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If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. If it is, fix it … carefully. That’s easier said than done when a contractor promises fast repairs at an unbeatable price. Here are seven warning signs that a contractor might leave you with partial, poor, or overpriced work. 1. The “storm chaser” A storm hits, and suddenly, help is knocking on your door — or what’s left of it. A contractor says they can fix the damage on the spot. It might look like a silver lining, but reputable contractors usually book jobs in advance. And if they want you to sign your insur...
Angela Łot'oydaatlno Gonzalez sits at her kitchen window, beading what will be a doll-sized salmon that will be the center of another "Fish Camp Barbie" display, one of several she has made in recent years. Barbie herself stands to Angela's left at a small table wearing a pink kuspuk (the Yup'ik spelling is qaspeq and in Athabascan, the word is bets'egh hoolaanee). She sports a crown beaded with "B." When the display is finished, this Barbie, chosen for her caramel skin tone, will be posed...
Marjorie Kortkamp has a flower clipped to her soft gray curls, but she confessed it hasn't been the easiest morning, "I had a seizure!" she said matter-of-factly. But as she settled into her room at the Anchorage Pioneer Home, Marge (as most people call her), relaxed into a spirited retelling of her long life, from Atlantic City, New Jersey, to the Last Frontier. Her eldest daughter, Diana, was there to help her with her morning routine and to fill in any gaps in the narrative. A late-in-life...
Donna Gail Shaw trots across the street to give treats to a neighbor's dog as she heads out for a hike. She calls out to another one "Neptune! Neptunee!" on the way back. In between, she checks on the 10 wildlife cameras she has installed in an area of Anchorage known as Far North Bicentennial Park. In actuality, the wildlife she encounters can be anywhere near or even in the housing development where she lives, which abuts Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson. It's something of a highway for urban...
June is peak road race season, and two of the events raise money for cancer research and bring community together to fight their respective diseases. The Alaska Run for Women, held on the first Saturday in June every year, had a big turnout thanks to good weather. "This was our thirty-fourth annual run," said Alaska Run for Women board member Nance Larsen, a public relations professional. "It definitely exceeded expectations." The 2026 run had 5,175 registered entrants; 1,100 participated...
The Anchorage Assembly voted on June 9 to approve AO 2026-72, which authorizes the transfer of land from Heritage Land Bank's inventory to Alaska Natural Burial. The 9.6-acre tract of land, which is legally described as Tract B-2 Legacy Pointe Subdivision (Plat14 2013-18), can be used for the purposes of creating a natural burial cemetery. The area is wooded city land near Golden View Drive. Alaska Natural Burial is a nonprofit organization that would like to provide what it describes as a low-cost option compared to a casket cemetery. The...
Hospice of Anchorage is organizing its first “Embrace the Journey” walk. The event is Aug. 1 at Margaret Eagan Sullivan Park, 1824 W. 15th Ave. in Anchorage. The event follows a 1-mile route, making it accessible to strollers, wheelchairs and participants of all ages. You can also choose your start time: 10 a.m., 10:30 or 11 a.m. The 1-mile walk will feature several family-friendly aspects to uplift and foster connection. One is a bubble lane, another is an affirmation card pull, where you choose a message you need for your journey. In one seg...
On May 20 AARP Alaska celebrated Older Americans Month and Senior Recognition Day with an afternoon gathering at the Douglas Library. Linda Kruger, local AARP volunteer lead, provided information about AARP and AARP's 55 years in Juneau. Juneau Commission on Aging Chair Deborah Craig read an Older Americans Month proclamation signed by Mayor Beth Weldon. The AARP Alaska Andrus Award for Community Service, AARP's most prestigious volunteer honor, was presented to Bruce Botelho for his dedication...
Sharon Baker was just about to go on a bike ride when she paused to talk to the Senior Voice. The Fairbanks resident is active year-round. In the winter she skis, preparing for the Sonot Kkaazoot, a 50-kilometer ski race in late March. Then in April she straps on running shoes and begins training for the annual Equinox Marathon in September. "I love to be outside," Sharon said. Part of her athleticism is participating in the Alaska International Senior Games, both as an athlete and as an...
Family members, friends, and caregivers gathered on the morning of May 2 at the Anchorage Golf Course for the 2026 annual Alzheimer's Resource Alaska (ARA) "Amblin' for Alzheimer's" event. ARA hosts the event to raise awareness about the growing incidence of Alzheimer's and related dementias in Alaska. Alzheimer's is the most common type of dementia, but there are many others. https://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/alzheimers-dementia Dementia causes issues with thinking, behavior, and memory....
The Alaska Senate passed HB 96, which creates a Home Care Employment Standards Advisory Board by a vote of 19-1. The legislation is meant to expand access to affordable home and community-based care. The legislation also empowers an advisory board that will develop policy recommendations for senior care improvement, and requires agencies that provide personal care to allocate a certain percentage of funding to Personal Care Assistants. Seniors are the fastest growing demographic in the state of Alaska, with an expected 500% increase by 2050....
The SS Northwestern was launched on November 28, 1889, by the Delaware River Iron, Shipbuilding and Engine Works of Chester, Pennsylvania, under the name of the SS Orizaba and was an iron-hulled combined passenger/freighter ship that was powered by a coal-fired steam-driven engine and a four-bladed screw propeller. The first owner of the Orizaba was the Ward Line (also known as the New York and Cuba Steamship Company), and she sailed for nine years carrying passengers between New York, Mexico,...
