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.
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 10:00 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.
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.
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.
Wasilla Homeless-Committee is a 100% volunteer organization funded by private donations and regular fundraising events. Our sole purpose is to assist the homeless, those at risk of homelessness, and others who do not meet the criteria for help that is required by other advocacy agencies in the valley. Wasilla Homeless-Committee provides case management, housing search assistance, move in assistance, job search assistance, clothing, furniture, help with transportation, and resource guidance for homeless and disenfranchised in the Mat-Su Valley. Visit our website for application, or call 907521-2949. Find us on Facebook facebook.com/ wasillahomelesscommitteepage
Community Events
HAPPY RUN
Every Monday - 6PM
Active Soles Performance Footwear
642 S Alaska St. Ste. #209, Palmer FREE Event - (907) 746-0600
Toastmasters International, Palmer MTA Sports Center
1507 N Double B St. Palmer FREE Event
GEEKS WHO DRINK PUB QUIZ
Every Tuesday - 7PM
Tailgaters Sports Bar & Grill
161 W Parks Hwy. Wasilla FREE Event - (907) 376-1314 www.tailgatersak.com
OIL PAINTING LESSONS
Every Wednesday - 10AM
Every Thursdays - 5PM
Valley Fine Arts Association
Art of Oil Studio Cost: $30 per class
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. #306, Wasilla FREE Event - (907) 306-0041
PALMER COMMUNITY YOGA
Every Wednesday - 7PM
Level Seven Spiritual Center 439 W Elmwood Ave. Palmer FREE Event - (907) 357-8614 www.levelsevensc.com
WEEKLY PAINTING SESSIONS
Every Thursday – 1PM Valley Community Recycling Solutions (VCRS), Valley Arts Alliance 9465 E Chanlyut Cir. Palmer FREE Admission www.valleyartsalliance.com
MAT-SU COMMUNITY CHORUS REHEARSAL NIGHTS
Every Thursday - 7PM
Mat-Su Community Chorus
Wasilla High School’s Choir Room 701 E Bogard Rd. Wasilla
Cost: FREE Admission, $45 Long-term Membership Fee w ww.matsucommunitychorus.org
OULA DANCE FITNESS
Every Friday - 7:30AM
Level Seven Spiritual Center 439 W Elmwood Ave. Palmer
Alaska State Fair, Inc. Alaska State Fairgrounds 2075 Glenn Hwy. Palmer Tickets: $30 Regular Admission, $10 Designated Driver Admission www.alaskastatefair.org
MUSICALITY MONDAYS 10/29/2018 - 7PM Anaya Latin Dance Four Corners Lounge
8000 E Palmer-Wasilla Hwy. Palmer Cost: $15 www.anayalatindance.com
MAKE HERBAL LOTION CLASS 10/29/2018 - 7PM
Monday Market at Palmer DepotInstructor: Valerie Barber Palmer Train Depot
610 S Valley Way, Palmer Cost: $35 - (907) 770-3532 mmatpd@gmail.com
KIDS HALLOWEEN CRAFT CLASS (AGES 7-12) 10/29/2018 - 7PM Monday Market at Palmer DepotInstructor: Kenda Huling Palmer Train Depot 610 S Valley Way, Palmer Cost: $20 - (907) 770-3532 mmatpd@gmail.com
NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM 10/31/2018 - 4PM
Museum of Alaska Transportation & Industry 3800 W Museum Dr. Wasilla Cost: $5 - (907) 376-1211 www.museumofalaska.org
LULU SMALL MUSIC & PERFORMANCE 10/31/2018 - 8PM LuLu Small Music
Shwabenhof E Palmer-Wasilla Hwy. Wasilla FREE Admission www.lulusmallmusic.com
BLACK VIOLIN PERFORMANCE November 1-2, 2018 – 7PM Atwood Concert Hall, Alaska Center for the Performing Arts 621 W 6th Ave. Anchorage Tickets: $48-$71.75 www.akjt.org
THE SPOT: UNDER 21 MUSIC VENUE 11/2/2018 – 6PM The Spot, Gathering Grounds Cafe 300 N Willow St. Wasilla FREE Event - (907) 373-4357
RICHARDSON SPOUSES’ CLUB COUNTRY FAIR 40TH ANNIVERSARY 11/3/2018 – 10AM Richardson Spouses’ Club Buckner Fitness Center, JBER 690, JBER-R, Anchorage FREE Event
PALMER ELKS ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BAZAAR November 3-4, 2018 - 10AM Palmer Elks Lodge #1842 2600 N Barry’s Resort Dr. Wasilla FREE Admission - (907) 745-3950 www.palmerelks.org
Arts
Contributed by Charice Chambers
Mat-Su Senior Services Gift Shop is proud to announce the addition of metal designer Paul “Chuck” Westphale to our line-up of outstanding creative Alaskan artists.
