what a 67 mustang looks like by memory.  But on June 3rd I had the immense pleasure of photographing the Alaska Raceways Flag day festivities. A scene not too entirely different from what I normally shoot, instead of a flightline it’s a drag strip.

Instead of United States Air Force Thunderbirds, it’s the engines of vintage cars, displaying their insane horsepower. I don’t claim to know it all and probably never will, but I walked away from that raceway feeling different toward cars in general.

The races themselves were insane, the cars revving their engines before coming to the line. Smoke filling the surrounding area, the scent of burnt tires as it happened. Shooting down the strip as quickly as they can for the fastest time! It was new and it was exhilarating! It was something I would LOVE to attend again, as either a newfound fan or a photographer. If you have never made it to the

followed by a celebration party and potluck starting at 3:00 at the Palmer Depot.

Attendees of the celebration party will have a chance to connect with friends during “Social” Studies Class and Art Class, where parade participants will be able to make a sign to honor the memory of Mrs. Nord. The parade will begin around 4:00, and a prize will be given for the best Palmer High outfit. All former students of Mrs. Nord from the classes of 1971-2003 are invited to walk.

Following the parade, the celebration will continue at the Depot with Electives: Music, Creative Writing, and History. Another of Mrs. Nord’s final wishes was that there would be “No Open Mic.” In

Palmer raceway, it’s worth the drive!

The scenery surrounding the track is a beautiful backdrop to it all! Anyway, if you haven’t been there you should go, I bet you won’t regret it either. It is also

honor of these wishes, friends and former students are invited to write down their confessions and memories during Creative Writing and share their stories during History Classes. Unlike her government class, participation is optional. For those unable to attend, memories can be emailed to celebratebarbnord@ gmail.com. More information can be found by searching “Celebrate Barb Nord” on Facebook.

very kid friendly as well!  Sam I Photography sirwinphotosak.wixsite.com/sirwinphotos raceak.com

Contributed by Mayowa Aina

“I look at the way I grew up … where I grew up, the income levels, a single-parent household, and fell into that statistical category. I’ve been able to experience a lot and get a level of education that wasn’t expected of me. I deeply want that for other kids that grew up in my situation. Going in and fighting in those battles helps you become more aware of where the pushback exists.” Black in Alaska – Jamar Hill

Years ago, at Scenic Park Elementary in Northeast Anchorage, fourth-grader Jamar Hill was nervous about an upcoming potluck. Everybody needed to bring a dish from home, and his home was different. His mom, who was from Costa Rica, cooked up coconut rice and beans, cabbage salad, their regular Sundayafter-church foods. What would the other

kids think? Turns out, they loved it.

“That was an iconic moment for me,” Jamar remembers. He realized he could be appreciated for who he was. He didn’t have to mask in the mainstream.

His mom was steady and firm. When he was a kid, they butted heads. “You are going to do the right thing and go out of your way to do the right thing,” she would insist. Now, he values her influence on his decision-making. She taught him to stick with things even when they are hard. He played sports but for a long while didn’t even know he was good at it.

He gravitated toward baseball and never turned back. Jamar founded and serves as president and director of RBI Alaska, an MLB-affiliated program supporting youth baseball and softball players in urban and rural communities around the state. Mentors included

Alaskans Andre Toliver, who pitched in the minors for the Chicago White Sox and had a knack for making baseball camps fun, and the late Lefty Van Brunt, an iconic coach. He did for Jamar what Jamar is now doing for young Anchorage players: Teaching skills, leadership and character.

Jamar played in college, grew during six years with Mets minor league teams, and mentored and coached youth in the off-season. With the Mets, retired superstar hitter Darryl Strawberry drilled Jamar on batting but more important, talked to him about what it took to rise above tough circumstances. Jamar realized kids, specifically in communities often left underserved, could benefit greatly from sports. Providing resources, and more important, attention, encourages them to succeed and thrive.

Jamar appreciates backgrounds different from his own. Growing up in Anchorage, going to school in a place where 100 languages now are spoken, contributed to Jamar’s understanding of others. “To live in Anchorage, you really have to be comfortable with diversity,” Jamar says. Anchorage is growing in several demographics, and Jamar recognizes the various subgroups of Black communities that need representation. “For the next wave of Black Alaskans, I believe that there is the landscape for them to be more accepted,” he says. When he was a kid, he didn’t get to enjoy what draws so many to Alaska. He didn’t have fishing gear or the right outerwear for the cold. He encourages People of Color to go beyond their immediate surroundings and experience as much of Alaska as they can. Whether hiking, fishing or connecting with likeminded people who check in on each other, Jamar wants others to appreciate this special place we all call home.

The May 5th Grand Opening for WASI Mid-Valley Adult Day Service was phenomenal and WASI appreciated the community for coming out and being a part of this special day!!

The Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce was onsite for the Ribbon Cutting and they truly made this event a success!

Speaking at the event was WASI’s CEO Marlene Munsell, Elizabeth Ripley from the Mat-Su Health Foundation, Mat-Su Borough Mayor Edna DeVries, City of Houston Mayor Carter Cole and Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc. Board President John Weaver.

WASI Mid-Valley Adult Day Services is

a great addition to the Houston, Big Lake, and the Greater Wasilla Community. The non-clinical, non-residential program provides many health, social, and supportive services in a protective setting to adults who are physically frail or face the challenges of Alzheimer’s, Dementia, a developmental disability, or brain trauma.

Melissa Sonnek program manager said, “helping families is one of the best feelings and providing their family members with transportation to and from the program along with healthy snacks, exercise programs, and assistance with adult daily living is our pleasure.  We are excited to participate with all of our clients in arts & crafts projects, music, holiday parties,

engaging activities, fun games, gardening and so much more!”

WASI Mid-Valley Adult Day Services accepts Medicaid Waiver, Tri-West for VA clients and Self Pay.

Contributed by Melissa Sonnek

Shabbat candles are lit by Jewish women and girls, as young as the age of three, 18 minutes before sunset or one and a quarter daylight hours before sunset, on Friday afternoon or on the eve of Jewish holidays. They light candles to usher in peace and blessings to their homes and to the world.

Contributed by Jason Manalli

In a collaborative effort, Set Free Alaska and the Christopher Walden Foundation of Hope have publicly announced the naming of Set Free’s Heritage HouseRecovery Residence as the “Christopher Walden House of Hope.” The naming of this facility is in honor of Christopher Walden, who lost his life to a drug overdose in 2019.

In the wake of Christopher’s passing the Walden Family established a Foundation in his name with the critical goal of saving lives by providing additional beds and resources that are local, low-cost, non-profit, and offer long-term residential treatment.

“I am so thankful for the partnership that we are developing with the Christopher Walden House of Hope; with the family and friends and loved ones that have gathered around their mission. The Walden family has done so much to honor the legacy and to use the tragedy that happened to them to promote health, healing, and service delivery in the state of Alaska”.  Philip Licht I President & CEO of Set Free Alaska

Set Free Alaska shares a similar vision and offers an innovative and therapeutic model that incorporates safe, sober housing with personalized case management, peer support services, and outpatient SUD treatment. Additionally, it features workforce development and assistance in transitioning back into the community. Their multi-generational program promotes hope, healing, and resilience, resulting in lasting change. Currently, it is the only program of its kind in Alaska.

The unveiling of the new sign, featuring both organization logos, marks the next step in a joint effort to save lives from addiction. The alliance between the two organizations aims to fight substance abuse in Alaska.

This amazing recovery community is in Palmer, Alaska overlooking the majestic views of Pioneer Peak and the Matanuska Glacier. Please watch the video of this dynamic partnership story: youtube.com/watch?v=KDelVUwUA60

Jason Manalli Development Director, Set Free Alaska

Jason.m@setfreealaska.org

COMMUNITY

Contributed by Michael Carson

V.P. & Recovery Specialist, MYHouse of Mat-Su Chair of the Mat-Su Opioid Task Force

The facts and data regarding the opioid epidemic, especially with the surge of the powerful synthetic Fentanyl, are screaming at us to provide our youth with the most honest, current and accurate information to save their lives.

In short, educated adults need to arm them with vital information to make positive decisions to ensure they are safe, healthy and thriving.

Kellsie’s Lesson demonstrates the basic neuroscience of ‘how opioids hack and whack the brain,’ with the potential issues leading to addiction, beginning with misuse, tolerance and dependence.

The lesson is aligned with National Health Standards in collaboration and partnership with Carmen Ashley, Division Director of Adolescent Health and the CDC.

Kellsie’s Lesson is dedicated to Kellsie Green, along with youth that have experienced addiction and lost their lives to withdrawals, overdoses and/ or poisonings.

In Kellsie’s case, she died in the Anchorage jail due to her withdrawals from heroin at 24 years of age.

We know that our current state student health curriculum does not address opioids, much less Fentanyl. And, we know Fentanyl is 50 times more powerful than heroin and a 100 times more powerful than morphine. With that potential, it only takes 2 mg to be a fatal poisoning.

Also, every drug from heroin, cocaine, meth, along with Percocet, Xanax, Oxy and even Adderall are most likely contaminated with Fentanyl.

Contributed by Kathleen Yerbich

Many of you may be familiar with Family Promise. It is a national organization that helps homeless families. The Mat-Su chapter recently received a gift of a house.

“We are giving you this house to continue your work with the homeless community.” ... These words were spoken by a church leader that had occupied the home for several years. It was used for their church services and a few other community events.

Now the house has been given to Family Promise. Ginger Bear, executive director for MatSu Family Promise, was surprised and extremely grateful. However there was a concern. The church leader was forthright with the troubling circumstance of the house. There was a major problem that had to be dealt with immediately. A diesel tank in the backyard had been vandalized and fuel had leaked into the ground. The clean-up would probably cost $50,000. The Family Promise Board went through the data and received an education on oil spills and the process of cleaning the dirt. After many weeks of reading and listening to several experts, the Board voted to accept the home. The clean-up cost ended up being double, $100,000. The company was very efficient and no one is to blame for the cost. There was no way of knowing how much dirt was contaminated.

The space is now clean, the Family Promise Board and staff have commenced adjusting the space to best serve the Mat-Su community.

First the name: it was decided to call the structure Hope House. Hope is at the heart of the philosophy of Family Promise. With the help of several churches in the valley, Family Promise provides food, shelter, clothes, and education to families in need. They guide the families to obtain jobs and then secure housing. The process can take a few weeks to a few months. Throughout the journey, Family Promise staff stays by the families’ side until independence is achieved. Hope is the last thought as the family leaves the safety net of Family Promise. Hope that they will sustain their independence; hope that the children will do well; hope that they will become a working part of the community; hope that they will be okay and live a good life. Many success stories continue to bolster this sentiment of hope. The program works.

Hope House continues to grow with services. There are businesses that have moved in to utilize some of the empty spaces and help pay for some

This has become opioid roulette with a possible ‘nightmare alley’ as the end of the road.

In addition, there are no resources for educators, not even at the e-Learning website at the Department of Early Childhood and Education regarding current Fentanyl facts.

Unfortunately, we can not wait for new student health guidelines and curriculum, lives hang in the balance!

Due to those unfortunate facts, an addendum had to be added to Kellsie’s Lesson titled, ‘Fentanyl,’ with the most current and accurate drug reports ( i.e. Six out of ten counterfeit pills have a potential of poisoning ) along with resources for educators, parents and youth.

And, parents have to be a vital partner in battling opioids with parents being their children’s first teachers. Then, schools being an insurance policy for all middle and high school students to know the dire consequences of ‘ONE PILL CAN KILL!

With these challenges, the Anchorage School District voted into policy: Kellsie’s Lesson, to be part of their ‘Drug Education and Prevention’ curriculum for all middle and high school students.

I want to thank the Anchorage School District for this important drug education and prevention measure to ensure students can live to their fullest potential.

They are the first school district to address this important issue regarding opioids, especially Fentanyl for the health and well-being of their students.

MYHouse of Mat-Su and the Mat-Su Opioid Task Force hopes that all school districts across the state begin to enhance and supplement their drug education and prevention strategies to address opioid awareness for all our Alaskan youth.

We will continue to advocate and recommend Kellsie’s Lesson to ensure we keep our youth safe, healthy and thriving.

