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Get your sightings in while you can, the season's almost over.

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Perfect World

Tats for teens?

'It's kind of like a manifestation of my freedom as an adult."

'Green' clothing an affordable fit for the eco-minded thrift shopper

Being "green" isn't limited to a fuel-efficient vehicle, planting trees or recycling your newspapers. This year's big trend is environmentally friendly fashion and beauty products.

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in a perfect world...

Gear up for snow

It's late September, and already our unusually cold summer is making way for a frosty winter. Naturally, then, it's time to load up on winter sports gear, but you needn't spend your whole PFD.

Learn to cross-country ski

Winter is fast approaching, and that ever-familiar urge calling Alaska kids to the snow is growing more urgent.

Learn to skate

Learning to ice-skate in Anchorage is no challenge. There are plenty of options for taking beginning group lessons. At Ben Boeke Ice Arena next to the Sullivan Arena, skate classes are offered Saturday mornings through the Ice Skating Institute. The next session begins Oct. 28. To get more information on the program and the instructors, go to www.benboeke.com/learn-main.htm.

Learn to play hockey

I got started playing hockey like many kids do, for fun. My mom got skates for the kids in my family from one of the swaps, and she taught us how to play. Soon we joined one of the local hockey programs. I skated Boys Comp with the Alaska Allstars.

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Testing limits

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia -- After my first few days at the hospital I realized I would not be single-handedly saving babies every day.

Portland finds ideal balance in big city

Portland, Ore., is a city of vibrancy, tranquility and beauty near the northern border of its home state and Washington.

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Passage to Mongolia

On July 18, I found myself on an Air China flight stuck between a very patient woman (she never once left her seat in 12 hours) and an unconscious grad student. My mind wandered in the tedium, and I couldn't help but wonder how I had possibly gotten there. The thought would come up quite a few times in the next month.

Language programs form long-lasting bonds

The foreign language immersion programs in the Anchorage School District provide numerous benefits. The obvious advantage is becoming fluent in a foreign language.

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A fair to remember

The Alaska State Fair is over, and snow is just around the corner. Here's a sample of the fun we had while it lasted.

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Sit down and watch

As I entered my senior (and hopefully last) year of high school, I started to think back on all the movies I've watched and how many times I've watched them since I was, well, born. And I will tell you it is quite the lengthy list.

Seward's the place for last summer thrills

Summer has ended, and you never made that cross-country road trip you planned. Gas prices got too high, and you were busy with other things. Luckily there's still time for a trip to Seward so that at school you can honestly say you got your incredible tan while you were "out of town," even if it's just the fake tanning lotion stuff and you put it on in your hotel room.

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Specialized camps have multiple payoffs

Summer has ended and school has started again. Now is the perfect time for retrospection. What have you done in the last three months? Is there anything you wish you had done? Anything you regret spending so much time doing?

Summer snapshots

As we ease back into the rigors of academia, it's fun to look back at what we did this summer. Perfect World staffers share a collection of their good times here, more are on our blog at adn.com/underagethinking.

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Next Step

Disabled youth learn skills with a Mat-Su program.

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'Modern Romance'

A fashion event raises funds for victims of abuse.

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Bazaar crafts

If you are participating in a Southcentral Alaska holiday bazaar, post a photo of your craft.

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Fran's friends

Friends of Fran Reed had parties to support the artist.

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"Palin and Me"

Send in snaps you made at a rally, a barbecue, on the street, or any other encounter with our governor.

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Quilt gallery

Check out images of Alaska quilts.

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Palin vanity plate

The Palins have FE K9 (Iron Dog). Write a plate for the GOP VP running mate.

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Seed collecting

Time to tidy up spent blooms and collect seeds.

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Wedding shots

Photos of newlyweds on their special day.