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There is a new camping option in the Chena River Recreation Area along the Chena River, about

45 miles from Fairbanks.

The state parks division advises that the new Darryl Hunt Memorial Cabin is available for rent at 42.3 Mile Chena Hot Springs Road.

The cabin is named for the late Darryl Hunt, who for many years was the “lone ranger” in the recreation area. He managed the area from 1994 to 2003.

The 20-by-24 building, which sleeps six, is one of 13 in the northern part of the state available for rent by the day for $40 or $50 per night.

For more information go to www.alaskastateparks.org.

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WARMING: The temperatures at higher elevations are expected to climb to near the freezing point from Wednesday through Saturday, the National Weather Service said Sunday.

The warm blast is expected to hit Tuesday night and Wednesday, with highs of 5 to 10 above Tuesday, rising to 30 above by Thursday. The highways will be slick and surface temperatures in the Alaska Range passes could be 40 above.

There is a chance of “mixed precipitation” Wednesday in the central Interior, meaning something other than snow.

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TRAFFIC STOP: Sometimes we are in too much of a hurry.

At about 12:30 p.m. Saturday on the Steese Expressway between Farmers Loop and Seekins, there was a car that was stuck and many people driving by paid little or no attention.

The driver, who was either going too fast or had a mechanical problem, ended up facing north in the inner snowbank off the southbound lane. There were skid marks across both lanes.

One lady, who had handicapped plates on her car, stopped to help him and offered to place a mat under one of the wheels to help him get going. A truck with a towstrap would have been better, but the gesture was nice.

The driver had a plastic shovel and was trying to clear enough snow to get his gray car unstuck.

Dozens and dozens of cars passed by without even slowing down. I didn't have a shovel and I was of no use, but I wished him well and told him that I was sure someone would stop with the tools to help.

At the risk of rhapsodizing about the good old days, we need to return to the age when people would not drive by in cold weather without at least slowing down to offer assistance.

And if you want to offer more than mere words, carry a shovel.

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FIRE VICTIM: Heather Thompson, who works at Chili’s, says it was probably a problem with heat tape that started the fire that destroyed the home she was renting in Two Rivers Friday.

Thompson said she made it out of the house with the birth certificates of her two kids and some family photos. Everything else she had inside was lost.

Anyone who wants to help could make deposits in her account at Denali State Bank. She can be reached at 750-1397.

She and her kids, ages 7 and 8, are staying with family. Thompson did not have renter’s insurance.

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LOOKING FOR NEW QUARTERS: Don Bent has been a part of the neighborhood near the News-Miner for about 35 years, operating Don’s Barbershop.

Starting in 1974, he cut hair in the Rose Building next to the News-Miner. The Rose Building was removed quite a few years ago to make way for a proposed expansion of Illinois Street leading up to a new bridge across the Chena.

He moved in 1986 next to Samson Hardware. He made his customers look presentable for the last time in that location on Saturday, as the building is to be removed next summer for the proposed bridge across the Chena.

Bent is not ready to retire, however. He is looking for a new home for his barbershop, perhaps somewhere on the north side of the river in the neighborhood he has served for all these years.

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TANANA MEETING: Former and current residents of Tanana are invited to attend a gathering at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center Wednesday at 6 p.m. to discuss a host of issues about the future of the village.

Bear Ketzler said the topics are to include transportation, education, housing, energy and others. For more information, call him at 978-5848.

If you have a column item to submit, contact me at cole@newsminer.com or 459-7530.