We can not afford to wait until a new state health curriculum regarding opioid awareness is created and delivered to youth.

#Adopt Kellsie’s Lesson

of Hope House expenses. Primal Martial Arts, owned by Steven McConarty, a well established Valley business now occupies the bottom floor of Hope House. Also, Headquarters Custom Embroidery owned by Lisa McConarty, has moved to Hope House. Both businesses have been a staple in the Valley for many years. Lisa and Steven have strong connections to helping the community through their businesses and volunteer ventures. Hope House was a perfect fit.

Also, By Your Side Tutoring assists children with their academics. Kathleen Yerbich is the lead teacher. “My goal is to offer affordable tutoring for all children. There is a great need to teach kids that have fallen behind due to several circumstances from Covid to the bus situation last year. Everyone should have the opportunity to improve their understanding of the world; whether that means learning how to read better; understand fractions; or locating Scotland on a map; I hope to help the community and fill in some of the academic gaps that exist for kids in the Mat-Su Valley.”

Primal Martial Arts, Headquarters Custom Embroidery, and By Your Side Tutoring are a wonderful addition to Hope House and to the community.

Next steps are to continue to improve the structure. Small projects are checked off weekly. It is a bustling environment. The small hardworking staff of Ginger, Nancy, Jen, and Pam, work tirelessly. They are in constant motion of caring for the families; writing grants; organizing fundraisers; and a thousand other tasks.

They do it with a smile on their face and hope in their heart. Hope House is located at 2700 Broadview Dr, Wasilla, 99654. If you have questions or would like to donate, contact Ginger Bear 907-357-6160 If you are interested in Primal Martial Arts, contact Steven 907-357-5588 If you are interested in Headquarters Custom Embroidery, contact Lisa 907-357-8133. If you are interested in tutoring, contact Kathleen at 907-354-0514.

Upcoming Events for Family Promise:

• June 10th. Colony Days Tag Sale-downtown Palmer. Look for us in the parade too.

• July 12th. Cardboard City. Grab a group of friends and spend the night at the FairGrounds. There will be cardboard to build a structure or you may sleep in your car. It is an event to bring awareness to the homeless situation in the MatSu Valley.

ALASKA OWNED & OPERATED PAGE 5

COMMUNITY

and movement can present problems. This means a standard epoxy coating for concrete is not going to be appropriate as it will ultimately fail, particularly along the joins, due to movement. To complete such a project, an epoxy system with sufficient flexibility needs to be used which will tolerate the anticipated movement.

Keep in mind that installing epoxy floors on your own may seem easy, but there are many factors that determine whether the epoxy flooring looks good when you’re done—or even bonds in the first place. Bubbling, blistering and failures can occur from improper installation, and flooring that is not properly prepared can lead to poor bonding. Whether it’s temperature, humidity, time, materials, or the person doing the work, every aspect of the job must be handled precisely.

you choose to apply.

If you have a wood floor and want to give it a long life, you might consider epoxy flooring as a solution. Epoxy resin can even increase the lifespan of an already damaged wood floor, and with proper installation, you can hide prior damage the wood floor has sustained. This type of flooring provides an attractive look that is perfect for applications ranging from hardwood to reclaimed wood floors. Because wood is a flexible subfloor and epoxy coatings are commonly rigid,

people often wonder whether you can put epoxy on wood floors. The simple answer is, yes! You can absolutely use epoxy on wood floors. However, don’t just apply anything you find. You need to ensure you choose the right system.

The epoxy products that you use for concrete floors and wood floors are different. Unlike concrete, which provides a stable substrate to apply epoxy over, plywood is extremely flexible, and experiences expansion and contraction. While adhesion to either can be achieved with the correct preparation, wood’s increased flexibility

Before you begin the application, it’s important to inspect your floor. Make sure the surface is clear of cracks, openings, and other flaws that can affect the epoxy coating’s ability to adhere. Wood is a porous substance that may absorb moisture, which can have an impact on how well the epoxy bonds and cures. Conduct moisture testing to ensure the wood floor’s moisture levels are within allowable ranges for the type of epoxy you intend to use. Depending on the product and the manufacturer, different temperatures and levels of humidity are best. Epoxy comes in a range of forms, some of which are intended for use on concrete and others of which may be applied to a variety of surfaces, including wood floors. Be careful you choose the right epoxy for your wooden floor, and make sure you strictly adhere to the product data instructions for the epoxy

For the epoxy coating to be successful, the wood floor must also be properly prepared and cleaned. Dust, dirt, and any prior coatings or finishes must be removed from the surface. Lightly sanding the surface is critical to ensure a proper bond between the epoxy coating and the flooring. Remove all dust with a vacuum cleaner, and screw down any loose planks. The wood surface must be completely free of all waxes, varnishes, or other foreign materials. Pay special attention to the seams of each sheet, stagger all panel joints, fill all joints with a flexible epoxy, and cover the filled joints with fiberglass mesh tape. Fill all gaps, cracks, and screw heads too, making sure that you don’t have any screws sticking up from the plywood. You can run a putty knife over each screw to see if your knife gets caught, and if it catches, sink those screws down completely flush. Also, be sure to perform a small test before attempting a full project. Many things can go wrong when applying epoxy floor coatings over wood surfaces. At times, it can be best to hire professionals to apply epoxy coatings on wood floors. It may cost extra but, if there are any problems when applying the coating yourself, the cost to fix that issue may be even more. If you have a wood floor and are looking for a solution to resurface the floor, get in touch with the experts at Alaska Resin Supply. We provide the highest quality materials and have many unique coatings available for resurfacing every kind of floor and substrate. We are located at 201 E. Swanson Ave, Suite #1, in Wasilla. Give us a call at (907) 671-9900 and check out our website at www.AlaskaResin.com.

Contributed by Alys Culhane

Stories continue to beget stories, and the latest Bright Lights Book Project story is that we’ve moved to a new location. We previously occupied the The Church of the Covenant/Meeting House on South Bailey Street. We now occupy the former banquet room of the Historic Eagle Hotel.

We’d been at the Bailey Street address for two years. We’d been looking for a new home for two years. Nothing had, as of May 1, 2023, materialized. The ongoing search was made more difficult than it might have been because we had very stringent criteria.

We wanted to remain in the Palmer core area, and for a variety of reasons. The Meeting House was ideal location. It was central to the Palmer Post Office, U-Haul

Storage, and our Palmer-based distribution sites, one of which is the ever popular Bugge Street playground/little library.

Taking up residence in the Meeting House also made us aware of the importance of community as this relates to our mission, which is to get books into the hands of appreciative readers. I foresaw that our moving out of Palmer would distance us from much-valued book-related conversations.

We had other space-related criteria.

The Meeting House space could no longer accommodate the increasing number of books. I’d recently attended the Science of Reading Symposium in Anchorage. This opened many doors for us, one of which was donation related. Educators have continued to gift us with books from their school libraries.

Consequently, our growing non-profit’s

wish list included more square footage, single floor occupancy, easy access (no stairs), and a private entrance.

We found what now suits our purpose in a seemingly serendipitous fashion. On one of Palmer’s uncharacteristically sunny, warm days, BLBP Board President Robert Wallace and BLBP Project Manager Pete Praetorius accompanied me on the Palmer distribution route, which includes a dozen bookcases.

We stocked the Eagle Hotel bookcase, and then took a moment to talk to building owner Atli Dobrova, who showed space he had for lease, this being the banquet room. In seeing the huge, open, clean space, a smile crossed Wallace’s face. Pete, who still had his heart set on acquiring land and building a combination literacy/ distribution center, remained dubious. However, he agreed with Robert and me that the spacious room fit all our criteria and then some. The room included wall space for a supposedly infinite number of bookcases, a corner office area, and an area for literacy-related workshops and classes.

We negotiated a lease and shortly thereafter began what I dubbed the cross-town move. I boxed up books in preparation for their five-block journey. I also put out a call to volunteers, who I hoped would assist in moving what seemed like an infinite number of boxes of books.

I became increasingly more anxious as moving day approached, for my call for volunteers seemed to have gone unheeded. It looked like we’d have three shleppers, me, Wallace, and Melina Sevigny, our past BLBP Board President. I lost sleep envisioning it, at least one day of heavy lifting, with perhaps several more to follow.

Much to my surprise, volunteers emerged from under the cloud cover on the day of the scheduled move. United Way Jill of all Trades, Michele Harmeling, had previously contacted two volunteers, Marvilie and Avie, who met up with me in the U-Haul lobby. And Rebekah Dungan, who is member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, had contacted eight Mormon elders, who met up with Robert in the parking lot.

The move went quickly, and there were no glitches. Marvilie, Avie, and I drove over the Meeting House, where we met up with Melina. Together, we twice loaded boxes of books into the TOTE Maritime van, and twice unloaded them at the Eagle Hotel. And Robert and the elders loaded up the U-Haul rental van and unloaded it at the Eagle Hotel.

In what seemed like the blink of an eye, three-quarters of the BLBP books had been safely stowed in the central portion of the room. Robert, Melina, and Melina’s two children and I celebrated this accomplishment by ordering lunch at the Sunrise Grill, which is adjacent to the BLBP distribution area.

I was pleased with what, after months of planning, was a major accomplishment. However, I reminded myself that there is still work to be done. Pete will soon be putting up new shelves for boxes of books. And BLBP volunteers will, on a daily basis, continue to salvage, sort, clean, catalogue, and distribute books, locally, state-wide, and nationally.

Alys Culhane is the Executive Director of the Bright Lights Book Project. If you’re interested in doing volunteer work or have books you’d like to donate to the project, contact her at director@brightlightsbookproject.org.

Contributed by Clayton Allison

From July 12-16, Eagle River will welcome locals and visitors to the 38th Bear Paw Festival. Primarily located in the business corridor of the town, the Festival historically attracts tens of thousands of Alaskans during the five-day event. The annual extravaganza is hosted by the nonprofit Chugiak-Eagle River Chamber of Commerce to showcase how unique and livable our community is!

This year’s Bear Paw Festival is launching an exciting new journey for the state, as Chugiak-Eagle River becomes Alaska’s Base Camp for Adventure. Locals, other Alaskans, and visitors can

Contributed by Debbie Filter

When the fireweed flowers are blossoming in Trapper Creek that means the Fireweed Festival will be in full bloom also! Bring the family, your friends and visiting guests to a fun-filled day at Trapper Creek Park!

Contributed by Dr. Josh, Bee Well Chiropractic

With summer in full swing, many of us are taking advantage of the longer days and warmer weather to get outside and stay active. Whether it’s playing sports, going for a hike, or just taking a walk around the block, physical activity is essential for our overall health and well-being. But did you know that chiropractic care can help you get the most out of your active lifestyle?

Chiropractic care focuses on the health of the nervous system, which controls every function in the body, including movement. Misalignments in the spine, called subluxations, can interfere with nerve signals and limit the body’s ability to move

set up their “base camp” here for many recreational activities. Think hiking, biking, snowmachining, fishing, hunting, boating – adventure calls you to this area perfectly situated between Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valleys. We’ve got the Chugach State Forest in our backyard, countless lakes nearby, the namesake river, and miles of trails just waiting for you.

The 2023 Festival theme is appropriately called Celebrating ChugiakEagle River: Alaska’s Base Camp for Adventure. It wouldn’t be Bear Paw without the famous Slippery Salmon Olympics, Grand Parade, and Classic Car Show, to name a few. Another fabulous spectator event is the Human Foosball Tournament on a large inflatable field!

Want to participate rather than watch?

We’ve got an event for you! From the kidfriendly Teddy Bear Picnic to the adultsonly Trivia Night, the Motorcycle Show to the Cornhole Tournament, Goat Yoga to a guided Paint Night … there’s something for everyone.

Ready for even more fun? Locallyowned Golden Wheel Amusements is again bringing a carnival to downtown! And after a brief hiatus, we’re welcoming back the Bear Paw Pageant and Bear Paw LIVE Beer Garden back down in Town Square Park featuring Alaskan breweries. Don’t miss all of the food, crafts, and other local businesses at the Bear Paw Vendor Court managed by Alaska Markets & Events and our very own Chamber Member Food Vendors in Town Square.

