Initiative Prohibiting Public Funding of Campaigns Moves to 2010 Ballot

(May 15, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska) – The Office of Lieutenant Governor Sean Parnell notified sponsors of 07ANCO that the signature petitions were properly filed, allowing the initiative to proceed to the 2010 Primary ballot. The initiative bans the use of public funds for political campaigns, lobbying, and influencing the vote on ballot measures. The initiative also prohibits political contributions by holders of government contracts, and forbids legislators and staff from being employed by holders of government contracts for two years after leaving state service.

Sponsors were required, within one year, to submit 23,831 total signatures, including at least seven percent of those who voted in the previous election in 30 House districts. To date, the Division of Elections has verified 28,629 voter signatures.

According to state law and due to the date the petition was filed by the sponsors, this ballot measure will not appear on the August Primary Election ballot. Barring an unforeseen special election, the measure will be placed on the ballot on the 2010 Primary Election.

To view the proposed bill language for 07ANCO, please visit the website .

The lieutenant governor’s initiative website .

Photo of the day - May 15

It's spring time. Time for all you hawg riders to get out there and burn up some pavement. This rider (Ricky Mitchell) in his spring ready riding gear, ready to RIDE, one serious rider. Peter Fonda eat your heart out. (Photo courtesy Richard Mitchell)

Photo of the day - May 14

The lynx is the only cat native to Alaska. Because they are shy and unobtrusive animals, people think that lynx are scarce. In Alaska, however, they are commonly seen during long periods of summer daylight. This lynx couldn't resist taking a look back, enabling the photographer to get a good look at him. Image by Dwight Phillips

Congratulations Delta High School Seniors

It's hard to believe that Delta is seeing another school year come to a close. The Delta News Web would like to congratulate each senior for a job well done. You have achieved to your goal for this part of life. We want to wish you well for the future, that you will go out and chase your dreams and fulfill them. Congratulations again to the CLASS OF 2008

Gen Makaula Apolo
Danielle Attaway
Marshall Brown
Donald Bunselmeier
Carey Brooke
Joshua Duane Corey
Elizabeth Craig
Tonya DeLong
Alicia Dickenson
Angela Dickinson
Howard Echo-Hawk
Zachary Erickson
Tressa Ewing
Calvin Fellman
Savanna Frederick
Stephen Hebert
Daniel Helkenn
Jaclyn Jensen
Alaina Kemp
Vyacheslav Kilimnik
Kyra Kimball
Marcelo Kirk
Kendall Knight
Shelah C. Knix
Peter Kosmin
Lyubov Kulinich
Samantha Losselyong
Dina Lukinov
Chelsea McClinton
Brittani McClure
Whitney McLaren
Svetlana Medyanikova
Casey Moritz
Kyle Olsen
Gary Olsen-Saville
Allie Pelto
Vonda Powers
Theodore Rovan
Logan Schiler
Oksana Shastitko
Garrett Smith
Jessica Smith
Melissa Sorenson
Hun Tak
Nils Theisen
Amanda Trainor
Alan Waldo
Wilbur Wiley
Shaylana Zvorak

Delta Chamber of Commerce Membership Luncheon

The May Membership Luncheon will be held at noon on May 15, 2008 at the Jarvis West Building Conference Room. Lunch is provided by IGA Food Cache and the menu is Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Vegetables, Dinner Roll, Dessert & Drink for $10.00 Please RSVP to the Chamber office at 895-5068 by May13th to be entered into the drawing for a free lunch.

Guest Speaker is Lorna Shaw. Lorna is the Executive Director of the Council of Alaska Producers, a mining industry trade association comprised of the large, hardrock mining companies active in Alaska. A fourth generation Alaskan with a graduate degree in business administration from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, she previously held government and community relations positions with Kinross Gold’s Fort Knox Mine in Fairbanks and has also served on the staff of Alaskan representatives in both the state legislature and the U.S. Senate. Lorna serves on the board of directors for the Resource Development Council and is past president of the Alaska Mineral and Energy Resource Education Fund (AMEREF). She lives in Fairbanks with her husband, Kelly and 2 ½ year old daughter, Rachel.

Children's Pet Parade

The Children’s Pet Parade will take place on Saturday, May 24 at 11:30 AM at Friendly Frontier Days in the area behind the Sullivan Roadhouse Museum and the Visitors Center.

