Sorted by date Results 301 - 325 of 687
I have worked with Alaska Health Fair’s dedicated team of employees for seven years and instead of the “Seven Year Itch” to move on, I’m even more in love with our agency and more dedicated to providing health services to Alaska residents. We have been a statewide non-profit for 40 years, as of 2020, with offices in both Anchorage and Fairbanks. We started from a small National Institutes of Health grant, that all 50 states received, each state being asked to go forth and develop a health education program. I found out that in the years b...
The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in January. This month’s discussion topic will be “Beginning a New Year: How We Can Be Better at Taking Care to Give Care.” Jan. 7, Caregiver support meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m. Jan. 14, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m. Jan. 21, Caregiver support meeting at Kenai Senior Center, 1 p.m. Jan. 28, Open house at Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program in Blazy Mall, Soldotna, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Check...
More than 60 years ago, the framers of Alaska's Constitution found one of their most difficult problems to be the intermediate government between municipalities and the state. Their solution was the creation of a unit known as the "borough." "It's a county with a New York name," a legislator once said. Most delegates to the Constitutional Convention did not want to slice the territory into a large number of counties as in other states. Valdez delegate William A. "Bill" Egan listed "make-up of...
Staff from Alaska’s Social Security office will be available for questions via videoconferencing at the following locations and times in January: Kodiak Job Center, on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month (Jan. 8 and 22), 9 a.m. to noon. Kenai Senior Center, on the first and third Wednesday of each month (Jan. 1 and 15), 9 a.m. to noon. Ketchikan Job Center, every Thursday (Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30), noon to 3 p.m. Social Security provides toll-free telephone service to all of Alaska. Residents in Alaska’s Southeast communities can cal...
It will have a huge impact on your life. Maybe it’s a few years away, and maybe it’s just around the corner. No matter when you anticipate retirement, it can be overwhelming. Ease into it with a checklist. Here are a few suggestions. Retirement bucket list What would you like to do when you retire? What is on your bucket list? How will you spend your time so that it gives you joy, pleasure and satisfaction? You can start thinking about this years before you retire, or as you are easing into it. Perhaps you could discuss these ideas with friends...
Alaska Health Fair staff want to wish you a wonderful, happy and safe holiday season, and a great start to 2020. Thank you for providing generous support for our non-profit during a very busy 2019. We ask that you help us to greet an amazing (and fast approaching) new year, as we celebrate Alaska Health Fair’s 40th Anniversary in 2020. We are now at the end of our Fall 2019 season and want to express our appreciation for your wonderful support whether you attended an event as a participant, worked as a volunteer, screener or exhibitor, or g...
The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will not hold any regularly scheduled meetings in December. They will host a Christmas party at the Soldotna Senior Center on Tuesday, Dec. 10, from 1 to 3 p.m. The event is a potluck, so bring your favorite holiday dish. Also bring something you’d like to get rid of, as there will be a “recycle gift exchange.” Be sure your recycle gift is wrapped. For more information, call Sharon or Judy at (907) 262-1280. Homer Family Caregiver meetings take place on the second and fourth Thursdays of ea...
Staff from Alaska’s Social Security office will be available for questions via videoconferencing at the following locations and times in December: Kodiak Job Center, on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month (Dec. 10 and 24), 9 a.m. to noon. Kenai Senior Center, on the first and third Wednesday of each month (Dec. 4 and 18), 9 a.m. to noon. Ketchikan Job Center, every Thursday (Dec. 5, 12, 19 and 26), noon to 3 p.m. Social Security provides toll-free telephone service to all of Alaska. Residents in Alaska’s Southeast communities can cal...
During the Klondike Gold Rush, Dawson's dancehall girls offered prospectors a welcome diversion from their grueling, lonely days of digging in the sub-arctic tundra. "The sourdoughs lay on their bunks until noon – and noon might just as well be any other time – moving painfully about only to stoke the stove or break off a chunk of rye bread, more from sheer boredom than hunger," wrote Ellis Lucia about digging for gold during a winter in the north country in "Klondike Kate: The Life of the Que...
If you're a "Game of Thrones" fan, Iceland calls to you. While you can do a self-guided tour of film locations, those all-too-familiar-to-Alaskans Gray Line buses will also take you there. Season two shifted to Iceland, and you will tour Gullfoss waterfall and the Bloody Gate at Pingvellir National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where the Althing, the ages-old Icelandic parliament was seated. Iceland Air (www.icelandair.com) offers a reasonable round-ticket for two that takes you from Ancho...
November closes out the fall health fair season, with events offering free health screenings and health and safety education for all ages. Alaska Health Fair events offer affordable, comprehensive, private blood tests for those 18 years and older (sorry, we can’t do children). Blood tests can help you learn about your overall health and detect potential problems early, when treatment or changes in personal habits can be most effective. Our most popular test is the Chemistry/Hematology Profile (please fast 10 to 12 hours for this one test), whic...
The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in November. This month’s meetings will include viewing and discussion of a training DVD on caregiving and wellness, examining the factors that contribute to caregiver stress, and practical solutions for reducing stress and cultivating lifelong wellness. Please join to share your experiences as a caregiver or to support someone who is a caregiver. Nov. 5, Caregiver support meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m. Nov. 12, Caregiver support m...