Check out bearpawfestival.org for a list of events, vendors, parking and shuttle information, road closures, frequently asked questions, and more. Follow us on Facebook (we’ll be streaming live and posting Reels throughout the Festival) @ BearPawFestival.

Want to support this great community event put on by the nonprofit ChugiakEagle River Chamber of Commerce?

Become a Friend of the Festival, or donate directly to the Chamber and help out other free public events like the annual Winter Wonderland Celebration or maintaining Chief Alex Park.

I hope you’ll join us for the Bear Paw Festival June 12-16 and make Chugiak-Eagle River your Base Camp for Adventure!

All ages will find something to enjoy! Children’s activities will include wilderness skills and knowledge will be shared, candy filled fish will be caught, and a donut eating contest will be so fun!

We’ll be featuring something ALL children LOVE to do. Saddle up little buckaroos! Let’s go for a pony ride!! These activities along with the playground and humongous bubbles will keep your little ones entertained while you shop at the amazing craft booths, dine on delectable treats, and laugh yourself silly at the dunk tank!

Other adult activities include Rippies and 3 separate raffles with tickets going for

$5.00 each. Raffled items are an Explorer K2 Kayak, 2-person inflatable, a Drone and Split-The Pot. In addition to all that, a $2.00 ticket raffle will be available all day with an amazing assortment of items, including cash value gift certificates. Presale tickets are available and will be sold on the day of the event. Need not be present to win!

The festival begins at 11:00a.m. and will finish at 8:00p.m. We have plenty of free parking and no admittance fee.

Thank you, in advance, for supporting this FUNdraiser to keep our community park building, ski trails and cemetery the beautiful place it is.

properly. Chiropractors use gentle adjustments to correct subluxations, allowing the nervous system to function optimally and supporting the body’s natural ability to heal.

In addition to addressing acute injuries or conditions, chiropractic care takes a holistic approach to overall health and wellness. By considering the whole person, including lifestyle factors like nutrition and exercise, chiropractors can provide personalized care that supports the body’s natural healing processes. This can lead to improved mobility, better overall health, and a more active lifestyle.

At Bee Well Chiropractic, we are dedicated to providing natural, holistic care that supports our patients’ overall health and well-being. Whether you are looking

Contributed by Shelby Larson and Heather Dunn

As business owners it can be tough to be noticed by our ideal clients. Personal Branding photo sessions, combined with some engaging social marketing, can be the magic combination to connect you! We are teaming up to help!

Heather, Ambience Photography I’m Heather with Ambience Photography. I’ll tell how to work with a photographer to create really effective and beautiful photos.

Shelby, Shelby Larson Consulting

I’m Shelby with Shelby Larson Consulting. I’ll share how to use beautiful photos and create a social media strategy that will help you connect with your customers.

Let’s dive into the steps:

1. Goals: Heather, Ambience Photography

Jot down goals for your branding to-do list. Are you aiming to attract more visitors to your website or social media? Do you want to showcase your vibrant personality and add value to your business? Let’s not forget fun b-roll footage for behind-thescenes peeks, showing off your skills and featuring your products. And make sure your spiffy new logo and colors steal the limelight.

2. Photos Shelby, Shelby Larson Consulting I suggest hiring a local photographer, like Heather. Quality is key when it comes to branding photos. The photos will be high resolution which will allow you to utilize the photos in different ways for your posts; zoom in on a certain part of the photo, or use the whole photo.

3. Where: Heather, Ambience Photography

Envision where your fabulous photos will be used: Will they grace fancy flyers or business cards? Your newsletters, social, and website should feature people in action: your awesome team doing what they do best! And don’t forget to include photos of your amazing products! A social media manager like Shelby is a powerful tool. She’ll conquer the digital realm by using your photos and creating content in your social media posts.

4. Consistency Shelby, Shelby Larson Consulting

Having a collection of branding photos will save you time and make it easier to regularly post on social media. Those photos will be at your fingertips, no need to use a stock photo. Don’t worry, you don’t have to post everyday. You can decide how much you need to post each week. If that’s a struggle for you, hire a social media manager, like myself. We can create content for you.

5. Mood: Heather, Ambience Photography

Ask yourself: what do you want your brand to feel like? Pinterest can help! Make a mood board and pin images that inspire

to prevent injuries, recover from an injury, or enhance your athletic performance, we are here to help you BEE your best. To learn more about how chiropractic care can support your active lifestyle, please visit our website, beewellak.com

Success Story: Meet Catherine, one of our amazing practice members at Bee Well Chiropractic. When she first came to us, she had big goals of completing a challenging bike race in the future. With consistent chiropractic care tailored to her needs, she was able to prep for the race and accomplish her goal! But the journey didn’t end there! Catherine continues to see us and has set her sights on even bigger physical goals this summer. We’re thrilled to be a part of her wellness journey and can’t wait to see all that she accomplishes.

you or show your desired look. Then share that to communicate with your photographer! For more ideas, you can follow some rockstars in your field and pay attention to what they do to market themselves. I bet they are oozing with personality! Pay attention to clothing colors, styles, and settings, and then make it your own!

6. Story: Shelby, Shelby Larson Consulting

Your photos can tell a story about your brand, its values, and its products or services. Use photos and videos to show how your products are made, highlight your team and customers, or showcase your brand’s personality and unique qualities. This will help your customers feel like they know you, can relate to you, and keep them coming back to do more business.

7. Settings: Heather, Ambience Photography

Choose the scene: studio, scenery or your space? Think beyond the ordinary. Studio photography doesn’t have to be formal… it can be fun and engaging. Maybe combine your brand with the aweinspiring beauty of Alaska. Don’t forget about local public buildings that can add grandeur to your photos. But, photos of you in your actual business, doing what you do best is one of the best ways for people to connect with you!

8. Variety: Shelby, Shelby Larson Consulting

Don’t be afraid to experiment with different types of content, such as photos, videos, or graphics. Mix it up to keep things interesting. Some will love watching

videos, some will want to read a graphic, and some will love your beautiful photo.

9. Expression: Heather, Ambience Photography

Let’s not forget the most important ingredient—You! We all have our go-to selfie-smiles, but it takes a lot more than duck lips to attract your ideal client. Practice expressions and poses! Your photographer can help guide you, but you can also spend some time in front of a mirror with your shoulders back and head held high… and poke that chin!

10. Specs: Shelby, Shelby Larson Consulting

One last tip: social media platforms have different image specifications, it’s important to adapt your photos accordingly. For example, Instagram favors square images, while Facebook prefers landscape orientation. Reels should have vertical photos and videos otherwise you’ll have black bars on the screen. If you optimize your photos for each platform they’ll look their best and you won’t be missing parts of an image you were wanting to use.

Well that was fun! We can’t wait to see you wow the world as you use your secret weapon: social media and branding photos. Follow these steps and your brand will be brought to life!

Shelby Larson | Shelby Larson Consulting | www.shelbylarsonconsulting.com | Instagram & Facebook: @shelbylarsonak

Heather Dunn | Ambience Photography | www.ambienceak.com Instagram: Ambience_Photography | Facebook: ambienceak

Contributed by Britney Olsen, Executive Director Chugiak-Eagle River Chamber of Commerce

REAL ESTATE

Contributed by Ken Hagler

Buying a home is a major financial decision that requires careful consideration and preparation. One aspect that can make or break your dream of homeownership is mortgage approval. Before you even think about looking for a home, it is crucial to understand the mortgage approval process.

Lets walk through, together, some of what you need to know about mortgage approval to help you make an informed decisions when purchasing your home:

1. Consult with a Mortgage Lender First

The first and most important step in getting approved for a mortgage is finding and consulting with a mortgage lender. They will provide you with the guidance and resources needed to make informed decisions and get you on the path to homeownership. It is important

FAITH

Contributed by Brett Ahern

This is another way to read and understand the Ten Commandments. It has three distinct sections:

First we are told three things to not do in our relationship with God:

1. You shall have no other gods before me.

2. You shall not make for yourself a carved image.

3. You shall not take the name of the

Contributed by Sara Jokela Kingdom Alliance Network in Alaska (KAN) Leaders envisioned bringing Worship to the city center and from that, Worship Alaska was born! Worship Alaska is a fantastic evangelistic outreach event that welcomes all tribes, tongues, and Nations. Through worship and our monthly events, we at KAN are about fostering unity in our community for Alaska. With KAN, everyone is welcome!

Get ready for this event on July 8th, 2023 from 2-5 PM held in Anchorage at the Cuddy Family Midtown Park track area. This will be an unforgettable multicultural gathering that features worship teams

to work with a lender that fits your needs and can provide you with a mortgage that is suitable based on your income and expenses.

2. Pre-Qualification vs. Pre-Approval

There is a difference between being pre-qualified and pre-approved for a mortgage. Pre-qualification refers to a lender providing an estimate of how much you are eligible to borrow based on your financial information. Pre-approval, on the other hand, is a more rigorous process that involves a hard credit check and the submission of financial documentation. So, it is best to obtain pre-approval from a lender before you start shopping for homes.

3. What Should I Expect for Mortgage Pre-Approval?

When going through mortgage pre-approval, lenders will expect you to provide financial documentation to

prove your income and expenses. This will include pay stubs, tax returns, and bank statements. They will also run a hard credit check to assess your credit score. With this information, lenders will determine the maximum amount they can lend you to buy a home.

4. Start With a Budget

As you get into your home search, make sure you have a budget to ensure you don’t over-commit or overspend. A budget will help you understand what you can, and cannot afford, based on your income, monthly expenses, and pre-approved mortgage amount.

5. Time to Shop Around

Once you have been pre-approved for a mortgage, it is time for the fun part: shopping around for the home of your dreams. It is essential to consider all factors, such as location and price, when looking for a home. You will also need to ensure that

your offer is competitive enough to be accepted in the housing market. Finding the right Realtor is important for this!

Mortgage approval is not something to take lightly when preparing to purchase a home. It requires careful consideration of your financial situation, so it is best to consult with a knowledgeable mortgage lender who can guide you through the process. Understanding the mortgage approval process from pre-approval to final approval can help ensure a smooth process when buying your home.

Ken Hagler Alaskan Realtor® Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Dream Makers, Wasilla, AK 1051 E Horvath Dr Suite 103, Wasilla, AK (907)891-8830 www.alaskahomesforsale.realestate

MAT-SU VALLEY, ALASKA PAGE 8

8. You shall not steal.

9.       You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

LORD your God in vain.

Then we are told two things to do in our relationship with God.

4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

5. Honor your father and your mother.

Then we are told five things to not do in our community relationships.

6. You shall not murder.

7. You shall not commit adultery.

from Kingdom Alliance, New Seasons Church, and the Samoan community. You’ll be blown away by this event; attendees can expect to enjoy worship and short gospel messages from some of the best worship teams and speakers in our region. Seasoned ministers will be available to lead powerful times of prayer ministry as well. This event is sure to send you away feeling empowered and emboldened to share the good news of the gospel of Christ with others who need it most. Baptisms will be available at the end of the event, if you’d like to participate in that, bring a towel and be prepared to be dunked! It’s going to be an incredible day filled with faith, community, and transfor-

POLITICS & OPINION

Contributed by David Haeg

At 10 AM on June 23 Judge Margaret Murphy will be arraigned in the Kenai Courthouse on felony charges. Earlier the citizen Kenai Grand Jury currently investigating evidence of systemic corruption within Alaska’s judicial system indicted Judge Murphy on Class B felony charges of perjury after they subpoenaed and questioned her about the corruption.

AGJA thinks it critical that all citizens possible attend Judge Murphy’s arraignment, to show an apparently compromised Alaska court system that the public is watching, will not stand for Judge Murphy’s indictment to be dismissed before she stands trial, and, most importantly, that WE-THE-PEOPLE are aware of the Kenai Grand Jury’s bravery and that we have their back – no matter what Alaska’s judicial system throws against them (such as Supreme Court Order 1993 – on website alaskastateofcorruption.com)

Reporters have asked if other “shoes” will drop before the Kenai Grand Jury is done investigating and indicting. I told all of them to look at the evidence against Marla Greenstein (on website alaskastateofcorruption.com) – as she is the sole investigator of all complaints against Alaskan

judges for the last 33 years and counting - and evidence indicates she is directly involved in the same cover-up which led to the Kenai Grand Jury indicting Judge Murphy. I then pointed out that this means about 8000 judge investigations are now suspect (all of them since Ms. Greenstein started in 1989), so the Kenai Grand Jury might now be investigating hundreds, if not thousands, of Alaskan judges.

