JUNEAU - For its first Fireside lecture series, the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center will host a presentation and slideshow, "Postcards from Juneau's Past," by historian Jim Geraghty at 6:30 and again at 8 p.m. today.

The presentation will feature a a light-hearted look at images, particularly of Taku Glacier, produced as postcards by early photographers Winter & Pond and Case & Draper.

Fireside lectures are free and take place at 6:30 and 8 p.m. every Friday from January to March. Topics for 2009 lectures include beavers and bears around the Mendenhall, the Tongass rainforest's freshwater effects on the ocean, changes to the Mendenhall Glacier, satellite views of Alaska's glaciers, Juneau's humpback whales in winter, radio-collared black bears in Juneau, giant octopus in the Gulf of Alaska, cave history from Prince of Wales Island, American dippers, and photos and essays about Southeast Alaska.

Schedules of the Fireside talks are available at the visitor center or by calling 789-0097.