Marla Greenstein-AK Commission on Judicial Conduct
May 22, 2024 12:00 PM
Maintaining Public Confidence in Alaska's Judiciary
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Mobile Food Pantry
Fairview Recreation CenterMay 11, 2024
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. -
Mobile Food Pantry
Fairview Recreation CenterJun. 08, 2024
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
It's A Boy!
We will be receiving Peter from Denmark in August. He is 16 and enjoys swimming, travel, is involved in Scouting and would like to work in finance when he grows up. He has no identified allergies and currently lives with a cat. I am looking for host families to be identified ASAP. If you know of a supportive family, please make them known to me and I will reach out. Remember youth exchange is the responsibility of the WHOLE club. Host families can be single parents, couples without children as well as families with children. If you or your candidate has questions, please share the contact information below for Lupe or Charles, our new Youth Exchange Officers. Thank you for your support of youth exchange. Ktj Katie Johnson Lupe Chavez lupechavez@live.com Charles Gunther guntherlaw@gci.net |
The AER Small Grants Committee and the AER Board approved a grant of $2,000 for the Safety and Security staff at Bettye Davis East High to purchase portable radios to enhance communication in the school.
Club Member Theresa Lyons, AER Liaison to Bettye Davis East High School Interact Club, delivered the check.
AER Club Member Theresa Lyons, Janeen Ceparano Wilkins, Student Services Assistant Principal, and Ron Brown, Head Principal.
Interact Club NEWS
by Anne Adasiak-Andrew
East Interact Club update:
In early March, East Interact Club collected boxes and boxes of clothing and hygiene kits to be delivered to the AWAIC shelter for mothers and children. Anchorage East Rotarian, Craig Bledsoe, came with his super van to assist in the delivery of all of the boxes to AWAIC. At the end of the month, Bettye Davis East High hosted a community job fair in the evening for both students AND families, to help everyone get connected to a job! East Interact club members arrived early to help with the set-up of the job fair, to welcome business representatives, and to assist families as they circulated through the job fair booths. Club sponsor, Kim Liland, really supports East’s students in engaging in initiatives that support their community and needs at East.
West Interact Club update:
In March, the West interact club made another 120 lunches for Brother Francis Shelter, bringing them to about 75% of their goal of 1,000 bag lunches for the year! Club sponsor, Jon Ruhlin, and his students have been very committed to achieving this goal this year.
Last week, AER Member, Tam Agosti-Gisler, made a presentation to the West Interact Club about her recent travels in India, and about her friend and fellow Rotarian, Dr. Nischal Pandy, who has opened an evening school for youth which also supports an Interact Club. Dr. Pandy told Tam that his students would like to connect with Anchorage interact students, and perhaps collaborate on a joint service-project together. It was suggested that both clubs do a trash clean-up campaign to improve our environments. This is something the West club has done previously in the spring as part of the Anchorage city-wide clean up, so West students were interested. It was suggested that students in both Interact clubs film the event on a phone and send a video report on the amount and type of trash collected to compare with each other. At the end of the Interact meeting, Tam recorded Club President, Alice Kim, sending an initial video greeting to Dr. Pandy’s students in India, to start building a connection.
One person can make a difference.
Allow me to introduce our most wonderful foreign exchange student, Majda (pronounced Mai-da, aka Magdalena) Frydrychova. She comes to us from the Czech Republic and will be here for the year. She is currently staying with the Folds/Berry family.
A busy student is a happy student. If you and or your family are heading out on an adventure (even if it’s just to Dave and Busters) please reach out. The following items are on her wish list:
1) Go on a dog sled
2) Ride in a float plane
3) Go to a shooting range
4) Go fishing
5) See a glacier
Activities don’t have to be that expansive she also enjoys movies, hiking and eating. Her contact information is:
907-331-9274
We are also looking for assistance getting her to and from the Rotary meetings. Please reach out to Katie if you’re able to be an occasional “goober” driver, ak.ktjohnson@gmail.com.
Lastly, we’re still looking to shore up one more host family. If you have friends or relatives in the East School zone that might be interested, please send Katie their contact information and she will follow up. We look to place the students for 3-4 months. If you live in the South or West school zones, never fear, Kt can still set you up! Downtown and South Rotary have young men that are looking for host families also.
