Town Square 49
Alaska community news powered by the people. Become a citizen journalist, or enlist your organization today and join the conversation.
Kes Woodward Mini-Doc
On June 5, 2012, Fairbanks artist Kes Woodward was named the Rasmuson Foundation 2012 Distinguished Artist, the ninth Alaskan to receive the award.
Juneau-based filmmaker Pat Race created this mini-doc about the artist for the occasion.
Click for a larger view.
Sitkans Come Together to Save Campus
Sitka, a town of just 8,900 residents, has put in 23,000+ volunteer hours to revitalize the Sheldon Jackson Campus. This is the story of a community coming together, working toward a common goal.
Click for more.
Rescued Baby Sea Otter’s Long Day
The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium working with partner the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC), is providing a safe home for a newborn sea otter pup found stranded along an Alaskan coastline.
Read more.
Film Festival Seeking Submissions from Alaskans
The Never Sets Film Festival is once again seeking the creative contributions of people from across the state. Returning for a second year with a theme of “Stories from the North,” the festival is asking for short films and short screenplays created by Alaskans for an upcoming competition.
Last year, the festival received submissions from all around Alaska and was able to present the films over the course of several days at events in Anchorage, Juneau, Barrow and Bethel.
Learn more.
Forty-Four Years of Keeping Anchorage Clean
As the temperatures begin to rise and the record snowfall continues to melt, miles of trash is unveiling along streets and roadways of the Municipality of Anchorage.
For the 44th year, the Anchorage Chamber of Commerce will engage local businesses, school youth and community members during Anchorage Chamber Citywide Cleanup Week, held May 12 to 19.
Learn more. 
Anchorage Woodlot to Open with New Location
The Anchorage Soil and Water Conservation District is hoping to open the Anchorage Woodlot Thursday, May 3, 2012, depending on site conditions.
Due to tremendous snow accumulation at the previous location, the woodlot is being moved to the South Anchorage Sports Park this year. The basic cost for remains at $10 per load, all material such as mulch or firewood taken from the woodlot is FREE.
Learn more.
Immigration in Anchorage Dialogue
Most of us understand that Anchorage has broad mix of people from around the world, but do we understand the challenges they face and how they enrich our community and schools?
Learn more. Conversations that Matter: Additional Resources
How do we, as a statewide community, engage in a difficult but respectful discussion about race in Alaska?
Through an innovative project based on indigenous values and dialogue principles applied by the First Alaskans Institute, this program seeks to elevate the conversation about race and racism in Alaska and prompt ideas about possible solutions to racial inequality in the state.
Click for additional resources. 
Conversations that Matter: Envisioning Racial Equity in Alaska
How do we, as a statewide community, engage in a difficult but respectful discussion about race in Alaska? Through an innovative project based on indigenous values and dialogue principles applied by the First Alaskans Institute, this program seeks to elevate the conversation about race and racism in Alaska and prompt ideas about possible solutions to racial inequality in the state.
-
KSKA FM 91.1: Thursday 4/26 at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm
Mudrooms: Stories of Transition
On Tuesday, April 3, at the 5th Mudrooms event, 7 Juneau community members shared a personal story related to the evening's theme: Transitions.
Here's a sample story about the transition from youth to middle age (and being born with a second stomach) as told by Kirk Hardcastle.
Read more. Race in Alaska: Share your Story
How would you describe your personal story as it relates to the current state of racism in Alaska today? What solutions or policies need to be addressed to ensure racial equity for all Alaskans?
Tell us your story.
Click here to participate.
Meet the Dialogue Participants
Conversations that Matter: Envisioning Racial Equity in Alaska is a part of the Alaska Native Dialogues on Racial Equity, a statewide project that aims to initiate, foster, and grow racial healing by meaningfully engaging in conversations in communities across Alaska on race, racism and racial equity; in order to move people into a place of understanding, healing and growth.
Included here is a list of participants in that project the, including those involved in the broadcast program.
Click to see the biographies. 
Additional Video Conversations
In addition to the inner circle conversation included in the broadcast, participants also engaged in small group discussion of a series of powerful questions.
Click to view more videos.
Mudrooms: Cabin Fever
Mudrooms is a community-powered monthly event in Juneau, where real people tell real stories, live. At the fourth Mudrooms event, seven Juneauites told stories on the appropriately break-up season theme of "Cabin Fever" at McPhetre's Hall.
Here's a sample story about a lesson learned while rebuilding a rotten cabin in Hope, Alaska as told by Eric Boraas.
Click for more.
Photo Gallery: Dogs of Fourth Avenue
Here's a photo gallery including some of the less famous dogs seen on 4th avenue at the Ceremonial Start of the 2012 Iditarod.
See more.
See more. 
Photo Gallery: APU Ice Climbing Excursion
A photo set of Alaska Pacific University's Outdoor Programs' recent day ice climbing trip.
Click for more photos. 
Miss Indian World’s Competition Outfit
Nome's Marjorie Tahbone was crowned Miss Indian World last year. At a recent photo shoot with UAF photographer Todd Paris Tahbone talked about the components of the garment that she wore during the competition.
Click for larger view.
Mudrooms: Storytelling “For the Love of It”
At the third ever Mudrooms event, six Juneauites and one other Alaskan told stories on the theme "For the Love of It" at Holy Trinity Church in Juneau. Here's a sample from that "other Alaskan," Anchorage's own Representative Les Gara.
Click for more.
Alaska Youth Volunteers Honored
Teressa Baldwin, 18, of Sitka and Keefer Brown, 13, of Wasilla today were named Alaska's top two youth volunteers for 2012 by The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, a nationwide program honoring young people for outstanding acts of volunteerism.
Teressa was nominated by Mt. Edgecumbe High School in Sitka, and Keefer was nominated by Teeland Middle School in Wasilla.
Read more. “The Occupy Movement: What is it?” Community Dialogue Returns
Let's Talk Anchorage is pleased to offer another opportunity for community dialogue on the topic of "The Occupy Movement: What is it?".
The dialogue will take place at the Mt. View Community Library on Saturday, February 11 from 1 - 4 PM. If you are concerned, curious, or committed, this is your opportunity to engage in respectful, facilitated conversations with fellow citizens.
More details.