The Alaska State Society will convene again on Saturday, July 20, for another round of brunch and Qugruk conversation in the upstairs room at Mr. Henry's restaurant. This month's guest will be Fran Ulmer, the presidentially-appointed Chair of the United States Arctic Research Commission. As Alaskans know, Fran Ulmer has also been, at various times, the chancellor of UAA; the Lt. Governor of Alaska; an Alaska state legislator; and the mayor of Juneau. We'll brunch for 30 minutes, then give the floor to our speaker. Under the banner, "What happens in the Arctic doesn't stay in the Arctic," Commissioner Ulmer will address Arctic shipping, research, climate change, and oil-spill prevention and response--all followed by questions and answers from the audience.
*The qugruk, or tundra swan -- like many AKSS members -- regularly flies between Alaska and Washington, D.C.