I also told the reporters that I believed the Kenai Grand Jury was aware of a tape-recording capturing District Attorney Scot Leaders and Alaska State Troopers discussing, before trial, how their trial evidence had been falsified so they could convict someone. I also pointed out SCO 1993’s “history” (at alaskastateofcorruption. com) implicates the entire Alaska Supreme Court in a conspiracy to unconstitutionally stop the Kenai Grand Jury’s investigation into judicial corruption – and that there is evidence Deputy Attorney General John Skidmore, Judge Jennifer Wells and others are also criminally involved in this.

In short, many more “shoes” may drop before the Kenai Grand Jury investigation is complete.

One change in AGJA policy: because we originally believed totally free discussion was important, we did not moderate

10.     You shall not covet anything that is your neighbor’s.  We can see this as a developmental progression. When you do the first three Commandments you are getting your vision of God in focus. Now that you clearly see His greatness you can do these two things in your relationship with Him, to focus on hope, as you pursue the depth of His love. You are busy living in the Sabbath cycle weekly and living under the influence of His Fatherhood daily.

mation.

Kingdom Alliance Network (KAN) is an Apostolic & Prophetic training center that equips, mobilizes, and commissions all Generations, Tribes & Nations to occupy their spheres of influence.

Robert and Eleanor Roehl and Mary Glazier are experienced and well-respected Alaskan Native leaders in the Christian community across Alaska and the Nation.

Robert Roehl is of Dena’ina Athabascan, Yupik, Aleut & Caucasian descent, his wife Eleanor Roehl (Nunapik: The Real Land) is Yupik Eskimo, from the village of New Stuyahok, Alaska. Mary Glazier is a Haida Indian born in Ketchikan, Alaska. Alaska is our home and we all agree that Alaska is

Now that you are avoiding misinformation about God, and feasting on His wonderous love, you are ready to have healthy community relationships. You have the proper framework to treat others well and not abuse them. You can be a full-fledged member of the community of grace.

The Ten Commandments provide a deeper framework for faith, hope, and love. In TheGraciousTenCommandments. com site we have a section that explores this more deeply. If you would like to explore this in Bible Study with likeminded people, we have a home Bible Study group. Email us at brettact2@gmail.com

the Great Land with a great destiny upon it.

Kingdom Alliance Network invites you to join us, coming together as a community to spread the saving power of Christ to the city. This event is a family-friendly, free event for our community but it does take finances to accomplish. Donations are gladly accepted here https://ppay.co/TSd9789UzbY or through our giving link on Kingdomallianceak.com by simply selecting Worship Alaska 2023 in the dropdown menu. Please come join the fun and help spread the love of Christ in our community!

MAT-SU VALLEY, ALASKA PAGE 8

our forums or accounts. But a few AGJA members/employees abused this freedom, launching personal attacks against other AGJA members/employees – attacks that had nothing to do with our goal of reviving the power of Grand Juries to protect citizens from government corruption. Although I hoped it would go away with time, it became a bigger and bigger distraction. As a result, we will now moderate and ask folks to please be respectful, and at all times aware of the incredibly important duty we now have – and that we may not agree on issues other than restoring Grand Jury powers.

Other than the forgoing hiccup, in just a few months AGJA has made unbelievable strides in: (1) educating the public and elected officials in the true duties and powers that Alaska’s Founding Fathers gave our Grand Juries and (2) restoring these duties and powers to our Grand Juries after over 30 years of unconstitutional suspension by the Alaska Supreme Court and other government officials.

Next steps will be: (1) making sure the Kenai Grand Jury (which has been investigating judicial corruption for about 11 months already) can issue any and all indictments and/or reports it wants, without any interference whatsoever by

government officials; (2) to organize AGJA into a non-profit (much like California did to combat similar corruption – see CGJA. org); (3) to obtain donations so AGJA can print and distribute Alaska’s original Grand Jury Handbook (which the government eliminated and replaced with a version that hides the constitutional powers and duties of Alaska’s citizen Grand Juries – see both versions at alaskastateofcorruption. com); (4) to obtain donations so AGJA can get booths at major public events; (5) to encourage and seek legislation to help keep corruption within Alaska’s judicial system from taking root again – protecting generations of Alaskans yet to be born; and (6) to encourage all Alaskans to become AGJA members – just send your name and email address to the address/ text number below.

Hope to see everyone at the Kenai Courthouse at 10 AM on June 23 for Judge Murphy’s arraignment! (We are also planning on a get together afterward at Los Compadres Mexican Restaurant in Kenai.)

(907) 398-6403 haeg@alaska.net alaskagrandjurorsassociation.org alaskastateofcorruption.com

Liberty, Liberally

I’m writing about this here, in Liberty Liberally, because child sex trafficking is modern-day slavery. Slaves have historically been treated as sex objects by those who traffic and control them. Considering that child sex trafficking is a real issue, not just a political football, it seems that we should take the time to educate ourselves about grooming, and to look at the available information about grooming apart from biased or skewed usage of the term.

into their partisan camps.

This issue, this real issue, should not be reduced to yet another preprogrammed debate for Republicans and Democrats. It should be something that transcends trending topics.

Peter Flaherty, chairman of the National Legal and Policy Center, has not been accused or convicted of abusing children or any related crimes. He is a shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway, and at a May 2023 shareholders meeting he spoke candidly from the stage about the connections between Bill Gates and Jeffrey Epstein. His microphone was silenced and he was arrested for criminal trespass. Again, this shows that power attracts those who lust after power. Bill Gates’ history with Jeffrey Epstein is well-documented, but his influence over the entire globe means that if you speak out about it, even as a shareholder at a shareholder meeting, you can be arrested and removed by force. We need more people like Peter Flaherty.

I asked ChatGPT about child predators and grooming tactics that they use, since “groomer” is getting tossed around more frequently lately. Here is how it responded, including six ways that groomers groom their victims:

Protecting children from predatory behaviors is crucial, and awareness of common grooming behaviors is the first step. Here are some signs parents should be aware of:

1. **Inappropriate attention**: Predators may show an unusual amount of interest in your child, often seeming overly friendly. They may also give excessive compliments or gifts.

2. **Secrecy**: They might encourage the child to keep secrets from their parents or guardians, or have conversations and activities that they insist remain between them and the child.

3. **Boundaries testing**: They could

regularly invade the child's personal space or discuss inappropriate topics, slowly normalizing this behavior.

4. **Isolation**: Predators may try to separate a child from their friends, siblings, or parents, either physically or emotionally.

5. **Online activity**: They often spend a lot of time interacting with children online, using social media, games, and chat apps. They may also try to send or request inappropriate images or videos.

6. **Role confusion**: Predators often blur the lines between the roles of adult and child. They may share inappropriate personal or emotional information with the child, or try to involve them in adult decisions or issues.

It's important to note that not everyone who displays these signs is a predator, but these behaviors warrant attention and careful action.

Simple Rudder

Jeffrey Epstein was a real individual who really was convicted of sex crimes against underage kids. He really was connected to other powerful people who were also suspected or convicted of similar crimes. There really are people who do this, but because of partisan politics, this issue has become fodder for the endless back-andforth debate that makes most of us just want to avoid it entirely. This is a tragedy for the young people who are being victimized by these criminals, because child sex crimes should be universally condemned, without any nuance. Instead, rightwing and leftwing partisans, who create the parameters of public discourse, have made it into yet another contrived controversy that repels the majority while corralling those who identify as partisans

Study these six behaviors, and don’t let partisan talking points skew your perception of this issue. The internet and the dark web have allowed these criminals to not only connect with vulnerable children, but also created opportunity for these predators to coordinate their efforts. It really is a real problem, and it’s getting worse. Don’t lose sight of that fact, simply because it’s been forced into a partisan playbook.

Some predators are Republicans, some Democrats. Some men, some women. Some old, some young. Some straight, some gay. The standards by which we measure predatory behavior doesn’t differ for any of these groups. We shouldn’t overlook this behavior because someone is a priest or because they are LGBTQ+. It’s wrong no matter who does it, and it’s not anti-Catholic or anti-gay to question these behaviors.

William Dale Zulock, 33, and Zachary Jacoby Zulock, 35, were arrested after they were exposed for not only molesting their own adopted sons, but also pimping these children out to a pedophile ring. The fact that they were gay or Democrat activists is not indicative of their crimes, and focusing on those characteristics can only distract from our society dealing with the problem.

Dennis Hastert was the longest-serving Republican Speaker Of The House of Representatives in history. In court submissions filed in April 2016, federal prosecutors alleged that Hastert had molested at least four boys as young as 14 years of age during his time as a high school wrestling coach. At a sentencing hearing, Hastert admitted that he had sexually abused boys whom he had coached. The fact that he was a high-ranking Republican leader should not be seen as a reflection of the Republican party, but again points to the predatory tendency of these abusers to seek out and achieve positions of influence and trust.

John Geoghan, an American Catholic Priest, raped over 150 boys during his assignment over multiple parishes in the Boston, Massachusetts area. He was convicted and sent to prison, where he was later killed by another inmate who had been victimized by Geoghan as a boy. The fact that he was a pedophile is not indicative of Catholicism or the Priesthood. It is indicative of the predatory behaviors of these abusers, seeking out positions of power and trust.

We’ve gotten a surprising number of donations from community members at The People’s Paper and Make A Scene Magazine over the years, and recently it’s increased with the publication of Liberty, Liberally.

We’ve also received many requests for subscription services, requests to mail Liberty, Liberally, and our other publications to people near and far... So we thought, why not make it easier to

By Joshua Fryfogle

Consider what the simple rudder can do Beneath the surface, hidden from view

Consider

donate, and get something in return, too? With a minimum $8 per month donation, you’ll receive a copy of each publication - and even special publications and other things that might fit in a Manila envelope! Thanks so much for your words of encouragement and financial support over the years. We take your trust very seriously, as we steward content from you and your neighbors onto the printed page. It’s an American tradition which we are blessed to uphold.

that the course is corrected, While the means of direction remain undetected

The bow moves first, before the stern There where the rudder makes the turn

The ship runs ashore with no captain to Consider what the simple rudder can do

Liberty, Liberally

Fickle & Foolish Bosses

Once I made a public post on social media acknowledging that Trump didn’t start any new wars. This made a lot of people angry, and there were several comments painting me as a Trump supporter, even though I’ve been an outspoken supporter of Libertarian candidates in both 2016 and 2020. I gave him credit where credit was due, that he was the only president in my lifetime that didn’t start a new war. Honestly, I posted it out of surprise. I even waited until he was officially out of office, because I half expected him to start one on the way out - but he didn’t. While Trump failed to deliver on his promise to end the wars, at least he didn’t start any new wars.

Recently I posted on social media about Tucker Carlson’s measurable success on Twitter, after leaving Fox News. I compared what was happening with Tucker on Twitter to what happened in the 1990s, when the band Nirvana started a process of displacing all the flashy pop metal acts like Poison and Def Leppard with their simple, flannelclad sound. It wasn’t an endorsement of Tucker Carlson, but I didn’t say mean things about him, so several folks responded as if I was singing his praises as a commentator.

As a third party voter, I don’t experience the emotional push and pull that those who vote in the two-party paradigm do. For them, it’s an all or nothing situation. Since my candidates never win (or very rarely, I should say), I never experience the sense of impending doom that the “other” candidate will win. I don’t experience the team sports mentality about politics that many people do. I don’t see a big difference between CNN or Fox News. To me, they’re just two sides of the same corporate coin. But for millions of people, they think of the “other” candidate, the “other” side, as the embodiment of all that is evil, and the side that they’ve identified with as being noble and good. And when their team fails in some way, they conveniently

blame the “other” team. It’s a perfect con that can be carried on forever.

I’ve never liked sports, either. It always seemed pointless to me, and polarized politics is just another kind of game. It’s not real, campaign promises are lies, and in the end you’ve given them a lot of money.