Children and pets: come dressed in frontier-type clothing. Registration will begin 15 minutes before event begins.

1st, 2nd, and 3rd place trophies will be awarded. 1st place will also receive a $25 Chamber Gift Certificate redeemable at local Chamber Member businesses.

For questions, please contact the Delta Chamber of Commerce at 895-5068.

Sponsored by Durham Realty

Kiss the Pig Nominees as of May 12, 2008

Meghan Lene (NRCS) 9 Votes

Officer Eric Walla (D.A.R.E.) 14 Votes

Krissi Falcon (Alaskan Steakhouse) 20 Votes

Laura White 0 votes

Sgt. Jack Carlson (49th Missile Defense BN) 6 votes

Vote for the 3 who will have to catch and then kiss a pig at Friendly Frontier Days on Saturday, May 24 at 3pm

How Kiss a Pig works:

First nominate the person of your choice for $5, once they have been nominated and have accepted, they can begin receiving votes at a cost of $1 each. The 3 with the most votes will have to catch and kiss a pig.

The last day to vote at business locations in town and on Ft. Greely is Wednesday, May 21.

Voting will continue at the Friendly Frontier Days event.

Each pig kisser will receive a ham!

Delta Softball League Cancelled

The Delta Softball League for this Summer, 2008 is Cancelled due to a lack of particiapation.

Deadline for team registration was 9-May-08. We needed a minimum of 4 mens teams and 4 coed teams to proceed. We only received registrations for 2 of each.

I will try to put together a few tournaments for this summer, but regular league play is cancelled.

Questions? Contact Hanni Marchuk (Day) 907-360-9731, (evening) 907-895-4018, or email at deltasoftball@gmail.com

I hope to see more participation next year.

Community Clean-Up and Yellow Bags

Notice from Chamber of Commerce: The yellow garbage bags MUST be brought back to the Visitors Center and disposed of in the special dumpsters that have been brought in just for this occasion. Please do no leave the garbage bags alongside the road, they will not be picked up. We do not have volunteers and trucks to pick up the bags this year. The Chamber of Commerce coordinates the cleanup, order the cleanup bags, arranges for oversize dumpsters to be brought to the Visitors Center, and also provides a free lunch to participants.

Notice from the City of Delta: There is no roadside service. Delta Sanitation will position two 30-yard roll offs at the Triangle where yellow bags can be delivered. They can be delivered to the landfill at no charge, but not if mixed with household garbage (charged at 50%).

Missing a Piglet?

Unusual? Yes! Just think how surprised we were! Tuesday evening, May 13th, we had a piglet in our yard at 5686 Remington Rd. He stayed in the vicinity for about 45 minutes seemingly lost.

If you have lost a piglet or know of someone who has, you may look just passed the Clearwater Baptist Church due east, and hopefully you will be able to finish the nursery rhyme "...and this little piggy stayed home". Jim and Deb Snyder 895-4624

We sure hope he has found his way home by now.

Photo of the day - May 13

This last Sunday at Lost Lake much of the ice along the shore was in the late melt stage. As ice melts apparently from the surface of the ice as well as below the ice (water temperature is warmer), the solid ice fractures into slender rods or candles which lie on their side and continue to melt. When the ice fractures into these candles it’s a very unique sound, like hundreds of glass bottles bumping into each other in the water. It’s a rite of spring to take in the sounds and sights we’ve become accustomed to. Photo Courtesy Fronty Parker

Your Local BBB Warns to do Research Before Donating

Fake charities and scams seek to steal your donations in a time of crisis

Anchorage, AK—May 14, 2008—The recent disastrous earthquake in China, affecting tens of thousands of Chinese citizens, and the cyclones that ravaged Myanmar, which has only recently allowed outside aid to enter its borders, has led many Americans to give to charities. Unfortunately, there are unscrupulous people trying to take advantage of the public’s eagerness to help victims. Your local BBB has the tools to make sure your donation goes to a genuine charity that can provide real help.

“In the face of any disaster, Americans will immediately step forward with donations to aid the victims and their families,” said Robert Andrew, President and CEO of the BBB serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington. “Unfortunately, as we saw after Hurricane Katrina, scammers will try to take advantage of the generosity of the public; that’s why it’s important to take your time and do your research before donating to a charity relief effort.”

Your local BBB’s Wise Giving Alliance offers advice to ensure your donations go to genuine charities and relief efforts. To receive free reports on charities visit www.give.org.

