Non-Profit Directory
Families & Children:
March of Dimes Alaska Chapter
www.marchofdimes.org/alaska (907) 276-4111
Non-Profit Organization?
Join our growing list for as little as $15.00/mo!
www.makeasceneak.com/nonprofitdirectory
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.
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 appointment. You can also contact our 24/7 behavioral crisis intervention line by calling the main number: 376-2411.
Valley Fiber Arts Guild
www.valleyfiberarts.org
The Valley Fiber Arts Guild began in 1983. Our purpose is to provide educational and cultural enrichment for the community by promoting a greater interest in the fiber arts.
Fiber arts include spinning, weaving, knitting, crochet, dying, felting, lace making, and more! Monthly gatherings are held at the Palmer Public Library on the first Saturday of the month from September-April at 10am-11:30am. Tuesday is UnFinished Objects Night.
Join us every Tuesday night 5ish-8pm at Vagabond Blues Cafe in Palmer! Come spin, knit, crochet, or visit while having some coffee and getting some free instruction!
Join the March of Dimes for our annual High Heels for High Hopes this fall. To become a model or participant, call 276-4111.
The March of Dimes helps moms have fullterm pregnancies and healthy babies. And if something goes wrong, we offer information and comfort to families. We research the problems that threaten our babies and work on preventing them.
About 4 million babies were born in the United States last year, and the March of Dimes helped each and every one through research, education, vaccines and breakthroughs.
The March of Dimes: working together for stronger, healthier babies.
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)
Families & Children:
March of Dimes Alaska Chapter www.marchofdimes.org/alaska (907) 276-4111
The mission of the March of Dimes is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.
About 4 million babies were born in the United States last year, and the March of Dimes helped each and every one through research, education, vaccines and breakthroughs.
The March of Dimes: working together for stronger, healthier babies.
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
Calendar of Events
toastMasters
Occurs Every Tuesday - 6:50PM Toastmasters International, Palmer FREE Event www.palmer. toastmastersclubs.org
weDNesDay wIth Messy J
Wednesday Nights
Houston Lodge Marketplace FREE Admission - (907) 8925124
Mat-su grIeF suPPort grouP
Every Thursday in December at 7PM
The Compassionate Friends & Valley Hospice Resources
Trinity Lutheran Church, Palmer FREE Event (907) 373-0842 or (907) 8414862
BIKer eLVes toy DrIVe
November 1, 2016-December 25, 2016 - 12:50PM
The Dude
Mat-Su Valley Kids
Cost: New Unwrapped Toy(907) 892-8099
glenbutts@yahoo.com
Check us out on Facebook
MIstLe toe VaLLe y ChrIstMas VILL age
December 6, 2016 - January 27, 2017 - All Day
Dorothy Page Museum, Wasilla $3 Adults, $2.50 Students/ Seniors www.cityofwasilla.com/ museum
aurora BoreaLIs worK shoP
December 16-18, 2016
Friday @6PM, Saturday @11AM, Sunday @10AM Talkeetna Denali View Lodge & Cabins
Cost: $675 Individual, $975 Per Couple denaliview@mtaonline.net
Check us out on Facebook
Mat-su BaND hoLIDay CoNC ert
December 16-17, 2016 - 7:30PM Mat-Su Concert Band
Glenn Massay Theater, Palmer Tickets: $5 Students, $10 General www.glennmassaytheater.com
LoC aL yoKeL yuLtIDe Ba Z aar December 17-18, 2016 - 10AM Museum of Transportation & Industry, Wasilla FREE Admission www.museumofalaska.org
aNNuaL wINter soL stICe December 17-18, 2016
Saturday @10AM, Sunday @12PM
Palmer Middle School
