The People's Paper January 2015

JANUARY 2015

The People’s Paper LOCALLY OWNED SINCE 2007

Glenn Massay Theater

FREE

PHOTOS AND ARTICLE CONTRIBUTED BY MATT SALE

NEW 520 SEAT THEATER OPENING IN THE MAT-SU VALLEY Everyone at Mat-Su College is busy getting prepared for the upcoming opening of the new, 520-seat Proscenium, Glenn Massay Theater.

With the final touches going in now, it will be an incredible performance center for the Valley.

The theatrical systems are state-of-theart. The lighting system, controlled by the ETC Ion light board, consists of the brand new ETC Source 4 LED and Selador D60, color changing instruments.

Plus, with the addition of intelligent fixtures and spotlights, the venue is ready to light performances and events from lectures to rock concerts. On the audio side is the new Meyer Sound Constellation Acoustical System, which provides digital enhancement and surround sound to make an orchestra, a musical, or a movie sound amazing within the space.

On stage, there is a 41 line set fly system that includes the main drape, legs and borders, four electrics, a cyclorama, and a 33 x 17 foot projection screen. An orchestra pit is also available for all of the musicals and dance concerts that will be a part of the theater’s future.

Once everything is in place and the doors are open, the theater will bring in great concerts, lectures, shows, film festivals, and more. The staff at the theater is excited to work with all of the various events and companies that will come through the area. Plus, they are looking forward to filling the seats!

SEE thE AD ON thE bACk pAgE OF Make a Scene Magazine FOR INFORmAtION ON hOW YOU CAN StAY Up-tO-DAtE ON thE LAtESt EvENtS hAppENINg At thE gLENN mASSAY thEAtER.

Once everything is in place and the doors are open, the theater will bring in great concerts, lectures, shows, film festivals, and more.

The Oil Price Crises: Can the State of Alaska Survive It? Matanuska-Susitna College established a fund in 2011 for The Northrim Bank Business Lecture Series. The Lecture Series was to begin once the theater was open. Tim Bradner will launch the series with his talk on The oil price crises: Can the state of Alaska survive it?

The slide in oil prices has cut state revenues in half, forcing the state to draw heavily on cash reserves to cover large budget deficits. What are the implications for future state budgets?

Can our oil industry survive this? Can Alaska transition to a more sustainable economy?

tIm bRADNER IS ONE OF ALASkA’S mOSt SENIOR WRItERS ON ECONOmICS AND pUbLIC pOLICY. hE WILL tALk AbOUt thE ChALLENgES OF thE OIL REvENUE DROp AND SOmE hIDDEN OppORtUNItIES.

FEbRUARY 19th

gLENN mASSAY thEAtER mAt-SU COLLEgE RECEptION At 6:00pm LECtURE At 7:00pm

The slide in oil prices has cut state revenues in half, forcing the state to draw heavily on cash reserves to cover large budget deficits. What are the implications for future state budgets?

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Building An Army Of Avalanche Observers

JED WORkmAN StANDS ON tOp OF hAtChER pASS tAkINg IN thE pANORAmIC vIEW

bY ALLIE BARkER, hAtChER pASS AvALANChE CENtER The Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center (HPAC,) in partnership with the Alaska Avalanche School, is prepared to teach you how to become a Hatcher Pass Avalanche Observer. The HPAC will be hosting their annual Observer’s Course in Palmer and Hatcher Pass on January 30th and 31st.

The Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center is a grassroots, volunteer organization that benefits from gathering information

tRImbLE CAbIN IN hAtChER pASS

from Hatcher Pass backcountry users.

This two day class will offer participants an opportunity to practice their snow assessment skills with professionals, including classroom and field components.

observation skills, documentation, record keeping and stability test standards, according to the Snow, Weather, and Avalanche Observation Guidelines for Avalanche Programs in the United States (SWAG).

So why is this program important?

This program is designed for backcountry users who are interested in submitting observations to the Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center.

The more people that participate in this program the more accurate representation of the conditions will be available for users at Hatcher Pass which will benefit the entire community.

The focus of the HPAC workshop is to introduce and review standard

The Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center is a regional center working within a larger network of avalanche centers in Southcentral Alaska. This course is made possible with funding provided by the

phOtOS pROvIDED bY JED WORkMAN

Friends of the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center.

HPAC provides weekly avalanche advisories as well as providing a platform for the exchange of snow, weather, and avalanche information that benefits local avalanche safety programs and public users.

Last season this course filled up quickly.

FOR mORE INFORmAtION AND tO SIgN Up FOR thE hpAC AvALANChE ObSERvERS COURSE, gO tO: HATCHERPASSAVALANCHECENTER.ORG

Fair Receives International Recognition pRESS RELEASE – ALASkA StAtE FAIR

PALMER, ALASkA – The Alaska State Fair brought home six awards, including three first place honors, from the 124th annual International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE) Convention, held in Las Vegas, Nevada earlier this month.

The awards included two Agricultural Awards of Excellence, including first place for “Video of a Special or Unique

Event for Exhibitors or the Fairgoing Public.”

The Fair was also honored with three Awards of Distinction for Communications, including first place for “Printed Promotional Material”, and a first place Award of Distinction for Competitive Exhibits in “Competitive Exhibit Display Photo Series.” The Alaska State Fair falls into division 3: fairs with attendance of 250,001 – 500,000.

In addition to the awards, kirsten Mason, Alaska State Fair finance manager, and kelly Larson, Fair community relations and social media manager, graduated from the Institute of Fair Management.

Roxie Mayberry, Fair corporate partnerships director, was also presented with the Errol Mckoy Scholarship for enrollment in the program.

Larson was also named the IAFE 2015 advertising, promotions PR committee chair, while Mayberry was named 2015 IAFE sponsorship committee chair.

The IAFE, based in Springfield, Mo., is a voluntary, nonprofit corporation, serving state, provincial, regional, and county agricultural fairs, shows, exhibitions, and expositions.

FOR mORE INFORmAtION, VISIT ALASkASTATEFAIR.ORG

The Alaska State Fair brought home six awards, including three first place honors, from the 124th annual International Association of Fairs and Expositions Convention

One Stop Services at Mat-Su Homeless Connect On January 28th the 4th Annual Mat-Su Project Homeless Connect is happening with full force at the Menard Sports Complex in Wasilla.

CONtRIbUtED bY LAURIE kARI Do you know someone or see someone who may look a little rough, a little stressed, cold, hungry, carrying all of their belongings on them? Are you a teacher and suspect that one of your students does not have a stable living situation? Are you a nurse, Pastor, professional, grocery store worker, public assistance coordinator?

It is the time of year for our Mat-Su Project Homeless Connect to try to connect as many services to as many people who need them as possible. You are the community members who can help increase the number of folks who will receive help!

On January 28th the 4th Annual Mat-Su Project Homeless Connect is happening with full force at the Menard Sports Complex in Wasilla. From 10:00am until 3:00pm about 40 services will be set up with hopes of being utilized

by Mat-Su Community members who need them. Examples of services are haircuts, Veterans Services, Social Security Benefits, foot washing, housing assistance and rental lists, Pastoral Care, Homeless Shelters, Pet shelter, domestic

violence assistance, School District, Clothing, Medical Checkups, Vision, Dental, Mental Health, Substance Abuse Treatment, Employment, etc. There will be a free lunch served, food items to take home, child care is available at the event. Goodie bags of relevant items are available as folks leave.

Transportation to and from the event will be provided at no cost. To receive a ride, please call our dispatcher at 4145994. Mascot and Valley Movers will also provide rides, along with several agency vans making trips across the Valley.

Youth hoping to come for services can come over after school by 3:00 and the booths, food, haircuts, etc will be there for you. Seniors will be able to travel over from the various Senior Centers.

And this is a “come as you are” event and all folks are highly encouraged to take advantage of this great event.

Another facet of the event is the crucial Point in Time Count which occurs at registration at the “Connect”. This data we collect along with every community in the nation is used to assess needs for services, data revealing trends in our homeless population. These numbers are so important as they help dictate

how much funding our community receives for homeless services.

Coinciding with the Menard Connect, there will be two stations set up at Carrs Palmer and Wasilla as well for this registration/count. And lastly, teams will go out to the known homeless camps to count folks who might not able to attend the Connect.

