Anchorage Dinner Update

Anchorage is hosting dinner, Wednesday, May 4, 2005, during the SATW Western Chapter Spring Meeting. Enjoy Alaska tales and legends while savoring Alaska cuisine. Scroll down to find themed dinner descriptions for topics, guests of honor, and host restaurants.

If you have already registered for the SATW meeting, you are welcome to change your dinner reservation by contacting Barb at Alaska Destination Specialists, Inc. by March 15, 2005. Contact (907) 276-5550, or SATW@alaskadestinations.com.

Register by March 15, 2005, at www.SATWanchorage.net and be entered to win 10 pounds Alaska King Crab. Contact (907) 754-2211 to request a faxed registration form.

Anchorage Dinner Choices

1. Alaska Aviation
Alaska's oldest and most experienced seaplane operator, Rust’s Flying Service, has been flying since 1963. Hank Rust founded Rust's Flying Service with a single engine floatplane, two decades of flying experience and a sincere desire to share his love of the real Alaska. Join guest guests of honor Todd and Suzanne Rust at the Hotel Captain Cook for tales of bygone days and the future of aviation in Alaska.

2. Alaska Native Culture
After you have explored 10,000 years of Alaska history and art at the Anchorage Museum's pre-dinner reception, immerse yourself in Alaska Native culture at a private dinner in the heart of the 26-acre wooded Alaska Native Heritage Center. Alaska Native business leaders, artisans, elders, and storytellers will share their stories, including Perry Eaton – Alutiiq mask carver and Alyeska Pipeline Service Company’s Corporate Relations Manager. Learn firsthand how Alaska Natives are weaving their traditions in today's business world.

3. Alaska Olympians (combined with The Great Outdoors)

4. Alaska Pioneer
Join Cynthia Toohey at the Sourdough Mining Company for a family-style feast. The Toohey family has lived at operated the Crow Creek Gold Mine for more than 20 years. Jack Lewis, owner of Sourdough Mining Company, will also be a guest with tales of striking it rich in Alaska. Jack moved to Alaska in the hopes of hitting the mother lode!

5. Anchorage Economic Development / Anchorage Civic and Convention Center
Enjoy an evening with the Mayor of Anchorage, Mark Begich, the first municipal mayor born and raised in Anchorage, also a 20-year Anchorage businessman. He has owned and operated several Anchorage businesses, upgrading commercial buildings and renting affordable housing to nearly 50 Anchorage families. Bruce Bustamante, president and CEO of the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau will join the mayor for this dinner, held at the Hilton Anchorage.

6. Endurance Sports (combined with The Great Outdoors)

7. The Great Outdoors
Enjoy a delectable meal at Glacier BrewHouse – voted Anchorage’s Best BrewPub. A trio of honored guests, including Olympic athletes, experienced outdoor journalist, and endurance sports athlete will share their adventures of training, competing, and exploring Alaska’s wild playground. Alaska's active outdoor lifestyle has cultivated many Olympic athletes, including guests of honor Rachel Steer and Rosey Fletcher. Anchorage has the ambition of hosting the World Olympics.

8. Legendary Tales of a Musher
Enjoy the evening with veteran mushers Norman Vaughan and Carolyn Muegge-Vaughan at the Millennium Alaskan Hotel Anchorage overlooking Lake Hood – the world’s busiest float plane base. Norman’s motto is to “Dream big and dare to fail” which resonates in everything he touches. Carolyn met Norman in 1986 in Georgia, came to Alaska and fell in love with the Iditarod, Alaska and Norman. They married on New Year’s Eve, 1987.

9. Local Performer/Artist
Discuss the Anchorage Art scene over cocktails with Artique Ltd. President, Tennys Owens, and May First Friday collage artist, Guitta Corey. Continue the night while enjoying the eclectic New American cuisine of Sacks Café and Restaurant.

10. Writing Alaska
Born and raised on a 75-foot fish tender in the Gulf of Alaska, Dana Stabenow’s life is as interesting and intriguing as the mystery novels she writes. Join Dana at the award-winning restaurant for a variety of Alaska seafood and other Italian delicacies at ORSO, located downtown in the heart of Anchorage.