Westphale is redefining metal art with the use of auto-quality paints, and unusual, as well as traditional designs. His wall art designs feature Alaskan animals, including a threedimensional moose mounted on a rendering of the state’s shape, a bear in the woods featuring a “hidden” bear within the design and assorted Alaskan sea life. Westphale does not limit himself to only Alaskan designs, nor just to wall hangings. His creations range from a large cross in the tradition of the historic Russian Orthodox faith to designer barbeques and fire pits.
His versatility mirrors the road he has traveled to reach his art. Westphale holds a degree in plant and soil services. He arrived in Alaska in the mid-80s to work at the Agricultural and Forestry Experimental Station, and then ended up taking training in heating and refrigeration at Mat-Su College.
He worked on the North Slope; there he began welding gifts for family and friends in his spare time. Eventually, his hobby led to the purchase of a plasma cutting table and the discovery of his artistic side.
He continues to develop his art and is inspired by anything and everything. He credits friends with his continued artistic development. “They are constantly giving me all sorts of odds and ends of metal, and I have to ask myself what can be done with that. Then my mind takes off.”
He spends a lot of time on the Internet watching YouTube. “It’s a great way to learn from other artists.” For example, Westphale has been able to incorporate hydro-graphics, an artistic methodology used by street artists, into his creations.
Producing a finished product is much more than just creating and executing a design using his plasma cutter. Once the design has been cut, it requires several days in an acid bath. The bath improves the metal’s color and helps make it easier to remove the dross, little bits of slag, that cling to nearly every cut.
Once out of the bath, and with the dross removed, Westphale uses a flat disk grinder to shine the surface and take away the last rough steel spats. Many of his creations contain wavy, pebbled or unusual surfaces. These are created during the shining process, all a part of his technique. At this point, the art is ready for the easel and his airbrush. Westphale mixes all of his own paints using basic auto airbrush colors, and applies them in layers which creates rich tones and give depth to his pieces.
Finally, he applies several clear coats to seal his creations. This allows pieces to be used outdoors. Pieces can be treated much as a car’s finish.
Today, his art pieces are sold throughout the US, and now in the MSSS gift shop located at 1132 S. Chugach in Palmer.
Not only can you take advantage of his art at special senior pricing, but he will create custom items for you as well. Stop by to view his collection Monday through Friday 10am to 2pm.
Community Events
MAT-SU HOLIDAY MARKETPLACE
November 3-4, 2018 - 11AM
Menard Sports Center:
1001 S Clapp St. Wasilla
Saturday: FREE Children (0-12), $4 Regular Admission
Sunday: FREE Children (0-12), FREE Military, $4 Regular Admission
Beacon Hill/Church on the Rock Church on the Rock - Palmer 619 E Scott Rd. Palmer FREE Event - (907) 565-9840 Check us out on Facebook
Culture & Community
Contributed by Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums
Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums: World War 1 Centenary Concert 11/10/2018 – 7PM
Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums First Baptist Church 1100 W 10th Ave. Anchorage FREE Event
Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums: World War 1 Centenary Concert 11/10/2018 – 9PM
Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums Anchorage Veterans Memorial Delaney Park Strip, Anchorage FREE Event
Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums will be performing double-duty, playing their part in the “Battle’s Over”, an international commemoration marking 100 years since the guns fell silent at the end of World War I.
Organized in cooperation with The National Piping Centre in Glasgow, Scotland, the “Battle’s Over” tribute takes place locally in Alaska on Saturday, November 10th, 2018, at 9:00pm, at the Anchorage Veterans Memorial in Delaney Park Strip,
between 9th and 10th Avenue, near I Street, to synchronize with over 1000 other pipers and pipe bands at scores of locations around the world, including elsewhere in the USA, Canada, the UK, New Zealand, Ireland, Australia, France, Belgium and Germany.
The staggering loss of life in WWI included over 1000 pipers and drummers killed in action.
