Highlighting Artist Cindy Pendleton MORE ON PAGE 11 OF MAKE A SCENE MAGAZINE Contributed by AJ Hoffman This year's film line-up will & Ben Rowell undoubtedly get you excited to grab a rod and hit the water this The 14th Annual Fly Fishing upcoming season. So, what are Film Tour is hitting the road and you waiting for? Come join us at headed to Wasilla with a fresh F3T - the largest fly fishing film batch of new films. event of its kind.

While the F3T travels all across The F3T lands in Wasilla on the nation, anglers young and Saturday, March 28th at Everett’s old alike will get taken on an at Mat-Su Resort. Shows start adventure featuring cartwheeling at 5pm and 8pm. Tickets are steelhead, pristine Australian available at 3 Rivers Fly and Tackle coastlines, fish brought back from and flyfilmtour.com. Given the Coloring Page: Artist Britney Kauffman the brink of ruin to jungle streams circumstances regarding the Snow Blinded: Avalanche Safety 2020 MORE ON PAGE 13 OF MAKE A SCENE MAGAZINE laden with aggressive fish, and so Coronavirus, please call 373-5434 MORE ON PAGE 4 OF THE PEOPLE’S PAPER much more! for updates on the event.

stroll with musk oxen to meet!

Visiting the Musk Ox Farm in winter is the best time to get a glimpse at these Ice Age animals showing off all of their amazing arctic adaptations. They also tend to be a lot more active, as they love to play in the snow and dance in the wind. Our entire herd is moved up to the front pastures of the property that the tour takes you past, since we don’t need to move any animals around for rotational grazing like we do in the summer months.

BONUS: Winter is also your best chance to meet our bulls, as they are often put into “hormonal time-out” come summer rut season. Trust us, it’s for everyone’s benefit!

We know that we don’t have to tell our fellow Alaskans what to wear to MUENSTER WOULD LOVE TO MEET YOU! be winter-prepared (hopefully!), but Contributed by Kerry Nelson, get to see our musk oxen in their true we’ve created some handy tips for Musk Ox Farm winter element, they all have quite the those brave souls who may be visiting story to tell their friends and family you and want to come and see us! As Would you believe that people actu- back home. you know, being properly prepared ally come out to visit us in the winter? means that your guests can experi- It's true! We even had a group of folks I guess what we’re trying to say is, if a ence the indescribable beauty of from Arizona, Las Vegas, Georgia and group of southerners from the Outside winter in Alaska in comfort and style. France come out for a tour of the are up to the task, we know our local Alright, maybe style takes a back seat farm during one of those recent epic Alaskan community is too! Just think to most winter gear, but your friends windstorms, and they lasted for forty of it like any other winter activity you minutes out there! Not only did they all gear up for, but it’s a nice leisurely CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 COMMUNITY MAT-SU VALLEY, ALASKA PAGE 2

Contributed by Linda Meyers- currently, historically, and into the Steele, Senior Education future. This farm belongs to all Alas- kans. Jodie Anderson, Director, is an Senior education classes are offered enthusiastic speaker and is sure to free (except for occasional supplies please. as noted). There are no tests, no grades and no homework. Wasilla Book Club “I Read What I Want To Senior Center, 1301 Century Circle, Read” Wasilla, hosts the classes at no Tuesday, April 21, 3:00-4:00 PM charge, and all the presenters are (Meets every third Tuesday until volunteers who are experts in their May 2020) field! Please join us. Share a book summary and learn [email protected] from others of interesting books. Facilitator, Andi Nations, Retired APRIL 2020 SCHEDULE: Public School Educator/Non-Profit Facilitator Tuesday, April 7, 3:00PM-4:00PM Dr. Mc Peck, Veterinarian of Tier I The Census & Scams Veterinary Medical Center, will share Tuesday, April 28, 3:00PM-4:00PM experiences as a vet to military dogs, An accurate census report is impor- photos, first-hand knowledge. This is tant to every citizen. However, there sure, to be very interesting. are fraudulent scammers working to gain your personal information. Our Local “Jewel”: UAF Farm at Learn warning signs to be aware of Trunk & Georgeson Roads ways to protect yourself. Presented Tuesday, April 14, 3:00PM-4:00PM by AARP Director, Daryl Royce. What is happening at the farm

our students stay focused and never give up. Also to know we see them, and that they are our future.

“We hope that by performing these small random acts of kindness, we can encourage others to pay it forward. Our residents and staff are such a generous group, and they truly come alive when they have the opportunity to give back and interact with the Mat-Su community.” – Heidiann Gaffney, Life Enrichment Coordinator

“Primrose Retirement Community loves being a part of the Mat-Su Palmer, Alaska Mat-Su College students to kick start community. This is our 3rd year do- national random acts of kindness ing Random Acts of Kindness at the Primrose Retirement Community day February 17th. Here at Primrose Mat-Su Collage and it has become residents and staff will spent Thurs- Retirement we want to give back something we look forward to every day, February 13th dispersing $500.00 and encourage everyone to be kind year.” Dana Mayeaux Sales Director in gift cards, goody bags, school to each other. We also understand supplies, and treats to unsuspecting collage can be hard! We want to help

lars to their maximum ability, have helped improve the quality and length of life for those suffering from the disease. In 1974, when my sister passed away at age 6, that was life expectancy for someone with CF. Now, average life expectancy is around age 45 and about half of those living with CF are over the age of 18. Our fundraising efforts are pay- ing off, but there is still a lot of work to be done.

The CF Bazaar is free and open to the public. It is a fundraiser for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation so please come Contributed by Mary Ann Johnson, homemade soups, baked potato bar, out and support the cause. The silent Cystic Fibrosis Foundation nachos, baked goods, snacks and auction will have lots of amazing beverages. items, some donated by the vendors Cystic Fibrosis Spring and some from other community Arts & Crafts Bazaar I have been coordinating fundraisers businesses. Money raised from ven- 4/25/2020 - 10AM for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for dor fees, silent auction, food table Cystic Fibrosis Foundation the past 20 years. My involvement and other donations will go to the Mat-Su Career & Technical and passion for fundraising for this Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. You won’t High School organization is very personal, having want to miss out on the fun! 2472 N Seward Meridian Pkwy. lost three siblings to the disease. In Wasilla my years of fundraising, I have met If you are interested in participating FREE Event many Alaskans living with the dis- as a vendor or would like to make a ease as well as the families, friends, donation to the silent auction, please Looking for a great spring event that and neighbors of people with cystic contact me. You can also help by supports a good cause? fibrosis. The Cystic Fibrosis Founda- visiting the Bazaar Facebook page tion is dedicated to improving the and sharing the event. Please like the The Cystic Fibrosis Spring Arts & quality of life for those affected by page, share it often, and bring your Crafts Bazaar will take place at Mat- the disease with the end goal of find- friends and family out to shop and Su Career & Technical High School on ing a cure. support the cause. Saturday, April 25th, from 10AM to 4PM. This bazaar will feature hand- Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic Contact information: made crafts, Alaskan-made products, disease that causes persistent lung Event coordinator: Mary Ann Johnson local businesses and silent auction infections and limits the ability to Phone/Text: 907-841-6892 items, from nearly 90 vendors. And breathe over time. There is no cure. Email: [email protected] what is an event without food? The efforts of the Cystic Fibrosis Facebook page: http://www.face- There will be a variety of fresh, warm Foundation, using fundraising dol- book.com/CysticFibrosisBazaar COMMUNITY MAT-SU VALLEY, ALASKA PAGE 3

Contributed by Michele N. Harmel- ing, United Way of Mat-Su

The 2020 Mat-Su Valley Resource Guide is available for download on our website: https://unitedwaymatsu. org/our-work/resource-guide/ Please download and use at your convenience.

