Families & Children:
Family Promise Mat-Su www.familypromisematsu.com (907) 357-6160
A community response for families without housing. Family Promise Mat-Su, “FPMS” uses area churches for shelter while providing meals and case management to help homeless families move back into housing and self-sustainability.
In addition we provide state funds(BHAP) for homeless prevention.
Connect Palmer Inc. www.ConnectPalmer.org (907) 746-9675
Connect Palmer is a Christ Centered Training Center and Housing for Women located in downtown Palmer. Connect Palmer’s two primary programs are God’s Work Design, and LIFE Connect. We also have Sarah’s House, which a Safe and Caring place for ladies, without homes, to live while they participate in our back to work and life skills programs.
We also offer different community assistant programs, such as The Locker, to provide personal care and basic house hold cleaning items and Scarlet Tapestries which offers basic sewing skills instruction. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization.
OTHER
Mat-Su Health Services, Inc. www.mshsak.org (907) 376-2411
Dedicated to improving the health of our community, one person at a time – through affordable medical, dental and behavioral health care.The clinic is a Federally qualified Health Care Center and we accept Medicare, Medicaid, and most other third-party insurances. For those who qualify, there is a sliding scale payment, based on household income.
We offer early morning and evening appointments a ppointment. You can also contact our 24/7 behavioral crisis intervention line by calling the main number: 376-2411.
Mat-Su Sertoma Club
www.matsuhearing.org or www.matsuplunge.org
“CAN YOU HEAR ME?” Sertoma stands for SERvice
TO MAnkind . Mat-Su Sertoma is a 501(c )3 non-profit membership organization whose purpose is to support hearing health in the Mat-Su Valley through education, hearing testing and support of services that assist individuals with deafness and hearing loss.
Mat-Su Sertoma membership is open to the public. Anyone can attend one of our membership meetings. Won’t you join us on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at the Windbreak (Trout House) 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Sertoma’s Annual Scholarship Program … Apply: www.matsuhearing.org
Families & Children:
Denali Family Services
291 East Swanson Ave. Wasilla, AK 907-222-2331 or eolivares@denalifs.org
Denali Family Services provides therapeutic foster care to Alaskan children with mental health needs. If you are committed to working with a team, receiving training and implementing positive interventions to schoolage children and teens, we need your talents and skills.
We are in search of professional, therapeutic foster parents who are willing to make a commitment to the children of Alaska by providing a stable home environment.
For more information, please call or email our Foster Care Recruiter, Ernestina D. Olivares, at 907-222-2331 or eolivares@ denalifs.org
Mat-Su Health Foundation
healthymatsu.org (907) 352-2863
The Mat-Su Health Foundation offers financial and strategic support to well-managed 501(c)(3) organizations that offer services and practical solutions to significant health-related problems impacting the citizens of the Mat-Su Borough.
The foundation also offers academic and vocational scholarships to Mat-Su residents who wish to pursue health and wellness related careers.
Pets & Animals:
Alaska Animal Advocates www.alaskaanimaladvocates.com (907) 841-3173
Alaska Animal Advocates is a non-profit group of dedicated volunteers who are devoted to enriching the lives of companion animals in Alaska.
In order to do this, we will place homeless pets in loving environments, address medical concerns, spay or neuter, microchip, vaccinate, and offer training as is needed.
We believe that every animal deserves a loving home, for his/her entire life and Alaska Animal Advocates will provide the resources to make this happen.
In order to make this mission possible, we need the help of volunteers and foster homes.
ARTS:
Valley Arts Alliance www.ValleyArtsAlliance.com
Valley Arts Alliance, bringing the community together through the arts... We are a place for both new and established artists of all types— painters, sculptors, musicians, and those involved in the performing arts—to network and to experiment with new ideas and media.
We work with local libraries, schools, museums, art councils, and music and art groups to create more venues for the arts, and to help promote art related events.
Join us at our informal weekly meetings, every Thursday @ 11 at Sophia’s Cafe, 9191 E Frontage Road, Palmer-Wasilla Hwy. Check out our archives www.ValleyArtsAlliance.com
CONSERVATION:
Valley Community for Recycling Solutions
www.valleyrecycling.org (907) 745-5544
RECYCLING – It’s not just for hippies anymore!! Everyone in the Mat-Su valley can recycle. Drop your stuff off Tues – Fri 10:30 to 6 and Sat 10:30 to 3:30. Recycle cardboard, magazines, this newspaper and more at your community recycling center. Remember to REDUCE, REUSE, and then RECYCLE!
