Non-Profit Directory
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
Calendar of Events
LIGHT FOR THE LOST GOLF OUTING
6/16/2018 - 8AM
Settlers Bay Golf Course
7307 S. Frontier Dr. Wasilla
Cost: $110 - (907) 376-5466 amos@settlersbay.com
GET THE JUNK OUT OF THE TRUNK
6/16/2018 – 8/18/2018 (Every Saturday) – 10AM
Get the Junk out of the Trunk Palmer Pavillion
FREE Admission, $20 Booth Space (907) 770-3532
SALSA ON SATURDAYSDANCE LESSON & SOCIAL
6/16/2018-8/25/2018 - 6:50PM
Anaya Latin Dance Four Corners Lounge 8000 E Palmer-Wasilla Hwy.
Palmer
Cost: $8 per person, $14 per couple (907) 982-0584 anayalatindance@gmail.com www.anayalatindance.com
DEAD PHISH ORCHESTRA PERFORMANCE
6/17/2018 - 4PM
Hatcher Pass Discovery Booking Mountain High Pizza 22165 C St. Talkeetna FREE Event - (907) 841-5530
HORSESHOES & HANDGRENADES PERFORMANCE
6/20/2018 - 8PM
Hatcher Pass Discovery Booking/ Salmonfest Concert Series Fairview Inn
101 N Main St. Talkeetna Cost: $10 - (920) 915-5694 rbash102@gmail.com
ARCTIC PERMACULTURE GARDEN SERIES
6/21/2018, 7/12/2018 Seeds and Soil- ORGANICS Throughout Palmer Cost: $15-$35 seedsandsoilorganics@gmail.com
25TH ANNIVERSARY GARDEN PARTY
6/21/2018 - 5:30PM
Alaska Botanical Garden 4601 Campbell Airstrip Rd. Anchorage Tickets: $75 Adv., $90 @Door,
$500 Perennial Level (907) 770-3692 garden@alaskabg.org www.alaskabg.org
2ND ANNUAL SETTLERS BAY SOLSTICE 5K
6/21/2018 - 6PM
Settlers Bay Golf Course
7307 S. Frontier Dr. Wasilla
Cost: $45 - (907) 376-5466 amos@settlersbay.com
PING DEMO DAY
6/22/2018 - 10AM
Settlers Bay Golf Course
7307 S. Frontier Dr. Wasilla FREE Event - (907) 376-5466 amos@settlersbay.com
MATANUSKA AMATEUR RADIO ASSOCIATION FIELD DAY
June 23-24, 2018
Matanuska Amateur Radio Association
Mat-Su Fire Station 61 101 W Swanson Ave. Wasilla FREE Event www.kl7jfu.com
VALLEY ARTS ALLIANCE ART ON FIRE IRON POUR ART FEST
6/23/2018 – 10AM
Valley Arts Alliance Museum of Alaska
Transportation and Industry
3800 W. Museum Dr. Wasilla
Tickets: $10 General, Children FREE (Ages 0-12) www.valleyartsalliance.com
11TH ANNUAL CARDBOARD CITY
6/22/2018 - 5PM
Family Promise Mat-Su
Alaska State Fairgrounds
2075 Glenn Hwy. Palmer
Cost: $50 - (907) 357-6160 www.familypromisematsu.org
TAIKAI ANIME CONVENTION
6/23/2018 - 10AM
Taikai Corporation
The Glenn Massay Theater
8295 E College Dr. Palmer
Cost: $25 General, $20 Students (907) 947-3034
taikaidirectors@taikaicorp.org www.taikaicon.com
MAT-SU REGIONAL BICYCLE RODEO
6/23/2018 – 10AM Mat-Su Regional Medical Center
Menard Sports Center
1001 S Clapp St. Wasilla
FREE Event - (907) 861-6807 a.straub@msrmc.com
BREW & QUE
June 23-24, 2018 - 11AM
Happy Bison Mobile Grill
Denali Brewing Company
37083 Talkeetna Spur Rd. Talkeetna
Cost Varies - (907) 355-0766 happybisonbbq@gmail.com Check us out on Facebook
5TH ANNUAL SWING INTO SOLSTICE, MIDNIGHT SUN CHARITY GOLF CLASSIC
6/23/2018 - 7PM
Settlers Bay Golf Course
7307 S. Frontier Dr. Wasilla
Cost: $150 Individual, $500 Team(907) 376-5466 amos@settlersbay.com
MS RIDE FOR A CURE
6/24/2018 – 9:30AM
The Moose 96.3, Midnight Son Riders Chapter 801 of C.M.A, M.S. Ride for a Cure, Q99.7 Valley Radio
Alaska State Fairgrounds 2075 Glenn Hwy. Palmer FREE Event, $25 Suggested Donation (907) 745-4222
HORSESHOES & HANDGRENADES PERFORMANCE
6/24/2018 - 7PM
Hatcher Pass Discovery Booking/ Salmonfest Concert Series
Musk Ox Farm
12850 E Archie Rd. Palmer
Cost: $15 - (920) 915-5694 rbash102@gmail.com
