Annie Bartholomew, KTOO

Excellent Radio is pleased to announce we’ve hooked  Juneau’s beloved CDATPOS who’s now hosting a radio show from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursdays on KXLL.

The acronym, which stands for Cute Dude At the Post Office Store, belongs to Kindred Post employee Conor Lendrum. His music and tattoos inspired a series of posts on Alaska satirical blogger Libby Bakalar‘s website, One Hot Mess. Bakalar did a pretty good job describing on the blog why we couldn’t resist giving him a show:

“Every time I go into The Post Office Store, you’re in there singing along to some awesome music and I’m guessing that you were probably out for a long time the night before drinking microbrews and seeing a band.”

Hear a mix curated by Lendrum to kick off his new show:

Before he leaves for a summer in Puerto Rico, Juneau songwriter Ryan Cortes will be performing at the Valley bar and venue McGivney’s this Friday for a special solo set. According to Cortes, he may-or-may-not be joined by his Gemini Waltz band mate and blues guitarist Ryland Buller who accompanied Cortes with a full band during the Alaska Folk Festival this past April. The Juneau band has released two tracks on their Bandcamp page now available for download. Cortes will be playing at McGivney’s Bar & Grill from 10:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Friday, June 26.

Hear Cortes talk this week’s upcoming show and Alaska Folk Festival antics during an on-air interview with Annie B:

Watch a video Cortes produced as a final project for an art course at UAS featuring a live recording from their Alaska Folk Festival set.

https://vimeo.com/125948604

The award winning international boylesque trio Mod Carousel is back in Juneau for three performances of new material. The trio performs Friday night as part of Juneau’s Pride celebration at the Rockwell Ballroom. For that show, Exotique, Mod Carousel is bringing special guest Iva Handful who specializes in alternative rock-inspired neo-burlesque.

Next weekend they will be joined by Ms. Hattie Hotpants for their new show #firstworldproblems, an evening of cabaret material centered around challenges of living in the first world.

The Luminous Pariah joined Annie B. with performers Paris Original and Iva Handful to describe what people can expect from the Boylesque series:

See Mod Carousel perform at the Rockwell Ballroom:

• Friday, June 18: 7 p.m. & 10 p.m.
• Friday, June 26 : 7 p.m.
• Saturday, June 27: 7 p.m. & 9 p.m.

Tickets are available online.

After making national news for their salmon leather startup, the boys of Tidal Vision stopped by KXLL yesterday morning to show off their newest salmon leather wallets.

The Juneau-based company founded by Juneau-Douglas High School graduate Craig Kasberg is in the middle of a Kickstarter campaign working toward their stretch goal of $50,000. They met their initial goal of  $17,5000 within the first 24 hours. 

Hear how Kasberg was inspired to turn salmon waste into fashion during an interview with Tidal Vision’s Chief Operating Officer Zach Wilkinson on Annie B’s morning show:

Learn more about Tidal Vision in KTOO’s story.

Watch Tidal Vision’s Kickstarter campaign video by Casberg featuring landscape shots by Chris Miller.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fc7g_AAqzlE

Nearly two months after its regular deadline, the Alaska Legislature has gaveled out. Both chambers have approved a $5 billion operating budget and agreed on a way to pay for the deficit.

There will be no government shutdown, or an 11th hour deal to avert one. If you’re a glass-half-full type, you could say the legislature even brokered a compromise with a couple weeks to spare.

The big sticking point was the cost-of-living increases that public employees had negotiated in their contracts. On the House floor, Finance Committee co-chair Mark Neuman explained that the legislature would pay for the raises this year, but there were conditions.

“No. 1, that these are one-time increments. Two, that there be no cost-of-living pay raises beginning with collective bargaining agreements negotiated in 2015,” Neuman said.

The legislature was also directing Gov. Bill Walker to make $30 million in agency cuts to offset the raises.

Neuman, a Big Lake Republican, explained that the final version of the operating budget also restored some money for education, the ferry system, senior benefits and public broadcasting.

While there was a deal, there was also grumbling from both sides. Mat-Su Republican Sen. Mike Dunleavy defended some the more contentious reductions that had been made by the Senate, noting that cuts will need to be even deeper next year.

“We’re looking at a $4 billion deficit. And if people thought it was difficult this year, it’s not going to be any easier next year. And some sacred cows that escaped a haircut this year — some of those sacred cows might actually be butchered coming into the next year.”

Meanwhile, Democrats expressed disappointment that the Legislature did not consider scaling back oil tax credit payments or accept federal money for Medicaid expansion. In both chambers, the minority was split on the budget for these reasons.

But they all voted to tap the state’s rainy day account. Senate Minority Leader Berta Gardner said the multibillion dollar draw was necessary to cover the state’s budget deficit, and prevent the government from grinding to a halt.

“My objections to the underlying budget are not strong enough to take us back to the brinksmanship. They’re not strong enough to endanger the Permanent Fund dividend, which is a proposal that’s been floated to this special session, and we remain committed to trying to protect the fund for future generations. Lastly, I don’t want to add even another single day to this special session,” Gardner said.

There was one area where there was unanimous agreement.

“We are all immensely relieved that this endless session is drawing to a close,” Gardner said.

According to the legislature’s accounting staff, the cost of the extended and special sessions was $668,000.

 

We’re hosting a Fishermen’s Social to thank folks for supporting the Salmon Beyond Borders campaign here in town and wish folks well for a good summer. – Jill Weitz, Trout Unlimited

Jill Weitz of the conservation group Trout Unlimited visited KXLL to talk about two events happening in Juneau to celebrate Alaska fisheries and the Salmon Beyond Borders campaign. The group will be serving up salmon from Alaska Glacier Seafoods, beer from the Alaskan Brewing Company and ice cream from Coppa tonight at the Juneau Yacht Club from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday from 5 – 7 p.m the party moves to GonZo AK in Auke Bay for smoked salmon waffles with salmon from Taku Smokeries. For more information visit the Salmon Beyond Borders website.

Hear Weitz discuss Salmon Beyond Borders’ local activities and what to expect at their upcoming events on Annie B.’s morning show: