Borough Mayor Candidate, Edna DeVries

Contributed by Iris West

Edna DeVries is a name you can trust! For decades, she has volunteered and served in our communities and has always fought to protect and preserve community rights.

As a Mat-Su Borough Mayor, you can expect she will bring our valley together with the same care, diligence and authority that her community members have come to rely on in current and past roles.

Edna knows how to get things done. She served on the Palmer Council, was chairman of the Planning and Zoning Committee, a former member and vice chair of the Alaska Commission of Aging and a former member and chair of the Human Rights Commission. She also has 29 years of business experience, including real estate broker and owner of multiple Christian bookstores and a pizza restaurant.

Edna and her husband, Noel, run several ministries that help the homeless and abuse survivors. They also run a School of Government that is open to the public that teaches others how to better support their communities by becoming more informed and involved in the public process.

Her recent accomplishments include roles as the Mayor of Palmer and the Alaska Job Corps Center Accounting Instructor. She is a leader in her church and also a former State Senator, Assembly Member and previous Mat-Su Borough Mayor!

Simply put, Edna can be trusted to lead the Borough, our families and businesses in our time of need.

She is experienced, authoritative and knowledgeable. She is competent, trustworthy and ethical.

She is dependable, accessible and straightforward.

She cares about you and will use her experience and pro-active approach to lead and protect the rights of those she serves.

Alaska Home Companion Show: The Art of Living in Alaska

Contributed by Carmen Summerfield

Alaska Home Companion Show
10/9/2021 – 7PM
Valley Arts Alliance
Museum of Alaska Transportation & History
3800 W Museum Dr.
FREE Event, $15 Suggested Donation

Would you like to hear stories about the best, the worst, and the silliest of everyday living in Alaska?

Coming to you Saturday, October 9, from the historic Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry (MATI) next to Wasilla International Airport, the 2021 Premier Episode of The Alaska Home Companion—A Frontier Variety Show!

MATI is our favorite Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry, and The Alaska Home Companion—A Frontier Variety Show! is the Valley Arts Alliance rendition of a live radio broadcast from the golden age of radio, with skits, and music, similar to the popular Prairie Home Companion radio show on NPR.

For those of you who haven’t seen or heard one of our episodes, The Alaska Home Companion—A Frontier Variety Show! features interesting stories by Alaskans about the best, the worst, and the silliest of everyday living in Alaska. In previous episodes, we heard from The Roving Reporter, Mom and Louie, and Guy d’North, as well as news from Lake Willowa, Mukluk Radio, and Coffee Talk.

The 2021 season is our eighth year producing The Alaska Home Companion—A Frontier Variety Show!, and we will continue with new music and skits, occasional impersonations of local celebrities, and will be occasionally broadcast live by Radio Free Palmer on 89.5 FM. 

So, mark your calendar! The Wasilla episode of the Valley Arts Alliance Alaska Home Companion—A Frontier Variety Show! will be broadcast live at 7pm Saturday, October 9, 2021, at the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry in Wasilla. The suggested donation for this event is $15. A cash bar will be open during the event.

To see exciting scenes of these episodes, visit our Archive Pages at www.ValleyArtsAlliance.com.

Beck is Best Bet for Borough

Contributed by Mark Kelsey

The Mat-Su Borough needs a mayor who will bring an open mind, an open ear, and a servant's heart to the job. Matthew Beck stands alone among the options.

Experienced and knowledgeable, Beck was a committed and diligent Borough Assembly member with a demonstrated ability to listen to diverse opinions and represent the whole of a diverse borough. His six-year assembly tenure, including four as deputy mayor, were marked by broad vision and a broad ability to work collaboratively for responsible growth and a bright future for all Mat-Su residents.

Unencumbered by allegiance to special interests, Assemblyman Beck always put the general public interest first. The borough needs that same independent, get-it-done ethic in its mayor. With his common-sense approach to problem-solving, and his strong support for public safety, schools, and critical infrastructure, Matthew Beck is the best choice for the borough.

Tobacco Prevention & Cessation at Two Alaska Health Fairs

Contributed by Sam Stevens, Alaska Family Services Tobacco Prevention and Control

Alaska Health Fair
9/17/2021 – 12PM
Alaska Family Services Tobacco Prevention & Control
Menard Sports Center
1001 S Clapp St. Wasilla
FREE Admission

Alaska Health Fair
9/29/2021 – 9AM
Alaska Family Services Tobacco Prevention & Control
Palmer Train Depot
610 S Valley Way, Palmer
FREE Event

This month in September, Alaska Health Fairs will happen in different locations across the Mat-Su Valley. The mission for the events is to promote statewide health education and preventative strategies, and the vision is to offer optimal health for all Alaskans. A unique event where people can access free health education, screenings, and affordable blood tests. Alaska Health Fair, Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Alaska Family Services is announcing their presence at the health fairs this year and is a local nonprofit as well.

Alaska Family Services Tobacco Prevention and Control (TPC) program anticipates to participate at two Alaska Health Fairs here in the Valley. The TPC program will likely be at the health fair on September 17th from 12pm-4pm at the Menard Sports Center, 1001 S Clapp St. Wasilla AK. The second health fair event that the TPC program will be at is on September 29th from 9am-1pm at the Palmer Train Depot, 610 S Valley Way, Palmer AK. In addition to education, the TPC program is offering cessation materials and resources to the public.

It does appear the health fairs are taking attendance from appointments for blood draws only. If anyone from the public would like to attend a health fair please inform the event check in to attend for the exhibits only. These regulations for the health fairs are set in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you cannot make it to the dates and times that the TPC program will be in attendance for the events, you may call Sam Stevens, TPC program coordinator, 907-746-6131 for tobacco cessation quit kits or other resources. All TPC support and help is offered free to the Mat-Su.

Action Packed Garden Season

Contributed by Susan Wallin

The Valley Garden Club hit the ground running this spring with our first face-to-face meeting outdoors in downtown Palmer at the pavilion. It was great to see everyone, even through a mask! Our club held its annual end of May and Mid-August Plant Sales. We painted a July Fourth float and handed out numerous bedding plants, candy and pinwheels to the happy crowd in City of Wasilla Parade. Members hosted Pop Up Garden Tours when their gardens were at the peak of beauty. VGC shared booth space with the Peony Society at Palmer Mid Summer Garden and Art Faire sponsoring make-and-take butterflies for kids. Many club members volunteer as well as enter items in the Alaska State Fair, and so much more! We enjoy helping each other as we uphold our club motto: “Share, Show, Tell.”

We are happy to announce regular in person meetings at the First Baptist Church of Wasilla on the first Tuesday of each month at 10:30am. Please join us for coffee, tea and cookies while we promote the art of gardening and the study of floriculture and horticulture. Face masks and social distancing are highly recommended at our meetings.

If you have questions about Valley Garden Club, please email us at matsuvgc@gmail.com or checkout our website www.valleygardenclub.com.

Should You Adopt a Male or a Female Cat?

Contributed by Angie Lewis, Alaska Animal Advocates

One of the many choices you will be faced with, when adopting a cat, will be deciding if you want a male or a female cat. Each gender has characteristics that will make them unique. Typically, female cats are smaller than male cats. Male cats are usually more friendly than are females. Female cats often take a bit of time to demonstrate trust in their humans. They are just a bit more cautious. Once you have earned their trust, they will be equally loving.

Male cats sometimes have the disadvantage of spraying. This is when a cat backs their body up to a wall or cabinet, tail straight up, and tail shakes or vibrates. A terrible liquid/urine mixture sprays out. I have had cats my entire life and have never had one spray. If they are neutered early in life, anywhere from four to six months. they are unlikely to develop this nasty habit. Both males and females can spray, but males are more likely to do so.

