Monthly Archives: October 2008

As a reminder, Daylight Saving Time will end November 2.

Remember to set your clocks back one hour before going to bed on Saturday night, November 1.

FORT GREELY, Alaska – Col. George Bond, of the Missile Defense Agency-Alaska, will give a missile launch safety presentation on Nov. 6 at the Fort Greely post theater. This one-hour presentation is open to Delta Junction residents and starts at 7:30 p.m.

Members of the public attending do not need to go to the Visitor’s Center. Proceed directly to the entry control point where the Security Guards will provide a Special Event Pass and Map with directions to the Theater and Parking areas. Drivers will need to show their driver’s license, vehicle registration and proof of current insurance to the Guard. Passengers 16 and older must also present photo identification to the Guard.

Fort Greely, Alaska–The Fort Greely Installation Restoration Advisory Board (RAB) will meet at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, 05 November 2008, at the City Hall in Delta Junction, Alaska.

The goal of the RAB is to give individuals who represent the diverse interests of the community the opportunity to regularly review progress and interact with the decision makers concerning Fort Greely’s environmental restoration program. The aim is to increase public understanding and the quality of the installation environmental restoration program.

The RAB meetings are held quarterly, are announced in advance and are open to the public.

The RAB assisted with the restoration efforts required by the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process from 1995 until portions of Fort Greely were withdrawn from surplus in 2001 to support the U.S. missile defense program. The RAB is now assisting with the Fort Greely installation environmental restoration program.

The RAB membership currently includes: Community Co-Chair Stephen Hammond, the Fort Greely garrison commander’s designated representative, Chris Boerst; community members Dick Anderson, Steve Fields, Pete Hallgren, Tom Miller, Mike Murphy, Carol Stock, and Mary Leith-Dowling. A representative from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation participates in each meeting, as does a representative from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency when possible.

Members of the RAB have committed to a goal of attending all RAB meetings and devoting ample time to review any related Army documents within prescribed time frames.

Public participation on the RAB is strictly voluntary. The Army does not provide financial support to the public members for their services nor are members compensated for work hours lost or time invested.

For more information about the RAB and its activities, call Stephen Hammond at telephone 907-895-5441, see the RAB’s website, or call Wayne Tolliver, Fort Greely environmental coordinator, at telephone 907-873-4664.

The surveys are in and we’re crunching the data! Next Saturday, November 8th is the day we start planning. The goal is to identify the priorities for a 10-year Human Services Plan for the Deltana region.

Join us to learn how to do community planning and help us apply what we learn to our project. The Summit will teach you to: understand needs and resources are in the Delta area, identify relevant resources, develop an organization plan, sequence plan implementation, defining tasks for participants, and implement the plan.

We will talk about a lot of needs, issues and solutions in the community. We will be serving a sandwich spread for lunch, so please RSVP.

The Deltana Community Human Services Planning Project is a grassroots, non-political group that received a grant to increase the human services available to the Deltana community. Ted Sponsel, Project Coordinator, will lead the event. RSVP: Reserve your space by calling Alaska Center for Resource Families at (800) 478-7307 or emailing tsponsel@nwresource.org .

Saturday, November 8, 2008
10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
City Hall, large conference room

Baka Beyond will perform on Thursday, October 30 at 7:30 p.m. in the Delta High School large gym.

This world famous Celtic-African fusion group features strong rhythms from Cameroon’s Baka tribe and traditional melodies from the UK.

The concert is FREE and a gift to Delta Junction from Alyeska Pipeline Service Company in cooperation with the Delta Library Association and Fairbanks Concert Association.

Find out more here: http://www.bakabeyond.net/

The 354th Fighter Wing is having a dedication service for the new base chapel at 10 a.m. Oct. 29. The new chapel earned the Pacific Air Forces Top Concept Design Category Award for 2007.

