Chinook by George Hosier II - Winter Camping

Finally, we got some cold around here! I didn’t think we were going to get any decent camping weather at all this winter. At the risk of having my official Sourdough status revoked, I am going to reveal a closely guarded Sourdough secret: The best time to experience Alaskan camping is in the winter. There, it’s out! If the Sourdough police come for me, they’ll just have to do what they have to do. I just don’t think it’s fair for all of us old-timers to get to enjoy all the great winter camping, while Cheechakos have to suffer the rigors of trying to camp in the summer.

I’ve camped in the summer, both out of necessity and for…ahem…“recreation”. Let me tell you, summer camping is no fun! No wonder the tourons bring RVs with them when they tour our great state. I’ve noticed that most tourons are elderly retired folk, which means they’ve lived a long time, which means they’ve probably accumulated a lot of wisdom over the years. Obviously, one of the pieces of wisdom they have accumulated is “Don’t camp outside in Alaska in the summer.” I urge my readers to follow their sage advice. There are hazards introduced by summer camping which don’t even enter into the equation on a crisp January Alaskan night. By way of illustration, let me list but a handful:

To read the rest of the story we invite you to browse our Chinook pages.

2008 Galleria & Trade Show Vendor Spaces

Hurry to ensure your booth space for the 2008 Festival of Lights Galleria & Trade Show that will take place on Saturday, February 16 from 10 am – 4:30 pm. The booth spaces are almost filled – there are ONLY 12 left. The Galleria & Trade Show is a well known event and is an excellent opportunity for vendors, businesses, and organizations to sell products, provide information, and promote services. Vendor Space Reservation Forms can be printed off the Delta News Web or can be picked up at the Delta Chamber of Commerce Office (Jarvis West Bldg., Suite 1B).

For more information, please contact the Delta Chamber of Commerce @ 895-5068 or deltacc@alaska.net.

Click here to download the galleria PDF form.

Photo of the day - January 30

These images were taken last Saturday on one of our test ranges. The Delta River is at the bottom of the moon set image. It was not warm that morning.
Photo Courtesy Michael Kingston/CRTC

The UAF Co-op and Other Agencies Hosting Workshops

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service and other agricultural related agencies will be hosting a variety of workshops throughout the state that may be of interest. For detailed information on these events contact your local Delta District office at 895-4215 located in Room 114 of the Jarvis Office Center.

• 2008 Alaska Potato & Vegetable Conference – Palmer February 12 & 13 Contact: 907-745-3360
• 2008 Alaska Livestock Producers Conference – Anchorage February 21 & 22 Contact: 907-474-7269
• Retrofit of Existing Homes – Delta Junction February 22 Contact: 907-895-4215. Email: fncmr1@uaf.edu
• Cold Climate Homebuilding Techniques Workshop – Delta Junction February 23 Contact: 907-895-4215. Email: fncmr1@uaf.edu
• 2008 Delta Farm Forum – Delta Junction March 1 Contact: 907-895-4215. Email: fncmr1@uaf.edu
• Estate Planning – Delta Junction March 25 Contact 907-895-4215. Email: fncmr1@uaf.edu

E-mail Phishing Attack Uses USAA Name

BBB Urges Businesses to Report Suspicious E-mails

Anchorage, AK., — January 29, 2008 —A phishing attack is hitting members of United Services Automobile Association, an insurance and banking provider for military families. Much like the phishing e-mails that used the Better Business Bureau name last spring, the USAA recently confirmed that another phishing e-mail attack using its name has been reported by many of its members.

Members receive e-mails claiming to be from USAA that urge them to “verify the following information” which may include their social security number, date of birth, and account number(s). A hyperlink in the e-mail will redirect members to a counterfeit website that may contain malicious software designed to capture sensitive information.

Phishing e-mails are often used to entice recipients to access potentially damaging hyperlinks in order to steal personal information. The USAA instructs anyone who has received this most recent e-mail, or a similar one, to report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov and contact USAA immediately at 1-877-632-3002 or email abuse@usaa.com.

