Thursday, May 27, 2010

Another beautiful sunny morning for our walk. The sun was very warm on the back of my neck. We walk along the garden plots, exchange hello's with the early morning gardeners. Most of the plots are laid out in neat, even rows. Then there's mine ... "Freeform" is how I describe it, like Jazz or Abstract Art :D The strawberries look happy, no sprouts yet from the seeds I planted. Everyday I water my little garden. I love watering, I can stand there for an hour holding a hose, spraying back and forth. Bessie is there with me, I hook her leash to the chain link fence. Summer has come to Anchorage Alaska!

Sunday, April 4, 2010

Trail Breaker: April 2 , 2010/ Dodge RAM Raffle


The Trail Breaker: A Monthly Newsletter for Iditarod Race Fans -- An Official Email of the Iditarod
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April 02, 2010
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Picture Yourself In One Of These!

You Can Make a Difference... and Win Big!

The Race To The Finish Line Is Still On!

The 2010 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race will go down in the history books as one of the greatest Iditarod's ever!  But while the race itself is over for yet another year, the race to the financial finish line is far from over.

To date, we have only sold 60% of our 4,000 Iditarod Winter Raffle tickets with only 10 days to go before the much anticipated drawing for prizes.  Year in and year out, our winter and summer raffles have been our single largest fundraisers and thus, have been a significant part of the revenue we have counted on each year.

As we have in the past, we budgeted for a complete sellout.  So as it stands today, some $160,000.00 in revenue from this important project has yet to be realized.  That's a significant budget variance that we simply cannot afford.

What is the 2010 Iditarod Winter Raffle?

It is a terrific opportunity for you, our valued Iditarod race fan, to support the Iditarod and win some of the more than $200,000.00 in fantastic prizes, including FOUR brand new Dodge Ram Quad Cab 4X4 Pick up Trucks, valued at $42,295 each!  Click here to see a complete listing of all 20 prizes.  With only 4,000 tickets available for sale, at the very worst, you will have a one in two hundred chance to win! Please call 1.800.545.MUSH to purchase your ticket today.

Tickets are $100 each and your purchase will help us meet our obligations associated with having staged the 38th running of "The Last Great Race On Earth."  And if you're one of the 4 luckiest prize winners and live in the Lower 48 we will ship your truck to Seattle for FREE so that you won't have to drive it all the way home from Alaska!

Have You Ever Wondered…

If a raffle ticket you purchase makes its way into the drum for the drawing? Rest assured that it always has, and always will, with an Iditarod Raffle.  Here's why!  Our success from this project is important not just this year, but next year and the next. We have, for the past 15 years, hired our CPA firm, Newhouse and Vogler, of Anchorage, Alaska, to conduct a pre-drawing audit and observe the audit.  This audit includes assurance that all tickets sold are in the drum prior to the drawing. It's our way of ensuring that you have complete confidence in how we conduct our raffles.

As always, we thank you for your support!

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Thursday, March 25, 2010

Purple Dog Independents

A Group I started called "Purple Dog Independents" in the wake of the passage of the Health Care Reform Bill. Anyone who is a member of FaceBook can join. It is not my intent to endorse any particular Political Party or Candidate. The purpose of this Group is to bring together, in one place, access to information, Links, etc.
Civilized discussion is welcome and encouraged. That includes dissent and disagreement. Just be civil please.
Why the name? Many years ago it was said, of Hard Line Democrats, that they will vote only for a Democrat even if the only one on the ticket were a Yellow Dog.
I confess I don't understand the meaning of "Blue Dog Democrat". Anyway, as "someone" decided that Dems would be represented by the color blue and Repubs by the color red, I combined the two to make Purple.
Our Philosophy will be to vote for who we believe is best for the job, NOT based on their Political Party/Affiliation. And certainly not to cast a vote "against" a "lesser of two Evils". "Hold my nose" and vote for so and so to prevent the opposition from getting a vote? To me THAT is throwing away my vote. I can look at myself in the mirror and be proud that I voted for whom I voted, and by the way that person was an Independent or a member of a Party not Repub or Dem.
Thank you
http://ping.fm/Lh11g?gid=104184559615019 A Group I started called "Purple Dog Independents"

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Checkpoint News: March 19, 2010

Jamaican Rookie makes History!
Having trouble viewing this email? Click here for a web version. 
Checkpoint News: Daily Updates and Bulletins from the Trail -- An Official Email of the Iditarod
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March 19, 2010
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Jamaican Rookie Makes History!