FREE Event - (907) 354-7290 wintersolsticeartfestival.org
Mat-su youth orChestra CoNC ert
12/17/2016 - 3:30PM Mat-Su Youth Orchestra
Real Life Church, Palmer FREE Event - (907) 355-3742
strINg eNseMBLe “FroZeN syMPhoNy ” ChrIstMas CoNC ert 12/18/2016 - 3PM
Elena Lukina-EL
Trinity Presbyterian Church, Anchorage FREE Event - (907) 529-4768 gregraspak@gci.net
shoP wIth PurPose - Matsu FooD BaNK 12/19/2016 - 10AM
Magpie Clothing Exchange, Palmer
FREE Admission www.foodpantryofwasilla.org
Mat t hoPPer & the roMaN C aNDLes soLo aCoustIC show
12/23/2016
Matt Hopper & The Roman Candles
Klondike Mike’s, Palmer
LIght the sK y For DaVID 12/24/2016 - 5PM
Stacey Ham Palmer, AK FREE Event
Check us out on Facebook ChrIstMas e Ve worshIP 12/24/2016 - 5PM
First Baptist Church of Palmer FREE Event - (907) 745-4483 amanda.knighten@fbcpalmer. com www.fbcpalmer.com
CoMMuNIty C hrIstMas DINNer
12/25/2016 - 11AM City of Wasilla Menard Sports Center, Wasilla FREE Event - (907) 373-9050 www.cityofwasilla.com
Kitchen Clean- up after Christmas Friendship Dinner
12/26/2016 - 9AM
Susitna Rotary Menard Sports Center, Wasilla FREE Event http://portal.clubrunner. ca/3185
2ND aNNuaL ChaNuK ah
FaMILy CeLeBratIoN & PuBLIC MeNor ah LIghtINg 12/28/2016 – 5:30PM
Mat-Su Jewish Center
Palmer Train Depot FREE Event - (907) 350-1787 rabbi@matsujewishcenter.org
MataNusaK a aMateur raDIo a ssoCIatIoN ChrIstMas Part y 12/30/2016 - 7:00 PM
Matanusaka Amateur Radio Association
Wasilla Boys and Girls Club, Wasilla FREE Event kl7jfu@gci.net www.kl7jfu.com
Mat-su ICICLe DouBLe 12/31/2016 – 1/1/2017 – 10AM
Mat-Su Ski Club
Government Peak Recreation Area, Palmer Cost: $40-$60 info@matsuski.org www.matsuski.org
New ye ar ’s e Ve Part y 12/31/2016 - 5PM
Sharon Hein
St. Therese’s Camp Wasilla $20 Donation Requested Check us out on Facebook
New ye ar ’s e Ve FIreworK s 12/31/2016 - 8PM
Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce
Wonderland Park, Wasilla FREE Event - (907) 376-1299
New ye ar ’s e Ve Part y 12/31/2016 - 9PM
Houston Lodge Marketplace FREE Admission - (907) 8925124
aProN strINgs: tIes to the Pa st
January 4, 2017 - March 2017 All Day
Palmer Museum of History & Art FREE Admission, Donations Accepted www.palmermuseum.org
VIC torIa MILLer PetersoN art show 1/6/2017 - 4PM
Valley Fine Arts Association Bear Paw River Brewing Company, Wasilla FREE Admission - (907) 6312584 michellec@pobox.com
Free he arINg sCreeNINg 1/ 7/2017 - 10AM Mat-Su Sertoma Club Wasilla Physical Therapy FREE Event www.matsuhearing.org
VaLLey FIBer arts guILD Mee tINg & st. DIstaFF’s Day 1/ 7/2017 - 10AM Valley Fiber Arts Guild Library Meeting Room, Palmer FREE Event info@valleyfiberarts.org
CeNteNNIaL KICK- oFF e VeNt 1/ 7/2017 - 7PM City of Wasilla Menard Sports Center, Wasilla FREE Event - (907) 373-9050 www.cityofwasilla.com
BoeINg BoeINg January 13-29, 2017 Fridays & Saturdays @7PM, Sundays @2PM Valley Performing Arts, Wasilla
Tickets: $18 Students/Seniors, $20 General Admission www.valleyperformingarts.org
18 th aNNuaL BrIDaL sPeC taCuL ar 1/14/2017 - 11AM D’s Tuxedo Formal Wear & Gifts Glenn Massay Theater, Palmer FREE Event
Check us out on Facebook
INsIDe the artIst s’s stuDIo 1/14/2017 - 2PM
Palmer Museum Temporary Exhibit Gallery
Downtown Palmer FREE Event - (907) 746-7668 www.palmermuseum.org
BooM towN DerBy DaMes gaMe 1/14/2017 – 7PM
Boom Town Derby Dames Tickets: $12 General, $10 Military/Students, $5 Kids www.brownpapertickets.com
Dorothy Page Museu M a rt s ho w
Local artists from Valley Fine arts Association will be presenting art by its members on display at the Dorothy Page museum in Wasilla through the holiday season.