When in doubt, check it out. When an unfamiliar organization asks you for a donation, don’t give without gathering details about the charity, the nature of its programs and its use of funds. Find out what the charity intends to do with any excess contributions after they have fully funded their disaster relief activities.

Make sure the charity can actually help. New charities spring up virtually overnight promising aid to victims. These groups may have good intentions, but lack the means and experience to deliver aid quickly to those in need. In the case of donating to victims of the Myanmar cyclones, many charities cannot yet enter the country; make sure you donate to one that can.

Giving later might be better. Don’t give in to excessive pressure for on-the-spot donations. Be wary of any request to send a “runner” to pick up your contribution. Do not give cash. Checks or money orders should be made out to the name of the charitable organization, not to the individual collecting the donation.

Protect your personal information and your identity. Do not give your credit card number or other personal information to a telephone solicitor, in response to an email solicitation, or to a Web site linked from an e-mail.

Remember, not all soliciting groups are charities. If you want to make a charitable deduction for federal income tax purposes, make sure to verify the organization’s tax-exempt status at www.irs.gov.

For more information on the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, and to view more than one thousand BBB Wise Giving Reports™ on charities across the nation, go to www.give.org. To find information on local charities and organizations, visit your local BBB at www.bbb.org.

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.

Brenda Smith Alaska Office Manager/PR Communications Manager
Tel: 907-644-5202
Fax: 907-562-4061
Email: brenda@thebbb.org
www.bbb.org Start With Trust

Better Business Bureau serving Alaska, Oregon & Western Washington
3601 C Street Suite 1378
Anchorage, AK 99515

Your BBB has launched a new Web site to cap a major transformation of BBB. Check it out at www.bbb.org.

Reduced Rates and Extended Hours for Community Clean Up Day

Once-A-Year Annual Community Clean Up Day
Saturday, May 17, 2008 9:00am to 5:00pm

All household garbage reduced by 50%. Does not apply to $25 refrigerator disposal, commercial services, or $10 Unsecured Load Service Fee

All yellow-bagged garbage free-of-charge. Can be delivered to the Triangle, near the Visitor’s Center

Contact City Hall (895-4656) or Chamber of Commerce (895-5068) for more information related to Community Clean Up Day

Annual Delta Junction Community Cleanup

Saturday, May 17 from 8:30 am – 1:30 pm

Please join other fellow community members in participating in this year’s Community Cleanup. Spend an hour or two cleaning up the trash throughout town that has been collecting this past year.

Participants can pick up their special yellow Cleanup bags in the Visitors Center parking lot the day of the event and from there head to their clean up area. Once finished, the yellow bags are to be brought back to the Visitor Center parking lot and unloaded into the dumpsters.

From 11:30 am – 1:30 pm there will be a free Chamber sponsored lunch for participants, which includes grilled hot dogs, chips, and drinks. People are asked to bring a dessert to share.

There will be a prize awarded to the person finding the most interesting piece of garbage.

To participate, contact the Delta Chamber of Commerce at 895-5068 or deltacc@alaska.net to sign up for a clean up area. This is a great hands-on opportunity for individuals, families, or groups to help out in their community.

Photo of the day - May 12

This is a photo of an airboat about 25 miles up the Salcha River. There are numerous remote cabins on the Salcha and airboats are one of the preferred craft to navigate the shallow waters of the upper Salcha. Photo Courtesy Pam Dunklebarger

Mystery Photo has Returned

The Mystery Photo contest has begun. You will see a new mystery photo posted every Monday.

Take your family out for a drive and see who can find the Mystery Photo.

Please remember when you submit your entry, you will need to submit your entry to mysteryphoto@deltanewsweb.com and you will need to have your full name with your full mailing address. If we don't have your mailing address with your entry each week, you will not be entered in the drawing for that week. We do not store addresses, so please be sure each week when you submit your guess to include your mailing address.

Thank you for Ed and Ann Richards of the Buffalo Center Diner and John and Linda Sloan from the Buffalo Drive In for sponsoring a second annual mystery photo contest.

Photos from Relay for Life 2008

Relay for Life was held on Friday, May 9 through May 10 at the Delta High School Track Field.

Click on the photos for enlargements.
Photos Courtesy of Carol Watkins.

Relay for Life 2008 - Photos

The LEGENDS proved what Musical Iron Men they really are as they played into the wee hours of the morning for the track walkers.

