Make A Scene Magazine February 2023

It was one of the most severe winter storms the Alaska Range had seen. The year was 2007 and me and my “sixteen best friends” were racing in the annual sled dog race.

Upon leaving the Rainy Pass checkpoint and mushing through the dark and extreme cold, the winds dramatically increased to a hurricane-force velocity. All trail markers were swept away and I and the other team members were trapped within “the bowl” atop the Alaska Range.

It was the most severe storm I have ever been through, and I have been through many. Temporarily blinded in one eye from a flying projectile, and with the severe winds thrashing about, there was no escape, and our only

option was to shelter in place. After the winds subsided, I climbed out of my partially buried wind-swept sled bag and found the entire team “missing!” Each dog was buried in the snowdrift, and a prominent breathing hole appeared above each one’s snout.

We persevered through the menacing winds but inadvertently took a much longer trail through the treacherous area known as “Hell’s Gate.” This section of the long trail is appropriately named!

The chaotic winds continued, and upon crossing the Alaska Range, we went for many miles through bone-chilling open water on the South Fork River. We were no longer in a race. We were in survival mode. Upon reaching the Rohn checkpoint I was devastated to discover that our dog Aafes was gone! It was one of the worst days of my life. I had trained harder for the 2007 Iditarod than any of my previous Iditarods. But now, only a couple of hundred miles into the race, my only option was to scratch from the race.

With Aafes missing somewhere in the vast Alaska Range and with the severe storms and the active wolf pack lurking about, some had said that the only thing left of Aafes would be her tornup blue neoprene jacket. They were wrong! Eleven agonizing days later,

two pilots who had been searching for Aafes found her at Rohn! This little dog had captivated the hearts of many people throughout the world, but nobody rejoiced more than me. Upon the urging of friends throughout the years, this incredible story of Aafes has finally been told by me in a 72-page book entitled “Lost in the Alaskan Wilderness.”

The book was published by Alaskan Gardens Publishing Company in 2021 and is distributed by Todd Communications in Anchorage. This book tells the story of Aafes rescue and also tells of her other adventures including her return to Rohn in 2009 on the Alaskan Expedition to get the mountain bike that was used in searching for her.

“Lost in the Alaskan Wilderness” also tells the story of Aafes’ two trips on the Stampede Trail to “the magic bus” and some very unusual things which occurred on these trips. This book concludes with the 2011 Iditarod where our dog Aafes finally crosses the finish line beneath the burled arch in Nome!

This paperback book retails for $14.95 and is available through Amazon, Todd Communications in Anchorage, and the Alaskan Gardens website at AlaskanGardens.com.

Books

I rarely promise, for I agonize when I cannot fulfill a promise. That is even more important to me when the person I promise is a child.

When the Young Writers Conference, organized by Sharon Russell, took place at Sherrod Elementary School annually, I participated as a presenter for several years. One year I had written most of my middle-grade fiction, Arctic Dinosaurs of Alaska, and I decided to share that and have the young writers become a critique group. It was middle-grade fiction. What better opportunity? The young writers came up with significant, mature sug-

gestions and they loved the story and illustrations. There was one suggestion I didn’t take. They loved the illustrations but freaked out over my curve in a Nanuqsaurus tail. Nanuqsaurus is a t-rex type dinosaur only about half size. It terrorized my dinosaurs.

I wondered why the tail on the t-rex needed to be stiff in their minds until I saw some reproductions and realized the tail was stiff to stabilize the resin reproduction for standing. I kept the tail image with a curve in the illustration.

I assured the young writers that I’d add their great effort to the Acknowledgements, and, if they wanted their name in

the book, write it out for me and I’d put it in there. I’d bring a couple of copies to the Library at Sherrod, if they wanted to see their name in the book.

On January 9, 2023, I finally fulfilled that promise. Arctic Dinosaurs of Alaska launched August 20, 2022 at the Alaska Museum of Science and Nature in Anchorage. I received notice December 28, 2022 that the book had won an Honorable Mention in The Royal Dragonfly Book Award international contest my publisher entered. Usually, contest results don’t arrive until May of the year after publication. My publisher, Connie Taylor at Fathom Publishing, had also entered it in other contests. I competed in the contest where I’ve entered my other books. For those, it’s wait time.

