Issuu

please submit your request by March 13. You can call Member Services at 907-

the Alaska Office of Boating Safety.

Contributed by Kierre Childers

Revel Treks & Tours

The Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation, in partnership with local businesses, nonprofits, and recreational groups, will host the third annual Winter Discovery Day on March 7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Government Peak Recreation Area.

This free community event invites residents to explore local winter recreation opportunities through hands-on gear demonstrations, including fat bikes, snowshoes, and sledding equipment. Attendees can also warm up with hot chocolate and fire pits located throughout the parking area.

Winter Discovery Day is hosted by the Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation in collaboration with the Mat-Su Borough and more than a dozen local businesses and nonprofits. Participating organizations include Revel Treks and Tours, Backcountry Bike and Ski, AKtive Soles, Onward and Upward, the Mat-Su Ski Club, Alaska State Parks, Alaska Geographic, Skeetawk, TrailMates, Adventures by True North, WildFree Kids Occupational Therapy, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center, the Alaska Avalanche School, the Palmer Visitor Center, and

Winter Discovery Day is open to all ages and offers an opportunity to connect with local organizations while enjoying winter in the Mat-Su. About the Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation: Since 2014, Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation (MSTPF) has provided grant funding to various nonprofits and agencies, resulting in over 85 miles of new trails and 12 parks, the purchase of essential trail grooming and maintenance equipment, trail markers, and interpretive signage, and necessary trailhead amenities like bathrooms. In 2025, MSTPF granted out over $675,000 to 14 different local organizations. In addition to its grantmaking program, MSTPF works with land managers, including AK State Parks, to apply, manage, and provide matching funding for federal and foundation grants. These projects allow community donations to be leveraged to facilitate million-dollar investments in the Mat-Su, such as the Curry Ridge Connector Project and the preservation of Independence Mine State Historical Park. To date, total grantmaking investment in the Mat-Su Borough has been just over $3,000,000. With continued support, MSTPF plans to make an additional $2.5 million

and

COMMUNITY

Through the Ice

Contributed by Debra McGhan

Racing across the frozen Kuskokwim River with his friend, 15-year-old Cole Gilila, didn’t see the hole in the ice until it was too late. He drove into the water and the snowmachine was quickly sucked under the ice, driver and all. His friend managed to escape and went for help, but that also came too late.

According to the State of Alaska and the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Alaska consistently has the highest drowning rate per capita in the nation. Drownings related to falling through the ice, known as FTI, are a well-known risk in Alaska. These tragedies often involve snowmachines or all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) breaking through the ice.

In March 2025, Sean Kendall and Skye Rench met a similar fate to Gilila when their ATV broke through ice on the Susitna River in the Mat-Su Valley. Neither man made it out alive.

“These types of accidents are far too common,” said Mike Buck, Executive Director of Alaska Safe Riders. “That’s why we include a lot about water safety in our training programs. There are some simple rules to avoid getting caught, and some

critical skills and tools you’ll need if you want to have a fighting chance to survive a full immersion.”

A report from the Alaska Department of Health shows there were 342 drownings in Alaska between 2016 and 2021. Of those, 114 occurred in a river or creek, 36 were in lakes and sloughs. There were 62 drownings between December and February that primarily involved snowmachines and motor vehicles breaking through the ice.

“One of the things we really emphasize in our backcountry safety training programs is to never drive a machine faster than you can see,” said Mike. “Many of us have been caught in that very situation where we didn’t see the hazard until we were right on it.”

At least two of Alaska Safe Riders board members, Chris Olds and Tyler Aklestad, have had firsthand experiences of going through the ice and facing death.

“My partner and I were racing along the coast one year, and the ice we were riding on suddenly turned into black ocean water, said Tyler Aklestad. “I headed for the shore and thought I’d be able to just drive up onto solid ice again but there was a steep bank and instead, I slammed right

into it.

What followed became hours of life-threatening challenges as Aklestad and his partner fought to escape the freezing ocean waters. Only the fact that they were completely prepared for a range of potential hazards, would enable them to get out alive and successfully extract the sled from the death-grip of the ocean.

“When you are riding in Alaska, it’s critical you have the strength, the right skills, and the appropriate tools if you want a chance of surviving an unexpected hazard,” said Buck. “I’ll never forget speaking in a school in Western Alaska when one of the elders shared a story about falling through the ice.

“He said a spark plug he had shoved in his pocket earlier that day saved his life,” Buck recalled. “Using the sharp end of the plug, he stabbed it into the ice and pulled himself out of the water and back onto a solid surface. He was insistent that if you’re going to be on or crossing any type of

frozen water, you better carry some type of device you can use to stab into ice.” Buck is quick to add that getting out of the water is only the first step in survival. You also need to be prepared to build a fire, get into dry clothes, and seek shelter as quickly as possible.

“There are lots of ways to have a safe, epic riding adventure if you first get prepared,” said Buck. “At Alaska Safe Riders, we offer a host of training opportunities that range from school presentations to multi-day riding courses. We custom design our courses to help you learn right where you are. Whether you’re a beginner or a long-time veteran wanting to take it to the next level, we can build a course for you. We cover a wide range of topics from preparation, avalanches, glaciers to river, lake crossings and much more.”

Wherever you plan to ride, Alaska Safe Riders has a class to help you prepare for a safe, round-trip adventure. Learn more at alaskasaferiders.org today.

Invitation online at: integrativewellnessnetwork.podia.com/iwn-virtual-cruisefeb-2026 When the World Is Too Much…

Contributed by Astrid Mueller, Resident of Palmer

Let’s pause for a moment. And take a breath. Sigh! Better. Right?

I want to share a short story. And I’ll have an invitation for you in a minute. One where you can feel even better. Like you’re on vacation! Without actually going! In 2020, I went through a wild rollercoaster life adventure with stage-4 cancer. There were many days when the world felt like a lot. I couldn’t just hop on a plane or “get away.” BUT. Thinking creatively, I learned how to create little vacation experiences for myself, right where I was. I

added sparkly lights to my room. Dressed like I was going somewhere fun. Took lots of spa-like baths. Tiny things — but they made a huge difference. I felt lighter. More positive. Stronger. Supported. Sometimes, I also treated myself to re-TREATS: packing my own creative tools and journals and heading to Airbnbs, or from home, participating in wellness retreats with long-distance Zoom classes. Getting creative. Focusing on my dreams. And what’s possible! I also supported myself with a wide range of health modalities, in addition to Western medicine. All of these things

made a HUGE difference. Physically. And also emotionally. Wellness didn’t feel heavy. It felt creative. Playful. Even joyful!

As I realized later, I also immensely supported my healing and immune system with all those things, and I’m deeply grateful that I fully got well.

Unfortunately, I also saw that not everyone is doing so well — or is that supported.

That’s what inspired me to start the Integrative Wellness Network — an initiative to bring a whole playground of inspiration and wellness resources together to fully support people: body, mind, emotion, spirit, and soul. Wherever they are. All around the world!

With the network, we now have a grow-

ing, soulful, FREE wellness community with amazing professionals and inspiring resources, and we also create very unique, experience-at-home wellness re-TREATS. I’d love to invite you to one! If you want more inspiration, positivity, or wellness in your life: Come JOYn us on a VIRTUAL CRUISE! Think sunshine vibes, playful wellness prompts, and mini adventures you can enjoy from home. No pressure. No “doing it right.” Just come as you are. All happens in our free wellness community — doors are open now! We set sail on Feb 22!

Into the water. Roger Brown and Dan Vandermueler work on extracting a snowmachine that went through the ice.

Out of the ice. Roger Brown and Dan Vandermeulen, with ASR, dig out the sled.

Ice thickness guide. Photos by Mike Buck, Courtesy Alaska Safe Riders

Pick of Life – Ice awls for escaping a fall through the ice.

COMMUNITY

It Takes a Valley

Contributed by Mallory Saltamacchio, Kids Kupboard

Mila was a vibrant five-yearold, perched happily on the back of a grocery cart as her mom slowly pushed it up and down the aisles. From Mila’s view, the store was full of colorful boxes, fresh fruit, and foods that looked delicious. From her mom’s view, it was overwhelming.

They had recently left an unsafe home situation—hard enough on its own—and for the first time, it was just the two of them. As Mila reached for items she recognized from commercials or school lunches, her mom gently said no, again and again. Mila didn’t understand why. She was hungry. She was frustrated. And she didn’t know why her mom’s eyes kept filling with tears.

Mila didn’t know how expensive food had become—or that groceries cost even more here in Alaska. She didn’t understand how hunger affects focus, behavior, and learning at school. She didn’t know that the cheapest foods are often the most processed, offering full bellies

but little nourishment for growing bodies and minds. But her mom knew all of this. Every grocery trip filled her with anxiety as she weighed impossible choices: heat or groceries, rent or fresh food, survival now versus her child’s long-term health and success. As heartbreaking as this scene is, it is far from rare. Mila is not alone. Many children across the Mat-Su Valley face food insecurity every day— quietly, invisibly, and often with parents doing everything they can to shield them from the worry.

Thankfully, Mila’s mom chose to lean on community support. She set aside embarrassment, shame, and pride and reached out to programs like Kids Kupboard, recognizing what so many families eventually learn: sometimes, everyone needs a little help. Fast forward ten years.

Today, Mila is a thriving teenager. She is a member of the National Honor Society, active in FFA, and a dedicated volunteer with Kids Kupboard. Because of the nourishment she received during an uncertain chapter of her life, she was able to focus in

school, stay healthy, and build confidence. She could have fallen behind academically, struggled with health issues, or withdrawn socially—outcomes that too often accompany childhood hunger. Instead, she is excelling.

Mila now proudly shares Kids Kupboard’s mission through FFA, talking about the importance of quality food staying within the community. She volunteers to prepare meals for her peers, understanding firsthand how powerful that support can be. She is not ashamed of needing help. Instead, she encourages others to step forward and let the community walk alongside them for a season.

At Kids Kupboard, we are deeply grateful for a community that believes in feeding the success of Alaska’s children. With a staff of just four, it truly takes all of us—neighbors, volunteers, donors, and partners—to keep pantries stocked, meals prepared and delivered, and the lights and heat on.

Stories like Mila’s

are possible because this community shows up. And they are urgently needed. Nearly 50% of the Mat-Su Valley experiences food insecurity. The need is real—but so is the solution. The program works. Every donation matters—whether it’s time, money, or food. With your support, we can continue turning moments of crisis into stories of resilience, success, and hope. Together, we can ensure that help is there for every child who needs it. Names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy and dignity of the families we serve.

