Life

Former ADN photographer looking for some help with book

Jim Lavrakas, whose award-winning photos accompanied many an article in the Daily News for a couple of decades or so and who wrote the popular "Fishing Dude" dispatches, is preparing an album that will encompass some 160 samples of his best work. "Snap Decisions: My 30 Years as an Alaska News Photographer" will go to the printer in about a month and be ready for delivery in November.

Mat-Su art festival will offer wide range of classes

The Machetanz Arts Festival will take place at Mat-Su College this week. It consists of a series of classes in a variety of artistic disciplines and will begin with a four-day water media workshop led by Judi Betts of Baton Rouge, La., starting Tuesday.

Arctic lakes getting a closer look by scientists

Minnesota is the Land of 10,000 Lakes, but Alaska has more than that in the great expanse of flatlands north of the Brooks Range. These ubiquitous far-north bodies of water -- most of them formed by the disappearance of ancient, buried ice that dimples the landscape as it thaws -- make the maps of Alaska's coastal plain look like Swiss cheese.

Reading the North

New books of interest to Alaskans

GARDENING ANCHORAGE

Planning key when choosing climbing vine supports

Now that you've chosen the vines you want in your garden (You have, right?) it's time to decide what you want them to climb.

What makes a person Indian? Massachusetts case stirs debate

Even Native Americans don't agree what makes a person an Indian as they debate the case of Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren, whose disputed claim is shining a spotlight on the malleable nature of Indian heritage.

Battle brewing over labeling of genetically modified food

As Americans ask more pointed questions about what they are eating, popular suspicions about the health and environmental effects of biotechnology are fueling a movement to require that food from genetically modified crops be labeled, if not eliminated.

JEFF LOWENFELS

Yard safety tips for Planting Out Weekend

This is Planting Out Weekend. Wow, after 11-plus feet of snow, who would have thought we would be here (and with such a gentle break-up)? Nature is wonderful.

MARKET FRESH

Get some fresh fish for long weekend

It's time to get the grill ready and fill it with fresh Alaska seafood. Dannon Southall at 10th & M Seafoods says that shouldn't be a problem.

Local bird population booms as migrating species arrive

May brings tens of thousands of birds to town -- geese, cranes, swans, sandpipers and harriers, to name just a few of the commonly spotted species. The Alaska Zoo will celebrate that influx by observing International Migratory Bird Day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

ART BEAT

Anchorage high schools honored by the Grammys

East and Bartlett high schools have been named as recipients of Grammy Signature Schools Enterprise Awards. The two Anchorage schools are among 18 selected from around the nation this year.

Blog: Art Snob

A lot of new music popped up this spring

Over four consecutive Saturdays, April 14-May 6, I attended four concerts in which new music received its world premiere. The concerts are individually critiqued at adn.com/artsnob, but here's a synopsis of the new compositions.

NED ROZELL

The tiny universe on the surface of Alaska glaciers

A scientist wearing plastic boots and crampons knelt on Gulkana Glacier and pointed at the king of beasts, a snow flea. "He is the top of the food chain on this glacier," said biologist Nozomu Takeuchi.

Reading the North

New books of interest to Alaskans

PLAY BLOG

State fair concert series finalized with 4 more acts

In March, the Alaska State Fair announced eight of this year's 12 performers. Now the fair lineup has been finalized with the addition Big & Rich, Air Supply, Five Finger Death Punch and Gary Allan.

Boomers' love of pets could change as both age

The loving link between baby boomers and their pets is well documented. But will the beautiful relationship last? Pet ownership rates tend to drop among people in their golden years.

JEFF LOWENFELS

Lawns need little except water right now

Here are the two best bits of advice I can give you for this week. Do not apply fertilizers. Do not apply lime. Just apply water.

Paralyzed woman uses thoughts to control robot arm

Using only her thoughts, a Massachusetts woman paralyzed for 15 years directed a robotic arm to pick up a bottle of coffee and bring it to her lips, researchers report in the latest advance in harnessing brain waves to help disabled people.

MARKET FRESH

Plenty of options for farmers markets this weekend

The sun is shining in Anchorage, and that's good news for farmers market fans.

Millennium's first central eclipse visible in Alaska on Sunday

A partial eclipse of the sun will darken Anchorage from 3:17 to 5:54 p.m. Sunday. At its height, around 4:38 p.m., the sun will appear to local viewers as a crescent with the moon obscuring about half of the solar disk.

More information on eclipse from NASA

Alaskan Brewing a winner at competition

Alaskan Brewing Co. received three medals at this year's World Beer Cup competition in San Diego.