FYI Fairbanks: Issue 15

There’s always something happening around Fairbanks—and we’re here to help you keep up with a little more of it.

Each week, we bring together local events, community updates, useful things to know, and stories from the people and businesses that make Fairbanks what it is. Whether you’ve lived here for decades or are still getting to know the area, we hope you find something useful, interesting, or worth sharing.

Thanks for spending a few minutes with us.

Let's get started.

With snow on the way, take a few minutes this week to check on a neighbor who might need some help getting ready for winter. Offer to stack firewood, put away outdoor furniture, or make a quick trip to the transfer site. Even a simple “Is there anything I can help you get done before the snow comes?” could make a big difference for someone in your neighborhood.

A strong community is built by neighbors looking out for one another, and that's something we can all be part of right here in Fairbanks.

Support events and businesses that help make Fairbanks a great place to live, work, and play.

When Fairbanks pet owners head out of town, leaving their four-legged family members behind can be one of the hardest parts of the trip. That's where Lynnae Schooler of Alaska Pet Nanny comes in!

Lynnae has called Alaska home since 2006 and has been professionally caring for pets since 2015. After a disappointing experience with a pet sitter of her own, she decided to build a business that would give other pet owners the peace of mind she'd been missing. Today, she's a Certified Professional Pet Sitter through Pet Sitters International, with training in pet first aid and CPR. Her business is also licensed, insured, and bonded.

For Lynnae, pet sitting is about much more than filling food bowls and taking dogs outside. She believes every pet deserves personalized attention, with care tailored to their individual needs and personalities. Some pets love enrichment activities and playtime, while others would rather relax and enjoy a little company. Lynnae follows their cues and lets them set the pace, helping each pet feel comfortable and happy in their own home. She also uses professional pet-sitting software to organize care instructions, track scheduled visits, and help ensure every visit is completed.

Her attention extends beyond the pets themselves to keeping their homes safe, too. During one Thanksgiving, Lynnae arrived to care for three cats and discovered that a broken pipe had flooded the basement. One of the cats had found refuge on a mattress surrounded by water. Despite the cat not being particularly fond of Lynnae, she was able to carry her to safety and get the water shut off. The very next day, the home's boiler leaked glycol into the basement! Lynnae helped get that cleaned up as well before the owners returned. Experiences like that are why she requires daily visits for every pet in her care.

Over the years, Lynnae has cared for all kinds of animals, including a memorable group of 15 hedgehogs, some of which were babies needing daily handling. And here's something you might not expect: Lynnae is actually allergic to dogs, cats, and other animals! Her love for them runs so deep that she gets monthly allergy shots so she can continue doing what she loves.

Outside of pet sitting, Lynnae loves The Golden Girls, Mexican food, a good cheeseburger, and coffee Frappuccinos. She's also a dedicated blood donor who hopes to reach her sixth gallon donated in Alaska by the end of the year. What she loves most about serving the Interior is working with people who consider their pets part of the family.

Planning holiday travel? Alaska Pet Nanny still has openings for the upcoming holiday season, but availability fills up quickly! If you're heading out of town for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's, now is a great time to reach out and reserve your pet's care. Lynnae's goal is to give your pets a little staycation of their own while you enjoy your time away.

Connect with Alaska Pet Nanny or inquire about holiday availability:

Website | Instagram | Facebook

Ongoing
Interior Gardens by Kyle Agustines at Well Street Art Company

Tuesday October 13
Gubernatorial Forum (event format has changed—information on website) — 12-1pm
Pioneer Park Pickers Weekly Music Jam — 6:30-8:30pm

Thursday October 15
Art Links at Santa’s Senior Center — 5:30-6:30pm
100+ Golden Heart Women Who Care Quarterly Meeting — 6-7pm

Friday October 16
The Alaska Food Festival and Conference
Local Author Book Signing at Bagels and Brew (see Support Local section above for more info) — 3-5pm
Stitch and Watch — 6:45pm

Saturday October 17
The Alaska Food Festival and Conference
Monroe Holiday Bazaar at Monroe High School — 10am-4pm
Lavery Booksellers—Weekend Bookshop & Basement Tours — 10am-4pm
Kitten Yoga at Arctic Harvest — 3-4pm
Artist Talk: Coldsnap, Klara Maisch — 3pm
ICMA Fundraising Concert — 7-:8:30pm

Sunday October 18
The Alaska Food Festival and Conference
Lavery Booksellers—Weekend Bookshop — 10am-4pm
Farthest North Girl Scout Council Holiday Bazaar, Centennial Center in Alaskaland — 10am-4pm

Monday October 19
Chess Club at Noel Wien Library — 5:30-7pm

Last week, we asked: What's one Fairbanks restaurant or coffee shop you'd recommend to someone who just moved here?

Here's what you had to say!

Little Owl and Lulu's Bakery both got shoutouts, with Allison recommending Lulu's.

One reader shared that Bagel & Brew is a family favorite for breakfast or lunch, especially for its bagels, sandwiches, soups, and fresh salads. They also appreciate that the restaurant serves coffee from North Pole Coffee Roasting Co. and tea from Sipping Streams, two local businesses!

Upasana recommended Bucko's, while Barbara M. had two favorites to share: Brewster's Restaurant, especially the Pepperjam Burger, halibut sandwich, and calamari, and Mocha Moose Coffee Stand for its Red Bull Tie-Dye Smoothies.

Thanks for sharing your favorites! We love hearing about the places our neighbors recommend.

We want to hear about your weekend finds!

Did you visit Cozy Collective or the Fairbanks Fiber Festival last weekend? What did you bring home? Whether it was something handmade, a cozy new favorite, or a little treat you couldn't resist, we'd love to hear what you found!

FYI Fairbanks is built by community members, for community members.

Have an event to share? Know a business we should meet? Interested in advertising? Have an idea for a future edition? Just hit reply, we’d love to hear from you.

And if you enjoy getting local stories, events, and community updates delivered straight to your inbox, it would mean a lot if you'd forward FYI Fairbanks to a friend or neighbor so they can subscribe too.

See you around town,

Your Friends at FYI Fairbanks