Charles Wohlforth
cwohlforth (at) alaskapublic (dot) org | About Charles
The Small, Small Business of Market Vendors
Outdoor markets foster a grassroots economy in Anchorage of tiny businesses, often with one person creating work by hand and selling it directly to the public. But these tiny businesses can add up to big money, and some of them take off. We'll be talking about the markets, craft fairs, and other homegrown shopping forums with a market manager and an artist who uses the markets to sell her work.
KSKA Wednesday, 4/17, 2 pm and 7 pm
Thinking Clearly About Economic Choices
Economics is a way of applying math and logic to the decisions we make. And when you do it, you find out a lot of the decisions we make don't make much sense, not only the little stuff, also the big choices we make as a state. On the next Hometown, Alaska our guest is UAA Professor Kyle Hampton, who has studied that mysterious gap between how we behave, and how we think we behave.
KSKA: Wednesday 4/3 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm
Culturally Relevant Learning
Two plus two equals four no matter where you come from, but how you learn math or the other core subjects may be different for each of us depending on the world in which we live. For Alaska Native students, curriculum and methods developed for city kids may not work as well as lessons that are culturally relevant. On the next Hometown, Alaska Charles Wohlforth hosts educators working to make learning work across cultures discuss these challenges on today's show.
KSKA Wednesday 3/6 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm
Urban Wildlife
Urban wildlife are a part of living in Anchorage. Having a moose at your front door makes a good facebook post for your relatives outside, but it's not fun if you're trying to get somewhere. Moose can be dangerous. We'll talk about the pleasures and hazards of living with moose and bear in Anchorage, and explore ideas for how we can co-exist better. Whose habitat is this, anyway?
KSKA Wednesday 2/27 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm
Photos mentioned by caller: Moose Calf Birth in yard
Ski Trail Intel
Cross-country skiing is all about the trail. In your mind’s eye, that’s where you are when you think about skiing. The beauty of the place, and also the challenge, and, of course, the conditions. That’s why we talk about trails so much. On our very first episode of Outdoor Explorer, we explore the trails of southcentral – the old favorites, and some brand new trails in Girdwood and near Hatcher Pass. Read More...
KSKA: Thursday 2/21 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm
One Hundred Years of Climbing Denali
The first successful climb of Mount McKinley took place in 1913. Walter Harper, Hudson Stuck and Harry Karstens made history. Now, 100 years later, their family members plan to mark the centennial with a climb of their own.
KSKA: Tuesday, 2/12 at 10:00am
Anchorage Reads: The Snow Child
Anchorage Reads is a program that gets the whole town reading and talking about the same book. This time around, the book is by an Alaskan author-- one who has received international honors and best-seller status. Eowyn Ivey, author of "The Snow Child," will be with us on Hometown Alaska to take your questions about the book and share in a community discussion with readers.
Importing Live Music
Anchorage is the end of the line for touring musical artists. It takes a lot of time and money for a musical act to get here. But more musicians are coming than ever before, and not only with the non-profit Concert Association. We'll be talking with one of Anchorage's busiest promoters, hearing from a recording artist who has been back several times, and talk about favorite concert memories and dreams.
KSKA: Weds. 1/16 at 2:00 p.m. and in the evening after Governor Parnell's State of the State Address
Selecting Anchorage History
The Cold War doesn't seem that long ago, but folks are already preserving its history . It's part of deciding what in this young city deserves to be set aside and preserved for posterity. To discuss these choices, this week's guests are Greg Derocher, a veteran who served at the Nike missle site above Anchorage and now is trying to save it, and Jo Antonson, who evaluates historic sites for the State of Alaska. Join us with your ideas about what is worth saving from our past, and why.
KSKA: Wednesday 12/12 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm
The Alaskan Political Junkie
If you are up late listing to election returns Tuesday night, don't worry. Our political junkie analysis doesn't start until 2pm on Hometown Alaska. Two former legislators look at the results from the perspectives of the Democrats and Republicans, from the presidential pick at the top of the ticket through the new legislature, where control of the state Senate and the future of oil taxation and state finances hang in the balance.