A disadvantage of having a female kitty is that she can get pregnant. This can happen as early as four months old. When a kitty is ready to mate, she goes into heat, which can be a very challenging time for the cat and the humans around her. There is a great deal of howling, yowling, and rubbing against objects or people. At this time your kitty will become obsessed with escaping to look for a male.  

There is some thought that female cats are better mousers than males, but this is not necessarily true. It all depends on the kitty. I have all male cats and haven’t ever had a mouse in my house. One did manage to get in years ago, but suffice it to say, he didn’t get back out!

More important than thinking about getting either a male or a female cat is the understanding that each cat has a personality of his own and must be seen as an individual. Make your choice based on the cat’s personality characteristics.

Meet Tonka

Contributed by Clear Creek Cat Rescue

Amazing, wonderful, friendly, affectionate... There are not enough good things we can say about this boy. Tonka is handsome; that's an obvious fact. But what comes in that handsome cat suit is a bundle of the most friendly, mellow, terrific cat you could hope for.

He was rescued with a group of cats after his person was in a fatal car accident. Immediately upon being turned into the Houston Shelter, he was all about making friends. He loves to be pet and help with chores and just be the best companion! He seems to love all people. And he does great with other cats; he's an excellent kitten dad in his foster home. We don't know about dogs. He had free reign of the outside at his former home and will need that in his new home, along with someone who wants to really bond with him and be his special one. Tonka needs a family to really make him a part of things, not just the cat that passes through and is ignored. He's a good buddy! We think he is a couple of years old.

To meet Tonka, please call 980-8898.

Static Cycle, 10 Years Later

Photo Courtesy of HRG Photography @hrgphotography63

Contributed by Becky Oviatt

Saturday, July 31st, Static Cycle played their last EVER concert, here, “home” in Alaska. As the show started, Jared Navarre, frontman for the band, stated they were supposed to have canceled ALL of their shows, but he refused to cancel this one, because Alaska was the most supportive place EVER, and this was where it started.

Sunday, at noon, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Navarre and Andy Sheridan of the band for KONR radio 106.1 FM.

I am currently doing a one-hour weekly show, highlighting artists from the Mat-Su. Our corner of the world is (or was) home for so much musical talent. Local, regional, statewide and national/international acts have been spawned in this area.

This interview went something like this:

DJ: We have with us Jared Navarre and Andy from Static Cycle. Last night, they played their final show. It was really emotional. It was a sad night. It was a happy night. It was a fantastic concert.
Jared: Thank you.

DJ: My clothes are still pink from the chalk.

Jared: I'm taking it out of my ears and oh, it'll be in me for another week.

DJ: Oh, jeez. So, Jared, you started out at age 19. And just literally burst onto the scene, or at least that's what it seems like. MTV called you the greatest young front man in Rock. What got you started? Where did you get started?

Jared: Well, getting started in music was a combination of my family, you know, I always had music around. My mother played, piano from the day I was born, so that was just part of our family culture. Then, I went through choir in church and in school and all that, I actually picked up a guitar when I was 16 and I wrote my first song that day. It was my dad's guitar. We started a band, I think, a week later. And we were awful.

DJ: Most usually are to start with.

Jared: Yeah, yeah. And then things took a really good turn right around, yeah, 19 or so.

DJ: So, when did you leave Wasilla and go to Points South?

Jared: We released our first record, our single pressure which organically kind of took off around the country. So right after that, we jumped on the road and went on tour, still based in Alaska. Eventually, the traveling and everything was enough that we had to pick different bases, home bases in Connecticut for a little bit, Nebraska, Colorado and all that. And now Nashville full time.

DJ: That must be amazing. I lived in Nashville for a while and, I mean, that the city for someone who is nonmusical is amazing.

Jared: Mm hmm…

 DJ: It must be doubly so for someone who is musical. I wasn't musical at the time. My husband and I have a duo and we're awful. Actually, we're not that bad. But it seems lately everybody goes down to Nashville.

Jared: I think it's the hottest city in America right now. Uh, it's my favorite. IF you're in music, I think it dominates L.A. and New York, I think Nashville just has music is in its veins. It's apparent everywhere. You really can't avoid it.

DJ: No, no, you can't. I mean, you go out to dinner, and you run into somebody.

Jared: Yeah, you run into Andy.

DJ: I mean, I've run into a lot of music folks out to dinner and it's just like, oh, hey, how's it going? It's going good. How are you? All right. Done.

Or you walk up and say, hey, how's it going? My name's blah blah blah. And if they're interested in talking, they'll talk. I talked to one of the guys from Mason Profit one day for three hours.

Jared: Fantastic. That's fun,

DJ: But then they were my first concert, so that was that was really special. But this isn't about me. This is about you. So basically, Static Cycle has been your life, as you said last night on stage. What now?

Jared: Well, this is it is bittersweet because this is the close of the Static Cycle chapter. I have put all my, you know, blood, sweat tears into it. It comes with great news, though. We've had some very big signings recently that are great for our career. And so, it's going to be new music, new band name, new brand, all that coming back.

DJ: Excellent. And I imagine you're not at liberty to share any of that right now.

Jared: Not yet. But the truth is, we don't even have a name yet. We're supposed to release the first single in a couple months.

DJ: And you don't have a name.

Jared: We don't have a name now.

DJ: Toxic Potato.

Jared: Oh, that's. . . a good name. Put it on the list.

DJ: That's our that's our standing joke. Every new band should be toxic potato.

Jared: It's good, I like it better, than the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

DJ: Right, right. And being from Alaska where potatoes grow really well,

Andy: I didn't know that.

Jared: Yeah, they really do. Oh, they do,

DJ: You think? So, you when you were talking last night, you said you wrote a bunch of new songs, You and Andy. Now, are those going to go into the new band or are they going to just. . . rest?

Jared: At least a few of those that we played on stage last night are going to make the new project. We don't know how many yet. We've got probably150 songs, floating around from that, you know, we've started and kicked to the curb. So that selection process isn't fun and honestly will be left in the hands of the business side. We will fight for the songs we want.

DJ: Well, nobody's every song makes it onto an album.

Jared: Yeah.

DJ: So, your song “Stay” was amazing last night. Do you want to talk about that at all?

Jared: Yeah. So, I've told this story a few times, but that song was written for a close friend of mine, his son passed away really, really young. His heart just stopped in school, and they lost him. His dad was in the ambulance, actually, you know, on the way to the hospital with him. His dad's a doctor. I knew him well. He was like a brother to me. At his wake, we were all hanging out, celebrating his life and he asked me if I could write a song for Ian and it took me lots of years, but that's that's where “Stay” was birthed from. We got to bring in, you know, family, friends and other loved ones into the video and make it a story about and a tribute to people who passed that we all miss and love. Then my mom actually passed, um, two weeks or so before the song was released and I was able to, you know, get a little tribute to her in there as well, so that's  an awesome song to us.

DJ: On stage, you know, you had said that no one should lose their parents at a young age.

Jared: Yeah.

DJ: I lost my mom. I was probably about your age. And I, I really felt that when you sang the song, I've always liked that song anyway so then to hear the story behind it was pretty amazing.

Jared: Yeah, that was that was tough. My family's in the crowd too. And they were they were crying and teared up. So that was tough but special. And there were quite a few people out there in the audience that were part of the of the video that made the final cut or had sent in their stories and stuff, too. So weird experience for me is seeing them as well. And I know, you know, there was a woman there. She lost her child. I think he was two or three. And, you know, they shared their stories. So, yeah, it's got a lot a lot a lot of meaning to us.

DJ: Yeah. yeah, I bet... How many albums do you have out now?

Jared: Well, there's three. When we when we released this last batch of songs, we actually pulled the last two records for various reasons. I think everything's going to go back up on all the streaming services as we transition to this new name and stuff so everybody can still get all the old music and listen to it and stuff like that, huh?

DJ: I will be honest. I had heard of you. I hadn't heard any of your music until I started this show. I'm looking through the archives going, OK, who's from the Valley? I turned on. one of your albums from Spotify. And I just went, where have I been? These guys are fantastic, so I was really sad you were done last night. I just went, no, they can't be. I just found them.

Jared: It's tough, we just started this this this new record, I mean, we just released the first song right before COVID hit and we had, you know, uh, this massive show and tour stuff going on. And then that all got to push pause. And now this next iteration, it's exciting, but it's weird for us.

DJ: I can well imagine. Your band members, are they all original?

Jared: No, no. I’m the only one left from the original.

DJ: Oh yeah. Well, you're the most important one.

Jared: No, I'm the only one that's consistent in it. I guess we'll say that. Yeah, yeah, yeah. They're still here in Alaska. Now we're all based in Nashville. Uh huh. And you have to be. If you're going to be playing music, it's tough being based out of Alaska.

DJ: It is. It is.

Jared: It’s nice. We've got, like, the low NPR voices going right now.

DJ: I know. (laughs)

Jared: What other bands, Valley bands and stuff. I mean, I know Portugal, are you featuring and showcasing? A lot of just current stuff?

DJ: Yeah. Current local bands, Portugal, the Man, we did Adam Patterson and the Heavy Hearts. They were my first guests. I've known them through open mics since they started so that was, that was pretty cool. Harp Daddy. I don't know if you remember him…

Jared: Great name, though.

DJ: Yeah, it is, it is. And Madeline Smith, she is literally burst onto the scene. She's a fantastic singer. There was a talent show we were entered and kind of thought, oh, we might have a chance, Madeline opened her mouth and I went, Nope, nobody else had a chance.

Jared: It's amazing how much good music has come out of the valley. Yeah, yeah, it's pretty impressive.

DJ: It really is. Now, I interviewed Portugal, the Man, Zach, last week, but you're the first one national with national acclaim..

Jared: Thank you. Superstardom, greatest band in the world.

DJ: …. That I have actually met in person.

Jared: Are we the first in studio?

DJ: You’re the first in studio with national acclaim, yeah. Yeah, everybody else we do live, but with your schedule was not possible.

Jared: So, yeah, this was crazy coming up this time and Andy's never been to Alaska, so he said he was not coming up unless he could go fishing. So, absolutely, we're going to run and catch some stuff,

DJ: Going fishing out of Whittier. Yeah, that's an awesome place to go.

Andy The guy at the hotel was like, yeah, what are you guys doing here? And I was like, fishing.

Jared: Never mentioned anything about the show and his priorities.

DJ: Yeah, well…

Jared: We’re doing something on Saturday, somewhere, but I know we're going fishing.

DJ: Excellent. Well, there's all sorts of things to do. I work at the reindeer farm and I'm sure you were there, you know, as a kid.

Jared: I named a reindeer when I was a kid, one of Santa’s reindeer. HAHA. Andy’s confused right now.

Jared: Of real reindeer at a farm

DJ: Santa’s Reindeer. Yeah, I named one, too.

Andy: How big are they? As big as moose?

Jared: Pretty good-sized. No, they're not as big as moose.

DJ: Deer size. Yeah. There's a moose there. You can kiss it. You can kiss a moose. And then you can get a T-shirt that says, “I smooched a moose.”

Jared: Oh, actually I didn't even think of that. That's a good recommendation, I take it for granted because it doesn't seem that crazy to me.

DJ: It's changed a lot since you were a kid.

Jared: A lot. Yeah.

DJ: They've got moose, bison, alpaca, yak.

Jared: So, muskox?

DJ: No muskox, that's the muskox farm’s thing.

Jared: So, we're just giving a promo now for the reindeer farm. That's what it turned into. Yeah.

DJ: It did.

Jared: But yeah, we had a late night.

DJ: I can imagine. We left right after the concert.

Andy: I mostly spent picking out pink color stuff out of my clothes. That's why I was up late.

Jared: No, it wasn't. No, we actually went wandered the streets of Anchorage for probably two hours or so.

DJ: Oh, wow. It's changed a lot.

Jared: Yeah, it was fun. Yeah. And again, Andy hasn't been here, so. He's got to experience, Alaska's finest,

DJ: So, we have.

Jared: We're going to Double Musky tonight.

DJ: So that's pretty cool. So, how did you guys do with your ax throwing and all your VIPs?

Jared: Did you throw an ax?

Andy: I didn’t get to throw one?

DJ: What? Not even one? Frosted Ax is right down here on Fireweed, man. Let's go.

Jared: I got sidetracked, I went in there, my little brother and I are very competitive, and he was there and when I walked in the ax thing, he had just thrown his second ax and he popped a balloon on there.

DJ: Oh, nice.

Andy: You throw a star? They had throwing stars.

Jared: I didn't even see that.

DJ: . Yeah, we've been there and, I can throw an ax. Yeah. Underhand!.

Jared: Underhanded… My brother. So, he stuck it and popped the balloon on the second one. Nice. But it bounced off and then it doesn't count. Right. It shouldn't. He said it counted but I went in and stuck one first try so I went yeah. Yeah. As an older brother you have to assert your dominance.

DJ: So, you were born in January, and he was born in December. Yes, he told me that last night.

Jared: That's right I’m thinking, how did you know that? We were Irish twins.

DJ: Irish twins. I like it. Yeah. No, we had quite a conversation last night.

Jared: Yeah. We had matching rat tails and amazing, very neon matching outfits throughout life.

Andy: I'm sad I didn't know you back then. Yeah.

DJ: Well, I'm happy to know you now.,. Well, it's really been an honor and a privileged to have gone to your last concert and to be doing your last interview.

Jared: All right. It's crazy, this is this is this will be our last interview. Yeah, it's even that you wanted to talk with usf after the last show, we were wrapping our heads around it like, well, you know what, she's amazing. So we'll come and sit and talk with her and do the last interview because, um, it is it's good to kind of put a bow on this.

DJ: Yeah, I think that's it was a coup on my part, Of course, when I asked you to come and interview I didn't know it was going to be your last interview, right?

Jared: But that's okay. Oh, yeah, good point.

DJ: Yeah, it's all right. Are you going anywhere else?

Jared: I think it's mostly just going to be fishing.

DJ: Okay, yeah. Well catch some fish for me, huh?.

Jared: We will. Yeah, it's going to be fun.

DJ: Catch me a halibut man…

Andy: I had a friend come up just a few months ago. Matt and I, uh, we have a friend that came up here and just for fishing and he sent us a picture of a halibut that's as big as he is. So, um, you got to beat him. I've been looking forward to that ever since.

DJ: Well, getting a halibut as big as you are is going to be a feat - as tall anyway.

Andy: Yeah, I think he was. I mean, he's like probably five-eleven, six foot, something like that.

Jared: It was huge.

DJ: I think the biggest one I ever caught was 100 pounds. That was big enough.

Jared: That's big. Yeah. I've never caught one hundred pound anything.

DJ: Well, you're in for a treat the.n And if all you catch is rockfish, you're still in for a treat.

Andy: If I don't catch anything, I'm throwing you off the boat.

DJ: Oh, don't do that, be better. Well, what else do you want to talk about?

Jared: My mind is moving, you know, I'm stuck in the past, still all the Static Cycle stuff. And but today I woke up and started working on a song that we’re ending. I started writing for this new project... You know, that's where my head is. The new stuff.

