Upcoming Workshops From University of Alaska Fairbanks

Upcoming workshops offered by the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service will help residents lower home energy bills.

Learn how to tap into the sun’s energy through a solar design workshop offered Saturday, Oct. 4, by Extension Energy and Housing Specialist Rich Seifert. The solar workshop will run from 1-5 p.m. in the University of Alaska Fairbanks Schaible Auditorium. Seifert will discuss Alaska-specific solar aspects, recent experience with solar hot water installations, photovoltaics and optimizing passive design with energy conservation. There is a $10 charge for the course text, “A Solar Design Manual for Alaska.”

Seifert also will lead a cold climate home-building techniques workshop on Oct. 18. The workshop will focus on insulating homes and will cover options for retrofit, and radon and indoor air quality, ventilation, roofs and permafrost. The workshop will run from 9 a.m.-5 p.m., also at Schaible Auditorium. Participants receive a free manual with a CD.

Preregistration is requested for both workshops at 474-7401 or 474-6366.

Debbie CarterWriter/Editor
Cooperative Extension Service
University of Alaska Fairbank
907-474-5406
Fax: 474-2631

White Rabbit Candy from China Recalled for Melamine Poisoning

QFCO, Inc. of Burlingame, California is recalling White Rabbit Candy because of possible health risk. The recall was initiated after it was discovered that product was contaminated with Melamine.

3. PRODUCTION DATES/IDENTIFYING CODES:
View Label: http://qfco.com/whiterabbit/Creamy.aspx

The White Rabbit Creamy Candy is sold in 8 or 16 oz packages. All otherflavors of White Rabbit Candy, including Assorted (Chocolate, Coconut, and Coffee), Red Bean, Coffee, Corn, Lychee, Mango and Strawberry are sold in 7oz. packages.

All packaging has a logo of a white rabbit on the front withthe words "White Rabbit."

***** The potential for milk and milk-based products used as an ingredientin products procured by DOD has been identified. At this time, products of concern, primarily Asian in origin, produced and procured outside the United States appears to be at risk.

Photo of the day - September 29

This beautiful Grizzly and her cub were photographed late in the evening near the Savage River, while in Denali Park on 12 September. Photo Courtesy Reggie Salinas

Deltana Communtiy Human Services Partnership Meeting Reminder

Delta Junction Community Coalition Meeting
September 30, 2008 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.
City Hall

Facilitated by Ted Sponsel, Project Consultant
tsponsel@nwresource.org or 457-8343

Mission: To develop and implement a 10-year plan that will address a broad scope of behavioral health needs in order to insure individual, family and community health for all ages in the Deltana region.

AGENDA
1. Introductions - (Name, agency if applicable, interests)
2. Review of last meeting
3. Review of the progress of the Needs and Resource survey. Survey retrieval.
4. Schedule and plan next meeting: What do we need to accomplish at the next meeting?
5. Dealing with the rumor.
6. Other topics of interest.
7. Adjournment at 6:30 or before.

Photo of the day - September 27

Alaskans never get tired of seeing the beauty of a moose. For many of us, we like it when we see them in our yards in the fall and winter time. We are not so keen on the critters in the summer months, since they do have a tendency to munch on the locals gardens. Mama and baby have been visiting one our local residents quite often this fall. Click on the photo for an enlargement. Photo Courtesy Carol Watkins

Photo of the day - September 26

Joanne has reopened Diehl's Delights after nearly 3 months of recovery from a broken hip. Be sure to stop by and say hello. Photo Courtesy Candy Corty

Bake Sale - Support Our FGMS Cheerleaders

Saturday, September 27, from 10am - 2pm.

Come support your Fort Greely Jr. High Cheerleaders!

Cookies, brownies, cupcakes, banana bread and more!

We will be in the building with Wellsfargo and Diehl's Delights.

Thank you again to the owner who is allowing us to set it up there!

Photo of the day - September 25

An old dredge outside of Nome with the fall colors on the tundra.
Photo Courtesy Gary Cooper

Chinook by George Hosier II - The Moose Mystique

It’s getting where it’s almost more hassle than it’s worth to fill your freezer with meat for the winter. Moose hunting just isn’t what it used to be. What with Argos and cell phones and short magnums and GPS’s and MRE’s and air boats and Thermax underwear and whatnot, the traditional hunting mystique has become as elusive as that monster 74 incher.

I remember the days when if you pulled into the turnoff at the trailhead where you planned to begin your hunting trip and encountered another vehicle, you backed out and went somewhere else. It was the unspoken law of the Northland. “Give another hunter his space. There’s plenty for everybody.” I doubt that’s true anymore. Lately, I’ve begun to suspect that if every hunter out there got a moose each year, in just a couple of seasons the poor creatures would be extinct.

We invite you to browse through our Chinook pages to read the rest of the story.

Photo of the day - September 24

Here is a brilliant splash of fall colors taken in Red Rock Canyon by Michele Trainor.

The Hometown News Holiday Greetings Program

The Hometown News Holiday Greetings program is coming to Fort Wainwright Thursday, September 25.

The program gives soldiers and family members an opportunity to wish a happy holiday season to their loved ones back home. The team videotapes the soldiers and family members and sends the tapes to television stations in their hometowns.

The team will be here Thursday from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Northern Lights Chapel.

Families whose sponsors are deployed may film without the soldier. The tapes will be sent to Iraq and Afghanistan for deployed service members to watch on the Armed Forces Network where it is available. The program is open to all active duty military, National Guard and Reserves and their families, and to Department of Defense civilians.