If you are inclined to come and volunteer at any of these opportunities, please call 745-5827 to register (the United Way is coordinating this). Also, for folks who want to provide a relevant service, call the same number. We hope to top #200 guests served at this year’s Connect and your help is needed, for finding people who need to come, plugging yourself into a volunteer slot (we each will be bring potluck for the volunteers and providers), and passing the word. Thanks!

OUR SpONSORS thIS YEAR ARE: The Mat-Su Health Foundation The United Way of Mat-Su The City of Wasilla Valley Residential Services The Mat-Su Coalition on Housing and Homelessness Quad-Chair Connect Planners

Please help us make this event to a huge success. Help connect your community with the services they need.

FOR mORE INFORmAtION: (907)-745-5827 (any information you may need, registration, volunteering) 414-5994 (to arrange a ride on the day of the event) JANUARY 28th, 10-3, mENARD SpORtS COmpLEx, WASILLA Volunteers will be needed for set up at 7 and 8am, Volunteer Orientations at 9am, doors open at 10:00. Break down is at 3pm and help will be needed then.

Thank you all for your help, and for coming to get some resources and some lunch! Hope to see you there, folks and bring your friends!

JOIN, LIkE AND pOSt ENCOURAgEmENt ON thE EvENt FACEbOOk pAgE!

If you are inclined to come and volunteer at any of these opportunities, please call 745-5827 to register.

MYHouse, NineStar Receive $25,000 Wells Fargo Grants

For Homeless Youth Job Training

CONtRIbUtED bY DAVID J. kENNEDY Wells Fargo has awarded MY House with a $25,000 grant and NineStar Enterprises with a $25,000 grant to fund on-the-job training for homeless youth in the Mat-Su. “Growing up in the Mat-Su, I was shocked to hear that more than 700 youth are considered homeless in the Valley,” said Ryan Berry, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Mat-Su sales manager who advocated for the grants.

“I believe in the mission of MY House as they combine for-profit, youth-run businesses with a social service agency that offers a hand up, not a hand out.”

MY House was formed in 2013 to provide homeless youth with food, clothing, showers, medical services, and on-the-job training. Valley youth work at a café, car detailing service, and boutique clothing shop to develop their career skills. The businesses are all housed in the same building.

The grants are part of Wells Fargo’s $1.8 million Economic Opportunity and Rural Investment for Sustainable Economies (RISE) programs to support individual job seekers, the selfemployed, and small business owners in communities along the West Coast, including $160,000 invested in Alaska nonprofits. The programs are expected

to create 8,000 jobs and provide small business development and technical assistance for 3,100 entrepreneurs, as reported by grant recipients.

Grantees were selected for their support of workforce development programs benefiting residents of urban and rural communities. bELOW IS A LISt OF WellS Fargo econoMic opportunity and riSe grant RECIpIENtS IN ALASkA FOR 2014: • Alaska Native Heritage Center– $25,000 for summer internship program • Anchorage Community Land Trust – $25,000 for Mountain View local hire project • MY House Mat-Su – $25,000 for onthe-job vocational training program • Nine Star Enterprises – $25,000 for career skills training for MY House MatSu youth • Northwestern Alaska Career and Technical Center (NACTEC) – $30,000 for Alaska Native artist entrepreneurship training • Yuut Elitnaurviat – $30,000 for wind turbine technician assistants training Grant Focus and Eligibility Grant recipients support the following

segments and goals around workforce development and job creation:

• Individual Job Seekers and the Self Employed – Helps spur job creation and provides individuals with resources needed to obtain employment and become self-sufficient. Includes career counseling, job training or retraining, and self-employment technical assistance.

• Small Business Owners – Provides job creation through local small business development. Includes business and farming technical assistance, access to capital program training for business expansion, and microloan programs.

Selection of the recipients was based on how well they met the following criteria: • Demonstrated ability to deliver effective workforce development programs; • History of providing measurable, effective programs in their community; • Sound fiscal management practices; • Proven experience and skills of the management team and program staff; • Ability to accurately analyze program effectiveness.

In 2013, the Wells Fargo invested $275.5 million in grants to 18,500 nonprofits, and team members contributed more than 1.69 million volunteer hours around the country.

FOR mORE INFORmAtION: www.wellsfargo.com/about/csr About Wells Fargo Wells Fargo has 850 team members in Alaska who serve customers through a network of 54 banking, mortgage and investment offices, and 115 ATMs, in 28 communities.

Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a nationwide, diversified, communitybased financial services company with $1.6 trillion in assets. Founded in 1852 and headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo provides banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance through more than 9,000 locations, 12,500 ATMs, and the internet (wellsfargo.com), and has offices in 36 countries to support customers who conduct business in the global economy.

With approximately 265,000 team members, Wells Fargo serves one in three households in the United States.

Wells Fargo & Company was ranked No. 29 on Fortune’s 2014 rankings of America’s largest corporations.

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UA Scholars Program Increases By $1,000 THE UA SCHOLARS PROGRAM RAISEd THE AWARd FROM $11,000 TO $12,000 - A $1,000 INCREASE. CONtRIbUtED bY JACOB MANN Starting fall 2015, high school students across the state who qualify in the top 10 percent of their class will receive $1,500 per semester from the UA Scholars Program. This is $125 more than the previous amount awarded, which hasn’t changed in over a decade.

On September 23, 2014, the UA Scholars Program raised the award from $11,000 to $12,000 - A $1,000 increase.

This is the first increase in funding since the program’s creation in 1999.

According to the Director of Program Lael Oldmixon, the increase derived from “recognition the award had not increased since 1999” and to “recognize that we still want to attract students from every community to come to the university.”

academic criteria set by each High School. High schools determine the top 10 percent of their junior classes at the end of the year. The usual method for consideration is primarily based on cumulative GPA. A specific major is not required for accepting the scholarship.

top high school students in every community in Alaska to attend college within state, specifically the University of Alaska. Oldmixon stated that the program “was intended to attract students from all over the state including rural Alaska…”

When the University of Alaska Board of Regents approved the proposal, the minimum credit load for raised with the award money. Students receiving the scholarship will see an increase from a 24 to 30 credit load, starting the second year of the award.

The amount of students selected for the scholarship varies and depends on the size of the class. Oldmixon gave examples, a small class “... fewer than 15,” would select 1 student and “...if there are 400 students in the class, 40 students will get the award.”

Funding for the UA Scholar Program is provided by the Land Trust Fund.

The UA Scholar Program will now award $12,000 divided over four years to high school students based on the

According to the UA Scholar Program’s Mission statement, the goal of the program is to offer an incentive for

FOR mORE INFORmAtION ON thE pROgRAm, vISIt thE WEbSItE: WWW.ALASkA.EDU/SCHOLARS

Concerned About Trapping?

dId YOU kNOW THAT EVEN TOUCHING THE TRAP TO FREE YOUR PET IS ILLEGAL, ANd COULd LANd YOU IN dEEP TROUBLE WITH THE LAW?

CONtRIbUtED bY MAxINE FRANkLIN What would you do if your dog was caught in a trap along a hiking trail?

What if you saw a fox or coyote caught in a trap or snare?

Did you know that even touching the trap to free your pet is illegal, and could land you in deep trouble with the law?

And trying to help a wild creature, a natural and morally correct response, would also make you a criminal in the legal sense.

Shocking but true in the Mat-Su Borough. Trappers have carte blanche, once they pay their nominal $15 license fee, to do pretty much anything they want. They don’t have to identify their gear; they are not required to check their traps on some humane schedule; the can set their traps anywhere, even in the middle of a trail if they so choose.

Unfortunately, popular Borough recreation trails – Crevasse Moraine, Government Peak and Matanuska River Park trails – due to easy access and proximity to major roads, are being targeted.

It’s time to take action to make our trails safer for all users. Tell your stories; share your experiences. A new action group, Alaska Safe Trails, needs allies, workers, sympathizers from our community to work together to spot-light this unpleasant and dangerous situation.

It’s going to take determination and commitment to make this happen. vISIt OUR WEb SItE:

ChECk OUt OUR FACEbOOk pAgE: FACEBOOk.COM/ALASkASAFETRAILS We plan to publish a series of stories detailing disturbing incidents that have happened recently to our friends and neighbors in the Mat-Su Valley.

Sadly, we need to make this issue personal, because the physical and psychological damage needs to stop.

ALASkASAFETRAILS.ORG to read and share your stories and opinions.

