A Great Book is Calling Your Name: Read Alaska Book Fair

Contributed by Sharon Aubrey, Relevant Publishers, LLC.

ReadAlaska Book Fair

November 29-30, 2019

ReadAlaska

The Anchorage Museum

625 C St. Anchorage

FREE Admission

Looking for unique Christmas gift ideas? Maybe you have a friend or relative who makes it difficult to find a present?

Well, we have good news! ReadAlaska, Alaska’s largest book fair since 1993 will be at the Anchorage Museum on the second floor, the Friday and Saturday following Thanksgiving, November 29th and 30th. With thirty local publishers, authors and photographers displaying hundreds of Alaskan books, most signed and personalized by local authors, finding unique and perfect Christmas gifts are now possible.

Whether your friends like fiction or nonfiction or you’re buying for adults or children, you can’t go wrong with the right book. Gifts are available from impossible crime to fishing adventures, fantasy/sci-fi to romantic suspense. Whether you’re looking for a book on how to survive in the wilderness or surviving your in-laws, there’s a great selection for everyone.

Impossible crime is a sub-genre of mystery, where a detective has to solve how the crime was committed before he can track the perpetrators. Steven Levi, Alaskan author of impossible crime, will be showcasing his books including “The Matter of The Deserted Airliner”, in which a 737 lands in Anchorage with no pilot, no crew and no passengers even though it was fully staffed and loaded in Seattle and never stopped. So where are the pilot, crew and passengers? When kidnappers ask for $25 million in diamonds, everyone knows space aliens aren’t involved. Now the detective has to figure out how the pilot, crew and passengers disappeared fast enough to stop the payment of the ransom and expedite their return.

Robin Barefield from Kodiak Island will be promoting her book, “Murder Over Kodiak”, the tale of a floatplane that mysteriously explodes above the Alaska wilderness. Investigators begin digging into the lives of the five passengers and the pilot to determine who was the target of the bomb. Was it the U.S. senator in the midst of a hotly contended re-election campaign or her husband, a corporate raider with no shortage of enemies? Could the bomb have been meant for the cannery owner involved in a contentious divorce, or the refuge manager who has a long list of adversaries? Even the pilot could have been the target, since his girlfriend has violent tendencies and knows how to use explosives. Readers will anxiously engage in this page-turning mystery.

Local Chugiak writer, E.M. Shue, will also be attending for the first time with her steamy romantic-suspense fiction novels beginning with her original Securities International series. E.M’s latest release, “Accidentally Noah”, is receiving 5-star ratings from Amazon readers and climbing the charts. Romance fans are sure to fall in love with the newest Caine and Graco Saga.

For nonfiction readers, ReadAlaska offers true stories of bush flying mysteries and disasters by Gregory Leifer, the life and dangerous times of a sniper in Vietnam written under the pseudonym of T. Martin O’Neil (for good reason). Of course, the book fair has a wide display of Alaskana books and memoirs, including local Chickaloon author, Hilda Luster-Lindner. We even have pet friendly books. Dog lovers are sure to enjoy “On The Road With Remington Beagle” by Valerie Winans, and those looking for spiritual inspiration will be sure to find a little something for the man or woman of faith too.

Over the past 27 years, ReadAlaska also has presented a wide variety of children’s books ranging from Pre-K picture books to chapter books for older readers. This year, Anchorage author, Brooke Hartman, current president of the Alaska Writer’s Guild, will be featuring her new release, “Dream Flights on Arctic Nights”. This beautifully-illustrated book follows a child’s dreamy flight through the Arctic to discover the animals that live there. From the wolves prowling in the snow to the goats and sheep standing on the mountains to the walrus and sea lions lying on big glaciers, children explore Alaskan wildlife with a creative and poetic flare.

The ReadAlaska Book Fair offers extraordinary Christmas presents. Even better, readers can meet local authors and have their books autographed and personalized. Buying local is the best option. 

But, if you’re looking for local books and can’t attend the ReadAlaska event the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving at the Anchorage Museum, check out the latest website dedicated to Alaskan books at www.alaskanbooks.com where you can find local authors year-round. All Alaskan authors are welcome to submit their books to this website for inclusion. Building community begins by buying local.

Sharing A Christmas Journey

Contributed by Nan Potts

A CHRISTMAS JOURNEY
12/12/2019 - 7:30PM Mat-Su Community Chorus
Farm Loop Christian Center
5900 N Farm Loop Rd. Palmer
FREE Admission

A CHRISTMAS JOURNEY
12/15/2019 - 4PM
Mat-Su Community Chorus
St. John Lutheran Church
440 E Elmwood Ave. Palmer
FREE Students & Seniors, $7 Adults

No snow blankets our stark landscape and fall still lingers; yet, the Holiday Season rapidly approaches. You know it well, the not so distant roar of the momentum building — so many things to do to prepare for entertaining and feasting! And of course, shopping! Why not take a break from your calendar and join us in a journey?

