Honesty about Anchorage

[CharlotteBound88]

Man, I can't believe Muldoon is getting such a bum rap!!! I grew up off Muldoon (Pioneer Drive, close to Scenic Park elementary school) and I loved it. Then again, I was a kid and didn't know any better. And that was 20 years ago! I went to Bartlett, which I must say was a very good school, at least in the early 90s it was.

[Glitch]

Anchorage has a much higher crime rate than other cities of comparible size. Anchorage even has a higher crime rate than New York or Los Angeles. Alaska is the worst state in the Union with regard to forcible rapes. Anchorage has the lowest percentage of forcible rapes in the state, and it is still more than double the national average.

See https://www.city-data.com/forum/2485754-post20.html

[Alaskapat528]

Originally Posted by niceplacetovisit

I would be more afraid to live in Wasilla or "the valley" for that matter. For fear of mistakeningly stumbling upon or getting to near to someones basement pot growing operation or some other sort of illegal drug production facility.

I will assume you live in Las Anchorage.

[Floyd_Davidson]

Originally Posted by Glitch

No, it isn't true. First of all, you have to be above 67°N latitude (a.k.a. Arctic Circle) for there to be 24 hours of total darkness in the winter (or 24 hours of total daylight in the summer) and even then it only lasts for 3 months. The days begin to get shorter after the Summer Solstice, and begin to get longer after the Winter Solstice.

Well, here at a little more than 71 degrees North Latitude, it is NEVER "24 hours of total darkness", much less for 3 months of the year.

On December 21 there is enough light to drive a car without headlights on (not that it would be a smart thing to do in twilight).

[Dusty Rhodes]

Why do I suspect the problem here is one of linguistics, "total" darkness, is normally found in mines and caves quite a ways underground where no light can make it in on it's own. Suspect the accurate term would be "relative" darkness, the night, even here in the lower 48 (without the benefit of the lights that dance in the sky) is not total darkness, but, relative darkness. It is night. Soooooooo, kinda by definition it is darker than day but it is not total darkness, I can see to walk around, I don't bump into trees or get lost in my own yard, both stars and moon shed enough light for visibility. Does Alaska get total darkness? No. Somehow I suspect I am not the only person who has noticed the effect a layer of snow has on night time visibility, almost a bluish tint, really pretty, I like watching the night sky, and landscapes, with snow on the ground, a falling snow clears the dust particles, smog, et al from the air, makes things clearer. I don't know if you can read a newspaper by the dancing lights - I gotta get back up there in winter so I can see them first hand, also wanna be in Fairbanks for the Ice Festival. From what I have read, one does not even find total darkness in Space, or, not at least the parts that humans have witnessed, as for the rest of space, tis a lot of it, virtually anything may be possible.

[alaskangirlforever]

Originally Posted by Glitch

No, it isn't true. First of all, you have to be above 67°N latitude (a.k.a. Arctic Circle) for there to be 24 hours of total darkness in the winter (or 24 hours of total daylight in the summer) and even then it only lasts for 3 months. The days begin to get shorter after the Summer Solstice, and begin to get longer after the Winter Solstice.

Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska, gets about 3.5 hours of daylight on Winter Solstice, and 20.5 hours of daylight on Summer Solstice.

If you aren't used to it, the lack of light can cause Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is a form of depression. Getting outside during the winter, or just staying active, a few extra lights around the house, and maintaining a regular sleep schedule is the best way to fight off those winter blues.

Slight correction here... Anchorage isn't dark for extended periods... The very north edge of the state of Alaska does stay dark for appx 3 months at a time (and conversely, light for appx 3 months).

Lighting is a great help to fend off SAD. Look for full spectrum bulbs with a rating of 90. Works wonders!

[icarian]

Must be the pound on glitch thread. Alaskagirl, glitch said that Anchorage didn't get "dark" 24/7 in the winter. See his comment about daylight in Anchorage on the two solstices. Then dear ole Floyd retorted that it doesn't get "dark" up where he is at 71N.

As Dusty said, think it is a matter linguistic context and in this particular thread, glitch was speaking Greek to some.

Oompa!

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by icarian

Must be the pound on glitch thread.

Every thread is pound on glitch thread!

[travelmate38]

Who the heck cares about total winter darkness, it is a mute arguement. That is because we have days on end of overcast, dark cloud days, complete with light drizzle, or down-pouring rain, for the enitre duration of the summer season............THEN we get the total darkness of winter. How nice it is! Anyone miss the sun?