HITCHCOCK PIANO STUDIO MONTHLY MINI-RECITAL/TALK
6/25/2018 - 7PM
Hitchcock Piano Studio
950 W Edinborough Dr. Palmer FREE Event - (907) 745-3134
VITALIZE ALASKA BUSINESS CONFERENCE
6/27/2018 - 8AM
Alaska Small Business
Development Center, Center for Economic Development
Hotel Captain Cook
939 W 5th Ave. Anchorage Cost: $25-$100 - (907) 244-0759
Dani.Myren@AKSBDC.org https://aksbdc.org/vitalize/
RECYCLE YOUR STRESS TO LAUGHTER WORKSHOP
6/27/2018 – 6PM
Valley Community Recycling Solutions Center 9465 E Chanlyut Circle, Palmer FREE Event
SCOTTISH HIGHLAND GAMES
6/30/2018 - 8AM The Alaskan Scottish Club
Alaska State Fairgrounds 2075 Glenn Hwy. Palmer Tickets: $5-$60 ASHGadvertising@gmail.com www.alaskascottish.org
LITTLE A TRIATHLON 2018
6/30/2018 – 10AM little a triathlon Matanuska Lakes State Recreation Area
4376 Glenn Hwy. Palmer Cost: $90-$180 www.littleatriathlon.com
LADIES NIGHT OUT SIP & SHOP
6/30/2018 - 5PM Kreative Mind Events Tequila 61 445 W 4th Ave. Anchorage FREE Admission - (907) 764-5452 kreativemindevents@gmail.com
TINY DANCERS SHOW
July 1-27, 2018 Espresso Café 1265 S Seward Meridian Pkwy. Wasilla FREE Event - (907) 532-8920 suzannebachedwards@gmail.com
THE SPOT: UNDER 21 MUSIC VENUE
7/6/2017 – 6PM The Spot MY House
300 N Willow St. Wasilla FREE Event - (907) 373-4357
FLEA MARKET & VENDOR FAIR
7/7/2018 - 10AM
Kreative Mind Events Changepoint Church
6689 ChangePoint Dr. Anchorage FREE Admission - (907) 764-5452 kreativemindevents@gmail.com
PLAY60
7/10/2018 - 11AM
United Way of Mat-Su & Mat-Su Seahawkers Booster Club
Menard Sports Center
1001 S Clapp St. Wasilla FREE Event - (907) 232-5921 admin@unitedwaymatsu.org www.matsuseahawkers.org
TUESDAY TAILGATING WITH THE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
7/10/2018 - 6PM
United Way of Mat-Su & Mat-Su Seahawkers Booster Club
Palmer Elks Lodge
2600 N Barry’s Resort Dr. Wasilla Tickets: $75 Individual, $500 Table of 8 - (907) 232-5921 www.matsuseahawkers.org
TINY DANCERS SHOW ARTIST RECEPTION
7/11/2018 – 4PM
Espresso Café
1265 S Seward Meridian Pkwy. Wasilla FREE Event - (907) 532-8920 suzannebachedwards@gmail.com
PALMER MUSEUM GARDEN & ART FAIRE
7/14/2018 – 10AM
Palmer Museum of History & Art 723 S Valley Way, Palmer FREE Admission www.palmergardenandart.org
SECOND SATURDAY GALLERY SHOW FEATURING ARTIST BARBRA MEDCOFF
7/14/2018 - 2PM
Denali Graphics & Frame 700 W. International Airport Rd. Ste. B Space #133, Anchorage FREE Event - (907) 561-4456 denalgrf@alaska.net www.denaligraphics.net
MUSHER’S HALL OF FAME 2018 ANNUAL POTLUCK PICNIC 7/15/2018 – 1PM
Wasilla-Knik Historical Society Knik Museum
Mile 13.9 Knik Rd. Wasilla FREE Admission - (907) 376-7755 wkhsociety@yahoo.com
Contributed by Don Bush/KL7JFT, Matanuska Amateur Radio Association (MARA)
Matanuska Amateur Radio
Association Field Day June 23-24, 2018
Mat-Su Fire Station 61 101 W Swanson Ave. Wasilla FREE Event
MARA will be conducting an emergency communications via Ham Radio. Demonstration will be on Saturday and Sunday, June 23rd24th at Mat-Su Fire Station 61 in Wasilla, just behind the Key Bank. We will have our mobile communication trailers on display.
We call this Field Day and it is be conducted all over the United States. This demonstration is open to the public. MARA is the main communications backup to the Mat-Su Borough, if additional communications is required during emergencies. We have participated in several emergencies in the past, to include floods, wind and snowstorms, fires and other emergencies that have happened around the borough in the past. We