At Sherrod Elementary School, I presented two copies of the Library Edition of Arctic Dinosaurs of Alaska to the Librarian, Sean Williams. Since the books are for a Library, the personal copy “Arctic Dinosaurs of Alaska can be colored” style doesn’t work. You do not mark inside library books! To solve that problem, my publisher put out the Library Edition and has a website where the images can be downloaded for coloring.

It makes me sad that the Young Writers Conference no longer exists. It was a wonderful event for children and presenters. It was a real treasure for the Borough. How special it would be if this could be revived as a state-sponsored event regionally administered with the thought to encourage reading and writing among Alaskan children.

Calendar of Events

16 FEB Alaska Salsa Festival

Thu, Feb 16 – Sun, Feb 19

Alaska Dance Promotions, 300 E Dimond Blvd #11a Anchorage

17-19 FEB 61st Willow State Winter Carnival

Willow Community Center, Mile 69.5 Parks Hwy, Willow

17 FEB Woodrow

Humpy’s Great Alaskan Alehouse

Fri, 8:30 – 11:59 PM 610 W 6th Ave, Anchorage

17 FEB Winter Classics

Alaska’s Premier Chamber Music

Fri, Feb 17 – Sun, Feb 19 3700 Alumni Dr, Anchorage

18 FEB Community Climate Fair

Sat, 10AM, Turkey Red Event Room 550 S Alaska St, Palmer

18 FEB H3 Returns!

Humpy’s Great Alaskan Alehouse

Sat, 8:30 – 11:59 PM

610 W 6th Ave, Anchorage

18 FEB Wearable Art Show

Sat, 1st show at 3P 2nd show at 7P Palmer Train Depot, 610 S Valley Way, Palmer

18 FEB Matanuska Valley

Sportsmen’s Gun Show

Sat, Feb 18 – Sun, Feb 19

Alaska State Fairgrounds 2075 Glenn Hwy, Palmer

19 FEB Love is in the Air Matsu Orchestra for the Palmer Public Library Sun, 3:00P Palmer Train Depot, Palmer

19 FEB Avalanche Awareness 101

Revel Treks & Tours, Hatchers Pass Sun, 9:00 – 10:30 AM, Palmer

20 FEB President’s Day Holiday

Lunch with Lisa Murkowski

Mon, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM

Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center, 600 W 7th Ave, Anchorage

22 FEB Regina & Will

Humpy’s Great Alaskan Alehouse

Wed, 7:30 – 11:00 PM

610 W 6th Ave, Anchorage

23 FEB Country Night at Eddie’s Sports Bar 8-11PM 6300 Old Seward Hwy, Anchorage

23 FEB Ladies Night Out(doors)

Thu, 6PM, Revel Treks and Tours East Cottrell Campus Dr, Palmer

23 FEB Open 3D Shoot Night at Screaming Eagle Archery

Thu, 6:30 – 8:00 PM 210 Park Ave, Wasilla

24 FEB Winter Wine Walk

Fri, 5:30 PM

Palmer Community Center (Depot), 610 S Valley Way, Palmer

24 FEB Cold Fusion

Humpy’s Great Alaskan Alehouse

Fri, 8:30 – 11:59 PM 610 W 6th Ave, Anchorage

24 FEB The Red Velvet Cake War

Feb 24 – Mar 19, Valley Performing Arts 251 W Swanson Ave, Wasilla

25 FEB 21st Annual

Spaghetti Dinner & Auction for Special Olympics Mat-Su Mat-Su Career & Tech High School, 2472 N Seward Meridian, Wasilla

