Low turn out for HLB open house
A low-publicized Heritage Land Bank open house to solicit input on its 2024 work plan drew only a half dozen residents to the community center Monday afternoon.
Though its first meeting with Girdwood had little public notice, the meeting is only the first of three, said Nicole Jones-Vogel, a former HLB land manager whose company, Rise Up Coaching Solutions, was contracted to help with planning.
Of about 10,000 acres HLB controls in the Municipality of Anchorage, a little less than half of those lands are in Girdwood.
Bear Escapes Apparent Shooting in Girdwood
Alayna DuPont set an alarm for 3:30 a.m. to wake up early Friday morning for bear patrol.
At 2:15 a.m. a string of gunshots woke her instead.
The report came from a parking lot near Alyeska's Sitzmark bar where a brown bear had knocked over a dumpster 24 hours earlier. She quickly texted her contact with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. No response.
GCVA hosts show featuring Anchorage Clay Arts Guild
The Girdwood Center for Visual Arts hosted the Anchorage Clay Arts Guild on the evening of Oct.7 in a well-attended community opening reception titled “Thrown Together” featuring pottery works of art from numerous local artists.
Girdwood hosts Homer Police forum on ‘Parenting in the Digital Age’
On a recent Friday evening in Girdwood, a much anticipated guest speaker came to Girdwood thanks to outreach and support from the Public Safety Advisory Committee and Girdwood Board of Supervisors. Lieutenant Ryan Browning of the Homer Police Department engaged parents and youth in a frank conversation about the real life risks of youth social media usage, cyberbullying, sexting.
Lt. Browning’s time as a police officer, and personal experience as a father of two teens himself, inspired him to create his two hour presentation “Parenting in the Digital Age.” Over the last year Browning has traveled all over the state of Alaska sharing his thoughtful, engaging, and at times provocative, two hour program with the goal of helping parents and teens open up a dialogue about what they’re seeing and experiencing online.
Sold Out Girdwood Trails Marathon held Saturday; brings new record, and inspiring stories
The sixth annual Girdwood Trails Marathon was held Saturday, Oct. 7 starting from the Alyeska Daylodge and travels through some of the most amazing meandering trails in Girdwood.
This sold-out event included a full marathon, a half marathon, and a juniors half marathon. In total, 193 participants, including 62 full marathon, and 131 half marathon particpants, from all around Alaska. This included 26 locals and 14 runners from other states, who ran the “marathon loop” in the Girdwood Valley.
Girdwood's Ava Earl Releases New Album, Helps Power Northwestern U. Running Team
In fourth grade at Girdwood Elementary, Ava Earl had to write a self-reflection on her school performance: "What are you good at? What are your weaknesses?"
Assessing her strengths wouldn't be hard, she was an exemplary student, star runner and already showed a proclivity in music.
But there was one thing she scolded herself on, something that could cause her teachers' "mild frustration", and something, as it would turn out, for which women are typically chided for more than men.
Talking--being--too much.
That accusation became the title of Earl's latest album, her fourth, released Sept. 15
Alaska WWAMI Equips Future Doctors for Wilderness Medicine in Girdwood
First-year Alaska WWAMI medical students gathered in Girdwood for a day of intensive wilderness medicine training earlier this month.
“I think it’s important for Alaska WWAMI students to gain wilderness medical experience simply because we all live and recreate here, and many of us plan to have our careers based here,” said Rya Berrigan, who grew up in Palmer, AK. “As we train to become physicians in Alaska, it is an added responsibility to be knowledgeable and comfortable treating patients either while we are in the wilderness ourselves, or if we see patients come in with injuries or illnesses sustained while out in the wilderness," she said.
Three planets to see this fall
On our rare clear evenings there will be three planets to observe in the night sky in Girdwood, or anyplace else you might be. One you kind of must hunt for, one that is unquestionably a planet, and towards morning one you almost need sunglasses for!
The one you must know where to look is Saturn. It will have already risen when it gets dark and will be in the southern sky above the Kenai mountains. It is brighter than any of the stars near it and always looks a little yellow to me. To see any detail, including the rings, you will need to magnify it at least 40 times. A good spotting scope might do it, but a telescope is better.
Alyeska Unveils Expansion Plans at Town Hall
Alyeska Resort's owners laid out a sweeping vision for Girdwood's upper valley Thursday night, one of a "village", parking lots, recreational facilities, a conference center, a daycare center and other amenities.
About 150 people attended the meeting which was billed as a "town hall" meeting held amid platefuls of cookies and snacks in the weathered Sitzmark Bar, with its indigo paisley stained glass ceiling and worn, burnished booths.
Jennifer Wingard moves to leadership role with GBOS reorganization
Jennifer Wingard assumed a leadership role as co-chair of the Girdwood Board of Supervisors sharing governance responsibilities with current GBOS Co-Chair Briana Sullivan following Mike Edgington completing his tenure as co-chair to the GBOS.
Forest filming
A filming crew shoots a commercial for GCI that will feature the new iPhone.
Girdwood Trails Committee applies for grant; seeks public comments
Girdwood Trails Committee applies for Recreational Trails Grant Funds to repair trail and is seeking public comment.
Girdwood community resilience challenge begins
This fall as you begin to prepare for winter and winter recreation, let’s also prepare for emergencies. Having worked over 20 years in emergency services, a common theme is that disasters never happen when you are ready for them, but preparing for them mentally and with some planning can make them a better experience.
Suspension Bridge may Replace Hand Tram
Hikers may soon be able to cross Crow Creek along the Winner Creek trail via a suspension bridge.
Hotel and Hardware Store Only a Pipe Dream, Says Developer
Rumors that a hotel and hardware store will sprout up near Girdwood Brewing Company are "crystal ball stuff”, says local developer Tim Cabana.
Could Girdwood's Forests Burn?
As I sat on my back porch during the summer of 2016 , thick smoke from the McHugh Creek fire blowing through my own mature forest of trees, I began to wonder, “could Girdwood ever burn?”
Metaphysically, the answer is “yes.” Forever is a long time. The better question to ask is, “what is the likelihood of wildfire being able to spread in Girdwood?”
Enstar agrees to further review controversial gas line plan
Following a groundswell of local opposition, an official for the gas company planning to clear cut a nearly mile-long corridor through wetlands and rainforest in Girdwood's lower valley stated the project required "further review" and "dialogue".
Girdwood’s Grizzlies prepare for the new school year
Summer is soon coming to an end for Girdwood’s Grizzlies who will be coming back to the classroom at the Girdwood K-8 School.
Girdwood’s K-8 Principal Kari Anderson said she is looking forward to a positive year ahead and talked about what families can expect for the new school year and what’s new for the first quarter.
GBOS Co-Chair shares his outlook for Girdwood (Re-elected)
The Girdwood Board of Supervisors Co-Chair Mike Edgington won the challenged race by overcoming Kellie Okonek to win Girdwood Valley Service Area, Seat D in the general election April 4 election that featured strident electioneering--yard signs, door-door canvassing, and sign waving at the local post office.
Girdwood Fire and Rescue gets new crash extrication equipment
The Girdwood Fire Department was amongst several fire departments to receive life-saving rescue tools aiding first responders in expediting the extrication of crash victims.