In order to combat these recent phishing e-mail attacks, your local BBB offers the following tips:

• Do not be fooled by the use of a legitimate organization’s name within these messages. Scammers have been known to use the Department of Justice’s name and the BBB name as well as the names of banks and other legitimate companies.
• Do not click on active links or open any attachments within the e-mail. These links and attachments often contain viruses which can damage your computer.
• If you have already clicked on a link or opened an attachment, your computer’s security may have been compromised. Have your company’s IT person or a computer expert look at your computer.
• Be sure to have updated firewalls and spam blockers installed in your computer.
• Report any suspicious e-mails to the FBI by filing at www.ic3.gov.
• Visit www.bbb.org to find out more about recent security alerts.

Your Better Business Bureau is a not-for-profit organization funded by BBB accredited businesses. The mission of the BBB is to promote the highest ethical marketplace relationship between businesses and consumers through self-regulation, education, and information. For more information about the services and products provided by your BBB, cal l907-562-0704 in Alaska, or 206-431-2222 or 253-830-2924 in Washington, 503-212-3022 in Oregon, or visit our Web site at www.bbb.org.

February 5 - Super Tuesday in Alaska

February 5th will be Super Tuesday in Alaska. Registered Republicans, and those willing to register Republican, will be allowed to pledge their vote for their favorite candidate or vote unpledged (undecided). Voter registration forms will be available at the polling place. There will be voting for both District 6 and 12. The outcome on February 5 will determine how many votes each candidate gets at the Republican National Convention in September.
Voting will be from 4:30 to 8:30 pm be at the Community Center. In addition to the presidential preference poll, we will be holding our district convention for district 12. Attend and let us know you want to be a delegate to state convention.

One reason that many good people don’t get involved in the party nomination process and conventions is that they have never done so before and feel they would be in over their heads. At every convention fully half of the delegates (or more) are participating for the first time. You would not be the only first timer. Being a convention delegate at the district or state, or even national level, is not as complicated as you might guess. This year more than ever the final outcome of the presidential nomination process is upin the air and you can help settle the outcome.

“Voters registering for the first time or new to the area should bring an electric bill or rent bill or something that shows their physical address.”

Call Debbie Joslin at 460 9573 for more information.

Announcing 2nd Annual Moonbeam Children's Book Awards

• Entry opens Tuesday, January 29, 2008
• Early-bird entry fee, $75 per category, valid until March 15th
• New categories include Children's Poetry, Environmental Issues and Spanish Language Book

Click here to download complete guidelines and entry form.

Announcing the call for entries into the second annual Moonbeam Children's Book Awards www.MoonbeamAwards.com, designed to honor the year's best children’s books, authors and illustrators. The new book awards program is accepting entries until August 16th, 2008 for books with 2007 or 2008 copyrights or that were released in 2007 or 2008, and is open to authors, illustrators, and publishers of children’s books written in English and intended for the North American market.

Presented by Jenkins Group and Independent Publisher Online, the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards are intended to bring increased recognition to exemplary children’s books and their creators, and to support childhood literacy and life-long reading. Awards will be given in 29 categories covering the full range of subjects, styles and age groups that children’s books are written and published in today.

“The inaugural Moonbeam Awards were a huge success,” says Jim Barnes, Awards Director at Jenkins Group. “We had a great turnout of support from the children’s book publishing community, and we’re going to make this year’s awards even better. Last year we recognized a wonderfully diverse group of authors and publishers, from first-timers to seasoned veterans, and the award-winners make up an amazing ‘must-read’ list of books for kids.”

Click here to view last year's results, photos, etc.

Jenkins Group has been involved in book packaging, marketing and distribution since 1988, and many of its founders and employees now have children and grandchildren who strongly influence the company culture with their youthful exuberance and love of books.

“We all have kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews, and we all recognize the role books play in enriching children’s lives,” says company founder Jerrold Jenkins, father of four children ranging from ages 5 to 15. “As our society has gotten more complex and growing up has become more complicated, children’s book authors and publishers have risen to the occasion, creating books that not only celebrate the joys of childhood, but also help families deal with its challenges. We want to recognize and reward the best of these books and bring them to the attention of parents, booksellers, librarians – and to the kids themselves.”

To learn more about the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards visit www.MoonbeamAwards.com or contact Jim Barnes, Awards Director: jimb@bookpublishing.com; 1.800.644.0133 x1011

“Celebrating youthful curiosity, discovery and learning through books and reading.”

