Alaska

Folks have been speculating on the number for weeks. How much will it be? Today the wondering ended with an announcement by Lt. Governor Sean Parnell this morning that the 2008 Permanent Fund Dividend amount would be $2,069 plus an additional one time resource rebate of $1,200 to all eligible Alaskans. The total payout for 2008 for each eligible man, woman and child is $3,269.

The one time resource rebate payout was approved by Governor Palin and approved by the legislature last month. “The royalty dollars that flow through the state are the people’s wealth,” said Parnell. “The $1,200 resource rebate goes to that philosophy.”

Direct deposit of the dividends is scheduled earlier than usual this year, Sept. 12, for more than 493,000 people. Paper checks for recipients who want them will be mailed out, starting Sept. 30.

Thinking about buying or selling real estate in Fairbanks or Interior Alaska? We know Fairbanks real estate – Jesse and Kathy are your local Fairbanks real estate experts. Search Fairbanks homes for sale, sign up for free new listing notifications, view Fairbanks market statistics or browse our virtual relocation package. Have questions? Contact us online or call us at (907) 699-6024. We would love to hear from you.

What, just a short time ago, was a lush green lawn has turned into a bed of golden birch and aspen leaves. I love the colors of fall but I'm just not sure I'm ready to usher in another fall/winter season just yet. Where the hell is Al Bore-Gore and global warming when I need it?

As they always are, the summer of 2008 was filled with family, good friends and memories that will last a lifetime... or until senility sets in, which for those of you who know me could be any day now.

All told there were 33 guests checked into Hotel Clifton this summer. Not a week went by from the first of May through the middle of August that we didn't have at least two or three couples roaming around. It's the same scene with somewhat different faces every year... and we wouldn't have it any other way. We love showing off Alaska to friends for the first time and old pals coming back year after year to hit the hot fishing spots or just bask in the vast frontier that is Alaska.

We sent our last house guests home not quite two weeks ago and decided it was our time. We made it as far south as Seward before the AR Posse tracked us down. Our very own Stapler Queen called to make sure we hadn't dropped off the edge of the earth. We hadn't... trust me, you would have heard the thud when I hit the bottom.

Our first stop was Portage Glacier, roughly 60 miles south of Anchorage on Turnagain Arm. While the glacier has retreated around the valley (and out of sight) in the last twenty years, it's still a tranquil spot. We spent several days camped at the base of a very tall snow covered mountain at Williwaw Campground. The sites are tight and with the coach slides extended we looked like a fat kid stuffed in too-tight corduroys. The stunning views of a hanging glacier out our front window more than make up for the small site, though next year I will listen to the boss and reserve a double site. Ssshh... don't tell her I said that.

We hiked beside and on a glacier, watched salmon spawning by the hundreds, encountered a very large, though huggable looking grizzly bear, explored the fascinating Indian Creek Mine and ate the first of many, many roasted marshmallows. Kathy almost had me convinced to ride the tram at Aleyska until I read the plaque on the wall that said the terminal was a 7 minute, 2,300+ foot, straight-up ride to the top. No damn thank you. There's not enough scotch on planet earth to get me on that contraption. So, I strolled the gardens while evil Knievel-ette rode to the top... alone. About 30 minutes later she calls to tell me to get my butt on the tram... "we're going paragliding." Now, that's just not even remotely funny. "Are you out of your &&(@$#$ mind?" I asked. Click. Power off. End of story.

We said goodbye to Portage and headed south to Cooper Landing and some of the best salmon fishing on earth. This late in the season most of the terrorists tourists had gone and it was mostly locals. If you can put up with fishing next to bears and some life changing cold water, then this is the place to be. The week before we arrived two people were mauled by a rather cranky bear at the Kenai Princess Lodge. Talk about vacation stories. ;) We were parked on Kenai Lake and each of the three mornings we were there we found very fresh (think steaming) bear scat on the beach not 30 feet from the motorhome.

From Cooper Landing we tooled down the Seward Highway, which passes through mountain plateaus and valley's that after 30 years still take my breath away, to the village of Seward on the coast of Alaska. We followed whales and sea lions across the gulf of Alaska, took a beautiful 49' Beneteau out for the afternoon, drank several bottles of merlot with the friendly Yankees parked next door and ate some of the most mouth watering salmon this side of my kitchen.

Our last stop before heading the few remaining miles home was Denali National Park. It's been a number of years since we've been back into the park in the fall. The summer months are packed with tourists but the colors that were on display on this trip were nothing short of spectacular. After getting settled we decided to drive up the 17 mile park road and look for wildlife. Buses and private vehicles regularly stop in the middle of the road or off to the side if a critter is spotted. We happened upon one such grouping of stalled vehicles who were trying to find a bear that had been reported wandering just off the road. As we stood there with cameras at the ready we noticed a large white wolf stroll across the road and stop for a few seconds to check out the commotion. A few more miles up the road we found two moose feeding and a plump black bear waddling along the road.