United Way of Mat-Su Seeks Board Candidates: Do you have a passion for commu- nity, the desire to make a change and a heart for giving? We hope you’ll consider joining the UWMS team as a member of our board of directors! according to each family’s specific be reviewed upon receipt and each needs, in a timely manner. student will be contacted regard- UWMS is recruiting for philanthropy- ing their status. Please submit your minded individuals to fill several To make a financial donation to MFL- application by May 22nd at close of open positions as members of our TRG, visit www.unitedwaymatsu.org, business. Board. You’ll work with other mem- click the “Donate” tab, and be sure to bers of the Mat-Su community on check the box saying you’d like your Questions, or unable to utilize mobile vital issues and events like Stuff the donation to support McKinley Fire app? Please call Becky Stoppa at Bus and Project Homeless Connect. relief efforts. (907) 745-5827 or email impact@ unitedwaymatsu.org. For more information, and to apply, After families begin rebuilding, please contact Stephanie Allen at MFLTRG anticipates a greater need Early Childhood Partnership Up- 745-5821 or sallen@unitedwaymatsu. for donated home furnishings, appli- dates: org. ances, cabinetry, and fixtures. Items Borough Gym Play Time is coming to must be in good, working condition. a close for the summer. Here are our McKinley Fire Long-Term Recovery Donors must be willing to store items remaining dates, each on a Wednes- Group Preparing for Spring: themselves until arrangements can day from 10am-2pm. be made for transport. March 4 The McKinley Fire Long-Term Re- March 11 covery Group continues to assist Donations will be accepted on March 18 survivors of the McKinley Fire. The a case-by-case basis. If you have March 25 group is currently involved in case items to donate, please call Michele April 1 management, checking in regularly Harmeling, Donations Management April 8 with families affected by the fires Coordinator at 745-5824 or email April 15 (LAST SESSION) to determine their needs and make [email protected]. (Please sure they are warm, safe and stable. A include photos and a brief descrip- Toys are welcome, but no Razor cabin has been built for a family and tion of each item in your email.) scooters or pedal bikes please! The is almost move-in ready. Early Childhood Partnership will host Spring Drug Take Back Day: an informal, regularly meetup for Fire families who are still recover- April 27, 2020 - 10am-3pm parents/caregivers and children-find ing from the McKinley Fire will need Valley residents may bring unused us on Facebook for updates: @Early- assistance with tasks such as yard and expired drugs and medications ChildhoodMatSu. clean-up, driveway maintenance, to either Fred Meyer pharmacy loca- restoring gardens and exterior home tion (Wasilla and Palmer) for safe Are you a licensed Valley childcare repair. disposal. Talkeetna area residents provider? Grants are currently avail- may visit the Talkeetna Sunshine able through ECP to cover childcare MFLTRG invites the community to Community Health Clinic. This event facility renovations and repairs. This pre-register for volunteer opportu- runs from 10AM-3PM at all locations. may include playground equipment nities via the United Way of Mat-Su Help prevent misuse of prescription upgrades, safety equipment, paint- website. Please list any relevant drugs and keep our community safe ing, re-flooring and other improve- skills or certifications you may hold by marking your calendar for Drug ments. To receive an application, (eg; construction experience, First Take-Back Day! (Please note that we please email admin@unitedway- Aid/CPR certification) as well as any cannot accept medical sharps or matsu.org. special accommodations you may medical waste.) need. To get started, visit www.unit- Join the Youth 360 Team and Join edwaymatsu.org/volunteer. Thrive Mat-Su Youth Retreat Regis- the Fun: tration is Now Open: Youth 360 is hiring! We are hiring You will be contacted with further Thrive Mat-Su is now accepting ap- for two (2) part-time youth engage- details as volunteer opportuni- plications for the 2020 Thrive Mat- ment specialists. Youth Engagement ties arise. Questions? Call Michele Su Youth Retreat. Held at beautiful Specialists staff a youth club for Harmeling, Volunteer Coordinator, at North Star Bible Camp in Willow, AK, middle and high school students af- 745-5824 or email admin@united- the Youth Retreat is open to students, ter school, during school breaks and waymatsu.org. ages 12-18. This event is free of scheduled summer hours. Youth En- charge, but space is limited. In past gagement Specialists will help youth Donations Management Update: years, the retreat has included work- plan programming for the Youth shops on self-care, resilience, youth Club and develop a welcoming, safe, If you are interested in donating to leadership, outdoor skills, community judgment-free environment that the fire relief efforts, a financial dona- service, and plenty of time swimming youth feel they belong to. tion remains the best way to ensure or boating on the lake. Text YOUTH- that MFLTRG and other nonprofit RETREAT to 51555 to receive your ap- For a full job description and to agencies are able to make purchases plication via mobile (texts need not apply, visit www.unitedwaymatsu. be case-sensitive). Applications will org/employment-opportunities/.

homebuying process, how to prepare for homeownership and how to ac- cess local and federal programs that reduce the cost of homeownership. Two HomeChoice classes are sched- Wasilla’s Brian Remley is one of more work their way through the deci- uled for the Mat-Su in the coming than 60,000 Alaskans who made bet- sions and steps of buying a home weeks: ter home buying decisions, thanks to and how to save money on closing 3/25/-3/26, 6-9 p.m. HomeChoice, ™ a free class offered by costs. Topics covered include how to 4/8-4/9, 6-9 p.m. the Alaska Housing Finance Corpora- shop for a lender and a real estate tion (AHFC). professional, title insurance, energy- Both classes will be held at Valley efficient homes, how to get a home Board of Realtors, 741 E. Susitna, Brian purchased his first house in loan, purchase and sale contracts, Wasilla. 2018. “I was nervous, and I wanted in- home inspections, money manage- sider knowledge of what to look for, ment and budgeting and AHFC loan HomeChoice™ is a great first step, things to pay attention to and types programs. particularly for first-time buyers, of questions I should be asking when Brian said. looking for the right home,” he said. The class is open to all buyers, wheth- er it’s their first house or their fifth, Alaskans can also take the course HomeChoice™ is a six-hour class and is particularly valuable for those online, ahfc.us/buy/homechoice/ that helps prospective homebuyers interested in learning more about the homestudy MAT-SU VALLEY, ALASKA PAGE 4 COMMUNITY

everyone to check it out. The boys survived the night, although All across Alaska conditions are such that’s when the tale got really horrify- that anyone who rides, skis, hikes or ing. Sheer will and youthful health are otherwise plays or travels in the back- the only things that likely kept them country should perk up and listen. alive. The next morning, they were met on the trail by worried family members Avalanches are not the only hazard out who brought critical supplies to get there either. Last spring, while I was the young men out. He explained he’d serving as the director at the Alaska learned a valuable lesson from this Avalanche Information Center, a young experience and wanted me to share it man called to share his story about rid- with others. ing near Lost Lake on the Kenai Penin- sula out of Seward. Be prepared. Make sure you do carry ba- sic things like avalanche beacon, shovel, He said riding conditions were challeng- probe, hot packs, emergency blanket, ing due to the heavy, warm snowpack, fire starter (that will work even when it’s pretty much just like we’ve seen on mul- wet,) emergency food and water. Bring tiple occasions this winter. On the day, along a first aid kit and extra clothes. If he described the snow began falling you end up in a life-threatening situ- hard and steady in the afternoon as the ation, you’ll be very grateful you have light faded. The challenge got a whole these things; the items the young man lot worse because he and his friend sharing his story said they did not have. became separated. “One space blanket and two wet lighters His friend had ridden over a ridge and for three grown men just didn’t get it,” he gotten stuck in another valley and could told me. “I thought for sure we were go- not get back. Both men were frantically ing to die that night. It’s not something I struggling to reconnect. They tried call- would ever want to go through again.” ing on the radio over and over without luck. Finally, from the top of a ridge, the This spring, don’t get blinded by all the young man telling me the tale said he snow and your craving to get out and heard a crackle on the radio and even- ride. Take the time to learn or refresh tually got a signal that connected. The your skills and be prepared. There are two friends could not see each other, some great training programs planned but what they could see was the same across the state this spring well worth island on the lake. They, and a third the investment. friend, agreed to try and meet there. The Alaska Avalanche Information Contributed by Debra McGhan load. A trigger that for the unprepared, Their elation over their successful Center at www.alaskasnow.org has could be you or a friend. reunion was short lived when they real- free programs supported by the Alaska The winter of 2020 is proving to be a ized they were going to have to spend Department of Public Safety, Division of wild ride. A roller coaster of tempera- My avalanche practitioner friends the night. Alaska State Troopers. If you want a class tures and precipitation has created a are hustling to keep an eye on condi- for your club, school or group, call them lasagna of layers in the snow. Some are tions and share their findings at www. “Even though I grew up here and I totally at 907-255-2242 or email info@alaskas- extremely weak and fragile. Some pol- Alaskasnow.org. They can link you with know better, I was so not prepared for now.org and request one today. ished into slabs by the wind. And many any of Alaska’s regional or national this,” the young man told me. “We didn’t of those layers keep getting buried un- avalanche centers where you can see have some of the most basic survival gear Here’s to a long, happy spring riding der mounds of fresh flakes all piling up their forecasts and observations. If you you need. It was insane.” and touring season. and waiting for a trigger to release their haven’t already, I strongly encourage

large-scale resale pop-up. in need.

Each consignor individually prices and The Consign49 Spring 2020 Event will tags each item, and items are dropped be held April 16th-19th at Raven Hall at off approximately one day before the the Alaska State Fairgrounds in Palmer, sale begins. Consign49 team members Alaska. Admission and parking are free, work to organize all items, so everything all major credit cards are accepted, and can be easily shopped according to dressing rooms are available for trying category and size. There is also a dedi- on clothing items. Hours are 9am – cated boutique section, in which local 8pm, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, boutiques have discount and clearance and from 9am – 5pm on Sunday. On items for sale. In addition, there is a Sunday the 19th, many remaining items “vendor row” where local businesses will be marked half price, depending on will have booths for sharing their prod- whether the individual consignor has ucts and services. chosen to put the item into the half- Contributed by Ryanne Ori, Con- How would you like to shop from a price sale. sign49 selection of thousands of high-quality The event benefits all involved and is items at 60%-90% off retail prices, all recycling at its best! Consignors get to If you are interested in becoming a Consign49 Spring 2020 Consignment under one roof? do some spring cleaning to clear out consignor at the event, please go Event items from their homes while earning to www.consign49.com for more April 16-19, 2020 - 9AM Consign49 is a 4-day event held each some extra cash. Shoppers get the op- information. Consignor spots are Consign49 spring and fall, in which over 200 local portunity to buy brand name items, or limited and will be on a first come Raven Hall, Alaska State Fairgrounds community members bring new and much needed seasonal items, for a frac- basis. Additionally, a limited number FREE Admission gently-used clothing, accessories and tion of retail prices. Additionally, many of vendor spaces are available. Please home décor items together to form a items that go unsold at the end of the send an email to [email protected] event will be donated to local charities for more information.