Does anyone know what star/planet is just above-left of the rest of the moon?
Click on the photos for photo enlargements.
Photos Courtesy of Michael Kingston

Photo of the day - May 11

It won't be long before this will be a common sight. This young bumble bee is in the process of getting itself a little pollen to help make its way through the short summer.
Photo by Steve Thomas.

Baccalaureate Service for Delta Graduates

A Baccalaureate Service will be held to celebrate Delta Junction graduates on Wednesday, May 14, at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church.

Sponsored by the Delta Ministerial Alliance, the baccalaureate service is for all graduates, regardless of religious affiliation.

Each graduate present will receive a gift from the Delta Ministerial Alliance.

The speaker will be Butch Palermo, pastor of Seventh Day Adventist Church in Delta.

Please call 895-4490 for more information.

Last Chance to Register for Little League

Did you miss Little League registration? There is still time to get your child registered.

Come to the baseball park behind Interior Building Supply at the city park on Saturday, May 17, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. You can register then.

If you can't make it Saturday, call Dave Becker at 895-5210 to arrange to get registration materials.

Wedding Engagement - Roy Peters and Andrea Lambert

Mr. and Mrs. Harvey L. Lambert Jr. announce the engagement of their daughter Andrea K. Lambert to Mr. Roy L. Peters son of Mr. and Mrs. John Peters (Delta area) and Mrs. Linda Peters. A June 3rd wedding is planned in Pensacola Florida. You may visit their wedding website at: royandandrea.ourweddingday.com for updates.

Photo of the day - May 9

A pair of great horned owls converse as they decide what the photographers intent is, shortly before flying away. Image by Dwight Phillips.

Military Spouse Appreciation

FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska - All around the nation, over the next few days, military spouses will be honored for their devotion and sense of duty. On Fort Wainwright, several events are planned in honor of Military Spouse Appreciation Day, beginning May 9 and continuing through Sunday, May 11 (which is also Mother’s Day).

Army Community Service (ACS) Program will give away small gifts and serve refreshments on May 9 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Welcome Center (Bldg. 3401).

Family MWR will continue the Spouse Appreciation celebration from May 9 through May 11 with complimentary tanning sessions at the physical fitness center and free tokens for the driving range at Chena Bend Golf Course. Spouses will need to show their ID cards.

The AAFES Main Exchange will have a special cake in honor of Mother’s Day and Military Spouse Appreciation on Sunday, May 11 at 1 p.m. Manager’s Specials will be featured throughout the day, and targeted items will appeal to both male and female spouses.

AAFES will also launch a “Salute to the Military Spouse” essay contest on Sunday. Twelve essay winners will receive $500 shopping sprees and have their photos and essays published in an AAFES calendar. Details are available in the store or online.

Photo of the day - May 8

Blackpoll warblers will be arriving in interior Alaska soon from their winter grounds in South America. Blackpoll warblers are one of my favorite birds because of their unique song which is so high pitched many people can not hear it, and because of their incredible annual migratory route (see the attached map). In Scott Weidensaul's outstanding book on bird migration, "Living On The Wind" he states that blackpolls weigh less than half an ounce and yet they make an incredible migration of 12,000 miles round trip each year. In the fall, they gather on the Atlantic coast and then launch off on an 80-90 hour nonstop flight, and use prevailing winds to bring them back onshore in South America. And for all you cat owners, keep your cats indoors. Wouldn't it be ashamed to have your cat catch and unnecessarily kill a blackpoll warbler after it had worked so hard to get here. Photo Courtesy Steve DuBois

Friendly Frontier Days Prizes to Be Awarded on May 24

Friendly Frontier Days prizes to be drawn on May 24. Drawings include:

• 1 night stay at Sophie Station Hotel in Fairbanks. Includes $50 certificate to Zach’s Restaurant
• Round trip for two on the Alaska Railroad from Fairbanks to Anchorage
• 1 night stay at the Tanana Loop Country Inn, a bed & breakfast in Delta Junction (includes breakfast)
• 2008 Friendly Frontier Days t-shirt (total of 4 to be given out)
  

See a list of our local businesses for more information on the drawings.

• Cable Guy Towing & Recovery
• Mt. McKinley Bank (see Pablo)
• Durham Realty
• Busy Bee Office Supply
• Frontier Pull Tabs
• North Star Bookkeeping
• Airport Equipment Rentals
• Delta Chamber of Commerce Office
• Arctic Chiropractic

Friendly Frontier Days Shirts for Sale

Preorder your Friendly Frontier day t-shirts or sweatshirts! If there is enough interest, children’s sizes may also be ordered.