Along with the usual Veterans’ Day/ Armistice Day ceremonies, this year, because of the centenary, pipers and drummers throughout the world are making a concerted effort to observe the occasion by performing simultaneously the traditional air, “When The Battle’s Over”. Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums is honored to be take part in this commemoration.
Prior to the tribute at the Anchorage Veterans Memorial, Alaska Celtic Pipes & Drums will perform a free community concert at 7:00pm at First Baptist Church, Anchorage at 10th Avenue and L Street. Veterans’ Day poppies will be available. Donations to the band are accepted at the door.
Edgar Allan Poe stands alone in the flickering darkness of his mind, trying desperately to convince himself-and-us that he’s not mad. The spell he weaves brings us a highly-theatrical adaptation of four tales Poe himself considered his best: “The Raven”, “The Fall of the House of Usher”, “The Pit and the Pendulum” and “The Tell-Tale Heart”. Enter the world of Poe and check your heartbeat at the door.
“Nightfall with Edgar Allan Poe” opens October 19th and runs through November 4, 2018. Ticket prices are $19 for regular admission, $17 for seniors/students. This gripping and ghoulish drama about Edgar Allan Poe will be appearing at Valley Performing Arts, 251 W. Swanson Avenue, Wasilla.
Call VPA at 373-0195, visit our website, www.valleyperformingarts.org, or come by the office, Monday through Friday, 9am to 3pm, to purchase your tickets.
Be sure to follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Valley-Performing-Arts #valleyperformingartsAK
Writing Community
ARTICLE CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9
Rosemary’s custom beaded items can be found throughout the Valley, including at Sheldon Air Service in Talkeetna, at NonEssentials in Palmer, at many upcoming holiday bazaars, and at Monday Market in the Historic Palmer Depot on Mondays, 11:30am-6pm.
Rosemary also take special orders and teaches private beading lessons as well as offering her beading for sale at Monday Market.
Stop by Monday Market and introduce yourself to Rosemary and her intricate artistic beading. You will be enriched for this experience.
Remember that Monday Market is open each Monday through December 17, 2018 (except November 5th) and continues in 2019. For the holiday season, we also have several new vendors offering seasonal gift items. We look forward to your visiting the Monday Market.
Music
Contributed by Nick McDermott
Black Violin Performance
November 1-2, 2018 – 7PM Alaska Junior Theater
Atwood Concert Hall, Alaska Center for the Performing Arts 621 W 6th Ave. Anchorage Tickets: $48-$71.75
Alaska Junior Theater is excited to bring Black Violin back to Anchorage for the first two nights of November.
Performances will be held at 7:30pm in the Atwood Concert Hall at the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts.
The duo of Wil Baptiste (viola) and Kev Marcus (violin) from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
sold out the Atwood in 2009 and again in 2014. This time, award-winning turntablist, DJ SPS, and drummer, Nathaniel Stokes, join them.
Wil and Kev in met in school. Their shared love of classical and hip-hop music led them to create their signature multi-genre sound that’s often described as “Classical Boom”.
With every tour, that pioneering sound becomes more refined and engaging.
But, as their talent grows one thing remain the same - their positive and uplifting message. Come hear that message for yourself. Preview the show at www.akjt.org.
Tickets are available at 263-ARTS or www.centertix.com
Contributed by Sally Hitchcock
Hitchcock Piano Studio Monthly Mini Recital / Talk
10/22/2018, 11/26/2018, 12/24/2018 - 7PM Hitchcock Piano Studio 950 W Edinborough Dr. Palmer, AK FREE Event
After months of scheduling a recital/talk for my 4th Monday happenings, I realized how many kinds of such events I have attended over my 40 years of teaching. Most of them were for gathering facts, teaching ideas and information about piano music. My events have a totally different slant. My favorite kinds of music, the ways I changed teaching methods and the marvelous batch of students that have come through the various doors of Hitchcock Piano Studio over the years are real fodder for the tales I tell, related to the music I play.
About the middle of every month, I start to worry about having a full program of music and the stories about each selection. Actually, I think I could go on for years, using the same format with different stories. Actually, the limiting thing is only the arthritis in my hands. I can no longer play Scott Joplin and Joseph Lamb Ragtime for hours on end like I used to.
