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 residents 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
PALMER COMMUNITY YOGA
Every Wednesday - 7PM
Jennifer Smith-Morris
Level Seven Spiritual Center
439 W Elmwood Ave. Palmer
Cost: $5 - (907) 982-4321
jennifer.yogamaitri@gmail.com
MAT-SU VALLEY PEER SUPPORT NETWORK GROUP MEETINGS
Every other Wednesday - 6PM
Cook Inlet Tribal Council (CITC)
Lake View Professional Building
851 E Westpoint Dr. Ste. #306, Wasilla FREE Event - (907) 306-0041
POSTPARTUM MAMA MEET-UP
5/18/2018, 6/15/2018 - 1pm
Heritage Midwifery
Heritage Birth Center - Palmer
2323 S Trunk Rd. Palmer FREE Event - (907) 746-6645
heritagebirthcenter@gmail.com www.heritagebirthcenter.com
NASCAR TEST & TUNE
5/18/2018 - 3PM
Alaska Raceway Park 5599 Race Way, Palmer FREE Event
kb@raceak.com www.raceak.com
A HISTORY THROUGH SONG CONCERT
5/19/2018 - 4PM
Alaska Children’s Choir St. John Lutheran Church
440 E Elmwood Ave. Palmer
Cost: $10 - (907) 982-5467
DRAG RACING
May 20, 27, 28, 2018 - 11AM
June 3, 10, 17, 2018 - 11AM
Alaska Raceway Park
5599 Race Way, Palmer Cost: $10-$15 kb@raceak.com www.raceak.com
ALASKA KIDS ON THE RUN
5/20/2018 - 1PM
Dr. George W. Brown Memorial Fun Run
Janecek Trails at Palmer High School
1170 E Palmer Moose Dr. Palmer, Cost: $0-$35 alaskakidsontherun@gmail.com https://runsignup.com/Race/AK/ Palmer/AlaskaKidsOnTheRun
VCRS 20TH ANNIVERSARY OPEN HOUSE CELEBRATION
5/20/2018 – 2PM Valley Community for Recycling Solutions (VCRS) 9465 E Chanlyut Cir. Palmer FREE Event - (907) 745-5544
A HISTORY THROUGH SONG CONCERT
5/20/2018 - 2:30PM
Alaska Children’s Choir Central Lutheran Church 1420 Cordova St. Anchorage
Tickets: $10 - (907) 982-5467
MONDAY MARKET AT THE PALMER DEPOT
5/21/2018-8/13/2018 (Every Monday) – 11:30AM
Monday Market
610 S Valley Way, Palmer
$25 per lesson - (907) 770-3532 mmatpd@gmail.com
DRAG RACING TEST & TUNE
5/23/2018, 6/13/2018 - 4PM
Alaska Raceway Park 5599 Race Way, Palmer Cost: $5-$10 kb@raceak.com www.raceak.com
ARCTIC PERMACULTURE GARDEN SERIES
5/24/2018, 6/7/2018
Seeds and Soil- ORGANICS
Throughout Palmer Cost: $15-$35
https://seedsandsoilorganics. com/2017/11/04/arcticpermaculture-garden-series/
ANCHORAGE
ILLUSTRATORS GROUP
5/24/2018 - 6:30PM
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
Barnes and Noble
200 E Northern Lights Blvd. Anchorage FREE Event alaska@scbwi.org www.alaska.scbwi.org
VALLEY GARDEN CLUB
ANNUAL PLANT SALE
5/26/2018 - 9AM
Valley Garden Club
Boys & Girls Club of Wasilla
3700 E Bogard Rd. Wasilla FREE Admission
GREAT ALASKA MUSIC FESTIVAL
May 26-27, 2018
Great Alaska Music Festival
Alaska State Fair
2075 Glenn Hwy. Palmer
Cost: $50-$243 greatalaskamusicfestival.com
ALASKA ROCK GARDEN
SOCIETY 16TH ANNUAL OPEN GARDEN & PLANT SALE AT SNOWFIRE GARDENS
5/26/2018 - 10AM
Alaska Rock Garden Society Snowfire Gardens 3379 S. Inlet Vista Cir. Wasilla FREE Event
NASCAR RACE
May 26, 2018 - 5PM
June 9, 16, 30, 2018 - 5PM
Alaska Raceway Park 5599 Race Way, Palmer
Cost: $10-$20 kb@raceak.com www.raceak.com
HITCHCOCK PIANO STUDIO
MONTHLY MINI-RECITAL/TALK
5/28/2018 - 7PM
Hitchcock Piano Studio
950 W Edinborough Dr. Palmer FREE Event - (907) 745-3134
THE SPOT: UNDER 21 MUSIC VENUE
6/1/2017 – 6PM
MY House, The People’s Paper, Q 99.7, Valley Arts Alliance, Mountain Sound & Entertainment, Barrett & Associates Insurance
MY House
300 N Willow St. Wasilla FREE Event - (907) 373-4357
5TH ANNUAL RALLY 2 THE RANCH
6/2/2018 – 9:30AM