Here are a few pointers from the video team:

• Service members need to wear their duty uniform. Family members need to be with their sponsor, unless their sponsor is deployed. If that is the case, the family member should mention that fact in her or his greeting.
• Family information is vital. Names of family members, their relationship to you, their street address, city, state and ZIP Code, as well as phone number needs to be included. Stations often let family members know when the video will be aired, and in some cases, will interview the family for extended coverage. If you have family in a different area, you can fill out a second card and send a greeting to that area as well.
• Try to break away during off-peak times during the day to conduct your interview. The team will normally be at the chapel throughout the day, so try to avoid the “rush” times of lunch and after work.
• When in front of the camera, reading a script is not necessary, but it may be helpful to take a moment to plan out what you’d like to say. The main points to get across include your name, your family members’ names, where you are stationed and who you’d like to send the greeting to: “I’m Staff Sergeant John Williams with my wife Kathy and sons Kevin and David stationed in Fort Wainwright, Alaska. We’d like to say seasons’ greetings to our family and friends in St. Louis. Hi Mom, Hi Dad. We love you, miss you and hope to see you soon.”

Video and audio greetings are packaged according to geographic areas, normally by state. In large states like California, Texas, Florida and New York, stations will get greetings based upon region. Stations normally air the greetings throughout the holiday season, from Thanksgiving through New Years. Your greeting will normally play more than once throughout the holidays, and usually on more than one station.

For more information, call Public Affairs at 353-6701.

Photo of the day September 23

Delta High School Huskies played volleyball against Lathrop last Thursday, Sept 8. Click on the image for a photo enlargement. Photos Courtesy Michael Martinez

DCHS Meeting Minutes

Deltana Community Human Services Partnership Project
Meeting Minutes September 8, 2008
Delta Junction City Hall

Attendance:
Ted Sponsel, Project Consultant
Deborah Hayes, Project Director
Rachelle, Public Health Nurse
Elias Barnes, Ft. Greely Drug & Alcohol
Carl Johnson, Military Life Consultant
Jamie Zigler, Concerned Citizen
Terri Chapman, Concerned Citizen
Vera Gorbon, Catholic Social Services
Katie, ACRF Staff Member
Margie Mullins, Delta Vanguard
Ken Farrow, Alpha Omega

*Attendance was believed to be low due to the email reminder that many people did not receive.

The survey is now complete and ready for distribution. We are focusing on three different ways to gather information. (1) The General Community Opinion Survey that will target the residents of the Deltana area, Ft. Greely, Healy Lake, and Dot Lake. (2) 200 Fairbanks Agencies will be contacted by a survey questionnaire to establish what services are available and who would be interested in serving this area. (3) Gathering statistics from the School District, State Troopers, Public Health Clinic, and Court System.

Ted met with the State Troopers, but unfortunately they are not allowed to give out statistical information. Ted will go to Fairbanks to see if he can get the statistics there. However, the Troopers will fill out the surveys representing what they know as officers. Margie mentioned a website that posts criminal offenses for public review. It is the Alaska State Trooper Website under Public Information.

Rachelle gave an overview of the services that the Public Health Clinic offers and will provide that statistic information to Ted. Ted will contact OCS to find out what their referral information is. For example, how many times a week do they refer people to Fairbanks a week? He will also contact the Department of Public Assistance to see if they will supply statistical information as well. Jamie suggested contacting the V.A. office for information and Elias will help Ted get contact information for the D.A. on Ft. Greely to see about getting information from their sector.

Ted is also currently working with Dan Cooley of the School District to get information. Margie recommended getting Dan’s planning presentation that he recently conducted. She said that it may be a great source of information regarding planning and may be used at the Community Planning Training event that will be held next month.

Vera is currently working on translating the survey to Russian. She will give copies to the Slavic churches as well as keep copies in her office. She is also working on having a senior workshop to help the senior citizens fill out the survey.

Katie gave an overview about the volunteer opportunities to help residents fill out the survey. Terri Chapman has contacted Ed at IGA who has given us permission to have a table set up to assist people in filling them out. We are asking for volunteers to help us at IGA for two weeks beginning Monday September 15th and ending Sunday September 28th. The table is currently being stored with Mary at the Pottery Shop. So far we have five volunteers, but we need many more to help. Please contact Katie at 895-3290 to set up a time to volunteer.

Surveys will also be strategically placed around Ft. Greely to assist in getting a better response. Ted has given Ken 300 surveys to distribute through the Alpha Omega Elder Food Box Program, the non-Slavic churches, and through the Farmers Market Program. There will be 1300 surveys inserted in the Delta Wind over the next two weeks to help target a bigger population and we are currently in the process of getting an advertisement on the Delta Radio. Drop boxes will be at the IGA store and the Delta Library for those who would rather drop them off than mail them.

We have considered an option to try and have the students fill out the survey online or in their classrooms. Ted will speak with Dan Cooley about this option. The Deltana Survey is currently online at: http://www.acrf.org/.

Katie will contact Healy Lake for distribution of the survey and Rachelle will get the surveys out to Dot Lake. Other organizations were mentioned that should be contacted. They were the Deltana Corporation, Video Store, Co-Op Feed Store, Graniteview, and the Silverfox Roadhouse.

The last item on the agenda was to discuss the Community Planning Training Event. This event will focus on how to put together a community plan. This training will cover 6 important topics.
(1) Understanding the Needs and Resources
(2) Identify Relevant Resources
(3) Develop Organization Plan
(4) Sequence Implementation
(5) Define Tasks
(6) Implement Plan

The Community Center will be contacted to hold this event on October 11th from 11am to 3 pm. Lunch will be included.

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday September 30th at 5pm at City Hall.

Deltana Community Human Services Parnership Meeting Reminder

Deltana Community Human Services Parnership Meeting Reminder
September 30, 5:00 City Hall

Please take the survey!
We would like to remind all of you to comple the survey. Go to ACRF and complete the survey on line.

The survey project is NOT an attempt to create a borough. The DCHSP project has received three years of grant funding from the State of Alaska, Department of Behavioral Health, to create a community human services program for the Deltana community.

YOUR INPUT WILL HELP US TO CREATE WHAT DELTA NEEDS.

Please forward this message to your friends and help us get the word out!

