CHUGIAK DOG MUSHERS ASSOCIATION - General Meeting – Aug 3, 2010

2009/2010 Race Results

CHUGIAK DOG MUSHERS ASSOCIATION - General Meeting – April 06, 2010

7 pm at the Clubhouse - Call to order at 7:05 PM
Board Members
Present: Lexi Hill, Ron Adler, Jennifer Payne-Sterling, Lois Rockcastle, Ed Wood, Jackie Fabrizzio
Absent: Susan Cantor, Shirley Gavin, Dixie Waddell

CDMA Elections: Ballots will be in the mail this weekend. Please complete and return as soon as possible. Thank you!

Race Rule Changes: One of the many agenda items raised for the Board is a thorough review of race rules and make the necessary changes.

Gaming Permit: Lexi Hill provided an update to members on the progress towards affiliating with Tudor Road Bingo as a revenue stream for next year.

Beach Lake Master Plan: An unexpected outcome of the community input to the planning process will be the requirement to obtain a permit to operate a motorized vehicle in back of a dog team. Details to be worked out over the summer.

Website: Ron Adler and Lexi Hill will set a meeting with Theresa Daily to discuss upgrades to the website, including an interactive component so mushers can register for races. There was a general discussion and bias to reimburse a webmaster to update the site and keep it current.

Race Schedule: A topic to be addressed by the incoming Board will be changes to the race schedule. One suggestion is to move the Chugiak 50/32 to the weekend after the 'Classic' and drop the 36/20.

Trails Open House: Adding to the 'To Do' list is the suggestion to hold a Trails Open House during the summer and continue to outreach the community and build a positive image (CDMA) to the public.

Memorial Bulletin Board: Develop a Memorial for those dogs mushers want to acknowledge in the Clubhouse.
Meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM. - Next meeting: Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Dog Behavior Study - UAA

Easter Race April 3rd

• The course is two miles, backwards.
• No. of dogs: two minimum, four maximum (juniors must stay within their age limits).
• Entry fee: one hard-boiled, colored Easter egg per dog. all must be carried in the sled by each musher in anything except an egg carton.
• Once the first team member is off the start line, only a chute judge or team member may assist.
• Penalties: + 5 seconds added to the total elapsed time for each cracked egg. +15 seconds added to the total elapsed time for each dog in the team over two dogs. 15 seconds subtracted from the total time when in costume, per each team member.
• Each team member must carry all of their eggs on their respective runs. The second musher can have their dogs harnessed and must be chained to the truck, and only hooked to the gang-line after the first musher of their team comes back in and "tags up". (don't forget to transfer the eggs).
• Eggs will be looked for at the start line of the first team member going out. After the second team member crosses the finish line, the eggs will be checked for cracks. "no eggs" will be counted as a cracked egg. Be sure to be well clear of the finish line for this checking of eggs.
  
  One doggers must also carry one Easter egg. There will be an Easter egg hunt on the one dog trail after the awards ceremony in the club house.
  
  This is a fun event, come early to get signed up, and there will be a draw for start position. (come early and get the coveted parking spots) Happy Easter ~ Ron Kilian
  
  

Volunteers Needed

Mushing 36:

1. Sign up 5PM, Driver’s meeting 5:30, start time 6PM
2. Need to be a club member and pay $15.00 entry fee for Seniors
3. Juniors would pay a membership fee to race $15.00
4. Juniors can run the 36 or 20
5. Juniors who are 14 or older and have completed something like Willow 100, Junior Quest/Iditarod can race and race 10 dogs
6. Senior/Junior 10 dog limited
7. 9 dog Purebred class can run either race
8. Prizes: Mushing 36 will pay the first senior 3 places at the following rate: 1st place 50% of ½ the race entry fee, 2nd place 30% of ½ the race entry fee, 3rd place 20% of ½ the race entry fee, rest will be prizes

Please let us know if you have any other questions.

Jr Classic - Mar 13 & 14

Club Updates

January 20, 2010: Our trail groomers need help getting some brush cut on the alternate side of the trail system and have requested your help! Please take the time between your runs to go out and help in this effort. Remember, the groomers are unpaid volunteers who have put in 100’s of hours to make our trail system enjoyable and safe. Thanks, The Groomers

January 20, 2010: We mushers need to show our interest in the Beach Lake Master Plan Update at the last two Eagle River/Chugiak Community Councils for January. Please attend either or both, the Chugiak or Birchwood Community Council meetings and voice your opinion on the Beach Lake Master Plan alternatives to the planners presenting that evening. The meeting dates, times and locations are below: Tomorrow (Jan. 21) is the Chugiak Community Council meeting that starts at 7 pm at the Chugiak Benefit Association South bldg. (18530 Old Glenn Hwy). The Birchwood Community Council will meet Jan. 27 at 7pm at the Beach Lake Ski Chalet, 17300 South Birchwood Loop. Now is the time to raly support for the CDMA position on the Beach Lake Master Plan Update! Ron Adler CDMA Secretary


January 10, 2010 - DMA MUSHERS and INTERNATIONAL SPRINT RACERS......are you ready for the Business Person's Race and the Eagle River Classic? What follows is the schedule of events for this all important weekend for Alaska's premier winter sport.