CARDIOVASCULARScreening Screening

Winter Wellness Workshop

Contributed by Joanne Rose Ruggeri

Date: Friday, February 27, 2026

Time: 5:30–7:30 PM (AKST)

Location: Band of Brothers 20250 North Merciful Circle, Wasilla, AK The Winter Wellness Workshop aims to support participants as they face the distinctive challenges of Alaska’s winter months. This event offers practical advice and actionable strategies for individuals, families, and community members looking to support their health and energy throughout the season. The workshop is designed to promote overall health and well-being, with an introduction to functional and nutritional medicine alternative treatment plans. Participants will learn mindfulness techniques to build resilience and alleviate winter-related stressors.

Richard Harren

Attendees will learn to develop a personalized self-care strategy plan that empowers them to achieve optimal wellness and reach their full potential.

The Winter Wellness Workshop is all about helping you create self-care routines that actually stick, tailored to your unique health needs. Sure, we’ll tackle the extra-tough challenges that come with the cold season in Alaska, but the real goal is to set up habits and practices that keep giving you benefits all year long. When you commit to these lasting habits, you’re basically giving yourself the tools you need to maintain your health, energy, and strength long after winter is gone. How to develop your personal self-care treatment plan by exploring the following topics.

Holistic Health Improvement: Guidance on

boosting your immunity, overall health, and personal resilience.

Managing Winter Stressors: Effective techniques for addressing challenges like sleep disturbances, weight gain, isolation, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), depression, and anxiety.

Lifestyle Optimization: Methods to manage, balance, and enhance habits related to sleep, physical activity, and nutrition.

Goal Setting for Wellness: How to establish realistic, sustainable short and long-term goals that provide enduring health benefits throughout the year.

Joanne Rose Ruggeri, Doctor of Nursing Practice-Family Nurse Practitioner, leads this workshop. This program is tailored for adults looking to improve their well-being and build greater resilience. The program extends a warm invitation to Alaskan residents, veterans, military members, and their families, fostering diversity among participants and promoting access to its

benefits. Enjoy light and healthy refreshments, plus a chance to win one of our door prizes! RSVP below to reserve your spot

To register, visit: http://book.synchealthcares.com/ registration

8, 2026, surrounded by family.

Born on July 23, 1954, in Red Lake Falls, Minnesota, to Joseph and Jeanne Harren, Richard grew up in a lively, close-knit family as the second oldest of ten children.

Richard graduated from Red Lake Falls High School in 1972 and Saint John’s University in 1976, cum laude, with a Bachelor of Science. At Saint John’s, he lettered in hockey for three years — a sport that he continued to enjoy throughout his life. In July 1976, Richard moved to Alaska with his brother John, eventually settling in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley, where he raised his family and built a career serving individuals, families, and small businesses for more than four decades.

He began his professional life in accounting, becoming a Certified Public Accountant in 1979, and later earned his

law degree from the University of North Dakota in 1982. He practiced law in Wasilla with integrity, generosity, and tenacity. As one of his colleagues said, “He was the kind of guy who liked helping people who needed help,” and he never shied away from hard cases.

Richard was deeply committed to community service. He supported numerous local and national organizations, including the Rotary Club of Wasilla, Ducks Unlimited, and the United Way of Mat-Su, where he served as board president in 1995. Hockey and the outdoors remained lifelong passions. He was an avid moose hunter and angler; he founded the Wasilla Outdoor Youth Hockey Association, coached youth hockey for twenty years, and hosted the annual Salmon Cup tournament. Richard’s greatest pride was his family. He

was married to Suzanne “Suzy” Chapelle for 33 years, sharing a life rooted in love and adventure. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother Bill. Richard is survived by his wife, Suzy; daughters Cynthia Koons and Rebecca (Nick) Maslar; sons Wendell (Katie) Harren, William Harren, and Russell Harren; grandchildren Adalynn, Quincy, and Emerson; siblings John, Jeanette, Jaci, Sue, Mark, Sheila, Pete, and Paulette; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Richard will be remembered for his creativity, steady presence, generous heart, love of the outdoors, and enduring belief in the dignity and goodness of people. His legacy lives on in the family and community he loved.

Richard Louis “Dick” Harren, 71, of Wasilla, Alaska, passed away peacefully on January

NEW INVENTORY DAILY

Building Update: The Vision Is Taking Shape

as the structure rises and the building takes its form, even in the face of challenging winter weather. This is one of the largest federal Health and Social Services funded appropriations in Alaska’s history, led by Michelle Overstreet, founder and CEO at MY House, with Rachael Rucker and R Squared Project Management guiding the building process. Thanks to the dedication and professionalism of the Watterson Construction team and partners, work continued safely and consistently through wind, snow, and cold. From steel framing and decking to interior structural elements, the building is coming together beautifully and with great care. A MY House youth-led design echoes the shape of local mountains and welcomes the community with a familiar A-frame entry. The design, by Colony graduate Wil Carson and his company 64 North Architects, is unique, bold, and beautiful.

This project represents far more than a building. It is an investment in our community and in the young people we serve, creating a welcoming space that will provide support, opportunity, job training, housing, and hope. When complete, it will generate new local jobs and serve as a

place the entire community can be proud of.

With a 200-seat theater built with acoustics for music and managed by Make

A Scene Media, home of this newspaper, The People’s Paper, and 95.5 KNLT-FM Hatcher Pass Radio, there are endless opportunities for entertainment. Scaled smaller than the Glenn Massay Theater but larger than a local pub, it complements rather than competes with existing local spaces. The Wild Iris Kitchen is being designed by Josh Broda of The Chop

House

A salon hosted by

and community opportunities on the first floor.

We are deeply grateful for the many hands and hearts contributing to this effort, and for the encouragement we continue to receive along the way. Momentum is strong, spirits are high, and we can’t wait to share more milestones as this important work continues.

and Henry Fagnani from Farina’s and will offer great food to pair with the music venue, while training youth for catering and supporting the 64 beds for homeless youth upstairs.

Ema Rose will round out the training

Alaska Addiction Rehabilitation Services (AARS), also known as Nugen’s Ranch, has helped more than 3,400 Alaskans find lasting recovery since 1982. Today, the need for treatment is greater than ever. AARS is currently expanding its residential and outpatient facilities, a project that will double treatment capacity and reduce the number of people turned away when they are ready for help. Construction is already underway. The final step is securing community support to help complete the expansion.

Alaska faces a severe shortage of substance use treatment beds, leaving many people without care when they need it

AARS has helped more than 3,400 Alaskans rebuild their lives, but demand now far outpaces capacity: only about 461 treatment beds exist statewide, and AARS alone received 383 referrals last year while operating just 26 residential and 10 outpatient beds at a time. Our expansion will double capacity, increasing residential beds from 26 to 52 and outpatient treatment beds from 10 to 42, so people ready for recovery are not left waiting in danger. Construction is underway, with completion targeted for summer 2026.

At Mat-Su Urgent Care, we're here to help you bounce back! Whether it's a common cold or something more serious, our skilled medical teams offer the care you need, when you need it. Walk-ins are welcome.

most. AARS receives far more referrals than it can currently serve, and delays in treatment can result in relapse, incarceration, or worse. By doubling capacity, this expansion will reduce waitlists and ensure more Alaskans can access recovery services when they are ready. Progress is being made, but the gap remains. Community involvement plays a critical role in helping save lives and strengthen communities across the state. For more info or to support the project, contact Alaska Addiction Rehabilitation Services at aarsrecovery.org or call 907-376-4534.

COMMUNITY

The Criticality of the WW II Use of the PBY Catalina Flying Boat

Contributed by Col Suellyn Wright Novak, USAF Ret, Alaska Veterans Museum Founding Executive Director

Talk about a plane starring in many vital roles—that’s the Consolidated PBY Catalina. She was originally designed as a search and rescue aircraft; thousands of Allied fliers and sailors owed their lives to the big, lumbering flying “Dumbo.” It was rugged and had long range (2,545 miles); therefore, it was ideally suited to the Aleutian Campaign. Powered by two 1,200 hp Pratt and Whitney Twin Wasp piston engines and sporting a high parasol wing, which lifted the engines above the spray of rough water, nevertheless it was slow, having a top speed of 179 mph. The joke was it was in danger of being struck from behind by birds. They had a combination of .30-cal and .50-cal machine guns in the bow turret, waist blisters, and a ventral tunnel position. They could also carry 4,000 pounds of bombs, depth charges, or torpedoes, which they would use in the Aleutians.

Fleet Air Wing Four lost four of six Catalinas at Dutch Harbor (June 3–4, 1942). The wing lost 23 fliers killed in action, three prisoners of war, and ten missing in action within a two-day period of blistering action. But the greatest asset was yet to occur. The loss of one Japanese Zero, flown by Petty Officer Tadayoshi Koga from the

Ryujo, was to have immense repercussions. Koga had attacked the Dutch Harbor garrison. A bullet from a crashing PBY .50-cal severed the indicator line to the oil pressure gauges. Seeing the gauge reading zero, Koga headed toward nearby Akutan Island, the designated rescue spot by submarine for any downed aviators. He was to land the fighter, destroy it, and walk to the beach. Looking down, he mistook the tundra for a grassy field and lowered his landing gear. When he touched down, the marshy bog flipped his plane, breaking his neck.

On July 10th, LT William Thies and his crew, in a Catalina, found Koga’s Zero.

On the 11th, a well-armed party headed for Akutan. The party found the badly decomposed body of Koga, still strapped in, with head and shoulders submerged in water. He had banged his head in his landing, may have been unconscious, and then drowned. He was buried nearby. A salvage team then removed the engine, set up tripods, and loaded the engine and the upside-down Zero onto sleds, which a bulldozer loaded onto a barge that was towed back to Dutch Harbor. After more study, it was sent to San Diego, where it was disassembled, studied, reassembled, test flown, and from this Zero came the tactics for U.S. fighters to best the Zero.

The crews of the Catalinas took off from Cold Bay, Dutch Harbor, and Otter Point at

dusk, droning out at low level for 400 miles through the twilight darkness, then turning on a short base leg before heading back. Day patrols took off in the early morning as the night patrols were returning. Day patrols returned in late evening.

So, Alaska and the forgotten Aleutian Campaign actually contributed to the knowledge and tactics to defeat the Japanese Zero, a highly maneuverable fighter.

Come visit us at 444 W 4th Ave, Suite 201 (the Yellow Sunshine Plaza) in Anchorage, Wed–Sat, 10 AM to 5 PM. We have many fascinating stories to tell you, and artifacts for you to handle. Celebrate America’s 250th birthday by visiting us. See you soon.

