Neighbors

(Juneau Empire File)

Community calendar of upcoming events

This is a calendar updated daily of upcoming local events during the coming days provided by the Juneau Arts and Humanities Council, and other contributors.… Continue reading

 

Rich chocolate cream pie. (Photo by Patty Schied)

Cooking For Pleasure: Rich chocolate cream pie

About once a year I indulge myself with chocolate cream pie, using someone’s potluck as an excuse to make one. This is a very rich… Continue reading

 

Brent Merten is the pastor of Christ Lutheran Church, Juneau. (Courtesy photo)

Living and Growing: It wasn’t ropes or nails

Christianity Today published an online article during Holy Week titled, “Was Jesus Crucified with Nails?” The author of this article attempted to challenge the longstanding… Continue reading

 

Jennifer Moses is a student rabbi at Congregation Sukkat Shalom. (Photo provided by Jennifer Moses)

Living and Growing: How we live our lives and pass on our values to our children

When my mother was dying of the breast cancer that had spread to her brain, she lost functionality in ways I didn’t expect. She would… Continue reading

Jennifer Moses is a student rabbi at Congregation Sukkat Shalom. (Photo provided by Jennifer Moses)
Tortilla “dry soup” ready to consume. (Photo by Patty Schied)

Cooking For Pleasure: Tortilla ‘dry soup’ (sopa seca de tortillas)

This recipe is based upon one in an old Mexican cookbook I’ve had for ages. Over the years I changed it to make it a… Continue reading

Tortilla “dry soup” ready to consume. (Photo by Patty Schied)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Living and Growing: It is all about the resurrection

This past weekend Christians celebrated the resurrection of Jesus. His resurrection from the dead is the hinge pin of the integrity of our Christian faith.… Continue reading

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Decluttering starts with making room on a desk for a list. (Winnie Au/The New York Times)

Gimme A Smile: Declutter like a boss

I’m trying to declutter. I pronounce those words in the same abashed tone I might use to say, “I’m trying to lose weight.” In either… Continue reading

Decluttering starts with making room on a desk for a list. (Winnie Au/The New York Times)
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Writers’ Weir: A poem by Monique Crisafi

Southeast Alaska-inspired poems by Monique Crisafi.

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A rainbow spans the University of Alaska Southeast campus in September of 2024. (University of Alaska Southeast photo)

Sustainable Alaska: Reading relations

For the program’s 14th iteration, UAS’s One Campus, One Book committee selected Max Libioron’s challenging “Pollution is Colonialism.” Starting this fall, students and faculty across… Continue reading

A rainbow spans the University of Alaska Southeast campus in September of 2024. (University of Alaska Southeast photo)
(Photo provided by Gina Del Rosario)

Living and Growing: Holy Week

Filipinos are known all over the world for their strong faith in God and for their deep love and reverence for our Holy Mother Mary,… Continue reading

(Photo provided by Gina Del Rosario)
Mary’s extreme bars, ready to slice. (Photo by Patty Schied)

Cooking For Pleasure: Mary’s extreme bars

For at least 20 years, my sister Mary Watson has been making these cookies frequently, especially for her piano music recitals and music history classes.… Continue reading

Mary’s extreme bars, ready to slice. (Photo by Patty Schied)
The downtown Juneau cruise ship dock on a clear March day. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Living and Growing: Seeking joy during times of great uncertainty

“This is the greatest act of power I have come to know: To be an activist of joy; a beacon of grace; a radiance of… Continue reading

The downtown Juneau cruise ship dock on a clear March day. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
Sabrina Donnellan and her family attend a community luncheon for federal employees at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church on Saturday, March 8, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)

Living and Growing: Choose empathy during these difficult times

“It is your concern when your neighbor’s wall is on fire.” — Horace Recently, too many of our neighbors have lost their jobs through no… Continue reading

Sabrina Donnellan and her family attend a community luncheon for federal employees at Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church on Saturday, March 8, 2025. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire file photo)
Braised carrots with garlic and thyme, freshly cooked. (Photo by Patty Schied)

Cooking For Pleasure: Braised carrots with garlic and thyme

When I was growing up, my parents never, ever served cooked carrots for dinner. Nor were they even mentioned as a possible vegetable option. They… Continue reading

Braised carrots with garlic and thyme, freshly cooked. (Photo by Patty Schied)
On a nice day it’s always safe to talk about the weather. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)

Gimme A Smile: What to say when you’ve got nothing to say

It could happen, right? Despite your very best efforts, you could find yourself in the baffling predicament of having nothing to say. Maybe you’re facing… Continue reading

On a nice day it’s always safe to talk about the weather. (City and Borough of Juneau photo)
A black bear sow and her cub walk along the Trail of Time at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)

Living and Growing: The bear

The folks of Southeast Alaska are fortunate in that we sometimes experience glimpses of bears along the trails and even in our yards. These encounters… Continue reading

A black bear sow and her cub walk along the Trail of Time at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Laura Rorem is a member of The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. (Courtesy photo)

Living and Growing: Practicing true patience

“Have patience, have patience, Don’t be in such a hurry, When you get impatient, you only start to worry, Remember, remember that God is patient,… Continue reading

Laura Rorem is a member of The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. (Courtesy photo)
Just-baked cinnamon rolls ready to serve. (Photo by Patty Schied)

Cooking For Pleasure: Easy cinnamon rolls

My father really loved cinnamon rolls. In his later years I would make bargains with him in which he would make a repair for me… Continue reading

Just-baked cinnamon rolls ready to serve. (Photo by Patty Schied)
The Rev. Tim Harrison is the senior pastor at Chapel by the Lake. (Courtesy photo)

Living and Growing: The numbers tell the story

I love numbers and math. One of my first career aspirations was to be a high school math teacher. Then a disastrous semester with Calculus… Continue reading

The Rev. Tim Harrison is the senior pastor at Chapel by the Lake. (Courtesy photo)
Page Bridges of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Juneau. (Photo courtesy of Page Bridges)

Living and Growing: Spiritual self defense

True spiritual power is quiet, under the radar. One beautiful thing about it is that it can protect us from danger. It is self-defense with… Continue reading

Page Bridges of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Juneau. (Photo courtesy of Page Bridges)