T-shirts and hooded sweatshirts are gray in color.

Adult T-shirts: S-XL -$15 and 2X -3X $16
Adult Hooded T-Shirts: S-XL - $26 and 2X-3X - $27

T-shirts and hooded sweatshirts should be available for sale at the Chamber of Commerce office (Jarvis West Bldg, Suite, 1B) by May 19, but please call before stopping by to be sure. They will also be sold all day at Friendly Frontier Days on Saturday, May 24, 2008 from 11:00 am - 4:30 pm.

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

What is VE Day

VE Day finally arrived on May 8, 1945 after fierce efforts by the allied forces. The previous year British, Canadian, and U.S. ftroops invaded Normandy, and began to drive the Nazis out of France. At the same time, the Soviets were launching their own counter-offensive. They pushed the German army completely out of Europe. Seizing their advantage, the Soviets advanced into Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Romania.

By 1945, the German defenses had begun to collapse. The Soviet army occupied the eastern one-third of Germany. Eventually, the allies surounded Berlin. On April 30, Adolf Hitler commited suicide. Germany surrendered soon after.

Article used from Hear it Now 1945 website, you can read more information about VE Day and hear a report.

Kiss the Pig Nominees as of May 5, 2008

• Meghan Lene (NRCS) -2 Votes
• Officer Eric Walla (D.A.R.E.) -13 Votes
• Krissi Falcon (Alaskan Steakhouse) - 10 Votes

Vote for the 3 who will have to catch and then kiss a pig at Friendly Frontier Days on Saturday, May 24 at 3pm

How Kiss a Pig works:

First nominate the person of your choice for $5, once they have been nominated and have accepted, they can begin receiving votes at a cost of $1 each. The 3 with the most votes will have to catch and kiss a pig.

The last day to vote at business locations in town and on Ft. Greely is Wednesday, May 21.

Voting will continue at the Friendly Frontier Days event.

Each pig kisser will receive a ham!

Friendly Frontier Days Volunteer Job Descriptions

Friendly Frontier Days will be held on Saturday, May 24, 2008 11 am – 4:30 pm At the “Delta Triangle”.

BBQ Help

Grillers will help with cooking hamburgers, buffalo burgers, brats, and hotdogs for the annual BBQ. Help is needed from 11 am – 2:30 pm. Those grilling will need to take an online Food and Safety exam, a requirement of the Alaska Department of Conservation (DEC) for handling food. After passing test, you’ll receive a food worker card (card is good for 3 years). Exam is free and takes only a short amount of time to complete.

Food Prep/Floater

Food preparers/floaters will help chop vegetables, make sure baked beans, condiments, coleslaw, desserts, chips, and lemonade and water are stocked. Help is needed from 10:30 am – 2:30 pm. Those helping with food prep will need to take an online Food and Safety exam, a requirement of the DEC for handling food. After passing test, you’ll receive a food worker card (card is good for 3 years). Exam is free and takes only a short amount of time to complete.

Chamber of Commerce Table

Help sell Friendly Frontier Days raffle tickets, t-shirts, and meal tickets. Remind people to sign up for a chance at winning a door prize. Help is needed from 11:00 am – 4:30 pm. This job allows volunteers to be seated the majority of the time.

Meal Ticket Collectors

Collect meal tickets from those going through the BBQ line. This job is very relaxed and volunteers will be able to perform their job seated. Help needed from 11:15 am – 2:30 pm.

Setup Help

Volunteers will help set up tents, tables, grills, set out garbage cans, and other miscellaneous activities. Help needed from 9 am – 11:00 am.

Takedown Help

Volunteers will help take down tables, chairs, and tents, clean trash up from grounds area, etc. Help is needed from 4:30 pm - ?

*Volunteers need not volunteer for the entire length needed for said job. Volunteer for any amount of you are able give!

Nenana Ice Classic

The Tanana River officially went out on May 6th, 2008 at 10:53 pm Alaska Standard Time. We are in the process of gathering the names of the winners and will contact them once we have all of the names and information gathered. The winners will share a Jackpot in the amount of $303,895.00. The payoff will be made on June 1st, 2008. For more information check out the official Nenana Ice Classic webiste.