14 days, 1,300 miles and I'm ready to go again. I'm thinking a long road trip culminating in a backyard RV get together with Mandy and Big Daddy in Tx sounds like a great away to spend the winter. Mandy, say the word and we'll pack the Goose and head south. Btw, reservations for the 2009 summer season are now being taken. :) Here are a few photo's from the trip... enjoy!

Click the photo's to enlarge

Thinking about buying or selling real estate in Fairbanks or Interior Alaska? We know Fairbanks real estate – Jesse and Kathy are your local Fairbanks real estate experts. Search Fairbanks homes for sale, sign up for free new listing notifications, view Fairbanks market statistics or browse our virtual relocation package. Have questions? Contact us online or call us at (907) 699-6024. We would love to hear from you.

I thought this was worth sharing. I am sure Sara has a lot to learn but it sound like she i quick

Regardless of your political persuasion, I think you will find this writing by a lady supposedly from Sarah Palin's home town of interest.

Len

WOW............what's your take on this? Do you like her as your Governor? Hugs, Judy

Judy, Sarah Palin is the US’s answer to Margaret Thatcher! Anyone who thinks she cannot handle the job or deal briskly and efficiently with ANY issue, including foreign governments … well, they haven’t met our Sarah <grin>.

As an Alaskan resident as well as a resident of Wasilla, AK, where Sarah Palin was at one time Mayor … I can speak with confidence. Governor Sarah Palin of Alaska is exactly what she portrayed during her introduction this morning and exactly what our US Government needs. She is ethical to a fault (if there is such a thing), a refreshing change to the status-quo and as smart and determined a PERSON (gender really isn’t an issue here as far as I’m concerned) as anyone could ask for at the head of government.

Sarah is no naïve “small town mayor” – she just *started out* there. Btw, as Mayor of Wasilla, she brought this “small town” through a lot of GOOD changes and left it at the end of her term having grown to the 4^th largest CITY in Alaska – a lot of growth and a stronger economic base than ever before.

She has EXECTUTIVE experience *running a government* (something NONE of the other candidates can actually boast, even John McCain <g>) as Governor of Alaska and got there by defeating the *incumbent* Republican Governor, who was definitely part of the “old school” and who WAS very much in the pocket of the big oil companies. We in Alaska wanted change – and we got it in the person of Sarah Palin!

Sarah Palin is everything she looks to be and more. Her approval rating as Governor of Alaska has been as high as 95% and is currently leveled out consistently in the upper 80 percentile throughout the state (and in both parties) - the HIGHEST approval rating of ANY sitting Governor.

Sarah has been turning around corruption in the Legislature of Alaska - turning things on their ear for that matter; cutting spending in spite of the increased income the state is currently receiving due to the high oil prices - she has insisted on putting a huge amount of the "windfall" into savings for the future rather than spending, spending, spending - and has insisted from the get-go on what she refers to as "honest, ethical and transparent governing" - no more closed door meetings and dealings - the big oil companies thought she would be a pushover and have learned better to their chagrin.

She understands the "real people" and the economic issues we all face (Alaskans along with the rest of the country) - she was one of "us" not long ago. Rather than passing useless "laws" or throwing money at pet projects, she (most recently) temporarily suspended the state gas tax (on gasoline at the pumps, fuel oil and natural gas for homes, etc.) and has ordered checks issued to ALL residents of Alaska this fall in an attempt to assist with the burden of high fuel costs for the upcoming winter. I could go on and on, but that's enough for now <smile>. She isn’t doing these things to be popular – she is doing it because her constituents are HURTING financially and she can help.

She became Governor of Alaska by defeating the Incumbent Republican Governor and doing it *without* the money or the support of the Republican Party, which was amazing in itself - and she won by a landslide. The "powers that be" at that time totally underestimated Sarah and learned better the hard way. She has done exactly what she claimed she was going to do and is just as popular today as the day she was elected - perhaps more so since even the Democrats up here seem to like her - she works well with both sides in the Legislature here.

Sarah "belongs" to us (Alaskans) ... and although we are going to be terribly sorry to see her leave before she finishes the job she started here (two years ago) straightening out OUR State <grin> ... we understand she is needed for a bigger purpose and hopefully her Lt. Governor will be able to fill her shoes here and continue the job.

As for worrying about what would happen if McCain were to die or step down or whatever ... Theta, up here in AK we've only been wondering how long we would be able to KEEP Sarah in Alaska and have seen her as our first woman President of the USA from the start. It's always been a matter of whether she would wait until the end of her TWO terms as Governor (no doubt at ALL that she would be re-elected if she ran for a second term at the end of her current term) ... or end up in Washington sooner. She could do the job TODAY.