Sincerely,
Deborah Hayes Brokus, M.Ed
Director Deltana Project

Phot of the day September 22

Moose with three ears, spotted at Buffalo Crossing on Jarvis Creek..Overpopulation?..Or something in the water? Photo Courtesy Paul Gerber

Will and Yvonne Mayo to Minister at Delta Christian Center

Will Mayo, a lifelong Alaskan, is the past President of the Tanana Chiefs Conference, a regional tribal consortium of 42 villages. He served as a cabinet member for Alaskan Governor Tony Knowles from 1999-2002. Now in full-time ministry, Will and his wife Yvonne are building Bear Spear House as a ministry training center that focuses on developing ministers for service in the villages of Alaska.

Will and Yvonne Mayo have been ministering the gospel since their marriage in 1975. In 1976 they moved to Tanana, Alaska after Will graduated from Bible school. In Tanana they conducted ministry for eight years. During that time they also traveled to other villages to minister.

Their experiences in remote village ministry taught them many lessons and gave them a deep appreciation for the challenges of ministering in these communities. Out of that time came a vision for initiating a ministry training work that would have as a goal the raising up of pastors who would be ministers in villages and maintain close networking connection with the Mayo’s ministry, VINE Alaska.

They will minister at Delta Christian Center on Sunday, September 28 at 11:00AM.

Photo of the day - September 20

A picture of Mount Hayes as seen standing next to Poor Boys Restaurant.
Photo Courtesy Kevin Flatley

Family Photo - Keasters

Emily Keaster and her youngest son Frank and two of his children, Shane and Hannah. Photo Courtesy Ann Geise

For more family photos we invite you to browse our family photo albums.

Obituary ~ Joshua Marlin Hall

Joshua Marlin Hall, born July 27, 1990, went home to be with Jesus on Sep. 16, 2008.

Joshua is survived by his parents Greg A. Hall of Avon, Colorado and Tammy Renee' Cupp of Staunton, Virginia; paternal Grandparents Richard & Kay Hall of Lynchburg, Virginia; maternal Grandparents LeBron & Helen Holbrook of Fredericktown, Missouri; maternal Great Grandparents Marlin and Neva Starnes of Summerville, GA, and a sister Alissa Joy Hall of Staunton, VA. He is also survived by his step father S. Michael Cupp, a step-sister Kristin Cupp, a step-brother Mike Cupp, uncles, aunts, cousins and many extended family members who love him very much.

Joshua was proceeded in death by his Paternal Great grandparents Joshua & Tula Stephens and his Maternal Grandmother, Beverly Starnes Holbrook. Memorial Services will be Sunday Sep. 21, 2008 at 2:00 P.M. at Thomas Road Baptist Church, Pate Chapel, with Pastor Jonathan Falwell, and Pastor Tom Frietas officiating.

Condolences can be sent to Tammy Cupp at tcuppminiatures@yahoo.com or 1103 Quicks Mill Rd., Staunton, VA 24401.

Photo of the day - September 19

A group of Trumpeter Swans take wing after sitting in a field waiting to begin the next leg of their journey in route to their northern breeding destinations. Image by Dwight Phillips

Delta Health Fair Coming Soon

Free screenings
Low Cost: Blood Draws and Flu Shots

October 4, 2008 8AM - 12:0

Comprehensive Blood Test $40
Chemistry/Hematology Profile has 27 tests including: Cholesterol - White Blood Cell Cound - Glucose for Diabetes - Kidney Function - And more. *Important - Please fast for 12 hours before the Comprehensive Blood Test, but drink plenty of water.

Thyroid Blood Test - $30

Prostate Blood Test $25

Colo Kits $5

*To Volunteer or Exhibit contact Lynn at gmakern@yahoo.com or Phyllis in Fairbanks at AK Health Fair

Deltana Community Corporation Election

Deltana Community Seats A, D, E, & F will be on the ballot at the regular Deltana Community Corporation Election on Tuesday, October 7, 2008.

If you are a registered voter and live outside the Delta City limits then you are eligible to vote in the Deltana Community Election.

For questions regarding this election please contact Eileen Herman - Administrator for Deltana Community Corporation at 895-6202.

Photo of the day - September 18

We live on Ft. Greely and I opened the door to let the dog out one night and Mama and the twins were in our back yard! Photo Courtesy Heather Boothe

Obituary ~ Robert Alan Wolf

Robert Alan Wolf, age 58, of Fairbanks, passed away Saturday, September 13, 2008.

A native of Berea, Ohio, he was a son of the late Joseph Juhasz and his mother, Betty Juhasz.
Robert was employed by TSA at the Fairbanks International Airport.

He enjoyed reading, art, history and especially writing. He was a master modeler.

He is survived by his wife, Huangxiaoping (Ping), of China; his mother, Betty Juhasz of Ohio; seven children, Rousheen, Random, Maximus, Sable, Keldrake, Teala, Dirk, and their mother, Robin Wolf, all of Delta Junction; and a brother and sister-in-law, Jack and Carol of Ohio.

The family requests a private memorial service at their family ranch in Delta Junction to be held Sunday September 21, 2008, 9AM

Memorial condolences may be sent to the Wolf family at HC 60 Box 3270, Delta Junction, Alaska, 99737.

Thank you to the Alaska State Troopers, TSA, Fairbanks Funeral Home, and Marty Roth.

He will be missed by those who knew him and loved him.

Photo of the day - September 17

A female Caribou stands surrounded by brilliant September colors in this photo taken near Healy. Photo Courtesy Art Lenon.

Are You Ready for an Emergency?

On Saturday, October 11, 2008, The Delta Junction Branch of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be sponsoring a "Preparedness Fair" for the Delta Junction/Fort Greely community.

This event is open to the community and available to anyone wishing to participate.