Although you won’t have to travel far to take it, you will journey far, both into the past and present. Entertaining during this time does not necessarily mean at home but entertainment you and family can enjoy away from home. This trip I invite you on is a musical one.

The Mat-Su Community Chorus has traveled far and wide, into their library, to present to you carols from around the world. From into the past with traditional carols and madrigals, through Christmas hits of recent history, to contemporary works celebrating Christmas, the Chorus is delighted to present, “A Christmas Journey”.

Christmas music has evolved over the ages. Beginning with liturgical chanting of the late Middle-Ages, the music and spirt of Christmas has blossomed into lively and loving tunes people around this globe celebrate to.

Directed by Amber Sumner and accompanied by Grace Page, the Chorus starts your journey with the rhythms of Africa, taking you trough sixteenth century Europe and its variations of styles and ceremonies, stopping briefly in the nineteenth century with Tchaikovsky’s “Russian Dance” and “Dance of the Sugar-Plumb Fairy” and highlighting Holst’s “Christmas Day”, arriving at our final destinations of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries with familiar tunes. Featured in this concert are two “O Magnum Mysterium”. One written during Victorian England times and the other contemporary.  

Come listen and make our Christmas journey a part of yours. We’d love to have you.

Unable to attend the concerts? Well, you’ll catch us caroling around Palmer during Colony Christmas, from 2pm until 4pm. See you then!

A Christmas Journey is presented:

            Thursday, December 12th, 7:30pm at the Farm Loop Christian Center in Palmer

             5900 N Farm Loop Road, Palmer

            This is a free-will offering concert.

            Sunday, December 15th, 4pm at St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer

            440 E Elmwood Ave., Palmer

            Tickets are $7 at the door, students and seniors are admitted free

Turmoils of LGBTQ Past

Contributed by BKL

A fictional diary of a gay man living during the Lavender Scare of the 1950s.

 Aug. 3rd:
Today more officers came into the office. They took Jerry, without any warning. I wish we had known beforehand that he was going to be leaving. I truly believe he won't say anything. This breaks my heart. Oh lord, I'm so sorry and I do not know why I have these feelings that I have.

Aug. 6th:
This morning, I was tasked with filtering though more files. The stacks of records I must go through. I know them… They know me... How do I keep this secret? How do I continue the way I am? 

Aug. 7th:
My report has sent three more people away. Where do they go? Do I tell other's when I do see their patterns? Single... mid-twenties… certain feminine features... Do I exhibit these? 

Aug. 14th:
I am sorry. I cannot deter this sickness. I have this double life. Others are harassed and charged, and I am helping?!? Why?!? Did I choose this? Am I choosing this? They are not merciful. 

Sept. 6th:
They found me out, Lord. I have nothing. I cannot be trusted. I am sick and diseased. They think I am a threat to the company and to the nation. How can I be a threat? I know nothing of secrets. But maybe they are right. I turned on others like me, embarrassed that I have done such a travesty. Who am I to not stand with them? What makes me any less sick? Maybe I am worse. 

Sept. 21st:
I cannot go on. I have lost all I have loved. My father knows that I have dishonored the family. I have lost all respect for myself. I am not deserving of this life. I have no safe haven; I betrayed my friends and I am a liar. I am a threat. A threat to them all. I'm sorry. 

Sept. 26th:
I'm scared. I am scared pf myself. The things I have to do to have a warm meal. I think this is what I deserve. But how can one continue to do this? 

Sept. 28th:
Please have mercy on my soul. The this I have done. 

Nov. 6th:
Things are taking a turn. I have some wonderful things to tell you. I have too much going on now, but I will soon. 

Nov. 8th:
Alfred. That is his name. He is an amazing soul. Generous and sweet. 

Nov. 21st:
Oh Lord. I know now. I know what we must do. Alfred has accepted me. He is teaching me to accept myself. Maybe we are not diseased. Maybe we are not sick. Maybe this is who we are and who we have supposed to have been. Some say we choose this lifestyle. There is no way I would have chosen this, but what I can do is choose on how we must act. We must find others and help reverse this wrongdoing. Alfred has saved my life. I found a job in a diner. I'm washing dishes; but you know, I enjoy having this weight of my soul. The heaviness of it was bearing down on me. I’m alive and they cannot take this from me without a fight. 

Nov. 30th:
Today, we started to meet others like us. Helping them get off the streets. Tommy, he is from Nebraska. He is just recently removed from his job. His dad has threatened to kill him. We are trying to get him a job at the office building across the street. There are so many more like me. When you see another man with the ribbon, we know. We have our way of knowing.

