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Filipinos and Filipino Americans have more than 200 years of history in Alaska, but there is only one book that tells our story. It's called "Filipinos in Alaska, 1788-1958," written by the late former Alaska state Rep. Thelma Buchholdt, who herself made history. Buchholdt was the first Asian American and Filipino elected to the Alaska Legislature, and the first Filipina elected to any state legislative body. October is Filipino American History Month, which has been officially recognized in...
To us she'll always be the Red Rocket. To the rest of the world, she is a red 2011 Toyota Sienna minivan. We bought her 13 years ago, already a couple of years old, at the Avis used car lot out by the airport in Anchorage. The Red Rocket served us well all these years. It never had a major mechanical problem and it didn't use or leak oil. This is what happened: Christy and I are in pretty good health but we got older. Reaction times are a bit slower. Vision is a little less sharp. The mind...
The article “Savoring garden tours and summer’s detours” mistakenly stated the thoroughfare in the Mat-Su Borough. It is the Trunk Road. The article “Rediscovering ‘us’ in Thailand: Chiang Mai” had confusing captions. The caption “Top left: Walking beside gentle giants into the Chiang Mai jungle—quiet, humbling, and unforgettable.” should have appeared next to the image of the Sherrys with an elephant. The caption labeled “At The Good View, the Ping River glowed, the city lit up, and even the wrong turns felt exactly right.” should have i...
Maybe you're like me and doomscroll reels on Facebook or memes playing to Alphaville song "I want to be Forever Young," and the young faces of famous people and movie stars morph into their present-day image. If they're dead, they have beautiful white wings, which is somewhat reassuring. Sometimes, the cause of death is listed and No. 1 seems to be pneumonia, but also heart problems and Lewy Body dementia. Pro-vaxxers and anti-vaxxers Personally, I have never seen a vaccine I didn't like. In...
Important changes to federal rules will affect some adults ages 19-64 who get Alaska Medicaid starting in January 2027. This means that some people with Medicaid must work, go to school, go to a training program, or volunteer to keep their coverage. For adults ages 50 to 64, one of the biggest changes is that most people covered through Medicaid will have their eligibility reviewed every six months instead of every 12 months beginning Jan. 1, 2027. If you get a form or letter, read it and reply...
Q: Recently, I've read about people identifying as "Spiritual But Not Religious" (SBNR). What does that mean? A: As we age, maintaining physical strength, balance and mobility is essential, but cultivating a positive outlook is equally vital. A recent Pew Research Center study (July 2023–March 2024) highlights how Americans view spiritual and religious self-descriptions: 21% Spiritual but not religious 53% Spiritual and religious 5% Religious 21% Neither spiritual nor religious Spirituality is a...
The change of season is a time when our immune systems must adapt to a new environment and weather pattern. We are more vulnerable to contagious illness during these colder days and longer nights. Warm hats, scarves and gloves can help. Cold wind can literally drive pathogens into your system, so bundle up. In many parts of northern Asia, the preferred winter drink is hot water. Take your water warmer if you are feeling chilly. Warming herbs which can be added to hot water include ginger,...
From Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, I encourage you to review and, if needed, change your Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) under Medicare’s Part D coverage. Changes you elect will become effective on Jan. 1, 2027. Certified Medicare counselors across Alaska can help you as part of the Medicare Information Office’s network of program Ambassadors. Give us a call, we would be glad to answer your questions, guide you through the process, and even complete the review of your prescription drug plan with you...
Clearing the air to treat dry eye disease Anyone who has ever endured burning, itchy eyes or extra tearing knows that these symptoms are tough to ignore. They can impact your vision and make it harder to work, focus or sleep. They are also some of the most common signs of dry eye disease, a condition that impacts up to 30% of the population globally, without any real cure. Dry eye can result from insufficient tear production or poor tear quality and may cause eye discomfort, a burning sensation...
When someone receives a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia, it can feel as though life has suddenly been divided into a before and an after. Conversations quickly turn to what may change. Memory, independence, driving, finances, caregiving, and the future all become part of a new vocabulary for families. Those conversations are important. Families need information, resources, and a plan for what may lie ahead. But when we focus only on what dementia can take away, we...
Dear Savvy Senior, Since my dad passed away last year, my 82-year-old mother has struggled to keep up with her bills. She’s proud and insists on doing things herself, but I worry she’s falling behind. How can I help her manage her finances without upsetting her? - Concerned Daughter Dear Concerned, You’re not alone – lots of adult children step in to help aging parents with their finances. Whether it’s paying bills, handling bank accounts, filing insurance claims, or sorting through taxes, taking on these responsibilities can feel tricky. T...
Pet owners in Alaska know that when your pet goes missing, you’ll try everything in your power to bring them home. Unfortunately, some scammers use that vulnerable moment against you. How lost pet scams target Alaskans A lost pet scam often begins with the news every pet owner hopes to hear: Someone says they found your missing pet. But then the request for money begins. The scammer may demand a reward before returning the pet or claim your pet needs urgent medical care that must be paid for immediately. Most lost pet scams rely on i...