we start a passionate political war. I respectively predict Senator Shower’s proposed constitutional amendment (SJR 17) to repair this mess is hardly Contributed by Wes Keller constitution that intentionally created a fight for their constituent’s“ share” at the worth the paper it is written on be- weak legislature! trough. They have had to pay their dues cause we tolerate bipartisan legislative I listened to my senator, Mike Shower, to powers greater than the powers of leadership that will not move this type explaining on the radio why his col- This, plus a provision of an apolitical the legislature. of legislation! leagues kicked him out of the major- revenue stream (the legislature has no ity caucus. What a zoo! We watch in credible need to pass tax legislation for There is ample evidence that our “red- We are dealing with the unintentional stunned amazement (from a distance), the lion’s share of the budget), allows state values” have slipped to accommo- consequence of lack of checks and and it is frustrating. We are watching energy for a childish game of legislative date this mess. As a culture, we abhor balances intentionally instituted into abusive injustice against voters… (us). “king on the mountain”. The “on-the- meaningful partisan wars, in spite of the our constitution. Popular wisdom once job training” for new legislators in the fact heart-felt debate actually reveals was, we supposedly had too few people Senator Showers represents my values organizational process includes dealing America’s (any Republic’s) good health! to pay for government in a massive well and now he/we are neutralized by with being outwitted and bullied by Diverse perspectives require “air”! If we geographic area. Incredibly, some still whatever game our legislators are play- insider senior legislators who have been believe we really have been created believe this even after seeing our oil ing! It is an affront to all Alaskans be- previously domesticated to adequately equal, we must endure passion of argu- wealth. This argument was used to cause it mocks the Alaska Constitutional fund the “deep state”. ments. Remember the lukewarm Senate justify creation of an administrative gov- assurance: “All political power is inherent “Bi-partisan Working Group (Circa ernment significantly diminishing the in the people…” (Article I.2). Many legislators who would otherwise 2008)”? How did that work out? role of the legislature. Alaskan tweaks of succeed because of their integrity and traditional constitutional values are hav- Alaskans sent a Republican majority expertise, find themselves side-lined Check your history and consider the ing a profound impact far beyond what of legislators to Juneau which means (like Shower) when all the forces for big quality of the senators ultimately was probably anticipated. Senator Shower, by association, rep- government are accumulated against disenfranchised (like Senator Shower) resents the values of a majority of them. In effect, Alaska’s legislation is in that fiasco. Senators Dyson, Ther- It is now not enough for constituents to Alaskans. We are a Red State and hold censured to allow only a mixture of fluff riault, Huggins… statesmen with solid get angry with their legislators because vetted red-state values clearly acces- (naming bridges, fighting over coincid- values… We are ignoring the symptom they fail to fix the problem because they sible on-line as a party platform. The ed designs, creating holidays to honor of disease when we tell ourselves we can’t - without unprecedented engage- platform is a product of hard work in a people or state events, resolutions with prefer bipartisan pablum, it simply does ment of politically passionate people. If grass roots, open to all, process. So, why no legal authority), or, any legislation not work that way. We are so far down we continue to allow the ruling class in are we forced to tolerate, year after year, to fund the deep state (the SB 115 tax this road, any repair of original consti- the “deep state” to overthrow conserva- the insult of legislative organizational makes my point). tutional imbalances is hard to imagine, tives such as Senator Showers, Governor abuse that mocks who we are? especially when they are proposed by Dunleavy, and others, we lose! Responsible spending laws, or laws defrocked legislators! My years of experience in Juneau taught trying to fix the constitution get no It is an open question as to whether we me arcane traditions prevail in the traction. The legislators in “leadership” Remember, in Alaska’s imbalanced can possibly repair our government, Juneau legislative culture. The best we (some are good friends) are victims, constitution, any constitutional amend- or not…. The Alaskan version of “deep could do with our collaboration and not tyrants. They have often had to ment must be approved by 2/3 of the state” may be a terminal condition! consensus was create a survival of the restrain themselves from expressing entire legislature before “We the People” fittest legislative environment. Rules their red-state values in order to acquire get a vote. In my opinion, this imposes Wes Keller | www.weskeller.com get established over time, shaped by a their authority. To earn their influence to an almost impossible threshold unless COMMUNITY MAT-SU VALLEY, ALASKA PAGE 5

made available a brochure outlining these changes on their website at www. Alaska.gov.

Contributed by Khrista Huntley, contacting business owners individually in touch with your trusted insurance Fines for operating your business out Alaska Insurance Solutions, LLC. to disseminate these new rules. professional, so they can help guide of compliance with the Workers Comp you in making an informed decision. Division can be up to $1000 per day, In August of 2019, the State of Alaska Prior to August of 2019, corporations It may turn out that you are one of the for every day you have payroll, so don’t Division of Workers Compensation, in owners could opt-out of providing thousands of business owners that now delay! participation with the Alaska Depart- coverage for themselves by simply filing need to purchase workers compensa- ment of Labor and Workforce Develop- an executive waiver with the State of tion coverage for yourself. Your agent If you’re interested in receiving a free ment issued new rules pertaining to Alaska Workers Compensation Divi- can help determine whether you’re copy of the latest “Employer Guide to workers compensation requirements for sion. Owners of Limited Liability Corps currently compliant, and give you an Workers Compensation Act” give Alaska business owners in Alaska. (LLC’s) were also allowed to go without estimate of the cost. Most independent Insurance Solutions a call at 907-376- coverage on themselves. Now, there agents and brokers here in the Valley 1030 and we’ll send one out to you. For the most part, these new rules have are much more stringent rules to claim offer workers compensation policies. only been brought to the attention of exemption for ownership coverage. Agent 907 industry folks, who regularly receive You can also contact the Alaska Divi- Khrista Huntley bulletins and updates from the State Does your business fall under either of sion of Workers Compensation Special Alaska Insurance Solutions, Owner/ about insurance regulation changes these categories? If you are a C Corp, S Investigations Unit at 907-269-4002 or Agent and updates. The State of Alaska is not Corp or LLC, I recommend that you get toll free at 888-372-8330. The State has

Bunches. Glenda Smith Realty sponsored the much-loved Farm Prom Photo Booth Farmland Trust has never hosted an with pictures taken by Dan of Drone- Contributed by Amy Pettit thankful to Vagabond Blues and Turkey event without relying on (the one and works Alaska. What a fun touch that Red for preparing menu items, sourc- only!) Sabrena Combs to handle beer was! Thank you Glenda and Dan. On behalf of the Alaska Farmland Trust, I ing additional local products, and more. service. Thanks to Sabrena and Kalea would like to thank all of you who came Laurie and Alex embody the spirit of Hogate for doing yet another fabulous Finally, you can’t throw a good dance out to enjoy Palmer’s first Farm Prom! It giving back and didn’t hesitate to go job! Farm Prom featured five different party without great dance music, and was such a thrill to see so many people above and beyond in helping to make beers from Palmers’ newest brewer, Lazy boy did we get this one right! Thanks dressed up in suits and ties, ball gowns this was a delicious evening. Mountain Brewing Co., and Sabrena to Ken Peltier for once again running and heels. Clearly, Palmer was ready and Kalea did a fabulous job of keeping excellent sound for both the Ken Peltier for a fun night out as over 150 of your Events such as this are not successful patrons informed and served. Thank you Band and special guests, I Like Robots! friends and neighbors enjoyed the spec- without an entire team of volunteers, for your endless and generous support The crowd thoroughly enjoyed both tacular evening. donors, sponsors and supporters. ladies. bands and we can’t wait to invite them Thanks to my Farmland Trust board to our next gathering! A rumor of dance I’d like to start by thanking Richelle members, Leslie and Denise, for help- A huge shout-out to James Hastings, lessons to coincide with next year’s Plummer, former vice president of the ing check people in, sell swag and raffle who reached out to me the week of Farm Prom is circulating amongst orga- Mat-Su Farm Bureau, our co-host for the ticket, and to Ty and Ternese who were the event to offer his support and as- nizers… Stay tuned! event. Among many other roles, Richelle ‘voluntold’ to help as well – THANK YOU! sistance. James acted as an emcee and coordinated the food, which was the auctioneer throughout the evening, Thanks again to this community for highlight of the evening. Working with Sponsors of Farm Prom included: making sure attendees knew what they supporting our agricultural industry. All Rempel Family Farm, Hungate Farm, Brad Daggett, Country Financial; Craig were supporting and encouraging gen- of the proceeds from Farm Prom will be VanderWeele Farm, Reimers Micro Farm, Taylor Equipment – who also brought erosity. James and his lovely wife, Mary, split between the Mat-Su Chapter of the Bushes Bunches, Blue Creek Livestock, that beautiful green and yellow tractor stayed until the very end of the evening, Farm Bureau, whose mission is agricul- Mat-Su Farm Co-Op and SubZero Freeze for outside; State Farm, Mike Devine; even helping to stack chairs and put ture advocacy and the Alaska Farmland Drying, Richelle had a vision of serving Matanuska Electric Association; and away tables. There is no better volunteer Trust, who continues to work hard to ALL Alaska Grown meal to attendees… our media sponsor – Make A Scene, The than one like that. permanently protect agricultural soils. and she NAILED IT! The food was amaz- Peoples Paper and 95.5 Hatcher Pass ing! Radio. A big thank you to Dave and Andrea If you’d like any additional informa- Fuller, owners of Cobb Street Market tion about one of the businesses Huge thanks to longtime Alaska Grown The event was an all-around success for putting together the beautiful gift mentioned here, would like to get in- supporter and promoter, Clayton Jones with attendees raving about the food, bags that we auctioned off. We also had volved with Farm Prom next year, or of Ember Custom Foods, for the cre- the fun, the atmosphere, the deli- contributions from Seeds & Soils Farm in have additional feedback about the ativity of the menu and knowing how cious kombucha from 203 Kombucha Palmer. Thank you Jennifer! event, please contact Amy at AmyPet- to pull it all together. We are sincerely and rhubarb lemonade from Bushes [email protected].

