Notice of Availability for Public Comment For Fort Greely

Notice of Availability for Public Comment: “Draft Proposed Plan for Nine Installation Restoration Program Sites at Fort Greely, Alaska”

A Draft Proposed Plan for the final actions to close out nine Installation Restoration Program sites at Fort Greely, Alaska, is available for review and comment by the public. The public comment period on the proposed alternatives for the nine sites in the Proposed Plan extends from May 1, 2008 through June 15, 2008. Its purpose is to solicit community input into the proposed plan and to determine community acceptance of the proposed alternatives.

The goal of the Installation Restoration Program (IRP) is cost-effective environmental cleanup of Army property. Fort Greely investigates and remediates IRP sites in accordance with: (1) the Comprehensive, Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) of 1980, as amended by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA) of 1986; and (2) the State of Alaska Oil and Hazardous Substances Control regulations (18 AAC 75).

With this Draft Proposed Plan, Fort Greely is proposing the final actions to be taken at the following nine IRP sites:

• Former Landfill #1 (BRAC Site 31) - approximately 2 acre landfill closed in the 1950’s located on the western side of FGA in an area isolated from the populated portions of the post.

• Former Landfill #2 (BRAC Site 32) - approximately 1 acre landfill closed in the 1950’s located northeast of Landfill #1.

• Former Landfills #4 & #5 (BRAC Site 88) – two former landfills closed in the 1960’s, located northeast of the main cantonment area. They are adjacent to each other and considered one site comprising approximately 6 acres. Currently, the northern portion of the site serves as a picnic area and a skeet shooting range.

• Former Laundry Facility at former Building 157 (BRAC Site 103), located near the airfield in the Old Post area. Building 157 was torn down some time in the late 1960s.

• SM-1A Nuclear Reactor Wastewater Pipeline (BRAC Sites 90 &132), the associated dilution well and removal action laydown yard, and a suspected fuel spill at Pipeline Station 21+25 (Station 21+25 site does not have a BRAC Site number) - the wastewater pipeline and the dilution well were removed in the late 1990’s. A laydown yard located near the intersection of Arctic Avenue and Landfill Road was used to consolidate material prior to off-site shipment.

• Waste Accumulation Area at Building 626 (BRAC Site 48) - the building houses an automobile craft shop where residents and employees of Fort Greely can work on their personal vehicles. The Waste Accumulation Area was located outside the back of the building on the east side until it was removed in the mid 1990s. It contained drums of used oil and grease as well as other used automotive fluids awaiting transfer to a waste facility.

• Refuse Burn Pit (BRAC Site 89), located east of Landfills #4 & #5, is an area with elevated lead levels in soil/ash located near the burn cages used to burn combustible garbage (to reduce its volume prior to its disposal in the post landfill).

The Draft Proposed Plan is available for review at the website or at the Delta Community Library, Delta Junction, Alaska. The library is located just off the Richardson Highway at 2291 Deborah Street, (Milepost V 266.5) across from City Hall and next to the Community Center in Delta Junction.

Both the website and the library have forms for submitting comments on the plan. Written comments should be directed to:

US Army Garrison Fort Greely
Department of Public Works
Environmental Division
P.O. Box 31310
Fort Greely, AK 99731
Attn: Dan Miller

Comment forms may also be submitted on the website, by email to derek.dan.miller@us.army.mil or by facsimile to (907) 873-1117.

To be considered, comments on the proposed alternatives for the nine sites must be received by June 15, 2008. The comments will be evaluated and any necessary changes made to the Proposed Plan prior to approval by the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and the US Environmental Protection Agency.