have participated in emergencies around the state, since the 1964 Earthquake. This activity allows our members to train in the field as if it was a real emergency. We will be running off battery, generator and solar power. Our communications trailer has just about every type of communications equipment currently in use around the borough and complete array of Ham Radio equipment for short and long-range communication.
We will run for 24 hours and try to make as many contacts around the US and Canada as we can. We will be using various mode of communications, including our radio email system, called Winlink, and various other digital and voice modes.
If you are interested or just want to know what ham radio is all about, stop in and visit during the weekend. We will also be putting on demonstrations at the Sutton Emergency Preparedness Fair on the 16th, at the Sutton Library. Ham radio is quite a hobby. This activity is sponsored by the American Radio Relay League, our national organization.
What is ARRL Field Day?
ARRL Field Day is the single most popular on-the-air event held annually in the US and Canada. On the fourth weekend of June of each year, more than 35,000 radio amateurs gather with their clubs, groups or simply with friends to operate from remote locations.Field Day is a picnic, a campout, practice
for emergencies, an informal contest and FUN! It is a time where many aspects of amateur radio come together to highlight our many roles.
While some will treat it as a contest, other groups use the opportunity to practice their emergency response capabilities. It is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate amateur radio to the organizations that amateur radio might serve in an emergency, as well as the general public. For many clubs, ARRL Field Day is one of the highlights of their annual calendar.
The contest part is simply to contact as many other stations as possible and to learn to operate our radio gear in abnormal situations and less than optimal conditions.
We use these same skills when we help with events, such as marathons and bike-a-thons; fund-raisers such as walk-a-thons; celebrations such as parades; and exhibits at fairs, malls and museums - these are all large, pre-planned, non-emergency activities.
But despite the development of very complex, modern communications systems - or maybe because they ARE so complex - ham radio has been called into action again and again to provide communications in crises when it really matters. Amateur radio people (also called “hams”) are well-known for our communications support in real disaster and post-disaster situations.
What is the ARRL?
The American Radio Relay League is
the national association for amateur radio in the USA, representing over 170,000 FCC-licensed amateurs.
The ARRL is the primary source of information about what is going on in ham radio. It provides books, news, support and information for individuals and clubs, special events, continuing education classes and other benefits for its members.
What is Amateur Radio?
Often called “ham radio”, the Amateur Radio Service has been around for a century. In that time, it has grown into a worldwide community of licensed operators using the airwaves with every conceivable means of communications technology.