The Spring 2026 Alaska Whole Life Festival

Contributed by Cindy Calzada

The Alaska Whole Life Festival Spring event is coming up the weekend of March 14–15, 2026, at the Coast Inn on Lake Hood in Anchorage, 3450 Aviation Avenue, from 11 am to 6 pm each day. Cost is $10 per day or $5 per day for students, military, and seniors 65+, with ID. Cost includes entry into the Lecture Series running all day, both days, beginning at 11:30 am. Listen in on a variety of topics. Our keynote lecturer for this festival will be Barbara Roberts, a Consciousness Advisor in Anchorage. She will do a onehour lecture each day at 1 pm, exploring consciousness and where you are in your journey in consciousness. Sit in and find out how to be more aware of yourself and your environment. Other lectures take place every half hour and cover many different and interesting topics. Make a day of the festival

listening in on the lectures — it’s a learning experience. If you get hungry during the day, the Coast Inn has a wonderful restaurant, Pipers, serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You won’t find a better place to eat in Anchorage. There will be many readers and healers providing sessions at the festival. If you want to get a reading, it’s a good idea to arrive early. Vendors have sign-up sheets at their tables and can get pretty booked up.

There will also be vendors selling a variety of products, including crystals, tarot decks, and other metaphysical items. Lectures end by 5 pm, and there is no charge to enter the festival from 5–6 pm each day if you just want to stop by and buy something magical, mystical, and healing to take home with you.

To see the vendor list and lecture schedule, check out the Facebook page “Alaska Whole Life Festival.” The final lineup will be posted a few days before the festival begins. Hope to see you all there!

Ceramic Sealant vs. Ceramic Coating: Which Is Right for Your Vehicle?

Contributed by Robbie Cardon

One-size-fits-all might work for ballcaps, but it doesn’t work when you’re protecting a vehicle in Alaska. How you drive, where you drive, and how long you plan to keep your vehicle all matter. A lot. That’s especially true when choosing between ceramic sealant and ceramic coating.

Both options add gloss and make your vehicle easier to clean, but they offer very different levels of protection. One is designed for flexibility and seasonal upkeep. The other is built for long-term durability. At R.C. Detail, we help vehicle owners choose based on real-world use, not hype. So let’s look at two hypothetical drivers and the recommendations that make the most sense for how they actually live and drive.

Ceramic Sealant for the Daily Driver: Driver number one, we’ll call him Kevin,

lives and works near Palmer. He drives his truck every day. It’s not brand new, but the exterior still looks great, and he wants to keep it that way. Kevin values flexibility and smart upgrades. He’s on a detail maintenance plan (smart), and he wants seasonal protection that makes sense for Alaska driving.

For Kevin, we recommend ceramic sealant. Ceramic sealants are a modern, high-performance protective layer designed to boost gloss and add short-term protection to your paint. Think of it as wax on steroids. Ceramic sealant makes sense for Kevin because it enhances gloss and slickness; creates strong water beading; helps repel dirt, grime, and road salt; and makes washing faster and easier. Depending on driving habits, weather, and maintenance, Kevin can expect his ceramic sealant to keep his truck looking great for three to

six months. This gives him excellent protection without locking him into a long-term solution.

Ceramic Coating for the Commuter: Driver number two, we’ll call her Dana, makes the daily commute from Wasilla to Anchorage. She invested in a new, high-value vehicle and plans to keep it for the long haul, at least 10 years. Dana is a seasoned commuter, so she knows how quickly Alaska’s elements can age a new vehicle. Freeze-thaw cycles, flying rocks, road salt, chemicals, and long summer days in the sun all take their toll.

For Dana, we recommend ceramic coating, the highest level of protection available. Ceramic coating is a professional-only application that chemically bonds to your vehicle’s paint. Instead of wearing off over time, it becomes part of the surface itself. The ceramic coating we recommend will

produce extreme gloss and depth for that showroom look; repel water, which helps reduce dirt buildup, corrosion, and icing; protect against chemicals, road salt, and UV damage; and add measurable hardness to help reduce light swirl marks. With proper maintenance, ceramic coating can last up to nine years, making it an ideal match for Dana’s long-term ownership plan.

The TLDR Version: If you want great shine, easier washing, and flexible seasonal protection, a ceramic sealant is a smart choice. If you want maximum, long-term protection for a newer or high-value vehicle you plan to keep for years, ceramic coating is the clear winner. If you’re still not sure which option fits your vehicle, give R.C. Detail a call. Our trained professionals are happy to help you decide. Because it’s all about the details.

The White Plane: Koga’s Zero AKA The Akutan Zero, was a Type O, Model 21 (AM6M2). A PBY Catalina in an Aleutian Bay. They were dispersed for security reasons.

POLITICS & OPINION

Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders: The Impact of ALA Alaska Girls State

Contributed by Nina Ketelsen,

ALA

Alaska Girls State Director

Every summer, a group of Alaska’s most driven high school juniors gathers for a week that feels less like a camp and more like a revolution. The American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) Alaska Girls State is a non-partisan, hands-on immersion into the machinery of democracy.

From Students to Stateswomen: The program operates on a unique “learning by doing” philosophy. Upon arrival, participants—known as “citizens”—are assigned to mock political parties and cities. Their task is to build a fictional state from the

ground up. Within just a few days, these young women are campaigning for office from local city councils to the governorship, drafting legislation and debating bills on the floor, navigating the judicial system through mock trials, and collaborating with peers from diverse backgrounds.

Why It Matters for Alaska: In a state as vast and unique as ours, leadership requires more than a loud voice; it requires the ability to listen, negotiate, and understand the nuances of governance.

ALA Alaska Girls State provides a safe yet challenging environment for young women to find their voice. Participants have the opportunity to learn about civic engage -

ment and how it impacts themselves and their communities.

Beyond the Week: The impact does not end when the session closes. Participants leave with sharpened public speaking skills and a network of peers that spans the state and nation. Two “Senators” are selected to represent ALA Alaska Girls State at ALA Girls Nation in Washington, D.C.

The American Legion offers the prestigious Samsung Scholarship of up to $10,000. The state finalist is guaranteed a smaller scholarship of $1,250 and will go on to the national level to compete for up to $10,000. The American Legion Auxiliary is committed to ensuring that financial

status is never a barrier to leadership. ALA Alaska Girls State is fully funded by the American Legion Auxiliary and its Units, meaning every student who applies can attend at no cost to her or her family. How to Get Involved: Eligibility is open to high school girls who have completed their junior year at the end of the 2025–2026 school year. Applications for the 2026 session are open through March 31. The program will take place June 1–6 at Alaska Healing Heart Camp in Sutton. For more info on how to apply, visit alaskalegionauxiliary.org/girls-state or contact your local American Legion post.

40th Annual Alaska State Christian Homeschool Convention

Contributed by David Eastman

It’s the Alaska Christian Homeschool Convention’s 40th anniversary, March 27–28.

Get ready for the ultimate homeschooling experience at the 2026 APHEA State Homeschool Convention. Meet and hear from S.D. Smith, author of the Green Ember series; join us for a Family Movie

Night hosted by The Wild Brothers; and watch or compete in the 2nd Annual State Homeschool Convention Student Chess Tournament. Muldoon Community

Assembly is the place to be for two days jam-packed with workshops, speakers, and resources designed especially for homeschool families. Whether you’re a seasoned homeschooling parent or just starting out, the APHEA Convention is a

place for learning, growing, and connecting with like-minded homeschool families.

Mark your calendars and get ready for an uplifting and inspiring experience. Come be encouraged with sessions, speakers, and workshops focused on nurturing the family from a Biblical perspective. Get hands-on with curriculum, books, and tools in the vendor hall. Let the kids attend fun classes. Meet fellow

homeschooling families from around the state. Talk with representatives from Christian colleges and other destinations for homeschool graduates. Pastors and their families attend free. Join us as we celebrate 40 years of supporting homeschooling freedom in Alaska. Register online at aphea.org

When Compassion Creates the Crisis: A Hard Truth About Homelessness

Contributed by Dana Raffaniello

A thought experiment. Imagine you see someone freezing on the street. Your first instinct is to help—give them shelter, warmth, a meal. That’s human decency. Now imagine you do this so well that word spreads. More people come. You get more resources. You help more people. You’re doing good work, right?

But then ask yourself: Where are these new people coming from? Why are they coming here instead of somewhere else? And what happens when the resources run out? This is exactly what happened in Anchorage.

The Suffering Is Real Nobody disputes that people are suffering. People are sleeping in cars and tents. They’re cold, hungry, and afraid. Some have died, and those deaths matter. Nobody wants to see anyone freeze. But here’s the hard question: Are we willing to learn from what just happened in Anchorage, or will we repeat the exact same mistake because it feels compassionate in the moment? Anchorage tried exactly what the “just build beds” advocates are demanding. They built capacity. They removed barriers. They attracted people from across the country. And when the federal money ran out, those same people were forced onto the streets in a state with lethal winters. Now they’re sleeping in tents in Palmer. The advocates created the exact suffering they claim to want to prevent.

The Road Paved with Good Intentions Between 2019 and 2024, Anchorage activists and the Assembly genuinely wanted to help. They secured millions in federal COVID emergency funds. They converted hotels into shelters. They expanded services. They counted every homeless person meticulously because—and here’s the key—the more people they counted, the more federal money they received.

The formula was simple: Higher homeless numbers meant more funding. More shelter beds filled meant more reimbursement. More service utilization meant more future grants. Nobody set out to create a problem. But they built a system where success was measured by how many homeless people they could document, not how many they could help leave homelessness behind.

The Magnet Effect Before 2019, Anchorage’s homeless population was mostly Alaska Native individuals, often displaced from dry villages. After the funding surge, demographics shifted dramatically. More people from the Lower 48 with no Alaska ties, many arriving in summer without winter gear or understanding of Alaska’s climate. Social workers reported increased interactions with individuals who had never experienced temperatures below freezing. Why? Because Anchorage had become a known service hub—hotels with beds, programs with funding, services available. When Mayor Bronson proposed helping people voluntarily return to the Lower 48, especially those who’d recently arrived and were unprepared for Alaska winters, the Assembly blocked it—not because it wouldn’t work, but because every person who left was one less to count, one less justification for federal dollars. The system financially rewarded keeping the problem large.

When the Money Dried Up By 2023 and 2024, federal emergency funds dried up. Hotel reimbursements ended. Programs downsized. Encampments were cleared. The people didn’t vanish. They moved outward to the Mat-Su Valley. The very people the advocates claimed to be helping are now suffering in our communities because the federal funding model collapsed.