Give Your Rescue Dog a Chance, Please!

Contributed by Angie Lewis, Alaska Animal Advocates

All too often, when a rescue dog is adopted, the new guardians expect a perfect relationship immediately. This dog needs love and you are determined to give him the best life possible. You envision long walks in the woods, snuggle time on the couch and fun camping trips with your canine. It is not always that simple.

Here are some issues that may arise to complicate life:

•   Your new dog may have a lot of pent up energy because he hasn’t been provided with an opportunity to get ample exercise. He may have spent a great deal of time in a crate or kennel and is excited to be moving his body. He is most likely going to be super excited to be in your company. It typically takes a dog at least two weeks to settle down and become accustomed to his new home.

•   Your puppy might be afraid of the changes in his life, even though they are an improvement. It can take a long time for a dog to warm up and feel comfortable with a new family and home – some dogs take longer than others. Try to give your dog quiet time, away from the people who are anxious to meet him. Again, a few weeks of peace and quiet might be necessary for him to adjust. 

•   Just because a dog has not been around a cat or children does not spell doom and gloom. Your dog may grow to love them in time. Hopefully, you will be provided with a thorough history of your new dog’s past to learn about his preferences. If that is not possible, try to provide introductions with your cat or child, to see how the dog interacts. Your dog may need time to adjust to these other family members. When not directly supervising, separate everyone until they are clearly comfortable with each other.

•   Some dogs have had horrendous past lives and will need patience and compassion. You may not know what the dog has experienced – neglect and abuse. You do know that every dog wants to be loved and be part of a loving family. Take things slowly, do not force your dog into situations that will traumatize him. Let him go at his own pace. Build his confidence by gradually allowing him to have positive experiences. Utilize positive training opportunities to build confidence in your dog. 

Some other issues to consider when adopting a dog. Don’t be afraid to adopt an older dog, they are slower and need less exercise. Most likely, potty training and puppy proofing will not even be an issue. Older dogs can be ideal companions. 

Remember that your dog is an individual regardless of his breed. Knowing your dog’s breed is important and can provide some information about typical qualities inherent in various breeds, but is by no means a guarantee of what to expect from your pup. Personality is far more important than the label given to dogs of a particular breed. Think about the unfair treatment of pit bulls as a result of these misconceptions. 

So many people do not give their new pet an opportunity to settle in and allow for his true colors to shine through. If he is not perfect immediately, or he needs more time to get along with your current cat or dog, chews up some things, or has a few potty accidents, don’t assume that he won’t work out in your home. Be patient and allow him to develop and become a part of your life. You will never regret your decision to give this being a chance to blossom and love you more than anything in the world. Love like this is precious and hard to find!

November No’s

Contributed by Nan Potts

This time of year when north wind blows,

the snow abounds and rime surrounds.

But this November, no.

A cold descends upon the land,

ice slicked byways make vile highways.

But this November, no.

The sun wanes strength and hides itself,

behind mountains and cloud fountains.

But this November, no.

Green grass vanished, brown supplanted,

with white coating, skiers’ gloating.

But this November, no.

Still seasons change, as are their tasks,

each year altered but n’er faltered.

Has this November? No.

Secrets Within

Contributed by Yvonne Moss

A woman

Comes to a meeting

A man follows

Meets

Makes most of time

Spent together

Creating 

Secret reality

Defying the world

Precious time

The mobility of creation

Before they’re caught

Boy and girl’s

Innocent actions

With suspicious consequences

Return

Elated yet sorrowful

They end.

Why I Stayed

Contributed by Bre

I lay here, motionless and breathless. Covered in the remnants of Mother Earth. I knew what would happen. I saw this in my nightmares. 

People talked to me about how I needed to leave him. They told me he was angry. He was only angry when he drank. He was funny and kind when he was sober. I recall all the times he shared laughing and experiencing life. The person that took over him when he drank was not the man I married. He was fueled by this monster. I could see his eyes change colors, his pupils enlarged with anger.

My mother told me I was too young to be married. She said I was only a child. I was a strong-willed 18-year old that knew what the world had in store. I was wrong. I dropped out of university. He said that he would take care of me. This was great initially. We had a home. We traveled. We always found time to celebrate life. We would share drinks and enjoy parties. He drank often. But it was never a problem, until he lost his job.

Downsizing in the company, and no formal college education, he couldn’t find suitable income for us to maintain the lifestyle we initially had. It was mere luck he was given the previous opportunity to begin with. Sometimes, he took his frustrations out on me, and I knew he was just blowing off steam. It’s degrading working for people that are younger than yourself.

