Public radio in Alaska’s capital city wouldn’t be possible without the dozens of volunteers helping out on-the-air and behind-the-scenes. If you’d like to be part of the team, whether it’s helping present All Things Considered, A Juneau Afternoon, your own music program – or answering phones during our membership drives, please contact Jeff Brown at 463-6425. Thanks!
It was almost exactly a hundred years ago when Alaska first began to exercise a form of self-government. The Second Organic Act of 1912 allowed the creation of the Territorial Legislature.
Eight senators and sixteen representatives from around the state met on March 3rd, 1913 in the Elks Hall in downtown Juneau, the first Alaska legislative hall, for the first Alaska legislative session that lasted sixty days.
The Territorial Legislature almost immediately gave women the right to vote, and eventually passed the Bone Dry law, a precursor to national prohibition, and the Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945 which preceded the national civil rights movement by almost twenty years.
But the Organic Act hamstrung the Territorial Legislature. The federal government still retained control over Alaska’s resources and the right to legislate on some issues like divorce or the sale of liquor, and still had overall authority on the Territory’s fiscal issues.
Senator Gary Stevens from Kodiak is chair of the Alaska Legislative Centennial Commission which has put together a series of events starting this weekend marking the very first session.
Stevens credits staffer Tim Lamkin for organizing much of that program that runs March 3rd through the 5th.
Sunday, March 3rd
At 10:00 a.m. downstairs at Rockwell in the Elks Hall, a breakfast program called ‘Waffles with Wickersham: Delegate James Wickersham’s campaign for the 1912 Second Organic Act’ will feature John H. Venables.
During a lunch program at noon, former lawmakers Willie Hensley, Georgianna Lincoln, and Emil Notti will talk about ‘Equal Rights, One Man One Vote, and Alaska Native Leaders in our Legislative History.’
Then at 4:00 p.m. in the upstairs of Rockwell, Governor Sean Parnell and former lawmakers Clem Tillion and Terry Gardiner are expected to participate in the opening reception that will also feature unveiling of the 100-Years website.
Monday, March 4th
At 8:00 a.m., also downstairs at Rockwell in the Elks Hall, a ‘History of the Capitol Building’ that will feature a presentation by architect Wayne Jensen.
A noon lunch discussion on ‘Leading Women in Alaska’s Political History’ will feature Arliss Sturgulewski, Drue Pearce, Katy Hurley, Bettye Davis, and Gail Phillips.
A reception starting upstairs at 5:00 p.m. will include a presentation by Dr. Beverly Beeton on ‘Members and accomplishments of the first Alaska Territorial Legislature, including Women’s Suffrage – 1913.’
A dinner program upstairs at 7:00 p.m. will include a reenactment of the convening of the First Alaska Territorial Legislature and Passage of Women’s Suffrage that will feature Juneau actors and legislative staff.
Tuesday, March 5th
A breakfast program at 8:00 a.m. will feature Clark Gruening and Mike Miller on ‘A History of Politics and Changes’ at Rockwell in the Elks Hall downstairs.
The noon lunch program on ‘Perspectives on Accomplishments and Failures in Alaska’s Legislative History’ will feature Sam Cotten and Randy Phillips as moderators.
Happy Hour begins at 4:30 p.m. with a reception program on ‘Prohibition in Territorial Alaska’ with Dr. Terrence Cole and Rick Halford.
For more information, you can go to 100years.akleg.gov
Gavel Alaska and 360North television and AlaskaLegisture.tv will provide coverage of most Centennial events either live or on a tape-delayed basis.
First Friday is coming up fast. If you’re looking for a great exhibit to check out then come by KTOO for a show by the Juneau Photo Group.
During the March First Friday event, JPG members will have a “Double Exposure” show with photo exhibits in two locations: the KTOO studios from 4:30-6:00 and at 228 Seward Street from 4:30-7:00. Light refreshments will be provided at both venues. Photos at KTOO will be available for viewing the entire month of March.
The Juneau Photo Group (JPG) is a diverse assemblage of local enthusiasts—professional and amateur–who share a love of photography. The group’s 162 members hold regular meetings to share photo tips, ideas, and information. And, every day of the year, JPG members are out and about, rain or shine, taking photos of Juneau and elsewhere.
Please join us if you are interested in photography, the JPG, or just want to see some stellar photography.
For further information, contact Ron Gile at: ron_gile@temscoair.com
A Juneau Afternoon is locally produced and airs from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Our hosts interview a range of guests from local business owners to visiting artists and speakers. If it’s happening in Juneau, you’ll hear about it on the show. If you’d like to be a guest on the program, contact us during regular business hours at 586-1670, or send a note from the website’s “contact” page.
The Summit Club recognizes individuals who give $480 or more annually to the KTOO stations (KRNN, KTOO News, and KXLL) The KTOO Board of Directors developed the club in 2009 as a way to say “thank you” to the folks in our community who are major supporters of the stations. Since then, membership in the Summit Club has grown from fewer than 100 donors to almost 300. Summit Club membership offers exclusive benefits and privileges including invitations to special events and receptions, insider information updates and more. To join the Summit Club, click here!
Base Camp celebrates those who form the foundation of all major giving by contributing $480-$999 annually. For those who are ready to move up from Base Camp, the Ascent Team welcomes and congratulates those who contribute $1,000 – $4,999. And for those who have achieved a truly special level of giving, the Peak level recognizes contributions of $5,000 and above.
Summit Club members provide financial support for the stations that is both significant and powerful. The Summit Club is as diverse as our listeners and viewers. The tie that binds Summit Club members is an appreciation and commitment to the stations and the desire to sustain the valuable service KTOO provides our community.
Are you interested in what’s on public television? Review the 360 North schedule of Alaska and public affairs programming or go to Alaska Public TV to find the schedule for your favorite PBS shows including those on all three public TV channels in Juneau.