The art of the listed members below will be hanging in the museum and for sale from November 1st until January 3rd.
Hours of operation for Dorthy Page Museum are TuesdayFriday 9am-5pm. Fridays are free admission.
artists:
Michelle Cornelius
Alice Palen
Pat Jones
Susan SinClair
Judy Vars
Nancy Angelini Crawford
JIm Leach
Terry Phillips
Glenda Fields
Karen Mattson
Rusty Clark
Ursula Zimmer
Literature
Contributed by Steven C. Levi
The miner had been shot and then frozen.
Then dumped where the United States Marshal is going to find the body.
And what does it have to do with a planned robbery of 250 pounds of gold?
And why does the body come back three times?
A novel written in the first person – as the body comes back three times and the gold is stolen twice!
Dead Men Do Come Back is the saga of United States Marshal, Gordon Whitford, in Juneau, Territory of Alaska in the summer of 1910.
Whitford is called to the city dock where he finds a dead sourdough floating in the frigid water of the Gastineau Channel. The sourdough has been shot and then frozen solid.
The sourdough’s daughter-in-law comes in Juneau to claim the body where she begins
an affair with Whitford. What Whitford does not know is that the murder of the sourdough is a set up for a robbery of the Scarborough Mine for 250 pounds of gold.
What the thieves do not know is that they are being set up by the manager of the mine who wants to steal the gold ‘from himself for himself,’ collect the insurance money and still have the gold.
As two concurrent robberies proceed twice, Whitford will pull the body of the sourdough out of Alaska’s Inside Passage two more times while he tries to figure out who is trying to steal what from whom. Since some of the characters in the book were real, there is an historical section with photos. [108,000 words with the historical section.]
Steven C. Levi P.O. Box 241467
Anchorage, Alaska 99524
scl@parsnackle.com
Contributed by Bonnye Matthews
I have a hard-tocontain passion. I look at places in the Americas and consider what’s under my feet, under the dirt or in a nearby cave or rock shelter from a very, very long time ago.
It’s arresting, expanding my thoughts as a firework burst. My interest is before the last great ice age glaciation.
In the Cook Inlet area what might have been under our feet is lost. About a mile-high sheet of ice for thousands of years lay on the land in southcentral Alaska during the ice age. We don’t find evidence of pre-ice age hearths or stones fashioned to kill animals for food or other uses in this place. Lack of evidence, however, doesn’t mean evidence of lack.
Despite the lack of evidence, people might have lived in the Cook Inlet area before the ice age. If another ice age began and the ice sheets reached the scale of the last ice age, a moving ice sheet a mile high would turn what’s here to dust.
There’d likely be nothing left to evidence the passage of humans through this land.
When the mile-high ice sheet over southcentral Alaska left, the ground was depressed from thousands of years of incredible glacial weight. As the glaciers began to recede up the ancient rivers from the Chugach, Talkeetna and Alaska Range watershed, the sea seeped back in because the ground was lower than the sea.
Freshwater was replaced with saltwater; narrow river channels became the wide Cook Inlet. Saltwater reached Kasilof by 16,000 years ago and Anchorage about 13,000 years ago. The ice would have disintegrated, buried in moraines or carried off any life artifacts. Where people likely lived would be buried underwater. Were people in Cook Inlet before the ice age? Maybe.
There are some 400 sites in the Americas showing life before the ice age. Under the ground and in caves or rock shelters in the Americas - North, Central and South - there are such stories to tell! They’re accessible, since the digital age lets people travel to places they’d never otherwise go. People want to think of human habitation in the Americas as a fairly recent thing. Evidence is making us rethink that notion.
For more information visit my blog at http://booksbybonnye.com/blog/.
I have blog posts dealing with both the Valsequillo mammoth pelvis bone and the skull and also the fantastic images from the Toca do Boqueirão da Pedra Furada, Parque Nacional Serra da Capivara site. These findings show me a vigorous land where humans were busy at work living their lives in the environment of the time. It delights me people might
have been doing line art carving in the Americas 250,000 years ago in Mexico and painting vibrant cave art in Brazil somewhat later. It draws me to want to know more and to share my findings with others. I share by writing and speaking to groups, and I enjoy that a great deal.