ACA Enrollment deadline Looms; Tax Penalties Realized bY k.T. MCkEE By the time this article comes out, there will be about one month left of the Open Enrollment Period for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. Anyone enrolling between Jan. 16 and Feb. 15 will have coverage beginning March 1 and won’t have to worry about being penalized for not having coverage for January and February.

In fact, you can be without health insurance for three consecutive months of the year without incurring any IRS fees. There are also other exemptions, such as for those falling below the Federal Poverty Line for Alaska or those experiencing certain other hardships.

That being said, those who were covered through the ACA in 2014 will get documents from the IRS outlining what tax credits they received to cover their 2014 health insurance premiums and whether their actual 2014 income matched the income they had guessed on their 2014 ACA applications.

If they overestimated their income for 2014, they will most likely get some money back (either through their tax refund or by owing the IRS less money).

If they underestimated their income and did not go back to their application on healthcare.gov at any point in 2014

to adjust their income figure, they might owe additional income taxes or get less of a refund because they received too much in tax credits when they enrolled in coverage through healthcare.gov.

I realize all of this IRS stuff scares a lot of people. However, many people are finally getting health insurance – some for the first time in their lives. So for many people, the risk of owing more taxes later is probably worth it.

There are limits on how much someone would have to pay back if they did underestimate their income. For single people making less than 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (that’s less than $29,160 in Alaska), they would only be on the hook for a maximum of $300 if they underestimated their income.

For a family of four with a household income of less than $59,640, the most they’d have to pay back would be $600. The payback amounts increase as income increases, so a single person making between 450 percent and 500 percent of the FPL (more than $60k) would have to pay back a maximum of $1,750. A family of four at that same level wouldn’t owe more than $3,500 if they made a mistake on their income estimate.

The only people who will be required to pay back ALL of the tax credits they

received during the year will be those whose incomes actually went above 500 percent of the Federal Poverty Level for Alaska.

I have a feeling, however, that those in that boat weren’t getting much of a tax credit to start with, unless they thought they were only going to make, say, 300 percent of the FPL and had an unexpectedly great year.

Of course, those who weren’t covered in 2014 but should have been will get either less of a tax refund or they will owe more in taxes for not having insurance. This first year, most people will have to pay 1 percent of their adjusted gross income – MINUS the tax filing threshold. For a single person making $35,000 per year, the tax filing threshold of $10,150 would be subtracted from their income, so they would be taxed on 1 percent of $24,850 and owe $249 as their penalty.

That penalty goes up to 2 percent this next year, however. So those refusing to get insurance simply because they disagree with the ACA will pay a stiffer fee when they do their taxes in 2016.

There is a Special Enrollment Period beyond the Feb. 15 deadline for those who experience certain changes in their lives, such as losing health insurance due to the loss of employment or those getting married or having a baby.

It’s a lot to take in and seems overwhelming to a lot of people. But don’t panic. You will either be able to find affordable health coverage through healthcare.gov, have the security of having insurance through a job or other federal program such as Medicare, VA, or Medicaid, or you will be without health coverage because you don’t like the idea of being forced into anything and you don’t mind paying the penalty for not having coverage.

Those in the toughest bind right now are those who want insurance because of health concerns but don’t have the minimum income that would qualify them for the tax credits that help pay for the ACA insurance. The good news is, as soon as Medicaid Expansion is implemented in our state – probably sometime this summer – those folks will finally be able to see a doctor and not have to worry about crippling medical bills.

So count your blessings, my friends. It’s going to be Ok – one way or the other.

K.T. (Kate) McKee is a Certified Application Counselor for the Affordable Care Act at Mat-Su Health Services in Wasilla.

Her help is free and confidential.

Call 352-3225 with questions or to make an appointment.

Mat-Su Farmer and Road Service Area 19 Tax Fight CONtRIbUtED bY RAY DEVILBISS We lived here, cleared land, and were farming before there was a State,or a borough, and 20 years before RSA19.

There were residential roads being used, and new ones being built. The property owners and residents to those roads built and maintained their own residential roads.

The borough was formed and began approving subdivisions; demanding that those residential roads have “public easement” or “public right of way'.

This means that anyone can use them without obligation.The borough turns this upside down by claiming that since all can drive on the RSA roads then all should pay the RSA tax.

Those residential roads built before a

borough or even after borough platting approval but before the RSA19; didn’t compel me to pay for their construction.

I was not sent a bill for yearly snow plowing and maintenance either!

be formed as RSA19. In the following several years, other subdivisions petitioned to be annexed to RSA19; and with a double positive vote, RSA19 grew in size.

All property owners and residents practiced self-responsibility for the roads they used for access. This was equality of responsibility among all of us; even when there were few residents in some of the subdivisions.

The purpose for RSA was that the borough would be in charge of road maintenance; getting 2000$ per mile from the State general funds. At that time, some of us were wondering, “Why is my state income tax dollars going to pay for 'special services' on those residential roads?” Where is my $500 per year for my road?

Now days when the subdivisions have many residents to pay the cost, the non-accessing properties are being compelled to pay 39% or more of the yearly cost. Roads which had been built for a purely private purpose,the borough is now calling their yearly maintenance a “public purpose”.

In “1977-1978”, land owners in two subdivisions petitioned the borough to

In 1981, the borough approved petitions to annex two more subdivisions, and scheduled for an election of the residents . At the same meeting, the borough administration initiated a request to annex approximately 14 square miles

of properties surrounding the existing RSA19. The assembly approved even though there had been no request or petition from the property owners.

They scheduled for a separate vote at the same election without any ‘double vote’; especially for the nonaccessing properties, owners; who were outnumbered by subdivision residents.

They promised 2000$ per mile of state money for up to 18 miles total for the newly included subdivisions. This new annexed area contained approximately 10 miles of private residential roads which wouldn’t receive the ‘special services’.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE ON WWW.MAkEASCENEAk.COM

COMMUNITY Living The Life - The Alaska Life

The People’s Paper

bY JOSH FRYFOGLE Alaska is a brand.

We can often forget that our home has become a place of wild mystery to many folks outside. They imagine a place that is untamed, primal - and all the while beautiful and pristine. They imagine extremes, a place of dreams.

The big picture of Alaska is dreamy. With lots of outside media companies coming to our state - directors, producers, writers filled with wonder - it’s no wonder that’s what they capture. kyle and Nicole Moffat are a local couple who live here in Alaska, and they are sharing a different view. They share with the world the things that most real, everyday Alaskans can relate to - the life we know.

FACEbOOk With over 85,000 ‘likes’ on Facebook, ‘The Alaska Life’ is a brand all its own.

You’re probably on Facebook, and you may have already ‘liked’ their page. If

not, you should. It’s a reflection of many things around the state, things that big media companies might not have time for, that end up on the cutting room floor.

Reality television can be less than realistic. To folks outside of Alaska, who really want to see what Alaska is like for most of the people who live here, the Alaska Life Facebook page is about as good as it gets. Sourcing much of their information from people around the state, The Alaska Life page shares amazing photos, informative videos, recipes for wild game, and great accomplishments by local Alaskans.

So often I get asked by my relatives and friends outside about the televised version of Alaska - igloos, polar bears, Sarah Palin. I tell them I don’t know anything about any of those things. I know they exist, but I don’t have first hand experience of any of them. But if they search for Alaska online, that’s what they will find.

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But if they search for The Alaska Life, they will find something entirely different: www.facebook.com/TheAlaskaLife

kyle and Nicole represent the new Alaska, keeping Alaska alive online.

They are living the life - The Alaska Life.

thE NAmE OF thE gAmE Branding is how this innovative couple is making a living with The Alaska Life. kyle and Nicole have built a brand that people love, and they have already sold branded products as far away as South America, Europe and Australia.

And it looks great on a t-shirt! Or a hat!

Or a ThrillPro selfie-stick (give it a google, kyle and Nicole are behind this brand, too)!

A LIttLE bACkgROUND FOR kYLE AND NICOLE While his family was living in Seldovia, kyle was born in Homer. Moving around the State - gathering a broad view of Alaska along the way - kyle spent most of his youth in Cantwell.

As an Alaskan, I like knowing that local people are making a realistic impact on how we are perceived around the world.

Big media companies make Alaska look bigger than life, and they make big money doing it. That’s all well and good, but to see local people like kyle and Nicole making a positive impact, and providing for their families not just through subsistence living, but even through social media, is so refreshing!