The Legal Reality Nobody Wants to Acknowledge Here’s where it gets truly frustrating. The same activists who supported

the policies that created Anchorage’s crisis are now attacking our borough mayor for not “doing enough” to fix the problem they caused. Let me be very clear: The Mat-Su Borough is a second-class borough under Alaska statute. That’s not an insult or an excuse. That’s a legal classification with specific constraints that cannot be ignored. Under Alaska law, a second-class borough cannot operate public housing, cannot run homeless shelters, cannot create a housing authority without voter approval, cannot assume areawide social service authority without a public vote, and cannot duplicate powers that belong to cities like Palmer and Wasilla. When activists demand that the borough “just build beds” or “just make shelters,” they are literally asking our borough government to violate state law.

The borough does not have the legal authority to do what they’re demanding—not because the mayor doesn’t care, not because we’re making excuses, but because Alaska statute prohibits it. When they accuse the mayor of “insulting the community” by correctly stating we’re a second-class borough, they reveal they either don’t understand Alaska’s municipal governance structure or are deliberately ignoring it because the legal reality is politically inconvenient.

Think about the absurdity. The same people who built a system in Anchorage dependent on high homeless counts and federal dollars, who blocked solutions that might have prevented this spillover, are now demanding that a legally constrained borough solve the crisis resulting from their choices. They created a problem the Mat-Su is legally prohibited from solving in the way they’re demanding.

The Question We Need to Ask Are we helping people exit homelessness, or building infrastructure that needs homelessness to justify itself? This isn’t about

compassion versus callousness. Everyone involved cares deeply. But caring isn’t enough if the system you build makes the problem worse. If you build a shelter, will it empty out or stay full? If it stays full, is that success or failure? When funding decreases—and it always does eventually—what happens to those people?

The Choice Before Us We can learn from Anchorage’s mistakes or repeat them. We can respond to immediate crisis without building permanent infrastructure that attracts more people than we can sustainably serve. We can support Palmer and Wasilla, the cities that have legal authority to act, rather than demanding the borough exceed its statutory powers. We can demand that organizations using public funds prove they’re helping people leave homelessness, not just documenting them in it.

Sometimes good intentions fail when they ignore how systems work. Sometimes compassion without accountability creates exactly what it’s trying to prevent. The kindest thing is being honest about what works and what doesn’t, even when that honesty is uncomfortable.

Our Valley has always taken care of our own. But we’ve never had to deal with a crisis imported from policy decisions we didn’t make and funding formulas we didn’t create. We shouldn’t be attacked for refusing to repeat the mistakes that created this mess. The Mat-Su didn’t create this crisis. Our local charities handled our baseline situation effectively for decades. But we’re dealing with consequences of decisions made elsewhere, driven by federal funding formulas and political battles we weren’t part of. We can either learn from Anchorage’s documented failure or repeat it and pretend to be surprised when we get the same results. The choice is ours.

America’s Courtroom: Building a Team for Justice

Contributed by Dustin Darden, America’s Team for Justice

One Alaska school bus driver takes a constitutional fight to the Supreme Court—now building a team to hold officials accountable for crimes they won’t prosecute. I’m not a lawyer, but I’ve done what few attorneys accomplish: filed a U.S. Supreme Court petition (Case No. 25-376) that reached all nine Justices. Though denied, it proved ordinary citizens can challenge government overreach at the highest levels.

The Active Fight: My most critical case remains pending: Darden v. Municipality of Anchorage (Case No. 3:25-cv-00090SLG). After more than 10 weeks, Judge Sharon L. Gleason is preparing a ruling that could establish national precedent

on Fourth Amendment protections (must police verify identity before arresting on suspected warrants?), Alaska FOIA law (can government refuse records demonstrating misconduct?), and First Amendment retaliation (was my arrest 11 seconds after criticizing police unconstitutional?). Oral arguments are available at youtu. be/4JSPQicTjsU. Why Courts Are Our Battlefield: Legislation is slow, corrupted, and buried. Courts create public records, force transparency, and demand accountability. When we fight in open court, we make them show their hand. A recent parallel includes two Alaska State Troopers federally indicted in December 2025 for excessive force in a mistaken identity case, demonstrating the systemic failures my lawsuit challenges.

Building a Team for Accountability: I’m

assembling a network to pursue serious crimes that uniformed officials refuse to prosecute—crimes affecting the United States and the world abroad, including conspiracy against rights (18 U.S.C. § 241), deprivation of rights under color of law (18 U.S.C. § 242), rebellion and insurrection (18 U.S.C. § 2383), misprision of treason (18 U.S.C. § 2382), and international crimes against humanity. When government officials won’t prosecute crimes committed by their own, citizens must stand through civil rights litigation, private criminal complaints, public records requests, and jury trial demands. The Spiritual Foundation: Following Christ’s example of correction with grace, and leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and the Founders, I fight peacefully but boldly. “If the Son therefore shall make you

free, ye shall be free indeed” (John 8:36). If you’ve never received Christ, confess Jesus as Lord, believe God raised Him from the dead, and become a new creation (Romans 10:9; 2 Corinthians 5:17). Already saved? Be filled with the

Waiting in line to vote, participants stand together on the stairs during ALA Alaska Girls State.

The Personal Origins of Liberal Philosophy

Today we perceive liberalism almost exclusively as a political object - an assortment of positions about the size of government, the scope of rights, the proper level of regulation, the acceptable limits of markets. But this orientation runs backward. It mistakes the surface for the source. Liberalism did not begin as a theory of states. It began as a theory of free individuals.

The early liberal thinkers - Locke, Mill, and many others - were not, first and foremost, sketching blueprints for legislatures. They were making a far more intimate claim about what a human being is. That a person possesses the capacity to reason. That a person bears responsibility for his own moral orientation. That selfgovernance is not a privilege granted by institutions, but a burden placed on the individual long before any ballot is cast.

This was a rupture with the ancient world. Moral authority had traditionally flowed downward - from throne, from altar, from lineage, from inheritance. Liberalism inverted the direction. It insisted that the individual must stand upright before existence itself, must choose, must judge, and must own the consequences of those judgments. Freedom did not mean the absence of obligation. It meant the concentration of obligation inside the self.

Liberty brought liability; rights bring responsibility.

The movement from personal philosophy to political philosophy was not the result of a grand design. It unfolded slowly, and inevitably. As more people began to internalize the idea that they were morally self-governing creatures, a practical question surfaced: How do beings like us live together? If individuals possess inherent dignity and moral agency, then what, exactly, grants legitimacy to anyone who claims authority over them?

Democracy emerges here not as an abstract ideal, but as an extension. If a person governs himself, then a society composed of such persons must, in some meaningful sense, govern itself. The political architecture grows out of the personal architecture. The political layer does not replace the personal

one. It rests on top of it.

This matters because liberal, or free, society is not sustained by procedures alone. It is sustained by a particular anthropology. A particular image of the human being.

The Hijacking of Liberal Language

The word “liberalism” now circulates with meanings that would feel foreign to the minds that first formed it. What travels under the liberal banner today is often not a continuation of the tradition, but a displacement of it. This is not a gentle evolution of language. It is an occupation.

In American usage especially, “liberal” has become attached to a family of ideas whose true ancestry runs not through Locke and Mill, but through Marx and the intellectual descendants who followed him. The difference is not cosmetic. Classical liberalism begins with the individual as the primary moral unit. Marxist thought begins with the collective as the primary historical unit. One centers agency, and the other centers structure.

Marx did not hide his hostility toward liberalism. He regarded individual rights as ideological theater - a comforting story that concealed deeper economic domination. To him, the autonomous individual conscience was a myth manufactured by bourgeois society. Freedom, in his framework, was not something a person exercised. It was something postponed, something that would arrive only after revolutionary transformation reorganized material reality itself.

What makes the appropriation effective is its camouflage. By adopting the word “liberal,” progressive movements inherit the moral credit of liberalism’s historical victories - constitutionalism, civil liberties, legal equality, constrained power, expanding personal freedom. Achievements grounded in a philosophy of individual dignity are rhetorically repurposed to legitimize a philosophy that increasingly minimizes the individual.

The contradictions are everywhere. Classical liberalism sought to limit state power so that individuals could pursue

their own conceptions of the good. Progressivism tends to expand state power to steer individuals toward collectively approved outcomes. Classical liberalism tolerated unequal results as the natural consequence of free choice. Progressivism treats unequal results as proof of injustice requiring correction. Classical liberalism trusted people. Progressivism increasingly trusts managers.

Language theft matters because it scrambles moral clarity. When progressivism calls itself liberal, it borrows the prestige of freedom while often pursuing policies of compulsion. It allows defenders of individual autonomy to be cast as enemies of liberty, a rhetorical inversion so complete that it feels surreal.

There is a bitter symmetry here. The very principles that once defined liberalism - free speech, due process, presumption of innocence, voluntary exchange - now trigger suspicion in spaces that claim the liberal identity. Meanwhile, those who defend these principles are told they stand outside the tradition altogether.

This is not just a word game. It is a philosophical breakdown. When we lose clarity about what liberalism actually asserts - that individuals are moral agents, that responsibility is personal, that power must be restrained - we lose the conceptual tools required to defend the civilization built on those assumptions.

Equality Under Law: Liberalism’s Revolutionary Gift

Perhaps liberalism’s most radical gift was not democracy, nor markets, nor rights language, but something quieter and more destabilizing. Equality under the law.

For most of human history, law has been a sorting mechanism. Your birth determined your standing. Your loyalty determined your safety. Your class, caste, or ideological alignment determined whether rules applied to you at all. The concept that the same law binds ruler and ruled alike was not normal in the past. It was astonishing.

Liberalism said that no category outranks personhood. Not bloodline. Not tribe.

Not rank. Not proximity to power. The law must encounter the individual as an individual. This was not a procedural tweak. It was the political translation of the moral claim that each person stands as a bearer of dignity and responsibility. Each individual has liberty to choose as well as liability for their choices.

Once introduced, the idea could not remain contained. If individuals are moral equals, why are women excluded? Why are racial distinctions encoded into law? Why are religious minorities penalized? Liberalism did not answer these questions in advance. It created a principle that made the questions unavoidable.

The expansion was slow. Uneven. But directionally real. Each generation inherited a contradiction between professed belief and lived practice, and each generation faced pressure - sometimes internal, sometimes external - to correct that contradiction.

This is what actual progress looked like. Not the arrival of a perfected society, but the incremental extension of equal legal standing. The making of a more perfect union.

