Category Archives: Press Release

Vilsack, Salazar, Sutley Announce $3.7 Million in Competitive Grants for New or Expanded Youth Corps

 WASHINGTON, D.C. and SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS, CA – In response to President Obama’s call to expand opportunities for summer employment for young people and connect them with the great outdoors, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, and Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality Nancy Sutley today highlighted summer work opportunities for more than 20,000 young people, ages 15-25, in national forests, national parks, wildlife refuges and other public lands.

Salazar and Sutley are kicking off the summer work season at an event in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area in California, where they are being joined by members of the Los Angeles Conservation Corps and the California Conservation Corps, representing the many corps partners working with USDA and DOI to provide summer work and training opportunities for young people.

On the East Coast, USDA Under Secretary for Natural Resources and the Environment Harris Sherman and U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell kicked off the season at an event celebrating volunteers and other partners who are critical to connecting Americans to the great outdoors. They were joined by representatives from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to announce, along with Salazar and Sutley, $3.7 million in competitive grants for 20 projects across the country that will put more than 500 young people from diverse backgrounds and experiences to work on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands and national forests and grasslands this summer work season.

This competitive grant initiative is being funded with $1.4 million from the BLM and the Forest Service, matched by $2.3 million raised by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation from private partners such as Wells Fargo through the America’s Great Outdoors: Developing the Next Generation of Conservationists initiative.

“President Obama’s call to expand summer job opportunities for young people is helping us engage and train the next generation of natural resource professionals and build a workforce that represents all of America,” said Salazar, who is visiting a youth conservation corps that is conducting trail and habitat restoration in the Santa Monica Mountains. “These first experiences building trails, clearing out hazardous fuels, or cleaning up rivers not only equip young people with skills for a new career, but can also awaken a love for the outdoors that lasts a lifetime.”  Since Secretary Salazar established youth employment as a high priority performance goal, Interior has employed 35% more young people each year since Fiscal Year 2009.

“This program is putting youth to work and making our nation’s public lands more accessible,” said Vilsack. “With 80 percent of our country now living in urban areas, it is through partnerships like these that we are finding opportunities for Americans to work, live and play on our forests and grasslands and experience America’s Great outdoors.”

“Through the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative, the Obama Administration has made it a priority to support communities connecting American youth with the health, economic and recreational benefits of being outdoors,” Sutley said. “This summer jobs campaign will link youth with opportunities to gain valuable work experience, grow our economy, and protect and appreciate our extraordinary natural resources.”

The grants align with President Obama’s America’s Great Outdoors initiative to develop a 21^st century conservation and recreation agenda. The projects were chosen because they have a connection to the 258 million acres managed by the BLM or the193 million acres of forests and grasslands managed by the Forest Service. Many of these projects target our underserved youth and populations.

“This public-private partnership will help bring young people from diverse backgrounds and urban areas to the public lands for meaningful employment opportunities, mentorships, and the joy of the great outdoors,” said Jeff Trandahl, executive director and CEO of NFWF.  “This is a perfect example of how we can team up to help foster the next generation of conservationists.”

The 20 projects announced today are below.  Additional details are available here.

Alaska, California, and Colorado:

• Celebra las Playeras (Celebrate Shorebirds): Environment for the Americas will recruit eight Latino interns ages 18 to 25 to work with education and outreach and to engage in field research training and data collection at Forest Service and BLM sites in California, Colorado and Alaska where monitoring shorebirds is a priority. $40,000 Forest Service; $40,000 BLM; $169,440 non-federal funds.

Alaska

• Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program: The University of Alaska and several partners will expand the program to encourage high school and college-age Alaska Native youth to pursue conservation careers via mentorship programs and hands-on internship opportunities on Forest Service and BLM lands in Alaska.$50,000 Forest Service; $50,000 BLM; $100,000 non-federal funds.*

California:

• Employment and Mentorship of Urban Youth: BLM-California, in partnership with the Student Conservation Association, California Conservation Corps and Los Angeles Conservation Corps will recruit and select 10 young adults ages 18-25 from underserved communities for employment in the Student Temporary Employment Program, potentially leading to career-conditional positions with the BLM. $75,000 BLM; $25,000 Wells Fargo; $100,000 non-federal funds.
• Sierra Native Youth Conservation Corps: At least 12 Sierra Native American youth will tackle conservation projects in the Forest Service’s Hope and Indian Valley Meadows, and the BLM’s Stocking Flat and Tribute Trail in Nevada City. Training on tribal language skills, native conservation restoration techniques and researching traditional use of resources and ceremonial significance of sites will also be provided. $37,000 Forest Service; $37,500 BLM; $75,000 non-federal funds.
• Nick’s Interns: The Mattole Restoration Council will provide 30 paid conservation internships for high school and college-age young people on projects on the King’s Range National Conservation Area and adjacent lands. Project activities will be guided by established management plans and improve grassland, estuarine, and forest habitats as well as riparian and in-stream conditions on the Mattole River and its headwaters tributaries.  $50,050 BLM; $50,000 non-federal funds.
• Promoting Careers in Southern California: At-risk youth from the Los Angeles Conservation Corps will learn about conservation by helping to remove invasive species and plant native species on the San Bernardino and Angeles National Forests and on BLM preserves within the Coachella Valley in Southern California. $50,000 Forest Service; $50,000 BLM; $100,000 non-federal funds.*

Colorado:

• Yampa River Basin Youth Conservation Career Development: Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests, working with the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, The Nature Conservancy and Yampatika Outdoor Awareness Association, will hire young people to work on the Yampa River Basin in northwest Colorado, working on wildlife habitat and stream restoration projects. The project is primarily on the California and Slater Park Special Interest Areas on the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, on BLM and other public lands in the Basin. $50,000 Forest Service; $100,000 non-federal funds.
• Sangre de Cristo Youth for Conservation: The Forest Service will hire at least 20 youth from Costilla and Conejos counties to work on the Rio Grande National Forest and San Luis Valley Bureau of Land Management. The youth will work on high-priority conservation projects such as riparian restoration, surveying bark beetle disturbance and mapping osha, a culturally significant herbal plant. $12,769 Forest Service; $11,000 BLM; $23,769 non-federal funds.
• Southwest Conservation Corps, Delores River Restoration: The Southwest Conservation Corps and Delores River Restoration Partnership is a three-year-old private/public collaboration that is part of the Walton Family Foundation’s Freshwater Conservation Initiative. The project will involve 70 to 80 crew members for conservation work along Disappointment Creek, a major tributary in BLM’s Uncompahgre District in Southwest Colorado. $80,000 BLM; $412,000 non-federal funds.

Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee

• Bridging the Forestry Diversity Gap: Chattahoochee, Cherokee and Nantahala-Pisgah National Forests will work with Groundwork Hudson Valley and The Wilderness Society to recruit 16 youth ages 18 to 21 New York to introduce participants to camping, develop job readiness, leadership, and team-building skills.  The eight member youth crews will restore 24-plus miles of wilderness trails to standard over two years in areas prioritized by the Forest Service- $25,000 Forest Service; $25,000 Wells Fargo; $51,672 non-federal funds.

Kentucky and Indiana

• Conservation Career Training in the Ohio River Watershed: The Ohio River Foundation will hire two crews of six high school students for three weeks of summer work on the Ohio River Watershed on the Boone and Hoosier National Forests near Red River Gorge, Ky., and Norman, Ind. Activities will restore riparian habitat by removing invasive species and planting native species, and will protect water quality by reducing erosion. $28,300 Forest Service; $37,000 non-federal funds.

