Some writers conferences focus on how to craft the words, sentences and idea into a literary product. But next weekend’s conference presented by the Alaska Writers Guild will also focus on how to get your writing to an audience beyond your immediate family and friends — that is so say agents, publishers, book-buyers and general readers.

In a science report in which they wrapped up their 2008 field season, biologists Ray Buchheit and Chris Ford wrote, under a section titled Interesting Observations, "Our island blew up."

Arrows Through Time

With the smell of summer’s end wafting through the air, we start to watch the trees for telltale signs of changing colors. Autumn’s brilliant foliage change is a great excuse to vacation in many parts of the Lower 48, where the season lasts a little longer.

She chased the roots of jazz dance from New York City to Ghana, West Africa, only to find herself, years later, in Perico, Cuba, dancing with the possessed.

We took the roundabout scenic way into Kenley’s Alaskan Vegetables and Flowers near Palmer. If you can picture a sleek white tour bus — the kind cruise ship passengers travel on when they are on land — trying to negotiate gravel off-road driveways and farm fields, that was us. We were a group of about fifty-some on a Mat-Su farm tour.

MEN’S MINISTRY: North Anchorage Church of God, 1711 S. Bragaw, will have "Life Builders" men’s ministry breakfast and Bible study, 7:45-9:15 a.m. Saturdays. Enjoy a man-sized breakfast and "The Measure of Spiritual Maturity" Bible Study. Free to men of all ages. (351 4344, www.northanchorage.com)

I get this question a lot: "Is it too late to prune a lilac bush? It is blocking our view." The actual answer is that it probably is too late if you don’t want to harm your chances of getting flowers next year. This is because lilacs start developing next year’s flowers a couple of weeks after this year’s produce seeds.

If you want a taste of salmon, it’s time to act quickly.