Since You Asked! Episode 19: Empowering Alaskans To Be Healthy, Independent, and Productive

Librarian Julie Niederhauser sits down with Kate Burkhart, Executive Director of the Advisory Board on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse and the Alaska Mental Health Board, to talk about the prevalent issue of substance abuse in Alaska and the behavioral health of Alaskans. Kate informs us that many Alaskans are affected by substance abuse and/or mental instability in some capacity, but support and solutions are available to those who seek it. We are all Alaskans, no matter what the struggle.

Listen to Podcast (.mp3)
[ 34 minutes ]
Recorded on October 6, 2014

Find out more:

• Advisory Board on Alcoholism & Drug Abuse
• Alaska Mental Health Board
• We Are All Alaskans initiative

How much was the PFD for the past seven years?

The 2014 PFD is the third largest in history, surpassed only by 2008 and 2000. Here are the amounts for the past seven years.

2014 $1,884.00
2013 $900.00
2012 $878.00
2011 $1,174.00
2010 $1,281.00
2009 $1,305.00
2008 $2,069.00

We previously posted the amounts for 2002-2007. The payment amounts since 1982 can be found at the Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation website.

Since You Asked! Episode 18: Juneau Teacher Tales, 1930-1959

The Juneau Retired Teachers Association recently published the second edition of their book about Juneau teachers' experiences. The book includes personal histories by teachers who worked in Juneau in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s, as well as information about Juneau's educational history. In this podcast, librarian Claire Imamura talks with retired teachers Barb Potter and Marie Darlin about the project.

Listen to Podcast (.mp3)
[ 20 minutes]
Recorded on September 29, 2014


Learn more about the Juneau Retired Teachers Association and find resources for your own historical research project:

• Alaska Retired Educators Association
• Juneau History Grant
• Alaska State Library Historical Collections