Ben Hohenstatt

Drawn together by dinosaurs: Paleontologist and artist are longtime collaborators

Drawn together by dinosaurs: Paleontologist and artist are longtime collaborators

A Smithsonian director and punny T-shirt artist work well together.

Drawn together by dinosaurs: Paleontologist and artist are longtime collaborators
Election officials wait for voters in the Municipal Election at the Nugget Mall on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018. Estimates indicate Alaska has registered 109 percent of its eligible voters. This year’s election will be Oct. 1, and groups are spending in support or opposition of ballot measures. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Thousands of dollars are being spent on campaigns for and against the New JACC

Bumper stickers, signs and ads come at a price.

Election officials wait for voters in the Municipal Election at the Nugget Mall on Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018. Estimates indicate Alaska has registered 109 percent of its eligible voters. This year’s election will be Oct. 1, and groups are spending in support or opposition of ballot measures. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Juneau Community Foundation names 2019’s philanthropist of the year

Juneau Community Foundation names 2019’s philanthropist of the year

After 40 years, she’s still supporting projects.

Juneau Community Foundation names 2019’s philanthropist of the year
Cheryl and Henry Jebe pose with their Tesla Model X as Juneau residents meet for the sixth annual Electric Vehicle Juneau Roundup on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Cheryl and Henry Jebe pose with their Tesla Model X as Juneau residents meet for the sixth annual Electric Vehicle Juneau Roundup on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau Artist Arnie Weimer stands next to his bucket sculpture and a pro-JACC sign in front of his 12th Street home on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Three ballot questions high-JACC local election

Here’s what they mean and how people feel.

Juneau Artist Arnie Weimer stands next to his bucket sculpture and a pro-JACC sign in front of his 12th Street home on Friday, Sept. 20, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
A male black bear chases spawning sockeye salmon in Steep Creek at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center in August 2018. Saturday the visitor center will be the site of a Smokey Bear birthday celebration. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
A male black bear chases spawning sockeye salmon in Steep Creek at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center in August 2018. Saturday the visitor center will be the site of a Smokey Bear birthday celebration. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)
Dr. Rosita Worl, president of the Sealaska Heritage Institute, speaks Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, about plans to build a Sealaska Heritage Arts Campus in the current location of the Sealaska Corporation parking lot. SHI this week received word that it received a federal grant of more than $5.6 million for the $12 million project, which, along with donations and grants from other sources, puts the project at 70 percent toward its funding goal. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

New downtown arts campus could break ground by June 2020

The Walter Soboleff Building could have a new neighbor soon.

Dr. Rosita Worl, president of the Sealaska Heritage Institute, speaks Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019, about plans to build a Sealaska Heritage Arts Campus in the current location of the Sealaska Corporation parking lot. SHI this week received word that it received a federal grant of more than $5.6 million for the $12 million project, which, along with donations and grants from other sources, puts the project at 70 percent toward its funding goal. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
William Brown, a resident of Juneau Housing First Collaborative’s Forget-Me-Not Manor, talks about the positive impacts the home had made on his life on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019. It is the two-year anniversary of the project that provides housing and support services to chronically homeless adults who have struggled with alcohol and are high utilizers of emergency services within the City and Borough of Juneau. Phase II to build another 32 apartments is currently underway and will open late next year. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)                                William Brown, a resident of Juneau Housing First Collaborative’s Forget-Me-Not Manor, talks about the postive impacts the home had made on his life on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019. It is the two-year anniversary of the project that provides housing and support services to chronically homeless adults who have struggled with alcohol and are high utilizers of emergency services within the City and Borough of Juneau. Phase II to build another 32 apartments is currently underway and will open late next year. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Home Sweet Home: Once-controversial housing program seems like a success

Small rooms make big difference in the lives of Juneau’s homeless.

