Neighbors

(Juneau Empire File)

Community calendar of upcoming events

This is a calendar updated daily of upcoming local events during the coming days provided by the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council, and other contributors.… Continue reading

 

Becky Corson is a member of Shepherd Of The Valley Lutheran Church. (Photo provided by Becky Corson)

Living and Growing: ‘Secondhand’ can be a wonderful way to go

These clothing sales are ruining my life. Maybe that’s an overstatement. It’s more that the guilt I’m experiencing is ruining my life. It’s the guilt… Continue reading

 

A sculpture of Constantine the Great by Philip Jackson in York. (Public domain photo republished under a Creative Commons license)

Living and Growing: Christianity or Churchianity?

Several cruise ship passengers arriving in Juneau this September were greeted on the dock with a sign that asked a religious question: “Why Aren’t Christians… Continue reading

 

Szechwan-style fish ready to serve. (Photo by Patty Schied)

Cooking For Pleasure: Fish Szechwan style

Ever since I started writing this column, I have debated whether to include this recipe which I have made for many years. Although complicated to… Continue reading

Szechwan-style fish ready to serve. (Photo by Patty Schied)
Members of the Juneau Ski Team offer cookies and other treats to people in the Senate Mall during this year’s Gallery Walk on Friday, Dec. 6. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Gimme A Smile: Gifts through the ages

Why is it that once the gift-giving holidays are over and the New Year’s resolutions list comes out, the first thing on the list is… Continue reading

Members of the Juneau Ski Team offer cookies and other treats to people in the Senate Mall during this year’s Gallery Walk on Friday, Dec. 6. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Fred LaPlante is the pastor at Juneau Church of the Nazarene. (Courtesy photo)

Living and Growing: Reflections from Advent

Do you feel pulled in so many directions this Christmas season? I know I sure have. It is hard to accomplish so many events and… Continue reading

Fred LaPlante is the pastor at Juneau Church of the Nazarene. (Courtesy photo)
A winter’s landscape in the Douglas Island mountains. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)

Column: The Christmas smile

A holiday remembrance.

A winter’s landscape in the Douglas Island mountains. (Klas Stolpe / Juneau Empire)
(Photo courtesy of Laura Rorem)

Living and Growing: Meaningful belonging

My 57 glorious years with my beloved soul mate, Larry, created a deep sense of emotional security and stability. We truly belonged together. His loving,… Continue reading

(Photo courtesy of Laura Rorem)
Sparse supplies are seen on shelves at the Helping Hands Food Bank during its final days operation in November of 2022, when it was forced to close after 39 years. Other food banks throughout Juneau today are seeing high demand due in part to rising food costs. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Living and Growing: For those with the bounty of food, family, friends and fortune, think of those without

Unitarian Universalism is a unique religion, in that its members share no common creed. Instead, we search for our own truths while covenanting to share… Continue reading

Sparse supplies are seen on shelves at the Helping Hands Food Bank during its final days operation in November of 2022, when it was forced to close after 39 years. Other food banks throughout Juneau today are seeing high demand due in part to rising food costs. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire file photo)
The author holds her mother’s hand two hours before she died. (Photo by Gabriella Hebert)

Living and Growing: Spiritual care at end of life

My favorite Gold Creek trail was damaged in one of the 2024 storms that swept through Juneau and altered the creek with a deluge of… Continue reading

The author holds her mother’s hand two hours before she died. (Photo by Gabriella Hebert)
Tortilla casserole ready to serve. (Photo by Patty Schied)

Cooking For Pleasure: Tortilla casserole with leftover turkey

This is a great way to use leftover turkey should you have any remaining from Thanksgiving. If you don’t, this casserole is very flexible in… Continue reading

Tortilla casserole ready to serve. (Photo by Patty Schied)
Brent Merten is the pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, Juneau. (Courtesy photo)

Living and Growing: The most famous person you’ll ever meet

The most famous person I’ve ever met was Gerald R. Ford. It was nearly 30 years ago. I was walking down a corridor at a… Continue reading

Brent Merten is the pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, Juneau. (Courtesy photo)
One of countless classic combinations possible with Thanksgiving leftovers. (Stu Spivack / CC BY-SA 2.0)

Gimme A Smile: Please, take home some leftovers

The holiday season is upon us! Over the next few months, we will be guests at any number of culinary extravaganzas. We will consume more… Continue reading

One of countless classic combinations possible with Thanksgiving leftovers. (Stu Spivack / CC BY-SA 2.0)
Jacqueline F. Tupou is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Juneau. (Courtesy photo)

Living and Growing: A life hack for holiday happiness

Do you wish you were more happy? Do you see others experiencing joy and happiness and wonder how they do it? Or is your life… Continue reading

Jacqueline F. Tupou is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Juneau. (Courtesy photo)
Pumpkin cheesecake with a pecan crust being served. (Photo by Patty Schied)

Cooking For Pleasure: Pumpkin cheesecake with a pecan crust

For those of you who struggle with trying to figure out how to bake pies and also put a turkey in the oven on Thanksgiving… Continue reading

Pumpkin cheesecake with a pecan crust being served. (Photo by Patty Schied)
(Photo provided by Adam Bauer)

Living and Growing: Spiritual foundations for mental health — a Bahá’í perspective

I would like to take a moment to acknowledge that we are on the traditional territory of the Áakʼw Ḵwáan, the original inhabitants of Lingít… Continue reading

(Photo provided by Adam Bauer)
Page Bridges of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Juneau. (Photo courtesy of Page Bridges)

Living and Growing: The healing power of art

I found this awesome quote about art from Googling: “Art has the power to move people and evoke emotions that words can never do justice… Continue reading

Page Bridges of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Juneau. (Photo courtesy of Page Bridges)
Finished Mexican cornbread loaf with roasted green chiles and cheese. (Photo by Patty Schied)

Cooking for Pleasure: Mexican cornbread loaf with roasted green chiles and cheese

Many years ago when I lived in Tucson, Arizona, I was lucky enough to have neighbors of Mexican descent who were great cooks. From them… Continue reading

Finished Mexican cornbread loaf with roasted green chiles and cheese. (Photo by Patty Schied)
(Juneau Empire file photo)

Living and Growing: A list of do’s to reclaim Shabbat

To be silent the whole day, see no newspaper, hear no radio, listen to no gossip, be thoroughly and completely lazy, thoroughly and completely indifferent… Continue reading

(Juneau Empire file photo)
“Princess Sophia” stranded on Vanderbilt Reef, Oct. 24, 1918. (Alaska State Library Historical Collection, ASL-P87-1700)

Living and Growing: The storms of the Fall

Psalm 19 1 The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows his handiwork. 2 One day tells its tale to another, and… Continue reading

“Princess Sophia” stranded on Vanderbilt Reef, Oct. 24, 1918. (Alaska State Library Historical Collection, ASL-P87-1700)