Most of that time his family subsisted on fish and wild game.

When Nicole moved to Alaska at the age of twelve, she began a life long recreational experience, including skiing, hiking, biking and fishing - and then after her marriage to kyle, she added hunting to the list! kyle and Nicole are raising their three kids in much the same way. And along the way, sharing that love for The Alaska Life with the world. All from their home in Wasilla.

THEALASkALIFE.COM

The 31st Annual Wasilla High Gun and Outdoorsman Show CONtRIbUtED bY DEkAY BAYLIFFE The 31st Annual Wasilla High Gun and Outdoorsman show will be held on Saturday January 24th and Sunday January 25th from 10am to 5pm at Wasilla High School, 701 E Bogard Road, Wasilla, Ak. This year’s event hosts even more vendors than years past. Proceeds from this event benefit the Wasilla High School Hockey Team. You will see all the team members clad in their Jerseys, helping the vendors and assisting attendees throughout the show.

If you are amongst the 1st 200 attendees each day, you are automatically entered into a drawing for a gun, so come out early.

ADmISSION IS $5 pER pERSON, FREE pARkINg, kIDS UNDER 3 ARE FREE! Only in Alaska would an event like this take place in a public school! There is a little something for everyone. The obvious: guns, knives, jewelry, food, gun safes, ammo, jewelry, food just to name a few!

CONtACt: Dekay Bayliffe (907)-232-0694

“Only in Alaska would an event like this take place in a public school! There is a little something for everyone.

The obvious: guns, knives, jewelry, food, gun safes, ammo, jewelry, food just to name a few!”

How To Be determined...

dId YOU FEEL THAT SPARk TO START SOMETHING NEW THIS YEAR? IF YOU’RE LIkE MOST PEOPLE, THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR YOU PLEdGE TO SHEd BAd HABITS ANd IMPROVE YOUR LIFE. CONtRIbUtED bY MICHELLE ROUNTREE PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE WITH MAT-SU PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER

I recently heard a story that started at the trailhead of a very steep and difficult climb.

This gentleman was getting his pack on and doing a bit of stretching when he noticed a young woman doing the same. She appeared unprepared for such an endeavor so the young man approached her and asked her if she was indeed embarking on this trail.

When she replied “yes”, he warned her of the difficulty and training required to complete such a climb. They parted ways and the young man thought to himself “she’ll never make it”.

At the top, the thrill was immeasurable and the young man began to celebrate with his companions. They ate lunch, took pictures and lingered until it began to get a bit chilly. As they turned to start down the trail, there just reaching the top was the young woman he had seen earlier.

This young man stood silently for a moment as he watched her reach the top. As he descended the trail he thought to himself, it doesn’t matter how long it takes, it’s the determination to get there that makes the difference.

According to Merriam-Webster’s

dictionary determination is “a quality that makes you continue trying to do or achieve something that is difficult.”

Determination is necessary to succeed at reaching your goals. Without it, when you reach an obstacle or something holds you back, you may just quit and never get past that barrier.

to achieve your goals comes back to determination. Dreaming about completing your goal is simple.

Taking the steps towards fulfilling that dream and reaching your goal takes determination. Here are five things you can do to build more determination into your life….

Determination is more lasting than motivation and fuels your aspirations.

You may have that ah ha moment, a little spark of genius, or a light bulb that suddenly turns on inside your head that says “I’m going to do that thing”. It could be lose weight, get in shape, write a book, become a better person, earn a degree. Whatever has ignited that spark, determination is the ability to carry it out no matter what you must face in your mind, the environment around you or when other people tell you to just quit. YOU believe what you are doing will work.

Stay focused. Remember that when you first start you feel this tremendous motivation. Sooner or later this will fade away. When you start to notice yourself slipping, break away from your comfort zone and remember your priorities and goals. Determination may happen overnight, or it may take some time, but do not let anyone or anything sidetrack you including yourself.

Did you feel that spark to start something new this year? If you’re like most people, this is the time of year you pledge to shed bad habits and improve your life. About half of Americans make a New Year’s resolution. A resolution is defined as a firm decision to do or not to do something. What may surprise you is the success rate is 60% of people will succeed at keeping their resolution.

Resolving to do something is basically setting a goal.

Goal setting is a powerful process for thinking about your future, and for motivating yourself to turn your vision of this future into reality. How

Decide what it means to succeed.

Is success about getting married? Is success about losing 60 pounds? Is success about obtaining a degree or certificate? What do you daydream about? How do you want people to see you? What do you want to leave behind (your legacy)? These types of questions will help you figure out what success means to you and what determination will help you gain.

Set goals that are both small goals and big goals so you are constantly accomplishing something. This will help to increase your belief in yourself and increase your levels of determination.

Write down your goals. A quick mental note will not do it. When you write something down, you are constantly reminded that these are the things you

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have to do, and you are more likely not to put these goals in the back of your head and forget about them.

Visualize success. Picture and feel the reward of achieving your goal. Putting up sticky notes or pictures of your goal in places such as your bathroom mirror, refrigerator or car may be the wake-up call you need every now and then. Also, your brain will move in the direction of your focus. When you visualize success it encourages your brain to get on board.

Our focus here at Mat-Su Public Health is on child health, prevention of communicable disease, reproductive health, emergency preparedness planning, health education and health promotion.

We are a team of determined professionals dedicated to the goal of meeting the needs of our community by working to improve your quality of life through better health.

If you need resources to assist in meeting your goals for a Healthy Lifestyle including smoking cessation resources and information, reproductive health including well women exams, immunizations against disease and illness, Breastfeeding information and resources, well child exams and much more. pLEASE CALL OR vISIt YOUR mAtSU pUbLIC hEALth CENtER IN WASILLA AND NOW IN bIg LAkE

POLITICS

The People’s Paper

COmmUNItY

PAGE 6

A Presidential Whitewash

bY BILL FIkES We all know Abe Lincoln, Honest Abe, simple rail splitter from a log cabin in the wilds of America, the “great emancipator” who freed the slaves and preserved the Union. Yea, we all read the stories in the books they gave us.

The problem is they never gave us the right books, they only gave the story they wanted to push. The facts are that Abe might have been one of the worst Presidents in the history of America.

“My earlier views of the unsoundness of the Christian scheme of salvation and the human origin of the scriptures, have become clearer and stronger with advancing years and I see no reason for thinking I shall ever change them.”

-- Abraham Lincoln Not only was Abe not a Christian he was not religious to any known degree. But his religion is not what I wish to discuss, but rather the way he led the country during his term as President.

Abe came to power at a time when the Northern Manufacturing giants were making great wealth off of Southern plantation owners and pretty much everyone else in the Southern States.

High tariffs on imported goods and the necessity of buying manufactured goods from the North had created an intolerable situation for the Southern States and with the election of Abe they saw no other recourse than to leave the Union and escape the yoke of oppressive trade practices that

were soon to bankrupt them. Many in the North agreed with them and there had been widespread talk of some Northern states seceding from the Union before the South did it. At the time it was understood by all that the right of secession was given to all the States and there should be no animosity to their choice to do so.

The Republicans did not see it that way, they stood to lose a great deal if the cotton feeding their mills were to become a free market commodity, having half the country under their thumb was working quite well for them and they had the money and power to force their will on others.

One of the ways that Abe flexed his power that went above and beyond the limits of his office was in sending US Army officers to arrest anyone not voting for the Republican ticket at the polls, and making the ballots different colors so that the errant voters could be easily identified.

When the Maryland Legislature made it clear that they intended to proclaim their peaceful intentions and remain neutral in the coming war Abe sent in the Army and had all the “disloyal” legislators arrested.

The warrantless arrests were not confined to politicians, Newspaper publishers and Editors were also targeted, first by forbidding the US Mail from delivering any newspaper deemed unsympathetic to war. Many newspapers went bankrupt as the mail was the common delivery method.

Those that tried to hold on had their offices ransacked and their presses smashed by US Troops at the

defend With Passion CONtRIbUtED bY PAM GOODE

Regardless of who wins, there is no one more thankful for an election season to be over than the candidates. Special thanks go out to those who gave generously to my campaign with their vote, voice, time and/or treasure. You made a difference greater than you will ever know.

Now, before I let this political dead horse lie, I have a few things I would like to respond to. First of all, I don’t sling mud, I make known the truth.