25 FEB University of Alaska Anchorage Men’s Ice Hockey at LIU

Sat, 10 AM – 1 PM 3211 Providence Dr, Anchorage

25 FEB Anchorage Rock Gem & Mineral Show Sat, Feb 25 – Sun, Feb 26 Midtown Mall, 600 E Northern Lights Blvd Anchorage

25 FEB 2023 Cowboy Ball

Sat, 6 – 10 PM, Evangelo’s Restaurant 2530 E Parks Hwy, Wasilla,

25 FEB Unknowns

Humpy’s Great Alaskan Alehouse

Sat, 8:30 – 11:59 PM 610 W 6th Ave, Anchorage

25 FEB 2023 UTV Ice Race #6 Sat, 12 – 5 PM Wasilla Lake, Outside Everett’s

27 FEB Pregnant & Powerful

Virtual Class Mon, 9:00 – 10:15 AM

Yoga OM Alaska 960 S Check St, Wasilla

MAR 2-4

50th Annual Meeting of the Alaska Anthropological Association

William A. Egan Civic & Convention Center, 555 W. 5th Ave, Anchorage

2 MAR Kids Eat Free at Smashburger Thursday, Smashburger Wasilla

3 MAR Rhonda Scott Art First Friday Fri, 1P - 9P The Hotel Captain Cook in the Whale’s Tail, 939 W 5th Ave, Anchorage

3 MAR Thursday Night Fights Fri, 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM

William A. Egan Civic & Convention Center, 555 W 5th Ave, Anchorage

4 MAR 1st Saturday Vendor Market Sat, 3 – 11 PM, 350 E Dahlia Ave, Palmer

4 MAR Brunch at Bearpaw River Brewing!

Sat, 11 AM – 3 PM 240 E Railroad Ave, Wasilla

4 MAR Eileen Ivers

Sat, Mar 4 – Sun, Mar 5 Atwood Concert Hall, 6 21 West 6th Avenue, Anchorage

4 MAR 2023 Spring AGCA Palmer Show

Sat, Mar 4 – Sun, Mar 5 Raven Hall, Palmer

4 MAR Nothin’ But Trouble

Humpy’s Great Alaskan Alehouse Sat, 8:30 – 11:59 PM 610 W 6th Ave, Anchorage

5 MAR 8th Annual Alaska Wild Sheep Foundation Banquet Sun, 4AM, 2075 Glenn Hwy, Palmer

MAR 8-11th Spring Garden Conference Starts at 4PM, APU Campus 4101 University Dr. Anchorage

9 MAR Winter Tree Identification

Thurs, 6P, Revel Treks and Tours Reflections Lake Trail, Palmer

10 MAR Glacier Hoppers

Humpy’s Great Alaskan Alehouse

Fri, 8:30 – 11:59 PM 610 W 6th Ave, Anchorage

11 MAR MusiCal!-Live @ The Afterglow!

Sat, 12 – 3 PM Arctic Valley Ski Area, Arctic Valley Rd, Eagle River

11 MAR Missing: A Play Sat, Sydney Laurence Theatre 621 West 6th Ave, Anchorage

13 MAR Come Out In Jesus Name: Movie

Monday, Regal Takithnu & Century 16, 1102 N. Muldoon Rd, Anchorage

17 MAR Rosanne Cash

Fri, Mar 17 – Sat, Mar 18, Atwood Concert Hall, 621 West 6th Avenue, Anchorage

20 MAR Scaffolding — Alaska Laborers Training School Mon, Mar 20 – Tue, Mar 21

17805 Old Glenn Hwy, Chugiak

23 MAR Diggin Dirt - Palmer Thu, 6:30 – 10:00 PM Palmer Community Center (Depot), 610 S Valley Way, Palmer

24 MAR Peter Pan Mar 24 – Apr 9

The Glenn Massay Theater, 8295 E College Dr, Palmer

24 MAR Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show Fri, Mar 24 – Sun, Mar 26 Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center, 1001 S Clapp St, Wasilla

13 MAY, Clean Air Challenge (Bike Ride to Denali Hwy) Sat, Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge Talkeetna

ANCHORAGE - “Collision of Rhythm” brings the noise to Alaska Junior Theater and the Atwood Concert Hall in March.

Festivities include a Champagne Reception, Hearty Hors d’oeuvres, Online and Live Auctions culminating in a Live Performance of “Collision of Rhythm”.

After two and half difficult years, Alaska Junior Theater has returned to the theater with the best professional live performances from around the world! This hybrid live/online event offers great ways to support AJT’s mission.

● Online Auction: Join us from home for over 200 amazing auction items starting March 17th and closing at 7:00 PM on March 25th . See these items in person starting at 2pm on Saturday, March 25th, while continuing to bid online.

● Champagne Reception with Hearty Hors D’oeuvres: Arrive at 5:30 PM to see the online auction items in person.

● Live Auction: Extraordinary Live Auction items including travel adventures, exquisite jewelry and collectible art.

● Live Performance: Join us live at the Atwood Concert Hall for “Collision of Rhythm” and enjoy the same quality show over 6,000 students will have seen during the week of school performances. This dynamic duo delivers a high-energy performance with a wide range of instruments combining drums, percussion, piano, marimba, saxophone and beatboxing with the unique elements of tap dancing and bounce juggling. This mind-blowing show has been described as “Stomp meets Blue Man meets Cirque du Soleil.”

