Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Forum Podcasts

Various Speakers

The Speaker's Forum is held each Sunday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Forum topics often address and spur dialogue about a current local community, statewide, national or international issue. Some forums feature a local author and the topic of the author's new book, or a representative of a local non-governmental organization (NGO) describing the organization’s work, programs, and accomplishments.

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A TV & Film Actors Play about Battling His Sons Brain Cancer with Hope & Love - James Morrison, Paul Brown, Dave Block

A TV & Film Actors Play about Battling His Sons Brain Cancer with Hope & Love - James Morrison, Paul Brown, Dave Block

James Morrison is a playwright, TV, film, stage actor, filmmaker, poet, singer-songwriter, and yoga teacher. He was raised in Anchorage, served his theatrical apprenticeship with the Alaska Repertory Theatre, and since has appeared at the La Jolla Playhouse, the Mark Taper Forum, Princeton's McCarter Theatre, the Pasadena Playhouse, the Salt Lake Acting Company, The Old Globe, L.A. Theatre Works, the Edinburgh Festival, and on London's West End. James has been nominated for a SAG Award, received the Los Angeles Drama Critics' Circle Award, and three Drama-Logue Awards for performance. Film appearances include The Jazz Funeral, Catch Me If You Can, and Jarhead. On television, in addition to the Emmy-winning series 24, he was a regular on Those Who Kill and the cult sci-fi series Space: Above and Beyond, and has had other recurring roles and countless guest appearances in shows like Frasier, West Wing, Law & Order: SVU, Twin Peaks, Private Practice, Six Feet Under, and Revenge. He is in Anchorage to perform his one-man play, “Leave Your Fears Here,” exploring his journey after their young son was diagnosed with brain cancer. For more about James, you can check out his webpage: https://www.thejamesmorrison.com/ and IMDB page: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0607175/David Block is the Artistic Director of Midnight Sun Theatre. David has directed countless productions in Anchorage at almost every venue and company. He has appeared on stage or behind the scenes with productions in Anchorage, Juneau, Honolulu, Los Angeles, and at the Edinburgh Fringe. In addition, he has written more than 20 plays, including one commissioned by the Municipality and School District about the Anchorage Centennial. David was an educator in the Anchorage School District for over 25 years and received numerous awards, including MIT's Most Inspirational Teacher, AEA's Teacher of the Year, and Best Teacher in Anchorage by the Anchorage Press. The arts program that he helped develop at West Anchorage High School was recognized as the 2022 Performing Arts School of Excellence by the National Federation of High Schools and was selected as a Creative Ticket School of Excellence by the Kennedy Center.Paul Brown has over forty-five years of experience in management, fundraising, marketing, and organizational development. He was a founder and producing director of Alaska Repertory Theatre, the first professional theatre in Alaska. He later transitioned from producing theatre to producing films, including documentaries about former Governor Wally Hickel and Senator Ted Stevens (research and pre-production). He chaired the commission for the design, development, and funding of the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts. He helped establish the Alaska Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and plan the celebration of the 25th anniversary of Alaska's statehood. Paul has been deeply involved in national and international efforts to assist victims of depleted uranium, including American military veterans and indigenous and other local populations in combat zones. He is a member of Bridge Builders and Backbone and a board member of You Gotta Believe, a Brooklyn-based organization whose mission is to find permanent homes for foster children over ten. He is a parent with thirteen- and eight-year-old grandchildren. Pics used in the presentationJames - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/4hhffmjdsx1mr1ttjkhij/james.jpg?rlkey=rmjv6c580bhgn9xtkzu1qmhbl&dl=0PlayBill - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/rcx1owmfjbqxwqjn1p26w/lyfh.jpg?rlkey=xqhysye7qya6ag9fn08psblcr&

Episodes

A TV & Film Actors Play about Battling His Sons Brain Cancer with Hope & Love - James Morrison, Paul Brown, Dave Block

A TV & Film Actors Play about Battling His Sons Brain Cancer with Hope & Love - James Morrison, Paul Brown, Dave Block