Contributed by Nolan Murphy, from around Alaska compete against purchase tickets for a prime rib dinner fence, Mom Boyett must receive your Wasilla High School Baseball Class of one another for the state championship. prepared by Chef Mike Graham for $20 money and graphics by April 3rd. 2021 from any Wasilla High School baseball In 2019, Wasilla High School took home player. Even if you can’t contribute to our fun- Wasilla Warriors Baseball Team An- its first state championship in school draising efforts, the best ways to show nual Fundraising Dinner Auction and Valley history. Winning this cham- Along with the dinner, there will also be your support for our team is by attend- 4/4/2020 - 6PM pionship took a lot of hard work and a silent auction for desserts and vari- ing our home games at the Wasilla High Wasilla Warriors Baseball Team support, and we thank everyone who ous items. If you would like to donate School field. The first game is April th20 Mat-Su Career and Technical High supported us in our championship run. an item or receive more information, against West High School at 6:30PM. School In 2020, Wasilla High School is looking please contact Team Mom Cyndi Boyett There are no gate or parking fees at any 2472 N Seward Meridian Pkwy. to defend their state championship title (907-414-0173) or visit the Wasilla War- of our home games, which is why our Wasilla along with a plan to upgrade to their riors Baseball Facebook page. fundraising efforts are so important. Tickets: $20 facilities to ensure a better playing and viewing experience. My teammates and I have been heading On behalf of the entire Wasilla High Playing baseball in Alaska can be a dif- out into the community to ask busi- School Baseball Team, we thank you for ficult experience, hours of time indoors The season kicks off with our annual nesses to help support our fundraising all of your support and look forward to in the off-season and expensive prices fundraising dinner auction on Saturday, efforts. We have many sponsorship seeing you at the field. for facility usage, equipment and travel. April 4th at 6:00PM at Mat-Su Career opportunities and if you’d like your Despite these things, every year, teams and Technical High School. You can business banner to be displayed on our

NO! I’m wondering if perhaps there isn’t cause people have abdicated their place a throne is waiting for you? Incredulous? of leadership. Read on. With elections this fall, perhaps there’s You’ll find empty thrones everywhere. a position waiting for you! There are In villages, cities, states, nations, countless non-profits who might need Contributed by Paula Nance just ASK, people respond. And, that’s continents, for lack of leadership. One your help if you ASKED. what happened this year. Now about of those thrones just might have your The Mat Su Sertoma Club is grateful to the title… name on it. To all those who stepped up and made the many sponsors and volunteers who the 2020 Mat Su Plunge a great success helped make our 2020 Mat Su Plunge You just have to take pause as you read Who owns the condition of your this year, we again say THANK YOU for the best ever. As my friend, John Klap- about the Duke and Duchess relin- neighborhood, your city? Who owns the making a difference. perich, says, “If it can be done, the Valley quishing their thrones and positions of condition of your country? Who owns can do it!” royalty. the condition of your culture? Stay in touch with Mat Su Sertoma! Like us on Facebook! Look around you. It’s amazing when you Do we have a future of empty thrones? Why are things the way they are? Be- POLITICS / OPINION MAT-SU VALLEY, ALASKA PAGE 6

ADULT PIANO LESSONS Hitchcock Piano Studio ...... 745-3134

APPAREL & CLOTHING Contributed by Jessica Wright fully participate the legislature session. has created huge problems for us. All Seasons Clothing ...... 357-0123 They said he violated some rules: not They passed bills like SB 91 or SB26 D’s Tuxedo ...... 707-6585 Many people are blaming the legisla- sitting down during the session and which allows the criminal run free, and Mila’s Alterations ...... 830-8339 ture’s biding caucus rule. I agree that submitting the surprised bill (anti- the private sector got destroyed, and we have to abolish it for the sake of our abortion). According to the caucus rule, Alaskans haven’t get paid of their full ART & CRAFTS voice within the legislature body. The he’s supposed to counsel with its fellow dividends the last four years. As to date, Artists Uncorked… 982-2675 rule forces the legislators to think twice caucus members first. Just prior to that, our state owe us each person $9,877 The Gallery ...... 745-1420 before they vote. If they don’t vote the Representative Eastman unsuccessfully ($6,707+$3,170) of PFD from 2016- way their caucus wants it, they could submitted Amendment 1 on House 2020. That’s close to $50,000 for a fam- BOOKSTORE end up losing staffs and losing leader- HB 205 (F), which is to return the full ily of 5. Even though we are coming out A Black Sheep Shop ...... 376-8198 ship committee positions. This is appar- dividends to the people. of the recession, our economy is still Black Birch Books ...... 373-2677 ently a way to regulate the legislators, feeble because our legislature is keen Fireside Books ...... 745-2665 because under the binding caucus rule, Our current AKLEG has no tolerance to- to keep the government programs go- they cannot vote freely according to wards its own member against their big ing and not willing to cut the budget. CAFÉ & COFFEE their conscious and properly represent government agenda. The recent year, The way they grow the government Alaska Artisan Coffee ...... 745-5543 their constituents. AKLEG has been anxiously engaged is turning Alaska into a welfare state, Gathering Grounds ...... 376-4404 with PFD thefts during the Walker which is only going to hurt the people Vagabond Blues……..745-2233 It happened when then State Senator Administration, and now the they and private sectors. Mike Dunleavy was serving in District E have fighting against the Dunleavy CANNABIS RETAILER in 2017. He stood his ground and voted Administration. They practice shady Sure, the legislature members can Matanuska Cannabis Co...... 745-4211 against HB 57 to protect dividend and binding caucus rule to regulate its own blame the existing biding caucus rule ended up with losing staff. Needless members. AKLEG is undermining the and claim, “The Devil made me do it.” CLEANING SERVICE to say, he felt discourage for not being democracy for shutting down its own In reality, they can abolish the rule all Liz’s Cleaning Service ...... 707-4969 able to represent his district, so he member. together by not entering into such un- ended up running for Governor. lawful agreement, but they choose to You might think this is absurd to have practice this biding caucus rule so they CREATIVE ENTERTAINMENT It happened last year during the final such rule exist in our country consider- push their agenda. Artists Uncorked ...... 982-2675 vote for HB 2001(F) in the State Sen- ing the United States is the leader of ate. All but three state senators voted the free world. Believe or not, we are Alaskans, I hope you wake up and EDUCATION to take our dividends to fund the the only state legislature practices the realize how urgent it is for us to fix our Learning Essentials ...... 357-3990 bloated budget. This year, these three biding caucus rule in our country. It’s a legislature by participating coming state senators (Lora Rainbold, Shel- mockery of our democracy. Normally, election. Are we going to neglect the FOOTWEAR ley Hughes, Mike Shower) were also I would only blast the binding caucus elections in August and November Northern Comfort ...... 376-5403 targeted because of this very subjective rule. But I know the problem is not the like we did the past or are we going rule, cutting the staffs as well as losing binding caucus rule, but the legislators to get out and vote? Like it or not, the HEALTH & WELLNESS the leadership committee positions by who made the rule and legislators who binding caucus AKLEG will continue to All About Herbs ...... 376-8327 shuffling them in the closet, and not support the rule for their advantage take our PFD and turn our state into a Just Botanicals ...... 414-3663 allowing them to participate in their so they could hide behind the rule and Socialist welfare state unless we vote Lone Wolf Aura ...... 631-0482 leadership positions. Their power to claim their hands are tied. them out. represent their districts were greatly HOME DÉCOR reduced and their voice can’t be heard By the way, when did AKLEG become Vote, Alaska if you want to protect your Peak Boutique ...... 746-3320 properly since other legislators are run- such a law binding institution? In the PFD and get your $10,000 (per person) ning the shows. past, they passed bills like HB57 or SB26 back. AKLEG needs to follow the law PIZZA which took 1/2-2/3 of our PFD. I don’t and give us our full statutory PFD, not Humdingers Pizza ...... 745-7499 Get this, Senator John Coghill now has think it has anything to do with the POMV reduced PFD and get slashed seven staff, pay at $60,000-$80,000 for binding caucus rule. It seemed to me again because some how our PFD has PHLEBOTOMY SERVICES only 90 days of work each, plus ben- they were willfully passed the bills in to pay for the government expenses Valley Phlebotomy ...... 376-6435 efits. That’s $420,000+ cost per session spite of the gravity of the bills. For each and for what $2.7 billion going from for Alaska. Senator Bert Stedman has legislator, he/she can choose to comply our earnings to a un protected spend PRINT SERVICES six staff, $360,000+ cost per session for with the state statutory and give the at will Government (UGF) General Fund The UPS Store ...... 746-6245 Alaska, resulting from the cutting staffs people their full PFD like the way it has with 71% of our operating budget of those three state senators. That’s been the last 40 years or take it from going to Health and Social Services… REPAIR, RESTORATION another government waste, I think the people and give to the lobbyists and no dollars being transferred to Comtronics ...... 373-2669 every legislator should have at least to spend on their programs. When it the people’s PFD dividend despite the S&S Drilling ...... 746-0225 two staff members, no more than three comes down to it, it’s a simple black governor’s request. Steve’s Toyostove Repair ..... 376-9276 for leadership. and white choice: for the government The Powdercoat Shop .... 841-1300 or for the people. Remember, AKLEG has no right to take On March 5th, 2020 , the news from our PFD because changing the PFD SPECIALTY GIFTS “mustreadalaska” indicates that AKLEG President Reagan said in an interview, formula from Alaska State Constitution Alaska Midnite Scents ...... 357-7364 has put House Representative of Dis- “...people keep looking for the govern- without a vote of the people should Non-Essentials ...... 745-2258 trict 10, David Eastman, to “time-out ment for the answers. Government is the not be allowed. Time to clean up the The Boardwalk Shop ...... 357-8980 corner”; meaning he’s not allowed to problem.” Looking back, our legislature House (and the Senate)!!!!!

THRIFT SHOPS Steam Driven Boutique ...... 376-4404 In my district, District 8, we have Turn-A-Leaf Thrift Stores ...... 376-5708 concluded that our representatives are not the fighters we need at this critical TOYS juncture and we are supporting chal- Just Imagine Toys ...... 357-1543 lengers to both our incumbent legisla- Learning Essentials ...... 357-3990 Contributed by Mike Widney cian to Juneau in 2016. He didn’t come tors. They aren’t in the RINO camp, but to play games and maintain the status they are warriors. And with the beat- It’s really quite simple. quo that has facilitated the disaster we ings we have taken lately, nothing less now face, he came to fight! Fight for his than warriors will do! We know the games that have been constituents against the entrenched played for years down in Juneau. We special interests and their lackey politi- That’s why I urge District 10 conserva- know exactly what that’s gotten us. cians. And not a minute to soon either! tives to re-elect the best legislator in We know the politicians that want to Juneau to another term! We’re sending preserve the status quo, that don’t have Folks, let’s face it, we are losing big time reinforcements! the intestinal fortitude to make a stand because of “go along to get along” poli- and not back down, no matter what. ticians, and I’m not just talking about We’re counting on David Eastman’s The other thing we know is that District the traitorous RINOs. We all have to principled leadership to be there to 10 voters sent a different kind of politi- take a hard look at our representatives show the way to these fresh legislators and make a judgement call. we hope to elect.

