Briefcase

Fair recycling needs volunteers

The Alaska State Fair needs volunteers for its recycling program. Volunteers who donate at least four hours of their time to the program receive free entrance to the fair that day and help make a positive impact on their community and state.

For more information on the program or to volunteer, contact Linda Skalsky at 357-9387 or 355-0061.

Local creates new social networking site

Mat-Su Valley resident Michael Wellman Jr. has launched a new free social networking website this month called myfacezone.com. He said the idea is to create a site that will connect people from all walks of life. The site will allow users to upload pictures, graphics, send and receive messages, create events, manage photos, browse members, send member requests and customize your profile, watch the stock market and current news. Wellman is looking for users to signup, tryout the free site and respond with feedback. Use the Contact tab on the website to reach him.

Salvation Army welcomes new leaders

The Salvation Army Alaska Divisional Headquarters in Anchorage welcome new divisional leaders, Majs. George and Jeanne Baker. The veteran Salvation Army officers transferred from the Army’s Intermountain Division in Denver, Colo., where they had served the past five years, with Major George as the Divisional Secretary (Business Administrator) and Major Jeanne as the Divisional Women’s Ministries Secretary.

Majors Baker will be responsible for oversight of the Army’s ministry in Alaska in 16 communities from Klawock to Fairbanks, providing a variety of spiritual and practical ministries to meet the diverse needs of Alaskans. Majors Baker are excited for the opportunity to serve in Alaska and look forward to experiencing life in The Last Frontier.

Alaska Marine Highway System

adds real-time vessel tracking

The Alaska Marine Highway System’s redesigned and updated website features real-time vessel tracking. Nine of the 11 ferries in the fleet have been outfitted with satellite tracking hardware making it possible to view and track the location of each vessel in real time at FerryAlaska.com.

The two fast ferries, Chenega and Fairweather, are expected to be equipped with satellite communication equipment in the coming year.

Visitors to the new website will find the System Map on the main navigation page under the “Plan a Trip” tab. The tracking application makes it easy to search for vessels by name using a dropdown menu at the top of the page, and vessel icons can be clicked to reveal details about each ship.

Small Business Development Center

names new statewide director

University of Alaska Anchorage has named Debi Fowler as the new statewide director for the Alaska Small Business Development Center.

Fowler has been at UAA since 2007 when she was hired to serve as the Alaska SBDC’s Southcentral director and later as associate state director. In that position Fowler was responsible for operational management of the statewide program, including employee development planning, strategic planning and helping establish annual SBA goals for year-end reporting with business investments, client counseling hours and business start-ups. For more information, visit aksbdc.org.

Alaska Speakers Bureau recruiting members

Alaska Speakers Bureau is looking for presenters and trainers who are interested in expanding their speaking career to join their new organization.

The Alaska Speakers Bureau facilitates speakers for large and small corporations, professional and trade associations, meeting planners, educational or public institutions requiring keynote, motivational, after-dinner speakers, trainers, and conference facilitators.

For more information, contact the Alaska Speakers Bureau at 339-0178.

Toastmasters groups meet Tuesdays

There are weekly Toastmasters meetings in the Valley, one in Palmer in the evening and one in the morning in Wasilla. Mat-Su Toastmasters meets Tuesdays from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at the Wasilla Area Senior Center. And the Palmer Toastmasters meet Tuesdays from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. downstairs at the MTA Building in Palmer. Toastmasters groups offer an educational and supportive learning environment where you can improve and hone all of your communication skills. Learn to prepare and deliver a speech, provide effective evaluations, and think on your feet with impromptu speeches. For more information, contact Melissa Vega at 841-0077.