James Morrison is a playwright, TV, film, stage actor, filmmaker, poet, singer-songwriter, and yoga teacher. He was raised in Anchorage, served his theatrical apprenticeship with the Alaska Repertory Theatre, and since has appeared at the La Jolla Playhouse, the Mark Taper Forum, Princeton's McCarter Theatre, the Pasadena Playhouse, the Salt Lake Acting Company, The Old Globe, L.A. Theatre Works, the Edinburgh Festival, and on London's West End. James has been nominated for a SAG Award, received the Los Angeles Drama Critics' Circle Award, and three Drama-Logue Awards for performance. Film appearances include The Jazz Funeral, Catch Me If You Can, and Jarhead. On television, in addition to the Emmy-winning series 24, he was a regular on Those Who Kill and the cult sci-fi series Space: Above and Beyond, and has had other recurring roles and countless guest appearances in shows like Frasier, West Wing, Law & Order: SVU, Twin Peaks, Private Practice, Six Feet Under, and Revenge. He is in Anchorage to perform his one-man play, “Leave Your Fears Here,” exploring his journey after their young son was diagnosed with brain cancer. For more about James, you can check out his webpage: https://www.thejamesmorrison.com/ and IMDB page: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0607175/David Block is the Artistic Director of Midnight Sun Theatre. David has directed countless productions in Anchorage at almost every venue and company. He has appeared on stage or behind the scenes with productions in Anchorage, Juneau, Honolulu, Los Angeles, and at the Edinburgh Fringe. In addition, he has written more than 20 plays, including one commissioned by the Municipality and School District about the Anchorage Centennial. David was an educator in the Anchorage School District for over 25 years and received numerous awards, including MIT's Most Inspirational Teacher, AEA's Teacher of the Year, and Best Teacher in Anchorage by the Anchorage Press. The arts program that he helped develop at West Anchorage High School was recognized as the 2022 Performing Arts School of Excellence by the National Federation of High Schools and was selected as a Creative Ticket School of Excellence by the Kennedy Center.Paul Brown has over forty-five years of experience in management, fundraising, marketing, and organizational development. He was a founder and producing director of Alaska Repertory Theatre, the first professional theatre in Alaska. He later transitioned from producing theatre to producing films, including documentaries about former Governor Wally Hickel and Senator Ted Stevens (research and pre-production). He chaired the commission for the design, development, and funding of the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts. He helped establish the Alaska Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and plan the celebration of the 25th anniversary of Alaska's statehood. Paul has been deeply involved in national and international efforts to assist victims of depleted uranium, including American military veterans and indigenous and other local populations in combat zones. He is a member of Bridge Builders and Backbone and a board member of You Gotta Believe, a Brooklyn-based organization whose mission is to find permanent homes for foster children over ten. He is a parent with thirteen- and eight-year-old grandchildren. Pics used in the presentationJames - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/4hhffmjdsx1mr1ttjkhij/james.jpg?rlkey=rmjv6c580bhgn9xtkzu1qmhbl&dl=0PlayBill - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/rcx1owmfjbqxwqjn1p26w/lyfh.jpg?rlkey=xqhysye7qya6ag9fn08psblcr&

Ballot Measure #1: Higher Minimum Wage, Paid Sick Leave and Worker Protections - AFL-CIO President Joelle Hall

Ballot Measure #1: Higher Minimum Wage, Paid Sick Leave and Worker Protections - AFL-CIO President Joelle Hall

Joelle Hall is the President of the Alaska AFL-CIO, elected in 2020. She is the first woman to hold the role. Before her election, she served as the Alaska AFL-CIO Political Director for 11 years. Joelle has worked in Alaska politics for over 30 years, with an emphasis on electoral campaigns and advocacy work. She has built and managed large campaigns and community coalitions. Before coming to the AFL-CIO, Joelle was Executive Director of the Alaska Democratic Party and had her own consulting business for ten years. She has a bachelor’s degree in foreign languages from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. In a previous life, Joelle was an interrogator/paratrooper in the US Army and an AFS exchange student in Honduras. Joelle and her husband, Mallie, have two grown children and live in Peters Creek. slides - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/cw75y2uy5zhda4as658mq/BetterJobsAK_UU.pdf?rlkey=mkbtlbz41ckzoskwi38a24pjz&dl=0AFL-CIO website - https://www.akaflcio.org

The View from Inside Alaska Airlines - Alaska Airlines Vice-President Marilyn Romano

The View from Inside Alaska Airlines - Alaska Airlines Vice-President Marilyn Romano