Featured on The Tonight Show, America’s Got Talent, and Super Bowl commercials, this inspiring show is jam-packed with audience interaction, laughter and jaw-dropping perfor-

mances for all ages and backgrounds.

Though there are only two of them, they fill the stage as a 12-person ensemble would, moving from instrument to instrument with a high level of skill and diversity. What’s created is a richly explosive experience like nothing else out there — rhythm-centered, but also full of melodic movement and dynamic depth. With drumming, tap dancing, rhythmic juggling, marimba, piano, saxophone, flute and so much more. Between choreographed musical pieces, there is audience interaction, humor, and personal stories that make this show all at once captivating, inspiring, and flat-out extraordinary.

Bronkar Lee is a musician, producer, and keynote speaker whose unique background includes touring Europe as ringmaster to a world-renowned circus, appearing with Jay Leno on the Tonight Show, and beatboxing with his son in a viral video that received over 200 Million views. He’s performed around the globe for companies including Disney,

YouTube, Facebook, as well as in Madison Square Garden.

Aaron Williams is a virtuosic tapdancing multi-instrumentalist, trained in classical music, jazz, and rudimental percussion technique. He achieved internet fame with his viral video, Mario on Marimba, which has received millions of views on Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, and other social media sites. He appeared in Coca Cola’s “America the Beautiful” campaign which aired during the Super Bowl, the Olympics, and the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony. He is the composer of “Jazzy Note Blocks,” the music behind Note Blocks – AVM Shorts Episode 5, which has racked up over 77 million views on youtube.

AJT’s presentation of “Collision of Rhythm” is sponsored by ConocoPhillips.

School show performances will be held March 22 – 24 at 10:00 AM and 11:45 AM in the Atwood Concert Hall at the

Alaska Center for the Performing Arts. While in Anchorage, the artists will give two after-school music/dance workshops in ASD Title I schools.

Wednesday March 22, 4:00 PM “Collision of Rhythm” - Muldoon Library Event These fantastic musicians and educators will read some rhythmic picture books. And then children have a chance to make their own rhythm instrument to take home. Muldoon Library: 1251 Muldoon Road #158.

For more information on Alaska Junior Theater and upcoming performances, please visit us online.

William Taylor York loved art almost from birth. Even as a young child when given a choice of activities, he always chose the art project. Once in school, the pattern continued with a variety of art classes. In high school he sampled nearly all the art instruction offered to students. Carving, cartooning, portraiture, landscapes were all of interest to him.

He chose many mediums to express his artistic themes, though for many years pencil drawings of all types were his forte. York’s artistic interests continued throughout his college days at the University of Wisconsin. His artistic endeavors were not merely introspective. He wanted to share his love of art with others. His hope was that he could share the pure joy that art evoked in his life with those around him. Early on

York did a great deal of face painting for children at art shows and festivals at no cost. He hoped to bring youngsters the joy and delight of art and color. He did just that.

Though he spent much of his life in Wisconsin, York took repeated trips to Alaska to visit family members who had migrated there. He loved the place, its sense of freedom and its great expanses of unspoiled nature. At each departure, he longed to return one day.

Eventually he did return: to die! For many years his health had deteriorated to the point that he could barely walk a few steps before collapsing. Alaska seemed like a good place to spend his last days, so he moved to the Greatland. Then something strange happened. Rather than getting worse, his health improved. Soon the man who could barely put one foot in front of the other,

was taking short walks and drinking in the beauty of Alaska. It was as though the land had healed him. He picked up some acrylic paint at a thrift shop and soon began cataloging all that he was seeing on his sojourns. From lakes to flowers and munching moose to soaring eagles, he captured Alaska on canvases of all sizes as well as on interestingly shaped tree limbs.

York, who uses his middle name, Taylor (because there are too many William’s in his family), was soon besieged by those

seeking his art. Its simplicity, bold color and representational style appealed to many. Several of his paintings can be viewed at the Palmer Senior Center. York shares his love of art there through painting classes which he offers from time to time to the pleasure of a growing group of devoted students. His art may also be viewed in the gift shop where he exhibits and sells his pieces.

Matsu Senior Services Gift Shop is located at 1132 South Chugach Street across from Palmer Junior Middle School. The shop is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 am to 2 pm. Call 907 745-5454 for extended and special hours.

4 DAY WORKSHOP TO BE HELD MARCH 30,31 APRIL 1 & 2 .

If you are looking for a workshop that will help you create portraits you can be proud of, this is it! Join Charles Miano as he explains his accessible method for painting impactful classical portraits.

