AK Rundown: July 14^th-15^th, 2007

“Mail”

Host: Rebecca Sheir

Intro/News/Credits

Going Postal.  The post office in the interior community of Lake Minchumina may not be around much longer, depending on what US Postal Service Senior Operations Manager Bob Churchill and his colleagues decide. As AK's Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock tells us, locals -- like Lake Minchumina Homeowner’s Association president Julie Collins and Tanana Chiefs Conference president Jerry Isaac -- fear theirs might be the first of many rural post offices forced to shut down. Pkg. 5:44 (6:20 with intro)

Bypass Mail. Sending essential goods to the far reaches of the state is possible thanks to something called "bypass mail." But recent price increases and other changes are frustrating rural residents. In Barrow, Alaska Commercial Company vice president Walter Pickett and Fran Tate, owner of Pepe’s North of the Border Restaurant, chime in on the issue. APRN’s Annie Feidt. Pkg. 5:17 (5:32 with intro).

Break #1: “I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter” performed by David & Roselyn from Praha Live

Alaska Male. As the saying goes, for women in Alaska, "the odds are good, but the goods are odd." But the numbers in the most recent census are closer than you might think: 51.7% male, 48.3% female. It's a pretty even split in urban areas, but in rural Alaska, not so much. In Nome, for instance, men outnumber women almost 2 to 1. AK host Rebecca Sheir explains. Host reader. 1:03.

Out in Alaska. The Urban Institute reports that Alaska ranks 12th in the nation for its concentration of lesbian couples. And if one Fairbanks man has anything to do with it, Alaska's wild places may also become a hotspot for gay and lesbian outdoor adventure. As Theresa Bakker tells us, he hopes to break down some stereotypes on the way. Pkg. 4:47 (5:00 with intro)

Button: “I'm Coming Out (Soul House Mix)” by The Sweet Inspirations from In the Right Place

Playing Safe.  Whether gay or straight, one essential of a safe sex life has gotten easier to come by: condoms.  And at least in Dillingham, there's a greater variety: from glow-in-the-dark to flavored to studded. Anne Hillman checks out the local selection, and speaks with Kanakanak Hospital’s health outreach coordinator Shelly Wallace, who spends $10,000 a year supplying condoms to the Bristol Bay region. 3:50 (4:06 with intro)

Button: “Play It Safe” by Iggy Pop from Soldier

The Kindest Cut. Paul was a guy who spent much of his life in a pretty masculine place: an old-fashioned barbershop, in Palmer.  When his life took an unexpected turn and he got cancer, Paul received care from Mat-Su Regional Home Care and Hospice, and grew closer to one of his many customers: AK contributor Rex Gray. Pkg. 6:37 (6:59 with intro)

Break #2: “Natural Anthem” by The Postal Service from Give Up

Contiguous vs. Continental. With help from UAA linguistics professor Michael Haley, AK host Rebecca Sheir tries to solve the “Contiguous US” vs. “Continental US” conundrum when it comes to shipping online goods to Alaska. Pkg. 3:54

Button: “The Continental” performed by Fred Astaire from Steppin' Out: Astaire Sings

Overnight Express. You missed last call at the post office, but your package has simply got to reach its destination by tomorrow.  One option is to do what millions around the world do: call FedEx.  AK's Ellen Lockyer takes us inside the shipping company's Anchorage digs, for a glimpse at how they get it there overnight. 4:20 (4:30 with intro)

300 Villages.  North Pole and Valdez.

Calendar of Events. AK’s weekly look at upcoming events around the state. (Song: “Please Mr. Postman (Karaoke-Version As Made Famous By: The Marvelettes)” from Karaoke Hits & Evergreens, Vol. 1, Pt. 1 (Karaoke))

Out of the Envelope, Onto the Computer. As of 2001, Alaska was the most wired state in the nation, with 64% of households online. But all this new technology doesn't sit so well with everyone. Tony Bickert uses e-mail and everything, but he also has quite an attachment to those blue street corner mail-drop boxes. …Or, at least, he did. Commentary. 3:41 (4:01 with intro)

Close: “Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah! (A Letter from Camp)” written by Alan Sherman from Karaoke - Novelty, Vol. 3