Category: Uncategorized

May 17, 2022

Lisle, IL and Wasilla, AK – Durham School Services (DSS), a leader in school transportation, will begin a much anticipated and exciting 10-year partnership with the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District (MSBSD) in Wasilla, AK starting this July. This will be DSS’ second venture in Alaska as it currently serves the students of the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District. The new partnership with the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District will allow DSS to expand its role as a positive change agent in Alaska, contributing to the betterment of the Wasilla community through its Partners Beyond the Bus community outreach program.

For the next ten years, DSS will work collaboratively with the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District to run an estimated 148 routes to transport its students to school safely, on time, and ready to learn. Buses will be equipped with best-in-class safety monitoring systems and technology such as Zonar, Lytx DriveCam, Gatekeeper CCTV cameras, and two-way radios.

“We are embarking on an exciting new journey with Durham School Services,” said Dr. Randy Trani, MSBSD Superintendent. “We chose DSS to serve our community after careful consideration based on safety, reliability, and quality of service. We are looking forward to this new partnership.”

“Each community has its own unique needs when it comes to student transportation. This is especially true for Wasilla because of their unique climate and terrain,” said Jim Ring, Senior Vice President of DSS’ West Operations. “We did our research and really took time to learn firsthand about the school district and community’s needs. We will hit the ground running this summer and provide the Mat-Su community with the safe and reliable service for which we have been known for the past century.” If you are interested in making a positive impact in your community, consider joining the Durham School Services team in the Mat-Su Valley area. Durham School Services offers competitive wages, paid training, sign-on bonuses, health, dental, and life insurance, 401k with match, paid holidays and sick time, the option to bring your child on the bus with you as you work, and more. Learn more and apply online.

About Durham School Services: As an industry-leading student transportation provider, Durham School Services is dedicated to the safety of our students and People, transporting more than *one million students daily and employing approximately 20,000 drivers across North America (*Pre-COVID Figures). For more than 100 years, we have been committed to Excellence and upholding our mission of getting students to school safely, on time, and ready to learn. Through this mission and a grassroots approach to our operations, Durham School Services has earned recognition as a trusted transportation provider among our Customers and the Communities we serve.

May 4, 2022

HOMER – A newly released film, “Not So Swell,” produced by Homer-based Affinityfilms, aspires to educate doctors, patients and the general public about lymphedema. The 30-minute film and a series of 16 shorter segments are now available for free viewing by Alaskans at www.affinityfilms.org/not-so-swell/.  Lymphedema is a swelling in the arm, torso or legs that is caused by a blockage in the lymphatic system, which is commonly the result of lymph node removal or radiation damage following cancer treatment.

“Nearly 250 million people worldwide have lymphedema, but amazingly, even many people within the medical field are just becoming aware of it,” says Mary Katzke, owner of Affinity Films, which produced “Not So Swell.”

Katzke had breast cancer 30 years ago and recently experienced lymphedema firsthand, which inspired her to create a film, a video library and a list of online resources anyone can use to learn more. The project is sponsored by the Mat-Su Health Foundation and Alaska Run For Women. The Lymphedema Education and Research Network (LE&RN) also assisted with the project and will be sharing the film with its network. The film is available to Alaskans for free. All others can download it for $14.99.

Others involved with producing “Not So Swell” include Robyn Bjork of Wasilla. She is the founder, CEO/president and executive director of education for the International Lymphedema & Wound Training Institute and a physical therapist who is an expert in the field of wound care and lymphedema management. Leslie Moore is a certified lymphatic therapist (CLT) from Anchorage’s Anodyne Pain and Wellness Solutions who has been treating edema conditions since 2005. Moore has attended international lymphatic symposiums and met with world-renowned lymphatic specialists and surgeons to broaden her knowledge and referral sources. However, she says her best education comes from patient experiences on a daily basis.

Up to 40 percent of people who are treated for cancer end up with lymphedema. Others are born with it (although it’s a different type of lymphedema). Early detection is important because treatments can prevent severe consequences later on. With the proper treatment, lymphedema symptoms can be managed and controlled. The short clips included on the website also include staff training sessions that physicians and others in the medical field can use to inform their staff about lymphedema. Physician offices also can contact Katzke at MaryKatzke@gci.net to request a supply of rack cards that have been produced to promote the informational website and film. Speakers are available to talk to groups about lymphedema.

