October 7, 2015 Voice Your Opinions! Letters to the editor make a difference. You can send a letter of up to 200 words (shorter letters are more likely to be accepted) to the Alaska Dispatch News by email (letters@alaskadispatch.com); or by fax or mail (call them at 257-4308). Send letters to the Anchorage Press via e-mail editor@anchoragepress.com or by mail to 540 E. Fifth Ave, Anchorage, 99501. Feel free to call us if you need factual information to help you write a letter. Contact the Governor. The Governor can be reached at 269-7450; or www.alaska.gov. Contact us. My office can be reached at: 716 W. 4th Ave, Anchorage, AK 99501; by phone: 269-0106; visit my website at http://gara.akdemocrats.org; or email: Rep.Les.Gara@akleg.gov

Dear Neighbors:

Well, this weekend it was my turn to take up hospital space. On the bright side, I now know we have at least one great ambulance crew in Anchorage. On the down side, I don't get to take back that step on a wet stair, and the fall that followed. It apparently cracked four ribs apart, and that apparently takes about six weeks to heal, I hope. It should put me on pace for the Governor's October 24 Special Session. Or at least close enough. For some reason, my doctors were pretty mum when I asked if I can take a day to go fishing before that.

I'll still be in the office, or reachable on days that I get no sleep and finally start my shut eye at 7 in the morning, like today. On those days I might be a little late. This is a pretty common injury and folks will tell you sleeping with broken ribs is one of the less pleasant parts of this journey.

With that, our office is open for business, and I'm still available, though maybe not on a completely normal schedule.

If you need anything, just holler. Like I'd like to do right now.

Wishing you the best, especially the many of you who battle bigger health problems than mine.

My Best,