Marilyn Romano is the Alaska regional vice president for Alaska Airlines. She spent nearly two decades with the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner, the second largest paper in Alaska, and 11 years as publisher. She was the newspaper’s first woman top executive. Marilyn serves on the Anchorage Economic Development Corporation and Rasmuson Foundation boards. She also serves on the Governor’s Aviation Advisory Board and is a member of the American Heart Association statewide and Alaska Airlines Foundation boards. She’s been inducted into the ATHENA Society, named a YWCA of Alaska “Women of Achievement,” and recognized with a Top Forty Under 40 award from the Alaska Journal of Commerce, Woman of Distinction from the Farthest North Girl Scouts, and the Cashen Award for meritorious service to the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Marilyn and her husband, Brian, live in Anchorage.Alaska Airlines video - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eO_K0e9K_jly5pXdm8Bbl6ohrTIk0SMK/view?usp=drive_linkXáat Kwáani video - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/vr3jkabzz2tt2r7bedul8/AlaskaAirlinesSalmonPeopleAircraft_X-atKw-ani.mp4?rlkey=kvmpr3tehjanmvwhfxbu7zhem&dl=0Link to Alaska Airlines Sustainability page - https://www.alaskaair.com/content/about-us/esgThis page has several links, including the 2023 Sustainability Report, and it is worth roaming around.

The Pioneering Photography of Bradford Washburn - John Hagen, Anchorage Museum

The Pioneering Photography of Bradford Washburn - John Hagen, Anchorage Museum

John Hagen is the Curator of Indigenous Art and Initiatives at the Anchorage Museum. Hagen works to further the Museum's work with Alaska living cultures, with an emphasis on Indigenous art, artists, climate change, national and international connections, and other initiatives. He is the curator of the exhibit currently on display at the Museum, Alaska from Above: The Art of Bradford Washburn. Hagen is Iupiaq, Unangax, Irish, and Danish. His work at the museum incorporates a longstanding passion for photography. As a professional photojournalist, he published newspaper photographs by the tightest deadlines. After studying New Media Arts at the Institute of American Indian Arts in New Mexico, John returned to Alaska and found himself empowered to tell his own story, with his work shifting from that of a photographer seeking publication to an artist desiring to express himself.Anchorage Museum Bradford Washburn video - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/m8q9xg3sykwdxf2ibhsh6/lp-bradford-washburn-30-sec-video.mp4?rlkey=cvtylvvintngl34ylv7fj6aca&dl=0John's slides - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/azsyrudu5n3o3jcg3lisc/AlaskaFromAbove.pdf?rlkey=o1of3u3xze02dhonk5nveg0gw&dl=0

Alaska Woman Ascend: Helping Progressive Women Run, Vote & Win - Suzanne Little

Alaska Woman Ascend: Helping Progressive Women Run, Vote & Win - Suzanne Little

Suzanne Little has worked extensively in partnership with Alaska Native Tribes who live in intrinsic connection with remote lands across the state. She is currently staff to the 38-Tribe Bering Sea Interior Tribal Commission. Her work aims to ensure that local voices are represented and heard in land use decisions, including policy considerations relating to the conservation or development of Alaska's rugged and pristine landscapes and traditional lands for centuries of Alaska Native Peoples. Based in Anchorage, she brings policy development, strategic and land use planning, and nonprofit management experience to her work. Little served as an elected representative on the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly and in the Alaska State Senate for one term each.Little was voted the most effective new state legislator and led the effort to rewrite Alaska's Open Meetings Act, championing public involvement and local control for land use decisions. She holds a bachelor's degree in environmental planning and landscape architecture from the University of California, Davis, and currently serves on the steering committee of Alaska Women Ascend.Slides - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/wrfjetzvo975367pumvjl/UUPresentationAlaskaWomenAscend.pdf?rlkey=5jlhbot49twv2cbmn7qpt5vii&dl=0Website - https://www.akwomenascend.org

Documenting the Death Penalty in the US Through Photographs for over 25 Years - Scott Langley, photographer and human rights activist

Documenting the Death Penalty in the US Through Photographs for over 25 Years - Scott Langley, photographer and human rights activist

Scott Langley is a New York-based photographer specializing in documentary work on human rights in the United States and elsewhere. His work has been widely exhibited worldwide, and he often travels with his exhibits to give presentations about the intersection of photography and human rights. His photos have appeared in dozens of media outlets, including CNN, the AP, the BBC, HBO, the Economist, National Geographic, and PBS, as well as in many books and films.Website - https://deathpenaltyphoto.org/

Tiny Shelter Pilot Project for Interim Housing of Homeless Seniors - Betsy Baker, In Our Backyard

Tiny Shelter Pilot Project for Interim Housing of Homeless Seniors - Betsy Baker, In Our Backyard