DJ: Excellent Nice. Yeah.

Jared: Last night was a perfect night. you know, a perfect farewell for us.

DJ: Yeah, it was. It was an amazing concert. It was an amazing night. I mean, no rain, no clouds.

Jared: It was beautiful, weather was perfect.

DJ: It was I mean, you couldn’t have had anything better. And the venue. Oh, they were great. Yeah. That's a new venue. Yeah, it's pretty cool.

Jared: They put a lot of effort into that. Mm hmm. And owner Matt Tomter, he wanted to make that a beautiful place where people come and, you know, share local and national music and all that. He pulled it off. It's great he did.

DJ: We were sitting in the VIP tent, and they kept kicking people out. And we're just like, oh, we don't belong here. And the one security guy says, I got you.

Jared: There you go. So, you guys had that pro look. He wasn't going to kick you out...

DJ: You know, it was kind of cute, but then there’s my husband, right? He was he was right there and front and center. And having a great time, and I'm sitting back there watching him laughing,

Jared: Yeah, you were rocking out. (to Scott, who is off mic) Yeah, how do we say farewell,

DJ: How DO you say farewell?

Jared: Well, we can say thank you to you for this. A music program you have that's focused on the valley, incredibly unique, incredibly needed. Thank you. And when I heard you were doing it, that's why we came in. And I loved it, too. So, what you're doing there is an awesome value. Never had anything quite like that. Yeah. You know, we've had plenty of local music programs, but nothing focused on the valley. Now, there is so much talent out there.

DJ: There is. It's absolutely amazing. And whether it's local talent, talent that travels around Alaska or talent that travels around the world, it's all talent. And I mean the talent right in front of me. I mean, you're energetic. You're a great songwriter.

Jared: Thank you. You are a good singer. And not hard to look at it all. I mean, for the fronts man of a band, you've got it all. Don't burn yourself out

Jared: You say that, but, maybe 2 or 3 seconds into the show, I tripped and fell over that stair into the somersault.

DJ: So, sorry I missed it.

Jared: I got things to work on.

Andy: I mean, you played it off very well into a back somersault. I think that's why a lot of people missed it, is because it looked like you meant to do it.

Jared: Yeah. I've just fallen so many times in life that I have exit moves. Yeah, I did. I did a full somersault. It was… I did have a couple of people come up to me after the show and said, man, when you did that flip, that was the best part of the show was like,

DJ: yeah, I missed that somewhere...

Jared: Well, my brother captured video. He was very proud of that.

DJ: I have to get together with him and get him to share that with me. Yeah. I mean, now that we're such good friends,

Jared: How do we say goodbye? Farewell. I think this is just going to be, you know, see you again soon.

DJ: Absolutely.

Jared: You name the new music, all that. It's even more exciting than what we've had with Static Cycle. And that's not to undersell Static Cycle. But this is you know, we're, I would say kind of entering our prime is the truth because, you know, being down in Nashville, you're surrounded by the greatest songwriters and musicians in the world, and that makes you step your game up quickly.

DJ: Yes.

Jared: Um, so this is it. This is the next chapter. Whatever it's called, Toxic Potato is the leading candidate right now.

DJ: OK, I want credits for that. Yeah.

Jared: You got fifty percent of the band if you come up with the name.

DJ: Right. Well. It is it has been an absolute pleasure. Thank you. I'm sorry to say farewell to Static Cycle. But we will not say farewell

Jared: To us…

DJ: To Jared Navarre and Andy. Well, thank you very much for coming in.

Jared: Thank you.

DJ: Enjoy your fishing.

Jared: We will. Glad we got to stop in and see you.

DJ: Yeah, I am, too. It was pretty amazing. Awesome.

Jared: I love it.

Are you a musician from the Mat-Su? If you would like to be featured on KONR radio 106.1 FM, gve me a holler. bexterov8@gmail.com

Edna’s Notes from the Campaign Trail

Contributed by Edna DeVries

Questions I have heard: 
You are running for Mat-Su Borough Mayor? We didn’t even know there was a Mat-Su Borough Mayor. What does the Borough Mayor do? 

The Mat-Su Borough Mayor has lots of responsibilities, but the greatest one is representing you and informing you of the activities, challenges and opportunities which face our community every day. 

After you are done reading this article, you will see (along with many others of your family and friends) I am the best choice for mayor on the November 2, 2021, ballot. 

The Mat-Su Borough is governed by Borough Code, the laws which allow the borough to function. Code 2.08.010 office established – states – “There is established the office of mayor. Executive duties of the borough shall be vested in the mayor.” This portion is very similar to my current duties as the Mayor of the City of Palmer – a position I have held for the past five years. 

2.08.020 Term of Office. The mayor’s term shall be three years. The qualified candidate succeeds to the candidate’s elected office the first Monday following the certification of the election and acceptance of the oath of office. No person shall serve as mayor for more than two consecutive full terms. 

Let’s jump to duties – 2.08.040 – The Mayor shall: (1) preside at all assembly meetings. The Mayor may take part in the discussion of matters before the assembly, but may not vote, except that the mayor may vote in the case of a tie; (2) act as ceremonial head of the borough and (3) sign documents on behalf of the borough upon assembly authorization. (5) appoint members of the boards and commissions, except for members of the board of adjustment and assembly members serving on the board of equalization, shall be appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the assembly. 

In my opinion, the largest power that the Mayor’s possesses is the veto power – found in 2.08.040 Duties (b) – The mayor may veto any ordinance, resolution, motion or other action of the assembly and may by veto, strike or reduce items of appropriation ordinances. A veto shall be exercised before the next regular assembly meeting and shall be accompanied by written explanation of the reasons for the veto. A veto may be overridden by a two-thirds vote of the assembly within 21 calendar days following the veto or at the next regular meeting, whichever is later. The veto does not extend to: (1) the manager plan of borough government; (2) the actions of the board of equalization: (3) the actions of the board of adjustment; or (4) the appropriation items in a school budget ordinance. 

The next Mayor of the Mat-Su Borough must be a strong, ethical leader, who has a history of taking strong stands when it comes to allowing our government to be a voice of We The People. I have proven I am that leader during this past year, whether it was a mask mandate or a citizens’ group with ties to Black Lives Matter lobbying for the creation of a committee to oversee the City of Palmer’s Police Department, as well as allowing real estate developers to develop their own property following the City of Palmer’s health and safety code. 

Government doesn’t have all the answers, but working, listening, and responding to our citizens’ ideas, we will have a better community in which to live, work and play. 

I am the BEST CHOICE for Mat-Su Borough Mayor.  I ask you to vote for Edna DeVries on November 2, 2021. Thank you!

WASI Announces New CEO

Contributed by Marlene Munsell

Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc. Board of Directors is pleased to announce James Drayton as the new WASI CEO. He is replacing Chuck Foster who is retiring from WASI after seven years at its helm.

James joined WASI on August 30th, providing sufficient time to complete an orderly handover.

Mr. Drayton is a highly experienced, successful, and well-regarded leader in Alaska Senior care. In the past 12 years he has worked as the Chief Operating Officer for a senior care service organization providing Home and Community Based Waiver services in both Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley, a State of Alaska Senior and Disabilities Services Division Compliance Investigator and as a Behavioral Health Services Administrator for Southcentral Foundation.

During his tenure at LifeWorks as COO, he successfully expanded the membership by 85% while tripling operational reach, enabling previously unserved seniors to be connected to services. As a Compliance Investigator for SOS he closed over 275 cases with 20+ of them resulting in major felony fraud convictions and amassing over $9 million USO in fines and over payment judgments.

