Frank, Frank, Frank...

In my research for this week's piece for Working Mother magazine's online scoop for the 2008 Palin/McCain election campaign, I came across some very interesting tidbits of information on our former Governor, Frank Murkowski.

Did you know that...

Frank's appointment of daughter Lisa to fill his fat Senate seat in 2002 led to a 2004 ballot measure stripping governors of appointing senators, only one of 3 states to do so.

Toward the end of Frank's term, he brokered a gas line deal that was never considered by the legislature in its final form, and only a lawsuit by legislators kept him from signing it w/out their approval?

Frank tried to get the Dept. of Homeland Security to underwrite the cost of the now infamous Jet? Needed it to keep his state safe, don't you know?


My friend J. in Homer told me a funny story about the first time she went to Juneau for a business trip. She noticed a bunch of little yellow flags with Murkowski's mug on them, stuck in the ground here and there with no apparent pattern. She asked a client what they all meant, and received this reply.

"They are there to mark all the dog poop spots in the grass."

The piece for Working Mother should be up by the end of the week.

No Runway? No Problem!

It's not every day you round the corner in the neighborhood to find an airplane parked on a front lawn.

In Alaska, however, anything goes. Clearly. 1 in 5 residents are licensed pilots; in part because many are military or retired military, and also due to the fact that some of the best fishing and hunting are done miles away from any road or water system.

Merrill Field, just across from Yukon's office at the VA, is home to most of these pilots' aircraft. Others rely on float planes, moored at Lake Hood near the Airport. Lake Hood is the busiest float plane port in the world.

Or, you could just land in the street and roll up to the front deck. Handy if you're late to dinner.

Drinkingest City

How very proud the citizens of Anchorage must be. Our city was announced in the latest issue of Men's Health magazine as ranking second in their America's Drunkest Cities poll.
The magazine based its findings upon the number of binge drinkers per day in a particular city, the number of alcohol-related liver disease deaths, number of DUI arrests and accidents, and finally, any positive influence the MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) chapter either has or doesn't have in the city. Anchorage lost out to Denver, Colorado, by the way.
I am frankly a bit surprised Anchorage did not rank first. Not a day goes by we do not witness an alcohol-related incident on a street corner of the city. Alcoholism is rampant in Alaska, especially in the Bush areas, where domestic violence, drug offenses, and SNUI (Sno-Go Under the Influence) issues plague State Troopers and Community Service Officers (CSO's). It is sickening. It is a shame. It is also common.
With the end of the holiday season, the four or five months until Break- Up (when the snow finally melts) seem endless. Freezing cold temperatures that prevent much outdoor activity keep folks inside and tempers rise much faster than the thermometer. People drink to make the long winter bearable, or so they think.
Yukon and I went to a popular Anchorage eatery last weekend on a rare date night. The Glacier Brewhouse is wildly full on any weekend night, particularly in the summertime, when tourists swarm in for a dose of Alaskan charm. In the winter, the bar and restaurant are full of local folks who just need to get out for a while and see other people. Yukon and I try to go there, and to its companion restaurant, Orso, once a month or so. Orso was packed to the beer taps this time, so over to the Brewhouse we went.
So that readers can get a taste of wintertime bar conversation in Anchorage, Alaska, I have written the actual conversation spoken by the dolts sitting next to us at the bar.
Dolt #1: "Oh dude, I'm so glad to be here. I'm just getting over the dry heaves from last night!"

Dolt #2: "Yeah, I'm not even sure where we went, but I think we had fun!"

Friend (sitting nearby): "So how much did you have?"

Dolt #1: "Shit, I don't know! All I know is that I drank my dinner!"

Dolt #2: "It's a good thing your wife doesn't know about that!"

Friend: "Where is your wife?"

Dolt #1: "She's in Las Vegas playing hockey, but that's okay, she's probably doing the same
thing!"

Keep in mind that these two were 20-somethings, employed, although for how long is anybody's guess, as #1 worked in the famous Anchorage hotel that has provided me with rotten service every time I go there. Needless to say, we left soon after and went to Kinley's for the remainder of our delightful evening.
It was tough, however, to leave such fascinating exchanges.

Test Your Alaskan IQ

My aunt down in the Lower 48 recently sent me a book titled "Alaska Now". Knowing my penchant for old books, she thought I would enjoy it, as it profiles Alaska and everything one needs to know about the "territory". Written in 1950 by a man named Herb Hilscher, the book gave Alaska facts and tips for survival should one decide, as many did, to pack up lock, stock, and kids and move to the Last Frontier.

We read exerpts at the dinner table the other night, and particularly enjoyed the section that soothed worried minds about "Alaskans being just like regular people anywhere". Thank goodness.

So, in the spirit of Alaskana, and all that is unique up here, see if you know the answers to the following trivia questions. Answers with next post.

What year did Alaska become a state?

How many square miles is Alaska?

What is Alaska's state bird?

What is the official sport of Alaska?

How far is Alaska from Russia?

How many stars are on the State Flag?

What is the state's official tree?

The name "Alaska" comes from an Eskimo word Alashak, meaning what?

So, get out your travel books and Web searches to find the answers, and have fun!