Monthly Archives: April 2010

Alaska, AK, April 19- Average retail gasoline prices in Alaska have risen 2.4 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.48/g today. This compares with the national average that has stayed flat, moving just 0.7 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.87/g, according to gasoline price website AlaskaGasPrices.com.

Including the change in gas prices in Alaska during the past week, prices today are $1.02/g higher than the same day one year ago and are 7.2 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has increased 5.6 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 83.1 cents per gallon higher than this day a year ago.

About AlaskaGasPrices.com

GasBuddy.com operates over 200 live gasoline price-tracking websites, including AlaskaGasPrices.com. GasBuddy.com was named one of Time magazine’s 50 best websites and to PC World’s 100 most useful websites of 2008.

With the upcoming Red Flag Alaska training exercise, the Air Force has announced the times the Delta Military Operations Areas (MOA) will be inuse.

As part of Red Flag Alaska 10-02 the MOAs will be in use between 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. April 19-23 and 26-30 and from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. April 19-23 and 26-29.

During these times, military aircraft, including fighters, will be using the airspace. Local residents may see or hear low flying aircraft or hear sonic booms. High speed fighter aircraft in and around Delta will be flying as low as 3,000 feet above ground level.

Additional Red Flag exercises will take place June 14-25 and Aug. 9-20.

Anyone with questions or noise complaints can contact Red Flag Alaska at (800) 538-6647.

Spring Soccer Camp is coming to Greely! Beginning Wednesday, April 28th Coach Vince and other helpers will be teaching soccer skills, sportsmanship and just having a bunch of fun playing the great sport of soccer! Eighth graders planning to be part of the DHS Co-Ed Huskies Soccer Team in the fall should take advantage of this opportunity to get ready for the upcoming season. The camp is open to all Delta/Greely middle school students in 6th, 7th or 8th grade. Home Schoolers are welcome too!

Participants who do not have Ft. Greely access will need to be on a list provided to the gate security people. They will also need to show their valid drivers license, vehicle registration, proof of insurance and provide the last 4 digits of their social security number. These camp participants will need to be registered by Friday, April 23rd. Registration forms and permission slips are available at the Fort Greely Middle School Office.

The camp will run for 4 consecutive Wednesdays April 28, May 5, May 12 and May 19. The camp will meet right after school from 2:15-3:45 PM. The cost is $35. The Grizzlies need some new soccer balls so the Huskies are going to donate the majority of the funds to purchase some nice new soccer balls for the Fort Greely Middle School. The remainder of the money will go toward the Huskies playing expenses in the fall. Questions? Contact Kathy Trim 895-4911.

Location: Delta Junction High School Gym

Date: Sat. May 1st 10-5 Sun. May 2nd 10-4

Admission: $5 adults; $3 under 18

Tables: Vern Aiton, V8n@wildak.net 895-5166

National Volunteer Week was first established by President Nixon in 1974. The purpose was to recognize the millions of dedicated Americans who volunteer during the year in an effort to make the world a better place. Every year the current President and several other political figures issue proclamations thanking the efforts of volunteers.

According to data from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, 28.8% of Americans volunteered in some form in 2005. The segment of the population who volunteered the most was the 35-44 year age group, with 34.5% volunteering.

Information taken from Corp Note

Six Week Summer Tutoring

June 21st to July 30th – Open to students entering grades K – 6 in the Fall and taught by a K-8 Alaska Certified Teacher.

Please call for more information 895-2237.  You need to reserve your spot by June 4.

Host and producer of the public radio and Showtime program This American Life, Ira Glass comes to Fairbanks Concert Association with a unique one-man performance that uses audio clips, stories and commentary to amuse, enlighten, and entertain. Most weeks, the podcast of This American Life is the most popular podcast in the country.

No wonder this new classic of American storytelling has been named ‘Best Radio Host in America’ by Time magazine. With this performance, you can hear and see for yourself!

