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Page 2 Nov. 7: Youth 360 and Events Nov 07, 2025

It’s time for Page Two: News that might not make the front page for Friday, November 7, 2025.

Spotlight on Afterschool Programs

Youth 360 will host its annual Lights On Afterschool celebration on Saturday, November 8 at Teeland Middle School. They join more than 8,000 events nationwide that recognize the importance of afterschool programs for children and families.

This free event runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Families can drop in for workshops, activities and community connections. While youth in grades K-12 enjoy games and activities led by Thrive Mat-Su, parents can take part in interactive workshops on teen safety, education, and wellness.

Attendees can also visit more than 20 booths offering mental health resources, volunteer opportunities, and recreational programs.

The day concludes with teen and parent panels exploring real-life experiences of growing up in the Mat-Su, safe dating, resilience, and family connections.

Youth 360 provides clubs and youth engagement programs across the Valley to help young people and families thrive.

Lights On Afterschool highlights the positive impact of afterschool activities on academic performance, attendance, and life skills. For more information, visit youth-360.org.

This year’s celebration comes amid uncertainty over federal funding for afterschool programs. While advocates urge Congress to preserve support for 21st Century Community Learning Centers, the Administration has proposed cutting the program next year.

Other things happening this weekend include:

A gallery opening of works by Ken Harris from 4 to 6 p.m. in the FSM building at Mat-Su College. Ken is a local artist who favors scenes of the Mat-Su Valley.

There’s even more art at the First Friday Art Show at the Art Café in Palmer at 5 p.m. with paintings, stoneworks, & mosaics by Mary and Larry Harris.

This is the last weekend for the musical Sweeney Todd at the Glenn Massay Theater. The curtain opens at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday with matinees at 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The closing reception for the Honoring Our Ancestors exhibit at the Palmer Museum of History and Art is on Saturday at 3 p.m.

The exhibit highlights the culture and history of the Chickaloon tribe, told through the voices and perspectives of tribal citizens.

The Grassteroids are playing Rocket Powered Bluegrass at Hatcher Pass Lodge from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday.

The Palmer Arts Council hosts the November Literary Salon Sunday at 3 p.m. at Percussion in the Valley, 13372 Crowther Rd. in Palmer.

Last but not least, you don’t want to miss the Cabbage Hop Dance Party at Lekker Coffee and Baking Co. in Palmer from 6-9 p.m.

There’s a $20 cover charge that gets you in for a live DJ, gift card silent auction, and tasty treats from Turkey Red and Lekker. Thank you Mat-Su Health Foundation for sponsoring the event.

And, lastly Archangel Road is closed to motor vehicles for the season.

This is day 3 of our 4-day fall fund drive. We are at $6,635 as of Friday morning. Now Health has offered a $500 match, so your donation will be doubled! Please, go to bigcabbageradio.org to donate. Thank you!

Page Two articles are written by Emily Forstner and Lee Henrikson. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.

Please support Page2 News. Donate today at bigcabbageradio.org.

That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Friday, November 7, 2025.

Page 2 Nov. 6:Dual Enrollment for High School Students Nov 06, 2025

It’s time for Page Two: News that might not make the front page for Thursday, November 6, 2025.

This installment looks at how students can get college credit through CTE Dual Enrollment, Mat-Su Middle College and dual enrollment classes. Here are the prior posts:

Thur. Oct. 16: What’s a Hybrid Course Anyway?

Page 2 Oct. 23: Course Sharing Expands Options for Students

Page Two Oct. 30: iTech – Flexible & Connected

CTE Dual Enrollment allows students to earn both high school and college credit at the same time through Career and Technical Education courses from UAA. The District’s partnership with the University of Alaska Anchorage began about 20 years ago, when the program was known as Tech Prep.

Director of Career and Technical Education Tyler Gilligan said 131 dual enrollment courses are being offered this fall. Students can enroll in several ways. For example, students can enroll in Firefighter I and II as a CTE concentrator course, a dual enrollment class, or a course share.

Gilligan noted that hybrid courses at Mat-Su Central and iTech courses are not part of the agreement with UAA and therefore are not eligible for dual enrollment or college credit.

CTE dual enrollment courses are open to all students in the District through course sharing.

The courses are taught by Mat-Su instructors. There are no separate college admission requirements for students or additional credentials required for teachers. Although some classes have prerequisites, any student can register and pay course fees. The college credit itself is free for Mat-Su students.

Completed courses appear on both high school and UAA transcripts.

Mat-Su Middle College, which opened in 2016, is another way students can earn college credit while in high school.

Principal Greg Giauque said the main difference is that Middle College students take classes taught by college professors at the Mat-Su College campus.

Middle College is open to juniors and seniors who meet UAA placement scores in English or math. Sophomores who qualify in both subjects are also eligible. Students who don’t meet placement scores take high school level courses—such as English or algebra—on site with district teachers.

Giauque said 229 students are enrolled in the Middle College this year. As with dual enrollment, the district covers college tuition. A three-credit college course equals one year of high school credit.

Because Middle College follows a college schedule, district transportation is not provided. About 10 percent of students graduate with 60 college credits, the equivalent of an associate degree.

Students can stay connected to their home schools by participating in sports or joining course share electives such as band, music, drama, or JROTC.

CTE Dual Enrollment and Middle College join hybrid learning, course sharing, and iTech as part of the district’s flexible learning options.

There is an open house about the proposed Jonesville Shooting Range today at the Sutton Elementary School Gym. You can drop by anytime between 5:00 and 7:30 p.m. to learn about the project. You can also share your knowledge of current conditions of the area and your thoughts about the initial plans for the shooting range.

Roland Roberts plays in the Upstairs Lounge at the Palmer Ale House tonight from 6 – 9 p.m. as part of their of the winter live music series.

It’s day two of our fall fund drive, Still Cabbage After All These Years. As of this morning we have made the $500 match from Dalrymple Law. Thank you everyone who donated!

The fund drive goes through Saturday, and we hope to raise $10,000. As of this morning we are approaching the half way mark of $5,000. We are grateful for any support you can provide. Just go to bigcabbageradio.org to donate. Thank you.

Page Two articles are written by Emily Forstner and Lee Henrikson. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.

Please support Page 2 News. Donate today at bigcabbageradio.org.

That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Thursday, November 6, 2025.

Mayors’s Minutes: Mayor Jim Cooper Nov 05, 2025

Mike Chmielewski welcomes the new/old Palmer Mayor Jim Cooper.

Mike and the Mayor discuss the City Council meeting of October 28th. The Palmer City Council approved a measure banning camping or sleeping on public property. Violators may be connected with resources and could face fines of up to $300.00. A separate proposal banning sleeping in areas that block access to public spaces, such as private driveways and sidewalks, was delayed for legal review. The council unanimously approved a $12.08 million contract with Wasilla-based H5 Construction to build the new Palmer Library. Shane Auginaush was sworn in as Palmer Police Department’s newest officer.

Ag Matters: Amy Seitz Nov 05, 2025

Ken Hoffman, President, and Amy Seitz, Policy Director, of the Alaska Farm Bureau, give us a peek at the 2025 Alaska Agriculture Conference and Grazing Lands Symposium to be held November 13 – 15 at the Sheraton Hotel in Anchorage.

The conference is open to the public. Amy and Ken talked about the learning and networking opportunity it is for farmers and ranchers —established, new, or wannabe. While they both like the presentations, Ken looks forward to the networking and to meeting new farmers. On Saturday, the Alaska Farm Bureau will hold its annual business meeting to set priorities for next year,

Page 2 Nov. 5: Unofficial Election Results Nov 05, 2025

It’s time for Page Two: News that might not make the front page for Wednesday November 5, 2025.

Here are the unofficial election results from early and poll voting in the Mat-Su Borough elections yesterday. Final counts with absentee ballots are unlikely to change the results.

Overall turnout in the borough for poll and early voting was almost 12%. There are still almost 2000 absentee ballots to be counted according to the Mat-Su Sentinel.

In Assembly District 1, Michael Bowles has a comfortable lead with 1721 votes to 949 votes for Michelle Heun.

In Assembly District 2, Stephanie Nowers looks to win reelection with 1384 votes to 541 for Dana Raffaniello.

In School Board District 2, Kendal Kruse is also likely to win reelection with 1251 votes to 751 for Gage Saxton.

In School Board District 7, Lorie Colee is comfortably ahead with 1034 votes to 691 for Dena McChargue.

Proposition No. 1, the Prorated Senior and Disabled Veteran Residential Property Tax Exemption, overwhelmingly passes with 9901 yes votes to 1558 no votes.

Most voters said no to Proposition No. 2, the Advisory Vote on Motor Fuel Excise Tax, with 8012 no votes to 3465 yes votes.

