The Alaska 100

 

Keep Alaska so fresh and so clean

garbage bags
Join a local clean-up day.

Springtime means spring cleaning, and that term takes on a much bigger meaning in Alaska as the snow melts to reveal months worth of debris. Help give the state a fresh and clean summer look by participating in clean-up events over the next couple of weeks:

• In Juneau, Litter Free will provide bags for volunteers on April 28. Get more info here.

• The city of Valdez will hold clean-up days April 30–May 4.

• Wasilla clean-up days will be April 30–May 5.

• Fairbanks clean-up day is May 5. Find details on the event’s Facebook page.

– Liz Baker, The Alaska 100

 

Gardening like a pro in Alaska

garden
Gardening in Alaska can yield a bountiful harvest.

It’s springtime in Alaska, which means it’s time to get your garden ready for the summer growing season. Gardening in Alaska can be tough with its varying climates, short growing season and pesky wildlife, but there are organizations to help gardeners be successful.

Here are some resources for gardeners in Alaska:

• Alaska Master Gardeners – Take classes and programs from Master Gardeners for insider tips and tricks on northern gardening.

• UAF Cooperative Extension Service – Sharing information with Alaskans, Extension offers information on how to garden in Alaska, as well as recommendations about what grows well in each region of the state.

– Stephanie Plieness, The Alaska 100

 

Tips for navigating break-up season in Alaska

Spring in Alaska
A black bear roams Far North Bicentennial Park on April 1. (Photo credit: Brad Fleming)

The sun is returning. Spring is here. As exciting as the thought of summer is, break-up season means potholes appear out of nowhere. Dog poo that has been frozen in a veil of snow will thaw. Dirty roads make your windshield incapable of being clean for more than a minute. While enjoying all of this, don’t forget:

1. Change those tires. Deadlines vary by area. Know yours to avoid a ticket.

2. Report potholes so they can be fixed quickly.

3. Cut the crap. Participate in Scoop the Poop Day.

4. Watch out for wildlife. If you see something concerning, report it here.

– Kelsey Fiedler, The Alaska 100

 

UAA students, Anchorage community partners awarded for innovative solutions

Team Early Childhood
Ann Broberg, from Team Early Childhood, chats with Charlotte Bittner and shows off her 3-D printed trophy. (Photo credit: University of Alaska)

The University of Alaska President’s Innovation Challenge brought university students together with community partners to solve top-of-mind issues in Anchorage. A judging panel of community leaders awarded three teams for their innovative solutions addressing locally submitted problems.

Team Early Childhood took home the $5,000 first prize. They pitched a kid-friendly cafe that would combine a unique play area with healthy food options. Their prize includes help from the University’s Center for Economic Development to implement the idea.

The University of Alaska’s goal is to extend the challenge to the Fairbanks and the Southeast campuses next year.

 

Laws of the Last Frontier

moose
Don't let the moose get too loose! It's illegal to give booze to a moose in Alaska.

Every place has laws that seem bizarre, but Alaska may have some of the stranger ones. Be careful to mind the following:

1. Don’t wake a sleeping bear for a photograph. (Even if this was legal, we wouldn’t suggest it!)
2. In Fairbanks, there is a law that prohibits speaking so loud as to offend a person.
3. It is forbidden to whisper in someone’s ear while they are hunting for moose.
4. Don’t feed alcohol to a moose. (Really.)
5. If you don’t have the proper license for your slingshot, leave it at home.

Check out the rest here.

– Kelsey Fiedler, The Alaska 100

 

Alaska’s golden girl leading by example

Winter Olympics
Posing with two Alaska icons. When it comes to the cross-country trails, gold medalist Kikkan may actually be the more dangerous of the two!

Her fifth Olympics. She knew it would be her last. Now 35, Kikkan Randall, known to her adoring fanbase as Kikkanimal, took off the 2015-2016 competitive skiing season to play another role: mom to her son Breck, who is now almost two.

Part of T&C’s agency culture is believing you can have it all. Kikkan’s a prime example that this is true. After placing eighth in previous games, she and partner Jessie Diggins recently shocked the world taking gold for Team USA in Pyeongchang.

This edition is dedicated to you, Kikkan! Or, should we just call you Superwoman?

