Boeing assures missile defense intact

Officials at Boeing released a statement on Thursday indicating that only a portion of the missile construction site at Fort Greely was affected by flooding last summer, and that the current missile inventory remains intact and unharmed. More

Alaska Aglow International 2007 Statewide Spring Retreat

Alaska Aglow Statewide Spring Retreat, April 27-29th Victory Bible Camp!

Join us for this momentous retreat. Our theme is from Joshua 6:20, "Shout with a voice of triumph, Possessing the Land!" Speaker: JoAnne Meckstroth, US Director NW Region

First ever Alaska Girl and Teen Aglow Retreat will be at Victory Alpine Camp! Speaker: Evangeline Weiner, Aglow Int'l Generations Program

Click here to download registration forms. Register now and save with the Early bird rate!

Update on Latest Pet Food Scare

Another suspect ingredient, melamine, has been found in dog and cat food. Menu Foods has updated their listing of brands at the following websites and has included a FAQ page for consumers.

Copies of the questions and the pet food brand names are also available free at the Delta Community Library.

Cat food list: http://www.menufoods.com/recall/product_cat.html
Dog food list: http://www.menufoods.com/recall/product_dog.html
FAQ's: http://www.menufoods.com/recall/FAQ_Consumer.htm

Rains wreak havoc on missile silos

The Project on Government Oversight (POGO) reports that torrential rains during the summer of 2006 damaged several missile silos at Fort Greely. An internal assesment by Boeing found that 7 missile silos had been flooded. Read more here

Public Service Announcement - LIO Office Closed 4/6 - 4/13

The Delta Junction Legislative Information Office will be closed from 4/6 - 4/13. I will be back in the office on 4/16. If you need assistance during that time please call the Juneau LIO at 1-800-478-4648. Thank you - Eileen Herman

Photo of the day - March 30

Looking in your rear view mirror will sometimes reward one with unique photo opportunities such as this sunrise taken recently near Midway Lodge on the Richardson Hwy. Image and copyright by Dwight Phillips

DNW Looking for Photos

The Delta News Web is in search of photos. When submitting photos, please send text. Photos without text will not be considered for publication.

We appreciate the help we receive from the community with photo and event submissions. Thank you to all of our sponsors who help to keep the DNW running.

Please send your photos to the webmaster.

Forget-Me-Not Mission To Hold Motorcycle Event

Forget-Me-Not Mission, LLC will hold a motorcycle event fundraiser May 19 and 20. Alaskans invited to join event to help reduce frequency of drunk driving crashes.

Forget-Me-Not Mission, LLC, in partnership with the Alaska Community Foundation, is a non-profit organization formed to encourage and enhance community participation by increasing awareness and sensitivity through worthwhile fundraising projects. The first such event is called Throttle Thunder Relay and begins in Fairbanks at the Harley-Davidson Farthest North Outpost on Saturday, May 19. It has relay stops at McKinley Harley-Davidson at the Park, Denali Harley-Davidson in Wasilla and overnights in Anchorage. It continues from Anchorage House of Harley-Davidson on Sunday, May 20, finishing in Soldotna at Kenai Peninsula Harley-Davidson for the closing ceremonies. Participants can ride any portion of the route they please.

The funds raised will be donated to MADD, Alaska law enforcement agencies for patrol car equipment for detection and prosecution of DUI violators, and victims of drunk driving crashes. The organization also plans to create a scholarship fund for the children of victim’s families and a memorial to those killed in drunk driving crashes.

The event is the result of Nancy Bidwell losing her 17-year old daughter, Shelly Reed, to a drunk driver in 1983 on Minnesota Drive in Anchorage and her desire to do something about this violent crime that plagues Alaska’s highways every day. She knows firsthand how the emotional wreckage goes on long after the crash wreckage is cleaned up. She and her husband, Royal, decided it was time to do something to reduce the incidences of drunk driving crashes and underage drinking, so they created Forget-Me-Not Mission.

The Bidwells are retired and now spend most of their time working on Forget-Me-Not Mission. They just returned to Alaska from a winter-long tour of the Lower 48, where they promoted the event and met dozens of people who told stories of their own losses. Some made contributions of cash or door prizes even though their state won’t benefit directly from the event.

Forget-Me-Not Mission invites all makes of motorcycles. They welcome anyone to register whether or not they ride a motorcycle. Individuals can drive their car if they wish, or they can ride virtually online at the Forget-Me-Not Mission website. They encourage the general public to register even if they cannot participate at all because drunk drivers are a danger not only to bikers, but to everyone on the road.