Oswald "Newton" Marshall is now an Official Iditarod Finisher!!

The 2010 Iditarod Field Narrows Down…

It's a race to Nome Alaska and the last two teams are only three checkpoints away from making it to Front Street! Right now Iditarod 2010 rookie, Celeste Davis is hanging on to the Red Lantern position in Elim. All mushers are expected to reach Nome by late tomorrow.

The First Jamaican Musher Arrives in Nome!

History was made tonight in Nome Alaska as the first Jamaican to ever run the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race has now found his way on to Front Street. Oswald "Newton" Marshall is one rookie with a very special story. He has done something that no other Jamaican has ever done. Tonight, Newton is an Iditarod Official Finisher! Congratulations Newton!!!

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2010 Iditarod Champion T Shirt
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Thursday, March 18, 2010

Checkpoint News: March 17, 2010

  
Checkpoint News: Daily Updates and Bulletins from the Trail -- An Official Email of the Iditarod
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March 17, 2010
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Dee Dee Draws A Crowd

Dee Dee Jonrowe Finishes her twenty-sixth Iditarod in 22nd place. Dee Dee is one of the Iditarod's most popular athletes with 13 top ten finishes!

IDITAROD 2010 Teams Keep Flowing Into Nome!

Twenty Five mushers have made their way into Nome Alaska since early yesterday afternoon led by 2010 Iditarod Champion  Lance Mackey's fourth Iditarod in a row.  The blistering pace on the trail continues as the remaining teams begin their ascent on Nome.  Click here to see where the mushers are right now!

Kaduce Is The First Rookie to Reach Front Street!

40 year old Dan Kaduce, from Chatinika Alaska, is the first 2010 rookie to cross the finish line. He arrived in Nome in 21st position.  Kaduce is the leading candidate for the 2010 Rookie of the year Award. The award, along with all of the other 2010 awards will be presented at the 2010 Iditarod Finishers Banquet, Sunday March 21st, 2010.

Featured Iditarod Merchandise

2010 Iditarod Champion T Shirt
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You have received this email because you have either subscribed to the Iditarod newsletter, purchased items or subscriptions from the Iditarod Trail Committee, or acted as volunteer during the race. If you don't wish to receive mailings from the Iditarod Trail Committee, click the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this email.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Checkpoint News: March 16, 2010

But the Race isn't over till the last musher arrives, to win the Red Lantern  
Checkpoint News: Daily Updates and Bulletins from the Trail -- An Official Email of the Iditarod
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March 16, 2010
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Sir Lancealot With Rev and Maple

Lance Mackey takes the Iditarod to a whole new level...Four back to back championships!

Mackey Raises The Bar With Four Consecutive Wins

It's one of those very special moments; a team does something that has never been done before.  Today, Lance Mackey and his team did something that may never be done again. They finished their fourth straight Iditarod as champions.  The stretch is one that began in 2007 and as of March 16, 2010 the streak stands at four.  In an interview, Mackey suggested that he isn't quite done yet. He likes the number five as much as he likes reveling in being the first in Iditarod history to win four in a row!

Gatt and King weren't far behind Mackey's lead

When Hans Gatt arrived in Nome he was greeted by Lance Mackey. For Hans, there wasn't enough trail left to come from behind and beat Mackey, but there was no doubt that Gatt had narrowed the gap between them considerably. Mackey's time of 8 days, 23 hours, 58 minutes, in any other Iditarod, would have been a monumental feat, but the fact that Gatt finished the race in 9 days, one hour and 4 minutes is a tribute to the kind of race that both teams ran.

