News Archive, November through December 2002

I saw this is today's Anchorage Daily News in the outdoors section.  While geared towards other winter activities, it seems like the vehicle and outdoor winter survival tips could prove worthwhile to anyone traveling this time of year.

"Red Cross offers fair advice on surviving winter weather

With the snow finally flying and a nip in the air, the Anchorage Chapter of the American Red Cross is preparing to host a four-day Winter Weather Awareness Fair, offering tips on everything from driving slick roads to avoiding avalanches.  The fair kicks off Jan. 8 with a 7 p.m. presentation on home safety.  Jan. 9 brings "Winter Driving and Survival," a must-see show for Anchorage residents headed far afield to snowmobile, ski or snowshoe.  The 7 p.m. program put on by the Alaska State Troopers covers vehicle winterization, slick-road driving, winter survival items that should be in your car and how to use them if you should find yourself stranded on a desolate stretch of Alaska highway.  On Jan. 10, the Alaska Mountain Safety Center broadens winter survival issues to include avalanches.  That 7 p.m. program offers some basics on recognizing avalanche terrain, picking safe routes for travel in avalanche country, assessing avalanche hazards and performing rescues, of both yourself and others.  Last in the fair comes is "Activity Day" on Jan. 11 when adults and children review the safety and science of snow and cold - including the fun.  For the kids, there will be a disaster supply scavenger hunt, a microscopic look at ice worms, a warmth test of various fabrics, a chance to make beaded snowflakes and more.  Adults can tour the local Red Cross facilities and get a look at the Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicle.  Activity Day runs 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  All fair meetings are at the American Red Cross office at 235 E. Eight Ave.  For information, call 646-5401 or visit the Web site at www.akredcross.org"

We have a new addition to the semi-annual writing of the President's Column!  Please read the article written by our President Dave Arieno about membership, Christmas party, trail safety, and more.

I also finally got the meeting minutes up from the last meeting in the Archive section, they can also be accessed directly here.  A number of important issues were discussed, making it difficult to put in a clear and concise summary.  I would like to point out that our regular meeting location was changed to Tony Roma's, effective immediately.

The calendar has been updated with all the club events taking place this month, and is accessible from the menu at the left.

Today I made numerous changes to the webpage, though they are mostly invisible.  For those who care, it was an effort to free up some web server space as well as clean up the directory structure currently in the use of the webpage.  Alot of effort was spent quality checking the site afterwards, but sometimes mistakes happen.  So if you see any broken links, unavailable images, typos, etc. please email me and I will correct it as soon as possible.  Thank you.

The day before Veteran's Day five members and one guest headed out for a day trip to Boulder.  Pictures from Paco, Jay, and myself have been added to a new gallery.  The pictures can be accessed from the Photo Gallery section, or view them directly here.

The Blazer removal gallery has also been updated with a few more pictures from the return trip when we disposed of the frame and carcass from the King River trailhead.

A few minor updates were also done elsewhere, just cleaning things up a bit.

On November 21 enough people gathered for a regular meeting to once again fill the back room at Phillips to close to capacity.  A number of guest and prospective members were present, which is always good.

I have now posted a copy of the meeting minutes in the Archive section, they can also be accessed directly here.

The Bylaws available on the website have been updated.  They now reflect the change made at the most recent meeting, increasing annual dues from $25 to $40.  The bylaws are available in three different formats, and can be accessed from the menu at the left.

On November 7th we once again gathered at the Phillips International Inn.  And once again there was a large turnout, this time just about leaving standing room only.

I have posted a copy of the meeting minutes in the Archive section, they can accessed directly here.  The newest minutes are in Portable Document Format (.pdf), as well the others have been converted.  They require a free reader to view, and I will try to get information on the archive page soon.  For now, please email me if you have trouble.

Two more members have been to the Member's Rigs section.  Bill Chubick and Todd Elliott are the latest additions.

The meeting minutes from the November 7th meeting should be added to the archives section in a couple days.

The clubs eastern representative in front of the nations capitol.

Thanks to Brentt we now have a new section on the webpage.  The menu at the left now contains a Tech section, with six articles at this time.  I hope the section grows with more technical information in the future.  If you wish to contribute an article, please email me at littlegiant@gci.net.  As always, I can help with proofing, editing, setting up the html, etc.  I also have some trip reports from Brentt that will be added to the website soon.

In other  news, the club and its domain name get publicity on the other side of the country.  Club member Rob Corbisier sent in an interesting picture.  His CJ-7 is pictured in front of the nations capitol with the club sticker stretched across the windshield.  He had to go out of his way to get the picture taken as the weekend in D.C. did not go according to plan.  Thanks again Rob for sending in the picture.