Maryland

• Potomac River Conservation Job Training Program: The Maryland Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with the BLM, will expand the Maryland Conservation Corps and the Civic Justice Corps to involve students and young adults in conservation projects along the Potomac River at Douglas Point, Md. Participants will be guided and instructed by professionals in park planning and natural resource restoration science and will tackle high-priority restoration work. $100,000 BLM; $100,000 non-federal funds.*

Montana:

• Crown of the Continent and Prairie Next Generation Stewards: The Montana Conservation Corps will engage young people from urban communities, rural Montana and Native American tribes to accomplish 43 weeks of stewardship, restoration and monitoring projects to enhance the Southwestern Crown of the Continent ecosystem, and will work on the Flathead, Lolo and Helena National Forests and the BLM’s Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument and northern prairie landscapes. $38,000 Forest Service; $42,000 BLM; $169,755 non-federal funds.

Nevada:

• Virgin River Southwestern Willow Flycatcher Habitat Restoration: The Great Basin Institute will partner with Nevada Conservation Corps and Partners in Conservation to restore 40 acres of BLM land along the Virgin River near Mesquite, Nevada. Partners in Conservation will recruit 70 young people to engage in hands-on restoration and monitoring and visit with hydrologists, biologists, and other natural resource professionals to learn about conservation career pathways. $80,000 BLM; $252,515 non-federal funds.

New Mexico:

• Collaborative Forest Restoration and Education in New Mexico: The Forest Guild and the Cibola National Forest will hire and train 12 Tribal youth from Cibola and McKinley counties for part-time seasonal jobs for up to two years. The young people will help with gathering habitat structure data to carry out management for an area that is habitat for keystone species such as northern goshawk, Mexican spotted owl, and Abert’s squirrel. $50,482 Forest Service; $25,000 Wells Fargo; $75,492 non-federal funds.

Oregon:

• Restoring the Future: Pathways to Careers in Conservation: Mt. Hood Community College will hire and train 30 urban youth and 2 crew leaders to complete essential restoration projects over two summers in the Sandy River Basin, just east of metropolitan Portland. Youth will work with agency professionals and Basin partners to gain job-readiness skills and hands-on experience in salmon habitat restoration, trail work, native plant restoration, project management, and invasive-plant removal.  $35,000 Forest Service; $35,243 BLM; $107,000 non-federal funds.
• Tillamook Coho Stream Restoration Project: The Tillamook School District will partner with the BLM to monitor Coho salmon stream restoration sites and collect data to assess the effectiveness of ongoing stream restoration on the Wilson, Nestucca, and Trask Rivers. A crew of one adult leader and five youth members, will work on   will conduct aquatic invertebrate sampling, riparian fence monitoring, fish habitat evaluation, water quality sampling and analysis, and photo-point monitoring. $42,570 BLM; $77,500 non-federal funds.
• Klamath Basin Stewardship Project: The Northwest Youth Corps will hire 50 local youth, at least 40 percent from the Klamath Tribe, to work on riparian fence building, invasive species removal, native plantings, survey completions and data management, and public lands access management. This project supports the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Upper Klamath Basin Keystone Initiative by implementing high priority stewardship projects near the city of Klamath Falls, the Wood and Sprague River systems and the Williamson Delta. $99,995 BLM; $108,073 non-federal funds.

Utah:

• Utah Conservation Corps Bilingual Youth Corps: The Corps, based at Utah State University in Logan, Utah, will expand its Bilingual Youth Corps by hiring 36 bilingual high school students over a two-year period to help complete 50 miles of wilderness trail maintenance and habitat restoration on 135 acres of public lands on the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, the Salt Lake Watershed and along the Jordan River Parkway. $70,000 Forest Service; $25,000 Wells Fargo; $96,436 non-federal funds.

Wisconsin

• Inventory and Stewardship of Wisconsin River Islands: Operation Fresh Start will engage 60 young people ages 16–24 in the inventory, planning, and restoration activities to identify and conserve the natural resources on 64 islands owned by BLM within the lower Wisconsin River. Activities include GIS mapping of plant communities and observed wildlife, natural features, and human use and development, and removing invasive species control and adding site enhancements such as bird boxes and signage.  $55,072 BLM; $94,714 non-federal funds.

* These three pilot projects were previous announced in December 2011 when the America’s Great Outdoors: Developing the Next Generation of Conservationists grant program was announced.

3709 Spenard Road, Suite 200, Anchorage, AK 99503
907-522-5850 Phone 907-522-5852 Fax

OfficeTech, Alaska’s award winning Xerox sales agent/dealer and Alaska’s largest independent mail handling equipment company representing Neopost and Haslet, is pleased to annouce the acquistion of office bindery solutions from Dawn and John Nelson.

The acquisition increases OfficeTech’s portfolio of office and printing solutions to include cutters, shredders, trimmers, binding systems and folders as well as Nerox, Neopost and Hasler Office Solutions.

OfficeTech is the statewide Neopost and Hasler dealer, and provides full service mailing solutions including equipment sales, supplies and service. Office Bindery Solutions is a nationwide dealer and distributor, and Internet sales site for document finishing and paper handling supplies, service and equipment and authorized deal for Akiles products, MBM Corporation, Leslie Corporation, Pro Bind, Martin Yale and others.

OfficeTech is a woman owned business headed up by Julie Olsen, president, B.K. Powell, CFO, Peter Olsen, Vice President, and Mike Zoske, General Manager.

OfficeTech is located at 3709 Spenard Road, Suite 200, Anchorage, AK 99503.

(907) 522-5850 – OfficeTech Main Number
(907) 688-3653 – Office Bindery Solutions
(877) 688-2381 – Nationwide Toll-Free

www.xofficetech.com
www .officebindry.com

For further information call Peter Olsen, Vice President at (907) 522-5850.

In an effort to encourage people of all ages to pursue further education, the American Educational Guidance Center has added an infographic to one of its websites to illustrate the economic advantages of higher education.

Among the several facts that the infographic (http://www.college-scholarships.com/college_pays.htm) illustrates is that the difference between the lifetime earnings of an average high school graduate and the holder of a graduate degree is enough to purchase 2,600 Ipads, a personal jet, or a private island.

“Our goal is to make as many people as possible aware of the benefits of undergraduate and graduate degrees”, says Mary Rosenfield of the American Educational Guidance Center.  “That’s why we have placed code on the infographic page so that other organizations and individuals with websites can add our infographic to their sites if they wish.  The more people who see the infographic the better”.

“Research has clearly demonstrated that degree holders earn substantially more money, experience higher job satisfaction, and enjoy many more career options.  Also, the unemployment rate of degree holders is approximately half that of workers who have not gone beyond high school”, Rosenfield added.

The “College Pays” infographic appears on a 200 page higher education website (http://www.college-scholarships.com) which also includes college and university contact information, listings of career colleges, traditional colleges and online colleges, information on scholarships and financial aid, college admissions advice, an online GPA calculator, a list of comprehensive programs for students with learning disabilities, a list of historically black colleges and universities, a list of Christian colleges, a list of colleges for women, links to more than 55 free scholarship search websites, and related topics of interest to college-bound students.

For information or comment, contact Dan Rosenfield at aegc@earthlink.net or (337) 296-4000.

Love of Life productions of Grand Rapids, Michigan, recently finished production of the full-length feature film “Love of Life,” based on the short story of the same name by Jack London. The film is currently in post-production.

The adaptation, written by Robert Gregg, Escanaba, Michigan, and directed by Kevin Swigert, Sun Valley, Idaho, was shot on location in the Delta Junction area and on Fort Greely.

The plot focuses on a gold miner from 1903 who leaves his claim late in the year, is abandoned by his partner, and must survive the hardships of Alaska to make it back to his fiancé in Fairbanks.

Over the course of the film, the starving man becomes delusional and in the end he struggles not only against the wilderness, but also against himself to survive.

The tag line for the motion picture is “Where there’s hope, there’s life.”

