ParentPoints : Signing Off With One Last Outing

ParentPoints

This blog is for all parents; those in the traditional workforce, those who work from home, and those who work at home. Join our conversations about balancing the needs of family with the demands of work, discovering resources and activities around Alaska, and opening a dialogue about the perks and challenges of parenthood. One of our three contributors emphasizes teen and family issues. We welcome your comments but please keep them on point and civil. Avoid personal attacks and the use of profanity.

Contributors

Erin Kirkland

Erin Kirkland writes freelance and lives in Anchorage with her husband and two boys, 14 and 3. She has covered family-related topics for newspapers, parenting magazines and the Web. Erin and her family moved to Anchorage in 2005. She'll post on Wednesdays about great activities the entire family can participate in, and enjoy, together.

Gina Romero

Gina Romero is a lifelong Alaskan who is passionate about parenting. She left Alaska for a short time to earn a degree in journalism and returned for a job at Channel 2 News. Gina produced the Channel 2 Newshour for the better part of a decade and more recently served as communications specialist at the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce. Career perspectives changed when her daughter was born in 2007, and Gina is now a mother by day and freelance writer by night. Her Monday blog posts will focus on striking a healthy balance between work and family.

Heather Lende

Writer Heather Lende has 5 children, biological and adopted, aged 17-25 and has been married to their dad for 26 years. She also coaches high school runners. She'll try to help you with teenage, young adult, and family matters. Expect her posts on Fridays.

Signing Off With One Last Outing

Posted by Erin Kirkland

Posted: April 29, 2009 - 9:05 pm

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Today, ParentPoints readers, represents the last post from the family outing perspective. My other freelance work involving a new family travel blog, AK on the GO, has taken on a life of its own, a good thing to be sure, but I will miss my weekly visits with ADN readers.

But, in the spirit of family activities in and around Anchorage, I leave you with one final idea for exploring fun downtown. In between visits to the Native Youth Olympic Games last weekend, the boys and I discovered the Alaska Law Enforcement Museum, or the State Trooper Museum, as many Anchorage-ites know it. Located at 245 W. 5th Avenue, the museum is a look inside the often-overlooked business of law enforcement in what has to be one of the toughest states to patrol.

A half-million square miles of territory; that's how much real estate Alaska law enforcement personnel oversee. The unique layout of the tiny but jam-packed Law Enforcement Museum brings police and fire/rescue jobs to the forefront. Our preschooler, enthralled these days by anything relating to the movie "Cars", was absolutely beside himself with the real, live, Hudson Hornet displayed in the facility.

My husband and I enjoyed looking at hundreds of photos and newspaper clippings from days past involving law enforcement in Alaska. Fascinating when one considers the lawlessness of a Territory just beginning to attract national attention.

The museum is free and has a gift shop and very helpful volunteers who are more than willing to show off exhibits. Our son received much attention on the afternoon we visited; much appreciated for certain.

Our law enforcement folks deserve all the kudos they can from we citizens. Visit this summer and show your appreciation. It's a small something we can do for Alaska's Finest.

The museum is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Saturdays Noon - 4 p.m., and are closed Sundays and Holidays. 907-279-5050. Alaska Law Enforcement Museum