el ártico bar and grill

I went to the first Democratic debate for folks vying to replace President Obama last night. As I sat in the semi-dark of the Blue Loon's theater, draining a couple of Alaska Brewing Co.'s Oatmeal Stouts, I felt myself getting drawn back in. And I was nearly out. It looks like I have one more campaign season in me after all. But, damn. I came "this" close to getting out. Sigh.

Kick back, pour yourself a cuppa and get comfy. This is gonna get wordy. The piece on “ Why I hate museums ” by a CNN Senior Travel Producer is not an isolated point-of-view. It's not unique to him. In fact, I would go as far as saying that his piece didn't go far enough. It was an inward, naval gazing piece about him that failed to do much more than than talk about … well, him. The problems our intended audience, that is potential visitors, have with our shops (aka museums) are myriad and well documented in the museum professionals' world. Heck, even us non-professional worker bees have a good idea what they are since we are on the front lines of dealing with bored, tired, and downright unhappy visitors. It's not fancy lights, the best practices IPM program, nor the shiny, carefully word-smithed brochure – though all these things are important in maintaining the shop – that engage a visitor. It's the ability to tell your shop's story in the most compe...

So. you are in Interior Alaska. Everyone around you is babbling about what a GREAT, FABULOUS, WONDERFUL year it is for blueberry picking. Normally sane people are suddenly calling in to work and not even pretending to be sick. Nope. It's all: "I'm going berry picking. Bye." Click. And you don't have a clue as to where to go (because everybody's special spot is a SECRET ), what to take, how to dress or even how long it will take. And nobody is answering your very sincere questions. Because, well ... actually I can't really answer that one. I think it plays into the whole I HAVE A SUPER SECRET BLUEBERRY PICKING SPOT thing.  So, let a sista help you a little. Very little, 'cause I ain't gonna give up the deets to my favorite place either. 1. Head for the hills. Lovely, treeless hills. This accomplishes two very important things: A) gives you access to a good sized patch, and B) gives you a chance to see the bear before it see...

One of the best parts of working at a community museum is that we are able to have our very talented friends come in and do shows with us. One such person is Jamie Smith, a graphic artist whose work goes well past old school notions of editorial cartoons. And I'm just gonna step back and let Jamie do the talking: Ink & Snow: Overflow XXV: Catalog :      Here's the official catalog ( Lulu direct link here ) for the upcoming anniversary exhibition ( opening this 1st Friday: Augus...