The King Factor

Four Time Iditarod Champion Jeff King ran the fastest race of his career, 9 Days 2 Hours 22 Minutes 17 Seconds… and he finished third. That fact alone is a tribute to the leaders of the 2010 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. 2010 is the year that will definitely go down in history as the race that truly brought out the very best in competition… and it's not even over yet!!!

Featured Iditarod Merchandise

2010 Iditarod Vest
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Sunday, March 14, 2010

Checkpoint News: March 14, 2010

The Sprint Is On!
Checkpoint News: Daily Updates and Bulletins from the Trail -- An Official Email of the Iditarod
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March 14, 2010
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Jeff King Leaves Unalakleet This Morning!

4 time Iditarod Champion Jeff King wastes little time chasing after 3time Iditarod Champion Lance Mackey under a bluebird morning sky. Image captured by Iditarod Insider

The Sprint Is On!

The Incredible Lance Mackey did the impossible yesterday with a run that stretched from Nulato checkpoint, through Kaltag Checkpoint and all the way to Unalakleet.  He not only picked up the Wells Fargo 1st to the Gold Coast Award, but he set a pace that put him in first place… at least for the time being.  Earlier today Mackey left Unalakleet headed for Shaktoolik… and right behind him was Jeff King.  These two guys have seven championships between them… and a lot of recent history.

But Wait…There's More!!!

Right behind King and Mackey are Hugh Neff and Hans Gatt. After strong runs to Unalakleet, both Neff and Gatts' teams looked strong when they headed out toward Shaktoolik. The Iditarod Insider captured all of the action in Unalakleet and are positioned to update you when these teams arrive in Shaktoolik. If you're not an Insider yet… now's the time to become one. Click here to get inside one of the closest races in Iditarod history!

Get ready to Watch The Finish Live…

On broadband on Tuesday, March 16th. We're only two days away from the first team's arrival in Nome. The only place you can catch this finish outside of the State of Alaska in on the Iditarod Insider. Click here to find out how!

Featured Iditarod Merchandise

2010 Denim Blue Sweat Shirt
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You have received this email because you have either subscribed to the Iditarod newsletter, purchased items or subscriptions from the Iditarod Trail Committee, or acted as volunteer during the race. If you don't wish to receive mailings from the Iditarod Trail Committee, click the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this email.

Checkpoint News: March 13, 2010


Checkpoint News: Daily Updates and Bulletins from the Trail -- An Official Email of the Iditarod
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March 13, 2010
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The Trail & Temperatures are Perfect For a Fast Race!

This team is headed toward the foothills of Kaltag on its way to Unalakleet (image courtesy of the Iditarod Insider)

A Fast Trail Is Creating One Heck of a Race!

At this writing, there is one heck of a race taking place between some of the most dominant long distance teams on the face of the planet.  Lance Mackey and Jeff King are in a familiar position at this point in the race.  The next destination is Unalakleet, the hub that establishes the gold coast portion of the dash to Nome, Alaska and the finish line on Front Street.  If you're not an Iditarod Insider, now is the time to sign up!!! You'll see the drama unfold and the live streaming coverage of the finish along with the GPS Tracker.  Click here now and sign up to see all this drama unfold. It's nothing less than wall to wall excitement!!!

The Insider Is In Unalakleet Right Now

Preparing for the first musher to arrive in Unalakleet.  Right now, Lance Mackey and Jeff King are just miles apart.  Right behind them, keeping up with the blistering pace Mackey has set, is 2010 Yukon Quest Champ Hans Gatt, Hugh Neff, and 2004 Iditarod Champ Mitch Seavey.  Catch each of their arrivals in Unalakleet only on the Iditarod Insider by clicking here.

Catch the Live Finish Online

We're already getting ready for the first musher to arrive in Nome on Tuesday, March 16th. That's the projected date… now all you have to do is log on to the Iditarod Insider and watch all the action as it happens! Who will it be??? You'll have the inside track to the Live Finish only on the Insider. Click here and subscribe today!!!

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Eyes & Team Poster
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