KSKA: Wednesday 11/7 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm
Alaskan Food
What’s Alaskan food? It’s more than pilot crackers and peanut butter. You’ve got to include sourdough bread, smoked salmon and even macadamia halibut. Alaska’s mixed culture has produced a mixed cuisine. Find out what’s cooking, and share your own ideas, as we take up uniquely Alaskan food on the next Talk of Alaska.
KSKA: Tuesday, 11/6 at 10:00am
The Joy of Running
Runners are a brotherhood and sisterhood. We may run alone over miles of trails, but our major running events are among the largest public gatherings that ever happen in Anchorage, and training builds strong social bonds. Host Charles Wohlforth, a runner himself, welcomes guests and listeners to talk about running, training, races, equipment, trails, injury prevention, and the lifetime benefits of fitness on the next Hometown, Alaska.
KSKA: Wednesday 10/24 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm
The Roots Of Homelessness
Homelessness affects every community in Alaska, not only the larger cities, and mental health and substance abuse problems mean some of without their own beds have been homeless for a long time. A new idea, spreading across the state, is to provide apartments, even when we can’t solve these root problems. Housing first—homeless shelter with alcohol allowed—is the topic on the next Talk of Alaska.
KSKA: Tuesday, 10/23 at 10:00am
Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Winter is fast approaching, when the basic need to stay warm runs into the high cost of fuel for homes and businesses. State agencies have already invested in
energy efficiency for residents, and now the state is adding money for businesses to lower their energy use. Is that a government responsibility? Energy efficiency — and how you can use these programs — on the next Talk of Alaska.
KSKA: Tuesday, 10/12 at 10:00am
The Real Estate Market
There's evidence that house prices are rising and new homes and business spaces are getting harder to find. Does that mean this is a good time to buy, sell, or refinance your home? We'll be looking at how to handle your biggest asset in the current economy on the next Hometown, Alaska.
KSKA: Wednesday 10/3 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm
Chugach State Park People Pressure
Chugach State park is one of the best in the country. In fact, it rivals many of the national parks. It is also in our back yard, a place we can go for walks after dinner or to take visitors to see the views. But proximity may threaten the very nature of the park. Our topic is the urban wilderness of Chugach State Park, and how it is changing as the city grows and encroaches on its edge. How do you want to see it develop - or not?
KSKA: Wednesday 9/12 at 2:00 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Anchorage Police and Deadly Force
When an APD officer killed a man threatening him with a stick, community members began asking how and when deadly force is appropriate in our community. Anchorage Chief Mark Mew joins host Charles Wohlforth, to talk about how our officers do their work, and when they can make the decision to take a life.
KSKA: Wednesday 8/29 at 2:00 pm & 8:00 pm
Alice Rogoff
She was involved in nation- and world-wide news organization for many years, and she has found a new home in Alaska. As the Alaska Dispatch's co-owner and publisher, her and her colleagues aim to being some of the most in-depth reporting from rural Alaska and bring it to a larger audience.
TV: Sunday, 8/26 6:30pm & Wednesday, 8/29 at 11:00pm
KSKA: Thursday, 8/30 at 1:00pm
Phillip Blanchett
It started out as a music lesson in his brother's basement. The traditional Inuit drumsongs with impressive interlocking harmonies immediately gave Pamyua founding member Phillip Blanchett a feeling that he will never forget, and it has set this uniquely Alaskan musical group apart from the rest of the crowd.
TV: Sunday, 8/19 6:30pm & Wednesday, 8/22 at 11:00pm
KSKA: Thursday, 8/23 at 1:00pm
The first day of school
As students finish their first day of classes of a new school year Wednesday afternoon, host Charles Wohlforth visits with the new superintendent of the Anchorage School District, Jim Browder, to learn about his plans for our kids and to answer your questions.
KSKA: Wednesday 8/22 at 2:00 pm