With Miano’s sculptural and massoriented approach to portraiture, you will realize your full potential of seeing and translate that to oil painting.

Miano’s method blends a perfect balance of an abstract, free approach with traditional studio technique. With this approach unleash your power of personal expression while maintaining the beauty and naturalness of realism.

You will learn to build a portrait painting, step-by-step from start to finish. You will grasp the differences in capturing both a male and female likeness. He will teach you the techniques to practice when working from life. You’ll also get a taste of what his Atelier Apprentices experience fulltime in the Guild Apprenticeship at his Academy.

Charles’ teaching has been described as fun and down to earth, yet the “real deal”. People are learning what it takes to achieve their dreams: understandable classic artistic methods for the 21st century.

Here is a preview of what you will learn:

-Exactly what materials and colors to use for oil painting.

-How to create a traditional portrait design or “disegno”.

-How to Block-in a grisaille with anatomical structure.

-How to achieve a likeness.

-How to approach visualizing color harmony.

-How to avoid muddy colors.

-How to avoid chalky colors.

-How to mix convincing flesh tones.

-How to achieve the proper color value.

-How to achieve the all important light effect.

-How to implement the use of edges.

-How to model form.

-How to paint features.

-How to capture the character of the sitter.

-How to impart beauty into the portrait.

-And so much more…

This course is designed for artists of all levels of experience. From new artists to advanced practitioners. Learning a method is the fastest way to build your skills. Charles’ method has proven to work for so many people over the last 20 years of his teaching. Find out why

a method and practice mindset is one key reason Charles has been able to help many happy artists to live their dream.

Miano has always credited Nature as his primary teacher. As Leonardo Da Vinci once said, “Nature is the source of all true knowledge”. However, Charles’ formal Art studies began as traditional mentoring in the 1990’s at the New York Art Department of an international publishing company. There, he was mentored by accomplished illustrators of the time. Miano attended classes with Nelson Shanks at the founding of Studio Incamminati in Philadelphia, and has participated in workshop studies in Florence, Italy. Since opening Miano Academy in 2007, Charles has continued his studies of drawing and painting every day with the remarkable faculty he has assembled. Visiting Masters have included some of the most renowned Representational Artists of our time. He has placed enormous importance on studying the Old Masters. To that end, his passion has led him to copy the masters in Major Museums around the world. In pursuit of excellence in his craft, Miano continues his study of nature and the language of painting to this day.

Miano has taught traditional art and the “atelier method” for over 20 years. Through his academy and as its “handson” director, Miano is widely recognized for his attentive, intensive teaching methods and generous support of emerging artists.

There, he doggedly pursues in-depth, studies in the tradition of the Old Masters. Miano also travels the globe, teaching workshops and lecturing on representational art and his own artistic methods.

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Charles Miano views teaching as an art, a privilege and an opportunity to inspire ideas and passion. For years he has cultivated a creative environment that has helped many achieve inspiring results in their personal artistic journey. He views workshops as a chance to share wisdom, knowledge and insights into the mysterious and often misunderstood craft of painting.

He is very generous in explaining and demonstrating the techniques he as accrued over years of studio practice, research and study.

He believes in helping others achieve their goals, no matter what level of

experience. His students come away encouraged, with great inspiration and a deeper understanding of the fine art of seeing, eagerly anticipating the next opportunity to practice their newfound skills. Miano is an ARC associate Living Master & Founder & Director of Miano Academy of Art in Sarasota Florida. He is also an advocate of the revival of Classically Inspired Representationalism.

You can see more of his work at www.charlesmiano.com

For more information or to reserve your spot call Diane @ 907-355-4632 or email dianeypaol@gmail.com

Mat-Su Concert Band celebrates the musical wonders of our Alaskan home with a performance emphasizing music about the state and its people, including a world premiere of a new composition.

The “Portraits of the North” concert takes place at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 11 at the Glenn Massay Theater at Mat-Su College. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $5 for students. Children under 5 get in free. Tickets can be purchased online at www. matsuconcertband.org.

The band is made up of nearly 70 volunteers who come from different walks of life and professions to play music under the baton of Gleo Huyck.