Ira Glass
Monday, April 26th 8 PM, Hering Auditorium

Come with your questions ready as there will be time to ask them at the end of the evening.

Click here to buy tickets

Click here to see a video of Ira Glass

Have you been to our web site lately? We’re on Facebook too – become an FCA Fan, engage with other concertgoers, join our discussions (like what’s your favorite This American Life?) and hear and see the latest news. Click here to view our page.

Our Education Partnership campaign is going on now.

This is how we pay for outreach like school programs and workshops, keep our family programs affordable, keep our tickets prices down and donate tickets to non-profits and worthy recipients.

Our goal is: $30,000 by the end of June.
So far we have: $17,135
Left to raise: $12,865
Help us reach our goal.
Click here to give.

Alaska Business Wins BBB Award

Anchorage, Alaska – April 14, 2010 – Better Business Bureau’s Business of the Year Torch Awards program honors local businesses of high integrity. BBB is proud to announce the Alaska 2010 Business of the Year: Earhart Roofing Company, Inc of Anchorage, Alaska.

“This program gives BBB a chance to recognize businesses that make a positive impact in the marketplace,” said Robert W.G. Andrew, CEO of BBB serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington. “Finalists must demonstrate a dedication to ethics, community involvement, customer service, and innovative business practices. The winner must prove their merit in all categories.”

Businesses were nominated by the public for demonstrating exemplary business practices. Finalists’ entries are evaluated and judged by community members from third party businesses and organizations.

BBB is now accepting nominations for the 2011 Business of the Year Torch Awards. Submit an entry online.

Special recognition goes to Sarah Bond of Eagle River High School as the winner of BBB’s $1,000 Students of Integrity Scholarship in Alaska.

Tax Day is the infamous deadline for the American public to file their taxes. The IRS was established to sort through and record all tax submissions. It is a day of both frustration and eventual relief for most Americans.

The United States did not always tax its citizens. Abraham Lincoln established the first national income tax in 1864 to pay for Civil War expenses. The tax law was repealed ten years later only to be reenacted in 1894. One year later the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional. Finally, an amendment was made to the Constitution in 1909 to establish the income tax once and for all.

Tax Day traditionally fell on March 1, but was eventually shifted to April 15 to alleviate the work of the IRS.

Information taken from Corp Note

Attention: Searching for cabin owners that live full-time or seasonally across the Tanana River around the Whitestone area and up to the Delta Creek area.

This is map work for the US Census Bureau and time is running out to get this task accomplished as we are finishing the Delta area by Thursday.

Please call 895-4104 and ask for Judith. Thanks for your help.

Spring cleaning? Got baskets? The Delta Library urgently needs (empty) medium and large baskets in any style, shape or color for the Basket of Books Silent Auction on Saturday, April 24.

Bring them by the library this week or call 895-4102 and we’ll come pick them up.

Thanks for your support!

Alaska, AK, April 12- Average retail gasoline prices in Alaska have fallen 2.1 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.38/g today. This compares with the national average that has increased 3.2 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.86/g, according to gasoline price website AlaskaGasPrices.com.

Including the change in gas prices in Alaska during the past week, prices today are 92.1 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 4.6 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has increased 7.9 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 83.4 cents per gallon higher than this day a year ago.

“Oil prices shattered through $85/barrel last week as concern over gasoline supply mounts as we enter the most fragile time of year for refining facilities”, said Patrick DeHaan, GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst. “Last week’s refinery explosion out West remains fresh on the minds of cautious investors, who now have solidified their concerns about healthy supply ahead of the start to the summer driving season”, he adds. DeHaan remains confident yet cautious that the summer driving season won’t bring as much pain to motorists as the summer of 2008, reiterating his prediction of price averages over $3/gallon for much of the United States.

About AlaskaGasPrices.com

GasBuddy.com operates over 200 live gasoline price-tracking websites, including AlaskaGasPrices.com. GasBuddy.com was named one of Time magazine’s 50 best websites and to PC World’s 100 most useful websites of 2008.