Photo of the day - April 29

This bumblebee is doing what bees do while attempting to pollinate this wild iris. This image was taken near Delta Junction in June of 2007. Deltoids are currently looking forward to summer coming as they prepare for the wild flowers to begin blooming and the trees to become green again with new life. Image by Dwight Phillips

Photo of the day - April 28

These four swans were having a slight disagreement; with a lot of head bobbing, neck curling, wing flapping, and verbal racket. A lot of water was thrown in the air before one pair left for more peaceful surroundings. Photo Courtesy Art Lenon

Photo of the day - April 26

The rough-legged hawk is one of the half dozen or so hawks moving through the area this time of year. Most are just passing through on their way to their breeding grounds up north in the Arctic. They tend to be very concentrated as they are feeding on rodents and small mammals in the fields since the snow has melted. Photo Courtesy Steve Thomas

Marriage Announcement

Loyd D. Pike JR. the son of L.D. and Mary Pike of Delta Jct., and Gail Probert of Delta Jct., was happily married to Tisha Dawn Victory, the daughter of Thomas and Tina Victory of Anchorage, on April, 20th, at 4:20 in the afternoon.

They had a small Alaskan potluck style gathering, with close friends and family in Delta Jct. Alaska, and are planning a ceremony in Anchorage in celebration of their marriage.

Photo of the day - April 25

Taking in the sun and fair fishing at Quartz Lake. Anglers are still able to drive out on the ice but not for long. Photo Courtesy Fronty Parker

Eielson flying community to hold Town Hall meeting in Delta Junction

MEDIA ADVISORY: Eielson flying community to hold Town Hall meeting in Delta Junction

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska – Leadership of Eielson and Elmendorf will host a Town Hall meeting 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 29 at the Delta Junction Community Center.

Seasoned pilots will be present to discuss a variety of topics pertaining to the Red Flag-Alaska training exercises, including incidents of increased noise and sonic boom activity.

Media interested in covering the event, please RSVP by noon Tuesday by e-mailing john.gott@eielson.af.mil or by contacting the 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs office at (907) 377-2116.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT THE EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE BY PHONE AT (907) 377-2116 OR BY E-MAIL AT: 354fw.pa@eielson.af.mil.

Late firing at Donnelly Training Area

The Army will conduct late-night firing operations in the Fort Greely area Apr 30-May 8 from 10 p.m.-6 a.m.

The training will take place at firing points near Donnelly Dome.

Residents in the area may see aerial flares, hear booming noises and feel vibrations from the explosions.

For more information call Derek Mills, 873-4714.

Friendly Frontier Days Kiss a Pig Event

Saturday, May 24, 2008

If you missed the chance to nominate the person(s) you would have liked to see jump during this year’s Festival of Lights Polar Bear Plunge or if the person you nominated was in the running but didn’t quite get enough votes, there is yet another opportunity to impose upon them something undesirable yet funny and enjoyable to those who get to watch.

The nominating and voting this time around is to select 3 people to catch and then kiss a pig at this year’s Friendly Frontier Days’ event. The pen where the pigs are kept is dirt and upon a good hosing down with water, as is the tradition, makes an already difficult task of catching a pig, just that much more difficult. To thank each pig kisser for being such a good sport, each will be given a ham as a prize.

Pink Kiss a Pig voting cans are being placed at several businesses around town along with the Post Office and dining hall at Ft. Greely. Nominating a person will cost you $5 and once nominated, votes thereafter are $1 a piece. A person must accept their nomination prior to be added to the running. Updates will be posted weekly.

For more information, please contact the Delta Chamber of Commerce at 893-5068 or deltacc@alaska.net.

Be sure to look for more Friendly Frontier Day event info in the near future…

Relay for Life

IF...you want to join the fight against cancer
BUT...you don't know how to get involved
THEN...join Relay For Life of Delta Junction!

Relay For Life is an opportunity for your community to come together in the fight against cancer!

Relay For Life of Delta Junction
May 9 & 10 2008
6PM to 6PM Delta High School Track

Relay For Life is a fun-filled overnight event designed to celebrate suvivorship and raise money to help the American Cancer Society save lives, help those who have been touched by cancer, and inpower individuals to fight back against this disease. During the event, teams of people take turns walking or running laps around the field. Each team keeps at least one team member on the track at all times. But, Relay is much more than just a walk around the track...join us for a night you will never forget!

