Points of personal privilege: on this beautiful Sunday, we note the following personal items and leave you witha poetic prayer. 1.  Kudos to all but a big hug and kiss to Nancy for a career of accomplishment far above and beyond any call of duty! -dh From the Arctic Sounder: 'Last week seven directors of various nonprofits in the state were awarded a six-month break through the Rasmuson Foundation Sabbatical Program. The recipients come from five communities across the state and include professionals in arts, and health and social services. "Among [...]

On Christmas, we remember how our friend, Bill Tobin (NGP Photo), used to include this Christmas Tree every year on the Anchorage Times editorial page.  We are delighted to carry on the tradition and reprint Bill's Christmas Tree below as a tribute to our great Alaska predecessors and as a commitment to honor and propagate and emulate their pioneering spirits. MERRY CHRISTMAS!   On  This Eve  Of Christmas,  We Once Again  Decorate A Little  Tree To Say Thanks To  All Of You Who have Blessed  Us With Your Friendship Over  More years Than We Care To [...]

The Department of Natural Resources is inviting the public to attend community meetings and provide input on its proposed Eastern Tanana Area Plan (ETAP).  When adopted, ETAP will serve as the basis for the management of state lands and waters on approximately 6.8 million acres of state-owned and state-selected land distributed throughout the Tanana River Valley and the surrounding uplands and the Fairbanks North Star Borough north of the Tanana River.  Point of personal privilege.  We were honored today to meet the Honorable Marcelo Cabrera, Mayor of Cuenca, Ecuador, presiding over [...]

Point of Personal Privilege.  Upon arriving at my first Alaskan Job with Alaska Methodist University in 1971 (i.e. now, APU), I was greeted warmly by a number of new friends.   One of those, was Walt Parker (NGP Photo, Circa. 2007), in whose company I spent hours discussing the future of Alaska, the relationship of Alaska's Constitutional principles to the state's prosperity, local land use planning in Anchorage, Alaska Native land claims and the importance of properly developing Alaska's natural resources. It is, therefore, with sadness for loss of his [...]

Point of personal privilege.  Last week I spoke of the passing of a dear friend, Dr. Milton Byrd (NGP Photo). Today I was moved by a greater fullness of his life than I had been aware, thanks to an obituary provided by his loving family. For example, I knew of only one of Milton's educational positions and accomplishments before his move to Alaska. Yet, in my defense, how would I know of every accomplishment of a truly private and serious man who seemed always engaged, not with the past, but on the next [...]