For more information and to register online, go to www.forget-me-not-mission.com, or pick up a registration form at any of the motorcycle shops in town and help support this worthy cause. All registrants get a rider’s packet which includes a T-shirt, patch and pin if they sign up by April 15.

The Bidwells can be contacted at 907/978-7809, or royal-nancy@hotmail.com.

Photo of the day - March 29

A cow moose leads her calves along Jarvis Creek. Photo Courtesy Art Lenon

Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival 2007 Catalogs Now Available

Fairbanks - Hot off the press, the 2007 Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival Catalog, with registration form, is now available. Pick up your copy at Date-Line Copies located at 3677 College Road, the UAF Music Department, or local art galleries and music stores. The catalog and registration form is also available online at www.fsaf.org.

The cover of the new catalog features a colorful array of wild sunflowers from the watercolor painting, entitled “June’s Sunflowers” by Cheryl Berrong. Cheryl, a local artist from Fairbanks, has been painting for many years, however this is her first published painting. This painting is also featured on this year’s poster. Signed posters are available for $10 each at The Artworks, New Horizon Gallery and The Alaska House Art Gallery.Born in Ft. Yukon and raised in mining camps in the 40-mile district, Chicken and Tok, Cheryl is a lifelong Alaskan. She began drawing and painting as a child and with the guidance and encouragement of her mother, also an artist, she explored various mediums.

Cheryl is a multi-media artist, but works primarily in watercolor. Her florals and landscapes express light and color. Her passion is to share the joy and adventure of her surroundings and creativity through her art. Cheryl lives 20 miles north of Fairbanks at Cleary Summit with her partner, Mike Goulding, two black cats, and several raucous ravens.

For class information, go to www.fsaf.org/classes.htm.

Festival dates this summer are Sunday, July 15 – Sunday, July 29.

Now in it's 28th year, this annual study-performance Festival is held on the beautiful University of Alaska Fairbanks campus. Every year about 900 registrants study and perform with more than 90 guest artists in the areas of Music, Dance, Shakespeare and Theatre, Opera and Musical Theatre, Storytelling, Percussion, World Music, Creative Writing, Healing Arts, Visual Arts and Ice Skating.

For questions on Festival classes, contact the Festival office at 907.474.8869 or email festival@alaska.net

Photo of the day - March 28

A female pine grosbeak appears to have a curious look on her face as she sits in a willow watching the photographer. Photo courtesy of Dwight Phillips.

KJNP Program Director passes

Bev Olsen, 64, long time program director of KJNP (King Jesus North Pole) radio died in Buffalo, New York on Saturday from complications of several medical conditions, including metastasized lung cancer. Click here for memorial information.

Photo of the day - March 27

The beautiful mountains at Turnigan Pass, photo adapted with Picasa2. While visiting Anchorage, this photo was taken 2 weeks ago. Photo Courtesy Russell Hollembaek

National Congress of American Indians to Hold Mid Year Meeting in Anchorage

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) – the nation’s oldest, largest and most representative national organization serving American Indian and Alaska Native nations – will hold its Mid-Year Session from Sunday, June 10 through Wednesday, June 13 at the Egan Convention Center in downtown Anchorage. More than 1,000 American Indian and Alaska Native leaders and representatives are expected to attend the session.

NCAI is working extensively on Alaska Native issues such as 8(a) government contracting to protect Alaska Native Corporations and Alaska Native villlages involved in the government contracting process, subsistance rights and environmental concerns.

NCAI also works closely with the Alaska Inter-tribal Council (AITC), Rural Alaska Community Action Program (RurAL CAP) and the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN) to promote the well being and prosperity of Alaska Native people.

Online registration for the Mid-Year session is open until May 25, 2007. Please visit our

Photo of the day - March 26

A pair of great horned owls, obviously very comfortable with each other, rest in a poplar tree deep in the Alaska interior. Photo courtesy of Dwight Phillips.

Teleconference with Rep. Harris & Sen. Therriault

Tuesday March 27th 5:00 - 6:00 pm. There will be a constituent teleconference with Rep. John Harris & Sen. Gene Therriault.

Delta Junction Legislative Information Office located in Room 218 of the Jarvis Office Center.

Call 895-4236 for additional information.