Its people range in age from youngsters to grandparents. Even rocket scientists and a rock star or two are in the ham ranks. Most, however, are just normal folks like you and me who enjoy learning and being able to transmit voice, data and pictures through the air to unusual places, both near and far, without depending on commercial systems.
The Amateur Radio frequencies are the last remaining place in the usable radio spectrum where you as an individual can develop and experiment with wireless communications. Hams not only can make and modify their equipment, but also can create completely new ways to do things.
For more information visit, www.kl7jfu.com or www.kl7jft.org
Contributed by Michael Consalo, Director of The Spot
The Spot: Under 21 Music Venue
First Friday of Every Month
The Spot @ MY House
300 N Willow St. Wasilla FREE Event
Thanks to incredible sponsors like Barrett and Associates Insurance, Algone, Recover Alaska, Thrive Matsu, C3, Matanuska Music and of course, The People’s Paper, we just completed our sixth night of The Spot! Our sponsors have helped make sure this event has a sustainable future, providing a substance prevention program in the valley for years to come, and we are blessed to have them!
This month, we were happy to welcome a new sponsor, Gagnon Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Janel and her husband, Dr. Gagnon, love their community and support music any chance they get, and we appreciate their contribution! If you would like to help sponsor The Spot, the Valley’s only music-based, substance prevention program, please contact Michael C. on Facebook or by calling the number at the bottom of the article.
Each first Friday of the month, The Spot offers a stage for youth performers and music enthusiasts, with a full drum set, a PA, a sound guy and guitar amps. The 3-hour event starts at 6pm and offers 20-minute blocks for performers of all backgrounds and passions to do their thing. Poets, DJs, songwriters, metal heads, it’s all welcome at The Spot. Best of all, it’s completely free!
Night six featured a poet who spoke of love, heartbreak, friendship
and moving past life’s obstacles. Featured artists, Road Krill, played a couple sets and also backed up Tristan, another newcomer to The Spot that shared his guitar playing with the attentive crowd in attendance. You can find Road Krill playing shows around the Valley. Like their Facebook page for more info on upcoming shows. Next month’s featured artist will be Devon Shaw of UTN, bringing some hip-hop to The Spot for the first time!
The next night of The Spot will be July 6th, from 6pm-9pm at the Gathering Grounds Café on Willow St. in Wasilla. The Spot is completely free and welcomes families with kids under 21, and of course, anyone under 21 that wants to come out and hear music or perform.
Anyone that has any questions about sponsorship, attending, becoming a part of the staff or even becoming a featured musician, please reach out to Michael C. Thank you to MY House and the Gathering Grounds Café for providing a spot for us, and we’ll see you next month!
Michael Consalo, Director of The Spot 907-203-0621
Museum Recycling & Arts
Contributed by Richard Estelle
One object often on display at the Museum that elicits the question, “What’s that?” is a device not commonly seen since the horse and buggy days. In times past, when “horsepower” really meant “horse power”, a wide array of leather straps, snaps, buckles, rings and hooks were used to connect horses to machines they were to pull. Teams of two, four, six or more horses pulling plows, grain binders, logging chains and freight wagons would be connected together, and to the equipment, by yards of leather rigging.
Constant strain and wear on the harnesses meant almost constant need for their maintenance and repair. When repairs were required, the farmer or teamster would turn to his “harness horse” or “harness vise” to ease the chore. He’d sit astraddle the seat facing the vertical wooden jaws. One jaw is stationary while the other is hinged. The moveable jaw has a leather strap attached which passes through a slot in the stationary jaw and descends to a foot pedal below. When the operator depressed the pedal with his foot, the strap drew the vise jaws together. The pedal was then hooked on a toothed metal bracket below to hold the jaws tight.
By capturing his broken harness between the vise jaws, the farmer was better able to hold the straps straight so patches could be sewn on, new adjustment holes punched, or broken hardware replaced. The harness horse may not have pulled a plow, but it made it possible to keep a real horse harnessed up to do so.