Second To None M/C, Midnight Son Riders Chapter 801 The Rock Wood Fired Pizza 3401 Penland Pkwy. Anchorage FREE Event
WALK N’ ROLL ANIMAL 5K
6/2/2018 – 10AM
Walk n’ Roll Animal 5K Alaska
Trunk Rd. Park & Ride
E Blue Lupine Dr. Palmer
Donations Acceptable (907) 351-1385
SAINT HERMAN ANNUAL COUNTRY FAIR
6/2/2018 – 11AM
Saint Herman Antiochian
Orthodox Church
6988 En Dove Rd. Wasilla FREE Admission
Check us out on Facebook
Gardening & Art
Contributed by Charice Chambers
Spring is in full flower at the Mat-Su Senior Center Services Gift Shop, due in no small part to the efforts of local artist, Kristen Spencer. Kristen has made it her goal to turn the garden into a destination rather than just, well, a garden.
To that end, she creates a variety of whimsical garden art pieces. Her dish flowers, an assembly of vintage plates, cups and saucers attached to elongated stakes, add a splash of color and interest to any planting as well as creating focal points in the yard or garden. Each creation has a distinct personality waiting to be “transplanted” into the space of its dreams. She hopes to make gardens inspiring destination that soothe the souls of all who enter them.
This was not always Spencer’s dream. Her professional background was in radio broadcasting and community outreach. For 13 years, she facilitated a crime prevention program for the Anchorage Police Department. Then in 2012, she moved to her cozy cottage-turned-
Arts & Community
studio, changing both her locale and the direction of her life.
Spencer does all of her work using basic hand tools and a small cordless drill. Dish flower heads are “drilled” with a grinding bit and attached to their stake with a machine screw. Some pieces are “glued” with 100% silicone that is ideal for Alaska. “I guess what’s most appealing about this to me, is that I’m never quite sure how something will come together. I swap different pieces and parts around until a combination just sparks, or ‘does the polka’, so I often end up a bit surprised by the outcome myself.”
While the artform itself isn’t new, Kristen’s own sense of imagination and style is beginning to emerge… and not without its challenges. Rarely do any of her sculptures just fall into place. Some sit incomplete for months waiting to be paired with some particular addition that will make just right. Consequently, each of her creations is unique.
In addition to her dish flowers, Spencer also creates garden totems, bird feeders
and birdhouses for the garden. Reusing and repurposing, the essence of her art requires a realignment of thought processes.
One must see beyond the original function of the item to its potential as a beautiful memento that can evoke fond memories, and then build from these. Creating surprise and delight is Spencer’s goal.
Spencer is a long-time Alaskan and avid gardener who gained her skills and appreciation of the soil’s bounty from her mother. It is her sincere hope to enrich your gardening experience by creating a special garden destination on your own property.
Many of her plate flowers and garden art may be found at the Matsu Senior Services Gift Shop.
Located at 1132 South Chugach Street across from and adjacent to Palmer Junior Middle School, the Shop is open from 10am to 2 \pm, Monday through Friday. Come see Palmer’s best-kept secret!
Contributed by Jessie Wetherell
Throughout our nation’s history, there have been many songs penned about pivotal events. From war to peace, plantation life to civil rights, there was a song for everything.