Delta Mine Training Center will be holding a CPR/FIRST AID/AED/BLOOD BORNE PATHOGENS Training on April 14, 2010 from 8am to 5pm at the Delta Junction Community Center.

For more information or to reserve your spot please call Jeralee at 895-2051.

Don’t miss the 2010 Fairbanks Outdoor Show! Featuring over 120 local, in-state and out of state vendors showcasing all your summer outdoor hunting, fishing, boating, camping, all terrain vehicle needs and so much more! Free, informative seminars all weekend long, door prizes, and a lot of fun! 

April 16 – 18
Friday 2:00pm – 8:00pm
Saturday 10:00am – 7:00pm
Sunday 11:00am – 5:00pm

Admission is $4.00 for adults, children 12 and under are free

Call (907) 451-7800 for more event information and information on how to become a vendor!

Delta Junction students were rewarded for good attendance recently thanks to a community partnership project between Fort Greely and the local high school.

On the evening of March 15, a group of excited high school students were treated to a free showing of the film Avatar at the installation theater. The ticket included free popcorn and soda.

Forty-four students qualified for a free night of entertainment by meeting the criteria set by school officials of no tardies and only one excused absence during the previous 30 days.

The idea for the movie night was hatched at a Delta-Greely School Board meeting.

“I was listening to the Delta-Greely School Board meeting on the local radio station and heard the high school principal discussing incentives, such as attending movies on post, to help lower the truancy rate at the school,” said Fort Greely’s Equal Employment Opportunity Officer Robert Shinn.

Shinn ran with the idea.

He presented the concept to Deputy Garrison Commander Will Wiley who gave the go ahead to bring together a team of people who would ensure the project’s success.

The team included members of the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation’s Child, Youth and School Services, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, and Fort Greely’s Special Emphasis Committee.

“The project is a great fit for our Special Emphasis Committee and what we are trying to accomplish with our Equal Employment Opportunity program,” said Shinn.

The committee includes members from across Fort Greely and its goals include assuring equal opportunity is present in all aspects of employment and sponsoring special activities.

“The bottom line is that high schoolers who don’t graduate won’t be eligible for federal employment,” Shinn explained. “If we can help them stay in school and graduate, then getting hired at Fort Greely becomes a possibility for them. It is a win-win for those young adults who want to remain in Delta and it helps our mission because they are more likely to stay in the area and that increases the longevity of the workforce here.”

After watching the free Avatar film, student Julia Chapman said, “it is a great incentive to go to school and not be late.”

Another student, Jung E Bush, echoed Chapman’s remarks.

“It is a good idea,” Bush said. “It involves the kids and gives them the incentive to not miss school and not be tardy. It gives them a reward for doing well.”

This movie project “really helps the students to motivate themselves to get a high school diploma, which is the key to their future,” said Shinn. “When they stay in school they are more competitive for an entry level position at Fort Greely if that’s the career path they choose to take.”

The leader of the school district is impressed with the project.

“The DGSD Principals have been very concerned about the amount of excused and unexcused absences that accumulate during a student’s academic career. Whether a student is a good student or a struggling student, attendance has been shown to be a key indicator in employment and college success. Correct grades and test scores are not an indicator of success during the first years of college, attendance in school is,” explained Dr. PJ Ford Slack, Delta-Greely School District superintendent.

“So, when I heard about this partnership with Fort Greely I thought it was marvelous,” said Ford Slack. “Hats off to Mr. Grimes and the Fort Greely Garrison for rewarding students for attending.”

Fort Greely will host another free movie night for eligible students before the school year ends. The next showing is slated for 4 p.m. April 26. The film is Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief.
Photo by Deb Ward Public Affairs
A group of local high school students reap the rewards; a free movie and treats for no tardies and only one excused absence.

By Kent Cummins

Public Affairs

Click on photo for an enlargment.

