Racing: I’m Just Not One of Those Guys

Racing: I’m Just Not One of Those Guys

Contributed by Sam I

I’m just not one of those guys.

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

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

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

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

Sam I Photography

sirwinphotosak.wixsite.com/sirwinphotos

raceak.com

10 Tips From 2

10 Tips From 2 

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

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

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

Let’s dive into the steps: 

Heather 

1. Goals:

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

Shelby:

2. Photos: 

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

Heather

3. Where: 

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

Shelby:

4. Consistency:

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

Heather 

5. Mood:  

Ask yourself: what do you want your brand to feel like? Pinterest can help! Make a mood board and pin images that inspire you or show your desired look. Then share that to communicate with your photographer!  For more ideas, you can follow some rockstars in your field and pay attention to what they do to market themselves. I bet they are oozing with personality! Pay attention to clothing colors, styles, and settings, and then make it your own!

Shelby:

6. Story:

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

Heather

7. Settings:

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

Shelby:

8. Variety:

Don't be afraid to experiment with different types of content, such as photos, videos, or graphics. Mix it up to keep things interesting. Some will love watching videos, some will want to read a graphic, and some will love your beautiful photo.

Heather

9.  Expression: 

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

Shelby:

10. Specs:

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

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

-End of Article-

Credit:

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

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

Author Photo: Shelby Larson 

Author Photo: Heather Dunn

Photos: 

Dominique Park 23-03-28 | Dominique Park | Realtor | Keller Williams-154

Hope Has a New Clean Home

Hope Has a New Clean Home 

Contributed by Kathleen Yerbich 

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

“We are giving you this house to continue your work with the homeless community.” These words were spoken by a church leader that had occupied the home for several years. It was used for their church services and a few other community events. Now the house has been given to Family Promise. Ginger Bear, executive director for Mat-Su Family Promise, was surprised and extremely grateful. However there was a concern. The church leader was forthright with the troubling circumstance of the house. There was a major problem that had to be dealt with immediately. A diesel tank in the backyard had been vandalized and fuel had leaked into the ground. The clean-up would probably cost $50,000. The Family Promise Board went through the data and received an education on oil spills and the process of cleaning the dirt. After many weeks of reading and listening to several experts, the Board voted to accept the home. The clean-up cost ended up being double, $100,000. The company was very efficient and no one is to blame for the cost. There was no way of knowing how much dirt was contaminated. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

They do it with a smile on their face and hope in their heart. 

Hope House is located at 2700 Broadview Dr, Wasilla, 99654. If you have questions or would like to donate, contact Ginger Bear 907-357-6160 If you are interested in Primal Martial Arts, contact Steven 907-357-5588 If you are interested in Headquarters Custom Embroidery, contact Lisa 907-357-8133. If you are interested in tutoring, contact Kathleen at 907-354-0514. 

Upcoming Events for Family Promise 

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

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

Free Backpacking Trip For Alaska Youth

Free Backpacking Trip For Alaska Youth

 Contributed by Sam Lilly

Alaska Geographic

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

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

What will this specific trip entail? Students will meet with park staff to learn about glaciology and the wonders of how the park came to be what it is today. They will hike and camp along the trail that leads to Exit Glacier and the Harding Icefield, guided by Alaska Geographic field staff. 

This trip is a wonderful way to get into backpacking while being in an environment that provides stunning views and scenery that people from all over the world come to see. There is nothing quite like the ice fields of Alaska, this is sure to be an adventure you’ll remember for the rest of your life! Sign up or nominate a student to attend this trip at https://www.akgeo.org/youth-programs/youth-expeditions/

Photo courtesy of Alaska Jack Photography

Bear Paw Festival Launches Chugiak-Eagle River Area as Alaska’s Base Camp for Adventure

Bear Paw Festival Launches Chugiak-Eagle River Area as Alaska’s Base Camp for Adventure

By Britney Olsen, Executive Director

Chugiak-Eagle River Chamber of Commerce 

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

This year’s Bear Paw Festival is launching an exciting new journey for the state, as Chugiak-Eagle River becomes Alaska’s Base Camp for Adventure. Locals, other Alaskans, and visitors can set up their “base camp” here for many recreational activities. Think hiking, biking, snowmachining, fishing, hunting, boating – adventure calls you to this area perfectly situated between Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valleys. We’ve got the Chugach State Forest in our backyard, countless lakes nearby, the namesake river, and miles of trails just waiting for you.

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

Want to participate rather than watch? We’ve got an event for you! From the kid-friendly Teddy Bear Picnic to the adults-only Trivia Night, the Motorcycle Show to the Cornhole Tournament, Goat Yoga to a guided Paint Night … there’s something for everyone. 

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

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

Want to support this great community event put on by the nonprofit Chugiak-Eagle River Chamber of Commerce? Become a Friend of the Festival, or donate directly to the Chamber and help out other free public events like the annual Winter Wonderland Celebration or maintaining Chief Alex Park.

