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Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire Alexandra Pierce, the newly named City and Borough of Juneau Tourism Manager, stands on South Franklin Street on Dec. 3.

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From the docks to a desk in city hall

Pierce prepares for Tourism Manager role

Courtesy photo/Laura Martinson Laura Martinson, owner of Caribou Crossings downtown and her 4-year old daughter, Olivia McDonnell, deliver food to the Southeast Alaska Food Bank.

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Food drive focuses on kid favorites

Food bank exec: ‘More need remains’

Beth McEwen, municipal clerk for the City and Borough of Juneau in her office on July 19. Members of the Alaska Association of Municipal Clerks elected McEwen to serve as the education director for the organization. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire File)

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CBJ clerk to lead education efforts for clerks across Alaska

“We are thrilled to bring her on to the executive board.”

This March 2020 photo shows Juneau’s City Hall. On Wednesday, the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly heard a rosy revenue report at the Finance Committee meeting. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire File)

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Sales tax collection surpasses city’s projection

“Sales tax doesn’t lie,” says CBJ finance director.

Commercial property owners throughout the city filed 210 tax appeals this year. On Wednesday night, Jeff Rogers, finance director for the City and Borough of Juneau, told the city’s Finance Committee that 130 appeals had been closed and 80 appeals remain open. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire File) Mt. Juneau, looming above downtown, seen here on April 21, 2021, is a brisk hike with a good view from the summit. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

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Commercial property tax appeals continue

No appellant has won so far.

Viktor Bell rehearses his role in "The Nutcracker" on Saturday, Nov. 27. Lead soldiers Grace Bultez and Ainsley Mallott stand guard. (Ben Hohenstatt/Juneau Empire)

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‘The Nutcracker’ returns to the stage

Family tradition returns with four live shows this weekend

Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire The Nieuw Amsterdam sails into Juneau on July 26, 2021. On Monday night, city leaders reviewed the results of a community survey aimed at learning more about community attitudes about the impact of large cruise ships.

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Tourism survey yields ‘remarkable,’ ‘interesting’ data

Questionnaire shows little movement in public opinion despite visitor surge

Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire Owen Rumsey and Pacific Ricke, both Juneau-Douglas High School: Yadaa.at Kalé freshmen, move a Christmas tree during the swimming and diving team’s annual tree and wreath sale. The JDHS and Thunder Mountain High School swim and dive teams are selling Christmas trees and wreaths. Trees start at $50 and wreaths are $40, delivery is offered for $25. The sale will be open every evening but with different hours on weekends. Weekdays, the sale will be open from 5-7 p.m. and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on weekends. Online ordering is available at jdswimdive.org.

Neighbors

PHOTOS: Diving into holiday decorating

Swimmers and divers sell trees and wreaths

Luke Metcalfe sets up his record shop at Juneau Public Market on Friday, Nov. 26. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire)

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Thanksgiving weekend tradition returns

Public Market is open at Centennial Hall

Wilson Valentine (right) and John Staub rehearse ahead of the Juneau Symphony’s return to in-person performances in October. Earlier this month, Christopher Koch was named music director of the symphony. He will conduct his first concert in that role in late January. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

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Making beautiful music together

Meet the symphony’s new music director

Sandra Mulkey and her son Caleb, 3, set up a Christmas tree at the Mendenhall Mall on Nov. 24. Mulkey is kicking off a toy drive for foster children. She said that she has not collected toys at the Mendenhall Mall for the last few years because of low traffic. However, she said the increased traffic at the now mostly-full mall prompted her to set up there. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

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Mall together now

Community focus revitalizes mall

FedEx trucks sit outside the Juneau Fed Ex office on Nov. 25. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

News

Shopping online? CBJ taxes still apply

Remote sellers tax generated $2M last year

A Carnival cruise ship arrives in Juneau early in the morning on Aug. 14. Local business owners say that the short and significantly scaled back 2021 cruise season was welcome after the cancelation of the 2020 season. However, they say it was not enough and they are struggling to survive. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

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Small businesses still struggling due to pandemic’s effect on travel

“We are in survival mode”

Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File Alexandra Pierce, a planning manager at the City and Borough of Juneau, gives a presentation to the Visitor Industry Task Force in the Assembly chambers on Dec. 3, 2019. Task force members suggested creating a Tourism Manager role. On Monday, city officials named Pierce to fill the newly created role.

News

CBJ employee named to new tourism manager post

The job is a Visitor Industry Task Force recommendation

Dan Earls shows off some of the scenes on display at Earls' Haunted Garage. On Oct. 28, he was adding finishing touches to his display in anticipation of thrill-seekers who will stop by for a scare over Halloween weekend. His haunted garage resulted in 1,563 pounds of donated food headed to local food banks. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

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Haunting yields more than 1,500 pounds of food

Local Halloween attraction shares more than candy

Jerel Humphrey, Intermin CEO at Bartlett Regional Hospital. (Courtesy photo/Bartlett Regional Hospital website)

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Interim CEO: ‘Incredibly dedicated hospital staff works through pandemic stressors’

Humphrey not sure how long he will stay on job

(AP Photo / David Zalubowski Shoppers wend their ways amid displays of cranberry sauce, green beans and soups set up for Thanksgiving Day feasts in a grocery store Tuesday in southeast Denver.

News

Talkin’ turkey substitutions: New takes on Thanksgiving fare

How to find substitutes, add local flavor

The Norwegian Encore sails past Douglas Island on Sept. 8, 2021. The Encore was visiting Juneau as part of an abbreviated cruise season this summer after COVID-19 canceled the 2020 season. The City and Borough of Juneau recently conducted an online survey for residents to share their views on the tourism industry. Local cruise critics say they are eagerly awaiting survey results. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

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Cruise critics reflect on shortened season

“It was not intolerable”

The staff at Frenchie's Floral Studio downtown takes a break from preparing Thanksgiving arrangements on Friday, Nov. 12. Florist Heather Alducin, (left), floral designer, Nikki Box, (second left), stand with shop owners Jeremy Bauer, (center right), and Jason Clifton, (right). French bulldogs George (held by Bauer) and Gracie (on table), served as the inspiration for the shop's name. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

News

Local florists are blooming with Thanksgiving table ideas

Seasonal colors add a festive touch

Christopher Koch has been named Juneau Symphony's music director. His first concert in the role will take place Jan. 29 and 30, 2022. (Courtesy Photo | Juneau Symphony)

News

Juneau Symphony names new director

Koch beat out 50 candidates through a three-year search