Anchorage, AK

Many movies and songs have used the theme of "wish upon a star" to move audiences to tears or laughter.

In the next few days, you may have the opportunity to "wish upon a star" several times.

Anchorage has so much in natural beauty and wonders to delight the eye that it is no wonder our skies provide one of the most dazzling celestial light shows to be seen each year.

Look to the late night skies (or early morning) to provide a spectacular view of the Orionid Shower . Earth is passing through the center of the Orionid meteor belt providing many "stars" to wish upon. Technically, these stars are meteors, but they are falling stars to us not of the scientific mind. There are only one or two other meteor showers which rival this week's heavenly display.

The meteor shower gets its name from "Orion the Hunter". Orion will appear over Anchorage around midnight in the eastern sky. Visibility will improve as Orion moves toward the south in his nightly trek. You can easily find the Orion constellation by looking for the 3 bright stars (in a slanted line) which make up Orion's belt. The bright flashing lights, you will see over his left shoulder, are the meteors falling to earth. The display is courtesy of Halley's Comet.

As all sky watchers know, you may have to be a little patient, the stars are not on a time schedule. The best viewing night (morning) may be Wednesday around 5 a.m. I am sure your wait and early rising will be worth it, as it is predicated that as many as 20 meteors an hour will come falling to earth

Stay up for the late, late show or rise early but remember to wish upon a falling star and all your wishes just may come true!

If you do not have the fortune and privilege to live here in Anchorage , Alaska , then that may be the perfect wish for you to make.

No one will be totally immune to our economic crisis, but so far, Alaska is still holding steady. Because of conservative lending practices and high oil prices, Alaska's economy has softened this past year, but not broke under the pressure of the global credit crunch or Wall Street's failures.

Here are some of Alaska's great perks:

~ This year, Alaska has seen its 21^st consecutive year of job growth, although it is a little slower than last year.

~ Even though home foreclosures are up, they are still well below other states across the nation.

~ While many local banks are tightening on their lending practices, you can still get great loans in Alaska .

~ Though oil prices have fallen over recent weeks, they are still very high. These high oil prices help fund the states economy.

~ The states finances are in great shape, too. There is $200 million in an investment savings account for emergency use.

The state of Alaska may eventually see some of these hard times that other states are experiencing, but we will be prepared. Each year, many of the state's cities like Anchorage, sell bonds to maintain city roads, to improve schools, and for drainage projects.

Steady employment is coming from expensive oil and expensive pipeline fixes. One of the biggest employment growths, over the last two years, has come from the oil patch.

So, if you're looking to relocate, it looks to me like Alaska , specifically Anchorage , Alaska is the best place to be for steady employment and a steady economy.

If you want to apply for a rebate from the AHFC, it looks like patience will need to be a virtue that you will have to cultivate.

A few weeks ago in my blog( Anchorage Sponsors Energy Efficiency!), I mentioned that the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation (AHFC) is offering rebates to homeowners who opt to make their homes more energy efficient.

Apparently, there are many in Anchorage, as well as the rest of the state, who believe in living green and receiving the additional benefit of a rebate from the AHFC.

So, what's the problem with that? Before a homeowner can qualify, the home must be rated by a professional home energy rater. So many homeowners have called in to get information about the rebate program or to place their name on the list that the AHFC cannot process all the calls.

The Alaska Housing Finance Corporation is working to consolidate and streamline the process. AHFC says it is working as fast as it can to make it easier for homeowners to get an appointment with a home energy rater.

Next week, they will begin the task of streamlining by consolidating the first-come, first-served calls to a central processing database. Instead of each individual energy rater receiving a call and making their own appointments, the centralized database will place the calls (in order that they are received) and assign the caller to an energy rater.

This will help reduce the backlog and, hopefully, speed up the process of applying for the rebates. But, with the overwhelming response to the program, it looks like patience will be a virtue you will need to cultivate in the mean time.