Contributed by Susie Fletcher, “We The People” have entrusted them This legislature has been nothing if not Save The PFD with to provide government services, haughty and brazen in the disregard and we now have a fiscal crisis. they have shown towards the will of Former Governor Jay Hammond “We The People”. WE MUST put them in forewarned us that the threat to the They have chosen to “fix” the problem their place ! WE MUST turn out the vote permanent fund would come from that THEY created by stealing OUR in 2020 and trounce these lawbreakers government overspending. SHARE to continue overspending with! at the ballot box! We MUST BE THE MILITANT RING that The Alaska State House now claims that Governor Hammond said would rise up “NO CONFIDENCE!” is our message to by paying us our full, statutory PFD, in defense of the fund and our shares the Alaska State House! NO CONFI- they would be endangering the fund. that we receive directly in the form of a DENCE! They are liars. They have recklessly dividend! overspent the share of the money that

that, “Eating rocks may lead to broken teeth.” Also for the children, “Remove plastic before eating.” on the wrapper of a fruit roll-up snack.

Contributed by Marilyn Bennett have prevented this event, as no one This one I really think is unnecessary as reads the warnings. it seems to be much too large for even Today, we are being bombarded with clueless people to mistake it for some- constant warnings. We have warnings Many of the warnings we do see are thing to put in your mouth. “Do not use everywhere. Some seem just silly, such almost as silly or can be scary, such as, orally.” on a toilet bowl cleaning brush. as, “Never use a lit match to check fuel “For external use only!” on a curling iron. Perhaps, the label maker was just a level” Or the label on my container of Or suggest bad things to nasty people, wise-guy. Pam says, “Do not spray into eyes or near “Do not use in shower!” on a hair dryer. open flame.” We have all seen movies where some- Now many of these are fun to read, how- one was murdered by a hair dryer while ever, there are more serious warnings But then again, after just being at the taking a bath. Was the warning label put out there in our brave, new 2020 World. Wearable Art Show in Palmer, I wit- on before or after the movie or murder? The latest from the “Masters of the Uni- nessed three young ladies banging verse Twitter Monitors”. They are testing pressurized paint cans on the runway Then there is the warning for the clue- putting warning labels on tweets from during their dance routine. One of the less California driver on a cardboard politicians and world leaders that do not cans exploded and rained spray paint sunshield, “Do not drive with sunshield in agree with the their ideas. The warning all over the runway. I don't believe the place.” Also, I guess this one is to remind would say, “Harmfully Misleading” or, spray can warned against such use and moms to tell their children when pur- doubt that a warning on the can would chasing a rock set called, Popcorn Rocks, CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 POLITICS / OPINION MAT-SU VALLEY, ALASKA PAGE 7 production. Unless we turn the tide of production decline, Alaska will no longer exist as we know it. Yes, that’s a blunt statement. It is however, a very true one. Declining oil production is the Contributed by Sen. Shelley Hughes Alaskans by surprise. Rather than Promises of salvation through new existential threat we are ignoring. & Steve Cinelli responding to this prudently, Alaska revenues are equally impotent. While chose abdication and ambivalence. we do not know the details of the final The silent majority cannot afford to We find ourselves locked in yet another Six years later, we are still paralyzed by budget, we are indisposed to believe ignore this threat. If Alaskans don’t year of the fiscal crisis. While solving division and misinformation. that the deficit will be less than $1.5 speak up, households will be heavily the budget gap merits the most billion. Placing a high tax burden on the burdened with taxes and an ever- serious discourse, it has to date been The prevailing arguments have been backs of 730,000 Alaskans is unrealistic. dwindling PFD. characterized by prejudice and focus on prosecuted by insatiable special By simple division, a tax burden of just two aspects by most legislators: oil interests and myopic political idealists. $2,050 per person is untenable. Fellow A statewide-focused discussion about a taxes and PFD reductions. Most legislators appear to be surprised Alaskans, do you believe that the responsible spending cap and more oil that the pragmatic minds of Alaskans average working family of four earning in the pipeline is critical. This is the first Scrambling to preserve every are reluctant to embrace their views. $75,000 per year can relinquish $8,200 installment in a series of fierce polemics penny in the budget, the treasury These legislators fail to grasp they have to government? Few families can spare to address the latter: how increased will be depleted shortly. Upcoming not offered an efficacious solution. $685 per month. TAPS production will help vanquish our decisions will determine our future dilemma. and fortunes. Now is the time for the Those few who are beholden to Cutting the budget would no doubt most consequential debate since the government spending contend that solve the fiscal crisis. Oil prices Replanting old ground with untenable permanent fund’s creation. their interests are indispensable. Clearly ascended during 2005, and spending crops (high taxes and PFD cuts) is a field if government spends just one more exploded in staggering fashion. destined for a paltry harvest (a weak This matter requires Alaskans’ utmost dollar, all our ills will be cured. Those Despite claims of draconian cuts, the and damaged economy). attention. The silent majority in Alaska who simply see cutting government fact remains that Alaska has spent $14 must wake up and engage. To avoid as the counterpoint have failed to billion in recent years. Increasing the volume of oil is the trouble, we had better. develop persuasive arguments and necessary path forward. Wake up and underestimate the considerable Alaskans elected a majority of engage if you care about Alaska – and In June 2014, oil prices began a political influence of their antagonists. legislators who ran on budget your wallet. precipitous drop from over $100 down restraint, but some softened. The firm to $50 per barrel. In a mere eight Unleashing our sovereign wealth conservatives are outnumbered. Sadly, Steven Cinelli is a 25-year Alaskan. He has months our most significant economic would certainly solve our short-term it is doubtful that significant reductions worked in consulting engineering, spent driver lost half its value. Lay-offs, deficit problems. As of December 31, 2019, are likely. 10 years in the telecom industry, and spending, recession and population the Alaska Permanent Fund value was retired from the oil industry in 2016. decline followed. $66.9 billion. That’s a lot of money, but if So, what is needed now to change the history tells us anything, the legislature trajectory of our state? It’s something Senator Shelley Hughes is a 44-year Perhaps the most substantial event was has missed few opportunities to few are discussing. A big part of the Alaskan. She served in the Alaska House the diversion of a portion of the PFD squander staggering sums. Only a rube answer to our woes – declines in of Representatives from 2012-2016, away from the people, an action that would suggest that it would be wise to state revenue, job losses, shrinking and currently serves in the Alaska State has affected every Alaskan. Despite allow politicians to be the sole guardian population, and the impoverishment Senate. obvious warnings, these events caught of our treasure. of our citizens – is increased oil

about in their campaign claims. OK boomers, you f**ked it up, now fix it. No more tweaking around the edges. They're all millionaires. Money is their There's still enough of us around, over No more minor modifications to ap- motivator. They don't give a damn 24% of the population of this dog- pease restless factions that threaten about the rest of us. Our political class forsaken part of the planet, and we business as usual. We have to be one Contributed by Joe Ford sucks. Elites? Please! And not just here, had good ideas in the '60s. But then we faction 'cause it's all gotta go. Food, everywhere. found cocaine and other shiny baubles. energy,,economics, institutions and the I unintentionaly caught some of murky rule of their law obscured by language “never give a straight answer” Murkows- We're not them. We don't get to vote We should have stuck to LSD. and loopholes and buried under layers ki's empty oratory the other day. Her ourselves raises and premium health- of complexity in a bureaucracy that annual homage to placate the local care packages and tax breaks and free It's long past time for a revival and we generates mountains of paper records plebes was infecting the airwaves. travel and legal fees, and, and, and… should not be leaving it to children to and clouds of digital detritus. It sounded like the suits in Juneau swal- be the teachers and show us how. lowed it gleefully in their competition The BS Murky spews; small footprint None of it's fair and it's all designed to to be the biggest suck-up. nukes out in the bush, expedited devel- Can we help? allow a few to live fabulously off the ef- opment of resource extraction infra- We should help. forts of everyone else at the expense of I found myself asking myself, “Why is structure, old growth trees, let's punch We have to help. our environment and our sanity. this talking points blowhard representing roads in and take 'em out, anywhere us?” there's oil open it, pave it and start Helping? Helping!? We have to reject the script we're given pumping it. We should be leading. by power and money PR people coerc- The reason became obvious to me ing us to honor and adhere to their almost immediately. These are dreams and the people sell- We have a debt to settle and time's run- structures, norms and traditions. ing them are dishonest and uninterest- ning short 'cause we're getting old and She fits right in. ed in our welfare let alone the survival our habitat is being sold to the highest Let's get back to thinking for ourselves of our species. bidder in this system we were willing 'cause that crap's phony, as phony as Right in with the self-serving 'public participants of. We did more than our Murky's speech of brightness and posi- servant' pretenders congregating in Portraying the expansion of our extrac- share to expand and evolve this con- tivity in our future. D.C. and Juneau and 49 other gather- tion industries as a positive shows a sumerism to an art form. ings in gaudy architecture strewn across complete lack of understanding or a Start where you are. this country claiming to be hard at work willful misdirection in service to corpo- It's bad art. legislating to serve their constituents. rations and the system that is destroy- Change what you're doing. ing our habitat. Burn your wellness books, cancel your Apparently, our definitions of constitu- gym memberships and cut your credit Get creative. Find fellow travelers and ent have diverged. What about us? cards into tiny pieces. let's ween ourselves off of this destruc- tive way of life. Embrace inconvenience You're supposed to be working for us… More than 300 million of us here. Buy a bike and a shovel. We have some and revel in discomfort. It won't kill ya. Oh, that's right, the supreme kanga- work to do, some wisdom and knowl- Probably make you stronger, physically roos determined that corporations are Why is an overwhelming majority of edge to impart. and mentally. people too. that number willing to turn a blind eye Higher education was still education at and a deaf ear to buy into the calculat- a higher level 50 years ago and a lot of Stop being so greedy, self-centered, soft To look at the results of their work you'd ed, scientifically designed, focus group us hid out in those institutions soaking and fluffy. be forgiven if you figured the constitu- tested idiocy driving this insanity? up humanities and liberal arts. Hope- ents they are working so hard to serve, Is it a lack of imagination? Fear of fully we came away with something. Remember living? the ones benefitting most from their change? Our senses sedated? A mind- efforts, look to be the corporate creeps less mob? A bewildered herd? Now we need complete and total sys- Come on out, the weather's fine, most funding their malfeasance and not tem change. people are good and the natural world the working stiffs they purport to care Are we stupid? is fascinating. Nothing less will do.