Your community recycling center is located at 9465 E Chanlyut Circle, next to the MSB Animal Shelter at the MSB Central Landfill. Volunteer opportunities available. Make a difference in your community!
Check out our website for details , follow us on Facebook. www.valleyrecycling.org - Call us at 907.745.5544 with questions or comments.
EMPLOYMENT SERVICES:
Mat-Su Regional Adult Basic Education (Nine Star) MatsuAdultEd@ninestar.com (907) 373-7833
Mat-Su ABE provides basic education in math, language arts and English as a second language (ESL), aiming to raise student skills beyond the high-school level in order to pass tests like the GED, enter training programs or college, and advance on the job. Enrollment is open to all adult residents of Alaska, year-round. Youth Employment for ages 16-24 not in school -- get a job, keep a job, advance on the job. Nine Star 300 N Willow 373-3006 (in the MYHouse building)
FAITH:
Valley Interfaith Action (VIA) www.valleyinterfaithaction.org (907) 230-1006
To address quality of life issues for all re sidents of the Mat-Su Borough, utilizing the faith values of our members, developing community-wide interest and mobilization around quality of life issues. Through training, leaders address community problems by providing forums for discussion, researching alternative solutions, and working as facilitators with residents and leaders for institutional change.
HOMELESS YOUTH:
Mat-Su Youth Housing (MY HOUSE) myhousematsu.org (907) 373-4357
MY House is a homeless youth drop in center with two for-profit businesses that train and employ homeless youth. Gathering Grounds Cafe is a coffee shop with homemade soups, sandwiches, salads and baked goods. Steamdriven is a trendy thrift shop featuring Steampunk items made from repurposed donations by our youth designers. Fiend2Clean and Young People in Recovery offer support for substance abuse recovery with activities and events.
We offer transitional housing for qualified 18-24 year olds, Outreach services to connect homeless youth, organizations and groups to services, and access to Public Health and NineStar job/education services on site.
SOCIAL ADVOCACY:
Wasilla Homeless-Committee www.wasillahomeless-committee.org (907) 521-2949
Wasilla Homeless-Committee is a 100% volunteer organization funded by private donations and regular fundraising events. Our sole purpose is to assist the homeless, those at risk of homelessness, and others who do not meet the criteria for help that is required by other advocacy agencies in the valley. Wasilla Homeless-Committee provides case management, housing search assistance, move in assistance, job search assistance, clothing, furniture, help with transportation, and resource guidance for homeless and disenfranchised in the Mat-Su Valley. Visit our website for application, or call 907521-2949. Find us on Facebook facebook.com/ wasillahomelesscommitteepage
Community Events
MARY HAVENS
BOOK SIGNING & PRESENTATION
8/17/2018 – 3PM City of Wasilla, Wasilla Public Library
Wasilla Public Library 500 N Crusey St. Wasilla FREE Admission (907) 376-5913 cityofwasilla.com/library
9TH ANNUAL BIG ‘M’ MEMORIAL BENEFIT
8/18/2018 – 12PM
Mug-Shot Saloon
251 W Parks Hwy. Wasilla FREE Admission
Donations Accepted (907) 376-1638
HAPPY RUN
Every Monday - 6PM Active Soles
Performance Footwear 642 S Alaska St. Ste. #209, Palmer FREE Event (907) 746-0600 activesoles@mtaonline.net
MAT-SU CIVIL AIR PATROL MEETING
Every Monday - 6:30PM
Mat-Su Composite Squadron Civil Air Patrol Church of Christ 1125 E Majestic View Cr., Wasilla FREE Event (907) 240-7888 605271@akwg.cap.gov
TOASTMASTERS PUBLIC SPEAKING EVENT
Every Tuesday - 6PM
Toastmasters International, Palmer
MTA Sports Center 1507 N Double B St. Palmer FREE Event
GEEKS WHO DRINK PUB QUIZ
Every Tuesday - 7PM
Tailgaters Sports Bar & Grill
161 W Parks Hwy. Wasilla FREE Event (907) 376-1314
tailgatersak.com
tailgatersak@gmail.com
OIL PAINTING LESSONS
Wednesdays @10AM, Thursdays @5PM
Valley Fine Arts Association
Art of Oil Studio
Cost: $30 per class
PALMER COMMUNITY YOGA SESSIONS
Every Wednesday - 7PM Level Seven Spiritual Center 439 W Elmwood Ave. Palmer
Cost: $5 - (907) 982-4321
MAT-SU VALLEY PEER SUPPORT NETWORK GROUP MEETINGS
Every other Wednesday - 6PM
Cook Inlet Tribal Council
851 E Westpoint Dr. Ste. #306, Wasilla FREE Event (907) 306-0041
WEEKLY PAINTING SESSIONS
Every Thursday – 1PM
Valley Community Recycling Solutions
Valley Arts Alliance
9465 E Chanlyut Cir. Palmer FREE Admission
valleyartsalliance.com
MAT-SU COMMUNITY CHORUS REHEARSAL NIGHTS
Thursday Nights - 7PM
Mat-Su Community Chorus
Wasilla High School’s Choir Room
701 E Bogard Rd. Wasilla
Cost: FREE Admission, $45 Long-term Membership Fee
GET THE JUNK OUT OF THE TRUNK - LAST WEEK FOR 2018 SUMMER!
