Bedtime in Alaska – Daily Wrap Up
27 01 2009The First Week – After seven days as president, 44% of those surveyed by Rasmussen “strongly approve” of the way Barack Obama is doing his job. So far, so good.
Palin Gets Free Ad Time During Superbowl?? - Word has it that several pro-Palin military families here in Alaska were contacted to be part of a commercial set to air during the Superbowl pre-game show. The shooting was scheduled around Sarah Palin’s calendar so she could appear in the spot. Wonder what that little bit of PR is worth? Hmmm…would that be a “thing of value” by any chance? (hopeful smile) The premise of the spot is to thank the troops, and it’s being paid for by an outside private source. More details to come.
THIS is new – At least I think it is. Check out the GIANT red warning on the Office Contacts and Locations page of the State of Alaska website. Sounds like they’ve been receiving some partisan communications lately. Surprising? Not.
JUNEAU MUDSTOCK!!! That’s right, our state’s capital is the next location for a Mudstock meetup! Join your fellow Juneau Mudpuppies on January 31, from 4-7pm. Details can be found HERE*, or email me at akmuckraker(at)yahoo(dot)com for details! ( *Corrected link)
Rural Update – Looks like a small step was taken for food aid that doesn’t have to be flown in. The Federal Subsistence Board acted to extend the moose season below Mountain Village until February 28, 2009 for one moose.
Too Much Love! - For those of you wondering why we were down for a little while this afternoon, the ADN Newsreader and Daily Kos both linked to Ann Strongheart’s diary about her rural shopping trip, and there was so much interest and so many thousands of simultaneous hits, it jammed the tubes! Doh! Now that’s what I call being loved to death! At least a lot more people understand a bit more about life in rural Alaska, and Ann has definitely gotten her 15 minutes of fame in the blogosphere!
An Absolutely Amazing Picture – I’ve spent a good amount of time simply looking at this photo and zooming on on various areas. It’s remarkable! A robotic camera mount was used, and more than 200 images were stitched together to come up with the finished product. Basically, this is like the ultimate Where’s Waldo of Washington. You can clearly identify Barack Obama at the podium, and find lots of luminaries in the crowd. And if you were one of the lucky ones to be relatively close, you may find yourself! You can zoom in multiple times. Have fun! If you’re up for a “Where’s Waldo Challenge”, I challenge you to find John Conyers and Dick Cheney. I also defy you to not laugh out loud when you find our ex-Veep. Too amusing. Click HERE.
January 28th, 2009 at 12:01 PM
My daughter and her boyfriend race competitively, spent probably 20 grand last year. No tax deduction there. It’s a sport. Not a business. But maybe you can write it off if it costs X amount to win X amount. I don’t know. What if you pay 5 bucks to play bingo and win a grand? Can you write off the five dollar fee?
January 28th, 2009 at 12:02 PM
I could only get 35 seconds of play from KTOO. Is that how it’s supposed to work thru them? Normally, I can stream for non-stop coverage.
January 28th, 2009 at 12:03 PM
I work from home and don’t even write off my office space. I don’t want to get audited and then slammed because I have a spare bed in the office used for guests. They are real quirky when they audit.
January 28th, 2009 at 12:04 PM
sauerkrautNo Gravatar (11:50:25) :
womanwithsardinecanNo Gravatar (10:38:28) :
Cherryl, You need to read up on village life before you go all granola on them.
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hahahahaha… going granola on them. Gonna have to remember that one.
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Little sister (Martha Unalaska Sign) turned me on to that saying years ago and I’ve always loved it. I use it often. I LIVE in granolatown, aka sixtiesbythesea.
January 28th, 2009 at 12:04 PM
In general, taxpayers may deduct ordinary and necessary expenses for conducting a trade or business. An ordinary expense is an expense that is common and accepted in the taxpayer’s trade or business. A necessary expense is one that is appropriate for the business. Generally, an activity qualifies as a business if it is carried on with the reasonable expectation of earning a profit.
In order to make this determination, taxpayers should consider the following factors:
Does the time and effort put into the activity indicate an intention to make a profit?
Does the taxpayer depend on income from the activity?
If there are losses, are they due to circumstances beyond the taxpayer’s control or did they occur in the start-up phase of the business?
Has the taxpayer changed methods of operation to improve profitability?
Does the taxpayer or his/her advisors have the knowledge needed to carry on the activity as a successful business?
Has the taxpayer made a profit in similar activities in the past?
Does the activity make a profit in some years?
Can the taxpayer expect to make a profit in the future from the appreciation of assets used in the activity?
The IRS presumes that an activity is carried on for profit if it makes a profit during at least three of the last five tax years, including the current year — at least two of the last seven years for activities that consist primarily of breeding, showing, training or racing horses.
