I think that chopped, rather than pureed, is the way to go: While the sweetness is released evenly by pureeing, (1) it’s makes a more attractive crumb to have flecks of raisin throughout, and (2) the little bursts of raisin flavor in your mouth make the bread seem sweeter.

Tomorrow I’m taking a few bits of knitting into town to enter into the Skagit County Fair. Fairs rule!

If you think about how one is a consumer, and the other the govt., is the consumer spending $300 to call out unnecessary polce dogs? Is he spending money on a military that is only needed to harm it’s own people? Is he going to the borders and shipping in millions of dollars of illegal drugs ono our streets? The list goes on my friend.

When it comes down to the individual vs the govt., the Govt. Will always win because the BEST THING an individual can do with his money is to save it. Spending as a CONSUMER he will buy a tv, some new jeans, a dog, a microwave, junk food, etc.

Terrible article.

Look to see if there’s anything worth celebrating anywhere in the borough. This would be the phenomenon of “bright spots” documented in the book Switch by Dan and Chip Heath. See http://www.heathbrothers.com/switch/ for some samples.

Good luck and hope you stay.

11. duh, I forgot to mention the library, with fresh air pumped inside and a nice lawn to boot.

Here’s my list of 10

1. The Chena River: the whole stretch along 1st and then 2nd avenue is perfect for viewing wildlife, skipping rocks, or pulling grayling out (with a single, unbarbed hook, of course) Plus, it’s just nice to be around water.

2. Baseball Area: little league and Growden Field. I know not everyone has a boy who plays baseball, and not everyone likes to watch baseball. However the baseballs field have played a huge part in my life and my son’s life. I have loved, for years now, walking to a baseball game, whether it’s my son’s or the Goldpanners, and relaxing while cheering and talking, the late night sun shining down on the beautifully manicure field . . . ahh . . . I can’t wait!!

3. Carlson Center: this place is cool because Fairbanks is a hockey town, and the Carlson Center is one rockin house during a home game. Great place to go at 50 below zero too. Of course I have also seen Don Henley, ZZ Top, Elton John, and (sadly) Gallagher there.

4. Sourdough Fuel: I like to think I am healthier than this store implies, but let me be clear. Walking to a store for a paper and coffee, or sometimes junkfood and a cold drink, is a great occupation of time that takes me back to my childhood. Not because of the junkfood, but because of the journey. Casually noticing yards and houses and flowers. I love doing that. Observations and conversations that occur when walking never take place in a car. And it’s cool to get a pack of M&M’s at midnight, or a fresh paper and 5 a.m.

5. Bike path, different from the river: I love our 2nd Avenue bike path. I love running on it and walking on it. I love the Water Run and the Mosquito Meander, both which use this part of the bike path. It is recently repaved, there are nice benches, and the Red Green Regata is viewed perfectly from this bike path.

6. Two theaters: I’m surprised Paul didn’t mention that, being the thespian he is. FDA’s Riverfront on one end and FST’s Empress theater on the other end make this part of Fairbanks a very entertaining part of Interior Alaska, and they’re both within walking distance.

7. Denali Elementary School: playground and sledding hill. My son and I have spent hours at Denali School playing basketball, sledding on the hill, and even playing on the equipment. This is a great place to walk with young children.

8. Goldstream Cinemas: gotta love pop culture baby! I know movies may be a bit more conventional and contemporary for some people’s tastes, but not mine. I love movies, and I love watching new movies on the big screen with a nice crowd. Walking there sweetens the deal.

9. The neighborhood itself is a great place to take walks. In the winding, asymmetrical streets are many beautiful yards, funky houses, flowering trees, and friendly neighbors that make neighborhood walks very enjoyable.

10. My yard: I like to make my yard be a pleasant place to be, as well as a pleasant sight to see. My favorite things to do in the summer are mow my lawn, plant my garden, improve my grass, grow flowers, trim shrubs, and a bunch of other stuff that (I hope) beautifies the hood.

There’s my list. Hope you are able to rediscover some of these awesome, simple places that exist in the downtown area.

Keep the faith.

I’m hoping tomorrow you might be a bit more philosophical about it all. We missed you here and your thoughtful posts about community.

Now that we are back in the “lower 48″ that seems to have changed a bit. For one thing we are tempted by more shops, activities and general consumerism. If I had to list my top 10 destinations here in Leonardtown, MD I would have to say,
1. The playground at my boys’ school
2. Public library
3. downtown – coffee shop, ice cream, Mexican,
4. The Pub (also downtown but deserves its own acknowledgement!)
5. The Wharf
5. Jazzercise (which I actually started doing for the first time when we lived in Fairbanks!)
6. Target (sad but true)
7. Leonardtown Winery
8.

By the way, we are in a great location and the first 5 destinations are within walking distance from my house! I love that! And we do walk a lot of the time.

Gotta run. Great blog!

1. Walk down to the end of Luke street, where there a place to overlook a gravel pit with lots of waterfowl, and the backside of the border to Noyes Slough, full of birds. 3 min.

2. Walk to Tanana Valley Farmers Market, College Ave, 6 min.

3. Walk to, and in winter, on, Noyes Slough. Many locations, esp along Alaska Way, but also at the end of Westwood way. Much wildlife. 10 min.

4. Walk to and on old College road, by Rivendell, many scenic overlooks and trails through woods. Good reminder of Hobbit-ism. 15 min.

5. Walk to area behind Fairgrounds, dogsled trails. 20 min.

6. Walk to Creamer’s Field, boardwalks, Bird Observatory, and Wanderlake trail for the Wedgewood Hotel. 30 min, but worth it.

7. Walk to Coffee Shop on College and Westwood. 5 min.

8. Walk to Gulliver’s Bookstore, 20 min.

9. Walk to University Library, 30 min.

10. Walk through “George’s” trails. (need permission, and He is a grouch, but his dog is named Josie. Say hello to Josie.) The walks through spruce forest bordering the slough are fine. 10 min. Access from both Luke, cross country, and Westwood, nice trailheads. George lives on Reilly road, sells motorcycles.

Got a great bird list within “walking distance ” of home. Neighborhood full of interesting junk and onery neighbors, always up to something.

Thanks for stimulating the inventory. Makes me realize how blessed I am.

Adults always talk about how they “dread the day when their children become teenagers”. Why do you dread this?

Adults need to face the fact that we are not ignorant little brats out to get them that spend all of their free time texting. Maybe some of us do. Not all. 85% of us are nice people.

But do they consider us as people? No. We are aliens, the dreaded. We get dirty looks in shops, there are special “no one under eighteen allowed” in swimming pools and other “public” places.

People blame the fact that we will not submit to every little thing that adults say on us being teens.

What is the reason for this?

We are ignored and/or treated like pond scum. What would you do if you were forced to obey everything someone else said? Those of us that are ignored also want to state our opinions. We aren’t even allowed to argue, even when we do have valid reasons.

I bet the adults reading this are surprised by my grammar. I actually agree with you on that one. If a teen wants to be heard, they should listen to their english teacher’s suggestions. (hinting older comments).

Some of us are quite entertaining and good hearted if you stop putting the “teenager” label on us.

Try listening to us. Maybe its because you don’t remember what it was like to be our age. All of that has been lost in time, along with your empathy for us.

Listen to me. Don’t dismiss this comment because it was written from a young teenager.

Thanks for doing this review.

I invite all to come patronize our locally family run food booth at the Fair – Zorba on the Run. We serve Gyros and lots of vegetarian items from our Persian heritage.