Photo of the day - January 29

This immature goshawk was photographed in the Clearwater area during the summer of 2006. Image by Dwight Phillips.

Cold Climate Building and Retrofitting Workshops

Using cold climate building techniques with new homes and retrofittingexisting homes can trim homeowners' energy bills. Richard Seifert,Cooperative Extension's Service energy and housing specialist, will offer two courses in Delta Junction aimed at lowering home energy costs.

Seifert will offer his newly developed course, "Retrofitting Your Home,"from 1-4 p.m. Feb. 22 at the Delta Career Advancement Center, and his Cold Climate Homebuilding Techniques Workshop will run from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb.23, also at the center. Both workshops are free.

Seifert retrofitted his Fairbanks home in 2005, and notes that relativelymodest weatherization retrofit can make a difference with heating costs. The retrofitting workshop will cover windows, ventilation, cold climate options, walls, roofs and materials.

During the cold climate workshop, Seifert will talk about windows,ventilation, cold climate options, walls, indoor air quality, roofs and permafrost foundations. Participants in the cold climate workshop will receive a free manual with a CD.

To register for either workshop, call 895-4215. For more information, call Seifert at 800-478-8324 at the Fairbanks Extension office.

CONTACT: Richard Seifert at 474-6366 or at ffrds@uaf.edu.

Open Caucus - Pipeline Applicants

House Majority Sets Schedule of Open Caucuses to Hear From Pipeline Applicants

House Speaker John Harris announced today that he has scheduled a series of open caucuses to hear presentations from companies interested in building an Alaska gas pipeline. Scheduled so far are: Conoco Phillips, the Alaska Gasline Port Authority, and TransCanada. The series of caucuses will kick off with a presentation by the Palin Administration gas pipeline team. Other proposers, including Sinopec ZPEB and AEnergia, will be added to the schedule if they express interest.

Wednesday, Jan. 30 at 6 p.m. – Palin Gas Team
Thursday, Feb. 7 at 6 p.m. – TransCanada
Monday, Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. – ConocoPhillips
Wednesday, Feb. 13 at 6 p.m. – Port Authority

You can attend these listen-only meetings via teleconference at the Delta LIO. Please call by 4pm on meeting day so we can make arrangements. Gavel to Gavel will broadcast the meetings at www.ktoo.org/gavel also.

Delta Junction Legislative Information Office
Jarvis Office Center, Suite 218
895-4236

Better Business Bureau Warns of an Ongoing Scam Targeting Military Spouses

Anchorage, AK — January 28, 2008 — The local BBB is warning consumers about an ongoing scam targeting military spouses. The scammer, who is misrepresenting him/herself as a Red Cross representative, is trying to steal personal information such as Social Security numbers and dates of birth.

In the scam, the caller claims to represent the Red Cross and informs the spouse that their husband or wife has been injured while on duty in Iraq and has been med-evacuated to a German hospital. The caller then claims that in order to start medical treatment, the spouse must provide correct identification of their enlisted family member.

In a press release, the American Red Cross has stated that their representatives do not typically contact military family members/dependents directly and almost always go through a commander or first sergeant.

The American Red Cross urges military family members to not give out any personal information over the phone if they are contacted by unknown/unverified individuals or to include confirmation that any member of the family is deployed.

Your local BBB offers these tips for possible scammers calling you over the phone:

• Never give out personal information over the phone. This includes Social Security numbers, account numbers, credit card numbers or your PIN. No bank will call you to request private information over the phone.
• Verify that the person on the phone is who they say they are. If the caller claims to be from your bank, credit card company, government agency or other organization, you can also ask that they put their request in writing and send it to you. Also, ask for a name, physical location and telephone number then call your BBB to report your experience.

Use your local Better Business Bureau. Visit www.bbb.org to run reliability reports on businesses or check out charities. You can also call the local BBB at 907-562-0704 in Alaska, or 206-431-2222 or 253-830-2924 in Washington, or 503-212-3022 in Oregon to speak with an expert who will be able to assist you in investigating a company.

Learn more about fraud and how to prevent it. Helpful prevention information is available at the www.ftc.gov/idtheft Web site.

Photo of the day - January 28

The Delta Snow Seekers Snowmobile Club went to Tolsona Resort over the three day weekend. I took this photo on Sunday, January 20, 2008,. It was a sunrise at Tolsona Resort at about 9:30 am. A good time was had by all. Photo courtesy Barbara Tharp

Large European Garden Planters Now in Stock

Raised Garden Planter Kits in varying lengths,30" to 46", now available at WillowWood Gift Shop, and on special for Valentine's Day. View sample photos at www.willowwoodgiftshop.com or visit the store in the Mt.Hayes Bldg., next to the post office. Please call 895-4269 for store hours.

*NOTICE - The Mt.Hayes Bldg.has posted it is now officially a non-smoking establishment, and appreciates your consideration.

Photo of the day - January 26

This picture was taken a few days ago, before the wind came up and blew the frost off of the tree branches. The picture was taken from the deck of the Clearwater Lodge.

Photo Courtesy Kevin Ewing

Classes Rescheduled for Pesticide Safety & Education Certification Classes

Demonstration & Research (category 2)
Private Applicator (category 3)
Turf & Ornamental (category 4)
Right of Way Pest control (category 9)

DATE: Initial Certification Part 1
Monday1/28/2008 9:00 - 4:30 (1 hour lunch break)
Categories 2, 3, 4, & 9
Initial Certification Part 2 and Re-Certification

Wednesday1/29/2008 9:00 - 4:30 or later if necessary for exam.(1 hour lunch break) Categories 2, 3, 4, & 9

PLACE: Delta CES Conference Room - Jarvis Office Center
INSTRUCTOR: Phil Kaspari, Pesticide Program CoordinatorFEE:
$40 fee per participant for all categories (initial and/or re-certification).

Current Polar Bear Plunge Nominees and Their Votes as of 1/25/2008

Gwen Leivdal (Alaskan Steakhouse): 35 votes

Patsy Ewing (Clearwater Lodge): 5 votes

Bruce Grossman (Frontier Baptist Church): 0 votes

Arlin Pyatt (Sawmill Creek Lodge): 0 votes

Chris Johnson: 5 Votes

Youth Pastor Brian Whitson (First Baptist Church): 0 votes

Katrina Vecchiarelli: 1 vote

COL. Besch (Missile Defense Agency): 0 votes

Mike Paschall (Delta Wind): 0 votes

Svetlana Malyk: 2 votes

LTC. Hildreth (49th Missile Defense Battalion): 0 Votes

*Nominee names are only posted after they have accepted the challenge
*Nominees and their votes are updated weekly

Contact the Delta Chamber of Commerce @ 895-5068 or deltacc@alaska.net with any inquiries.

Birth Announcement - Corbin Scott Atwell

Corbin Scott Atwell was born Jan.22nd. weighing 9lbs and 6oz. He is the son of Justin and Christina Atwell . Justin was a 1998 graduate of Delta High School. Corbin has two big brothers, Dawson 3 yrs and Aidan 20 months. This is Charlie and Amy Atwell's 8th grandchild!

We invite you to browse through our alumni photo albums.

Warm Thoughts for the Cold Weather

This is a photo of Chong Hoffman frolicking with the Green Sea Turtles off Maui in December 2006. Photos taken by Dave Hoffman

Photo of the day - January 25

The setting sun was photographed in its last few minutes of illumination as it sets over the Delta River behind GVEA. Photo Courtesy Dwight Phillips

Department of Motor Vehicles Closure

The Delta DMV will be closed on Wednesday, February 6th, so Cindy can attend training in Fairbanks.

Alaska Career Ready Regulations Filed

(January 24, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska) – Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell filed regulations today from the State Board of Education relating to the Alaska Career Ready transitional skills curriculum and assessments. This program represents collaboration between the Department of Education and Early Development and the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, and will provide more workers for Alaska’s workforce better suited for skilled or professional careers. Alaska Career Ready is a job skills assessment program that teaches practical, real-life applications necessary for career success. The program includes job profiling, skills assessment, and gap analysis for further instruction.

