Anchorage Daily News

TALK DIRT TO ME

A few facts about insects in Alaska

The Cooperative Extension Service Office, 2221 E. Northern Lights Blvd., will offer a hands-on bug lab at noon on July 16. A class on slugs and snails will be held during the same time period on July 23. Call them at 786-6300 to reserve your space.

Photos: Alaska insects

Gardening Blog: Talk Dirt To Me

JEFF LOWENFELS

Break out the hose while enjoying the gorgeous weather

A week of 70-degree days without rain preceded by a few weeks of darn good weather can make you think you are, indeed, in Heaven. I am betting some of your plants are not quite as happy.

Yarn maker to be among artists showing their work this weekend

Some fiber artists focus on making the end product: nubbly scarves or a hand-dyed wall hanging full of different textures. Wasilla spinner Deb Frost prefers an earlier part of the process -- making the yarn itself.

MARKET FRESH

Grow season hits fruition

If you're looking for fresh Alaska fruit, the season has arrived. Arthur Keyes from Glacier Valley Farm in Palmer will have tons of strawberries at markets this week. Well, not tons, but he will have plenty.

Farmers markets statewide

Web site: Alaska Grown

In brief: Hot Licks (7/8/09)

Brief food news, events and ideas

Jewel to return for 2 shows at Atwood

Jewel Kilcher, hit- making singer/songwriter with Alaska roots, will perform two concerts in Atwood Concert Hall on Aug. 20 and 21.

ALASKA MASTERS

Weaving with wood

You might think that making Athabascan split willow root trays and baskets would be in Daisy Demientieff's blood. After all she was born in a fish camp on the Yukon River, grew up in a log cabin speaking the local Deg Xinag dialect, had ample opportunity to watch the traditional craft work at which her mother and grandmother excelled.

Photos: Daisy Demientieff's baskets

More Alaska masters

ART BEAT

National foundation heads met in Anchorage

The board of directors for United States Artists met in Anchorage last week, visiting Alaska art venues, meeting with artists and arts boosters, and participating in two panel discussions on Monday.

Blog: Art Snob

NED ROZELL

Scientists discover track of soaring prehistoric creature

While hiking a hillside in Denali National Park last July, Steve Hasiotis bent down and picked up a rock. Its curious shape, like a plaster cast of a giant bird track, made him ponder the rock for a second before handing it to Tony Fiorillo. Fiorillo looked at it and confirmed they had found a missing piece of Alaska during the time of the dinosaurs.

Reading the North

New books of interest to Alaskans

Trip tracker

It's never too late, or too early, to start checking adventures off your bucket list. Instead of feeling life pass you by, jump out of an airplane and feel the rush of air around you, whispering in your ear, "Now this is living."

Slick electric cycle offers an eco-friendly alternative

Amid the motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles that fill the showroom at Paulson's Motorsports in Lacey, Wash., sits a sleek, blue two-wheeler in a class all its own. It's the world's first highway-legal, all-electric, two-wheel vehicle engineered to provide an eco-friendly alternative for commuting and recreation.

TALK DIRT TO ME

A chat with primula addict Jane Baldwin

There are about 475 different species of primula world wide grouped into about 37 different sections based on plant similarities. Jane Baldwin talks about her own primulas.

Gardening Blog: Talk Dirt To Me

In brief: Matters of faith

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

JEFF LOWENFELS

July is prime time for some lawn TLC

This is a great time of year to over seed your lawn. Get a bag of grass seed and apply it in areas where the grass is thin. You can sprinkle it by hand or get one of those inexpensive, hand cranked jobbies that spreads seed.

MARKET FRESH

Markets offer some mid-week freshness

In addition to the regular weekend farmers' markets around Anchorage, two mid-week markets are opening up on Wednesdays. And another is opening on Saturday to give you even more options when it comes to shopping for fresh, local goodies.

Farmers markets statewide

Web site: Alaska Grown

Filmmaker seeks Alaska veterans

Documentary filmmaker Larry Cappetto is looking for Anchorage-area veterans to interview for his TV series "Lest They Be Forgotten."

ALASKA MASTERS

3 generations of artists connect Stone Age to Internet Age

Pete Lind Sr. sets the standard for making practical and elegant Alutiiq hunting visors eagerly sought by collectors and museums around the world.

Photos: Lind family art

More Alaska Masters

HEATHER LENDE

Through bugs, wind and wrecks, just keep on pedalin'

It rained last night and is still raining and that is a fine thing, because here in Southeast -- even the drier northern tip -- we are cloud-loving people. We get a little anxious when the sun shines too much. Also this rain is a good reason to take one more day off after the bike race and my calves are thanking me.

NED ROZELL

Scientist kills polar bear during first field experience

Bob McNabb, 23, is just beginning what may be a long career studying glaciers. No matter how many seasons he spends on ice, he will probably never have a field experience like his first.

Reading the North

New books of interest to Alaskans