Rhonda McBride

Organizers of the Alaska Ironman triathlon have had their own marathon, preparing for the arrival of more than a thousand participants. They’ve faced many challenges along the way, with more to come as August 7th approaches, when the event gets underway. On this Friday’sJuneau Afternoon, a look at the logistics for the first Ironman competition…

Part 1: Ironman: An epic adventure with epic logistics.

Guests: Liz Perry, Executive Director, Travel Juneau. Kara Tetley, Destination Marketing Manager, Travel Juneau.
Planning for Ironman Alaska has been unchartered territory for organizations like Travel Juneau and the City and Borough of Juneau. They’ve have had to navigate some unexpected challenges and prepare for an influx of visitors comparable to Celebration. In this conversation, a look at the community’s role as host of what’s being billed as an…

Part 2: Shéiyi X̱aat Hít Youth Shelter reaches one-year milestone.

Guests: Jorden Nigro. Zach Gordon Youth Services Manager
It was only a year ago that the City and Borough of Juneau opened up Shéiyi X̱aat Hít, also known as the Spruce Root House. The youth shelter is run in partnership with the Tlingit-Haida Regional Housing Authority and has begun to make inroads in helping  young people who have either run away from family, or…

Part 3: Juneau Audubon Society rare bird alert: Colorful Wood Duck sightings.

Guests: Brenda Wright, Programs Manager, Juneau Audubon Society.
Brenda Wright from the Juneau Audubon Society has an update on Wood Duck sightings in Juneau. The Wood Duck, one of the most beautiful and colorful of birds, is a rare visitor to Alaska. Also in this interview, advice on how to prevent bird window strikes.

Fifty thousand dollars in prizes. Training on how to run a successful small business. Just a few of the incentives for entrepreneurs to compete in the Path to Prosperity Contest. In this year’s competition, Spruce Root has selected twelve finalists from across Southeast Alaska. Meet two of them on this Wednesday’s Juneau Afternoon, as well…

Part 1: Regenerative tourism is the focus of Path to Prosperity’s business competition

Guests: zzy Haywood, Path to Prosperity (P2P) Competition Administrator; Aaron Angerman, P2P Finalist, Scoot AK (Wrangell); Andrew Jylkka, P2P Finalist and Owner of Southeast Dough Company (Sitka)
Finalists for Spruce Root Community Development’s Path to Prosperity competition are selected based on how their business can support their community. This year’s theme is “regenerative tourism,” which means putting more control of the visitor industry into the hands of Alaskans, especially in rural regions, so they can put money back into the local economy.…

Part 2: How Alaskans can sponsor Ukranian refugees.

Guests: Bridget Smith, Juneau Ukraine Family Settlement. Zori Opanasevych, executive director, New Chance Ukraine Relief.
There are groups like New Chance Ukraine Relief, working to help Ukrainians resettle in Alaska. Some like Ukraine Juneau Family Relief are sponsoring refugees, while others are finding different ways to contribute.

Part 3: Hula dancers help Juneau man get back on his feet.

Guests: Elsa Demeksa and Tonia Kramp, members of Hui Hula o Manoa
The year got off to a devastating start for Kalei Wery, who fell off a ladder and remains on a long road to recovery from his injuries. Wery, originally from Hawaii, has lived in Juneau more than 30 years, perhaps best known for his Christmas decorations that feature a huge Meli Kalikimaka sign outside his…

  Juneau heads into the weekend with more wet weather in the forecast, possibly a break on Saturday, but rain intensifying on Sunday. Wes Adkins, one of the lead forecasters in the Juneau National Weather Service office says, we may end July on a drier and warmer note. Listen to Wes Adkin’s conversation with Rhonda…

It is no small project to disassemble a $2 million aerial gondola from an Austrian ski resort and ship it to Juneau. On this Friday’s Juneau Afternoon… a behind-the-scenes look at this massive undertaking — and plans to install it, once it arrives sometime in September. Also in this program: Marie Drake Planetarium’s presentation on…

Michaela Goade catapulted into the national spotlight last year for her illustrations in We are Water Protectors, which won a Caldecott Medal “for most distinguished American picture book for children.” Goade now lives in Sitka and on this Wednesday’s Juneau Afternoon, she talks about the release of her new book, Berry Song, a story she…

Part 1: Berry Song: In search of tlékw, or berries.

Guests: Michaela Goade, author and illustrator.
  Michael Goade’s new book, Berry Song, was inspired by her childhood memories of picking “tléikw,” or berries, in Southeast Alaska with her grandmother. Goade says her book also incorporates the traditional values of food gathering on Tlingit Aaní, which is rooted in respect, reciprocity and balance. She hopes Berry Song will encourage readers to…

Part 2: Climate Fair for a Cool Planet: Saturday, July 23rd at the Whale.

Guests: Flordelino Langundino, Artistic Director for Theater Alaska. Hali Duran, Choreographer. Mike Tobin, 350Juneau board member.
    Theater Alaska and 350Juneau team up for an afternoon of live theater, dance and music to encourage the community to do its part in fighting climate change.   The event is called Climate Fair for a Cool Planet. It will be held at Bill Overstreet Park, also known as “The Whale,” on Saturday, July…

Part 3: Juneau Police: Recent traffic deaths cause for concern.

Guests: Lt. Jeremy Weske, Juneau Police Department.
After a cluster of traffic deaths, Juneau Police give safety reminders and talk about preparations for Ironman Alaska, a run-swim-bike triathlon coming to Juneau next month.

Part 4: Juneau Animal Rescue’s “Hairball Masque-Fur-ade” features wine and beer tasting and art auction.

Guests: Samantha Blankenship, Executive Director
How you can help Juneau Animal Rescue care for dogs, cats and other critters in need of aid — and have fun at the same time. Also an update on the dire need for people to adopt cats. With more than 130 cats brought to the shelter since April — and only 12 claimed by…

Juneau Disc Golf  recently installed a temporary course at Treadwell Historic Park to test the waters for expansion of the sport. It’ll be up for a public review this fall. On  this Friday’s Juneau Afternoon, a look at how this new use of the park is working and plans to install permanent courses in Juneau…

Part 1: Efforts to expand disc golf in Juneau.

Guests: Shannon Crossley, Juneau Disc Golf Communications Director.
  Earlier this year, Juneau Disc Golf taught about a thousand Juneau middle-schoolers how to play the game. The group hopes to start up high school teams or clubs this fall and is asking for public input on developing new courses.  

Part 2: The Master’s Faire: Medieval fantasy and fun.

Guests: Sorcha Hazelton, Master’s Faire coordinator.
  From sword fights, to lords and ladies holding court, there’s a chance to experience days of yore at the Master’s Faire. It will be held on Saturday at the Juneau Masonic Center. Costumes are definitely encouraged at this fundraiser for the Rainbow Girls and other Masonic community programs.        

Part 3: Juneau Public Library summer programs.

Guests: Margaret Luedke, Programs and Marketing Coordinator, Juneau Public Library.
  The Juneau Public Library is offering lots of programs this summer to keep kids reading, as well as a number of activities for the whole family.

Part 4: Juneau bird behaviors: Never a dull moment.

Guests: Brenda Wright, programs manager, Juneau Audubon Society.
  Brenda Wright from the Juneau Audubon Society keeps an eye out for the subtle changes in the world of birds. Recently she was delighted to spot Tennessee Warblers, which are not seen in these parts very often — while another visiting species, the red winged-blackbird, have become permanent residents. Wright shares her observations from…