This concert features the world premiere of Anthony Susi’s “Alaska: The Last Frontier”. Combining traditional Alaska Native song lyrics and dance rhythms, this piece attempts to capture the spirit of Alaska’s indigenous peoples as seen in the inspirations for different sections: Kodiak Alutiiq Dance; Tsimshian Dance; and “Neets’ee T’yaa”, a Gwich’in two-step. Susi has been teaching music in Connecticut schools at the middle, high school and college level since 1985. A guest conductor and adjudicator, he has also composed and recorded seven CDs of original music.

The band will also perform “A Klezmer in Alaska” by Marcus Bishko, a teacher, performer and vocalist who presents workshops on the art of phrasing in the Klezmer tradition and taught music at Mat-Su College and the University of Alaska from 1997 until 2005. Klezmer

music has its origins in Europe among the Ashkenazi Jews; the word is a Yiddish contraction of the Hebrew words for instrument (kley) and song (zemer).

“Kivgik” by Carl Strommen recognizes the “messenger feast” a ritual thousands of years old and still celebrated, most recently this year in early February at Barrow High School where hundreds gathered for dancing, visiting, feasting, sharing stories and exchanging their crafts. Three pieces by composer Robert Buckley -- “Arctic Fire”, “Land of the Midnight Sun” and “Iditarod” -- round out the northern theme. Huyck is one of three co-founders of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

The concert will include a few pieces off the main theme. “Nimrod” by Edward Elgar is the most played of the

composer’s “Enigma Variations” and described as the most beautiful.

Composer Julie Giroux dedicated “In My Father’s Eyes” to the four little girls who died in the 1963 bombing of the 16th Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama that injured 23 others. Giroux called the bombing “an act of racial terrorism” in her program notes. “We remember and honor all of you. We have made strides but not enough.” The piece is written for wind ensemble, solo cello and singers.

Mat-Su Concert Band got its start in 1984 as the Mat-Su Community Band, formed by Matanuska Music owner Hank Hartman. Other directors have included Neil Long and Phil Munger.

Current director Huyck is a retired music educator and private instructor. Under his baton, the band performs a wideranging selection of challenging music.

The band this season numbers about 70 amateur musicians who assemble every Monday night for rehearsals at Teeland Middle School.

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Music

The Alaskan Rap duo, Justin Pendergrass and Mike Sisson of Newsense Music have released their latest EP titled “Trynna be a Rapper.”

This 3 track EP touches on pivotal moments in the careers of both Justin and Mike and expresses their overall desire for becoming artists in their home community.

With songs about finding rap music as

their dream, to the critical questions they have been asked by those in the community, “Are you still trying to be a dope rapper?” Justin and Mike leave nothing for question and make sure everyone knows that they are “out here doing rap things.”

You can find this project on all streaming platforms under the name Newsense Music and follow them on Facebook @NewsenseMusicMinistries to learn more about what they are doing.

Poetry & Prose

TREES OF STARS

Contributed by Nan Potts

A glitter, then another, More spark within my beam. The headlamp sweeps on branches white, Starlight ignites a theme.

The frost of hoar, grows as beards, Needles, minute, take form. The point of freeze, past point of dew, Forge stars in trees — now swarm.

Its origin, Old English, “The old man’s beard”, ‘tis said. His stubble, shaped of snow and ice, Shines brightly overhead.

Gnarled arms of birch and rough shrub, Don a lace-white mantle. A discord of sharp, fragile points, ‘Fore the wind, dismantle.

I ponder these lights of ice, Awe of Nature’s splendor. Their luring twinkle, spawns a sigh — An opus played, tender.

My lamp sparks this nighttime show, Aglow with dazzling light. A treat for me, as on I go, Wandering in the night.

GUNS

Contributed by Charles Dean Walker

THE NIGHT WATCHER

Contributed by Claire Conway

Dark is the night On which I take flight Cold are the trees Where I sleep

Sharp blows the wind Right into my face Gone are the leaves and the Snow takes their plaice

The other birds roost On the branch of Spruce To await the dawn Which starts their day

But the night is my day And with dusk I awake For I am the Owl And now flight I take

And when dawn comes again To this dark land of snow And the black turns to gray Away I will go I fly to my tree And there I will stay Until another night comes.

In the hands of a coward it becomes their expression of revenge. To play God, the ultimate Judge. These deviants only seek to inflict pain. None of their justifications are a true reason. Reason doesn’t exist in a terrorist. There is only hate and cowardice of the highest degree.

DARK OF NIGHT

Contributed by Katherine Baker

In harmony, each gaseous glow, orchestrates a fiery show, silent symphony, flares in flight, rhythmic flickers of dim and bright, amazing blaze, dramatic might, a stellar show, in dark of night, silvery notes, ascending heights, the melody, a song of sight.