Final Report (LBC) Copies

Final Report (to the Local Boundary Commission Regarding the Deltana Borough Proposal)

The Delta Junction Legislative Information Office has limited copies of the Final Report to the Local Boundary Commission Regarding the Deltana Borough Proposal. Office Hours 8:30 am - 4:30 pm closed 12 - 1 for lunch. We are located in the Jarvis Office Building Room 218 & 221. Call 895-4236 for information.

Proposed Regulation Changes by the Local Boundary Commission

On Thursday March 29th at 10:00 am there is a teleconference with the Local Boundary commission regarding proposed regulation changes. These proposed regulation changes can be viewed at http://www.dced.state.ak.us/dca/lbc/regulation_revision.htm

Public comment will be taken during this time. This teleconference will be heard at the Delta Junction Legislative Information Office located in Room 218 of the Jarvis Office Center.

Call 895-4236 for additional information.

Photo of the day - March 24

"An old tamarac tree along Krebs' Creek on St. Patrick's Day 2007." Photo By Sebastian Saarloos

Closure to Richardson Highway at the Tanana River Bridge

While evaluating the recent damage to the Tanana River Bridge they have discovered additional structural damage which necessitates immediate action.

In order to make safety repairs to the recently damaged Tanana River Bridge at Delta, the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities is conducting emergency closures of the bridge located at MP 275 of the Richardson Highway. The closures will be on Sunday, March 25th through Wednesday, March 28th from 10:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. each day. No oversize or overload vehicles will be permitted. Please plan your travel on the Richardson Highway accordingly and thank you for your patience.

If you need more information you can contact Shannon McCarthy at the Department of Transportation & Public Facilities at 451-2240 or contact your local Alaska State Troopers at 895-4800.

Where can I get a copy of the Final Report (to the Local Boundary Commission Regarding the Deltana Borough Proposal)?

City Hall and the Library have no more copies to distribute, but they do have reference copies. It is best to use the Internet to view or download a copy.

If you do not have access to the Internet or to a computer, a State of Alaska Local Boundary Commission (LBC) staff person will print a copy and mail it, upon request (269-4501 or 269-4560). If more than one copy is requested, there will be a 25¢ charge per page.

Discs that have both the Preliminary Report and the Final Report can be requested also.

Photo of the day - March 23

Here is a beautiful picture of a sunset on Clearwater Road with the old barn in the forefront.
Photo by Russell Hollembaek taken February 2007.

Poison in Pet Food Identified

A toxic substance called Aminopterin, which is used used kill rats in some countries outside (though not in the U.S.) , is the suspected cause of renal failure and subsequent death in more than a dozen pets across the country. Aminopterin is also used as a cancer drug, but any amount in pet food is "too much", according to scientists at the New York State Animal Health Diagnostic Center at Cornell. A link to a list of pet food brand names and toll free information numbers can be found here.

Carefree Gourmet by Joyce McCombs - Sandwich Plan

I’ve been terribly fond of sandwiches of all shapes and sizes ever since I can remember. Tuna on toasted whole wheat with lettuce and tomato tops my list of all time favorites, followed closely by the classic pb & j, with blackberry jam, if you please. A nice BLT or turkey club is a good lunch choice, and if there’s leftover meatloaf in the house, you can bet the Carefree spouse and I will be having a hearty slice or two on a hamburger bun for a quick and easy dinner.
I probably don’t have to tell you that grilled cheese and tomato soup go perfectly together. Or that thinly sliced ham and Swiss cheese on rye bread with a dollop of mustard is pretty tasty with a cup of split pea soup. Sandwiches fit the bill for so many occasions; it’s hard to know where to stop. I seriously think I could have sandwiches three times a day and never get bored!

To view the entire article for sandwich plan, please click here. An index is included on this page, so you can browse through all the Carefree Gourmet recipes from past months.

Photo of the day - March 22

This peaceful fall scene presented itself while on a fishing trip to a local lake.
Image and copyright by Dwight Phillips

Critical Care Inc/ Guardian Flight Will be Sharing in Delta

Delta Kiwanis Club is hosting Critical Care Inc./Guardian Flight of Ketchikan at the Kiwanis meeting on Tuesday March 27, 5:30 pm at the Buffalo Center Diner in the basement meeting room.

CCI membership provides financial resources to support education for Alaska's healthcare professionals, and collaborates with organizations statewide to make training available. Membership also offers the Critical Care Advantage, which means that in the event you use Guardian flight critical care air ambulance services, Guardian Flight will bill your insurance carrier (if any) and will accept what the insurance pays as payment in full.