Chaplains offer worship and rites; pastoral counseling; and personal, moral and spiritual growth opportunities for the military community and their dependents. As members of a multicultural community, chaplains provide ministry to persons of their own faith group, and also act as guardians of the free exercise of religion for all. The Chaplain also advises commanders on religion, ethical concerns and quality of life programs, as well as support deployments.

FORT GREELY, Alaska – Col. George Bond, of the Missile Defense Agency-Alaska, will give a missile launch safety presentation on Nov. 6 at the Fort Greely post theater. This one-hour presentation is open to Delta Junction residents and starts at 7:30 p.m.

Members of the public attending do not need to go to the Visitor’s Center. Proceed directly to the entry control point where the Security Guards will provide a Special Event Pass and Map with directions to the Theater and Parking areas. Drivers will need to show their driver’s license, vehicle registration and proof of current insurance to the Guard. Passengers 16 and older must also present photo identification to the Guard.

Big Brothers and Big Sisters is America’s leader in one-to-one youth service, with nearly a century of proven success in creating positive friendships that benefit children, volunteers, families, neighborhoods and communities.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is currently recruiting volunteers and signing up participants in the Delta Junction and Fort Greely communities. We are looking for High School student volunteers to help with the school-based program which will meet on Wednesday afternoons. We are also looking for community members to volunteer to meet with youth at least once monthly on their own time.

For more information call: 895-4657 Ext. 34.

Scheme uses E-Mail and Blogs to Encourage Recipients to Register Software with BBB

DuPont, WA – October 23, 2008 – Better Business Bureau is alerting consumers and businesses about a phishing scheme that uses both e-mail messages and blog posts directing recipients and viewers to register software with BBB. BBB wants the public to know that such messages and posts are not coming from any element of the BBB System, and that this attack has not affected BBB computer systems or networks nor has any data been comprised.

Reports to BBB indicate that businesses began receiving bogus messages yesterday, requiring them to “register new software and update contact information” with BBB, and provided a link for the process. In investigating the attack, BBB also discovered phony “notices” and postings on various blogs being used as additional tactic to reach victims.

“The messages and posts are most likely part of a large-scale phishing scam leveraging the trusted nature of the BBB name to entice recipients and bloggers to open messages and access attachments or links,” said Robert W.G. Andrew, CEO of BBB. “Anyone receiving an e-mail or viewing a blog requiring the registration of software with BBB should not click on any links or in any way respond to the message, because doing so may allow harmful viruses or spyware to enter the recipient’s computer or network.”

Following is a copy of an actual e-mail associated with this phishing scheme:

———- Original Message ————–

From: “Better Business Bureaus Account Service” Date: Wed, 22 Oct 2008 21:04:22 +0000
Attention Better Business Bureaus Consumers!We’ve enhanced web surfing process with new security measures to keep your online data and personal information safer.

All registered and new BBB consumers must register new software and update contact information until October 24, 2008.

Please read the following information carefully: Register your BBB company certificate here>>>Link

As always, we appreciate your business. And thank you for working with us.

Sincerely, Sherry Hopper
2008 Council of Better Business Bureaus

BBB has determined that there are a number of addresses and subject lines being used in to perpetrate the e-mail element of the attack. Following is a representative sample of actual address and subject lines used in this attack.

· Address: “Better Business Bureaus Service Center ” provisor399@bbb.org
· Subject Line: Council of Better Business Bureaus – We restrict access to nonpublic personal information about you

· Address: “Better Business Bureaus Update” provisor633@bbb.org
· Subject Line: Better Business Bureaus, Attention: Protecting your personal information

· Address: Better Business Bureaus Support Center provisor062@bbb.org
· Subject Line: Better Business Bureaus, Attention: Shred unwanted documents that contain personal information.

The phishing scheme is also appearing on multiple blog sites. Following is a representative example of the type message BBB research and investigation has discovered on a number of blog sites.

“We’ve enhanced web surfing process with new security measures to keep your online data and personal information safer.All registered and new BBB consumers must register new software and update contact information until October 24, 2008.”