Personally, I feel a lot better about McCain now that I know he has someone as savvy, as strong, as ethical and as steady as Sarah at his back. She will be an excellent Vice President ... and my guess is will be our US Republican Presidential candidate in four years - AND by then the country will KNOW her – will love and respect her as we do here - and she'll win by as much of a landslide as she did here in Alaska. I only wonder if McCain has a clue what he is unleashing on the US of A <grin>. She is going to be a fresh wind, but also a strong wind.

Is that enough of an endorsement? If not, I'll add this ... Jerry and I have for many years felt the best "vote" was to vote for the lesser of two "evils" and hope they didn't do too much damage. Two years ago during our State Governor's race was the first time EVER that we actually asked for not just a little sign to put in our yard showing our support of our candidate (something we've never felt the desire to do at all before) - we asked for a full 4' x 8' "SARAH PALIN FOR GOVERNOR!" sign and were proud to have it. She hasn't let us or Alaska down. She will do the same for the USA if given the opportunity.

Feel free to pass this on to anyone who may be interested (and spam those who aren’t!).

-Deb Frost in Alaska

This week marks the last chance you will have to experience and enjoy one of Anchorage's outstanding events. There is nothing as beautiful as an Alaskan summer in Anchorage with its vibrant colors, warm sun, amazing scenic wonders, and its special festivities.

One of our man-made wonders is about to close its doors for another season. I am sorry to see it go but am looking forward to next spring when the Anchorage Market and Festival will return again with its excitement, fun, entertainment and wonderful foods.

The Anchorage Market and Festival is one of the largest and most successful open-air markets in the nation. This year marked the 16th and most successful season for the Anchorage Market and Festival. In 1992, the market opened with about two dozen merchants, which has grown to over 400 vendors and 314 booths.

The Anchorage Market and Festival offers everything from its own Alaska section which features Alaskan grown produce and food products to foods from around the world. Alaskan artisans also present their works of art and handmade crafts.

The Market is more than just food and crafts it is shopping, dinning and entertainment. You can dine as you shop and with 36 food booths there is a wide variety of cuisine selections. While shopping and dinning you can also enjoy a some wonderful performances by street entertainers (locally, known as buskers) along with special performances presented near the headquarters area.

The Anchorage Market and Festival has become a destination event for Alaskans and visitors alike with over 30,000 attending each week. The numbers reflect those who come back again and again to enjoy the ambiance and the many offering of all the vendors.

By the way, the market is open for 18 weeks with over 30,000 attending each week that makes a total of 540,000 visitors. Considering that the number of those living in Anchorage is about 300,000 that is rather impressive don't you think?

Unfortunately, this is not a year long event and must come to an end. September 7 will be our last day to enjoy all the wonderful offering to be had; so hurry - your last chance is upon you.

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Alaska Housing Finance Corporation, (AHFC), recently introduced several incentives to try to help alaskans save money on energy.

We have all heard about the energy assistance program where a one time check of $1,200 will be issued to all alaskans. You should have that cash in hand soon if you qualify for a Permanent Fund Dividend.

But in addition to cash to pay heating bills, Governor Palin and the Alaska State Legislature approved three more programs to help alaskans use less energy.

These are the Weatherization Program, the Home Energy Rebate Program, and a Second Mortgage Program for Energy Conservation.

The weatherization program provides free energy saving renovations on homes for home owners and renters as well. There are income limits on this program that are actually pretty generous. I think this is an amazing program that anyone who qualifies should use. You need to be patient because there is a waiting list. I believe it may be possible to receive up to $30,000 in renovations. The decision of what and how to renovate is made by AHFC and not the homeowner or renter.

Then there is the rebate program. There are actually two divisions of the rebate program. One for current home owners and another for new home buyers. There is no income limit for the rebate program.

• For new home owners, if you purchase a 5 star plus energy rated home, you receive a $7,500 rebate from AHFC. Simple and to the point. This is something to keep in mind while you are shopping for a new home.
• For existing home owners, you can also qualify for a rebate if you upgrade the energy rating of your home. You need to document the current energy rating by having an energy rater test your home. This costs $395 and will be refunded by AHFC if you follow through with the application. The energy rater will give you options on how to upgrade and you decide how and what to do. Then after you upgrade the energy rating and document it you can be eligible for up to a $10,500 rebate depending on the level of the energy upgrade.

The third program is the second mortgage for energy conservation. If you would like to upgrade your home but don’t have the cash to spend up front you can borrow it from AHFC. The rebate program for home owners requires that the upgrades be done before you receive the rebate so this creates a problem for cash short home owners. That is where the second mortgage for energy conservation comes in. You can borrow the money to make the upgrade and then pay the money back with the rebate after you receive it.

To find out more about these programs, check out Alaska Housing website here.

If you have more questions about these programs or real estate in general feel free to call me at 907 232–7900 or email at marty@valleymarket.com