Congratulations Capt. Amanda Plachek!

Filed under Military, 907 Updates

First female Alaska Army National Guard Soldier completes army maneuver course
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska —When Capt. Amanda Plachek isn’t commanding the 134th Public Affairs Detachment or running the State Partnership Program for the Alaska National Guard, she’s paving the way for her fellow Soldiers by becoming the first Alaska Army National Guard female to complete a combat arms branch training course.

Military, AK Women

Anchorage Assembly lukewarm on proposal to sanction camps for homeless population this summer June 3, 2023
Felix Rivera, the Assembly’s lead on homelessness issues, expects a close vote on a scaled back version of the proposal.
Jeremy Hsieh, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage
Alaska News Nightly: Friday, June 2, 2023 June 3, 2023
The governor wants to ramp up development of fossil fuels and renewable energy, even if that's a contradiction for some. Plus, Girdwood's only childcare facility is running out of space.
Tim Rockey, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage

Anchorage Assembly lukewarm on proposal to sanction camps for homeless population this summer June 3, 2023
Felix Rivera, the Assembly’s lead on homelessness issues, expects a close vote on a scaled back version of the proposal.
Jeremy Hsieh, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage
Alaska News Nightly: Friday, June 2, 2023 June 3, 2023
The governor wants to ramp up development of fossil fuels and renewable energy, even if that's a contradiction for some. Plus, Girdwood's only childcare facility is running out of space.
Tim Rockey, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage

Recent Research Spreadsheets November 30, 2016
Our students have compiled research in three topic areas. Below are the links to their research tables that can be downloaded for searching and viewing. For a state-by-state review of Mandatory Reporter laws, click here. For a state-by-state review of Background Check laws, click...
feigleycommunications
2016 Legislative Drafting Students November 15, 2016
Our students spent the summer working on the inaugural project of the LDICP. Through their extensive research, massive databases of information on state statutes regarding the abuse of children ave been created and will be posted here as their work is finalized. Here are...
feigleycommunications

Why Story Endings Are Often Predictable – And That’s Okay – by C.S. Lakin… June 4, 2023
on Live Write Thrive: Do you struggle with ending your story? Trying to come up with something startling or unexpected? You might want to think again. As contradictory as this might sound, endings in novels need to seem inevitable without being predictable. When your reader finishes the book , she should feel that this was the only […]
Chris The Story Reading Ape

Smorgasbord Blog Magazine – Weekly Round Up – 29th May – June 4th 2023 – Big Band Era, Personal Power, ABBA, Podcast, Book Reviews, Health and Humour June 4, 2023
Welcome to the round up of posts you might have missed this week on Smorgasbord. I hope your week has gone well. There has been glorious sunshine here and knowing how unpredicable our summers can be, we have been making … Continue reading →
Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life.

Sunny Ann Starling, July 2, 1943 - January 6, 2023 January 10, 2023
All-American patriot, artist, designer, entrepreneur, flower arranger, chef, and joyful servant, Sunny Lou Starling, was carried on the wings of angels to the arms of her savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, January 6, 2023. She once said her mission was to “Gather and feed all you can, as often as you can, because you never know if […]
Unknown
WASP Final Flight February 28, 2022
WASP Deanie Bishop Parrish, 44-W-4"Failure isn't failure unless you let it be. It's simply a change in direction. Just count your many blessings move on. With God's help, anything is possible!"Deanie Bishop Parrish passed away peacefully in her home in Waco, Texas, on February 24, 2022, just one day shy of her 100th birthday. She met every challenge […]
Unknown

Six Fun Midweek Kodachrome Car Images No. 446 May 31, 2023
In this weekly series, we ask our readers to tell us the year, make, and model of all of these vehicles along with the location where the image was taken and anything else you find of interest in the photos. You can look back at all the earlier parts of this series here. You can look...
David Greenlees
Six Fun Midweek Kodachrome Car Images No. 445 May 24, 2023
In this weekly series, we ask our readers to tell us the year, make, and model of all of these vehicles along with the location where the image was taken and anything else you find of interest in the photos. You can look back at all the earlier parts of this series here. You can look...
David Greenlees

Minnesota Munchkins, c. 1895 March 23, 2023
This despondent looking crew are the drawn from the various Scandanavian, German, and Irish families settled in or near Wadena, Minnesota during the late 1800s. Wadena, located in the west-central part of the state, was (and is) a pretty small town, so some of these kids probably had an epic daily commute, by foot, from […]
chrmer
Boomers, First Grade: 1953 March 4, 2023
It's seventy years ago in Idyllic Larkspur™, where we find me (bottom left corner) with Bob, David, Bob, Jim, Jim, Margaret, Sandy, Donna, Rae Ann, Roberta, Virginia, Jerry, Buzzy, Fred, Gordy, Frances, Alice, Alice, Sheila, Mrs. Madeline Drew and others whose names I forget. This was taken within a month of losing nearly half our […]
tterrace

