The Willow Breeze

New Willow Breeze Design

The entire waco web site is a “newsletter.” It is not as familiar as the Willow Breeze however, so this page is an experiment is replacing the ’Breeze with an electronic edition in a more comfortable format.

This is a “proof of concept” test. Much of the printed ’Breeze contains material that is already present on this web site (that is part of the idea behind the web site). The “Electronic Edition” automatically pulls those sections where they already exist, to make printing or reading a copy more convenient.

Where a local group chooses not to contribute to the web site, the Editor has to retype their comments and manually insert them into this section (as though she was preparing the paper edition for the printers).

So, the electronic Breeze then extracts the latest news from the web site, adds in the manually typed content, and presents a “Willow Breeze” that is as up-to-date as possible. This saves you from having to point and click individual sections for news of local groups (but agenda, minutes, correspondence etc., are not included here, we are only trying to reproduce the traditional ’Breeze).

Let me know what you think, or give me ideas for improvement. Mary Shreeves, Editor

Thoughts from the Chair

Notes from the Chair and July WACO Agenda

First, please accept my apologies for missing this communication forum in the June issue of the Breeze. There is no excuse; I simply did not get it done.

July brings some very different kinds of community opportunities: July 2 Don Young offers us a 30 minute conversation, 3:30 PM in the WCC. Then the annual fun of the July 4th Parade, barbecue, pot luck picnic, and lots of games including the DUNK TANK!! Two new fun events on the 4th: a 5k run for the human athletes, sponsored by WHO and a costume dog show sponsored by WDMA. Many thanks to the Fire Dept, the Fire Auxiliary, the Lions and the PTA for joining these other groups and WACO to put on this fabulous and fun 4th!! Do come and bring a big dish of food to share!! 12N is the start time for the parade. And of course, the WACO meeting on July 7.

You may have heard rumors that the 4th wouldn’t happen this year. Of course, we shall have our celebration; we must carry on this wonderful tradition. What did change is the process of managing the parade. Last year a passer thru on the Parks was offended at the short delay while the parade crossed the Parks, the route followed for almost as long as anyone can remember. She complained about this to the powers that be, thus this year and forever more we need to follow the state’s rules and go thru the process to get the correct permits and supports in place. It means more hassle, and more money. So we shall just have to have more fun to counterbalance!! This year, the learning year, is the most difficult. Just like everything else, once we have accomplished the permit process this year, next year will be pretty easy to take care of.

As I have reported previously, we are working to stay aware and communicate with you about several issues that affect different parts of Willow. We are responding in different ways once the community has defined the direction for each issue. Here is a rundown.

• Nothing new about the rail spur issues. We recently heard that Big Lake submitted a very lengthy set of signatures on a petition to have the rail spur miss their back yard. But we have submitted a good portfolio of concerns and opinions and feel comfortable that the process will run out as it will in a fair manner.
• We have submitted a letter stating concerns about the newest gas leasing process from DNR. Unfortunately, the state quietly changed all their rules about gas drilling after the Borough created strict rules specifically about methane gas drilling. If the gas drilling goes forward, for now it would involve the south and east part of Willow.
• The request for reconsideration we submitted about Bullion Mountain to Tom Irwin, the Commissioner of DNR has been accepted, likely among other requests from other groups. The implementation of the Southeast Susitna Management Plan is on hold awaiting his decisions about these requests.
• The Fish Creek Management plan was implemented.
• The Borough’s Forest Management Plan is winding its way thru the process and we will keep you posted.
• Logging leases have been let in a couple of areas despite the community’s vote against these, but as far as I know logging is not yet happening (mostly a winter activity, but….).
• A bullet gas line is in the hopeful stages: this is proposed to follow the utility corridor down the Parks. We have no official plan to review yet and will bring it to the community once we get something, if something happens. And last, I think…..,
• ML&P wants to build a second Intertie to the Douglas substation from the Teeland substation in Wasilla without working with MEA to share a set of poles. The sad truth is, that the particular landowners likely to be affected HAVE NOT been notified, only the community as a whole. I hope to correct their oversight in this regard. July 7 WACO will take a vote (if quorum) regarding a joint resolution with Houston, basically requesting that the two companies work together instead of fighting about drivel. It is a sad state that they are behaving so poorly about each other. Each has presented info to WACO and it is a composite of these presentations that make up the resolution. Basically we are caught in the middle of their inability to work together. If they are allowed to continue this bad behavior, the affected landowners will be expected to give up another 100 foot easement…… That is a lot of land. Please read the posted resolution and come July 7. Houston has already voted unanimously to support the resolution. Individual comments are also welcomed either for or against and we can get you the forms.

And last, Charlie Huggins invited the Chairs of the community councils and the leaders of the senior organizations in his area to an Energy Roundtable last week. At WACO we will be discussing how to get the input of the community to report back at his follow up Roundtable to be held later in July or early in August. Stay tuned.