William Brown, a resident of Juneau Housing First Collaborative’s Forget-Me-Not Manor, talks about the positive impacts the home had made on his life on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019. It is the two-year anniversary of the project that provides housing and support services to chronically homeless adults who have struggled with alcohol and are high utilizers of emergency services within the City and Borough of Juneau. Phase II to build another 32 apartments is currently underway and will open late next year. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)                                William Brown, a resident of Juneau Housing First Collaborative’s Forget-Me-Not Manor, talks about the postive impacts the home had made on his life on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019. It is the two-year anniversary of the project that provides housing and support services to chronically homeless adults who have struggled with alcohol and are high utilizers of emergency services within the City and Borough of Juneau. Phase II to build another 32 apartments is currently underway and will open late next year. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Erin Tripp, right, playing Aanteinatu, rehearses with Rio Alberto, playing a magical wolf, in Perseverance Theatre’s production of “Devilfish” written by Vera Starbard on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Erin Tripp, right, playing Aanteinatu, rehearses with Rio Alberto, playing a magical wolf, in Perseverance Theatre’s production of “Devilfish” written by Vera Starbard on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Concerts bring music by women out of the shadows

Concerts bring music by women out of the shadows

Women musicians and composers take center stage in upcoming shows.

Concerts bring music by women out of the shadows
Vera Starbard, Perseverance Theatre playwright-in-residence and writer of multiple episodes of “Molly of Denali” and her sister, Miranda Cook, prepare to pass out gifts to the audience at Starbard’s Evening at Egan lecture Friday at University of Alaska Southeast’s Egan Library. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
Vera Starbard, Perseverance Theatre playwright-in-residence and writer of multiple episodes of “Molly of Denali” and her sister, Miranda Cook, prepare to pass out gifts to the audience at Starbard’s Evening at Egan lecture Friday at University of Alaska Southeast’s Egan Library. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
Juneau’s Gaby Soto is tackled by West’s Dhar Montalbo in the first quarter at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Field on Friday, Sept. 13, 2019. West won 43-14. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Huskies take tough lessons away from West Anchorage game

Despite promising first half, winning streak snapped at 3.

Juneau’s Gaby Soto is tackled by West’s Dhar Montalbo in the first quarter at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Field on Friday, Sept. 13, 2019. West won 43-14. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Former CIA director David Petraeus comes to Juneau

Former CIA director David Petraeus comes to Juneau

He says there’s a looming question the U.S. needs to answer.

Former CIA director David Petraeus comes to Juneau
Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon speak during the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds’ annual meeting Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019, at Centennial Hall. The two governors were part of a panel discussion during the yearly gathering of state-owned investment funds. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Gov says warming Arctic could be good for Alaska

Alaska, Wyoming governors discuss state of the Arctic.

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy and Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon speak during the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds’ annual meeting Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019, at Centennial Hall. The two governors were part of a panel discussion during the yearly gathering of state-owned investment funds. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
This concept art by Northwind Architects shows a concept of what a new Glory Hall could look like. (Courtesy Photo | Northwind Architects)

Glory Hall move is one big step closer to happening

Next step, money for a new facility.

This concept art by Northwind Architects shows a concept of what a new Glory Hall could look like. (Courtesy Photo | Northwind Architects)
Vincent Pieribone, Vice President of OceanX, deliveries the keynote speech at the annual meeting of the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

The ocean has a PR problem

Luckily, it has a cutting-edge team for that.

Vincent Pieribone, Vice President of OceanX, deliveries the keynote speech at the annual meeting of the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds at Centennial Hall on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau skaters and families take advantage of a free skate on the opening day at the Treadwell Arena on Monday, Aug. 5, 2019. There will be a free skate this week courtesy of Juneau-Gastineau Rotary. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Juneau skaters and families take advantage of a free skate on the opening day at the Treadwell Arena on Monday, Aug. 5, 2019. There will be a free skate this week courtesy of Juneau-Gastineau Rotary. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Kray Van Kirk is coming back to Juneau to play his first-ever full-length concert in the capital city. (Coutesy Photo | Jana Seale)
Kray Van Kirk is coming back to Juneau to play his first-ever full-length concert in the capital city. (Coutesy Photo | Jana Seale)
Empire Live: Former CIA Director David Petraeus part of panel on global Arctic interests

Empire Live: Former CIA Director David Petraeus part of panel on global Arctic interests

Live coverage of the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds.

Empire Live: Former CIA Director David Petraeus part of panel on global Arctic interests
Cellist Zuill Bailey will be the next artistic director for Juneau Jazz & Classics. The decision was announced at Bailey’s concert Saturday, Sept. 7. (Courtesy Photo | Juneau Jazz & Classics)
Cellist Zuill Bailey will be the next artistic director for Juneau Jazz & Classics. The decision was announced at Bailey’s concert Saturday, Sept. 7. (Courtesy Photo | Juneau Jazz & Classics)