Area photos were popular, as always, on Twitter over the past week. You can still cast your vote in our first quarter 2010 photo contest, which has been our most popular link. There is also an interesting video showing the toppling of Alaska’s tallest structure from several days ago. Otherwise…it’s great photo after great photo from Fairbanks, North Pole, Denali and other places around Interior Alaska.

1. Terrific batch of Fairbanks, Denali and Interior Alaska photos: pick your three favorites now – http://ow.ly/1HwRB
2. A great series of pictures of Fall clouds and sky from North Pole, Alaska – http://ow.ly/1GRbk
3. Great capture of swans at Creamer’s Field in Fairbanks – http://ow.ly/1GQPX
4. Another great image from Fairbanks on Flickr: ‘pandion haliaetus perched on a white spruce overlooking the Chena River’ – http://ow.ly/1GQKT
5. Nice recent photo of the Chena River: http://ow.ly/1Fhnf Looking a lot like summer!
6. Alaska’s tallest structure was taken down Wednesday. Here’s a cool video showing its demolition: http://ow.ly/1FfUF
7. A huge amount of cool ice art and Festival of Native Arts photos: http://ow.ly/1FnUs

North Pole has attracted some other attention recently as well, with this report filed by NBC News. Be sure to check out the official North Pole website for more information on the community, which is just 20 minutes south of Fairbanks.

Interior Alaska is known for some of the best ice art competition and viewing in the world. For the second year in a row, North Pole is making ice sculpture a centerpiece of their Christmas Festivities with Christmas in Ice 2008.

The Christmas in Ice website announces the following schedule:

Thursday, December 4

• 8:00am – Ice Carving Competition (gates open at 11:00am)

Friday, December 5

• 7:00pm to 9:00pm – Competition Judging

Saturday, December 6

• 10:00am-2:00pm – Kids Carving Challenge
• 12:00pm-2:00pm – Interior Freight Dogs Practice Pull – Free to the Public!
• 3:00pm – Ice Carving Competition Awards Ceremony
• 4:00pm – Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
• 5:00pm – Winter Carnival Fireworks Display at the North Pole Mall

Sunday, December 7

• 2:00pm – Candle Lighting Ceremony at North Pole High School

Saturday, December 13

• 12:00pm-5:00pm – Sponsored by BP! Winter Picnic! FREE Admission to the Ice Park!

Saturday, December 20

• 12:00-4:00 – Interior Freight Dogs Association Competition

Thursday, December 25

• 2:00pm – Family Christmas Celebration with Santa Claus

We interviewed North Pole Mayor Doug Isaacson last year around this time about Christmas in Ice, and are happy to see a bigger and better competition this year!

[See post to watch Flash video]

Find out more at Ice Alaska.com, or North Pole Alaska.com. Make sure you click on the “Web Cams” link for a constantly updated view of the park. If you have any ideas for future Inside Alaska episodes, please leave a comment with details.