Cauliflower Growing Tip April 12, 2023
I’ve been growing cauliflower for years, but only recently did I learn this cauliflower growing tip from a farmer friend of mine. I was showing her my garden and she wrapped her hands around the leaves of my young cauliflower plants and folded them upward. “When your cauliflower begins to form a bud, pull your […]
gardenfrisk
Hydroponic Towers Made Easy July 22, 2022
Hydroponic Towers Made Easy will chronicle my journey into the hydroponic gardening world. At first, I was intimidated by the mere thought of growing food in hydroponic towers. I thought, that’s WAY too much work and involves way too many aspects I know nothing about. Chemicals, pH balance, water pumps, special sprouting trays… UGH. Just […]
gardenfrisk

With writers still on strike, AMPTP is suddenly happy to give directors a “historic” contract June 4, 2023
Late last night, the Directors Guild Of America released a statement announcing that they had come to a tentative agreement with the Alliance Of Motion Picture And Television Producers (a.k.a. the AMPTP, the coalition of major movie and TV studios), calling it a “truly historic deal” that gives the DGA “major…Read more...
Sam Barsanti
What's on TV this week—The Idol, Based On A True Story, Never Have I Ever June 4, 2023
Welcome to What’s On, our weekly picks of must-watch shows. Here’s what you need to watch from Sunday, June 4, to Thursday, June 8. All times are Eastern. [Note: The weekend edition of What’s On drops on Fridays.]Read more...
Saloni Gajjar
Bad Buzz: Disney lays off Lightyear director in first Pixar staff cuts in a decade June 3, 2023
The director and producer of 2022 Pixar flop Lightyear have both been laid off at Disney. According to Reuters, director Angus MacLane and producer Galyn Susman, veteran Pixar employees who’d been with the company since the Toy Story and A Bug’s Life days of the 1990s, were among 75 employees cut from Pixar in recent…Read […]
William Hughes
34 best TV shows streaming on Prime Video June 3, 2023
Are you really making the most out of your Amazon Prime subscription? Sure, you’ve got paper towels and cat litter coming in like clockwork. But if you’re not regularly combing through the service’s streaming catalog, then you’re missing out on hundreds of hours of killer TV. Since getting into the original-content…Read more...
The A.V. Club

Breakfast Tacos June 3, 2023
An absolute crowd favorite! Served in warm tortillas with crispy bacon, potatoes, scrambled eggs and your favorite toppings! Oh-so-crisp bacon strips, golden brown potatoes, and perfectly cheesy scrambled eggs all tucked in a warm tortilla. It’s simply perfect for breakfast (and lunch and dinner) as it comes together pretty quickly, using one skillet for everything. […]
Chungah @ Damn Delicious
Honey Fried Chicken and Waffles May 20, 2023
Super crispy fried chicken, drizzled with a warm honey glaze, served with the fluffiest buttermilk waffles! There’s a few steps involved in this, but my goodness is it a labor of love (of 45 minutes of course). And the end result is so worth it. With the crispiest chicken (breasts or thighs can be used here) […]
Chungah @ Damn Delicious

Chinese warship almost hits US Navy ship in the Taiwan Strait June 3, 2023
The USS Chung-Hoon in the Pacific Ocean in 2020. (Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Devin Langer/U.S. Navy).The incident comes a week after a Chinese jet buzzed an American surveillance plane. The post Chinese warship almost hits US Navy ship in the Taiwan Strait appeared first on Task & Purpose.
Nicholas Slayton
‘John Wick 5’ is happening. How? June 3, 2023
Keanu Reeves and Donnie Yen in 'John Wick: Chapter 4.' (Photo by Murray Close/Moviepix/Getty Images).Where can Keanu Reeves' hitman go from here? The post ‘John Wick 5’ is happening. How? appeared first on Task & Purpose.
Nicholas Slayton

Now in Montana, after a day's riding in Canada June 3, 2023
Jun 01, ThursdayMartha and I rode Scarlett, my 2014 Ural Patrol across the border into Canada at the Eastport/Kings Gate border crossing. We rode on Route 3A along the Kootenay Lake, enjoying the views.Here's one of several small harbors along the lake:We made it to The Glass House, a roadside tourist attraction. The builder had […]
redlegsrides
Now in Idaho, boondocking with Martha June 1, 2023
Yesterday, Martha flew into Spokane's airport and we drove to the Albeni Falls COE (Corps of Engineers) Campground about an hour away. We did stop in Spokane to stock up on Martha-level provisions and booze.We were joined there by the Z's after they'd done their errands within Spokane.Nice little campsite with 14 spots, some of […]
redlegsrides

Talking MA, SD, Violence, and of Course Writing With Coach Tony Blauer March 3, 2023
Had a blast talking with Tony Blauer, an innovator in self defense I've learned a ton from over the last 20 years or so.As we discuss in the podcast, I first met Tony when he wrote to me around the time my first book was published. He praised me for my fictional depiction of various aspects of violence, […]
Barry Eisler
Amazon Smile, No More January 19, 2023
In 2018, at the suggestion of novelist Andrew Vachss, I did what I could do get out the word about Amazon Smile—a program that enabled Amazon customers to direct a portion of their purposes to a favored charity. Mine was an organization Andrew established: the Legislative Drafting Institute for Child Protection.The good news is, you can still donate […]
Barry Eisler

