Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How Anchorage turned a bitter-cold morning into a powerful tribute
Also check out Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings on the Anchorage Patch calendar
What's up Anchorage! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How Anchorage turned a bitter-cold morning into a powerful tribute
- How an Alaska kid forged a lifelong bond with Urban Meyer
- Why an Anchorage court could decide the fate of Arctic oil plans
Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings.
Find out what's happening in Anchoragefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: Jimmy, did you crash on your bike again? You’ve lost a tooth! 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Anchoragefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Sunday: Sunny, brisk and very cold, with a high of 15 and low of 8 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
- Monday: Very cold; breezy in the a.m., temps: high: 14, low: 1.
- Tuesday: Partly sunny and very cold, with a high of 11 and low of 5 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Fort Richardson National Cemetery wreath laying honors fallen veterans (alaskasnewssource.com) — Hundreds of Anchorage-area residents and servicemembers gathered at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson to lay wreaths on veterans’ graves as part of the national Wreaths Across America event. Despite frigid, windy conditions, speakers emphasized the tight-knit support and gratitude shared between the military community and Anchorage neighbors who turned out to honor the fallen. 
• 24 years since first crossing paths, Alaska's Cole Magner reflects on life with Urban Meyer following Hall of Fame Induction (alaskasnewssource.com) — Anchorage readers meet fellow Alaskan Cole Magner, who reflects on his decades-long relationship with Hall of Fame coach Urban Meyer from their Bowling Green days to recent celebrations in Las Vegas. Magner shares how Meyer’s scholarship offer changed his life, how their bond evolved from coach to close friend, and why he still sees Meyer as a steady mentor beyond football.
• Lawsuit challenges Trump administration approval for Arctic Alaska oil exploration plan (alaskapublic.org) — A new lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Anchorage challenges federal approval of ConocoPhillips’ large Arctic oil exploration program, arguing it violates environmental protections in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. Environmental and Native groups say the seismic work could scar tundra, harm caribou and subsistence hunting, while the company counters that the case threatens local jobs and investment.
📸 Around Anchorage
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Anchorage
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
49th State Brewing - Anchorage 717 West 3rd Avenue Anchorage, Alaska 99501
6:30 pm
Sunday December 21
📣 Anchorage Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- ERNC | All Ages Program "Birding Citizen Science with the Christmas Bird Count"
Eagle River Nature Center , 32750 Eagle River Rd , Eagle River
2:00 pm - Holiday Afternoon Tea
South Restaurant + Coffeehouse , 11124 Old Seward Hwy , Anchorage
2:00 pm - Zoo Lights — The Alaska Zoo
Alaska Zoo , 4731 O'Malley Rd , Anchorage
5:00 pm - Bright Up The Night
Alaska State Fair , 2075 Glenn Hwy , Palmer
5:00 pm - Recycle Sutton
Sutton Transfer Site , 15625 North Glenn Highway , Sutton-Alpine
2:00 pm - AKtive Soles Happy Run
AKtive Soles Performance Footwear , 642 S. Alaska St. Ste. 100 , Palmer
6:00 pm - MyHouse "Morning Meeting with the Mayor"
Gathering Grounds Cafe , 300 N. Willow St. , Wasilla
9:00 am - GWCC Holiday Gathering
Evangelo's Restaurant , 2530 E Parks Hwy. , Wasilla
11:30 am - Guided Hikes for Seniors — Revel Treks & Tours
Gold Mint Trailhead , Fishhook-Willow Rd , Palmer
1:00 pm - Youth Group
Sutton Bible Church , 15748 Glenn Hwy , Sutton-Alpine
6:00 pm - Santa Skis Free Day
Alyeska Resort , 1000 Arlberg Ave , Girdwood
10:30 am
Sunday December 14
Monday December 15
Tuesday December 16
Wednesday December 17
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- FREE pictures with Santa at Alaska Mill and Feed This Saturday 11am-2pm.
Bring the family and your dog and cat (on a leash of course). That's all I know. (Nextdoor Old Seward/Oceanview) - Beware of a new scam by phone.
Just got a call today stating I didnt respond to Grand Jury Notification sent 5 weeks ago. What they didn't know was that I served jury duty all this… (Nextdoor Huffman/O'Malley)
- McDonald's Restaurants posted a job opening for McDonald's crew Starts $16/hr dayside, openers, closers, overnights Airport, Anchorage, Eagle River, Palmer, Wasilla, Kodiak in Wasilla. Apply here.
- Jersey Mike's posted a job opening for Crew Member in Wasilla. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Anchorage here.
🗞 Nearby News
Palmer
- Mat-Su wind storm disaster relief applications now open (matsusentinel.com)
- Celebrate Hanukkah in Mat-Su with these free events -- including a pogo stunt show (matsusentinel.com)
- Dunleavy unveils first-draft state budget (kodiakdailymirror.com)
Wasilla
- ‘Took a pounding': Well-known Mat-Su restaurant facing months-long closure to fix wind damage (alaskasnewssource.com)
Seward
Ok Anchorage! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I didn’t lose a tooth, Mom. It’s right here in my pocket.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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