By Nikki Lewis
Turnagain Times Correspondent
Ken Smith/Turnagain Times
The Essential 1 gas station sign in Bird was taken down Thursday, Feb. 11 after a court order was issued Sept. 18 by the state Superior Court. The court supported the Dept. of Transportation, which ordered Shoreside Petroleum, owner of Essential 1, to move the sign out of the right of way of the Seward Highway. There is now a smaller lighted sign on the awning over the gas pumps displaying the gas prices. The former roadside sign had displayed the temperature and time. It will be relocated to Seward where Shoreside Petroleum is based.
Just the other day, direct sunlight shot through the clouds and onto my face as I was walking into the Post Office. Odd as it may seem, but it has felt like a millennium ago when my skin felt the warm sensation of the sun's rays. I couldn't help but stand there for a few minutes. Coming from Florida, this is a feeling I now realize I took for granted. As I am going through my second winter in the 49th state, I am cursing myself for not enjoying those hot yearlong summer days, with plenty of sunshine to go around.
With the rapid increase of sunlight, it looks like summer is crawling back into our world, even if at the speed of a tortoise. This should give us all something to look forward to, especially those who find the winter blues something difficult in dealing with.
Currently we are receiving about nine hours of daylight, gaining approximately five and a half minutes of sunlight each day. Before we know it, sunlight will surpass the darkness we've had for the past few months. Hallelujah!
I know that when my body starts to feel the effects of a solid eight hours of sunlight, it's like receiving nature's red bull. Good thing Girdwood always has something going on to feed our newfound energy boost.
The Silvertip Grill has just created an ice lane for outdoor bowling on their patio. That's got to be a first in Girdwood.
The Sitzmark Bar & Grill at Alyeska has an ambitious spring line-up of nationally renowned musical acts. Carving out quite a niche in the music scene, the Sitzmark has become a must-stop live concert venue during the winter in Southcentral Alaska.
“We are trying to expand the music offering in the Anchorage Area,” says Jay Bell, Alyeska Resort's Music Manager. “I'm really excited to be presenting a bluegrass legend and an all-female Led Zeppelin cover band this winter.”
Next up at the Sitz is Flowmotion, one of Seattle's most diverse rock bands, scheduled for two nights Feb. 19 and 20.
The band was founded in 2001 by guitarist and lead vocalist Josh Clauson – the only member of the band's original lineup. Their sound has evolved into what the Seattle Post-Intellgencer calls “energetic guitar bravado, driving funk bass lines and a tendency to break into improv, keeping the live shows fun and flamboyant.”
Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 day of show.
Now on to The Scene.
Tuesday, February 16
Patrick and Eli at Silvertip Bar Grill 8-11 p.m.
Friday, February 19
Flowmotion at the Sitzmark 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. $12 advance tickets, $15 at the door.
Scout and the Harmonica Guy at Silvertip Grill 8-11 p.m.
Saturday, February 20
Flowmotion at the Sitzmark 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. $12 advance tickets, $15 at the door.
Scout and the Harmonica Guy at Silvertip Grill 8-11 p.m.
Tuesday, February 23
Patrick and Eli at Silvertip Grill 8-11 p.m.
Friday, February 26
11:20's at the Sitzmark 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. $5 tickets.
Saturday, February 27
11:20's at the Sitzmark 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. $5 tickets.
Scout and the Harmonica Guy at Silvertip Grill 8-11 p.m.
Tuesday, March 2
Patrick and Eli at Silvertip Grill 8-11 p.m.
