The MRAK Almanac is the place for political, cultural, and civic events, places where you’ll meet political leaders or, if you are interested in getting to know your state, these are great places to meet conservative- and moderate-leaning Alaskans.
By KOBE RIZK
May 20: The Alaska Senate gavels in at 10 am, followed by the Alaska House at 3 pm. Special session.
May 20: Annual Arbor Day celebration in Wasilla at Iditapark, starting at 11 am. Mayor Cottle and Smokey the Bear will be present. Great for kids. More info here.
May 20: Anchorage Chamber of Commerce’s “Make it Monday” forum focuses on reducing homelessness in Alaska’s largest city. Details here.
May 20: Have you ever wanted to visit Fort Greely? The small base about 15 minutes south of Delta Junction will be hosting their 2019 Education Fair from 10am-3pm. It will be an open base event. Please visit this page for details.
May 20-24: Boating Safety Week in Alaska. Wear your life jacket to work on Monday. Details here.
May 20: Free boating safety presentation at the Palmer Train Depot at 6:30pm. Details here.
May 20: Ketchikan Borough Assembly, 5:30 pm. Details here.
May 20: Petersburg Borough Assembly, 6 pm. Details here.
May 20: Juneau Assembly Committee of the Whole. 6 pm. Details here.
May 20: U.S. Senate markup of Armed Services budget; U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan chairs Readiness subcommittee. Markup subcommittees for this committee held at the “Secret” level. 4 pm Eastern.
May 21: Public hearing regarding on-site consumption of cannabis before the Anchorage Assembly. 5pm at the Assembly Chambers (Loussac Library Room 108, 3600 Denali St). More info here. Click here to visit municipal page on cannabis licensing.
May 21: Anchorage Assembly meeting, Loussac Library, 5 pm. Agenda here.
May 21: $1 short stack of pancakes at Muldoon Road IHOP in Anchorage from 7 am-7 pm. All proceeds will go directly to college scholarships for the Children of Fallen Patriots organization.
May 21: Wasilla Chamber of Commerce will host their annual Military Appreciation Lunch. This is a ticketed event. More info here.
May 21: Mat-Su Borough Assembly meeting, 6 pm. Details here.
May 21-May 23: Alaska Chamber of Commerce Community Outreach Trip in Denali, Alaska. Various member networking events and tours of local businesses. More details here.
May 22: Alaska Fighting Championship at Alaska Airlines Center in Anchorage. 7 pm. More info and tickets here.
May 22: Access Zoo Day at the Alaska Zoo in Anchorage. One of two Wednesdays in May in which the Alaska Zoo will offer free motorized transportation around the grounds for animal viewing to those with limited mobility. Visit this link for more information.
May 22: Joint Kenai & Soldotna Chamber of Commerce luncheon at 12pm. Details here.
May 22: Eagle River Farmer’s Market from 8:30 am-1:30 pm.
May 22: The Alaska Gasline Development Corporation will hold a regular board meeting at 9 am. Open to the public. Location and details here.
May 22: Tanana Valley Farmer’s Market from 11 am-4 pm in Fairbanks.
May 22: Fly Casting Night at Twin Lakes in Juneau. Free BBQ, intro casting lessons, and a casting contest. Info here.
May 22-23: Alaska VA Healthcare System forums in Homer and Kenai. All veterans and family members are encouraged to attend these town-hall format meetings to share their perspectives on the VA Healthcare System in Alaska. Details for Homer event here and Kenai event here.
May 22: Wasilla Air Show Advisory Committee, Wasilla City Hall Council Chambers, 6 pm.
May 23-27: Join the Kodiak community for the Annual Kodiak Crab Festival. Visit their Facebook page here.
ALASKA HISTORY ARCHIVE:
May 21, 1913: John F.A. Strong was sworn in as the second governor of the Alaska Territory, succeeding Walter Eli Clark. Strong oversaw various important developments in the new Territory, including the creation of the University of Alaska, the authorization of the Alaska Railroad, and the granting of U.S. citizenship to Alaska Natives. Strong resigned in 1918 amid rumors that he had never relinquished his Canadian citizenship.
May 22, 1906: The Great Fairbanks Fire started in a dentist’s office along the Chena River in downtown Fairbanks’ business district. Around seventy structures—virtually all of downtown Fairbanks— were destroyed in the blaze. The next month, the Fairbanks City Council awarded firefighters a raise from $100 to $150 dollars per month.