It's Really Spring!!!

We have finally welcomed spring in Anchorage. On my other blog in WordPress, I was a bit discouraged over the delay of the arrival of spring, but on the front page of today's paper -- above the fold -- I see the snow geese have arrived, too.

The cruise ships are coming soon, and the tourist season promises to be bigger than ever. I'm not involved personally with this, altho' I am a relocation consultant for those planning their move to Anchorage. I understand that apartment rentals are saturated, which tempts me to rent my two bedroom condo. But that won't happen, as there's no place more beautiful in the summer than right here. The golf courses are even showing green again, and the bike trails are upgraded, fishing looks to be the best year, and the price of gas has even dropped at least a dime! Don't forget we do have a six-week baseball season, and the Anchorage Bucs look forward to winning the Alaska Baseball Title. The Bucs are now sharing the office building with the other local team, The Glacier Pilots. To explain that, both teams are leasing for Muni owned Building on the park strip, but of course, there is a partition between the offices.

The performing arts and visual arts are thriving, as the Concert Association welcomes Mary Poppins and Tony Bennett, among others. The Opera season was wonderful, as was the Symphony, but now we look forward to outdoor activies. I would also remind you potential visitors that we have NO sales tax in Anchorage, nor does the State of Alaska have an income tax. Yep . . . life is good here . . .

The Sun Shines on Alaska

Just when you think you can't take any more winter, spring arrives. Seems like overnight, we're planting our flowers, going outside without coats . ... well, you know, it happens every spring. One of the first signs of spring is the culmination of the raffle for the Nenana Ice Classic. It's a silly old tradition that you guess the time of the right day that the stake in the ice at Nenana will fall over. The pot is around $300,000, and I was counting on it to go out this week, as I bought several tickets for myself and friends, but it fooled me, and fell on Friday night.

So, the next sign is the arrival of birds in my bird feeder. Maybe they've been hibernating with the bears.

Next, comes clean-up. City-wide, groups, clubs, and singles have been filling large orange plastic bags with trash. Our church had the big clean-up on Saturday, and 'they' did a great job. I mean, without me. Guilt was written all over my face when I went to services on Sunday, but I had a good excuse, which we won't go into.

Alaska puts little feelers out around the world, and this week, we witnessed an Alaska son become an overnight hero at the Kentucky Derby. Local business man (and therein lies a long story), Bill Allen, has a son in New Mexico, who drove his horse to the races, and was a 50 to 1 bet. It wasn't long until everyone knew Mine That Bird and his rags to riches story. Hurray for him. Let's have another Mint Julep on that one.

Speaking of Mint Juleps, do you realize that Cinque de Mayo is on the cusp, and there are enough celebrations going on without this, but let's just add this to our list. The Petroleum Club is recognizing this independence day, and the Pioneers of Alaska have an unusual party, as the men are supplying the food and drink after the regular business meeting. So that's where we're at, right now, with a long, social list set for May.

However, there is a down side to all of this. One is the announcement of the discontinuance of Norwegian Cruise Lines coming this year, and the cutting back, sizeably, of Carnival, Holland-America, Celebrity, etc. cruises. . . this could be the downturn of the economy, but more likely our State Legislature imposing a $50/head tax on all cruisers. This is going to hurt the businesses in Southeastern especially.
One last word . .. following up my travel insurance pitch, I want to report that my friend was reimbursed for the expense of hotel and other for the delayed flight last month en route from Anchorage to Portland. It's worth the extra buck to be covered when you travel because more things are happening than in the simple days of the past.

Christmas in Anchorage

The title is a misnomer, because I won’t see Christmas in Anchorage. I’m one of those snowbirds that leaves town, preferably at the first drop of snow. A later departure this year, I can report on what’s happening in Anchorage this month. As in other cities across USA, the parties are at every corner and every day. Last night was one of the best, as a local civil engineering company, PND, sponsored a great feast at the Petroleum Club. Dennis always tries to outdo the other sponsors, and succeed, he does. They served ‘bottomless’ wine, wild boar, elk, shrimp and King Crab legs. Of course, all the usual sides, like brie, fruits, desserts and such. Even better than the food and drink selection was the friends and conversation. So this writer will be on holiday leaving good memories behind.
Yesterday's local newspaper reported a kind of sad travesty. It seems the ski slopes are not attracting the young people like they used to. Perhaps it's because we're in the electronic era, where computer games and Wii are providing enough entertainment and exercise to satisfy our youth. It's okay for a senior citizen to become more sedentary, but surely the adolescents need to get outdoors and enjoy winter. I can remember skiing in the zero temperatures and thinking, oh, it hurts so good. Those days are gone. Also, I note that the schools seem to pile on more homework these days. I don't know that 'more' means 'better' because the test score are not rising at a comparable rate. So this ends my lecture, on which I could continue, but let's just think of the happy days of Christmas break. . . and a Happy New Year's, too!

Evening Exchange at Wild Berry Theatre

If you know Anchorage, you'll be familiar with Campbell Creek, which winds around town kind of east to west. So, at Seward Highway is a popular spot called the Peanut Farm. I think it's the owners, or someone else, that built a rather fancy theatre, with stadium seating and stage with curtain, just a few hundred yards east of this. Most locals don't even realize it's there, as I found out last night when I attended the Evening Exchange, which members of ACVB sponsor monthly. They had a lovely buffet, and drinks were included, which they allowed you to carry inside the theatre. After introductions, the opening act was Hobo Jim, and there is no better performer anywhere. He's a local character with world recognition for the songs he's written, and his small talk adds color to this performance, which he does on a regular basis for several hours non-stop. I'm definitely one of his following, and was sorry they cut him off last night for one-minute commercials of all the members. Anyhow, it was a lot of fun, and a great way to spend a beautiful summer evening in Anchorage.