Free for All

I heard this morning that unemployment is predicted to be about 14% by next December, counting the people on unemployment, part-timers wanting full time work, and people who have given up. This breaks my heart for the young people just trying to get launched in a life.

At the risk of sounding cheap, I thought I might share some Fairbanks freebies that we enjoy, with hot links. These are interesting for all ages and all winter, so enjoy.

* Walk or jog inside at the Big Dipper Ice Arena. The hours are 6:30 am to 5:30 pm on Mondays through Friday. There are also Sunday hours. We go up and down the stairs also for an aerobic workout. 7.5 laps to the mile.

* Ice skate at Pioneer Park. You must bring your own skates, but the small area is swept and lit. Consider buying used skates at Play It Again Sports...they also buy used recreational equipment. There are also ice skating rinks next to almost all of the elementary schools in town, but you may need to sweep them yourselves (volunteers do it!).

* Ski on well lit trails, including Birch Hill and the University of Alaska. Other good ski trails are behind the Salcha and Two Rivers Schools.

* Walk and look for birds at Creamer's Field. Check out the feeders at the Alaska Bird Observatory and the Farmhouse. There are often special events such as training for bird watching, art activities for kids and seasonal festivals. It's a good spot to see a moose.

* Check out a film at the Public Lands Information Center at the new Morris Thompson Building. The films are Alaskan in nature. In the same building, there is a wonderful new panorama display about Alaska currently under construction.

* Go to a program at the Noel Wien Library. Check out the schedule, but there is always free internet, videos and DVDs to borrow and a quiet room for conversation. Also, besides lots of books to borrow for free, you can download audio books with your library card if you have a PC. There is no overdue fees for late books. It is open until 9 on most weeknights. You can also borrow the auditorium or conference room to give your own programs. I've seen some great travelogs, discussion groups and trainings there. If you live in an outlying area with no library, you can pay one fee to become a rural member with access to all the facilities.

* The first Friday of every month, all year around, the art galleries in town have special shows with snacks provided. You can meet the artists and all of your friends. See the schedule on the Fairbanks Daily News Miner. 5-8 pm

* Take a tour at the University of Alaska. Some of my favorite tours are the Discovery Lab (a 3D virtual reality lab- ages 12 on up), KUAC radio, Geophysical Lab (including NOAA weather station and the Seismograph Lab). Call ahead for availability and reservations.

* Watch animals. There are muskox at the Large Animal Research Center off Yankovich Rd., reindeer in pens near the Georgeson Botanical Garden and also next to the Santa Claus House in North Pole. If you want to see them in the wild Chena Hot Springs Rd. at dusk or dawn is a hot spot. If you want to drive, you can see farms with cows and horses and also bison in Delta Junction. For details, call the Delta Visitor Center. There are mounted animals and fish of Alaska in the rotunda of the Fish and Game Office off College Rd.

* Go sledding on the hill by the Patty Center at UAF. At your own risk!

* Watch a dog race. There are races most weekends in the winter at the Alaska Dog Mushers Association field on Farmer's Loop Rd. Check out their schedule before you go.

* Look at the Aurora Borealis or the Northern Lights. A place away from the city lights that I like is the top of Ester Dome. Go out Sheep Creek Rd to Goldstream and turn to go up to the left just past Ann's Greenhouse.

* Volunteer- it's amazing how many places need volunteers, from the senior center and schools to the Yukon Quest Dog Race and KUAC. The newspaper has a regular feature called "Friends in Need" that list local needs. Also consider assembling food boxes at the Food Bank.

* Window shopping- some interesting places to go and look, especially with kids are Holm Town Nursery, Fishtopia and Barnes and Noble. Warm, interesting, and friendly.

If you want to go green or use inexpensive transportation, the bus system has expanded. Check it out. Monthly passes are available.

SAD, or seasonal affective disorder is a serious problem. It has to be worse if you are worried about money. My cure: Get out and play.