VoS: Voice of the Shuttle

I have been trying to track down the title and publication date of J.J. Connolly's new novel. Connolly, a noir British writer, is best known for 'Layer Cake', which was made into a movie starring Sienna Miller and Daniel Craig (apparently, Craig's performance won him the lead as the new James Bond; Miller is simply luminous as the gangster moll). LC was a brilliant movie and fun read and I've been anticipating this new novel for a couple of years. But I digress.
After using every literary database I could find with no luck, I was about to look up an old Cambridge acquaintance who writes reviews for the Guardian and Sunday Observer. Then I happened along Voice of the Shuttle, a humanities web portal out of UCSB.
VoS is the best web resource of its type that I have found that links visitors with the vast world of the humanities. It is apparently old (at least in net terms) and has retained something of its original unflashiness which is now comes across as a strength (see: Google).
I was wondering if folks had visited this site and/or if they have other favorite portals/search engines for the arts, culture, and humanities?
www.vos.ucsb.edu/

ASE Kids Spot

30 Second Statehood Founders spot

60 Second ASE Spot with Founders

This advertisement features Constitutional Convention Delegates Jack Coghill and Vic Fisher and Convention Secretary Katie Hurley.
It is remarkable looking back on that history to see how these two towering figures of Alaskan politics -- occupying the furthest poles on the ideological spectrum -- came together together to create our Alaska Constitution. Politicians today have much to learn from their example.

New Alaska's Statehood Experience Video #2

Check this one out. It has a Mike Meyers-
'So I Married an Axe Murderer' vibe.

Alaska's Statehood Experience video

Check out one of four new high quality advertisements running on KTUU and NBC statewide. The voiceover is by Aluutiq artist, community leader, and recently retired executive Perry Eaton.

Othello -- AK Native-Style

David Edgecombe’s Othello: An Instant Alaskan Classic
By Don J. Rearden

David Edgecombe’s powerful adaptation of Shakespeare’s Othello, set in Russian period Alaska, establishes itself as an instant Alaskan classic from the opening scenes. The gut-wrenching impact from the original story of jealousy and racism transfers to 1840’s Alaska with alarming ease.
Allan Hayton embodies a convincing and memorable Othello. Hayton’s portrayal of Othello, an Aleut in command of Russian troops, and married to a Russian lord’s daughter (Desdemona – smartly played by Tamara Rothman Miller), reveals the complicated machinations of an Aleut torn between his culture, his duties as commander, and his wife. Hayton manages to deliver Othello’s torment of jealousy and rage with a stage presence that makes his character and the awful situation he confronts all too real.
As a stageplay, the success of any reenactment of Othello hinges on Iago, the ever devious and divisive villain. Edgecombe’s choice in casting Paul Schweigert was as flawless as his adaptation of the play itself. Schweigert’s delivery of an almost-likeable Iago, as a Russian soldier capable of being anything but honest, makes this inescapable tragedy almost fun to watch.
The secondary characters add life and humor to a play wrought with turmoil. Mark Stoneburner delivers a convincing Cassio, and Tim Tucker’s singing and jesting as the Slavic Clown is simply hilarious.
The costumes and the characters transport theatergoers back to early Russian Alaska. The colorful, yet simplistic set-design allows the audience to imagine the setting for themselves, while the story and the acting make this a drama that reveals an untold and important facet of Alaskan history.
Shakespeare’s plays delve into the complexity of human nature in ways that continue to touch and inspire us all. Hayton’s Othello, and Schweigert’s Iago, force us to question our own motives, desires, biases, and loyalties. David Edgecombe’s adaptation begs viewers to consider the matters of heart, but also of our Alaskan history and heritage.

