The AnchorED City

BTS #39 – Anchorage Wolverines Part #1 - w/ Merit Waldrop

Hockey is back in the Sullivan Arena! After the departure of the Anchorage Aces in 2017, the premier hockey venue in Anchorage was without a team until 2024, when the North American Hockey League team, the Anchorage Wolverines, moved in, and the atmosphere is electric! On this episode, we talk with the Wolverines' general manager, Merit Waldrop.   @anchoragewolverines https://www.facebook.com/anchoragewolverines/ [https://www.facebook.com/anchoragewolverines/] https://www.anchoragewolverines.com/ [https://www.anchoragewolverines.com/]   #anchoredcity https://anchorageutc.org [https://anchorageutc.org/] https://www.facebook.com/AnchorageUTC [https://www.facebook.com/AnchorageUTC] @AnchorageUTC

The history of the Nordstrom Building - BTS 24: What is the Connection Between Seattle and Anchorage? - Encore Episode

The history of the Nordstrom Building - BTS 24: What is the Connection Between Seattle and Anchorage? - Encore Episode Last week, Anchorage Mayor Susan LaFrance and the Anchorage Community Development Authority expressed a desire to convert the old Nordstrom department store building in downtown, which has sat vacant for nearly five years, into housing and commercial space. In this encore episode, the history of the vacant building that once housed Nordstrom's is discussed. #anchoredcity https://anchorageutc.org [https://anchorageutc.org] https://www.facebook.com/AnchorageUTC [https://www.facebook.com/AnchorageUTC] @AnchorageUTC   Resources Used to Make This Episode: https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/anchorage/2026/02/16/lafrance-administration-eyes-developing-old-nordstrom-building-into-new-housing-and-retail-space/ [https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/anchorage/2026/02/16/lafrance-administration-eyes-developing-old-nordstrom-building-into-new-housing-and-retail-space/] (encore) https://www.filson.com/blog/field-notes/ss-portland-ship/#:~:text=The%20Portland's%20arrival%20was%20nothing,before%20the%20day%20was%20done [https://www.filson.com/blog/field-notes/ss-portland-ship/#:~:text=The%20Portland]. https://www.adn.com/alaska-life/2021/05/09/whatever-happened-to-the-ton-of-gold-ship-that-kickstarted-the-klondike-gold-rush/ [https://www.adn.com/alaska-life/2021/05/09/whatever-happened-to-the-ton-of-gold-ship-that-kickstarted-the-klondike-gold-rush/] https://www.ragsrag.com/pr/pr.html [https://www.ragsrag.com/pr/pr.html]  - Echoes from the Snowball Club (Piano Roll) https://www.ragsrag.com/vp/vp.html [https://www.ragsrag.com/vp/vp.html] - Harlem Rag & Mandy’s Broadway Stroll https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Bluffton_Carnival_Rag_by_Verdi_Karns_(1899,_Ragtime_piano).ogg [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Bluffton_Carnival_Rag_by_Verdi_Karns_(1899,_Ragtime_piano).ogg] https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/anchorage/2017/08/24/a-moment-15-years-in-the-making-the-old-northern-lights-inn-is-coming-down/ [https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/anchorage/2017/08/24/a-moment-15-years-in-the-making-the-old-northern-lights-inn-is-coming-down/] https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/anchorage/2019/11/13/nordstrom-building-to-remain-vacant-for-foreseeable-future/ [https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/anchorage/2019/11/13/nordstrom-building-to-remain-vacant-for-foreseeable-future/] https://adn.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2%3A14454275A04DAA79%40NGPA-AKADN-16BC84557AEF83EC%402442468-16BC8371F6380428%400-16BC8371F6380428%40?search_terms=Nordstrom&text=Nordstrom&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%255B0%255D=14454275A04DAA79&sort=old&page=7&pdate=1975-02-24 [https://adn.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2%3A14454275A04DAA79%40NGPA-AKADN-16BC84557AEF83EC%402442468-16BC8371F6380428%400-16BC8371F6380428%40?search_terms=Nordstrom&text=Nordstrom&content_added=&date_from=&date_to=&pub%255B0%255D=14454275A04DAA79&sort=old&page=7&pdate=1975-02-24] https://adn.