July 16, 2013

Dear Neighbors,

Golden Days in the Golden Heart City

More than a 100 years ago, the trader ET Barnette steamed forward through the Chena Slough. Originally headed to create an outpost between Valdez and Eagle, he was forced to unload supplies on the banks of the slough near where the Barnette Street Bridge stands today. One year later, an Italian immigrant named Felice Pedroni discovered gold near Fox and the town quickly grew around the city center. By 1905, several thousand indigenous people, adventure-seekers from all over the US, and international immigrants called themselves Fairbanksans.

Over the next few days, we honor and celebrate the rich history of the Golden Heart City through our Golden Days festivities. As you walk down the streets and attend cultural events, it’s important to remember the pioneers who faced the worst conditions more than a century ago-lack of food and water, unreliable energy, unsanitary conditions and inclement weather. Fairbanks has survived earthquakes, floods, fires and famine. Fairbanks did not have an airport, young drivers didn’t have cellphones and I could not send you an email.

Yet even during the worst of times, Fairbanks has survived because of the pioneering drive to be a part of the frozen community on the edge of the Arctic and a willingness to help our neighbor when they are in need. We certainly face some challenges over the next few months, years and decades to come but I am optimistic. I look forward to meeting with many of you during the Golden Days as we honor our past, celebrate with family today and look ahead to progress in the future.

It’s One Busy Summer!

Whether you seek music or dance, education or sports, the last few weeks of summer are going to keep Fairbanks busy. Here is a partial list of some highlighted events. For more details, please contact me at the office directly.

WEDNESDAY

Golden Days Kick-Off Party @ Pioneer Park from 5-8pm
World Eskimo Indian Olympics Opening Ceremony @ Carlson Center from 6-8pm
Public Hearings on Eielson F-16 Move @ Westmark from 6-8pm

THURSDAY

Golden Citizens Senior Lunch @ Pioneer Park from 11:30-1pm
Pioneer Potpourri Music @ Pioneer Park from 7-9pm

FRIDAY

Young Pioneers Day @ Pioneer Park from Noon-3pm
Old Fashioned Social Dance @ Pioneer Park from 8:30-11pm

SATURDAY

Golden Days Parade/Street Fair @ Downtown from 10-5pm
Food, Inc Special Screening @ NP Firestation Annex from 1-3pm

SUNDAY

KUAC’s Red Green Regatta @ Graehl Landing from 11-2pm
Governor’s Community Picnic @ Pioneer Park from 12-3pm

Downtown is Open for Business

A few short blocks from where ET Barnette unloaded his goods a century ago is the heart of downtown Fairbanks. With the help of recent traffic improvements, the dedicated work of local businesses, and art projects spearheaded by the Downtown Association, the shabby little city center from a few years ago has been transformed into a flourishing center for small businesses, dining, and entertainment.

The Downtown Association is launching a new effort to revitalize and beautify downtown Fairbanks with The Window Project. The project will showcase vacant space available for lease by replacing the windows of empty buildings with local artwork. Artists will design a digital print which will be transferred onto graphic vinyls and displaced from the ground floor windows of vacant buildings. If you are an artist and would like to participate in this inspiring project and make your mark on downtown Fairbanks, check out this online form. Proposals must be submitted by July 31st to be considered.

Working Hard for Fairbanks Families,