Hometown, Alaska - Alaska Public Media

We've been having some amazing northern lights this year, but there are some other cosmic events happening in Anchorage that you won't need to stand outside in the cold for. Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson will be coming to Alaska for a presentation this summer, and is also the host of a planetarium show happening now at the Anchorage Museum. We hear from Dr. Tyson and Aaron Slonecker, the director of the planetarium.

HOST: Dave Waldron

GUESTS:

Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist, science communicator

Aaron Slonecker, director, Anchorage Museum planetarium

LINKS:

Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson - “The Cosmic Perspective”

Anchorage Museum planetarium

Host Kim Sherry is joined by Elisabeth Nadin, a geologist from the Alaska Earthquake Center. They discuss the basics of what earthquakes are, how they affect the state and how we can be ready for the next one.

HOST: Kim Sherry

GUEST: Elisabeth Nadin, Geologist, Alaska Earthquake Center

LINKS:

Alaska Earthquake Center

The Great Alaska Shakeout

It seems like most Alaskans can agree that this winter stinks. Whether it’s the wind storms, the warm temperatures or lack of snow, this winter has yet to feel like one. On this Hometown, Alaska we hear from longtime meteorologist Jackie Purcell about exactly how unique this winter is, and how it stacks up to others in Anchorage's history. We’ll also look back on her 35 years of broadcasting in Alaska.

Ossie Kairaiuak is a Yup'ik storyteller, artist, dancer and musician. He also performs as a member of the "Inuit soul music" group Pamyua. On this episode Ossie sits down with host, Kim Sherry, to discuss the generational importance of storytelling, learning life lessons through traditional tales and how these stories continue through the modern age.

HOST: Kim Sherry

GUEST: Ossie Kairaiuak

LINKS:

Pamyua website

art.by.ossie Instagram

Ossie's Custom Artworks Facebook

As the days get darker and the temperatures drop, many of us like to huddle inside and play games. Whether you like card games, board games or games with words, we've got you covered. Host Dave Waldron introduces you to a local meetup group that specializes in gaming and he talks with a local card and board game shop owner about some of the most interesting games in his store.

HOST: Dave Waldron

GUESTS:

1st segment:

Anchorage Board Gaming:

Sarah Cheverie

Ellen Segal

Vennie Nemecek

2nd segment:

Andy Rogers, Owner, Tier 1 Cards & Games

LINKS:

Anchorage Board Gaming: Meetup

Tier 1 Cards & Games

On this episode host Kim Sherry speaks with cookbook editor and food journalist, Francis Lam. Lam is also host of "The Splendid Table" and judge on "The Great American Recipe." That's where Sherry first met Lam, when she was the very first contestant on the show to come from Alaska. We hear about his experience travelling in Alaska and talk about how culture shapes our love of food. Later in the show we hear ideas on incorporating Alaska ingredients in your next holiday meal.

HOST: Kim Sherry

GUEST: Francis Lam, food journalist, host of "The Splendid Table"

It's not always easy to find locally grown or raised food items in Alaska, but you might be surprised at what is out there. Kyla Byers is a founder and owner of Arctic Harvest Deliveries. The company specializes in supplying produce, meat, eggs and artisan grocery products from local, Alaskan farmers and food entrepreneurs around the state. Byers tells us how the business got started, about supplying home cooks and professional chefs alike and what we can do to ensure our state’s food security. Later in the show Sherry gives cooking tips on how to prepare some of these local ingredients.

HOST: Kim Sherry

GUEST: Kyla Byers, founder/owner, Arctic Harvest Deliveries

LINKS:

Arctic Harvest Deliveries

Kim's Alaskan Chowder | PBS Food

Roasted Alaska Beet Sauce with Pasta – Alaska Girl Eats

3 Layer Alaska Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting – Alaska Girl Eats

Sockeye Salmon Bahn Mi – Alaska Girl Eats

Alaska’s Latino community has roots stretching back long before statehood. In fact, according to Gabriela Olmos Rosas, a doctoral student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Alaska’s Latino roots can be traced back to Ketchikan in the 1910s.

“Alaska was having an attractive economy back then based on gold, and later on oil,” explains Rosas. “[Alaska] had a male workforce for a long time and there are many immigration documents for men. Not long ago, I found an immigration document for a woman dating back to 1945, and I think it's remarkable to start seeing women's presence in early Alaska.”

Rosas’ passion for telling the story of Alaska’s rich Latino history led her to partner with Itzel Zagal, Alaskan nonprofit Enlaces and the Anchorage Museum to curate the exhibit Nuestra Huella, or “Our Footprint” in English.

The exhibit features photographs, community stories, historical research, artworks and cultural belongings from museum collections.

“I feel like as Latinos, we have often felt unseen. We have often felt invisible. Our stories have been told from a third a third a person perspective,” says Rosas.

For Rosas and Zagal, the exhibit is a celebration of Alaska's Latinx history and culture told by the people who lived it.

“[Nuestra Huella] brought a sense of recognition that I think our community deserves and was needing. And that should not stop here. I feel like the recognition of all the communities in Alaska is an ongoing process. I mean, we Latinos and all different communities need to keep opening spaces for our stories to be heard,” says Rosa.

Nuestra Huella will be on display at the Anchorage Museum through April 13, 2025.

To learn more about the project, visit nuestrahuellaak.com.

Sit back, relax and listen to these eerie stories to get you in the mood for Halloween. The first segment features local authors reading their works. We hear from Jamey Bradbury, Kellie Doherty and Lindsay Belle Sobolik, who writes as LB Blackburne. The second segment features local actors from the Midnight Summit Ensemble—Kalli Denali Randall, Elyssa Loughlin and Shanice Lawton—performing "Imaginary Friends" by Jeffrey James Keyes.

HOSTS: Dave Waldron/Ammon Swenson

GUESTS:

Jamey Bradbury, author

Kellie Doherty, author

Lindsay Belle Sobolik as LB Blackburne, author

Kalli Denali Randall, theater director/actor

Shanice Lawton, stage manager/actor

Elyssa Loughlin, actor

LINKS:

Jamey Bradbury website

Kellie Doherty website

LB Blackburne website

What is one part improv, one part concert, and one part musical game show? The answer is the concert series Parlor in the Round. The eclectic group will be debuting their 10th season on Thursday, October 17 at the Bear Tooth Theater. Host Dave Waldron sits down with Parlor in the Round founder and producer Kevin Worrell and musician Selma Casagranda, who will be performing at the upcoming event. They discuss the history of the program, how it works and give us a taste of what to expect.

GUESTS:

Kevin Worrell, founder and producer, Parlor in the Round

Selma Casagranda, musician

LINKS:

Parlor in the Round website

Tickets

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