"Alaskans face many exciting opportunities in our economy in the coming years and we must be prepared to seize those opportunities,” said Governor Sarah Palin on Thursday. “The Alaska Career Ready program will help students and job-seeking adults, at no cost to themselves, improve in the foundational skills that are needed to enter many jobs and postsecondary institutions. The program's online assessments and courses can be taken at the participant's own pace, whether it's in school, at home, or at a state job center. Alaska Career Ready shows our students that what they learn is relevant to what they will do in life, as well as equipping adults for the workforce. We can't afford to leave any Alaskans behind."

Beginning in the 2009-2010 school year, 6th and 8th graders will be required to take benchmark assessments in the three main areas of Applied Math, Reading for Information, and Locating Information, by using the WIN (Worldwide Interactive Network) software placement tests. Additionally, 11th graders will be tested on the same three subject areas using the state-funded WorkKeys® assessments.

“The Governor and I are confident that the Alaska Career Ready program will yield great rewards for Alaska’s students and for all of Alaska,” Lieutenant Governor Parnell said on Thursday. “Ensuring a strong foundation for students’ middle and high school education is the first step toward providing this and future generations with hope and opportunity.”

For further information on the Alaska Career Ready program, please go to http://www.eed.state.ak.us/tls/CTE/workready.html

Photo of the day - January 24

Sunrise over shadowing from the trees on a balmy January morning.
Photo Courtesy Erin Trainor

Photo of the day - January 23

This nice bull was photographed in December. The moose in our area are experiencing a relatively mild winter which may lead to a decreased mortality rate.
Photo Courtesy Dwight Phillips.

Dawson Poker Run

Participants from Greely and Delta will be participating in the runs on the following dates:
Feb. 28-Mar 2, and Mar. 6-9. Spaces for the last trip are now very limited, please call the Alaska Trailblazers for availability!

The Alaska Trailblazers are the original proud sponsors of the Tok to Dawson Poker Run, aka the Trek Over the Top. This event attracts over 700 people from all over Alaska, as well as the “Lower 48.” Riders travel to Tok to make the 200 mile trek over the Alaska and Top of the World Highways to beautiful Dawson City, Yukon.

http://www.alaskatrailblazers.com/

Music Performances Wanted for the Festival of Lights

The Delta Chamber is looking for musical acts for the Festival of Lights Galleria & Trade Show event on Saturday, February 16. Performers will be set up outside the Delta High School large gymnasium in the lobby. The atmosphere is very informal as the audience consists of people walking to and from the gym. We are signing up performers to fill time slots between 10:30 am and 4:30 pm.

For more information please contact the Delta Chamber of Commerce at 895-5068 or deltacc@alaska.net.

Court Closures

The district court will be closed the following dates for installation of a new computer program. During the week of Feb. 4-8th if you need assistance contact the Tok courthouse at 883-5171. The Delta courthouse will be closed again Feb. 18-20th. If you have any emergencies, call the Alaska State Troopers at 895-4800. We apologize for any inconvenience but the new program will be beneficial to the public.

Photo of the day - January 22

Beautiful sunrise on Sunday, January 20, 2008 and it was 30 degrees outside!
Photo Courtesy Jeff and Kathy Swartz

Community Planning Meeting - Friday,January 25

There will be a Delta Community Coalition meeting at the Delta City Council Conference Room on Friday, January 25, 2008.

The first step in responding to grants is to build a community coalition.

From the State of Alaska, Department of Behavioral Health:
Requests for Proposals for our three main grant programs:

• Comprehensive Prevention;
• Alcohol Safety Action Programs; and
• Rural Human Services Systems.

Requests for proposals for the coming state fiscal year will be competitive and open to all interested and eligible applicants who want to provide community-based behavioral health prevention and early intervention services (substance use, suicide, FASD, mental health, youth development/resiliency, court assessment & monitoring and rural BH workforce development). For details about the teleconference and how to connect to the call please go to the Online Public Notice page

$19 Million In Drug Prevention Grants Available To 150 American Communities

Regional Workshops To Assist Potential Grant Applicants
(Washington, D.C.) - Today, the White House Office of National Drug Control (ONDCP), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) announced the availability of new, Drug Free Communities (DFC) Support Program funds - totaling $19 million. ONDCP expects to award approximately 150 new grants to community drug prevention coalitions throughout the United State s. The deadline to submit DFC grantee applications is Friday, March 21, 2008.