Presentations/displays currently planned include:

• 72 hour kits for emergencies
• Long Term Storage
• Using local plants, berries, etc.
• Preparing foods (will have samples)
• Fire Dept. - Fire Safety (register your home with the fire department, fire safety, etc.)
• Weatherization/home energy upgrades, etc.
• Using Fish & Game
• GVEA - "Advice & Installation of Standby Electric Generators For Alaskan Residences"

The event will be held at:

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Delta Junction Branch
2378 Deborah St.
Delta Junction, Alaska

The Preparedness Fair is scheduled from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

More information about our goals can be found at: Provident Living and Alaska Division of Homeland Security and Emergency .

For more information, please contact Dave Kimble 895-1098 or any member of the Delta Junction Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Strengthening Families Through Adoption Training

September 25, 6-9:00 pm and
September 27, 9 am -5 pm

By Lisa Carr, Ruth Post,
Linden Staciokas MA

Held at ACRF
815 Second Avenue, Suite 101
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701

PREREGISTRATION IS REQUIRED 479-7307

For all families who are working toward or have adopted children from foster care, privately or internationally.

Learn about the triad relationships in adoption, understanding birth parents, talking to your child about adoption, grief and loss for adopted children, attachments in adoption, medical issues in adoption, transracial adoption elements, and the effects of instutionalization and foster care on the adopted child.

This course is offered at no cost and is paid for by a grant from the State of Alaska, Office of Children's Services.

Deborah Hayes, M.Ed
Director, Alaska Center for Resource Families

Photo of the day - September 16

You have to love the fall colors, they make a nice backdrop for your photos. Do you happen to know his name? I always see him at Clearwater Lodge and throw a rock or two for him to fetch. Photo Courtesy Michael Martinez


Her name is Sally, she lives 1/2 mile up the river with her owner Bob. Please don't throw her rocks, tell her to go get a stick. (Rocks are hard on her teeth) She loves people and provides great entertainment for many at the lodge! She is suppose to stay home, but doesn't always, (very seldom) listens. She also like to have her picture taken and is quite photogenic, as you can tell. It's a very nice picture. Sherry

Saturday Nite Pickin' and Grinnin'

The Delta Sing-a-long gathering found fifteen folks exercising their vocal cords and pickin' fingers - we had a good time - good company - good music - good fellowship - 3 guitars, a banjo, a great big bass and a coupla autoharps - and lotsa vocal cords!

We broke later for Sloppy Joes (courtesy of Judith and the Wilsons), and lucious desserts provided by Brenda, Carol and Vel, and then more homemade music.

We wish you had been there, and would have welcomed you at this family event.

Please join us on September 27, usual time and usual place. Call 895-4104 for information. Uncle Sing-A-Long wants You!

Regular Municipal Election - October 7

REGULAR MUNICIPAL ELECTION
District 12 – Precinct 020

Council Seats C, E, & F

Council Seats C, E, and F will be on the ballot at the regular Delta Junction City Council Municipal Election on Tuesday, October 7, 2008.

Proposition 1: Exemption from requirements of the State of Alaska Official Financial Disclosure Law (AS 39.50) will also be on the ballot.

For more information see the City website.

Photo of the day - September 15

I took this picture on September 8 at the turn off area between Ft. Greely and Delta. I was just taking pictures of the fall leaves but was pleasantly surprised by the beautiful shot of the mountain. Photo Courtesy Rhetta Hosier

Memorial Service for Carl Bandy

Memorial sevice for Carl Bandy who passed away on September 14, 2008 will be held
Thursday Sept. 18, 2008 at 5:00, and will be held at Clearwater Baptist Church

Carl Bandy was born on a farm in northern Tennesse, May 29, 1917, to Dolly Jenkins and Freely Bandy. Carl had three older brothers and an older sister. He grew up in Scottsville, Kentucky. After he graduated from high school, he worked for American Bakery driving a truck and as a shipping superintendent.

Carl joined the Navy in 1940. He was a gunner and a radio man on a TBF airplane. He served during World War II in the Pacific arena. Just before going to the Pacific he met Margie at church. They corresponded and kept in touch with each other and later married in May 1945.
After the war Carl was a photographer in Lake City, Iowa. In 1957 Carl came to Kotzebue, Alaska with the FAA. Margie followed one year later. After a few years, Carl was transferred to Northway, Alaska, still working for the FAA.

Carl and Margie moved to Delta in 1959. They were foster parents for several teenagers while the teens finished high school. Carl also started the Delta Kiwanis Club, and he farmed hay while still working for the FAA.

Carl was a member of the Clearwater Baptist Church. He recieved Jesus as his Lord and Savior when he was nine years old.

Photo of the day - September 13

A yellow warbler sings a pretty song as he sits in a spruce tree. Image by Dwight Phillips

Sawmill Creek Lodge - End of the Harvest Party

Sawmill Creek Lodge - Mile 1404 Alaska Highway, Delta Junction
895-4924

Thursday - September 18, 2008

• Area Trail Rides - Map available (area rides depend on volunteers as to where & when)
• Darts Tournament (sign in at 1:00pm - 7:00pm) which will be held at 7:00pm
• Free Pool, Foos Ball, Horse Shoes, Volleyball & Shuffle Board
• Music-Jam Session welcomes all musicians to join in 8pm - ?
• Late Night Karaoke

Friday - September 19, 2008

• Cribbage Tournament - (sign in at 1:00pm - 7:00pm), which will be held at 7pm
• Free Pool, Volleyball, Horse Shoes, Darts, Foos Ball & Shuffle Board
• Music-Jam Session welcomes all musicians to join in 8pm - ?
• Late Night Karaoke

Saturday, September 20, 2008

• BBQ Ribs Cook-off (bring your best rig, sauce & grill)
• Comedy Night $100 prize for best comic - Open Mic 8pm
• Free Pool, Darts, Foos Ball, Volleyball, Horse Shoes & Shuffle Board
• Music-Jam Session welcomes all musicians to join in 10pm - ?
• Late Night Karaoke

Sunday, September 21, 2008

• Private Sunday Service Pool Tournament - (sign in 1:00pm - 7:00pm) will will be held at 7:00pm
• Free Darts, Volleyball, Foosball, Horse Shoes & Shuffle Board
• Music Jam Session welcomes all musicians

Prizes for all events
$10 per night camping
Vendors Welcome

Chamber of Commerce General Membership Luncheon

The September Membership Luncheo willb e held at noon on September 18, 2008 at the Alaskan Steakhouse. Lunch is $15.00. Please RSVP to the Chamber office at 895-5068 by September 16 at 4pm to be eligible for the free lunch drawing.