Secondly, if you can’t handle the heat, then stay out of the kitchen. Third, I find it amazing that you can put it out, but you can’t take it. Yes Mr. Colver, I’m talking to you.

In the primaries, I recall when Mr. Colver came out with a few exaggerated allegations against Representative Fiege. Eric Fiege responded not to his attacks but to his behavior. So when the facts about Mr. Colver were made known in a fashion he personally didn’t care for, he quickly took on the role of an innocent victim, which he certainly is not.

During the course of his campaign, Mr. Colver, in an environment of declining state revenue and deficit spending, had been promising everyone everything. Our district is set up perfectly for this strategy with our vast distances because few in one precinct will know the promises he made in another. In the final week Mr. Colver transformed from a Matsu

Borough Assemblyman into, shazam!, the Delta No Borough Freedom Fighter!!! Don’t worry Mr. Colver, you’ll get your chance. Many defend the No Borough status constantly from those who do not understand its importance to property ownership and smaller government. The vultures are starting to circle again, so don’t let us down!

With ketchikan’s win in the recent education law suit, Petersburg’s loss in their unorganized status, and Nanana’s ongoing attack of their unorganized status, I suggest you be well prepared and educated to defend us just like you promised.

When a politician makes a promise, the first thought in anyone’s mind should be “how are you going to pay for it?” There isn’t enough money in the unrestricted savings without raiding the permanent fund to pay for Mr. Colver’s promises. He did state in the Official Elections Pamphlet that he would use these savings for some of them. Here is my concern; exactly what part of “sustainable budget” did Mr. Colver not understand? He either didn’t do his homework or he intended to do exactly what he said he would do and that is unacceptable.

I’ll say it again, according to the Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) out of the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA), if we use the state savings to make up for the deficit spending that continues in the legislature, we will be looking at a state income/sales tax and a decrease in the PFD. This isn’t new news. ISER has been sounding the alarm for years at no avail from the Governor or Legislature. The last Senate majority

command of Honest Abe. Freedom of the press did not extend to having anything bad to say about the President or his policies.

In his conduct of the war he allowed the greatest of atrocities to be dealt to both military and civilian. Border state homes were ransacked and burned and families expelled, Southern Prisoners were not allowed ample food or medicine and this resulted in far higher death rates of Southern POWs than of Northern POWs in the South. Southern prisoners of war were forced to clear minefields by marching back and forth across land outside where mines were suspected.

Southern prisoners were also herded in front of Northern emplacements under Confederate artillery fire so as to force Southerners to fire on their own men.

With the fall of New Orleans Union General Benjamin Butler issued Order Number 28 which read as follows: As the officers and soldiers of the United States have been subject to repeated insults from the women calling themselves “ladies” of New Orleans in return for the most scrupulous non-interference and courtesy on our part it is ordered that hereafter when any female shall by word, gesture or movement insult or show contempt for any officer or soldier of the United States she shall be regarded and held liable to be treated as a woman of the town plying her avocation.

Essentially granting the right to rape any Southern woman to any Union Soldier.

British Prime Minister, wrote to Charles Francis Adams, the U.S. Minister in

London the following concerning Butler’s order: I will venture to say that no example can be found in the history of civilized nations till the publication of this order of a General guilty in cold blood of so infamous an act as deliberately to hand over the female inhabitants of a conquered city to the unbridled license of an unrestrained soldiery.

After many such cries of outrage Abe finally took action and relieved Butler of his command, giving him instead the assignment of Commander of the Department of Virginia and North Carolina and Commissioner of Prisoner-of-War Exchanges. And it was not for allowing atrocities against the civilian population Butler was thus chastised but for confiscating foreign property which caused even further outrage among the European powers.

For all the atrocity committed during the War it would have been proper to bring Lincoln, Seward, Sherman and Grant, along with many others, up on charges of War Crimes, but of course they won, and Abe took on the mantel of a martyr with his assassination.

Today we hear voices being raised in opposition to over reaching government, Presidents ignoring the Constitution and people being illegally detained in federal prisons, and of course the Federal Reserve and the worthless “fiat” currency they issue.

We can all thank Abe Lincoln for leading the way and setting the bar, nobody else has come close to destroying the intentions of the founding Fathers as thoroughly as he did.

even regarded a sustainable budget as being a “Top area of focus” as stated in their own press release on 11/7/2012.

They lied. The savings is an essential part of the equation for a sustainable budget and they blew through $6 of the $17 billon in two years. This was long before the crash in oil prices. Now what are they going to do?

increases the baseline. And do not forget, our representative elect, Mr. Colver, campaigned on continuing the exact status quo. The Legislature and Governor caused this crisis mode, not the drop in oil prices.

Many take liberty just as seriously as our founders and military. The question is, do you?

The importance of a sustainable budget is that it allows us to continue to enjoy, and pass onto future generations of Alaskans, a functioning operating state government that will keep their hands out of our pockets and lives, indefinitely. That’s not something to take lightly. If Alaska ends up with a statewide tax, it’s not unfortunate; it’s criminal because it didn’t have to happen. We are now looking at the faces that need to be held accountable, starting with last year’s 28th legislature.

An oath of office is put in place for a reason not for show. We’ll prosecute anyone who steals our possessions yet do nothing but complain when elected officials or bureaucrats steal our liberties and hard earned wages in whatever fashion they feel fit. And in so doing, they defile their sacred oath of office along the way. Value greatly and defend with passion every breath of liberty and freedom you have in your life at least as much as your possessions, for its cost is far more dear and irreplaceable.

For those that don’t mind paying a state income/sales tax, please consider moving to a state that already does and take note. At the current spending rate, we have a maximum of 3-years left in savings and an income/sales tax is only going to slightly delay the financial crash, not stop it. In other words, an income/sales tax is not going to save the day; it only further violates your liberty as we all go down together.

For the record, I’m not focusing solely on Mr. Colver; I’m letting it be known that he and every other legislator are on notice, including Governor Walker, and I’m far from alone. This is very serious! As Alaskans and Americans we are long overdue in asserting our authority and holding our elected officials, at all levels of government, accountable. You can start today.

As time goes on the Legislature is going to try and convince you that our current dire fiscal situation in Alaska is due to falling oil prices. Don’t you believe it! It’s due to their fiscal irresponsibility of a reckless spending addiction which continuously

Stay informed on what is really going on with the Alaska budget at http:// itsourfutureak.com/ - Sign up for email updates and join the conversation on facebook.

“If you want your government to leave you alone, do not leave your government alone.”

Excerpt From “There’s No Such Thing As Can’t”

bY BRUCE WALDEN www.oldsargebooks.net

“They ain’t no sech a thing as cain’t.”

John Jacob Walden

I believe that one of America’s, Alaska’s, and the Matsu’s greatest failures is the failure of spirit- a failure of will.

There was a time that we had the drive to get things done and that for the betterment of our fellow Alaskans.

These are the immortal words from the wisest man I’ve ever known.

No, Dad was not an educated man in the traditional sense. He barely made it through the third grade. In fact, I ordered a copy of his 201 File from when he was in the Civilian Conservation Corps and Bless his heart, he had to sign with an “x.”

Instead, now we expect the government to do everything for us but in reality we have a government that impedes everything we try to do.

They stick their nose in where it is not needed and refrain where they are needed. Some things have changed for the better and some… well not so much, since this writing in 2008.

But that outfit, the CCC (although a part of FDR’s Socialist Experiment called the New Deal which thing I detest) took an uneducated hillbilly boy and taught him a “can do” attitude, as did Grandma and Grandpa. (He later

learned to write, and read, but was never a great scholar in the traditional sense.)

Now Grandpa was a bit hard headed.

When Dad was a teenager he designed a reaping machine and showed the idea to his father. Well, Grandpa looked it over, grunted a few times and opined that it might be a good idea. Then he grew angry and exclaimed, “Eh! That’s for somebody that don’t wanna’ work!”

Well, Grandpa was a saint, but stubborn. He did not believe in Dad spending too much time gold-bricking at school, so the result was that this genius of a man, my father, never reached his full potential. But, he kept

his smarts and his can-do attitude.

And that attitude rubbed off on me.

Often Dad would tell me that there was no such thing as can’t, and that when a person said that he can’t do a thing, he was really saying that he didn’t wish to do it.