– Ally Day, The Alaska 100


More: Living

 

Kikkanimal: our spirit animal

Olympic Gold Medalist
Kikkan is our spirit animal.

The Alaska 100 team is Kikkan obsessed – okay beyond obsessed. We’ve decided that Kikkanimal is our communal spirit animal. Everyone has different reasons they’re filled with pride about her accomplishments, though.

T&Cer Stephanie Plieness can sum it up in one word: perseverance. Senior Account Manager Ally Day loves Kikkan’s overall attitude – positivity, kindness, dedication. I admire her recognition of what’s really important in life and her efforts to accomplish goals on and off the course, from winning Olympic gold to being a great mom.

Everyone loves when the underdog proves the haters wrong, and Kikkan has stunned the world!

– Liz Baker, The Alaska 100


More: Living

 

Keeping up with Kikkan

Olympic Gold Medalist Instagram
Follow Alaska's gold medalist Kikkan Randall as the celebrations continue.

Kikkan Randall finally has her gold medal, and she’s said that the Pyeongchang games are her last. This doesn’t mean you have to stop enjoying her inspiring adventures as a skier, mother and Alaskan.

Check out the Kikkanimal’s social media feeds to stay up to date on Alaska’s golden girl as victory celebrations continue! She maintains Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube channels.

Want a taste of why cross-country skiing is a favorite of many Alaskans? This video brings to life a day of training for the Alaska Pacific University team near Hatcher Pass, Alaska, from Kikkan’s point of view.

– Gary Scott, The Alaska 100


More: Living

 

A long love affair with Kikkanimal

Alaska Mountains
Oh how we love thee, let us count the ways. Your performance in scenic Pyeongchang is just one of them!

She shocked the world taking gold for Team USA, and Kikkan Randall’s becoming a household name. Alaskans have long known, though, about Kikkan’s grace, infectious positive attitude and dedication to helping others.

Here’s an abbreviated version of our love affair with this perfect representative of our state!

• She took baby steps, had a baby and became the world’s best. (More via “Time”)

• She proved perseverance and girl power are a winning combination. (via “Washington Post”)

• She was inducted into Alaska’s Cross Country Ski Hall of Fame in 2016.

• And, of course, we swoon over her handsome little hunk Breck.

– Jennifer Thompson, The Alaska 100


More: Living

 

Last-minute ideas for the forgetful romantic

Hershey's kisses
Impress your valentine with more than just chocolates this year!

Scrambling for dinner reservations? Racing to the grocery store for heart-shaped chocolates? For the forgetful romantics in need of last-minute Valentine’s Day ideas, here are a few that are sure to please your sweetheart:

• The easiest way to the heart is through the stomach! Cook your valentine up something sweet. Check out our recipe ideas here.

• For her: Order a peony subscription from Alaska Blooms Peony Farm. Your honey will receive fresh flowers four weeks in a row this summer.

• For him: Create his favorite craft cocktail. Your special someone will be in awe of your mixology skills!

– Kailee Wallis, The Alaska 100


More: Living

 

4 office health tips

You'll notice a difference from practicing a simple Quadriped T-Spine Rotation 2-3 times a day.

Regardless of what business you’re in, many offices share a common similarity: a sedentary work culture. Studies show sitting is a major contributor to employee health issues. Try these simple tips to minimize the negative effects of a sedentary lifestyle and create a ripple effect that could change office culture for good.

1. Improve ergonomics around the office – stand more than you sit (Varidesk).

2. Take two to three short breaks throughout the day to perform these four office stretches.

3. Turn inconveniences into exercise (parking farther away, taking the stairs, walking and talking).

4. Hydrate – Water helps improve short-term memory, focus, alertness.

— Kyle Barrow, Functional Movement Systems


More: Living

 

How ‘earthing’ could help you relieve stress

Wriggling your toes in the grass may do more good than you think.

We’ve all heard that in order to reduce stress, we should “reconnect with nature.” However, science suggests that we may not be taking this advice literally enough.