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2%3A14454275A04DAA79%40NGPA-AKADN-16ED2059A4F5DC64%402440104-16ED15560660BCF6%400-16ED15560660BCF6%40?search_terms=%22new%2Bdepartment%2Bstore%22&text=%22new%20department%20store%22&date_from=1956&date_to=1975&content_added=&pub%255B0%255D=14454275A04DAA79&sort=old&page=1&pdate=1968-09-04 [https://adn.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2%3A14454275A04DAA79%40NGPA-AKADN-16ED2059A4F5DC64%402440104-16ED15560660BCF6%400-16ED15560660BCF6%40?search_terms=%22new%2Bdepartment%2Bstore%22&text=%22new%20department%20store%22&date_from=1956&date_to=1975&content_added=&pub%255B0%255D=14454275A04DAA79&sort=old&page=1&pdate=1968-09-04] https://adn.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2%3A14454275A04DAA79%40NGPA-AKADN-16BC28B539BFA680%402440797-16BC27C301AD64E1%400-16BC27C301AD64E1%40?search_terms=%22NC%2Bstore%22&text=%22NC%20store%22&date_from=1970&date_to=1970&content_added=&pub%255B0%255D=14454275A04DAA79&sort=old&pdate=1970-07-29 [https://adn.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2%3A14454275A04DAA79%40NGPA-AKADN-16BC28B539BFA680%402440797-16BC27C301AD64E1%400-16BC27C301AD64E1%40?search_terms=%22NC%2Bstore%22&text=%22NC%20store%22&date_from=1970&date_to=1970&content_added=&pub%255B0%255D=14454275A04DAA79&sort=old&pdate=1970-07-29] https://adn.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2%3A14454275A04DAA79%40NGPA-AKADN-16BC84557AEF83EC%402442468-16BC8371F6380428%400-16BC8371F6380428%40?search_terms=Nordstrom&text=Nordstrom&content_added=&date_from=1975&date_to=1975&pub%255B0%255D=14454275A04DAA79&sort=old&pdate=1975-02-24 [https://adn.newsbank.com/doc/image/v2%3A14454275A04DAA79%40NGPA-AKADN-16BC84557AEF83EC%402442468-16BC8371F6380428%400-16BC8371F6380428%40?search_terms=Nordstrom&text=Nordstrom&content_added=&date_from=1975&date_to=1975&pub%255B0%255D=14454275A04DAA79&sort=old&pdate=1975-02-24] https://www.nordstrom.com/browse/about/company-history [https://www.nordstrom.com/browse/about/company-history] https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/anchorage/2019/11/13/nordstrom-building-to-remain-vacant-for-foreseeable-future/ [https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/anchorage/2019/11/13/nordstrom-building-to-remain-vacant-for-foreseeable-future/] https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Seattle_Post_Intelligencer_newspaper_front_page_for_July_17,_1897,_announcing_the_arrival_of_the_steamer_PORTLAND_in_Seattle_(SEATTLE_2718).jpg [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Seattle_Post_Intelligencer_newspaper_front_page_for_July_17,_1897,_announcing_the_arrival_of_the_steamer_PORTLAND_in_Seattle_(SEATTLE_2718).jpg] Jasper, P.B., & Blasongame, B.M., 1983, A gathering of saints in Alaska: An informal chronicle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the State of Alaska, Hiller Industries, Salt Lake City. (Aunt Phil’s Trunk #3 p.36) & https://www.muni.org/Departments/OCPD/Planning/Publications/Historic%20Preservation%20Plan/05-HPP-HistoricContxtSurveys.pdf [https://www.muni.org/Departments/OCPD/Planning/Publications/Historic%20Preservation%20Plan/05-HPP-HistoricContxtSurveys.pdf] http://www.anchoragecreeks.org/media/publications/Campbell_Creek_History.pdf [http://www.anchoragecreeks.org/media/publications/Campbell_Creek_History.pdf] https://www.muni.org/Departments/parks/cemetery/Pages/honored.aspx [https://www.muni.org/Departments/parks/cemetery/Pages/honored.aspx] https://www.alaskahistory.org/anchorage-timeline/ [https://www.alaskahistory.org/anchorage-timeline/] https://www.loc.gov/resource/2019271003/1915-06-05/ed-1/?sp=8&r=0.402,1.045,0.692,0.31,0 [https://www.loc.gov/resource/2019271003/1915-06-05/ed-1/?sp=8&r=0.402,1.045,0.692,0.31,0] Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park – Seattle -  https://www.nps.gov/klse/index.htm [https://www.nps.gov/klse/index.htm]

