Hometown, Alaska - Alaska Public Media

The Alaska Federation of Natives annual convention is only a few weeks away and there will be plenty of speakers, crafts and traditional music. But what about contemporary music? On this episode of Hometown, Alaska we have two very different in-studio performances from some up-and-coming Alaska Native musicians. Join host Dave Waldron as he speaks with hip-hop duo Brother Buffalo and singer-songwr...

Temperatures are dropping quickly and hundreds of Anchorage residents are currently living unsheltered in camps and on the street across the city. What’s the plan to keep them safe this winter and beyond? Join host Anne Hillman as she speaks with three city leaders who are working on this problem. HOST: Anne Hillman GUESTS: Alexis Johnson , Anchorage Health Department, Housing and Homeless Coordin...

The stigmas and statistics of mental health awareness are important issues for Alaskans, especially as it relates to suicide prevention. On this episode of Hometown, Alaska host Justin Williams leads a conversation about how to discuss mental health and suicide prevention with Blaze Bell of Standing Together Against Rape and Recover Alaska as well as Shana Cooper of the Alaska Native Justice Cente...

When most people think of Alaska sports, hockey, basketball and mushing are top of mind. But, as the Alaska Rugby Union celebrates its 50th anniversary, they are poised to make the sport of rugby an Alaska staple. On paper, the objective of rugby is simple—carry a ball across the scoring zone to secure more points than your opponent. It sounds easy enough. In reality, 300-feet and 15 burly athlete...

45 years ago KSKA flipped a switch and became the very first public radio station in Southcentral Alaska. On the next Hometown, Alaska we revisit some of the station's best memories with KSKA’s original general manager and the station's longtime program director of nearly 40 years. HOST: Dave Waldron GUESTS: Alex Hills, KSKA’s original general manager Bede Trantina, KSKA's program director for 39...

Kake, Alaska is currently populated by about 500 people but it’s the hometown of many more. This week on Hometown, Alaska we take a trip on a seal hunting vessel and into a kitchen as we explore the community through interviews about its past and present with the hosts of the podcast "A Piece of Kake." HOST: Anne Hillman GUESTS: Mona Evan and Sarah Campen , hosts of "A Piece of Kake" podcast LINK:...

Zeynep Kilic was born and raised in Turkey. A former professor of the now-defunct sociology program at the University of Alaska Anchorage, Kilic is now an accomplished film director, as well as the new owner of the recently rebranded and reopened Turkish Delight, a restaurant specializing in authentic Turkish cuisine. On this episode of Hometown, Alaska we will hear about her history and relations...

Paula Poundstone is a stand-up comic known for her witty observations on NPR’s Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me and her really large family of pets. The author, podcaster and expert dog-waste-remover will be performing in Anchorage in late June. She joins host Anne Hillman to discuss her comedy, her home life, and more. Event information: Saturday, June 24 7:30 p.m. Discovery Theater HOST: Anne Hillman GUE...

If you happened to be driving down Tudor Road in Anchorage last weekend you may have noticed a throng of people dressed in armor, medieval gowns and maybe even a dragon suit. That’s because we are in the midst of the Three Barons Renaissance Fair which runs through this weekend. On this episode of Hometown, Alaska host Dave Waldron speaks with a long-time board member about the fair and moderates...

heartbreaking. As part of their Military Voices Initiative, StoryCorps partnered with us at Alaska Public Media to record veterans, active members of the armed forces or their families to document their stories. On this episode of Hometown Alaska, producer Ammon Swenson discusses the Military Voices project with the CEO of StoryCorps and learns about the women's veteran organization Operation Mary...

Despite the May snowfall, it is definitely growing season in Anchorage. On this episode of Hometown Alaska host Dave Waldron and two master gardeners discuss the challenges and rewards of gardening in our northern climate, answer some listener questions and do a little gardening trivia. Later in the show we visit an apple orchard with the president of the Alaska Pioneer Fruit Growers Association t...