If an activity is not for profit, losses from that activity may not be used to offset other income. An activity produces a loss when related expenses exceed income. The limit on not-for-profit losses applies to individuals, partnerships, estates, trusts, and S corporations. It does not apply to corporations other than S corporations.
Deductions for hobby activities are claimed as itemized deductions on Schedule A (Form 1040). These deductions must be taken in the following order and only to the extent stated in each of three categories:
Deductions that a taxpayer may take for personal as well as business activities, such as home mortgage interest and taxes, may be taken in full.
Deductions that don’t result in an adjustment to basis, such as advertising, insurance premiums and wages, may be taken next, to the extent gross income for the activity is more than the deductions from the first category.
Business deductions that reduce the basis of property, such as depreciation and amortization, are taken last, but only to the extent gross income for the activity is more than the deductions taken in the first two categories.
Link:
Further information is available in IRS Publication 535, Business Expenses
January 28th, 2009 at 12:08 PM
@Tewise (06:19:46) :
It’s Legislative Session time. She’s “actually” living in Juneau during Session (at least that’s the story, and I think they’re sticking to it), so that she can work with the Legislators. However, I just saw that she’s finally meeting with them all for the first time this Session, which started over a week ago…
January 28th, 2009 at 12:08 PM
@Paula Cochran (09:19:53) :
Someone posted it over at the Forum. Here it is: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/#28882526
January 28th, 2009 at 12:09 PM
womanwithsardinecanNo Gravatar (12:01:20) :
Does ANYBODY know what the Queen’s schedule is this week?
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Yes. It’s the same for every day.
sleep until 10 a.m.
check facebook to see how many new friends I have.
make coffee and talk to the girls until 10:05 a.m.
check facebook to see how many new friends I have.
play online slingo until 1 p.m.
check facebook to see how many new friends I have.
chat in AOL chatrooms until 4 p.m.
check facebook to see how many new friends I have.
read blogs and see what the haters are saying about me until 5 p.m.
check facebook to see how many new friends I have.
make mac’n'cheese from box and feed the girls.
check facebook to see how many new friends I have.
change into a fresh pair of pj’s. yell at the girls to wash the dirty clothes.
check facebook to see how many new friends I have.
go back into the basement and blog in the fresh pj’s until Rachel comes on.
check facebook to see how many new friends I have.
watch the rachel maddow show ‘cuz I like her like that.
check facebook to see how many new friends I have.
read whatever newspapers and magazines didn’t come today.
go back to blogging with all my friends at sarahpac and team sarah. tell them how many new friends I have on facebook.
brush teeth.
tuck self in.
January 28th, 2009 at 12:09 PM
And then there’s :
Hobby Expenses
You can generally deduct hobby expenses, but only up to the amount of hobby income. A hobby is not a business because it is not carried on to make a profit. See Not-for-Profit Activities in chapter 1 of Publication 535.
So, I guess it is deducatble if you want it to be? Good thing to know.
January 28th, 2009 at 12:10 PM
@Magyar ni Braoin (09:37:54) :
Those “fur” clad folks are part of a very important cultural tradition in Petersburg, AK, the Little Norway Festival. Don’t knock cultural traditions, and I wouldn’t be so sure it’s all real fur anyway.
January 28th, 2009 at 12:12 PM
MSNBC, I’ve made the bigtime. Thanks:-) Though I don’t know how to get into the forum, time to try. I am off to read the newest post. See you there.
January 28th, 2009 at 12:22 PM
@Goalie in NM (11:34:22) :
@pvazwindy (11:22:35) :
This link ought to work for getting the Legislative meeting on a live stream: http://www.ktoo.org/gavel/ This page lists what streams are scheduled. You can also go to each day’s schedule at: http://www.ktoo.org/gavel/schedule.cfm to see what else may be occurring.
However, it appears that Gavel-To-Gavel will not be airing the House Judiciary Committee meeting video and audio streams until 10 pm Alaska Standard Time this evening (this is what happens when they have to record multiple meetings at the same time–broadcast of some of them has to be delayed).
January 28th, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Oops, got sent to moderation due to two links in a comment; maybe this will work until it gets freed:
@Goalie in NM (11:34:22) :
@pvazwindy (11:22:35) :
This link ought to work for getting the Legislative meeting on a live stream: http://www.ktoo.org/gavel/ This page lists what streams are scheduled. You can check the daily schedule by clicking on the link at the top that says “Today’s Schedule”.
However, it appears that Gavel-To-Gavel will not be airing the House Judiciary Committee meeting video and audio streams until 10 pm Alaska Standard Time this evening (this is what happens when they have to record multiple meetings at the same time–broadcast of some of them has to be delayed).
January 28th, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Okay, sorry for the OT but I have a question. Is there one place I can go to find out what is needed by the villagers that I can send to them and where? I know I have seen the info in the comments somewhere. Maybe a website about this? Please don’t send me to the forum, I get confused in there! lol I’ll even promise not to send soy!