S5: E8 – North To The Future: Listener Visions

This season, we used the Alaska State Motto – “North to the Future” –as a model for how we might positively imagine the future of Anchorage. In this episode, we hear a number of short positive visions for Anchorage’s future.   #anchoredcity https://anchorageutc.org [https://anchorageutc.org] https://www.facebook.com/AnchorageUTC [https://www.facebook.com/AnchorageUTC] @AnchorageUTC

Encore Episode: S1:E5 – Captain Cook Removed From The City Seal

On December 17, 2025 the Alaska Watchman reported, “In a split decision, the Anchorage Assembly narrowly voted to erase all historical references to the famous Captain James Cook from the city’s official seal.” In light of the new Municipal Seal, and the controversy about the removal of Captain Cook from it, we return to Season 1: Episode 5. I hope you enjoy this Encore Episode about Captain Cook originally titled, The Legacy of Colonialism Part 1: A Statue, a Banner, and a Covenant.   We want to hear your positive vision of the future! Record a voice memo on your phone of your positive vision for Anchorage’s future and send the audio file to anchorageutc@gmail.com [anchorageutc@gmail.com]. Please put in the subject line of your email “North to the Future – My Vision.”   #anchoredcity https://anchorageutc.org [https://anchorageutc.org] https://www.facebook.com/AnchorageUTC [https://www.facebook.com/AnchorageUTC] @AnchorageUTC     Resources Used To Make This Episode: https://alaskawatchman.com/2025/12/17/anchorage-assemblyman-blasts-colleagues-for-ignoring-public-and-ditching-historic-city-seal/?fbclid=IwY2xjawOwK3NleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeYL4ga-dBxk_uQKg2-t6_n6FyOXsttgf_U3X_3ak8GZ9LXwqEov4HZS-GirE_aem_TkaaknsJa6DMueAYQDgh0w [https://alaskawatchman.com/2025/12/17/anchorage-assemblyman-blasts-colleagues-for-ignoring-public-and-ditching-historic-city-seal/?fbclid=IwY2xjawOwK3NleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeYL4ga-dBxk_uQKg2-t6_n6FyOXsttgf_U3X_3ak8GZ9LXwqEov4HZS-GirE_aem_TkaaknsJa6DMueAYQDgh0w] http://www.cc.com/video-playlists/qkhul9/the-daily-show-with-trevor-noah-between-the-scenes/g34af5 [http://www.cc.com/video-playlists/qkhul9/the-daily-show-with-trevor-noah-between-the-scenes/g34af5] https://www.alaskapublic.org/2020/06/29/most-agree-on-the-story-of-captain-cooks-time-in-cook-inlet-they-differ-on-how-to-tell-it/ [https://www.alaskapublic.org/2020/06/29/most-agree-on-the-story-of-captain-cooks-time-in-cook-inlet-they-differ-on-how-to-tell-it/] Oleksa, M., 1992, Orthodox Alaska: A theology of mission, St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, Crestwood. Newcomb, S., 1992, ‘Five hundred years of injustice’, Indigenous Law Institute, n.d., viewed 30 January 2019, from http://ili.nativeweb.org/sdrm_art.html [http://ili.nativeweb.org/sdrm_art.html]. Indigenous Values Initiative, 2018, Dum diversas, viewed 14 February 2019, from https://doctrineofdiscovery.org/dum-diversas/. Charles, M., 2016, ‘The doctrine of discovery, war, and the myth of America’, Leaven 24(3), 147-154. http://www.alaskool.org/projects/JimCrow/cov_res.htm [http://www.alaskool.org/projects/JimCrow/cov_res.htm] https://www.alaskapublic.org/2020/02/28/illegal-for-decades-many-anchorage-homes-still-have-covenants-that-prohibit-sale-to-blacks-and-alaska-natives/ [https://www.alaskapublic.org/2020/02/28/illegal-for-decades-many-anchorage-homes-still-have-covenants-that-prohibit-sale-to-blacks-and-alaska-natives/] Wohlforth, C., 2017, ‘How some Anchorage neighbors redeemed the city's racist past’, Alaska Daily News, 27 February, 2017, viewed 30 January 2019, from https://www.adn.com/opinions/2017/02/27/how-some-anchorage-neighbors-redeemed-the-citys- racist-past/. Ford, A., 2017, ‘Redlining in Fairview’, Anchorage Press, 23 February, 2017, viewed 30 January 2019, from https://www.anchoragepress.com/news/redlininginfairview/article_cb0037a0-f9a7-11e6- b9eb-5fef409ab819.html. https://www.alaskapublic.org/2020/09/07/hundreds-gather-in-anchorage-over-holiday-to-commemorate-march-on-washington-anniversary/ [https://www.alaskapublic.org/2020/09/07/hundreds-gather-in-anchorage-over-holiday-to-commemorate-march-on-washington-anniversary/] https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/anchorage/2020/09/07/anchorage-labor-day-rally-urging-racial-equality-draws-hundreds-of-supporters/ [https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/anchorage/2020/09/07/anchorage-labor-day-rally-urging-racial-equality-draws-hundreds-of-supporters/] https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/anchorage/2020/06/25/mayor-berkowitz-to-have-native-village-of-eklutna-decide-what-to-do-with-downtown-captain-cook-statue/ [https://www.adn.com/alaska-news/anchorage/2020/06/25/mayor-berkowitz-to-have-native-village-of-eklutna-decide-what-to-do-with-downtown-captain-cook-statue/] www.smallchurchmusic.com/Song_Display-New.php?SID=2644 [http://www.smallchurchmusic.com/Song_Display-New.php?SID=2644]

HELP! WE NEED YOUR POSITIVE VISION OF THE FUTURE IN ANCHORAGE

We want to hear your positive vision of the future. During this season, we are gathering your optimistic imaginings of Anchorage’s future. To share your vision, simply record a voice memo on your phone and email the audio file to anchorageutc@gmail.com [anchorageutc@gmail.com]. In the Subject line type, “North to the Future – My Vision.” Once again, send your positive vision for Anchorage’s future to anchorageutc@gmail.com [anchorageutc@gmail.com] and put in the subject line of your email “North to the Future – My Vision.” #anchoredcity https://anchorageutc.org [https://anchorageutc.org] https://www.facebook.com/AnchorageUTC [https://www.facebook.com/AnchorageUTC] @AnchorageUTC