Wait a minute......before you read the details of the schedule, please note that Dixie Waddell is in need of additional items for the ever popular Chinese Auction which follows the CDMA Musher Banquet and Awards Ceremony Sunday evening. If you have items please contact Dixie at 688-2610.

CDMA Trail Committee will determine the final race trail and mileage based on trail conditions prior to the event. Stay tuned for additional updates during the week.

Friday January 15 - 6:30pm Eagle River Classic Sign-up and Businessperson’s Race Media Sheet and Release paperwork completion
7:00pm Bib Draw (for starting position) for the Businessperson’s Race at the Beach Lake Sled Dog Trails Club House – If you are unable to attend – The club will draw a bib for you

Saturday January 16 - Parking will be tight -Please follow the direction of the parking guides
11:00am – Decorated Sled Judging (optional) – at the hitch up posts and come earlier if you plan to participate
11:15am – Businessperson Drivers (Racers) Meeting – to finalize paperwork, be issued bibs and receive briefing from the Racer Marshall – in the club house

12:00 noon – Businessperson’s Race
1:00pm (approx) – Businesspersons Race results and trophies - in the club house
1:15pm – Eagle River Classic Drivers Meeting
2:00pm – 1st Heat of the Eagle River Classic

Sunday January 17
11:30am – 6dog, 8-mile Race Drivers Meeting
12:00 noon - 6dog, 8-mile Race
1:15pm – Eagle River Classic Drivers Meeting
2:00pm – 2nd Heat of the Eagle River Classic
6:00pm – Banquet at Bella Vista Restaurant, Peters Creek Exit, Glenn Hwy
7:00pm – Dinner Served (tickets $TBD and will be available at the above events)
8:00pm – Awards
8:20pm (approx) - the fund raising auctions – bring your dollar bills

Questions? call 688-1544 or email jacqfab@gci.net

Eagle River Classic: Expect to see more information coming to you about the Eagle River Classic, Business Persons Race and the CDMA Mushers Banquet all happening Friday evening January 15 (sign ups), Saturday, January 16 (Business Persons Race, Eagle River Classic) and Sunday, January 17 (Eagle River Classic, CDMA Mushers Banquet). WOW-What a weekend! Details and schedules to follow.

Business Person Updates: Chugiak Dog Mushers Business Persons Race to be held on Saturday, January 16, 2010 at the Beach Lake Trails. The Club continues to look for more teams. If you are a senior musher and have dogs/sleds available, please contact Ron Kilian (rjk@ak.net) (694-6220). We are also looking for more sponsors, and needless to say, this is a terrific, fun-filled fund raiser for the Club! Business Person Entry Form (PDF) Business Person Letter (PDF)

Trail Report: From Alan Peck - Some of the base trails have changed over the summer. The military has widened and extended roads that include some used for mushing. The 25 mile trail is now affected and includes Clunie Lake Road to Four Corners and from Four Corners north one mile on Corners-Beach Lake Road. The Ridge Trail of the 25 Mile Loop is unaffected. Plowing has not occurred on these new road sections so all currently is OK for sleds. While I have not been up the Clunie Lake boat ramp and onto the Lake Road toward the Ridge Trail recently, it should be OK from seeing both ends of the trail.

Barbara and I took teams to brake out and stake 3 miles of trail near Clunie Lake. We've made 6 to 8 passes over these new trails so far so they are setting up well now. There is a one mile Swamp loop that departs and returns to the lake perimeter trail on the north lobe of Clunie Lake. We put in the spur at the far northern end of the loop which ties into the Ridge Trail of the 25 Mile Loop. Also, the 14 mile loop is broken out and staked. As in the recent past, this trail continues through the woods from the 12 mile, loops around the swamps to the east and south of Clunie, then exits onto the lake.

Meeting Discussion: there was a 'robust' discussion last night at the CDMA general membership meeting regarding numerous hazards on the trail system with snowmachines, skiers and people out for a leisurely stroll with pet dogs off leash. In the absence of signage, people think the CDMA Trail system is a 'multi-use' park, which it is not. Several mushers commented on the difficulty in controlling their teams with off-leash dogs running around. This problem will be addressed by the Board as soon as possible.

