AK on the GO

That's what moms do, some days. Flop in the snow.

Whew, are we ever glad to see Friday pop up like a spring crocus. Such a week! Between chipping away six inches of ice from my driveway and encouraging water running from my gutters to flow away from the house and not into the baasement, I’m pooped. I’m also ready for a little family fun; how about you?

First, however, a HUGE shoutout to the kind, patient folks at Alaska Communications, who gently convinced AK Dad that a smartphone would be an excellent way to keep of with his busy family. They set him up with a keypad smartphone and all the accessories one fella could want. AND, best of all, they welcomed him with open arms at their monthly smartphone classes, FREE to anyone who purchased a phone, and offering a plethora of information for as many times as one wants to attend. Bless them; we’ve synched calendars, created contact lists, and (gasp) are working on convincing him Facebook is not evil. Amazing.

But on to the weekend, which looks pretty busy…..

Alaska Center for Pediatrics is, as always, our Fun Friday sponsor. Caring for kids, that’s what they  do best. They might also care for moose, since I stopped in there yesterday and saw a big old daddy moose sleeping right outside their window. Maybe he was waiting for his calves. Heh.

FRIDAY:

Connect with outdoor enthusiasts this weekend at the Sportsmen Show. Fishing pole optional.

The Great Alaska Sportsmen Show opened yesterday, and will continue through Sunday at the Sullivan Arena and Ben Boeke Arena for an outdoor extravaganza. Not just for the great hunters and fishers in the family, this show is for anyone and everyone who loves outside stuff. Alaska Railroad, Iditarod, Stan Stephens Glacier and Wildlife Cruises, Campbell Creek Science Center, just to name a few favs, will be at booths around the arenas. BIG EXTRA: Parents, caregivers, or teachers of special-needs children (of any age), you are welcome to come to the Ben Boeke Ice Arena from 10a.m.-12 p.m. TODAY for a special VIP session. Try the “Sensory Safari” and go fishing in the trout pond. Folks will be on hand to ensure a calm, relaxed, and truly awesome morning.

SATURDAY:

Wahoooo! The Merry Marmot Festival is Saturday, featuring all sorts of wacky spring fun. How about an inner tube race, or perhaps a bike slalom? Maybe some good food and music? It’s all there at the Arctic Valley Ski Area and Alpenglow Chalet from 10 a.m. to, well, whenever they are done. NOTE: No regular tubing sessions, all is about racing, but kids are welcome. DO BRING THE HELMET. Cost varies for events. Food available, or bring your own.

Did you know this week was designated as Tsunami Preparedness Week? Yes, it was, and to show off the latest in detection and awareness, the folks at the Tsunami Warning Center are hosting an open house for the whole family, and community, to check out this very important office in Palmer. This center, by the way, is responsible for warning both continental coasts about tsunamis, a big job. FREE. 1-4 p.m., 910 S. Felton St, Palmer. 745-4212.

My good friend and outdoor ally, Jennifer Aist, will be speaking at Eagle River Nature Center on Saturday at 2 p.m. Jen is the author of “Babes in the Woods” and will be speaking about “Finding Nature With Your Family.” A wealth of knowledge, Jen knows her stuff, and even if you’ve heard her before, it’s worth attending. FREE, $5 parking for non members.

Fairbanks Children’s Museum has another “Museum Without Walls” event scheduled for Saturday, this time at Denali Elementary School, 1042 Lathrop Street, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. This little museum is moving forward with plans for a permenant home, so supporting their efforts is an excellent cause, indeed. Suitable for all ages, call 907-460-4071 for info.

Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center staff are hosting a presentation about their little Kodiak Brown Bear cubs at 1 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. on April 14. These guys are headed to Sweden early this summer, so better visit them while you can. Admission is $7.50-$10/pp, $30/family. Suitable for the whole fam.

SUNDAY

Kids and snowshoes, perfect.

Hey, we heard from our connections at Denali National Park that the Park road is open until Mile 12 or 13, give or take a click. What a fantastic weekend to head north (or south, if you are a Fairbanksian) for some snowshoeing, skiing, or a scenic drive. We hear the mountain is out almost every day, and what a photo op, huh? The winter staff are still leading guided snowshoe hikes every day at 1 p.m., so don’t miss the opportunity while we still have snow. FREE.

This might be a fun weekend to get your kids interested in starting their very own garden. The Alaska Botanical Garden has some fantastic ideas and opportunities for getting started, as well as their very own Education guru, Pat Ryan, who teaches the Junior Master Gardener class each summer. Check out their calendar of events and sign up today for the classes; they fill up fast!