Anchorage East Rotarians attended a Glacier Pilots game in July. President Kara Blake got to throw out the first pitch and Rotarians got to sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the seventh inning stretch!
A fun time was had by all!
President Kara Blake throwing out the first pitch
Rotarians and friends singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game"
South Anchorage Club is organizing a small fundraiser for Anchorage clubs by way of selling “Imagine Rotary” zip-up hoodies.
The zip-up hoodies will have the same Imagine Rotary logo on the back, and our club will have the Anchorage East Rotary name on the front. It appears the color of the hoodie is either a very light gray or white.
The hoodies will cost $26 per unit, which includes shipping, and we'll be selling them for $40 per unit, so there will be $16 that will go back to our club (small fundraiser).
The deadline to submit your order and payment will be 8/31/22.
The hoodies tend to run a little small, so if in doubt on sizing, please order the next size up from what you might usually order.
If you would like to order, please email Kara Blake with the following information:
First and Last Name
Size (XS - XX Large available)
Total Count ($40 per hoodie)
kara_mae@hotmail.com or phone 907-317–0068
Twenty-one Rotarians, friends and family member attended the Ghost Tour and Happy Hour last Wednesday. Thank you to Rick Goodfellow and Heather Flynn for the events! It was a great doubleheader!
Bruce and I recently had the pleasure of taking Hashmat, his wife, Morsal, and his little daughter, Hania, to our cabin in Talkeetna. We were lucky to have good weather, so the family spent a lot of time on the dock with Hania lying down looking into the water for minnows. Hashmat also helped us in a number of ways with chores around the cabin, which was a blessing for us. Morsal also made some tasty Afghan food to share with us. I'm sure Hashmat and his family would enjoy the opportunity to get to know other members of our club, if you are involved with an activity you could share with them, and he also would like to participate in the Mobile Food Pantry again, if someone can pick him up, since we will be out of town. --Sandra Wicks
Photo by Sandra WicksDear Fellow Rotarian,
Some of you may remember Hashmat, a fellow from Afghanistan who our club was assisting as he fled his native country after the Taliban took control. Since he worked for the US government, it was too dangerous for him to remain in Afghanistan. He left with his wife and daughter and is now living in Anchorage. He has been very appreciative of the help and friendship we have given him.
He asked me if I had a kayak or small boat that he could use as he would like to take his family out to enjoy some lakes in our area. He does not have much money so free family entertainment would be appropriate. I do not have any small water craft but thought I would but the word out to fellow Rotarians to see if any of you might be willing to loan any to Hashmat for the summer.
If so, please give me a call. 907-830-4858.
Thanks, Rich
Thanks to all the Club members who came out to help clean up Northern Lights Boulevard. We had a good crew, made quick work of the task, and enjoyed Margaritas at the end.
The 2022 Clean Up Crew: Rich Dyson, Eva Khadjinova, Amanda Hesser, Katie Johnson, Craig Bledsoe, Carolyn Jones, Sandra Phelps, Barbara Kagerer, Bruce Phelps, Steven Tucker and Daniel Cheyette.
Several Anchorage East Rotarians attended the District 5010 Conference in Talkeetna. Attendees include Kara Blake, Katie Johnson, Jay Jackson, Amanda Hesser, Allison Capps, Marjorie Poggas and Paul Paslay. Looks like a good time was had by all!
Bartlett graduating senior, Lucy Atkinson, receives one of the five scholarships for $2,000 from Anchorage East Rotary on April 20th at Bartlett Awards Night. Past President Jeff Blake and President-Elect Kara Blake (a Bartlett graduate herself) were the official AER presenters at the event.
Bartlett High School senior, Katelyn Foley, receives the $2,000 Gene Furman Accounting Scholarship on April 20th from Past President Jeff Blake, and President-Elect Kara Blake. The Furman Scholarship is funded completely by Gene Furman, an 18-year member of Anchorage East Rotary, for students who wish to pursue a post-secondary accounting course of study.
AER's Exchange Student
Peter News and HOST FAMILIES
As a reminder:
1) Peter is up for adventures and loves to be chased down the ski slopes by terrified Rotarians (just ask Frank) reach out to him at 907-331-9274.
2) We're still looking for a home for him preferably in the South School zone.
Peter attended our April 3 meeting! Always nice to see him and have a chat.