Betsy Baker is a board member of In Our Backyard, a new Anchorage nonprofit whose mission is to provide safe interim housing and connections to support services for unhoused senior neighbors. Dr. Baker is an international lawyer whose consulting work on ocean law and Arctic policy builds on 25+ years of experience as an author, consultant, law professor, and most recently as director of an Alaska-based marine science funding organization, the North Pacific Research Board. She is a member of the Polar Research Board of the National Academies of Sciences. Betsy received her J.D. from the University of Michigan and her LL.M. and doctorate in law from Christian-Albrechts University in Kiel, Germany, where she was an Alexander von Humboldt Chancellor's Fellow. She has taught at Harvard, Minnesota, and Vermont Law Schools. Betsy attends First Covenant Church of Anchorage, served on the municipality’s 2023 task force on sanctioned camps, and previously served on the board of Facing Foster Care in Alaska.Slides - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/2qznqmytgmjemfbtetaby/2024-7-28-In-Our-Backyard.pdf?rlkey=g9di3cu7kahw3zmuv4vc6vdxx&dl=0In Our Backyard website - https://inourbackyard-ak.orgText Betsy - 907 787 9496

The Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: A Conversation - Kate McClellan

The Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: A Conversation - Kate McClellan

Kate McClellan was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and spent her youth in the suburbs of Chicago. In 1977, just before she turned 17, she left a traumatic home life and headed for Alaska in a VW bus, moving here permanently in 1986. Kate received a bachelor's degree in Sociology with a minor in History in 2002. During her last year at UAA, in the build-up to the war in Iraq, she became an activist with Alaskans for Peace and Justice, opposing the war, and met a Palestinian man named Khalid, who expanded her perspective on the conflict in Israel/Palestine. As a consequence, she has been avidly following what has transpired there. She lives in Nunaka Valley with her dog Mariah and takes in other dogs for boarding. She is a long-term member of St. Marys Episcopal Church, loves long walks with the dogs, hiking, and gardening, and is something of a compulsive news junkie.Link to slides that Kate used - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/kosfn2biax5j67kkpjc70/TheSituation.pdf?rlkey=cywafl80uqylkdws06jj8ohi9&dl=0Link to YouTube video that Kate showed - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhI2Rlt3SSc&rco=1 This link is to a video - If you only open the Forum podcast, you will experience the audio of this video. It is well worth accessing the video.

Academies of Anchorage—How A New Program Will Reshape ASD High School Education - Cindy Chaput & Misha Chakraborty

Academies of Anchorage—How A New Program Will Reshape ASD High School Education - Cindy Chaput & Misha Chakraborty

Cindy Chaput is the College, Career, and Life Ready Director for the Anchorage School District. An Alaskan resident for 28 years, Cindy has spent three decades in the education sector, gaining valuable experience in administration and counseling across various schools in the Anchorage School District. In her current role, she supports the expanding technical and real-world opportunities for ALL students, bridging the gap between education and the workforce through the Academies of Anchorage initiative. Beyond her professional life, Cindy and her husband, Dave, enjoy building projects with their four adult children, retreating to their cabin, and hiking in the mountains.Misha Chakraborty, with over 15 years of experience in academia, brings a wealth of knowledge to her role at United Way, Anchorage. Her personal interests, such as spending time outside and enjoying music, make her more than just a professional. She is a mother of two daughters and a fur baby, and she is excited to be involved in the Academies of Anchorage initiative through United Way, where her role is to connect the schools with the community and business partners.Slides - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ylotzb6nn92a5f7ubyoe0/Community-Partner-AoA-Presentation.pdf?rlkey=b2zsvpdnpae6pdwthfcdadyfj&dl=0How to get involved - https://www.asdk12.org/domain/6221 Building a Partnership / Partner With Us (asdk12.org)Academies of Anchorage Pathways link - https://www.asdk12.org/site/default.aspx?PageType=3&DomainID=1507&ModuleInstanceID=43761&ViewID=6446EE88-D30C-497E-9316-3F8874B3E108&RenderLoc=0&FlexDataID=86054&PageID=2516Chat - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/4jb5jn7k5i6jgvjwmru6a/20240714_chat.pdf?rlkey=ooqg1e2z7nt3tscsem69g40o4&dl=0