And, let this be known too. The sentence above, in Dad’s Tennessee vernacular is not meant to make fun of that man nor anyone else from Northeast Tennessee. Dad was, is, and will ever be my hero. This book will never be big enough for me to add all the wisdom I gleaned from the two greatest people I have ever known.

But I will hopefully be able to get this one point across.

CONTINUES ON PAGE 9

PAGE 9

COMMUNITY

The People’s Paper

COmmUNItY

PAGE 7

Family, Friends, Neighbors, Coworkers, Divorce!

SOMEONE YOU kNOW IS HURTING, TELL THEM ABOUT DIvorCeCAre!

bY TIFFANY MOFFITT RYE DIRECTOR DIVORCE CARE PALMER DivorceCare is a weekly seminar/ support group for men and women that will help you heal from the hurt of separation or divorce.

It’s a warm, caring environment led by people who understand what you are going through. Learn practical information and gain hope for your future at DivorceCare.

Unless you’ve been there, it’s hard to understand the hurt that comes from separation and divorce. That’s why many of your friends and family don’t fully understand what you are going through and don’t know how best to help you. We do.

DivorceCare groups are led by people who have been through divorce and successfully rebuilt their lives.

DivorceCare features nationally recognized Christian experts on divorce and recovery topics including kay

Arthur, Cindy Beall, Dr. Tony Evans, Dave Ramsey and Ruth Graham (wife of the famous evangelist Billy Graham who has experienced the infidelities of her husband and has faced divorce twice).

You are not alone in this. People are hurting all around us from the choice of divorce. There is help, hope and healing at DivorceCare right here in Palmer, Alaska.

ONE PALMER Ak RESIDENT PARTICIPANT’S FEEDBACk AND ExPERIENCE IN DIVORCE CARE: “I never knew so many others around me were hurting so badly in their physical separation from their spouse. I heard video sessions from experts that really blew my mind. I listened as people on the videos shared their hearts about how their separations and divorces were a tearing of the flesh and boy could I relate.

I then sat in our small group afterwards and could see and hear the emotional drain on those around me about their own real and raw experiences.

This led me to open up and share my own hurts and needs for healing in the small group. I have 20 new male and female friends now and I have been loving life since about Session Five “Facing My

Loneliness” and now I’ve graduated and I am going to serve others!”

FROM TIFFANY MOFFITT RYE “I know that without the love of my Heavenly Father, I would have been a statistic in 2000, but my Father loves me, and He’s reaffirmed it in a million ways.

So much so that today---14 years later after I was divorced for the second time against my will…I know that I am going to live! I’m not just getting by but I am living victoriously! At this point, after ministering in DivorceCare for the past 4 years, I can look back at my experiences and truly understand in my heart that I am a stronger person now, and I am somebody who is worth knowing and worth being with regardless of my previous husbands’ choices to divorce.

You too can live VICTORIOUSLY! There is nothing but compassion, understanding, joy and peace at DivorceCare Palmer AK. Please contact me at the info below and our Ministry Team will mentor you through this season of your life.

“I never knew so many others around me were hurting so badly in their physical separation from their spouse.”

DC Ministry sponsored by The Called/ Overseer Cory Williamson Ministry Directors: Tiffany and Christian Rye Ministry Leaders: Paul Freeman and Sandy Bourrillion WINTER 2015 Session at 101 E Arctic Ave inside Wolverine Academy February 8th – May 24th Sundays, 3:30 – 6:30 pm 907-745-8477 divorcecarepalmerak@yahoo.com Find us on Facebook at DivorceCare Palmer Ak FIND HELP * DISCOVER HOPE * ExPERIENCE HEALING @DIVORCECARE

History Night with Marty raney At thE pALmER pUbLIC LIbRARY mEEtINg ROOm.

thE hIStORY NIght pRESENtAtION bEgINS At 7:00 pm ON JANUARY 21St At thE pALmER pUbLIC LIbRARY mEEtINg ROOm.

Marty Raney, cast member from “Ultimate Survival Alaska”, mountaineer, musician and adventurer extraordinaire is the speaker for History night brought to you by the Palmer Historical Society.

Marty will highlight his family and Valley life, his 30 years experience in Alaska and make some comparisons between those who came to Alaska after dreaming about coming to Alaska.

thE gENERAL pUbLIC IS WELCOmE tO AttEND. vISIt WIth pIONEERS AND ENJOY thE REFREShmENtS AND DOOR pRIzES!

ChECk OUt A hEARtFELt gEStURE FROm mARtY ON pAgE 8

Winter Solstice Festival 2014 A Huge Success The Annual Winter Solstice Festival held at Palmer Junior Middle School (PJMS) in Palmer was a marvelous success by the artists themselves, the non-profits who attended the two-day event, Santa and Mrs. Claus.

The school’s custodians helped immensely as well as the knights JROTC Booster Club and Angelina, Alexia and Chloe from PJMS Leadership program.

A special acknowledgment goes out to the Valley Quilter’s Guild for their quilt display. Just Ala Carte provided delectable food and beverages for the festival. the festival raised $725.00 in net proceeds that were distributed evenly to the non-profits we hosted.

THE NON-PROFITS Alaska’s Healing Hearts Alaska Center for Resource Families

Close Up/PJMS Leadership Club Knights JROTC Booster Club Pillows for Kids Foundation

ADDITIONAL CASH DONATIONS WERE GIVEN TO: Just Ala Carte’ for providing our vendors with hot beverages, Santa and Mrs. Claus who entertained children and posed for photos.

We had amazing Alaskan crafters and artists who graced our event. We had pottery, glass, leather, yarn goods, jewelry, wooden items, photo art, food and sweet goods, and a plethora of wonderful gifts of every persuasion.

We gave out ribbons and $495.00 in cash prizes for the top three winners in the following categories: Fine art, mixed media and fiber art.

THE WINNERS WERE: Chris Everding: Fine Art, Judge’s Choice, Best in Show and 1st place

Candace Austin: Fine Art, 2nd place Ed zegzdryn: Fine Art, 3rd place kathy hoard: Mixed Media, Judge’s Choice Raven Wi’: Mixed Media, Best in Show, and 2nd place mike borgford: Mixed Media, 3rd place bear kelsey: Fiber Art, Judge’s Choice, and Mixed Media 1st place bee Akey: Fiber Art, Best of Show, and 3rd place Elsie Ratchliff: Fiber Art, 1st place heidi Schott: Fiber Art, 2nd place And last, but certainly not least, our most generous sponsors who lavishly donated gift certificates, prizes and, money for the art competition.

SPONSORS: All I Saw Cookware, Allen & Petersen Chepos, Dragontree Studio, Far North Garden Supply, Fireside Books, Gorilla Fireworks, Gram Cleo & Uncle Ralph, Hall’s Quality Homes & Construction, Mad Matters, Matanuska Federal Credit Union, Non-Essentials, Palmer Chiropractic, Palmer Golf Course, Palmer Museum of History & Art, Raven Glassworks, Raven’s Creations, Shane Lamb Studio, Shear Fire Hair Design, Silvertip Designs, Sportsman’s Warehouse, Taco Bell, The Dowling Family, The Garden Gate, The Siegrist Family, Town & Country Home Furnishings, Town Square Gallery

The facilitators, Raven Wi’ of Raven’s Creations, and Mike Borgford of Raven Glassworks, extend our heartfelt thanks to all who participated in the 2014 Annual Winter Solstice Festival and look forward to an even bigger and better event December 19-20, 2015.

WE’LL SEE YOU thEN!

Goodbye to a Special Friend

bY VIC kOHRING I lost a special little friend last month that left a gaping hole in my heart.

My cat “Fang” (named for his extra long fangs) succumbed to cancer and FIV, the human equivalent of AIDS, at the age of seven. Fang left us far too soon, but what a great seven years. We feel blessed to have had him in our lives as long as we did.

It has taken me a month to work up the courage to write about Fang and I do so fighting back tears. He was a member of our family whom we loved so much. Fang was a beautiful black cat, very intelligent, gentle and loving who brought us much joy and happiness. He was as close to being human as a cat can get.

Fang came to us one day as a stray in 2007, showing up at our front door as a kitten and refusing to leave. We instantly bonded and developed

an extraordinary human-feline connection. In fact, during the dark days of my legal fiasco several years ago, Fang was a source of comfort to me, a sweet, non-judgmental critter who didn’t care that people spoke bad things of me and made ugly accusations. All he knew was that I was his friend who loved him unconditionally. We were buddies.

