Starting on May 22, the Loussac Library will be closed on Sundays. The decision to close was made in order to improve patron services for more frequently used days. The Municipality of Anchorage remains committed to utilizing its resources in the most efficient and effective way possible to maintain services citywide.
Branch libraries will remain open Tuesday through Saturday during regularly scheduled hours. See full location and hours information at https://bit.ly/APLHoursAndLocations.
Hoopla Borrowing Limit Update
As part of Anchorage Public Library’s pandemic response, borrowing limits for Hoopla Digital were temporarily increased to ten borrows, per library card, per month. While we were thrilled to offer this increased service connecting patrons to digital materials, current APL collection budgets can no longer support the additional borrows.
Effective June 1- borrows will return to eight per library card, per month.
We encourage patrons to watch for quarterly “Bonus Borrow” promotions from Hoopla, which allow for unlimited borrows from their featured titles, as well as using the Alaska Digital Library through the free Libby App or online portal.
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Upcoming Activities
The “Thursdays: Our History” program for May will get underway at 7 pm Thursday, May 19 in the community room. Colleen Kelly will read from travel journal entries and share photos taken by school teacher L.I. Perkins who traveled by steamship to Seward in 1911 and spent six weeks exploring the area. Her traveling companion Alma Wagen was the first female ranger at Mt. Rainier. The event is free and open to the public.
The next Resurrection Bay Historical Society membership meeting will start at 7 pm Thursday, May 26 in the Community Room of the Seward Community Library & Museum.
A Quick Bit Of Feedback On The Court’s New Online Viewing System
I’ll get to the Redistricting Board court hearing later today or tomorrow, but first I want to give Judge Matthews and the court administrators some feedback on their new online viewing option.
However, I will say right now, the Judge said he would rule on both the original remand AND the Girdwood appeal of the April Board Proclamation Plan on Monday, May 16, 2022.
It took about 15 minutes to actually get to listen to today’s Alaska Redistricting Board’s hearing in Judge Thomas Matthews virtual courtroom. The current system doesn’t let you see the the Judge’s name, apparently, until they are ready to go on the record. So you can sit there and just wait. But what if it’s not working? Or what if your internet isn’t working right with the Court’s new online system? At 10:03am I called the court to ask. I’ve had enough questions for the clerk prior to today that I had her number and called her to check what was happening.
Clerk: “I think it’s starting late. Oh, there it is.”
Steve: “I don’t see anything.”
Clerk: Try reloading the site
Steve: Nothing
Clerk: Let me email you a different url. Read more ->
Spenard Farmer’s Market
The Market happens every Saturday in the summer from 9 AM to 2PM in the windmill lot in beautiful, downtown Spenard, Alaska. The first market of the 2002 season is May 14th and continues to the end of September. It’s always sunny in Spenard!
The market will be held on Saturdays between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the windmill lot on Spenard Road (between W. 25th and W. 26th Avenues. Chilkoot Charlie’s parking lot) This year’s Market opens May 14th in celebration of Joe Spenard’s birthday, and continues every Saturday through the end of September..
Anchorage Senior Activity Center
Gayle Cederberg: My Country Club! The Anchorage Senior Activity Center (ASAC) and Rebecca Parker, Executive Director
As a member of the Anchorage Senior Activity Center (ASAC), I would like everyone to know what an important organization it is for both Anchorage and Seniors. I know our neighbors at Nextdoor will enjoy reading while I take this opportunity to give accolades to Rebecca Parker, Executive Director, of ASAC (1300 E. 19th Ave) her Board, Team and Volunteers.
ASAC is funded by the MOA, Mayor Dave Bronson and the Assembly with additional funding from Medicare (they have their own office on the premises). They provide equipment to loan), various grants and donations.
The Benefits and Enrollment Center (BEC) can assist with heating, Alaska Senior Benefit, Housing and Public Assistance, Medicaid, SSDI, disability services, Veterans’ Benefits. SNAP & Other food benefits. Medicare Savings Program & Part D Extra Help (LIS). Dental assistance programs for seniors and veterans. Internet access and phone assistance programs for seniors are more than 2,500 other benefits. (Medicaid, & LIHEAP). ASAC has been most concerned about our members and even those who aren’t members!
Two years ago at the start of the Pandemic, I received a call asking if I was OK?, Did I have food and was there anything else I needed? Becky, has been doing a balancing act, using this time to upgrade our facilities with new front entry, remodel of the Arctic Rose Restaurant, restrooms, gift shop and more… They have a free Technology and lending program – AARP offers “TAX-AIDE, Free Tablet lending program – AARP, The Alaska Community Foundation, The Rasmuson Foundation and Verizon. (Some tablets can only be used at the center). Age Smart–Let’s Talk We also assist with Travel Plans, give Pedicures, by appointment and more.
I will give you an Idea of the programs available, in person, some by Zoom, or both. Two or more kinds of Fitness classes. (Some seasonal changes), A room full of equipment with lessons, guidance, and another with pictures in our newsletter with explicit directions for at home exercise.
ASAC Art Groups – Accepting art supply donations. Ole art for current members, Watercolor group and ZenArt. Board and Games. Bridge, Canasta, Cribbage & Backgammon. Pinochle, Phase 10, Racko Rummikub, Dice Games (Yahtzee…). Dominoes (Mexican Train), Hand & Foot. Craft and Quilt Room, Library, Living History Writing Group. Memoir Writing. (My favorite). You don’t have to know anything about writing. No one will try to make you into a pro. We just have fun writing and enjoy friends stories that should be shared with family and friends.
Memory Cafe. Nutrition Education Sessions with Amy Urbanus (MS, RDN, LD, & CDE), a fine Nutrition Coach. We also have the Red Hat Society. Social Hours is 2 times a month. Food, games, announcements and more! We utilize our bus for trips to the Loussac and Muldoon Library’s. We’ve also enjoyed Events and Field Trips. We have Anchor -Rides Grocery Delivery Program. I believe we have Drivers Safety and the Safe Alaskans CarFit program.
Frankly speaking I can hardly wait for our next issue of the Senior Borealis Newsletter to come out. I look to seeing the list of new members who I can meet and enjoy visiting with, and others who have rejoined. Speaking of the “Borealis” there is lots of really good information. Departments that keep us going are Benefit Enrollment Center, Catering and Rentals, Communication and Development, Finance/Administration & Membership.
If Becky Parker wasn’t such a flexible person, we wouldn’t have all that we do. You see, to me, The Anchorage Senior Activity Center is my Country Club!
Gayle Cederberg, Anchorage, AK
What are you up to Wednesday, May 25? Whether you live in Homer already or want to kick off summer with a road trip, we hope you’ll join us at La Baleine Café on the Homer Spit. When our first-ever retreat sold out in under 48 hours, we brainstormed with chefs Mandy Dixon and Kirsten Dixon about how to gather more of you together that week to celebrate great food and good food writing as well as the launch of the Summer issue of Edible Alaska, themed “Homegrown.” Full details below. This is a ticketed event and space is limited, so grab your tickets before they’re gone!
We’re so eager to gather, share a drink, and celebrate Alaska food. We hope you’ll join us.
Thanks for reading, happy eating, happy adventuring,