The more than $12.5 million Fort Greely received as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is being put to good use by enhancing the quality of life here.

Fort Greely’s Directorate of Public Works has obligated all the funds for 25 stimulus projects. These projects are primarily related to quality of life and energy conservation.

Seventeen of the projects have been completed or are in progress. Eight more major projects will begin this summer. Contractors from Fairbanks and Delta Junction are accomplishing all the work.

The ARRA of 2009 is an economic stimulus package signed into law by the President on Feb. 17, 2009.

According to http://www.recovery.gov/ , the Recovery Act has three goals: create new jobs and save existing ones, spur economic activity and invest in long-term growth.

The stimulus funds are being used at Fort Greely to replace windows, build new roofs, improve sidewalks, add directional signs, and install energy-saving External Insulation Finishing Systems on several buildings.

Approximately $3 million also was obligated for re-paving cantonment area roads and parking lots. These areas have not been re-paved since the 1970s.

Some of the other projects include Physical Fitness Center renovations, upgrades to the Outdoor Recreation facility and improvements to Gabriel Auditorium and Recreational Lodging.

The infusion of funds was significant according to Carl Ramos, chief of engineering for the Directorate of Public Works.

“In 2007, we obligated $1.9 million; in 2008, $4.4 million; but, in 2009, we awarded $20.9 million for numerous projects,” he said.

“It has been a dramatic workload increase for DPW,” Ramos added. “The results will be very evident when work begins on some of the larger-scale projects over the summer … it’s going to be a busy construction season.”

Cutline: Contract workers from Bucher Glass replace windows in several buildings on Fort Greely. Photo by Deb Ward Public Affairs

NOTE*There will be a special fundraiser this Saturday, April 17, at the Alaskan Steakhouse. For more details click here for a previous article.

By Deborah Ward
Public Affairs

David and Melissa Luntz of Delta Junction, Alaska have a beautiful three year-old daughter by the name of Mary Jane.

As a baby MJ was a small bundle with bright eyes. She cried the normal cries and smiled at all the right times. A perfect baby to delight a new and loving family.

As the months passed MJ seemed to be slightly underdeveloped compared to other children her age.

The Luntzs took MJ in for her evaluation and the doctor agreed that MJ was behind, but not enough to consider it a significant amount.

Life continued on normally for the Luntz family until October of 2009 when MJ was hit by an unrelenting amount of daily seizures.

Doctors at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital were familiar with symptoms such as MJ’s and were able to narrow the diagnosis. Tests were ordered, blood drawn and after more waiting … the news arrived.

MJ was diagnosed with Rett Syndrome (RTT).

RTT is a non-curable neurodevelopment disorder that affects one in 10,000 girls and very rarely boys. It is the result of a spontaneous genetic mutation of the MECP2 gene (X chromosome).

Pregnancy and delivery are most often times normal along with early motor development of the baby to include sitting, crawling and walking. Even simple words/sounds are audible as the child develops.

By six months of age and sometimes as early as three months a deceleration in growth and weight gain appears. The once acquired fine motor skills, such as the pincer – movement between thumb and index finger, cease.

Increasing irritability in the child can be noted as well as diminished interest in toys and social interaction.

Hand washing-like movements or wringing of the hands can become continual. Most times the incessant hand movements increase with stress. Developmental regression has begun. What that means is that everything MJ has been taught – her first word of, “Momma”, being able to walk steady, to feed herself, the use of her hands, her ability to communicate – is leaving her.

MJ’s typical day now consists of waking up at 5:30 in the morning and getting her favorite drink, a chocolate Ensure which seems to start the day out better for her. She doesn’t eat well all the time and her diet fluctuates continuously. Weight gain is difficult for her to maintain. On days she does feel like eating, “you have to really take advantage of that. Feed her as much as you can and feed her everything you can get into her,” Luntz said. “One of our main goals is to make sure she maintains her weight.”