How To Talk About Climate Change - Dr Travis Rector & Paola Banchero

How To Talk About Climate Change - Dr Travis Rector & Paola Banchero

Travis’s primary interest areas are star formation, climate change advocacy, and astronomy education research. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Physics from Trinity University in 1992 and his master’s (1995) and Ph.D. (1998) in Astrophysics from the University of Colorado. His UAA Faculty website lists his many publications. He also works with a team to make color astronomical images, which you can see in the NOIRLab image gallery. Paola Banchero is a journalist and Professor of Journalism and Public Communications at UAA. She worked as a reporter and editor at the Kansas City Star, the Kansas City Business Journal, the Wichita Eagle, the Arizona Daily Star, and the Anchorage Daily News, as well as in strategic communications for a large agribusiness. Paola is the chair of JPC and has taught various courses, from Corporate Communications to Documentary Filmmakers and Filmmaking, to Magazines to Media Literacy. She is a faculty adviser to The Northern Light and a member of the UAA Media Board. She serves on the Alaska Public Media Board of Directors. She earned master’s degrees in Journalism (Northwestern) and Business Administration (Benedictine).Travis and Paola have one daughter and enjoy the outdoors in Alaska.Slides - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ua7t5p0bvcry2y2e1dp6i/AUUFJuly2024.pdf?rlkey=pnpfq0uwt6ca05qfze6u3hz24&dl=0Some interesting websites - http://www.citizensclimatelobby.orghttp://www.ThirdAct.orghttp://www.350.orghttps://yaleclimateconnections.org/2024/05/what-you-need-to-know-about-record-breaking-heat-in-the-atlantic/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1cdf50Zt6ph8l26eXPl8Q80GjHIgHBajfpaQPNjSKcK1IBSikaEAzcw5A_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcwhttps://yaleclimateconnections.org/2022/10/what-can-you-do-about-climate-change-take-this-quiz-to-find-out/https://drawdown.orgTravis;s pubs -https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/college-of-arts-and-sciences/departments/physics-and-astronomy/faculty/rector.cshtmlColor astronomical images - https://noirlab.edu/public/images/

A Life with Vic Fischer—Reflections On Statesmanship and Public Policy - Jane Angvik

A Life with Vic Fischer—Reflections On Statesmanship and Public Policy - Jane Angvik

Jane Anvik came to Alaska in 1973 as a city planner for the Anchorage Borough. She served in political office as an elected member of the Anchorage Charter Commission and later a six-year member of the Anchorage Assembly, which she chaired. Jane managed the Alaska Public Forum for Governor Hammond, and then worked for the Alaska Federation of Natives, the Alaska Native Foundation and the Alaska Native Heritage Center. She has managed the Alaska Division of Lands and the Department of Commerce and Economic Development. Since 2000, she’s worked on community development projects across Alaska as a consultant. She has served on many Boards of organizations that support women and the development of girls, such as AWAIC, STAR, Planned Parenthood, Girl Scouts of Alaska, Alaska Women Ascend and Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame. She has worked on many campaigns for progressive candidates. Jane was joyfully married to Vic Fischer for 42 years until his death in 2023. They raised their daughter, Ruth, and shared their delight in their four grandchildren. Jane earned a BA in Urban Studies and an MA in Public Administration from Harvard.A link to some great photos - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/nqtro2n1j8swkectuprfe/PhotCollection.pdf?rlkey=66ftfowg28uoxv7vvn95ng7iv&dl=0

Alaska’s Afghan Refugee Community - Asia Amini, Dena Doublex

Alaska’s Afghan Refugee Community - Asia Amini, Dena Doublex

Asia Amini, her husband Abdul, and their one-month-old son, Mohammed, fled Afghanistan after the fall of Kabul in August 2021. In January 2022, the family moved to Anchorage, which now includes their almost 2-year-old daughter, Alina. Afghans who helped the US military in the fight against the Taliban were almost exclusively male. Asia is a rare exception as, in her family, she was the one who helped the US military as a member of the Female Tactical Platoon. 39 members of the Female Tactical Platoon, including Asia, are now living scattered throughout the US. Asia works at Catholic Social Services, helping other refugees in many ways: getting jobs, learning English, and meeting the challenges newcomers face. She is a Peer Navigator with the Alaska Literacy Program. She loves helping people and has a special place in her heart for helping women become more independent.Dena Doublex was born and spent her first decade in a small, rural, all-white town in Oregon. The next decade was spent as a white student in mostly black schools in Oakland, California, and many decades traveling to different countries as often as possible. Seeing the differences and similarities among people has always fascinated her. As a retired person, she spends a lot of time with friends new to the US, helping in various ways, such as teaching people to drive, sharing meals or tea, and playing with kids.She views volunteering with newcomers as a fun and cost-effective way to travel without the expense and inconvenience of flying. If you are interested in teaching people to drive, she has a list of people, so contact her at denaldoublex@gmail.com. If you want to volunteer at Catholic Social Services, Refuge and Immigration Services (RAIS), you can get more info at https://www.cssalaska.org/our-programs/refugee-assistance-immigration-services/.Slides - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/7wl1s4ed20cvnsb5tog8x/WorldRefugeeDaySlides.pdf?rlkey=wak504uyiyld21wsl08w4hmma&dl=0Note that 3 slides have been removed from the podcast slides and replaced by blank pages.