2010 Business Person's Race

The Businessperson’s Race is a three-dog, two-mile sprint sled dog race on the groomed trails at Beach Lake Park Sled Dog Trails - Chugiak, Alaska.  CDMA Mushers provide the dogs, sled and training, your company provides the businessperson! The Businessperson’s Race entry fee of $150 helps provide trail maintenance, educational speakers, and the continued high quality of dog mushing in our area for youth and adult, racing and recreational, mushers. Businesses are encouraged to make banners or other decorations pertaining to their business for their sled. Sleds will be judged prior to the race by a panel of judges.

The event promises to be filled with fun and all participants will take home their Businessperson’s Race bib.  Trophies will be awarded to the winners of the race and the sled-decorating contest.

Play a part in preserving the heritage of our State Sport, Dog Mushing, by entering a team (or teams!) in the CDMA 2010 Businessperson’s Sled Dog Race on Saturday, January 16, 2010 of the Eagle River Classic Weekend

Business Person Entry Form (PDF) Business Person Letter (PDF)

Kink 200 is on as scheduled - Let's Rally !

THE KNIK 200 WILL BE ON as scheduled! All of the race paper work and entries were lost in the Braden's house fire. The race entries and purse will be donated to Kit Bradens. Kit's husband, Bruce died in the house fire. Kit is in ICU with smoke inhalation. All their dogs are okay. Kit will need all the help we can give her.

All you mushers, lets give Bruce a huge send off and help Kit out by running in this year Knik 200... If your not a musher, then please volunteer or donate what you can, lets show Kit that in dark & tragic times that there is a sparkling gleam of light.... Pass the word gang! For questions, sign ups and sign up confirmations please call Harry Caldwell 907-373-1300

CDMA MEMBERS: Christmas Solstice Party

Trail & Race Updates  Chugiak Dog Mushers - Call 689-7899   

Dec 15, 2010 - Based on the current snow conditions, we are planning to hold Jr and Sr Cheechako Races this coming weekend. As soon as the snow stops and trails groomed, and depending on trail conditions, we will make a decision on Points #3. Those who have volunteered (or want to volunteer!) to time, hold sleds, work sign ups, etc., should contact Ron Kilian for the Juniors (rjk@ak.net, 694-6220) or Lexi Hill for the seniors (lexi.hill@gmail.com, 688-6051) to indicate their availability for this weekend. We need help!! Expect another message Wednesday or Thursday on trail conditions and the status of the points race. ~ Ron Adler

Dec 15, 2009 - The entire trail system is great for sleds and there is one tree from the snow that is down across the trail…when you come up off the inlet and make the first right turn and head down the hill......it is there, otherwise so far, no trees are down. So, anyone going out to run that section of the trail, if they have a chain saw, will need to cut it out .~ Val

Musher Feed & Supply - Wasilla, Alaska
Mushers Feed & Supply now has blocks of chicken, beef, turkey & beef available. Order yours today! Our hours are flexiable. We can work with your schedule. Annamaet Ultra, Impact, Glycocharge, Endure, Momentum, good clean local straw, harnesses, neck lines, Algyval, snow hooks etc...
call 376-5273 or 373-8545, email us.

Be part of the Planning! Join us Nov 18, 6-8:30 pm at the Eagle River Town Center community room

BEACH LAKE REGIONAL PARK, MASTER PLAN UPGRADE - Beach Lake is a Regional Park, located in the Chugiak area off South Birchwood Loop Road. The municipal park consists of 1,750 acres iincluding 145 acres annexed in 2007, referred to as the NW1/4, Section 25.

WHY:  Beach Lake Regional Park represents a large portion of Chugiak-Eagle River’s municipal parkland. Given the growing population base and land use densities in the Chugiak-Eagle River area, the park is clearly a major asset, both in terms of preserving natural, scenic open space, but also as a and base for recreational facility development. An update for the Beach Lake Regional Park Master Plan is needed to provide guidance for future recreational development and determine appropriate uses, including the recent park expansion to include the NW ¼ of Section 25.

Who: Eagle River/Chugiak Parks, Recreation & Community Development hired consultants to provide site assessment, wetland expertise, public involvement, and planning services. The team is led by Land Design North, and includes HDR for engineering and Agnew::Beck for public involvement support.

When: The planning process is starting fall 2009 and should be completed in mid-March 2010. Team work includes analysis of existing environmental and site conditions, park access, and uses. The team also will perform a recreational needs assessment, assess existing facilities, and talk with current and prospective park users and stakeholders.

Public process includes presentations to the ER/C Park Board, a kick-off Public Meeting on November 18th, followed by another community wide meeting in February. Community Council presentations and Citizen’s Advisory Group will also be used to provide input and direction. By early spring, a draft plan will be ready for public and ER/C Park Board review.