An Historic Day for Alaska

Dateline: Washington, D.C., Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Today, the Supreme Court of the United States of America heard the appeal of the $2.5 billion punitive damages case against Exxon resulting from the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, Alaska. Between visits to Capitol Hill and the NEH for Humanities on the Hill, two members of the Alaska Humanities Forum -- Dr. Greg Kimura, President and Mrs. Laurie Evans-Dinneen, Rose Urban Rural Exchange Director -- were able to attend the hearing and be present during this historic event. Other AKHF-connected attendees included former Board Chair Talis Colberg, Attorney General of Alaska and former Board Director Dr. Sven Haakanson, Jr., Director of the Alutiiq Museum in Kodiak (see photos above).
The day began with a visit to Senator Lisa Murkowski's office to share the news about the $1 million Rasmuson grant to AKHF for 'Alaska's Statehood Experience.' While Greg made that appointment, Laurie stood in line for two hours in 40 degree windy Washington, DC weather holding place (thanks, Laurie!). Just in front of us was a group of folks from Chugach Alaska and Chugachmiut, including CA President Sherri Buretta, keeping up morale with a pro-plaintiff banner.
A pregnant moment occurred when Supreme Court police confronted the group, taking names and pushing the group off the steps of the Court. (Apparently, it is okay to protest on the sidewalk but no one even associated with the protesters may stand on the first step. This may sound like a small point, but when people have been waiting in the cold for hours, huddling together and jogging in place to keep warm, everyone in the long line was at one point standing on the steps or resting their legs sitting on them. The line, in fact, started on the steps and snaked down the sidewalk almost to the intersection with the Library of Congress.)
Greg took pictures of the confrontation (see above) and shared a laugh with Sherri afterwards, remarking the irony of having to explain to the police the First Amendment right to free speech in front of the very court charged with ensuring it. In the line behind, was a wife of one of the Exxon lawyers who was also a long-time Alaskan. So Alaskans on both sides of the fence who believe genuinely in the justice of their respective positions were present and not only civil to each other but also hospitable in true Alaska fashion. Perhaps all were equally exhausted and happy to see the case reach this final point after 19 years, whatever the outcome.
Greg and Laurie were able to sit in the back of the court during the plaintiff's testimony, hearing the interaction especially between the attorney and Justices Breyer and Kennedy, who both pressed questions regarding maritime law. After the hearing, a press conference was held -- yes -- on the steps of the Supreme Court, where Attorney General Colberg spoke to reporters. His trademark professorial tone was tinged with a bit of melancholy, as he pointed out the fact that some 8,000 plaintiffs -- one fifth of the total -- have passed away since 1989 and so not able to see justice carried out. Talis brought one of his daughters to the hearing, which is an indelible memory she will someday be able to share with her grandchildren.
After the press conference, Greg ran into attorney Lloyd Miller, husband of Heather Kendall Miller, the first Alaska Native to argue before the U.S. Supreme Court (for the Venetie 'Indian Country' case) and Dr. Haakanson, Jr., whose community and family were tragically affected by the spill.
The mood of the event was emotionally charged, and it was not uncommon to see folks weeping -- not only inside the courthouse but departing afterwards. The judgment of the Court is not expected until late June so, after almost two decades, Alaskans still will have to wait a few more months to have a resolution.
Talis' statements were covered on C-SPAN tonight and are available at www.c-span.org under the 'Supreme Court' link.