After Fang’s cancer advanced to where the inevitable end was near, we made the gut-wrenching decision to put our little friend to sleep. What a dreadful and heartbreaking decision for any pet owner, but it was the right one and the most loving thing one can do when their cat or dog is experiencing chronic discomfort from a terminal illness. The veterinarian tried to console me by saying, “The most excruciating, bravest and greatest act of love one can show their pet is to end their suffering.”

He was right.

We tried our best to save Fang with chemotherapy and Holistic treatments, but the cancer was simply too aggressive. It even caused blindness.

I knew the day would eventually come, but tried to block it from my mind as it was too painful. Taking him to the vet that final hour was almost unbearable as I cradled him one last time and said a prayer that God take Him in His arms.

I take comfort knowing I will see loved ones again some day including pets I’ve held dear on this earth. I know that Fang, my cherished companion, will be there in Heaven waiting to greet me.

You will always be a part of my heart, never forgotten and forever loved.

UNtIL WE mEEt AgAIN!

To this day over a month later, I still shed tears thinking about my special friend and the fact that he’s no longer here to greet me at the door, jump onto my lap, paw at me asking that I share my dinner, lick my hand with affection and curl up next to me on my bed at night as he purred with contentment.

He even learned to recognize the sound of my van as I pulled into the driveway at home and often came running to greet me. Fang was irreplaceable and one of a kind. I miss him sorely.

“The most excruciating, bravest and greatest act of love one can show their pet is to end their suffering.”

VETERANS

The People’s Paper

vEtERANS

PAGE 8

Alaska Veterans Museum Wins Rare Alaska Artifact CONtRIbUtED bY SUELLYN NOVAk Thanks to the sharp eyes of 2015 Board Member kaleigh Wotring and “Alaska Pickers,” the Board approved the purchase of a Radioplane OQ-19D aerial target (think drone).

It was remotely controlled and used to train ground troops to shoot down Japanese planes. It sports a 4 cylinder 72HP McCullough engine and can reach 220 mph.

The wing span is 11’5”, length 12’3” and max weight (ours is lighter as no fuel) is 319 pounds.

Four men launched this target either by catapult or by a rotary method. A fifth man flew the target from the ground or another aircraft. At a range of 200 yards, the OQ-19 appeared to gunners like a single engine fighter at 500 yards.

The “finder” of this drone is still alive and will be interviewed for the whole story. The now 94 year old was hunting on the knik Flats, and found two of them over 60 years ago, dragging them home with his moose buggy.

This one has a complete engine (which also makes it rare, but is missing the tail cone section when the parachute deployed). kaleigh found that only 19 are still around, and the last one bought by a collector (minus the engine, and dinged up but had a complete tail section) went for $11,500!

We got a steal at $2,200, and ours is not damaged but was repainted by the owner.

Now we have to move as our ceiling cannot support that weight! So keep your checks and cash coming to ensure we are able to display this unique artifact to our public.

Well done Kaleigh!

A Warriors Notebook: The Numbers Don’t Lie CONtRIbUtED bY JAMES HASTINGS So here’s some disturbing numbers for you all to review, digest, then argue amongst yourselves about.

These are recent VA disability numbers as reported to the Director of Military and Veterans Affairs office to the State of Alaska and reflects disability ratings for Alaskan Veterans by percent.

0%=46, 10%=2,284, 20%=2,042, 30%=1,883, 40%=1,670, 50%=1,400, 60%=1,613, 70%=1,256, 80%=1,099, 90%=603, 100%=1,005 TOTAL: 15,451 REtIRED mILItARY LIvINg IN ALASkA: 13,722 REtIRED WIDOWS IN RECEIpt OF SURvIvOR ANNUItIES: 1,567 here’s the discussion point: We can obviously see that these numbers seem so very painfully low.

Example: ONLY 46 Veterans with a ZERO Rating?!? Are you kidding me?

EVERY dad gummed Veterans who gets out, whether disabled or not, should be at the VA to get a rating be it a Zero or above. The key point here to understand is that they only reflect those who have registered with the Veterans Administration and are on the current rolls.

Think about an All-You-Can-Eat Pizza Buffet if you will……If nobody is in line, they won’t keep refilling the buffet.

However, if there is a crowd waiting and demanding Pizza, they pretty

much are gonna have to produce the product. Same with VA Services. If WE are not standing and demanding care and support, why should they staff and fund programs and outreach. Low numbers mean they are doing great, right? Wrong, low numbers mean that by making a pain in the Hoo-Ha, that WE give up or never try because we lack the patience or time to “stand & demand” our rights. These are EARNED ENTITLMENTS, not “Free Benefits”. You aren’t taking money or support away from someone who you think may “need it more than you”. There is no quota. It is not A “pizza’, it’s ALL the pizza necessary to feed the masses and meet the promise. But if we don’t ask, we don’t get what we deserve.

Just separating from Military Service DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY ENROLL YOU. You have to put some effort and you may likely find yourself jumping through some hoops to get it done.

Pain in the rear end? You bet. Toughest thing you’ll ever do? Not likely. Worth it?

ALL THE WAY! Here are some arguments that I have heard AGAINST registering with the VA: “I don’t want Uncle Sam knowing my business or where I am”. “I spent xx years of my life under the Militaries thumb, I don’t want that ever again.”

“The VA screwed my uncle/dad/father/ etc.”. “The VA ain’t gonna do nothing for me anyway.” ” I went in there and they never called me back.” Gotcha. Heard and acknowledged and I certainly believe each of these concerns and yes they are in many cases valid.

So here’s the rub as I see it. Every legitimate Veteran that I know

undoubtedly spent a considerable amount of time in a uniform conducting what could only be considered high-risk activities, never accepting “NO”, never accepting “defeat”, and always fighting and standing up for others. However, those very same Warriors will not stand up for themselves when they often need it most. These are not “benefits” we are talking about folks. These are ENTITLEMENTS. These are the earned return on our “investment” of blood, sweat, and tears. For some the ultimate sacrifice has been paid and their Survivors need these entitlements to go on with life.

It is in this vein that we are called upon as Warriors who have faithfully served our nation and our citizens as well as our fellow Brothers and Sisters in Arms, to continue that service by registering with the VA and to be counted among the official ranks. Not only will you be taking care of your own needs, but by being added to the count of Alaskan Veterans requiring some level of service, you will help us create a stronger voice for funding, staffing, and the deserved attention that is desperately needed in our country at this juncture in our history. how Do I Register?

Well my friend, it is truly as simple as calling or visiting your local Vet Center, American Legion, VFW, AMVETS, DAV Office and tell them that you need to get signed up with the VA. Each of these great organizations has positions called Veterans Service Officers (VSO’s) who are trained, experienced, and most importantly, dedicated to helping YOU get your entitlements and benefits applied for. Be forewarned that it falls upon your shoulders to follow through

and follow up. The way I figure is that if you’re tough enough to fight for your country then you’re tough enough to fight for yourself. If you won’t do it for yourself then at least do it for your fellow Warriors and your loved ones.

Please find these resource links useful in your efforts to register. This is simply a starting point as there are varied and numerous other contacts by which to start or follow up in your process.

In the Mat-Su Valley: US Veterans Center ·851 E Westpoint Dr., Ste 111, Wasilla (907) 376-4318 In Anchorage: Veterans Resource Center ·4201 Tudor Centre Dr., Ste 115, Anchorage (907) 563-6966 Alaska State Director of Military and Veterans Affairs Office. 4600 DeBarr Rd, Ste 1, Anchorage toll free (888)248.3682 www.veterans.alaska.gov Need Job assistance or seeking access to Disability Rating letter or docs: www.ebenfits.gov AbOUt thE AUthOR Content contributed by 22 year US Army Veteran James Hastings.

James currently serves our Veterans and Military members by volunteering as the Director of Operations for Alaska’s Healing Hearts.

WWW.ALASkASHEALINGHEARTS.COM “A Warriors power does not lie in his strength, his size, or feats in battle. A Warriors power lies in his heart, his character, and his commitment to those he serves.”- D.J. “Eagle Bear” Vanas

A Gesture. That’s All.

bY MARTY RANEY

A lady asked me to carry a coin with me on Season 3 of Ultimate Survivor Alaska, in honor of her son... I drilled a hole in it (sorry)… tied it to my pack.