Guest speaker will Golden Valley Electric Association's President & CEO Brian Newton. Newton's presentation "Footrace to Affordable Energy" will spotlight the cooperative's efforts to meet the challenges of rising energy costs as well as a discussion on short to long-term energy solutions. GVEA's recently completed Cost of Service Study will also be presented.

Following the Chamber meeting, the co-op's Vice President of Transmission and Distribution Mike Wright will offer a tour of GVEA's Delta Power Plant. In 2006, GVEA moved this 300-ton power plant from Fairbankss to increase reliability in the Delta area.

Photo of the day - September 12

Delta resident Meghan Orona with daughter Isabel Orona and Sarah Palin (governor of Alaska, and Republican vice presidential candidate) at the Fairbanks welcome home rally 9/10/08. Photo Courtesy Meghan Orona

Debris Burning Used to Help Mitigate Noxious Weed Problem

Delta Junction, AK— The Alaska Division of Forestry (DOF), Salcha-Delta Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), and local landowners are working to minimize hemp nettle and sow thistle in the Tanana Loop area, north of Jack Warren Road and east of the Richardson Highway. Depending on the weather, residents may see smoke in this area throughout the autumn months from piles that are being burned as part of the project.

Berms created during clearing for agricultural purposes have propagated the spread of noxious weeds. The SWCD provided funding to hire contractors to re-stack 31 miles worth of berms into 20-foot diameter piles. Landowners are responsible for the removal of the piles and many will chose to burn them as it is the most inexpensive and efficient method.

The piles have been stacked cleanly so that they will burn thoroughly and will not smolder for days. When the piles are burned, smoke will be visible. Technical expertise is provided by DOF and the Department of Environmental Conservation to help limit burning to time periods when conditions will least impact the air quality and safety of the surrounding community.

The cooperative project has many benefits:

• It helps mitigate the noxious weed problem as landowners have agreed to cultivate their fields for the next five years. Farming introduces natural competition from crops and herbicides can be used in areas that have previously been unmanageable.
• It opens up additional space for planting crops.
• It reduces the amount of hazard fuels that have built up in populated areas. In the event of a wildfire igniting the berms (if left as they are and not re-stacked), the fire would be challenging to suppress and would then smolder for a long time.

If weather conditions are not favorable in the coming months, piles will be burned next year.

Photo of the day - September 11

A black bear sow captures a fresh run pink salmon as one of her two cubs waits for the treat in this photo taken at Allison Point, Valdez. Photo Courtesy Art Lenon

Fairbanks Drama Association Presents Rumors

Fairbanks Drama Association
1852 2nd Avenue
Fairbanks AK 99701-4030

Fall in love with theatre all over again! We’re celebrating 46 seasons with a feast of grand classics! 6 great plays with big savings on season packages! Visit us online at http://www.fairbanksdrama.org/

Rumors

A Classic comic farce by Neil Simon. Directed by Michael Mcintyre
September 12-28 - Weekends only.

Four couples are at a deputy New York mayor’s townhouse to celebrate his tenth wedding anniversary. The party never begins because the host has shot himself (it’s only a small flesh wound) and his wife is missing. The cover-up grows more difficult to sustain as more guests arrive and nobody can remember who has been told what. The NBC news critic said, upon seeing a production of RUMORS: “This comedy is not only side-splitting funny, but front and back splitting, too!”

Photo of the day - September 10

Another sure sign of fall. High-bush cranberries - Good-Niss Acres Subdivision 9/6/08.
Photo Courtesy Martha Johnson

Deltana Community Human Services Partnership Minutes

Deltana Community Human Services Partnership Project
Meeting September 8, 2008
Delta Junction City Hall

Attendance:
Ted Sponsel, Project Consultant
Deborah Hayes, Project Director
Rachelle, Public Health Nurse
Elias Barnes, Ft. Greely Drug & Alcohol
Carl Johnson, Military Life Consultant
Jamie Zigler, Concerned Citizen
Terri Chapman, Concerned Citizen
Vera Gorbon, Catholic Social Services
Katie, ACRF Staff Member
Margie Mullins, Delta Vanguard
Ken Faro, Alpha Omega

*Attendance was believed to be low due to the email reminder that many people did not receive.

The survey is now complete and ready for distribution. We are focusing on three different ways to gather information. (1) The General Community Opinion Survey that will target the residents of the Deltana area, Ft. Greely, Healy Lake, and Dot Lake. (2) 200 Fairbanks Agencies will be contacted by a survey questionnaire to establish what services are available and who would be interested in serving this area. (3) Gathering statistics from the School District, State Troopers, Public Health Clinic, and Court System.

Ted met with the State Troopers, but unfortunately they are not allowed to give out statistical information. Ted will go to Fairbanks to see if he can get the statistics there. However, the Troopers will fill out the surveys representing what they know as officers. Margie mentioned a website that posts criminal offenses for public review. It is the Alaska State Trooper Website under Public Information.

Rachelle gave an overview of the services that the Public Health Clinic offers and will provide that statistic information to Ted. Ted will contact OCS to find out what their referral information is. For example, how many times a week do they refer people to Fairbanks a week? He will also contact the Department of Public Assistance to see if they will supply statistical information as well. Jamie suggested contacting the V.A. office for information and Elias will help Ted get contact information for the D.A. on Ft. Greely to see about getting information from their sector.

Ted is also currently working with Dan Cooley of the School District to get information. Margie recommended getting Dan’s planning presentation that he recently conducted. She said that it may be a great source of information regarding planning and may be used at the Community Planning Training event that will be held next month.