I couldn’t help much, with the new baby at home. Plus, I had no education to get a job to even pay off the cost of childcare. His rages became more frequent. I was shamed for not losing the weight I had gained being pregnant. He told me to stay away from table when we were out at social functions. Initially it bothered me; but I new he was right, that I had let myself go.

My friends never understood why I couldn’t leave. They didn’t understand that his outbursts were only when he wasn’t himself. That wasn’t the man I married, but the alcohol. If I left him, where would I go? I couldn’t face my mother. She would never let it go that I married too young and that he was never a good choice. She never liked him. I couldn’t let her see that she was right after all these years.

How would I even leave? I couldn’t support myself, so there would be no way I could leave the baby. I am a mother and could never leave my child behind. I couldn’t take the child from him either. A baby needs a mother and a father. If I left, he threatened to take full custody, and I knew I would lose. I didn’t have the means to support a child, and then I would be left alone.

No one understood why I couldn’t leave. I had to stay. There was no one else that he could turn to when he asked for forgiveness. I had to be there for him. He promised that it was going to be the last time. There was always more though.

Too bad I didn’t leave. My mother now has full custody. I really showed her, right? I could have left and found the support, but how was I to know that there was safety and shelter. How was I to know that he wasn’t going to control his anger this time. I didn’t know that this time was going to be the last time. This was the last time forever. 

Vote!

Contributed by Wes Keller

We likely all agree there is a general tendency for powerful people to be selfish and abusive. Curiously, this ancient bit of wisdom seems to require being periodically “re-discovered” in societies… perhaps because we shrink from looking too closely at the ugly side of human nature. We tend to avoid consideration of what ailed the kings of old, the contemplation of whether there are moral absolutes we might use to judge ourselves and others.

America’s founders were either better educated or less fastidious… They knew the fallen nature of man must be addressed when constructing a government. I believe we have failed to learn, evaluate, understand, and teach the values of the founders and their impacts on what America is. Prohibition against “establishment of religion” is not violated by a study of historical reality. Understanding the fatal flaw in human nature was certainly why the founders installed the extravagant checks and balances in our government.

In the mid-1800s, John Dalberg-Acton encapsulated the perspective the founders held in his well-known statement reveal the problem: “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men, even when they exercise influence and not authority, still more when you superadd the tendency or the certainty of corruption by authority.”

It rationally follows, any human given authority to govern is in danger of indulging his or her selfish nature, which in turn, leads into an escalating abuse of the power they are entrusted with! Every elected public servant is in danger of being unable to discipline himself or herself to humbly accept and embrace checks and balances on their fundamental self-interest. Our human nature can be overcome, but not without rational consideration of things often presumed “religious”, an endeavor over which government has expressly been given NO authority! (Freedom of Religion). Good government can only come from application of “religious” values imposed by free citizens, to be applied by their elected governing authorities. If, in the process, we violate too many of the values in our constitutional premises, the constitution becomes meaningless.

The implications of this tension are both exciting and unsettling! Anyone who has read the Old Testament has likely noticed that kings always abused their human sovereignty. Even David, the king “after God’s own heart” used his authority to do evil things.

We don’t have a king, but we do have human sovereignty. You likely do not think of yourself as having the same kind of power (authority) of a king, but in a sense, you are simply wrong! If you are a citizen of the United States of America, you were born into, or adopted into, a royalty order similar to kings of old! “We the People”, under God, is where the buck stops related to governing authority! History reveals tyrant after tyrant who began to think of himself or herself as the source of their authority and eventually came to ruin. Like ancient kings, and unlike most people in history, as American citizens, we have authority, rights, and responsibilities.

True, we delegate governing authority to elected representatives, but we keep our higher authority and the liability! If Alaska or America fails, it will be an indictment of “We the People” who have inherited the power to ensure justice endures! It may not be the “absolute power that corrupts absolutely” because the power and liability is equally distributed to all citizens, but it can still destroy us.

Four out of five don’t bother to vote. If you are one of the four, or have not considered serving as a citizen policy maker on one of our State Boards or Commissions https://gov.alaska.gov/services/boards-and-commissions/,or refuse to seriously consider running for public office yourself, you are demonstrating corrupt selfishness similar to that of corrupt kings of the past.

Choosing to not vote amounts to abuse of authority. Even worse, if your engagement into politics is limited to merely complaining about the “fools” (whether so-called or factual) already elected), you are totally missing the reality of the honor and responsibility of your sovereign birthright of being an American citizen, and you may become liable in a default. You are just as human as every elected official, they are no more important or immoral, than you. He or she cannot be in office without being voted into the position.

If you don’t believe you are up to the job of being a politician, then the very least you ought to do as an American citizen is to learn about your area representative, get to know them, support him or her in getting elected, and be a heard voice in helping them make decisions.

