And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria. And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. – Luke (2: 1-3)
It’s not a journey to Bethlehem, but it’s a journey to restore hope and bring joy back to Alaska’s biggest city, which has been in a Christmas funk.
People from all over South-central Alaska are getting ready for Saturday’s shopping and dining insurrection in Anchorage.
The event, including a rolling rally, is being promoted as an old-fashioned Christmas in Anchorage — kind of as it was in years past — with shops lit up and restaurants open, and people going about their business without fear of the government.
Christmas lights, candy canes, caroling, hot cocoa — this is a family afternoon outing on Dec. 19 meant to reflect the wholesome and joyous aspects of Christmas in Alaska. This weekend, it’s all about coming out for small businesses.
It will be a bit of a treasure hunt, however, to find out which businesses are participating, said LD Howard, who plans to attend, “because these are businesses that people treasure,” and because the grassroots organizers aren’t going to give a heads up to the Anchorage Municipal code enforcers, who are in charge of shutting down restaurants that defy the mayor’s lockdown decree and who are ready to tack “Stop Work” orders on the doors of shops that have more than the allowed number of people inside.
“This is to bring the Christmas spirit in a year fraught with depression, sadness and fear, to bring hope, love and charity back to our community. what better season than now,” said Howard, who is a member of Last Frontier Alaska, a community charitable organization.
Howard is getting ready to hand out candy canes to the kids, and get hot cocoa into people’s bellies, no matter the weather, which is expected to be in the teens just two days before the shortest day of the year.
“We’re hearing 200 plus businesses and restaurants, small businesses, entertainment venues will be taking part. They’ll be open for normal business,” he said.
Since early December, the acting mayor has decreed that business establishments must have no more than 25 percent capacity, and gatherings are limited to fewer than 15 people. Restaurants are shut down by order of the mayor.
Many say this is unfair to small businesses and the restauranteurs of Anchorage are being the hardest hit of any commercial sector in Alaska.
The businesses are not publicizing which ones will be in “operation normal” mode, but there will be details at some point by Saturday morning.
It’s starting with a road rally that will meet at the Park and Ride at Trunk Road and Parks Highway at 2 pm on Saturday, and will stop in Eagle River at the Lion’s Club to bring more people along. People in Anchorage are also taking part in the shopping-dining insurrection.
“We are encouraging people to decorate their cars for Christmas spirit,” Howard said, who said the emphasis is on family and fun.
The group is also having a Toys for Tots drive for children who are living in homes where parents or caregivers have lost their jobs and are not able to make ends meet this Christmas. Donations will go to needy children in Southcentral, he said.
Must Read Alaska has learned that a caravan is coming from the Kenai as well, but the effort is largely being organized by word of mouth to keep the shopkeepers and restaurant owners out of trouble with the municipality.
Watch this space for more details.
Alaskans are great folks.
Will there be caroling too? All the old favorites.
Trust me yes people are doing things but what you don’t see that is also part of it. The boundaries of Anchorage (north, east, west, south) and have been covered in the blood of Jesus. Also city hall. The warriors of The almighty walk unnoticed in warfare at the spiritual level.
Too freaky for me. It’s just about people getting caught up in the Christmas spirit whatever that means to them. It could mean getting all churchy for one day have the year or for going out Christmas caroling decorating your house with lights or going out buying something to make yourself feel good or somebody else. No need to get all brimstone and pitchforks on this thing.
The comment was not all “brimstone and pitchforks.” It was simply an encouraging word about good triumphing over evil.
You guys going churchy are in the wrong forum.
Hey atheist grandma I noticed you like to throw around the churchy a lot besides not making sense. Don’t be surprised to not know your words don’t have any weight to them. How long will you try before you fall asleep.
Thank you. It’s about Christian patriots teaming up with (non Christian) patriots they both are doing their part. Any will support business affected by orders since I am one of the lucky ones and have kept working. God bless The United States of America, Anchorage and us all. Good day.
Thank you Sammy. It’s about Christian patriots teaming up with (non Christian) patriots as one they’re both doing their part to overcome the evil/corruption that comes against us. Whether signing petitions, praying, taking part in community events like this one.
Ah how sweet. I like your little line “whatever it means to them” trying not to laugh. You who don’t what you’re talking about. I understand you say things, because you want to say things. Since you only want to hear what tickles your ears. I’ll leave you alone. You’re welcome.
Alaska Is Open For Business and it will continue to be our hospitalizations are down and our spirits are up. 119 in the hospitals and dropping. Get the shots rolling…
And don’t forget to roll past your local intensive care units so that you can have a good look at the damage done by your “insurrection”.
Stay in your house and wear your mask like a good little sheep. The rest of us will live our lives as we see fit.
My friend died yesterday after 5 weeks on a ventilator. That’s one more machine available for you and your like-minded folks. Breathe free and enjoy!
Sorry we don’t know how to get sick. Too busy living life and taking back our country. You ought to try it.