"Miss Elsie" Randle Passes Away

Elsie L. H. Randle, 85, passed away on 1 May 2008. A friend checking on her found her collapsed on her floor. She okayed being taken to Fairbanks Memorial hospital, but only when sure that her dog would be cared for. That night, she passed away in the hospital at 3 am.

"Miss Elsie," as she was known to many, loved children, vanilla ice cream, dancing, and dogs. And barbeque. She was a great cook and years ago owned her own little hamburger and barbeque shop, in a cabin about where Delta's Buffalo Drive-In is today.

Born Elsie L. Harvey, her marriage certificate indicates that her place of birth is unknown. She married John J. Randle on 5 July 1946, in Chicago, Illinois. He preceeded her in death in 1995. They had no children. But she was especially fond of a little girl Elsie had watched grow up, Ayla Chapman. And her "Lower 48" family and friends kept in touch with her by phone and mail.

A day or two before her death, she prayed the sinner's prayer of faith in Jesus Christ as her Savior.

Miss Elsie had lived in Delta since September, 1959, nearly 50 years. On May 30, she would have turned 86. Her memorial share-a-dish will be at 12:30 noon, Saturday, 10 May, at Delta Community Center. For info, or to share stories/photos, please call 895-4240, or 895-3222. Help before and after her service would be very welcome.

Relay For Life Gold Sponsors

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.

Thanks for supporting the Relay For Life

• Delta Building Supply
• Delta/Clearwater Moose Lodge 911
• Delta Concrete
• Delta Lion's Club
• Golden Eagle Outfitters
• IGA Food Cache
• Kel's Spetic
• Morley Electric

Photo of the day - May 7

With spring well under way, the neotropical migrants have started arriving in interior Alaska after their long migration from Central and South America. One of the warbler species that should be arriving soon are Wilson's warblers. Wilson's warblers prefer brushy habitat types and can be seen and heard singing in the Donnelly Dome area in the next few weeks. The males can be identified by their "canary" yellow color and their black "cap". Photo Courtesy Steve DuBois

Local Folk Band & Classic Auto Joins 2008 End of Rally

The End of Road Rally invites have a new addition to their events. The local folk band, "Simple Folk Uprising" has joined the list of musical festivities to take place June 19 - 22 at the Sawmill Creek Lodge.

A classic-collectible auto area ride is also planned. At the heart of the event will be the Toy Run.
Riders & participants will travel from the lodge to a location in Delta with a new toy to donate for a special cause such as Project Christmas and to the childrens' ward at the Fairbanks Memorial Hospital. For details about the rally and more information, log on to www.endofroadrally.blogspot.com or contact Thomas Pyatt at 895-4924

Chinook by George Hosier II - Breaking Up

Ah, Breakup! My favorite season of Alaska’s year. How oft during the tedious months of winter have I pined for these halcyon days? Now the time has come for long lost treasures to be relinquished from the icy talons of winter’s merciless grasp. Viruses, long dormant, can now be released into my bronchial passages to test the mettle of my immune system. The unyielding ground, softening beneath my feet, tenderly draws my finest dress shoes into its embrace until I find them enveloped in an undulating ocean of glistening mire, sloshing and gurgling in rapturous celebration of its emancipation.

My yard blossoms luxuriously with toilet paper tubes, discarded Kleenexes and utility bill stubs that had been sown to the arctic wind by a frostbitten raven rummaging for a snack in my burn barrel. These assorted relics of a bygone season had been imprisoned for five interminable months in the snowdrift that entombed them. As they unfurl to greet me now, I experience an unexpected surge of nostalgia. I look fondly down with a tremulous smile of reminiscence, my feet softly making rude noises in the goop of my yard.

To read the entire article please visit our Chinook pages.

Chinook by Geroge Hosier II - Ingenuity

Nowadays everything is disposable. That’s really annoying. A guy used to be able to fix his own stuff when it broke without having to buy a new one or pay a computer geek to install a new motherboard that costs more than the original item. They call it modern convenience, but I just call it expensive.

Take a coffeepot for instance. It’s a real basic concept. Get something that holds water. Scoop water out of a puddle down by the creek. Put it on a fire until the mosquito larvae stop wiggling. Then dump it through a filter full of ground up coffee beans… and…Presto! You have coffee. In the old days, if you wanted to get fancy, you might stick a percolator in your coffeepot. Then the boiling water would gurgle up a little tube, spurt into a perforated chamber that held your filter full of grounds, and then drip back down into the coffeepot as fresh, hot coffee for your drinking pleasure.