The Progressive Redefinition

Progressivism retools the word “progress” itself.

Progress no longer means expanding the zone in which individuals may choose freely under equal law. It means achieving specified collective outcomes through middle-management.

Under this framework, neutral rules become suspect. If unequal outcomes appear, the rules are presumed unjust. The original liberal explanation - that free people make different choices and accept different risks - is dismissed. Disparity becomes diagnosis. Outcome becomes evidence of hidden coercion.

Totalitarianism, properly understood, is not defined only by secret police and prison camps. It is defined by total reach, and the belief that every domain of life is political. That no space exists where the individual simply governs their “self”.

The Global Retreat of Liberalism

The damage does not stop at domestic confusion.

As progressive ideology draped itself in liberal language, much of the world encountered a counterfeit version of liberalism. They saw “liberalism” associated with bureaucratic expansion, identity sorting, speech regulation, and moral instability. They did not see a philosophy of self-governing individuals. They saw managerial societies losing confidence in their own citizens.

At the same time, those who attempted to defend classical liberal principles - free speech, free press, legal equality, limits on power - found themselves linguistically disarmed. The word that once named their worldview had been reassigned. They were silenced.

The world needs a philosophy that treats people as adults. As morally responsible agents. As beings capable of self-direction. Liberalism, properly understood, offers that. But based on the modern political discourse, you wouldn’t know it.

From the Journal of Joshua Fryfogle

The Personal Origins of Liberal Philosophy

Liberty brought liability; rights bring responsibility.

one. It rests on top of it.

This matters because liberal, or free, society is not sustained by procedures alone. It is sustained by a particular anthropology. A particular image of the human being.

The Hijacking of Liberal Language

The contradictions are everywhere. Classical liberalism sought to limit state power so that individuals could pursue

Equality Under Law: Liberalism’s Revolutionary Gift

Perhaps liberalism’s most radical gift was not democracy, nor markets, nor rights language, but something quieter and more destabilizing. Equality under the law.

Liberalism said that no category outranks personhood. Not bloodline. Not tribe.

This is what actual progress looked like. Not the arrival of a perfected society, but the incremental extension of equal legal standing. The making of a more perfect union.

The Progressive Redefinition

Progressivism retools the word “progress” itself.

Progress no longer means expanding the zone in which individuals may choose freely under equal law. It means achieving specified collective outcomes through middle-management.

The Global Retreat of Liberalism

The damage does not stop at domestic confusion.

From the Journal of Joshua Fryfogle

POLITICS & OPINION

Why Reentry Programs Are Beneficial to Formally Incarcerated Individuals and the Community

Contributed by Barbara Mongar

Reentry programs play a critical role in helping formerly incarcerated individuals successfully reintegrate into their communities by providing support, referrals, and guidance. These programs not only assist individuals as they transition back into society, but they also create meaningful benefits for the communities in which they live.

Reducing Recidivism Rates: One of the most significant benefits of reentry programs is their ability to reduce recidivism rates. Recidivism is measured by the number of individuals who return to incarceration within three years of release. In Alaska, the recidivism rate is approximately 54%, meaning that more than five out of every ten individuals released from incarceration will return to prison

Who are “They”

Contributed by Bill Marsan

2020 changed my life. It changed most of our lives to be sure but for me it began a search for who was responsible for pushing the Covid Narrative and subsequent “vaccines” and what was the purpose for such a life disrupting event.

I was flying the Air Taxi I owned and operated at the time and continued to operate until August 23rd of 2020. That was the day I quit the air taxi because I was going to be required to have a swab stuck up my nose for their so-called testing. I had operated the air taxi for 13 years and was surprised at the fear the covid narrative created in all the villages I served. No amount of truth presented by me, a lowly pilot, could stop that fear or get folks to listen to fact it was a manufactured event.

A great deal of my business was dealing with travelers going to the hospital or getting healthcare folks out to the villages and I no longer wanted to assist in the vaccination of the people in the Alaska

within three years. In contrast, individuals who participate in reentry programs have recidivism rates between 20% and 30%. This substantial reduction highlights the effectiveness of reentry programs in supporting long-term success and stability.

Benefiting the Local and State Economy: Reentry programs help formerly incarcerated individuals obtain and maintain employment by working with community partners, such as the Mat-Su Job Center and the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). When reentrants secure stable employment, they contribute to the local economy through tax payments and consumer spending. Additionally, reducing recidivism significantly decreases the financial burden on the state’s criminal justice system. The annual cost to incarcerate one individual is approximately $73,730, not including medical expenses

villages believing it was a nefarious plan by those pushing it. So, I called it quits. I have never regretted that decision as since then I have seen many of the villagers “die suddenly” or get “turbo cancer” and die within a year. Some of the villagers had allergic reactions like extremely swollen painful legs but recovered.

I did discover that the MRNA vaccines were a bioweapon and also used to claim ownership of people by declaring them “trans-human” and property based on the fact they had accepted “their” software into their bodies with planned updates of subsequent software injections. If you question the idea that the vaccine was a bioweapon go to Rumble and type in COVID VACCINE BIOWEAPON and listen the many testimonies of doctors and others trying to expose the travesty.

I sought answers to why our own government would push such a thing on the people of the world. What I found was even more discomforting. I found that the government I grew up with was a foreign owned corporation calling itself “The United States of America” conveniently leaving

The Problem with Fiat Currency

Contributed by Alexander Harmon

For most of human history, money was something tangible—gold, silver, and other commodities that had real, intrinsic value. A gold coin was valuable not because a government declared it so, but because it was scarce, durable, divisible, and universally desired. Today, the U.S. dollar is none of those things. It is a fiat currency: paper (and digital entries) backed only by government decree and public trust.

This shift to fiat money did not happen overnight. In 1971, President Richard Nixon severed the final link between the U.S. dollar and gold, ending the Bretton Woods system. Before that moment, foreign governments could exchange dollars for gold at a fixed rate. After Nixon’s decision, the dollar became purely symbolic—valuable because the government said so and because people continued to believe in it.

Since then, the purchasing power of the dollar has steadily declined. A dollar today buys only a fraction of what it did in the early 1970s. Prices rise, savings erode,

and wages struggle to keep up. This is not accidental; it is a structural feature of fiat currency. When money can be created at will by central banks and governments, inflation becomes an invisible tax on every citizen.

Gold and silver, by contrast, cannot be printed out of thin air. They require real labor, real mining, real cost. That scarcity is what makes them stable over time. While their market prices fluctuate, their ability to preserve purchasing power across generations is well documented. A gold coin could buy a quality suit a hundred years ago, and it still can today. Try saying that about a paper dollar.

Supporters of fiat currency argue that modern economies need flexible money supplies, central banking, and monetary policy tools to manage recessions and growth. But that flexibility comes at a cost: massive debt, financial bubbles, currency debasement, and a system that benefits those closest to the money printers— banks, governments, and large institutions—while ordinary people see their

related to chronic illness, emergency care, or end-of-life treatment. By preventing re-incarceration, reentry programs save the state substantial resources.

Strengthening the Community: Reentry programs strengthen communities through partnerships with local organizations and by providing individuals with the resources needed to become productive community members. The Mat-Su Reentry Coalition, for example, educates the public through reentry simulations and presentations designed to reduce stigma and break down barriers associated with justice involvement. These efforts encourage community members to see formerly incarcerated individuals for their potential rather than solely for their past mistakes.

Enhancing Public Safety: When individuals leaving incarceration have access to essential resources—such as employment

out the fact that they were a London Corporation based in Washington DC with a Dunn and Bradstreet number. It became clear “they” were seeking to kill off their creditors, the people, whom “they” had fraudulently abused for generations.

Many folks were waking up to the fact that “they” are a corporation and claiming we were “their” citizens and property because of an undisclosed contract called the “Birth Certificate”. Knowing the birth certificate registration was being exposed “they” came up with another way to claim ownership of the people via the Covid Vaccine.

Fortunately for the American people and the people of the world groups of good men and women had been working on restoring the real American unincorporated Government and had established the 50 state assemblies and a process to restore our common law courts and proper county sheriffs and a banking system with lawful money freeing the people from the foreign control of legal tender and the federal reserve system. The federal reserve is a corporation too. “Their”

savings diluted.

The question is not whether the current system “works” in a technical sense. It does—for those who control it. The real question is whether it is fair, stable, and sustainable for the average citizen.

Returning to sound money—gold, silver, or other asset-backed currencies— would restore discipline to the monetary system. Governments would no longer be able to fund endless programs, wars, and bailouts through hidden inflation. Budgets would matter again. Savings would mean something again. Money would once again be a store of value, not a melting ice cube.

Some argue that a return to precious metals is impractical in a digital age. But technology can work with sound money, not against it. Digital payment systems, cryptocurrencies backed by physical assets, and decentralized exchanges could make gold and silver more usable than ever before.

Ultimately, the debate over fiat currency is about trust and sovereignty. Do we trust centralized institutions to manage our money indefinitely? Or do we prefer a system grounded in tangible value, market

Should Ice Agents Be Compared to the Gestapo?

Contributed by Linda J. Sloan

Is it fair to compare ICE agents (or Border Control agents who may be brought in) with the Gestapo? I received some pushback after posting such a comparison on Facebook. My response was to explore more deeply where I stand, and this is what came up: In my opinion, these are very dangerous times. They are especially dangerous for people of color and immigrants living in our nation, and by extension to others who support their rights to due process and who engage in support networks or demonstrations opposing ICE raids. We have seen how the Somali community in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul) of Minnesota have been singled out and attacked by no less than the President of the United States, Donald Trump, who has referred to them as “garbage” and said that he doesn’t want them in this country (despite the fact that most have been in this country a long time and are citizens). This attitude filters down through his administration and policies with some of the highest standard bearers for this being Stephen Miller and Kristi Noem. ICE could carry out their duties legally,

quietly, and efficiently, as they have in the past. However in many places, they, or sections of ICE agents have been mobilized in huge displays of force, and have been given permission to break into homes, or to apprehend people on the streets, without warrants, literally snatching people without due process and repeatedly “disappearing” them such that their families, including children, don’t know what took place, or where to look for their relative. Legal immigrants and actual citizens of the United States (including Native Americans) have also been caught up in this sweep. Tactics used have been intimidating or intended to intimidate entire neighborhoods. Some of this heavy-handed display has been brought on by the attempt to bring the number of deportees up to the unrealistically huge numbers that President Trump promised, and to which Miller and Noem are also personally committed. But it is also a means to emphasize the absolute power which President Trump feels that he has. I realize that the flip side of vilifying immigrants, which has been taking place, is the vilifying of ICE agents or Border Control Agents. And this might be what

assistance, housing support, substance use treatment, and mental health services—they are far more likely to succeed. This support leads to lower crime rates and safer communities overall. Reentry programs address the root causes of criminal behavior and help individuals build stable, law-abiding lives. Reentry programs are a vital investment in both people and communities. By reducing recidivism, strengthening the economy, enhancing public safety, and promoting community collaboration, these programs create positive outcomes that extend far beyond the individuals they serve. Supporting reentry programs not only gives formerly incarcerated individuals a second chance but also builds healthier, safer, and more resilient communities for everyone.

courts are all corporations too. Even the State of State organizations such as State of Alaska are all franchise corporations of the London Corporation calling itself The United States of America.