After MJ is up and has had her favorite drink she goes to Ms. Mapel’s pre-school class at Delta Elementary.” The entire elementary school staff is amazing and so supportive and helpful with MJ. Absolutely outstanding,” said Luntz.

MJ gets continued physical therapy at the elementary school on top of the twice a week visits to Fairbanks. She is also given occupational therapy and some speech therapy. The Luntzs are grateful for the speech therapy that the school offers because the waiting list for that type of therapy in Fairbanks is a year long.

One of the most important things MJ’s parents do for her is to encourage her social interaction with the community. “We try and get her as much exposure as possible and get her to interact with people to try and limit her social withdrawals,” Luntz said. What the Luntzs ask for is that people in the community try to recognize MJ and talk to her, be friendly with her, treat her normally for her developmental stage and accept her for who she is.

“The more we can keep her interacting with other people and exercising those skills well … maybe that’s what I want to believe … that if Melissa and I keep trying, MJ won’t lose those abilities,” said Luntz.

Along with MJ’s daily therapy and skill building she still must cope with anywhere from 25 to 50 seizures a day; at least one or two an hour. She’s on medicine now and the medication has toned down the severity of the seizures but they still come and wear her down.

Braces for MJ’s feet and wrists and a vest for her upper body have been ordered and will hopefully assist in keeping her skeletal structure straight while she continues to grow. Abnormal muscle tone, low bone mineral density, scoliosis, small feet and hands, disturbances in breathing, teeth grinding, impaired sleep patterns, gastrointestinal problems, cardiac abnormalities and many other life threatening obstacles may lie in wait for MJ, but she is a determined girl and her parents could not be more loving or devoted to her.

MJ knows what she wants and she tries to communicate; it breaks her parent’s hearts when they see her suffer and they can’t give her what she wants.

The Luntzs have heard their daughter say, “momma” and a very light “Da”, but they would give anything to hear her say, “I love you mom and dad.”

Mary Jane Luntz suffers from Rett Syndrome and will need long term care. For more on Rett Syndrome please visit http://www.rettsyndrome.org/

The Delta Public Health Center is holding a Women’s Health Clinic on Wednesday April 14th. Appointments are required. The Women’s Health Clinic is designed for women and teens that have difficulty accessing health care due to lack of health insurance or other barriers. Fees for service will be based on a sliding scale for Pap smears and exams. No one will be refused service if unable to pay. Urine testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea as well as blood testing for HIV will be available at no charge. All testing is confidential.

Many sexually transmitted diseases have no early symptoms, yet they can be causing long term health damage. Neisseria gonorrhea (GC) infection is a common sexually transmitted disease and a major cause of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ectopic pregnancy, and infertility in women. The highest rates of STD infections occur among women 15 to 19 years of age, but people of all ages can be affected. This year Alaska has seen an increase in the number of cases of gonorrhea. Co-infection with Chlamydia is common. Urine testing is an easy way to find out if you have been infected Chlamydia or Gonorrhea.
For more information or to schedule an appointment at the Women’s Health Clinic call the Delta Public Health Center at 895-4292.

The Forget Me Not Quilting Guild is putting on a quilting buds day!  Saturday May 1, 2010 is our Quilting Buds (kids ages 9 – 18) sewing day. We will be doing a simple Disappearing 9-Patch Pillow.  We have a Hot Pad to do if someone finishes early. If you have a sewing machine and would like to bring it in and use it, that’d be fine otherwise one will be provided for you. Space Limited.

The event will be at the Calico Cow (located in the Columbo building above the Mt. McKinley Bank) from 10:30AM to 3:30PM. Saturday May 1 email:

The annual Easter Egg Hunt sponsored by the Delta Lions Club was held on a beautiful sunny Easter Sunday, April 4, at the Deltana Fairgrounds on Nistler Road. There were lots of real eggs (about 60 dozen of them) and lots of plastic eggs with coins inside.

 

The winning raffle tickets for the Delta Lions Club IGA grocery raffle were drawn at the Deltana Fairgrounds on Easter Sunday after the special prizes for the Easter Egg Hunt were awarded.

