Where is the Knik Arm Bridge REALLY Going?
Remember the “Bridge to Nowhere?” Remember the project that was possibly the single biggest contributor to the tainting of the word “earmarks?” That famous title was actually a misnomer. It referred to two Alaska bridges, both funded through the same “earmark” at the time. The actual “Bridge to Nowhere” referred to the Gravina Island Bridge, which was a link from Ketchikan to the island that holds its airport. This was only accessible by ferry and small plane and when hundreds of thousands of visitors pour into Southeast Alaska during the summers, it becomes a problem. This was also the bridge…
Open Thread – Best Conference Room Ever
This is the view from one of the conference rooms at the University of Alaska Southeast. Half the table faces in and half the table faces this. Wonder which side gets filled up first? I haven’t had much time since I got to Juneau, but posts are forthcoming. And let me say that if you needed anything to convince you that Sarah Palin is crazy, walk around Juneau for a while and tell me that you’d rather hang out all year in Wasilla. I don’t know why the ex-half-gov didn’t like the capital, but I most definitely do!
Open Thread – Brian at the Window
There aren’t many instances when you can feel comfortable with a guy named Brian coming out of the woods, dressed only in fur and peering in your window. Fortunately this was one of those cases. Yes, he still makes me jump, but the photo op is the best.
Voices from the Flats – Sully Gets Grabby
Yes, the Municipality is getting grabby. For land. Think trading a few strands of beads for Manhattan Island, or paying a paltry $.02/acre for Alaska itself. The land grab has a long history, and Dan Sullivan is happy to get on the bandwagon. OK, this tiny little piece of park land is no Manhattan. But in Anchorage, it means something to local residents. And, frankly, it’s the principle of the thing. Welcome back our Voices from the Flats Contributor Bill Sherwonit, who was nice enough to write up a great history and summary of this latest piece of skullduggery. If…
Open Thread – Cow Parsnip
The lowly cow parsnip is a plant for all seasons. Even in winter, it’s dramatic skeleton makes interesting viewing. In the summer it’s covered with little white umbrellas of flowers. And brushing up against it can cause painful red blisters on some people (points at self). But now the old bones are impotent and stand like markers along the edges of trails, and open damp areas. We had a fresh snowfall today, and the dead stems caught the flurries like little cups. One seed still clings and has persevered through rain, snow and gale force winds. Tenacity can come in unexpected places.
Muni Fees May Force School District Cuts *UPDATE*
My now-13-year-old daughter expressed a great deal of angst this past summer over attending middle school in a different school zone. She can be somewhat shy so my husband and I were a little concerned. As it turns out, my daughter is excelling in seventh grade! She has been on the honor roll both quarters, she’s in several accelerated classes, she’s doing really well as a clarinet player in the band (she has a solo in an upcoming performance) and she’s made some friends in the new school while still keeping up with her old friends. My husband and I…
Open Thread
I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day. ~E.B. White (Author of Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little, The Trumpet of the Swan)
State of the Union – Live Stream!
JOIN THE LIVE CHAT VISIT WHITEHOUSE.GOV Here it is! What do you think?