Chanel Pratt from Pratt Family Farms joins host Ken Hoffman on Ag Matters.

Chanel talked about their farm and raising show lambs for FFA and 4-H. The farm also has cows, a mini donkey, and four dogs. Along with farming, Chanel and her husband have full-time jobs. They were also instrumental in establishing a local FFA Alumni Chapter that meets on the first Monday of every month at Palmer High School at 5:30 pm.

This comprehensive, easy-to-follow guide is the first resource to consider bone and joint health together. Learn which nutrients the body needs in what amounts, which anti-inflammatory ingredients to keep in your kitchen, and what exercises can help improve bone health. The great-tasting recipes are for everyone, from omnivores to vegans.

David Cheezem shares his thoughts on Bertolt Brecht’s 1939 play Mother Courage and Her Children.

The play explores the corrosive nature of war, the cyclical futility of conflict, the tension between wartime and peacetime morality, and how individuals become complicit in violence and exploitation for economic gain. 

Palmer Arts Council Managing Director Meggie Aube speaks with Mike Chmielewski about the council. It has been in operation for 25 years, offering a range of activities including musicals, plays, summer camps, art classes, and more.

The Palmer Arts Council offers free arts classes on Mondays for students aged 12-18. All supplies and materials are included. Classes are held from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm at the United Protestant Presbyterian Church (Log Church) in Palmer. 

The Palmer Arts Council first annual Fall Studio Tour is on Saturday, October 25th, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm. This event enables the community to visit the studios of local artists, view their work, and gain insight into their artistic processes. Visit the Palmer Arts Council’s Facebook page or their website, palmerarts.org, to learn more about these and other events.

This week, we review federal cuts to technical education, the implications for an Alaska LNG line, and growing South Korean doubts about investing in the US, as well as the concerns that the Founding Fathers had about irresponsible monetary policies. John also tries to answer another of Rachel’s news quizzes.

Palmer Fire Chief John Prevost and Police Sargent Richard Clark discuss October as Fire Safety Month & Domestic Violence Awareness Month with Mike Chmielewski.

Chief Prevost and Sargent Clark describe how the two departments work hand in hand. For example in a fire the police play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of onlookers, securing the scene, and helping to investigate whether there is a criminal aspect to the fire.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Per capita, Alaska is the state with the highest level of domestic violence. Sargent Clark explains the different levels of domestic violence and assaults, and how they are assigned to officers for investigation.

October is also Fire Safety Month, and in addition to talks in elementary schools and station tours, Chief Prevost invites everyone to an open house on October 18th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the fire station at 717 S. Cobb Street in downtown Palmer. There will be kids’ activities and fire safety demonstrations.

Mike Chmielewski and JL Spears discuss his first fiction novel, The Daemon Protocol.

In the book, Daniel Bennett thought he was building the future of medicine—an AI system designed to save lives. As the AI he nurtured begins making decisions no human can predict, Daniel confronts a terrifying truth: progress without limits might cost more than he’s willing to pay.

Mike Chmielewski welcomed Stephanie Tucker from Mat-Su Services for Children and Adults and Mark Lackey from CCS Early Learning. They talked about the free movie screening on Wednesday, Sept 25th about the Infant Learning Program. The short film is a day in the life of a development specialist, in the Infant Learning Program. Stephanie and Mark discussed funding and volunteering, both of which are crucial to these programs.

Amy Facklam and Rebekah Potter from the Alaska Literacy Project join Mike Chmielewski.

The Alaska Literacy Program is a volunteer-based community agency with a mission to change lives through literacy. For 50 years, ALP has taught adults to read, write, and speak the English language. Classes have expanded to include GED preparation, digital literacy courses, and online classes.

For more information, please check their website .

Palmer Mayor Steve Carrington and Mike Chmielewski enjoy talking during their last Mayor’s Minutes broadcast together. Their discussion of the City Council meeting of September 12th covered a range of topics from Robert’s Rules of Order to the Palmer Museum. Steve and Mike also shared memories of when the mayor began his duties in October 2022.