With his business education, experience in program expansion and a strong compliance background; the Board is confident that Mr. Drayton is uniquely qualified to navigate and execute our strategic plan.

Board President, John Weaver said, “The combination of his experience, proven ability and drive makes him an ideal fit for our company's next stages of growth. James' level of confidence and work ethic is complimented by his deeply ingrained sense of humility and pragmatic leadership style. Please join us in welcoming James Drayton, our new CEO.”

Mountain Realm

Contributed by Douglas Girard

On the edge of the cliff, the land drops away and spreads itself before one. The river far below meanders across the vast river flood plain. It splits up into two rivers, becomes one again, then splits into three. The curves and bends in the river reflect the colors of the dramatic sky as they find their way around a finger of forest and then lose themselves behind the trees.

One's gaze follows the rise in the land as low clouds flow over the treetops. The valley lifts the further it retreats up to the source of the Knik River. Forested hills pile one on top of each other and turn into towering mountains. A glacier pours forth, slicing through the rocky pinnacles. Dark clouds tumble across the scene. They momentarily block the view of the height of this other world. As they float to the side, the sun slides below a cloud, and golden rays light up this heavenly place.

This ethereal realm seems to be the dwelling of giants, titans, or some other mythical beings. The vision seems so near and yet so far away. One could almost reach out and touch it, but alas, it is too distant.

It is not a dream. No invention of one's imagination, the distance between you and this otherworldly summit is at least thirty miles!

If one only had wings to fly down that valley and sweep upwards and upwards. Through the clouds. Pirouetting to the top of the blazing peak and then falling to touch the glowing glacier's edge. How wonderful it would be if one could explore on feathered wing every swelling, every vertical, every gorge, and depression of this jubilant earth.

For years I have stood looking out at this view. I have painted several smaller works of this valley. This time, only a large 48" x 36" canvas could contain this dramatic vision.

I am pleased to announce the completion of my painting "Mountain Realm". This image is now also available as a Fine-art print on paper, metal, and canvas. You can also find a hundred other paintings available as prints on metal, paper, canvas, acrylic, wood, mugs, pillows, puzzles, phone cases, and bags. You will also find over 50 of my popular small "Bird Blocks" for sale. "Bird Blocks" are small, 3.5" wide, portraits of birds. You can follow me on Instagram and Facebook @studiogirard.

The Republican Party Has to Fight

Contributed by Larry Wood

Venezuela used to be the richest country in the world with more oil than Saudi Arabia. Now, under communism, the people are starving, the economy is devastated, and people are eating out of dumpsters. Yet, the Democrats are trying to convince us that a communist oligarchy will work “better” here.

No. It won’t.

The political wars are heating up, slowly, but surely. Democrat districts in Anchorage are openly coordinating and planning their support for local elections in the MOA. The Republicans? Who knows?

I have no doubt that the same thing is happening in the Valley and elsewhere in Alaska. 

For some reason, the Republicans still hold to a non-existent bi-partisan’ hands-off local elections policy. Yet, the Democrats are not at all shy about their support for the candidates at every level, including community councils.

The country and every state is engaged in a cultural, political, and legal war. 

Communism has openly declared itself with representation in every level of elected and appointed government. Our President is openly appointing communists to cabinet positions. Communists openly serve in our government agencies. This is incredible as there was a time in the not-so-distant past that such a declaration would have ensured a visit by the FBI.

Within the Democrat Party itself, the radical Marxist/communist is now the norm, not an exception. Where, in the Dem party of the past, the Constitution was respected, the rule of law was respected, life was respected, and our way of life, culture, law and heritage were respected. Today, no. Violence is not only tolerated, but advocated by Democrat leadership and elected officials. Worse, justice is no longer blind in Democrat jurisdictions.

Where did this vitriol come from?

It seems the COVID-19 pandemic response was the catalyst for this change from some degree of open respect to absolute contempt for the opposition. I cannot remember when members of Congress and our national leadership openly advocated violence as a means of change. Always before it was through the ballot box.

Given that communism seeks to overthrow and to end our constitutional republic, it is time that communism was once again recognized as a threat to our way of life and our freedom. Communism/Marxism has to be opposed wherever it rears its ugly, bigoted head.

Those who espouse a communist/Marxist point of view are traitors and need to be treated as such. They oppose the Constitution. Yet, we find them in our educational system from top to bottom, in our government at every level, even our military, in our community councils and school boards. Look at Anchorage, the Palmer City Council, Fairbanks and other local governments. All have a similar Marxist infestation problem.

The idea of Marxist ideological indoctrination would find its way into our school curriculums is both incredible and reprehensible.

Where is the teaching and example of Martin Luther King or the progress made since the Civil War? Instead, Marx? Divisiveness, bigotry, and discrimination?

After all the misery and hardship in restoring respect and dignity to all Americans, we want divisiveness and division promoted by government with our children made into little ideologues who will just do and not think? This is what the CCP is doing. 

In the Peoples Republic of China, the Chinese Communist Party is reorganizing their school system back to the model that produced Mao’s Red Guards of the 1960s who devastated China’s economy, food production and the people of China. The children turned on parents and grandparents accusing them of being counter-revolutionaries. Is this what we want?

If you lose the kids, you lose the country.

Evidently, the Republican Party is willing to lose this country. We know that the establishment Republican as represented by Mitch McConnell and others in Congress is of the belief that give and take is a good thing. They lose nothing if the Dems are in power, they still enrich themselves. After all, the plebes will pay the bill.  

How can the Alaska Republican Party change from passive to actively face the Marxist Democrat threat?

By restoring the precinct organization as the foundation of the Party. Note that on the Alaska Republic Party website, all that is listed are the House Districts. There is no information regarding House District Precinct chairs and vice chairs. Further, the party needs to vet and to promote election of conservative Republicans at every level, including community councils, school boards, city and borough elections and appointments to boards.

It is time to take the gloves off and to fight as if this were for our very lives, for our freedom, and for the future of our children.

Bi-partisanship to the current generation of Democrat means sit down and shut up, or else. They openly speak of reeducation camps or worse for the opposition.

Replace any Republican who uses the term “bi-partisan”. We need people who are willing to stand for their convictions and to get into the face of the opposition.

The Alaska Republican Party must fight to support the Constitution and the party Platform.

MAGA.

Bee Well Chiropractic is Hosting Special Event for Parents!

Contributed by Josh Christensen, Bee Well Chiropractic 

The Perfect Storm Workshop
9/29/2021 – 6-30PM
Bee Well Chiropractic
Hebrews Café
490 S. Knik-Goose Bay Rd. Wasilla
FREE Event with Registration

Dr. Josh at Bee Well Chiropractic is hosting an event for parents who are interested in learning more about ways to regulate the emotions and behaviors of their children.

During The Perfect Storm, Dr. Josh will dive deep into the science and neurology behind your child’s struggles, from emotional regulation and behavioral challenges, to focus and concentration issues, and more.

This event is important because it touches on the impact of stress and isolation in the lives’ of the children in our community, both of which have run rampant over the past year or so. Dr. Josh is making a BIG impact on the wellbeing of families in our community and giving them tangible HOPE, ANSWERS, and ACTION STEPS.

“Parents, maybe you’re worried about how a label (anxiety, sensory, ADHD, or even autism) will impact your child’s life? But what if they didn’t have to be confined by a label? What if what you really need is to help them sleep through the night, have less meltdowns each day, handle transitions easier, regulate their emotions a bit easier, and get sick less often? If this sounds like you, then the Perfect Storm Workshop is perfect for you! Get your HOPE back, your questions ANSWERED, and ACTION STEPS that are easy and effective!”

Please share this information with our community!

You can find out more and register for the event by visiting our FB event page - https://fb.me/e/1jfrGubZD.

