Primary Night at Election Central
Election Central is one of those weird Alaska traditions that make this state and it’s political life all the more interesting. It’s a spot where candidates can come talk to the local media, and where regular folks and politics wonks and candidates and staff can watch the returns pour in on all the races. And where there’s booze. Frankly, every state should have one, and much praise to The Anchorage Daily News and the Alaska Landmine for making it happen. This year, the festivities occurred at the Dena’ina Center in downtown Anchorage. There was some very strict totally-volunteer security happening…
Top 3 WTF Republican Mailers
Yes, ladies and gents, it’s primary time in Alaska and the mailboxes are crammed with giant glossy postcards touting the various legislative and gubernatorial candidates. Some are well-crafted, on target, and relevant. We’re not interested in those. For now, we’re focused on those we’d like to file in our WTF folder. So here are the top 3, plus an honorable mention. [drumroll] Honorable Mention: Gubernatorial candidate Mike Dunleavy (R-Wasilla) <—what could go wrong, right? Mr. Dunleavy used to be a State Senator, but he quit in the middle of his term to do the right thing for Alaska. (Ok, this…
Return of Bird of the Week: Austral Parakeet
Another species of Tierra del Fuego, the southernmost large island in South America, is the Austral Parakeet. It’s a cousin the late, lamented Carolina Parakeet, North America’s only native member of the parrot family. The species’ range extends up the coast of Chile. In Tierra del Fuego, it’s a sea level bird, but further north it ranges to 2,000 meters. The Austral Parakeet is suffering population declines as a result of deforestation, competition with non-native species, and human captures for pet trade. But overall, this is a species of least concern. While WC saw only this one pair, the species…
Women for Alaska!
On August 28th, join Senator Berta Gardner (D-Anchorage) for a benefit for Alaska’s progressive women candidates – and a lot of fun with some great and interesting women. There will be several soup choices available unless it looks like the weather calls for a BBQ, in which case look for Bristol Bay salmon. Women for Alaska! AWPA Fundraiser Tuesday, August 28 at 5:30 PM 1405 Matterhorn Way
Election Central! 8/21/18
ADN is partnering with The Alaska Landmine to host Election Central for the primary on August 21, 2018 . This gathering will take place starting at 7pm on the 2nd floor of the Dena’ina Center, in the Kahtnu Rooms. The Alaska Landmine will be broadcasting a Facebook Live stream with a panel of Alaskans that will provide real time coverage and analysis of the election. We will also be interviewing candidates. The event is free and open to everyone! The State is not doing an Election Central this year. We felt it was important to not only have an Election…
Plastic Bag Ban on the Horizon for Anchorage?
One word: #PlasticBagBan That’s what residents came to testify about at last night’s Anchorage Assembly meeting. Many communities in Alaska have already banned plastic bags including Wasilla, Palmer, Emmonak and several other rural villages. Now it’s Anchorage’s turn to decide. My hunch? We’ll all be doing THIS fairly soon, and good. In 1998 a voter initiative on the ballot to ban billboards read: The bill states findings and intent that Alaska be forever free of billboards. It defines billboards as any signs or forms of outdoor advertising not allowed by law. The bill also repeals a law recently passed by…
One Day, Three Bills for Alaska’s Organized Militia
Passing a bill is a big deal in the legislature. It often seems like it should be easier than it is, but it’s a long (sometimes years-long) tedious, slow, painstaking process often made worse by partisan bickering. So it’s nice when everyone can agree on something, and when THREE bills are signed into law on the same day in the same place, it’s an event to notice. And it took place today at the American Legion Auxilliary Post #1 on Fireweed Lane in Anchorage. I’ve done quite a bit of reporting on Alaska’s unorganized militias, and even wrote a book…
Time to Jump Back In
Dear Reader, When last I wrote you, we were still waiting on salmon runs, the Red Sox were coming on strong, and the country seemed a little less insane than it does now. Sadly, too many of us are still waiting on the fish to come or have been shut down because of depressed returns. The Red Sox are first in the league and breaking their own records every week, and for this I am grateful. I’ve spent a few days wearing rain gear — not to keep dry, but to keep the mosquitoes from sending me to town for…
Return of Bird of the Week: Black-faced Ibis
Tierra del Fuego is the largest island at southernmost tip of South America. Like most island ecologies, it has been heavily impacted by humans, but many of the native birds still occur. One of them is the Black-faced Ibis. The black-faced ibis is mainly found in southern South America, ranging throughout most of southern and central Argentina and Chile. It’s certainly colorful. While the Peruvian population is likely extirpated, it’s still pretty common elsewhere in it historic range. Ornithologists get cranky when you ask about this species. It’s not well-studied, there’s a lot of disagreement about subspecies and classification with its…
Return of Bird of the Week: Southern Giant Petrel
A warning: this one is a little gruesome, and there are photos that some may find offensive. You’ve been warned. This is Southern Giant Petrel, by any measure a big bird. More than three feet long and with a wingspan of nearly seven feet, this 11 pound bird is another top-tier predator in the Southern Ocean. Note the naricorns, the tube-like structure on top of the bill. It’s part of the mechanism these birds use to expel excess salt. They don’t need fresh water; they can live on salt water. The bird’s suspicious stare is for a Brown Skua considering raiding…