"Would you be willing to drive to Slana and help me retrieve the little 1955 camp trailer?" I asked my son Patrick. "Sure," he replied. He had just told me he was coming to Alaska this past August, only this trip he planned to help with projects on my "honey do" list. Because of his busy schedule with his architectural firm, he's lucky to make a trip to Alaska every two or three years, and when he does, he usually plays "fishing guide" to a group of his buddies that come along, too. A couple of...
Americans have been casting ballots on the first Tuesday in November since the mid-1840s. Why November and why Tuesdays? The answer goes back to our founding fathers when agriculture was prominent. Congress used to meet in December and adjourn in March every year because that's when farmers could get away from their land. A 1792 law established that elections should be held some time in November to give time to count the votes before the new congressional session started. Americans also began of...
The woman across from volunteer tax preparer Jan Watson was scared. She couldn't afford to owe money on her tax return, which Watson was preparing free through the Tax Aide program. When Watson told her that instead she would be getting a refund, the woman broke into tears and shared that she would finally be able to buy her children winter clothing. Last year 120 AARP Foundation volunteers helped 6,124 Alaskans file their federal tax returns, saving them an estimated $1.2 million in tax...
Staff from Alaska’s Social Security office will be available for questions via videoconferencing at the following locations and times in September: Kodiak Job Center, on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month (Nov. 12 and 26), 9 a.m. to noon. Kenai Senior Center, on the first and third Wednesday of each month (Nov. 6 and 20), 9 a.m. to noon. Ketchikan Job Center, every Thursday (Nov. 7, 14 and 21; 28 is Thanksgiving holiday), noon to 3 p.m. Social Security provides toll-free telephone service to all of Alaska. Residents in Alaska’s Sou...
Alaska Health Fair’s fall season is rocking and rolling! Find the location most convenient to you and attend -- all events have free entry and are open to the public, featuring free health screenings, plus lots of free health and safety education for all ages. These tests can help you learn about your overall health and detect potential problems early, when treatment or changes in personal habits can be most effective. Blood tests are for those over 18 years of age. The fairs’ most popular test is the Chemistry/Hematology Profile (the only test...
The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in October. This month’s meetings will include discussion on how to take vital signs during caregiving – temperature, blood pressure, respiration, pain assessment. Please join to share your experiences as a caregiver or to support someone who is a caregiver. Oct. 1, Caregiver support meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m. Oct. 8, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m. Oct. 15, Caregiver support meeting at Kenai Senior Cen...
Celebrate the critical importance and diversity of our Alaska Native languages at the First Alaskans Institute 36th Annual Elders & Youth Conference, Oct. 13-16 at the Carlson Center in Fairbanks. This year’s theme, “Qaneryararput Yugtun Piniqerput” (Yup’ik) and “Qaneryararput Cugtun Kayuqerput” (Cup’ik) loosely translates into English as “Language is Our Superpower.” As indigenous peoples alive today, we get to be part of the generation who keep the fires of our languages alive, and that makes us stronger. Elders & Youth starts with a War...
After a legislative session of extreme budget fluctuations, the Alaska Pioneer Homes and the Senior Benefits program are the next state-funded senior assistance programs to see a shift in funding. Alaska Pioneer Homes rate increase Starting Sept. 1, the Alaska Pioneer Homes (AKPH) will be increasing monthly rates for residents. Clinton Lasley, Alaska Pioneer Homes director, stresses that rate increases do not mean that residents - both current and those subjected to the waitlist - will be turned away for an inability to pay. The Dept. of...
Alaska Health Fair events offer free health screenings, plus lots of free health and safety education for all ages. These tests can help you learn about your overall health and detect potential problems early, when treatment or changes in personal habits can be most effective. All events have free entry and are open to the public. Blood tests are for those over 18 years of age. The fairs' most popular test is the Chemistry/Hematology Profile (the only test requiring fasting) for only $45, which...
The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in September. This month’s meetings will include discussion focused on strategies for long distance caregiving. Please join to share your experiences as a caregiver or to support someone who is a caregiver. Sept. 3, Caregiver support meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m. Sept. 10, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m. Sept. 17, Caregiver support meeting at Kenai Senior Center, 1 p.m. Sept. 24, Open house at Kenai Peninsul...
With easily accessible DNA testing and massive online databases, it’s never been simpler to trace your past, and the plethora of genealogical resources available around the state can lend an extra hand when tracking down ancestors. The Anchorage Genealogical Society (AGS) promotes and teaches genealogy through monthly meetings, workshops and classes. Meetings are free and open to the public and take place the third Wednesday of every month at the BP Energy Center from 7 to 8:45 p.m. Beginner classes commence in September and take place at t...
Staff from Alaska’s Social Security office will be available for questions via videoconferencing at the following locations and times in September: Kodiak Job Center, on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month (Sept. 10 and 24), 9 a.m. to noon. Kenai Senior Center, on the first and third Wednesday of each month (Sept. 4 and 18), 9 a.m. to noon. Ketchikan Job Center, every Thursday (Sept. 5, 12, 19 and 26), noon to 3 p.m. Social Security provides toll-free telephone service to all of Alaska. Residents in Alaska’s Southeast communities can...
The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in August. This month’s meetings will include discussion on anticipatory grief and ambiguous loss issues in caregiving. Please join to share your experiences as a caregiver or to support someone who is a caregiver. Aug. 6, Caregiver support meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m. Aug. 13, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m. Aug. 20, Caregiver support meeting at Kenai Senior Center, 1 p.m. Aug. 27, Open house at Kenai P...
