Neighbors

Fred La Plante is the pastor of the Juneau Church of the Nazarene. (Courtesy / Fred La Plante)

Living and Growing: Being healthy physically, mentally and spiritually

Moving to Juneau about nine months ago, I began a journey back to Alaska and health. I started the journey about a year or so… Continue reading

Fred La Plante is the pastor of the Juneau Church of the Nazarene. (Courtesy / Fred La Plante)
Humpback whales engage in “bubble net” feeding near Juneau on July 31. (Photo by Christopher Grau)

Wild Shots

To showcase our readers’ work to the widest possible audience, Wild Shots have been moved in front of the Juneau Empire’s paywall. Don’t have a… Continue reading

Humpback whales engage in “bubble net” feeding near Juneau on July 31. (Photo by Christopher Grau)
A statue of the Most Holy Mother Mary at the author’s home alter in Juneau. (Photo by Gina Del Rosario)

Living and Growing: Medjugorje, shrine of the Queen of Peace

For over 42 years now, in the quiet rural village of Medjugorje in Bosnia, Hercegovina, our Most Holy Mother Mary has been appearing daily since… Continue reading

A statue of the Most Holy Mother Mary at the author’s home alter in Juneau. (Photo by Gina Del Rosario)
A moon jellyfish swims in Gastineau Channel on Sept. 5, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

On the Trails: Bioluminescence behavior

Bioluminescence refers to visible (to humans) light-emission by living organisms, by means of chemical interactions. Some organisms generate light themselves, while others have mutualistic relationships… Continue reading

A moon jellyfish swims in Gastineau Channel on Sept. 5, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
An empty “pole position” space at a red light is one of the things that makes the author happy. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

Gimme a Smile: Little things that make me happy

Sometimes it’s the small things that bring the greatest happiness. Here are some little things that make me happy: • A cup of coffee in… Continue reading

An empty “pole position” space at a red light is one of the things that makes the author happy. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Joab Cano stands in front of The Light of the World Church in Juneau. (Courtesy of Joab Cano)

Living and Growing: Baptismal ceremonies worldwide

The Light of the World faith around the globe has been witnessing baptismal ceremonies where thousands of new believers have decided to take that first… Continue reading

Joab Cano stands in front of The Light of the World Church in Juneau. (Courtesy of Joab Cano)
An Exobasidium fungus grows on a rusty menziesia leaf. (Photo by Michael Melampy)

On the Trails: Scrapbook of summer observations

Summer came, with the colorful blooming of tall fireweed. Hermit thrushes were still singing and, on two different trails, juvenile hermits lingered on the open… Continue reading

An Exobasidium fungus grows on a rusty menziesia leaf. (Photo by Michael Melampy)
The Franklin Street view of AELP’s 1930s building reveals its Art Deco architectural style, characterized by geometric features. The power company’s name is recessed in cast concrete. N. Lester Troast Co. designed the building which R. J. Somers constructed. The five-story Goldstein Emporium rises in the background with Douglas Island hills beyond. (Photo courtesy AELP)
Features

Rooted in Community: AEL&P building makes news, power moves and whisky

Building that debuted in 1937 evolves from historic appliance showroom to modern-day distillery

  • Jul 20, 2023
  • By Laurie Craig For the Downtown Business Association
  • FeaturesHistory
The Franklin Street view of AELP’s 1930s building reveals its Art Deco architectural style, characterized by geometric features. The power company’s name is recessed in cast concrete. N. Lester Troast Co. designed the building which R. J. Somers constructed. The five-story Goldstein Emporium rises in the background with Douglas Island hills beyond. (Photo courtesy AELP)
Cow parsnip, also known as Indian rhubarb, is common along Juneau’s trails. (Photo by Mary F. Willson)

On the Trails: Cow parsnip and phototoxicity

Out on the wetlands at the end of Industrial Boulevard in early July, Lincoln’s sparrows and savannah sparrows were everywhere, chipping and flitting. Shorebirds were… Continue reading

Cow parsnip, also known as Indian rhubarb, is common along Juneau’s trails. (Photo by Mary F. Willson)
Craig George leads Ned Rozell on a snowmachine trail north of Utqiagvik in May 2010. (Photo by Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Craig George’s remarkable northern legacy

I was sad to learn recently that Craig George was missing and presumed dead when a raft he was floating upon hit a logjam in… Continue reading

