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The Coast Guard Band, seen here, plays as a 55-member ensemble. The band will be traveling through Juneau and Anchorage in April as part of their “Ready for the Call” tour. (Courtesy Photo / U.S. Coast Guard)

Coast Guard band comes to the Last Frontier

“Ready for the Call” tour in Juneau and Anchorage in April.

The Coast Guard Band, seen here, plays as a 55-member ensemble. The band will be traveling through Juneau and Anchorage in April as part of their “Ready for the Call” tour. (Courtesy Photo / U.S. Coast Guard)
Female mosquitoes have complex mouthparts, with toothy maxillae that saw a hole in the host, an injection tube for saliva, and another tube for sucking up blood. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: Blood-eaters of the animal kingdom

Eating liquid blood is a moderately popular way of life in the animal kingdom.

Female mosquitoes have complex mouthparts, with toothy maxillae that saw a hole in the host, an injection tube for saliva, and another tube for sucking up blood. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)
The sun sets over the Pacific Ocean on the west coast of Costa Rica in Central America. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Stranger in a rich land of winter life

Things an Alaskan notices while standing on a road in Costa Rica…

The sun sets over the Pacific Ocean on the west coast of Costa Rica in Central America. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)
Four generations at Mickey’s Fishcamp. Back row left to right: Vivian Mork Yeilk’, Mickey Prescott, Nikka Mork. Front: Vivian Faith Prescott and Bear Hurst. (Courtesy Photo / Howie Martindale)

Planet Alaska: Life jackets and binoculars

I can see things more clearly with my binoculars, yet there’s a sensation of floating…

Four generations at Mickey’s Fishcamp. Back row left to right: Vivian Mork Yeilk’, Mickey Prescott, Nikka Mork. Front: Vivian Faith Prescott and Bear Hurst. (Courtesy Photo / Howie Martindale)
The earliest willows to show signs of life are feltleaf willows, this one with large buds. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)

On the Trails: Weather and wildlife in early March

As we approach the vernal equinox, day-length is rapidly increasing and organisms are noticing.

The earliest willows to show signs of life are feltleaf willows, this one with large buds. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)
Scotch Cap Lighthouse, on the southwest shore of Unimak Island, before the giant wave of April 1, 1946. (NOAA/NGDC, Coast Guard)

Alaska Science Forum: The demise of Scotch Cap lighthouse

In 1946, a 130-foot wave struck the lighthouse at 2:18 a.m.

Scotch Cap Lighthouse, on the southwest shore of Unimak Island, before the giant wave of April 1, 1946. (NOAA/NGDC, Coast Guard)
Christine Kleinhenz of Tide Watcher is the featured artist for the month of March at the Juneau Artists Gallery.  She is a visual artist and will be available to chat 4:30-6 p.m. for the gallery's First Friday event. (Courtesy Photo)

Take a peek at what’s happening for First Friday

This First Friday is going to be a busy one in downtown Juneau. New artistic exhibitions, a special theatrical event and more are planned for… Continue reading

Christine Kleinhenz of Tide Watcher is the featured artist for the month of March at the Juneau Artists Gallery.  She is a visual artist and will be available to chat 4:30-6 p.m. for the gallery's First Friday event. (Courtesy Photo)
Juneau band The Breeze, made up of Charles Kiel Renick, Olivia Sinaiko and Bob Sinaiko, prepare to play their set at Centennial Hall during the 2022 Alaska Folk Fest on April 4, 2022. This year’s festival takes place on April 10-16. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file)
Juneau band The Breeze, made up of Charles Kiel Renick, Olivia Sinaiko and Bob Sinaiko, prepare to play their set at Centennial Hall during the 2022 Alaska Folk Fest on April 4, 2022. This year’s festival takes place on April 10-16. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire file)
Being honest and telling a real story is much more appealing than a sponsor-laden, narcissistic production, but follow the author's advice about good filmmaking at your own peril. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went to the Woods: Keys behind story time

A good visual product is about good storytelling

Being honest and telling a real story is much more appealing than a sponsor-laden, narcissistic production, but follow the author's advice about good filmmaking at your own peril. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
Five Bohemian waxwings rest on a snowy branch between bouts of feeding. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)

On the Trails: Variable sightings and weather in winter

Winter is an odd time of year here.