Kashevaroff Mountain April 6, 2019
Long before we were a sailing family, Alisa and I were a young couple in love with adventuring in Alaska. The opportunity to introduce Eric and Elias to the delights of outdoor living in the Great Land was one of the big bright sides of our return to Alaska. Earlier this winter, the boys and […]
Letting go March 20, 2019
So...this beautiful island is our home. See the barky? The boys just had their spring break. A week off from school and nothing to keep us from buggering off in Galactic. The weather was generally poor - nothing like the pics above for the most part - so we just snuck off to the west […]

Pumpkin BOO-berry Muffins (Fun Halloween Toddler Snacktivity!) October 21, 2022
Here’s a delicious fall-time spin on classic blueberry muffins. If you’re a solo adult who likes good food, this recipe is for you. Or if you’ve got extra kitchen “helpers” around (read: kids who need entertainment), turn baking these Halloween muffins into a fun toddler snacktivity. Pumpkin BOO-berry Muffin Recipe Ingredients: 2 boxes Jiffy brand […]
Ashley
Comparing Mint Plants: Spearmint, Apple & Chocolate April 23, 2020
Mint is a reasonably cold-hardy perennial, meaning it grows back every year under the right conditions. Just like there are many different kinds of tomatoes (cherry, beefsteak, roma, etc.), there are plenty different varieties of mint, too. Here’s an overview comparison of three different kinds of mints that grow well for me in Anchorage, Alaska: […]
Ashley

"Home" vs. "Away" May 20, 2022
I’m home now. I’m looking at the flea market couch I brought up from California; I had cushions made three times over the years till I got it just right. Now it’s just right. It’s been in my life 42 years. Tim has been in my life 34 years, but he had to be out of […]
CloudyinAK
Goodbye, Toronto May 10, 2022
I’m saying my goodbyes to Toronto. I’ve seen my last Hot Docs Festival film, and I’m just back from my last author program. I’ve probably had my last roti, checked out my last book at my local branch library, gone to my last art workshop. Horror of horrors, I’ve even watched my last play. The thing […]
CloudyinAK

Clickbait May 31, 2023
It’s not just for journalists anymore Researchers examining the thousands of pandemic studies of SARS-CoV-2, Covid-19 and related fallout have concluded some scientists might have become as fixated as journalists on attracting […]
craigmedred
Economic consequences May 28, 2023
Russian fish replacing Alaska’s in China (This story was updated on May 29, 2023 to reflect that Russia plans to make the ice-choked Northern Sea Route a year-round shipping corridor starting […]
craigmedred

Malnourished launches today January 21, 2020
It’s here. The big day. My memoir, the one I spent 15 years struggling over, launches today from Raised Voice Press. I’m feeling very exposed, very vulnerable. This is not at all similar to when Dolls Behaving Badly launched from Hachette Book Group. That was a novel, and while some of it was based on… […]
cinthiaritchie
Book review: Secondhand Summer by Dan Walker December 1, 2019
I had had Alaska writer Dan Walker’s YA novel SECONDHAND SUMMER on my list for a long time, and two weeks ago finally had the chance to dive in. I wasn’t disappointed. Walker’s book, geared for middle school readers (but still immensely enjoyable for adults), follows 14-year-old Sam’s move to Anchorage from the small fishing… […]
cinthiaritchie

Comment on Sitka Nature Show #286 – Whale Researchers by matt goff May 26, 2023
Thanks John - I appreciate hearing about your observations! I've shared your comment with a couple of whale biologists.
matt goff
Comment on Sitka Nature Show #286 – Whale Researchers by john murray May 26, 2023
I've been trying to keep an eye on the Gray's in the inner Sound for about 5 seasons. Things have changed dramatically, especially three seasons ago. I winter king troll in the outer Sound so I always see a big increase in later March as they migrate through. As you probably remember there was a […]
john murray

SANDRA'S EASY APPLE HAND PIES November 9, 2022
So easy and delicious, and these freeze beautifully allowing you to bake them whenever you get a craving for them...Yield: 8 Hand PiesPrep: 20 Mins.Bake: 15 Mins. INGREDIENTS FILLING:1 TB salted butter1 TB all-purpose flour1 TB packed brown sugar1/2 cup water1/2 tsp vanilla extract1/2 teaspoon lemon juice1 tsp apple pie spice blend1 large honeycrisp apple, peeled, cored […]
sandra
SANDRA'S HOMEMADE MILD SWEET ITALIAN MOOSE SAUSAGE November 7, 2022
It's imperative to let the flavors meld for a minimum of 12 hoursprior to cookingthis wonderful moose sausage...Yield: Four 2-1/2 lb. portions (total of 2 lbs.)Prep: 20 Mins.Cook Patties: 3-4 Mins per side (7-8 Mins total)Meld Flavors: 12 hours INGREDIENTS 2 pounds lean ground moose (venison or other meats and poultry work well too)1 tablespoon red wine […]
sandra