For more information contact Sharon Waldo, Event Chair at 895-4731

SURVIVORS: For more information on special activites for you, please contact Lou Ann Fett at 895-4650.

For information about luminarias contact Debra Milligan at 895-4445

Photo of the day - April 24

New Horizon High School students celebrate Earth Day by picking up trash across from the airstrip. Photo Courtesy Holly Stewart

As a reminder: Saturday, May 17 is the date set for Delta Junction's annual spring cleaning. The Cleanup will be held from 8:30am to 1:30 pm.

Pinochle at the Alaska Steakhouse on Friday, April 25

This article has been edited. There will be no BUNCO tournament on Friday night.

Mom’s and Dad’s night out for some fun in a Pinochle tournament this Friday, April 25th, 2008 at the Steakhouse Banquet Hall.

Tournament rules will be announced at 6:00 pm.

All players and non-players are welcome. Come early to socialize, meet your competition and enjoy the entertainment. There is a $10.00 charge for your seat to play and the games could go as late as 11:00 pm.

There will be gifts for the top four winners in the tournament and there will be Partylite candles for sale for all you guys who want to get a jumpstart on Mother’s Day.

Art Keaster will announce the rules in the Pinochle Tournament. All entry fees will be donated to “Relay for Life” and the surplus on the candle sales will be for the COTA for Alexis fund.

Photo of the day - April 23

Red at Night, Sailors Delight! Wednesday 4-23-08 should be a beautiful day if this old saying holds true. This photo was taken at about 9:30 pm on Tuesday 4-22-08. Photo Courtesy Art Lenon

An interesting article appeared online and Sebastian Saarloos sent it to the Delta News Web. If you have been wondering why we have a haze in the distant and a red moon, this article may help to verify some things happening around us. Click here to read the article.

Gospel Singer Performing at Fort Greely this Weekend

Don’t miss this opportunity! Gospel Singer, Yvonne Cobbs-Bey, will perform at Fort Greely this weekend, April 26th and April 27th

The first performance will be at Gabriel Auditorium on Saturday from 9:30-10:30 PM

The second performance will be during the Fort Greely Chapel worship service on Sunday at 11:00 AM-12:00 PM

For more info about Yvonne, please log onto her website.

Prescribed Burns Planned

Ft. Wainwright, AK — The US Army Alaska and the Bureau of Land Management’s Alaska Fire Service will conduct multiple prescribed burns in the Donnelly Training Area East near Delta Junction. The burn projects scheduled for spring 2008 are the Buffalo Drop Zone, Wills Range Complex, Texas Range, and Bolio Lakes.

The prescribed burns will commence with the Buffalo Drop Zone between April 21- April 28 if weather conditions are favorable. The other prescribed burns will occur as weather and military training schedules allow.

The purpose of the burns is to reduce areas of brush and cured grass to assist in preventing serious wildfires from occurring as a result of military training activities.

The size of the burns will vary. The project area covers about 6000 acres.

Firefighters from the Alaska Fire Service and Fort Wainwright will be present to monitor and hold the fire at fire lines and other boundaries.

Smoke may be visible near Delta Junction as a result of the burning operations.

For further information, contact the Fire Information Office at the Alaska Fire Service, 907-356-5511.

For more information about the prescribed fires, please refer to the BLM Alaska Fire Service website.

Photo of the day - April 22

An early morning lake reflects the sun's rising beauty on Lisa Lake, approximately 50 miles south of Delta Jct. Photo Courtesy Dwight Phillips.

BBB Releases Top 10 Inquiries and Top 10 Complaints for Alaska

Anchorage, AK–April 22, 2008– Each quarter, your local BBB releases a list of its Top 10 most inquired upon industries, as well as the Top 10 most complained about industries. BBB encourages consumers to carefully review companies when making purchasing decisions. Consumers may obtain a reliability report on any company they intend to do business with by contacting their local BBB, either by phone at (907) 562-0704 or online at www.bbb.org

The following lists are your BBB’s Top 10 inquiries and complaints for industries in the state of Alaska from the first quarter in 2008.