Contributed by Marilyn Bennett, Valley Arts Alliance
What: Recycled Garden Art Contest Where: VCRC building at the Alaska State Fair Why: To see what our area artists can come up with this year to decorate the garden. When: During the 2018 Alaska State Fair
The Recycled Garden Art Contest is for fun and the thrill of competing with other recycled garden art virtuosos. While recycled garden art itself is for those of us who may not have a green thumb. It is also something cheerful for our garden even in the nongrowing season.
The Recycled Garden Art Contest is held each year at the Alaska State Fair Grounds by the Valley Community Recycling Center in cooperation with the Valley Arts Alliance and will be judged by the fairgoers. Everyone is welcome to participate. Let your creativity flow while doing good for the earth!
We all know that you’re supposed to reduce, reuse and recycle; but for artists, reuse and recycle often have totally different meanings than they do for the rest of us.
Recycled art is creative work that’s made from discarded materials that once had another purpose. This includes anything from old plastic toys and vehicle tires to scraps of cloth and building supplies. Artists who make recycled art take those materials and make them into something new.
You might sometimes see it called junk art, but that term is a bit demeaning. Art in the garden is charming and fun no matter what your neighbor thinks. At its heart, recycled art is about repurposing and reusing materials. There’s no limit to what kinds of materials can be used.
This contest is open to anyone who feels the creative urge and wishes to compete for the coveted blue ribbon.
GARDEN ART DISPLAYED
OUTSIDE THE VCRS EDUCATION BOOTH MUST BE:
1. Made entirely of recycled or previously used materials
2. Light-weight enough to be moved for display purposes
3. Limited by height, width and length only for item’s stability and movability
4. Weather worthy and/or anchored to make it so - able to withstand the wind and rain during the fair
5. Self-supported and/or anchored to make it so
6. Delivered to the VCRS Education Booth before the fair on dates to be announced
7. Picked up following the fair at a date and time to be announced unless prior arrangements have been made to donate the item to VCRS
8. Released by its artist/creator to be photographed for VCRS marketing and/or publishing purposes by signing a printed release form
Fairgoers will vote on their choice during the first nine days of the fair. Winning place ribbons will be displayed during the final three days.
For applications to enter your art work or for further information, contact the Valley Community Recycling Center at 9465 E Chanlyut Circle, or go to www.valleyrecycling.org
Arts & Entertainment
Contributed
by
Patrick Campaign
Taikai Convention 2018 6/23/2018 – 10AM
Taikai Corporation
The Glenn Massay Theater 8295 E College Dr, Palmer Tickets: $25 General, $20 Students
On June 23rd starting at 10am, the Mat-Su College campus will turn into a thriving festival filled with superheroes, cartoon characters and video game villainy with Taikai Con going into its third anniversary.
Taikai Con is a yearly event held at The Glenn Massay Theater at the university campus in Palmer. It was the brainchild of two classmates from Palmer High who wanted to continue their love of art, gaming, cosplay and general fandoms through celebration in the Valley. Since it began, they realized that there were people throughout the road system who attended Taikai Con and wanted to make it last. After hearing residents’ requests from Willow to Kenai, they incorporated into a non-profit charity, which runs multiple events throughout the year.
Cosplay is defined by MerriamWebster as a conjoining of the words, “costume” and “play”, originating as a term in Japan in the mid-1980s and has since become a multi-cultural phenomenon in portraying a historical or fictional character through costume.
“We’re a family friendly [convention] and a cultural immersion fair to see what’s coming up in animation, such as from Funimation and Crunchyroll. There is the opportunity to meet a professional cosplayer from California. We’ll have a tabletop gaming station, as well as a showcase of potentially new games and outdoor vendors and activities for people to enjoy,” Christina Platt stated as she enjoyed a coffee with me.
She is co-directing the event with Amber Mucha, who are both wellinvolved with the local art and costume communities since 2005.
“It’s not always easy for people in the Mat-Su Valley to come to Anchorage; it’s nice to have something local and see cosplay near my home in the Wasilla/Palmer area.”