The practice of “earthing” involves physically connecting to nature, from walking barefoot through the woods to lying in the grass. The practice allows electrons on the earth’s surface to flow through the body. Sound silly? A study in the Journal of Environmental and Public Health found earthing to provide “intriguing physiological changes” leading to better sleep, reduced stress and even reduced pain.

Try kicking off your shoes for a short earthing session today.

– Haley Helveston, Holistic Health with Haley


More: Living

 

Ultimate guide to deskercise

If you are a professional sitter, you must get up every 45-50 minutes to prevent glute amnesia and save your back, knees and hips. (Infographic created by Concept Seating)

The holidays are over. For most, that means getting back to work. So, what can you do to be a little healthier in the office at your desk? Why not try deskercise?

Performing a desk exercise, or deskercise, every so often helps break up the biological monotony of sitting still. Through the right combination of regularly practiced desk exercises, you can keep your body moving and active while working productively at your desk. Some exercises don’t even require you to leave your chair.

Take a look at this infographic that outlines five desk exercises to try right now at work.

— Marcey Rader, Founder, Work Well. Play More!®

 

7 ways to relax in the New Year

Finding new ways to relax this year will help you improve your quality of life.

I remember on a cruise celebrating my 40th birthday, I found that I couldn’t sit still in my lounge chair. Wasn’t there something I needed to do or somewhere I needed to be?

In the world we live in, relaxation is a lost art. Well, it’s time to get back in the groove. Here are seven things YOU can do to relax:

• Read a new book
• Laugh out loud – live comedy is great!
• Journal your thoughts and ideas
• Cook dinner with a friend
• Invite your favorite people over for a stress-free meal
• Practice yoga
• Master deep-breathing techniques

– Tara Goodwin, The Boston 100

 

Holiday recap: Alaska nurses give back

For the second year in a row, local nurses with the Alaska Nurses Association came together to help Anchorage’s homeless population. At their holiday open house, nurses assembled and wrapped “beanie boxes,” shoe boxes filled with cold-weather essentials, personal hygiene items and snacks that Bean’s Cafe homeless shelter distributed to its clients.

This year, the nurses contributed more than 50 beanie boxes to the effort as a way to help Anchorage’s most vulnerable population.

The Alaska Nurses Association advances and supports the nursing profession in Alaska, and represents more than 7,000 nurses statewide. Learn more at aknurse.org.

– Abby Cooper, The Alaska 100

 

Alaska 100 Gift Guide: Last-Minute Gifts

Don't fret, it's not Christmas yet!

Oh no! It’s Dec. 22, and you just realized you forgot someone on your holiday gift list! Don’t fret. There are fantastic shops across Alaska with ideal gifts for everyone on your list.

• Art lovers – V Rae Expressions Studio in Anchorage, Annie Kaill’s in Juneau, The Alaska House Art Gallery in Fairbanks

• Active Alaskans – Skinny Raven in Anchorage, Foggy Mountain Shop in Juneau, Beaver Sports in Fairbanks

• Foodies – Summit Spice & Tea Company in Anchorage, Chef Stef’s in Juneau, Country Kitchen in Fairbanks

• Trendsetters – Mermaid Co. Boutique in Anchorage and Seward, Shoefly in Juneau, Blue Sparrow Boutique in Fairbanks

Happy shopping!

– Stephanie Plieness, The Alaska 100


More: Living

 

Book Review: ‘Hanukkah in Alaska’

The northern lights are Alaska's very own festival of lights during Hanukkah.

Backyard tree-eating moose, piles of snow and limited daylight can’t get the main character down in Barbara Brown’s “Hanukkah in Alaska.”

Brown’s story demonstrates the all-too-relatable woes of winter in Alaska, and just when the main character thinks that nothing – not even Hanukkah – can cheer her up, her father brings her outside for Alaska’s own version of the festival of lights – the aurora borealis! She’s able to lure the moose away from the yard using traditional Hanukkah latkes.

A beautiful tale of tradition, “Hanukkah in Alaska” – beautifully illustrated by Stacey Schuett – truly exposes the uniqueness of Alaska.

– Kelsey Fiedler, The Alaska 100


More: Living

 

Don’t Eat the Meh

One study showed that obese people tend to put food on their plate as they see it, whereas people at a healthier weight scoped out the offerings first.

