News Briefs

Turnagain Arm Rock Slides Hamper Traffic

By Brian Stoecker
Turnagain Times Correspondent

Chinook winds and rains over the past several weeks caused havoc throughout Turnagain Arm. The storms closed the Alyeska Ski Resort under threat of avalanche, and a similar system likely played the principal role in the LifeGuard Alaska helicopter crash near Whittier, and then stymied rescue efforts for days.
The weather also generated numerous rock slides from McHugh Creek to Windy Point, with one nearly closing the Seward Highway. Small to medium sized rocks often fall to the roadbed from the cliffs above. Far less common are the boulders or landslides that obstruct one or both lanes. These typically occur during Chinook winds and accompanying rain, or upon the onset of spring. Mile 111 of the Seward Highway, north of Beluga Point, had one such slide.
Turnagain Arm’s winter fluctuates between comfortably warm and severely cold. During these transitions, water invades the fractures within and between the rocks, then freezes and expands the cracks (these unstable rocks are known to climbers as “Chugach crud” for their propensity to break apart, though myriad factors influence the brittle nature of the range’s mélange). The ice expands the cracks then cements the rocks into place. Significant warming trends will then melt the ice and release the rocks—hopefully not en-mass. Heavy rains contribute to rock slides by eroding and lubricating weakened areas.
The frequency of rocks reaching the highway led the state to illuminate the threat upon the “million dollar sign” at Potter, and employ a lighted mobile warning sign near Indian. As of recent days, with a cold snap setting in, fewer rocks should fall to the highway until the return of warmer temperatures.

Photo: Brian Stoecker/Turnagain Times
Three rock slides surround a sign at mile 111 of the Seward Highway on Nov. 26. The slides impeded traffic until crews pushed them aside. The debris was eventually moved to the pullout immediately north.

Longest skier on the mountain, Bud Gibbs, fights to overcome cancer

By Loverne Bercee
Special to the Turnagain Times

In 1959, Bud Gibbs arrived on the Mt. Alyeska ski scene. His love affair with the mountain began, continuing through today, the longest skier on the hill of anyone still here.
“There was plenty of snow in 1959 with eight feet at the bottom of the poma lift (where Chair 3 is today), said Bud. “ 1960 was just the opposite, skiing most of the year around brush and alders. Skiing Mt. Alyeska is always exciting, with many challenges, never boring. On a ski day here, you can start at the top in Utah powder, a little further down be skiing in heavier powder, turning into Snoqualmie slush, then at the bottom, run into Eastern ice. Skiing has kept me young. Sometimes you ache so much it’s hard to get on the lift, but start moving and soon feel sixteen years old. As far as I’m concerned, there is no better physical and mental therapy”.
“Bud’s first love is skiing”, confirms his wife and ski partner, Carol Makar-Gibbs. “Of all the places he’s skied, Mt. Alyeska is his favorite. Bud is as enthusiastic today as he was that first day he skied in 1959. He’s a great ambassador and spokesman for the area; when we go Outside to ski, Bud is always promoting Alyeska, and has convinced many people to come up,” said Carol. “When they say, ‘oh, Alaska is so far,’ he counters, ‘we came down here so it’s no further for you to come up there.’ He responds in such a manner they really want to come up here.”
In October 2002, Bud had his knees replaced. He vowed to be back on the hill by Christmas, and sure enough, two months later he was up there.
“Bud makes a goal and it happens,” Carol said.
Bud’s current challenge is overcoming a bout with prostate cancer.
“From last summer when first diagnosed and today, it’s amazing how he has responded,” she said.
And she added that he has made it through the most difficult part. “Recently after spending the morning in Anchorage taking chemotherapy, he was up on the mountain that same afternoon” said Carol.
Bud’s youngest daughter, Tracey, said keeping her father in a positive mind set is key to his recovery.
“The healing process has been speeded up by Dad’s positive attitude,” said Tracey. “That and the tender, loving care of my mother.”
Jason Harmon has worked out his health regime, and friends and neighbors have provided plenty of wild salmon for his healing diet.”
In summer months, Bud loves planting flowers at Bud and Carol’s B&B, and The Ice Cream Shop. Bud and Carol work together as a team, enjoying boating at Whittier. They love ballroom dancing, especially the Tango. In early 70’s, Bud was a Tango star with Nina von Imhof in the Anchorage production “Sound of Music”.
Bud has always been involved in all activities associated with skiing. He’s as fast as anyone on the hill and was the Master’s downhill champion several times including 1990 and 200l.
A major figure in creating of one of the nation’s best youth ski programs, the Mighty Mite Youth Training Program, Bud also coached the Mighty Mite’s for 18 years.
Bud dedicated two years of his personal time in the late 1970’s to assist in the construction of the Tanaka chairlift, which services the Mighty Mite training hill. He played a major role in the project, which collected $150,000 pf the $175,000 cost, through donated labor and materials.
Bud involved his family in the Mighty Mites, son Grant and daughters Cindy and Tracey—all excellent skiers and examples of good citizenship.
“Working on the Tanaka chairlift taught me the value of hard work and the Mighty Mite program and skiing with dad made me fall in love with the discipline of exercise,” said Tracey.
“Apart from skiing, and in my view even more important, the Mighty Mite program is an outlet to instill core values in the youngsters, promoting respect and good citizenship,” said Bud. “The kid’s develop a sense of pride and incentive to try.”
Still actively involved in the Mighty Mites, and always offering the kids incentives, the young skiers can hardly wait to start skiing, knowing Bud is down there anxious to hand each skier an ice cream cone as they come through the finish gate