We should be able to acknowledge when a public servant, like the President, does something that we like. This is how we can encourage other public servants to do things that we like, by giving them public approval for those things. But we can’t, because we’ve been polarized to the point that we will be publicly shamed if we do. We should be able to criticize our own preferred candidates when they do something we don’t like, but we’ll be attacked by our own team as not being a team player. This is why we, the People, can’t get what we want from these public servants, because we can’t tell them when they screw up, or when they do good. It’s perpetual insanity.

This tribal politics is toxic. Politicians work for us, under the law, but in reality they don’t. And they know that they can’t be criticized by their team, and they can’t do anything to make the “other” side happy, or they’ll lose their team’s support. But the truth is, even though we have the freedom to associate, there’s nothing in our Constitutional form of government that requires that we even have political parties. Political parties came about after the fact, and are not necessary to the function of our selfgovernment.

I should be able to tell my employee when they do good, and when they don’t. But I can’t, and neither can you. That undermines the entire premise of selfgovernment. We have some terrible employees who can’t cooperate, and can’t even get along, but we are fickle and foolish bosses.

Abracadabra! Conflating Corporations With People

“Capitalism” isn’t what you think it is. But words are magic, that’s why they call it spelling. Let’s break down that spell...

First of all, “capitalism” is a loaded term from the start. If you look back at its usage over time, you see that it was popularized by Karl Marx in his work, ‘Das Kapital’. This is an important piece of the puzzle.

distinction between human individuals freely exchanging their labor for goods and services and a corporation pretending to be a person, exploiting the freedoms that human beings are guaranteed under the Constitution.

I’m of the opinion that corporations don’t exist. Like Santa Claus doesn’t exist. It’s a lie we tell ourselves, as a society, that we can create a person, ex nihilo. This is a throwback to authoritarianism, the idea that we can ‘author’ an entity by fiat. Author-itarianism is the belief that those in power can simply summon an entity, a body (‘corporation’ literally means ‘body’) and that makes it real. Legally these corporations are called ‘juridical persons’ or ‘legal persons’.

“Capitalism” is often conflated with the free market system. But I see them as two different things entirely. Marx avoided calling the Western economic system the free market, for obvious reasons.

“Free Market” clearly communicates freedom. The freedom to exchange goods and services appeals to everyone, because controlling the exchange of goods and services is literal slavery. If you can’t freely exchange your labor, the only alternative is that the government, or someone else, tell you when, where, and how you labor and spend.

Today, when people complain about “capitalism”, they’re not usually referring to the everyday economic interactions of individuals. They’re complaining about big businesses and corruption. They’re talking about big banks getting bailed out, they’re talking about golden parachutes for CEOs, they’re talking about corporatism. Most people who complain about “capitalism”, if you talk to them for a while and really listen, you realize that they’re talking about corporations, not individual humans freely trading their goods and services.

The problem is that “capitalism”, as it’s historically defined, does in fact include the free exchange of labor of individuals, along with that of corporations. So I always make sure that I use the word “corporatism” instead of “capitalism”, because that’s what they’re really critiquing.

Ironically, even those who defend the free market with their words - mostly Republicans and Libertarians - are more likely to refer to the free market as “capitalism” than they are to call it the free market. They, too, conflate the two. Sometimes out of habit and ignorance, but sometimes because they really believe in corporatism. Those who truly, knowingly support corporatism also like to conflate it with the free market by calling it capitalism. They draw no

Republicans and Marxists have this in common. They conflate the free market with corporatism, when they both call it “capitalism”. But it was Marx who popularized this now common conflation; he died before his political philosophy killed over 100 million human beings.

Mortality is something that humans have to reckon with. We know, each and every day, that we are mortal and that we will one day die. We can’t avoid it. Corporations do not have to die. They continue, on paper, in perpetuity. This gives these “legal persons” a distinct advantage over real human people. The law treats them as equals, despite the fact that human beings have to die, while corporations can continue.

I would go so far as to say that there is no negative part of “capitalism” that has anything to do with the basic freedom to exchange goods and services. Everything negative about so-called “capitalism” is really rooted in corporatism.

The word “capitalism” conflates the free market with corporatism. It posits that corporations are persons, legally, and therefore should have all the freedoms that an individual is guaranteed under the law. But a corporation is not an individual, and if it’s anything at all, it’s the opposite. It’s a collective. Still, both Republican leaders and Democrat leaders continue to use the word “capitalism” for both the principle of free exchange between individuals and the many machinations of international corporations.

Individuals, we human beings, are the true inheritors of the Rights that were endowed to us by a Creator. The Declaration of Independence declares that we inherit these unalienable rights, meaning that it’s impossible to remove these rights. They cannot be taken away, only infringed, because they are part of our individuality. This concept is the fundamental foundation of our Constitutional Republic. Nowhere does the Declaration make mention of these imaginary persons, these corporations. Human beings have many Rights, but we do not have the power to create as we speak - abracadabra!

Das Kapital, was published in 1867. You can see from the Google N-Gram (included below) that the word “capitalism” only emerged in the public discourse following its publication.

Contributed by Sydney Stokes

“In our work and in our living, we must recognize that difference is a reason for celebration and growth, rather than a reason for destruction.”- Audre Lorde: Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet. Audre Lorde famously recognized and addressed intersectional feminism and how radical community care can be. As a bisexual, Black, Nonbinary Woman, I resonate with Lorde’s message that to lead with love and allow yourself to feel means acknowledging all parts of your identity.

I am a board member of Identity Alaska and one of the Co-Chairs of the Pride Collective, which is a group of individuals, organization leaders, and community

Contributed by Doug Ferguson

I recently had a life changing medical experience that, among other things, required my receiving a state-of-the-art electronic pacemaker right here in Alaska. Without going into the details, this is beginning to return much of my health life back to normal.

Back in December of 2020 I published an article here titled “Modern Media Technology: Good or Evil?” where I addressed this question specifically to the communication world. At the beginning of that article I said:

There has always been a concept of “Good” and “Evil” in the history of the human race. “Good” being defined as those actions by humans that are intended to help other humans to experience reasonable levels of freedom, joy and happiness. “Evil” being defined as those intended human actions that do the opposite for selfserving purposes. There are more secular terms like “Beneficial” vs. Non-Beneficial”, but they don’t address the moral aspects of these actions based on the traditional values of our country. There have always been debates over whether or not gun powder, the atomic bomb, and similar

Contributed by Jean Holt

Mat-Su Residents, we have a problem!

Our Mat-Su Borough is re-doing the only regulations for water body setbacks. Ordinance Title 17.55 was established 50 years ago.  The 75-foot setback was established to protect all water bodies in the Mat-Su Borough. It is disturbing Mat-Su residents are continuing the need to defend the setback to protect water quality but here we are again 35 or more years later.

In September 2022, two Mat-Su Assembly members asked the Planning Department to address setback issues. Since then, there have been three revisions to MSB setback code of regulations. Those dates in 2023 were March 6th, March 20th, and the third revision introduced May 15, 2023.

In brief, the first/second revisions were

Contributed by Quin Townsend

Imagine Alaskans’ having better access to affordable, individualized health care. Costs can go down, even as more Alaskans increase their access to the providers they need. This future will require multiple changes in policy and attitudes, but one reform that should play a big role is protecting the direct health care (DHC) model, sometimes known as direct patient care (DPC).

DHC involves a contractual agreement between a patient and a provider for health care services in the form of a membership or subscription. It eliminates the price-distorting influence of third parties

members that are volunteering at many Pride events this year. The Pride Collective has established that we want to ensure Queer and Trans BIPOC organizations, artists, and community members are uplifted, supported, heard and have a safe space to represent their work and contributions to the community. Expanding on Identity Alaska: Identity’s mission is to advance Alaska’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, asexual, and two-spirited + community through advocacy, education, health care, and connectivity.

This year on June 24th, the Alaskans Together For Equality will host the Anchorage Pride Parade and is now accepting applications for participants and sponsors.

The Anchorage Pride Parade will be held at 11:30am at the Delaney Park Strip, and the application deadline is June 10th. The Celebrate Pride festival will follow the Parade on June 24th and will be held at the Delaney Park Strip from 12pm-5pm. Hosted by Darrin Huycke from Huycke Entertainment, Celebrate Pride is accepting applications for vendors and performers.

If you are interested in being a vendor, volunteer, or want to register to be in the Parade, or have any additional questions, you can reach out to me via email which is sydneyastokes16@gmail.com , or contact JJ Harrier at jj_harrier@yahoo.com and Darrin Huycke at huycke.entertainment@ gmail.com. Regarding the Parade, there is a need for volunteers on the day of and for groups to register to be in the Parade. There are also three levels of parade entries:

For-Profit Parade Participant ($100)

Non-Profit Parade Participant ($60)

LGBTQ+ Group Parade Participant ($40)

There are also three sponsorship levels ($500 to $3,000) from LGBTQ+ supporting businesses only.

The Pride Collective is gently asking for donations to support this year’s Rainbow Run on June 20th, hosted by Anchorage Front Runners, Snow City Cafe, and Four A’s. The Pride Collective aims to volunteer in any way possible for many Pride events, and for the Rainbow Run, we are obtaining the food and eating supplies portion of the event. We are also aiming to help cook, which we are working to recruit folks that have their food handling cards.

We are a safe space for all folks interested in supporting and facilitating Pride events to join the conversation and organize as a community to have all Pride events accessible, collaborative, and community-focused.

inventions have favored “Good” or “Evil” in history. The same holds true for most forms of technology development.

I then made the case for the “Evil” side in the communication arena where a few people and organizations can control the information and/or propaganda sent to millions of people overnight and thus affect election outcomes. I didn’t even mention the potential terrible human destruction that modern nuclear technology can achieve if some humans decide to use it.

My health being the recent beneficiary of modern technology, once more this has caused me to reflect on the controversial subject of human’s development and use of technology: Is it for good or evil? Clearly for my health, and many others like me around the world, electronic pacemaker technology has been “good”. Without addressing the question: has everyone’s receiving one extended quality of life been “good” or not, from a health point of view, the case for “good” is overwhelming.

Has everyone who has had their life extended by medical technology actually had an improved quality of life? Or did their misery, real or imagined, just continue? It would be interesting to see data on this. Certainly those with extreme pain

or physical discomfort might not. However those with a sense of continued purpose in life would value the extension. Thus an individual’s situation and/or mental state would determine whether the extension of life was “Good” or “Evil”.

As a retired electrical engineer who was been involved and close to the electronic technology industry for most of my forty year career, I sometimes find it hard to believe how fast the electronic technology that is the basis for pacemakers and other health devices has progressed.

For example, early computers using solid state technology (as opposed to relays and vacuum tubes) contained transistors measuring in the thousands for the entire computer. Now a single silicon chip in a pacemaker can contain millions! The 2-chip package in Apple’s latest microprocessor used in Mac products released last year contains over 120 billion transistors!

Medtronics and some others have recently developed micro pacemakers the size of a vitamin capsule for some conditions that is installed directly in the heart chamber, doesn’t require leads threaded through blood vessels and has a battery life of more than 17 years!

For those of us graduating in the late

50’s and early 60’s, this advancement of “good” technology was what most of us young and idealistic engineers thought we were doing to improve the world! Certainly in the medical field this has been the case and provides a counterpoint to the “Evil” use of advanced technology my previous article featured.

Reflecting on both “Good” and “Evil” scenarios, it remains to be seen whether humans can advance technology for the benefit of the human race or whether that advance destroys it. We can hope and pray for the former.

Doug Ferguson is a retired engineer living in Palmer with interests in nature, gardening, technology, history and human nature.

foot setback BUT NO LESS THAN 25 FEET with {costly} mitigation measures.

written allowing dwellings within the 75foot setback with specific requirements.  The third/current revision includes a dwelling setback down to 25 feet with specific requirements.  The problem is who will enforce the new requirements with the costs involved. The MSB does not enforce codes – they create more problems by changing what codes are on the books.

The Mat-Su Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) was established by the Mat-Su Borough Assembly in 2007 to advise and make recommendations to the Assembly, Borough Manager, various boards, State, etc., regarding fish, wildlife, enforcement, habitat, etc., on these issues.

FWC opposed the change to the 75-foot setback. In their resolution, they wanted the Assembly to fail the ordinance. The first two revisions included FWC recommenda-

like insurance companies for basic care, and, instead, allows patients to pay flat (typically monthly) fees for routine visits with and regular access to their providers without having to worry about unforeseen bills.