Related Websites:
The Anchorage Department of Neighborhoods (Anchorage energy grant information)
The Alaska Building Sciences Network (Anchorage, Alaska)
Alaska homeowner energy audits and green living information (ABSN)

Let's get moving and join in the formation of a regional transit system.

To build a regional transit system that is workable and deemed valuable by the future commuters of that system, your input is needed. Your involvement and advice is being solicited. A joint agreement has been signed by Mayor Mark Begich and Mat-Su Mayor Curt Menard to create a Regional Transit Authority to serve the 14,000+ commuters in the Anchorage and Mat-Su corridor.

Mass transit is a hot-topic throughout the nation, especially with the spike in gas prices everyone has seen this year. Mass transit is more than just a topic here in Anchorage, it is a real and present need. Currently the People Mover transit system and the Share-a-Van program are operating at full capacity. Our park-and-ride lots are overflowing. There is a long waiting list of willing and able commuters who can't get a ride because our current mass transit resources are maxed.

Who knows better how the current transit system can be improved than those who use it? Who better to advise what is needed than those on the current waiting lists (over 700 riders are waiting to participate in the Share-a-Van program)? Who better than those who do not have convenient access to existing transportation resources? For those of you who want to see an improved transit system and the development of an integrated regional system, take a moment of your time to take this survey.

The mayors are asking that you complete the "Commuter Survey" on the city's home page. I will make it even easier for you. I have placed the link for the Commuter Survey below. Please take the time to fill it out.

Commuter Survey

People Mover

We do things a little differently here in Anchorage, including our focus on energy efficiency. For the Anchorage Municipality, September is Energy Efficiency Month.

In the lower 48, the Federal Energy Management Program highlights energy efficiency in the month of October.

Why wait another month? Join the folks here in Anchorage by taking stock of your energy usage to see what you can do to save energy and reduce your carbon footprint.

Winter will soon be here and our consumption of energy will increase. Fall is the time to take stock and make changes.

Weatherize now and you will be more comfortable this winter while saving money. That should be a good incentive. Many states, counties, cities and energy companies are offering incentives to homeowners which will save you even more than just a reduction in your monthly energy bill. You may qualify for a grant from The Anchorage Department of Neighborhoods depending on your income.

Alaska is one of the states offering an incentive to property owners. You may even qualify for other home improvements as well. Alaska offers a no-income qualifying Home Energy Rebate to property owners who make energy efficient improvements through the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation.

The Alaska Building Sciences Network, located here in Anchorage, is a great resource for the best practice of energy usage. Their website offers homeowners energy audits, green living information and more.

Get on the bus with Anchorage's People Mover transit system. With the high price of gas many have begun to look at public transportation as an alternative for commuting to work. Many cities including Anchorage are now offering better people moving systems as well as car pool information. The public transportation is a great alternative and I would like to suggest that you look at your local bus schedule as an alternative means for visiting local attractions as well.

You know the old saying "practice what you preach"? Well, Anchorage does that. The Municipality of Anchorage is working to reduce the city's energy usage and working to a more green living future. This will not only benefit our planet but will save taxpayers millions of dollars.

Anchorage facility managers are working towards energy efficiency in their individual departments. City Hall employees have already earned a GreenStar certification for their efforts. The Performing Arts Center did such a great job at reducing their energy usage that the power company thought the meter was broken.

Just last month a policy requiring new green public building standards was unanimously adopted by the Anchorage Assembly. The adopted policy is known as "LEED". LEED standards will apply to public buildings of 5,000+ square feet; the new policy also offers private construction incentives adopt LEED standards.

Now look up at the lights. You will soon see new streetlights throughout the city. When you see them you can smile because they are saving you money ($360,000 a year). Old streetlight bulbs are being replaced by new LED bulbs. Replacement will begin in October.

True energy efficiency may not be reached for many years. But, if each of us will do our small part, we can maximize what we have today.