In America we won the right not to have a King over us, yet they tricked us into becoming “their” citizens and they Lord it over us as King. Americans are born with a nationality not a citizenship. Citizen means you owe allegiance to a government. Americans do not owe any allegiance without a contract agreeing to be a citizen. American nationality is of the nation-state they were born on such as Idahoan or Alaskan. “They” claim that the birth certificate is the contract, but “they” did not give full disclosure, so it is all fraud against the people.

This is one of the many attempts I am making to expose the crime against the people. If this interests you, please go to tasa.americanstatenationals and learn about the fraud and how to stand up as American and get involved with your real unincorporated government of the people for the people.

discipline, and historical precedent?

Many people are also questioning the broader legal and political framework that supports the modern financial system. Some advocate a return to traditional common law principles—systems rooted in local accountability, contracts, and individual rights—rather than centralized administrative structures that often feel distant and unresponsive. Whether or not one agrees with that perspective, it reflects a growing desire for transparency, accountability, and a system that serves people rather than institutions. The dollar may not be “worthless” in the everyday sense—we still use it, and it still functions. But its value is increasingly abstract, increasingly fragile, and increasingly dependent on confidence in institutions that many Americans no longer trust.

Sound money is not a fringe idea. It is an old idea—older than central banks, older than fiat currency, older than modern politics. As inflation rises and debt piles up, it may be time to revisit the principles that made money a tool for prosperity rather than control.

brings out the most opposition to posting comparisons between ICE and the Gestapo. Such comparisons might serve to denigrate them to the point where they are also endangered. Many of them are our neighbors, friends, ordinary people, not the hard core “white nationalists” which may have more recently been recruited. Talking about them in this way could make them targets for violence or injustice as well. Many are known to their families and communities as kind, loving people. However, they are vulnerable to the same influences which are affecting us all and creating acceptance of unjustified violent tactics.

ICE agents are the end stage of policies which start much higher up, and to which we have all become numbed to the point where another snatched or brutalized immigrant (or non-immigrant) is just “another day in the United States” (similar to what has happened with “mass shootings”). We have to realize that the longer ICE agents are allowed to act with impunity, the closer they will evolve to resemble something like the Gestapo, a secret police force which is not required to follow a standard or held accountable

for their actions. Kristi Noem standing up and repeatedly asserting that ICE and Border Control are doing everything correctly and not breaking any laws is not reassuring to people who see directly what is happening in their own neighborhoods. I do think that there are more ‘benign’ pools of ICE agents, especially in areas which are not being targeted as fiercely as Los Angeles, Chicago, and the Twin Cities. In other places they may be following protocols, or the volume and violence of their arrests may be lower and less dramatic, making them less likely to draw attention. It could also be the case that these arrests are taking place among citizens who agree with the vilification of immigrants and are therefore more likely to “comply” and not protest ICE activities.

My concern, however, is that when we fail to oppose the violence, lawlessness, and unaccountability which we see around us, we become complicit with the “new normal” which is sweeping over us and inuring us to violent tactics which disregard the law.

If we don’t speak out now with our truth, eventually we will find that we will lose our ability to see what is in front of us and to stand up against a widening arena of injustice. The biggest danger that I see is that our silence changes us!

POLITICS & OPINION

Options Now to Annex Now

Contributed by Ken McCarty

How are you in problem solving and “thinking outside the box”? Years ago, my grandfather advised me to always think of at least 5 solution options for every problem. Such advice has served me well as a father, business owner, community leader, legislator, and just living life.

In 1989 I submitted a permit to personally lead a raft trip down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. The priority was to take some special friends, so they needed advanced warning to take a month off from work to do the trip. In 1999 my permit was granted, and my friends were informed of the launch date. One dear friend informed me he did not have the $1,600 to do the trip. I wanted him to go but I did not have the funds to pay his portion, so taking my grandfather’s advice we came up with many options and ran with a crazy idea to solve the challenge. The local military base had a closed bid auction on ammo cans, which I submitted a bid of $.36 per can and won

1,200 cans. We drove all over to army surplus stores, sporting shops, and such which by the end of the week had secured $3,000. So, my friend and another had the opportunity to raft the Grand Canyon, which we had a great trip.

How does my story reflect on you and Mat-Su? Currently Mat-Su is exploring revenue sources to solve financial demands to operate the borough, attend to needs, and enhance economic growth. Discussions have ranged from gas taxes, property tax increases, borough wide sales tax, and resource development. The Assembly appears to be option thinking, which is good.

Another options to explore is the annexation of Chugiak / Eagle River into Mat-Su. Let’s explore the option and possible fiscal benefits of this idea. The residents of Chugiak / Eagle River (CER) pays out a tax base to Anchorage. CER already pays for and would continue to pay for their own multiple Service Areas to be more self-contained (e.g. roads, parks, fire, and

upon annexation, police). These services would not be paid for with taxes from the residents of the Mat-Su Borough. If an annexation to Mat-Su were to occur it would generate around $41 million annually in revenue for Mat-Su. About $15 million would be to general operations and about $26 million toward school operations. This past year the Mat-Su Assembly was looking for $5 million for road maintenance improvement with the suggestion of revenue collected through fuel tax. The idea was denied by the people. Recently, Mat-Su received a one-time grant of $7 million for the Pt. MacKenzie infrastructure. Many have expressed excitement of new funds. What if such funds were available more on an annual basis?

Port Pt. MacKinzie is at an amazing location for import and export of good for Mat-Su and Alaska. Resource development exportation is more feasible at Port Pt. Mac. It has a greater footprint of space to avail much more than the Port of Anchorage, which brags of serving 80% of Alaska imports. The economic growth and stability of infrastructure attainability through Port Pt. MacKenzie will boost manufacturing, retail stores, service stores,

general business, increase employment, and improve of the family pocketbooks of Mat-Su. What do you perceive are benefits to you through the Annex Now idea? How would annexation with realigned funds to Mat-Su improve the infrastructure, employment, roads, schools, and State political voice for Mat-Su?

In 2024 the Annex Now concept began to emerge when inquiry was made with Mat-Su people regarding the idea of annexation of CER to Mat-Su. The grassroots group of Annex Now prepared a 540-page proposal to the Alaska Local Boundary Commission, which a technical review was conducted between May and July 2025. The response back is favorable with request to clarify some details and “what is the opinion of Mat-Su regarding annexation?” Good questions. What are your thoughts?

If you want to pursue option thinking to explore other funding sources like Annex Now than it is imperative that you contact your Mat-Su Assembly members as well as send a message to Annex Now (Annexnow2Mat-Su.com).

Consent is Not Optional: Creating Political Orphans is Wrong

Contributed by Shelley Hughes, Republican Candidate for Governor

I feel a close connection to many of you. As a former senator, I know how important your voice is in shaping the issues that affect you. When I spent months at a time in Juneau each session, I always stayed connected to my constituents, seeking input regularly and keeping them informed. Those steps were essential to doing my job well. I recently learned of a troubling situation that affects all Alaskans. That is why I am personally reaching out to you today. The Division of Elections has sent disenrollment notices to Alaskans registered with the Alaska Independence Party (AIP), giving them just 30 days to choose a new political affiliation or be reclassified as “undeclared.” This followed a vote by members of the AIP executive board to dissolve the party in December of last year. This action was taken without ever consulting, notifying, or seeking input from its 19,117

registered AIP members. Many are asking, “How is this even possible?”

I have agreed with the AIP for years in resisting federal overreach and have always firmly supported states’ rights and access to our promised lands, resources, industry, management rights, and mineral rights. As a Republican, I’m running for Governor to reassert these same core principles and make real progress on this front, but today I am writing to express concern over what I see as slippage of Alaska’s shared values. What happened to consent, fairness, transparency?

In overviewing what has occurred, I am like many other concerned voters and citizens: baffled. Alaska State law (AS 15.80.008 & 15.80.010) recognizes a political party when it has more than 5,000 registered voters, which the AIP clearly meets. Article I, Section 5 of the Alaska Constitution protects the right of free assembly and association. When a person selects a political party, it is an expression of this protected freedom. There is no stat-

utory power that provides a party’s board with the authority to unilaterally erase a party’s recognized status or strip voters of their affiliation.

Those of you who were registered AIP members, I feel for you. There is something disconcerting about losing your political “family”. Especially when you have no part in the decision process, and it occurs so swiftly: here today and gone tomorrow. As a former senator, I can relate, as I remember being unceremoniously booted as a senator from the majority caucus by “leadership” for voting to follow the PFD law on behalf of my district – all of a sudden, an orphan.

A few AIP leaders voting to disenfranchise more than 19,000 Alaskans without notification and input was wrong. A handful of people should never have the power to silence the voice thousands of Alaskans who voluntarily chose to affiliate with a party. Your voice matters. Choosing a political affiliation is a direct way you as an Alaskans exercise your voice.

I want those of you who are now political orphans to know two things. First, your stand against federal overreach, and your stand for state rights is a noble one, a correct one. I’m a Republican, and I agree with you. Secondly, as Governor, my approach would be very different. A 30-day window is wholly inadequate. I would issue an executive order to extend it for you to have time to figure out next steps, to regroup, or whatever you chose as the best path forward. My Lieutenant Governor would consult with my Attorney General to ensure your constitutional protections are not violated. I would fight for your right for due process and for your right to be heard. You have my word. Together, we can ensure that processes like this always include you. We can make sure decisions are not made quietly without your involvement. Again, this is about Alaskans’ shared values: fairness, consent, and transparency. We must guard them. We must uphold them, because every voice matters.

