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Hey Anchorage, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: A push-in for a new ladder truck, a Musher Sundae, and an Oscars watch party + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Anchorage protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Tradition meets modern firefighting: Anchorage Fire Department unveiled a new aerial ladder truck on March 2 to replace a 25-year-old rig, marking the moment with a push-in ceremony that nods to the horse-drawn era — read the full story.

Limited-time sweet celebration: Anchorage’s Wild Scoops is celebrating mushing season with a limited-time Musher Sundae topped with hot fudge and a dog bone cookie, available for about a month. Pup cups available — get all the details.

Early learning boost considered: Mayor Suzanne LaFrance may direct $2 million in marijuana sales tax revenue to the school district’s daycare program for at-risk, low-income families, following a 2023 vote dedicating proceeds to childcare — see how funds would be used.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Highlights this week:

• Celebrate You Aesthetics’ third anniversary bash
• Plant spring bulbs like a pro
• Ski three lakes, support youth skiing

🫶 We got your back

Serious grilled cheese vibes: Bread & Brew Alaska is your low-key fix for a gooey melt, tomato basil or Hungarian mushroom soup, and maybe a local pint. Cozy, unfussy, reliably satisfying… the kind of easy Midtown habit you won’t regret starting after a long day.

Your midweek nature reset: Kincaid Park delivers forested trails, moose cameos, and Cook Inlet views when screens and snowbanks get old. Errands start to feel optional. Go with a buddy or solo; fresh air therapy and a fast mood reset are likely. Your easy backyard escape, minus the fuss.

Gift emergency solved: Anchorage parents swear by Over The Rainbow Toys for smart, screen-free fun. Think building kits, puzzles, plush, and quirky science projects that actually get used. The crew knows their stock and wraps on the spot, so you can swoop in, smile, and be the hero.

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

📆 Free events worth checking out

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🔘 Button-Making Fun @ Mountain View Library | Tuesday (3/10) at 3:00 PM – Think you’re too grown-up for arts and crafts? Meet visiting librarian Red from Muldoon at Mountain View and make your own wearable button, using markers, crayons, and colored pencils, then watch it get pressed, oddly satisfying. Bring the grandkids, or don’t, all supplies provided.

🎡 Springing Into Summer @ Clark Middle School | Wednesday (3/11) at 11:00 AM – Think you’ve got summer sorted? This spring fair lines up free resources, free food, solid summer camp options, and teen job and internship opportunities, all in one easy lap. Bring the kids, grab a plate, and pretend this counts as summer planning.

🐦 Wildlife Wednesdays Science Lecture: Bird Collisions @ The Alaska Zoo | Wednesday (3/11) at 7:00 PM – Birds keep bonking into windows? At the Alaska Zoo Gateway Hall, a free Wildlife Wednesdays talk with USFWS biologist Tamara Zeller covers which species get hit hardest, and simple fixes to make your home bird-safe. Smart science, warm seats, free snacks, and zero guilt.

🐚 Mariculture Nerd Night @ 49th State Brewing – Anchorage | Thursday (3/12) at 6:00 PM – Mariculture Nerd Nite hits 49th State’s East Barrel Room with five-minute, jargon-free talks from folks who grow dinner in the ocean. Snack on Alaska oysters, kelp meatballs, and more, paint an oyster shell, sip something cold, and call it continuing education.

🃏 Cribbage Night @ Anchorage Museum | Thursday (3/12) at 6:00 PM – If your 15-twos are getting rusty, the Anchorage Museum is hosting a cribbage night with playable boards, a peek at historic beauties and their artistry, and pegs. Bring a quirky board for show and tell, or just shuffle, deal, and chat. Free, registration recommended.

🛍 Annual Spring Market @ Shops at the Castle on O’Malley | Saturday (3/14) at 11:00 AM – Spring Market is popping into the Shops at the Castle on O’Malley with vintage scores, handmade treasures, and enough charm to justify that extra shelf. Entry is free, of course. Come browse, catch up with neighbors, and call it supporting the arts.

🏆 The Oscars Watch Party @ Bear Tooth Theatrepub & Grill | Sunday (3/15) at 3:00 PM – Hollywood’s biggest night, minus the L.A. traffic. Bear Tooth rolls out the red carpet, ballots, and full menu for an Oscars watch where you can vote, dress up, snag a gift card. Free, but tickets are box office only, reserved seats, limit two, so hustle.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Anchorage report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 11°F – Low: -9°F – Precip: 2%

Mostly sunny, with a high near 11. Northwest wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around -9. North wind 5 to 10 mph.

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Tomorrow – High: 13°F – Low: -8°F – Precip: 0%

Sunny, with a high near 13. North wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Mostly clear, with a low around -8. Northeast wind around 0 mph.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Alaska but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

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This nearly 4,900 sq ft custom build sits on almost 2 acres amid commercial properties, offering privacy. It boasts a 5-star-plus energy design and a concrete main level with radiant floors. Highlights include a chef’s kitchen, a 1,440 sq ft game room with wet bar, a 3,000 sq ft hot-tub-ready roof, and a 6-car garage with motorized gate and snowmelt.

Take a peek inside →