Golf tournament organized by Anchorage Senior Activities Center The Anchorage Senior Activity Center is holding “Summer Blast,” a golf tournament and barbecue June 17. The event is June 17 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Russian Jack Springs Park. A team of four participating in the golf tournament costs $100. For more information or to RSVP, call 907-770-2000. Russian Jack Springs Park is at 801 Pine Street, but the chalet is at 1600 Lidia Selkregg Lane. Nome senior center is organizing outings in June The XYZ Senior Center in Nome is org...
The Anchorage Museum’s exhibit “Cold War to the Cosmos” was a big hit with family who visited the state this spring. It closes Sept. 7. Part of the exhibit features an interview with Dan O’Neill, author of “The Firecracker Boys,” which tells the nonfiction story of Project Chariot, a 1958 U.S. government plan to detonate nuclear bombs in Point Hope, Alaska, to create a harbor, which was stopped by local Inupiat people and environmental activists. He is giving a lecture at 6:30 p.m. June 17. Register here....
There is a throughline in Madeline Holdorf's life. Holdorf, the former volunteer statewide AARP president, received the Ron Hammett from the Municipality of Anchorage Senior Citizens Advisory Commission on May 6. When she graduated from high school more than 60 years ago, she received the outstanding service award. "It takes my breath away, actually," said Holdorf in a conversation after the award ceremony, held at the Anchorage Senior Activities Center. "In my retirement and when I had a...
As Alaska’s 2026 legislative session concludes, AARP Alaska is grateful for the Legislature’s bipartisan work to advance three key priorities that help Alaskans age with dignity, security, and independence. Representing more than 76,000 members statewide, AARP’s 2026 agenda focused on two fundamental needs for older adults: financial resilience and strong consumer protections. AARP has made both public and private-sector retirement policy a top priority, recognizing that increased savings empower older Alaskans to maintain independence and a...
A streamlined registration and titling process for legally imported vintage motor vehicles will be the law after the passage of SB 239. “This legislation is a significant win for Alaskans who value automotive history and the freedom to enjoy classic imports,” Rep. St. Clair said in a news release. “By clarifying that 25-year-old legally imported vehicles do not need to meet 2026 safety standards, we are protecting the rights of collectors and ensuring these unique vehicles can stay on the road where they belong.” The bill, which drew biparti...
Daylight floods the state in June. Fairbanks receives roughly 21 hours and 49 minutes to 22 hours and 10 minutes of daylight, while Anchorage receives 19 hours and 20 minutes. Take advantage of all the activity ... The Celebration Native festival, organized by the Sealaska Heritage Institute during even years, in Juneau is June 3-6. https://sealaskaheritage.org/shi-celebration/ ... The Three Barons Renaissance Festival is held over two weekends 801 Pine Street in Anchorage, June 6-7 and 13-14. The first weekend is pirate-themed and the second...
This month, we have two photos either entirely generated by AI or modified using AI. We want to be transparent and forthcoming with you about this. The cover photo we modified so that there is a bit more foliage present than in the original image. It helps us fill in the space we need to run this photograph. The second one is clearly labeled, and it was generated using Gemini, a popular AI platform on the internet. It goes with Lawrence D. Weiss’ story about using AI to try to find out more abou...
Editor's Note: National Centenarian's Day is Sept. 22. The day honors those who've celebrated 100 birthdays or more. We're publishing profiles of people who have hit this milestone. The Alaska Commission on Aging is working with the Governor's Office, Pioneer Homes and Long Term Care Ombudsman to celebrate Alaska's centenarians. If you know someone who is 100 or older and would like us to profile them, contact editor@seniorvoicealaska.comeditor@seniorvoicealaska.com. You can take the girl out...
Katie Chadwick got the idea last summer that she wanted to do the all-women Gold Nugget Triathlon, an event with origins in an early 1980s effort by moms to create sports opportunities for their daughters and other girls. Katie had been on what she describes as a “health journey,” and saw the Gold Nugget as an opportunity to demonstrate how she had become stronger and leaner. Her 60th birthday was coming up, and she wanted to set a goal to mark the moment. “I just had this idea that I wante...
The Alaska Commission on Aging will hold a quarterly meeting in Juneau on May 27. The event will be online via Zoom, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. In preparation for writing the next four-year State Plan for Senior Services, the focus of the meeting will be the Older Americans Act (OAA). The Commission will receive training on the OAA and hear from agencies managing OAA programs. There will be a public comment period at 1 p.m., allowing for feedback from individuals and organizations. To participate via Zoom, use the address http...
3 Rings Circus is coming to Anchorage and Fairbanks in May. This circus features the motorcycle high wire, aerial ballerinas, Argentinian gauchos and the dueling wheels of death. A portion of every ticket sold benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alaska, a nonprofit that creates and supports one-to-one mentoring relationships for children facing adversity. The organization matches youth (Littles) with adult volunteers (Bigs) to provide a supportive relationship that helps children achieve their full potential. www.bbbsak.org Show Schedule Carls...
Last month, newsrooms around the country marked Local News Day, an opportunity to connect people with trusted local news organizations. The Senior Voice is a local news organization, with almost all of the content reported and produced here in Alaska. We strive to bring you news and information that is helpful to you as an older Alaskan or as someone who helps or lives with an older Alaskan. To do that, we ask that you complete our readership survey, which will help us improve the way we cover...
Arctic Marine Science: Sikuliaq to Shore opens May 15 at the Anchorage Museum, bringing visitors inside Alaska’s ice-capable research vessel and the science studying northern seas. Visitors to the can view the world of Arctic marine research through this immersive exhibition that reveals how scientists and coastal communities are working together to better understand environmental shifts in northern seas. The exhibit is presented in partnership with the North Pacific Research Board (NPRB), the exhibition transforms the Patricia B. Wolf F...