“The shoot went beyond our expectations,” said Robert Gregg, who is also the film’s producer. “We had a great crew from L.A. and Anchorage that worked well together. They are true professionals and it showed in the production quality.”

Anchorage crew included Tim Boese, Sound Mixer; Tom Pillifant, first AC; Cail Hubert, key grip; and Jerry Levine.

Gregg also expressed thanks to the citizens of Delta Junction, Alaska, and especially to the army at Fort Greely, Alaska.

“The people of Delta Junction and the military made us feel welcomed,” Gregg said. “We would film there again in a heartbeat. Police chief Travis Hoague and the military at Fort Greely went above and beyond the call of duty.”

Delta residents directly involved in Love of Life included Phebe Horschol and Steve DuBois, who played roles in the film, and Lou Ann Fett who was instrumental in setting up the final scene at Sullivan’s Roadhouse.

Love of Life’s director of photography was Jeffrey Smith of Los Angeles. Roarke Boes, also of Los Angeles, was the first assistant director.

“Pete’s performance was extraordinary,” said director Swigert. “He set an example for the crew every day, and we felt obligated to also give our best.”

Executive producers, all from Michigan, include Robert Schellenberg; Ken Meshigaud, CEO of the Hannahville Indian Community; and Jeff and Rosalie Naser.

The film is being edited and then the musical score will be added before its theatrical release.

Love of Life will premiere in Michigan in April, 2012. Premieres are also planned for Alaska and Los Angeles.

For pictures and more information: Contact Robert Gregg at 906-789-1139

US Designer Scoops Three WOW Awards: Six Awards Go to the US in Total

At tonight’s prestigious Brancott Estate World of WearableArt™ (WOW®) Awards Show in Wellington, New Zealand, American designer Sean Purucker scooped up three awards, with three other American designers also winning awards.

The successful designers from America are: Sean Purucker, Lorene Ireland, David Herbert – who were in Wellington to receive their awards tonight – and Frank Strunk III. They were amongst 35 winners of this year’s Brancott Estate WOW® awards, sharing the $150,000 prize pool. For the first time, there were also eight Honorable Mentions at WOW®.

Sean Purucker, California. First place, Children’s section. Second Place, Sustainability
Award. Second place and Honorable Mention, American Express Open Section.

Sean Purucker is a Costume Fabricator from Toluca Lake in California and he has received an award for all three of his entries in this year’s show. Sean is a regular entrant to WOW®, having entered 12 garments in the show since 2008. He has previously won both the WETA Award and WOW Factor Award.

Pretzella, Sean Purucker, United States Winner 2011 Children's Section

This year, his entry Pretzella won top prize in the Children’s Section. He describes this garment as playful food that mimics the bow on a child’s dress.

He describes his entry Lucid Epiphany, which was Second in the American Express Open Section, as being ‘a living dream catcher, inside a pomegranate.’

“Lucid Epiphany represents the struggle to remove life’s worries, allowing you to depart from insomnia, and being left with restful peace,” he says.

Meanwhile, his garment Steamy Affair is made out of steamer baskets, plastic and chain. It received an Honorable Mention in the American Express Open Section and Second place in the Shell Sustainability Award. “Relationships are great when they are healthy, as shown with the steamer basket clothing,” Purucker says. “But, the garment also represents armour that people hide behind, protecting their identity if someone chooses to complicate their relationship.”

Lucid Epiphany, Sean Purucker, United States 2011 American Express Open Section - Runner Up

Sean grew up in Alaska, surrounded by nature and beauty, and he found out about WOW® by accident while looking on the internet for wire artwork; he makes “little wire people” and sculptures for a hobby.

He says he mostly uses real life events as inspiration for his creations. Many of his ideas are planned long ago, and take quite a bit of time to construct and build.

He says he gets a lot out of WOW®. “I like to walk away from each WOW® experience knowing we have showcased the thing that we love to do in the crazy and busy lives we all have, and hopefully we have five minutes just to enjoy the things that we create.”

WOW® founder and co-judge Suzie Moncrieff says there were so many incredible entries this year, that it was one of the most difficult years to judge.

“The garments this year are of a very high standard, so we have added Honorable Mentions to some of the sections, as we felt these entries, such as Steamy Affair needed the recognition they deserved,” says Moncreiff. “It is always inspiring to see new and exciting ideas used to create the amazing works of wearable art for the show, and we acknowledge the many hours and dedication that has gone into making them”.

Lorene Ireland, San Diego. First Place, Air New Zealand Kiwi Icons Section

Lorene Ireland from la Jolla, entered two garments in this year’s WOW® Awards Show, and has won First place in the Air New Zealand Kiwi Icons Section with her garment, Isabelle, which is made out of sea shells and fine china mosaic.

“As an artist, I have explored many mediums and forms of expression, from the most
abstract to the traditional,” she says. “I especially enjoy sculpture because it gives me more freedom to explore the many facets of figurative art.”

Thrilled at being nominated as a WOW® finalist, she hosted a special wine and cheese
reception at her California gallery last week, and travelled to Wellington this week, to
attend the WOW® Awards Show.

WOW® founder and co-judge Suzie Moncrieff says Isabelle “Encapsulates the theme of New Zealand Icons, and how we reminisce the past when collecting shells; a time when creating ornaments and vases was a popular pastime for New Zealanders.”

Frank Strunk III, Florida. Second place, WOW® Factor Award.

Self-taught artist Frank Strunk from St Petersburg in Florida entered Feminine Mettle in the Tourism New Zealand Avant Garde Section, which has awarded him a WOW® Factor Award, chosen by Suzie Moncrieff as “the most innovative garment with the WOW factor.” Frank has now entered the show three times – in 2009, 2010 and 2011. In addition to this year’s award, he also received a Highly Commended prize in 2009.

He describes Feminine Mettle as a stunning, festive bustier; a dress with an industrial edge for that special occasion.

“My goal was to turn metal from a material used for armour in battle into armour to show curves, strength and beauty; to form the metal so that it mimics the characteristics of fabric,” he says. “The female anatomy is so complex, I used geometry, hammer forming, mechanical fasteners and imagination to create Feminine Mettle, a play on words to celebrate the beauty and tenacity of the feminine spirit.”

Suzie Moncrieff says Feminine Mettle “has an edgy approach, and is beautiful, while being strong.”

David Herbert, Chickasaw. Second place, Wellington International Award.

First time WOW® entrant and metal artist David Herbert entered Modern Warfare in the
Tourism New Zealand Avant Garde Section, and was runner up in the Wellington
International Award.

He was in Wellington tonight to receive this award, which recognises the creativity and
excellence of international designers, going to the best international entries.

David Herbert, a shipbuilder by trade, only started doing metal art just over a year ago. He says Modern Warfare was inspired by old world armour with a sleek sexy look for today’s women.

“I have never done anything like this and didn’t even know WOW® existed,” he says. “I love art and design and was approached by a local gallery to create an outfit to enter into
WOW®, and a local art show. The entire costume was made without the use of a model,
and was based on measurements only. I am completely flattered to have made it this far,
and can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

Suzie Moncrieff says Modern Warfare is a beautifully constructed piece. “It is made out of the difficult material of steel and it creates a futuristic avant garde piece with dramatic
presence on stage.”

In New Zealand’s capital city Wellington, all 2011 Brancott Estate WOW® Award Show
winners and finalists are transported into a world of fantasy and surrealism, reminiscent of the work of the late Italian Film Director Fellini. The Show is two hours of wall-to-wall
colour, energy and creativity, in a stunning choreographed performance featuring the full company of Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) dancers, professional dancers from
Wellington’s Footnote Dance and the entire first year of the New Zealand School of Dance.

Every night, show goers are also treated to cameo appearances by celebrity guests – true
New Zealand icons – during the Air New Zealand Kiwi Icons section.