All the prizes were gift cards for use at the IGA Food Cache. Fifth prize of a $100 card was Brenda Kimble. Fourth prize of a $100 card was Lacey Smith. Third prize of a $100 card was Kathy VanderZwaag. Second prize of a $500 card was Joe Crandall. First prize of a $1,000 card was Al Avinger.

Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to everyone who supported the Delta Lions Club in their community service.

Phlebotomists from the Blood Bank of Alaska will journey from Fairbanks to Delta Junction to collect donations of blood from the generous folk of Delta Junction at the Delta Community Center on Wednesday, April 21, from 2 to 7:30 pm.

The Delta Lions Club is sponsoring the event in addition to the Fort Greely Middle School Student Council. The Student Council will be providing the refreshments for the donors (juice, water, cookies) and also a crockpot meal for the workers.

If you’d like to reserve an appointment to donate blood, call Toni Lee at 895-4159. Walk-ins are also welcome. Students 16-17 will need a permission slip (available at the school office).

The Blood Bank collects blood to supply interior Alaska for lifesaving procedures. There is no substitute for human blood. It cannot be manufactured or harvested. One blood donation can help three patients. You can donate a unit of blood every 56 days. That means you can save 18 lives a year by donating on a regular basis.

By the age of 72, nearly 95% of the population will need blood or a blood product. The only way blood can be collected is through human donors like you. A patient who was injured in an auto accident can need up to 50 units of blood. A surgery can use an average of six units of red blood cells and six units of platelets. Burn victims can need 20 units of platelets during their treatment.

Before coming to donate, you should eat a good meal and drink lots of fluids. When you arrive, a screener will conduct a short interview and you will receive a brief physical. Bring personal identification (such as a driver license), list of medications currently being taken (both prescription and non-prescription drugs). A list of countries outside the United States that you have visited since 1980 will be needed. If all medical conditions are met, a unit (approximately one pint) of blood will be collected. Afterwards, refreshments will be available. The whole process takes less than an hour. If you were deferred on a previous blood drive, don’t let that stop you from trying again. Conditions change and you may now be eligible to donate.

Remember, Alaska depends on its own people for blood donations. (About 300 units of blood are needed monthly in the Fairbanks area.) In Alaska, fewer than 5% of the eligible donors give blood. The Blood Bank does not pay people to donate blood. Studies have shown that volunteer donors provide a safer blood supply than donors who are compensated for their donation. The Red Cross cannot send blood here in a timely manner. Your help is needed. Give the gift of life. Give blood.

If you have any questions about giving blood, call Toni Lee at 895-4159.

Special days recognized by presidential proclamation

The following information is generously provided by the National League of POW/MIA Families:

Until July 18th, 1979, no commemoration was held to honor America’s POW/MIAs, those returned and those still missing and unaccounted for from our nation’s wars. That first year, resolutions were passed in the Congress and the national ceremony was held at the National Cathedral, Washington, D.C. The Missing Man formation was flown by the 1st Tactical Squadron, Langley AFB, Virginia. The Veterans Administration published a poster including only the letters “POW/MIA” and that format was continued until 1982 when a black and white drawing of a POW in harsh captivity was used to convey the urgency of the situation and the priority that President Reagan assigned to achieving the fullest possible accounting for Americans still missing from the Vietnam War.

National POW/MIA Recognition Day legislation was introduced yearly, until 1995 when it was deemed by Congress that legislation for special days would no longer be proclaimed by Congress. However, the President continues to sign a proclamation each year. In the early years, the date was routinely set in close proximity to the League’s annual meetings. In the mid-1980′s, the American Ex-POWs decided that they wished to see the date established as April 9th, the date during World War II when the largest number of Americans were captured. As a result, legislation was passed in 1984 which included a July date, but established April 9th as the commemoration date for 1985.