The public is invited to attend this meeting and learn more about this organization and what they have to offer to members. The Delta Kiwanis Club meets every Tuesday evening at 5:30 pm at the Diner, and visitors are welcome.

For additional information contact Art Lenon at 895-4452 or Ray Dinger at 895-4982.

Pet Food Recall

A precautionary recall dog and cat food manufactured between December 3, 2006 and March 6, 2007 is in effect. The recall is limited to "cuts and gravy" style pet food in cans and pouches. Click the links below to see a complete list of product names:

Cat food recall list: http://www.menufoods.com/recall/product_cat.html
Dog food recall list: http://www.menufoods.com/recall/product_dog.html

Battle Cry - Pet Photo

A picture of our puppy Sheila and ferret Bandit romping with each other. The title of the game in the background seems an appropriate caption - "Battle Cry". Photo Courtesy George Hosier II

Photo of the day - March 21

Buried snowmachine while spending the weekend at Turnigan Pass near Anchorage over the weekend. Photo Courtesy Russell Hollembaek

Photo of the day - March 20

Even though this is the first day of spring for most of the nation, our local photographer has sent us a photo to remind us, that our spring is not to far away. This is the flood ditch along side of Clearwater Road after a front end loader has opened the ditch of accumulated snow. I took this photo on April 10, 2004.
Photo courtesy Barbara Tharp.

Alumni Photos

Photo Courtesy Christie DuBois, 2000 Graduate.

Jeff Leng, 1971 Graduate, Photo Courtesy Jeff Leng

Photo Courtesy Christie DuBois, 2000 Graduate.

For additional text and photo enlargments please click here. On this alumni page, you can click on additional links to browse through the rest of our alumni albums.

Absentee Voting for Special Election

The Division of Elections reminds you that the Statewide Advisory Special Election is on Tuesday, April 3, 2007. Early and absentee in-person voting for the 2007 Statewide Special Election begins today, Monday, March 19 and will continue through Tuesday, April 3, 2007. To find an absentee voting or early voting location near you, please call your local elections office or visit the State of Alaska, Division of Elections’ website at: www.elections.state.ak.us.

Absentee by mail voting, absentee by FAX voting, and special needs voting is also available. To vote by mail, voters must submit an application by Saturday, March 24, 2007 in order to receive a ballot in the mail for the Special Election. The Division’s Absentee Office will be open on Saturday, March 24 to receive by mail applications. To contact the Absentee Office, please call: (907) 375-6400.

If you have additional questions or need more information on absentee voting, contact your local elections office or visit our website:

- Anchorage, 2525 Gambell Street, Suite 100 522-8683
- Mat-Su, 1700 E Bogard Rd, Suite 102B 373-8952
- Juneau, 9109 Mendenhall Mall Rd, Suite 3 465-3021
- Kenai, 11312 Kenai Spur Highway, Suite 45 283-3805
- Fairbanks, State Office Building, 675 7th Ave., Suite H3 451-2835
- Nome, State Office Building, 103 Front Street 443-5285

Photo of the day - March 20

The picture shows Whit and Cindy Aillaud assembling 66 pictures of various sizes (taken by Cindy) of children during recess at -20 below. The pictures are assembled in a frame and glued to a backboard. After the glue dried, grout was filled into the spaces between the pictures. The mural now hangs in the entryway of Delta’s elementary school. Photo Courtesy Fronty Parker

Deltana Borough Decision up to Voters

The Local Boundary Commission has determined that the proposal for The Deltana Borough does indeed meet all the legal requirements for local government in Alaska. After meeting at the Delta High School Gym last Friday and Saturday, the Commissioners unanimously agreed it was time to move on to the next step. A vote will be scheduled by the Division of Elections some time this summer. For all the details, click here

Computer Class

Do you want to know how to use a computer? Want to stay in touch with family and friends through email? Want to be able to use your computer for your business?

Need to increase your job skills? We have just the class you need!

CIOS F150 Computer Survival Skills I, a one credit class will be held April 17 to 28th. Tuesday and Thursday 6 to 8 pm and Saturday 12 to 4 pm. The cost is $77.

For more information and to register contact Cheryl Helkenn at the Delta Career Advancement Center, 895-4605, located at 1696 North Clearwater Avenue, behind Delta High School.