Affinityfilms, Inc., is a nonprofit media production company formed in 1982. The company has a long history of coordinating projects around cancer. Others have included six documentary films on cancer, many public service announcements (PSAs), wellness calendars and the photo exhibits “Alaskans in Pink” and “Pandemic Portraits”, currently exhibiting around the state. Learn more at www.affinityfilms.org.

Presented by Badminton Goes Viral, a nonprofit group promoting youth badminton

WHO: Badminton Goes Viral, a nonprofit group promoting youth badminton

WHAT: Alaska State Badminton School Team Championships

WHEN: Saturday, April 2, 2022

9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WHERE: Chugiak High School

A total of 134 teams and 268 students will participate in this co-ed badminton tournament, including youth ages eight to 18 from the Anchorage School District, Mat-Su Borough School District and Lower Kuskokwim School District. This is the third year the championships have been held (2018, 2019 and 2022) and participation is up by 60 percent.

Badminton is the second most-played sport in the world. It is unique in that there is little, if any size, weight or gender advantage or disadvantage. Anyone can play.

Three-time Olympic badminton pro Howard Bach will be present at this year’s tournament in Alaska. Bach won the 2005 World Badminton Championship in men’s doubles with partner Tony Gunawan.  He retired in 2013, but continues to work to promote the sport of badminton. Bach will be doing two demos and a life story chat during the tournament.

The public is invited to come watch the badminton play, and admission is free. Masks are recommended, but not mandatory. The tournament also is a fundraiser for Chugiak High School.

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 ANCHORAGE – It’s been a long winter, and two years since outdoors enthusiasts have been able to gather, but the 2022 Great Alaska Sportsman Show is ON for Friday through Sunday, April 1-3. The show is a great way to learn about the latest outdoor gear, hunting, fishing and outdoor adventure advice and services, and Alaskans can take advantage of show specials to get the gear they need to enjoy the outdoors this summer. The 37^thannual Great Alaska Sportsman Show has moved to a new venue in 2022 – Dena’ina Civic & Convention Center in downtown. 

Over 200 vendor booths will fill the trade show area on the first floor of Dena’ina Center. There also will be a seminar area on the show floor, offering free hourly educational seminars. Concessions also will be available. Show hours are 10 am to 8 pm on Friday, April 1, 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday, April 2 and 10 am to 5 pm on Sunday, April 3. Admission is $11 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under. Special rates will be offered on Friday for seniors 60 and over from 10 am to 12 noon for $6.50 and for military with ID from 4 to 8 pm for $6.50 The same military and senior discount will be offered again on Sunday from 10 am to 12. Although we will not have our fishing or casting pond at the show this year, we are already planning and building the show up to pre-covid size, and will be bringing back all the same feature favorites in 2023.

 “We are so excited to welcome our long-time vendors and several new businesses to the 2022 show,” said Steve Shepherd, Show Manager of the Great Alaska Sportsman Show. “I think we are all anxious to get outside and to have some fun this summer. All the information, advice and gear you need to get started will be present at this show.”

The 2022 Great Alaska Sportsman Show will feature boat, off-road vehicle, RV and camper vendors located outside of Denaina Center on 7^thAvenue. In the first floor trade show arena, you’ll find booths featuring hunting, boating, fishing and hunting advice, products and services. Tourism representatives from Homer, Kenai, Kodiak, the Mat-Su Valley, Seward, Soldotna, Valdez and Whittier also will be available to answer questions about everything to do in their areas. Fish and Game Wildlife and Fish Biologists and a number of vendors and other experts will present hourly, free seminars throughout the show. Included are presentations on Cold Water Survival, Halibut 101, Off-Grid Solar options, hunting, fishing, flyfishing and much more. A full list of seminars will be posted on the website soon.

Show attendees should be aware that there are currently no city or state mandates in effect for COVID-19. Everyone attending the show is encouraged to wear a mask, social distance and to wash their hands frequently, according to their personal comfort level. 

The closest parking for showgoers is on the street at meters (free after 6pm Friday and all weekend) or for $1/hour at the 6^th& H Street Garage. The Linny Pacillo Parking Garage will be open for parking after 5:30 pm on Friday night and all day Saturday and Sunday, also for $1/hour. Learn more at www.greatalaskasportsmanshow.com.