“The DFC program is aimed at helping American communities - be it in the inner-cities, suburbs, or rural areas - identify local problems and solve them with local solutions,” said Director of National Drug Control Policy, John P. Walters. “By leveraging the best a community has to offer, the DFC program organizes and mobilizes community efforts against youth substance use in true partnership with the Federal government. Community-by-community we can continue the successful gains against youth drug use - 24 percent reduction over the past 6 years - and continue to push back against illicit drugs.”

The DFC support program is a collaborative Federal program sponsored by ONDCP, and administered in partnership with SAMHSA. The program aims to establish and strengthen communities, private nonprofit agencies, and Federal, State, local and Tribal governments and entities to support community-based efforts to prevent, reduce, and eliminate substance abuse. The DFC program was created in 1997 under the Drug Free Communities Act, and was reauthorized in 2001, and again in 2006. The latest reauthorization extends the DFC program for an additional five years, until 2012.

“The Drug-Free Communities Support Program is the foundation of our efforts to continue to prevent and reduce substance abuse in our nation,” said SAMHSA Administrator Terry Cline, Ph.D. “This community-wide approach promotes safe and healthy environments where families can raise children free from the ravages of substance abuse.”

In order to assist potential Drug Free Communities applicants through the grant process, ONDCP, SAMHSA, and the National Coalition Institute have scheduled six regional DFC FY08 application workshops. The workshops are free and open to the public. They will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. in five different cities. (Applicants do not have to attend a workshop in order to apply for a grant).

Wednesday, January 23, 2008 New Orleans, Louisiana
Thursday, January 29, 2008 Los Angeles, California
Thursday, January 31, 2008 Chicago, Illinois
Tuesday, February 5, 2008 Denver, Colorado
Wednesday, February 6, 2008 Denver, Colorado (Native American Summit)
Friday, February 15, 2008 Washington, DC

The Drug Free Communities Support Program is the largest Federal drug prevention effort in the United State s with over $90 million in total investment. Since 1998, ONDCP has awarded approximately 1,300 Drug Free Communities grants in all 50 states. This year, each successful DFC grantee will receive up to $125,000 per year in Federal matching funds over a 5-year cycle to support community-based substance abuse prevention and reduction efforts.

To learn more about the Drug Free Communities Support Program, or the upcoming grant application deadline, please visit http://www.ondcp.gov/dfc.

"Fire in the Ice" - Annual Aglow Dance

Not sure what to do or where to go during The Festival of Lights? Come join in the fun at the Delta Community Center. For our annual Aglow dance, “Fire in the Ice”. - February 16, 2008

Featuring Delta’s own band “The Legends”.

Enjoy an elegant evening with candlelight dinner and “of course dancing”!!!

Seating starts at 6pm.

Tickets are on sell now:
$36 per couples
$20 per singles person

Kick up your heels, visit with friends, have a great evening.

Contact: Kathy Fields @ 590-7100, Jeanette Brasier @ 895-4961,or Evelyn Glass@895-4723

2008 Galleria and Trade Show Booth Spaces Almost Gone!

Hurry to ensure your booth space for the 2008 Festival of Lights Galleria & Trade Show to take place on Saturday, February 16 from 10 am – 4:30 pm. The booth spaces are filling up quickly – now there are ONLY 18 LEFT.

The Galleria & Trade Show is a well known event and is an excellent opportunity for vendors, businesses, and organizations to sell products, provide information, and promote services.

Vendor Space Reservation Forms can be printed off the Delta News Web or can be picked up at the Delta Chamber of Commerce Office (Jarvis West Bldg., Suite 1B).

For more information, please contact the Delta Chamber of Commerce @ 895-5068 or deltacc@alaska.net.

Current Polar Bear Plunge Nominees

Current Polar Bear Plunge Nominees and their votes as of 1/21/2008

• Gwen Leivdal (Alaskan Steakhouse): 15 votes
• Patsy Ewing (Clearwater Lodge): 0 votes
• Bruce Grossman (Frontier Baptist Church): 0 votes
• Arlin Pyatt (Sawmill Creek Lodge): 0 votes
• Chris Johnson: 0 Votes
  
  *Nominee names are only posted after they have accepted the challenge
  *Nominees and their votes are updated weekly.

