By Ken Smith
Turnagain Times

Ken Smith/Turnagain Times The Trail of Blue Ice Trail in Portage is nearing completion. Oregon Woods Inc. is the contractor for the project overseen by the Chugach National Forest. The final section of trail being worked on is about 1.5 miles with a estimated $1.5 million cost. A tied arch bridge (above photo) made by treated Douglas-fir crosses Williwaw Creek. There are two tied arch bridges on the trail.

With fall upon us, it’s time to think football—if you’re a fan that is. One thing you can say about the local Turnagain Arm bars is there are plenty of places to watch a game on the gridiron whether college or the NFL.

Most establishments with a bar have at least two flat screen TV’s or more. Glacier Valley has its fair share with Chair 5, The Aurora Lounge The Hotel Alyeska, the Silvertip Bar and Grill and the Sitzmark (when it opens) all providing ample flat screen viewing.

In Indian, the Brown Bear Saloon has two flat screens and the Indian House Restaurant is going to stock up with four, and offer the NFL package as provided by the Dish Network. If all goes as planned, it will be the only bar and restaurant where you can catch all the NFL games. Unfortunately, limitations are placed on Girdwood bars because satellite signals are difficult to get in the valley, limiting sports broadcasts to cable or Network TV broadcasts.

And if you’re not into football, there are two other outdoor activities that you can watch or participate in.

The Brown Bear Saloon will be co-hosting the 13th annual softball charity tournament for children with disabilities at the Indian ballfield, Sept. 11-13. Ten teams will be in the tourney this year. After the game, you can catch live music and enjoy some cold beers and grilled burgers and other food at the Brown Bear saloon across the street from the ballfield.

And for mushroom fans, the annual Fungus Fair will be held at Alyeska Resort, Sept. 4-6.

Now on to The Scene.

Thursday, September 3

Open mic night @ The Indian House Restaurant 9 p.m.

John Dykstra @ Maxines 8-11 p.m.

Saturday, September 5

Free acoustic concert with the Photonz and Melissa Mitchell @ the Hotel Alyeska Pond Courtyard 6-9 p.m.

Hear the sounds of former Hawaii based Reggae band H3 @ the Silver Tip Grill 9 p.m.-2 a.m. $10 cover.

Full Tilt @ the Seaview Café.

Denny Bacon and the Diablos performs country and classic covers @ The Indian House 8:30 p.m. till midnight. No cover.

Wednesday, September 9

Leo Rondeau “Original American music/Bluegrass” from Austin, Texas @ the Silver Tip 8-11 p.m. Cover $5.

Open mic @ Maxines 8-11 p.m.

Thursday, September 10

Open mic @ The Indian House 9 p.m.

Friday, September 11 (Patriot Day)

Original music/Bluegrass with Leo Rondeau @ the Brown Bear 9 p.m. till closing. $5 cover.

Four-man band Milo plays original music @ Maxines 8-11 p.m. No cover.

Saturday, September 12

SHU3 @ the Seaview Café in Hope.

Leo Rondeau @ the Brown Bear 9 p.m. till closing. $5 cover.

Wednesday, September 16

Open mic @ Maxines 8-11 p.m.

If you know of any events and would like to have them included in the next installment of The Girdwood Scene, please e-mail them to us at info@turnagaintimes.com.