Photo of the day - March 17

This is a picture of Mt. Hayes on a cold morning, March 2, 2007. Photo Courtesy Ashley Tipton

St. Patrick's Day Trivia

1. The official emblem of Ireland is:
The Shamrock
The Harp
The Blarney Stone




2. St. Patrick was:
A Christian missionary
A botanist
A French monk

3. Besides being a missionary, St. Patrick is also said to have:
Discovered the medicinal properties of the clover leaf
Driven the snakes out of Ireland
Been a talented harpist

4. "Aer Lingus" is
An ancient Irish epic poem
A slow and mournful Irish song
The Irish national airline

5. Legend has it that St. Patrick used the shamrock to represent:
The coming of spring and reincarnation
Good luck
The Trinity

6. Leprechauns are said to be:
Friendly little fairies who like to be chased and to give away gold
Ill-tempered and unfriendly spirits capable of great mischief
Elves who like to eat sugary cereals

7. The Blarney Stone is famous because:
Kissing it is said to bring the kisser the gift of persuasive eloquence
Kissing it is said to bring good luck
King Arthur is said to have pulled a sword from it

8. The colour green is associated with St. Patrick's Day because:
It is the colour of spring and the shamrock
St. Patrick is said to have worn a green felt hat
It represents the grain used to make Irish beer

9. What is the meaning of "Erin Go Braugh"?
"Happy St. Patrick's Day"
"May the luck of the Irish be with you"
"Ireland Forever"

10. St. Patrick was born in Ireland.
True or False

St. Patrick's Day Trivia Answers

1. Harp

2. St. Patrick was a Christian missionary credited with converting the Irish to Christianity.

3. Driven snakes out of Ireland - The legend represents driving Paganism out of Ireland.

4. The Irish national airline - Aer Lingus logo - A shamrock.

5. The trinity - There is no historical evidence to support this claim, but St. Patrick is said to have used the 3 leaves to represent the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost.

6. Ill-tempered and unfriendly spirits capable of great mischief - Leprechauns really don't have anything to do with St. Patrick's Day, but they are probably used because they're Irish and are made to look cute in illustrations.

7. Kissing it is said to bring the kisser the gift of persuasive eloquence The stone is set in a wall of the Blarney Castle in the Irish village of Blarney.

8. Green is the colour of spring and the shamrock.

9. Ireland Forever.

10. False - His exact date and place of birth are not known, but he was probably born in Britain near the end of the fourth century.

Why Do We Celebrate St. Patrick's Day

Saint Patrick's Day (Irish: Lá 'le Pádraig or Lá Fhéile Pádraig), colloquially Paddy's Day or St. Patty's Day, is the feast day which annually celebrates Saint Patrick (373-493), the patron saint of Ireland, on March 17, the day on which Saint Patrick died.

It is the Irish national holiday and one of the public holidays in the Republic of Ireland (a bank holiday in Northern Ireland); the overseas territory of Montserrat; and the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. In the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and rest of Canada it is widely celebrated, although not an official holiday.

It became a feast day in the universal church due to the influence of the Waterford-born Franciscan scholar Luke Wadding, as a member of the commission for the reform of the Breviary in the early part of the 17th century

How is Saint Patrick's Day Celebrated In the United States

Irish American immigrants brought Saint Patrick's Day to the United States. The first civic and public celebration of Saint Patrick's Day in the 13 colonies took place in Boston, Massachusetts in 1737. The first celebration of Saint Patrick's Day in New York City was held at the Crown and Thistle Tavern in 1756. In 1780, General George Washington, who commanded soldiers of Irish descent in the Continental Army, allowed his troops a holiday on March 17. This event became known as The St. Patrick's Day Encampment of 1780. Today, Saint Patrick's Day is widely celebrated in the United States by Irish and non-Irish alike.

Americans celebrate the holiday by wearing green. Many people, regardless of ethnic background, wear green-coloured clothing and items. Traditionally, those who are caught not wearing green are pinched.

To learn more about the history of this day, click here The excerpts were also taken from the same article.

Photo of the day - March 16

Joyce Bendell, a member of the Forget-Me-Knot Quilters Guild, works on a project during the Spring Fling Retreat held at the Baptist Church last Friday and Saturday, March 9th and 10th. The Forget-Me-Know Quilters Guild makes quilts for victims of house fires and families of fallen Soldiers from the Delta Junction area. Members meet every second Saturday of the month at Calico Cow. Photo Courtesy Jessica Hoffman

Photo of the day March 15

This brilliant sunrise was captured as it took place over Jarvis Creek near Delta Junction, AK. Image and copyright by Dwight Phillips.

