Alaska News

Use discount fares to keep your representatives honest in Juneau

Every day during February and March, many travelers are headed south on planes that pass over Southeast Alaska. On a clear day, they can look out the window on the left side and see Juneau.

For many Alaskans, that's as close as they ever will get to our capital city. And that's a shame.

If you've never visited your state capital during the legislative session -- you should. Here are some of the issues the Alaska Legislature is working on this year:

• School vouchers and other education funding issues.
• Natural resource development issues, including Gov. Parnell’s recommendation that the state help to build a gas pipeline.
• Proposals to arm village public safety officers.

Whether you're concerned about state regulation -- or lack thereof -- education funding, resource development, public safety labor issues or long-term economic prospects for our state, now is the time to make sure your voice is heard.

Thankfully, Alaska Airlines offers a "constituent fare," which allows for a 30 percent discount off of three- or seven-day advance purchase rates. If you're on the list to receive Alaska's "Club 49" deals, you've already received an email to take advantage of the deal. If you never received notice, call Alaska Airlines to receive a unique "discount code."

If you can't figure out the constituent fare, just use your miles. For just 15,000 miles, travelers can fly to Juneau from Anchorage, Fairbanks, Nome, Kotzebue and many of the other communities in the 49th state served by Alaska Airlines on certain dates. It's a great deal. Also, Alaska offers periodic deals in their weekly "Club 49" specials which are released each Tuesday. Still, I think the mileage deal is the best. If you don't have 15,000 miles, you can apply for an Alaska Airlines Visa card and get 25,000 bonus miles. That's more than enough for a mileage ticket.

Here's a tip: your legislators are very interested in visiting with you about the issues. It's important, though, to call ahead and make an appointment to see them. With just 90 days in the regular session, legislators are busy with committee meetings, caucus meetings and with the day-to-day duties in the Legislature. The good news is if you call and indicate you're a constituent, your senator or representative will make time for you. At least, that's been my experience. My legislators, Rep. Bob Lynn and Sen. Kevin Meyer, were very hospitable. If you're wondering how to get in touch, check out this phone list for all of the legislators.

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With Alaska Airlines' schedule, it's possible to go down and back in one day to Juneau from Anchorage. Flight 62 will get you into Juneau at 9:30 a.m. Flight 76 returns from Juneau at 7:50 p.m.

I recommend taking a couple of days to explore our capital city. Depending on the issues you're discussing, your legislators or their staff may recommend other meetings. If you're traveling with your kids, take them to a floor session. Your legislator may introduce you -- and it's sort of a big deal. Especially for young people, the floor session offers valuable insight into how laws are made.

There are several hotels near the Capitol, including the Westmark Baranof. I've stayed at the Driftwood Lodge down the street, primarily because it's next to the best breakfast eatery in town: The Sandpiper Cafe. Some will dispute this, cheering on the Silverbow Inn and its bakery. But I think the best thing about the Silverbow is its new wine bar!

Since I have good friends in Juneau, I rent a car on arrival. But it's also handy when I want to go across to Douglas for a slice of wood-fired pizza from the Island Pub.

For dinner, check out Zephyr restaurant, right next to the Silverbow Inn. Just down the street is another delightful dinner spot called The Rookery Cafe.

Spend some time exploring the area around Juneau. One of the best year-round attractions is the Mendenhall Glacier. It's an easy drive from downtown -- just up the street from the airport. During the session, you won't find yourself surrounded by tourists like you will in the summer, and it's just beautiful.

Another year-round attraction is the Shrine of St. Therese. Many folks come to the shrine and take advantage of its status as a retreat. But the island where the chapel is located offers a glorious vista over the waters of Lynn Canal. The whole complex is one big Kodak moment.

Downhill skiers definitely should plan a visit to Eaglecrest Ski Area. Powder Magazine recently recognized Eaglecrest as a great area, and it's actually owned by the City of Juneau.

Check out Perseverance Theatre's production of "Cat on a Hot Tim Roof", by Tennessee Williams. I don't know, but that sounds like a perfect political-season drama. The theater is across the bridge from Juneau in Douglas.

The Juneau Convention and Visitors Bureau has a comprehensive travel planner with lists of hotels, activities, restaurants and tours. Many of the tours are summer-only. And Juneau is a fabulous summer destination. With hiking, fishing, bear viewing, whale watching and all sorts of exploring, it should be on every Alaskan's bucket list.

But the trip to see your legislators falls into a separate category. I think of it as a grown-up civics class. When you make the effort to visit with your elected officials in Juneau, you have a great opportunity to make your voice heard. You'll learn more about how your state government works. Your legislators will get to know you better. And that's a good thing.

Scott McMurren is an Anchorage-based travel marketing consultant who has lived in Alaska for three decades, spending much of that time traveling the far-flung corners of the state. Visit his website at www.alaskatravelgram.com or follow him on Twitter for breaking travel news.

Scott McMurren

Scott McMurren is an Anchorage-based marketing consultant, serving clients in the transportation, hospitality, media and specialty destination sectors, among others. Contact him by email at zoom907@me.com. Subscribe to his e-newsletter at alaskatravelgram.com. For more information, visit alaskatravelgram.com/about.

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