By Chuck Hinson
Special to the Turnagain Times
October has been an active and rewarding month for Four Valleys Community School. The “non-event” fundraiser for FVCS, presented by the Persons family and held at the beginning of the month at Double Musky, was a huge success. Rebecca Reichlin, president of FVCS, and Bob Persons initiated and spearheaded the effort while many others made it happen. It was an instant sellout. All the tickets went quickly, sold mostly to members of the Girdwood community. Bob, his wife Deanna and son Justin, along with a handful of staff, created a beautiful and tasty buffet and offered an open bar that made for an unprecedented celebration and benefit for FVCS. Many thanks for such a generous endeavor.
On Oct. 27, the 13th annual Sports swap was held in the gym at the Girdwood School. Sponsored by FVCS and the Girdwood School, with support from the World Cup, the event seemed to go without a hitch, thanks to the coordinators, Becky Whisman, Julie Jonas and the many volunteers who made it happen. This year was a bit more challenging due to the fact that the regular space at the Alyeska Daylodge was unavailable for the event. The event planners put their heads together though, and a reasonable flow was created through the school hallways and gym for sellers and shoppers, their equipment and payment options.
Since there was some worry about having less space, people were encouraged to bring only what would actually be salable. It was a relatively warm day, which was good since there was no coat and backpack check this year. According to several observers, the layout of the goods made for a fun and enticing shopping experience and there was little or no problem with theft.
Thanks to everyone who helped guarantee the success of these projects. Pulling together and making things happen. It’s what this community is all about.
Artist Don Roller loves the creatures of Alaska but not the ones you might think. Roller has begun a series of paintings of sea anemones from the inner tidal zone of coastal Alaska. His oil and acrylic paintings bring out the colors that live under the sea. Roller says of his work, “I have chosen the subject of anemones as they are beautiful, flowerlike and blur the line between flora and fauna. I am drawn to that distinction and to the contrast of duality. I use visual and physical texture, as well as color, to magnify elements that would seemingly oppose, yet in fact compliment each other.
Roller’s show titled “Glimpses of the Sound” will be on display at the Girdwood Center for Visual Arts from Nov. 3 to Nov. 28. Join us for the artist reception Saturday, Nov. 3 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The event is sponsored by Chair 5 and Jack Sprats. The center is open Wednesday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Glacier Valley Transit (GVT) is an independent company separate from Alyeska Resort. Glacier Valley Transit will be getting a link on Alyeska Resort’s webpage listing scheduled times, bus stop locations, dial-a-ride information in addition to listing all contributing sponsors. Coming very soon you will be able to visit www.glaciervalleytransit.com for more information. All sponsors will have their name listed and a hyperlink back to their web sites. Please provide your company’s website address and phone number at the time of donation.
Companies donating $3,000 will get an 8” x 10” sign and $5,000 will receive a 10” x 12” sign in the 4 buses permanently. This is a one time donation request to assist in getting this public transit started.
The Municipality of Anchorage is assisting with setting up this public transportation system. Two used buses were purchased from the municipality along with two new 2008 buses from Bob Schetky in Idaho. All four buses will follow specific guidelines and regulations put in place by the Federal Government. The M.O.A. has already begun to install bus stops and is assisting with bus stop signage. Handicap accessible lifts are designed inside the buses with ski & snowboard racks on the back of all four buses and fare boxes located next to the driver. Besides location on the Alyeska Resort website, all bus stops and local businesses will have bus schedules.
So far Chair 5, The Double Musky, World Cup Sports, Chugach Powder Guides, Silvertip Bar & Grill, Girdwood Ski & Cyclery, Ron Burson and Alaska Paragliding have donated funds. Alyeska Resort will match the total donation amount that is procured.
Any donation denomination is greatly appreciated. GVT is a for profit business entity and donations can be tax deductible as a business expense. Eventually GVT will look to sell advertising on the outside of the buses. Please contact us with any questions you may have and we look forward to your support!
During the first week, Nov. 17 to Nov. 24, Glacier Valley Transit we will not be charging the $1 fare to ride the bus. GVT invites Girdwood residents to support your new local transportation system as it needs everyone’s support to become successful!
Remember please be patient, the bus stops for 30 seconds at each stop in and around Girdwood. Use caution and watch out for pedestrians standing at the bus stop locations; as well as folks getting on and off the buses.
Glacier Valley Transit is looking for qualified drivers and will be leasing its employees from Alyeska Resort. For more information and to fill out an Alyeska Resort employment application and visit http://www.alyeskaresort.com/files/Alyeska/aJob_App.pdf. Application can be faxed to 754-2190.
We look forward to seeing you on the bus! For additional information please contact:
Di Hiibner
Mountain Services Manager at Alyeska Resort 754-2265
Or
Shelly Elliott
Permitting & Planning Coordinator at Alyeska Resort 754-2262
Checks may be sent to
Di Hiibner & Shelly Elliott
Glacier Valley Transit
PO Box 249
Girdwood, AK. 99587
By Ginny Grupp
Special to the Turnagain Times
The signs of winter approaching are everywhere. The snowline is creeping lower, the days are getting shorter. For many of us, this is the reason that we live in Alaska. It will soon be time to ski, snowboard, snowshoe, ice climb. For many others, winter is a time of switching to a sedentary lifestyle, depression sets in, sleep becomes the favorite activity and the pounds begin to settle on.
The American College of Sports Medicine recommends to “do moderately intense cardio 30 minutes a day, five days a week and do eight to ten strength-training exercises, eight to 12 repetitions of each exercise twice a week.” Why 30 minutes? “The 30-minute recommendation is for the average healthy adult to maintain health and reduce the risk for chronic disease” (ACSM Physical Activity and Public Health Guidelines, 2007). Physical activity has also been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), improve blood pressure, cholesterol levels and sleep patterns.
So with the weather sending many Alaskans indoors, how can we achieve this goal of moving quickly enough to raise our heart rate and break a sweat? Thirty minutes sounds like forever in our busy schedules. Why not break it down? Do you work in an office? If it’s a multi-story building, hit the stairs for ten minutes three times during the day. For some, this could replace the ten-minute coffee or cigarette break.
Watching television in the evening? Rather than sitting on the couch for that one-hour reality show, walk in place during commercials. Or, sit during commercials and walk in place during the show. Thirty minutes does not have to be 30 minutes at one time, just work towards 30 minutes total active time during the day. In time, this may grow into running a 5k in the spring.
What to do about the other part of the ACSM recommendation … strength-training? You don’t need any special equipment to accomplish that either. Body-weight exercises such as squats, lunges, push-ups, crunches, all count as strength training exercises. Want to improve your biceps? Use a five pound bag of rice as a dumbbell. Have you tried curling a gallon of milk eight to 12 times? Everyday household items can serve as resistance for strength-training exercises (especially if they are “Costco” sized), leaving us with no excuses for not moving.
Movement is what the human body is made for and it functions better when it gets what it needs. Those unexplainable aches and pains melt away, we sleep better, we feel better.
For all of the healthy, outdoor activity options Alaska offers, it also has one of the highest obesity rates in the country. Taking small steps to incorporate movement into our everyday lives can go a long way towards reducing that statistic. You will feel better, look better, have more energy and it doesn’t have to cost you anything. Let’s get moving!
Ginny Grupp holds a Master of Science degree in Exercise Science and Health Promotion and is a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance.