Page 2 Tue. Apr. 14: Growing a New Kind of Preschool
Apr 14, 2026
It’s time for Page Two: News that might not make the front page for Tuesday April 14, 2026.
Childcare is hard to find in Mat-Su. The program at the Mat-Su Jewish Center is focused on that and something more: the quality of the program for children.
Chaya Greenberg and the Mat-Su Jewish Center started the Mat-Su Jewish Preschool, Gan Yeladim in 2019. “Gan” is the Hebrew word for garden. This is a common name for Jewish preschools. Gardens are where things grow.
Greenberg worked in early childhood education for 17 years. She was disappointed by what she found when she had her first child. Childcare looked to her like “fast food rather than thoughtful learning.” She decided to build something different.
She opened Gan Yeladim in the basement of the Chabad-Lubavitch Jewish Center near Palmer. It is state-licensed. It has space for 12 children, including four spaces in the new infant learning room.
Learning follows the child at Gan Yeladim. The Reggio approach inspires the program. Children learn through exploration and have “a hundred languages.”
Greenberg’s goal is more than creating a program. She wants to shift how the Mat-Su does early education. She says, “Early childhood care and learning are the baseline for community wellness.”
Greenberg believes children are naturally wired for kindness. Every behavior is communication, and every moment is a chance to learn. Staff respond with empathy, helping children learn to do the same.
This work is not “fast food.” It takes time.
Gan Yeladim has a ratio of one adult for every four children, compared to about one to ten in many centers. Children are grouped by development, not just age. Teachers—called Morah—stay with the same group for up to three years. This consistency builds trust.
Greenberg says she is the luckiest employer in the world. Her staff models treating everyone with kindness.
Greenberg has four full-time teachers and one part-time teacher. The average turnover rate is 8%. That’s far below the 45% turnover in the Mat-Su according to a state childcare report.
Staffing is one part of the challenge in the Mat-Su. There are only 45 licensed childcare providers in the Valley according to the Alaska Child Care Program Office. Eight are group centers. Gan Yeladim is one of them. It’s already full for next year.
Greenberg keeps the program accessible. Families don’t have to be part of the Jewish Center to attend. In fact, more than half aren’t. About 15 percent of her students receive state childcare assistance, and scholarships are available.
Greenberg describes childcare as a catch-22 for many families. Parents want quality preschool. But when they can’t find or afford quality care, they are forced to accept lesser quality or stop working and limit their income.
That’s one reason she created the preschool as a nonprofit: to offer high-quality care without that tradeoff.
Greenberg stresses that in Judaism “children are our most important investment.”
That investment starts the moment families arrive. The pathway into the preschool passes a children’s garden where students grow vegetables and flowers. The playground doubles as a classroom. At Gan Yeladim children spend much of their day outdoors, rain or shine. They learn through play and exploration.
Greenberg has a vision. The Jewish Center is designing a new 15,000-square-foot community space called the ARK Center. ARK is short for Acts of Routine Kindness. They hope to open it in five years.
The ARK Center will include classrooms, an indoor playground, a giving kitchen, and a café.
Greenberg says the lack of quality childcare is more than a family problem. It’s a systems problem. Families value early childhood education. Can the Mat-Su align its resources with that value?
She says it starts with participation because “in order to be part of a community, you have to be a giver and participate.”
That work is underway at Gan Yeladim, the Mat-Su Jewish Preschool.
Those interested in more information can contact Chaya Greenberg at chaya@matsujewishcenter.org.
Page 2 airs weekdays at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:50 a.m., and 6 p.m.
Tune in at 89.7 in Palmer, 89.5 in Sutton, 88.3 in Chickaloon and Glacier View or online at bigcabbageradio.org.
Please support Page 2 News. Donate today at bigcabbageradio.org.
This Page Two article was reported by Emily Forstner and produced by yours truly, Lee Henrikson. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.
That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Tuesday April 14, 2026.
Photo credit: Emily Forstner
Your Health: Breast Cancer Screenings (part one)
Apr 13, 2026
Join Dr. Jill Valerius and host Lee Henrikson as they begin a three-part series discussing breast cancer screenings.
Page 2 Mon. Apr. 13: Is It a Scam?
Apr 13, 2026
It’s time for Page Two: News that might not make the front page for Monday April 13, 2026.
Who can resist a call for help from a son, a mother or a friend? Don’t be tricked! It could be a scam.
More cyber scams are targeting seniors. It’s getting harder to recognize them as scams. And it’s important to make sure the request is real before sending funds.
Jesse Jones notes that Alaska’s isolation provides unique opportunities for scammers. He works for Infragard. It’s a 30-year national partnership between the FBI and private-sector professionals to combat scams.
Improved internet access has exposed rural populations to global cyber threats. This shift has made awareness and cooperation among professionals and residents vital.
