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The author’s wife lines up to hit a golf ball at a driving range in Tucson last week. (Photo by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: Not missing out

I took a breath, followed what I could remember from my pre-swing routine, then brought the club down to the ball. The ball flew straight… Continue reading

  • Jan 4, 2024
  • By Jeff Lund
The author’s wife lines up to hit a golf ball at a driving range in Tucson last week. (Photo by Jeff Lund)
Tari Stage-Harvey is the pastor of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church. (Photo courtesy of Tari Stage-Harvey)

Living and Growing: Resolving to live in ‘Silent Night’ candlelight for 2024

I’m giving up exclamation points for New Year’s; 2024 will be the year of non-inflammatory statements. I remember Mrs. Mackey in the second grade telling… Continue reading

Tari Stage-Harvey is the pastor of Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church. (Photo courtesy of Tari Stage-Harvey)
This adult male Anna’s hummingbird was captured, banded and released in Soldotna in June 2023. (Photo by T. Eskelin, USFWS)

On the Trails: Nectar-feeding birds

Nectar is a rich, sugary food source used by plants to attract pollinators, and many animals exploit that resource, including lots of birds. The sugary… Continue reading

This adult male Anna’s hummingbird was captured, banded and released in Soldotna in June 2023. (Photo by T. Eskelin, USFWS)
Former President Donald Trump speaks during a commit to caucus rally, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023, in Coralville, Iowa. Special counsel Jack Smith asked a judge on Wednesday, Dec. 27, to bar Donald Trump’s lawyers from injecting politics into the former president’s trial on charges that he schemed to overturn the results of the 2020 election. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)

Opinion: A Constitution 101 lesson for Sen. Sullivan

Four constitutional questions related to Donald Trump’s attempt to overturn the 2020 election are likely to be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. One of… Continue reading

Former President Donald Trump speaks during a commit to caucus rally, Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023, in Coralville, Iowa. Special counsel Jack Smith asked a judge on Wednesday, Dec. 27, to bar Donald Trump’s lawyers from injecting politics into the former president’s trial on charges that he schemed to overturn the results of the 2020 election. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, File)
S-s-s-s-omething scary hiding in a downtown garden on Dec. 11.

Art in Unusual Places

The Juneau Empire welcomes reader-submitted photos of art in unusual or unexpected places. To submit, email your photos and captions to editor@juneauempire.com. All photos in… Continue reading

S-s-s-s-omething scary hiding in a downtown garden on Dec. 11.
John Eichelberger of Fairbanks took this photo of the full moon on Dec. 26 north of Fairbanks. At the time he took this photo — solar noon in Fairbanks or about 1 p.m. local time — the full moon appeared due north of him. (Photo by John Eichelberger)

Alaska Science Forum: The super moons of this Alaska winter

Has the moon seemed exceptionally noticeable this winter? There’s a reason: The full moon currently never sets for many Alaskans. During the winter of 2023-2024,… Continue reading

John Eichelberger of Fairbanks took this photo of the full moon on Dec. 26 north of Fairbanks. At the time he took this photo — solar noon in Fairbanks or about 1 p.m. local time — the full moon appeared due north of him. (Photo by John Eichelberger)
Adam Bauer, secretary for the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Juneau. (Photo courtesy of Adam Bauer)

Living and Growing: Don’t shun politics because of negative partisanship; promote unity and justice

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

Adam Bauer, secretary for the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Juneau. (Photo courtesy of Adam Bauer)
A western blackheaded budworm, common to Southeast Alaska, just hanging around. (Photo courtesy U.S. Forest Service)
Capital City Weekly

Gimme A Smile: Classic wisdom for the new year

Here we are, at the end of 2023. Time to reflect on how to improve in the new year. This year, rather than list a… Continue reading

A western blackheaded budworm, common to Southeast Alaska, just hanging around. (Photo courtesy U.S. Forest Service)
A protester holds a sign advocating for an increase in the state’s Base Student Allocation during a rally at the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, Jan. 23. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: Is there a Santa Claus that can deliver education funding?