Please read the following information carefully:

BBB is advising consumers and businesses to take the following precautions and actions to steer clear of this phishing attack and to protect their computer systems and networks.

Anyone receiving an e-mail similar to those described should not open the message, not click on any links, or respond to the message – the message is not from any entity affiliated with BBB. Opening or viewing a preview of the e-mail, or clicking on the link within the e-mail, could enable a discreet download of a virus or spyware.

Report receipt of any such messages. BBB is working with the U.S. Secret Service’s Electronic Crimes Task Force (ECTF) to address phishing issues using the BBB name. BBB has established an e-mail address – phishing@council.bbb.org – people can use to forward the message to, thereby reporting the incident to BBB and the ECTF.

The public can view updates and the latest information on the phishing attack on the BBB Web site at the Security and Alerts Web page at http://www.bbb.org/securityalerts.

This message is from the Bureau of Land Management regarding the federal subsistence hunt in Game Management Unit 13. Paxson Lake, up to the ordinary high water mark, including its frozen surface, is under State jurisdiction and therefore is closed to federal subsistence hunting.

FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska – The Fort Wainwright community will gather Wednesday, October 22, for a service of prayer and remembrance in honor of Spc. Heath Pickard, who was killed in action in Iraq Oct. 16.

The service honoring Pickard will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at the Northern Lights Religious Education Center.

Gasoline prices are plummeting throughout the nation, dipping below the $2.50/gallon mark in Oklahoma.

But the bill for Alaska gasoline isn’t dropping as quickly, even as two separate investigations continue into high gas costs.

The average price for a gallon of unleaded gas in Alaska was $3.887 Monday, according to data from the American Automobile Association. The Fairbanks average was $3.765, $3.619 in Anchorage and $4.052 in Juneau.

To read the entire story go to the Fairbanks Daily News Miner

Innovative Cost Effective Divorce for Today’s Economy at Compass Divorce Center

With the divorce rate estimated at 50%, divorce is a reality, like it or not. In Anchorage, a full-service divorce center has opened its doors in response. The new center offers multiple services at one location to help divorcing couples and their children stay out of court and get the legal, financial, and emotional support they need. The center guides couples through the divorce process from beginning to end using mediation, counseling (for children & adults), coaching, consulting and reconciliation. The center aims to protect both finances and family.

“Divorce is a business decision with an emotional impact. Compass Divorce Center works to help families make better decisions for everyone’s future.” states Lisa Lawson, the Director of the center. Research has demonstrated that divorce can be disruptive at the least and destructive at its worst. Lawson reveals that “The whole experience at Compass Divorce (Center), from the environment to the services, has been designed with a healthier, more productive divorce in mind.” She wants people to know that there is a better way to divorce than what is currently available.

Given the current economic state and increasing cost of divorce litigation, many who wish to dissolve their marriages are seeking a cost effective way to obtain a divorce without spending considerable sums of money. The majority of these costs are accrued during litigation. At Compass Divorce Center, costs remain low for couples by completely eliminating the need for litigation. Lawson estimates that a divorce with the center will cost 80-90% less than litigation.
Another aspect of Compass Divorce Center is that it provides reconciliation services for couples that feel like they want “out” of the marriage, but for whatever reason, do not want to divorce. Lawson explains that, “Often, couples are considering divorce or have tried everything and think divorce is the only option left. There is a large gray area between marriage and divorce that has endless solutions for couples that can help get them the relationship they want.” She further explains, “Because we have multiple services we are able to construct solutions that aren’t possible in a law office or in marriage counseling.”

Compass Divorce Center is hosting an Open House for the general public on Thursday, October 23, 2008. It is located at 1317 W. Northern Lights Boulevard, Suite 16 from 9 am – 5 pm. If you would like more information about Compass Divorce Center, please contact Lisa Lawson at 907-250-8789 or email at compassdivorce@gmail.com for a free consultation or check out the website at www.compassdivorce.com for discounts on services.

