Sausage Fest

An interesting fact about Fairbanks, and for that matter Alaska in general, is the proportion of men to women in the local population. By the numbers, for every 100 females above the age of 18 there are over 108 males. From everyday experience, the disparity seems even greater.

But don't think that Alaskan women enjoy a wealth of eligible bachelors, as those eight extra guys probably don't shower too often or have many teeth to brush. A popular saying amongst the ladies sums it up pretty well - "The odds are good, but the goods are odd".

Yet for some, these odds are too good to pass up:

http://www.newsminer.com/news/2008/apr/29/superstar-elton-john-perform-fairbanks/

Alaska Turns 50...

... and celebrates by defrosting Sen. Ted Stevens for the day.

Stevens, who as a precocious 62-year old witnessed firsthand the day when Alaska became the 49th state, passed an enjoyable afternoon by drooling and hiding his prescription medication from "those robots."

UA-Fairbanks Rugby

One of my favorite experiences thus far has been coaching the backline of the nascent UAF rugby team. The guys have been enthusiastic and a lot of fun. Reminds me of our efforts developing the Vermont Law Rugby squad, and in particular explaining the rules of the game to kids like Matthew Tjosvold, pictured above with the world's dumbest fish.

Here's a well done piece featuring the voice of my buddy Girard:
http://www.uaf.edu/journal/portfolios/MattSIMPSONSS1/CLICK%20HERE.html

In recent news, the UAF boys won their first match while playing in last weekend's Mother Tucker tournament down in Anchorage.

And yes, those posts in the slide shoe are actually birch trees.

Subarus

Did you know that upon arrival every new Alaska resident receives a complimentary Subaru? It's true! Check out mine....

Public Safety Report 5/28

The daily results are in! Today's winners include:
* Wilfred J. Schieffler, who was arguing with his ex-girlfriend when he put her in a headlock and covered her mouth and nose so she couldn’t breathe. When she tried to climb down the balcony, he began hitting her in the head with a stick. When the woman tried to call for help, Schieffler allegedly took her cell phone away.
* Annette Marie Keith, who punched her ex-husband's girlfriend woman in the stomach and choked her with both hands around her neck before picking up a rock and striking the woman on the side of the head after the girlfriend and the ex-husband had gone to his former home on Otto Lake Road to pick up some horses.
* Boyd is accused of shaking a crying 2-month-old baby and putting a burp rag in its mouth to muffle the infant’s crying. He is also accused of punching his girlfriend, the baby’s mother, when she tried to call for help and grabbing her arm and throwing her down on a bed when she tried to take the baby away from him, according to court records.
* Carl Edward Tessen, 49, who allegedly hit his wife in the face three times while she was driving on May 16.
* And finally, John H. Hoch, who is accused of deliberately slamming a fence in a trooper’s face while fleeing on foot.

Special thanks to all those contestants who didn't quite make the cut. But hey, there's another weekend coming up fast, and that bottle of Yukon Jack isn't gonna drink itself!!!

http://newsminer.com/news/2008/may/28/public-safety-report-may-28/

Grand Theft Cane Leaves Fairbansians Stumbling for Words

You heard it here first:
http://www.newsminer.com/news/2008/may/28/stolen-cane/?opinion

I find Coldarmyguy's comment lamenting the Army's lowered recruiting standards particularly poignant in light of his own mastery of grammar and spelling.

The Delta Clearwater

The Delta Clearwater is a spring-fed, gem of a river located about 1.5 hours southeast of Fairbanks. Took my first trip down last Sunday. The grayling were all over my caddis dries like hobos on a ham sandwich. Special thanks goes out to the motorboat enthusiast who roared by me at full throttle as I tippy-toed across (and down) this swift-flowing run pictured to the right. Sir, the fact that I nearly drowned was definitely worthwhile in light of the immense pleasure you apparently derived from nearly drowning me.

Summer is here!

Memorial Day is behind us, which means those white Carhartt shorts are now fair game!

Description: This is Carhartt's popular Work Short in a slightly shorter version -- with an 8.5-inch inseam. It's constructed of a light 7.5-ounce 100% cotton canvas. On top of all your regular pockets it features a hammer loop, ruler pocket, and cell phone pocket. Available in three colors. This is Carhartt's lightest-weight, coolest work short -- designed to provide a maximum of comfort and convenience in warm weather, while maintaining all the long-wearing ruggedness you expect from Carhartt.

Guaranteed Low Price $32.00 $27.00

(Savings: $5.00)