Five Bohemian waxwings rest on a snowy branch between bouts of feeding. (Courtesy Photo / Kerry Howard)
Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell 
A tiny bird tooth — 73 million years old — found in bluffs of the Colville River. Lauren Keller carried this sample to her presentation at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Alaska Science Forum: Birds in Alaska, 70 million years ago

They’re no spring chickens.

Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell 
A tiny bird tooth — 73 million years old — found in bluffs of the Colville River. Lauren Keller carried this sample to her presentation at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Lucy consults with Builder Nic Howell on float house construction issues. (Courtesy Photo / Lucy Moline-Robinson)

Planet Alaska: A float house named Sea Pig

“I’ve always had a fascination with float house life.”

Lucy consults with Builder Nic Howell on float house construction issues. (Courtesy Photo / Lucy Moline-Robinson)
Killdeer can be seen in winter and nest here in spring. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: Breaking out the snowshoes

Surprise! A starlit night, a nice day, lower temperatures, and then some lovely snow.

Killdeer can be seen in winter and nest here in spring. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)
This photo shows Point Louisa at Auke Recreational Area. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)

Wild Shots: Photos of Mother Nature in Alaska

Superb reader-submitted photos of wildlife, scenery and/or plant life.

This photo shows Point Louisa at Auke Recreational Area. (Courtesy Photo / Kenneth Gill, gillfoto)
Ravens like this one inspire people to respond to their calls, and sometimes to pick up a pencil. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Butterflies and ravens as poetic inspiration

Both poets and scientists are deep observers who interpret the world in different ways.

Ravens like this one inspire people to respond to their calls, and sometimes to pick up a pencil. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)
Max Webster explains the history of Boys Life magazine. (Courtesy Photos / Matt Dobson)

Scouting out 110 years of history

Culmination of the scouts working to complete their Scouting Heritage Merit Badge.

Max Webster explains the history of Boys Life magazine. (Courtesy Photos / Matt Dobson)
Jay Dóosh Tláa Zeller dances in celebration in front of the newly installed mural depicting Elizabeth Kaaxgal.aat Peratrovich, a Tlingit civil rights icon, on Sept. 1. Zeller served as the Sealaska Heritage Institue project coordinator for the mural, which was done by Tlingit and Athabascan artist, designer, and activist Crystal Kaakeeyaa Worl and her team of apprentices. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)

Celebration marks completion of mural

A place of “honor, dignity and respect”

Jay Dóosh Tláa Zeller dances in celebration in front of the newly installed mural depicting Elizabeth Kaaxgal.aat Peratrovich, a Tlingit civil rights icon, on Sept. 1. Zeller served as the Sealaska Heritage Institue project coordinator for the mural, which was done by Tlingit and Athabascan artist, designer, and activist Crystal Kaakeeyaa Worl and her team of apprentices. (Dana Zigmund/Juneau Empire)
Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire file
The design for the new gold $1 Elizabeth Peratrovich coin was on display during the Elizabeth Peratrovich Day celebration at the Tlingit and Haida Community Council on Feb. 16, 2020.

Program minted to spread Peratrovich dollars

A program could bring $1 coins to Alaska financial intuitions,

  • Feb 15, 2023
  • By Ben Hohenstatt Juneau Empire
Michael S. Lockett | Juneau Empire file
The design for the new gold $1 Elizabeth Peratrovich coin was on display during the Elizabeth Peratrovich Day celebration at the Tlingit and Haida Community Council on Feb. 16, 2020.
The red flowers of the native columbine are caused by anthocyanins. (Courtesy Photo / Deana Barajas)

On the Trails: The many roads to red

Red and reddish colors can be produced in many ways, by a variety of pigment molecules.

The red flowers of the native columbine are caused by anthocyanins. (Courtesy Photo / Deana Barajas)
Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File 
A porcupine dines in mid-August near the Mendnehall Glacier.

On the Trails: Putting a finer point on porcupines

Plants such as roses and devil’s club aren’t the only prickly ones…

Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File 
A porcupine dines in mid-August near the Mendnehall Glacier.