Anchorage Daily News

A new Nutcracker

The Eugene, Ore., Ballet Company's version of "Nutcracker," up for six performances in Anchorage starting Friday, has some unexpected twists.

ART BEAT

Record-setting applause (sort of) at recital

Submitted for the consideration of the folks at Guinness -- the book, not the beer: The Alaska audience on hand for pianist Natsuki Fukasawa's recital at the UAA Fine Arts Building Recital Hall on Nov. 13 surely set some kind of record for the shortest burst of applause ever.

NED ROZELL

Permafrost near equator; hummingbirds near subarctic

Scientist and explorer Kenji Yoshikawa found permafrost on Mount Kilimanjaro, a volcano in Tanzania.

Reading the North

New books of interest to Alaskans

Trip tracker

So we've survived the first cold snap of the winter. As we settle in to the snow-filled days above 20 degrees, just remember: Another crisp cold spell awaits us around the corner. Maybe it's time to plan that sunny, warm vacation before the next snap hits. These beach destinations offer a more unique getaway than the typical Hawaiian or Mexican trip. Think outside the sandbox.

JEFF LOWENFELS

For an interesting houseplant, gather ye moss

I like mosses. They are some of my favorite plants. They don't grow very tall. They don't need any care. When they dry out, you just need to add water to green them up again. They really don't need all that much light. And they are beautiful.

TALK DIRT TO ME

Alaska gardeners on what did and didn't work

Now that we've had some time to reflect, what would you say have been your successes and/or failures of the past summer? Please share your own experiences with us on the Talk Dirt Blog.

Gardening Blog: Talk Dirt To Me

November garden calendar

In brief: Matters of faith

A roundup of what's happening in spiritual communities around Anchorage

MARKET FRESH

Local options for your Thanksgiving

Thursday after tomorrow is a big day for cooking and eating. But if you're more interested in eating than all the cooking and preparation, you have options. Marx Bros. Cafe and L'Aroma Bakery and Deli both offer take-and-bake Thanksgiving meals.

REVIEW

Cello adds panache to folk group; harmonies are missed

Crooked Still brings a distinct sound to traditional string band folk music by limiting the use of guitar and by avoiding vocal harmonies -- but mainly by putting a cello into the mix and spotlighting it.

Blog: Art Snob

Before fame came

I grew up in the suburbs on the north side of Detroit. It was a big city even in the 1950s. The night sky was obscured by streetlights and buildings, so I grew up very unaware of nature, the moon, and of the life cycles of plants and animals.

ART BEAT

Director wigs out when actress falls ill

"Almost, Alaska," a romantic comedy, flirted with tragedy early this month. Just before the play, now running at Cyrano's, was to begin, one of the actresses came down with H1N1 flu -- and there was no understudy.

Blog: Art Snob

NED ROZELL

When it comes to sense of smell, dogs rule

A dog can tell you a lot about the outdoors. When a Lab vacuums the ground with her nose and her tail moves like a helicopter blade, you know a grouse is about to fly.

Reading the North

New books of interest to Alaskans

Trip tracker

Does the thought of another large family Thanksgiving dinner, with dry turkey and tipsy, bickering relatives leave you wanting to just get away from it all?

REVIEW

Wacky opera 'Audition' spotlights local voices

Evidence of Anchorage Opera's efforts to get more local singers on stage can be seen in the current production of "Sister Angelica" with an all-Alaskan cast and Tuesday evening's "Dark Night" presentation of Martin Kalmanoff's "The Audition."

REVIEW

Momentum Dance Collective puts on an intriguing show

Exploration is the name of the game for contemporary dance companies like Momentum Dance Collective. Choreographers and performers launch themselves into little-charted territory to see what they can discover and use in crafting a dance.

TALK DIRT TO ME

Don't be too quick to lament the snow

I knew it was coming eventually, but when it began to snow Sunday evening, I wasn't psychologically ready for it.

Gardening Blog: Talk Dirt To Me

November garden calendar

JEFF LOWENFELS

Hydroponics is easier (and cheaper) than ever

I am trying to get more of you to try gardening using hydroponics, particularly during the winter months. It is a great way to garden indoors -- and indoors we are for nine months.

MARKET FRESH

Local produce available, snow or no

Now that winter is really settling in, perhaps you’re starting to miss the trips you took to the pleasant outdoor farmers’ markets during the summer months.

Filmmaker seeks Inuit actors

The producers of a full-length movie version of Alaska director Andrew Maclean's award-winning film "On the Ice" ("Sikumi") will hold a final round of auditions in Anchorage.