Seeking Hardy Alaskans of Tok for a Reality TV Show

According to the Alaska Dispatch, “Alaska production services company Piksik has released a casting call for “hardy Alaskans.” Piksik is seeking homesteaders, rural dwellers and regular people of Alaska’s Interior for an upcoming reality-documentary TV production.” Not every resident of Alaska will qualify for an audition. You must be a resident of Tok or Valdez, Slana, Fairbanks,...

Advanced Wildland Firefighter Academy in Tok

(from a press release) The two‐week Advanced Firefighting Academy culminated in a graduation ceremony in Tok, Alaska, on June 10. The celebration took place at the Tok School gymnasium. This is the third year that the academy is graduating a class, marking the advancement and excellence of wildland firefighter training and interagency cooperation in Alaska. “Synergy….. It takes more than one of us to...

Big Orange Produce Truck Pulling into Tok

Have you seen the familiar big orange produce truck yet? They’ll be back in town this week, most likely parking in their usual spot over near the Husky Lounge. Keep your eyes peeled. If you’re craving a variety of fresher fruits and vegetables, they will have a variety of all your favorites. They come through only a few times each summer, but it’s always a treat. How are you getting your fresh...

Let the sun shine in…

I’d love to have some sunshine right about now. It was a monochromatic day of white/gray today. Nothing like the sun we had same time two years ago… Of course, I shouldn’t complain because today it is -13 degrees while two years ago, we were in the -50s. So that’s global warming, right? Of course, next week, it could be colder. And last night was -38 so we’re not in the clear yet. In...

It is getting…cold again

No need for an explanation here. This is Tok, Alaska. Tweet

The Dangers of Low Humidity

Last year I blogged about how dry winters could be in these parts. I even had a doctor in Fairbanks compare the humidity levels in Interior Alaska, particularly in winter, to what astronauts experience in space. Lately, I’ve been getting headaches, blurry vision and having trouble concentrating. I was concerned it was low levels of carbon monoxide (I’ve had my own CO scare several years back – you...

Another Head Lice Outbreak at Tok School

It is an epidemic and only gets worse each year. Lice infestation of our children at the Tok School. What can be done about it? Here’s a fact sheet that can be helpful: http://www.nuvoforheadlice.com/method_explained.htm You can find a head lice removal kit online here: http://www.fairytaleshaircare.com/ What are some of your best head lice prevention and removal...

As Summer Warms Our Bones…

Let us not forget the winters. Makes our summers that much sweeter… [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpehMkZG78g] How is your summer going so far? Tweet

Passing Through Tok: Raimo Laosma

I was headed to Three Bears for some groceries and saw a bicyclist in front of the store who seemed like he had been traveling quite a ways. “Where are you coming from or going?” I asked. “Estonia,” he replied. Turns out, Raimo Laosma has been on the road since September 20, 2010. He drove from Estonia through Europe to Lisbon, Portugal, then came across to the States on the East Coast. After...

Passing Through Tok Today

This is Vladamir. He says he is 58, a filmmaker, and has been bicycling around the world for the last seven years. Says he’s on his 4th bike and 12th pair of shoes. He passed through Tok today on his way to Anchorage, driving 60 miles a day. “60 miles a day, 7 years, over 40,000 miles,” he said through a heavy Russian accent. He gave me permission to take his picture, but when I asked his...