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

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

Black in Alaska: Jamar Hill

Black in Alaska: Jamar Hill

Contributed by Mayowa Aina

“I look at the way I grew up … where I grew up, the income levels, a single-parent household. I’ve been able to experience a lot and get a level of education that wasn’t expected of me. I deeply want that for other kids that grew up in my situation.”

Black in Alaska – Jamar Hill

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

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

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

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

He gravitated toward baseball and never turned back. Jamar founded and serves as president and director of RBI Alaska, an MLB-affiliated program supporting youth baseball and softball players in urban and rural communities around the state. Mentors included Alaskans Andre Toliver, who pitched in the minors for the Chicago White Sox and had a knack for makingbaseball camps fun, and the late Lefty Van Brunt, an iconic coach. He did for Jamar what Jamar is now doing for young Anchorage players: Teaching skills, leadership and character.

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

Jamar appreciates backgrounds different from his own. Growing up in Anchorage, going to school in a place where 100 languages now are spoken, contributed to Jamar’s understanding of others. “To live in Anchorage, you really have to be comfortable with diversity,” Jamar says.Anchorage is growing in several demographics, and Jamar recognizes the various subgroups of Black communities that need representation. “For the next wave of Black Alaskans, I believe that there is the landscape for them to be more accepted,” he says.

When he was a kid, he didn’t get to enjoy what draws so many to Alaska. He didn’t have fishing gear or the right outerwear for the cold. He encourages People of Color to go beyond their immediate surroundings and experience as much of Alaska as they can. Whether hiking, fishing or connecting with like-minded people who check in on each other, Jamar wants others to appreciate this special place we all call home.

Calling All Former Palmer High Students

Calling All Former Palmer High Students

Contributed by Sabra Nord Sturgis

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

A Celebration of Life, including a parade, is being organized by family and friends. The event will take place on Saturday, June 24, 2023, with a funeral at the United Protestant Church at 1:00 followed by a celebration party and pot-luck starting at 3:00 at the Palmer Depot.

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

Following the parade, the celebration will continue at the Depot with Electives: Music, Creative Writing, and History. Another of Mrs. Nord’s final wishes was that there would be “No Open Mic.” In honor of these wishes, friends and former students are invited to write down their confessions and memories during Creative Writing and share their stories during History Classes. Unlike her government class, participation is optional. 

For those unable to attend, memories can be emailed to celebratebarbnord@gmail.com. More information can be found by searching “Celebrate Barb Nord” on Facebook. ​

Anchorage School District Adopts Kellsie’s Lesson

Anchorage School District Adopts Kellsie’s Lesson

Contributed by Michael Carson

V.P. & Recovery Specialist, MYHouse of Mat-Su

Chair of the Mat-Su Opioid Task Force

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

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

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

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

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

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

We know that our current state student health curriculum does not address opioids, much less Fentanyl.

And, we know Fentanyl is 50 times more powerful than heroin and a 100 times more powerful than morphine. With that potential, it only takes 2 mg to be a fatal poisoning.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

# Adopt Kellsie’s Lesson

Michael Carson

V.P. & Recovery Specialist, MYHouse of Mat-Su

Chair of the Mat-Su Opioid Task Force

State Opioid Steering Committee 

16th Annual Fireweed Festival – July 22, 2023

16th Annual Fireweed Festival – July 22, 2023

Contributed by Debbie Filter

When the fireweed flowers are blossoming in Trapper Creek that means the Fireweed Festival will be in full bloom also!!!

Bring the family, your friends and visiting guests to a fun-filled day at Trapper Creek Park!

All ages will find something to enjoy! Children’s activities will include wilderness skills and knowledge will be shared, candy filled fish will be caught, and a donut eating contest will be so fun! We’ll be featuring something ALL children LOVE to do. Saddle up little buckaroos! Let’s go for a pony ride!! These activities along with the playground and humongous bubbles will keep your little ones entertained while you shop at the amazing craft booths, dine on delectable treats, and laugh yourself silly at the dunk tank!

Other adult activities include Rippies and 3 separate raffles with tickets going for $5.00 each. Raffled items are an Explorer K2 Kayak, 2-person inflatable, a Drone and Split-The Pot. In addition to all that, a $2.00 ticket raffle will be available all day with an amazing assortment of items, including cash value gift certificates. Presale tickets are available and will be sold on the day of the event. Need not be present to win!

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

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

Musician- Line-Up

            Bands                       ​​Stage Times

Cambrie and Sahara Garland​​11:00 - 11:15

Gregor and Paul                     ​11:30 - 12:45

Taylor Finkenbinder                ​1:00 - 1:45

Mountain Waxwings               ​​2:00 - 2:45

Ellen Thea - Performance Poet​3:00 - 3:45

Kim Hutchinson and Phil Wollett​4:00 – 4:45

Evie Bear                               ​​5:00- 5:45

Trapper Creek Jam Band       ​7:00 – 8:00

Sponsored By: Trapper Creek Community Services Assoc., Inc​

Festival located at 9971 East TC Park Circle

Info. 907-355-7147

www.trappercreek.org

tccommunityservices@yahoo.com