Continued on the blog: www.WesKeller.com/blog/vote

Wes Keller | www.WesKeller.com

Valley Performing Arts presents Irving Berlin's 'White Christmas'

Based on the beloved, 􀆟meless film, this heartwarming musical adapta􀆟on features seventeen of

Irving Berlin’s most cherished songs. Army veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis have a successful

song‐and‐dance act a􀅌er World War II. With romance in mind, the two follow a duo of beau􀆟ful

singing sisters en route to their Christmas show at a Vermont lodge, which just happens to be

owned by Bob and Phil’s former army commander. The dazzling score features well known

standards including Blue Skies, I Love A Piano, How Deep Is the Ocean and the perennial favorite,

White Christmas. This is one for the whole family to enjoy!

Valley Performing Arts brings this wonderful heart warming musical to life and it’s one that you

will want to bring all of your family, friends, and coworkers to see! Fans who are familiar with the

film WHITE CHRISTMAS will find even more to love in this great stage adapta􀆟on. Come start the

holidays off with singing and dancing galore and share the spirit of the season with us!

WHITE CHRISTMAS THE MUSICAL opens November 29th and runs through December 22nd. Ticket

prices are $23 Regular Admission, $21 Seniors 65+/Students 18 and younger. The produc􀆟on will

be at The Valley Performing Arts Theatre, 251 West Swanson Avenue, in Wasilla.

Call VPA at 373‐0195, visit our website www.valleyperformingarts.org, or come by the office,

Monday through Friday 9AM to 3PM to purchase your 􀆟ckets. Be sure to follow us on Facebook at:

www.facebook.com/Valley‐Performing‐Arts.

“Tis the Season to be Jolly”

Contributed by Suzanne Bach Edwards

What fits your busy schedule best, (1) having a relaxing conversation with friends over a drink, (2) shopping for gifts for those you love, or (3) expanding your horizons by seeing a local artist’s colorful paintings? Well you can do all three at the Bearpaw River Brewing Company on Palmer Wasilla Hwy next to All About Herbs.

The hours are Sunday-Wednesday 3p-8p and Thursday-Saturday 12p-8p. Artist Suzanne Bach Edwards will be there on Friday Dec 6 from 3p-5p to meet and greet at her show “Tis the Season to be Jolly,” which will show from Dec 1 until Dec 31.

To add some brightness to the Holiday season, some folks, like Suzanne, do this by expressing their creativity and sharing with others. Formerly the Fine Arts Coordinator at Mat-Su College of UAA, she now enjoys traveling but still finds time for artwork. She is active in the Alaska Watercolor Society and former president, active with the Valley Fine Arts Association and loves taking workshops and exploring her horizons, often with her husband Jerry, who is a budding watercolor artist, as well.

The motivation behind this show is to introduce the viewer to some realistic and some abstract colorful art pieces to lift their spirits. As the peanut butter sandwich said to the grape, “Tis the season to be jelly. ” Stop in and have a brew and enjoy the show, and if one of the paintings ends up in your stocking, then you can do like Jack Frost did when he was in school, “Snow and Tell”. Suzanne can be reached at (907)301-5308, or suzannebachedwards@gmail,com

Suzanne Edwards

suzannebachedwards@gmail.com


Colony Barn Renovation Complete!

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Contributed by Mark Austin

After many decades of dreaming, years of planning and fundraising, and an incredible summer of building the Colony Barn at the Musk Ox Farm is ready to open its doors to the public.  In 1986 the project moved onto the property that had originally been the Lentz family farm, just outside of Palmer.  The Musk Ox Farm occupied the lower level of the original Colony barn where visitors have been welcomed to the property ever since. 

The hayloft above remained inaccessible, uninsulated, and partially exposed to the elements.  The dream was to create warm, dry, year-round workshop, studio, and classroom space; what has been created is so much more.   The gambrel roof was carefully removed from the old structure and set in the parking lot to be brought back into plumb and square after eight-and-a-half decades of wind, earthquakes, and frost heaving.  The building below had begun to show its age.  The original log structure was deteriorating and the unreinforced concrete foundation that it had been moved onto at some point in its history was cracked and failing. 

The plans were to raze the space below to make way for an efficient 21st century building while planning for the old gambrel roof to resume its perch back on top.  The new visitor reception, gift shop, and museum are a stunning sight to see.  The space is open and airy, and welcomes visitors to spend some time exploring.  The farm offices have moved inside this building as well where heating with wood will no longer be required-a huge leap forward in professional capacity.  The crown jewel of the project remains the original hayloft of the Colony barn.  Walking up the stairs or taking the silo ensconced elevator brings the visitor into this historic gem.  Entering the hayloft is like walking back eighty-five years.  The gorgeous old-growth Douglas fir trusses and ceilings are truly awe inspiring. 