As a kid growing up in rural Alaska, Christmas was special. We’d hunt for the perfect Christmas tree and write up our wish list for… Continue reading

A protester holds a sign advocating for an increase in the state’s Base Student Allocation during a rally at the steps of the Alaska State Capitol on Monday, Jan. 23. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
American coots gathered at Kingfisher Pond this winter. (Photo by Helen Unruh)

On the Trails: Wintering birds

Shortly before the winter solstice, I walked with a friend on the Boy Scout Camp Trail. There was a stiff, chilly breeze but — wonder… Continue reading

American coots gathered at Kingfisher Pond this winter. (Photo by Helen Unruh)
Demonstrators shut down the San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge in conjunction with the APEC Summit taking place Thursday, Nov. 16, in San Francisco. San Francisco’s District Attorney’s Office on Monday began charging demonstrators who blocked traffic for hours last month on the Bay Bridge to demand a cease-fire in Gaza. (AP Photo/Noah Berger, File)

Opinion: The disturbing antisemitism in defense of Hamas

This week, I learned from a Congregation Sukkat Shalom board member that they were one of the more than 400 Jewish institutions that received an… Continue reading

Demonstrators shut down the San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge in conjunction with the APEC Summit taking place Thursday, Nov. 16, in San Francisco. San Francisco’s District Attorney’s Office on Monday began charging demonstrators who blocked traffic for hours last month on the Bay Bridge to demand a cease-fire in Gaza. (AP Photo/Noah Berger, File)
Southeast Alaska Native Veteran’s Color Guard presents the colors during the Veterans Day Ceremony at the SE Alaska Native Veterans Park on Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Reviving a duty of service to the country

I often wonder about the ever-moving changes that are taking place in our society. The increase in homelessness is evident on the sidewalks of our… Continue reading

Southeast Alaska Native Veteran’s Color Guard presents the colors during the Veterans Day Ceremony at the SE Alaska Native Veterans Park on Monday, Nov. 11, 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
A coyote pauses on its way through the Presidio of San Francisco, a two-square mile former military base that is now managed by workers for the National Park Service. (Photo by Heather Liston)

Alaska Science Forum: The coyotes of San Francisco

A person is bound to notice changes if he bicycles the same pathways for 20 years. Such is the case in San Francisco, where the… Continue reading

A coyote pauses on its way through the Presidio of San Francisco, a two-square mile former military base that is now managed by workers for the National Park Service. (Photo by Heather Liston)
A glacier in northern British Columbia. Glacier retreat is opening up new streams and lakes that represent future habitats for species such as salmon. (Photo by Jonathan Moore)

My Turn: Climate change melting glaciers and creating new salmon habitat — but being staked for gold mining

New scientific analysis shows impacts on Taku, Stikine and Unuk rivers.

A glacier in northern British Columbia. Glacier retreat is opening up new streams and lakes that represent future habitats for species such as salmon. (Photo by Jonathan Moore)
Travelling with a pack other than his hunting pack gave the author a false sense of security. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: A holiday surprise from TSA

“There a knife in here?” “Shouldn’t be.” As a TSA agent, how many times has he heard that? Of course there shouldn’t be, but if… Continue reading

Travelling with a pack other than his hunting pack gave the author a false sense of security. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Lund)
(Photo courtesy of Chapel by the Lake)

Living and Growing: What Child is This?

Christmas is almost here! Of course, it’s been Christmas at Costco and Home Depot for months. As a teenager I remember thinking it was Christmas… Continue reading

(Photo courtesy of Chapel by the Lake)
Demonstrators shut down the Spring Garden Street Bridge during a Pro-Palestinian rally on Thursday in Philadelphia. More than 200 people gathered to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. (AP Photo/Joe Lamberti)

My Turn: Israel has always been the homeland of the Jewish people

Pro-Palestinian and anti-Semitic protests in our country are shocking. But it also has been predictable: The same protests have been occurring in Europe for years,… Continue reading

Demonstrators shut down the Spring Garden Street Bridge during a Pro-Palestinian rally on Thursday in Philadelphia. More than 200 people gathered to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. (AP Photo/Joe Lamberti)
(Photo courtesy of the City and Borough of Juneau)

My Turn: Open letter to restore public trust — the Wells Fargo dilemma

Dear Sen. Kiehl, Rep. Hannan, CBJ Assembly members, city manager, city clerk and mayor: It is amazing to me that the CBJ acts with impunity… Continue reading

(Photo courtesy of the City and Borough of Juneau)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Cruise industry and community collaboration has been and will continue to be effective

I was pleased to read that Kate Troll recognizes the economic importance of the visitor industry, and supports continued collaboration between the community and cruise… Continue reading

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
A firefighter clears loose brush from around a sequoia tree in Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park, Calif., in July 2022. (Garrett Dickman/National Park Service)

On the Trails: Fire-adapted trees

In areas subject to fairly frequent wildfires, especially surface fires, we find many plants that have evolved resistance to burning, even taking advantage of the… Continue reading

A firefighter clears loose brush from around a sequoia tree in Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park, Calif., in July 2022. (Garrett Dickman/National Park Service)