Valley Republican Women of Alaska’s 5th Annual Chili Cook-Off

Contributed by Cathy Mosher

5th Chili Cook-Off
9/18/2021 – 5:30PM
Valley Republican Women of Alaska
Palmer Depot
610 S Valley Way, Palmer
Tickets: $30

Saturday, September 18th will be our 5th Annual Chili Cook-Off at the Palmer Depot, 610 S. Valley Way, Palmer. Doors open at 5:30p.m. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased online at www.vrwak.com.

Sportsman Warehouse is doing a Wall of Guns. Winner of the Chili Cook-Off will win a trophy with their name on it. The winner is picked by popular vote of the public. Do not forget to put it on your calendar! Hope to see you there.

See us on our Facebook page, Valley Republican Women of Alaska, and visit our webpage, www.vrwak.com.  

Cathy Mosher cmosher@mtaonline.net 
Paid for by VRWAK P. O. Box 876739 Wasilla AK. 99687

Are You Wealthy or Poor?

Contributed by Wes Keller 

I’m convinced everyone, including myself, struggles with something like cognitive dissonance when we try to decide if we are rich or poor. The way we feel about our “wealth” depends on so many variables: we may think we are prosperous one moment, and then, very sure we are poor at another. If we want to buy something we cannot afford, we feel poor; when, on the other hand, we are celebrating with family and friends, perhaps on Thanksgiving Day itself, we feel rich. Add the human tendency to compare what we have with what others appear to have, with the potential devastation of covetousness or pride, and we get even more confused!

Government authority factors into our evaluation of our “pursuit of happiness”. What is “money”? Some authority invents it, but why does it work? Do “We the People” (the sovereigns in our republic) have control of monetary policy? How much should be created per capita, i.e. our money supply? What does it cost to get money — interest rates? There is no intrinsic value in the money itself — the paper makes a poor firestarter and it is cheaper to drill holes in our coins than to use them to buy coin-sized washers we might need to build something. How do we protect ourselves from thieves who increase the money supply to pay for debts incurred based on pre-inflation values? These are lofty questions and confuse the question of deciding whether we are rich or poor.

Is our currently apparent “prosperity” real? Is it sustainable, or not? The market seems to be booming for recreational equipment, vacations, entertainment, campers, travel, houses, cars, food, energy… in spite of massive COVID-19 production shortages! “Business as usual” coexisting with production loss makes me uneasy. My theory is the is distribution of trillions of “covid dollars” (debt from the Fed’s printing presses) is robustly changing hands just as if we are continuing to prosper as a nation! If this was the intent, it seems to be working, at least for now.  If the prosperity is sustainable, maybe we should do our part by spending more!? My guess is we are all trying to grasp the phenomena and wondering what the future will bring.

Money works ONLY because everyone, by consensus, trusts it. Buying and selling with “tokens” of promised value utterly depends on continued trust. The US Dollar works because it is backed by our US Federal physical assets and, more importantly, the historical credibility and reputation of our government — designed and working to protect and defend inherent, unalienable human rights! A dollar has the profound global value it has because of successful application of the original intent of our US Constitution — freedom. Our trust in US money is inseparable from our trust in the value of our government. Trust in our money system, or our nation, is appropriate only in the context of our greater trust in God — which is specifically stated on our money: “in God we Trust”. Politics, government, and God all matter when contemplating our prosperity — our “pursuit of happiness” is one of the inherent human rights of Declaration of Independence. The 1828 definition of the word “happiness” is about the same as ours: “That state of being in which our desires are gratified.” The founders, like us, presumed the pursuit of happiness included the ownership of property and money. Ultimate “happiness” however, is only artificially related to currency and has everything to do with what/who we are ultimately trusting. If you remember, this is precisely the message of the famous “Sermon on the Mount” in the Bible (summed up in Matt 6:33). The evening news confirms we have less and less reason to place too much trust in government, and more than ever this includes our American government, giving us every reason to think shrewdly about what we ultimately trust.

Long ago, “We the People” were extricated from the power to directly control monetary policy! Congress authorized the creation of the Federal Reserve system (the “Fed”) in 1913. Theoretically we could force reform and restructure our monetary policies by empowering lawmakers, but we would be hard-pressed to forge consensus on what ‘improvements’ to this entrenched institution would look like. We tolerate escalating deficit spending even though we don’t look too closely at how this results in more and more money being printed/minted, which is creating a bigger and bigger debt load.

We “ordinary folks” do not often admit to ourselves we do not have much more than nominal control over government spending! It seems more and more unlikely we will be able to stop the spending-debt spiral. It was a wise man who once said, "A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have." – Thomas Jefferson, US President [Robert G. Moscatelli, The Quote Manual (Bloomington, IN: Author House, 2005), 193.]

Read the rest of this article at http://weskeller.com/are-you-wealthy-or-poor/.

Wes Keller | www.WesKeller.com

Celebrating Our Constitution Or Treason?

Contributed by Nan Potts

Constitution Week is here! September 13th-19th. By the time this paper is issued, Constitution Day has past, September 17th. I hope you took the opportunity to read the basic ideologies and undertakings of our Founding Fathers and celebrate in that spirit. Whether you were born in the United States or naturalized, they are your Founding Fathers too!

It saddens me how many citizens of this country do not understand how our form of government is supposed to function. By reading, understanding and applying the basics within our U.S. Constitution, I’m certain our troubles as a nation would decline.

Recently I watched a newscast poll asking people in various states weather they prefer Socialism to Capitalism — Some preferred Socialism; they thought people take advantage of Capitalism and it is so easily corruptible. Others stated, they’d like a combination of Socialism and Capitalism (which supports small businesses). A few felt Socialism is the way to go because it puts everyone on equal ground (much different than equal opportunity). 

When you compare our Constitution to Marx’ and similar 19th century ideologies, you will discover a very expansive dichotomy.

“… No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of Citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty or property, without due process of Law…” — Amendment XIV, section 1, U.S. Constitution (ratified July 9, 1868)

“From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.” — Slogan, popularized by Karl Marx, in Critique of the Gotha Program (1875)

Socialism, has it proved better? Look at history. Then, go ask the people who have legally immigrated to this country from the U.S.S.R./Russia, China, Cuba, Venezuela or other oppressive regimes. What do they say?

The freedom to express one’s opinion is part of our Constitution — Freedom of Speech. Yet, our Constitution also addresses expressing an opinion and supporting it to the extent of revolution against the United States.

Let’s talk treason (definition): Treason—noun

1. The offense of acting to overthrow one's government or to harm or kill its sovereign.

2. A violation of allegiance to one's sovereign or to one's state.

3. The betrayal of a trust or confidence; breach of faith; treachery.

No matter which definition you choose to use, the act of betrayal always involves consequences. Currently, news outlets espouse all sorts of betrayal examples — no matter to which side of the political aisle you lean.

The U.S. Constitution, defines treason in Article III, Section 3:

Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.

The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.

(IMPORTANT NOTE: Look up Attainder and Corruption of Blood in a good dictionary)

Within the last 20 years (probably before), we have witnessed change in how our Federal and State levels of government operate; changing laws to increase authority — The Executive Branch has issued a multitude of mandates to its citizens, the Judicial Branch is being altered, and in some places disassembled due to a few unethical individuals. The Legislative Branch is mostly dysfunctional, since many Congressmen and Senators are focused on staying in power instead of working for their constituents who voted them into office.

Let’s look at current events:

Governmental Abetting?