SWEET DREAMS

Contributed by W.S. White

Midnight battle

Of cold, clear, obsidian sky

Bejeweled sparks of dust

Ebbing and dying

Fare well

Luminous Lune

With scars and trials

God Child of loneliness

Even you were conquered

With such fragility

It seems like a dream

Alaska Animal Advocates

www.alaskaanimaladvocates.com

(907) 841-3173

Alaska Animal Advocates is a non-profit group of dedicated volunteers who are devoted to enriching the lives of companion animals in Alaska. In order to do this, we will place homeless pets in loving environment, adress medicals concerns, spay or neuter, microchip, vaccinate, and offer training as is needed.

We believe that every animal deserves a loving home, for his/her entire life and Alaska Animal Advocates will provide the resources to make this happen.

In order to make this mission possible, we need the help of volunteers and foster homes.

Alaska Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired Seniors

www.alaskabvi.org

(907) 771-4322

The Alaska Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired provides blind and low vision Alaskans tools to eliminate vision loss as a barrier to employment, independent living, and community participation. It is the only statewide training and resource center for vision rehabilitation. In the Mat-Su Valley we sponsor two monthly support groups for socialization and informational activities, titled “Living Well with Vision Loss”, meeting at the Wasilla Area Seniors and the Palmer Senior Center. Low Vision Clinics demonstrating low vision devices and home assessment visits for independent living are offered to those who qualify and who have uncorrectable vision loss.

Connect Mat-Su

www.connectmatsu.org

(907) 373-2628

Connect Mat-Su is a program of the Mat-Su Health Foundation that provides access to information and referrals specific to the local community.

Assistance is available in the areas of care, education, food, health, housing, legal services, social connection, transportation, work, and more. It is a network that is both a physical and virtual resource center linking residents to the things needed to thrive physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally.

Connect Palmer, Inc.

www.connectpalmer.org

(907) 746-9675

Connect Palmer is a Christ Centered Training Center and Housing for Women, located in downtown Palmer.

Connect Palmer’s two primary programs are God’s Work Desgin, and LIFE Connect. We also have Sarah’s House, a safe and caring place for ladies without homes to live while they partici-

pate in our back to work and life skills programs. We also offer different community assistance programs, such as The Locker, to provide personal care and basic house hold cleaning items, and Scarlet Tapestries which offers basic sewing skills instructions. We are a 501c3 nonprofit organization.

Matanuska Electric Association Charitable Foundation (MEACF)

www.mea.coop/mea-in-the-community

meacontact@mea.coop

(907) 761-9300

$1.6 million and counting! This is the financial impact MEA’s members have had in our community since 2011 when MEACF introduced Operation Roundup. To scratch the surface on those impacted by your generosity are our seniors, recreation, local agriculture, family services, food pantries, and everything in between.

We want to continue adding to this lost, so if you know of an organization interested in applying for the MEACF grant and has a specific project in mind, please check us out online for the application process - including financials. Grants are capped at $10,000 and are approved at each quarterly MEACF meeting. Individual grant requests are now completed through Connect Mat-Su; individual grant requests regarding a disability can contact Access Alaska.

Mat-Su Health Foundation

www.healthymatsu.org

(907) 352-286³

The mission of the Mat-Su Health Foundation is to improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in the Mat-Su. The tools we use include grantmaking, convening of local partners, and policy change.

We have generated significant improvements in systems that support the health of Mat-Su residents in areas such as behavioral health, child welfare, crisis response, community connections, workforce development, transportation, housing, and senior services.

Visit www.healthymatsu.org to learn about scholarship and funding opportunities.

Mat-Su Health Services, Inc.

www.mshsak.org

(907) 376-2411

Dedicated to improving the health of our community, one person at a time through affordable medical, dental and behavioral health care. The clinic is a Federally qualified health Care Center and we accept Medicare, Medicaid, and most other third-party insurances. For those who qualify, there is a sliding scale payment, based on household income.

We offer early morning and evening appointments. You can also contact our 24/7 behavioral

criss intervention line by calling the main number: (907) 376-2411.

MYHouse Mat-Su Youth Housing

www.myhousematsu.org

(907) 373-4357

MYHouse is a homeless youth drop in center with two for-profit businesses that train and employ homeless youth. Gathering Grounds Cafe is a coffee shop with homemade soups, sandwiches, salads, and baked goods.