The Alaska Children’s Choir has chosen to focus their music for this semester around most of the major wars the United States has been involved in and the culture of those times. Their spring concert, coming up on Saturday, May 19th, is a musical retelling of “A History Through Song.”
The concert begins with students quoting from some of our most important documents -the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States.
“Yankee Doodle” and “The British Grenadiers” are just two of the songs included during the Revolutionary War segment, representing both sides of the War for Independence. From there, the choristers move into the Civil War, again representing both sides. They also include some AfricanAmerican spirituals such as “Deep River” and minstrel songs such as “Old Dan Tucker.”
The set from the World Wars includes
a choral version of Siegfried Sassoon’s poem, “Everyone Sang,” which is a joyous reference to Armistice Day. The children also take time to remember those who perished during the Holocaust with a Jewish folksong, “Ani Ma’amin” and “Inscription of Hope”, the text for which comes from an inscription written by those who were hiding from the Nazis in Cologne, Germany.
Many more pieces are included in this two-hour musical history lesson. The performance will be held at St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer on Saturday, May 19th at 4pm.
The Choir will also be performing their concert in Anchorage on Sunday, May 20th at Central Lutheran Church at 2:30pm. Tickets are $10 a person and are available for purchase at the door via cash or check.
The students, aged 5-18, would love to have you join us for an evening of music, culture and history.
For questions about the Alaska Children’s Choir, their upcoming concerts or enrollment, please contact Director Jessie Wetherell at alaskachildrenschoir@yahoo.com or 907-982-5467.
Contributed by Carmen Summerfield
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, FREE Children (Ages 0-12)
It’s time for another hot, Hot, HOT Iron Pour! Yes, for the 11th consecutive year, the Valley Arts Alliance Art on Fire Iron Pour Art Fest will be held on Saturday, June 23, 2018 in Wasilla. The Valley will be buzzing with artists from across the country, as they gather to cast unique iron sculptures, create Raku pottery and engage in other similar “fiery” events.
A team of skilled foundry men and women, consisting of Pat Garley, who owns Arctic Fires Bronze in Palmer, D’jean Jawrunner, a college professor from New Mexico who teaches metal casting, Donnie Keen a commercial foundry owner from Houston, Texas and other local sculptors and skilled metal workers will demonstrate the fascinating 5000-year-old iron casting process using a custom-designed furnace known as a cupola.
In the weeks preceding this event, Pat Garley (441-6728) will be offering workshops in metal casting and mold making at his studio in Palmer. These workshops will continue at the VAA Art on Fire Iron Pour Art Fest, when these molds are poured with liquid iron.
See scenes of last year’s event on our 2017 Art on Fire archives page, www. ValleyArtsAlliance.com. And for examples of completed iron sculptures that were displayed at the International Gallery of Contemporary Art in Anchorage, see our 2012 Art on Fire Sculpture archive page.
Throughout the day, artist Sandra Cook, who owns SL Cook Pottery and Fiber Werks in Palmer, will conduct her Raku pottery workshop. Sandra will provide each participant with a vessel or pot of unglazed ceramic ware, known as bisque, which the participants will decorate with a variety of glazes and then fire in one of Sandra’s special Raku kilns. After a short firing, the “red hot” vessels will be placed inside a metal can full of combustible materials, a process that draws the oxygen out of the glaze and is responsible for the unique and completely unpredictable Raku look.
The Association of Alaskan Blacksmiths will demonstrate blacksmithing techniques, Judy Vars will demonstrate Encaustic wax painting and other fiery arts, such as glass flameworking, will also be demonstrated.
The VAA Art on Fire Iron Pour Art Fest will be held at the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry, located at 3800 W. Museum Drive (near the airport) in Wasilla, from 10am until 5pm on Saturday, June 23rd. The ticket price is $10, with children under 12 admitted free.
Please join the fun! We hope to turn this day into an extraordinary Iron Pour Art Fest in the Valley!
Contributed by Michael Consalo
The Spot: Under 21 Music Venue
6/1/2017 – 6PM
MY House, The People’s Paper, Q 99.7, Valley Arts Alliance, Mountain Sound & Entertainment, Barrett & Associates Insurance MY House
300 N Willow St. Wasilla FREE Event
Ever want to be a rock star? You have to start somewhere!