DHC does not rely on health insurance or cost-sharing groups and should be legally classified differently. With inappropriate regulation out of the way, services can flourish. In Montana, for instance, legislation protecting DHC practices fostered a boom across the state, producing better health care access and lowering costs for Montanans. Alaska should do the same.

Montana passed its legislation, SB 101, in 2021, authorizing direct patient care

Contributed by David Bartels

$10,000.00 reward upon My approval for a member of the Bar (Judge or Lawyer) who can “prove” by clear and unquestionable authority of “law”not by mere “say so”) “NO”following point Is true and NOT fraud, unlawful, and VOID (which the servants used to deprive Me of my Castle etc.) Including but not limited to:

1. The outside the Law “Code”of Civil “Procedure” created by/of the servants over rules the Supreme Law of the Land of We the People in our Warrant and due Process of Law clauses.

2. The “boundaries” of the “Third Judicial District” are prescribed by “Law” in which

to to exercise jurisdiction. (None exist, only by SCO)

3. After the fraudulent “notice” of deprivation of My Castle in the Decree of Divorce NO scheduled “hearing” was provided before transfer of title.

4. NO separate Final “Judgment” document was ever rendered. (None exists!) (124)

5. NO authority of law was demonstrated that the Plaintiff has a superior “legal right” to mine to the whole of “their” castle and other private property in our no fault divorce. (None exists)

6. NO clear and unquestionable authority of law a superior court of the Alaska Court System has “power” prescribed by

tions. However, the MSB third revision by MSB Planning had no FWC recommendations whatsoever!

The FWC resolution indicated Mat-Su Borough spent 20 million dollars over the years for protection of fish habitat with aquatic restoration projects. This setback change will undue what is accomplished to date.

Another problem! Currently over 800 violations are within the 75-foot setback. The third revision ‘eliminates’ all existing violations not in compliance of the 75-foot setback. Over the years, MSB did no enforcement to prevent buildings that are in violation of their code. This speaks loudly for the residents following rules and abiding with the 75-foot setback.

The third revision added Section F. This section allows structures within the 75-

agreements. The law establishes that DHC is not health insurance, while making the agreements subject to consumer protection laws. Prior to that, the DHC model existed under Montana regulation but was not protected by statute.

Now, the state has at least 17 DHC providers, according to the Frontier Institute, including primary care doctors, naturopaths, nurse practitioners, and pharmacists. One DHC team/facility focuses specifically on diabetes care and management, while another DHC provider visits patients in their homes or other locations — increasing access to the kind of individualized, affordable care many people need. Since the implementation of SB 101,

law in our no fault divorce to violate our Warrant clause and involuntarily deprive Me of My Castle and other private property (None exists).

7. NO “persons” prescribed by law under or subject to the jurisdiction of the code of civil “procedure” in our no fault divorce. (None exist).

8. Employee Cutler fraudulently hand wrote on my 2nd Order withdrawing all of My consent: “It ‘appears’ the relief sought is unavailable”.  (Citing no authority of law to support her lie, and opposing Counsel Barron in ACS Supreme Court hearing said: “Frankly, Judge Cutler and I did NOT know what to do with it.” “it” means my timely formal withdrawal of ALL of my consent.

9. servants are engaged in Crime NOT Justice and violated “the supreme Law”)? Everyone knows much injustice exists in

Bottom line is we are going backward. MSB has conducted multitude studies to protect water quality and shoreline habitat over the years. The setback revisions are inconsistent with what the FWC resolutions indicated.

It is of utmost importance that individuals need to attend the meetings to oppose the proposed changes for the setbacks.  Letters also should be sent to the Assembly on the Friday before the meetings.

The information for setback meetings are as follows:

Planning Commission – Public Hearing –Monday, June 5, 2023- 6 pm – MSB Bldg. MSB  Assembly -Intro to Setbacks – Tuesday, June 20, 2023 – 6 pm – MSB Bldg., MSB  Assembly – Public Hearing – Tuesday, July 18, 2023 – 6 pm – MSB Bldg.  , Jean Holt, Palmer,AK.

Montana’s average monthly membership fee for DHC is just $77 for comprehensive primary care.

The Frontier Institute estimates that Montana’s DHC industry provides approximately “5,000 Montana patients with affordable, high-quality health care.” If the direct care model were to work as well in Alaska as it does in Montana — and why wouldn’t it? — thousands of our neighbors would benefit immensely. The model has been proven in Montana, and Alaska should join the movement to usher in this innovative approach to delivering health care.

Quinn Townsend is the Policy Manager at Alaska Policy Forum.

their court System and  many servants and Lawyers are Indifferent to and advocates of violations of the universal supreme Law,” Thou shalt not Steal, and the Supreme Law of the Land of man in our Warrant clause: the right of the people to be SECURE in their persons, HOUSES, papers and other property “SHALL NOT be violated!”Our Warrant clause essentially secures our ALL from being deprived without a Warrant which in proper cases issues for criminal activity: or violations of law in a “criminal case.” Not in a mere private civil matter under “equal protection of the Law”in a NOfault divorce which proceeds NOT “in Law” and involves NO crime and No violation of the Law and “a private realm of family life which the state CANNOT enter.” Servants cease and desist in your Crime, fraud, and injustice NOW! Blessings to ALL!

POLITICS & OPINION

Contributed by Cindy Calzada

Last month I told you about the latest idea by the State Senate Finance Committee to get their hands on more of the PFD. 75% of our PFD checks to be exact… the 75/25 steal of the PFD. They get 75% of our dividends and give us 25%. Last month it was just a bill going through the Senate and I explained to you that it still needed to pass the House. The House had wanted a 50/50 split of the PFD but apparently since my last article, the House didn’t have enough votes to get a 50/50 PFD and in Day 1 of the special legislative session the House also passed the budget with the 75/25 steal of the PFD included in it.

The things that go on in the Legislature each year can be very complicated and it’s hard to keep up with what our individual legislators are doing to help or hurt us. I personally think the steal of the PFD is hurtful to Alaskans and I researched how our legislators voted on this issue. I told you how the Senate voted in last month’s issue of the People’s Paper and now I’d like to make sure you know how the House ended up voting on the 75/25 steal of the PFD. Hopefully, you know who your legislators are and will call their offices to

Contributed by Sean Murphy

This is the third part of our series of articles to describe an education model for the new Chugach Regional Borough. This third article discusses the effects of federal law on school district authority in Alaska. The federal government has had a major impact on delivering a strong posture of influence into the foundation strength and authority of Alaska School districts.

In 2018, former Eagle River/Chugiak State Senator Anna MacKinnon stated, “We always see districts asking for more money to do exactly what they’re doing. And I’m telling you: It appears the system is broken.”

With Senator MacKinnon’s words echoing throughout this series of articles, the need for our community to participate becomes more critical.

Federal Education Funding

In addition to state funding, which we will discuss in later articles, public schools in Alaska also receive federal funding through programs such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). The intent of these programs is to provide funding for specific identity populations of students, such as those with disabilities and those from lowincome families, to help ensure that they have the resources they need to succeed in school.

With the respective definitions of these

Contributed by A True Follower of Christ

When is it okay to kill a human? Is it when they’re threatening you? What about if they said mean things behind your back? Is it when they’re annoying, or infuriating to be around? Is it when they are an..inconvenience? I’ve seen this issue come up many times in all circles of life where of course varied answers are expected, but how is it that so many self-proclaimed Christians are divided on this? Even in the May edition of this paper Alaska’s very own Charles Dean Walker gave his opinion on this topic with a so-called “Christian” view that was as anti-Christ as a view can be.

God’s Word is clear, we’re us from the moment we’re conceived and we’re made in the image of Him. Even embryologists with an atheistic view of the world can agree that life begins at the moment of conception(1), so why is there so much confusion in the minds of “believers”? “Believers” like Charles who claim to care that people are dying while not caring about the most vulnerable population in America being slaughtered by the hundreds of thousands each year. Ripped apart, getting their skulls crushed, sucked out of the womb through a vacuum, and disposed of like garbage, that’s what is occurring to our most precious population every single day. It’s the most satanic thing we do in this country, yet where is the voice of one cry-

tell them how you feel about their votes to take 75% of our PFD’s.

There are 40 Representatives in the House. Legislators voting Yes concurring with the Senate’s plan to steal 75 percent of the PFD from Alaskans were: Jennie Armstrong, Ashley Carrick, Mike Cronk, Maxine Dibert, Bryce Edgmon, Zack Fields, Alyse Galvin, Andrew Gray, Cliff Groh, Sara Hannan, Rebecca Himschoot, Craig Johnson, Delena Johnson, Andy Josephson, Kevin McCabe, C J McCormick, Tom McKay, Donna Mears, Genevieve Mina, Dan Ortiz, Josiah Patkotak, Calvin Schrage, Will Stapp, Andi Story, Louise Stutes, and Jesse Sumner. It’s because of these legislators, along with the Senators that I told you about last month, that you are losing 75% of your PFD this year.

No Votes – those House members that refused to concur with the Senate’s plan to steal 75 per cent of the PFD were: Jamie Allard, Ben Carpenter, Julie Coulombe, David Eastman, Neal Foster, Mike Prax, George Rauscher, Justin Ruffridge, Dan Saddler, Laddie Shaw, Cathy Tilton, Frank Tomaszewski, Sarah Vance and Stanley Wright. Thanks to these legislators who stood by Alaskans in the fight against this 75/25 steal of the PFD.

The bill now goes to Governor Dunleavey to sign. Will he sign it? He’s always said he’s for giving the people their full PFD’s. Will he now allow the legislature to take 75% of our dividends? A budget needs to be signed by the fiscal year end, June 30th. I’m not sure what choices he has now but I hope he comes up with some way to stop what I’m calling the steal of the PFD.

It appears there are many legislators that no longer respect the original purpose of the PFD, which was set aside as the people’s share of our oil wealth starting in 1976. It was never meant to be used for government services. A few times it was put up for a vote whether the people of Alaska wanted to let legislators use the PFD for government services and each time the vote was a resounding “NO”. However, we voted legislators into office who decided to ignore the will of the people and do it anyway. So now you have the names of the legislators who “took” the PFD from you and those who fought on the side of “Not” taking it from you. If you care, like I do, it’s your responsibility to make changes in the legislature next time you go to the polls to vote. My suggestion is if they voted to take 75% of your PFD,

including students with disabilities. ESEA does not have its own definition of disabilities, but instead references the IDEA for the definition of a “child with a disability.”

vote them out of office.

If you think I’m harsh, that these poor legislators had no choice but to use our PFD, think again. You don’t know the whole story. The PFD should have been the last place they went to pay for government. It was clearly their choice to take the PFD from us and not from a fairer tax or by correcting the oil tax credit system that has been taking billions of dollars from the State of Alaska every year and giving it to the wealthy oil giants: Exxon, Conoco Phillips and Hillcorp. They are robbing from the poor and giving to the rich. As I mentioned in last month’s article “The Latest PFD Steal”, there was a bill in the Senate, SB114, which would have corrected the corrupt tax system that has taken billions of dollars from Alaska and caused us to be in the situation we are in now - not having enough money to pay our bills. Instead of passing this bill, they left it on the table and pushed for taking more of the PFD instead. Bert Steadman and others had the nerve to say they left us with a reasonable dividend. It was not reasonable. It was theft of the majority of our PFD’s and I don’t think they’ll stop till they get it all. You better start watching more closely what’s going on with these legislators. We need to start putting more legislators in office that are on the side of the people and get rid of those who aren’t.

limited to:

Physical impairments, such as mobility impairments, hearing or vision impairments, or chronic health conditions

identity populations, IDEA sets forth a variety of definitions which are very broad and subject ultimately and solely to the school district’s discretion and interpretation.

IDEA is a federal law that governs the education of students with disabilities in the United States. The IDEA defines a “disability” as:

Autistic

Deaf-blindness

Deafness

Emotional disturbance

Hearing impairment

Intellectual disability

Multiple disabilities

Orthopedic impairment

Other health impairment

Specific learning disability

Speech or language impairment

Traumatic brain injury

Visual impairment, including blindness

IDEA also states that a student with a disability is one who “has been evaluated and determined to have a disability and needs special education and related services.” In other words, the student must have a condition that affects their ability to learn and benefit from their education and must require special accommodations or services to succeed in school.