The 1984 National POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremony was held at the White House. At that most impressive ceremony, the Reagan Administration balanced the focus to honor all returned POWs and renew national commitment to accounting as fully as possible for those still missing. Perhaps the most impressive Missing Man formation ever flown was that year, up the Ellipse and over the White House. Unfortunately, the 1985 ceremony was canceled due to inclement weather, a concern which the League had expressed when the April 9th date was first proposed.

Subsequently, in an effort to accommodate all returned POWs and all Americans still missing and unaccounted for from all wars, the National League of Families proposed a date in September, usually the third Friday, not associated with any particular war and not in conjunction with any organization’s national convention. Nearly all National POW/MIA Recognition Day ceremonies have been held at the Pentagon; however, on September 19, 1986, the national ceremony was held on the steps of the U.S. Capitol facing the Mall, again concluding with a flight in Missing Man formation.

National POW/MIA Recognition Day Ceremonies are now held throughout the nation and around the world on military installations, ships at sea, schools, churches and fire stations. The focus is to ensure that America remembers its responsibility to stand behind those who serve our nation and do everything possible to account for those who do not return.

FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska – Contractors will close the intersection at Neely and Meridian roads from April 15 through 27 as they continue work on new traffic patterns to relieve congestion in the area.

Work activities will start prior to the intersection closure and will continue after the closure in order to complete the installation of a traffic light.

Post officials ask that all drivers use caution and be prepared for delays as the contractors work to complete the project.

Senator Lisa Murkowski will be at the Delta Community Library from noon to 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 8th for an informal “meet and greet”.

Bring your questions, concerns and comments – everyone welcome.

Light refreshments will be served.

Even before the iPad was released to the public, scammers were busy devising ways to take advantage of early adopters. Better Business Bureau warns eager shoppers to stay away from offers to become a “tester” just to get a free iPad.
Apple announced the iPad in January and US customers were able to pre-order in March for the April release. Because Apple bumped the delivery date for later orders, rumors started circulating that the company did not have enough iPads to meet pre-order demand.

“What’s past is prologue and it was inevitable that scammers would take advantage of the excitement over the iPad to rip people off, just like they did with the iPod and the iPhone,” said Robert W.G. Andrew, CEO of BBB serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington. “Bogus offers most commonly claim you can become a tester or researcher and get an iPad for free. This is a deal that sounds, and definitely is, too good to be true.”

Tech Web site GeekSugar.com recently warned about spam e-mails requesting product testers for the iPad. The e-mail directs to the Web site Testitandkeepit.com which claims that they are looking for people to test the iPad for a couple months, as compensation you get to keep the iPad. The biggest red flag with this offer is that you have to provide your e-mail address and password in order to “tell your friends.”

Offers to become a tester on Facebook also cropped up but with a different intent. As software company Sophos explains in an online video, the Facebook page “iPad Researchers Wanted—Get an iPad Early and Keep It” was designed to trick people into signing up for a cell phone subscription service that cost $10 a month. Sophos alerted Facebook to the page—which had already racked up more than 3,500 fans—and it was taken down, but users should be on the lookout for similar offers.

Not all bogus offers come under the guise of becoming a tester, McAfee reported on their security blog that spam e-mails have landed in inboxes offering free iPads—the catch is that you have to buy items first and provide your credit card number.

If you’re planning to buy an iPad, BBB recommends shopping through an authorized retailer or directly with Apple. Eventually a secondary market for the iPad will spring up online on sites like Craigslist; if you plan on buying an iPad secondhand, purchase it from someone local and never wire money as payment.

Visit http://www.bbb.org/  for more advice on how to be a smart online shopper.

Lael EchoHawk, daughter of Howard and Yvonne EchoHawk, grand-daughter of Sam and Chaddie Kelly and 1995 graduate of Delta Junction High School, has taken a position as Legislative Director of the Native American Contractor’s Association in Washington, D.C. She will represent the many different American Indian tribes throughout the United States. Lael earned her law degree at the University of Washington School of Law, graduating in 2003. She has been an attorney for the Tulalip Tribes in Marysville, Washington since graduation.