Thanks in advance.
Just wanna help!
January 28th, 2009 at 1:20 PM
Zoomed in on GW and DC-VP. George looks seriously bummed out and Cheney does
look the part of a mobster…:lol:
January 28th, 2009 at 1:22 PM
See if this one works
January 28th, 2009 at 1:23 PM
Shazam
January 28th, 2009 at 1:25 PM
Competitive dog mushers and snowmachine racers may file as a business or a hobby with the IRS, depending on their success. If listed as a hobby, they can take deduct expenses which exceed 2% of their adjusted gross income, up to the amount of their winnings on Sch A. Hobbyists are not subject to self-employment tax.
If they file as a business on Sch C, they may directly deduct all expenses against their winnings, and may report a loss for a given year. A business is for-profit, so repeated losses would be deemed a hobby by the IRS. Those filing as a business are subject to self-employment tax.
Finally, gambling winnings are reported on Form 1040 Line 21 Misc Income (same as PFD), and losses up to the amount of winnings can be deducted on Sch A Line 28 Misc Deductions. You must have written proof of your costs and if you don’t itemize, you can’t reduce your winnings. So save your bingo receipts and raffle stubs in case you win the big one!
January 28th, 2009 at 1:45 PM
sauerkrautNo Gravatar (12:02:40) :
I could only get 35 seconds of play from KTOO. Is that how it’s supposed to work thru them? Normally, I can stream for non-stop coverage.
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That happened to me too??? Probably Barbie censoring us anon bloggers….
January 28th, 2009 at 1:52 PM
ItCouldAlwaysBeWorse Here is the PDF shopping list
http://www.thetundradrums.com/docs/EmmonakVillageAid.pdf
First or second item is peanut butter, so sub some other type of nut butter, b/c all peanuts stuff is being recalled here.
January 28th, 2009 at 1:54 PM
Dud used to sell snow machine’s with a “partner”….and rumors broke the biz up….you know…adultery type rumors….
January 28th, 2009 at 1:54 PM
@crystalwolf a.k.a. caligrl (13:45:47) :
@sauerkrautNo Gravatar (12:02:40) :
There are a couple of possibilities. For starters, did you see my note that AG Colberg at the House Judiciary Comm. won’t be on till 10 pm Alaska time tonight?
Secondly, when there is high demand placed on KTOO’s G-t-G server, there can be issues with streaming quality and duration. Please bear in mind that G-t-G is the only way MANY Alaskans can and do stay in touch with what is going on with THEIR legislature. Not that we’re not happy for all the Outside eyes and ears keeping an eye and an ear on our goings on (because we certainly are), but if there is an issue of interest to many Alaskans being broadcast, the server may get overwhelmed by lots of additional people trying to log in.
January 28th, 2009 at 2:23 PM
@ CO almost native(10:35:20) :
AK mudpups:
Tomorrow is the Alaska Municipal League legislative luncheon in Juneau; Halcrow has said SP refused an invitation to speak. Can someone find out who attended the luncheon (legislators, etc.)- and where SP was and what was she doing? (getting a manicure, practicing her prom queen wave…) I’d like to know how many legislators from both sides of the aisle were there.
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Unless one of our Juneau operatives can take that assignment, I can do it. A friend of mine will be there. She’s in the AML and she’s extremely PO’d that SWWNBN can’t bother to attend.
January 28th, 2009 at 2:44 PM
@ pvazwindy(11:22:35) :
1:00pm, Alaska time, Colberg is to discuss the legislative subpoenas, before the house judiciary cmte. Live audio and tv. I’m going to miss it, could someone listen in and give us a report on it. Thanks.
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You can listen to the archived committee meeting. Go to the state website. Go to the legislature page. There will be instructions on there somewhere on how to listen to that specific meeting. I’m on a dialup and even I can listen to the meetings, either live or archived.
January 28th, 2009 at 3:55 PM
@womanwithsardinecan(12:04:11) : … I LIVE in granolatown, aka sixtiesbythesea.
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Oh, heck, are you down there in the Cosmic Omelet? I’m out here where all the neighbors are either named Jones or Reutov.
January 28th, 2009 at 10:05 PM
NUNAM IQUA FOOD DRIVE
c/o Ann Strongheart
P.O. Box 7
Nunam Iqua, AK 99666
OR if you would like to send boxes directly to needy families I have a list of families including their family size and needs and their PO Box #’s you can email me at nunamiquayouth@yahoo.com if you would like a copy.
Here is a list of things that are desperately needed, since we have no store here in Nunam Iqua we are really struggling to get food and groceries here.
If you would prefer to send a check you can make it payable to:
City of Nunam Iqua
and send it to the above address.