It’s important to note that definition of disabilities and the way it’s applied by the State of Alaska.

Title I of ESEA is a federal law that provides funding to schools to support the education of disadvantaged students,

So, the definition of disabilities in Title I of the ESEA is the same as the definition of disabilities in the IDEA.

Title I of ESEA provides funding to schools with high percentages of lowincome students to help improve their academic achievement. The funding can be used for a variety of purposes, such as hiring additional staff, providing professional development for teachers, or purchasing educational materials. Schools are required to use Title I funds to provide additional support to students with disabilities, so that they can participate in the same programs and activities as their non-disabled peers.

Ironically, the funding mechanisms of Title I are designed to incentivize poor student performance and outcome and disincentivize excellent performance and outcome. In other words, school districts receive more Title I funds for poor student performance and less Title I funds for excellent student performance.

Another relevant federal statute is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The ADA is a federal law that prohibits discrimination based on disability in employment, state and local government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications. The ADA defines disability as “a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual.”

The definition of disability under the ADA is quite broad, and it covers a wide range of impairments, including but not

Mental impairments, such as depression, anxiety, or intellectual disabilities

Cognitive impairments, such as memory loss or difficulty with concentration

It also includes conditions that are episodic or in remission if it would substantially limit a major life activity when active.

Additionally, the ADA also covers individuals who are regarded as having a disability, whether or not they actually have a disability. This includes individuals who are discriminated against because of their perceived association with an individual with a disability.

It’s important to note that the ADA applies to employers with 15 or more employees, and to state and local government entities.

The ADA is a federal law that supplements state laws. It is intended to guarantee that individuals with disabilities are not discriminated against in the workplace or in public spaces.

In our next article we will discuss the Correspondence School Allotment Program (CSAP) which is a program that gives families the option to use a portion of the state education funding allocated for their child in a public school to pay for private school tuition or homeschool expenses.

We encourage you to get involved, too! Feel free to call us anytime, and don’t hesitate to come to our weekly Tuesday evening meetings at the Cozy Carpet Warehouse behind the store at 7 pm.

ing in the wilderness? Where is the voice for the voiceless? I’ll be that voice for the moment, but it is all of our responsibilities to be that voice. This modern day genocide is only going to continue until we put a stop to it.

Think about the question at the beginning, when is it okay to kill a human? The only difference between you, the reader reading this and a human life in the earliest stages of development in the womb are four things:

1. Level of development

2. Level of dependency

3. Cognitive awareness

4. Location. Due to which of these is it okay to rip them apart and destroy them?

As to the first point, none of us are done developing until our early-mid twenties. Could a mother suffocate her 2 year old son because he’s not done developing yet and she wants to save some money on bills? Could a father smash his daughter apart days after being born because she’s not developed yet and he changed his mind on wanting her? As to the second point, while a baby in the womb is dependent upon its mother, is not every other child outside of the womb? What 1 year old can live independently from a loving parent or guardian? Does that give us a right to end their life? What about the third difference between the average adult and the baby in the womb, cognitive awareness? Is it okay to kill them because they aren’t as..aware? Do babies not startle

in the womb? Recognize their mother’s voice? Move, and kick, and wiggle? If we can kill them because they can’t do college algebra or they don’t have object permanence then can we kill the man in a coma? What if someone has mental disabilities? Can we end their life too because they can’t do what the average human can? Lastly the fourth point, location. Too often I hear “my body my choice” yet that argument falls flat in the face of science because..it isn’t just “your” body. The baby is its own independent and unique creation, simply in the mother for a short time. If a mother can kill her child due to being in her, what about my property? If I decide my child is no longer wanted due to convenience, can I just end their life since they’re on my property? That’s what most abortions come down too at the core anyways, convenience. “I’m just not ready”, “I’m not financially stable enough”, “I don’t want kids right now”,”It’s all about me”. It’s a selfish lack of accountability and responsibility plaguing our country.

The same arguments made today to dehumanize children in the womb are the same arguments used during the transatlantic slave trade in America to dehumanize Africans and the same arguments used to dehumanize Jews during the Holocaust. “It’s my property, if you don’t like it you don’t do it then!”, “They’re not even as aware as we are, they’re just like an ani-

mal!”, “It’s just a clump of cells..who cares?”, “They’re lesser than us, undesirable”. It took abolitionists to step up against the societal standard and say enough is enough, these are humans too. It took soldiers to bring down the Nazi regime and say..enough is enough, these are humans too.

Finally I have a few warnings and a message of hope. We’re given a grim reminder by God Almighty that hands that shed innocent blood are an abomination unto Him (Proverbs 6:16-17 KJV). What blood is more innocent than that of the unborn child? What sin have they committed?

If you’ve ever had an abortion, the time to repent is now. Jesus Christ died for all of our sins and if you turn away and call on His Name then you can receive mercy and grace. Live your life for the Lord and don’t look back. If you’re considering an abortion, I plead with your soul. There are resources available(2) that will help you, and a loving God who created you too. Don’t commit a selfish act that will haunt you for the rest of your life. Lastly I have a warning for you Charles and any “Christian” like you who thinks this disgusting act is acceptable in the eyes of the Lord. You better repent, because He is returning soon with eyes of fire and a sword for a tongue and He warns what will happen to those who call his Name but do not know Him.

Read Matthew 7:21-23.

https://www.princeton.edu/~prolife/ articles/embryoquotes2.html

https://www.heartreachalaska.com/

Contributed by Elaine Hedden

William Shakespeare was quoted once as saying, “The eyes are the window to your soul.”

He often found much inspiration in his writings from Scripture. In Matthew 6:22,  Christ taught “Your eyes are windows into your body.” Is there some truth to these statements? Can we gain any health information from patterns and pigments in the eyes?

As a Physical Therapist, I have been taught to use critical thinking skills and the Socratic method of ascertainment when assessing a patient, a technique, or a healing modality. In the current scientific methodology, there is a term known as “evidence based practice.” This methodology is based upon clear, objective, measurable evidence for various healing modalities and techniques.

Doing a search on Google would lead one to conclude that Iridology, (the study of the iris) and Sclerology (the study of the whites of the eyes) are simply pseudoscience, and can be written off as ‘hogwash’. It is interesting to note that Google is highly invested in the Pharmaco-medical model, and anything that is outside of drugs or surgery is seen as questionable if not labeled as mis-information. (See Kate Raines’ article titled, Google Joins the Pharmaceutical Industry published on August 23, 2019 in The Vaccine Reaction). So based on all of my training and what “science says,” why in the world would I take a 20-week certification course to become an Iridologist?

About 15 years ago I had a patient who was a very sweet woman, but she was severely ill with multiple chronic conditions. She was taking, at that time, FIFTEEN prescription medications. I knew her health history and was very familiar with her orthopedic issues. I had heard about Iridology and knew that there was an Iridologist in the valley. I was intrigued, but naturally very skeptical. I mentioned this Iridologist to my patient, and she said she would be willing to go. I asked her if I could come along, and “just be a fly on the wall” to see what it was all about. She agreed and I went with her to her appointment, sat on the couch and just

listened, observed and used my critical thinking skills. My patient had never met the Iridologist. The Iridologist proceeded to photograph both of her eyes. She projected her eye photos on a large screen TV and studied them for about five minutes.

What happened next blew me away. This Iridologist that had never met my patient asked her when she was first diagnosed with asthma. My patient told her that when she was four years old she started getting asthma-like symptoms and that’s when she was diagnosed. I wondered to myself how can she tell that my patient has asthma?!? I KNEW this was the first time my patient met the Iridologist and at the time they met, my patient was showing no signs of asthma, so it wasn’t as if she could hear her wheezing or pick up physiologic signs of asthma.

The next question stunned me away as well. The Iridologist asked my patient how long she had been having left hip arthritis. That was one of the orthopedic issues we were working on; trying to prevent left hip replacement surgery. I was very intrigued by this Iridologist, and that experience always left me wondering if there was something legitimate to this

Contributed by Marilyn Bennett

Perhaps you need to make a list. A list of what you need to do today. A list of the the projects that you have been putting off or at least a list of the little things that need doing before attacking those larger projects. Why a List? Because when you write things down it makes them real and then when you check things off the list it is that sweet feeling of knowing you are working towards something.

We all need a purpose and writing out a list gives focus and purpose to what was just a dream before writing it down. Why is it important to have a purpose?

A purpose gives direction and focus. Without it a person can waste time and so become depressed. A purpose helps you get through the rough paths of life and also keeps depression at bay during dull or boring tasks.

Everyone’s purpose is unique. It can be striving to become better at whatever is important to you. I work at being a better writer, an adequate artist, and try my best to create a beautiful garden. When my Dad retired, he strove for years to improve his golf game and actually got pretty good. Maybe you would like to become involved in the community to help others, or perhaps restore an old car. It doesn’t matter what your project is, as long as it drives you and brings you fulfillment.

I have seen people retire or lose their job and sink into depression because they have not looked for a new purpose in their life. The death or serious illness of a loved one or the last child leaving home can totally up-end your life and force you to reassess your current direction in life. As we go through our life, one chapter closes and another opens and it is up to us to make the next life chapter as fulfilling as we can. This is very important to keep ourselves emotionally balanced. What gives your life meaning? Why are you here? What should you do with the rest of your life? These are important and practical questions that we all ask ourselves at times. We all need a reason to wake up and go forward with our

lives and to do so we all need a purpose. A purpose that will give us satisfaction or joy. Some people may want to make the world a better place while others are looking to bring beauty into the world. I find my greatest satisfaction in gardening, as watching my plants grow and bloom seems almost magical to me. We also have bird feeders and seeing the birds and the squirrel parade around our deck is just fun. I Have considered becoming a bird counter but that is something for another day. There are so many different things that can give a life meaning. But this is your life, and only you can decide what new goal or old hobby will give your life purpose. Remember that when there are big changes in your life or you are just feeing useless or untethered it may be time to sit down and brainstorm. Consider all the things you have started or thought about starting in the past. It is never too late to create something new. Then decide which ideas are reasonable and could be reachable before taking the first step to move forward with a new project. Start with a daily list but do not overwhelm yourself.

If you are having a low energy day only do one or two of the items on the list. It is enough to get up, go outside for a short walk and work on something easy while planning a more ambitious day for later in the week. If you are having trouble working on your goals you may need to reassess them. Goals are only attainable if you enjoy working on them. A goal has to be something you really want to do, not just something you think you should do.

Well that is about all I have to say on this subject and I had better get back to my list and cross off “finish this article before the 10th of the month”. Good luck to you with your projects and have a happy list making day. Be sure to add something fun to your list so as to be sure to have one thing to cross off at the end of the day. In any case do not have another listless day. Or a day without a list.

Questions that we all ask ourselves at times. We all need a reason to wake up

practice.

Last fall I had the opportunity to take a 20-week Iridology certification course with Judith Cobb. In our interview on my podcast, Thriving Within, Judith Cobb discussed the unfortunate myths about Iridology that are out there on the Internet and in some alternative health circles. She also discusses what evidence there is for Iridology, and what it is in the scope of a holistic health practice.

It’s important to know that Iridology is NOT diagnostic in nature —true Iridology does not predict disease and does not diagnose. What it does do is provide guidance, like a map, where a person’s constitution and condition is currently. It has been an effective assessment tool and complementary in my holistic Physical Therapy practice.

The assessment process is very gentle. It consists of taking multiple photos of each eye in low light conditions to fully see all of the iris, sclera, and into the pupil. The information I gain from a client’s eye is then added to the information that I get from my orthopedic Physical Therapy assessment of the client’s health issues. There’s a strong correlation between the client’s eyes and the health or orthopedic condition.

For example, a client may have a number of issues with the lymphatic system, and the lymphatic component of the eyes are also significant, observable and measurable. It is one more tool in the toolbox to look more deeply into my client’s health and wellness issues. After using my critical thinking skills and the Socratic method of asking questions from all perspectives, I can’t help but agree with not only Shakespeare but Jesus Christ as well. Our eyes tell a lot about our health.

If you are interested in learning more about iridology, scan the QR code below, which will take you to the interview with my Dynamic Iridology instructor, Judith Cobb.