 

City’s Christmas tree courtesy of Glacier Valley

By Alison Rein
Special to the Turnagain Times

The Chugach National Forest closed out its 100th year with a first—the donation of a Christmas tree for the Municipality of Anchorage’s and AT&T Alaska’s annual “Holiday Tree Lighting” in Town Square.
The 35 foot spruce, expertly felled by Glacier Ranger District Staff Carl Skustad and Matt Murphy, arrived in Town Square Friday, Nov. 16 courtesy of Girdwood-based H.R. Redmond, who generously donated the truck and time to haul the tree up the highway. The tree was carefully lowered into place by an enthusiastic crew of Municipal Light & Power employees under the watchful eye of curious onlookers and local media.
“The Forest Service has a tradition of providing trees to communities throughout the country, the Capitol Tree on the Mall in Washington D.C. being a notable example,” said Rebecca Talbott, Public Affairs Staff Officer for the Chugach. “What better time to join in this agency tradition than during the culmination of our forest’s 100th anniversary?”
With the tree upright and secure in Town Square, the city’s parks and recreation staff took the lead in decorating, delicately stringing the mighty spruce with highly efficient light-emitting diode (LED) lights and crowing it with a star.
Finally, Nov. 23, the night of the tree lighting arrived. The event, organized by the Anchorage Downtown Partnership, was clearly not to be missed. All the dignitaries were out: Mayor Begich, Mrs. Alaska, KTUU’s John Tracey, Santa Clause, and, of course, the forest’s own Smokey Bear.
After an evening of song and celebration, Santa and Smokey were invited to lead the crowd in the count down to the lighting of the tree…“10, 9, 8…,” yelled the seemingly thousands of children in the crowd. When they reached “1,” Smokey pushed a big yellow button and the Chugach Tree lit up the night.
The tree can be enjoyed through mid-January in downtown Anchorage. Once removed, the tree will be donated by the city to the local charity Homeward Bound.

NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION
TUESDAY, 15 JANUARY 2008

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Special Election, in accordance with Chapter 2.50 of the Whittier Municipal Code, will be conducted on Tuesday, January 15, 2008 in Whittier, Alaska.

BALLOT ISSUES
• INCREASE IN SALES TAX RATE OF LEVY FROM 3% TO 5%
• EXTENSION OF THE APPLICATION OF THE SALES TAX TO THE ENTIRE YEAR WITH THE EXEMPTION OF FOOD SOLD FOR DOMESTIC CONSUMPTION

QUALIFICATIONS OF VOTERS
A person may vote only if:
1. He/She is a United States citizen;
2. He/She is 18 years of age or older;
3. He/She has been a resident of the State and of the Municipality in which he/she seeks to vote for at least 30 days prior to the election; and
4. He/She has registered to vote 30 days prior to the election as required under AS 15.07 and is not registered to vote in another jurisdiction.

POLLING PLACE AND TIME
The voting polls will be at the Cullum Room on the 1st Floor in the Begich Towers (BTI) and the polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, 15 January 2008.

ABSENTEE VOTING
Absentee balloting is provided for any fully qualified elector who expects to be absent from his/her City election precinct for the entire time the polls are open on Election Day or who will be unable to vote by reasons of infirmity, illness or physical handicap. A voter may request an absentee ballot by mail from the City Clerk, P.O. Box 608, Whittier, AK. 99693. The request forms are available at the city clerk’s office. The original, signed, written request must be received in the office of the City Clerk by 5:00 pm, 07 January 2008. To request an absentee ballot and vote in person, an individual must present himself/herself in the office of the City Clerk between the dates of 01 January 2008 and 14 January 2008, during scheduled business hours, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday (except holidays) and no later than 12:00 noon on 14 January 2008.