1. Assisting Big Tech to censor individuals

2. Assisting Big Tech to spy on individuals

3. Doing nothing: • Illegal immigration • Crime • Economic prosperity • Upholding Constitution Laws

4. False data

5. Overreach — multiple Executive mandates

6. Assisting a known enemy (Taliban) of the US, into power — who wish to levy war against us

Governmental Conflicting Ideology and Incompetence?

1.      U.S. Southern border: • Unsecured border (Open Border policy) • Reinstated “Catch and Release” policy • Thousands of unvetted migrants (approx. 10% tested positive for COVID)

2.      Conflicting COVID information — causing confusion, distrust and division

3.      Afghan War withdrawal: • Americans evacuated after troop withdrawal, abandoning some • Handing over U.S. property and equipment to a known enemy (Taliban) • Increasing the potential for increased terrorism,

4.      Worldwide (Taliban, ISIS-K, Al-Qaeda).

Restorations of these debacles can be simple but complicated to execute. They require effort, determination and the ability to think outside of cultural trends.

Solutions:

1.      Educate the population and citizenry of the US on the proper workings of our U.S. Constitution; their privileges and rights.

2.      Purposes and Execution of: A. Executive Branch, B. Judicial Branch, C. Legislative Branch

3.      Vote into Office those who merit the leadership to hold and conduct The People’s business (not popularity contests)

4. Understand that freedom and peace always come with a price — appeasement doesn’t work. 

When you have an educated population seeking true betterment of its society, more than likely the society prospers. This is not an opinion but fact — look at the past, including the US.

There’s the rub! Over the years it appears more people are less knowledgeable of our government’s working and more technically savvy, which has a tendency to distract and misinform.

Another fact, some candidates are elected into office or appointed to positions who only desire the power it provides, rather than the opportunity of perusing desired goals they were entrusted to achieve.

“Our Constitution was made for a moral and religious People. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” — John Adams, Letter to the Massachusetts Militia, 1798

What caused the failure of the world’s past societies? Answer: Politically uneducated citizenry and the treasonous politicians who promised to serve them.

With this in mind, people should be asking:

 1. Are the current “Woke” and Socialistic ideologies advancing or retarding our American Experiment?

 2. How does Socialism, which has led to the destruction of millions of people and numerous countries, integrate with the US Constitution?

 3. Why is Socialism gaining momentum?

 4. Are “We The People” being deceived, resulting in crumbling confidence in our governmental leaders?

 5. Is the “Woke” culture luring us into debasing our Laws, our Constitution, and our successful way of life?

 6. Is that same “Woke” culture really acting to overthrow our government and destroy the world’s last bastion of liberty?

You are capable of doing the research. Why not celebrate our Constitution in an educated manner? Allow the American Experiment to continue to prosper and then, if necessary, let us really talk treason.

The Warrior Goes Further In

Contributed by Steve Carrington & Jack Horner

Recently, I learned of the passing of a young friend of mine, August Naranjo. I knew him when he was a teenager and a young man. He was my first employee for Adventure Stores. I would call him Number 1. A remarkable young man that loved fun and games, but loved playing them with people even more. He and his high school buddies would gather on Friday nights and play DragonRaid (a Christian RPG) with me. August’s favorite character he played was Zemikia.

I found a description of an adventure August had played with his friends many years before. To honor August, here is a retelling of part of that adventure to send him into the next world where he meets two young friends who went before.

==========================

Zemikia was scouting ahead of his raid party and descended into a small village when he was ambushed! He approached the first house when the door exploded in his face! He mouthed a battleprayer and let out a warcry as he attacked.

The skeleton wielding a scimitar attacked Zemikia through the door. Zemikia the AnimalMaster leaped to the task of dispatching the skeleton with energy. Unfortunately, this scimitar wielding skeleton had been a sword master. He realized this could be a difficult battle and shouted, “I Fear No One. The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? He pressed into the fight with all his heart. The swordmaster troll-skeleton had wielded his sword more years than Zemikia had been on Talania. With cool precision, the skeleton pierced Zemikia through the heart.

Zemikia felt his life slip away. He guessed that everything would go dark. But instead the scene was crystal clear. He saw the skeleton before him pull the sword from his chest, and move on to engage his friends. But that wasn’t particularly important. For just then a great giant appeared on the ridge above. This was not the foolish lumbering giants he had encountered before. This one was filled with majesty and power. He raised a massive horn to his lips. After that - quite a bit later, because sound travels so slowly -- he heard the sound of the horn: high and terrible, yet of a strange, and deadly beauty. The village crumbled before his eyes. Thatched roofs deteriorated, stone wall fell. The sky darkened, yet he could see ever so clearly. Dragons crept out of the hills, and went to and fro tearing up the trees by the roots and crunching them up as if they were sticks of rhubarb. Soon their rampaging took them toward the Western Sea. And Zemikia knew no more.

Garruk, Mas, and the rest of Zemikia’s Raiding party, saw none of this. They engaged the Skeleton and together killed it. Tired, and in shock, Lightraiders stood in silent horror over the body of their friend. The last fight, of the last battle, of this long raid was done. And at the end their best, the quiet, gentle, hulk of a man was dead. They thanked the overlord, and mourned their friend.

==========================================

Life After Death

Zemikia awoke near water. He was in the midst of a glade with many small bodies of water interspersed. He did not recognize where he was and wandered through the woods. He weaved between the bodies of water being careful to not step in any of them. (Afterall, he didn't know where they would take him nor where he was to go!)

Zemikia was bewildered, “I don't know, maybe this a dream.” He thought a while then shrugged. “This is all very confusing, What am I to do now?”

“I can't remember much from before? Everything past seems like a land of shadows and faint images.”

“Before sounds like a song intro to me.”

His eyes brightened.

“I wonder if there is any good music here?” he thought.

“I would like to listen to good music and have good drink and eat good food about now.” he added.

A breeze blew through the trees. A low throbbing sound pulsed within the wind.

“Where is that coming from?” he wondered.

Zemikia grinned and started pacing toward the west. He walked westward for a long time, and finally he came to a to a valley encompassed by mountains.

The leaves in the trees around him rustled, and a voice in the wind whispered, “Further in! Further up!”. The breeze blew stronger through the trees.

 “Come further in! Come further up!” it whispered.

 “This place seems familiar.” said the Zemikia, “Reminds me of the old valley up by… Great Messenger Pass”. And it was. But it was more. There was a stone cottage, and a nearly finished rock wall, next to it. A tall, dark-haired man was carefully chiseling a stone to fit into the next section. And a shorter man was setting them in place. They had familiar faces. Suddenly memories hit him in a rush, his life, and those he loved, and all that missed him.

Turbo, looked at him and said, “Zemikia, It is not wrong to mourn. Think of all that is past.”

His compaion, Hakim, continued, “The old world was a shadow or a copy of the real one. For you the old is now past. The shadow is gone. You have entered the true world and begun real life.”

 Zemikia grinned.

 “So, I have come home at last?”

 “This is the real country!” confirmed Turbo.

 “And you belong here!” added Hakim.

 “Further up and farther in!” shouted the Wind, and Zemikia went off at a run to the top of the pass above.

A great lion, The Great Lion, stood before him, then he began to shimmer and change.

First, he saw a deer, and then and Eagle, and after those myriad shapes that they could neither describe nor fully comprehend. Finally, He became a man. He had long flowing hair, and his skin was the color of bronze. His eyes twinkled in mischief and delight, as if knowing what was past and also what lay ahead.

“Have you not guessed? Do you not know me?” asked the man. His hearts leaped and a wild hope rose within them.

 “There was a real battle,” he said softly, “In the old, the Shadow-Lands, you are dead. The raid is over: the holidays have begun. The dream is ended. This is the morning.”