During her time at the University of Washington she revived the Native American Law Student Association chapter where she helped the law school do a better job of attracting, retaining, and recruiting Native American students. In an effort to help diversify the legal profession in Washington, Lael co-chairs the Washington State Bar Association’s Committee for Diversity. She serves on the Center for Children and Youth Justice Advisory Committee and teaches a Street Law class at American Indian Heritage High School. She is also President of the Northwest Indian Bar Association and on the advisory board of Wiconi International.

If there is one thing Lael Echo-Hawk is adamant about, it’s that people must have the courage to speak up and speak out. Whereas her heritage has inspired her to be who she is today, her leadership style and philosophy are anchored in her belief that everyone has a voice and everyone must have the courage to use that voice. Lael’s belief in the power of one’s voice makes sense, given that she has chosen to represent and help amplify the voices of American Indians in the legal arena. Lael is committed to working with American Indian youth and inspiring them to dream and achieve. “I want to build relationships with them and change the way they see their futures.”

Of her new adventure, Lael said, “I hope to bring back with me a good understanding of how Capitol Hill and the government work. It’s always in my heart to do the best for Indian people. I truly believe that things here can change based on what I do over on the east coast. I hope to represent native people well.”

Lael’s friends and family held a big going away party for her at the new Tulalip hotel. Many people spoke of how wonderful it was working with Lael and how much she will be missed. “I think she is a great attorney, “said Tulalip Tribal Court Director Wendy Church. “I think she’ll go far no matter where she’s at.”

Of course, Delta people will not be taking their documents to Anchorage for shredding, but there are some good tips in this article to share from our BBB.

Anchorage, Alaska – April 6, 2010 – As April 15 marks the closing of tax season, Better Business Bureau’s National Secure Your ID Day offers businesses and consumers a chance to shred unwanted documents for free on April 17.

“Having unsecured documents lying around is an open invitation to identity thieves,” said Robert W.G. Andrew, CEO of BBB serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington. “When it is post-tax season, spring cleaning time, or the junk mail is piling up, shredding documents is your best protection.”

Tax payers don’t have to be vulnerable to thieves who steal mail, rifle through trash, break into property and phish for information through e-mails.

Tax Scam Avoidance Tips: There are many variations of tax-related scams involving phishing e-mails, fraudulent phone calls, and phony tax preparers with unwarranted tax return promises and filing schemes.

- The Internal Revenue Service does not request detailed personal financial information, credit card numbers, PIN codes or account passwords from taxpayers via unsolicited e-mails. If you receive a suspicious e-mail from someone claiming to be an IRS representative, do not reply and do not click any links or open attachments. Instead, forward the message to phishing@irs.gov

- Carefully research tax professionals to verify proper certification and a good track record with BBB. Be cautious of tax preparers who base their fee on a percentage of your refund, guarantee larger refunds than other preparers, and falsify tax documents—ultimately, the taxpayer will be legally responsible for resulting fees and penalties.

- Report fraudulent misconduct by IRS employees, IRS impersonators, and tax practitioners to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.

Document Destruction Tips: Unwanted documents that contain financial data, account numbers, PINs, birth dates or Social Security numbers—including: expired ID cards, junk mail, health forms, old W-2s, credit card and bank statements, cancelled checks and carbon copies—should be shredded. Save vital paperwork in a hidden locked box or safe. Click here for a records retention schedule.

Free Document Shredding at BBB’s Secure Your ID Day: Drive up and drop off 3 bags/boxes of paper to be securely shredded by Shred Alaska.

Saturday, April 17, 2010
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Lyberger’s Car and Truck Sales, 9530 Old Seward Highway, Anchorage
www.akorww.bbb.org/secure-your-id
For more identity theft prevention tips, click here. Check with your BBB for additional business tax resources.