AK Rundown: February 9th-10th, 2008
“The Birds & The Bees”
Host: Rebecca Sheir
Intro/News/Credits
The Birds. In October 2006, the Alaska Bird Observatory in Fairbanks began "Migrating Magpies," an ongoing effort in which locals help scientists figure out why magpies might be migrating north of the Alaska range - permanently. In Fairbanks, Emily Schwing spoke with the Observatory’s Susan Sharbaugh, Athabascan elder Howard Luke and Audubon Alaska’s Stan Senner, and brings us this story. Pkg. 5:10 (5:51 with intro)
Music Button: “Little Birdie” by Ralph Stanley & The Clinch Mountain Boys from Man Of Constant Sorrow
The Bees. With spring somewhere on the horizon, Alaska beekeepers are already looking ahead to summer honey harvests. AK’s resident bee lover, Ellen Lockyer, speaks with Anchorage beekeeper Dick Allen and Laurie Adams of the Pollinator Partnership, to find out more about the habits, and survival, of Alaska’s bees. Pkg. 4:33 (4:49 with intro)
Wrangell’s Spelling Bee. Alaska schools have been abuzz lately as students have been spelling each other down, in hopes of making State Spelling Bee finals. In Wrangell, the middle school spelling bee was held this past week. Lisa Phu brings us the final moments of the third round, when it came down to two contenders: Haley Reed and Tyler Eagle. Host wrap. 1:04
Break #1: “Flight of the Bumblebee” performed by The Mexicali Brass from Winter Wonderland
Champ of the Spelling Bee. On February 29th and March 1st, the winners of Alaska’s elementary and middle school spelling bees will have spell-offs in Anchorage and Fairbanks. One winner from each contest will advance to Washington D.C. for the national spelling bee. AK's Scott Burton spoke with the Juneau School District’s top speller, 5th grader Braydon Wrightson. Pkg. 2:25 (2:50 with intro)
Music Button: “Why We Like Spelling” from The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
300 Villages. AK’s weekly trip around the state. This week, Sterling and Shaktoolik. 3:35
AK Calendar of Events. AK’s weekly rundown of community events. (Music: “Makin’ Whoopie” performed by Eric Johnson from Makin’ Whoopie)
Global Warming’s Evil Twin. At this month’s Alaska Forum on the Environment, Dr. Richard Feely will give a talk on ocean acidification. He says oceans take in about a third of the carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere; this CO2 raises the water’s acidity. As he tells APRN’s Lori Townsend, that affects the ability of species like clams, crabs and mollusks to grow their hard shells. Interview. 1:21 (2:12 with intro)
Fish on Acid. The Alaska Marine Conservation Council has been spreading the word about the threat of ocean acidification in communities around Alaska. After a recent presentation in Petersburg, Matt Lichtenstein talked to fishermen to get their reactions. Pkg. 3:17 (3:49 with intro)
Acidification’s Effects. Casey Kelly visited the Alaska Fisheries Science Center in Kodiak, and spoke with Robert Foy. Foy and other scientists are looking at the potential effects of acidification on both the ocean ecosystem, and our fisheries. Pkg. 3:10 (3:34 with intro)
Break #2: “Sexx Laws” performed by Old School Freight Train from Pickin’ On Beck
Sexuality Education. The state of Alaska doesn’t require sexuality education in schools. AK’s Rebecca Sheir meets two South Anchorage High School seniors who -- with help from people like Anchorage School District Health and P.E. Coordinator Sharon Vaissierre – are campaigning to bring comprehensive sex ed to their school. Pkg. 6:40
P.D.A. Teaching sexuality education in many Alaska communities is likely made more difficult by cultural factors. In many Native communities, showing any affection is sort of taboo - much less talking about the hard stuff. AK’s Rebecca Sheir talks with Kenny Steel, who grew up with her Yupik grandparents outside of Bethel. Host interview. 4:10 (4:19 with intro)
Music Button: “Let’s Do It” performed by Dinah Washington from In the Land of Hi-Fi
Love Trek. “Ground Truth Trekkers” Erin McKittrick and Bretwood Higman left Seattle last June, to embark on a human-powered trek to the Aleutians. During a brief layover in Anchorage, they told Matt Rafferty about their trip. 5:32 (6:22 with intro)
Close: “The Birds and the Bees (Instrumental)” by Patrick & Eugene from The Birds and the Bees - EP