There are still a few coveted tickets available to see this world-renowned show. To
purchase go to www.worldofwearableart.com

The World of WearableArt™ is a concept created in 1987 by Suzie Moncrieff, to take art
off the wall and adorn the human form, then showcase each creation in a dramatic
setting. A new way to experience art and fashion was born back then, and Suzie
Moncrieff called it WearableArt™. The world renowned annual World of WearableArt
Awards Show in Wellington is proudly a New Zealand event, and now attracts over a

Designers:
Sean Puruker: wireframe01@hotmail.com
Lorene Ireland: lorene@lajollastudioworkshops.com
Frank Strunk III:axelgrease@verizon.net
David Herbert: designermetal@gmail.com

Brancott Estate World of WearableArt™:
For more information, releases and imagery go to the WOW® online media library at
www.worldofwearableart.com or contact us at media@worldofwearableart.com. To arrange further comment please call 021 547 585 or 021 547 864.

JD Tharpe and The Foothill Billy Band announce efforts to raise funding for Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital by releasing the single “If You Couldn’t Say Goodbye” on iTunes. 100% of the net proceeds from the sales of the single in July and August will be donated to this worthy cause. Additional details are available. (www.joetharpe.com)

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) August 3, 2011 – JD Tharpe and the Foothill Billy Band have recorded a special song, “If You Couldn’t Say Goodbye”. The debut single is the beginning of the band’s commitment to bring about social change through their music. “Our debut into the world of country music will be more than just being about us. We will take our music and use it to help make a difference.” – JD Tharpe

JD Tharpe is also currently a member of the “Coldwater Canyon Band”; an award winning, Billboard chart topping country band based in Los Angeles. “If You Couldn’t Say Goodbye” was inspired by JD’s mom who passed away in 2005. JD feels it would be improper to make a song like this and not do something meaningful with it. JD’s grandmother passed away this month in South Carolina as well. In a sad twist of irony, he was not able to be there to say goodbye to her. In addition to the reason for the songs existence, he is now dedicating it to his mother and grandmother.

JD had a close childhood friend who was treated at Saint Jude Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. This was his impetus to donate to this charity.

The Foothill Billy Band members have all pitched in on the making of the single. Scotty Lund engineered it at no charge. Some additional friends have agreed to donate their services on the video as well. There are two people in particular who have graciously decided to do their part. Linda Rebman and Maria Rebman Caso (an Emmy winning set designer) are both donating their talents to the video. Buffalonians Productions, LLC will produce the video at cost.

The response to the song has been promising. National broadcasters have decided to bring JD on their shows nationwide: Gary Garver Live (of Howard Stern fame) on DoubleGT.com /Tan Talk Radio Network 1340 (with an estimated 200,000+ listeners) and Betty Kilbride host of All Fired Up Military Monday (with podcasts in nine countries). Betty has a streaming internet show that focuses mainly on military issues and politics. She sees “If You Couldn’t Say Goodbye” as something that will speak to the veterans and their families.

JD Tharpe and the Foothill Billy Band would like to say thank you most sincerely to CBS affiliate WCSC Channel 5 in Charleston, SC for interviewing him this month. “In our efforts to raise funding for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, we appreciate 5 News stepping forward and helping us to spread the word about the debut single “If You couldn’t Say Goodbye”” – JD Tharpe.

JD Tharpe and the Foothill Billy Band is a country music band with a with a rock and roll edge. Their sound is a melding of country, blues and southern rock. They are a socially conscious band that is committed to making a difference with their music. They continue to make themselves available for many charitable organizations. Sales of the single, “If You Couldn’t Say Goodbye” will be published on the News and Events page at www.joetharpe.com at the end of August.

Media Contact
Richard McMullen – Manager/Marketing Director
818-297-4432
www.joetharpe.com

CONTACT:
Randy Hagenstein, Director, The Nature Conservancy in Alaska, 907-244-1256
Jack Sinclair, Alaska Department of Natural Resources, 907-269-8425
Marie McCarty, Director, Kachemak Heritage Land Trust, 907-235-5263
Lynn Whitmore, Local Resident and Fishing Legend, 907-299-1760

Public Access to Popular King Salmon Fishing Hot Spot Now Guaranteed for Future
Generations of Anglers
(The Nature Conservancy Transfers Anchor River Parcels Valued for Fishing and Habitat to the State, Ensuring Public Access)

The Nature Conservancy Transfers Anchor River Parcels Valued for Fishing and
Habitat to the State, Ensuring Public Access

A new Kenai Peninsula land deal guarantees public access to a popular fishing
destination on the Anchor River.

This month, The Nature Conservancy transferred 75 acres at the mouth of the
Anchor River to the Alaska Department of Natural Resources for the benefit of
long-term habitat management. The area has a devoted following among king salmon
and steelhead anglers in Southcentral Alaska.

“This move is absolutely the right thing to do,” said Lynn Whitmore, a local
fishing legend and resident of Anchor River.“This is truly a special river, a
special piece of land, and a special place to fish for kings. Fishermen are
happy to see it publically-owned and protected from here on.”

Since purchasing the land in 2009, the Conservancy and other conservation
partners have worked with the state to acquire private and federal funds that
allowed it to purchase these habitat parcels at cost.

While the privately-owned area was previously accessible , that public access
was never guaranteed. Now, the land will be managed for habitat and recreation
by Alaska DNR.

“This lands transfer is a big victory for all Alaskans,” said Randy Hagenstein,
director of The Nature Conservancy in Alaska. “The mouth of the Anchor River has
been a treasured fishing hot spot for decades, and has served as vital rearing
habitat for salmon and steelhead for thousands of years. Public ownership of
this land will guarantee access for all Alaskans for decades to come.”

“This project wouldn’t have been possible without the support from many groups
and individuals who care deeply about the long-term health of salmon runs in the
Anchor River,” said Marie McCarty, executive director of the Kachemak Heritage
Land Trust. “Our community extends a huge thank you to Ducks Unlimited, Clark &
Barbara Springer, Wildlife Forever, and all of the local fishermen who walked
the banks of the river collecting donations to make this dream a reality.”

Other funding for the project came in the form of a National Coastal Wetland’s
grant from the United State’s Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as grant
matching funds received from the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council.

CONTACT:   Cassandra Olson, Development Coordinator
Sitka Festival of the Arts, Humanities and Natural Sciences is among 51 grants nationwide selected to support creative placemaking

Sitka, AK—Today, Alaska Arts Southeast announced that it will receive an Our Town grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), one of only 51 grants awarded nationwide. Alaska Arts Southeast will receive $100,000 to make the Sheldon Jackson campus a multidisciplinary arts education campus and site of the Sitka Festival of Arts,
Humanities and Natural Sciences in the summer of 2012.

Our Town is the NEA’s new leadership initiative focused on creative placemaking projects.
In creative placemaking, partners from both public and private sectors come together to strategically shape the physical and social character of a neighborhood, town, city, or region around arts and cultural activities.

The NEA Our Town grant will provide the focus for developing the National Historic Landmark Site of the Sheldon Jackson Campus into a year round community arts campus that the adjacent nonprofit organizations will share. Partner groups and Alaska Arts Southeast will celebrate this community effort by holding the Sitka Festival of Arts, Humanities and Natural Sciences next summer. This is a ten-week festival that will showcase each of the partners and celebrate collaboration among disciplines.

National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Landesman said, “Communities across our country are using smart design and leveraging the arts to enhance quality of life and promote their distinctive identities. In this time of great economic upheaval, Our Town provides communities an opportunity to reignite their economies.”

Alaska Arts Southeast’s Executive Director, Roger Schmidt, and Board President, Karen Grussendorf, are enthusiastic about the project. “Our staff and Board are excited about this award and look forward to working with our partner groups to prepare a great summer festival in 2012!”