I heard that the Brunch June 29 was a huge success!! I missed it unfortunately. Something about work getting in the way of life!! Congrats to those who planned and put on this new community event.
I think that is it,
Looking forward to seeing you July 2, 4 and 7!!
In the meantime, let’s all enjoy this beautiful weather and hope the Kings start returning in greater numbers….

Linda Oxley, Chair

Contents

WACO News

Trails Committee

The State’s SnowTRAC grant board has approved the Willow Winter Trail Maintenance Project to the tune of nearly $15K. This will provide the committee with a Yamaha 4 stroke snowmachine and grooming drag. The committee has applied to the State Grooming Pool for funds to pay the gas and maintenance of the machines to the tune of $15K.

The WTC hosted a second “summit” of trail organizations, officials from borough and state land management agencies on October 15. The subjects were a proposal to have a groomed and signed winter trail from Big Lake to Denali State Park by February of 2009 as well as discussions concerning the SnowTRAC and Grooming Pool Grant Programs. By the end of the meeting, an alignment for the corridor trail and signing standards were tentatively decided upon. There will need to be some brushing and clearing in the Little Cow Lake area but this should not prevent us from opening up the entire corridor by this February. Another “summit” will be held in early January.

Many Willow residents have expressed an interest in pedestrian trails around residential areas and tying in with the existing ped trail on the Parks Hwy. Members of the Willow Health Organization and the trails committee have been talking with land design firms to develop a master plan. We would like your thoughts and ideas for pedestian trails around the community. If you are interested in being part of this project, please contact Nina at 495-1112 or Steve, 495-6368.

If you would like to be placed on the WTC email list or have questions, call 495–6368. The Willow Trail Committee meets the third Wednesday of each month.

Winter Carnival News

Railroad Corridor

Status December 12 [Steve Charles]

Latest news from the Borough

Learn to play Bridge

The Willow Bridge Club will be holding a Bridge Class next Friday, 3rd of August at 7PM at the WCC, as part of the Willow Comunity Enrichment Program. For more information call Pat Steige 495 5004.

Contents

Local Groups

Planning

The first meeting of the planning team was October 11 at 6PM at the Willow Elementary School with 25 out of 34 members present. The purpose of the meeting was to begin the transportation piece of the comprehensive plan.

Eileen Probasco, MSB Planner explained the planning process. Brad Sworts, MSB Transportation Planner discussed the Rail Corridor. Dennis Linnell, PE of HDL gave information already gathered on Willow transportation issues and then took input from the team regarding other plans and issues. Notes of meetings etc., are now available directly from the Borough’s web-site at http://www.matsugov.us/planning/WillowCompPlan.cfm

Library Association

Garden Club

Willow Garden Club 2008 Meetings & Events

All meetings and programs are scheduled at the Willow Community Center Main Hall at 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

(This is a tentative schedule ~ please check back for updates)

2008

• January 17 ~ Dorothea Taylor ~ Planting to Attract Birds
• February 21 ~ Business Meeting ~ Speaker to be determined
• March 20 ~ Dorothea Taylor ~ Seattle Garden Show
• April 17 ~ Flowers of the Sea speaker to be determined. 6:30 Business Meeting, “Elections” ; 7:15 Speaker.
• May 15 ~ Willow Library Garden reparing the Garden for Summer. 6:00 And special program by Willow Artist limited to 5 people; time to be determined.
• June ~ No meeting
• July 19 ~ Willow Garden Tour and Les Brake Open Garden Tour
• August ~ Hands On Concrete Leaves ~ Date to be determined ~ Rachel Harrison Home with Karen Mattson, Instructor
• September 20 ~ Willow Library Garden Clean-up at 5:30 p.m. & Harvest Dinner, share the Bounty

The garden has been cleaned up and the Harvest Pot Luck was a wonderful success. Thank you to all who participated. The garden was absolutely beautiful this year and thank you to everyone who made it happen. For more information, please call Karen at 495-6636 or Shirley at 495-5267.

Road Service Area 20

Willow Road Service Area CIP list is posted in the Commons Area of the Willow Haven Senior Housing. The CIP list will be put in the Community Center when the RSA bulletin board is reinstalled. All RSA board meetings will be held at the Willow Haven Commons Room until further notice. All previous RSA meetings have been advertised in accordance with Borough code, for the past 10 years, in the Frontiersman along with any special meeting requirements. The RSA meetings schedule is as follows, and the public is invited and encouraged to attend: September 27, 2007 – 7pm December 27, 2007 – 7pm (subject to change)

Runners Club

Attention Willow Runners and Walkers! The Willow Running Club is starting up again with scheduled runs/walks at 6pm on Mondays and Thursdays. If you are interested please contact sleddog@mtaonline.net or call Andrea at 495–2205 (email preferred). Our goal is to have fun exercising and see the trails and back roads of Willow. We also go to runs/walks in the Valley and Anchorage and plan to host events in Willow. Hope to see your fleet feet!