TOP INQUIRIES
1. Tours – Operators & Promoters
2. Sportswear - Retail
3. Sightseeing Tours
4. Payroll Services
5. Fishing Parties
6. Building Materials
7. Real Estate Loans
8. Auto Body Repair & Painting
9. Real Estate
10. Contractors – General

TOP COMPLAINTS
1. Auto Dealers – New Cars
2. Billing Services
3. Auto Repair & Service
4. Auto Dealers – Used Cars
5. Hotels
6. *Movers
6. *Motels
8. *Telephone Communications
8. *Health & Medical - General
10.*Beauty Salons
10.*Contractors - General
10.*Food & Beverage Services

* Indicates multiple types of businesses had same # of inquiries or complaints

Consumers Are Encouraged to Investigate Before Doing Business

About the BBB serving Alaska, Oregon, and Western Washington
Your BBB is a not-for-profit organization funded by BBB accredited businesses. The BBB's mission is to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust. For more information about the services and products provided by your BBB, call 907-562-0704 in Alaska, 206-431-2222 or 253-830-2924 in Washington, 503-212-3022 in Oregon, or visit our Web site at www.bbb.org.

DNW Calendar has a New Feature

Our calendar has been upgraded with newer software. When you see the events on the home page of the Delta News Web, you can click on the hyperlinks to each event and it will only open a page to tell you about the event you have clicked on.

Thank you for being an active part of the Delta News Web community.

We Live in an Awesome Community

On behalf of the Children’s Organ Transplant Association (COTA), Alexis and her family and the campaign committee, I wish to appreciatively thank EVERYONE for their generosity with gift items, pledges, monetary contributions, support and prayers. We have breached $50,000.00 in just two short months. Incredible! Even though our goal is $60,000.00, I trust that the last event in Buffalo, New York will complete the funds needed.

The success of this campaign came from the support of so many and the individual groups initiating their own activity for Alexis. Thank you …the Baptist Church, Boy Scout Troop 11 and Pack 11, the City of Delta Junction, Clearwater Lodge, the Church of Delta Inc., the Church of Latter Day Saints, the Delta Christian Drama Association, the Delta Elementary staff and students, the Delta-Greely Youth Skating Association, the Delta High School students, Downtown B & B of Valdez, the Ft. Greely Chapel and members, Jessica Diviney and co-workers, the Kiwanis Club of Delta, the Legends, Molar Enterprises, Moose Lodge and members, M2C1, the New Hope Community, Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, Ron Liewer, Ron Riesgaard, Stan Stevens Glacier Tours out of Valdez, Whitestone Farm Community and the endless list of people who gave gift items for the auction and event prizes.

The committee is following through with another event, however the proceeds from the Pinochle and Bunko Tournaments will go to “Relay for Life.” All pinochle and bunko players are welcome to come to the Conference Room at the Steakhouse on Friday, April 25th, starting at 6:00 pm. We would like everyone there before 6:00 pm so teams can be established and the games can begin. There will be some great prizes for the top 4 winners of each tournament. This should be a fun evening for Moms and Dads. Saturday will be for our Prom goers.

Rose Edgren

Photo of the day - April 21

Three swans touched down for a rest on Lisa Lake last fall while the photographer was fishing. The trumpeter is the world's largest member of the waterfowl family, with males averaging 28 pounds and females averaging 22 pounds. Swans begin flying south in late September or October, depending on the weather. Image by Dwight Phillips

Photo of the day - April 19

Jim Cummings is shown here doing what many Alaskans only dream of. This image shows him surveying a frozen riverbed as he pilots his Super Cub airplane while flying through the breathtaking Alaska Range. This image was taken by Steve Dubois, area wildlife biologist while Steve and Jim do aerial surveys for local wildlife. Jim regularly flies this route as his business, Golden Eagle Outfitters does flightseeing, hunting drop-offs and contractual work for many local businesses. Delta area residents are fortunate to have such beautiful scenic vistas within twenty minutes of flying time, from our city.

