Little Big House Alaska: Best of Alaska

Filed under 907 Updates

I was hosted at the Best of Alaska by the Anchorage Daily News, all opinions are mine.

I attended the Best of Alaska last weekend at the Dena’ina Center in Anchorage. The Best of Alaska is a collection of businesses who’ve been voted “the best” in their specific category by customers. So while there were 25 or so restaurants at the event, they were all the best in different ways. Here’s an official list of the winners on the Anchorage Daily News site. And here is my unofficial winners list, the things we encountered while we roamed the event, filling in our “Best of Alaska passports” with stamps from all the vendors in attendance. So much fun!

Read more: Best of Alaska

Little Big House Alaska, Best of Alaska

Alaska News Nightly: Thursday, September 21, 2023 September 22, 2023
Alaska's Child Care Task Force meets in person for the first time. Plus, $1,312. That's what Alaskans can expect from the Permanent Fund Dividend this year. And, Juneau's Indigenous music festival Aak’w Rock is paving the way for more events like it.
Tim Rockey, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage
State task force begins drafting recommendations to address Alaska’s child care crisis September 22, 2023
The task force is focused on three main topics for recommendations: licensing providers, background checks and the shrinking child care workforce.
Wesley Early, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage

sweet melissa -- 9/22/23 September 22, 2023
Today's selection -- from One Way Out: The Inside History of the Allman Brothers Band by Alan Paul. One of the most-loved rock ballads of the 1970s was the Allman Brothers Band's “Sweet Melissa”: “A teenaged Gregg Allman spent years struggling to find his musical voice, writing and rejecting songs. He says he tossed away […]
quantum mechanics -- 9/20/23 September 20, 2023
Today's selection -- from The Rigor of Angels by William Egginton. The mysteries of one of the most important breakthroughs in physics--quantum mechanics: “For all its astonishing, mind-bending complexity--for all its blurry cats, entangled particles, buckyballs, and Bell's inequalities--quantum mechanics ultimately boils down to one core mystery. This mystery found its best expression in the […]

Alaska News Nightly: Thursday, September 21, 2023 September 22, 2023
Alaska's Child Care Task Force meets in person for the first time. Plus, $1,312. That's what Alaskans can expect from the Permanent Fund Dividend this year. And, Juneau's Indigenous music festival Aak’w Rock is paving the way for more events like it.
Tim Rockey, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage
State task force begins drafting recommendations to address Alaska’s child care crisis September 22, 2023
The task force is focused on three main topics for recommendations: licensing providers, background checks and the shrinking child care workforce.
Wesley Early, Alaska Public Media - Anchorage

Recent Research Spreadsheets
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
Legislative Drafting Students
Our students spend the summer working on the research project of the LDICP. Through their extensive research, massive databases of information on state statutes regarding the abuse of children have been created and will be posted here as their work is finalized. Here are...
feigleycommunications

Curiosity – The Writer’s Magic – by DiAnn Mills.… September 22, 2023
on Live Write Thrive: Curiosity is the magic ingredient that keeps readers turning pages. The reader’s mind nudges them with unanswered questions, concerns about the character, and the unexpected plot twist. The reader becomes part of the adventure, laughing, crying, celebrating, and sometimes running for their lives. Recently, a writing client and I were editing […]
Chris The Story Reading Ape

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

Four Fun Midweek Kodachrome Car Images No. 462 September 20, 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 on all the earlier parts of this series here. The photos are via Kodachrome...
David Greenlees
Four Fun Midweek Kodachrome Car Images No. 461 September 13, 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 on all the earlier parts of this series here. The photos are via Americar.
David Greenlees

Akron Over Washington: 1932 September 21, 2023
August 19, 1932. The Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. "The Navy airship Akron appeared in the morning and after circling the city released several of her small fighting airplanes over Hoover Field. These were later drawn into the hangar constructed on the interior of the airship." 4x5 inch nitrate negative by Theodor Horydczak. View full […]
Dave
TRX: 1910 September 19, 2023
Mobile, Alabama, circa 1910. "Unloading bananas." Tropical Refrigerator Express reefers at the ready. 8x10 inch glass negative, Detroit Publishing Company. View full size.
Dave

