Open Thread – Mush!
This photo was snapped at today’s Iditarod restart in the (for today) bustling town of Willow, Alaska by none other than Alex Stein – Mudpuppy and documentary filmmaker. His film “MUSH” which showed at the Anchorage International Film Festival this year was amazing! And he even thanked all of YOU Mudpuppies in the credits at the end. Yes, I sat there in the dark and got a little verklempt…
Open Thread – Service with a Smile!
You may have wondered why The Mudflats went dark for a few minutes this evening. You may not have even noticed. And you may not notice now what is shiny and new here. (You look around, slightly befuddled) “Everything looks the same,” you think to yourself as you stroke your chin. Well, things may look the same, but they are not. I’ll stop making you guess. Thanks to Snoskred, and the fabulous web team in the land down under…. we have a new server! What that means is that the times when big news breaks here and the site gets…
Open Thread – Nice Ash!
Nothing draws my attention in a museum than a nice display of rocks and minerals – the raw materials of the planet that are sometimes naturally more spectacular and beautiful than anything humans can do with tools. So, while traipsing through the Juneau State Museum last week, I came upon a beautiful display of all kinds of rocks and minerals. You can imagine in a mining town, where the primary activity is digging holes in the earth, that they’ve come up with some real gems (pun intended). But the thing that intrigued me the most was not from around Juneau…
Open Thread – Labor Medley
Cody Beltrami, daughter of Alaska AFL-CIO President Vince Beltrami belts out an awesome medley of “16 Tons” and “Which Side are You On?” Alaska’s Got Talent!
Open Thread – Name That Lichen
More loveliness from the campus of the University of Alaska Southeast in Juneau. I’d heard that the hanging stuff is called “deer moss” but after a Google search, I’m not convinced that’s the actual name, nor am I convinced that it’s even moss, and not lichen. If there is anyone in the know, please leave a comment. I do know that in order for whatever this is to grow, air quality must be very good. As soon as pollution is present, it will turn dark and die, leaving little black steel-wool-like remains hanging in the tree. This stuff, fortunately looked in…
Open Thread – Moment of Zen (Video)
I made a call. The open thread tonight is early by several hours. This is for two reasons. First, I forgot to post one last night. Let’s just say the past 36 hours have been a little bit hectic. And second, we all need a little moment of Zen. Breathe deep, Mudflatters… And enjoy Sleeping Lady (also known as Mt. Susitna) who, this time of year is draped in a lovely white blanket. This picture was taken from an airplane flying to Tyonek across Cook Inlet. I’m still working on a post about my day there and the hearing I…
Open Thread – The Color of Cold
I was off the grid today, visiting the Village of Tyonek. I’m not going to lie to you… I liked being off the grid today. And in addition to that, the trip was really great. I attended a hearing regarding the designation of the land surrounding the Chuit River and its tributaries as “unsuitable” for surface coal mining. You may be saying, “well…. YEAH,” but it’s rare that government agencies and giant mining conglomerates are as smart as you are. (you cast your eyes down and look humbly at the floor) On the way over the Inlet this morning, some…
Open Thread – Try Again
This is one of my favorite pictures of all time. It used to belong to a dear friend of mine, but now she is gone and it sits atop my desk.
Open Thread – Moore Up North
Great taping of Moore Up North with Shannyn Moore tonight at the Taproot Cafe in Spenard. The show will air Saturday at 4pm and Sunday at 9am on KYES, Channel 5. Topics covered a wide variety of issues such as the gas line, the uprising in Wisconsin, Sean Parnell and healthcare, and who wants Sarah Palin to run for President. INTERVIEW Larry Persily– Federal Coordinator of the Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects. PANEL (L-R) Thomas Dewar– Communications Director for the Alaska Public Employees Association. Janet Reiser-Chemical engineer and Vice-Chair of the Chugach Electric Board. Justin McDonald-Program Director for Alaska Integrated…