Bitcoin kiosks make scamming easy. These machines make cryptocurrency accessible. Scammers use them to exploit victims. The scammers phone the victims. They pose as banks, law enforcement, or loved ones. The scammers instruct victims to withdraw cash from their banks and deposit it into a bitcoin ATM for safekeeping. It’s too easy.
Bitcoin kiosks are beside ATMs in many places.
The money is transferred to criminals. It’s often impossible to recover. At some bitcoin kiosks most transactions are fraud. This raises the need to regulate them better.
These scams have grown rapidly.
Psychological manipulation is often at play. Victims can be so convinced by scammers that they continue the transaction even when bystanders or police intervene. The scammer may remain on the phone to coach the victim. The transaction continues.
Jones explains that artificial intelligence is making scams more convincing. Criminals now use AI to generate emails without the spelling and grammar errors. These used to be the red flags.
More troubling, scammers can clone voices using audio from social media. They impersonate family members in distress. These calls rely on emotional pressure and urgency. Claims of accidents or legal troubles push victims to act without verification.
Jones says awareness is the key defense. Be cautious of an urgent request involving money or personal information. Hang up and call a trusted number to verify the request. This is critical.
Caller ID is not enough. Jones notes that phone numbers can be spoofed. Jones encourages families to establish code words to confirm identities during emergencies.
It’s not just seniors anymore. Scammers are targeting younger individuals. Reports show increased cybercrime affecting minors. These include coercion and extortion schemes.
In 2025, thousands of cases involving youth resulted in millions of dollars in losses.
Cybercrime continues to grow despite rising awareness and reporting. Jones stresses the importance of community conversations. Share knowledge with friends, family, and neighbors to prevent others from becoming victims.
Scams are likely to become more sophisticated. They can combine multiple tactics such as romance and investment fraud. Efforts to combat them include AI tools for detection and FBI programs that identify and warn victims in real time.
Jones emphasizes that while technology increases risk, strong local relationships—like those in Alaskan communities—can be a powerful defense. Face-to-face verification and trusted connections remain the safest way to avoid becoming a victim.
The full interview with Jones aired last week on Valley Edition. Find it on bigcabbageradio.org under Valley Edition in Podcasts.
Summit Stories: Lessons Learned from over a decade of All-Women Ski Mountaineering Expeditions in Remote Alaska with Mary Gianotti is at the Mat-Su Health Foundation on Crusey Street in Wasilla tonight. Doors open at 6:30, and the presentation starts at 7. No registration is required and the event is free.
Page 2 airs weekdays at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:50 a.m., and 6 p.m.
Tune in at 89.7 in Palmer, 89.5 in Sutton, 88.3 in Chickaloon and Glacier View or online at bigcabbageradio.org.
Please support Page 2 News. Donate today at bigcabbageradio.org.
This Page Two article was reported by Mike Chmielewski and produced by yours truly, Lee Henrikson. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.
That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Monday April 13, 2026.
(image from infragard.fbi.gov)
April 13-18 Highlights on Big Cabbage Radio
Apr 12, 2026
Mon Apr 13
Dr. Jill Valerius and Lee Henrikson begin a 3-week discussion on breast cancer screening on Your Health at 7:30 a.m. repeating at 5 p.m.
Tue Apr 14:
Hear from Kelley Shoemake on what’s going on in our Palmer Chamber of Commerce at 8 a.m. repeating at 5 p.m.
Wed Apr 15:
Alex Davis AD Farm joins host Ken Hoffman on Ag Matters at 7:30 a.m. repeating at 5:30 p.m.
Peter House from Deep Tree talks about current cybersecurity threats at 8 a.m. repeating at 5 p.m.
Fri Apr 17
Airport Superintendent John Diumennti talks about the Great Alaska Airmans Get Together on May 2 and 3 with Mike Chmielewski on Inside the City at 8 a.m. repeating at 5:30 p.m.
Emily Forstner interviews School District Superintendent Dr. Randy Trani on Inside the District and Valley Edition at 5 p.m. repeating at noon on Saturday.
Hear a report from the Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center at 7:20 a.m. followed by Ed Strabel talking about cross country skiing at 7:30 a.m.
Sat Apr 18
Rachel Levitt and John Robertson review federal actions that impact Alaska on Home to Roost at 12:30 p.m., repeating on Monday 5:30 p.m.
Tune in 89.7 in Palmer, 89.5 in Sutton, 88.3 in Glacier View or online at bigcabbage.radio.org
See the full schedule at bigcabbageradio.org/schedule
Home To Roost #49
Apr 11, 2026
On this week’s show, we discuss how huge new visa fees threaten to worsen Alaska’s teacher shortage, how federal actions have opened new opportunities for graft, and how the Constitution’s 25th Amendment is not the panacea some hope it might be.