For Zemikia it was only the beginning of the real story. All his life and adventures in this world, had only been the cover and the title page: now at last he was beginning Chapter One of the Great Story, which no one on earth has read: which goes on forever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.

(Adapted from “The Last Battle” by C.S. Lewis, and maybe a nod to Tolkien’s “Leaf by Niggle” tossed in.)

Games are for Children

Contributed by Robert Shields

Today, I am calling out the posers. Greenwashing bullies who are only interested in dominating the conversation so they can control the flow of information. The climate distractors who have betrayed the public trust and their duties to protect the environment by maintaining a willful wall of ignorance, that continues to deny people the freedom to choose for themselves who represents them. To dictate what options are available as economically viable solutions, and who for decades now, take your money in good faith that they are providing answers, when all they do is create circular conversations around convoluted issues that leave you to believe “for now” coal is clean, natural gas is cheap, and consumption, extraction, and exploitation are the only industries worth investing in.

Several self-proclaimed “environmental organizations”, including The Alaska Center, Native Movement, The Nanook Diversity and Action Center, the Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition, and UAF Climate Scholars, have chosen to weigh in on the election while remaining utterly silent on the abomination and fraud that is the UAF coal plant in their own front yard. These posers, along with bad actors at the Northern Center for the Environment, the Renewable Energy Alaska Project, the Cold Climate Housing Research Center, and the Alaska Center for Energy and Power are all corporate puppets, who repeatedly use studies and demonstration projects to distract from real game changing solutions viable a decade ago. Bad actors who are paid to distract and disenfranchise advocates into submission, so their hyper vocal opinions are the only one people hear.

The lack of significant action from these actors and their political pandering is why, in 2021 the villages continue to struggle with the corporate welfare of the PHC, the Interior has the worst air quality and the highest cost of energy. Why everyone is forced into silence on the black lung impacts of our continued coal addiction. The people of our state could be thriving for generations not suffering in perpetuity.

I am the chair of the Green Party of Alaska, chair of the Climate Reality Project Alaska climate hub, chair of the Extinction Rebellion, and Sunrise (Arm in Arm) in Alaska. I have a degree in Natural Resource Management and 22 years of professional experience in the nonprofit as well as the business arena of permaculture. In 2021 I became the state’s first EcoDistricts accredited professional (urban planner).

On top of all that I founded, in 2011, an environmental organization, the Alliance for Reason and Knowledge, (ARK) who has for a decade organized solar tours, annual resilient city conferences, and workforce development in clean career fields. I am an environmentalist with a business background for practical solutions that lowers the cost of living and improve the quality of life. This makes me a threat to maintaining business as usual “environment”.

I struggle to know which is worse. A system that is filled with corruption, cronyism, and nepotism or the reality so many people are aware of it and play along because “that’s the game”.  As children games are a fun way to learn essential life skills, to socialize, and how to survive. However, these blatant games of coercion, control, and bullying erode the foundation of our trust in ourselves and each other making us vulnerable to manipulation, misinformation, and abuse.

Policy makers carry a heavy burden because the decisions we make impact people’s lives now and into the future. The complete incompetence of our political leaders at all levels as we routinely watch them violate their own principles when they become politically inconvenient is why people don’t trust the government. This lack of trust costs lives needlessly every day, it has allowed our community to become a superfund site, and it is destroying our economy and our environment faster than any coal plant ever could.

A leader should be willing to compromise on the plans, the procedures, the partnerships, and priorities, but never on principle. When good people violate their own code of ethics, that’s when they become part of the problem.

On October 5th, there are statewide elections about who will lead us into the future. Only those who are vocally committed to the cause of doing their part to ensure 140 years from now Alaska will still be a good place to raise a family deserve your support. Don’t be distracted by fools who are comfortable enduring another decade of environmental degradation and human suffering in the name of short-term profits or the comfort of their own position.

Berrigan for School Board

Contributed by Lori Berrigan

I’m Lori Berrigan, and I am running for the Mat-Su Borough School Board, District 1. This includes many communities in the eastern Mat-Su, from Knik River north and east to Sheep Mountain. I have been involved in education in the Mat-Su Valley for 18 years and I would like to put that experience to work for your children and you. 

My journey in education started as a parent, but over the last 18 years it has shifted from being an involved parent to an advocate for all children in the Mat-Su.

I moved to the Valley in 2004 when my oldest started Kindergarten. I soon realized my choices in education were limited. I am an Alaskan who benefited from choice in education. I started first grade at Oceanview Elementary in Anchorage and graduated from Steller Secondary in 1987. Steller was the first optional program in Alaska. While at Steller, I took classes at West High and Anchorage Community College. This allowed me to graduate a year early and spend a year as an exchange student before starting college. 

I graduated from Colorado College in 1992 with a degree in chemistry and worked as a field chemist on the pipeline. Working in a lab was not my dream job. I went back to school and became a sports massage therapist, a field I worked in for 20 years. During this time, my husband and I started our family. After moving to the Valley, I again went back to school where I received a Certificate in Waldorf Early Childhood Education.

I have three children who have attended school in the Mat-Su Valley. My two oldest are current students at UAF, both UA scholars. They graduated from Palmer High. My youngest is a freshman at Palmer High.

Luckily, the State of Alaska allows for all of us to have choices in education. In 2006, I worked hard to bring choices to other parents and students by leading the effort to start Birchtree Charter School (BTC), a public charter school. After Birchtree was approved in 2010, I turned my attention to starting my own business by opening a Waldorf-inspired childcare and preschool, while remaining on the BTC Academic Policy Board for many years.

BTC and my business, Palmer LifeWays, are now entering their eleventh year.

In addition to my work with BTC, I have been a member of the Mat-Su Ski Club Board and the Palmer Moose Nordic Ski Team Booster club. I have served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for the State of Alaska for the past five years. CASA volunteers work with the Guardian Ad Litem advocating for children in foster care.

So, why should you vote for me? What can I do for parents and community members with children and grandchildren in a traditional school? What do I offer for those homeschooling?

What I have learned over the last 18 years as a parent who started a charter school, an educator running my own business, and as a CASA volunteer, is it is not always about the curriculum being taught, but the connections a teacher, principal and staff make with a child.

To make connections, staff need time and resources. Children are not just a number, or a check list. They are fully formed human beings that are where they are on a developmental path regardless of age. Every child that I meet and work with, I work to make connection. I want them to know that I see the best in them every day.

Teachers need time to make these connections. This is time to look through student portfolios, send emails to parents, work with a student one-on-one as necessary.

My goals on the School Board are:

·      To serve all children in the Mat-Su. No one child is more important than another.

·      Foster partnerships and relationships between schools and parents.

·      To be fiscally responsible and provide transparency of public funds.

·      Improve proficiency in students that are below proficiency levels.

·      Maintain, create, and promote programs that give students choice, including college prep and vocational education tracks, and make public schools available to home schoolers.

·      To keep schools open and buses running.

Right now, the school board is lurching from crisis to crisis. It is difficult to provide leadership when you are always reactive versus proactive. Day-to-day operations of the district should be left to the Superintendent. The work of the board is to create a long-term vision and work with the administration to find solutions and resources to support that vision.

With my background and knowledge of our School District and School Board policy, I can help provide the necessary leadership to serve the interests of District 1 and keep the School District moving forward. I strongly believe that we have tremendous teachers and staff working with our children. We need to return harmony throughout our School District and re-establish morale amongst all district employees. Education takes place in the classroom and the Board's efforts must focus on enhancing and enriching what goes on in each classroom in the district.

I would appreciate your vote on November 2nd.

Understanding Humanity

Contributed by Katherine Baker

The spring of hope culminates a summer of
UNDERSTANDING
The fall of an ideology witnesses a winter in
HUMANITY