Community Clean Up Day - May 17, 2008

Saturday, May 17 is the date set for Delta Junction's annual spring cleaning. The Cleanup will be held from 8:30am to 1:30 pm. Participants can pick up their yellow cleanup bags in the Visitors Parking lot as early as 8:30am and from there head out to their designated cleanup route.

From 11:30pm - 1:30pm there will be a Chamber sponsored lunch for participants. Lunch will include grilled hotdogs, chips, and dessert (participanats are asked to bring a dessert to share).

Groups, businesses, or individuals may begin signing up for their cleanup area(s) beginning April 28.

Reduced rates and longer hours for the landfill for this day only. Please go to the City website for more information.

Photo of the day - April 18

"Big Foot was spotted recently at the Delta Library enjoying a quiet moment before all the excitement of the Library Open House and the Basket of Books Silent Auction this Saturday, April 19 from 10 to 4. He reminds you that the Library truly is for everyone - even the foot challenged!" Photo Courtesy Brooke Bellinger

Photo of the day - April 17

A magpie takes flight from a spruce tree. A magpie is a bird that belongs to the same family as crows, ravens, and jays. The black-billed magpie lives throughout Europe, central Asia, parts of Siberia, and western North America from Alaska to New Mexico. Image by Dwight Phillips

Louis Creviston Ridin' in the Backcountry

Louie Creviston wheelies his wife's CRF150R in the Clearwater River backcountry. Ride safe this year!! Photo by Beth Creviston

Photo of the day - April 16

One of the many welcome signs of spring, this willow ptarmigan is losing its winter white plumage so it can wear its summer brown for a few months before it starts all over again. The reason for this color change is to help protect the bird from its many predators.
Photo by Steve Thomas

Delta Softball League

Delta's Summer Softball League information and updates can be accessed online or you can send an email to deltasoftball@gmail.com or you can contact Hanni Marchuk at Day: 907-360-9731, Evening: 907-895-4018

Building Momentum 2008 - 3 Day Conference

The Alaska Native Justice Center (ANJC), with support from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), is hosting a free, three-day conference in Anchorage on April 28 – 30, 2008 at the Hilton Anchorage Hotel.

The goal of the conference, titled “Building Momentum 2008,” is to explore ways to improve tribal-state collaboration in responding to violence against Alaska Native women by coordinating statewide response services for victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

Location: Hilton Anchorage Hotel, 500 W. 3rd Ave. Anchorage, AK 99501
Admission: Free
April 28, 2008 - April 30, 2008

Alaska Native Justice Center Website
Phone: (907) 793-3550
Contact Name: Mary Elam
Contact Email: melam@anjc.net

Photo of the day - April 15

The arctic tern is a relatively small bird. It is also one of the most determined. Even though it is small it is still able to accomplish the remarkable feat of migrating over 22,000 miles (35,000 km) each year. The distance that it migrates is the longest of any bird. This particular bird was caught with a sculpin in its mouth which moments later it deposited in its mate's mouth.
Image by Dwight Phillips

Cay Wright Memorial

Cay Wright went home April 12, 2008.

Those who knew and loved her will gather at a memorial service at 1:30 pm, Friday, April 18, at the Presbyterial Church.

The family has requested no flowers. Donations can be made to Alpha Omega or the Cancer Center.

Please join us to celebrate her life and share memories.

Prepare for the Bridegroom ~ Women's Retreat

April 25 - 27, 2008


PWOC Itinerary

Prepare for the Bridegroom PWOC weekend event by fasting from 6:00 AM on April 23rd to 6:00 PM on April 25th.

There is no cost to register, but registration forms must be turned in by April 18th. Click here to print out your registration form

All attendees are welcome to stay at the Chapel for the weekend retreat. There’s lots of room to spread out, and there are even two showers! Please call if you have any questions.