Climate Change and the Bering Sea Fisheries - Journalist Hal Bernton

Climate Change and the Bering Sea Fisheries - Journalist Hal Bernton

Hal Bernton has worked in journalism for more than four decades. He was a staff reporter for The Seattle Times from 2000 to March 2023 and previously worked in Alaska for more than a decade with the Anchorage Daily News. The Oregonian, The Twin Falls Times News, and columnist Jack Anderson have also employed him. He was part of a reporting team at the Anchorage Daily News that received the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for reporting on Alaska's Native peoples, and a team at the Seattle Times, which received the Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News for reporting on a landslide that killed 43 people. He has won numerous other awards, including this year's Alaska Press Club award for best environmental reporting. Hal has written extensively on energy, environment, and fisheries issues, and his overseas reporting includes dispatches from Haiti, China, Indonesia, Iraq, and Afghanistan.Photos - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/51k02n9pqnthsrnmo7c8b/2404PressClub.pdf?rlkey=25xfags9gzh7dagfohtvduuew&dl=0All photos © Loren Holmes, Anchorage Daily News. Thanks to Loren Holmes and Anchorage Daily News for the use of the photos in Hal’s presentation. They are made available here solely for viewing as you listen to the podcast recording of this Forum presentation and should not be copied, distributed, or used in any other way without permission of Loren Holmes, ADN.

My Life in Alaska Theatre - A Conversation with Playwright, Actor, Director, and Producer Dick Reichman

My Life in Alaska Theatre - A Conversation with Playwright, Actor, Director, and Producer Dick Reichman

Dick Reichman has been a central figure in Alaska theatre for decades as a playwright, actor, director, producer, and more. He was born in 1945 in New York's Garment District. Instead of returning to take over the family store after college, he went to Carnegie-Mellon University on a Schubert Playwrighting Fellowship, then wrote and directed for Theater Workshop Boston. To support his passions for theatre and baroque keyboard instruments, he worked in radio stations and tuning pianos in several states, eventually landing in Valdez. He was the morning man at KCHU for ten years until Jerry and Sandy Harper drew him to Anchorage in the 90s to be an integral part of their new Eccentric Theater Company (later Cyranos), which premiered ten of his plays. More recently he has done plays with RKP Productions, which he co-founded with Audrey and Bruce Kelly and the late Bob Pond. Dick and his wife, Christine, have three children, Nathaniel, Benjamin, and Amanda, who are all involved in the arts.Link to list of Dick's work - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/sg7kx5k309516hybrjrc9/DickReichman_in_Alaska_theatre-as-actor-playwright-director-producer.pdf?rlkey=nq6ia57yz0wquyuagc2wfhxn0&dl=0

Stories from our civil rights pilgrimage to Alabama - Erik and Robin Hill, Mel Langdon, & Marty Freeman

Stories from our civil rights pilgrimage to Alabama - Erik and Robin Hill, Mel Langdon, & Marty Freeman