And of course, unopposed candidates for Assembly District 4, Maxwell Sumner, and School Board District 5, Brooks Pitcher, won their seats.

Some happenings this week are:

Roland Roberts plays the Palmer Ale House Unplugged Concert on Thursday night from 6 to 9 p.m.

There are two art shows on Friday.:

There’s a gallery opening from 4 to 6 p.m. in the FSM building at Mat-Su College for works by Ken Harris. Ken is a local artist who favors scenes of the Mat-Su Valley.

Also from 4 to 6 p.m., the Art Café on Blueberry Avenue in Palmer features paintings, stoneworks, and mosaics by Mary and Larry Harris in the First Friday Art Show.

And today is the first day of our fall fund drive, Still Cabbage After All These Years. As of this morning we are halfway to making a match from Dalrymple Law. Donate today and help us make the $500 match.

The fund drive goes through Saturday, and we hope to raise $10,000. As of this morning we are just over $4300 thanks to some generous early donations. With your donation we could be halfway to our goal by the end of the day!

And don’t forget our Cabbage Hop Dance Party on Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Lekker Coffeehouse and Bakery. The $20 cover charge includes treats from the bakery, coffee, tea, and kombucha.

There will be a cash espresso drink bar, a silent auction, and dancing to music with DJ Achileez heel. We thank the Mat-Su Health Foundation for sponsoring this event.

Please take 2 minutes to tell us what you want to hear on Page 2 News in a poll on bigcabbageradio.org.

Page Two articles are written by Emily Forstner and Lee Henrikson. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.

Please support Page2 News. Donate today.

That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Wednesday November 5, 2025.

Home To Roost Nov 04, 2025

This week, we review weakening vaccine requirements, the legal arguments surrounding national guard deployments, RFK Jr.’s continued fascination with chemtrails, presidential term limits, and much more.

Page 2 Nov. 4: Alauda Coffee Nov 04, 2025

It’s time for Page Two: News that might not make the front page for Tuesday, November 4, 2025.

We recently did an informal poll on coffee shops in downtown Palmer. 53 people answered. The top choice for sitting and drinking a cup of joe was Alauda Coffeehouse.

According to Bloomberg News Service, coffee prices have risen 41% since September 2024 due to the double-whammy of tariffs and climate change.

But even with those prices, people of the Valley continue to go to coffeeshops. We counted nine sit-down coffee shops in the downtown Palmer area alone.

We wondered if a coffee shop can thrive under these conditions, so we sent Page-Two reporter David Cheezem to Alauda Coffeehouse to find out.

It was a tough job, but someone had to do it.

Alauda is on the second floor of Poppy Lane gift shop, across the street from the pavilion. Its large picture windows look out on the park below, so it feels homey and comfortable even on a dreary, rainy day.

Customers can choose between three types of seating: black, round café style tables and chairs; thick, cushy sofas; or rectangular high tables especially conducive for laptops.

Alauda owner Mega Bergstahlar said she wants her business to be welcoming to a variety of people. Some of her customers “work here in town.” Some “walk here for a midday lunch or just a coffee in the mornings.” She even has customers who drive all the way from Wasilla.

“Mainly,” she said, “I want everyone to feel welcome. I don’t want to exclude anyone.”

Bergstahler grew up in a large family, so she wanted to create a space that is welcoming to people of all ages. Coffee connoisseurs can order a doppio for themselves – and find string cheese sticks for their kids.

So far Bergstahler does not seem worried about the impact of the coffee tariffs. A cup of coffee might cost $4 or $7, she says, but “it is not the same as a restaurant where they’re sitting down and paying $20 or a retail store where they might buy something that’s $40 or $70.”

“I don’t see that much point in worrying, because I just take it as it comes,” she said.

She also doesn’t spend a lot of time worrying about the competitive environment, with eight other coffee shops in a small area. Palmer is very “community driven,” she said. She just focuses on “the connections I make and the opportunities I give for people to come and meet each other.”

“Even if there’s other coffee shops or even if there’s other café style stores, I think there’s room for all of that and I think we can support each other if we all focus on the community,” she said.

Tune in next Tuesday for another coffee shop review.

It’s election day. If you haven’t voted yet, polls are open until 8 p.m. tonight.

The Palmer City Council meets at 6 p.m. tonight. The application period for the vacant city council seat has been extended to Friday November 7 at 5 p.m.