Nearly 61 thousand households in Anchorage have pets. That works out to about 105 thousand dogs and 88 thousand cats. That’s a lot of animals — and a lot of animal waste. And pet ownership doesn’t just impact the people who live with the creatures. Caring for pets is both challenging and rewarding for veterinarians and their staff, too. This week on Hometown, Alaska, we’re talking to veterinarians...

Alaska education has predominantly aimed its resources at younger generations to build them up early. Unfortunately, this can leave out older citizens who may be yearning to re-engage education and discover new skills, activities, and friendships. Since 2007, OLÉ! has existed in Anchorage as a non-profit organization aimed at providing older Alaskans aged 50 and up an opportunity to continue their...

HOST: Dave Waldron GUESTS: Laura Atwood, Executive Director, Bird Treatment and Learning Center Katie Thorman, Rehabilitation Assistant, Bird Treatment and Learning Center Chandelle Cotter, Education and Behavior Curator, Bird Treatment and Learning Center Girdie, Crow, Bird Treatment and Learning Center LINKS: Bird Treatment and Learning Center Bird TLC Facebook Bird TLC Instagram ]]>

HOST: O'Hara Shipe GUESTS: Robin “ Lamia Lexicon Monroe ” O’Donoghue, Drag Performer Zaide “ Dela Rosa ” Manzano, Drag Performer Kendra Arciniega, Owner of Arciniega Street Productions Mercedes Arciniega, Owner of Arciniega Street Productions ]]>

There is a drink that some say is slowly but surely gaining popularity in America. That drink is sake. This week on Hometown Alaska we'll learn how to drink it, pair it, and even cook with it as part of sake week: a six day event taking place in Anchorage and Girdwood.

HOST: Justin Williams GUEST: Erin Baldwin Day , lead organizer of Mutual Aid Network of Anchorage LINKS: Mutual Aid Network of Anchorage website Facebook Instagram ]]>

HOST: Anne Hillman GUESTS: Austin Quinn-Davidson and Meg Zaletel , Anchorage Assembly LINKS: Information on the upcoming election Ballot tracking Information on the Anchorage Assembly ]]>

HOST: O'Hara Shipe GUESTS: JT West, 907 Pro Wrestling Academy Jared Cox, pro wrestler LINKS: 907 Pro Wrestling Academy WEBSITE 907 Pro Wrestling Academy FACEBOOK ]]>

HOST: Dave Waldron GUESTS: Melanie Cross and Christy Hedrick, Fur Rondy Melodrama co-producers LINKS: TICKETS Fur Rondy Events: Melodrama ]]>

HOST: Anne Hillman GUESTS: Carl Jacobs, Anchorage School Board member Andy Ratliff , Anchorage School District Chief Financial Officer LINKS: Anchorage School District Anchorage School Board ASD School Bond Information Contact Anchorage School Board ]]>

HOST: Anne Hillman GUESTS: Rachel Bernhardt and Julie Raymond-Yakoubian , Alaska End of Life Alliance Kris Green , Death Cafe LINKS: Death Cafe, Anchorage Alaska End of Life Alliance : Death Doulas Funeral Homes Alaska Laws and Regulations Hospice and Palliative Care Advanced Directives Grief and Bereavement Support Home Funerals Other Alaska End of Life Alliance resources Five Wishes GUEST SUGGES...

GUEST HOST: Dave Waldron GUEST: Cody Carver, Program and Events Manager at the Anchorage Museum LINKS: Anchorage Museum Pass the Mic exhibit ]]>

HOST: Anne Hillman GUESTS: Barbara and Ethan Jacko Atwater , mother/son writing partners, authors of multiple children’s books and more Sara Juday, co-president of the board, Alaska Center for the Book LINKS: Alaska Center for the Book Read Alaska Native reading challenge resources The American Indian Library Association ]]>

HOST: Anne Hillman Guests: Abdelqader "Abdoo" Ezzedine , New Habitat for Humanity homeowner John Frommer , Consruction Manager, Habitat for Humanity Jasmine Boyle , Chief Operating Officer, Rural Alaska Community Action Program, Inc. (RurAL Cap) Colleen Dushkin , Association for Alaska Housing Authorities LINKS: Habitat for Humanity, Anchorage RurAL Cap Association for Alaska Housing Authorities ]...