Erik was born and raised in Eugene, Oregon, and Robin is from Kansas City, Missouri. They met at The Kansas City Star, where Erik worked as a photographer, and Robin covered city hall and courts as a reporter. Moving to Anchorage in 1984, Erik began a long career as a photojournalist with the Anchorage Daily News, and Robin worked as a freelance journalist. She later earned a Master's in education and taught in the Anchorage School District for almost 20 years. Robin also co-founded the local Habitat for Humanity Anchorage affiliate. Erik and Robin have worked for several years as election workers, are members of long-established book groups, and volunteer for various community organizations. They each served on the AUUF Board, Program Council, and other teams and committees. Both enjoy reading, walking, long road trips, and spending time with family and friends. They have two adult daughters and recently became grandparents. Mel Langdon grew up in Anchorage, lived in Denver for 12 years, and returned to Anchorage in 1994 to raise two daughters. She worked as a civil engineer for various entities in Denver and Anchorage. She retired in 2017 and spent the first 14 months of her retirement teaching high school math in Lesotho. She joined the fellowship last November and came across the announcement for the LLP pilgrimage in a Fellowship newsletter. This sounded like the inspiration she needed, so she signed up just before the registration deadline. Marty Freeman is retired from a career with the AK Department of Natural Resources in land use planning and forest policy. Retirement has allowed her to volunteer with OL and AUUF and serve as an election worker for the Municipality and state. She still has time to indulge in gardening, canning, and quilting and to happily spend more time outside on Alaska's trails and waters. A lifelong northerner, the Alabama Living Legacy Pilgrimage was her first visit to the Deep South.Note that photos should not be reproduced without permission from Erik Hill - akhills@ak.netSlides for opening - https://www.dropbox.com/s/flo0mhik4mq28pr/SlidesResized.pdf?dl=0Slides for the program - https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1O7RYj90eeM7UvjSRDmQfC05BRyKVkClVSZDtWSVSOv0/edit?usp=sharingViola Liuzzo slides - Robin - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/gha4xrnteqpiy01uowo3e/ViolaLiuzzo_Robin.pdf?rlkey=l6t9wbruilxeg981oxsmkxi0r&dl=0James Reeb slides - Erik - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/vbwwm46eidycxkqsjo3jl/JamesReeb_Erik.pdf?rlkey=ruwz8btk27oixb4aci9h7a07r&dl=0

Alaskas 33rd Legislature What We Did, What We Didn't Do, What Lies Ahead - Senate Majority Leader Cathy Giessel

Alaskas 33rd Legislature What We Did, What We Didn't Do, What Lies Ahead - Senate Majority Leader Cathy Giessel

Cathy Giessel, the majority leader of the Alaska Senate Bipartisan Coalition. She was first elected to the Senate in 2011 and served as Senate President from 2019-21 before taking a short break from elective office. She was born in the Territory of Alaska, in Fairbanks, where she was raised and graduated from Lathrop High School before moving south to Anchorage in 1974. Cathy is a Nurse Practitioner, in Family Practice. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Michigan and her Master of Science degree from the University of Alaska Anchorage, both in Nursing. She is actively engaged in community service with a behavioral health board, a school-based clinic, children's programs at her church, and as a foster care and health fair volunteer. She received the Anchorage Republican Woman of the Year award in 2007 and was named an 'exceptional leader' by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing in 2010. She and her husband of 50 years, Richard, raised three kids in the home Rich built for them in 1979. They have 7 grandchildren.

The Girls in the Boat - The Sisterly Art of Rowing from the Heart - George Bryson

The Girls in the Boat - The Sisterly Art of Rowing from the Heart - George Bryson

George Bryson is a journalist who worked for the Anchorage Daily News for 30 years as a reporter, Washington correspondent, magazine writer, and editor of We Alaskans. He holds an MFA degree in creative writing and has taught journalism and literary nonfiction courses at UAA and UAF. He's co-authored books on natural science and Alaska history and served as the longtime organizer of the University of Alaska /Anchorage Daily News Creative Writing Contest. Since retiring from the newspaper, George has traveled extensively by motorcycle, bike, boat and foot. A 46-year resident of Alaska, George was born and raised in California. He developed a love for rowing that he still maintains as a member of the Anchorage Rowing Association and through trips worldwide for the World Masters Games. He and his wife, Ann, have three grown daughters and three growing grandchildren and are happily settling into their new home in Bear Valley.Slides - https://www.dropbox.com/s/j15x4lp54eyrn0w/Girls-in-the-Boat.pdf?dl=0George's slides contained several videos. Videos are a little weird in PDFs, so I have placed "placeholder" numbers on the slides where the videos go. Video links for slide place-holders -Slide #27 video - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/1icxew82qlqh2irsgtch2/27_kiss_the_joy-trailer.mp4?rlkey=z8eqsugdwdd2shq8wwnps8kb0&dl=0Slide #30 video - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/wqlztl1hpru5yguctlgng/30_A_HERO_FOR_DAISY-trailer.mp4?rlkey=hano2nwj4cdy3831h5iz1ecrn&dl=0Slide #32 video - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/d8b9p3pb368whycbe6i1k/32_Alaska_Sports_Hall-of_Fame_Inductee-Kristen_Thorsness.mp4?rlkey=7clvvq0dsb41eexpsj71qtce0&dl=0Slide #43 video - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/hqljmf2h775uhig28idyl/43.mp4?rlkey=ed7jyuyw3kxnswt19zx6vv6gu&dl=0