Contact the Delta Chamber of Commerce @ 895-5068 or deltacc@alaska.net with any inquiries.

Polar Bear Plunge Nominations and Votes Being Accepted

It’s Festival of Lights time and it that means it’s also time to vote for the unlucky 3 who will take the Polar Bear Plunge into a frigid pool of Arctic water on Saturday, February 16 at 4:00 pm in the Delta High School parking lot.

To vote for an individual, they must first be nominated. Once nominated, votes can be placed in their name. The top three with the most votes will take the Plunge. Nominations are $5 each and votes thereafter are $1. There are no restrictions on how many times you vote or how many people you nominate.

There are voting cans placed around local businesses to include:

Alaskan Steakhouse
Buffalo Bar
Buffalo Center Diner
Clearwater Lodge
Buffalo Center Service
IGA Food Cache
Jacks Liquor Store
Moose Lodge
Mt. McKinley Bank
Sawmill Creek Lodge
Wells Fargo Bank
Ft. Greely

The voting cans will be checked weekly and a sheet with names of those nominated and how many votes they have will be posted on the can.

Surely there are those of you out there who might just have a teacher, boss, public official, coach, principal, pastor, or Ft. Greely commander in mind. Don’t be shy! Nominators and voters are kept anonymous and so your secret will be safe!

Photo of the day - January 21

The Aurora Borealis displayed in its wondrous beauty. A sight Alaskans never grow weary of. Photo Courtesy Brian Bonner

Delta Library Book Club begins tonight!

The first meeting of our new book club - Junction Readers - is tonight, Monday, January 21 at 7:30 in the Delta Community Library Alaskana section. Paperback editions of "Love in the Time of Cholera", by Gabriel Garcia Marquez will be available for $10.00.

Bring your ideas for other books to read and discuss in the coming months, thoughts about how the meetings should be organized, and don't forget to bring a friend! If you've already read the book, come anyway to meet and greet local book lovers.

Junction Readers will meet on the third Monday of each month and is sponsored by the Delta Library Association. Questions? Call Joyce at the library at 895-4102.

Photo of the day - January 19

Here are two more Bull moose with Antlers seen on Souhrada Rd. There are three here but one is hidden in the back trees. The three Bulls have been spotted around Nistler and Souhrada Rd. Photo by Richard Mitchell

Photo - Dreaming of Summer - Matt Frenzl

"The Anchor Dragger", Matt Frenzl, sits in the stern of his riverboat after a hard day of plying his home waters in Delta Junction. These are the things we can only dream of in January.
Photo Courtesy Dwight Phillips

You are invited to be a part of the Alaska Pet and Animal Web site

Join in the fun and become part of a new web site that is making an appearance in Alaska. It is just for Alaskans, their pets and animals. The furry and feathered friends that bring joy, love and enrichment into our lives.

Post and share your animal news, tips, pictures, memories and articles to this pet and family friendly community on the Net.

Your suggestions and ideas are invited and welcomed. Website: www.alaskapetnet.com

Photo of the day - January 18

Donnelly's Dome reflected on Weasel Lake. Taken summer of 2007.
Photo Courtesy Jessica Fellman

Open House - Tanana Valley Campus

Wood Preservative & Pesticide Safety Certification Classes

From the Cooperative Extension Service

Certification is required by Alaska State Regulation 18 AAC90.300 for individuals engaged in the following practices:
1. Use or supervise the use of an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) restricted-use pesticides (RUP);
2. Use or supervise the use of an EPA general or RUP for commercial purpose (for hire);
3. Satisfy the requirements of a pesticide permit;
4. Act as a pesticide consultant;
5. Purchase or sell EPA Restricted-Use Pesticides.

You must be 18 years old to apply for certification.

Classes will be offered January 22 – January 24, 2008 to provide information on safe handling and correct application. An exam is included and required for those seeking certification. Certification and re-certification dates and times will be determined as our office receives an indication of the number of new folks needing certification in any of the categories. An initial certification workshop for Demonstration & Research (category 2) Private Applicator (category 3), Turf & Ornamental (category 4), Right of Way Pest Control (category 9) and will be two-day workshop. Re-certification workshops for all four categories will be a one-day workshop.Wood Preservative (category 13) training will be a one-day workshop as DEC requires applicators to have increased knowledge in laws and safety.