Vera is currently working on translating the survey to Russian. She will give copies to the Slavic churches as well as keep copies in her office. She is also working on having a senior workshop to help the senior citizens fill out the survey.

Katie gave an overview about the volunteer opportunities to help residents fill out the survey. Terri Chapman has contacted Ed at IGA who has given us permission to have a table set up to assist people in filling them out. We are asking for volunteers to help us at IGA for two weeks beginning Monday September 15th and ending Sunday September 28th. The table is currently being stored with Mary at the Pottery Shop. So far we have five volunteers, but we need many more to help. Please contact Katie at 895-3290 to set up a time to volunteer.

Surveys will also be strategically placed around Ft. Greely to assist in getting a better response. Ted has given Ken 300 surveys to distribute through the Alpha Omega Elder Food Box Program, the non-Slavic churches, and through the Farmers Market Program. There will be 1300 surveys inserted in the Delta Wind over the next two weeks to help target a bigger population and we are currently in the process of getting an advertisement on the Delta Radio. Drop boxes will be at the IGA store and the Delta Library for those who would rather drop them off than mail them.

We have considered an option to try and have the students fill out the survey online or in their classrooms. Ted will speak with Dan Cooley about this option. The Deltana Survey is currently online at: www.acrf.org.

Katie will contact Healy Lake for distribution of the survey and Rachelle will get the surveys out to Dot Lake. Other organizations were mentioned that should be contacted. They were the Deltana Corporation, Video Store, Co-Op Feed Store, Graniteview, and the Silverfox Roadhouse.

The last item on the agenda was to discuss the Community Planning Training Event. This event will focus on how to put together a community plan. This training will cover 6 important topics.
(1) Understanding the Needs and Resources
(2) Identify Relevant Resources
(3) Develop Organization Plan
(4) Sequence Implementation
(5) Define Tasks
(6) Implement Plan

The Community Center will be contacted to hold this event on October 11th from 11am to 3 pm. Lunch will be included.

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday September 30th at 5pm at City Hall.

Photo of the day - September 9

When you look at the calendar, the first official day of fall is September 22. Alaska gets fall a lot earlier than the rest of the nation. According to Fairbanks news last night, they are saying we are going to have rain mixed with a little snow showers on Thursday night. You can guarantee when you see snow hit Donnelly Dome, it will be hitting Delta Jct within a couple weeks. Time to get out and get your last minute clean up done and things put away before ole' man winter comes. Photos Courtesy of Al Sheldon

Chinook by George M. Hosier II - Cop Bloopers

I love stupid criminal stories. They are one of the few things that can still make me burst out in a spontaneous belly laugh. You see, experts who get paid six figure salaries to study such things tell us that the key element of successful humor is the surprise factor. Something is said or done that catches us off guard, and the incongruity of it stimulates our funny bone to releases laugh hormones, causing us to involuntarily squirt milk out of our nose…or something like that. So to be truly amused, a person has to be surprised. However, as I get older I am discovering that not very much surprises me anymore.

When I was a kid, two of my favorite magazines were Boy’s Life and Reader’s Digest. I would always flip to the joke pages first thing and spend the next few minutes guffawing at the hilarious humor found therein until my mother told me to clean up my milk snot and put the magazine down until I was done with my PB&J. For the last several years, though, I have felt ripped off when I read those publications. As it turns out, the jokes in Boy’s Life are the same jokes I was reading in that magazine when I was a kid. Of course, I suppose they can be forgiven, since they have a 100% reading audience turnover every 15 years or so, with the exception of a couple of old geezers like me that forgot to grow up.

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

Photo of the day - September 8

Brewis family and friends camping at Donnelly Creek and enjoying the fall beauty. Click on the family photo for a photo enlargement. Photos Courtesy Kim Brewis

Mystery Photo for Week September 1 - 7

The winner of last week's mystery photo is Darlene Chaffin. We had 21 correct entries last week.

Darlene will receive a gift certificate from the Buffalo Center Diner, Courtesy of Ed and Ann Richards

Thank you for each one that participated this season in the mystery photo contest. We will be back next year with our third annual Mystery Photo Contest.

Again we want to thank Ed and Ann Richards from the Buffalo Center Diner and John and Linda Sloan from the Buffalo Center Drive In for their sponsorship of the 2nd annual Mystery Photo Contest.

The photo is part of the emblem at the Post Office at the front door.

Photo of the day - September 6

Many of Interior Alaska's families rely on the meat, ole' Mister Bullwinkle will provide for them this hunting season. This image was sent in hopes that all hunters will abide by "fair chase" etiquette and in return will be provided with a freezer full of moose meat.
Image by Dwight Phillips

Hockey News...

The Delta-Greely Youth Hockey and Figure Skating Association will be registering both hockey and figure skaters on Saturday, October 4, 2008 at the Liewer-Olmstead Arena beginning at noon. Any youth from 4 to 14 years of age interested in skating are welcome to sign up. On October 4th, we will be registering everyone interested in skating and elect the 2008-09 Board members. This will be an important date to remember.

This community has a lot of dedicated coaches and parents who will give your skater what they need to learn the “coolest” game on earth. There are five levels of hockey and one figure skating program. We can always use more help from anyone who has time to dedicate to the positions of head coach, assistant coaches, managers, organizers ect. All those new to the program will have to pass a background check. If you’re interested in working with our youth or wish to learn more, please call Charlie Hennager at 803-3488.

Every September, all board seats are open. Anyone interested in the positions of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Registrar, Figure Skating Rep and Member at Large, call Rose Edgren at 895-4043 so your name can be put on the ballot.