There are modern touches in the lighting, the siding on the pony wall, and the flooring, but the original beauty is absolutely captivating.  Filtered light from the original barn wood walls enters the space through a full-length glass curtain wall, allowing the occupants to enjoy from the comfort inside.  Step out onto the large deck and take in the beautiful pastures dotted with musk oxen stretching to the tree line with the majestic Chugach mountains framing the incredible view to the south.

On Friday November 22, the Musk Ox Farm will welcome the community for the first public peek at this incredible addition to the Mat Su valley.  From 1pm until 7pm the doors will be open for all to come see.  There will be a formal ribbon-cutting at 3pm with some brief words to commemorate the new old Colony barn.

Stepping Up With Strings

Contributed by Kim Levesque, Mat Su Youth Orchestra

The Mat Su Youth Orchestra (MSYO) began at a time when there were few opportunities for developing musicians in the Valley to play in a community string orchestra. In 2010, conductor and music teacher, Kai West, had a vision to support music education in the community by providing a large-group setting in the form of a string orchestra where developing musicians can learn performance skills, build confidence, and perform with their peers in public venues. With the support and guidance of The Mat Su Orchestra, private instructor Debbie Davis, and accomplished strings musician, Judy Montalbano, the small community group was formed. 

The group has grown significantly over the years by word of mouth, adding music teacher Melanie Keenan, and a dedicated group of adult volunteers who strive to provide a quality program for string musicians who can read and play music at an early-intermediate to intermediate level. In January 2019, the group formally organized as a non-profit organization, and has submitted an application for tax-exempt status. This step will allow MSYO to expand the program, whose professionals work on a volunteer-only basis, to accommodate more musicians and accept public support. 

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MSYO musicians play violin, viola, cello and double bass; the orchestra also welcomes percussion and piano. The group has a great time exploring music by playing selections from many different genres, such as classical, jazz, Celtic, bluegrass, zydeco, pop, rock, Broadway musicals, folk, blues, Latin and spiritual; they are always looking for new musical scores to challenge developing musicians. Rehearsals provide opportunities to learn technical skills, and play cooperatively with other musicians to improve musicality with support from highly qualified music instructors and accomplished musicians. Musicians from throughout the community are invited to participate in the orchestra, which has a diverse group of members who love to have fun and play great music together.   

The Mat Su Youth Orchestra also welcomes opportunities to perform. They host two concerts a year, one for the holidays and another in the spring. Both concerts this year will be at the Valley Performing Arts, but you may also see MSYO at scheduled community events and festivals.  This year, the MSYO will be performing on December 14th at 3:00pm for the Nativity Display during Colony Christmas in Palmer. The location is available in the Colony Christmas schedule of events.

You will see members of the orchestra in school music activities, Valley Performing Arts productions, college orchestras, and the Mat Su Orchestra who plays at a more advanced level.  Our community has grown, and is now blessed with many opportunities for people to participate in quality theater, band, orchestra and other fine arts programs.

MSYO makes every effort to adjust their calendar to avoid conflicts with other musical groups and performances so our members may participate in a variety of arts activities. The Mat Su Youth Orchestra believes participating in as many musical opportunities as possible helps musicians grow in skill and confidence whether going on to perform professionally, on a community level, or for their own pleasure as a lifelong musician.

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For musicians wishing to play in the Mat Su Youth Orchestra, there will be a brief winter break after the Holiday concert in December. The MSYO 2019/2020 season will resume in January with new music in preparation for a spring performance. Rehearsals are held currently in Wasilla, Alaska on Thursday evenings.

A new website is under construction and will be launched by the end of the year to provide information about the group and its schedule. In the meantime, interested musicians may call (907) 373-6763 or email thewest@mtaonline.net with inquiries about the program.   

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Prophetic Art Show at Humdingers Pizza

Contributed by Martha Happs

 Prophetic Art Show

11/5/2019 - 1/7/2020

Humdingers Pizza

173 S Valley Way, Palmer

FREE Admission

Prophetic art is a personal revelation from the Holy Spirit expressed through

the artist’s skill level, co-laboring with the Holy Spirit to produce a work of

art. 

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Showing their "prophetic art" at Humdingers is Brenda Jaeger of Anchorage, Karen

Crandall of Big Lake and Martha Happs of Palmer.

Jaeger said, "Martha Happs invited me to participate in the first Prophetic Art

Show at Humdingers last year. I decided to meditate and ask for a painting to

come to me. I had a dream  of a large eye that had fiery red and yellow petals

around the center pupil. The center of the eye was alive, very deep and black,

going into space. This black eye shone and when I painted it a planet appeared

in the pupil on a golden orbit. Everything in my dream whirled around the shiny

vibrant center.  From this first painting "Cosmic Eye", a series was born. My

second painting at Humdingers is "Blue Sky" which came from a dream of expansion

and opening up." 

