Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why JBER suddenly banned troops from this well-known downtown Anchorage bar.
And check out Winter Solstice Festival on the Anchorage Patch calendar
Good morning Anchorage! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Why JBER suddenly banned troops from this well-known downtown Anchorage bar.
- How Anchorage’s Native conferences became a runway for “big auntie” earrings
- Did you feel Monday’s quake in the eastern Anchorage Bowl?
Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Anchoragefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Tuesday: Mostly sunny and very cold, with a high of 13 and low of 5 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
- Wednesday: Very cold with plenty of sun, temps: high: 13, low: 5.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny and very cold, with a high of 10 and low of -1 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. JBER bans service members from going to Anchorage bar (alaskasnewssource.com) — Military personnel stationed at JBER are now banned from the Gaslight Bar in downtown Anchorage, affecting more than 5,500 service members. The move follows a history of violent incidents at the bar and has sparked debate among bar owners, veterans, and military families about fairness and safety. 
Find out what's happening in Anchoragefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
2. Recent Native gatherings in Alaska brim with ‘big auntie' energy (buffalosfire.com) — Thousands of Alaska Native people recently gathered in Anchorage for back-to-back statewide conferences that turned the convention halls into a showcase of bold “auntie” earrings and cultural pride. From beaders selling salmon-leather hoops to families reconnecting through traditional crafts, the events highlighted how fashion, art, and intergenerational teaching are helping urban and rural Natives strengthen culture and community ties.
3. Alaska - Earthquake: Glacier View Area Shaken by M3.0 Tremor Monday Morning (countryherald.com) — A small magnitude 3.0 earthquake hit near Glacier View on Monday, with light shaking possibly felt in the eastern Anchorage Bowl and parts of Mat-Su. No injuries, damage, or outages were reported, but seismologists urge Anchorage-area residents to review earthquake plans, secure heavy furniture, and report any shaking they noticed to improve impact data.
4. How Long Is the Train Ride From Anchorage to Fairbanks, Alasla? (thetundradrums.com) — If you’re planning a trip between Anchorage and Fairbanks, expect the Alaska Railroad ride to take about 12 hours, summer or winter. The article compares this scenic, stop-filled route with much faster flight and driving options, helping Anchorage travelers weigh comfort and views against travel time.
5. Condolences pour in for late director, actor Rob Reiner (alaskasnewssource.com) — Anchorage’s KTUU is sharing tributes to filmmaker Rob Reiner after he and his wife were found fatally stabbed in their Los Angeles home, with their son arrested on suspicion of murder. Local creatives reflect on how Reiner’s films, from “The Princess Bride” to “Stand By Me,” shaped their love of storytelling and will continue to influence their work.
📸 Around Anchorage
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📣 Anchorage Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
- 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 - Bereavement Support with Ancora Home Health & Hospice
Ancora Home Health & Hospice , 3831 E. Blue Lupine Dr. Suite B , Wasilla
1:00 pm - Lego My Library
Valdez Consortium Library , 212 Fairbanks PO Box 609 , Valdez
3:30 pm - Autism Group Meetup
Kaladi Brothers Coffee , 12350 Industry Way , Anchorage
5:00 pm - Girdwood, AK - Alyeska Sitzmark Bar & Grill
Sitzmark Bar & Grill , 100 Olympic Mountain Loop , Girdwood
7:00 pm - Preschool Storytime
Sutton Public Library , 11301 Chickaloon Way , Sutton
11:00 am - ABC123 Storytime
Valdez Consortium Library , 212 Fairbanks PO Box 609 , Valdez
11:15 am
Tuesday December 16
Wednesday December 17
Thursday December 18
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
- If you live near Turpin and have power out, this may be the culprit.
Tree hit power line on Lila’s place in between E 6th Ave and Donna Drive. The power line is running across the road. (Nextdoor Upper Northeast) - I was going to get my trash can blown away down my driveway and one false move and I was blown down.
Likity split there was a kind man and his two boys at my side trying to assist me. I am so grateful for their help in getting the trashcan and I… (Nextdoor Sand Lake West)
- H&R Block, Inc. posted a job opening for Bookkeeper in Wasilla. Apply here.
- McDonald's Restaurants posted a job opening for McDonald's Starts Crew AT $16 openers, closers, dayside, Overnights Anchorage, Eagle River, Kodiak, Wasilla, Palmer in Wasilla. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Anchorage here.
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 don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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