Anchorage Daily News

Undersea journey

They say it's the closest most people will ever get to outer space, but that's not why I had to try it. Getting scuba certified seemed like a rite of passage -- a leap -- differentiating me from the rest of the recreational crowd.

City offers races for all kinds of runners

Have you ever wanted to run in one of Anchorage's races but don't know where to start? Well, Perfect World is here for you! Anchorage's running community is inviting and welcoming to all types of runners, so don't feel like you don't belong. There's something for everyone.

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Summer chill

It's summer in Alaska, and that means ... it's time for ice cream! Well, OK, maybe you haven't exactly been craving frozen treats with the less-than-ideal weather, but since when do we tough Alaska teens need sunshine to act like it's summer?

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Party's over

Underage drinking, illegal campfires and fireworks are to blame for the cancellation of the 33rd annual Girdwood Forest Fair. The fair brought together some of the finest artists and musicians in Alaska with a wide variety of art and music styles that offered "something for everyone."

Fourth of July fun peaks at Mount Marathon

How do you spend your Fourth of July? A family barbecue, watching a parade, maybe fireworks?

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Staff

Racial stereotyping

Many Americans would assert that our country has come a long way since the 1960s, when segregation and hostile racist organizations were prevalent. Enter a public high school, however, and while there is no overt separation by race, one would be hard-pressed to find the integration and acceptance Dr. Martin Luther King dreamed about when he gave his profoundly inspirational "I Have a Dream" speech.

Spain a world apart from Spanish class

Our arrival in Madrid was surreal. We had flown for around 20 hours but had arrived 30 some-odd hours later by the clock.

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Spinning wheels

Earning a driver's license is one of the salient moments of growing up in America. It's a rite of passage, an important step toward independence in a society that depends almost entirely on cars for getting around.

Link: NY Times story on teen drivers

Seniors: This is your last summer -- make it count

Summer vacation is here and you are probably enjoying every second of it. If you are anything like me, you are sleeping in, staying up late, hanging out with friends, dorking around on the computer and just wasting time in general.

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Lunch for $5

If you are looking for healthy, quick places to eat on a budget, check out these three hideouts.

Nurse recounts work in war-torn nations

Doctors Without Borders, also known as "Medecins Sans Frontieres," or MSF, is an international organization providing worldwide medical aid to countries torn by war, poverty or disease.

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Sound support

Scott Thorpe thinks there is something wrong with Anchorage's local music scene, and he's determined to remedy that. Disappointed in the limited success of hardworking local bands, he issued a rallying cry: "Let's make a scene!" And soon enough, a group of music enthusiasts emerged, willing to write, draw, promote and perform in order to strengthen our local scene.

Impatient for summer? Create your own warm weather

Are you down in the dumps due to our frequently overcast skies and mild, downright chilly temperatures? Do you lament the lack of sunshine? You could always wait a few weeks for the weather to clear, but really, who wants to take that risk? If you were beginning to lose hope, fear not; for where there's a will, there's a way, and my friend Sasha and I, fed up with the lingering wintry weather, decided to build our own summer. Here's how you can do it yourself, in three easy steps.

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