Health Organization

Annual Health Fair

The Annual Willow Health Fair is on Sat. April 26, 9 - 12n at the Willow Community Center. The first 100 people to register will get a 50% discount on blood tests. Hear a keynote address by Dee Dee Jonrowe at 10 am. There will be free pancakes and smoothies made healthy along with many door prizes and fun. Volunteers are needed in all categories. To sign-up for blood test or further information call Nina Davidson at 495-1112.

April 25 Friday 4-6:00 p -Volunteers are needed to set-up tables and chairs
April 25 Friday 6-6:45 p -Volunteer Training and pre-registration for blood tests
April 26 Sat 7:30a -Volunteers arrive to set-up booths and get blood tests
April 26 Sat 9-12 n -Willow Health Fair open to public
April 26 Sat 11 am -Health Fair RACES start 5K Adult and 1K Kids

The Annual WHO meeting is April 8. All meetings are held at the Community Center at 7 pm. New board members will be elected. The Treasurer position is open. Please call 495-1112 if interested. You are invited to become active in the health of your community.

Willow Race Series

Click here for results of the Freedom 4-miler.
The 2008 Willow Race Series got underway at the Winter Carnival. There will be a series of 6 races for runners and walkers happening over the year. A Willow organization will be promoted for each race. The races are sponsored by Willow Health Org. Inc. funded by grant from the Mat-Su Health Foundation. Event schedule is as follows:

Willow Winter Carnival 5K (to benefit WACO) Feb. 2nd
Willow Health Fair 5K/1K Adults/Kids (to benefit WHO) April 26th Entry_Form.pdf Δ Freedom 4 miler (to benefit Willow Elementary School Library) July 4th Entry_Form_Freedom_4miler Δ
Red Shirt Lake Trail Run 6 miler (to benefit Willow Trails Committee) Aug. 2nd
Red_Shirt_Entry_Form Δ.
Jog for Dogs 5K (to benefit Willow Dog Mushers—WDMA) Sept. 6th - note new date!
Jog_for_Dogs_Entry_Form Δ
Oktoberfest Run 5K/10K (to benefit the local Food Bank)
We are sorry to announce that the Oktoberfest 5K/10K has been cancelled. Please continue to enjoy the trails in and around Willow on foot, skis, dog sled, and snow machine! The Willow Race Series will be back next year!

For more information about any of these races, or if you would like to volunteer, please contact Andrea at 495-2205, or andreahaltmann@yahoo.com or Yvonne at 495-0105, or yvonneleutwyler@yahoo.com

Click here for more info on individual races. Online entry forms are now available!! Jog_for_Dogs_Entry_Form Δ

Seniors

If you have any questions please contact. Tony DeLucia, President. 495-3424.

Fire Department

This fall we will be having a Basic Firefighter class. If you are interested in joining this would be the time! You are invited to stop by the Fire Station on Tuesdays at 7pm. Please contact Sally at 907-373-8800 for more details. If you are between the ages of 14 and 18 and have completed 8th grade and are interested in Firefighting, please call Dawn at 907-495-6728 to join the Explorer program. Kel Jacobs, Captain/PIO

Contents

Odds and Ends

Wild Bird rehab in Houston

If anyone finds an injured or orphaned wild bird, you can call the Alaska Wildbird Rehab Center in Houston. They will direct you on where to bring it, or arrange to have it picked up. Please be sure an orphaned chick is actually alone, often parents will leave a young bird for short times to find food, or if flushed from the nest. Call 892-1670 (in Houston) or 230-7049 (cell phone) for assistance.

Chamber of Commerce

Support your Chamber of Commerce. Call Jim for information at 355-4700, or go to our web site at willowchamber.org.

Willow Library News

We are pleased to be open again. We thank all those who volunteered and helped the library and all those who checked out holdings to help with the move. Come in and see the rejuvenation, painting and carpeting.

The library congratulates Ann Dixon on her new library position at the Willow Elementary School. We welcome Marian Charles who is now doing the story hour programs.

Story Hour is Tuesdays at 11AM: Oct 2: Animals of the North; Oct 9: Fire Safety Day; Oct 16: Loose Tooth; Oct 23: Happy Hedgehogs; Oct 30: Happy Halloween.

Recipe of the Month

Fish Tacos – Jaki Motter (the best recipe!!)
Fish:
White fish is best, any amount you want to use.
Dip in milk, then coat with Italian Bread Crumbs.
Fry in hot oil until brown. Set on paper towel to drain.
White sauce:
Equal parts sour cream and mayo (can use low fat versions if you want).
Squeeze in fresh lime juice, to taste.
Add a little garlic salt, to taste.
Note: the sauce should be a little runny.
To Serve:
Corn tortilla, warmed. Add pieces of white fish, top with sauce, plus chopped cilantro, green onion,
and finely chopped cabbage. Top with salsa if you want.

New to Willow