Valley Edition: Jesse Jones, InfraGard Alaska
Apr 11, 2026
Jesse Jones, Pacific Region Representative and National Programs Manager for InfraGard, joins host Mike Chmielewski on Valley Edition to discuss the current crypto-based scams targeting vulnerable populations.
Jen Mickelson, K-12 Outreach Director UAA College of Engineering
Apr 10, 2026
Join host Mike Chmielewski and his guest, Jen Mickelson, K-12 Outreach Director at the UAA College of Engineering, as they discuss the UAA Summer Engineering Academies.
Avalanche & Ski Report: April 10th, 2026
Apr 10, 2026
Andy Paul from the Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center and Ed Strable from the Mat-Su Ski Club join host Mike Chmielewski for this week’s Avalanche and Ski report. The report is current until 7:00 am Saturday, the 11th of April.
Inside The City: Palmer Museum of History and Art.
Apr 10, 2026
Join host Mike Chmielewski and his guests from the Palmer Museum of History and Art, Executive Director Dylainie Nathlich, and Collections Manager Richard Estelle as they discuss the upcoming summer season and the historical photo collecting process for the museum.
Page 2 Thu. April 9: Things to Do this Weekend
Apr 09, 2026
It’s time for Page Two: News that might not make the front page for Thursday April 9, 2026.
Let’s take a look into the crystal ball of things to do in the Mat-Su this weekend.
Shaun Paccaro plays the Palmer Alehouse Unplugged tonight. Paccaro mixes the warmth of Hawaiian Island melodies with the soul of Alaska. This free all ages show has limited seating. Attendees under 21 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. More info is on the Palmer Alehouse Facebook page.
Don’t forget the Nerdvana Trivia Night at the Silver Fox Inn tonight. Nerdvana Trivia features two fast-paced rounds of questions covering everything from pop culture to history. The contest runs from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. More info is on the Silver Fox Inn Facebook page.
Friday night is special for one of our favorite local humans. Ken Peltier’s birthday bash is taking over the Palmer Depot for a night of music, dancing, and good company. The party features a live set from the Ken Peltier Band and tasty treats from Pizza Ria Delphi. Doors open at 6 p.m. The party starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at eventbright.com. Let’s all wish Ken a happy birthday.
Tim Easton is playing two shows at the Hatcher Pass Lodge this weekend. Both the Friday and Saturday shows start at 4 p.m. and run until 7 p.m. The Hatcher Pass Lodge Facebook page has the details.
Saturday brings robots! The Mat-Su College Robotics Club is hosting the Mat-Su College Sumo Robotics Competition starting at 10 a.m. in the Glenn Massay Theater. The competition follows International Sumo Robotics rules. The rounds will last up to three minutes. A round ends when one robot pushes the other robot out of the sumo ring. Sounds like fun to see and cheer our local robot wrestlers.
The Mat-Su Animal Shelter is hosting a teddy bear check-up clinic on Saturday. Bring your favorite stuffed animal to the shelter for a free check‑up with a real veterinarian! This is a low‑pressure way to inspire the next generation of animal lovers and responsible pet guardians. The check-ups run from 1 to 3 p.m.
Saturday afternoon yields a book and beer lovers event. The third Annual Boozy Book Fair is hosted by Fireside Books and held at the Bleeding Heart Brewery on Saturday from 2 to 6 p.m. It celebrates our favorite genres: fiction, fantasy, sci-fi, and horror. Local authors Tamsin Ley, Sean Schubert, and W.B. Clark will be there to sign copies of their books. Don Rearden will stop by. Bleeding Heart Brewery is located on South Denali Street in Palmer.
Curious about riding a motorcycle but not sure where to start? Join Denali Harley-Davidson on Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. for an introduction to riding! This event is perfect for anyone who has thought about motorcycle riding and wants to learn in a relaxed, welcoming environment. There will be food, fun, and prizes, so bring a friend and make an afternoon of it! Denali Harley-Davidson is located on Hyer Road, just off the Parks Highway.
For the foot-powered enthusiast there is a Weekend Ramble Hike on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Reflections Lake hosted by Revel Treks and Tours. Reflections Lake Trail is an easy, level, 1-mile gravel and boardwalk loop just off the Glenn Highway next to the Knik River. It’s free for Revel Adventure Club members and first-timers to a Revel event; all others $15. Details and registration information available at reveltreksandtours.com
This was just a toe dipped into the many, many fun and informative events happening this weekend. Get out and shake the winter off. Go have some fun.
Page 2 airs weekdays at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:50 a.m., and 6 p.m.
Tune in at 89.7 in Palmer, 89.5 in Sutton, 88.3 in Chickaloon and Glacier View or online at bigcabbageradio.org
Please support Page 2 News. Donate today at bigcabbageradio.org.
This Page Two article was reported by Keith Peticolas and produced by yours truly, Lee Henrikson. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.
That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Thursday April 9, 2026.
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