Have you ever had the dream of performing in front of thousands of people while they scream your name and sing to your lyrics? Or reciting your words over the PA as your peers attentively listen as you pour out your soul? Well, it has to start somewhere with one or two people!
That’s exactly why we have The Spot! Sure, singing and dancing in front of your friends and family is great, but we all know the butterflies and anxiety that can come before any performance, or even speech, that involves onlooking strangers. You can’t have hundreds of people going nuts if five scare you to death!
On its fifth night in existence, The Spot saw a couple new young faces that gathered up their courage to perform with the staff! While they didn’t have the skills or experience to “blow someone away”, they did have the bravery to give it a shot and the initiative to do something, instead of talking about it. The Gathering Grounds Café crowd witnessed at least four kids under the age of 12 get up on stage and have a lot of fun with their friends. In between songs, the staff helped to address fundamentals, giving the young musicians something to work on now and some homework for later.
The atmosphere at The Spot has really become one of sharing knowledge, gaining experience and building skills, for those that are willing to gather up the courage to give it a shot! If you or anyone you know is interested in performing, dancing, singing, poetry, etc. have them come out the first Friday of the month to MY House and the Gathering Grounds Café for a fun, free night of entertainment!
Next month, catch The Spot on June 1st with featured artists from Road Krill, a local rock band from Palmer that will rock out with the kids. Door prizes will also be given away, and we may have a fun outside event scheduled soon!
If you would like more information on The Spot, please reach out to Michael C. at 907-203-0621.
Museum
Contributed by Richard Estelle, Palmer Museum of History & Art
Prior to introduction of diesel engines on the Alaska Railroad in 1944, the trip between Seward and Fairbanks took two days, with an overnight layover midway at the community of Curry.
A creamery was established there to supply dairy products to the Curry Hotel serving overnighting passengers and tourist guests. Creamery products included ice cream, buttermilk, cottage cheese and butter. The creamery also supplied railroad dining cars, the Anchorage railroad hospital and other merchants along the railway.
It is at the Curry Creamery that we find a first record of our butter churn, where 1,434 pounds of butter are reported to have been produced in July and August of 1932. From there, presumably along with other machinery of the Curry Creamery, the churn was later moved to the Agricultural Experiment Station at Matanuska to be closer to the Matanuska Valley farms, which were the creamery’s major source of cream.
When the Matanuska Colony Resettlement Project came to the Valley in 1935, a creamery was established at Palmer as part of the governmentsponsored effort to both support local dairy farmers and to supply needed dairy products to the growing population. The creamery, a significant part of the Matanuska Valley Farmers Co-op, marketed its variety of products under the name, Matanuska Maid. This butter churn was obtained from the Experiment Station and became the Co-op’s first piece of creamery equipment, converting locally-produced cream to butter with it from 1936 until 1943.
The churn was powered by a drive belt fitted over the large metal wheel that turned gears in the enclosed gear box at the right side of the wooden drum. The drive belt itself would have been powered by a pulley on a large electric motor directly behind the churn, or from a live spindle driving belts to several machines at one time. The heavy cast iron frame, which would have been bolted to the floor, was necessary to keep the machine stable while the drum rotated.
A clutch handle is mounted next to the wheel to engage and disengage the turning action, and a gear release lever on the gearbox allowed the drum to turn free, so the door could be turned by hand around to
the front for access. Wooden baffles inside the drum insured constant churning action of the enclosed cream as the drum turned.
The drum measures 28 inches wide and 28 inches in diameter which could hold around 70 gallons of cream if full. It likely was not completely filled, however, to allow room for good churning activity. The amount of butter produced from the contents depended on the percentage of butter fat contained in the cream. A small round glass window is built into the left end of the drum, the function of which is not yet clear. We hope to find someone who worked with the churn to learn more about how it was actually used.
When Matanuska Maid Dairy ceased operation in 2007, the State of Alaska took over its assets and the butter churn was placed on display in the Division of Agriculture office in Palmer for several years. It was moved to the Palmer Museum of History & Art to be added to our collection in August 2017.