In February of this year, Alaska Arts Southeast, Inc. received ownership of the core campus of the former Sheldon Jackson College, including 20 buildings. Since then, over 470 volunteers have worked to transform the closed campus into a home for Sitka Fine Arts Camp. 567 students from 37 Alaska communities and 21 other states were able to attend Camp there this summer.

With partner organizations as neighbors to the Camp, the potential for collaboration is too great to ignore. Next year, the Sitka Festival of Arts, Humanities and Natural Sciences will combine the offerings of the Sitka Fine Arts Camp, The Island Institute, Sitka Sound Science Center, Greater Sitka Arts Council, Sitka Summer Music Festival, Sitka Convention and Visitors Bureau, Indigenous Alaska Native Artists, Sitka Counseling and Prevention Services, Alaska State Museum, Pathways Across the Pacific and Sitka Economic Development Association and the Alaska Native Artist Demonstrators Program.

“The Our Town Project will be a chance to show people how science and art intersect, and that’s important.” Lisa Busch, Executive Director of the Sitka Sound Science Center

“The opportunities provided by the NEA “Our Town” grant are fantastic. We are excited to work with Alaska Arts Southeast and other Sitka organizations and individuals to create a 2012 Summer Arts Festival that will be its own amazing series of events, but we also believe the collaboration launched by this project has the potential to keep the Sheldon Jackson campus humming with arts, humanities, and natural science activities well into the future.” Carolyn Servid, Co-Director of the Island Institute in Sitka.

“It’s really exciting to partner with Alaska Arts Southeast to bring Native Artists from around the Pacific Rim to Sitka.” Terry Rofkar, master Tlingit weaver, artist demonstrator, and teacher Since its beginning in 1972, the mission of Alaska Arts Southeast  (AASE) has been to provide Alaska youth with the opportunity to develop personal artistic interests and skills in an intensive artistic experience through stimulating, high quality, professional instruction in visual arts, music, dance, theater, writing, and Alaska Native Arts.

www.fineartscamp.org

The National Endowment for the Arts was established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. To date, the NEA has awarded more than $4 billion to support artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities. The NEA extends its work through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies, and the philanthropic sector.

Citizens, Science and Social Media Join Together To Kick Off The Great Bee Count July 16, 2011 – 9am – 9pm Pacific Time / 11am – 11pm Central Time / Noon to Midnight Eastern Time

YourGardenShow.com is presenting Bee-a-thon 2011, the first-ever, free online “town hall” event broadcasting live to a worldwide audience to shed light on the plight of our disappearing bee populations. Bees and pollinators are responsible for one in every three bites of food and contribute billions of dollars to global economies, so their dwindling numbers affect everyone. The Bee-a-thon live online event brings together top bee experts and environmental players with backgrounds in science, activism, conservation, arts and education who will be interacting with viewers via a user-friendly live chat area and providing inspiring ways to help the bees this summer. People will be tuning in to the event for anywhere between 12 minutes or 12 hours, from living rooms, gardens, mobile devices and “backyard bee parties.”

PRESS RELEASE: http://www.yourgardenshow.com/news16
Twitter hashtag: #iseebees

CONTACT:
Lisa Finerty
Outreach Director
YourGardenShow.com
Twitter: yourgardenshow
Facebook: yourgardenshow
San Francisco
415-738-2476

July 5, 2011

In response to appeals filed by the Chickaloon Village Traditional Council (CVTC), Castle Mountain Coalition, Pacific Environment, and other community groups, on Friday, July 1, 2011, the Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced it would withdraw a Decision allowing Ranger Alaska, LLC (a wholly-owned subsidiary of the foreign mining company Black Range Minerals, Ltd.) to operate a surface strip and underground coal mine in the headwaters of critical salmon habitat.

CVTC’s appeal focused on DNR’s failure to respond to public comments and its failure to require mine owners to meet statutory deadlines.  “State law requires DNR to respond to issues raised through the public comment process and that didn’t happen here,” said Lisa Wade, a Chickaloon Tribal citizen and Health and Social Services Director.  “It was irresponsible for DNR to issue this permit, and instead they should have required Ranger Alaska to submit a new application for coal mining at Jonesville,” stated Traditional Chief Gary Harrison.  “But we are happy the permit has been withdrawn and hope DNR will fully take our concerns into account in the future when considering coal developments in sensitive and traditional Tribal areas,” he added.  Written Tribal public comments had noted that water pollution and reclamation failures from near the coal mine site persist, despite the mine having closed operations more than four decades ago.  CVTC also commented about safety issues that plagued the coal mine when it last operated, including deadly explosions from pockets of gas in the mountain.  Recognizing it did not respond to Tribal comments, DNR announced it would withdraw its Decision.

Salmon are a critical cultural and food resources for the Tribe and the Tribe has heavily invested in salmon habitat restoration work in the region, including projects on Eska Creek—which the Jonesville coal mine area drains into.  Restoring the once prolific salmon runs attracts jobs and fishing opportunities to the area.  “The information in the current permit is just so terribly outdated—the vital importance of salmon to our culture and community and our cooperative work with the Borough, State and Federal Governments to restore salmon runs in Matanuska River tributaries needs to be fully considered,” said Shawna Larson, a Chickaloon Tribal citizen and Co-Director of Pacific Environment.

CVTC vowed to continue to vigilantly protect and exercise stewardship over its traditional waters, lands and resources.  This includes challenging any project or decision that could negatively impact the health and welfare of the Tribe and local communities.   For more information on CVTC’s appeal, please contact CVTC Council Secretary Penny Westing at 907-745-0794, Executive Director Jennifer Harrison at 907-745-0749, or Tribal attorney Geoffery Stauffer at 907-868-1859.

Alaska’s Supply Chain Of Food, Beverage And Agri-Products
Global Food Alaska 2011

Release – Anchorage, AK – June 2011
Contact: Robin Richardson, 907.563.0154
robin@globalfoodcollaborative.com

Who stands out as leaders supporting advance of Alaska’s food,
beverage and agri-businesses?   Global Food Alaska’s biennial event
calls attention to those who exemplify business leadership in Alaska’s
supply chain.

Award Recipients: Ben Vanderweele, Scott Blake, Ralph Carney and Jim Harmon

Those recognized for leadership are Ben Vanderweele, Owner/Operator,
Vanderweele Farms, Scott Blake, President, Copper River Seafoods, Ralph Carney, President Alaska Chip Company and Jim Harmon, Executive Director, SeaShare.  These leaders join a distinguished group of those who have been recognized for maximizing Alaska’s bounty.

Mayor Ben Vanderweele and Senator Coghill

Ben Vanderweele is a 10th-generation farmer who came from the Netherlands in 1967 and started his family’s Palmer farm. The 160-acre farm grows potatoes and assorted vegetables including lettuce,
cabbage, carrots, broccoli, beets, onions and cauliflower and in 2002 he developed a processing facility for cutting and peeling carrots – the first of its kind in Alaska. Ben has successfully been supplying
Fred Meyer, Carrs/Safeway and other independent Alaska grocers, as well as serving as the primary processor and supplier of potatoes for the Alaska Chip Company and instrumental in the Alaska Farmers Markets
– most recently the South Anchorage Farmers Market.

Scott Blake and Senator Coghill

Scott Blake partnered with three fishermen and established the company Copper River Seafoods.  Working out of their homes and off their boats, they worked through the night after a day of fishing to prepare hand-packed boxes to sell to local vendors. Scott’s leadership over the past 15 years has supported its annual record growth to be
one of the largest Alaska-owned and Alaska based seafood processing companies with operations in Cordova, Anchorage, Togiak and Unalaska/Dutch Harbor. Scott’s philosophy of business is true to the
roots of the original fishermen partners with respect to building an
integrated company that is respectful of the resource, the people and
the communities where it operates.

