DOT: The state Department of Transportation. The full name is the state Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, but that is only needed when your story refers to public facilities beyond roads and ferries.  Contact: 465-3900; www.dot.state.ak.us/  Commissioner: Mike Barton, 465-3900  Spokesman: John Manly: 465-8994; john_manly@dot.state.ak.us  

Douglas : Douglas , now part of Juneau , refers to the old townsite of what was once a separate city, running from Lawson Creek near Crow Hill to the old Treadwell Mine ruins. From Lawson Creek to the Douglas Bridge is West Juneau . North of that is North Douglas . Douglas Island includes the whole thing.  

Douglas Bridge : Not Juneau-Douglas Bridge . Crosses the Gastineau Channel.  

Douglas Press Club: Inactive journalists’ organization. Motto: “To hell with the news, get me a drink.”  

Dum Baal-dum: Tsimshian language and culture organization, teaches Shim-al-gyack language classes and offers teaching resources. Works with Sealaska Heritage Institute.  Contact: www.dumbaaldum.org/  Directors: Tony and Donna May Roberts, (503) 722-1308; dumbaaldum@comcast.net; in Clackamas , Oregon .  

Dzantik’i Heeni Middle School : One of Juneau ’s two middle schools. Named after the Tlingit word for Juneau , which means “where the flounders gather.” 

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E

Eaglecrest: Eaglecrest Ski Area, Juneau ’s city-owned winter sports area, with downhill and Nordic skiing and tubing.  Contact: 790-2000; www.juneau.org/eaglecrest/  Business manager: Gary Mendivil, 586-5284  Ski area manager: Kirk Duncan, 790-2000 

Earthjustice: A nonprofit, public-interest law firm working mostly on behalf of environmental groups. Originally called the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund. Files most lawsuits involving Tongass timber sales.  Contact: 586-2751; www.earthjustice.org/regional/juneau/  Attorney: Tom Waldo is often the best one to talk to. 

Earthquakes: A quake of 3.5 on the Richter scale can cause slight damage in a local area, 4 can cause moderate damage, 5 considerable damage, and 6 can be severe. A 7 reading is a “major” quake, capable of widespread heavy damage, and 8 is a “great” quake, capable of tremendous damage.

Extra-tough: The proper brand name of the popular rubber boots is spelled Xtratuf.

F

Federal Aviation Administration: Government agency regulating air traffic and investigating accidents.
Contact: Alaska Public Affairs Officer Joette Storm, 271-5296. 

Feel and think: We rarely report on how people are feeling. So when reporting on someone’s opinion, “think” or “believe” should be used. “Feel” should be reserved only for emotions.

Ferry: Alaska Marine Highway System and state ferry system are synonymous. Use the full name on first reference when practical and not too clunky. Don’t use “MV” for “motor vessel.” Just use the ship’s name or say “ferry LeConte.” The central office is in the process of moving to Ketchikan,  Contact: 465-3955; www.ferryalaska.com  Deputy Commissioner for Marine Transportation: Robin Taylor, 465-6977  General Manager: John Falvey, 228-7250 Transportation Department Spokesman: John Manly 465-8994

Ferry Unions: Three unions represent staff on board the Alaska Marine Highway System.  They are divided by the work they do.  See separate listings for "Inland Boatmen's Union", "Marine Engineers Beneficial Association", and "Masters, Mates, and Pilots".  They bargain with staff at the state's Labor Relations Division, part of the Department of  Administration, 465-4404

Filipino, Philippines:  The Philippines is the nation, a collection of islands near Southeast Asia.  Residents are Filipinos.  The Spanish colonized the islands in the 1500s and they were ceded to the United States in 1898 after the Spanish American War.  The Philippines became a self-governing commonwealth in 1935, were invaded by Japanese forces in 1942, and became independent in 1946.  Population is about 90 million.  Many of Alaska's first Filipinos worked in canneries.  Anchorage's Thelma Buchholdt was Alaska's first Filipino legislator, serving in the state House 1974 - 1980. 

Filipino Community: A Juneau-based cultural organization of Filipinos that includes a headquarters building downtown. 
Contact: 586-4116, www.filcomalaska.org
President Jennifer Gomez Strickler
Public Relations Officer: Myrna Dillon

Fisherman: Most of those who fish, including women, prefer fisherman, not fisher, which is a small, fur-bearing mammal related to the weasel. Fishermen can also be referred to by their gear group; i.e., troller, gillnetter, longliner.

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