Come be Refreshed, Renewed, and Ready for the Arrival of the Bridegroom!

• April 25th... Gather in the Fort Greely Chapel Annex for a chili dinner at 6:00 PM.
• April 26th...PWOC events will continue with guest speakers on Saturday. A catered dinner will be held at 7:00 PM in the Chapel Annex to celebrate "The Feast with the Bridegroom," so come and be served!
• April 27th...The event will end with a Worship Service at 11:00 AM in the Fort Greely Chapel Sanctuary. The message: Come and Serve Your Bridegroom Jesus Christ.

Please call the Fort Greely Chapel (907) 873-2476 for registration information.

Public Scoping Meetings ~ Eastern Planning Area

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is developing a Resource Management Plan (RMP) for 8 million acres of public land within the Eastern Interior Planning Area. The planning area includes White Mountains National Recreation Area, the Steese National Conservation Area, the Fortymile and also the upper Black river areas.

Resource management plans provide the BLM with comprehensive, long-term direction concerning the use and management of resourses of BLM-managed public lands.

Find out how you can be part of the planning process by attending a public scoping meeting to share information, issuses and concerns.

Community, Location and Date:

• Tok - Tok School in the Multi Purpose Room - April 16
• Delta Junction - in the Community Center - April 17
• Fairbanks in the FNSB Assembly Chambers - April 22
• Eagle in the Redman Hall - May 8

Open House 3 - 6 PM Scoping Meeting 6 - 8 PM

For more information you can contact:
Jeanie Cole, 907-474-2340 or www.blm.gov/ak

BBB Warns Travelers to be Wary when Using Travel Agencies

Anchorage, AK–April 15, 2008—Your taxes are filed and you are awaiting your return. You would like to use that extra money you will receive to help pay for that much needed vacation. Well, your BBB has a warning about the many travel scams that emerge this time of the year.

Travel agency scams come in many forms—postcards, faxes, phone calls, or via the Internet. They commonly offer stories from consumers who have won vacations, found bargain-priced travel packages, or other great deals. The savings these agencies promise are extremely tempting to consumers because of the high cost of travel and the difficulty of coordinating vacations on their own.

The BBB warns of the sales tactics used at some travel agencies. Many times, travel agencies will ask consumers for a credit card number and then bill the account for a travel package without the consumer’s full approval. After paying, consumers may receive a variety of forms requesting them to make arrangements for the dates, locations, and almost every detail of the trip. Each request brings an added fee and consumers often have to pay “upgrade costs” to reserve the specific dates and locations they were originally promised.

In order to avoid these situations, your BBB offers the following advice when considering travel packages:

• Contact your BBB to receive free reliability reports on travel agencies in your area. Also, get referrals from friends and family on who they have used.
• Request all paperwork from any agency you intend to use and read the rules carefully to determine all costs involved. It will be your responsibility to pay for anything not specifically mentioned in the contract.
• Until you receive complete details of total costs, terms and conditions in writing, do not offer any payment to the company. Don’t be pressured by a “limited time offer.”
• Find out what the company will do if it can’t match your request for a specific vacation time. If they offer refunds, get information on how and when you will receive it.
• Before traveling, confirm arrangements directly with the airlines, cruise lines, hotels, timeshare resorts, restaurants and attractions that are included in your trip.
• Protect your Social Security number (SSN), credit card and debit card numbers, PINs, passwords and other personal information. Never provide this information in response to an unsolicited phone call, fax, letter or email.

About the BBB serving Alaska, Oregon, and Western Washington
Your BBB is a not-for-profit organization funded by BBB accredited businesses. The BBB's mission is to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust. For more information about the services and products provided by your BBB, call 907-562-0704 in Alaska, 206-431-2222 or 253-830-2924 in Washington, 503-212-3022 in Oregon, or visit our Web site at www.bbb.org.

Photo of the day - April 14

American Dipper, aka Water Ouzel... They are fun to watch. The first picture I finally got the light right but alas the branch blurs the head shot. These guys are impervious to the cold water, as you can see the water is just slightly above freezing.