8/18/2018 - 10AM
Get the Junk Out of the Trunk
Downtown Palmer Pavilion
S Valley Way, Palmer FREE Admission, $20 Booth Space (907) 770-3532 gtjoott@gmail.com
ALASKA STATE FAIR
8/23/2018-9/3/2018
Alaska State Fair, Inc.
Alaska State Fairgrounds 2075 Glenn Hwy. Palmer Tickets: $7-$60 www.alaskastatefair.org
PAINT PARTY
8/24/2018 - 6PM
Forget Me Not Framing 591 East Parks Hwy. #406,
Wasilla Cost: $45 (907) 373-5010 www.forgetmenotframing. myevent.com
ALASKA HEALTH FAIR AT STATE FAIR
8/27/2018 - 12PM
Alaska Health Fair, Inc. Borealis Plaza Tent, Alaska State Fairgrounds 2075 Glenn Hwy. Palmer FREE Admission (907) 278-0234 ahfsc@gci.net www.alaskahealthfair.org
HEARTSAVER CPR & STOP THE BLEED
9/1/2018 - 8AM
Mat-Su College Continuing Medical Education Training Center
Mat-Su College 8295 College Dr. Palmer FREE Event (907) 315-9391 ejmorrion@alaska.edu
FIRE ON THE HILL
9/1/2018 - 8PM
Friendship Park 1150 E Helen Dr. Palmer FREE Event - (907) 7454483 www.fbcpalmer.com
THE SPOT: UNDER 21 MUSIC VENUE
9/7/2017 – 6PM The Spot MY House 300 N Willow St. Wasilla FREE Event (907) 373-4357
MIDNIGHT SUN FUN RUN
9/8/2018 - 2PM
Midnight Sun Family Learning Center Mile 2.2 Knik-Goose Bay Rd. 1401 S. Endeavor St., Wasilla Cost: $10-$60 (907) 357-6786 MSFUNRUN@gmail.com midnightsunschool.com
MONDAY MARKET AT PALMER DEPOT
9/10/2018 - 10/15/2018(Every Monday) - 11:30AM Historic Palmer Train Depot 610 S Colony Way, Palmer FREE Admission - (907) 770-3532 mmatpd@gmail.com
BOOM TOWN ROLLER
DERBY NEW MEMBER INTAKE
9/16/2018 – 10AM Boom Town Roller Derby Mat-Su Borough Community Gym 350 E Dahlia Ave. Palmer FREE Event
Arts & Museum
Contributed by Richard Estelle
When a carpenter needs to know if his work is “up to plumb” or “on the level”, he might use one of the old wood frame carpenter’s levels in the Museum’s collection. The little fixed glass tubes with their floating bubble inside would indicate those vertical and horizontal directions nicely. But what if the things one works with are often at odd angles, such as when fabricating machinery, and it’s important to know what those angles are?
That’s when another type of level in our collection would come in handy. Called a “machinists’ inclinometer”, it features a rotating bubble that can be set at various angles relative to the straight sides of the frame. The inclinometer is laid on the work piece, the brass bubble housing rotated until the bubble centers, and the degree of incline is read off the adjacent scale. Conversely, if a particular incline is
Wellness
desired, the bubble housing is rotated until the proper angle is indicated, then the work piece is held alongside the frame and tilted until the bubble centers, indicating the proper incline is achieved.