WARNINGS? CONT. (PAGE 6) by Aldous Huxley in 1932, people were saying a bad word in front of my parents else on our own time. conditioned at birth to think correctly My parents felt they had a duty to try to “Twitter community reports have identi- (No need for warnings). bring their children up to speak in a way Also, the descriptions of “Dangerous fied this tweet as violating the community that would help them fit into society. Speech” seems to be getting pretty policy or harmfully misleading informa- In our country, we have freedom of Also to teach them not to bully other muddy. I would think that in order for tion. This tweet's visibility will be reduced.” speech in our constitution. However, kids. Out teachers likewise worked to speech to be dangerous it should be I have been reading about people help children speak and behave prop- about actual physical harm to a person They are also considering letting other losing their jobs because of having erly. or place. It is hard for me to believe that Twitter users earn points for being a unpopular thoughts that they foolishly a politician or world leader would fall good neighbor and turning in objec- broadcasted on social media. I know it is As an adult, what your opinions or into that category. It appears that the in- tionable tweets. We could call those impolite to speak hurtful things to other beliefs were off the job used to be your tent of the new Twitter warnings are not people “Twitter Squealers” or “Tattle- people, but don't like the new trend of business alone. Social media seems to to save us from the next school shooter Telling Twitterers”. calling out people for “Hate Speech” and be trying to change that dynamic and or terrorist. The intent seems to be to thinking it is okay for someone to lose wants to become our parent or teacher limit free speech. Now what could go wrong with that their job because they have unpopular to help us conform to the world as they idea? opinions. see it. Whether they see things the same Thank goodness I am still free to ignore as I do or not, I do not think they have warning labels. In the book “Brave New World” written When I was a child, I was punished for the right to try to muzzle me or anyone POLITICS / COMMUNITY MAT-SU VALLEY, ALASKA PAGE 8 than a video game or Facebook.

Some apparently believe the way to express disdain for everything political, as well as for government, is to remove Contributed by Kevin McCabe ciples and organizing its powers in such ber of signatures needed. We should all individual consent by not voting. Dur- form as to them shall seem mostly likely to be alarmed by this. ing my campaign, I have heard and A recent op-ed from a local editor got effect their safety and happiness.” witnessed apathy or disinterest many me thinking about our Declaration of A statement attributed to Thomas times. I’ve heard: “I am not really politi- Independence and perhaps the most WHOA! Is this what the recall Dunleavy Jefferson, but which more accurately cal,” or, “I am not sure what district I am important and powerful words in that rabble are trying to do? Abolish a came from Irish speaker, politician, in,” and similar sentiments too many document. “The Governed” or “We the government they don’t like? They didn’t lawyer and judge, John Philpot Cur- times to count. The problem is that low People” grant our consent to be gov- spend the time to know Dunleavy’s plat- ran's goes like this: participation gives easy access to those erned. Without our consent, the govern- form when he was running - or maybe who want to change our country into ment ceases to exist. This is fundamental didn’t vote - and now they want to recall "The condition upon which God hath something most of us may not like. And, to the Declaration, our Constitution, and him; in effect withdrawing their con- given liberty to man is eternal vigilance; by the time we realize what is happen- our Bill of Rights. sent because Dunleavy is doing what which condition if he break, servitude is ing it is too late and we have a socialist he said he would do. Can the rest of us, at once the consequence of his crime paradise where 50 or 60% of our income The Alaska Constitution echoes the those who support Dunleavy, allow this and the punishment of his guilt.” goes to fund free stuff; or possibly a fun- US Constitution when it says: perversion? Should we let a vocal few, damentalist country, governed by the with ties to non-profits, unions or special This statement, in recent centuries, has precepts and dogma of a single religion. “All political power is inherent in the interests, use this process to alter or become “The price of liberty is eternal people. All government originates with the abolish our government and remove our vigilance.” Lack of voter vigilance whether from people, is founded upon their will only duly elected Governor? apathy or low information will get us to and is instituted solely for the good of the Eternal vigilance includes voting; smart those positions faster than any revolu- people as a whole.” It is unfortunate that those who did not voting. We must be knowledgeable on tion. It will, in fact, abolish the current vote at all in the last election opened the issues, candidates and their views government; not via an armed insur- What is missing from the Alaska Con- the door for this recall effort. Alaska’s on the issues, as well as the political pro- rection but by a bloodless anonymous stitution is the follow-on verse in the dismal voter turnout makes it easy for cess. When I was growing up, we were insurgency. US Constitution: outsiders and special interests to take told, “Never talk politics or religion at the the first steps to abolish our govern- dinner table.” But during the formation of Like or dislike Dunleavy, the recall effort “– - That whenever any form of govern- ment. Low voter turnout makes it easy our great country that is ALL they talked sets a dangerous precedent. And if a ment becomes destructive of these ends, because it shrinks the number of people about – at the dinner table, in the pubs voter did not vote in Dunleavy’s elec- it is the right of the people to alter or to needed on a recall petition (or a voter and in the pulpits. We need to get back tion, it seems like they have no business abolish it, and to institute new govern- initiative). The Recall Dunleavy group is to that ideal. The government is our signing a petition or voting to abolish ment, laying its foundation on such prin- emboldened by the relatively low num- responsibility and deserves more focus his governorship.

living in Alaska, and am grateful that my family chooses to live in Alaska as well. I cherish all our shared time and holidays together. However, if no protections for Contributed by Fred Kalt I was also very aware that in Alaska, I tant that the Supreme Court and federal LGBTQ Alaskans are enacted, I fear that could be fired at any time for being gay. government step in to ensure that all they may choose to leave for states that As a long-closeted gay Mormon, I know Knowing that I was not protected was a people are protected at work, in housing protect them, and their LGBTQ friends what it feels like to live in fear of harass- part of my daily life, and I feared for my- and in public spaces. and colleagues. I have seen families split ment and discrimination. I grew up in self and others who could be terminated up for this reason, and worry it could the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day at any time without explanation. I fear that if the Court doesn't do the happen to mine. Saints and my family had very conserva- right thing, more people will take its tive values. That’s why I was heartened to hear ruling as encouragement to discriminate I would like to call on religious conser- about three recent Supreme Court cases against LGBTQ people. We must do all vatives who are hesitant about LGBTQ I was married to a woman for 19 years related to LGBTQ employment discrimi- we can to secure these protections. non-discriminaton protections to spend and had six children. When I came out as nation. The Court had a chance to affirm time with LGBTQ people. I think that gay at the age of 52 and met my partner, that all LGBTQ people should be able to I still believe that churches are impor- may help them realize that we should be I was immediately ex-communicated work hard and support themselves and tant to the movement and can be a treated equally. from the church. their families without fear of discrimina- huge help in getting legislation passed. tion. I am a person of morals and faith, and I God’s biggest concern is us getting Still, I remain faithful and have found joy believe we are all God’s children. along with each other. The first com- in living my life open and true. Many may be shocked to know there I interpret the Bible like many others do, mandment is to love thy brother as is no federal law that provides explicit to be loving of all people. This makes it thyself. Without caveats. We should take I moved to Alaska to work in the can- non-discrimination protections, and hard to understand how religious lead- that to heart and treat all people fairly. neries in 1974, then was employed as a Alaska has no express statewide protec- ers can sanction discrimination. nurse until I retired. I came out as gay at tions against discrimination for LGBTQ Fred Kalt lives in Wasilla and is proud work and was aware that some people people. I have 17 grandchildren living in Alaska. to be a part of the LGBTQ family in were uncomfortable with me and other One of my grandsons is gay. These Alaska. gay colleagues. If the state cannot do right by LGBTQ protections are not only important for people, it becomes even more impor- me and my friends, but my family. I love

