About Fairbanks North Star County, AK

By: Fairbanks Ak Real Estate Broker Jesse Clifton

Belonging to a family in which cancer has taken a hearty toll I can think of nothing else I would so love to see wiped from the face of the earth. Perhaps brussel sprouts, but first things first. As evidenced by the little pink ribbons popping up everywhere, most folks know that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

In many ways Alaska still lives up to its Last Frontier moniker. We are most definitely not an urbane metropolitan area... and frankly most folks like it that way. It's only been a few years since WalMart invaded our sleepy little arctic enclave. Imagine then, what the health care landscape looked like in Fairbanks in the 70's. In 1976, the opening of the Breast Cancer Detection Center of Alaska in Fairbanks certainly changed that landscape for the better. Since that time the Center has provided free mammograms to Alaskan's regardless of their ability to pay. No one is ever turned away. What makes this center so special though is that they don't simply serve the community of Fairbanks.

Thanks to the addition of mobile mammogram clinics in '95 and '97 and new units in 2003 and again in 2006, the Breast Cancer Detection Center of Alaska serves a vast area from the Bering Sea to the North Slope and just about everywhere in between.

The Center also hosts an education outreach program. One such program is the Breast Health Clinic being held this Saturday October 11th and again on October 25th. From their website;

..."For women interested in learning more about Breast Self Exams & breast health. The class will include a lecture and practice session. The instruction will be provided by Jo Miller PA/C (certified physicians assistant) who is a certified clinical breast examiner through the National Consortium of Breast Centers..."

For more information or to register for the upcoming clinic, please call the Center office at 907.479.3909 or email bcdc@acsalaska.net.

According to the National Cancer Institute there have been almost 185,000 new cases of breast cancer and 41,000 deaths in 2008 alone. As they say, early detection is the key. Make the appointment that could just save your life.

By: Fairbanks AK Real Estate Broker Jesse Clifton

In this case it is easy being green. Alaska Green Star is holding a fall recycling event this Saturday and Monday from 10:00AM - 4:00PM in the back parking lot of the Westmark Hotel on 8th and Noble (Google Maps Link). Green Star collected 12 tons from the recycling drive in April - a number they're hoping to match or exceed.

According to the National Safety Council approximately 41 million computers became outdated in 2004 and 63 million in 2005. That number was expected to reach upwards of 500 million in 2007. Research shows that 75% of outdated, unused computers are stored and awaiting disposal.

Electronic equipment contains a myriad of hazardous materials. A typical desktop computer contains between 2-4 pounds of lead, mercury, cadmium, copper, lithium, brominate flame retardants and phosphorus. Do something green and recycle your old unwanted electronics.

The electronics you turn in will be sorted and packed for shipment to a recycling center in Seattle (the closest recycling plant). Many of the materials in those old electronics items such as the plastics, glass, steel, gold, lead, mercury, cadmium and fire retardants can be recaptured for reuse. The recycling process separates CRT's and other equipment into component parts, some of which will be used to reduce our demand for raw materials and of course, reduce the amount of waste pouring into the landfill.

There is a nominal cost for disposing of your old electronics ranging from .50 cents to $38 depending on what you wish to recycle. A bulk discount was offered in April although no mention has been made of it for this even. Regardless, get together with your friends and colleagues and get rid of that old equipment you're not using.

Get involved. This is something we can all easily do to protect our pristine environment.

There are a few items that will not be accepted; video and audio cassette tapes, smoke detectors, loose batteries, vacuum cleaners, household electric appliances without a circuit board (toasters, vacuum cleaners, etc.). For more information please contact Interior Alaska Green Star at (907) 452-4152 or info@iagreenstar.org.

By: Fairbanks AK Real Estate Broker Jesse Clifton

With energy costs in Alaska still some of the highest in the nation, it's no surprise that the cost of heating fuel has been a major topic of discussion in Fairbanks lately. While my crystal ball is on the fritz it's a fairly safe bet that heating costs will be significantly higher this winter than last. However, there are some things you can do to ease the pain of seeing the fuel invoice hanging on your door.

Shopping for the best price goes without saying, but don't forget to see what programs are available to help with the cost, such as;

* Cash Discounts: Ask if your fuel company offers a discount for cash payments and/or immediate payments.

* Employer Plan: Ask if the fuel company offers a discount plan to employees of your company?

* Builder/Contractor Discount: If you have a new home, ask if your builder gets a special rate and if you can be on their plan.

* Multi-Property Discount: If you own several properties, you could be eligible for a discounted per gallon rate.

Budget plans are another very popular option in the Interior. The fuel company will estimate the total cost of fuel for your home for the winter and divide that amount by 12 months. A home with an annual heating oil expense of $6,000 will be billed $500 per month.

Another important reminder is to sign up for auto-fill with your fuel company of choice. With auto-fill your fuel company will keep your tank full by making a delivery (generally) once a month. You'll get a significant price per-gallon discount by being an auto-fill customer. Those folks who order small quantities of fuel at a time often pay as much as 30%-35% more than auto-fill customers. Ordering an emergency after-hours delivery because you ran out of fuel will cost even more - in cost per gallon and damage from a freeze up.

Local Fuel Companies

Alaska Aerofuel - Phone: 474-0062 Alaska Petroleum - Phone: 488-2575 Badger Fuel - Phone: 488-8500 Interior Fuels - Phone: 456-1312 Johnny’s Express - Phone: 479-8877 Nenana Heating - Phone: 832-5445

Petroleum Sales - Phone: 456-7600 Polar Fuel - Phone: 451-9355 Sourdough Fuel - Phone: 456-7798 Brooks Fuel - Phone: 452-4581 Express Fuel - Phone: 452-3309 Everett’s Air Fuel - Phone: 450-2375

I knew it was coming.... it's as regular as Uncle Herb and his fiber pills, but I'm still not ready. This afternoon around1:15 snow started to fall in Fairbanks and the Tanana Valley. What started as a few flakes has turned into a downright flurry.

As always happens folks seem to forget how to drive when the snow shows up. REMEMBER, the brakes are NOT your friend. Slow down, take your time, give yourself a few extra minutes to get where you're going. It's not worth an accident.

Wow. What a difference 24 hours makes.

September 29, 2008

September 30, 2008

Military Spouse of the Year Award - Now Accepting Nominations

Although praise is deservedly lavished on military service members serving this country, we sometimes overlook their support system at home; their military spouses.

Long deployments to far away lands are no easy task. Military service members are in harms way and away from the family they love for extended periods of time. The wives and husbands left at home have an equally daunting task in that they're charged with keeping the home fires burning.

In recognition of their countless contributions and sacrifices, Military Spouse Magazine is accepting nominations for the 2009 Military Spouse of the Year.

Folks are encouraged to submit a nomination for either themselves or an eligible nominee of their choice. To submit a nomination, individuals must complete the nomination form online at www.msoy.milspouse.com. The nomination period runs from today through Oct. 8, 2008. Judges will review all submissions and select ten finalists from each military service branch, after which readers will select one branch winner.

"This award is an opportunity to thank all military spouses for their invaluable contributions, in addition to recognizing them for the challenges they overcome every day," said Babette Maxwell, Military Spouse magazine co-founder and executive editor.

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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.