NEWS from Denmark
Denmark wants court to dissolve Danish arm of Bandidos motorcycle club, citing violence
LA Times April 10, 2024
Members of the Bandidos wait in front of the court in Muenster, western Germany, on June 10, 2008. ((Roberto Pfeil / Associated Press)) © Provided by LA Times
Denmark’s government said Wednesday it wants a court to formally dissolve the Danish arm of the Bandidos motorcycle club, citing the group’s violent behavior.
Under Denmark’s constitution, an organization that promotes or incites violence can be dissolved by court order, meaning that it would be illegal for the group to have clubhouses, hold meetings or wear their insignias.
“The freedom of association was not created to protect vicious criminals,” Justice Minister Peter Hummelgaard said at a news conference Wednesday, adding that the Bandidos had engaged in especially “brutal behavior.”
The Danish chapter of Bandidos MC was created in 1993. Three years later, a feud between them and rivals Hells Angels broke out in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark, ending with 11 dead and nearly 100 wounded.
In recent years, members of the Bandidos in Denmark have been jailed for murder, attempted murder, assault and drug-related crimes.
On Tuesday, two members of the Bandidos were sentenced to 13 years each for a murder south of Copenhagen. Three other people linked to the gang were sentenced up to two years for gross violence in connection with the assault.
Hummelgaard said the government would seek a dissolution order against the Bandidos and that other similar organized gangs could also face dissolution. “I would like to have them all banned if it is legally possible,” he said.
Authorities have given no estimate of the number of members of the Bandidos. Police say some 1,200 people in Denmark are members of criminal gangs, which also include groups besides the Bandidos, but does not include informal members.
The head of the Danish police’s National Special Crime Unit, Lasse Boye, told broadcaster DR that the Bandidos were the largest and “most violent” gang in Denmark, and that the group has been "expanding very significantly in recent years.”
“That is why we have chosen to come after the Bandidos,” he told DR.
The lawyer representing the Bandidos, Michael Juul Eriksen, told broadcaster TV 2 that he was not surprised by the move after the government said in June that authorities were looking into disbanding the group.
In September 2018, Danish police issued a temporary nationwide ban against the Loyal to Familia organized criminal group. In 2021, Denmark’s Supreme Court agreed with a lower court’s conclusion that the group was a threat to public order, and the group has since been dissolved.
Hashmat is looking for a narrow table 4 feet long. If you would like to donate one, please call Rich Dyson @ 907-830-4858.
Many of us at Anchorage East Rotary have had the pleasure of meeting Hashmat Sarweri our friend who is a recent refugee from Afghanistan. He has attended Zoom club meetings and was at the Mobile Food Pantry last Saturday. Several of us have been working to help him and his wife Morsal and their two-year-old daughter Hania adjust to life in Anchorage.
Surprisingly the federal resettlement program which is being administered locally by Catholic Social Services only provides three months of cash benefits. March is their last month of support.
We have identified seven areas where Hashmat could use help. Please reply to David Hoffman if you can help in an area of need.
Fulltime employment: Hashmat has a job at Fire Island Bakery from noon to 5:00 five days pr week. He is seeking a fulltime computer technology job. He has a B.S. degree in Information Technology from an Afghan University. He worked for an American contractor in Afghanistan doing IT support.
Transportation: Hashmat relies on the bus system for transportation and needs more options, i.e., rides, a used car, etc.
Social opportunities: Hashmat speaks excellent English but Morsal does not yet. She is studying English on-line.
IT Consulting business: Hashmat has a business license and has begun doing hardware and software troubleshooting. I have hired him and he has done an excellent job for me. His rate is $40 per hour.
Benefits assistance: Advocate for Hashmat and his family with Catholic Social Services and identify any potential additional services for which the family may qualify.
Spiritual assistance: Provide transportation for Friday prayer service.
If you have attended any recent Club meetings, then you likely have met or at least heard of Hashmat (aka Qais) who along with his wife Morsal and daughter Hania are new residents of Anchorage, relocated to the US after leaving Afghanistan this past fall. Our Club has been assisting Hashmat and his family resettle in Anchorage and look for work. Led by Elanor Andrews, Sandra Wick and others, our Club is working together to make their transition to a new life in Anchorage as smooth as possible.
