AK Rundown, January 26 - 27, 2008

“Adoption”

Host: Rebecca Sheir

Intro/News/Credits

Adoption Squared. Trisha Makaily was adopted as a child, moved to Juneau in her teens, and then was adopted again in her mid-twenties, into Tlingit culture. AK's Scott Burton met up with her at Tlingit and Haida's Community Center in Juneau. Pkg. 4:55 (5:28 with intro)

Music Button: “Family Affair” performed by Chuck Brown & The Soul Searchers from Go Go Swing Live

How To Save a Life. Many adopted kids struggle with their identity: wondering where they came from, who they are, and why they ended up where they did. As a kid growing up in Wisconsin, Anchorage resident Kristin deSmith she wondered all those things - until a medical emergency helped answer her questions. Kristin and her father, Roger, share their story with AK’s Jessica Cochran. Pkg. 5:07 (5:45 with intro)

Break #1: “All My Life” performed by Marian McPartland from All My Life

Parenting All Over Again. 5,500 grandparents in Alaska – and 1.5 million grandparents in the U.S. – are raising their grandchildren. Patsy Parker took it one step further, and adopted hers. AK’s Rebecca Sheir visits the new family, and the office of Alaska’s Grandfamilies Network Project, to learn about the rising phenomenon of parenting all over again. Pkg. 6:26

Music Button: “I Will” performed by Alison Krauss from Now That I've Found You: A Collection

Adapting. When Juneauite Seth McBride broke his neck, he became a quadriplegic with limited use of his hands. At the University of Oregon, he was introduced to wheelchair rugby - or "quad-rugby." Now, at 24, he's among the youngest members of the US Paralympic team headed for the Olympics in Beijing this September. Seth chatted with AK’s Scott Burton while watching a recording of one his games. Pkg. 4:55 (5:46 with intro)

300 Villages.  AK’s weekly trip around the state. This week, Stony River and Shageluk. 3:28

AK Calendar of Events.  AK’s weekly rundown of community events. (Music: “It Had To Be You” from When Harry Met Sally Soundtrack) 1:15

Wish I Were a Real Alaskan Girl. Sometimes it takes a while to adapt to new circumstances. Anchorage singer-songwriter Marian Call may be experiencing her fifth Alaskan winter, but will she ever be a Real Alaskan Girl? Check out her song and find out. 1:30

Break #2: “Family Theme” by Sondre Lerche from Dan In Real Life - Original Soundtrack

International Adoption. When searching for that child who will fill their hearts, couples in this country often look beyond the U.S. Anchorage has several agencies and support organizations -- like the Alaska International Adoption Agency and Families With Children From China -- that help families find, and care for, children from abroad. AK’s Ellen Lockyer takes a look at international adoption. Pkg. 5:35 (6:06 with intro)

Unintended High Roller. While some families search the world to find a child to adopt, for others, they just arrive. Such was the case for Anchorage writer Scott Banks Poem. :51 (1:06 with intro)

Music Button: “Father and Daughter” by Paul Simon from Surprise

Bird TLC. Anchorage’s Bird Treatment and Learning Center seeks to rehabilitate injured birds, before returning them to the wild, or keeping them to promote education. On January 11th, the Center received a new flock of foster charges: the bald eagles that attempted to feed on a truckload of fish waste at Kodiak’s Ocean Beauty Seafoods. In this audio postcard, volunteer Greg McDonald discusses the birds’ progress. 2:52 (3:52 with intro)

One Big Musical Family. Here in Alaska, we like to say we have a deep sense of community. But you don't have to be born here to experience the closeness. In fact, as David Waldron discovers, sometimes all it takes is a good concert. Pkg. 5:38 (5:51 with intro)

Close: “We Are Family (Salsa Mix)” performed by Birds of a Feather from The Music from the Birdcage