Town Square 49
Alaska community news powered by the people. Become a citizen journalist, or enlist your organization today and join the conversation.
Indie Rock Inspired by “Alone in the Wilderness”
Most Alaskans know and love the films of Dick Proenneke – especially Alone in the Wilderness.
But, you might be surprised to know that a Brooklyn-based indie rock band also draws inspiration from Proenneke’s work.
2013 Alaska Press Club Conference Community Scholarships
The Alaska Press Club and Town Square 49 are offering a limited number of scholarships for interested community members to attend the 2013 Alaska Press Club Conference, April 18-20 in Anchorage.
This world class media training opportunity will feature presenters from NPR, The Associated Press, The New York Times and more.
Recovered Polar Bear Cub At Alaska Zoo
On March 12, 2013, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service received word that a female polar bear had been taken near Point Lay, Alaska.
The adult female was accompanied by a cub, which was recovered and transferred first to the community of Point Lay.
Rondy: A Cabin-Fever-Reliever for Alaskans
It’s time to Rondy, Alaskans! Time to quit moping and get outside for some fun at the 78th annual Fur Rondy festival. Days are getting longer and spring is right around the corner. Well, sort of.
Fur Rondy starts Friday, Feb. 22 and runs through Sunday, Mar. 3.
Rondy Queen and Princesses Named
This week a crowd gathered at the Fur Rondy Shop on the corner of the historic 4th Ave. and D St. in Anchorage to witness the announcement of the 2013 Fur Rondy Queen and Princesses, and the King and Queen Regents.
Those chosen as Fur Rondy Royalty serve as goodwill ambassadors for the 10-day festival.
PenAir Says Goodbye to the Grumman Goose
PenAir’s last remaining Grumman Goose is heading to a new home, arriving in Anchorage Friday from Unalaska.
This event marks the end of an era for PenAir.
Alaska Filmmakers “Go Ganges!” in New Documentary
Emmy nominated and multiple-award-winning filmmakers Josh Thomas and JJ Kelley have made a name for themselves traveling across Alaska’s vast and remote stretches of wilderness. They’ve thrived where few would dare venture.
Their new film premieres in Alaska at the upcoming Anchorage International Film Festival.
Alaska Ski Swap Gears Up for Winter with Some Improvements
The Alyeska Ski Club and the University of Alaska Anchorage Ski Team present the annual Alaska Ski Swap Nov. 10 at the West Anchorage High School gymnasium.
The swap generates over $100,000 per year, with 70 percent of each sale retained by sellers and 30 percent donated to support youth skiing in Southcentral Alaska.
New this year, the ski swap expands to cover all outdoor winter recreation gear and adds an online registration component for gear that saves sellers money.
New Pamyua Music Video Released
Bubble Gum is from Pamyua’s album SideA/SideB. This drumsong commemorates a student in Ossie’s dance class chewing gum when he wasn’t supposed to.
This music video was shot in Unalakleet, Alaska during the filming of the Discovery Channels show Flying Wild Alaska season three by Anchorage-based film collective Electric Igloo Creative.
2012 Wounded Warrior Denali Challenge
In this video, five wounded warriors challenge their disabilities to take on the tallest peak in North America.
Call for Submissions: 2013 PBS Online Film Festival
The PBS Online Film Festival is back for its second year and Native American Public Telecommunications, Inc. (NAPT) wants you to be a part of it.
NAPT is searching for the best in Native short films from American Indian and Alaska Native filmmakers across the country. As an organization, they’d like to help curate your short film into the larger submission process.
Arctic Innovation Competition: Deadline Approaching
The University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Management will award more than $19,000 in cash prizes through its annual Arctic Innovation Competition.
The competition, now in its fourth year, asks entrants to propose new, feasible and potentially profitable ideas.
Tuskegee Airman donates Congressional Gold Medal to Alaska Reserve unit
Tuskegee Airman Col. (Ret.) Charles McGee recently presented his personal medal to Col. Bryan Radliff, 477th FG commander from Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson.
During World War II McGee was a member of the 302nd Fighter Squadron.
Photo Gallery: APU Summer Photo Contest
There’s no summer like an Alaskan summer or Alaskans in summer. Alaska Pacific University’s Summer Photo Contest is about highlighting the community.
APU knows they have a very active community and we want others to know it too!
Solo the Rescued Sitka Black Tailed Fawn
On June 29th, AWCC staff received an orphaned sitka black tailed deer from the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, arriving on Alaska Airlines Flight 67 from Ketchikan.
The orphaned fawn will spend the rest of its days at the Portage facility.
Video: The Bone Carver
As a young boy on King Island, Sylvester Ayek learned the ways of his Iñupiat elders: hunting, foraging, and the craft of carving walrus ivory and wood.
Today, he sells his artwork to support his traditional subsistence lifestyle, struggling to maintain Iñupiat ways in a quickly changing world.
Kes Woodward Mini-Doc
On June 5, 2012, Fairbanks artist Kes Woodward was named the Rasmuson Foundation 2012 Distinguished Artist, the ninth Alaskan to receive the award.
Juneau-based filmmaker Pat Race created this mini-doc about the artist for the occasion.
Sitkans Come Together to Save Campus
Sitka, a town of just 8,900 residents, has put in 23,000+ volunteer hours to revitalize the Sheldon Jackson Campus. This is the story of a community coming together, working toward a common goal.
Rescued Baby Sea Otter’s Long Day
The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium working with partner the Alaska SeaLife Center (ASLC), is providing a safe home for a newborn sea otter pup found stranded along an Alaskan coastline.
Film Festival Seeking Submissions from Alaskans
The Never Sets Film Festival is once again seeking the creative contributions of people from across the state. Returning for a second year with a theme of “Stories from the North,” the festival is asking for short films and short screenplays created by Alaskans for an upcoming competition.
Last year, the festival received submissions from all around Alaska and was able to present the films over the course of several days at events in Anchorage, Juneau, Barrow and Bethel.