Reformation in Islam

Professor Reza Aslan, author of NO GOD BUT GOD, addressed a packed house at UAA's Wendy Williamson Auditorium last night. His lecture on 'Reformation in Islam' kept the crowd in rapt attention, as he discussed changes happening within the religion that may not be so evident to those outside (see above: picture 1. Dr. Kimura, Prof. Aslan, and the Most Reverend Francis Hurley, Archbishop Emeritus of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Anchorage; picture 2. President Doug North of Alaska Pacific University, Professor Aslan, and Rami Natseh of the Islamic Association of Anchorage, Alaska).
Aslan's thesis is that Islam today is going through a parallel experience to the Protestant, Anglican, and Roman Catholic Reformations of the mid 16th century in Europe. As such, he believes Islam is experiencing growth pains that manifest themselves sometimes in theological brilliance and sometimes tragedy. During the question and answer period, I pointed out that the European Reformations led to the Wars of Religions from the mid sixteenth century on and, some argue, continue in the 'culture wars' of 21st century America. By formulating the notion of an Islamic Reformation, Aslan tips his hat in the direction that this will be a similarly long and ambiguous process.
Many in the crowd might characterize Aslan an Islamic progressive -- one of those seemingly invisible Moslem moderates the media scrambled to interview after 9/11. The conservative/progressive or conservative/liberal model may not so easily translate in Islam and, in Aslan's case, he is a fascinating combination of modernizing Enlightenment thinking and traditionalism.
Much of his lecture and q and a afterwards focused on the political situation in Palestine (especially Gaza, from which he recently returned and where he described conditions as 'subhuman, a dump, not suitable for dogs to live in'). Aslan believes Coalition intervention in Iraq has been an abject failure and eschews the isolationist tactics the US has used against Iran for the past thirty years. As a member if the post-Revolution Iranian diaspora, he spoke passionately and personally about the democratic dreams of the people of that troubled country.
Prof. Reza Aslan's visit is part of the 'Engaging Muslims' project of APU/Cardinal Newman Chair and made possible by a generous grant by the Carr family. For more information about future speakers and activities, visit www.alaskapacific.edu.

Alaska's Statehood Experience

Commemorating Alaska’s 50th anniversary
is focus of new partnership

Anchorage – Rasmuson Foundation and the Alaska Humanities Forum have partnered to create a competitive grant program for projects which commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Alaska Statehood.

Alaska Humanities Forum received a $1 million grant from the Rasmuson Foundation to launch “Alaska’s Statehood Experience” (ASE). ASE funds are available on a competitive basis for both statewide and local community projects that explore the history of statehood, the circumstances that brought it about, and projects that address the meaning of statehood as Alaska looks ahead to the next fifty years.

“This is an extraordinary grant from the Rasmuson Foundation that will celebrate and preserve our history and culture for Alaskans today and for generations to come,” said Dr. Greg Kimura, President and C.E.O. of the Alaska Humanities Forum. ASE is also supported by corporate and private support and the National Endowment for the Humanities’ “We the People” program.

“Since many of us are first or second generation Alaskans, it’s important that we explore and reflect on the state’s history while we shape Alaska’s future,” commented Rasmuson Foundation President Diane Kaplan. “The Foundation is committed to support projects that will educate Alaskans about the impact of statehood on our communities.”

The ASE program encourages creative exploration of all aspects of Alaska’s journey to statehood. Eligible projects include: Media, Public Meetings/Exhibits, Oral History, Research, Planning, and Creative Expression. A blue-ribbon panel of outstanding Alaskans will review proposals and make awards.

A portion of Alaska’s Statehood Experience will fund AK 50: “Our Stories.” Aimed at students, classes, schools, and clubs for K-12, this mini-grant category will feature young Alaskans reflecting upon statehood, civics, and American identity from their perspective.

The deadline for ASE applications are May 15, 2008. AK 50: “Our Stories” mini-grant program will operate with a rolling deadline, through the 2008-09 academic year.

Grant criteria and on-line applications are available at the Alaska Humanities Forum website: www.akhf.org. For more information, email grants@akhf.org or contact Alaska Humanities Forum Grants Officer Laura Schue at 907-272-5373.

About the Rasmuson Foundation
The Rasmuson Foundation was created in May 1955 by Jenny Rasmuson to honor her late husband "E.A." Rasmuson. The Foundation is a catalyst to promote a better life for all Alaskans.

About the Alaska Humanities Forum
The mission of the Alaska Humanities Forum is to use the wisdom and methods of the humanities to enrich the civic, intellectual and cultural life of all Alaskans.