The second picture shows the head in the water examining the bottom of the creek for bugs. This bird was flipping over leaves on the bottom in its search for the tasty stone fly.
Photos Courtesy Fronty Parker

Some DNW Calendar Recent Event Postings May be Missing

The popular Delta News Web calendar was offline from last week until earlier today. It was offline because we lost the database that operates the calendar due to a webserver move.

The database has now been restored, but we lost the most recent calendar items.....perhaps as much as three weeks worth. If you have posted events in the last month, please be sure to check the calendar. If your event is not there, you will have to repost it.

My apologies for the added work to restore those items.

David Johnson
Publisher

Photo of the day - April 12

Appropriately named, the Snow Bunting is a bird of the high Arctic and snowy winter fields. Even on a warm day, the mostly white plumage of a bunting flock evokes the image of a snowstorm. Image by Dwight Phillips

Meeting Notice: North Richardson Highway Scenic Byway Corridor Partnership Plan

Communities along the North Richardson Highway State Scenic Byway, between Fort Greely and Fairbanks, are developing a Corridor Partnership Plan (CPP) with assistance from the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities. The goal of this project is to develop a plan that represents the vision of the communities along the byway and that tells the complete story of the byway corridor. At the workshop, there will be a presentation on the draft vision and goals and the draft CPP document. Completion of the CPP will open up grant funding opportunities for projects outlined in the plan. Please join in for the presentation on the draft CPP, and give us your thoughts and feedback! We want to gather your opinions!

Who: People interested in enhancing and maintaining the North Richardson Highway Scenic Byway

Fairbanks Meeting
Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 PM
Location: Pioneer Park, Alaska Centennial Center for the Arts, Exhibit Hall, 2300 Airport Road, Fairbanks

Delta Junction Meeting
Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Location: Delta Junction Community Center, 2287 Deborah Street, Delta Junction

Photo of the day - April 11

Here's a brilliant sunrise captured over a field on Clearwater Road.
Photo courtesy Barbara Tharp

Walter Kopp Obituary

Longtime Paxson resident Walter W. Kopp, 83, went quietly to be with the Lord on April 2, 2008, at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital with his loving wife of 52 years, Dorris, at his side. Walter was born June 28, 1924, in New York City, to Valentine and Margaret Kopp. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1942, and served 18 months in the South Pacific. After his discharge he followed his dream to Alaska.

His original plans to search for gold were soon put on the back burner so he struck out into the construction trade. Walt’s ingenuity and determination served him well in maintaining equipment and building trails and roads in remote Alaska. He served 26 years with the Alaska Road Commission and Department of Transportation.

During this time Walt met the love of his life, Dorris, and they were married on Nov. 8, 1954. After residing in Delta Junction for many years, upon his retirement in 1986, Walt and Dorris moved to their summer home in Paxson, and made it their full time residence. They had recently moved to Fairbanks for medical care.

Walt was always an avid outdoorsman engaged in hunting, fishing, and mining. He was also a talented builder, fabricator, and inventor.

Walt’s greatest love was his family. His love,knowledge, and wisdom will be greatly missed by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. A devoted advocate of Boy Scouts and Pioneers of Alaska, Walt touched the hearts of everyone he met. His stories and perseverance will be missed by all who knew him.

Walt was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Val; and son, Fred.

He is survived by his loving wife, Dorris; daughter, Lorraine; grandchildren, Heidi, Candy, David, Walter and Lisa; 11 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and numerous friends.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 6 p.m., Friday, April 11, at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Delta Junction with a potluck to follow.

The Pioneers of Alaska and Loyal Order of Moose will hold a memorial service and celebration of life at 2 p.m., Sunday, April 13, at Moose Lodge 911 in Delta Junction.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Immaculate Conception Church in Fairbanks at a later date. Arrangements were by Fairbanks Funeral Home and Crematory.