You see them zipping by in the milder months. With colors of deep teal, metallic brown, a rare powder blue, some emit beep-beeps while others rumble mightily. They are the vintage cars of Alaska, on display now. Like showy birds, they largely go away before bad weather arrives, their owners careful to protect against snow, potholes and inattentive drivers. "These cars are meant to be seen," said Eli Guzmán, whose Chevrolet Bel Air required 10 years of work. It had belonged to his great-uncle....
The highlight of October is the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention. This large annual gathering brings together Indigenous leaders and community members together to celebrate culture and discuss important policy issues. The convention itself is Oct. 22-24. This year’s theme is “Rooted in Land and Tradition, Rising in Our Voices.” The First Alaskans Statewide Youth and Elders Conference is immediately before AFN, Oct. 18-21. Both are at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center. https://nativefederation.org/convention/ …. October is also w...
Established in 1968, OPAG is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to improving services, developing programs, educating, promoting and implementing changes to help Alaska seniors live healthy, productive lives. Current programs: - publish the monthly Senior Voice newspaper - publish and distribute the Directory for Older Alaskans senior resource directory - provide information and referral services for Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Affordable Health Care Act and other senior issues - organize monthly Providers' Breakfast...
Former North Slope Borough Public Defender Rebecca Wright Stevens has published a memoir "Sisters of the Midnight Sun" that details her life in Utqiagvik (Barrow), her relationship with an Iñupiat man, the drinking parties she attended and one time hosted, and the horrific double murder of two local sisters where she defends one of the suspects. I am in the unusual position of having reported on the same case when I was editor of The Arctic Sounder covering the North Slope. I am also mentioned...
Securely snug in her Midcoastal Maine home during last year's late-fall chill, Alicia Malone settled in for another approaching snowy New England winter. This time, however, she found not only warmth beside the glow of the crackling wood fire but also inspiration-as she planned a murder. In the following weeks, the Australian transplant would juggle a laptop, sheets of printout drafts, and steaming cups of tea while her pair of golden retrievers looked on as she carefully wove together clues,...
Shortly after the discovery of gold in the Klondike, Alaska was a land raw and grand, newly settled towns stitched together by wild rivers, frozen trails, and hope. The great rush for gold had ignited dreams in the hearts of thousands, but it also drew sharp attention to one practical problem – how to get a letter or a bank draft hundreds of miles from the coast to stampeders in Circle City and the Yukon. The cry for a dependable, all-American mail route had been echoing in the North for y...
I had this month's column all planned out, and all I needed to do was commit it to paper. But then Dolly Parton died. The passing of the "Queen of Country" is still fresh as I write this, and there is not a great deal of information available, but what we know so far is encouraging. Dolly had said that she did not want to leave a mess for her loved ones after she was gone, and it appears likely she didn't. Dolly Parton was one of the most generous and, according to just about everybody who ever...
Our family was enjoying a meal together around the dining table in our Palmer home back in early summer 1999. This didn't happen often because our kids (Patrick and Erin) were already living out on their own. "Pop and I are going to put the house up for sale this summer and move to Slana," I announced while we ate. "You've got to be kidding" and "But that's out in the middle of nowhere" were a couple of the responses we got. They weren't surprised about us selling the house; they knew that was...
Qualified Alaskans will receive their 2026 Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend this month. The payout is $1,000 from the Permanent Fund and a $200 energy relief payment. The Alaska Legislature agreed on the amount in May, according to the Alaska Beacon. Direct deposit begins Oct. 1. Paper checks/later approvals will go out around Oct. 22, the State of Alaska Department of Revenue states on its website. The Legislature finalized the $1,200 total after debate over competing proposals. The agreement came as part of a $13.9 billion compromise state...
Oct. 1-31 National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. A campaign held throughout October to raise awareness and support for research, early detection, and education regarding breast cancer. Oct. 1 National Black Dog Day. Did you know black dogs have a harder time getting adopted? Maybe today’s the day you look at your local shelter and adopt a black dog. Oct. 4 National Taco Day. Dig in. Oct. 6 National News Engagement Day. Founded by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC), this day encourages people of all ages...
Q. What is one of the best Nintendo games I might not know about? A. Nintendo Online is a subscription service that gives every Nintendo Switch owner access a vast library of classic games. I would start there. Decades ago, before the Switch and Wii, was GameCube, which had a relatively short life but some amazing titles. The older Zelda games are there, along with a large library of other popular games from classic Nintendo consoles. Not long ago Nintendo Online expanded into GameCube games, including Zelda’s WindWaker, and the hidden gem, S...
There's something both exhilarating and slightly disorienting about traveling as newly minted empty nesters. No schedules, no negotiations over where to eat, no one asking for Wi-Fi passwords every five minutes. Just the two of us, figuring out how to travel, relax, and reconnect again. Our final stop brought us to Koh Samui, a palm-fringed island in the Gulf of Thailand known for laid-back beaches, warm waters, and a gentle reminder to slow down – or at least try to. Travel day – steps vs. sna...
