Issuu

Annual Meeting

Join us in making our borough the healthiest in Alaska.

Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Glenn Massay Theater

Become a member today!

Join us for the

Doors open at 2:00 pm Meeting Begins 3:00 pm

Prizes

Refreshments

Information

www.mea.coop

healthymatsu.org/ membership

MID-MAR

2025

Revving Up for Summer

OUTDOORSMAN SHOW

GUIDE INSIDE

Alaska Raceway Park 2025

Contributed by Liz McFarland

Jump-Start Your Summer at 9th Annual Alaska Summer Showcase MORE ON PAGE 2 OF THE PEOPLE’S PAPER

After an unforgettable 60th Anniversary Season last year, we have been working hard to prepare for an even bigger 2025 season. This year, we are planning for over 20 race dates and more than 30 total race events on the property—great opportunities for a fun outing with friends, family, or even a date night. When planning your summer weekends, keep these key dates in mind. On June 8, Alaska Speedfest debuts as the state’s first automotive festival, featuring drag and oval exhibitions, drifting, car shows, food trucks, a live DJ, and more. That same day, Alaska Speedweek kicks off at ARP, taking racers across the state with checkpoints along the way before concluding back at ARP on June 14 with an unmissable finale. If you love vintage racing, don’t miss this year’s Thunder Valley Flag Drags on June 28, which includes a vintage car show, concert, and drag strip racing. Bring your vintage cars and outfits and spend the day at Alaska Raceway Park. We’ve had an off-season packed with improvements to make our facilities even better. One of the biggest changes is our new track logo, now featuring the stunning Pioneer Peak that towers over our NASCAR oval and

NHRA drag strip. We also demolished our original scoring tower, which had been on the property since the drag strip’s early days. A brand-new tower is being built from the ground up, complete with a VIP suite, staff offices, and updated scoring and announcing rooms. The new tower offers the best view of the drag strip—and really, the entire property. Another major upgrade is our new ticketing system. We have partnered with Tixr to manage all event ticketing for the 2025 season. Fans can now purchase tickets online before race day and simply scan a QR code on their phones for entry, making race days smoother and more efficient. While these are some of our biggest changes, we are also clearing out our remaining merchandise from previous seasons. Right now, we are running a 30% site-wide sale on our online store, raceak.shop, while supplies last. This sale likely won’t return for several seasons, so don’t miss out. We can’t wait to see you on opening weekend, May 10 and May 11. Saturday, May 10, will feature racing on the NASCAR/INEX oval, while Sunday, May 11, will bring action back to the drag strip. For more information, follow us on Facebook or Instagram, or visit www.raceak.com. Thank you, and we’ll see you at the races!

Puddles Pity Party Coming to Anchorage!

MORE ON PAGE 24 OF MAKE A SCENE MAGAZINE

4th Mat-Su Chess Classic

MORE ON PAGE 2 OF THE PEOPLE’S PAPER

‘LIGHT AND DESIGN’ with Nancy Angelini Crawford

Contributed by Bryce Burkhart

Consign49 Spring 2025 Consignment Event MORE ON PAGE 11 OF THE PEOPLE’S PAPER

Palmer Lions Club 57th Annual Gun Show MORE ON PAGE 13 OF THE PEOPLE’S PAPER

After four decades of bringing art, framing, and unique finds to Palmer, The Gallery will be closing its doors at the end of March 2025. This bittersweet farewell comes as Joann Franks, a beloved community figure and the heart behind The Gallery, retires due to health concerns. For forty years, Joann has curated an exceptional space where locals could discover fine art, Alaska-made treasures, custom framing, and one-of-a-kind gifts. Now, as The Gallery prepares for its final chapter, everything must go! From now until March 31st, everything in the store is 50% off, and prices are motivated to move! Unique furniture, stunning jewelry, antiques, and gifts are all available at incredible discounts. This is the perfect time to find a special piece to take home while honoring the legacy of The Gallery. Located at 1150 S Colony Way, Palmer, The Gallery has always been

more than just a store—it has been a gathering place where memories were preserved, art was celebrated, and customers became friends. Joann, along with the Franks family, built this space not only as a business but as a cornerstone of the Palmer community, offering expert service, high-quality materials, and a passion for fine art. Though the shop will be closing, framing services will continue for a limited time, ensuring that Joann’s love for preserving memories remains part of her lasting impact. For those who want to say a heartfelt goodbye, The Gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. To learn more, call 907-7451420—or better yet, stop by today before it’s too late! Come celebrate Joann’s incredible legacy and take home a piece of Palmer’s history before The Gallery closes its doors for good. Thank you, Joann, for 40 years of art and community!

MORE ON PAGE 27 OF MAKE A SCENE MAGAZINE

Andrea Shelly (Larson) Releases Indie Rock Americana Album