Sorted by date Results 526 - 550 of 678
You've heard of omnivores, vegetarians and vegans and you probably have an idea of what these terms mean. But, a newer term "locavore" may be unfamiliar. Actually, the word locavore has been around for 10 years and current momentum promoting sustainable communities by "eating local" has pushed the locavore movement. The locavore chooses to eat only locally grown and produced food or as much locally produced food as possible. "Local' is often defined as grown or produced within a 50 mile radius...
Keep track of senior-related bills, budget decisions and other issues by attending the Alaska Commission on Aging Legislative Teleconferences. Hosted by local agencies statewide, and available by toll-free call-in, the teleconferences provide a convenient forum for seniors and advocates across Alaska to share information about issues and specific bills of concern. Teleconferences are scheduled 9:30 to 11 a.m. every other Thursday and weekly during the last month of session. The remaining 2016 meeting dates are February 11 and 25; March 10 and...
February marks the opening of TaxAide sites around Alaska. The AARP Foundation TaxAide program is designed to prepare basic tax returns for most low and middle income taxpayers, with an emphasis on seniors and disabled taxpayers. Sites are staffed by volunteers who are trained and certified by Internal Revenue Service and AARP Foundation instructors to prepare basic tax returns. By using AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, these taxpayers also avoid tax preparation fees and pitches for high-interest tax credit or refund loans. And the service is free....
The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in February. This month’s focus: National American Heart Month. Feb. 2, Caregiver support meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m. Feb. 9, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m. Feb. 16, Caregiver support meeting at Kenai Senior Center, 1 p.m. Feb. 23, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m. Support meetings allow you to share your experiences as a caregiver, or support someone who is a caregiver. If y...
Staff from Alaska’s Social Security office will be available for questions via videoconferencing at the following locations and times: Kodiak Job Center, on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month (Feb. 9 and 23), 9 a.m. to noon. Kenai Senior Center, on the first and third Wednesday of each month (Feb. 3 and 17), 9 a.m. to noon. Ketchikan Job Center, every Thursday (Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25), noon to 3 p.m. Social Security provides toll-free telephone service to all of Alaska. Residents in Alaska’s southeast communities can call the Juneau Soc...
What do you do when you need an extra hand for a household chore and neighbors, friends or kids aren't available to help? In Fairbanks, there's a new organization for older adults that can be the answer. Aging at Home Fairbanks (AAH Fairbanks) has launched this month after a year of preparation, as part of the national Village movement. Susan Poor, co-chair of the board of Village to Village Network, spoke about the national movement at the Fairbanks kickoff event in November. In 2005, the NY...
Dear Senator Murkowski: The Alaska Commission on Aging (ACoA) is gravely concerned about the proposed 42 percent reduction to the federal State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), from $52 million to $30 million, at a time when Alaska and our nation has witnessed unprecedented growth in our older adult populations. Alaska’s population of people age 65 and older, who number 71,080 and growing at an annual rate of 6 percent, is projected to more than double by 2030 to 152,740. Alaska’s growth rate of the 65+ population is more than 2.5...
The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in January. This month’s focus: “What topics would you like discussed in 2016 support meetings?” All caregivers should attend and help direct the support program by sharing your training needs and areas of interest to your situation. If you are unable to attend, please call and give your input. Jan. 5, Caregiver support meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m. Jan. 12, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m.. Jan. 19, Careg...
Why hibernate when you can enroll in a class or activity and make some new friends? Anchorage learning opportunities Anchorage-area seniors can sign up now for winter session classes offered by OLE (Opportunities for Lifelong Education). Although there is no minimum age requirement, classes are geared to adults age 50 and older. Courses begin Jan. 11 and are held in classrooms on the University of Alaska Anchorage campus, along with other locations around town. OLE membership is required to enroll, however members may take as many classes as th...
One of Alaska's early pioneers, who died 33 years ago this month at age 99, left his mark on early Alaska transportation. Robert E. "Bobby" Sheldon built the territory's first automobile, drove the first car down the Richardson and opened the first auto stage line. Born in 1883 in Snohomish, Wash., Sheldon and his father arrived in Skagway along with thousands of others in search of golden riches. The pair postponed their plans when they learned the Canadian government required each person...
Staff from Alaska’s Social Security office will be available for questions via videoconferencing at the following locations and times: Kodiak Job Center, on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month (Jan. 12 and 26), 9 a.m. to noon. Kenai Senior Center, on the first and third Wednesday of each month (Jan. 6 and 20), 9 a.m. to noon. Ketchikan Job Center, every Thursday (Jan. 7, 14, 21 and 28), noon to 3 p.m. Social Security provides toll-free telephone service to all of Alaska. Residents in Alaska’s southeast communities can call the Jun...
The Alaska Commission on Aging will hold its quarterly meeting Dec. 9 in Juneau, with the meeting videoconferenced at sites around the state. Public attendance is encouraged. Commissioners will hear presentations from and about senior service programs and agencies, including the Division of Senior and Disabilities Services; Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority; the Pioneers’ Home Advisory Board; Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education; the Long Term Care Ombudsman and Adult Protective Services; UAA Geriatrics and the Ala...
The numbers associated with food waste are nothing short of staggering. Americans waste 35 million tons of food per year. This isn't just a loss of food that might otherwise feed us. Growing, harvesting, transporting and storing of that 35 million tons also consumes fuel and degrades our air and water. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN and the National Resources Defense Council estimate that "as much as 40 percent of the U. S. food supply ends up in a dumpster." This is a 50...