In September, I returned to my favorite event outline: comparing various eras of music and attitudes towards life and art, and how it relates to each kind of music. With the new music and their stories, there was much more laughter than I expected. I love doing these events because now at my semi-retired time of life, I can get back to playing the piano for my own enjoyment.
Recently, as the family began installing my new front door, my youngest daughter said she wanted to see carol singing here around my piano. Checking the calendar, the 4th Monday of December is Christmas Eve. So, we are scheduling a carol sing (I have plenty of song books and sheets of the words in my hall closet with the Christmas music.); 7pm sounds like a good time to take a break from all the preparing and
relax with other families around a piano. Maybe stay home and quietly finish the preparation, and send the family off to sing.
There are two more 4th Mondays before then, and all are welcome to come hear my music and stories: October 22nd and November 26th.
Museum
Contributed by Richard Estelle
Before there were gourmet latte shops and drive-up espresso stands, getting one’s morning caffeine was both simpler and more complicated.
In more recent years when blended coffees and varieties grown around the globe became available (pre-packaged, vacuum packed, regular, caffeine-free, Columbian, Brazilian, etc.), the hardest thing about creating a good cup of coffee at home can often be making up one’s mind on what kind to have.
No such quandary was faced long ago when a sack of coffee beans at the local country store was often folks’ only source. Choices might have been “dark” or “light”, or more likely, “coffee” or “no coffee”.
To fill a customers’ request for a pound of coffee, the store proprietor scooped beans from the burlap sack, placed them in a large ornate grinder at the end of the counter, turned the handle a few times and presented
Coloring Page
the customer with a paper bag of fresh grounds. What “country store” or lodge once housed the coffee grinder in our museum’s collection we don’t know, but it’s identified as a “#9 Enterprise ‘Country Store’ model”, manufactured by the Enterprise Mfg. Co. of Philadelphia and patented on July 12, 1898.
Its cast iron body and 18 1/2 in. diameter wheels are painted red and decorated with ornate decals.
A white porcelain knob facilitated opening the top cover to pour in roasted beans.
An identical knob allowed extraction of a wooden tray below containing the ground product after the turned wheels activated grinding teeth as the beans fell inside the housing in the middle.
When new, the top cover sported a small gold cast iron eagle which is missing from our machine. While our grinder has only one handle, it’s likely there were handles on both large wheels when in use.
Entertainment
Contributed by Carmen
Summerfield
The Alaska Home Companion: A Frontier Variety Show!
10/20/2018 -7PM Valley Arts Alliance Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry 3800 W Museum Dr. Wasilla Tickets: $15
The Alaska Home Companion: A Frontier Variety Show!
11/17/2018 – 7PM Valley Arts Alliance Sutton Public Library 11301 Chickaloon Way, Sutton FREE Event ($15 Suggested Donation)
Would you like to hear stories about the best, the worst and the silliest of everyday living in Alaska?
Coming to you Saturday, October 20th, from the historic Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry (MATI) next to Wasilla International Airport, is the 2018 premier episode of The Alaska Home Companion: A Frontier Variety Show!
MATI is our favorite Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry, and The Alaska Home Companion: A Frontier Variety Show! is the Valley Arts Alliance rendition of a live radio broadcast from the golden age of radio, with skits, music and dance acts, similar to the popular Prairie Home Companion radio show on NPR.
For those of you who haven’t seen or heard one of our episodes, The Alaska Home Companion: A Frontier Variety Show! features interesting stories by Alaskans about the best, the worst and the silliest of everyday living in Alaska. In previous episodes, we heard from The Roving Reporter, Mom and Louie, and Guy d’North, as well as news from Lake Willowa, Mukluk Radio and Coffee Talk.
The 2018 season is our seventh year producing The Alaska Home Companion: A Frontier Variety Show!, and we will continue with new music and dance acts, occasional impersonations of local celebrities and will be occasionally broadcast live by Radio Free Palmer on 89.5 FM.
So, mark your calendar! The Wasilla episode of the Valley Arts Alliance Alaska Home Companion: A Frontier Variety Show! will be broadcast at 7pm on Saturday, October 20, 2018 at the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry in Wasilla. Tickets are $15 and are available at the door. A cash bar will be open during the event.
The Sutton episode of the Valley Arts Alliance Alaska Home Companion: A Frontier Variety Show! will be broadcast at 7pm on Saturday, November 17, 2018 at the Sutton Public Library. Suggested donation is $15.
