Protecting Your Rights: Serving West Anchorage

December 23, 2025

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

As the year draws to a close, we want to extend our best wishes to you for a safe, warm, and happy holiday season.

And please join us on January 6th for our pre-session constituent meeting. Representatives Hall and Costello will join me to answer questions about the upcoming Legislative Session.

Happy Holidays!

From my family to yours, Happy Holidays! See you in 2026!

Pre-Session Constituent Meeting

Please join our office, Rep. Mia Costello's office, and Rep. Carolyn Hall's office for our West Anchorage pre-session constituent meeting! We will provide light refreshments.

We would love to hear your questions, concerns, and top priorities before we return to Juneau for our legislative session.

When: January 6, 2026 from 5:00 to 6:00 PM

Where: Anchorage Legislative Information Office (1500 W Benson Blvd)

Community Information

→ Municipality of Anchorage will require registration for short-term rentals

The Anchorage Assembly approved an ordinance proposed by Mayor Suzanne LaFrance and Assembly Members Erin Baldwin Day, Zac Johnson, and Daniel Volland that will require short-term rentals (STRs) in the Municipality of Anchorage to be registered by July 31, 2026.

The ordinance enables the Municipality to gather essential, localized information on the number of short-term rentals operating in the Municipality. This data is critical for informing future policy decisions, especially given the community's ongoing housing needs. Registration will be simple, free, and online.

Under the new ordinance, property owners who rent out their properties for fewer than 30 consecutive days will be required to register with the Municipality. This includes houses, apartments, condos, bedrooms, or other living units rented out nightly or weekly through platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo. The data will help Municipal officials develop a better understanding of local short-term rental trends, how they vary from one area of the Municipality to another, and their impact on local housing markets.

The old municipal seal is shown on the left. The new design is on the right.

→ Municipality of Anchorage adopts a new Municipal Seal

This week, the Anchorage Assembly voted to approve a new seal for the Municipality of Anchorage following a two-week voting period. Residents were asked to choose from five options, including the existing municipal seal. New options included patterns inspired by indigenous Dena'ina quillwork. The new seal also removes an airplane and the image of a ship meant to evoke Captain Cook's voyage in 1778.

Community Events

Beans Cafe Christmas Eve Dinner: Volunteers Needed

When: December 22 - January 2nd, various shifts available

Where: Beans Cafe

This holiday season, we are looking forward to celebrating and sharing a meal together, where everyone belongs. Volunteers are still needed the week of Christmas to prepare over 6,000 meals! For more information and to sign up, click here .

There are a few spots available on Christmas Eve to serve.

Anchorage New Year's Eve Celebration

When: December 31st from 7-9pm

Where: Chinook Parking Lot (3rd and E St.)

Anchorage Downtown Partnership (ADP) invites the community to ring in 2026 at Downtown Anchorage’s signature New Year’s Eve Celebration, featuring a headlining performance by Black Barrel and the Bad Men.

The free, family-friendly event takes place Wednesday, December 31, at the Chinook Lot on 3rd Avenue & E Street, with festivities from 7:00–9:00 p.m. and a spectacular fireworks show at 8:00 p.m.

This year’s celebration transforms the heart of downtown into a festive winter gathering space.

Attendees can enjoy:

* A high-energy live performance by Black Barrel and the Bad Men

* Food trucks serving warm, local favorites

* A cozy Cold Beer & Hot Toddy Garden (21+)

* A sledding hill for kids and adults

* Performances by Alaska Fire Circus and Flow Zone dancers

Guests are encouraged to dress warmly and arrive early for the best viewing of the fireworks.

For more information, click here.