Hm… that’s funny, no COVID deaths reported in the state yesterday… fact check yourself before you lie.
Better yet, go back to your island in wa.
Sorry Sherlock Holmes, I never said he lived in Alaska. What kind of cruel people live on this website?
Nearly everyone who goes on a ventilator, dies. Covid-19 causes clots, mechanical ventilation of clotted lungs is a death sentence.
You should be angry. Not at us, at the N.I.H., Fauci and the CDC.
covid19criticalcare . com/
Keep fear mongering like a good little communist.
I’d rather have the freedom to get sick than have the ****! asssembly leftists tell me I can’t. “Damage” Whid? LOL – the only damage is to the economic and spiritual and social interests of the people. I have to travel to Anchortown in February – I hope and pray I can find something to eat (indoors!) while I’m there.
The car parade sounds like great fun but defying a temporary emergency mandate …that in itself has potential long term detrimental effects for the health and welfare of our community makes me sad . BTW #notasheep
Oh Donna, grow up! Live your life the way you see fit. We will do the same. And stop parroting biased, elites that know nothing. You’re scaring yourself! Go join the parade, have fun, and support local businesses.
Look at the draconian measures the acting mayor put in place only to get COVID ma-lovid. Make her mandates look silly. People are are catching up with few who never have in to the lies.
Nothing cheers a person up more than spending money shopping. Makes ya feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Self satisfying.
I’m guessing you are being sarcastic? However, giving a waiter/waitress a big tip at Christmas really does bring a lot of joy. And just getting out and about and interacting with other people does make us feel all warm and fuzzy inside. It used to be very ordinary, now it is become revolutionary.
Nope. Just my same old jocular self.
Hey it’s the grinch. Of course you don’t want to help others it’s self satisfying. Makes ya feel all cold and fuzzy inside. ? (eye brows moving up and down).
Leftists ban and cower in fear, libertarians and most conservatives celebrate in cheer.
While I am in full sympathy with these struggling businesses (being the owner of an 18 year-old, now-closed business myself), and agree with the concept here, this “business rebellion day” seems to me to be rather poorly planned and effected. Just how are people supposed to know which businesses will be open, aside from joining this rally at the beginning (which, by the way, as at the PARKS Highway and Trunk Road, not the Glenn Highway)? And is this rolling rally really supposed to visit all 200+ participating businesses? That would be utterly unrealistic. The whole endeavor seems almost set up to fail.
Well Jefferson instead of sitting back and doing nothing join in and help it succeed. Bring the JOY back!!!!!
The people in the rally will spread out and won’t be visiting all 200 businesses at the same time. Wouldn’t that be obvious? People living in Anchorage can go from store to store looking for some that are open, it will be fun. First visit your favorites, then check Facebook to see who is open. Or be a Grinch and stay home!
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all Anchorage businesses would reject the shut down orders of our “Mayor” and remain open the remainder of the year? Science is used as the excuse to shut down selected businesses but it is not backed up with factual data. I’m glad some folks will be spreading good natured Christmas Cheer this weekend!
Ben, it would not even take nearly all of Anchorage’s businesses refusing to comply with these unconstitutional lockdowns and tyrannical, safetyism-based mandates — just 20% of them, even 10%, refusing to knuckle-under to our local “Great Reset”, and all the mandates would be effectively irrelevant. Most people do not being realize the power that they have, or could have, when they act together!
The small private businesses are being devastated nationwide while the big corporate box stores and big online ordering (Amazon) are flourishing. I would say we also need to stop frequenting, for now, any box stores and even online. If the pain is felt at that level maybe those bigger entities not suffering will step in too.
Shop small, even without tomorrow’s rally. Frequent the small businesses, even if you have to wait to go in. Buy gift cards from the restaurants and order out! In fact, buy less food at free Meyer and get takeout at you favorite restaurants.
The boldness coming from the Toronto pub business owner is how bold America’s churches should had been when we were facing March 2020 excluding the few that stayed open and took punches from it local leaders. If they did what they should had done stand up instead of sitting down behind a computer, there been less territory taken by government elect terrorizing and arresting small business owners. Sometimes God wants to move mightily thru us, and our fear demon stands up and gets ourselves in the way, our actions hinders the flow.
At least the business community is trying to make up for the time and money they lost for no one being bold.
Need a poster on every small business in town with Names and pictures of Assembly with Tag line
“Destroyers of Anchorage business “”Not Welcome Here”.
(With exceptiuon of Eagle River Assembly members)
What happened to the lists of businesses that were opening today?
Suzanne, thank you so much for posting this piece supporting Anchorage small businesses. You are my favorite journalist. Period! MRA is classic journalism (honest, factual and without bias); the way reporting should be.
Jefferson, re: your response to Ben. Exactly correct.
This was a total nothing burger. Only restaurant anyone heard of being open was Jackie’s place. 200 business huh? What a joke.
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