All our hockey and figure skaters are registered and insured through USA Hockey and USA Figure Skating respectively. As of this season, all hockey players must register “on-line” which parents may do anytime at www.usahockey.com. You will need a credit card for the $35.00 registration fee. If possible, print out a confirmation page to bring to the registrar the day of the Delta-Greely Skating Association’s registration or e:mail the page to Dawn Grossmann at degrossmann@gmail.com. ALL PLAYERS MUST BE REGISTERED BEFORE THEY CAN GET ON THE ICE. If you have any questions regarding registration, please e:mail Dawn.

On the day of registration, we will also be issuing hockey and figure skating equipment to those who which to participate in the Kit-A-Kid program. The Kit-A-Kid program is on a first come basis. The parents sign a contract agreeing to a deposit of $100.00 for the lease of the hockey or figure skating equipment for the season. At the end of the season, $70.00 will be returned to the parent as long as all the gear is accounted for. The balance of $30.00 is for equipment repair and cleaning. This is an excellent opportunity for those who have never skated but would like to try the sport without the cost of purchasing all the gear. If there are any questions, feel fee to call Rose at 895-4043.

Respectfully submitted,
Rose Edgren

Photo of the day - September 5

It seems that this hoary marmot adult is giving one of its young ones a lecture as its sibling looks on. Marmots are usually found in the high mountains along with Dall sheep and golden eagles. Photo by Steve Thomas

2008 PFD Amount Has Been Announced

The 2008 Dividend Amount is $3,296.00, this includes the $1200 Alaska Resource Rebate.

The payment schedule for director deposit will be Spetember 12. Warrants (Checks) are being mailed beginning September 30, (allow up to 12 days for delivery in Alaska)

You can check the status of your application at any time using the online CheckStatus.

For more information on the permanent fund dividend program click here.

Remembrance for Gary Summerfield

There will be a Remembrance for Gary Summerfield, a Good Guy now gone from us,
on Saturday, 10-5-08 at 7 PM in the Senior Lounge.

Snacks/pot luck are welcome if you care to bring them, but in any event, join us for the Remembrance--895 4104 to RSVP.

GARY SUMMERFIELD, A GOOD GUY

Photo of the day - September 4

Fall has officially arrived. Mt. Hayes is seen in the background.

Bolio Sunrise. Photos Courtesy Michael Kingston/CRTC

Photo of the day - September 3

This photographer found more than one way to shoot a bull moose. Taken September 1 on the Alaska Highway, close to the Trophy Lodge. Photo Courtesy Sheila Lint.

Late Firing Exercises Set

FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska – The Army will conduct artillery live-fire training in the Donnelly Training Area Sept. 13-17 between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The howitzer training will take place in the Mississippi Impact area, approximately 10 miles from Delta Junction and 7 miles from Fort Greely.

Delta Junction area residents may hear booming noises, see flares and feel vibrations from the explosions.

For more information call Range Control at 873-4714.

Alexis Flynn's Kidney Transplant

Barb and I would like to thank the community for the generous support of our family and particularly little Alexis as she in now successfully recovering from a Kidney Transplant Surgery that took place on 27 Aug 08 at Children's Hospital in Seattle.

Barb was able to donate a beautiful kidney to Alexis and it is currently working well. Alexis is on strong immuno-suppression medications currently to prevent rejection of the donated organ but seems to be handling these well.

We are out of the ICU and Alexis is now recovering nicely in the surgical ward.

Anyone looking to see pictures of Alexis or get updates on her condition can go to either to http://www.cotaforalexisf.com/ or http://www.thestatus.com/ ("visit a patient page", patient=flynn, password=elizabeth2).

We appreciate as well all the prayers sent our way!

The Deltana Community Human Services Project Moves Ahead

The Deltana Community Human Services Project started when a group of concerned Delta area residents began meeting several months ago, to discuss ways to address community behavioral health needs. The school district, state agencies, the military, city government, and concerned citizens all agreed that a plan for attracting and implementing integrated human services was needed. The Coalition of community members has now had two formal meetings, to which the public was invited.

The group organized itself, learned about the project and started working on the initial steps. One member of this coalition, Deborah Hayes of Northwest Resource Associates, was asked if her organization would write a grant to help implement the project. She agreed and her agency was awarded a three-year grant through the Alaska Division of Behavioral Health, to plan and implement such a system. They engaged Dr. Ted Sponsel of Fairbanks to serve as the consultant and coordinator of the program.

The Coalition adopted this mission statement: To develop and implement a 10-year plan that will address a broad scope of needs using a multi-modal approach, in order to insure individual, family and community health for all ages in the Deltana region. The new volunteer Community Planning Team (CPT), which will oversee the project, is made up of eight community members, plus Ted Sponsel and Deborah Hayes as resource members. CPT members represent the Delta Greely School District, Public Health Nursing, the US Army, the Office of Children’s Services, Alpha Omega, the Delta City Council, Catholic Social Services, , private citizens and other agencies providing services in Delta.

The first step is to find out what the community needs are and what resources are already available. This will be done by conducting three types of surveys:

• The first will be a general community survey, which will appear the first week of September. We are asking every community member to fill out this two-page survey and drop it off at IGA or the Library, or mail it in. Another option is to take the survey on line.
• A second survey is geared to Fairbanks agencies that currently provide or want to provide services to the Delta region. With the cooperation of Arctic Alliance for People in Fairbanks, we will be contacting over 200 human services agencies.
• The third part is to do targeted surveys. We hope to get information from the school district, the courts, public health, State of Alaska agencies, immigration services, and other groups who might be able to pull together statistics about what is needed by the citizens in Delta.

Please be looking for the survey in the mail, newspaper, Delta websites and other places, and do your part by completing one. This is a very exciting project, but it takes lots of work, patience and talking together to make it happen.

You can submit the survey online at http://www.acrf.org/ and click on the Deltana Survey, you can put it in drop boxes at the Library or IGA, fax it to (907) 479-9666 or mail it to: ACRF; 815 Second AVE Suite 101; Fairbanks, AK 99701. Your name is optional, but we might want to talk with you about your ideas.

Click here for the pdf version of the survey.

