Programs

Anna Barnwell and Øistein Berget are two Alaskans slash Norwegians that cannot get enough of either location. Anna – a born and raised Anchorageite – first lived in small town Norway as an exchange student, but has since returned multiple times both to visit her partner Øistein and most recently for grad school. Although generally speaking, they miss Alaskan food more than they love Norwegian food culture, there are some highlights of Norwegian cuisine which they love. Norwegians have a rich tradition of using local food from their own ecosystem. Click for the recipe.

It is no wonder that throughout Alaska and the country, health organizations and clinics are developing tobacco cessation programs in increasing numbers. According to a 2004 report, Tobacco in the Great Land: A Portrait of Alaska’s Leading Cause of Death, tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in Alaska. Tobacco use was responsible for approximately one in every five deaths in Alaska in 2001. Read more.

Best Beginnings is recruiting hosts for "100 Premieres" to be held Feb. 11-19, 2012. The 100 Premieres will be hosted all over Alaska to introduce Babies on Track, a 14-minute DVD for parents plus two companion baby board books: Our Alaska Family (baby faces) and Let’s Talk Alaska! (Alaska objects). Using delightful images of Alaska babies on location around the state, the video and books foster early learning and healthy brain development with everyday activities at home. Read more.

Winter is here in full force across the state.  And with a monster storm rolling in to Western Alaska, a quick review of emergency preparedness is not a bad idea.  Here is a good emergency supply list from the State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. See the list.

A selection of photos from The Alaska Zoo's facebook page. Great snowy shots! See the gallery.

UAA has recently consolidated all its medical programs into the College of Health, a statewide health university. The UAA Health Sciences Building is all about new sophisticated simulation labs so that health professionals with varying expertise can practice together in simulation, rather than in the real ER. Here's a video of a simulation in action. Click for larger view.

Anchorage has always been known for its cross country skiing. Now a group of volunteers are hoping to revive interest in another snow sport in the city- ski jumping. The 40 meter jump at Hilltop Ski Area had fallen into disrepair over the years. But after a flurry of activity this fall- it’s ready for a new generation of jumpers to begin taking flight.

There's a new kind of dinosaur out there, and it lived in Alaska. Its bones, long turned to stone, are part of a cliff in northern Alaska. That's where dinosaur-hunter Tony Fiorillo brushed dirt away from a portion of its massive skull ­ something that most of us would mistake for a rock. Read more.

In order to grow philanthropy in Alaska, we need to have a true understanding of what Alaskans and our communities across the state need to be successful. One way we work to help build community is by providing opportunities for community members and our fund advisors to have open conversations about community issues. Over the past year we have hosted dozens of “Conversations about causes that matter.” The topics we have discussed range from childhood hunger to healthcare to family philanthropy. Read more.