Big Cabbage Radio’s Fall Drive runs Wednesday, November 5 through Saturday, November 8. Our goal is to raise $10,000. Your donation at bigcabbageradio.org keeps local, homegrown radio strong here in the Mat-Su.

This Page Two article was written by David Cheezem with Lee Henrikson and Emily Forstner. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.

We want your feedback on Page 2 News. Please take 2 minutes to complete the 4-question survey on bigcabbageradio.org.

That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Tuesday, November 4, 2025.

Valley Edition: MatSu Food Bank Nov 03, 2025

Mike Chmielewski welcomes Fred Becker, Executive Director of the MatSu Food Bank.

Fred shares a time when he and his wife needed help with food for their family. They had no idea what a food bank was or where they could get help. Inspired by that struggle, he wants to make sure everyone in need knows where to get food. In 2023, the MatSu Food Bank distributed 56,389 pounds of food through their network of 32 partner food pantries. In the first five months of 2025, more families than every have need their support and they have already exceeded the total donations of 2023.

For more information, please check out the MatSu Food Bank website.

Inside the City: Halloween Safety and much more…. Nov 03, 2025

Sgt. Nick White joins Mike Chmielewski to talk about Halloween safety and more.

Sgt. White recommends reflective wear over light colors, as they are easier to see. You can also get costumes with LED lights, or DIY your own lights for the costume. Please be sure to bring a flashlight. Sgt. White suggested that everyone check all the lights on their cars and bikes. Mike asks about bicycles and walking around downtown Palmer and beyond. Sgt. White has some great tips for all of these. Be sure to listen in for more tips on what police look for in traffic stops.

Page 2 Nov.3: Elections Nov 03, 2025

It’s time for Page Two: news that might not make the front page for Monday, November 3, 2025.

Tomorrow, Tuesday November 4th, is Election Day across the Mat-Su Borough. It’s a chance for you to have a voice in local leadership and community issues.

Polls open at 7 a.m. and every vote helps shape the direction of our borough.

If you want to know more about candidates and issues, check out your voter pamphlet from the borough or the Q & A with candidates at matsusentinel.com.

Today we share when and where you can cast your ballot.

For those who are voting by mail, the ballot envelopes must be postmarked by tomorrow, Election Day, and received in the mail by the Borough Clerk’s Office no later than Friday, November 7th. Hand-delivered ballots must be returned to a Borough election official at one of the precincts by 8 p.m. tomorrow.

Today is the last day for early voting. Here are the early voting locations:

Mat-Su Borough Building from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The Division of Elections Mat-Su Regional Office at 1700 E. Bogard Road from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
During regular business hours today at Houston City Hall, Talkeetna Public Library, and Trapper Creek Public Library.

If you haven’t already, now’s a great time to make your plan to vote.

On Election Day, all precincts will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Not sure where your polling place is? Here are four quick ways to check:

Your voter registration card
The Borough voter pamphlet
Online at Alaska My Voter Portal
If you know your precinct,go to Mat-Su Polling Places and Precincts
Call the borough clerk’s office at (907) 861-8683 or the Division of Elections at (907) 373-8952.

Ballots in the Mat-Su Borough are counted by hand, so depending on turnout, it may take a little time before preliminary results are available.

Be sure to listen to or read Page 2 on Wednesday when Big Cabbage Radio reports the preliminary election results.

Every ballot makes a difference here in the Mat-Su, and Big Cabbage Radio is proud to remind you to have your say.

As you make your voice heard in this elecion remember—community voices matter in more ways than one. Big Cabbage Radio’s Fall Drive runs Wednesday, November 5 through Saturday, November 8. Our goal is to raise $10,000.

Your donation at bigcabbageradio.org keeps local, homegrown radio strong here in the Mat-Su. The heart of Big Cabbage is our volunteers, our neighbors, and listeners like you! We do this for you and we couldn’t do it without you.

Our Fall Drive wraps up with the second annual Cabbage Hop Dance Party at Lekker Coffeehouse and Bakery on Saturday, November 8, from 6 to 9 p.m.

The $20 cover helps support Big Cabbage Radio.

You’ll find a gift card silent auction, plenty of tasty baked goods, a soup from Turkey Red, coffee, tea, and kombucha. And to top it off, DJ Achileez Heel will be spinning tunes all night to keep you on your feet.

Page Two articles are written by Emily Forstner and Lee Henrikson. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us.

Please support Page Two News. Donate today.

That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Monday, November 3, 2025.

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