Click here for Word the word document survey.

Diversity Schoolhouse

Diversity Schoolhouse is for anyone who delivers services to youth and families with Interior Alaska. It is also designed to help frontline workers with social services field improve their communication with and understanding of various ethnic, cultural, religious and other socially diverse groups in our community.

Free lunchtime workshops on Wednesdays, 12 - 1pm. Feel free to bring your lunch.

Workshop Location:
Resource Center for Parents and Children
726 26th Avenue, Suite 2
Fairbanks, AK 99701

For additional information and to register, please call or email Candaace, (907)456-9602; email: cblackwood@rcpcfairbanks.org

Click on the poster for a photo enlargement.

Sep 24 - The Beauty of Cultural Diversity
Oct 1 - Working wiht Alaska Native Families
Oct 8 - Working with Persons with Developmental Disabilities
Oct 15 - Working with Persons in the Faith-Based Community
Oct 22 - Working with Victims of Sexual Assault
Oct 29 - Working with Families of Domestic Violence
Nov 5 - Working with Families withing the Military Community
Nov 12 - Working with Law Enforcement
Nov 19 - Working with OCS

Resource Center for Parents and Children

Photo of the day - September 2

This bull bison from the wild Delta bison herd looks back at me as I try to take his picture. Photo Courtesy Steve DuBois

Photo of the day - September 1

This Great Horned Owl doesn't seem to have a care in the world that a photographer is standing only 25ft. away. It decided to go ahead and take a nap any way. Photo Courtesy Steve Thomas

Mystery Photo Winner for Week Aug 25 - 31

The winner of last week's mystery photo is Jessica Diviney We had 15 correct entries last week.

Jessica will receive a gift certificate from the Buffalo Center Diner, Courtesy of Ed and Ann Richards.

Thank you for each one that submitted their entry, along with your mailing address. Please remember to include your mailing address with each entry. DNW will not accept entries without mailing addresses. We do not store your address from week to week.

The photo is the eagle on the Golden Eagle Outfitters sign located on the airstrip, beside the campground.

This will be our last mystery photo for this season. Again we want to thank Ed and Ann Richards from the Buffalo Center Diner and John and Linda Sloan from the Buffalo Center Drive In for their sponsorship of the 2nd annual Mystery Photo Contest.

Good luck as you look for next week's photo.

Developing Alaska's Workforce

Today on Labor Day we honor the dignity of human labor. In Alaska, that means honoring the approximately 397,000 Alaskans in our workforce – the lifeblood of the land of opportunity that is Alaska. Our great state has been built by the blood and sweat of all the individuals who envisioned a grand future for themselves and their children.

The strength of our economy comes from hardworking men and women who give their best every day, including the thousands of high school, technical school and university graduates who enter the workforce every year.

Although many businesses cite the difficulty of finding qualified employees as their single biggest challenge, many throughout Alaska can’t find jobs. This labor disconnection is a tipping point in our economy. It affects not only day-to-day business, but also limits opportunity for long-term growth.

The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development is committed to helping good workers and good employers find each other. We will also respond by working harder to provide training, education and apprenticeships. Our success will depend on strong partnerships with industry and education, as our needs and resources complement each other.

Governor Palin has signed four bills into law, which provide additional support for working Alaskans and strengthen our businesses and communities – increasing unemployment benefits, extending the state training program, extending education tax credits to vocational programs and increasing funding for vocational education.

Unemployment insurance is a safety net that protects Alaska families when jobs are scarce. By helping keep workers in Alaska, it ensures that businesses have experienced workers available. The maximum unemployment insurance weekly benefit will increase from $248 to $370 beginning Jan. 1, placing Alaska at the midpoint among states, rather than the fourth lowest in the nation. The benefit hadn’t been raised since 1997. The legislation also protects the privacy of Alaskans applying for unemployment benefits by ensuring that claim information remains confidential.

The State Training and Employment Program has been extended for two years. Operated by the department of labor, the program has trained more than 24,000 Alaska workers over the last 19 years. About 94 percent of STEP trainees are employed within 12 months. STEP participants earned more than $71 million in Alaska wages in the year following their training. And this program is providing a long-term benefit – more than 90 percent of STEP participants remain in Alaska.

Businesses now have an incentive to support vocational education. Effective Jan. 1, the education tax credits to cover contributions up to $150,000 will be extended to include secondary school vocational programs and state-operated vocational and technical schools in Alaska. The credit had been only for contributions to two- and four-year colleges and universities. The credit can now be used against these taxes: insurance, corporate income, oil and producer, oil and gas property, mining license, fisheries business or fishery resource landing.

The allocation to the Technical Vocational Education Account has been increased and the funds can be distributed to a wider range of training facilities.

But we have more work ahead of us.

At over 6 percent our unemployment rate is higher than it should be – and this hardship is concentrated in certain regions, industries and populations, such as people with disabilities. The department of labor will continue to improve our services to prepare unemployed and underemployed workers. We are also working harder to close the gap, to train Alaskans for the high-paying jobs that currently go to non-residents.

Alaska has grown by developing its natural resources – the decline in our oil production makes it imperative for our state to pursue new and expanded industrial opportunities. The AGIA gasline license authorized by the Legislature creates a platform for long-term growth and prosperity. Now is the time to plant and carefully tend, if we are to harvest a future of good jobs for Alaska’s sons and daughters.

Alaskans should have the right to get good jobs – not by heading south, but in our hometowns in our home state. We should not have to abandon family and heritage, and the land we love, to earn a future.

Bishop, a life-long Alaskan, serves as commissioner of the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

Written and Submitted By Click Bishop

Photo of the day - August 30

A pair of Trumpeter Swans nest in a lowland area near Mentasta Lake Alaska. Trumpeter Swans form pair bonds when they are three or four years old. The pair stays together throughout the year, moving together in migratory populations. Trumpeters are assumed to mate for life, but some individuals do switch mates over their lifetimes. Image by Dwight Phillips