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Communities may apply for coronavirus-related funding in support of older adults through AARP’s Community Challenge grant program. Challenge grants will support quick-action projects that spark change and help improve communities for people of all ages in key livability areas of public spaces, transportation, smart cities, civic engagement, housing and other innovative projects. Since 2017, AARP has funded 376 projects through Community Challenge grants. Deadline extended: Applications will be accepted through May 15, 2020 (11:59 pm ET)....
With much of the United States and Canada still gripped by COVID-19 travel restrictions, volunteers are needed to fill a number of campground host positions usually filled by Lower 48 retirees. Alaska State Parks says it will need to rely upon Alaskans this summer to fulfill camp host duties, which include restroom maintenance, fee collection and general supervision of campgrounds around Alaska. In exchange, hosts receive a seasonal campsite suitable for RV living and a small stipend. “Alaska State Parks is working hard to keep our parks open,...
Editor’s note: This press release was received on March 30, 2020. The Salvation Army, the nation’s largest social services organization with more than 7,600 service locations across the country, is increasing efforts to meet human need. In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the organization has evolved service delivery to ensure that immediate needs of community members, first responders, and government partners are met. With an expected spike in requests over the coming weeks, months, and potentially years, ongoing public support will be...
After four years of closure, Mid-Valley Senior Center in Houston is under new ownership and providing meals on a regular schedule, although services are severely curtailed for now due to the coronavirus. In January, Wasilla Area Seniors, Inc. (WASI) finalized a deal to take ownership of the center, along with one of its senior apartment buildings. WASI, which owns and operates the Wasilla Senior Center and several Wasilla senior housing complexes, had already been catering meals on a contractor...
Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska’s largest annual fundraising event is taking a detour of sorts, due to safety precautions surrounding COVID-19. “Amblin’ for Alzheimer’s,” originally scheduled for May 2 at the Anchorage Golf Course, will now be a “virtual campaign,” said Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska Executive Director Pamela Kelley. “We knew it couldn’t happen in the way it has for the last 15 years, so we’ve changed it from an actual walk to a ‘virtual campaign’ with a social media component that allows people to amble safely where they are...
Two of the state’s largest annual senior-related events, usually held each year in May, have been canceled, with hopes for rescheduling at a later date. Senior Recognition Day, held each year in Fairbanks at the Carlson Center, will not take place as planned on May 7. Fairbanks North Star Borough Parks and Recreation Senior Program coordinator Marya Lewanski told Senior Voice in an email that the event has been postponed, but no new date has been set. Meanwhile, all of the program’s senior activities are canceled until May. For more inf...
Fifteen determined women are learning, to their delight, the fine art of shooting pool, a game traditionally dominated by men. The pool-shooters gather at the Anchorage Senior Activity Center and take lessons from volunteer program coordinator Sharon Lowe, a self-taught and skilled practitioner at both pool and billiards. The group began its activities at the pool table two years ago with 17 women, 15 of whom are still active. For a time, they gathered on Thursdays and practiced together from 5...
The Alaska Black Caucus will present a variety of events throughout February, including the second annual Bettye Davis African American Summit on Feb. 29. Davis, a community leader and Alaska’s first African American State Senator, passed away in December 2018 and the summit was organized in her name. Its mission is to serve as the principal forum and voice for the Alaska African American community in addressing critical issues of public policy and government. This year’s takes place at Bartlett High School and brings together experts to lea...
Seward Senior Center will be closed for construction for three weeks, Jan. 17 through Feb. 7, 2020. “For the modernization of senior services, we will improve our security, sign in systems for all visitors and knock out a few cobwebs that seem to grow as we stay super busy serving our greatest generation,” said Seward Seniors Executive Director Dana Paperman. During the closure, transportation, the lunch program, meals on wheels and fitness programs will continue at other locations. Fitness classes will be hosted at the AVTEC gym and nutritiona...
Alaska's vast geographic space dictates more than its beauty-- in the case of the statewide Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC) it determines access and the providing of services for Alaskans with disabilities and seniors and caregivers seeking long term support in their community. In Southeast Alaska, the ADRC operates within Southeast Alaska Independent Living, Inc. (SAIL). Originally solely an independent living center serving people with disabilities of all ages, SAIL took on the...
