Tributaries
Tidbits from the Headwaters
Comment Period Open to Rename “Squaw” Locales
Two creeks and one “island” in the Copper Basin that bear the name “squaw” are designated to be renamed due to the derogatory nature of the word.
Glennallen Junior High Wrestlers
After nearly 2,000 miles, more than 120 matches, victories, defeats, learning and growing tougher mentally and physically, the Glennallen Middle School wrestling season culminated at the State Tournament on February 26 and 27.
Chamber Dinner Benefits Student Close Up Program
Moose soup and Indian tacos were on the menu at the Greater Copper Valley Chamber of Commerce fundraiser held to benefit the Glennallen High School Close Up Program on February 24. Attendees enjoyed dinner prepared and served by students involved in the program.
Lady Panthers Take Third In State Championships
The Glennallen Lady Panthers captured third place at the state 2A basketball tournament in mid-March. They edged Unalakleet, 39-38, in their first game of the tourney, before losing a hard-fought battle to the top-seeded Wrangell Wolf- pack, 33-25.
Valdez City Council Endorses Nuclear Microreactor Bills
At the March 15 Valdez City Council meeting, the council voted to approve Resolution #22-17 which urges “passage of Senate Bill 177 and House Bill 299.” If passed, the bill would exempt nuclear facilities under 50 megawatts from current regulations that require multi-agency review of a nuclear facility’s hazards and legislative designation of its site.
The First Snowmachine Ascent of Mount Wrangell
On April 6th, 1996, Martin Helkenn made the first ascent up Mount Wrangell on a snowmachine. The first modern “mountain” snowmachine was made in 1994: The Ski-Doo Summit. It was the machine that inspired all others that came after.
Proposed Bills Would Boost School Funding
Of the 129 education-related bills being considered by the state legislature, a few in particular are attracting the attention of school districts statewide: House Bills 272, 273, and 220.
Valdez Mayor’s Cup
The Valdez Mayor’s Cup took place on the weekend of March 19-20 with different classes competing, including pro, semi-pro, veterans, and different junior classes.
Lady Panthers Head to State Championship
The second-seeded Glennallen Lady Panthers won the Interior Conference Tournament in Tok last weekend, while the fourth-seeded boys team won one of three games before elimination.
It’s All Downhill From Here: Bluebell Gene Dispersal in a Changing Climate
Bluebells are ubiquitous in the Copper Valley, occupying varied habitats and microclimates. They are among the first splashes of color in the brown spring world, and continue to bloom well into summer. This common little flower is being studied by Ellen Waddle to answer some big questions about climate change. Waddle is a Ph.D. student working with Kennicott resident Dr. Dan Doak.
Running for Love
Jackie McMahan, a local of Gakona, has spent her winter preparing to run in a 260+ mile relay race, “Run for 3.21.” The three-day relay put on by the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS) will begin on Saturday, March 19 in New York City and will end in Washington, D.C., on March 21, World Down Syndrome Day.
Mountain Motivation: Kory Maillet
Vulnerability might be tough for most people, but for me it’s a hard thing to admit to. It’s been two and a half weeks since the Valdez Ice Climbing Festival ended and I am just now starting to feel myself again.
Copper Basin Energy: The Nuclear Option
At a time when high energy costs are a factor for many in Valdez and the Copper Basin, the Valdez City Council heard a presentation on a potential “micro modular” nuclear reactor (MMR) to be built in the vicinity of Valdez. Travis Million, CEO of the Copper Valley Electric Association (CVEA), and Christian Rabiti, director of Technology Strategy for Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation (USNC), presented this during a work session on February 17.
WRST Subsistence Resource Commission Opposes Cordova Dipnet Fishery
The Wrangell St Elias National Park Subsistence Resource Commission (SRC) held its spring meeting by phone on March 1. The commission’s main activity revolved around Fisheries Proposal 21-10 (FP 21-10).
FP 21-10 would allow federally qualified Cordova rural residents to fish for salmon from the west bank of the Copper River near mile 27 of the Copper River Highway to the east bank of the river near mile 38 using a rod and reel, spear, gaff, or dipnet.
The Wish Belly: Part XII
In this Serial Fiction, The Wish Belly, our nameless protagonist journeys through a world beneath the surface of our own, searching for his missing wife. He is accompanied by a strangely powerful cat.
Kennicott Guides Set High Bar for Packrafting Education
Eleven years ago, Spencer Williamson showed up in McCarthy for an internship at Kennicott Wilderness Guides (KWG). Within a decade, Williamson and the visionary owners of KWG created the first commercial packrafting courses with a curriculum recognized by the ACA, the oldest and largest paddle sport organization.
Removing the Mask of Papa Pilgrim
Elishaba grew up in the wilderness, in mountains, isolated from other people. But her physical wilderness was not based solely on the location. Her father kept her from knowing not only other families, but from having a relationship with her own family as well. Elishaba lived a life of suffering and turmoil that left her alone, isolated from all relationships but one: her abusive father, now known to the world as “Papa Pilgrim.”
Off-Grid Seed Starting
February can be a dangerous month for the avid gardener. February 2 is midwinter, exactly halfway between solstice and the vernal equinox and my brain turns towards summer and all the things I want to do when the snow is gone, the breeze is warm, and the sun is high.
What’s Love Got to Do With It?
“I live in reality, not La La land!” someone told me recently. I took the hit, and felt it settle over me. They were right. They live solidly in the world of what can be seen. But reality can be a lit- tle harsh for me sometimes. So I dream.
Copper River School District February Board Meeting
CRSD held their February Board meeting on the first. Lively discussion centered mostly on upcoming laptop purchases and a proposal for out-of-state conference travel.