Fairbanks, AK

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.

With spiraling fuel costs putting many Interior Alaska families in the unenviable position of having to choose between food or heat, the Governor and Legislature have decided to take action.

While it can't be described as a perfect solution... I'm not even sure one exists… the Governor and Legislature have made a step in the right direction. With fuel costs among the highest in the nation and winter fast approaching, participating Alaskan's can expect to see an additional $1,200 "resource rebate" included with their Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend this year. This one-time energy relief payout from the state treasury is the product of an energy relief package the Legislature passed two weeks ago.

While the amount of the 2008 PFD hasn't been announced yet, it's widely expected to be in the $2,100 range, per person. With the added resource rebate, each qualifying Alaskan will receive approximately $3,300. This will certainly be a help for those folks who are feeling the pinch from higher energy prices.

Rather than wait for the traditional early October disbursement, Governor Palin announced today the first round of checks would be deposited beginning September 12th. Those who signed up for direct deposit will begin receiving their checks in the first round followed by those receiving a check in the mail.

To be eligible for a PFD, you must have been an Alaska resident for the entire calendar year preceding the date you apply for a divide and intend to remain an Alaska resident indefinitely at the time you apply for a dividend. Unfortunately this will exclude some members of the armed forces stationed at Eielson Air Force Base and Fort Wainwright as many are new to Alaska. The men and women of the Army and Air Force who have met the eligibility requirements (and have applied) will receive a permanent fund dividend check. Read the eligibility requirements.

If you're in the military, to be eligible to receive a 2008 PFD check, you'll need to...

* have arrived in Alaska before January 1, 2007.

* Obtain an Alaska drivers license, register to vote, register a vehicle or sign a lease for off-post housing (or purchase a home). In other words, become part of the community.

* Maintain your Alaskan residency at all times during the qualifying year and intend to remain an Alaskan resident indefinitely.

* Claim Alaska as your state of legal residence with the military before January 1st of the year before the qualifying year.

Have specific questions? Contact your local Permanent Fund Dividend office:

Elizabeth Ladewig 616 E Street Anchorage, Alaska 99501 Phone: (907) 269-0370 Phone: (907) 269-0370

Fairbanks Marjorie Marlow 1005 Cushman Street Fairbanks, Alaska 99701 Phone: (907) 451-2820 Fax: (907) 451-5142

Skyler Lashley 333 Willoughby Avenue Juneau, Alaska 99811-0461 Phone: (907) 465-2326 Fax: (907) 465-3470

---

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.

Alright, we put up with the frigid winter temps, the slick icy roads and the diminished daylight for the majority of the year so we can have warm, dry arctic desert summers. I don't know where our summer went this year but it certainly won't be described as warm and dry. First came the incessent rain followed, of course by flooding and now the national weather service is telling us to prepare for the first frost of the season. Truly?

Sorry to disappoint you egghead weather folks, but we've already crossed that disgusting weather bridge. The photo below was taken two weeks ago at about 7:30AM. That white stuff you see across what was my green lawn... yep, you guessed it. Frost on the pumpkin.

One report tonight suggested we could see temps drop as low as the mid 20's. Break out the electric blankets and get me a cup of hot buttered rum. Mother Nature is off her meds. Stay warm, ya'll. Now where are my electric socks?

---

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.

Former Fairbanksan and UAF multiple national champion, Matt Emmons, has won the Silver in the 50 meter prone rifle event in Beijing. Emmons won the Gold for the same event at the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Together with his wife, Olympic sport shooting champion Kateřina Kůrková of the Czech Republic, they now hold five Olympic medals.

Congratulations Matt & Katerina on a job very well done!

---

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.

Photo courtesy of Tzatziki

Sorry folks, I couldn't resist. The sun is shining with only a few clouds in the sky - for now. It's supposed to rain later today and tomorrow but it won't matter. The worst day of fishing beats the best day of working, right?

We made it down to our favorite spot on the river without incident and have even been so lucky as to have the place to ourselves. No doubt that will change tomorrow but for now it's peaceful and just about as close to perfect as you can get.

One of the attractions that have kept us in The Last Frontier for so long is the abundant opportunities to get out and enjoy some of the most beautiful country on earth. Fishing, hunting, boating, hiking, camping, off-roading, flying, rafting, canoeing, kayaking, skiing, snowmachining... you name it and it's all right here in our very own backyard.

Ready to find your piece of The Last Frontier to call home? Contact us online or call 907.699.6024...

Just give us 'til Monday to call you back. We've gone fishing.

---

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.