Free Gift For You: I wish all of you happy holidays. I have a gift for you to share my passion for this subject, an e-book copy of the first novella in the Archaeological Sites series, Freedom, 250,000 BC: Out From the Shadow of Popocatépetl. The focal point of the novella is the Valsequillo site.
Go to this link https://ganxy. com/i/116657/bonnye-matthews/ freedom-250-000-bc?voucher=dys-zalpiq-lew to download the free e-book.
While at the link, there’s a reading from the first chapter of the novella to give you a taste of how the story goes. I’d love to hear your responses to Freedom, 250,000 BC.
Feel free to contact me on my website at booksbybonnye.com
Museums
Contributed by Selena Ortega-Chiolero
Winter is here and yet, that doesn’t mean you have to stay home. As we begin a new year, the Palmer Museum has an exciting new traveling exhibit on display and plenty of public programs scheduled to keep those winter blues away.
Beginning on January 4th, the Museum’s traveling exhibit, Apron Strings:
Ties to the Past, will be completely installed and on display. Although taken for granted by many social and art historians, the apron is the subject of a fascinating reevaluation in this popular ExhibitsUSA exhibition. Featuring 51 vintage and contemporary examples, Apron Strings: Ties to the Past reviews the apron’s role as an emotionally charged vehicle for expression with a rich and varied craft history that is still viable today. The exhibit will be on display at the Palmer Museum through March of 2017 and includes additional aprons from the Museum’s collections as well as from a few of its Board of Directors.
To help celebrate the exhibit, the Museum will be hosting a storytelling event entitled, If These Aprons Could Talk, on February 19th from 6:30 –
8:30PM at Vagabond Blues in downtown Palmer. During the evening, attendees will have the opportunity to hear stories from members of the community who hold professions where an aprons are required. Those in attendance are also encouraged to wear one of their own personal aprons to share with others during the event. The entrance fee to If These Aprons Could Talk is by donation at the door and all proceeds will go towards supporting the Museum’s 2017 temporary exhibit program.
Visit the Museum’s website at palmermuseum.org for further details.
In support of January’s Second Saturday, the Museum will be working with several local artists to bring the return of the Palmer Artist’s Studio Tour. On Saturday, January 14th from 2:00 – 6:00PM, several artists will be opening up their private studios to allow visitors a more in depth look into an artist’s creative process and work space. Visitors will have the opportunity to ask questions, learn details about each artist’s work and get helpful tips if they too are an artist in the making. Participating artists include: members of the Palmer Chapter of the American Sewing Guild, Sandra Cook (ceramic and fiber art), John Coyne (painting), Patrick Garley (bronze and metal sculpture), Rose Hendrickson (painting), Niki Jordan
(glass art), Tremani Suteliffe (painting and photography) and Colleen Wake (metal sculpture).
Most artists will have selections of their work available to purchase and light appetizers will be served. The Studio Tour begins at the Palmer Museum where attendees are encouraged to meet and carpool, or even make a day of it by beginning with a late lunch or ending with an early dinner at one of Palmer’s local eateries.
Be sure to visit the Museum’s event Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/ events/1849925695288723/ for updated information and details on the event.
Also in January, storytelling comes to the Mat-Su Valley in the tradition of Arctic Entries and The Moth with the next episode of the Palmer Museum’s Untold Stories. Originally beginning in May of 2016, the Museum developed the event so that it could bring together Mat-Su Valley residents to share their personal stories: funny, sad and sweet.
At every episode (performance), seven people each tell a seven-minute long true story about themselves relating to the show’s theme. Local musicians perform a few songs before, during and after the performances. P roceeds made from Untold Stories ticket sales go towards supporting the Palmer
Contributed by James Hastings
I had a long and deep visit today with a struggling young warrior who was feeling lost and defeated after learning that his combat injuries had caused him to no longer be of useful service in the Army.
Those who have never been denied a dream may not understand how crushing this can be to someone who agreed to dedicate everything for others.
He said to me that he could care less now what anyone thought of him because of this.