Helping Alaskan Youth in Need - Amanda Metivier & Heidi Huppert

Helping Alaskan Youth in Need - Amanda Metivier & Heidi Huppert

Amanda Metivier is an alumnus of Alaska's foster care system. Amanda and a group of foster youth/alumni co-founded Facing Foster Care in Alaska in 2003. Through her advocacy with FFCA, She has led efforts to expand services and support for foster youth across Alaska. Amanda is the Director of the Child Welfare Academy, overseeing the training of child welfare staff and the Office of Youth Empowerment (OYE), a partnership of the Child Welfare Academy and FFCA. She spent a decade managing the college fund for foster youth & provides training for child welfare staff & allies. She was a foster parent for 15 years and has adopted from foster care. Amanda has been recognized for her work to amplify youth voices and share her own experiences. She received the Casey Excellence for Children Award, was named one of Alaska's Top 40 Under 40, was recognized by Alaska Children Trust as a Champion for Kids, was honored by the YWCA as a Woman of Achievement, was named one of Treehouse Foundation's Champions for Re-Envisioning Foster Care in America in 2020, and was recognized by the University of Alaska Anchorage as an Alumni of Distinction in 2021. Heidi Huppert (she/her) is a life-long Alaskan and social work veteran of over twenty years. Heidi is the Chief Program Officer for Covenant House Alaska and a subject matter expert in human trafficking, ethical storytelling, and youth experiencing homelessness. Heidi's passion for this work comes from her own experience as a young person experiencing homelessness. Heidi has been featured in several publications, panels, and public appearances for her lived experiences. Heidi received a Bachelors in Social Work and Anthropology from UAA. She was a 2021 40 under 40 award recipient and recognized by the Alaska Legislature for her work. Heidi graduated from the FBI Citizens Academy in 2021 and served on their board until 2024. On her off-time, Heidi cannot be found as she usually travels in the woods or hides in her art studio. Heidi is known as a mischief engineer, a friend of dogs and lover of science fiction.Slides - https://www.dropbox.com/s/tumgmogavmrkhqm/20250512_0900.mp3?dl=0Facing Foster Care AK website - www.ffcalaska.orgCovenant House AK website - www.covenanthouseak.org

2024 Poetry Sunday - a versity, stanza, plethora ... of poets.

2024 Poetry Sunday - a versity, stanza, plethora ... of poets.

Each year the month of April is set aside as National Poetry Month, a time to celebrate poets and their craft. AUUF has a long tradition of reserving one Sunday in April (Poetry Sunday) to celebrate National Poetry Month. This year, poets that joined us were Mike Burwell, Tom Choate, Gretchen Diemer, Erin Hollowell, John McKay, John Morgan, Don Rearden, Mistee St. Clair, Ken Waldman, Emily Wall, and Tom Sexton (read by Lynn Clark).To read bios of these poets, you can go here: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/5ypj99fgm00ksy3dy8nm6/2024AUUFPoetrySunday-Bios.pdf?rlkey=k1yifn5j8clbybkhcqhxjiagh&dl=0

Effects of Climate Change on Boreal and Arctic Ecosystems - APU Professor Dr. Roman Dial

Effects of Climate Change on Boreal and Arctic Ecosystems - APU Professor Dr. Roman Dial

Dr. Roman Dial, a professor of mathematics and biology, will soon retire from Alaska Pacific University after teaching there for over 30 years. His research has included the ecology of tropical rainforest canopies, the organisms that live on glaciers and icefields, and, for the last two decades, the effects of climate change on boreal and Arctic ecosystems. Most recently, he has combined quantitative and outdoor skills with fieldwork in Alaska's Brooks Range, where he, his students, and collaborators study tree line advance, greening and "shrubification," and the staining and rusting of Arctic rivers. While this Forum will focus on his academic pursuits, Roman is well known as an outdoorsman and adventurer, having pursued a near obsession with Alaskan wilderness for two decades. He says the wild side feeds emotion and spirit; the analytic side feeds intellect and family. https://www.alaskapacific.edu/people/roman-dial/So - our Zoom recording of the 21 April Forum failed. HOWEVER, Roman gave a VERY similar talk to a group in Whitehorse, YT after his last day teaching at APU on 26 April and got a Zoom recording of that presentation and shared it with us. John and I will likely add an audio lead-in to the Whitehorse presentation.Video of Whitehorse presentation - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/6nhsuve11id4qvxf5orkk/DialWhiteHorseTalk.mp4?rlkey=6b1gn3inlchbc07grnr4l3vyv&dl=0