And probably, this is the most desir- Next, we know that if there are two par- able result and possibly the most stable ties in a nation, it’s better than having system. With all the party bickering and only one party. Is it because diversity is verbal mud-slinging, American politics always a good thing? Is it better then, isn’t doing that bad. Especially when Contributed by Huhnkie Lee emotional in this 5-minute journey to have as many parties as possible, like compared to foreign countries’ political of ideas and keep an open mind. We the more the merrier? scenes. America has this annual tradition already posted that 2-party system is around January or February, the State of better than 1-party system. The question Well, the truth is that the 2-party system Now, is there then, still some room the Union speech, which originates from is, “Why?” in most countries, that’s a product of for improvement in American 2-party the U.S. Constitution Article 2, Section political evolution in those countries. It system? Probably, there is. As a Repub- 3, Clause 1. This year, like many other One possible answer lies in the freedom seems that, if you observe the political lican candidate running for Alaska State years, we witnessed the division be- of choices. If there are two political par- history of the world, a 2-party system is Senate District D (Wasilla and its vicinity) tween the Democrats and Republicans ties, you can choose between the two or more like an equilibrium point where Primary, which will be on 8/18/2020, in Congress. The question worthwhile you can be independent/undeclared or different trials and experiments con- I should be careful when I say things. to ponder today is, “Is this a good thing? you can simply decide not to vote, and verges toward. It appears that 2-party But I think I should be open and honest A country divided?” go apolitical. system is probably the most stable one about what my ideas are, because voters of all systems. Why? Because the two have right to know what my agenda is. A fruitful approach would be to think So, unlike China, America has more ideo- parties can alternate the hegemony and about other countries. China, for ex- logical choices. It probably is safe to say strike a perfect balance over the time If anyone asks me what my vision is as ample, has only one party, as it run by that both Democrats and Republicans axis. a political candidate, then I will say this, a totalitarian regime. Would you rather would agree that, freedom is a good “I believe in communication between see America with only one party? That thing. Meaning, in America for example, when the Left and the Right. I want people to doesn’t sound like a very good idea. the political culture becomes too far to mature up and calm down, and learn Then, we have this gut feeling that a Now, what would be an ideal system the right, the swing voters tend to vote how to listen, even if it takes considerable 2-party system is still better than 1-party that has two political parties? Let us at for democratic candidates. Probably patience. And I want people to be able to system in national politics. So, 2-party least envision, even fantasize, what that that’s what happened in 2008 election, give the other side a chance to talk. I want system is a good thing. ideal polity would look like. where after eight years of President people to be able to maintain civility when G.W. Bush, people wanted some novelty yes, when Democrats and Republicans Now, let us look at Korean Peninsula. Today, we have 2 major parties, Demo- of the leftism and voted for President are in the same room. I want them to not Korea is physically and vertically, let crats and Republicans. What can we do Obama. After eight years of Obamaian debate, but to be willing to listen to each alone ideologically, divided into two: better than what we are doing today? liberalism, people missed conservatism other, and even be willing to learn from North and South. Whether such division At the very least, in this auspicious year and elected President Trump. each other.” in Korea is desirable or not is beyond the of 2020, violence between the 2-party scope of this essay, so let us get back to people is not that common in America. When American culture veers too far to I envision an America where people who American problem. The Left and the Right disagree mostly, the Left or too far to the Right, Ameri- disagree would still have a civil conver- but they are civil to each other, 99.99% cans do not feel comfortable. The result sation, keep an open mind, and think America is metaphysically, horizontally, of the time. And that’s good. So, we can is the never-ending political pendulum rationally and logically. Is that too much and ideologically divided into two: Left add to the list of things that we know to of Left-Right-Left-Right election cycle. to ask? //:-) and Right. Let us be rational rather than be true: peace is a good thing. POLITICS / COMMUNITY MAT-SU VALLEY, ALASKA PAGE 9

school principal. The decentralization of a school district allows the state to look at needed costs to run each school with- out a centralized administration. If there are any large cuts to be made in the Contributed by Tom Lamb Currently, there is a battle going on in is not adequate. The state needs to raise state budget, a decentralized system will the legislature over the PFD and de- the state gas tax and resolve issues reveal what is needed and what is not. When it comes to politics and govern- creasing it to cover the budget shortfall. before it is raised. ment, put this in your memory bank: Some argue we need to cut more gov- And last in the fiscal crisis equation is People who have political experience ernment and leave the PFD alone. We First, the 10-cent gas tax in Anchor- climate change. This year, we are seeing have been doing the same thing for aren't going to cut government services age and the federal gas tax need to be the Bering Sea ice grow and we saw a years and the insanity is Alaska is in a to where we won't touch the PFD. There eliminated. The 10-cent gas tax hinders prolonged cold spell in Alaska. These fiscal crisis. is the “Fair Share” crowd that wants to the state from raising needed transpor- events contradict the consensus among increase oil taxes through an initiative to tation/maintenance funds while federal certain climate scientists that Alaska is During the looming fiscal crisis, Gover- cover the budget shortfall. legislators are looking at raising the warming at an alarming rate and the nor Murkowski and State Representative federal gas tax to cover the Highway Bering Sea ice is doomed because of Mike Doogan advocated cutting the But there is one big problem: The price Trust Fund debt which technically is man-made climate change. Senior Longevity Bonus. It was cut, did for a barrel of oil is at $50 a barrel, not bankrupt or to put it in a more general it stop the fiscal crisis? No. However, it $60 a barrel. So their calculation of term, insolvent. Moreover and very im- Unfortunately, because of a lack of did make it tough for some seniors who collecting 1.5-2 billion dollars is incor- portant, a raise in the federal gas tax will research, investment bankers like Gold- were dependent on it. rect. The fiscal reality is: Distribution never make it to fixing roads. Putting the man Sachs and J.P. Morgan Chase feel and statutes that govern the PFD need gas tax directly into the State of Alaska it is more profitable to invest in carbon Remember when the price of oil was to be revisited. Either a state tax on the bank account ensures the money will be credits than natural gas projects, and sky-high and Governor Palin handed PFD needs to be implemented or it is spent on road maintenance. as such Alaska’s fiscal future has a big out an extra $1200.00 on top of the deposited into a vested escrow where a question mark hanging over it. It is $2069.00 PFD? Supposedly the extra hardship withdrawal can be made or at Another area in the budget that needs known that submarine volcanoes create $1200.00 was to offset the high cost of the vested timeline. The vested timeline to be looked at is the state budget that toxic algae blooms which raise the sea energy, but there is a problem: When will weed out those who live here for a goes to education. When I ran in past surface temperature by 1.5 degrees cel- the PFD drops into bank accounts, short time, collect the PFD and leave. school board races in Anchorage, I ad- sius and is harmful to the marine wildlife substance abuse rises 14% the day vocated that the State of Alaska pay the and humans. What is not known is how after the drop and for 4 weeks after the The PFD distribution has gone from entire school budget with one request: extensive the heating from submarine initial release; it stays at 10% above the over 400k in 1982 to over 700K today. the State of Alaska would control the volcanoes is along the 40 thousand average. In summary to Governor Palin’s As for cutting state services, an example cost of school construction and main- miles of seamounts in the Pacific. decisions to add $1200, did it stop the of going too far on budget cuts can be tenance. And school districts would be momentum of the impending fiscal felt by driving the Glenn Highway after decentralized, the budget for school That question mark can be answered crisis? No. Arguably though, it had a a snowfall and seeing the numerous maintenance for each school would be with the help of Congressman Don negative impact on sexual abuse and accidents and speeders on the Glenn set by the superintendent, and costs Young by turning Port MacKenzie into a domestic violence. Highway. The level of road maintenance to run each school would be set by the Naval Oceanic Research facility

Contributed by Doug Ferguson term “Engineering Change” or “EC” is a processes in order to control quality and locations in the U.S. However, here we common phrase in the language of a report this data to the FDA. speak the same native language, can Recently, much attention has been product engineer. use secure digital communications and given to our national vulnerability due Naturally, the ideal situation is where the don't have to deal with international to sourcing so many of our high-tech Constant feed back from the manufac- product development team is located at travel logistics. goods from China ranging from elec- turing engineers on problems starting the same site as the manufacturing line tronics to medicines. There is now the up the actual manufacturing line to the team. All an engineer has to do is get Also, and this is a very significant point realization that this dependency, while product engineers require changes that up from his or her desk and walk over to in my opinion, close communication be- taking advantage of cheap labor costs interrupt these processes while the EC's the line and talk to the manufacturing tween product engineers and manufac- and lack of environmental standards in are implemented. Also pre-EC'd product engineer or even the equipment opera- turing engineers in the long run results China and other Asian countries to get may have to be reworked, scraped or tor and visa versa to find out how things in the advancement of technology in low manufacturing costs, creates supply dumped and production equipment are going and if changes are needed. If general. This is an aspect of technology line, product quality and other negative may require upgrades as the manu- changes are required, the engineer mak- development few appreciate, other than issues. The outbreak of the new corona- facturing line ramps up to its volume ing the changes can hand carry prints, those directly involved. virus has also dramatically shown how objectives. procedures and even change hardware dependent for critical medicines we are over to the line and be involved in the Establishing and continuously maintain- on a country competing against us in In the case of a low-tech, potentially change. In this manner, while change ing product development and manu- every way. This new attention is good, high volume product this inefficient release discipline is still maintained, the facturing teams that have learned to and hopefully will cause the leaders of product introduction process with all two groups are really working as one work with each other on new products our industries to rethink about foreign it's EC's, production tweaks and learn- team to solve problems and get the line- over time is actually a critical technology sourcing. ing curve can be offset by the eventual up to speed as efficiently as possible. resource. efficiency of a never changing high vol- There is another important factor in this ume manufacturing process. Think nails, Now think how all this has to happen With our outsourcing our manufacturing sourcing issue that I don't hear anybody screws, soaps, paper products and other when the one team is in the U.S. and to other countries, especially China, we talking about in the media (and in most forms of high volume items. However, the other is in China! Besides culture, have been giving up this critical technol- cases it seems, our board rooms!). That most high-tech products have a much language, and time differences, the ogy resource. When we keep both in the is the critical role of communication be- shorter life cycle before an improved transmission of parts and procedures for U.S., this technology capability stays in tween the scientists and engineers who or new version of the product needs dealing with EC's, requires that in many the U.S.! develop the products and processes and to be introduced. In this case, the cost cases a product engineering team must the manufacturing engineers and other of time and money spent during this actually travel to China to provide the Hopefully, as I mentioned at the begin- personnel who actually support the manufacturing introduction phase can communication necessary. However, ning, the current attention to our de- production lines. This becomes a very often consume a significant part of the when in China (or whatever country pendency on China for critical products big problem when the development of product's profit and life cycle. the manufacturing resides), this team will change this terrible trend. the product is in the U.S. and the manu- doesn't have the “walk over to the desk” facturing line is in China or some other In addition, a special situation is pres- access to others in the product engi- Doug Ferguson has spent 40 years as foreign country. ent in medical product manufacturing neering area they may need if problems an electrical engineer in the digital where detailed batch and even serial- come up implementing the change. This electronics industry introducing new Talk to any engineer involved in devel- numbered product records must be problem exists even if there has been technology products and processes oping a new high-tech product whether kept on all products to meet the U.S. a pilot” line at the development site to into manufacturing here and in Japan it be electronic, mechanical, chemical FDA's medical tracking requirements. work out some initial problems. including medical products. He is now or biological and getting it into pro- Even if the demand for the medical retired and besides enjoying nature, duction and they will tell you that this product goes on for many years after Of course, a lot of these same logistical gardening and writing, also enjoys process involves many changes to both the manufacturing process in stabilized, problems can also exist if the product following technology developments, the product and the manufacturing there is a need for constant commu- development team and the manufac- communications history and politics. process before things run smoothly. The nication on the performance of these turing team are located in different COMMUNITY MAT-SU VALLEY, ALASKA PAGE 10 MUSK OX FARM CONT. (PAGE 1) and family won’t care what they look like once they’re warm and toasty! Plus, you can promise them that they won’t always be greeted with negative temperatures and winds that will knock them off their feet. (Better yet, maybe just leave those possibilities out altogether)

ONE LAST TIP: Call us before your visit to see what the conditions are. We are more than happy to help you outfit your- selves properly for the day. Don’t forget, it may be calm with clear skies a few miles down the road from us, but windy or snowing heavily here at the farm!

