Hometown, Alaska - Alaska Public Media

If you've recently visited Town Square Park downtown, you may have noticed some cosmetic upgrades. Built back in 1984, the park was intended to not only serve as a compliment to the Performing Arts Center, but as a centerpiece of Anchorage. The space has gone through a lot of changes over its 40 years but recently, many of those changes haven’t been good. Earlier this year Anchorage voters approved a bond that would overhaul and revitalize the park. On this episode we hear what our brand new Townsquare Park will look like, and everything that has led up to the space's much-needed makeover.HOST: Dave WaldronGUEST: Becky LINKS:Town Square Park planned improvements Town Square Park implementation concept 

We are looking ahead to an annual event that celebrates all things Scottish, from bagpipes, to tea, to tug of war and much more. The Scottish Highland Games will be taking place at the Alaska State Fairgrounds June 28 and 29. On this episode, we give you a full showcase of the things you can find at this year’s event. Later on the program we talk with a competitor who specializes in heavy athletics.HOST: Dave WaldronGUESTS:Jeni McDaniel, Executive Director of the Alaskan Scottish ClubNelson Alger, board member, Alaskan Scottish club/competitorLINKS:Alaska Scottish Highland Games informationAlaskan Scottish Club websiteFacebookInstagram

On this episode, we dive into a world of miniature trees, ancient artistry and abundant patience. That’s right, we’re talking about bonsai. Our guest is Paul Marmora, past president of the Cook Inlet Bonsai Study Group. We hear how he got started, what it takes to care for these tiny living sculptures and how this centuries-old tradition has taken root in the Last Frontier.HOST: Kim SherryGUEST: Paul MarmoraLINK:Cook Inlet Bonsai Study Group

Alaska's stand-up comedy scene has been quietly gaining momentum and a new summer series at the Performing Arts Center is looking to find out just how sustainable that scene can be. On this episode, host Dave Waldron speaks with Bradley Butcher, a stand-up comic and the founder of Comedy Up North. The series debuts in June and will run through July. Hear about this year's roster, which homegrown comics are making a name for themselves and how the shows will work to normalize mental health discussions.Schedule:June 12: Michael LenociJune 26: Nicole Aimée SchreiberJuly 10: Ian EdwardsJuly 24: Jade Catta-PretaHOST: Dave WaldronGUEST: Bradley Butcher, founder, Comedy Up NorthLINKS:Comedy Up NorthTICKETS

Daniella Ambrosino is a local food lover, social media influencer and someone who is right in the middle of Anchorage’s growing, global food scene. On this episode, we dive into how social media and cultural trends are bringing exciting new flavors to our city — and yes, there will be some taste testing along the way!HOST: Kim SherryGUEST: Daniella Ambrosino, @eatlocal_drinklocal

Meditation and mindfulness are practices that many of us use either formally or informally, but what are the actual benefits we get from them? How do those practices affect our mental health? On this episode, we have a local meditation teacher answer those questions and teach us some meditation techniques.HOST: Dave WaldronGUEST: Rick ZelinskyLINKS:Meditate in AlaskaRick Zelinsky website

You've likely heard of Comic Con before, the annual convention that happens in San Diego celebrating comics, video games and all things geeky, but did you know Anchorage has one too? Arctic Comic Con is now in its seventh year and happens this weekend at the Dena'ina Center.On this episode, we hear from one of the convention's founders and a pair of local video game developers trying to make their mark in the gaming industry.HOST: Dave WaldronGUESTS:Mike Lajoie, Co-Founder, Arctic Comic ConWyatt White and George Young, CakeNeq GamesLINKS:Arctic Comic ConCakeNeq Games

Don’t let this recent snowfall fool you. Anchorage had a historically low snow year. On this episode we find out what that lack of snow means for everything—from fire to mosquitos. We did get our usual Fool’s Spring last week, with about four inches of snowfall happening right when we thought we were in the clear.Earlier this year, the National Weather Service reported Anchorage had received 4.3 inches of snow from December 1 to February 17, the lowest snowfall ever recorded in Anchorage’s history. We received as much snow in about one day last week, than we did for the entire 80 days of our deepest winter months.So what does this nearly snowless winter mean for our spring and our summer? What does it mean for the fire season, the mosquito population, the bears or for gardening? On today’s show we’ll cover all of those questions with experts from around the state.HOST: Dave WaldronGUESTS:Stephanie Dufek, Wildland Urban Interface Project Manager for the Anchorage Fire DepartmentCory Stantorf, biologist for the Alaska Department of Fish and GameRich Irvin, Co-President of the Alaska Master Gardeners AnchorageDerek Sikes, President of the Alaska Entomological Society and the Curator of Insects at the University of Alaska Museum of the NorthLINKS:Anchorage Fire DepartmentAFD Fire PreventionAFD Wildfire DivisionAlaska Department of Fish and Game: Species InformationADFG: Living With BearsAlaska Master Gardeners AnchorageAlaska Entomological SocietyUniversity of Alaska Museum of the North: Entomology

Our great state of Alaska encompasses eight hardiness zones and Anchorage is ranked 9th in the US for cities with the greatest number of community garden spaces. On this episode of Hometown, Alaska we hear from two guests excited about the upcoming Alaska summer growing season. The first half of the show is all about Anchorage's community gardens. The second half of the show discusses the Alaska Pioneer Fruit Growers Association and their long-time efforts to share fruit growing knowledge. HOST: Kim SherryGUESTS:Blake Sauer, Community Garden Programmer for the Municipality of AnchorageMark Wolbers, President of the Alaska Pioneer Fruit Growers AssociationLINKS:Anchorage Community GardensCommunity Gardens ResourcesAlaska Pioneer Fruit Growers Association 

Join us for a tour of Anchorage Distillery with CEO, John Blasco, and head distiller, Devin Wagner. We learn about using local Alaska ingredients in the grain to glass process of distilling in Anchorage and even taste test some young whiskey.HOST: Kim SherryGUESTS: John Blasco, CEO, Anchorage DistilleryDevin Wagner, head distillery, Anchorage Distillery

Today is St. Patrick's Day and while many of us will be wearing green and eating corned beef and cabbage for one day, there is a much larger slice of Irish culture that is often overlooked. On the this Hometown, Alaska we explore the other patron saints of Ireland, learn how to speak Gaelic and hear some fantastic traditional Irish Music.HOST: Dave WaldronGUESTS: Kate O'Dell, President, Irish Club of AlaskaTerri Mccoy, John and Vicki Lewis and Donna Feary, musiciansLINK:Irish Club of Alaska

Ice cream holds a special place in many Alaskans' hearts. Our Alaska Native cultures have been making traditional ice cream for longer than any of us have been around. Typically made with a mixture of snow, seal oil, fish and berries, depending on the region. These days, Alaskans consume the most ice cream per capita than any other state, with an annual consumption of 3 gallons per person! So, why the obsession with ice cream? On this episode, we visit Wild Scoops, an Anchorage micro-creamery making handcrafted Alaska ice cream. We tour the test kitchen and speak with Elissa Brown, co-founder of Wild Scoops.HOST: Kim SherryGUEST: Elissa Brown, co-founder of Wild Scoops

On this episode, we dive into the latest developments of Alaska’s volcanoes, specifically Mount Spurr which was recently given a 50/50 chance of eruption. It's the closest volcano to Anchorage and currently remains at a code yellow advisory. Matt Haney, scientist in charge at Alaska Volcano Observatory, joins host Dave Waldron to delve into the science behind volcanos.Later on the program we’ll get into some of Alaska’s history with volcanoes and the science that goes into observing and understanding them.HOST: Dave WaldronGUEST: Matt Haney, Scientist in Charge, Alaska Volcano ObservatoryLINKS:Alaska Volcano Observatory USGS Volcanoes in Alaska

On this episode, host Kim Sherry speaks with Cory Stantorf, a biologist from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, to learn more about the massive moose that roam our city streets. They discuss all the moose facts you've always wanted to know, from the sounds they make to they mystery of that thing dangling from their chin.HOST: Kim SherryGUEST: Cory Stantorf, biologist, Alaska Department of Fish and Game

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 WaldronGUESTS:Neil deGrasse Tyson, astrophysicist, science communicatorAaron Slonecker, director, Anchorage Museum planetariumLINKS:Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson - “The Cosmic Perspective”Anchorage Museum planetarium