Fairbanks Ak Real Estate News & Info

Old Saint Nick, North Pole's most famous resident, definitely has his hands busy right now. Aside from keeping all the elves busy making toys and making sure his 'naughty or nice' list is up to date (you have been good, haven't you?), he's up to his elbows in red tape preparing for his upcoming 24 hour round-the-world gift blitz, which btw, is less than 60 days away.

Then, of course, he has to make sure Rudolph and the gang is in top to shape for the trip, but despite his increasingly hectic schedule, Santa has graciously agreed to sponsor Santa's Art Show, which will be held on December 7th at the North Pole Grange. (Follow the signs off Santa Claus Lane)

Members of Watercolor Wednesday, an offshoot of the North Pole Art Society, can display and sell their paintings at no charge. Nonmembers will be charged a nominal $5 fee. Membership to Watercolor Wednesday/North Pole Art Society is $25 year, which gives members a portion of the gallery for showing their work during the First Friday events and allows artists to participate in the weekly Watercolor Wednesday painting sessions and to get discounts on workshops.

Be sure to stop by and see the "itty bitty, teeny weeny, elf-sized paintings. For more information on Santa's Art Show, Watercolor Wednesday, or North Pole Art Society, call John Poirrier at 488-7247 or Sandra Giddings at 488-2127.

Energy Conservation Tips in Fairbanks, Alaska.  Here are a few ways to help offset your energy use during Alaska's cold, dark winters.

Your mortgage payment and property tax bill may be pretty much a fixed cost, shaving the cost of your utility usage is relatively easy to do.  As the old saying goes; a penny saved is a penny earned. 

 1. Go Fluorescent:  Replace your incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent ones--they are four times more energy efficient and can provide a much more natural-looking light. Savings?  Roughly $60 per year. 

2. Get Reflective:  If replacing your old windows isn't within your budget this year, think about covering the glass with a protective film. Found at any home improvement store, this film keeps retain heat during the winter and reflect it in the summer.

3. Bundle Up... your water heater.  Your Water Heater. Heating water requires a lot of energy and costs a pretty penny, so insulate your water heater with a kit purchased from your local home improvement store. The cover will only set you back about $10.

4. Vacuum Your Fridge:  Because it's on all the time, your fridge accounts for 8% of your home's total energy expenditure, so this is a worthwhile project.  Experts recommend that you clean the coils once every 6 to 12 months, depending on your lifestyle. (If you have pets or live in an area that's prone to dust, it's best to clean them more often.)

5. Change your Settings:  If it isn't already, turn your water heater to 120 degrees Fahrenheit; you don't really need tap water any hotter.  When you aren't at home, remember to turn your thermostat down so that you aren't heating an empty house, but warm enough to keep things from freezing. Consider installing a programmable thermostat.

Additional energy saving tips and resources can be found at the US Department of Energy.

Interior Weatherization Inc., a nonprofit program associated with the Alaska Housing Finance Corp., uses state and federal grants to help qualifying homeowners make their homes more energy efficient. They don't turn people away who are higher income and looking for advice, however. "We're always happy to talk to folks," said director James Lee. Call them at 452-5323.

Anyone can hire an energy specialist to look at their home and advise them on how to get the most bang for their buck. AHFC keeps a list of "AkWarm Certified Energy Raters" by region on its Web site at http://www.ahfc.state.ak.us/home/energy_rater_guide.cfm

Always timely and a rich source of practical home improvement information, the Cooperative Extension Service recently published a new pamphlet titled "Tips on Insulating an Existing House," available online with other publications about everything from caulking and sealing to tuning up your furnace at http://www.uaf.edu/ces/faculty/seifert/energy.htm

Golden Valley Electric Association has its HomeSense program. For $40 a specialist will come to your home and recommend ways to reduce electrical usage and install some energy-saving devices at no cost. The free gadgets, plus savings on future electric bills, make the visit well worth the $40.

Energy Conservation in Fairbanks Alaska - It's a smart thing for the environment and your wallet!

Two faculty members appointed to serve in the University of Alaska Fairbanks' newest endowed chairs recently met with representatives of the donors whose gifts established their positions. The meetings allowed donors to learn more about the faculty members and the work they plan during the time they serve as the chairs. An endowed faculty chair requires a donation to the university exceeding $2 million. UAF currently has four endowed chairs.