Ralph Carney, Senator Coghill and Scott Blake

Ralph Carney was born and raised in the Matanuska Valley on a dairy farm and he has always been intrigued about diversifying Alaska’s product mix. Ralph struck with the idea of making potato
chips from Alaska grown potatoes while vacationing in Hawaii and snacking on the Maui Chips, he said “we can do this in Alaska.” Ralph quit his “day job” as a CPA and with strong support from his family,
led the construction of all aspects of the Alaska Chip factory and business. The factory became completely operational in July 2003 with Carrs/Safeway as their first customer of their multi-flavored chips. In 2008, Alaska Chip added popcorn. A product popular with locals, as well as summer tourists – you will find their products in traditional retail grocery and food service, as well as gift and specialty
retailers, statewide.

Jim Harmon and Senator Coghill

Jim Harmon has been instrumental in building a sustainable structure for SeaShare, a seafood donation program that solicits and collects seafood from Alaska and Pacific Northwest’s harvesting and processing industries and distributes the collected protein product through established food bank channels to hungry Americans, including those in Alaska. Jim has a strong background in food coming from Nestle Foods to Alaska in 1989 to support the development of Alaska’s
factory trawler industry. As part of this burgeoning industry, he and his staff saw opportunities to improve utilization of the fishery and one outgrowth of that effort was the establishment of SeaShare by Jim’s Alaska Operations Manager, Tuck Donnelly. Jim joined SeaShare in 2000 and through his business networks has an impressive record of over 150 Million meals being donated during his tenure. Over one-half of that volume came from previously under-utilized fish in Alaska.

Ruby Hollembaek and State Senator Coghill

The awards were announced by Ruby Hollembaek, Global Food Awards
Committee Chair and presented by Alaska State Senator John Coghill at the Kenai Landings Resort.  The program included brief remarks by Matanuska Borough Mayor, Larry DeVilbiss, Alaska Regional Vice President, Morris Communications, Lee Leschper and Acting Business Programs Director, Renee Johnson, USDA Rural Development – Alaska. About Global Food Alaska Leadership Awards

Lee Lepscher and Senator Coghill

The awards are designed to acknowledge and profile the efforts of those who have persevered to build a sustainable and competitive business in food, beverage or agri-products. These are leaders who have succeeded in making commercial success of Alaska’s bounty and made a positive difference.

Award winners are recognized for creating a successful business through the application of commitment, dedication, hard work, ingenuity and innovation while meeting Alaska’s challenges of remoteness, geography, weather, technical know how, limited population base and infrastructure.

Past winners include – Michael East, Kahiltna Birchworks (2009 Grower/Harvester), Geoff Larson, Alaskan Brewing Company (2009 Manufacturer/Processor), Rob George, The Crabbroker (2009 Alaska Champion), Bruce Gore, Triad Fisheries (2007 Grower/Harvester)
, Chuck Bundrant, Trident Seafoods (
2007 Manufacturer/Processor) and Rob Baer and Mark Witeveen, Alaska Spirit (2007 Alaska Champion). Note: The GFA Leadership Awards were expanded in 2007, but preceded by the Best Practices and Innovation in Seafood Award’s sponsored by Alaska Quality Seafood.  The recipients were John Lowrance, Leader Creek Fisheries, LLC  
(2003) Axel Kopun, Chignik Seafood Producers Alliance (2005), Jack Gadwill/Stanley Pete, General Managerw/Harvesters for
Kwik’ Pak Fisheries (2007).

The 2011 Global Food Alaska leadership nomination review committee includes Bill Quantick, WCP Solutions; Ruby Hollembaek, Alaska Interior Game Ranch; Lea Kingert, Alaska Commercial Fishing and Agricultural Bank; Susannah Morgan, Food Bank of Alaska; Greg Obeso, Lynden International and Jeff Jones, Morris Communications.

About Global Food Alaska
Global Food Alaska is a grass-roots initiative facilitated by professionals along the supply chain of Alaska’s food, beverage and agri-products sectors.   Scheduled for June 8th-10th in Soldotna/Kenai, Alaska (www.GlobalFoodAlaska.com) Supported by sponsors and suppliers, Global Food Alaska makes it possible for face-to-face meetings of Alaska’s entire supply chain with our customers – the commercial buyer.  It is an opportunity to learn about market trends and ways participants can respond with relevant business solutions.

GFA 2011 sponsors include the Alaska Manufacturers Extension Partnership, Alaskan Brewing, Copper River Seafoods, The Alaska Journal Of Commerce, Lynden, Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, Western United States Agricultural Trade Association,
Schiedermayer and Associates Alaska, the US Department of Seafood Inspection, Kwik’Pak Fisheries, the Marine Stewardship Council, the Matsu Farm Bureau, the Division Of Environmental Health (Food Safety), The Alaska Commercial Fishing and Agriculture Bank and the Salcha-Delta Soil and Water Conservation District, the USDA Rural
Development – Alaska and the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation. Affiliate sponsors include the United Fishermen of Alaska, the Alaska Culinary Association, Buy Alaska, The Alaska School Nutrition Association and the Alaska Diversified Livestock Association.

Contact: Melissa Heuer, Program Director
Renewable Resources Foundation – (907)743-1900

Local Alaskan Nonprofit, the Renewable Resources Foundation, is Throwing a Massive Outdoor Concert to Celebrate Wild Alaskan Salmon!

National headliners include; Grateful Deadʼs Bill Kreutzmann and the 7 Walkers, Jackie Greene, Clinton Fearon and Great American Taxi. Other groups include; Flowmotion, The Whipsaws, Pamyua, Old Believers, Superfrequency, The Dirt Band, Jim Page, Dana Lyons, Melissa Mitchell Band, Big Fat Buddha, Ratfish Wranglers, Susan Grace, Ginger Boatwright, High Lonesome Sound, Uplift, The Hoons, The Barroom Roses, Spiff, Backstrap, 907, The Milo Salem Project, Wolf Electric, Stuck in Reverse, Emma Hill, Josh Olsen and the Eternal Cowboys, Holy Santos Gang, The Seaside Farmers and others.

Salmonstock is a celebration of Alaskan salmon and the people who depend upon them. Itʼs also about the power we have in protecting our resources and our livelihoods. Stand up and join your fellow Alaskans in our fight for the wild salmon that bring us together and stop the proposed threats such as the the Pebble and Chuitna mines. We invite anyone who loves Alaska, our salmon, and spectacular music to spend the weekend with us, to show the world why we are so passionate about our renewable resources and what we can do to ensure another millennia of great fishing.

Salmonstock will showcase two stages featuring top Alaskan, Northwestern and National artists. The center arena of the fairgrounds will be bordered by an elite, hand picked roster of local restaurant booths exhibiting their individual prowess in preparing Alaskan cuisine, and several Alaskan brews will be offered in an extensive beer garden.

Available in another area will be Alaskan arts and crafts from local merchants, while an informal center will provide festival goers with the knowledge and resources necessary to make their own positive impact on wild salmon habitat in Alaska.

Tickets are sold in a 3 day pass ($80 June 16-July16, $95 July 17- August 3rd, $115 at the gate). Friday day pass is $40, Saturday day pass is $50, and Sunday day pass is $40. Tickets are available through CenterTix or at the gate.  Location: Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds.  Concert will take place August 5, 6 & 7.

For more information please visit the Salmonstock website: www.Salmonstock.org.

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve News Release

Copper Center, AK –Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve had closed the Twin Lakes Camp Ground at mile 27 on the Nabesna Road for repairs. A contractor will be working in the campground to improve access and develop campsites. Due to this work, the campground must be closed for safety purposes. Work has begun and is schedule to be completed by October 1, 2011. If the work is completed earlier than expected, the campground will be reopened at that time. There are other camping options along the Nabesna Road. Please contact the Slana Ranger Station for further information. The Slana Ranger station is open 7 days a week from 8:00am to 5:00pm. The phone number is 907-822-7401.