The Anchorage Museum will continue its series of “Storytelling Saturdays Theatre” through the winter, including two performances in December. Learn about the local community’s many cultures during these family-friendly, live performances of fairy tales and other cultural stories. Performances take place every other Saturday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. in the Museum Auditorium. Attendance is free to museum members or with any museum admission purchase. Complimentary tickets are also available, contact theatre@anchoragemuseum.orgthea...
Those with dementia find their world diminished, but they don't know that. It is their caretakers and loved ones who see the change and long for the time when they were present. It is a hard experience, but sadly one that oftentimes comes with aging. There's a song in the air The Alzheimer's Resource of Alaska is trying out an approach that has been successful elsewhere - a chorus comprised of dementia patients and their caregivers they are calling "Voices of the Last Frontier." And in a way,...
The holiday season is also the season of giving and a time to share smiles with those around you. And it’s important to remember there are seniors in your community who would love to celebrate, too. However, many seniors live alone, without someone to share this special time. Home Instead Senior Care is once again offering the Anchorage and Mat-Su Valley community a chance to spread joy to local seniors. Through the “Be a Santa to a Senior” program, community members can give a senior a special holiday gift. Last year, more than 500 Ancho...
Sealaska Heritage Institute (SHI) will sponsor the November 2019 Lecture Series in honor of Native American Heritage Month and Walter Soboleff Day. The series will focus on Southeast Alaska Native history and efforts in the political and legal arena to protect their aboriginal rights. All lectures begin at noon at the Walter Soboleff Building in Juneau and are free and open to the public. The talks will also be videotaped and posted on SHI’s YouTube channel. The courses may be taken for credit at the University of Alaska Southeast. Here is the...
The Alaska Training Cooperative will present a one-day workshop Nov. 21 on the traditional lifestyles and health practices of people living in Alaska prior to western contact. Participants will be introduced to beliefs, attitudes and knowledge of health promotion and maintenance that were practiced, and major changes leading to the current health status of the Alaska Native community. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Participation can be in the classroom in Anchorage, or remotely using Zoom online conferencing. Continuing education credits are...
Celebrate the critical importance and diversity of our Alaska Native languages at the First Alaskans Institute 36th Annual Elders & Youth Conference, Oct. 13-16 at the Carlson Center in Fairbanks. This year’s theme, “Qaneryararput Yugtun Piniqerput” (Yup’ik) and “Qaneryararput Cugtun Kayuqerput” (Cup’ik) loosely translates into English as “Language is Our Superpower.” As indigenous peoples alive today, we get to be part of the generation who keep the fires of our languages alive, and that makes us stronger. Elders & Youth starts with a War...
With easily accessible DNA testing and massive online databases, it’s never been simpler to trace your past, and the plethora of genealogical resources available around the state can lend an extra hand when tracking down ancestors. The Anchorage Genealogical Society (AGS) promotes and teaches genealogy through monthly meetings, workshops and classes. Meetings are free and open to the public and take place the third Wednesday of every month at the BP Energy Center from 7 to 8:45 p.m. Beginner classes commence in September and take place at t...
Like many transplants from the Lower 48, a job offer lured me up to Alaska. No, you won't find me welding on a pipeline or commercial fishing on the Bering Sea, but as a program coordinator for a large nonprofit, I've gotten to do a bit of traveling during my first year here. From Homer to Fairbanks, Bethel to Tok, Glenallen to Haines, Palmer to Dillingham, and at all the stops along the way, I've gotten to meet and work with many remarkable seniors – not just from Alaska, but from all over t...
Tanana Valley State Fair is Aug. 2-11 in Fairbanks. Senior admission (age 60 and older) is $20 for a Senior Season Pass and $5 for a Senior Daily Pass. Free admission for seniors on Senior Day, Aug. 7. Events include a senior luncheon, pie eating contests, rodeo, cake decorating, Alaska Heritage Day, community wellness events and more. For a full schedule of events visit http://www.tananavalleyfair.org. The Kenai Peninsula Fair takes place Aug. 16-18 in Ninilchik. Senior admission is $10 for a three Day Pass and $5 for a Day Pass. This year’s t...
Late summer and early fall mean mushrooms abound across Alaska. With over 97,000 identified species, mushrooms are second to insects in species diversity. From science and discovery to crafting and photography, mushroom hunting in National Forests, state parks and even your own backyard allows anyone to foster a greater appreciation for Alaska's natural fungi. Getting started To become a seasoned mushroom hunter, one must first do their research, says Kate Mohatt, an ecologist for the Forest...