Photo of the day March 14

This was taken just south of town on February 27, 2007. Adam L. Ramsey

State of Alaska Local Boundary Commission Meeting Set for Friday

Delta residents and members of the No Borough Group, Irene Hansen-Mead and Allen Avenger, assist with a bake sale to raise funds for the No Borough Campaign. Irene displays the "Final Report to the Local Boundary Commission Regarding the Deltana Borough Proposal". Copies of the report are available at the Delta Community Library and City Hall. Photo Courtesy Jessica Hoffman

Don't forget the public hearing with the State of Alaska Local Boundary Commission Friday, March 16, 2007 at 5:30pm in the large gymnasium at Delta High School.

Photo of the day - March 13

Sunset at the ranch. Photo Courtesy Ruby Hollembaek

Important Public Announcement from the City

The City of Delta Junction Landfill will be closed on Saturday, March 17, so that we may attend the memorial service for city employee, Dave Boadwine.

The Landfill will resume normal operating hours on Tuesday, March 20 at 11 AM.

Acclaimed Fairbanks Vocalist & Entertainer Performed in Delta

Performs 3 Times in Delta on Weekend
Exclusive to the DeltaNewsWeb

Ms Susan Grace, an aptly named entertainer from Fairbanks, shared her grace and graciousness as well as her composition and performance skills with enchanted Deltoids on Friday and Saturday.

On Friday evening Susan entertained a rapt audience of 35 in the Community Center, performing with guitar and singing her original material, featuring concerns about the planet and relationships among people who inhabit it.

On Saturday afternoon Susan added her banjo to enchant an audience of 20 at the Community Library, presenting a children’s program of music and stories, a self proclaimed “favorite” of hers.

Then on Saturday evening, Susan joined the monthly gathering of the Delta Sing-a-Long, one of her sponsors for the weekend, along with the Delta Library Board, Alpha Omega Life Care, Inc., and the Polar Pickers. She was promised that she would not be required to “entertain” all evening long, but that we would sing to her, too! Which is exactly what transpired, and what was thoroughly enjoyed by Susan and by the 20 or so local musicians and enthusiasts present.

Reveling in their “mini vacation” in Delta, Susan and her husband Keith relaxed for 2 nights at Kelly’s, toured a bit, looking for Bison and exploring, and enjoying the menu at the Buffalo Diner.

The couple drove home to Fairbanks on Sunday, tired but fulfilled, as we were!

Photo Courtesy Carol Watkins

Susan Grace, a folksinger from Fairbanks, shares her musical talent with Delta residents at the Community Center on Friday night, March 9. Some individuals enjoyed her music so much they could not help dancing. Photo Courtesy Jessica Hoffman

Fairbanks - Poster Signing at Art Expo This Weekend for 2007 Festival Poster

FAIRBANKS – The Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival proudly presents the 2007 Poster Signing 11 am – 5 pm both Saturday, March 17 and Sunday, March 18, at the Alaska Centennial Center for the Arts, Civic Center Exhibit Hall, located at Pioneer Park off Airport Way.

This year’s featured artist is Cheryl Berrong, a local artist from Fairbanks. The watercolor painting, entitled “June’s Sunflowers” features a colorful array of wild sunflowers. Although she has been painting for many years, this is Cheryl’s first published painting.

Born in Ft. Yukon and raised in mining camps in the 40-mile district, Chicken and Tok, Cheryl is a lifelong Alaskan. She began drawing and painting as a child and with the guidance and encouragement of her mother, also an artist, she explored various mediums. Cheryl is a multi-media artist, but works primarily in watercolor. Her florals and landscapes express light and color. Her passion is to share the joy and adventure of her surroundings and creativity through her art. Cheryl lives 20 miles north of Fairbanks at Cleary Summit with her partner, Mike Goulding, two black cats, and several raucous ravens.

All posters sold at the Art Expo will be signed by the artist. Posters are $10 each. Also hot off the press, the 2007 Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival Catalog will be available this weekend. The 2007 registration form is now available online. Go to www.fsaf.org to print out the registration form. For more information on the poster signing or class information, contact the Festival office at 907.474.8869 or email festival@alaska.net.