This beautifully ornate tool was patented September 17, 1867 and manufactured sometime between 1875 and 1892 by the Davis Level & Tool Co. of Springfield, Mass. The elegant leaf-like design of its frame exhibits a decorative flair, perhaps reflecting a past reverence for fine tools not often seen in most of those manufactured today.
The cast iron frame, with its filigree web, is “Japanned” - a 17th century term for a technique borrowed from Asian lacquerwork, using a heavy resinbased black lacquer coating similar to enamel paint.
Contributed by Josh Fryfogle
Reiki is something I’ve always been curious about, but didn’t really understand.
I still can’t quite explain it, but reiki had an incredible impact on my sense of self. Strange, in a good way.
Like my interface with my world started functioning properly. Hard to put into words. It’s experiential knowledge, not easily transmitted with language.
Hannah was able to push me through whatever was holding me back, and I am still learning how that happened. It’s definitely something I would recommend, especially for someone with
an open mind and willingness to let go of whatever is weighing them down.
I will be going back for more, and perhaps I’ll even try some yoga, too.
If you have ever felt drained after being around someone with negative energy, you already believe in energy. Lone Wolf Aura does the opposite of that.
I highly recommend.
Contributed by Josh Fryfogle
I reached out to Suzy Crosby, who has been the Alaskan music booking contact for 16 years. Suzy is the person to talk to if you are an Alaskan and you want to perform at the Alaska State Fair!
In addition to booking music for the fair, Suzy is a musician and performer herself, adept at her craft. I’ve had the pleasure of running the sound board for Suzy’s performances on several occasions, and it’s truly an experience I look forward to. Her group, Mountain Waxwings, are as smooth as silk, with elegant harmonies and masterful musicianship.
It’s nice to know that someone like Suzy, with a real understanding of the mindset of musicians, is responsible for Alaskan musicians’ presence at the Alaska State Fair each year.
She was gracious enough to answer some questions that I think my readers - whether they are musicians or not - will find interesting and informative:
JF - How long have you been the music booking person for local Alaskan music at the state fair?
Suzy - I started mid-season in 2002. The newly-hired entertainment manager realized the job consisted of an overwhelming amount of detail work and quit in June, and Carol Lombardo was asked to step in
for the interim. We had a chance conversation a few weeks later, Carol said she needed to train a replacement, so she could retire, and I volunteered to be that person. Carol retired after the 2002 Fair and I became the entertainment manager in 2003.
JF - How long have you played music yourself?
Suzy - Since the age of 12, when my parents bought me my first guitar for Christmas. I started playing in a band in college, and later played for a number of years as a solo singer-songwriter. I came to Alaska from Montana in 1983 for a two-week gig in Denali Park and never went back. I now play mostly with a trio (Mountain Waxwings) – the vocal blend and three-part harmonies are hard to beat!
JF - What are some things that Alaskan musicians should consider when reaching out to perform at the State Fair?
Suzy - First and foremost, remember that the fair overall is a G-rated, family-friendly event. There have certainly been some notable exceptions to that on the main stage (over which I have no control), but the free-with-fair-admission entertainment really needs to stay clean and upbeat. If your music has a broad appeal for a mixed-age crowd, you are much more likely to be hired than someone whose style or content falls into a very narrow niche.
JF - What sort of promotional materials do you appreciate being provided from the artist,
when deciding which musical acts will be selected for the fair?
Suzy - Put together some sort of EPK. It can be as simple as an email with the necessary info and a few links to live performances, or more elaborate if you wish.
Whether cool and fancy or simple and low-tech doesn’t matter, as long as it conveys the basic essential info, including the following:
A) Your name and basic contact info (phone/email)
B) Name of your band, and style of music
C) Number of performers, and what instruments they play
D) A brief bio (short paragraph) or a link to your website if you have one
E) Recent, recurring and upcoming gigs – helpful to include manager name and contact info from places you’ve played regularly
F) A set list with highlights of your typical show
G) Any blackout dates on your upcoming schedule
H) Your usual performance fee (best to give a range - somewhere between lowballing yourself, or pricing yourself out of reach)
JF - What’s something that musicians do, that they shouldn’t, if they want to perform at the fair?