Craig George leads Ned Rozell on a snowmachine trail north of Utqiagvik in May 2010. (Photo by Ned Rozell)
Interstate 25 in Wyoming. (Public domain photo CC BY-SA 4.0)

Living and Growing: The Road to Freedom

As a teenager growing up in Colorado, I was eager for my freedom. There was nothing wrong in my household. I was blessed with loving… Continue reading

Interstate 25 in Wyoming. (Public domain photo CC BY-SA 4.0)
Chenega Bay in 1964 following the great earthquake. A schoolhouse survived the earthquake and tsunami that followed. The tsunami destroyed houses lower than the schoolhouse. (Photo by George Plafker)

Alaska Science Forum: Feet on the ground right after the big one

On March 27, 1964, California geologist George Plafker was attending a research conference in Seattle when news came of a big earthquake in Alaska. “It… Continue reading

Chenega Bay in 1964 following the great earthquake. A schoolhouse survived the earthquake and tsunami that followed. The tsunami destroyed houses lower than the schoolhouse. (Photo by George Plafker)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Living and Growing: Raising our voices when the national song falters

I should warn you now: If you ever go to a sporting event with me, I tend to yell a lot and I will sing… Continue reading

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
Albino Steller sea lion at Faust Rock on June 30. (Photo by Richard Fagnant)

Wild Shots

To showcase our readers’ work to the widest possible audience, Wild Shots have been moved in front of the Juneau Empire’s paywall. Don’t have a… Continue reading

Albino Steller sea lion at Faust Rock on June 30. (Photo by Richard Fagnant)
UAF Chancellor Dan White pretends to take a sample from a mammoth skull with the help of Matthew Wooller to promote the Adopt a Mammoth Program at the Museum of the North on the UAF campus on Aug. 5, 2022.

Alaska Science Forum: Adopted mammoth fell 15,000 years ago

A few days ago, Mat Wooller had news about a woolly mammoth my friend LJ and I “adopted” last October. “You’ve got one of the… Continue reading

  • Jun 29, 2023
  • By Ned Rozell
UAF Chancellor Dan White pretends to take a sample from a mammoth skull with the help of Matthew Wooller to promote the Adopt a Mammoth Program at the Museum of the North on the UAF campus on Aug. 5, 2022.
Resurrection Lutheran Church, which provides a weekly food pantry, is seen here in April. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

Living and Growing: Learning to ‘see’ people as well as serving them

I was a transactional Lutheran. I attended church regularly. I volunteered for anything and everything. I believed that this was my duty as a Christian.… Continue reading

Resurrection Lutheran Church, which provides a weekly food pantry, is seen here in April. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)
Common Merganser with five chics on Salt Chuck on June 17 in Juneau. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

Wild Shots

To showcase our readers’ work to the widest possible audience, Wild Shots have been moved in front of the Juneau Empire’s paywall. Don’t have a… Continue reading

Common Merganser with five chics on Salt Chuck on June 17 in Juneau. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)
Washboard roads form on dry, unpaved road surfaces, of which there are many in Alaska. (Illustration by Liza McElroy)

Alaska Science Forum: The ups and downs of washboard roads

While driving Alaska’s graveled highways, people sometimes wonder how an unpaved road can turn into a bed of corduroy. Keith Mather had the same question… Continue reading

Washboard roads form on dry, unpaved road surfaces, of which there are many in Alaska. (Illustration by Liza McElroy)
Longtime Juneau musician Rob Cohen performs at an outdoor cabaret show during the Alaska Theater Festival in 2022. This year’s festival will begin with a series of Neighborhood Cabaret shows at various locations throughout Juneau between June 28 and July 2. (Courtesy of Theater Alaska)
Capital City Weekly

Neighborhood watch

Fourth annual Alaska Theater Festival to stage outdoor productions throughout Juneau this summer.

Longtime Juneau musician Rob Cohen performs at an outdoor cabaret show during the Alaska Theater Festival in 2022. This year’s festival will begin with a series of Neighborhood Cabaret shows at various locations throughout Juneau between June 28 and July 2. (Courtesy of Theater Alaska)
The author’s backyard overlooking a forested ridge. (Photo by Peggy Barnhill)

Gimme a Smile: Welcome to my backyard

KINY is running a photo contest of pictures of your backyard to win a backyard BBQ set. Here’s a word picture of my backyard. After… Continue reading

The author’s backyard overlooking a forested ridge. (Photo by Peggy Barnhill)