The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in December. This month’s topic is “How to Measure Vital Signs.” Dec. 1, Caregiver support meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m. Dec. 8, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m.. Dec. 15, Caregiver support meeting at Kenai Senior Center, 1 p.m. Dec. 15, Caregiver support meeting at Anchor Point Senior Center, 3 p.m. Dec. 29, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m. Please join and share your exper...
Tired of forgetting to start your car before you head to work on a chilly morning? Looking for a stress-free way to make your daily commute more manageable? Look no further than ridesharing. The Fairbanks North Star Borough has partnered with Zimride by Enterprise to offer residents a social ridesharing network. The new network allows people to easily find carpools from others in the area that share similar commute origins and destinations. In addition to simply sharing cars with two or three commuters, Enterprise Rideshare will be conducting f...
Sled dogs have a long and illustrious history in the North Country, from the early days of Native settlements to the gold-rush booms during the 1890-1900s. Natives of Alaska, northern Canada, Greenland and Siberia used dogs as winter draft animals for centuries. Russians arriving in western Alaska during the early 1800s found Alaska Natives using dogs to haul sleds loaded with fish, game, wood and other items. The Natives ran ahead of the dogs as they guided them on the yearly trips between...
Staff from Alaska’s Social Security office will be available for questions via videoconferencing at the following locations and times: Kodiak Job Center, on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month (Dec. 8 and 22), 9 a.m. to noon. Kenai Senior Center, on the first and third Wednesday of each month (Dec. 9 and 16), 9 a.m. to noon. Ketchikan Job Center, every Thursday (Dec. 3, 10, 17), noon to 3 p.m. Social Security provides toll-free telephone service to all of Alaska. Residents in Alaska’s southeast communities can call the Juneau Soc...
The annual window for Medicare beneficiaries to review their prescription drug, or Part D, insurance plan options for next year is open until Dec. 7, 2015. Alaskans who get both Medicaid and Medicare can enroll or change plans any time. “Consumers should always compare plans, but this year it’s more important than ever,” said Judith Bendersky of Alaska’s Medicare Information Office. “Plan premiums are trending upward for the first time in years, so are many medication costs, and most of the plans that did not have an annual deductibl...
The Alaska Railroad (ARRC) will release its 2016 annual poster/print at three public sale-and-signing events featuring artist Jason Vukovich, who will sign prints and posters. • Houston, Saturday, Nov. 14 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Houston High School Library (12501 Hawk Owl Circle) • Anchorage, Saturday, Nov. 21 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Anchorage Historic Depot (411 W. 1st Avenue) • Fairbanks, Friday, Dec. 4 4 to 7:30 p.m., as part of Fairbanks First Friday event), at the Fairbanks Depot (1745...
Memory Screenings are an important part of checking our overall health as we age. If you or a loved one are having concerns about memory loss and the difference between normal aging and cognitive impairment, make an appointment for a screening and learn more about both. Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska will offer free memory screenings during November at the following locations and times. Registration is required. Nov. 3 Juneau 3225 Hospital Drive, #101, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call Amber, 586-6044 Nov. 6 Fairbanks 565 University Ave., #2, 9 a.m. to 4...
* The University Center Health Fair in Anchorage is Nov. 21. The print edition incorrectly listed it as Nov. 15. Please take note and spread the word! Alaska Health Fair, Inc. wraps up their fall series of health fairs around the state this month, featuring free health screenings and education, low cost blood tests and more. These tests can help you learn about your health and detect potential problems early, when treatment or changes in personal habits can be most effective. The test results give you and your health care provider important...
The Kenai Peninsula Family Caregiver Support Program will hold the following peer support meetings in November. This month’s topic is “Caregiver Wellness.” Nov. 3, Caregiver support meeting at Sterling Senior Center, 1 p.m. Nov. 10, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m.. Nov. 17, Caregiver support meeting at Kenai Senior Center, 1 p.m. Nov. 17, Caregiver support meeting at Anchor Point Senior Center, 3 p.m. Nov. 24, Caregiver support meeting at Soldotna Senior Center, 1 p.m. Please join and share your experiences as a car...
This year, AARP Foundation is again providing free tax assistance and preparation for taxpayers with low to moderate income through the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program. This program, in its 46th year, is the largest free tax assistance and preparation service in the nation. You do not need to be a member of AARP or a retiree to use this service. Tax-Aide has grown tremendously since its first team of four volunteers in 1968. In 2014, 35,000 volunteers at over 5,000 sites provided 2.6 million people with free tax help. Taxpayers who used AARP...
Staff from Alaska’s Social Security office will be available for questions via videoconferencing at the following locations and times: Kodiak Job Center, on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month (Nov. 10 and 24), 9 a.m. to noon. Kenai Senior Center, on the first and third Wednesday of each month (Nov. 4 and 18), 9 a.m. to noon. Ketchikan Job Center, every Thursday (Nov. 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 call the Jun...
What’s new for Medicare Prescription Drug coverage for 2016? There will be 19 Medicare Prescription Drug Plans available (versus 24 in 2015). No Medicare Advantage Plans will be available; 54 percent of Alaskans are eligible for Extra Help but not all have taken advantage of the great savings it affords. The lowest monthly premium for a prescription drug plan will be $18.40. The highest will be $89.20. People who reach the “donut hole” in the drug benefit will save 55 percent on covered brand name drugs and see increased savings on generic drug...