Suzy - I’m going to answer this in the negative to prevent any misunderstanding!
A) Don’t send music clips with really dark themes and obscene lyrics, and then say, “Oh, that was my “divorce album”. I don’t do those songs anymore.” Or my other favorite, “Okay, I’ll change the words for your show.” To which my usual response is, “Sorry, we don’t have anything to offer you.”
B) Don’t use Facebook for gig requests - if you want to come across as a professional, use my work email. Getting communications scattered out between two or more formats leads to confusion and the potential for either a doublebooking or falling through the cracks altogether.
C) If you do send a link to your FB page, it should be to a specific video, not to your general page with the expectation that someone will spend time hunting through all of your random posts. Note: Those posts WILL give a viewer a general impression of you – make sure it’s the impression you want them to see! Oh yeah, and if your FB band page only has 30 “likes”, you should think twice about using it to promote your act!
D) Don’t rely heavily on music stands or reading music during a stage performance. An iPad or something to hold a set list and a few cues is fine, as long it doesn’t dominate the stage, and 90% of your focus is on the audience, with just an occasional glance at a cheat sheet. If you are singing or playing, you should be looking out at your audience, not down at your music or lyrics.
E) Vocal harmonies are either the deal-clincher (on-key vocals with two to four people each singing a clean harmony line) or
a deal-killer (someone is off-key, or a second singer is doubling the melody with the lead singer - the worst). That’s a hard one to explain to people who literally can’t hear the difference, or are unable to find a harmony so they just sing what they can find. If you can’t find and sing a good harmony to complement the lead singer’s melody line, then Do. Not. Sing.
JF - What’s the ideal description of the perfect Alaskan music act for the fair - what are you looking for more than anything else?
Suzy - In my experience entertainers on stage looking out at the crowd fall into two categories:
A) “I am here for your listening pleasure - what can I play to put a smile on your faces and make you want to hear more?”
B) “You are here for my performing pleasure – I don’t care what you might want to hear, I’m going to sing whatever I want, and too bad if you don’t like it.”
Of course, we try to book acts that please the crowd.
The entertainers who do it to perfection exhibit a three-way combination of skill, talent and personality, seasoned with authenticity and humor. (A perfect description of Hobo Jim, now that I think of it!)
Contributed by Charice Chambers
Mat-Su Senior Services Gift Shop is proud to announce the addition of an exciting new photographer to our expanding collection of outstanding Alaskan artists and artisans.
Lorna Branzuela was born in Anchorage and grew up in the shadows of the Chugach Range. With the park as her playground, Branzuela began taking pictures at an early age using her now retired Kodak Brownie Hawkeye. Hers has been a love affair with Alaska’s natural wonders. From the smallest snowflake to the largest bear, she has successfully attempted to capture a state of incredible grandeur. From her earliest days, she has spent time camping and hiking and snapping pictures.
In 1993, her close-up of forget-me-nots received a blue ribbon in the amateur division at the Alaska State Fair. Shortly thereafter, she launched her photographic business. Her passion has been to photographically share with others images they have never seen before, to find the extraordinary in the ordinary. To that end, she created, “A Day Without Shadows”. The book is a compilation of many of her unique photos and poetry, laced with tales of unique encounters with Alaska’s wild critters. The title is a reflection of her desire for the perfect photographic setting, “…a day where the sky is bright with a high, overcast cloud layer,” one where “…the colors stand out and flowers seem to glow from within.”
Branzuela celebrates Alaska’s luxury: the nearness of many wild things. Keenly appreciative and observant, Branzuela is able to capture the unique: a bumble bee that has crawled out on a fireweed leaf to steal a brief nap, legs draped over the leaf in complete relaxation, before darting off to another location. Branzuela’s photo of forget-me-nots reveals both the delicacy and tenacity of the petals giving them a truly touchable quality.
She enjoys not only recording the unique in her surroundings, but loves the play of light on colors as exhibited by her award-winning photograph, Sunset at Port of Anchorage. Her photos reflect her love for Alaska and her desire to share that love with others. Her hope is that her art will encourage the viewer to explore and experience Alaska’s wild things for themselves.
B’s book, “A Day without Shadows”, as well as a collection of her prints are available at the gift shop. Operating from 10am to 2pm in the MatSu Senior Services Building at 1132 S. Chugach, the shop is open to the public Monday through Friday and located across the street from Palmer Junior Middle School.
