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Health & Social Services (Dorothy Boatright) - People have asked what we are having at next week's Elders Lunch. So here is next week's menu!   On July 7 we are having baked chicken, mashed potatoes & gravy, corn, wheat rolls, broccoli salad with cherry tomatoes and mixed veggies, sherbet ice cream with fresh raspberries, coffee and tea.    Hope to see you there!  

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The Chickaloon News (Patricia Wade) - The weather is getting hotter in the beautiful city of Portland. Time for me to head home. I plan to drive north through Canada with my copilot, Cuzn Jan. I will surely miss my Cuzzies and their warm hospitality. Recently Cuzn Kelly took me to meet Herman the Sturgeon at Bonneville Fish Hatchery http://www.ashcreekimages.com/Gorge/Fisheries/Herman-the-Sturgeon-01.html. Cuzn David and I went to see the capital building in Olympia. Mona and Jerry have opened their peaceful home to me when I need a place to stay. I love the greenery here and the way the trees are allowed to meet over the roads, like driving through the most stunning and natural tunnel on Earth. I think Oregon is one of the most advanced states in things like wanting to protect and care for this planet. Some people from here get tired of the rain (much like I get tired of the snow) but I haven't tired of the clouds and rain yet. It helps to keep the plants happy and picturesque. Many trees and bushes get covered with brightly colored flowers that look unreal. So I will say ahana to Oregon for now...

Tsin'aen to those who sent advice for my sciatica issue. To reach me directly, email patricia@chickaloon.org.

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Tribal Department of Transportation (Marilyn Staggs) - The Transportation Department is awaiting news from the State of Alaska Transit Grant applications to see if we receive Transit funds for this year. 

Alaska's Governor Sean Parnell approved the State's Capital Budget item for $1 million, providing a state match for public and community transportation, funding for the first time in recent memory for transit other than the State's Ferry System. Alaska has traditionally been one of approximately 4 states that did not support transit with the exception of the State Ferry System.

We are also awaiting the funding agreement for the final payment for FY 2011 from Federal Highways Administration. It should be coming through by the end of next week allowing us to work on construction and maintenance issues that have been waiting for funds!

Please have a Safe Holiday this weekend - many people on the road having a good time! Watch for bicycles, pedestrians and motorcycles in particular.

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Accounting (Ingrid Ling) - Philip Ling worked in the Accounting Office as a Youth Employment Worker, under the Chickaloon Village program administered by Cook Inlet Tribal Council, last week. It was particularly exciting for me to have my 15-year-old son working side-by-side with me for a few days. The experience was a wonderful reminder of why we are here and it gives me great hope for the future.

Along with many other office-related tasks, Philip completed several PowerPoint safety lessons, which will be presented at our monthly staff meetings. He also completed a poignant presentation on the dangers of tobacco abuse. The most exciting part of the experience was when Philip announced that he discovered his career goal. Many children have chosen their careers by the time they are five and it usually consists of becoming a fire fighter, police officer, or soldier- only to later change their minds. However, Philip has never had his heart set on any one thing. Sure, he has had ideas of careers that others in our family have had- but considered them only for the sake of following in the footsteps of someone he admired. So, needless to say, when he announced that he would like a career in graphic design - I was very happy. Phil may change his mind a dozen more times, and that is okay. The real treasure is that Chickaloon offers experiences that allow our children to grow, to dream, and to plan. 

My hope is that when all of our working days are done- we will be replaced with well-educated, wise young leaders with the vision and heart to take us where we never dreamed to go.

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July 16 - PALMER - SECOND ANNUAL RUN FOR THE PALMER HAY FLATS REFUGE - Take part in this beautiful cross country 5K and 10K trail and, of course, we'll have another fun Kids Dash for the little ones. Registration is open, and details are available at http://www.PalmerHayFlats.org, or call the office at (907)357-8711. On-site registration will be from 8:30 to 9am. Race will start at 9:15am from Scout Ridge/Cottonwood Creek Public access.

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Here is a drive for a Tangle Lakes Wildlife Refuge to protect some of the area from proposed nickel-copper mining. All the information, maps, and sign on letters are available at www.savetanglelakes.org. It would be particularly helpful to have people from Chickaloon/Sutton sign on, as the Refuge would be in Eric Feige's district.