Can’t believe it wasn’t torn off and lost. I truly never thought she’d see that coin again. I’ve lost everything I ever took, including one cowboy hat and a gold pan.

Only momentos I have to show from three years traversing Alaska are the clothes on my back and 2 tattered canvas packs and a pair of old wooden skis. Melinda, sorry your son didn’t return from Iraq.

MARTY RANEY, ULTIMATE SURVIVOR ALASKA

SKA

Swedish dog Expert to Visit Anchorage ANdERS HALLGREN WILL TEACH A STRESS ANd BEHAVIOR PROBLEMS SEMINAR. CONtRIbUtED bY GRISHA STEWART ANChORAgE, Ak DECEmbER 22, 2014 – Scandinavian dog trainers are world leaders in their field. Dr. Anders ("Andy") Hallgren of Sweden is a psychologist and the author of Stress, Anxiety, and Aggression in Dogs, along with a whopping 23 other books and booklets.

Hallgren was the very first “dog psychologist” in the world. In 1971, he earned an actual psychology degree to study animal behavior, unlike TV trainer Cesar Millan. Hallgren is the father of the well-established modern dog training movement in Sweden, an expert whose books are required reading for up-andcoming professionals in the field. Alaskans can now learn from him this February as well, thanks to Empowered Animals.

Empowered Animals is owned by Grisha Stewart, an author and international speaker who recently moved from Seattle to Palmer, Alaska. Stewart regularly teaches her own dog training seminars abroad and she learned about Hallgren from her Scandinavian students. She decided to bring Hallgren to Alaska, in part, to learn from him without needing to fly back to Sweden. She also wants to help dogs in Alaska.

The 2-day seminar is about Stress and Behavior Problems and will be held at the University of Alaska in Anchorage. The seminar is February 21-22, 2015 in the Gorsuch Commons, with convenient parking nearby.

“I’m really excited to hear what Anders has to say about stress,” Stewart says. When I read one of his books, it really struck me how much of this information is not common knowledge in the US, even among our most modern trainers.

His explanations were really clear and I had several ‘aha’ moments while reading it. I am looking forward to the seminar. On top of his great information, I have also heard that he’s a really funny speaker, so this should be fun!”

The seminar is two full days, with the first day for all audiences, including regular dog owners.

Day 2 is more advanced and is meant for professionals. Registration is $159 for Saturday only and $199 for both days, available at http:// EmpoweredAnimals.com/Alaska To book Grisha Stewart or Anders Hallgren for an interview or to receive more information, please call Grisha Stewart at 206-718-5073 or email: grisha@empoweredanimals.com Anders Hallgren, Ph.D. is a Swedish author, international speaker and animal behaviorist.

He is the author of 24 books and numerous articles. He appears regularly on television and his specialty is stress in dogs. His groundbreaking research in the area of mental stimulation in dogs has influenced millions of pet homes.

DOG ExPERT ANDERS HALLGREN

visit andershallgren.se to learn more.

Grisha Stewart, MA, CPDT-kA, CTP is an author, international speaker and online course instructor specializing in dog reactivity.

She founded Ahimsa Dog Training Center in Seattle, WA after earning her Masters In Mathematics and teaching theoretical mathematics to college students. Grisha has released two books, seven DVDs and offers an online course on the subject of dog behavior and training. visit empoweredanimals.com/about-us/ about-grisha/ to learn more.

GRISHA STEWART, OWNER OF EMPOWERED ANIMALS

The Wasilla Homeless Committee Meeting A Success

The Wasilla Homeless-Committee had their initial meeting January 10, 2015 at The House of Blood n Fire, The meeting started with a meet and greet session.

There were 24 members attending, which was an outstanding turnout!

Guest speakers were Donna Irsik, President of Blood n Fire, karey Gaston, Executive Director Blood n Fire, and Andrea Moore, Director of knik House.

kTUU was there and did an interview which was shown that night as the lead story on the 10:00 broadcast.

Eddie Maxwell from Q99.7 radio was also present.

Elections were held and the following members were selected. Sandi Sagerian, Chair, kerri koonook, Co-Chair, †Laurie Phillips, Secretary and, Terry Walker, Treasurer.

The next meeting will be Saturday January 24 @ 1:00 at the Christian Fellowship Wasilla Church 591 kGB. All future meeting will be held at the church.

IF YOU ARE INtEREStED IN thIS CAUSE AND ARE WILLINg tO hELp, pLEASE REqUESt tO JOIN OUR FACEbOOk gROUp: WASILLA HOMELESS-COMMITTEE

Excerpt From “There’s No Such Thing As Can’t” Continued A drill sergeant I remember put it this way, “Can’t, means won’t.”

The thing is it really is true that you can do anything you really want to do.

This is true for people, and it is true for governments. It is true for a tiny town, and it is true for this borough.

Sadly, the Matanuska-Susitna Borough hasn’t the will to do much. And when they do get something right, for instance the work being done on Bogard Road, that is to say the much

talked about extension, they needn’t expect me to make joyful noises about it. It’s about ten years late. I remember July 20th, 1969. My family and I were sitting in our living room in Indiana (Do forgive me. I had no choice) and we were amazed and proud when Neil Armstrong stepped down onto the surface of the moon.

Wow, what a shot in the arm! Like him or hate him, President Nixon wisely said, “When our country ceases to do great things, we’ll cease to be a great

nation.” It is so true. And I fear that that day has long since come and gone, that is to say, the day in which we do great things. From 1969 to 1972 we sent men to the moon and in one case a cool set of wheels as well. They gathered sand and rocks, returned, and they amazed us with their daring and amazing feats.

Now we spend billions to see if spiders can spin webs in space (which amazing accomplishment, by the way, was documented on Skylab in the midseventies if I’m not mistaken). Since

this writing, the final flight of the Space Shuttle program has concluded and we are now hitching rides on Russian spacecraft. kennedy would roll over in his grave.

Before I drift too far off the point, that point is that we used to understand that we could do anything that we really put our minds to.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE ON WWW.MAkEASCENEAk.COM

Helping MyHouse From Your House

After my daughter Madeline and I toured MyHouse on a field trip with her class, she came to me with concern for the homeless youth here in the Mat Su Valley.

CONtRIbUtED bY kIM EMMI After my daughter Madeline and I toured MyHouse (Homeless Youth Center) on a field trip with her class, she came to me with concern for the homeless youth here in the Mat Su Valley.

Because she is too young to volunteer at My House, we planned a bonfire and asked our friends to bring a donation.

New or gently used coats, winter boots, or a sleeping bag - most people can look in their coat closet and find items that are no longer being used.

We put the word out that if people would like to donate to let us know and we would be more than willing to come collect them! With pots of chili &

chowder to share, our friends brought items to be donated to My House! hERE’S WhAt WE COLLECtED: 48 men's winter coats 22 sleeping bags and blankets 38 woman's winter coats 22 winter boots and shoes 7 winter vests 16 polar fleece 10 snow pants 7 bags of assorted clothes 2 bags of hats and scarves $100 in gas cards AND mORE! A big ‘Thank You’ to everyone who stopped in and dropped off items. It was a huge success! As her mother I am thankful for Madeline and her compassionate heart! We can't solve the world's problems, but we can make a difference in someone's life.

I'm really hoping that this will encourage other teens to host events to benefit My House too.

My House can always make use of gift cards for local restaurants, cell phones (used is great), foot warmers, chap stick, men's belts, feminine hygiene products, adult size hoodies, non slip shoes that can be used for fast food work, and black pants (also for work uniforms).

CASh DONAtIONS CAN bE DROppED OFF At mY hOUSE, 300 N WILLOW, WASILLA, Ak 99654

AbOUt mYhOUSE: Local schools and service organizations estimate that there are over 700 homeless youth in the Valley age 14-24.

Here at MY House we are serving over 150 of those youth, and we haven’t been open for a year yet! We believe in the youth of the Valley and their potential, and our programs are designed to offer a hand up and not a hand out.

OR, USE thE pAYpAL bUttON ON thE FRONt pAgE OF thE mY hOUSE WEbSItE:

MY House offers food, clothing, shower and laundry services, employment services, public health care, mediation services, help with legal issues and support and referral for mental health and substance abuse treatment.

WWW.MYHOUSEMATSU.ORG

(907) 373-HELP