To read the entire article please visit our Chinook pages.

Photo of the day - May 6

A young bull moose stands out as he's framed by a beautiful winter landscape.
Image by Dwight Phillips

The "Bug Lady" is Back

University of Alaska Fairbanks - Cooperative Extension Service – Delta District welcomes back Lynn Bundy for the 2008 growing season as the integrated pest management technician (IPM).

Lynn aka “The Bug Lady” is back and available to help with pest problems of the yard & garden, greenhouse, home, and crops. She will be in the CES office: Tuesday through Friday, 11:30am to 4:30pm to receive samples and discuss problems.

If you are looking for information on pest control, it can be found at www.alaska.edu/uaf/ces. If you have any questions concerning insects or weeds, plants, gardening, greenhouse problems, insect and vertebrate pest problems, and any other type of pest management questions, please contact Lynn Bundy at the Cooperative Extension Service located in the Jarvis Office Center, 895-4215 or e-mail: deltariver48@yahoo.com.

Meeting Reminder - N. Richardson Hwy. Scenic Byway

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

Relay For Life Silver Sponsors

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day cancer will be eliminated.

Thank you for all of your support:

The Legends
Kaya Associates
Wells Fargo
Crowley Petroleum Distribution
Mt. Mckinley Bank
Alaska Tent & Tarp

Photo of the day - May 5

This picture was taken on May 1, 2008. He originally was 10 ft. tall, but the sun came out. Taken at New Hope Community Church. Photo Courtesy Barbara Schneider

Learn to Return - Navigation/GPS Workshop

Navigation/GPS Workshop teaches the basics to find your way home

Whether you’re following caribou across the tundra, day-tripping on your ATV or searching for a favorite fishing hole, having a GPS receiver along can save time and point you in the right direction. That’s why UAF Mining Extension and the Delta Mine Training Center are offering a two-day workshop on the basics of backcountry navigation and GPS use Tuesday and Wednesday, May13-14, in Delta Junction at the Delta Mine Training Center classroom.

Gary Cooper will lead the workshop. The Delta-Greely School District science and technology teacher of 23 years will focus on a wide range of topics such as reading topographic maps, understanding navigational coordinate systems and navigating with a Silva compass and a Garmin GPS. These skills can be used in charting and mapping, plotting a course, navigating from point to point, locating previously identified sites or any number of similar activities.

The Navigation/GPS workshop runs from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, May13-14, in the Delta Mine Training Center classroom, corner of Nistler Road and Richardson Highway next to Buffalo Fuel. GPS units will be provided. To register for this free workshop, contact Christy Roden at 907-895-4215.

Wells Fargo Names Stroud Delta Junction Store Manager

Wells Fargo has named Josh Stroud store manager for Delta Junction.

Most recently, Stroud served as a management trainee as part of Wells Fargo’s Alaska Management Training program. He has more than three years of previous financial services experience in New Mexico where he worked for Wells Fargo Financial. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from New Mexico State University in December 2005 as a member of the Golden Key Honor Society.

Stroud can be reached at 895-4691 or Joshua.S.Stroud@wellsfargo.com.

Department of Motor Vehicles Closures for May

DMV will be closed the following days in May:

Saturday May 17th

Wednesday May 21st

Will be open for scheduled road tests in the morning but closed in the afternoon Thursday May 22

Relay for Life - Auction "A Chair That Cares"

American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Delta, cordially invites you to a “One-of-a-Kind” Auction“A CHAIR THAT CARES”

Team members employed their talents by creating Pieces of Art from old and new chairs.

Please join us on Saturday May 10, 12 noon at the Delta High School Track.

Randy Peterson Auction Company

All chair sales proceeds go to benefit Relay for Life of DeltaHope to see you in “DELTA”

Thank you Sponsors

I would like to thank Delta Meat and Sausage and Trophy Lodge for sponsoring me to go to the Arctic Winter Games in Hockey - Yellowknife Yukon Territory. It was fun and an experience I will never forget.

Thank you from Brett Smith

Photo of the day - May 3

This Gray-crowned Rosy-Finch breeds in Alaska and probably the Canadian Rockies, then moves into Washington in winter. Although Gray-crowned Rosy-Finches are not often seen, the