A Special Message from Governor Palin

Dear Fellow Alaskan,

With just a few days left in the 25th Alaska Legislature, the final actions taken by lawmakers will have a major impact on Alaska and Alaskans. HB 111, a critical bill which would lower the Business License Fee, is currently stalled.

The Alaska economy is blessed by people with an entrepreneurial spirit. Business leaders provide new ideas and develop innovative products and services. By investing in their businesses, small firm owners make a major contribution to our economy.

The original version of HB111 that I proposed would have returned the business license fee, which was increased to $100 under the former administration, to $25. The fee increase has caused a hardship for those who are helping grow our economy, especially people who operate home-based and part-time businesses.

The House Finance Committee amended the bill to set the fee at $50 and it sailed through the House because it makes good business sense. HB 111 is currently stalled in the Senate Finance Committee. I urge you to contact your senator TODAY and let him or her know that HB111 is good for Alaskans, who should not be penalized for stimulating economic growth.

Until next time,

Governor Sarah Palin

Photo of the day - April 10

As daylight lengthens, aurora watchers have to stay up later for dark skies to see auroral displays like this one I photographed about midnight recently. Photo Courtesy Steve DuBois

Delta Sing-a-Long on Saturday

Hey, its Sing-a-Long weekend, Saturday the 12th, 7PM at the Senior Lounge

Bring your voice, your instruments, some snacks to share, and your love of homemade music

Please Please RSVP to 895-4104--No calls, No open---thanx

The Community Calendar is Being Reinstalled

The Community Calendar is temporarily out of service. We are reinstalling the software.

If you need to have an event published for this weekend, please send it to Webmaster and I will run it in the community news section to get the word out. We hope to have the calendar up and running by Monday.

Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience, and thank you for being so patient with us during our upgrade.

Chinook by George Hosier II - Zapped

Zapped I’m glad winter is winding down. Maybe now I can get the frizz to relax from my hair and I can grow my charred eyebrows back. If I’m lucky, the third degree burns on my fingertips might start to scar over. However, even if I’m destined to look like this the rest of my life, it will still be an immense relief to get a few months’ respite from the damage inflicted by the static electricity that lurks, quivering, in Interior Alaska’s winter air.

Static electricity costs me a lot of money each year. For example, I just replaced my alarm clock. That became necessary as a result of me zapping my previous alarm clock not too long ago. My wife had gone to bed before me, so I was trying not to wake her. Wearing my synthetic fur pink bunny slippers I shuffled across the carpet to my nightstand and slid my alarm clock button on--at least that was my intention. What actually happened was that as soon as my finger contacted the top of my alarm clock, a bolt of lightning engulfed my right arm, detonating a thermonuclear explosion somewhere in the vicinity of my right ventricle!

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

Photo of the day - April 9

A great horned owl sits watch over his domain in the interior's boreal forest.
Image by Dwight Phillips

Farmer's Markets and Bazaars Workshop

From the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service




Coral Howe, Small Business Development Specialist with the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service, Tanana District will conduct an afternoon workshop on Farmer’s Markets and Bazaars, Wednesday, April 23, 2008 from 1:00 to 3:00pm at the Delta Junction CES Conference Room in the Jarvis Office Center.


Topics will include:

• What makes artisans and crafters tick?
• Do you ever feel nervous promoting your products?
• Getting customers to STOP, LOOK, & BUY
• Advertising, display techniques, & trend
• Great customer service in 5 minutes or less
• Understanding production, inventory, & profit margins

There is a $10.00 registration fee and pre-registration required – registration deadline is Friday, April 18th. Seating is limited and space is available on a first come, first served basis.

Coral would like to meet with individuals to conduct private consultations to those interested. The CES office will be making appointments for Tuesday, April 22 afternoon and evening and Wednesday, April 23 in the morning., Please call 895-4215 or e-mail fnpnk@uaf.edu.

Office hours at the CES office are Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Photo of the day - April 8

Ptarmigan look just like small grouse, weighing from 10 1/2 ounces to 1 1/2 pounds except that their toes are feathered