Look outside. If you’re already outside, take in what’s around you. Are there plants? Trees, soil, rocks?
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Look closer. Notice the leaves; how many are on each stem and how many petals are on each flower?

Heightened examination like this comes natural to Mandy Bernard, the artist behind the Instagram account @homesteadingroasters.

The current owners of 601 F St. are making sure the new building stands on the principles of its past.

​Built where the old Covenant House once was, Williwaw has decided to continue supporting young people by partnering with the Alaska Music Project for Youth (AMP) to help kids develop a lifelong passion for music. This Saturday, the venue is hosting a free music workshop for kids put on by local artists and AMP, followed by the first-ever benefit event for the project.

The people you meet in a dimly lit corner of a bar next to a blaring jukebox are rarely what they seem. What better place to meet three strangers by the names of Dr. Feel Good, Random A. Danger and Silkk—the core members of the Midnight Sons Drag Kings, a group of three women who dress and take on the persona of men during live performances since 2012.

Last year was a bad snow year for Alaska, and this year isn’t off to a good start either.

But however badly the lack of snow last winter cramped your style, imagine raising more than $156,000 to finally make the full-length film of your dreams about extreme snowmachine riding in Alaska, only to have Mother Nature try and stop you.

This scenario sets the opening scene of the film Winter Project, which will have its world premiere this week at the Bear Tooth. Hybrid Color Films, who brought you the snowmachine short Black Sunday, presents their first feature-length film that has come a long way from the Kickstarter campaign it was born from. If you have been around Anchorage since 2013, you may remember it.

From October 31 to November 30 last year, the film’s crew and stars rallied the support of 1,031 backers to fund the making of Winter Project. They proposed an estimated goal of $140,000 and ended up raising $156,501.

When he returned to Honduras this fall, one year later, he met the 16-month-old baby whose life he helped to save while helping a dental and medical volunteer trip.

“There is no doubt that that child would have died had we not been there,” Babineau said.

PABLO — History can be told through culture.

Last Friday in Pablo, culture was celebrated through footwear.

In honor of Native American Heritage month, The People’s Center celebrated Rock Your Mocs Day with a round dance and potluck at the center.

Education director at The People’s Center, Marie Torosian, said someone started the day last year and it went viral on Facebook. The idea is for everyone to wear moccasins to work or school to spread cultural awareness. This was the second year the center has participated, she said, and she hopes to continue the annual Nov. 15 event.

“It’s a small way to bring awareness to our heritage,” she said, adding that events like Rock Your Mocs are a way for the center to honor not only local tribes, but also the 70 other tribes represented at Salish Kootenai College.

Dalen Siech wears many hats.  In the course of a week he is an artist, a philanthropist, a photographer, and a middle school student.

Though he is just 10 years old, Siech’s photography has started getting the attention of judges and professionals alike.  This spring Siech entered three of his pieces in a fine art photography contest in Hot Springs along with notable professionals from the area.  All three of his works won ribbons, and his photo of aspens from the Grand Canyon was a finalist in the competition.

Humble and timid, Siech’s whole demeanor changes when he talks about taking photos.  A smile spreads across his face when he recalls the trials and tribulations of getting the perfect shot of birds in flight or lying on his stomach to capture a sunflower in bloom.