7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Fort Greely Chapel

Thursday, October 23
Tuesday, October 28

Thursday, November 6
Thursday, November 13

Thursday, November 20
Tuesday, November 25

Tuesday, December 2
Thursday, December 4
Monday, December 8

Delta/Greely Community Christmas ConcertFriday, December 12 at 8:00

Washington Mutual account owners could receive e-mail scams.

DuPont, Wash-Oct. 17, 2008 — Con artists are using e-mails to snag customers at JPMorgan Chase, which now owns Washington Mutual.

Scammers are using an e-mail with the subject line, “Account review – Chase Team identified some unusual activity in your account.” If customers click on for more information, they are directed to an application that asks for account information, pin numbers and passwords.

This phishing scam provides a fake Web site, designed to look like the real thing.

If customers receive such an e-mail, they can forward it to abuse@chase.com to confirm that it is fraudulent and allow Chase to investigate the incident. The Better Business Bureau advises people who receive such e-mails to delete them.

Chase.com says, “You should not enter your User ID, password or account number in e-mail.”

The Web site also says they do not require customers to enter personal information into e-mails or send reply emails with personal information.

About your BBB serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington:
Your Better Business Bureau is a not-for-profit organization funded by Better Business Bureau 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 206-431-2222 or 253-830-2924 in Washington, 503-212-3022 in Oregon or 907-562-0704 in Alaska, or visit our Web site at www.bbb.org.

The psychological thriller by Frederick Knott. Directed by Brandon Michael

A masterfully constructed thriller which moves from one moment of suspense to another as it builds toward an electrifying, breath-stopping final scene. Three sinister criminals have traced the location of a mysterious and valuable doll to the Greenwich Village apartment of Sam Hendrix and his blind wife, Susy. A deadly game of cat and mouse ensues as Susy finds herself alone and the victim of a bizarre and violent charade. Susy knows the only way to play fair is by her rules, so when darkness falls she turns off all the lights leaving the killers to maneuver in the dark.

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

October 24 – November 9

Visit us online at www.FairbanksDrama.org

DMV will be closed October 23rd and 24th for employee leave.

The name has been decided for the Alaska Dream Basketball tournament. The 1st Annual Dare to Dream basketball tournament will take place at the Carlson Center November 21st-23rd.

The Alaska Dream will host three visiting American Basketball Association teams from Maywood, Las Vegas, and San francisco.

Tickets go on sale starting, Friday the 17th of October, and they will be available at all Ticket master locations, ticketmaster.com, and Fred meyers. The Session tickets will start at $15 plus outlet fees.

For more questions about tickets please contact the Carlson Center.

Information from the Anchorage Daily News

POPULATION: 1,896 (2006)

LOCATION: Southeast of Delta Junction on the Alaska Highway, near the convergence of the Richardson and Alaska highways, about 100 miles southeast of Fairbanks.

DESCRIPTION: A relatively large area, with more than 665 homes whose residents are primarily non-Native; about 1 in every 7 homes is used only seasonally. The Fort Greely missile project, the Delta/Greely School District and Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. are the major employers, with state and federal highway maintenance and a few small businesses providing other jobs. Nearly 40,000 acres are farmed in the Delta area, producing barley, other grains and forage, potatoes, dairy products, cattle and hogs.

HISTORY: In 1903 an overland trail was cut from Valdez to Fairbanks and a roadhouse established a short time later at the junction of the Delta and Tanana rivers. In 1904 the U.S. Army Signal Corps built the McCarty Telegraph Station. Rika’s Roadhouse was built in 1910. Ongoing mining just north of Delta Junction in the Tenderfoot area and the Chisana Gold Strike of 1913 brought prospectors and other travelers. It became known as Buffalo Center in 1927 for the American bison transplanted in the 1920s. In 1942, construction of the Alaska Highway began, and a military base (later Fort Greely) was completed five miles to the south. In 1946, a dairy farm was established; beef cattle were brought in during 1953.

FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The University of Alaska Museum of the North will hold a hunting and trapping expo on Saturday, Oct. 18 from noon to 5 p.m. Museum admission includes the expo and will be discounted all day: $8 for adults,$3 for youth 7-17 and free for children under 7 as well as museum members.

At the expo, visitors of all ages can try their hand at a virtual shooting range, part of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s hunter safety and education programs, and talk to local hunting and trapping experts, including representatives from the Alaska Outdoor Council, Alaska Trappers Association and the Outdoor Heritage Foundation of Alaska. The expo will also include seminars, films and demonstrations on skinning and fur handling, reloading ammunition and pet safety on traplines.

George Albert of Ruby will talk about making traditional Athabascan snowshoes and Athabascan artists Ginger Placeres and Charlotte Douthit will demonstrate skin-sewing and beadworking. The Cooperative Extension will have information and demonstrations on making sausage from game meat. Representatives from the Fairbanks Community Food bank will have informationon how hunters can help local families through their donations of game meat.

The expo is the latest in the museum’s fall programs planned to complement the current special exhibit, “Hunting and Trapping in Alaska’s Interior: OurStories, Our Lives.” The special exhibit continues through the end ofNovember and is included with the museum’s general admission. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, closed on Sundays. For more information on the upcoming programs and events, visit the museum online or call 474-7505.

CONTACT: Kerynn Fisher, University of Alaska Museum of the North communications coordinator, at 907-474-6941 or 907-378-2559.

To whom it may concern:

First Baptist Church of North Pole is sponsoring our 1st Annual Sportsman’s WILD GAME Fellowship, a community outreach and outdoorsman’s social gathering. It will be held on November 15th from 6-8 p.m. This event is open to the public, so help us publicize this occasion. Make sure to bring your family, bring your fellow brothers and sisters and invite a colleague and neighbor too. Enjoy an evening of full of nourishment, fun, fulfillment and fellowship without the expense.

We are requesting from churches around the Fairbanks and North Pole area to donate one large prepared ‘wild game’ dish and/or many smaller prepared dishes to share with attendees from the community.

As well as having a feast with friends, we would like to include sportsman’s related informational booths. Some examples of these might be: moose calling, fly tying, cold weather survival, snow machining, ice fishing, shell reloading, hiking, dog training, etc. If anyone would like to participate, contact us as soon as possible so we may reserve your space.

There will be several drawings for door prizes throughout the evening. We are currently accepting donations for these drawings.

For the highlight of the evening, we will close with an extraordinary account of Pastor Johnny McCoy’s grizzly attack survival saga that occurred on September 4, 2001. He will share his experience, along with Deacon and close friend Gary Corle, as to how God miraculously reached out, revealed his awesomeness and glory, and changed their lives forever.

Last but surely not least, please pray for all the men, women and children that might be touched and find their way home through this neighborhood experience. If you want to contribute food, donations and/or an informational booth, have suggestions or questions contact First Baptist Church of North Pole at 488-2240. Also, if you would like a copy of the flyers or church bulletin insert, in either color or grayscale, so you can print and pass out to your congregation, friends and/or neighbors, contact our church as soon as possible. Please provide us an email address and point of contact so we can send these to you.

Thank you for your generosity and support with this endeavor.

Sincerely,

Johnny McCoy
Pastor First Baptist Church of North Pole

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) – State flags will be lowered to half-staff to honor an Alaska soldier who died in Afghanistan.

Gov. Sarah Palin ordered the flags lowered on Saturday in honor of Cpl. Jason A. Karella. The 20-year-old Anchorage man was killed last week in a vehicle accident in the Farah province, Afghanistan.

The governor’s office says Karella attended Bartlett High School in Anchorage before enrolling in the Alaska Military Youth Academy.

He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Twentynine Palms, Calif.

©2008 Associated Press