Summer

With the end of the Anchorage school year Thursday, many local parents are facing the summer conundrum of how to keep kids busy and fit during the long days ahead. Channel 2 asked what you and your kids will be doing on our Facebook page, and here's some of what you've said: Kathy Day: My kids are going to multi sport camp in June with Matt Shasby. If you are looking for a story idea, my client, AK Dinner Factory, offers kids camps where kids learn about nutrition, cooking, measuring ingredients and they make a dinner each day. My son got a whole new appreciation for my cooking by attending the camp!

Kids ages 7 to 11 are attending a voice camp at the Turnagain Arts Building this week. The camp covers all the elements of singing from harmony to breathing techniques, and even some music theory. At the end of the camp, kids have the option of performing for their parents. “And if they do -- all children are invited to sing, they're not made to sing -- some kids are ready to stand up and sing in front of other people and some are not, and we let them decide if they're ready or not,” said camp director Peggy Monaghan.

Flower baskets -- more than 1,300 of them -- will be hanging throughout Anchorage this summer, as workers with the city Department of Parks and Recreation's Horticulture Division continue a local tradition. Crews grew marigolds and lobelia, mostly from seed, for baskets on 4th Avenue, which will represent the Alaska state flag. The baskets can be seen in Mountain View, Spenard and Downtown Anchorage. The Horticulture Division grew more than 80,000 annuals for the displays, which also includes flowering beds that are being planted now and next week.

by Ashton Goodell Friday, February 26, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The Department of Transportation forecasts a lot more construction this summer -- 33 percent more than last year. DOT plans to spend $800 million to fund more than 100 projects. The increase in funds comes from both the state and federal government. The plan is to get more projects started to create more jobs. Crews will be repairing ruts between Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley. Other big projects this summer will be resurfacing airport runways and upgrading marine highway terminals.

by Ted Land Tuesday, February 23, 2010 JUNEAU, Alaska -- House Speaker Mike Chenault wants construction on an in-state gas line to start next summer. The bill he introduced Tuesday proposes the state have that line up and running by the year 2015. House Bill 369 would also unify all the different in-state gas line proposals into one project to be steered by a single committee. The Department of Transportation, the Regulatory Commission of Alaska, the railroad and other groups would all work toward the same goal.

Anchorage Parks and Recreation officials have closed the Westchester Lagoon disc golf course to public use in the summer until further notice. The city says it's in response to increased "confrontations," drinking and drug use by users. The baskets have all been removed in the past few weeks. The city says the course this summer will be landscaped and reopen for public use in October. “The Parks and Rec Commission, through our advisement, decided to basically make it a winter-only course,” said Muni Park Planner Josh Durand.

by Jason Lamb Thursday, February 11, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- The Anchorage Fire Department has gotten used to a firefighting helicopter over the last few years, but now it's on the chopping block. The city is now counting on state money or a new federal grant to keep a helicopter in the air this summer to help with wild fires. Just behind the firefighter memorial at Merrill Field is where they keep the contracted helicopter during the summer. But if something isn't done soon, that parking spot might stay vacant this year.

by Channel 2 News staff Wednesday, April 28, 2010 ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- A library fine increase will go into effect starting June 2. The Anchorage Public Library's overdue fines will increase to: 50 cents a day for adult books, 25 cents a day for youth books and story packets; and $1 a day for all media items and book club bags. There is a $5 maximum in fines per item, and for each item that is more than 17 days late a replacement fee will be charged, plus a $5 processing fee. This is the first fine increase in more than five years.

Travel and tourism in Alaska could be on track for a strong summer season for 2013. Travel industry experts say they're hoping more people will pass through the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport with the help of more travel options and wallet-friendly ticket deals. While many of us are hoping the last bits of winter will melt away, it's a time when people in the air travel industry are preparing for a busy summer and more flight options for passengers. John Parrott, the airport's manager, says two airlines will make their debut in the state this summer.

As the Anchorage School District wraps up its 2012-2013 school year Thursday, summer school is set to begin next week -- but budget cuts are already impacting students' options. Due to ASD's budget shortfall, which stands at over $20 million, there will be no elementary and middle summer school this year. Instead the options are limited to ASD 's iSchool online courses, and a shortened summer session in high schools -- choices that administrators hope doesn't limit students' ability to succeed.