EXTRA

AK Kid reads up on birds at Creamer's Field in Fairbanks, just one of the many spots to introduce kids to the birding world

The complete schedule for Homer’s Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival is up and ready! I’ll be speaking on Thursday, May 10 about “Birding Beyond Your Backyard,” with a few hot spots for kids and birds to meet, all around the state. I’m super excited, and you should be, too. This festival looks incredible, with tons of family-friendly walks, activities, and lectures.

Check out my latest post for Kids These Days! Radio, heard Tuesdays on KSKA in Anchorage, 91.1 FM. This week I talk about teens and vacations, throwing in a bit of wisdom from my own parents (gosh, they always said I’d appreciate them, later).

Remember that the Alaska Travelgram Radio Show will air Saturday, April 7, now that we’ve moved from Tuesdays. My co-host Scott McMurren and I are all fired up for talkin’ travel with the world, so tune in!

Have an event to share? Don’t forget that you can use our handy form (above) to list the specifics, and we’ll get it up on the AKontheGO calendar, toot-sweet!

Have an incredible weekend.

EK

I'm really, really busy here in Hawai'i.

Aloha! AK Fam is winding up 10 days of Island Paradise. Dare I say – I am homesick for my wintery wonderland of Alaska? All reports of warming temperatures and falling snow make for perfect family fun this weekend, and we’ve got it right here, not to mention a little bit of Hawai’i to make you feel all warm and cozy.

The Alaska Travelgram Show was a hoot this week; my intrepid co-host Scott McMurren kindly made it “all Hawai’i – all the time.” Along with guest host Ethan Tyler from the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, a super surfer in his own right, we had ourselves a pretty good show. Give a listen HERE.

AK Kid tries on a heavy artillery helmet aboard the USS Missouri, or "Mighty Mo"

AK Fam visited the beautiful and recently renovated WWII Valor in the Pacific National Monument this week; a collection of five monuments/sites critical toward achieving understanding about the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. My weekly post for Kids These Days! Radio will focus on our visit, and a few moments of clarity for AK Kid. Look for it later today right HERE.

Let’s look at our weekend, shall we?

ANCHORAGE: ‘Tweens and teens 9-13 have a super opportunity to learn all about animal tracking at another Science Saturday tomorrow from 1-4 p.m. at the lovely Campbell Creek Science Center, one of my favorite spots for outdoor recreation. S.S. is created in tandem with 4-H, and is the perfect adult-kid afternoon of science and hands-on fun in the snow. Reports are favorable for spotting tracks of a resident lynx who has been roaming the area! Call 786-6300 to register. $5/child, one-time 4-H membership fee of $6, adults free.

Ski For Women is here! The annual Superbowl Sunday event kicks off at 8 a.m. at Kincaid Park, and hundreds of costume-clad women and girls will be skiing around the Mize Loop in support of domestic violence victims. Even if you don’t ski, come out to watch, the costumes are amazing and the energy high! Visit the Nordic Ski Association of Anchorage website for all the details. All ages.

The Alaska Native Heritage Center is sponsoring its annual Indigenous World Film Fest today and tomorrow at the center in east Anchorage. FREE admission and wonderful Native-produced films are great ways to show older kids (9+) the creativity and culture of Native American, Alaska Native, Polynesian, and other aboriginal groups. Friday, 6-11 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.

HOMER: Sunday evenings are the perfect time to take in a bonfire with the folks from Wynn Nature Center! These weekly bonfires are fun and educational opportunities to check out the place in a “whole new light” (ha). Call 235-6667 for info, times, and directions. FREE.

FAIRBANKS: Tonight is a First Friday Owl Show sponsored by the Alaska Bird Observatory, a fabulous place to learn about birds of all kinds. This free event features an owl talk, snacks, door prizes, and even some owl art. Come on over from 5-8 p.m. and see “whooos” there! Call 451-7159 for info. ABO is located at 418 Wedgewood Drive.

The Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race begins on Saturday on the frozen Chena River in downtown Fairbanks! Not as flashy as the Iditarod, but authentic and a super fun way to introduce kids to the sport, Yukon Quest is 1,000 miles of racing between Fairbanks and Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, and it’s tough. Meet Saturday morning at the Cushman Street Bridge and catch the action. FREE.

Have you checked out the new and fancy-flashy website for Visit Anchorage? Wowsers, it is gorgeous! Click the “Family” link on the homepage and see if you don’t recognize some of the writing there (ahem, blush). Tons of info, and great photos mean it’s always the place to find out more in Alaska’s largest village.

Don’t forget to sign up for our automatic email updates, too! The AKontheGO Calendar is hopping with new additions, so you’ll get the latest and greatest, right away.

Mahalo for following along, have a wonderful weekend, and we’ll see you back at the AK Fam ranch next week.