“It’s nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of Anchorage and get to go out and enjoy the intimacy of seeing old and new friends there,” Amber mentioned.
This year, their special guest is PiggyNukka, who is a costumer and wig stylist based in San Diego, California. She also creates tutorials of her methods to help spread knowledge within the community. She professionally works as a compositor and motion graphics animator with a BFA in media arts and animation. She has extensive experience working in the visual effects departments on TV shows, such as NBC’s “Grimm” and FX’s “The Librarians”, as well as independent movies and commercials.
“I’m actually really excited to talk about having a career in art!” Nukka mentioned, having just arrived back home from an animation convention in San Jose. “I feel that a lot of people starting in art via internet have an
easier time to get information. I had firsthand experience getting into a field of impossible aspirations. Being a woman in visual effects is rare. A lot of people struggle with it.”
With local sponsorship by MTA Wireless, Ian’s Gaming Paradise and MJ’s Cards and Comics, Taikai Con will be one of the largest fandom events held in the Valley.
At-door general tickets are $25, and student rate is $20. Get a $5 discount when purchased through their website at www.taikaicon.com
Poetry & Creative Writing
Contributed by Debbie Filter, Trapper Creek Community Services Assoc., Inc.
13th Annual Fireweed Festival 7/21/2018 - 11AM
Trapper Creek Community Services, Assoc., Inc.
Trapper Creek Community Park FREE Event
The Alaskan Summer is upon us in all its glory! To Trapper Creek and communities all up and down the highways, that means festival time! The 13th Annual Fireweed Festival will be in “full bloom” on July 21st! Bring your family, friends and out-ofstate visitors to this FREE, fun and familyfriendly event!
The festival is sponsored by the Trapper Creek Community Services, Assoc., Inc. a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization
The house was packed with patrons, volunteers, advertisers, and sponsors, along with their families and friends of Valley Performing Arts, who gathered on June 6th to celebrate VPA’s 42nd season of providing quality live theatre at the Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony at the Machetanz Theatre in Wasilla.
Masters of Ceremony, Chad Carpenter and Tammy Parker, kept guests entertained as they introduced the presenters and kept things on track for the evening.
VPA members (season ticket holders) elected Paul Beer, Kevin Cochran, Hannah Cole and Nikki Hohnadel to the VPA Board of Directors during the meeting.
They also selected the following season standouts with the Members’ Choice Awards:
- Best Set Design: Dj Rotach, “Mary Poppins”
- Best Lighting Design: Kristen Clinkenbeard, “Mary Poppins”
- Best Sound Design: Todd Broste, “Mary Poppins”
- Best Costume Design: Mary Martushev, “Mary Poppins”
- Best Supporting Actress: Kailee Gumley, “Jane Banks”, “Mary Poppins”
- Best Supporting Actor: Jamison Gumley, “Michael Banks”, “Mary Poppins”
- Best Actor: Mathew Holman, “Bert”, “Mary Poppins”
- Best Actress: Heather Sawyer, “Mary Poppins”, “Mary Poppins”
- Best Director: Larry Bottjen, “Mary Poppins”
- Best Production: “Mary Poppins”
VPA’s board of directors honored the following dedicated volunteers:
- Volunteer of the Year: Gary Feaster
- Best Newcomer of the Year: Jamison Gumley & Kailee Gumley
- Board Appreciation: Mark Lee & Evangelo & Diana Lambernakis
- Artistic Director’s Award: Pam Burlingame
The Milking Stool Award went to Angel Husher-Rodriguez for her brilliant performance as “Mrs. Brill” in Mary Poppins.
A HUGE thank you to Chad Carpenter, Coming Attraction Theaters, John Warner/Edward Jones Investments, Evangelo’s Restaurant, Extreme Fun Center, House of Bread, Locals Pizzeria & Pub, Lone Wolf Aura and Wells Fargo Bank for your generous donations of door prizes. We are truly appreciative of your continued support, as our patrons received really great prizes. Thank you!
Valley Performing Arts’ Season 43 starts September 7th, 2018 and runs through May 19th, 2019.
For season tickets, please give our office a call at 373-0195
