In gear

Wells Fargo Bank Alaska NA has installed talking automated-teller machines in Fairbanks, Ketchikan and King Salmon. Installation of ATMs with audio capability will continue through early 2003 in Alaska. Through voice instruction for customers who cannot read the information screen, the talking ATMs tell users how to deposit money, withdraw cash, transfer funds and buy stamps. Account balances for primary checking, savings and market rate accounts also can be heard. To protect the privacy and security of blind and low vision users, the talking ATMs deliver voice information privately through audio jacks and earphones.

Anchorage Economic Development Corp. has retained the services of Walsh Sheppard Flynn of Anchorage for the design and production of a new credit card-sized computer disk AEDC will use in its marketing efforts. The primary purpose of this new CD will be to help change the perception business people outside of Alaska have about Anchorage, according to Larry Crawford, AEDC's president and chief executive. The CD will have basic information about Anchorage's business climate, such as tax rates, work force, educational opportunities and utility costs. The CD will be used in AEDC's new Ambassador to the World program, which will debut in the first quarter of 2003.

Locator

The offices of plastic and reconstructive surgeons, Dr. Michael Manuel and Dr. Anne Stevenson, have moved to the Alaska Regional Hospital Campus at 2741 DeBarr Road, Building C, Suite 215. Both surgeons will continue to operate at Providence Hospital, Alaska Native Medical Center and Alaska Regional Hospital. Manuel and Stevenson are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Manuel has been practicing in Alaska for 17 years. Stevenson joined the practice in 2000. The telephone number remains 907-563-2002. A map and more information about the practice is available at www.mmanuel.com.

Kudos

The Anchorage Home Builders Association recently recognized Prudential Eagle River, Coldwell Banker Fortune and Prudential Vista Real Estate with its New Construction Brokerage of the Year awards. Pat Baker was honored as Overall New Construction Agent of the Year and won the Listing Agent award. Ev Honegger received the Overall Selling Agent honor. The agents work for Prudential Vista Real Estate. Linda Garrison of #1 Buyers Agency received the Buyers Agent award and Todd Held of Buyers Brokers of Alaska won Rookie of the Year.

The Alaska District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has awarded BNC International Inc., a subsidiary of Bethel Native Corp., its Medium Project Celebrate Safety Contractor of the Year 2002 award. BNC International now becomes the Alaska District's nominee for the Chief Engineer's Award for Safe Performance in 2002. The Anchorage-based company also won the Celebrate Safety Medium Project Award for the Year 2002 for completion of the Haines fuel terminal.

Grants

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the United States Fire Administration have awarded grants to the Tri Valley Volunteer Fire Department of $77,400 and to the Sand Point Department of Public Safety Fire Division of $87,813 through the Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program. Grants also were awarded to the Talkeetna Fire Service Area for $41,670; Gustavus Emergency Response, $32,940; the McGrath Volunteer Fire Department, $58,023; and the Hoonah Volunteer Fire Department, $117,333.

The Alaska Congressional Delegation recently announced grants of more than $2 million from the Fiscal Year 2002 Homeless Assistance funding. Supportive Housing Program Grants were awarded in Anchorage to Alaskan AIDS Assistance Association for $112,875; the Coming Home Project of Anchorage Housing Initiatives, $81,886; Homeward Bound of Rural Alaska Community Action Program Inc., $357,474; Rights of Passage of the Covenant House Alaska, $245,629; the Transitional Single-room Occupancy Housing Program of the Anchorage Community Mental Health Services Inc., $215,854; Community Bound of the Rural Alaska Community Action Program Inc., $141,168; and the LINK Project of the Municipality of Anchorage/Health and Human Services; $296,714. Grants also were presented to the Women's Resource and Crisis Center in Kenai for $147,582; Saint Vincent De Paul Society, $48,450; and $46,464 to New Directions and $102,500 to Bev's Place, both of Mat-Su Community Mental Health Services Inc. in Wasilla. Shelter Plus Care Program Grants were awarded to Health and Human Services in Anchorage for $119,268; the Alaskan AIDS Assistance Association, $22,560; and the Saint Vincent De Paul Society, $348,480.