If you are interested in setting up an Iridology consult, feel free to call me at 907-622-2327. I specialize in chronic pain, low back pain and chronic neck pain. I use various healing modalities that are natural and non-pharmacologic. Call me today to start your health and wellness journey.

and go forward with our lives and to do so we all need a purpose. A purpose that will give us satisfaction or joy. Some people may want to make the world a better place while others are looking to bring beauty into the world. I find my greatest satisfaction in gardening, as watching my plants grow and bloom seems almost magical to me. We also have bird feeders and seeing the birds and the squirrel parade around our deck is just fun. I Have considered becoming a bird counter but that is something for another day.

There are so many different things that can give a life meaning. But this is your life, and only you can decide what new goal or old hobby will give your life purpose.

Remember that when there are big changes in your life or you are just feeing useless or untethered it may be time to sit down and brainstorm. Consider all the things you have started or thought about starting in the past. It is never too late to create something new.

Then decide which ideas are reasonable and could be reachable before taking the first step to move forward with a new project. Start with a daily list but do not overwhelm yourself. If you are having a low energy day only do one or two of the items on the list. It is enough to get up, go outside for a short walk and work on something easy while planning a more ambitious day for later in the week. If you are having trouble working on your goals you may need to reassess them. Goals are only attainable if you enjoy working on them. A goal has to be something you really want to do, not just something you think you should do.

Well that is about all I have to say on this subject and I had better get back to my list and cross off “finish this article before the 10th of the month”. Good luck to you with your projects and have a happy list making day. Be sure to add something fun to your list so as to be sure to have one thing to cross off at the end of the day. In any case do not have another listless day. Or a day without a list.

Contributed by Bailey Stuart

In 2022 studies were done of the phytochemical diversity of commercial Cannabis in the United States as well as analysis of cannabinoid profiles in narrow leaf and board leaf cannabis. What does this mean? To put it simply there were studies done on the differences between indica and sativa strains, narrow leaf refers to just that, a narrow leaf plant and broad leaf refers to a board leaf plant. Culturally when we talk about indica we are talking about board leaf Cannabis indica Lam. plants, and with sativa we are talking about narrow leaf Cannabis sativa L. plants. When you go into your local dispensary, and you ask for an indica dominate strain you are asking for a broad leaf cannabis plant. Typically known for its sedating qualities versus sativa which is known for its energic and creative euphoria. However, what came out of this study and what many connoisseurs of cannabis already know is that the plant being narrow leaf or broad leaf isn’t a great indicator of its associated euphoria. It’s well known in our community that you can purchase a narrow leaf “sativa” strain and have indica like euphoria, and that’s because the cannabinoid and terpene profile is more of a sedating profile even though its growing on a narrow leaf plant.

I know what your thinking… well how do you know what to buy then? I can not stress enough to do what we call titration. It’s something we talk in depth about in my course. Titration is a way of starting at low doses, and gradually taking larger doses until you find the target dose. You can always consume more but you never consume less once ingested. With this frame of reference, we ask that when you start trying out what cannabis best works with your endocannabinoid system that

you start with a flower that smells good to you. Take a couple “tokes” smoked, or vaporized, and give yourself about 20 minutes to let it set in and then ask yourself how do you feel? Is this feeling uplifting? Is this feeling sedating? Am I feeling too euphoric or not enough? Next step, and most important step, write it down! Start a little journal, a journal to help you understand your endocannabinoid system and what makes you feel the best. When

you start understanding the profiles of the cannabis you can start making better purchasing decisions and take all the guess work out of buying cannabis.

Even though many studies state that limonene is uplifting and myrcene is sedating it doesn’t mean that is how your body and endocannabinoid system will react to it. We all are so different and that is why it is so important that you get to know your body, that you purchase

quality cannabis that has certificates of analysis (testing results) with terpene profiles tested so that you know exactly what you’re consuming. Also, keep in mind, those 113 known cannabinoids that are also playing into the entourage effect. When you start dialing in what you enjoy and what you are looking for, your cannabis consumption experience broadens and becomes more pleasurable to you.

We’ve also all heard the same story over time from our friends. That they tried it and just didn’t like it. Well now we should be asking our friends and associates did you know what you were consuming? Did they smoke it, or eat it? Did your friends try a homemade overdosed edible and have a horror story?

And did they notice the cannabinoids and terpene profiles when you purchased the product? All these things can start a conversation that changes stigma and educates our community about what marijuana really is. Cannabis consumptions comes in many forms and understanding the entourage effects and the different types of cannabis out there can help you have a consistently enjoyable experience. Additionally, the entourage experience doesn’t just end with testing results and your body’s response to cannabinoids. It ends and begins with surroundings and emotional wellbeing, what some call the set and setting. Where have you consumed and why? Are you surrounded by some of your best friends? Are you looking to relax and get to bed peacefully and pain free? Maybe you’re alone just sitting around a campfire thinking about the past. At the end of the day remember when, where and why you consume cannabis matters too. Be safe, be considerate and be mindful.

Author: Bailey Stuart Adjunct Professor UAA Green Jar | Owner

Chugiak - Eagle River Alaska's

Basecamp for Adventure

Bear Paw Festival 2023

Home of the Grand Parade, Slippery Salmon Olympics, Teddy Bear Picnic, Human Foosball Tournament, Classic Car Show, Bear Paw Community Awards, AND SO MUCH MORE!

Golden Wheel Carnival Hours: Bear Paw Vendor Court Hours:

PETS & ANIMALS

Fostering a homeless animal is one of the most important practices in the quest to save them from euthanasia or another horrible life. To begin, by removing an animal from the shelter/animal control facility, frees a space for another animal to be rescued. So, two lives are saved because of fostering.

Becoming a foster family allows you to focus on the specific needs of each animal. You can cater your training, interactions, and time on the individual needs of your foster animal. Much of the training is basic things such as potty training, crate training, and basic commands.

For a pregnant animal, a foster home will provide a quiet, nurturing environment to give birth to their babies. A dog with separation anxiety can begin the training process to learn to become

Contributed by S. Jensen

Yard Sale & Guided Tours

Saturday, July 1st from 10-5:

We are excited to invite people out to the center to browse the yard sale and take a guided tour of our facility. See what is going on and learn about plans for future developments at AWBRC. We will have hotdogs, chips and drink for purchase, touch and educational activity stations, and a couple of other vendors to round out your afternoon. Tours will happen at the top of each hour starting at 11 and Rhett, the red-tailed hawk, will be presented at 1pm.

Location: AK WildBird Rehabilitation

Center 2235 Birch Rd, Houston, AK 99694

Free Event

Bird Trivia, Beer and Games Galore!

Passerine Party!

Friday, JULY 28th from 6:30-9:30:

For a mere $30 you will have access to socialize, drink local beer/cider, play giant yard games, and participate in Bird Trivia (prize & bragging rights for winning team). Come out solo or with your

more comfortable alone in the house. When an animal has spent too much of

their lives in a shelter environment, they can become depressed or socially inept. A home can make a huge improvement in their mental health. Many animals have led terrible lives and need to learn to trust humans again. Elderly or terminal animals benefit from the foster home providing nurturing during their last days. This cannot happen in a shelter.

Without foster homes, many rescues are not able to save needy animals. Most groups do not have a facility and so all the animals are placed in foster homes. This is the predicament that Alaska Animal Advocates is currently experiencing. So, please find it in your hearts to foster for us. We provide all the necessary supplies – leashes, collars, bedding, crates, food and treats. Any medical needs are also taken care of. Fostering a homeless animal might just save your life as well.

Angie Lewis Alaska Animal Advocates.

“Brew for Birds last year, added Trivia and renamed Passerine Party this year!”

flock. This is a 21+ event. Help us raise some funds to further our mission of caring for injured, orphaned, and sick wild birds with the goal of returning them to the wild; and to educate the public about these birds and their habitats.

Location: Big Lake Lion’s Club

Tickets are available online at akwildbird.org

Bird Rehab is in full swing, if you see a bird in distress give us a call before handling! 907-892-2927.

Contributed by Angie Lewis

PETS & ANIMALS

Contributed by Kelleigh Orthmann

I am a beautiful tortie-point Siamese girl, and a real sweetheart. I am declawed, have blue eyes, and a lovely coat that has a subtle camouflage design on my back. I am a small girl, neat and lovable. I am gentle and easy to have as part of the family. I tend to be happy just doing my own thing, hanging out around the house, and sharing love and a quiet life with my humans. I would love a little yard that is safe where I can go out and

revel in the birdsong on a warm summer evening. I can live with other cats who leave me alone, but I am happiest in a home where it is just me and my beloved human.

When I was rescued, it was found that I had multiple fragments of nails and bone growth in her toes. Every declawed toe had to be repaired because of the damage that the declaw surgery had done, but I am doing great now. I am about 8 years old.

If you’re looking for a sweet girl who is easy to love and live with, and who is strikingly beautiful, please contact us at 907-980-8898. To view other adoptable kitties, please visit  http://clearcreekcatrescue.org/.

Contributed by Angie Lewis

Aries has been waiting for a forever home for most of his 6-month-old life. He is content living in his loving foster home, but he is so ready for a family of his own. Aries is vaccinated, dewormed, and neutered.

Give this sweet puppy a permanent home, please. To meet this loving pup call Angie at Alaska Animal Advocates.

907 841-3173

Contributed by Kelleigh Orthmann

After being rescued by a kind man in Homer, I am now in a foster home in Eagle River and am looking for my very own forever family. I am around 10 years old and am super sweet and loving.

In the mornings, I leave my cozy cat bed to come sit on your chest in perfect cat “loaf” form and purr and purr with happiness. I will administer some scratchy tongue kisses and love to be kissed back and petted. After that, I may have some breakfast and will start my day supervising and patrolling the house. I am quiet and will only really

meow (a cute, scratchy meow) when I am looking for you. My favorite entertainment is my cardboard scratchers, which I love and keeps me from scratching your furniture. If you sprinkle some catnip on them, it’s just pure kitty joy! When the mood strikes me, I’ll chase a toy mouse on a fishing pole, but I’m happy most of the time to just laze around and hang with my people. I love to curl up on your lap with a soft blanket and will stay there for some time, just purring away.

I would enjoy being an only cat, or maybe with one other cat friend that does their own thing. I don’t know how I feel about dogs. I do LOVE to go outside, as I spent quite a bit of time out before I was rescued. Once I’m settled with my new family, I would enjoy some

Oddities and Antiques

la Galeria de Keown

safe outdoor kitty adventures. To meet me, please call or text 907-980-8898. To see other adoptable kitties, please visit http://clearcreekcatrescue.org/.

AT THE INDOOR RANGE BEHIND ARCTIC AMMO & RELOADING

JULY 27TH SUPPRESSED MP5 PRACTICE SHOOTING $1/ROUND - 10AM-6PM

JULY 28TH & 29TH $35 REGISTRATION FEE INCLUDES EVENT ENTRY, T-SHIRT, TARGET, & MP5 AMMUNITION - 10AM-6PM

EXPERIENCED IN ALL SUBJECT AREAS

Endorsed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation

READING SPECIALIST MASTER DEGREE

MAT-SU VALLEY, ALASKA PAGE 15

COMMUNITY

Contributed by Sam Lilly

Alaska Geographic

You don’t have to be an experienced backpacker to see Alaska’s beauty! And making friends who can explore together is always more fun!

July 6-10th this summer, we’re hosting a backpacking student course to the Harding Ice Field in Seward. No experience is required and this course is completely FREE to Alaska’s youth ages 15-18. Programs like these are designed to foster the development of the next generation of stewards who will help protect Alaska’s natural and cultural resources for years to come. What will this specific trip entail?

Students will meet with park staff to learn about glaciology and the wonders of how the park came to be what it is today.

They will hike and camp along the trail that leads to Exit Glacier and the Harding Icefield, guided by Alaska Geographic field staff.

This trip is a wonderful way to get into backpacking while being in an environment that provides stunning views and scenery that people from all over the world come to see. There is nothing quite like the ice fields of Alaska, this is sure to be an adventure you’ll remember for the rest of your life!

Sign up or nominate a student to attend this trip at www.akgeo.org/ youth-programs/youth-expeditions/