It's that time of year that kids love: summertime. But when school is out and the free meals stop, the founder of Kids Kitchen, Elgin Jones, says this time of year is essential for the nonprofit organization. “This summer we're beginning out 16 th   annual food program where we feed the kids every day in the summer a hot nutritious meal,” Jones said. Today on the menu: meatloaf, peas, oranges and mashed potatoes. It's one of Fu-a Malacia's favorite meals at Kids Kitchen.

It's that time of year again for an Anchorage summer tradition: the Downtown Market and Festival is back. Every year, at Third Avenue between C and E Street, a plethora of vegetables, fruits, crafts and local specialties are available for Alaskans and tourists to enjoy. This year, the market manager joked that the market has doubled its admission fee - that's right, it's still free, in order to make it easier for everyone to participate. “We've got a lot of our favorite vendors from the past back and other new vendors all around the place, so it's going to be an exciting year,” Bill Webb, Market Manager, said.

The Alaska Native Heritage Center had plenty of reasons to celebrate Sunday with the beginning of its summer season. This year marks the 14th birthday for ANHC and friends and family gathered at the Muldoon location on Mother's Day. Different groups performed throughout the day, including special musical guest, Pamyua. Yaari Kingeekuk introduced the Cultures of Alaska and shared some history about her name. Crow Creek Pipes and Drums performed a guest set at ANHC.

"We get a lot of people from the lower 48 and they actually think they're going fishing, but they're not," Melody Dosier, an Employment/Seafood Specialist at the midtown Job Center in Anchorage. Job experts say May could be the perfect time for those looking for seasonal jobs to apply. The latest national jobless numbers, released Friday, show a national rate dropping slightly from 7.6 percent to 7.5 percent. Alaska's unemployment numbers are typically released every third week of the month, but the most recent numbers shows the state's jobless rate at 6.6 percent in March.

Travel and tourism in Alaska could be on track for a strong summer season for 2013. Travel industry experts say they're hoping more people will pass through the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport with the help of more travel options and wallet-friendly ticket deals. While many of us are hoping the last bits of winter will melt away, it's a time when people in the air travel industry are preparing for a busy summer and more flight options for passengers. John Parrott, the airport's manager, says two airlines will make their debut in the state this summer.

A national publication says Palmer is the best place to raise kids in Alaska in 2013. Bloomberg Businessweek released its “ Best of List ” on Tuesday. Some of the accolades that helped Palmer were its great schools city score, its high median family income, and housing costs. The publication also points out the long summer days, world-record size veggies, and during annual Colony Christmas celebration that features actual reindeer.

Alaska travelers will have cheaper options from Anchorage to Seattle next summer thanks to another airline entering the Northwest market. On Monday, jetBlue announced Anchorage to Seattle fares starting at $119 to $127 starting May 17, 2013. Alaska Airlines will price match its competitor's offer but only for flights scheduled to fly around the same time, according to Alaska Travel Source. The travel guide said there is no "purchase by" date on this fare, so it could potentially be pulled anytime.

The Alaska Marine Highway System reported an increase of over 7 percent from the previous year in fiscal year 2012 and it also released its summer 2013 schedule. According to a news release, revenue from Alaska's ferries totaled $52.2 million. AMHS said the revenue represents a 30.4 percent recovery of the system's operating cost. The 2013 summer schedule for the ferries can be requested online or by calling 1-800-642-0066. The ferry added a service through Gustavaus and addressed the day boat concerns in Northern Lynn Canal, according to Michael Neussl, Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities Deputy Commissioner for Marine Operations.

Despite a very rainy cool summer many vendors at the Anchorage market and festival say business was good. Todd Salat takes pictures of beautiful days for a living but he says bad weather is actual best for business. Salat says, “We like the gray overcast, there's less reflections on our pictures. People seem to be more interested in art. Maybe even the colors are more vibrant on the gray weather days. " In the 15 years he's been selling photos at the Anchorage market this year has been his best ever.