Visual and Performance Arts meet in Fairbanks Opera Production

When Opera Fairbanks began planning its upcoming concert, organizers contacted Fairbanks artist Barbara Tudor to discuss creating a couple of backdrops, one for each section of the program. “I’d been to a few opera concerts where the music was stunning, but the programs (performed before simple white or black backdrops) were visually lacking. We wanted something more for our first production” said Opera Fairbanks President Cassandra Tilly.

Barbara Tudor further developed this idea by creating a series of backdrops that express the music in visual form. The artist researched the operas, and over the course of several weeks, the idea turned into reality.

“A Touch of Opera” incorporates nine (9) original artworks, 7 ft wide by 14 ft high, that showcase Tudor’s interpretation of the music as visual art. The artist’s program notes help connect the art to the music (excerpted):

A strong narrative thread weaves operatic music and lyrics together into a distinctive tapestry. Whether comedy or tragedy, the story provides the context for the music. With this in mind, narrative was the inspiration for the artwork accompanying A Touch of Opera.

In opera, romantic love more often leads to tragedy. Our musical selections from Tosca and The Masked Ball express the lament of heartbroken souls whose worlds have fallen apart. In the artwork, as the stained glass design gradually loses cohesion, it suggests the collapse of structure or belief systems.

The inescapable trajectory of fate, events set in motion that determine one’s destiny, is a theme expressed by Don Carlo and Don Giovanni. In Don Carlo, King Philip cannot change the fact that his wife has never loved him and is unfaithful, nor in Don Giovanni can Giovanni overcome his villainous womanizing. Both must suffer the consequences. In the artwork, this theme is represented as pathways, trajectories for energy particles preordained to attract or repel.

In Samson and Delilah, seduction underscores the conflict of good versus evil. Delilah seduces Samson with her song, “My heart opens to the Sound of Your Voice.” The artwork symbolizes her heart as the entrance of a monumental temple. This temple opens to receive the silver notes of Samson’s voice, which descend into the void, sealing his fate.

“A Touch of Opera” runs on Friday, March 16 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, March 18 at 3 p.m. in Fairbanks’ Pioneer Park Centennial Theatre, featuring special guest Michael Douglas Jones, Bass, as well as Anchorage vocalists Anastasia Jamieson and Marlene Bateman, and Fairbanks singers Morgan Reed, Brandon Michael, and Cassandra Tilly.

International Opera Star takes the Stage in Fairbanks

Michael Douglas Jones, bass, leads the cast of Opera Fairbanks' inaugural production, "A Touch of Opera." Highly regarded for his appearances in works of the 20th and 21st centuries, Michael starred in the 2005 premiere of The Love of A Chair (John Metcalf/Tremblay) in Montreal with performances continuing in Wales and England. Michael developed his leading role over 3 years period, collaborating with the composer, librettist and stage director through improvisations in creativeworkshops. He made his international debut in Sweden in the lead role of Director in Kafka's Chimp (Metcalf), (in Swedish), preceded by its world premiere at Banff Music Centre for the Arts (in English). Michael won the prestigious Jessies Award for "outstanding performance by an actor in a leading role" for his creation of the Marquis in 120 Songs for Marquis de Sade (Hannan) in the world premiere co-production of Modern Baroque Opera and Vancouver New Music.

Michael maintains a very active performing career as well as a teaching career. He runs a private voice studio on Long Island and in Manhattan, where he also served on the voice faculty of New York University. He was Music Director and Vocal Coach at NYU for an innovative new "rap" opera, Odin, and praised by the New York Times as "an amazing example of, what is possible in the world of new opera." In 2005, Michael became Executive/Artistic Director to his newly formed non-profit, Companion Star, which will produce new music-theater works for the stage based on the idea of collaboration between artists and composers to create original works that challenge the boundaries of traditional opera and music-theater.

Michael made his New York City Opera debut in Madama Butterfly and has sung leading bass roles in Victoria, BC; Sarasota, El Paso, Le Nouvel Ensemble Moderne in Montreal, Florida Philharmonic, San Antonio Symphony, Florentine Opera, and Memphis Opera. Concert appearances have included Stravinsky’s L’histoire du Soldat, Kagel’s Fürst Igor, Stravinsky and Schoenberg’s Ode to Napoleon. Michael has recorded operas in progress for Atlantic Records and new works of composers on the BMI label.

Dr. Jones will appear with Anchorage artists Anastasia Jamieson and Marlene Bateman, as well as Fairbanks vocalists Morgan Reed, Brandon Michael, and