The Bar and Chill

Winners of the Denali road lottery for permits to drive into Denali National Park Sept. 12 - 15, 2008 have been posted on the web.  Winners are allowed to drive as much of the Denali park Road as weather allows on their assigned day.  Snow and ice are possible in Sept.  Find the winners and all details at:  www.nps.gov/dena/whatsnew.htm  

Mark your calendars to submit your request and the $10 fee for June of next year.  Entry dates for the 2009 and future road lotteries will be June 1-30.   Entries must be postmarked between June 1 - 30 for 2009.  A $10, non-refundable application fee is required for each entry. This fee can be paid by check or money order. Applicants should not send cash.  The change in the entry period to a month earlier will allow the National Park Service to provide more timely notification to those individuals who obtain road permits so that they can make their travel arrangements. The drawing will take place during the second week of August in order to allow permit recipients ample time to make travel and/or lodging arrangements. Applicants are advised to mail entries early to make certain that they arrive in time to be included in the drawing. All entries received after August 7th will be returned.

Hilltop Season Passes at a Discount:  Avid in-town skiers can save 25% by purchasing a season pass to Hilltop Ski Area before Sept. 15.  The reduced prices are $395 for adults, $375 for students (ages 8 - 18) and $265 for children under 8.  This is Hilltop’s 25th year!  In addition to skiing and snowboarding, there is a lodge, snack bar, new terrain parks and a rental shop.  Details at:  http://www.hilltopskiarea.org/

Puffin Pass Rewards:  The Puffin Pass Rewards program was developed exclusively for Alaskan residents. As a member, you will receive Member Specials on Alaskan Owned & Operated lodges and day cruises. Membership is free – you just have to be an Alaska Resident.  “The Alaska Heritage Tours Family” includes Kenai Fjords Tours, Prince William Sound Glacier Cruises, Mariah Tours, Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge, Seward Windsong Lodge, and Kenai Fjords Wilderness Lodge.  All details at:  http://www.puffinpass.com/

Get Wild About Anchorage!

Become a member of the Friends of Seymour vfr Club for exclusive resident discounts, special give-a-ways and monthly e-mails that offer great tips and travel ideas for entertaining visiting friends or relatives.  Temporary card and info can be found at:  http://www.anchorage.net/1731.cfm

The Bore Tide can be seen along the Turnagain Arm.  The tide is a phenomenon of nature and the longest standing wave.  The bore tide is a rush of seawater that returns to a shallow and narrowing inlet from a broad bay.  Bore tides come in after extreme minus low tides created by a full or new moon.   September’s highest tide will be:  Sept. 17, Wed., Anchorage Tide will be 32.3 ft., it can be seen at Beluga Point at 4:50 pm, Windy Point at 5:20 pm and Bird Point to Girdwood at 6:20 pm.    October’s highest  tide will be:  Oct. 16, Thurs., Anchorage Tide will be 33.1 ft., it can be seen at Beluga Point at 4:30 pm, Windy Point at 5:00 pm and Bird Point to Girdwood at 6:00 pm.  (Times noted are give or take 15 mins.).  

The following events are all over town and listed in Calendar order.  If you have any event you would like to add to the list, please contact us!

Raven’s Radio Hour, Sun. - Wed., through Sept. 16, 7 PM, Alaska Native Heritage Center.  This is a fresh take on old tales and a cheeky tribute to tradition and modern life.  The gist of this play involves Raven as a radio man cavorting with mischievous elders while enacting modified Alaska Native stories and real-life experiences via radio drama, comedy and sponsors like Sally’s Seal Oil in a Can.  Tickets are $20, info at:  907-330-8000 or www.alaskanative.net.