Associate professor Mary Childers Mangusso, lower photo; left, who was recently appointed to the Arthur T. Fathauer Chair in History, stands with Ted Fathauer during a reception earlier this month. Fathauer is a trustee for the University of Alaska Foundation and lead forecaster for the Fairbanks National Weather Service office. His mother, the late Helen Ann Fathauer, established the Fathauer Chair in 2000 in honor of her late husband, who studied history at the University of Chicago. This is the first year it became fully endowed, which allowed the university to fill the position. Mangusso will serve in the position for three years, during which she will teach and mentor students, as well as give public lectures.

Professor Joel Shurkin, top photo; center, who was recently appointed to the Charles W. Snedden Chair in Journalism, meets with Snedden family representative Virginia Farmier, left, and College of Liberal Arts Dean Ron Davis during a reception earlier this month. Helen Snedden established the Snedden Chair in 2003 in memory of her late husband, the former publisher and owner of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner. Since its establishment, the chair has allowed the UAF journalism department to bring a series of nationally known journalists to Fairbanks to speak to students, local journalists and the public. Shurkin, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist who will serve in the position for the 2007-2008 academic year, is the first full-time faculty member appointed to the Snedden Chair.

 

This property has been SOLD by The Spouses

Fairbanks Alaska Home For Sale - Spacious home in the hills convenient to Fort Wainwright & Eielson Air Force Base!

1571 Alpine Vista Way Fairbanks, Alaska 99712 (GoogleMaps Link) $295,000 

Enjoy coming home to this spacious hillside oasis.  Conveniently located off Gilmore Trail with level, easy access, this 4 bedroom  3 bath home is wonderfully situated on 1.9 private, wooded acres and oriented to take full advantage of the southern sun and privacy offered by the lot.  The main floor is home to a bright and cheery great room, which features vaulted ceilings, laminate floors and a energy saving woodstove, a well appointed kitchen that is sure to delight the chef in the family as well as a full bathroom and a generous bedroom, which could easily serve as a den/office.  Upstairs you'll find a very large master suite with vaulted ceilings, south facing light and ample closet space along with a secondary bedroom.  The lower level in this home is a real gem.  In addition to a bedroom and full bath, a large family room and indoor workshop are an added bonus. 

For a personal tour of this wonderful home, call Jesse or Kathy today at 907.699.6024 or email us for an appointment.

Jesse & Kathy Clifton
SPOUSES SELLING HOUSES

Jesse Clifton Real Estate, LLC
Carriage House Realty 
410 Dunkel Street - Fairbanks, Alaska 99709
Direct: (907) 699-6024 - Fax: (866) 421-4339
http://www.the-spouses.com - jesse@the-spouses.com  

North Pole Alaska Home For Sale - New home in excellent neighborhood close to Fort Wainwright & Eielson Air Force Base!

        

      

2785 Dagan Circle - North Pole, Alaska (GoogleMaps Link) $272,000

Stunning 4 bedroom 3 bath home in one of North Pole's most coveted neighborhoods.  Neighborhood is often touted in real estate ads and sometimes the hype doesn't live up to expectations.  This is the EXCEPTION.  Very friendly and courteous neighbors... the kind that cut your grass for you when you're out of town.  All homes are two acres+/-, are all less than 5-6 years old and immacuately cared for.  Loaded with charm, this home has been immaculately cared for.  Tile floors throughout the living area, kitchen and dining room.  Oak cabinets with tile countertops and upgraded appliances.  Master suite features laminate floors, walk in closets and a master bath with tile flooring and countertops and a 6' spa tub with tile surround.  A guest bedroom (currently being used as an office) and a full bath complete the main floor.  A sweeping staircase with oak railings leads to the second floor which houses two generous bedrooms, both with large walk in closets, and a full bath.  Don't miss the triple car garage, additional storage building, the wonderful covered deck and circular drive for RV's or your boat.  Call today for a personal tour of this wonderful home.

Jesse & Kathy Clifton
SPOUSES SELLING HOUSES

Jesse Clifton Real Estate, LLC
Carriage House Realty
410 Dunkel Street - Fairbanks, Alaska 99709
Direct: (907) 699-6024 - Fax: (866) 421-4339
http://www.the-spouses.com/ - jesse@the-spouses.com