WINTER HOURS (until 5/9/20): Wednesday-Saturday: 12pm-4pm Tours go out at 12:30pm & 2pm $11/adults $9/seniors 65+ $5/children 5+ Contributed by Nan Potts 2019 grant awarded by MEA. A trailer BOOK ONLINE at to transport the new risers was www.muskoxfarm.org! The wishes for new risers were purchased from White Spruce Trailer granted to the Mat-Su Community Sales. All of our riser wishes came 12850 E Archie Rd. • Palmer Chorus (MCC) with the last minute true. 907-745-4151 aid of the Palmer Community [email protected] Foundation (PCF) and a latent grant Our new Wenger risers were first from Matanuska Electric Association showcased at the Chorus’ 2019 (MEA). Christmas concerts in Palmer.

Like many non-profit organizations If you missed them, this April in who borrow or rent worn Willow and May in Wasilla, you will performance equipment, it became find the chorus performing the apparent to the Chorus that it was inspirational music of Americana time for something new. and showing off the new concert risers. In order not to be stingy with In the spring of 2019, the Mat-Su our gift, these risers with also be Community Chorus submitted a made available for use by non-profit grant application to the Palmer organizations throughout the Palmer Community Foundation that community. was awarded in July. This grant, combined with an earlier 2017 grant For the Mat-Su Community Chorus, from MEA, provided the substance 2019 was a year of granted wishes. for the chorus to purchase a series of MCC is very grateful for the support new concert risers. of MEA and PCF, and for their dedication to the wellbeing of our The fundraising for this project local community — a grand finale. began nearly six years ago and Thank you! the pursuit of grants commenced. Competition proved fierce. However, Palmer Community Foundation’s Contributed by Taylor Jordan, Black skill or have one to teach, we would love with perseverance and the support (an affiliate of the Alaska Birch Books & Curiosities the opportunity to host you. Supporting of the community, these two Community Foundation) goal is local is what we do! generous grants were secured. to support projects that enhance This has been a long winter and as the sun Research for the make and model the quality of life for Palmer area starts peeking out, you will too! We always We have so many amazing things hap- of risers was completed and the residents, addressing intimate provide a fun, supportive and safe envi- pening at Black Birch Books & Curiosities race was on to procure and have needs while working toward ronment at Black Birch Books & Curiosities over the next couple of months! Come them arrive in Alaska in time for our long-term improvements. They are to get you where you feel you belong. visit us at 390 N. Main Street in Down- Christmas concerts. continually listening and learning town Wasilla, watch our Facebook for the about what is important to us. Sharing our space is one of the best ways events or look at the community events Transportation from Minnesota You’ll find them online at www. to help independent sellers get a leg up if calendar in Make A Scene Magazine! to Alaska was the next hurdle, palmercf.org. they don’t have a brick and mortar busi- overcome with a private donation. ness. We exclusively host Alaskan authors, Attend an event! Read a book! Pet Dante, In October, the risers arrived in MEA’s Charitable Foundation artists, musicians and craftsman. We also The Bookstore Dog! The curiosities of Anchorage. Lastly, the need for awards annual grants to local love education, training and positive com- Black Birch Books is awaiting your atten- accessible, local storage and programs. For more information munity connection! If you want to learn a tion! transportation was answered by a go to www.mea.coop PETS & ANIMALS MAT-SU VALLEY, ALASKA PAGE 11

has a fluffy, cloud-soft coat. This beautiful husky mix is Anora is a little lovey dove only 7 months old and yet who loves to cuddle. She is finds himself in a situation her humans' best friend. where he soon will be with- She can live with other cats, out a home. For some rea- but her dream home would son he is not getting along be just one other mellow with the family and their cat or just her and her great dane mix. The family people. She would love to feels he would be better be some sweet older child's suited to a home with teen- companion and loved one. agers or adults and might And if they would play with be happier as the only dog her and take her outside in in the household. summer for fun in the yard, that would be wonderful. Please e-mail Alaska Ani- Contributed by Judy, She's a darling and deserves Contributed by Angie mal Advocates at akaares- Clear Creek Cat Rescue a kind loving forever family. Lewis, Alaska Animal [email protected] or call Advocates Angie at (907) 841-3173. Beautiful, little girl maybe as In Wasilla. Call 980-8898. much as a year old, Anora

Contributed by Angie Lewis, ronment of a shelter experience. The characteristics that might be unac- Alaska Animal Advocates loud, smelly, frightening characteristics ceptable to some families and toler- of shelter life do not bring out the best able by others. So, these tests should Traditionally, in the past, when an ani- in a dog. Also, a dog’s breed should not offer a picture of the type of dog and mal shelter attempted to find a home be a deciding factor in evaluating his the family decides if they are willing for a dog, they experienced some behavior; but rather, all dogs should to deal with this personality. All dogs disadvantages. Often, these facilities be considered as individuals. should be observed for at least three were in out of the way areas that were days to see how they react to the not easily accessible to the general Shelter life is very stressful for animals stress of the shelter environment. public. Also, the shelter staff lacked and although the dog is safe and cared the expertise to help match dogs with for, his emotional well-being is not The temperament test determines the appropriate family, dooming the adequately cared for as it should be whether a dog likes to be petted; is chances that the dog had of remaining through no fault of the shelter staff. frightened by noise; guards food or in the home. They do the best they can under the toys; enjoys interactions with people; circumstances. how he reacts to young children, Now, many shelters bring their adopt- babies and other animals; is easy to able animals to off-site adoption Shelters make decisions about a dog arouse and accepts touching, among locations, such as pet supply stores or based on the animal’s behavior and other things. mega-adoption events. In addition, temperament, not how long he has shelter staff now has access to train- been at the shelter or a lack of space Families are then matched to dogs that ing opportunities that enhance their or exercise. Not everyone, myself will fit in with their lifestyle. Learning understanding of dog behavior and included, believes that temperament more about the dog that the family is the use of positive training strategies. evaluations are fair or necessarily accu- hoping to adopt will hopefully prevent There are many temperament assess- rate. I believe that these other factors the dog being returned to the shelter. ments that can offer the staff a win- certainly should be considered. It would be wonderful if shelters could dow into the personality of each dog’s provide training opportunities for the strengths and challenges. However, The results of these temperament tests dogs that they adopt out and help it is wise to consider the validity of a aren’t simply about determining if a these families to recognize and deal temperament assessment in the envi- dog is “good” or “bad”, but focus on with behavior problems. COMMUNITY MAT-SU VALLEY, ALASKA PAGE 12

Contributed by Matt Rowley our disabled military veterans. 11:00am on Sunday, admission is free for everyone, courtesy of Home Solu- Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show You don’t want to miss the educational tions Real Estate. And of course, parking March 27, 2020 - 12PM presentation by the Alaska WildBird Re- is free. March 28-29, 2020 - 10AM habilitation Center on Sunday morning, Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show from 10:00am until 12:30pm. They will This Outdoorsman Show promises to Menard Sports Center be there with an ambassador bird or be the event of the year that you don’t 1001 S Clapp St. Wasilla two, explaining their mission to care for want to miss. Come on out to meet the Cost: FREE Military, FREE Children injured, orphaned, and sick wild birds. experts, grab some tasty food, and to (Ages 0-12), FREE on Sunday for Ev- stock up on the advice and the gear to eryone, $5 General Some of the other must-see seminar help you enjoy life! We hope to see you presentations throughout the show there! In Alaska, we are living in the outdoor include: recreational mecca of the world. As the “Electrical Systems for Off-Grid Living” first major outdoor show of the year, the by 907 Solar Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show is just what “Tips for Catching Salmon” by Fishtale you need to kick-start your fabulous River Guides Alaskan summer season. “Innovative Pet Care Practices” by Tier 1 Veterinary Medical Center Everything to help you get the most “Expert Advice on Successful Halibut out of your time in the Last Frontier will Fishing" by Bottom Line Charters be under one roof at the Curtis Menard “Purchasing Land for Recreational or Sports and Recreation Center in Wasilla Residential Purposes” by the Depart- on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, March ment of Natural Resources 27th – 29th. You’ll find everything from “Tips for Selecting the Firearm that is ATVs, boats, RVs, rafting trips, fishing Right for You” by Accurate Advantage charters, raffles, outdoor toys and sport- “When, Where & How to Catch Different ing goods, to informational seminars Species of Fish in the Kenai River Fish- presented on a wide variety of outdoor ery” by Kenai River Drifter’s Lodge subjects by the outdoor experts. Alas- “Understanding the New Positive Board kan authors will be at the show signing of Fisheries Changes for Salmon Fishing books and discussing their knowledge in Northern Cook Inlet” by the Mat-Su and experiences. Borough Fish and Wildlife Commission

While you’re there enjoying the show, Check the Show website at www. don’t miss the new, large outdoor food matsuevents.com for the complete truck rally, where you’ll find a gathering schedule of these and other educa- of all the best food trucks of Southcen- tional seminars. tral Alaska. Also new this year, there will be a silent auction, sponsored by The Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show has Project Healing Waters. You’ll be able been expanded this year with double to bid on charter trips, lodging stays, the space and double the vendors sporting goods, artwork and even an from prior years, including dozens of African hunting safari and an African first-time exhibitors. Show admission photo safari! One hundred percent of is always free for military personnel all auction proceeds go to provide fly and their dependents, and it is free for fishing and other related benefits for kids 12 and under. From 10:00am to