The Alaska Federation of Natives annual convention is only a few weeks away and there will be plenty of speakers, crafts and traditional music. But what about contemporary music? On this episode of Hometown, Alaska we have two very different in-studio performances from some up-and-coming Alaska Native musicians. Join host Dave Waldron as he speaks with hip-hop duo Brother Buffalo and singer-songwriter Witty Youngman about their music and how their heritage influences their art.

HOST: Dave Waldron

GUESTS:

Garrett and Jake Swenson, Brother Buffalo

Witty Youngman, singer-songwriter

LINKS:

Brother Buffalo Instagram

Brother Buffalo Spotify

Witty Youngman Instagram

Witty Youngman Facebook

Witty Youngman Website

Temperatures are dropping quickly and hundreds of Anchorage residents are currently living unsheltered in camps and on the street across the city. What’s the plan to keep them safe this winter and beyond? Join host Anne Hillman as she speaks with three city leaders who are working on this problem.

HOST: Anne Hillman

GUESTS:

Alexis Johnson, Anchorage Health Department, Housing and Homeless Coordinator

Jessica Parks, Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness, Chief Operations Officer

Felix Rivera, Anchorage Assembly member

LINKS:

Anchorage Health Department: Housing Services

Anchorage Coalition to End Homelessness

Anchorage Assembly Housing and Homelessness Committee

The stigmas and statistics of mental health awareness are important issues for Alaskans, especially as it relates to suicide prevention. On this episode of Hometown, Alaska host Justin Williams leads a conversation about how to discuss mental health and suicide prevention with Blaze Bell of Standing Together Against Rape and Recover Alaska as well as Shana Cooper of the Alaska Native Justice Center. They share their professional insight and personal experiences to explain how to approach these issues and share what resources are out there.

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health or having thoughts of self-harm or suicide dial 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline for free, confidential support.

HOST: Justin Williams

GUESTS:

Shana Cooper, Alaska Native Justice Center

Blaze Bell, S.T.A.R., Recover Alaska

LINKS:

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

Suicide prevention resources

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

AK Division of Behavioral Health treatment and recovery resources

When most people think of Alaska sports, hockey, basketball and mushing are top of mind. But, as the Alaska Rugby Union celebrates its 50th anniversary, they are poised to make the sport of rugby an Alaska staple. On paper, the objective of rugby is simple—carry a ball across the scoring zone to secure more points than your opponent. It sounds easy enough. In reality, 300-feet and 15 burly athletes looking to knock you off your feet at every turn make scoring a point a Herculean task. But therein lies the joy of being a rugby player. On this episode of Hometown, Alaska host O'Hara Shipe discusses rugby with leaders of the Alaska Rugby Union to discuss the history and the future of the sport in The Last Frontier.

HOST: O'Hara Shipe

GUESTS:

Dave Delozier, President of the Alaska Rugby Union

Jami Almonte, women and youth coach, Vice President of the Alaska Rugby Union

LINKS:

Alaska Rugby Union

Alaska Rugby Union Facebook

45 years ago KSKA flipped a switch and became the very first public radio station in Southcentral Alaska. On the next Hometown, Alaska we revisit some of the station's best memories with KSKA’s original general manager and the station's longtime program director of nearly 40 years.

HOST: Dave Waldron

GUESTS:

Alex Hills, KSKA’s original general manager

Bede Trantina, KSKA's program director for 39 years

Kake, Alaska is currently populated by about 500 people but it’s the hometown of many more. This week on Hometown, Alaska we take a trip on a seal hunting vessel and into a kitchen as we explore the community through interviews about its past and present with the hosts of the podcast "A Piece of Kake."

HOST: Anne Hillman

GUESTS:

Mona Evan and Sarah Campen, hosts of "A Piece of Kake" podcast

LINK:

"A Piece of Kake" website

Zeynep Kilic was born and raised in Turkey. A former professor of the now-defunct sociology program at the University of Alaska Anchorage, Kilic is now an accomplished film director, as well as the new owner of the recently rebranded and reopened Turkish Delight, a restaurant specializing in authentic Turkish cuisine. On this episode of Hometown, Alaska we will hear about her history and relationship surrounding the food she makes and loves, and what approaches she takes for her favorite dishes.

HOST: Justin Williams

GUEST: Zeynep Kilic, Owner of Turkish Delight

LINKS:

Turkish Delight website

Facebook

Instagram

Paula Poundstone is a stand-up comic known for her witty observations on NPR’s Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me and her really large family of pets. The author, podcaster and expert dog-waste-remover will be performing in Anchorage in late June. She joins host Anne Hillman to discuss her comedy, her home life, and more.

Event information:

Saturday, June 24

7:30 p.m.

Discovery Theater

HOST: Anne Hillman

GUEST: Paula Poundstone

LINKS:

Paula Poundstone website

Tickets

ALSO FEATURED: State of Art: Celebrate summer with the Sundown Solstice festival

If you happened to be driving down Tudor Road in Anchorage last weekend you may have noticed a throng of people dressed in armor, medieval gowns and maybe even a dragon suit. That’s because we are in the midst of the Three Barons Renaissance Fair which runs through this weekend. On this episode of Hometown, Alaska host Dave Waldron speaks with a long-time board member about the fair and moderates a debate between the three Barons as they vie for the public's support to rule the realm of Hillshire.

HOST: Dave Waldron

GUESTS:

Mel Kalkowski, long-time board member of the 3 Barons Fair and the Magistrate of Hillshire

Blue Baron

Red Baron

Green Baron

LINKS:

3 Barons Fair Website

Ticket information

heartbreaking. As part of their Military Voices Initiative, StoryCorps partnered with us at Alaska Public Media to record veterans, active members of the armed forces or their families to document their stories. On this episode of Hometown Alaska, producer Ammon Swenson discusses the Military Voices project with the CEO of StoryCorps and learns about the women's veteran organization Operation Mary Louise.

While the virtual opportunities have closed, StoryCorps will be at the Anchorage Public Library July 24 through the 28th for in-person recordings.

Sign up HERE

HOST: Ammon Swenson

GUESTS:

Sandy Clark, CEO of StoryCorps

Vanessa Meade, Co-lead of Operation Mary Louise

LINKS:

StoryCorps

Military Voices Initiative

Alaska Public Media Military Voices

Operation Mary Louise

Despite the May snowfall, it is definitely growing season in Anchorage. On this episode of Hometown Alaska host Dave Waldron and two master gardeners discuss the challenges and rewards of gardening in our northern climate, answer some listener questions and do a little gardening trivia. Later in the show we visit an apple orchard with the president of the Alaska Pioneer Fruit Growers Association to find out what goes into the growing process this time of year.

HOST: Dave Waldron

GUESTS:

Emily Becker and Nick Riordan, master gardeners

Dr. Mark Wolbers, President, Alaska Pioneer Fruit Growers Association

LINKS:

Alaska Master Gardeners Anchorage

Alaska Master Gardeners Anchorage FACEBOOK

University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service

Alaska Pioneer Fruit Growers Association

ALSO FEATURED: State of Art: Anchorage Community Theater’s ‘Wait Until Dark’