While Hashmat is still looking for full-time work in IT, he has found part-time work at Fire Island Bakery! Congratulations Hashmat! Thank you to all Club members who have taken part in the efforts to help Hashmat and his family. I can think of few things more quintessential Rotarian than this!
Calling all Rotarians!
District 5010 is proud to host the 28th annual Rotary Youth Leadership Awards at the Salvation Army’s King’s Lake Camp, Wasilla, AK, USA – April 14th – 17th, 2022.
RYLA is a program for teens that are high school sophomores and juniors/in grade 10 and 11. Anchorage East Rotary will be providing this opportunity to three teenagers and we need some enthusiastic volunteers to make it happen!
- Interview process: We need 2 individuals to review the applications and meet the candidates (via zoom or in person) to select our teens
- Chaperone: No better way than to mentor a group of teens from throughout Alaska! The club pays your fees
- Transportation: We need an individual with a vehicle or possibly a donation for a shuttle to transport our teens and chaperone to Wasilla and their return trip.
Anchorage East Rotary, Honorary Member Eleanor Andrews is currently featured in the Black Lives in Alaska: Journey, Justice, Joy exhibition at the Anchorage Museum (https://www.anchoragemuseum.org/exhibits/black-lives-in-alaska-journey-justice-joy/). This exhibition, told through archival photos and collected materials, showcases the richness and resilience of Black lives in Alaska.
Eleanor’s personal archives are on display on the second level Mezzanine. Carefully curated with Eleanor, these materials highlight Alaska’s rich and diverse histories through photographs, documents, awards, and other materials. The Anchorage Museum is working with History Makers and community historians to bring in personal collections, and we look forward to sharing more stories as part of this ongoing effort.
The last day to see this exhibition in person will be on February 13, 2022. Please check the Museum website ahead of your visitor for updated hours of operation and Covid-19 protocols.
It’s 1870 in the town of Dead Man, Kansas, USA. There’s a big crowd whoopin’ it up in Dead Man’s Saloon. The clock on the wall shows high noon, but then, it always does. All at once, word spreads that there’s going to be a shootout on Main Street. The crowd rushes outside to watch, but the street is deserted. Suddenly, two shots ring out from behind them, inside the saloon.
Who's the bad egg and who's above board? You gotta play to find out! *Limit 14 people
Costumes are highly recommended. Awards for Best Costume and Best Performance. Be there or be square!
Attendees who do not wish to participate in the murder mystery are welcome to attend to watch the scandal unfold (but please still RSVP to receive the zoom link!)
Bring your own cocktails! It will be a hog-killing time!
Details:
February 26. 2022 - This date was the preferred date by the greatest number of respondents.
Social half-hour (join zoom at any time): 5-5:30 pm
Murder Mystery: 5:30-7:30 pm
Are you ready for a whodunit? Giddy up! RSVP HERE: https://forms.gle/ud84XpJ6oqrjTXjb7
Several club members got together this past weekend for a virtual gingerbread house social. A great time was had by all!
Craig Bledsoe won best "prefabricated house," Katie Johnson, Allison Capps and Amanda Hesser won best team house, and Peyton and Piper Dyson won best overall and best individual houses.
Thanks to all who participated!
February is World Understanding Month on the Rotary Calendar and as I scroll through our membership list, I am gratified to realize how many of our members were born and raised outside of the United States. The fact that we all work well together on projects, converse freely and happily amongst ourselves, and enjoy genuine friendships with those from different cultures and religions is the essence of world understanding. Additionally, we have hosted many exchange students over the years who have been able to share their perspectives with us and we with them. My parents hosted an exchange student from Indonesia and one from Argentina which was a tremendous learning experience not only for our club but for my brother and me as we absorbed cultural views in some cases completely different from our own. Our family has traveled extensively throughout the world sometimes with Rotary. In doing so we have maintained friendships around the globe which has enhanced our concept of World Understanding. I salute Rotary for dedicating this month as they have to promote peace. I hope you will join with me in recognizing and embracing the diversity which we have been gifted. I believe it will build the necessary connections to have peace flourish.
A large groups of Anchorage East Rotarians had a great Saturday night pairing wine with Halloween candy. My favorite candy pairing with every wine was candy corn. Katie Johnson and Rich Dyson tied for King and Queen of Halloween trivia.
Great to see such a large group participating. Join the fun next time!
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Do Good, Have Fun, Make Friends
Anchorage, AK 99502
United States of America