AK Rundown: April 5^th-6^th, 2008

“Transplants”

Host: Rebecca Sheir

Intro/News/Credits

Organ Transplants. April is National Donate Life Month. AK host Rebecca Sheir takes a look at organ transplants in the state of Alaska, where 180 people are awaiting donors. We hear from Bruce Zalneraitis of Life Alaska Donor Services, along with veteran kidney specialist Dr. Tom Wood, and Sherry Badillo Moreno, a Wasilla woman whose daughter, Sharday, died in a car accident in 2003; her tissue and organs helped 48 people get a new chance at life. Package 5:40 (with intro)

Uncle Dave. Aaron Weeks’ Uncle Dave passed away just before Christmas. But the memory and legacy of this amiable transplant recipient live on. Commentary. 1:21 (1:41 with intro)

Music Button: “That’s Life” performed by The George Mann Orchestra from That's Life

Save The Rhubarb. "Germplasm” is what you need to regenerate a plant: stems, pollen or seeds. The USDA’s National Plant Germplasm System collects and preserves germplasm, and UAF’s Subarctic Agricultural Research Unit is one of a handful of stations around the nation involved in the effort. Their goal? To ensure that Alaska’s common flora -- like rhubarb-- are preserved for research into the subarctic farming of the future. AK’s Ellen Lockyer has the story. Package. 3:35 (4:15 with intro)

Break #1: “Strawberry Fields Forever” performed by Les Fradkin from While My Guitar Only Plays

Transplanting in the Name of Service. Each year, the Jesuit Volunteer Corps brings volunteers, known as “JVs,” to social service agencies in Anchorage, Bethel, Sitka and Juneau. They're often from outside, but many of these transplants make the move permanent. AK’s Scott Burton speaks with current JV Shannon Bell, as well as alumni Genie and Katie Jordan. Package. 5:32 (5:55 with intro)

Homegrown Leaders. Since the 1970s, many Alaska businesses and organizations have transplanted people from Outside to get business and industry up and running in the state.  But as aging Baby Boomers consider retirement, there's a movement to replace them with young Alaskan professionals. Shana Sheehy speaks with Nils Andreassen of the Institute of the North and the Anchorage Knowledge Industry Network, as well as Liz Posey of the Anchorage Urban League’s Young Professionals, and RISE Alaska’s Sarah Barton. Package. 4:54 (5:22 with intro)

300 Villages.  AK’s weekly trip around the state. This week, Cold Foot and Kaltag. 3:50

Poetry Out Loud: Part One. Since 1996, April’s been designated National Poetry Month. Throughout the month, we’ll hear selections from the statewide finals of the “Poetry Out Loud” recitation contest for high school students. Here, Ketchikan High School’s Crystal Alba recites Maya Angelou’s “Still I Rise.” 2:15 (2:51 with intro)

Break #2: “Poetry In Motion (Karaoke-Version)” from Karaoke Pop: I'll Never Get Over You

Poetry Out Loud: Part Two. More selections from the statewide “Poetry Out Loud” recitation contest: Lathrop High School’s Tommy Hoppough recites “Black Boys Play the Classics” by Toi Derricotte and Kodiak High School’s Laura Ranney recites “Ovation” by Carol Muske-Dukes. 4:29 (with intro)

AK’s Calendar of Events. AK’s weekly rundown of community events. (Music: “Rhyme & Reason” performed by Pickin' On Series from Breathe - The Bluegrass Tribute to the Dave Matthews Band)

Second Chance Prom and Literary Cotillion. AK host Rebecca Sheir speaks with UAA Creative Writing and Literary Arts associate professor Sherry Simpson about an upcoming benefit for the CWLA department. Host interview. 4:29 (4:45 with intro)

Transplanting the Tropics. Colony Calypso is a steel drum group comprised of students and adults from Palmer. AK’s Ellen Lockyer sits in on a rehearsal at Colony Middle School, to hear how their exotic sound transplants a bit of tropic warmth to the North.  Package 5:30 (5:50 with intro)

Close: “Jamaica Farewell” performed by Ivan Boogaloo Jones from Sweetback