Moose Madness, Alaska Zoo, Sept. 13, 12 - 4 pm.  A moose quiz and other educational games, a scavenger hunt and behind-the-scenes tour of the moose pen.  For details, call:  907-346-3242 or email klarson@alaskazoo.org.  Zoo Info:  www.alaskazoo.org

at&t Free Second Sundays at the Anchorage Museum!  We have a new reason to cheer at the Museum - starting this Fall, all museum visitors can enjoy free admission the second Sunday of every month.  Details at:  www.anchoragemuseum.org

Fiesta Familiar! (Family Fiesta)  Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration: Sunday Sept. 14, 1 - 5 pm.  The Anchorage Museum kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month with festivities for the entire family.  Enjoy community performances, Hispanic Arts and Crafts Activities and the live music of El Combo Tropical Latino.  This is also a free event!

Radical Reels Film Tour - Extreme Thrills on Film, Sept. 26 at UAA.  Don’t expect a quiet night at the movies when this film tour hits UAA.  Highlights guaranteed to get anyone’s blood flowing include Rock Wings, which captures expert parachutist Loic Jean-Albert and two other land-based parachutists creating formations in the air as they plunge from a mountaintop, and Trial & Air, which features aerial footage of a skier parachuting off the edge of a 300-foot cliff, shot by a paragliding cameraman.  Other films - eight in all - show bouldering in Sweden, high-speed mountain biking, and North American kayak first-descents.  For details, check out radicalreels.com or call 907-786-1219

Hibernation Celebration at the Alaska Zoo, Sat. Oct. 4, 12 - 4 pm.  Learn how black and brown bears survive food shortages during the winter season, the sleeping habits of the zoo bears, and why polar bears stay up all year long.  Educational games, a scavenger hunt and tour of a replica bear den.  For details, call:  907-346-3242 or email klarson@alaskazoo.org.  Zoo Info:  www.alaskazoo.org

Great Alaska Beer Train, Anchorage to Portage, Oct. 4. Take a scenic journey along Turnagain Arm with the world’s best designated driver - the Alaska Railroad. The Microbrew Express travels 80 miles roundtrip from Anchorage to Portage and features an impressive assortment of the finest local microbrews and incredible scenery of Turnagain Arm. The fare includes roundtrip rail, six half pints of the Brewhouse’s best drafts and an array of hors d’oeuvres.  Train departs Anchorage Depot 4PM, returns 8:30PM, $149 per person, Must be 21.  Details at:  800-544-0552, or http://www.alaskarailroad.com/arrc39.html#5

Oktoberfest - Bavarian Merrymaking at the Alyeska Resort, Girdwood, October 10 - 11, 2008 (6:00 pm to Midnight on Friday, 4:00 pm to Midnight on Saturday).  Entry Fee:  $10.00.  Authentic German Food:  Bratworst, Ruotsi, German Potato Salad, Apple and Cherry Strudel and lots more!!  Music by Alaska Blaskapelles.  Hotel Package:  One night’s stay and admission to the Oktoberfest, October 10 or 11.  Starts at $149.00/night for two adults including tax and fees.  Details at: http://www.alyeskaresort.com/page.asp?intNodeID=13280

Native Heritage Month Celebration, Thurs. Oct. 30, 5:30 pm.  Share the Spirit!  The Anchorage Museum kicks off Alaska Native Heritage Month with a reception and music by Pamyua.  This is also a free event!

Anchorage Symphony Orchestra:  Halloween Family Concert, Oct. 31.  Costumed musicians play crowd-pleasers at the Center for the Performing Arts. Contact info:  877-278-7849

So, by now most of you know that Sept. 6 - 7 is the last weekend for the Anchorage Market and Festival.  Not to worry, though, the “Bad Girls of the North” are hosting a few events so you can still make some local purchases (just in time for Christmas)!  The “Anchorage Unique Boutique” will be held at the Sheraton Hotel (downtown between 5th and 6th Sts.) on Fri., Nov. 7 (4 - 9 pm) and Sat., Nov 8 (10 am - 5 pm).  The “Do the Valley” will be held at Evangelo’s Restaurant, Mile 40, Parks Hwy. (south of Wasilla) on Fri., Nov. 14 ( 4 - 8 pm) and Sat., Nov. 15 (10 am - 5 pm).  These shows feature hand created items including silk, jewelry, pottery, leather, stained glass, baskets, original art and much more.  Link:  www.badgirlsofthenorth.com