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

Flying aircraft carriers September 22, 2023
In reply to Akron Over Washington: 1932: It seems incredible now, but in the early 1930s the Navy experimented with launching and retrieving fighter planes from airships like the Akron. The photo below, taken three months before Horydczak's, shows a Sparrowhawk fighter suspended from the "trapeze" of the Akron. The pilot can be seen reaching […]
GlenJay
I'm doubly impressed September 22, 2023
In reply to Akron Over Washington: 1932: First, that F9C Sparrowhawk fighter planes could be released from the airship. Even more, that the Sparrowhawks could return to the airship.
Sewickley

Easy Microgreens June 13, 2023
Microgreens seem to be all the rage these days and for good reason: they are packed with nutrients and easy to grow! The USDA and University of Maryland found that leaves from microgreens had more nutrients than the mature leaves of the same plants. And great flavor. Plus, you don’t need a lot of space […]
gardenfrisk
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

Peacock un-renews the Pitch Perfect TV show September 22, 2023
Ah, the un-renewal: Is there a more ignominious fate for a TV show, or its creators? You get the go-ahead to make more of your thing, get excited to plot out new storylines and character arcs, and then, whoops: Lucy pulls the corporate football away, and you go flying off into the miserable distance.Read more...
William Hughes
"Rich Men North Of Richmond"'s Oliver Anthony signs with Hollywood agency September 22, 2023
The saga of Oliver Anthony—the self-published recording artist who garnered national attention, mentions by major politicians, and a whole ton of YouTube views with his sudden breakout hit “Rich Men North Of Richmond”—has now taken a turn for the corporate, it seems. Deadline reports that Anthony (who’s hesitated to…Read more...
William Hughes
Not even Star Wars is a match for Suits September 22, 2023
Although we have never, personally, spent millions of dollars and god knows how many hours of human creativity to make a Star Wars TV show—hey, fingers crossed for next year, though!—we have to assume that it’s probably pretty hard to do. Certainly, it seems like the sort of thing where, once you’ve done it, you’d like…Read […]
William Hughes
Before Se7en, David Fincher nearly sunk his teeth into Blade September 22, 2023
Today, it’s impossible to imagine David Fincher directing a superhero movie. Honestly, in 1994, it was kind of impossible, too. Considering the hell Fincher went through making Alien³, it seemed like he was done with franchise filmmaking entirely. But leave it to screenwriter David S. Goyer to reveal that he and…Read more...
Matt Schimkowitz

Sheet Pan Chicken Gyros September 16, 2023
Perfectly seasoned chicken baked to perfection on ONE SINGLE PAN! Serve in warm pitas for a quick weeknight meal! Who doesn’t love a good chicken sheet pan dinner? It’s quick, it’s fast, and there’s minimal clean up involved. And I for one love this shortcut gyro sheet pan dinner. The chicken is seasoned oh-so-perfectly with […]
Chungah @ Damn Delicious
Homemade Sloppy Joes September 9, 2023
Hands down THE BEST sloppy joes made from scratch! So saucy, so hearty. Serve in hamburger buns for a quick dinner! Let’s just say that sloppy joes aren’t just kid-friendly. They are 100% a family-favorite for EVERYONE including all grown-ups. I mean, saucy, tender ground beef goodness with a hint of sweetness served on toasted […]
Chungah @ Damn Delicious

Romany Gypsies in Regency England: A Vibrant, Misunderstood Community September 22, 2023
In Regency England, there existed a community of mystery and intrigue—The Romany Gypsies. These nomadic people, known for their colorful wagons, lively traditions, and vibrant culture, played a significant yet often misunderstood role. Here, I hope to shed some light on their customs, challenges, and enduring spirit. The Romany Gypsies are a nomadic community, moving […]
Josie Riviera
Changing Direction September 19, 2023
During difficult times, we remain frozen in one place and moving seems almost impossible. We focus on what we can’t do rather than do something different, and yet changing directions may bring up new opportunities and open new doors. A needed change, a ‘turning point’ in a novel, a ‘momentum shift’ in tennis games, a […]
Mona Risk

101st and 82nd Airborne Division soldiers headed to Eastern Europe September 21, 2023
Soldiers with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and 1st Armored Division conduct Fast Rope Insertion and Extraction System training at Mihail Kogălniceanu Air base in Romania, Nov. 10, 2022. (Sgt. Nicholas Goodman/U.S. Army).The US military’s force posture in Europe will remain the same. The post 101st and 82nd Airborne Division soldiers headed to Eastern […]
Jeff Schogol
What are EFP bombs? September 21, 2023
Soldiers from the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, deliberately detonate a known roadside bomb trigger point near Qedar, north of Baghdad, Iraq. (Sgt. John Crosby/U.S. Army).Once triggered, an EFP turns a copper or steel warhead into a molten projectile that can punch through the main armor of almost any vehicle in the […]
Joshua Skovlund