To view the plan for the campground, visit our website at http://www.nps.gov/wrst/parkmgmt/planning.htm

For additional information please contact Wayne Challoner at 907-822-7246

CONTACT: Jenn Lewis (907) 232-0659  contact@fuzzyportraits.com http://www.fuzzyportraits.com

Jenn Lewis brings a beautiful new form of custom pet and wildlife portrait painting from Alaska to the world.

WASILLA, AK  June 10, 2011 Jenn Lewis, well known for her writing and work with dog behavioral issues, is now offering affordable custom tradigital pet and wildlife portraits via her new website.

Jenn Lewis’ paintings are creations of the unique new art form know as “tradigital” art. Tradigital art combines traditional and computer based techniques to create a uniquely beautiful work of art. Artist Jenn Lewis literally “hand paints” each portrait using the latest technologies. Each portrait is completed by hand, using a pressure sensitive touch screen. Each brush stroke is made with her finger, replicating traditional paint brush methods with digital equivalents.

Fuzzy Portraits offers custom tradigital paintings of your fuzzy family members or favorite wildlife photographs. Artist Jenn Lewis works hard to capture the spirit of your pet and/or wildlife photograph. She will work and communicate with you before beginning each work of art, in order to obtain your specific preferences (background, etc.) so that the finished work is one that you will treasure forever.

“I adore all animals and wildlife and feel very lucky to live in what I consider to be one of the most beautiful places in the world (Alaska). It is a land of wondrous beauty that allows me to combine my passion for wilderness with that of photography and painting. My aim (with both photography and artwork) is to produce a uniquely beautiful and lifelike piece of art which captures the spirit and uniqueness of every animal.” -Jenn Lewis

You can see her work online at http://www.fuzzyportraits.com or call (907) 232-0659 for additional information.

NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS ANNOUNCES GRANT TO ALASKA ARTS SOUTHEAST, INC.

$52,000 grant will support the Sitka Fine Arts Camp

May 17, 2011—SITKA, AK—Rocco Landesman, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, today announced that Alaska Art Southeast, Inc. has been recommended for a grant of $52,000 to support providing the highest quality arts education to Alaska’s youth.  Alaska Arts Southeast, Inc. is one of 1,145 not-for-profit national, regional, state, and local organizations recommended for a grant as part of the federal agency’s second round of fiscal year 2011 grants. In total, the Arts Endowment will distribute more than $88 million to support projects nationwide.

An independent agency of the federal government, the National Endowment for the Arts advances artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities. NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman said, “NEA research shows that three out of four Americans participate in the arts. The diverse, innovative, and exceptional projects funded in this round will ensure that Americans around the country continue to have the opportunity to experience and participate in the arts.”

“This is an incredibly exciting year for us, returning the camp to its home.  With over 10,000 volunteer hours and 400 volunteers, SFAC students will be able to experience camp on the revitalized Sheldon Jackson Campus.” –Roger Schmidt, Executive Director

The Sitka Fine Arts Camp will take place on the Sheldon Jackson Campus this year.  Enrollment for 2011 is the highest it has ever been, with 545 participants coming from 35 Alaskan communities and 22 other states.  Alaska Arts Southeast, Inc. is dedicated to making the arts accessible. The Sitka Fine Arts Camp gives its students the chance to work with and learn from professional artists, in an atmosphere that is supportive and inspiring.  Students will take 5 intensive classes each day, with Art Shares and final performances to share with the community in the evenings.

Elementary School session: June 6-10
Middle School session: June 12-25
High School session:  June 26- July 10

Contact:
Alaska Arts Southeast, Inc.       
Roger Schmidt, Executive Director         
907-747-3085
rschmidt@fineartscamp.org

Chickaloon Village
Traditional Council
(Nay’dini’aa Na’)
Press Release
May 15, 2011
Chickaloon Native Village and its governing body the Chickaloon Village Traditional Council (CVTC) filed a complaint against Usibelli Coal Mine Inc. (UCM) and Electric Power Development Co., Ltd (JPower) last week with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), an international multi-country organization.

The OECD was established in 1947 to promote economic cooperation in an economically ravaged Europe after World War II. It expanded its activities with an international convention in 1960. Canada and the United States became early parties to the OECD Convention and Japan joined in 1961. It has 34 members from all regions of the world.

OECD activity includes promoting sustainable development and ethical practices in the activities of its members’ multi-national corporations. OECD adopted Guidelines for Multi-National Enterprises, establishing basic components of responsible corporate conduct.

These guidelines cover a range of issues such as labor and human rights, bribery and corruption, environment and information disclosure, and a complaints procedure.
CVTC’s complaint under the guidelines addresses Usibelli Coal Mine (UCM) activities at Wishbone Hill, ancestral lands of the Athabascan Ahtna Indigenous Peoples of Alaska. Allegations include UCM’s exploratory activity late last year based on permit application information more than 20 years old, not taking into account the dramatic increases in population of the area in recent years, and that pursuant to these stale and misleading permits, UCM built a coal hauling road 100 yards from CVTC’s Tribal school, Ya Ne Dah Ah School, prompting safety concerns that were also not considered.

Chief Gary Harrison said, “For years now, with financial and technical help from federal agencies and other partners, we’ve invested over $1,000,000 and thousands of man-hours of effort on fish passage and salmon population restoration on Moose Creek, ruined by World War I coal mining. Our efforts received substantial funding and won national awards from the U.S. Federal Government. Now they want to destroy it all over again.”

CVTC Tribal citizen Kari Shaginoff voiced additional Tribal concerns: “Wishbone Hill and surrounding lands, rivers and streams are sacred to us. Their bounty is essential to our Potlatch ceremonies and spiritual lives. The Alaska Constitution and international human rights treaties recognize our religious and spiritual connections to land and its resources.

Rights that Alaska and U.S. are supposed to protect are in real danger from coal mining.”

For more information contact Penny Westing, CVTC, (907) 745-0794, Alberto Saldamando, General Counsel of International Indian Treaty Council (IITC), (415) 641-4482, or Geoffrey Stauffer, a local attorney, (907) 868-1859.

Information on how Native Americans and Alaska Natives can share in the
recently approved $3.4 billion settlement of Indian Trust claims will be
discussed at two meetings next week.

On Thursday (March 31) attorneys David Smith and Justin Guilder, will be
discussing the settlement at the Cook Inlet Tribal Council Rasmusson
Conference Room, 3600 San Jeronimo Drive, Anchorage, at 10 a.m.

On Friday (April 1) they will be meeting at the David Salmon Tribal
Hall, 111 Clay Street, Fairbanks, at 10 a.m.

Native Americans whose families have individual Indian money trust
accounts or who own individual Indian trust land are welcome to attend
the meetings, regardless of their tribal affiliations, and ask questions
about the settlement.  About 12,000 Native Americans in Alaska are
believed eligible to receive settlement funds.

In December President Obama signed legislation ending the 15-year-old
class action lawsuit that Elouise Cobell, a member of the Blackfeet
Nation from Montana, and other Native Americans filed against the
government in 1996.

The settlement acknowledges that the federal government mismanaged
individual Indians’ trust accounts.

Under the settlement, the federal government is creating a $1.5 billion
Accounting/Trust Administration Fund and a $1.9 billion Trust Land
Consolidation Fund. The settlement also creates an Indian Education
Scholarship fund of up to $60 million to improve access to higher
education for Indians.

“The settlement represents a hard-won victory for individual Indians,”
Ms. Cobell has said.”Our hope is that these meetings and a public
awareness campaign we are conducting will get hundreds of thousands of
Native Americans to apply for these funds. It has always been their
money and I am delighted we can finally return some of it to them.”

“The settlement not only rights a tremendous wrong to Indian Country,
but it will be a significant help to many Indians,” Ms. Cobell has said.

For additional information:
Bill McAllister
703 385-6996

How much radioactivity do you expect to come to Alaska from Japan’s reactors?

We don’t expect significant levels of radioactivity in our state, and there’s no health risk at this time. Japan is thousands of miles from our state, and if radioactivity from the reactors is released it would be expected to be thinned-out by the winds before it could reach us. We could see a very small increase in radiation levels — well below levels that would be a health concern. We’re working with federal, state, and local agencies in a coordinated effort to monitor radiation levels in Alaska.

Would increased radiation levels cause health effects?
    There is no indication at this time that enough radioactive material would cross the ocean to cause any health effects to Alaska residents.

Is there any indication that radiation could impact our food supply?
    No, there is no immediate or anticipated indication of harmful radiation reaching Alaska or its waters, therefore all seafood and other food items produced in Alaska are safe to consume.

Does the State stockpile Potassium Iodide (KI)?
    The events in Japan do not indicate a need for anyone in Alaska to take protective action like using KI. The state does not stockpile KI; there are federal stockpiles of medical supplies including KI for distribution to all states if an emergency made that necessary. There are no conditions at the nuclear plants in Japan that would require people in the U.S. to take KI.

How can I buy KI on my own?
    KI is available over the counter; some pharmacies carry it in stock or will order it. The state doesn’t monitor or track private inventories of such products. Again, there’s no indication of any need to use KI based on the nuclear events in Japan.KI is not an “anti-radiation pill;” it’s only helpful in very specific conditions, and protects only against radioactive iodine. More information on KI is available online from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What action should I be taking now?
    The best action for the citizens of Alaska to take at this time is to be prepared for the event of an earthquake or tsunami event. Update and refresh your home preparedness kit and family preparedness plan. To learn more about being prepared go to: http://www.hss.state.ak.us/prepared/kit.htm

Contact: Jeremy Zidek, DMVA, 907-428-7077, Cell: 907-441-2337
Greg Wilkinson, DHSS, 907-269-7285, Cell: 907-382-7032

 State continues monitoring damaged Japanese reactor situation

Still no immediate or anticipated threat in Alaska

Anchorage, ALASKA — The state of Alaska, along with our federal counterparts, is continuing to monitor the situation in Japan regarding their nuclear reactors. Although the situation surrounding the nuclear reactors in Fukushima Dai-ichi remains grave, radioactive material is still not expected to reach Alaska in any quantity sufficient to produce health concerns, according to scientists with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

The latest information is the following

·         There was a spike in radiation levels in Japan overnight that has now fallen significantly.
·         Weather has been light rain and snow which will partially clear the atmosphere of any escaped radiation from Japan.
·         Low level winds will carry the remaining out to sea.
·         The only way the atmospheric radiation can reach the U.S. is through the high level jet stream.
·         The jet streams over the Pacific are far south of Alaska for the next three days.

State officials will notify the public through regular media channels and department websites should the situation change.

“Some Alaskans are wondering if they should be taking potassium iodide at this time: the answer is no,” said Dr. Joe McLaughlin, state epidemiologist. “While potassium iodide can protect the thyroid gland from harmful radiation, it can produce adverse side effects and should only be taken if exposure to considerably elevated doses of radiation is expected to occur. At this point, there is no immediate or anticipated indication that this will happen in Alaska.”

There is no immediate or anticipated threat of harmful radiation reaching Alaska or its waters, therefore all seafood and other food items produced in Alaska are safe to consume.

For more information we recommend the following websites:
Alaska NOAA http://wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov/
Pacific Tsunami Warning Center: http://ptwc.weather.gov/
State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services: http://www.hss.state.ak.us/
DHS&EM’s News and Events and Quick Links: http://www.ready.alaska.gov/

For more information, contact:
Lesley Rogers, Strategies 360: 206-334-1483, lesleyr@strategies360.com
David Shurtleff, Strategies 360: 907-264-6642, davids@strategies360.com

Report Gets beyond Controversy with Concrete Ways of Spreading Benefits

Washington, D.C. – A national, bi-partisan panel of 11 experts is releasing a report with 16 recommendations to strengthen the resilience and prosperity of fishing communities under a new Catch Share Policy.

America’s fishing communities generate $163 billion in revenues each year and support 1.9 million jobs; however, there has been a notable lack of implementation of existing provisions for communities in the nation’s fisheries law.

“This isn’t about being pro or anti-catch shares. Catch share policy is coming and, done right, it can significantly bolster fishing communities and increase jobs,” said Paul Parker, Director of the Cape Cod Fisheries Trust. “These recommendations are about putting boats on the water and boots on the deck.”

The National Panel on Community Dimensions of Fisheries Catch Share Programs developed a 36-page report over the past year to address ways the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the eight U.S. Regional Fisheries Councils should include communities in their implementation of catch share policy. One example is to encourage NOAA to grant initial allocations of fish quotas to community entities.

Catch shares are a flexible means of managing fisheries by allocating a specific portion of the total allowable catch of a fish stock to individuals, cooperatives, communities or other entities.

During a national telepress conference, two panelists and an Alaska fisherwoman shared the Panel’s findings and recommendations.

The Panel’s recommendations include urging NOAA to further define and develop guidelines for implementation of the community provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Act to be applied by all fishery management councils.

“As we move increasingly to a catch share model of fisheries management in the U.S., we need to get beyond a sense of who’s winning and who’s losing,” said John Campagna, managing partner at Restore Capital. “NOAA can help do that by requiring the councils to recognize community fishing associations and grant part of the catch allocation to them.”

Another Panel recommendation is that the agency and councils expand their financial tools to include public-private partnerships, loan guarantees, and a dedicated loan program to help communities purchase catch shares.

“We should be looking at how communities can participate in catch share programs, including through fishing associations and coops, and with creative financing mechanisms,” said Theresa Peterson, a veteran fisherwoman from Kodiak, Alaska. “We don’t want to encourage an absentee system where folks who own catch shares sit at home, then turn around and lease their shares to other fishermen at a big profit.”

Panelists, fishermen and policy specialists will be visiting Congressional members and NOAA Fisheries staff this week to share the Panel’s findings.

To read the executive summary or entire report, please visit: www.ecotrust.org/fisheries

ADVISORY: Alaskan Fisherman Headlines National Panel on Catch Share Policy, Report Coming Tues March 15

National Panel to unveil recommendations on Tuesday, March 15

Report Gets Beyond Controversy with Concrete Ways of Spreading Benefits

The 11-member National Panel includes two Alaskans: Kodiak fisherman Theresa Peterson, and Arne Fuglvog, Senior Legislative Assistant to Senator Lisa Murkowski.

Washington, DC — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is preparing to release new Catch Share Policy to manage our nation’s fisheries. Catch shares have been controversial, but, done right, they can benefit communities and individual fishermen and generate jobs and economic development in our coastal regions.

The National Panel on Community Dimensions of Fisheries Catch Share Programs is the first national, bi-partisan expert panel to address the issue. The panel includes fisheries experts, economists, and Congressional staffers.

Select panelists will discuss their findings and recommendations in a phone-in press conference.

When: Tuesday, March 15, 1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time

Dial-in: 800-895-0198, Conference ID: CATCHSHARE

Speakers: John Campagna, Managing Partner, Restore Capital
Paul Parker, Director, Cape Cod Fisheries Trust
Theresa Peterson, Kodiak, Alaska fisherwoman

For more information, contact:
Lesley Rogers, Strategies 360: 206-334-1483 or lesleyr@strategies360.com
David Shurtleff, Strategies 360: 907-264-6642 or DavidS@strategies360.com