Chapter #4: Trojan Horse for Kenai Grand Jury Counsel

Contributed by David Haeg

From 2021 to 2023 a Kenai Grand Jury (KGJ) investigated corruption and cover up in the Alaska Department of Law (DOL) and Alaska Court System (ACS). In mid2022 the KGJ asked that Chief Assistant Attorney General Jenna Gruenstein, a top DOL official who was serving as their legal counsel, be replaced with “independent” counsel. Little did the KGJ know Chief AAG Gruenstein would be replaced with a private “independent” attorney who had a direct and compelling reason to derail their investigation.

In 2006 evidence had surfaced that Marla Greenstein (the Alaska Commission on Judicial Conduct’s (ACJC) only judge investigator since 1989) was falsifying investigations to cover up for corrupt judges and keep them on the bench. After this evidence was given to the Alaska Bar Association for investigation, evidence shows Greenstein (an attorney) then falsified certified written documents (a Class C felony) in an attempt to cover up her actions. Superior Court Judge Stephanie Joannides certified the substance and accuracy of the evidence against Greenstein and referred it to the DOL, Bar, ACJC, AJC, Ombudsman, and ACS for investigation

and prosecution. (See certified evidence against Greenstein at https://www.alaskastateofcorruption.com) Nothing was done, but Ombudsman Linda Lord-Jenkins reported, “We don’t have the horsepower to go up against Marla Greenstein.”

Then a separate criminal complaint against Greenstein was filed with the Alaska State Troopers, using the evidence certified by Judge Joannides. A February 6, 2012 letter was received from “Department of Law” that stated:

“RE: Compliant against Marla Greenstein

This letter is to advise you I have reviewed the complaint you sent to the Alaska State Troopers in 2011. I have also reviewed the supporting materials you provided. I have determined that a criminal investigation is not warranted, based on the information I have been provided.

By: Clinton M. Campion

Chief Assistant Attorney General Alaska Bar No. 0812105”

Conclusion: For over two years the Kenai Grand Jury investigated corruption in the DOL and ACS, particularly the evidence against judge investigator Greenstein and those who covered up for her. They could never guess one of the key people they

were looking for was their own “independent” counsel, private attorney Clinton M. Campion, Alaska Bar No. 0812105.

When asked how he was selected to be the KGJ’s “independent” counsel, and asked why he never told them that he had already investigated and dismissed as unfounded the same exact evidence as the KGJ was now re-investigating a decade later, Campion is tape-recorded stating: “The system wants this to go away and they pushed it to me because they thought that I would be a conduit to kill this.”

This intentional deception of the KGJ, and their reliance upon counsel that had a compelling reason to hide what the Jury was searching for, unarguably taints the entire two-year Grand Jury investigation, along with resulting indictments (or lack thereof) and report/recommendations (or lack thereof). It also interesting that judges sealed the public KGJ report and recommendation before the public could see it, dismissed the KGJ’s indictment of Judge Margaret Murphy because a Grand Juror vanished (still hasn’t been found), and that Mr. Campion refused to seek re-indictment with a Grand Jury that had

a quorum. Honorable Clinton Campion, some citizens take their constitutional rights very seriously and will defend them at all cost. We intend to have you investigated for obstruction of justice and Jury Tampering. (See Alaska Statute 11.56.590 Jury Tampering) We also plan a peaceful sit-in at noon on December 11, 2026 (after new Governor takes office) in Anchorage’s Atwood Building (Governor’s office), until citizens receive the KGJ report/recommendation, Rule 6.1 is rescinded, and until the new Governor appoints an independent “Mollen” type commission that publicly investigates this criminal racket. Citizens plan forums asking candidates to pledge this. Citizens willing to join sit-in or help with forums, please text/email your name, phone number, and email to (907) 3986403 or haeg@alaska.net

It’s time for “The Sleeping Giant” to wake up and kick ass. For too long we have “walked softly”. It’s time to swing, with the full might of an outraged public, the “big stick.”

Articles containing facts justifying a sitin will be archived at alaskastateofcorruption.com

Contributed by Amy Bushatz

How to Appeal Your Mat-Su Property Value Assessment

Mat-Su property owners who disagree with their borough property value assessment don’t have to simply accept what shows up on their annual blue postcards — they can ask to have it lowered, borough officials say.

With property values across the region set to rise an average of nearly 8% this year and even more increases anticipated in the future, that’s a step many residents say they want to take.

But how do property owners navigate the process, and what should they know before moving forward?

We sat down with Borough Assessor Oliver Querin to learn how his team calculates property values and what residents need to know about the reconsideration process before the Feb. 27 appeal deadline.

Why Mat-Su Property Values Keep Going Up: Property value assessments in the Mat-Su Borough are based on a property’s “full and true value,” as required by Alaska state law. The assessments are then used by the borough to calculate property tax bills.

That law means assessors are tasked with estimating what the property would likely sell for on the open market — a calculation based on the sale price of similar land and the value of any buildings or “improvements.” Appraisers make that calculation using public info, GIS maps, property records, and field inspections, Querin said.

“Most of the increases we’re seeing are market-driven,” said Oliver Querin, Mat-Su Borough assessor. “It’s not about raising taxes — it’s about reflecting what homes are actually selling for.”

Assessments are typically broken down into two parts: land value and building value. Land values are influenced by lot size, location, and topography, while building values depend on size, quality, condition, and features.

Grades are also assigned to buildings based on construction quality — from “low” to “excellent” — and interior condition, though assessors often estimate interior quality unless they’re allowed inside the home, Querin said.

Residents can review the borough’s assessment data by visiting the My Property website, which lists the details used to calculate each value. They can also refer to the blue postcards sent by

mail in late January.

Assessors don’t know everything about a property or a building’s interior, Querin said. That’s why it’s vital for owners who disagree with their assessment to contact the borough during the appeal window before the property rolls are finalized this spring.

When to Question a Mat-Su Property Assessment: Homeowners should check their cards for errors in square footage, building details, or other discrepancies. If something seems off, addressing it early improves the odds of a timely fix, Querin said.

“If someone calls at the last minute, we may not have time to complete a review,” he said. “In that case, we advise filing the appeal form just to keep the door open.”

Property owners can also file an appeal using a form available on the borough’s website. The completed form must be postmarked or delivered to the borough administration building in Palmer by Feb. 27.

Start With a Phone Call to the Mat-Su Assessment Office: Mat-Su assessment appeals are free and start with a simple step: a call to the borough’s Assessment Division.

“Even before you call, look closely at your assessment notice,” Querin said. “Compare the info on your notice to what’s listed on the borough’s My Property website.”

When a property owner calls, a staff member logs their concern, talks through the issue and, if necessary, schedules a site visit to meet the owner at the property, he said. If no assessor is immediately available, the property owner can leave a message and someone will return the call.

“In some cases, we can make changes right away based on the conversation,” Querin said. “But if there’s uncertainty, we may send someone to inspect the property.”

Residents typically get notification of the outcome by phone or mail after the inspection, he said. Sometimes, property owners simply drop their concern after a borough official explains how the info was calculated, even if the value isn’t adjusted. Of the more than 130 people who requested property value help last year, more than 100 were able

to settle their issue without going to a formal board hearing, according to borough data.

If the issue isn’t resolved with a call or visit, the homeowner can move to the next step: a formal hearing.

When to Move to a Formal Mat-Su Board of Equalization Hearing: Property owners who can’t resolve issues through a phone call or site visit can present their case to the borough’s Board of Equalization, an independent panel that hears formal appeals and makes a final decision on whether values are adjusted.

While appeals must be filed by the Feb. 27 deadline, hearings are typically held over evenings in April and May.

During the hearing, appellants have a few minutes to explain their case, followed by a response from borough staff and a final rebuttal by the property owner. The board usually makes its decision on the spot, Querin said.

While dozens of people go before the board each year, only a small number of appeals result in adjusted values, he said. Last year, of the 31 formal hearings, just four resulted in changes, according to borough data. Querin said that’s because the borough does extensive research ahead of time to prepare a solid, defensible value.

“If we’re not confident in the number, we’ll usually fix it before it even reaches the board,” he said.

For residents who strongly disagree

with the board’s ruling, there is one final option: appeal to the Alaska Superior Court. But that’s rare, he said. “In all my years here, I’ve seen maybe one or two people take it that far,” Querin said.

One thing that won’t happen during an appeal? An adjustment to a higher assessed value, borough officials said. Unlike past years, neither the assessor’s office nor the Board of Equalization can raise a property’s assessed value during the appeal — a change tied to a 2025 update to state law.

Important Dates to Keep in Mind: Property assessment notices were sent late last month, and appeals must be filed by Feb. 27, borough officials said. Property tax notices, which are based on the assessment, will be sent in early July after the Mat-Su Assembly approves the upcoming budget.

Residents who wait until close to the Feb. 27 deadline to make that first phone call with questions about their assessment should also file a formal appeal, Querin said. That’s because filing a formal appeal preserves their rights, even if a phone call or inspection happens afterward.

“If someone calls at the last minute, we may not have time to complete a review,” Querin said. “In that case, we advise filing the appeal form just to keep the door open.”

Contact Amy Bushatz at contact@matsusentinel.com

Multifamily homes await work on E. Trennie Loop near Palmer on Feb. 5, 2026.

(Amy Bushatz / Mat-Su Sentinel)

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Palmer Community Health Fair at Mat-Su College

Contributed by Wendy

Carpenter

Community members are invited to take charge of their health at the Alaska Health Fair on Saturday, February 21, at Mat-Su College. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and offers a mix of free health education, screenings, and affordable blood testing in a welcoming, community-focused setting.

A highlight of this year’s fair is the free prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening, giving men an opportunity to check an important marker associated with prostate health. Early detection plays a key role in managing many conditions, and organizers say the PSA screening helps make preventive care more accessible to local residents.

Also featured at the event is the Providence Mobile Mammography unit,

providing convenient on-site breast cancer screening for eligible participants. The mobile clinic brings professional imaging services directly to the community, helping to remove barriers that can make routine screenings harder to schedule during the busy winter season.

In addition to these services, attendees can explore a variety of wellness resources, visit educational booths, and learn about local programs that support healthier lifestyles. Optional low-cost blood tests will be available for those who want a more detailed look at personal health numbers, including cholesterol, glucose, and other key indicators. The Alaska Health Fair has served communities across the state for decades, relying on volunteers and local partnerships to connect Alaskans with preventive

care and health education close to home. Events like the Palmer Health Fair reflect a long-standing tradition of neighbors supporting neighbors while encouraging small, meaningful steps toward better health.

Admission to the health fair is free, and community members are welcome to stop by anytime during the event hours. Residents are encouraged to take advantage of the screenings, gather information, and make wellness a priority as the new year gets underway.