Here’s the list:
Diapers Sizes 1, 3, & 6
Similac Advanced Formula Powder
Canned Evaporated Milk
Dry Powdered Milk
Powdered Eggs
Crackers ( Sailor Boy Pilot Bread unsalted tops are the most used here)
Rice (minute rice)
Noodles
Peanut Butter
Honey
Jam
Juice
TOILET PAPER (everyone is running out)
Flour
Sugar
Coffee
Cereal
Crisco
Coffee Creamer
Pancake Mix
Tea
Canned Vegetables
Dried Fruit
Instant Soups
Ramen Noodles
Cup a noodles
Just basic pantry staples. Even salt, pepper, etc.
Want to donate cash to help by supplies? Here’s how to do it:
• Call Span Alaska, toll free at 1.800.367.9833 if you want to use a credit card over the phone
• Ask for Efton and tell him you would like to make a donation to the “Nunam Iqua Village Aid” account
• * OR * mail a check or money order to: Span Alaska Sales, PO Box 878 Auburn, WA 98071 (be sure to include the account name for Nunam Iqua and your return address for a donation receipt)
• * OR * fax your credit card info to Span Alaska at 1-425-483-2460 (be sure to include the account name for Nunam Iqua and your return address for a donation receipt)
• They will mail you a receipt for your payment with the account name on it for your tax records
• If we add other villages later if they desire and have a coordinator, SPAN Alaska will set up a separate account with the village’s name & coordinator.
• They are CLOSED on the weekend, regular hours are Mon-Friday 7am – 5pm PST
I think this will greatly help the people who can’t afford the minimum order at Span Alaska to send to the village, and also some folks don’t know what you need the most and really want to help in the most efficient way
January 28th, 2009 at 10:24 PM
Evening Mudflatters!!!
OOOH man I almost peed my pants when I read the posts referring to “You need to read up on village life before you go all granola on them. ”
I have refrained from as AKM says “Feeding the Trolls”. Even though sometimes it’s really hard not to make comments back to them. But then I just read on and see y’all taking care of them.
Ok, ANYWAY, an UPDATE here in Nunam Iqua….
We received 6 boxes of food yesterday, I would love to be able to say how much the total weight was but some of the flatrate boxes are coming in with no weight recorded on them. We received boxes from Houston, TX, Wahpeton, ND, and Honolulu, HI. And rumor has it there was a lot of boxes on the flight that came in tonight, don’t know that they are all for the food drive but I am keeping my fingers crossed.
I received a call from the Emmonak Tribal Council this morning and they asked me for a list of those in need here in Nunam Iqua and asked if someone could come get boxes. I put in a call to Grant Aviation in Emmonak and thought well it never hurts to ask… “Can Grant possibly bring the boxes down for us?” Emmonak Grant manager replied and I QUOTE “I would be HONORED to bring them down, and we won’t charge you anything, we’ll bring them down for free” HONORED!! WOW That word stuck with me all day. So hopefully sometime soon we will get boxes from Emmonak.
I am soooooooooo happy Grant Aviation is going to bring them down because I really didn’t want to send someone all the way up there because it has been WELL below freezing all day. Right now at 10 p.m. it’s -10 below zero and dropping still.
(LOL I am still giggling about the granola comment!!) I was laughing so hard I couldn’t hardly explain to my husband what was so funny.
We have been giving out all of the donations the same day they arrive. And I can’t tell you how happy and thankful everyone is!!!!
OOOH and AKM sorry my “Shopping in Nunam Iqua” crashed the site!!! Who could have imagined???? WOW I mean WOW!!! Do y’all have a hit counter? wonder how many people it takes to crash a site??? LOL
Quyana everyone for all of your help!!!!
Ann Strongheart
Nunam Iqua Food Drive
c/o Ann Strongheart
P.O. Box 7
Nunam Iqua, AK 99666
January 28th, 2009 at 10:26 PM
Paula Cochran (10:40:20) :
Are you telling me the orange tree, pineapple bush and banana plant I mailed won’t grow in Alaska?
OOH Noooo do I need to watch out for these and send them back Paula?? LOL
hee hee,
Ann S.
January 29th, 2009 at 6:11 AM
grewingkNo Gravatar (15:55:13) :
@womanwithsardinecan(12:04:11) : … I LIVE in granolatown, aka sixtiesbythesea.
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Oh, heck, are you down there in the Cosmic Omelet? I’m out here where all the neighbors are either named Jones or Reutov.
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hahahaha! Haven’t heard that one. I live “behind the emerald curtain” in Humboldt county, where some store owners post signs saying, “patchouli-free zone” so that customers can breathe. Great land of grassfed beef, Cypress Grove goat cheese, organic farms, Wild Chick Farm, our world famous Arcata Marsh sanitation facility, and much much more.