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August 5-7 - DENALI NATIONAL PARK - FIELD COURSE - PREDATORS AND PREY will be offered by Alaska Geographic through the Murie Science and Learning Center. The balancing act of predators and prey is more intricate than it appears. Each plays a complex role in shaping the other's population, behavior, and physiology. Join Alaskan wildlife biologist KEN WHITTEN for an investigation of the dynamic relationships between Denali's predators and prey, both big and small. We'll take a look at mammals and birds and the many strategies that predators and prey use to survive. As we pass through various habitats, we'll discuss the impact of environmental factors on predator-prey interactions as well as how predators and prey affect the habitats they live in. Participants will stay at a field camp located 29 miles inside Denali National Park along the Teklanika River. The Field Camp includes rustic tent cabins and a common dining tent. All meals, accommodations, transportation, and instruction are included in the $330 course fee. Professional development credit is available through UAA. For more information or to register, go to www.alaskageographic.org, email courses@murieslc.org, or call 907-683-1269.

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August 9-12 - DENALI NATIONAL PARK - FIELD COURSE - PALEONTOLOGY: SEARCHING FOR DENALI'S DINOSAURS will be offered by Alaska Geographic through the Murie Science and Learning Center. Do something exciting this summer Come help the National Park Service search for and catalog new evidence of dinosaurs and plant life of the cretaceous period. The very first dinosaur track in Denali was discovered by a student while on a geology course in 2005, and more evidence is found each summer. As a citizen scientist on this course, you will take part in the exciting and sometimes challenging work of documenting and gathering geo-referencing data from each discovery. The evidence gathered will help us better understand the environment and climate of 65 million years ago as well as give us insight into the warming climate of today. Participants will stay at a field camp located 29 miles inside Denali National Park along the Teklanika River. The Field Camp includes rustic tent cabins and a common dining tent. All meals, accommodations, transportation, and instruction are included in the $360 course fee. Professional development credit is available through UAA. For more information or to register, go to www.alaskageographic.org, email courses@murieslc.org, or call 907-683-1269.

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August 17-20 - DENALI NATIONAL PARK - FIELD COURSE - DENALI'S LARGE MAMMALS will be offered by Alaska Geographic through the Murie Science and Learning Center. Denali National Park is well known for its legendary populations of large mammals such as bears, wolves, sheep, caribou, and moose. Join the Murie Science and Learning Center education staff for this fascinating exploration of large mammal habitat, natural history and research. We will spend our days in the field learning about each of these animals as we explore Denali and experiment with the tools of scientists. Participants will stay at a field camp located 29 miles inside Denali National Park along the Teklanika River. The Field Camp includes rustic tent cabins and a common dining tent. All meals, accommodations, transportation, and instruction are included in the $370 course fee. Professional development credit is available through UAA. For more information or to register, go to www.alaskageographic.org, email courses@murieslc.org, or call 907-683-1269.

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July 21 - ANCHORAGE - MAKE-UP TRAINING SESSIONS will be held for the 2011 ANCHORAGE COASTAL BELUGA SURVEY. Sign up and enjoy making a positive difference documenting the presence, behavior or absence of belugas along the Anchorage coast while soaking up extreme beauty at Kincaid Park &/or Turnagain Arm. Volunteer training is provided by Friends of the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge (FAR) & is held at the BP Energy Center, 900 E. Benson Blvd. Space limited. Reserve your seat ASAP by contacting beluga@farak.org to get on the class list for one of the sessions (2:30 to 5pm OR from 5:30 to 8pm). The training is for new and returning volunteers. Must be at least 18 with rare exceptions granted for unusually mature youth who will be accompanied at the training and during the survey by a parent or legal guardian (write to ask permission). For more information and to download volunteer applications and waivers (required for new volunteers), go to https://sites.google.com/site/fardoc2010/.

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August 13 - ANCHORAGE - ALASKA RENEWABLE ENERGY FAIR: Mark your calendars now! REAP's 7th annual Alaska Renewable Energy Fair is back this year with even more great music, exhibitors, arts & crafts, kids games and fabulous FREE opportunities to learn about renewable energy and energy efficiency from what you can do in your own home to the latest big wind, tidal and geothermal projects. Sign up at http://alaskarenewableenergy.org/events/alaska-renewable-energy-fair/6955-2/for email updates. Potential

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July 14 - Open House meeting will be held from 4 to 7pm at the Sheraton Anchorage

Hotel & Spa, Susitna Room to discuss the GENERAL MANAGEMENT FOR LAKE CLARK NATIONAL PARK AND PRESERVE. The plan provides a vision for resource preservation and visitor use during the next 15 50 20 years. They will coordinate with the public, other land managers, and neighboring communities to ensure that management decision continue to preserve the park's natural and cultural resources, protect subsistence resources, and provide opportunities for quality visitor experiences.

For more information, go to http://www.nps.gov/lacl/parkmgmt/index.htm.

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