SubZero Amusements

The Stanley Cup is visiting town today.  We went over to the Big Dipper to see it at 2:30, but the line was closed.  Apparently it takes Stanley 1 1/2 hours to get ready to go over to Los Amigos for its next gig.  It's Hockey Week (and Black History Month) in Fairbanks so ladies were handing out cupcakes and there were tons of skaters out on the rink.  No walking though.  Walking would disrupt the line for posing with the Stanley Cup.

Yesterday was volunteer day for us.  We went up to the University Reichardt Natural Sciences building and checked scores for MathCounts, the middle school math competition.  Kids did great.  It's hard to believe that 100 kids spent all day doing math and loved it.  I coached for about 8 years.

Last night, we ushered at the Fairbanks Drama Association play, Born Yesterday. The acting was great and the play was too, until the end when it got rather political.  It's a lesson play on the value of learning- it's eye-opening.

Today wasn't so interesting.  We had the requisite cinnamon roll and coffee and came home to do taxes.  The thermometer read -35 by Lulus.  I think it has warmed up to -23, but still not a day to go exploring.

I was supposed to do jury duty this month which is why I cleared my schedule, but it became obvious that I would be called just about the time I'd planned to travel.  So, .....Amonda told me I could defer until November, but if I do that, not to expect ANY days excused.

Tomorrow, Paul and I are going to Anchorage.   He'll stay just a few days and we'll go out for Valentine's Day and get our last hiking gear at REI.  Then, I'll work on Tuesday and Wednesday by participating in the review of math standards for College and Career Ready.  It's really volunteer.  No pay, just travel reimbursed.  The goal is to look at standards that will prepare kids for college or careers.  Good goal- still has to be taught.

Pitka's Point is at the base of the road hugging the Yukon River bank. This view is from the 5 seat plane from Russian Mission.

On Thursday and Friday, I've been invited to Pitka's Point.  It's a 3 teacher, K-8 school huddled near St. Mary's.  It should be fun to see Peter, Sue and John once again.

Icicles show leaking heat from the old Arctic Village School, converted to apartments.