"In Memory of Carman Alexandra Fabiano" in the UAA Arts Building.In the first-floor halls of UAA’s Fine Arts Building, student work is regularly showcased on the walls. Last week, one piece commanded attention in an uncommon way. A 6-by-4-foot acrylic-on-canvas painting called for closer inspection, not only because of its size and vivid color but because of what it portrays – a young woman with a warm, friendly expression. Next to it was a small newspaper clipping.

Nicolas Cage during filming of "The Frozen Ground."There were telltale signs along 3rd Avenue this morning near E Street as I walked from my car to the Hilton. Large equipment trailers, classic cars and giant reflectors let anyone who passed by know that filming of "The Frozen Ground" was about to take place.

Left: NASA satellite image of the oncoming storm. Right: A whirlpool forms in the flood waters in Nome (photo by Matthew Smith / KNOM Radio Mission)
A sharp-eyed reader suggested a curated collection of the strongest photographs to come out of ADN's visual report from the massive storm last week. Our readers did a terrific job of documenting the storm that hit the west coast , so I jumped at the opportunity. The first thing that struck me was this pairing of the satellite image and the whirlpool. See the rest of the editor's picks from the Bering Sea storm

Members of the Toleafoa family enjoy the new snowfall on North Pine Street in Mountain View on Saturday, November 12. From left, Ralph and Raeden pull the sled. Richard lays down while Richelle, Raeven, Jonah Sagato and Rhozlyn go for a ride. Racquelle pushes from behind.

Note about the Focal Point blog: Although the scope of this photo blog is growing and changing, I hope to keep the Mountain View theme alive with occasional updates. Click here to read more about our new plans for this space.

Step Afrika! dance company members had a workshop with East High School dance class students before their shows with the Anchorage Symphony. Saturday's performance is the world premiere of "Symphony in Step".
See more Step Afrika photos
Step Afrika!

The wet snow and high wind conditions at Portage Lake make interesting snow patterns on the walls around the Portage Visitor Center.

Portage Snow 1

Portage Lake Snow 3

Before the natural snow comes, ski areas help Mother Nature. Making snow at Hilltop Ski Area

See more snow making photos

Sometimes the ice that happens early in the winter is some of the most beautiful. Bob Hallinen explored the ice scene before the recent snowfalls. See more ice photos

Ice: Ice formations on mud puddles in east Anchorage.Ice

At top, Vissnu Bhottori harvests red potatoes at the Fresh International Gardens area along McPhee Avenue in Mountain View on Wednesday, September 28, 2011.

Items are left as a memorial at a the scene of a fire on McPhee Avenue on Saturday, July 30. A fire department spokesman said the body of a girl was found in the home as firefighters battled the blaze on Wednesday, July 27, 2011.

Ia Vue works in her garden.A plot gets watered on July 20.Soup can tops. A wind chime?Growing season is in full bloom at McPhee Community Gardens in Mountain View. The Anchorage Parks and Recreation Department rents more than 50 plots in an effort to help residents provide affordable and nutritious food for themselves.

A portion of the newly painted map.Dalton King loosens a fence post for removal.Twonyia McGee-Andrews, center, with daughters Ty-Tiana and Teresanna.Dozens of volunteers met at William B. Lyons Park on Saturday, July 16, to begin improvement efforts there.

Michelle Estell, facing, greets Sandra Black.Shane Bannarbie and daughter Anaya, 2, cheer as they watch Jacob, 6, reach the top of the climbing wall.The third annual Mountain View Street Fair brought out thousands for activities around Clark Middle School on Saturday afternoon, June 25, 2011. Live entertainment, food, a hoops tournament and mural painting was just some of what brought out the crowd on a cool and cloudy summer day.

Soua Vue.African groups dance together.Omima Adam and six-month-old Malaak.Many of the people celebrating at Lion’s Park in Mountain View on Friday traveled a long way to get there. The World Refugee Day event recognized residents who have relocated to Anchorage from across the globe.

A work on canvas.A work on dumpster.
Meno, one of Anchorage’s most prolific and most-wanted graffiti artists, has a simple explanation for how he picks locations to show his work. “I look for spots that need it,” he said.

Jenardvis Ware, of the Mat Valley Maulers, passes as he is tackled by Thomas Foilefutu of the Thunderbirds.Brennen Kraemer of the Mat Valley Maulers and Apelu Asailevai of the Thunderbirds reach for the ball.Viliami Fakatou.

Becky Kendall and Momentum Dance Collective."Bill Tsurnos," a painting by Erin Pollock.Party-goers paint Enzina Marrari.
The MTS Gallery didn't quietly turn off the lights and lock its doors for good on Saturday night. It went out dancing, drumming, stimulating and breathing fire.

The Green Monkeys cheer after a game. Coach Michael Spruill is at top right.Lions Park in Mountain View sprang back to life this week as Polar Little League's season got underway. The league an opening ceremony last weekend and a full slate of games Tuesday, May 17. Nearly every parking spot was taken around three diamonds as parents took in the sights and sounds of early summer. Annette Hutton watched from the office above the snack stand.

Nevaeh Heartwell gets help with her laces from grandmother Patricia Ray.Denise Tilley gives out high-fives.On this warm and sunny spring morning in Mountain View, the falcon never stood a chance. Hundreds of runners chased down the Clark Middle School mascot on the neighborhood streets in the second annual Faster Than A Falcon run on Saturday, May 14.

Jessica Leonard's baby is due just days after her graduation.Samantha WilliamsMoments before the start of the Crossroads School graduation ceremony on May 6, Jessica Leonard took a few deep breaths while sitting backstage. She hoped to receive her high school diploma before she went into labor, if only by a few days.