Keep your holiday calories under control and avoid pound-packing by not eating the “meh.”

What’s the meh? Any food served at a party or event that you feel so-so about. Would you pay for that hors d’oeuvre? Ditch it. Doesn’t excite you to eat it? Skip it.

You can still celebrate the season without feeling like you’re depriving yourself. Create rules only to eat what you can’t get the rest of the year, is homemade, or you look forward to tasting. The rest just isn’t worth it. Don’t waste your taste buds or calories on the meh.

– Marcey Rader, Founder, Work Well. Play More!®


More: Living

 

The Alaska Gift Guide, Part III

The Alaska SeaLife Center is just one of many places that offer annual memberships.

Give the gift of year-round fun with an annual membership to some of Alaska’s top attractions. Memberships include admission and other benefits.

• University of Alaska Museum of the North in Fairbanks. Members experience Alaska’s cultures and natural sciences while enjoying a $15 credit to the museum store, discounted events and membership to UAMN Curiosity Club.

• Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward. Animal lovers get discounted tours and encounters, kids’ Ocean Sciences Adventure Kits and savings with AZA partners.
• Alaska Botanical Garden. Members receive special workshop rates, savings at local gardening stores and discounts at otherbotanical gardens across the country.

– Stephanie Plieness, The Alaska 100


More: Living

 

Support Local Anchorage Artisans

Shopping local boosts your community's economy.

Anchorage is a community full of talented craftspeople and artisans, and that makes it easy to shop local this holiday season.

On Friday, Dec. 1, stop by Blaines Art Supply to view AlaskaWax’s artist’s pieces, which will be available to bid on throughout the night. The following day, Saturday, Dec. 2, visit Spenard’s Winter Maker’s Market, which will showcase a collective group of local artists, including such local favorites as Wild Scoops and Salmon Sisters.

Afterwards, stop by Dog Tired Doggie Daycare for the Howliday Arts & Crafts Sale. A portion of the proceeds from this fair will support animal charities.

– Kailee Wallis, The Alaska 100


More: Living

 

Cut Down Your Own Christmas Tree This Year

Find the perfect Christmas tree this year by cutting down your own.

Family time around the holidays is a must, and one way to enjoy each other’s company is an outing to select your Christmas tree. While some visit a tree lot, others head to the backcountry.

Chugach National Forest in Southcentral Alaska has an entire guide for cutting down a tree. The Tanana Valley State Forest in the Interior has several sections of land available and offers information on how to cut down the perfect tree. In Southeast Alaska, Tongass National Forest has several districts open to tree-cutting.

Make sure you know the rules before you cut. Happy holidays, Alaska!

– Ashleigh Ebert, The Alaska 100


More: Living

 

We’ve Got Your Back

The Valleta 2.0 has a trolley strap so you can easily slip it over the handle of your suitcase.

When I travel I pack a large bag for the trip and a smaller one for sightseeing or going out at night. This gorgeous Valletta 2.0 Backpack and Wristlet from P.Mai takes care of both needs, whether you’re jetting to Thailand or commuting to your job.

It’s made of soft leather and two-tone nylon, so will stand up to the rigors of the road. There are padded compartments for your laptop and smaller items. A leather base with metal feet ensures it stays upright when you set it down.

It comes in black and navy for $450.

— Jan Schroder, Girl on the Go


More: Living

 

Cards Against Humanity for Kids

Parents will approve a card game that requires no batteries, no wifi and no screens. (Photo courtesy of Not Parent Approved)

The popular notoriously risque game Cards Against Humanity now has a “inappropriately appropriate” version that – despite the name – is 100% parent-approved.

Not Parent Approved is a new kid-friendly card game designed to encourage creativity, imagination and face-to-face interaction – no screens involved. The rules of the game are simple. Each round, one player picks and reads a question card and everyone else has to fill in the blank with the funniest answer card.

Not Parent Approved is also portable, making it the perfect addition to events like picnics, road trips and holiday gatherings. $24.99 on Amazon.

– Caroline Parsley, The Atlanta 100


More: Living

 

The Alaska 100 Gift Guide, Part II

Wooden Panel tied with a ribbon
Shop gift ideas from the Last Frontier.