Sleep, Inflammation, and Nature’s Role in Restoring Rest

Contributed by Alexander Harmon

Sleep used to be simple. The sun went down, the body slowed, and rest followed naturally. Today, for many people, sleep has become elusive. Tossing, turning, waking up exhausted, and relying on caffeine to get through the day has become the norm rather than the exception. One reason for this widespread sleep crisis is chronic inflammation—something that affects nearly everyone to some degree in modern life.

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or stress, but when it becomes constant, it can disrupt hormones, stress the nervous system, and interfere with the body’s ability to relax. Poor diet, artificial light, stress, environmental toxins, and sedentary lifestyles all contribute to a state of low-grade inflammation that keeps the body in “fight or flight” mode. When the nervous system is stuck in that mode, sleep becomes shallow, fragmented, or impossible.

Nature, however, offers a variety of gentle tools that humans have used for centuries to calm the body and encourage restorative rest.

Valerian root is one of the oldest known sleep herbs. Traditionally used in Europe and Asia, valerian supports the nervous system by promoting relaxation and easing tension. Many people find it helpful for falling asleep faster and reducing nighttime restlessness without the groggy

feeling that often accompanies synthetic sleep aids.

Passionflower is another calming herb with a long history of use. Native to the Americas, passionflower has been used to quiet anxious thoughts and support deeper sleep. It is particularly useful for people whose minds race when they lie down, replaying the day or worrying about tomorrow.

Chamomile is perhaps the most familiar sleep herb, often enjoyed as a tea before bed. Chamomile contains compounds that interact with the brain’s relaxation pathways, helping the body transition from stress to rest. Beyond sleep, chamomile also supports digestion and helps reduce mild inflammation, making it a gentle nightly ritual.

Cannabinoids such as THC and CBN are gaining attention for their role in sleep as well. These compounds interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate sleep, mood, appetite, and inflammation. While THC is known for its psychoactive effects, it can also promote sleep in small, controlled amounts. CBN, a lesser-known cannabinoid, is often associated with sedative effects and may help improve sleep quality. As with any cannabinoid, individuals should be informed about local laws and personal tolerance and consult a professional when needed.

Shilajit, a mineral-rich resin found in mountainous regions, is not a seda -

Wellness with Purpose

Contributed by

Dr. Tara Workman

Altair Integrative Wellness is a healing center engaging in a patient’s journey to wellness. Originally opened for business in 2001 as Altair Chiropractic, new ownership took place in 2018 with expansion of the business, including a name change in 2019 to Altair Integrative Wellness, along with the addition of new services to the clinic, including Physical Therapy and Integrative Wellness.

Altair Integrative Wellness is a home for Regenerative Medicine, with a team of doctors and therapists offering services in-

cluding chiropractic care; physical therapy; massage therapy; nerve pain and chronic pain therapy; ozone UBI IV therapy; IV nutrition and vitamin shot therapy; Foot Levelers custom orthotics and pillows; TerraLight red/blue light therapy wellness bed; detox foot bath; and massage chairs, among other services, all melded together in a clinic conveniently located in downtown Wasilla, Alaska. Products for wellness are also offered at the clinic, including equipment for physical therapy; orthotic products; doTerra essential oils and diffusers; memory foam Pillowise pillows offering customizable comfort and orthopedic benefits; vitamins; supplements;

tive herb but plays a supportive role in sleep through its effects on energy, hormones, and inflammation. Rich in fulvic acid and trace minerals, shilajit supports mitochondrial function and overall vitality. For some, improving daytime energy and reducing inflammation leads to more natural sleep at night rather than forcing the body into sedation.

The modern approach to sleep often focuses on suppressing symptoms with pharmaceuticals, but nature’s approach is more about restoring balance. When inflammation is reduced, stress hormones are regulated, and the nervous system is supported, sleep often returns as a natural consequence.

Education and access to high-quality natural remedies are important, and many communities have local health and wellness stores that provide herbs, supplements, and knowledgeable guidance. Stores like Nature’s Remedies in the Valley carry traditional herbs, cannabinoid products where legal, and mineral supplements, giving people options beyond synthetic sleep medications.

herbals; and Isagenix products for weight loss, weight gain, protein, cellular cleanses, and nutritional supplements.

Unique to Altair Integrative Wellness, Foot Levelers custom-made orthotic sandals, shoes, boots, slippers, athletic shoes, dress shoes, flip flops, and insoles are offered to patients after scanning the soles of the feet for a true custom orthotic fit. Also offered, along with regular orthotic pillows, are Orthotic Nexi Pillows. Nexi is the only pillow custom crafted based on a stateof-the-art 360-degree, 130,000 data-point scan of the head and neck to fully customize the orthotic pillow to fit the patient and their sleep habits.

Altair Integrative Wellness accepts most insurance health plans and also offers solutions for the non-insured. The clinic is accepting new patients.

Sleep is not a luxury—it is a biological necessity. Without it, the body cannot repair tissue, regulate immune function, or maintain mental clarity. As more people recognize the role of inflammation and lifestyle in sleep disorders, interest in natural, time-tested remedies continues to grow.

Sometimes, the path to better sleep is not found in a pill bottle but in returning to the plants, minerals, and rhythms that humans relied on long before artificial light and modern stress took over. When the body is supported rather than forced, rest becomes something that happens naturally again.

Altair Integrative Wellness is hosting an after-hour “Wellness with Purpose” Open House on the evening of Thursday, February 26 from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, open to anyone interested in starting or continuing their wellness journey in a healing environment. Bring along two cans of food to be donated to the Food Bank. Free scans of the neck and feet will be offered, along with mini-massages, nutrition samples, light therapy or PEMF therapy sessions. Learn from practitioners about the services offered. Please call 907-357-1818 to RSVP for the Wellness Clinic on February 26, or for questions, scheduling, or inquiries. Altair Integrative Wellness, 892 E USA Circle, Suite 108, Wasilla, AK 99654, altairinwellness.com

Malus and Spite

We are the sweetest, but you wouldn’t know that by the names our former humans picked for us. Malus is black and white, and Spite is orange and white. We are both seven-year-old loving ladies who came from the same home, yet we each have our own distinctive personality.

We are complete cuddle bugs, but Malus will take time warming up to you. Spite, on the other hand, will demand immediate attention. Malus will devour any food, whereas Spite has a more sensitive stomach. Malus has shorter, elegant hair, while Spite is long-haired and fluffy.

We don’t cuddle with each other, but we will happily cozy up on either side of you and make you into a sandwich. We enjoy quiet time but are happy to socialize if there is activity in the house. We are fine with dogs and kids. We would love to be adopted together, but it also seems that we are not totally attached to each other and would be fine in different homes where we would get all the attention from our families. We will need a safe yard to explore in summer.

We are ready for our own forever family, or families, who will love and cherish us. We are in Anchorage but could hitch a ride to the Valley for the right family or families.

Adopt Willow

I am so young, so beautiful, and have been through so much in my short life of just two years. I raised two litters of kittens and fended for myself outside, so I am ready for some stability.

I am ready for a family who will cherish and adore me. I love toys, especially a mouse filled with catnip, and can entertain myself for long periods of time polishing those hunting skills. Breakfast must always consist of some wet food, and I will show my appreciation by leaning into your hand for pets while being told how gorgeous I am. A cat tree in front of the window is my number one place to hang out, watching birds and taking afternoon naps.

I do fine with calm dogs who respect my space, but if any silly rambunctious business is going on, I will show the dog who is boss. I don’t like other cats, so a home where I can be the forever only kitty is a must. Occasionally I will wake up on the wrong side of the bed (haven’t we all) and my moody side will show, but not for long. Once I have had my catnip, breakfast, and a mouse toy to fling around, I am back to my sweet self. I can be nippy when I am like this, so a home with young children wouldn’t be best.

Before coming into rescue, I was used to spending a lot of time outside, so a nice spacious yard is a must. I promise to keep those pesky mice at bay and catch those annoying bugs.

Paws for Justice

Calling all animal shelters, rescues, and vet clinics — Paws for Justice, a local community initiative sponsored by Crowson Law, wants to partner with you! We’re building a community campaign to help local pets find loving homes.

Local organizations will feature the adoptable pets in the pages of The People’s Paper and on the airwaves of 95.5 The Pass KNLT-FM—and we’ll help coordinate free adoption events, promote them, and cover adoption costs or other services to help our furry friends find forever homes.

To learn more about Paws for Justice or to sign up to help today - call (907) 373-2698. That’s 3732698. Brought to you by Crowson Law Group— defending the injured and giving Alaska’s rescue pets a voice. Visit crowsonlaw.com to learn more.

Contributed by Kelleigh Orthmann

Adopt Susu

Hello! I am a 5-month-old kitten with a soft black coat, bright curious eyes, and a gentle little soul. I’m very playful and love chasing toys, pouncing on anything that crinkles, and showing off my kitten zoomies. Once I get going, my silly side really shines. I am still a bit shy at first and may take a little time to feel comfortable in a new environment but, with patience and kindness, I open up beautifully. I do best when allowed to approach on my own terms and will reward you with sweet moments, quiet companionship, and growing trust. I would thrive in a calm home that understands shy kittens and is willing to let my confidence bloom.

I do great with nice dogs and I love other cats, so I will need to have a kitty friend in my new home. I will be fine with older kids who aren’t too rambunctious and I can be petted when I am curled up sleeping. I will need a safe, fun yard to enjoy the summer days and all that sunshine!

If you’re looking for a playful kitten with a gentle heart and are excited to watch my personality blossom, I might be the perfect match for you.

Adopt Mango

I am a sweet boy who once had a loving family and then I found himself on my own struggling outside. But, since coming into rescue, I have made a huge transformation! I’m very talkative and love spending time with my people once I’ve warmed up to you. And oh boy am I a snuggler! When I’m not soaking up all the cuddles, I enjoy sitting at the top of the cat tree and keeping an eye on everyone. I am not afraid to let you know when I’m hungry, as I will meow until you feed me.

I take a while to get used to a strange place but then I love exploring my surroundings. I am VERY wary of dogs at first but don’t mind them if they don’t bother me too much. I don’t play much with other cats, but I don’t mind them checking me out or enjoying the cat tree with me. So, a kitty friend in my new home would be great. And as for little humans, I am great with kids of all ages! I have a wonderful orange coat that is still a little patchy from the mats I had but, when it’s all grown out watch out! What an eye catcher I will be for sure. I would love a safe place to venture outside in the summer.

I am 10 years old and waiting for my final furever family!

To meet us, please call or text 907-980-8898. To see other adoptable kitties, visit clearcreekcatrescue.org or facebook.com/clearcreek.catrescue.