CES is scheduling classes for the third week in January 2008. The initial certification workshop for categories 2, 3, 4, and 9 will be Tuesday, January 22nd from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This will join the re-certification class, which is planned for Wednesday, January 23rd from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (all will have a 1 hour lunch break). The initial certification and re-certification workshop for Wood Preservation (category 13) will be Thursday, January 24th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. These dates are tentative and will vary depending on the needs of the participants.

Phil Kaspari, Pesticide Program Coordinator with the Cooperative Extension Service will be the instructor. Classes will be held at the Delta CES Conference Room in the Jarvis Office Center. Registration deadline is Friday, January 18th. Contact the CES office at 895-4215 to register and inquire about certification/re-certification fees. Students are strongly encouraged to pick up training manuals prior to class dates.

The CES office will be closed, Monday, January 21st in observance of Martin Luther King Day.

Alumni Photos - John and Sara Stoltz

SSgt John W. Stolz receiving the Soldier's Medal for acts of heroism while in Baghdad Iraq.

Sara and John after the Awards Ceromony.
Photos Courtesy Sara Stoltz

For other alumni photos we invite you to browse our alumni photo albums.

A Few Good Players get Announced just Days before the Grizzlies Tryouts

The countdown has begun to player tryouts to get to the Fairbanks Grizzlies Football Camp. The Grizzlies are announcing four more players to add to the camp roster. The Gentleman are accepted to go on to prove their talents at the Grizzlies Training Camp. Justin Ballek a raised Alaskan is from North Pole he is 5’11 and 230lb. He played all four years of High School football at North Pole High as a Line backer, Left Guard, and Defensive End. In his Junior year he was 2nd Team All Conference. As a Senior he earned his way to 1st year Defensive End and Left Guard All Conference. He then went on to play at VCSU as a Tight End and Linebacker. Mike Quinn is 6’6 260lb All Conference Punter to be signed. Mike went to West Valley High School his Senior year where he earned the All Conference Punting award. He also did four years of Track where he was a Regional Record Breaker in the Discus, four years of Soccer and Wrestling. He then ran Track for five years at Eastern Washington University. Rubin Rowles Jr. is the first of many incredible service men that we hope to meet at tryouts and training camp. Rubin is originally from Naples Florida and has been in the Air Force for ten years. He has been in Alaska for two and a half years with wife, Tricia, and their two awesome kids, Chelsea and Caleb. As a football player he earned numerous awards such as Outstanding Running Back 2yrs back to back, All-Collier County Offensive Back, All Collier County Defensive Back, All Conference 1st/2nd Team, All Florida State 2nd Team, All County All Star Team, and the high school's prestige MVP Award-The John Woodruff Memorial Trophy for the Most Outstanding Student Athlete for Football, Basketball and Track over a 3yr span! He is a Physical Training Leader helping the Air Force Airmen get into shape and fit to fight! He played flag football as a Quarterback, Running Back, Wide Receiver, Cornerback and Free Safety since joining the Air Force. In making this football team family oriented the Grizzlies are also inviting Danny Mireles on to Training Camp. He was a four year player at West Valley High School as a Free Safety, Wide Receiver, and Quarter Back. He wrestled for four years and was a two year Regional Champ and runner up for the State in the 130lb weight class. He played one year as a Free Safety at the College of the Redwoods.

Season Tickets and Sponsorships are available by calling the Grizzlies Front Office at 452-5123 or by logging on to the Team’s Website. Season Tickets start at just $100. The Grizzlies offices are located at 301 Cushman Street Suite 200 in the Fairbanks Professional Center.

The Grizzlies Player Tryouts will be on January 19th at the Student Recreation Center on the UAF campus. Registration starts at 8 and tryouts begin at 9am SHARP! Coach Mireles encourages all the players to come early and warm up thoroughly. You can pre-register at the Grizzlies offices or online for $50 or the day of at the SRC for $60.

Hard Working Young Man - Christopher Knopp

The working man...Christopher Knopp takes advantage of the milder temperatures and helps bring in the firewood. Photo Courtesy Michele Trainor.

Photo of the day - January 17

Sunrise over Allen Army Airfield taken last September.

Photo Courtesy Ellen Clark