APC member Stan Jones has received excellent reviews recently from People Magazine, Entertainment Weekly and more. Jones was APC’s featured speaker in April 2009. (Read the synopsis of his talk).

People gave Jones’ book, Village of the Ghost Bears 3 out of 4 stars. The reviewer described “the fourth book of this enchanting series set in Alaska,” and said the author has “created a richly populated universe you’ll be sorry to leave.” People Magazine ( Dec. 7, 2009)

Entertainment Weekly reviewer Tina Jordon gives Village of the Ghost Bears an A-, saying “Jones delivers a finely laddered plot…but the real fun, as always, lies in the dozens of mini-lessons he gives on hardscrabble Alaskan life.” Entertainment Weekly (Nov. 24, 2009)

Additional reviews included:

“Jones, who’s been a bush pilot and an investigative reporter, brings stomach-wrenching verisimilitude to crimes despoiling the land and the people, while he sensitively renders the tender, painful romance between Nathan and Grace. His sympathetic portrayal of Alaska’s mixed-ethnic traditions is a tribute to both the state and the states of mind it inspires”—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review, Oct. 12, 2009

“Nathan is a likable series lead, capable, depending on the situation, of touching tenderness or unbending strength. Fans of other Alaska-set series—Dana Stabenow’s atmospheric Kate Shugak novels and John Straley’s rather more traditional books featuring private investigator Cecil Younger—will embrace the Active novels but don’t stop there: recommend this one to anyone who enjoys a stylishly written, solidly plotted mystery”—Booklist

“Multilayered characters and an offbeat setting authentically rendered—Jones bids fair to become the Tony Hillerman of Alaska.”—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

“Readers get a crash course in living in remote Alaska and a mighty fine mystery as well. Comparable to Alaska mysteries by Dana Stabenow and Mike Doogan, this series should get more exposure than it does.”—Library Journal

Ella Wright was honored October 1, 2009 for her service and achievements. She was presented with lifetime membership to Alaska Professional Communicators and a plaque:

Whereas Ella V. Wright has been a leader of Alaska Professional Communicators, formerly Alaska Press Women, for more than 30 years, having served as president in 1990-91 and also as vice president, Communicator of Achievement director, and scholarship judge;

She lifted the profile of our Alaska-based group with her willingness to provide leadership at the national level, first volunteering for the national board in 1990 and going up the ladder of offices culminating with the presidency of the National Federation of Press Women in 2001-2003, the only president ever from Alaska;

She was coordinator of the hugely successful NFPW conference in Alaska in 2000 and also has served as NFPW communications contest director and director of ethnic recruitment;

Whereas she has served her community in numerous ways, such as volunteering with the Anchorage School District to promote minority female leadership, recruiting minorities for government positions, and serving on the board of Alaska Pacific University and editing its newsletter;

She earned two college degrees while working and raising two sons—a Masters of Liberal Arts in English from Alaska Pacific University and a Bachelor of Arts in English/Art from the University of Alaska Anchorage;

She is ending a career of nearly 40 years as a professional communicator with the federal government, starting as a clerk-typist and ending as a Writer-Editor with the Bureau of Land Management-Alaska;

Whereas she always coaches, advises, and pushes us to volunteer, to step up, and to do our best;

Now, therefore, be it resolved that Ella is awarded this

ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

With admiration and love from Alaska Professional Communicators.

The national office sent out email renewal notices this week. Did you receive yours?

NFPW President Cynthia Rice reminded us of membership benefits, including:

* Communications Contest that provides for professional recognition
* Professional development at affiliate and national levels
* Networking with other communications professionals around the nation
* A job bank that is updated regularly
* Reasonable libel insurance
* Education fund grants
* Informational updates related to communications through president’s blog, Web site, monthly e-letter

Go ahead and renew today. It’s easy! If you did not receive a renewal through email, check your spam folder, or let us the national office know. (nfpw@americanpressworks.com)

APC members Vera Starbard, Jessica Golden, and Joan Harris have received project grants from the Rasmuson Foundation. Read more in the article that appeared in the Anchorage Daily News.

APC member Dianne Barske has written and illustrated a new book in her line of children’s stories about animals at the Alaska Zoo. “How Do You Say Goodbye to an Elephant? – Maggie Leaves Alaska” follows “Mukluks for Annabelle” and “Two Bears There - The Story of Ahpun and Oreo.”

Dianne will be signing copies of her new work at the following locations:

If you can’t make it to those events, visit Dianne’s website to order your own copy.