r/Fairbanks

Hi,
we’re four guys, and we’ve put together Westminster’s restaurant scene in an app called Vota. The concept is simple: you see two places side by side (for example Famille vs. Kachina Southwestern Grill), you choose the place you’d rather go to, and the ranking updates instantly. The more people vote, the more accurate the list gets over time. There are still a few duplicates here and there, but I’m continuously cleaning up the data.

Here’s the iPhone version, with categories that actually fit Westminster’s food scene:
https://apps.apple.com/app/vota-restaurant-ratings/id6744969212

And here’s the Android version (finally live):
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.vota.app

P.S. I’m not from Westminster (I live in Gothenburg). I’m not collecting data, not selling anything, and the app does not use AI-generated content. I’m posting in a few different subreddits because we now support more regions, and I genuinely want honest feedback from people who actually know the area.

Alaska should join 9 other states in protecting residents Right to Repair: 

The legislation would require manufacturers of consumer electronics to make the spare parts, tools, software and schematics necessary for repair available to independent repair shops and individuals who want to fix their own stuff.

There is a growing trend where product manufacturers have begun monopolizing repair by withholding access to spare parts, software and schematics. Additionally, they sometimes use tools that are irregular- unique screwhead shapes for instance. In response, 9 states (Kansas, Texas, Connecticut, Washington, Oregon, California, Colorado, Minnesota, and New York) have passed Right to Repair bills to ensure people still have options on how to get their electronics fixed, almost every state is considering repair legislation, congress is considering how to ensure the military has the Right to Repair, and there are global efforts as well. 

Alaska would be the 10th state to pass legislation to ensure consumers had the option to repair electronics themselves or patronize a local business. 

Alaska needs Right to Repair, here’s why: 

• Alaskans have poor access to authorized repair options:
  • Many people's first stop for repair is the authorized repair providers associated with the manufacturer. In Alaska, those authorized repair providers are often out of state or only in major populations hubs. For instance, the only authorized repair providers for Apple products, LG appliances, and Samsung appliances in the state are in Anchorage. There are no authorized service providers for Samsung phones or Lenovo computers in Alaska. 
  • When there is no local authorized repair providers and independent shops can't get parts or tools, Alaskans have to travel or ship smaller items, pay for authorized technicians to travel great distances, replace items, or do without.

   

• Right to Repair could save Alaskans money:
  • A 2023 study by U.S PIRG estimates that repair can save the average family $382 per year.
  • When the monopoly on repair is removed, the market  will obviously become more competitive, and Alaskans will see more reasonable prices for repair services. Additionally, independent repair shops and individuals will often do repairs that authorized repair providers won't. For instance, if schematics are available, and just one fuse is causing the device to not function correctly, independent repair shops will more often be open to just fixing the one fuse as opposed to replacing a larger component of the device. This also saves Alaskans money. 
  • Shipping goods in from the global market has always made life more expensive in Alaska. When repairs can be done locally, not only is money kept circulating in the local economy, but Alaskans can also save money.

   

• Alaska has a culture of self-sufficiency that needs to be protected: 
  • Alaska has a long history of highly valuing self-sufficiency and local resiliency. This is natural to a state that is fairly remote and has a small population. The state has many tinkerers, makers, fixers, and doers. Historically, repair materials were available, and only more recently have manufacturers begun limiting options and putting Alaskans in the position they are now. We need to again be able to fix our own things.

   

• Electronic Waste is dangerous for Alaska’s environment, especially in rural areas
  • The average American is producing 47 pounds of e-waste per year. E-waste can threaten both the environment and public health when inadequately managed. Electronics contain dangerous chemicals like cadmium, lead, mercury, flame retardants, polybrominated diphenyl ethers and more that can cause health problems for humans, plants, soil, wildlife, and microbial species. When we landfill, dump, or burn electronics, those chemicals pollute soil, leach into groundwater, and create air pollution. This is of special concern for many rural communities in Alaska the landfills are lined and 73% of them burn without emissions controls to reduce volume. There is a program to backhaul e-waste from rural Alaska, but even when electronics are properly disposed of, less than a quarter of them are actually recycled, and they're getting landfilled or incinerated somewhere.

 

Alaskans, both Republicans and Democrats, small business owners, environmentalists, consumer protection groups, and even Google supports Right to Repair 

• Trump and Biden Administrations
  • U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, U.S. Small Business Administrator (SBA) Kelly Loeffler, and U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin on Right to Repair:
    • “The right to repair isn’t just a slogan. It’s a common-sense extension of the fundamental, constitutional right to private property, which has been recognized and vigorously protected since the founding of the United States 250 years ago. As Thomas Jefferson affirmed, “The true foundation of republican government is the equal right of every citizen in his person and property and in their management.”
• Small Repair Businesses in Alaska
  • During Committee hearings, several small repair businesses provided public testimony. There were also a few op-eds published over the last couple of months. 
    • https://alaskabeacon.com/2026/02/24/three-examples-that-show-alaskans-need-the-right-to-repair/ 
    • https://www.newsminer.com/opinion/community_perspectives/the-right-to-repair/article_abf2dd7d-4727-4ce5-8775-222d4bd8501f.html 
    • https://www.frontiersman.com/opinions/right-to-repair/article_d1ec31ac-c2b7-473a-85d9-a8fcb81fe9da.html
• Alaskans who want to fix their own stuff
  • Hundreds of Alaskans have petitioned the legislature to pass this bill, and even more have discussed the issue on social media or submitted unique comments.
• Consumer Reports
• Google

My conspiracy theory is that Luke’s tithings went to the giant temple going up in Fairbanks

The amount of cranes I’ve made has fully exceeded the space that I have and I’m looking to move them into the community to make room to string more! I’m open to suggestions and willing to give them to just about anywhere that would like to have them 😊

The Downtown Market is coming back to Golden Heart Plaza this summer starting May 21

They’re doing markets every third Thursday from 4–8PM with local vendors, food trucks, music, and different downtown-themed scavenger hunts with prizes each month.

This year’s themes are: • May 21 — “New on the Block” (new downtown businesses)• June 18 — “Shop Downtown”• July 16 — “Storied Past” (historic downtown buildings/businesses)• Aug 20 — “Open to the Future” (vacant space tours + ideas for downtown’s future)

Seems like a fun excuse to wander around, grab dinner, and see what’s going on Downtown