Crandall said her prophetic art work is an expression of her heart motivated by

the Love of Jesus. Layered collogues invoke a feeling of Gods love wrapping

around us and our hearts. 

Happs studied last winter with Matt Tommy and his Thriving Christian Artists

group. The group and study showed and talked about what was possible when you

listened to the Holy Spirit, co-laboring with the Holy Spirit and skilled at

your art form. Then "through us" we can bring the "Light"  into the world

through our prophetic art.

Jaeger is currently showing at Georgia Blue Galley, Anchorage and through Randy

Parsons Guitars, Ventura, California. Her work is in permanent collections such

as the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, Dean Witter Reynolds, Standard Oil

and others.

Crandall is currently showing her work at Girdwood Center for the Visual Arts

(Art Gallery) in Girdwood.   

Happs is currently showing her original 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" mini paintings at Palmer

Museum of History and Art and also at the Willow Creek Studio in Willow.

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4th Annual Peace & Love Community Christmas Celebration & Potluck

Contributed by Lhing McNeal

12/8/2019 - 5PM

Kabayan Inc. Filipino-American Community of Mat-Su

Raven Hall, Alaska State Fairgrounds

2075 Glenn Hwy. Palmer

Tickets: $10 Early Bird, $15 @Door

 How would you like to experience the Philippines right here in theMat-Su? You don’t have to travel so far to have a glimpse of our culture.

Join us for our 4rth Annual Community Christmas Celebration. It’s an event for the whole family. This year, we will be covering different traditional dress from three regions of the Philippines, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao and see why each region have its own unique costumes to represent. We will also have cultural dances from Alaska Federation of Filipino Americans group base from Anchorage and a dance presentation from our little ones.

Experience not just the culture, but also the food. As we Filipinos gather around food and that is why it’s a potluck, we are sharing ours and your special kind of cooking to the community. Filipinos here in the Valley came from different parts of the Philippines and every one has its own unique delicacies, so prepare your taste buds. This gathering is not complete without our traditional lumpia, pansit and roasted pig lavished with lemongrass and different spices. You better come hungry.

This event will also be a platform of our fundraising drive, Kabayan Cares Scholarship Program. We will be drawing the winner of our fundraising gun raffle on this event. The purpose of this scholarship is to help and provide one-time educational assistance for currently-enrolled high school seniors in the Wasilla and Palmer area.

All ticket purchased will be eligible for giveaways prizes drawing. Santa will be at the event. He will handout a goodie bag for children, ages 10 and under, so make sure you send us an email to register to have enough for everyone. Every parent will have an option to bring a gift for their children for Santa to give.

Come and join us and experience Philippines! Mabuhay!

This event is sponsored by: Mat-Su Health Foundation, Alaska Professional Construction, Viking Mechanical, The People’s Paper & Make A Scene Magazine, Valley Radio Q99.7, 95.5 The Pass KNLT-FM, Alaska Federation of Filipino Americans, MEA (Matanuska Electric Association) and Diversified Tires.

To register kids, please email kabayan.inc.matsu@gmail.com. Follow us on Facebook for updates. For ticket information, text or call, 907-232-2151 or 907-707-7696.

More Than A Meal

 
 

Contributed by Matthew Sheets

Giving from the Heart Thanksgiving Dinner

11/28/2019 - 11AM

Frontline Mission

Menard Sports Center

1001 S Clapp St. Wasilla

FREE Event

“If we didn’t have Frontline Mission, we wouldn’t be in a good place,” said Sarah, a young mother and patron at Frontline Mission, as she shared about her family a month before the annual “Giving from the Heart Thanksgiving Dinner”. *continue reading to see Sarah’s story*

Each year, Frontline Mission holds a Thanksgiving Day dinner for anyone in the Mat-Su Valley. Many may be home alone this Thanksgiving or unable to afford a Thanksgiving meal for their family. Frontline strives to strengthen the Mat-Su Valley by being a connecting place between the less fortunate and compassionate.

Frontline Mission’s Giving from the Heart Thanksgiving Dinner does just that! In 2018 Frontline Mission served almost 1,600 meals at the Menard Center in Wasilla on Thanksgiving Day, and is expecting even more to benefit from this meal in 2019. This year’s dinner will be from 11am-2pm on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday November 28th.

Through the Thanksgiving Dinner, Frontline is providing not only an opportunity for anyone in the community to have a place to go and spend time with others, but Frontline is also opening the door for people to come together as family and friends to volunteer and serve others. Having put this special dinner on for several years, Frontline has seen many volunteering families adopt this as a Thanksgiving Day Family Tradition. What better way to give back to the community than as a family providing a hot meal and serving others. More than 300 volunteers help make this event possible for our community. 