What a common emotion for such a situation. And I know, as did he, that deep down in his being that was one of
Museum of History and Art’s events and programs. January’s episode theme is Alaska and Me: How It All Began and will be held at the Palmer Depot (610 S. Valley Way) on January 14th from 6:00 – 8:00PM.
Staff from the Palmer Downtown Deli will also be selling snacks and refreshments. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students with I.D. and are available at the Palmer Museum and B Bella Hair Salon. Be sure to purchase your tickets early as all past shows have been sold out.
So, chase those winter blues away by grabbing a friend or family member and coming down to Palmer this January to join the Palmer Museum as we celebrate craft history, local art and the art of storytelling!
the very paramount concerns he had. But facing that was harder to accept than it was to simply convince himself that he did not care.
Learning/Teaching Moment:
I believe we that all really do care what other folks think or believe about us as individuals. I’ve heard it said that pride cometh before a fall, and to a degree and in the improper dosage that’s a fact indeed.
However, our pride is our armor as well as our weakness.
It’s also our banner if you will. Pride in our thoughts, words and deeds must be a driving factor in our life, lest we become mere animals.
Had we no pride, why would we set aside time to shower, to put on deodorant, to cut our hair, wear clothes, pursue love interests or even bother to get out of bed?
Holidays
Contributed by Tonya Moreno
Mistletoe Valley Christmas Village
December 6, 2016 - January 27, 2017
Dorothy G. Page Museum
323 N Main Street
Dorothy G. Page Museum
Stop by and see Mistletoe Valley, the Christmas town exhibit at Dorothy Page Museum in Wasilla.
It had been a year since Mistletoe Joe had passed away... The holiday season was starting and the people of Mistletoe Valley were wondering exactly how different this year would be without his bright shining Christmas spirit. So far, they weren’t doing a good job with him gone. They were trying to get into the Christmas spirit, but it just didn’t feel right without him. The Christmas carols were being sung and presents were being bought, but not with the same cheer as years before when Mistletoe Joe was bouncing around town.
One afternoon on December 24th, a mysterious present showed up in the middle of the town square. This wasn’t just any present. It was huge and wrapped tight with a beautiful bow all nice and neat. Next to the bow was a tag that had a message written on it.
Dear Mistletoe Valley,
I hope you are keeping my spirit alive. Christmas was my favorite time of year as it always brought me so much joy to be your Christmas Elf. I wish I was there for you this year to continue spreading the cheer! Maybe after this year, it will be a little better to celebrate
without me. But I am sending you this gift to help and carry on the Christmas spirit for years to come. You must complete these tasks and by Christmas morning you will be lifted in the Christmas Spirit. So go ahead and open the present to see what’s inside.
Signed Your Christmas Elf,
Joe
The town didn’t know what to think. Should they open the present?
How did he send a present when he isn’t even here? What are these tasks he wants us to complete and will doing them really lift our spirits?
As the townspeople were asking these questions, the mayor showed up stating that he had just received a letter from Mistletoe Joe and he needed to read it to everyone once the present had been opened.
Inside the present they found paper snowflakes, bells, candy canes and of course mistletoe.
He read the letter aloud...
Here is the list of tasks to do after opening the present:
Task 1 - Play in the snow and make snow angels: This is to remind you that we are all kids at heart. This is also to remind you that although we are each unique just like a snowflake, that together we are beautiful.
Task 2 - Sing Christmas carols with the bells: This is to remind you that the sound of a bell can mean many things, but during Christmas it reminds us of the church bells ringing in celebration of all the feasts that will be shared as a family.
Task 3 - Give a candy cane to your neighbor: In the spirit of giving, take a minute and visit with your neighbor and take the time to spread the cheer of the season.
Task 4 -Use the mistletoe to give kisses freely: This is to remind you that all we need is love. Love is what makes this season so wonderful.
I hope that this will lift your spirits and remind you the reason for the season. Christmas is such a wonderful time of year, and I wish I could be there still with you.
Mistletoe Joe
Once the mayor had finished reading the list of tasks, all of the different gifts were handed out to each person. Each one of the townspeople took a minute and looked around at each other not quite sure if they were up to this.
Then one by one, you could see people falling onto the ground and begin making snow angels. Laughter and jolliness erupted in the hours that followed. The Christmas lights seemed brighter, the snow whiter and the carols were louder than they had been before.