CDMA Members:

CDMA will return to the usual meeting schedule for General Membership Meetings this Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at 7:00 PM. Look forward to seeing everyone at the Clubhouse. There are a number of business topics to discuss, including the Beach Lake Master Plan

Junior Race Results - Reported by Hali Young
Saturday, December 20th 2008 - The Chugiak Dog trails at Beach Lake were perfect thsi past weekend! They were nice and packed down. It was a little foggy and not the warmest. It was a blast anyway!
Here are the race results: 1 dog: (1). Brandon Sterling 1:03 (2).Stacy Sterling 1:04 ( 3).Zach Barnhart 1:08 (4).Zach Maruski 1:16 (5).Nick Wassilie 1:18 (6).Ronald Dombrowski 1:30 (7). Erica Quiett 1:42 - 2 Dog: (1).Zada Maruskie 6:43 (2).Andy Noble 6:55 (3).Tasha Quiett 7:04 (4).Kenzie Barnhart (5).Hali Young (6). Peyton Young (7). Melissa Wassilie (8).Joey Dombrowski - 5 Dog (1). Morgan Summers 13:42 (2). Tilly Cantor 14:12 (3). Alea Robinson 15:27 (4). Matilda Jacobson

I know this is the busy last weekend before Christmas, but please consider volunteering for half a day at least! Please e-mail me so I'll have some idea of how many volunteers we have!

2008 JR & SR CHEECHAKO RACE

The Chugiak Mushers hosted the 2008 Cheechako race at Beach Lake Park on Sunday, December 07, 2008. The race is traditionally the first race of each season and is run by novice/beginning mushers. Eight brave mushers came out to challenge each other running 3 dogs on the 2 mile trail. At least 4 of them claimed to have never been on a dog sled.

Senior Cheechako Race Results:

1. Gerald Kidd 6:52
2. Maryann Medarya 6:58
3. Nancy Stark 7:54
4. Stacey Young 8:05
5. Reba Nelson 8:55
6. Tamara Zeller 9:15
7. Meghan Swanzy9:32
8. Lynn McCormick 13:20

Junior Cheechako Race Results:

1-dog (1/4th mile)

1. Nick Wassilie 1 minute 25 sec
2. Zack Barnhart 2:25

2-dog (2 mile)

1. Kenzie Barnhart 7:57
2. Melissa Wassilie 8:19
3. Cullen Nelson 9:00
4. Katie Kirsch 9:28

-Donna Quante Film Maker, Producer

Please see more testimonials and DVD Reviews at http://www.wildsoulcreations.com/ DVDs include a feature length film, and 55 min of Special Features (more on the Yukon Quest trail, the veterinarians, the dogs, and more on each character)

Known as the "winningest musher in the world" Jeff King is one of the top endurance sled dog racers competing today. His record includes championship finishes in the legendary, 1100-mile Iditarod Sled Dog Race, the 1000-mile Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race, and the Kuskokwim 300 Sled Dog Race, among many others. King moved to Alaska in 1975 and began his inspirational racing career by 1980.

These autobiographical short stories offer a glimpse into the heart of a champion, the rugged Alaskan lifestyle and the charismatic world of dogs. King opens his heart and mind to reveal an intimate view of himself and his unique life as he shares over thirty years of experiences. He sculpts an image of the true Alaska depicting the spirit of adventure and self-sufficiency. From a wall tent on the trap-line to the Iditarod trail in the heat of competition to the tragedy at his homestead near Denali National Park, he will carry you along in his sled and give you the ride of a lifetime.

Donna Gates King' s brilliant images of Alaska assist in rendering clear understanding of the life and challenges of the north.

Iditarod Champion Joe Runyan blends his own expertise to enhance your voyage through the pages of Jeff King' s life.

All book and audio book orders purchased through Husky Homestead will be autographed by the author and feature a trading card insert Pre-order books available by March 2008 - Audio CD available NOW click here

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All the adventure, none of the cold
Looking for a great place to take out of town guest? The Bear and Raven Adventure Theater is designed to be an interactive 60-minute total experience. Their 30-minute movie takes you on a journey into Alaska’s rarely seen back country to experience the Iditarod Trail that takes you from the modern city of Anchorage to the villages and hamlets of a by-gone era. Revel in the celebration of surviving one of the world’s greatest races which teams man and dog vs. the arctic wilderness. Not only will you see and hear the sights and sounds of the Iditarod Trail, but you will feel them too as snow falls from the sky and the stars twinkle and Aurora Borealis shimmers above you. In the few minutes before or after the show, you can take the opportunity to mush behind nine sleddogs, your very own dog sled, catch an Alaskan King salmon, and admire Alaskan scenery from a hot air balloon on our various interactive displays. Call 277-4545 for more information.

 

"COYOTE" Available now!