SteamDriven is a trendy thrift shop featuring Steampunk items made from repurposed donations by our youth designers. Fiend2Clean and Young People in Recovery offer support for substance abuse recovery with activities and events.

We offer transitional housing for qualified 1824 year olds, outreach services to connect homeless youth, organizations and groups to services, and access to public health and job education services on site.

United Way of Mat-Su (907) 373-5807

www.unitedwaymatsu.org

550 S Alaska St., Suite 205 Palmer AK

United Way of Mat-Su strives to make our community a place where all individuals can thrive. We focus on the building blocks of education, financial stability, health for all, providing resource assistance, community collaboration and advocacy, outreach and engagement across the health, human, and social services spectrum.

Early childhood and family support, youth programs, grants for non-profits, and disaster relief; Mat-Su Valley Resource Guide; volunteer opportunities; Stuff the Bus; Project Homeless Connect, and more. Call for more information on Thrive Mat-Su Mat-Su Coalition, Early Childhood Partnership, Youth 360, and the Alaska Wellness Coalition.

Valley Charities, Inc.

www.valleycharities.org

400 N Yenlo Street, Wasilla AK

Valley Charities Inc has proudly served the MatSu community since 1956. Our mission of “Connecting those who need help with the help they need” is demonstrated through our Homeless Prevention and Reentry Programs. The first creates housing sustainability, and the later, assists ex-offenders to become successful citizens and make our communities safer. For inquiries on Housing please call 907-354-4660. For inquiries on the Re-entry program call 907-232-7125.

“Our partnership with other local agencies have allowed Valley Charities opportunities to reach more individuals and families”.

Our locally owned non-profit thrift store, called turn-A-leaf, keeps all the excess proceeds in the

Mat-Su Valley using it to support the store, the staff, and maintain our community service programs.

Our Durable Medical Equipment Lending program has supported valley residents since 1956 providing this equipment at NO COST to the user. For inquiries on the Medical Equipment availability call 907-521-1908.

Valley Arts Alliance

www.valleyartsalliance.com

Valley Arts Alliance, bringing the community together through the arts... We are a place for both new and established artists of all types - painters, sculptors, musicians, and those involved in the performing arts - to network and to experiment with new ideas and media.

We work with local libraries, schools, museums, art councils, and music and art groups to create more venues for the arts, and to help promote art related events.

Join us at our informal weekly meetings, every Thursday @ 11 at Sophia’s Cafe, 9191 E Frontage Road, Palmer-Wasilla Hwy. Check out our archives at www.valleyartsalliance.com

Valley Recycling

Valley Community for Recycling Solutions

www.valleyrecycling.org

(907) 745-5544

REFUSE, REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE! Drop off your clean, seperated recling Mon-Fri 9:30 to 6 and Sat 8 to 5. We accept cardboard, aluminum cans, magazines, this newspaper, and more! Your community recycling center is location at 9465 E Chanlyut Circle, next to the MSB Animal Shelter at the Central Landfill. Follow the smells. And follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Become a member, visit our classroom, schedule a field trip, and find out more about volunteer opportunities and ways you can make a difference in your community. #dontfeedthelandfills. Go to our website for more details.

Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc.

www.wasillaseniors.com

(907) 376-3104

Wasilla Area Seniors mission is to provide for the lives of seniors living in the Matanuska Susistna Valley and to enable seniors to live as independently as possible for as long as possible.

WASI provides services, resources, and activities to promote health and independence such as Club50 Fitness Center. Club50 is for individuals 50 years of age and older and provides clean, accessible exercise equipment and offers a variety of FREE fitness classes for seniors of all skill and mobility levels.

For more information, give us a call or find us on Facebook.

Contributed by Mike Campfield

Come join us in Palmer to celebrate the arts and enjoy local artwork and music!

The Palmer Arts council is pleased to announce our annual dinner and meeting will be held at Turkey Red on Saturday, March 4th.

The evening will include visual artwork from Palmer High School IB students and a marimba musical performance by Madison

Mead-Heasley. We will also unveil future plans for this year’s events featuring the first performance on the newly restored Bailey Piano. It is an American-made Baldwin 9-foot concert grand that has been in the Palmer area since the 1950s. It has a few songs to play and stories to tell. Tickets for the evening are $50 and include dinner and dessert.

Doors open at 6pm, dinner starts at 7pm. Visit palmerarts.org for more information and to buy limited tickets.