Frontline Mission meets the needs of those in the community not only through events like the Thanksgiving Dinner, but in the day to day operations at Frontline. Every week, Frontline provides hot meals, showers, laundry, free clothing, opportunities for online job search, breakfast bags for children and food boxes for families. It is through the compassionate in the community that Frontline is able to do what they do, as they do not receive any state or federal funding. Businesses, foundations and local individuals give to Frontline Mission every month and by so doing make a lasting impact in the community.

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Here is part of Sarah’s story:

John and Sarah, along with their little boy, Johnny, moved to Alaska from California just over a year ago to settle down on some land in a remote part of Alaska. Having only two suitcases and the clothes on their backs when they moved, they quickly fell on hard times. With no home on the property, John and Sarah were forced to seek a place to live until they were able to establish enough resources to build a small home on their land. Having limited clothing and resources, they heard about Frontline Mission from a friend in the community. They have been helped by the free clothes and hot meals that Frontline serves every week. It was especially important for   Johnny to get the nourishment and clothes he needed to develop as a healthy child. Sarah shared, “If we didn’t have Frontline Mission, we wouldn’t be in a good place.” Sarah spoke of the warm, friendly volunteers who graciously serve and make them feel welcomed at Frontline. When the family no longer needs some of the clothes they have received from Frontline, they look to give back in whatever way they can to help others who may find themselves in a similar situation. 

After some time, Sarah’s mom began to suffer from failing health and had no option but to move in with John and Sarah so they could help support her. John and Sarah express the value and importance of caring for family and the elderly in our community. John shared that Sarah’s mom has been able to get her needs provided for because of the services Frontline provides. Your support also helps provide services year round.

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If you want to know how you can support Frontline Mission, call 357-8600 or send an email at helpfrontlinemission.com.

Artist Tony Hepinstall's Flies

Contributed by Charice Chambers

Tony Hepinstall loves to fish. Mention anything related to the sport, and his eyes glaze over: He’s out casting his lucky cotton candy fly and bringing in the catch.. He loves to bank fly-fish along Alaska’s rivers, and it is with some pride that he admits catching a lot of fish this year: pike, trout and, of course, salmon. Ice fishing keeps him busy in the winter. His frigid forays onto Alaska’s frozen lakes have netted him several rainbow trout of over 14 inches in length.

Hepinstall credits his love of fishing to his grandfather. His best childhood memories include fly-fishing along the banks of wild mountain streams, dropping a line from a boat on a placid lake, and lots of instruction from Grandpa. According to both Hepinstall and his grandfather, the key to successful fishing is using the right fly to entice the fish to bite.

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Life hasn’t always been easy for Heminstall, who came to Alaska as a child with his mom and stepdad. During his teen years, Hepinstall lost his way and fell in with a bad crowd. He eventually realized that he needed a change and moved to the Valley. After some bumps in the road and some counseling, he found Wolverine Academy where with the help of others, he has turned his life around. The academy targets young adults and individuals with disabilities by providing them with support, guidance, housing and job assistance.

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Over the years, Hepinstall had many menial jobs, which he found unrewarding. With the guidance of the staff at Wolverine Academy, he decided to turn his greatest love into a business: fly tying! He took classes in Anchorage and honed his skills with the help of friend and mentor ,Mike Hudson. Hudson realized that Hepinstall had a great eye for color and design and taught him to build fly rods as well.

For the last year, Hepinstall has worked with Wolverine Academy support specialist, John Gould, to develop his company, Tony’s Flies. Their collaboration is a perfect fit as Gould operates his own small business as well. He is able to give Hepinstall not only guidance, but real world advice on what works and what might not succeed. Gould works with him on displaying his products as well as marketing aspects of promoting them. The two have a great relationship and Gould fondly refers to Hepinstall as the “cotton candy man”.

Hepinstall not only produces an exciting line of flies, but has expanded into fly-tied earrings as well. His designs are unique and delicate with an Alaskan flair.  He not only uses bright colors, but also produces many intricate designs using natural and neutral hues.

Today, Hepinstall is goal-oriented. He plans to get his own place and live independently, getting married in the future. He hopes to use his business and the lessons he has learned as a method to attain those goals.

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Hepinstall’s unique feather earrings, and oh-so-lucky fishing flies can be found at the Senior Center Gift Shop. For your holiday shopping convenience, hours have been extended from 10am to 4pm, Monday through Friday until Christmas.

Located at 1132 South Chugach Street in Palmer across from Palmer Junior Middle School, the gift shop is open to both seniors and the public.