All thanks to Mistletoe Joe again!
Contributed by Michelle Cornelius
Bear Paw River Brewery will be featuring a new, local Valley Fine Arts Association artist show each month. It began during the summer with Maria Mckiernan.
Come by first Fridays to check out the work and visit with the talented artists.
This month is January’s featured artist, Victoria Miller Peterson.
Featured Artists:
December: Nancy Angelina Crawford
January: Victoria Miller Peterson
February: Martha Happs
March: Jim Leach
April: Rusty Clark
May: Francine Long
June: Glenda Field
Victoria Miller Peterson
A born & raised Alaskan, Victoria creates her art in the Mat-Su Valley where she has also teaches art to the community since 2009 and is raising a family. Most recently, her art focuses on Alaskan themes & subjects, rich in metallics and texture.
The process begins with thick spray paint blending together to create a unique backdrop before the artist approaches it further. Acrylic paint most often finishes the piece off.
With a passion for creative community connections, Victoria aims to inspire and encourage the people of Alaska by bringing attention to the natural beauty of Alaskan wildlife and nature.
She utilizes her artistic talents in the public realm to do so. Read more about the artist and view art, classes and exhibits at canvascafealaska.com.
Artists: VFAA Membership is $25 annually. Your membership will gain you access to information on venues such as Bear Paw River Brewery art shows, Painting workshops taught by renowned artists, annual art retreats, paint outs and more!
For more info on memberships and bimonthly meetings go to valleyfineartsassociation.org
VETERANS / COMMUNITY
Burial Benefits For Veterans
Contributed by Major Mike Dryden, USAR Retired
To all, death must come. The time to get your affairs in order is now and not impose another stressful duty on your loved ones left behind. Some of the items on your list should include the following: a living will, a last will and testament, your wishes for burial and access to your banking account by your executor to pay for the expenses.
This article will focus on burial in Alaska’s two National cemeteries, Fort Richardson and Sitka.
As in any quest for your veteran’s benefits, locate and make copies of your DD 214. The following excerpts from the regulations should be applicable to all national cemeteries.
Effective July 7, 2014, VA is changing its monetary burial benefits regulations to simplify the program and pay eligible survivors more quickly and efficiently. These regulations will authorize VA to pay, without a written application, most eligible surviving spouses basic monetary burial benefits at the maximum amount authorized in law through automated systems rather than reimbursing them for actual costs incurred.
The new burial regulations will permit VA to pay, at a flat rate, burial and plot or interment allowances thereby enabling VA to automate payment of burial benefits to most eligible surviving spouses and more efficiently process other burial benefit claims.
The burial allowance for a non-serviceconnected death is $300, and $2,000 for a death connected to military service.
Benefit -
Service-Related Death:
VA will pay up to $2,000 toward burial expenses for deaths on or after September 11, 2001, or up to $1,500 for deaths prior to September 11, 2001. If the veteran is buried in a VA national cemetery, some or all of the cost of transporting the deceased may be reimbursed.
Non-Service-Related Death:
VA will pay up to $749 toward burial and funeral expenses for deaths on or after October 1, 2016 (if hospitalized by VA at time of death), or $300 toward burial and funeral expenses (if not hospitalized by VA at time of death) and a $749 plotinterment allowance (if not buried in a national cemetery). For deaths on or after December 1, 2001, but before October 1, 2011, VA will pay up to $300 toward
Under the current regulations, VA pays for burial and funeral expenses on a reimbursement basis, which requires survivors to submit receipts for relatively small one-time payments that VA generally pays at the maximum amount permitted by law.
burial and funeral expenses and a $300 plot-interment allowance. For deaths on or after April 1, 1988 but before October 1, 2011, VA will pay $300 toward burial and funeral expenses (for Veterans hospitalized by VA at the time of death).
An annual increase in burial and plot allowances for deaths occurring after October 1, 2011 begins in fiscal year 2013 based on the Consumer Price Index for the preceding 12-month period.