The Last Frontier is teeming with small businesses that offer specialty apparel and goods fit for the unique Alaska lifestyle. These holiday gift ideas let you support local businesses and delight your loved ones!

• For every sale, Salmon Sisters (Homer) donates a can of wild Alaska salmon to the Food Bank of Alaska. They offer original designs by two young Alaskan fisherwomen.

• Fishe Wear (Anchorage) offers functional, stylish and comfortable women’s clothing, perfect for that next fishing adventure.

Founded by a sibling duo who promote innovative indigenous design, Trickster Company (Juneau) has everything from skateboards to jewelry to sporting equipment.

– Stephanie Plieness, The Alaska 100


More: Living

 

Be Your Own Lumberjack: Where to Cut Firewood

wood shaped hearts
You'll love the savings almost as much as curling up by the warm fire.

In the Last Frontier, cold winter days and nights have some Alaskans spending a fortune on firewood. Other resourceful Alaskans take matters into their own hands and chop their own firewood. According to the state, quality firewood is found in areas where fires have burned and the wood has dried with little to no bark left.

However, as with any resource, don’t assume it is yours to take. Many places require a commercial or personal use permit, or permission from the landowner to harvest firewood.

To learn more about cutting your own firewood, visit the Alaska Division of Forestry website.

– Ashleigh Ebert, The Alaska 100


More: Living

 

Best Cross-Country Skiing in Alaska

People cross country skiing
Cross-country skiing to Portage Glacier is a thrill in the winter.

Cross-country skiing is a popular winter recreation activity in Alaska, and with good reason! There are plenty of areas around the state that offer phenomenal cross-country skiing. Here are three options:

• Anchorage – The city offers hundreds of miles of trails, including the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail and 1,400-acre Kincaid Park. USA Today’s 10 Best nominated Anchorage as one of the best places in the country for cross-country skiing.

• Girdwood – Head to Alyeska Resort for Nordic skiing on its groomed trails.

• Portage – Once Portage Lake freezes, cross-country skiers can take a breathtaking jaunt to Portage Glacier.

– Stephanie Plieness, The Alaska 100


More: Living

 

How to Get Moving in the Morning

Need motivation to move? Try exercising with a friend.

Jumpstarting your day with a morning workout can seem impossible, but it’s rewarding. Studies show exercising in the morning can lower blood pressure by 10% throughout the day.

Here are three tips to help you squeeze in a morning workout:

1. Plan your outfit and lay out your clothes the night before to save time.

2. Work out with a friend. Your chance of skipping the gym decreases if you know someone is depending on you.

3. Schedule workouts as you would a doctor’s appointment or meeting. You are more likely to complete your exercise if you write it down.

– Ed Buckley, III, Ph.D., Peerfit

 

The 907 – Giving Back During the Holidays

A woman holding out an empty can for donations
There are lots of ways to give back in Alaska around the holidays.

The holidays are a time to be thankful and give back. Here are a few ways to help in Alaska:

– Stephanie Plieness, The Alaska 100

 

New Podcast ‘Life (After Cancer)’ Won’t Be Sugarcoating the Journey

Life after cancer flyer
The "Life (After Cancer)" podcast is available via iTunes for free.

When Jenna Schnuer finished her final cancer treatment in April 2015, she kept expecting life to bounce right back to normal. News flash: it doesn’t.

Jenna’s podcast features raw, open, often-cathartic conversations about the fluid line between life with cancer and life after cancer. “Life (After Cancer)” offers perspectives from cancer survivors and caregivers who refuse to sugarcoat their experiences. “Life (After Cancer)” is a must-listen for anyone who has battled cancer or been touched by the disease in some way. Topics include caring for a child who has cancer, losing every hair and the challenges moving forward.

– Emily McLaughlin, The Alaska 100

 

The Alaska 100 Gift Guide, Part One: Alaska Grown

wrapped gifts.
Enjoy The Alaska 100's guide to the best gifts from the Last Frontier.

As the holiday season approaches, the search continues for perfect gifts to share with loved ones near and far. The Alaska 100 has a few suggestions for Alaska items that are sure to please recipients in state and those from outside who want a taste of Alaska!

– Stephanie Plieness, The Alaska 100