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- Tomaszowski Takes FNSB Assembly Seat B - October 29, 2019
- Food Carts and Cigarette Smoke - October 24, 2019
The loud yammering of multiple conversations filled the ear as a swarm of people congregated outside of the Carlson Center. It was so dense and it was difficult to move. The smell of food cart vendors and cigarette smoke trailed through the air. The food truck Nix’xx Philippine Express was selling mouth-watering Lumpia and Manila Chicken Adobo, so I suppose one could say there was something there for everyone. Those headed for busses couldn’t help but pass tables selling jerky.
The market was held in a large white tent that stretched out into the parking lot from the convention center, where Alaskan craftsmen came to sell their homemade goods at optimistic prices. One vendor was selling sleek homemade bowie knives priced from anywhere between $300 to $500. Another was showing off his collection of carved and engraved walrus tusks priced somewhere in the thousands. The leather wrist bands were smooth and well tanned, adorned with metal that shined bright even in the dim confines of the tent.
The booths had everything from home-made furs to jewelry which was mainly comprised of turquoise, a lot of turquoise.
Cutting back through an area of the Carlson where agencies and businesses could be seen advertising at their kiosks, AARP, Wells Fargo, The Army and a plethora of others. They would discuss with curious onlookers and hand out their pamphlets vigorously. The day was ending and that area was becoming increasingly empty, many people were shuffling about as they prepared to leave and the kiosks were closing up shop. All but the Repeal Dunleavy booth, where a man could be heard waxing political to a small family.
As some people began to get on their busses and walk off towards their cars, the looks of appreciation on their faces was visible and uplifting. A grinning elderly couple that walked slowly into the parking lot, the groups of laughing teenagers who were still squatting on the concrete steps of the Carlson Center. It seemed that for some the sheer act of spending time with friends and family, with members of their community was the real attraction.