T-Dubing around the Medano-Zapata Ranch Conservancy September 20, 2023
Not much got done yesterday, Monday. I did do some riding at the Great Sand Dunes NP after a decent sunrise:As I'm waiting on Martha's arrival to tackle the sand dunes, I didn't do any dune climbing/hiking. The light was very flat too so no further pics of the dunes for Monday:The weather turned overcast […]
redlegsrides
Day 3 at the San Luis Lakes SWA: Medano Pass September 18, 2023
Sunday, September 17A good day of riding today. I left camp shortly before 9AM and rode in brisk mid-40s temperatures the 20 miles or so to the trailhead within the Great Sand Dunes NP.The sun was out, and kept things warm enough, especially once I started moving under 25 mph due to the conditions of […]
redlegsrides

The Real Reason Voters Have Soured on Biden September 18, 2023
According to numerous recent polls, Americans believe the economy is in bad shape and don’t trust President Biden to manage it.In response, the president’s supporters have been arguing strenuously that the gloom is mistaken because in fact the economy is doing well—“extremely well,” according to New York Times columnist Paul Krugman; “astoundingly” well and “better than any other […]
Barry Eisler
If You Care About Privacy... June 22, 2023
If you care about privacy, please stop referring to "privacy advocates." This reflexive phrase implies that certain individuals are trying to increase privacy or otherwise change the status quo--an uphill battle regardless of the issue at hand because most people instinctively distrust and even fear change.In fact, privacy is under increasing assault by government and […]
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 […]

Identifying Devil’s Club Plant August 10, 2023
Devil’s Club is a common wild plant in Alaska that’s large & covered in hidden sharp thorns, growing everywhere from remote forests to even well-groomed Anchorage city trails. Just because you’re “in town” doesn’t mean you won’t run into devil’s club. It’s smart to stay on the trails, particularly if you’re not confident spotting it. […]
Ashley
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

"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

Uncharted waters September 20, 2023
Thin-hulled oil tanker bound for Bering Sea As you read this, the Leonid Losa – a Liberia-registered oil tanker owned by Dubai-based Sun Ship Management and loaded with a million barrels of […]
craigmedred
Demarketing September 19, 2023
Canadians target sales of Alaska salmon Stealing a page from the playbook Alaska commercial salmon fishermen and some environmental groups used in an effort to kill net-pen salmon farming more than a […]
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

Sitka Nature Show #295 – Starling Birch August 13, 2023
Download Radio Show The August 13th show featured a conversation with Starling Birch, videographer and mountain adventurer. We talked about the pleasure and pain of adventuring into the mountains. We also considered the motivations that drive us to put ourselves in often unpleasant and potentially regretful circumstances when exploring the challenging landscape that surrounds us […]
matt goff
Sitka Nature Show #294 – Derek Sikes July 30, 2023
Download Radio Show The July 30th show featured a conversation with Derek Sikes, curator of insects at the Museum of the North and Professor of entomology at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. We spoke about bug camps, collecting, more generally about terrestrial arthropods in Alaska, and some particular questions of current interest. If you have […]
matt goff

Sandra's Fresh Apple Pecan Cake (9x13") September 18, 2023
My husband loves this cakeso much he had two pieces 'after' eating lunch...Ingredients2 Eggs1 ½ cup Canola Oil2 cups Granulated Sugar3 cups A-P Flour2 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon½ teaspoon Ground Nutmeg½ teaspoon Kosher Salt1 ½ teaspoons Baking Soda4 cups Chopped Apples (peeled and cored): measure after chopping1 cup chopped Pecans: measure after chopping1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract⅔ […]
sandra
SANDRA'S CINNAMON RAISIN STREUSEL MUFFINS August 17, 2023
An easy recipe to preparewith awesome results...Prep: 15 Mins. Bake: 30 Mins. Yield: 12 Cupcake-Size Muffins INGREDIENTS Muffin batter: WET: 1/3 cup vegetable oil 1 egg, beaten 2/3 cup milk DRY 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 3/4 cup white sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking powder […]
sandra