Eligibility Requirements
- You paid for a veteran’s burial or funeral, a nd
- You have not been reimbursed by another government agency or some other source, such as the deceased veteran’s employer, a nd
- The veteran was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, a nd
- The veteran died because of a servicerelated disability, or
- The veteran was receiving VA pension or compensation at the time of death, or
- The veteran was entitled to receive VA pension or compensation, but decided not to reduce his/her military retirement or disability pay, or
- The veteran died while hospitalized by VA, or while receiving care under VA contract at a non-VA facility, or
- The veteran died while traveling under proper authorization and at VA expense to or from a specified place for the purpose of examination, treatment, or care, or
- The veteran had an original or reopened claim pending at the time of death and has been found entitled to compensation or pension from a date prior to the date or death, or
- The veteran died on or after October 9,
1996, while a patient at a VA-approved state nursing home.
Note: VA does not pay burial benefits if the deceased:
Died during active military service, or Was a member of Congress who died while holding office, or Was a federal prisoner
Evidence Requirements:
- Acceptable proof of death as specified in 38 CFR 3.211., a nd
- Receipted bills that show that you made payment in whole or part, or
- A statement of account, preferably on the printed billhead of the funeral director or cemetery owner.
The statement of account must show:
- The name of the deceased veteran for whom the services and merchandise were furnished a nd
- The nature and cost of the services and merchandise and
- All credits a nd
- The amount of the unpaid balance
How to Apply:
Complete and submit a VA Form 21530, Application for Burial Allowance. You can find an office on our Facility Locator page or go to a VA regional office and have a VA employee assist you.
Let’s hope when in the distance future, when the time has come for you to depart arrives, your affairs are in order and your wishes are known.
For more information on how to apply visit www.benefits/va.gov.
Pride demands that we do care and must care about what we think of ourselves and what others perceive or we are of no service, no value to ourselves and to society as a whole. What is within us is what we project outward.
Yes, we will all have times when we are emotionally challenged and the wall seems just too tall to climb, too thick to
break through and too far to go around.
But we must care for or how we process thoughts, how we use our words and measure our deeds as they may be the very grip, perhaps the only grip that others might use to hold on themselves.
And by each grip and grasp, we can get over that wall.
When we open the gate to defeat, on the long term we allow or worse yet, cause others to follow.
So I say lead. Lead with pride, honor, conviction, purpose and above all, dedication to yourself and to your fellow humans so that together we are strong.
Do care what others believe about you because you define that belief by your existence. Carry your banner high and show why you care.
•Be of strong character.
•Be of substance.
•Be of service.
•Be the rock to which others can cling to
in the storms of life.
But for the love of life, of self, for others and with God’s gifts simply strive to be.
May your day be blessed as each of mine are humbly blessed. May you have all that you need, and may you have the strength and resolve to share what’s extra with those suffering to succeed.
Life is amazing when you care. Live it. Laugh through it until the end. Love it all!
Arts, Seniors
Wouldn’t you like to get the perfect gift for any occasion at a lowerthan-normal price, while also making a donation to assist needy seniors in your community? It can happen if you are willing to travel a bit off the beaten path.
Mat-Su Senior Services, located across from Palmer Junior Middle School on South Chugach, in Palmer has a unique and exciting gift shop just inside its front doors. Manned by volunteers, the shop’s mission aims to provide seniors with high quality giftables for prices that they can afford on fixed incomes. The public is invited to shop there as well.
The Great Part: All net proceeds go back to assist in senior programs such as Meals on Wheels, transportation services, congregate meals, adult day services and many others. Purchasing at the shop is a double win: great prices and the knowledge that your purchase assists in supporting such an important community need.
A delight to the eye, the shop is filled with a wide variety of goods and features
Miniature native doll collectibles by well-known Alaskan artists, Patty Halley and Tracie Tompkins, are also available. Halley has recently branched out to include felted angels to her collection. The angels are a gift shop exclusive.
The shop also boasts a large collection of Alaska native made art. Mukluks, baskets, scrimshaw, ivory jewelry, masks carvings and much more fill the cases.
The shop is open Monday through Thursday from 10am to 4pm, and Friday 10am to 5pm through the 23rd of December. Regular hours are 10am to 2 pm, Monday through Friday. Though the hours of operation are somewhat limited, and the location is a bit out-ofthe-way, it’s worth a bit of extra effort to visit the little shop in Palmer with the big personality.
Grandma herself!
