Emily Mesner

Spenard 2nd Saturday is a recurring community event that strives to celebrate local businesses, champion creatives and give back to the Anchorage community, said Sirsha McPeek, the event’s coordinator.

This year’s New Year’s Eve celebration downtown featured the Alaskanettes Fire Baton Twirlers, the Polynesian Association of Alaska and lots of fireworks.

From high kicks to late kicks, celebrations and sorrow, the year in sports had it all.

Recover Alaska’s sober lounge is open every Thursday night through January. Industry experts hope this event will kick-start permanent options for sober spaces in Anchorage.

“Every time we host this event it brings tears to my eyes,” said Celeste Hodge Growden, Alaska Black Caucus president/CEO. Saturday’s event was aimed at connecting kids with law enforcement in a positive environment.

Teacher and coach Wes Cornelison organized the fundraiser, which raised a total of $8,000.

All proceeds from the show will be donated to Let Every Woman Know-Alaska, a nonprofit that offers women resources to help prevent gynecologic cancers.

Recent rain gave way to blue skies and warm sunshine from Anchorage up to Fairbanks on Thursday.

Thursday’s show was the last outdoor summer concert hosted by the Anchorage Concert Association. Anchorage musicians Rosie Rush and Medium Build performed.

Three full-time staffers work at the state’s only facility authorized to rehabilitate stranded or injured otters, seals, birds, even a rare walrus — lovable creatures only briefly in their hands.