I love this beautiful mask by Suqpiaq Alutiiq artist Perry Eaton. His work — and that of several other talented local artists — was on display during an open studio Sunday in Mountain View. The building at 3709 Mountain View Drive doesn’t look like much from the outside, but the inside is filled with treasures like this. In some ways, I think the whole neighborhood is like that.

Need a ride? In Mountain View, the Anchorage People Mover has you covered. Route 45 — the busiest in Anchorage — runs through the neighborhood and back and forth between the Downtown Transit Center and the Alaska Native Medical Center. You can always meet interesting people along the way.
The last time I was at this bus stop, I met a lady named Laura from Unalakleet, and she told me how she misses berry picking and the dog teams that everyone used to have when she was growing up, before snow machines and trucks and ATVs. She said she wishes she could go back.

Who remembers shopping here? This old building won’t be around for much longer: Its owner, Cook Inlet Housing Authority, plans on knocking it down to make way for new development.

Say hi to Danny, Michael and Phillip (ages 13 & 12). They came out to walk their dogs the evening this photo was taken, but the roads are slippery and their dogs have lots of energy, so they’re going home to look for sleds and makeshift harnesses. They’re going to try this a different way.

If you ever need to spice up your grocery list, swing by the Mountain View Red Apple. I promise you’ll find something new.

The contrasts: Another reason why I love this neighborhood.

This is Joey, 32. He lives around the block from me, and on every trash pickup day he goes around the neighborhood and makes sure all the cans are in a straight line by the curb. If you forget to put yours out he’ll put it out for you, and because he knows the garbage truck route like the back of his hand, if you miss the truck he’ll take your trash can to a part of the neighborhood that hasn’t been covered yet. He always brings it back to you — he calls it his job and takes it very seriously.

Do you have a watch group in your neighborhood? There are more than 200 throughout Anchorage — the one here on North Bunn Street was organized by two residents about four years ago. Kathy Goins, who runs the group, said the best part about it is getting to know all her neighbors. Her watch group hosts neighborhood barbecues in the summer, and invites anyone who’s interested to come through and have a bite to eat and learn about the program. This past summer, more than 30 people came by.
“We got together and we kind of bonded,” Goins said.
If you and your neighbors want to start your own program, call APD Ofc. Natasha Welch at 786-8585.

This is my neighbor, Monte Pope, and his dog Roxie. She’s getting older — she has problems with her teeth and she can’t walk so well anymore — but she’s still his baby girl, and every day he takes her out for some fresh air at the park down the street.