Neighbors

This resting dog’s nose is at work all the time and is more than 1,000 times more sensitive than yours. (Photo of a tired-out Cora by Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: The world according to a dog’s nose

A dog can tell you a lot about the outdoors. When a Lab vacuums the ground with her nose and her tail spins like a… Continue reading

This resting dog’s nose is at work all the time and is more than 1,000 times more sensitive than yours. (Photo of a tired-out Cora by Ned Rozell)
An Earth Day message posted on Facebook this spring by the University of Alaska Southeast refers to environmental stewardship and climate change activities, including these kayaks used for an oceanography course during the summer of 2019. (Courtesy of the University of Alaska Southeast)

Sustainable Alaska: Connecting to nature is vital to sustainable well-being and behavior

I have spent my career studying the aesthetic experience in an art-viewing context. My work has shown that art viewing, even when viewing abstract art,… Continue reading

An Earth Day message posted on Facebook this spring by the University of Alaska Southeast refers to environmental stewardship and climate change activities, including these kayaks used for an oceanography course during the summer of 2019. (Courtesy of the University of Alaska Southeast)
Laura Rorem

Living and Growing: ‘UBUNTU: I am because we are’

Ironic. As I received the 1998 Parent of the Year Award for my outstanding contributions to children’s mental health in Alaska, Tanya experienced a severe… Continue reading

Laura Rorem
A crow is blinded in one eye with an infection of avian pox. (Photo by Kerry Howard)

On the Trails: Avian flu ailments

Among the many diseases that afflict wild birds, there is avian flu, which made national news when it began decimating flocks of domestic turkeys and… Continue reading

A crow is blinded in one eye with an infection of avian pox. (Photo by Kerry Howard)
A change in season is marked by tree leaves turning color at Evergreen Cemetery in late September of 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Gimme a Smile: P.S. Autumn is here.

Ready or not, here it comes. The days are getting shorter, new snow keeps materializing on the mountaintops, and the scent of autumn leaves competes… Continue reading

A change in season is marked by tree leaves turning color at Evergreen Cemetery in late September of 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
A double rainbow appears in Juneau last Friday. (Photo by Ally Karpel)

Living and Growing: Embracing Tohu V’vohu — Creation Amidst Chaos

Over the course of the past year, during which I have served as the student rabbi of Juneau’s Jewish community, I have grown accustomed to… Continue reading

A double rainbow appears in Juneau last Friday. (Photo by Ally Karpel)
Birch and aspen glow orange in September in the Chena River State Recreation Area east of Fairbanks. (Photo by Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: The varying colors of fall equinox

We are at fall equinox, a day of great equality: All the residents of the entire world — from Tierra Del Fuego to Rome to… Continue reading

Birch and aspen glow orange in September in the Chena River State Recreation Area east of Fairbanks. (Photo by Ned Rozell)
A male pink salmon attacks another male with a full-body bite, driving the victim to the bottom of the stream.(Photo by Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: Eagle Beach strawberries and salmon

A walk at Eagle Beach Rec Area often yields something to think about. Here are two examples, unrelated to each other except for the location.… Continue reading

A male pink salmon attacks another male with a full-body bite, driving the victim to the bottom of the stream.(Photo by Bob Armstrong)
Adam Bauer of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Bahá’ís of Juneau.

Living and Growing: Rúhíyyih Khánum, Hand of the Cause of God

Living in Juneau I would like to take a moment to acknowledge that we are on the traditional territory of the Áakʼw Ḵwáan and Taku… Continue reading

Adam Bauer of the Local Spiritual Assembly of Bahá’ís of Juneau.
A calm porcupine eating lunch and not displaying its quills. (Photo by Jos Bakker)

On the Trails: Prickly critters here and afar

Prickles, thorns, and spines of some sort are a common type of protection, found in many organisms. Here, we are well-acquainted with devil’s club, whose… Continue reading

A calm porcupine eating lunch and not displaying its quills. (Photo by Jos Bakker)
A female humpback whale Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve biologists know as #219 breaches in the waters near the park. When a whale breaches, it often leaves behind flakes of skin on the surface of the ocean. Scientists can collect sloughed skin and send it to a laboratory to learn about the genetics or diet of the whale. (National Park Service photo by Christine Gabriele, taken under the authority of scientific research permit #21059 issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service)

Alaska Science Forum: The welcome return of an old friend to Icy Strait

There was a time when Christine Gabriele wondered if she’d ever see one of her favorite creatures again. That 42-year-old female humpback whale — known… Continue reading

A female humpback whale Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve biologists know as #219 breaches in the waters near the park. When a whale breaches, it often leaves behind flakes of skin on the surface of the ocean. Scientists can collect sloughed skin and send it to a laboratory to learn about the genetics or diet of the whale. (National Park Service photo by Christine Gabriele, taken under the authority of scientific research permit #21059 issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service)
The Rev. Karen Perkins.

Living and Growing: Coping with anger, shock and despair after a loss

The last several Living and Growing columns have included reflections about death, dying and grieving. Acknowledging that we are all dying, and preparing (ourselves and… Continue reading

The Rev. Karen Perkins.
Sandhill cranes fly over the Mendenhall wetlands. (Photo by Gina Vose)

On the Trails: An uncommon encounter with Sandhill cranes

One sunny day near the end of August, a friend and I walked on the wetlands on the west side of the river. Not many… Continue reading

Sandhill cranes fly over the Mendenhall wetlands. (Photo by Gina Vose)
A rainbow spans North Douglas on Aug. 16. (Photo by Kelsey Riederer)

Wild Shots

To showcase our readers’ work to the widest possible audience, Wild Shots have been moved in front of the Juneau Empire’s paywall. Don’t have a… Continue reading

A rainbow spans North Douglas on Aug. 16. (Photo by Kelsey Riederer)
(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

Living and Growing: Giving space for grief is healthy and grounded

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” — Ecclesiastes 3 After I let the chickens out and told… Continue reading

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)
The little blue stars of felwort flowers appear late in the season. (Photo by David Bergstrom)

On the trails: Out and about, here and there

On a foggy morning toward the middle of August, a friend and I went up the Mt. Roberts tram to do a little exploring. We… Continue reading

The little blue stars of felwort flowers appear late in the season. (Photo by David Bergstrom)
Claire Richardson

Living and Growing: At hospice we have an answer to Barbie’s tough question

My favorite part of the blockbuster movie “Barbie” is when the first big pink dance number is in full swing and Barbie chirps, “You guys… Continue reading

Claire Richardson
Spheres and spinners ride a rainbow on a downtown wall on Aug. 13. (Photo by Denise Carroll)

Art in Usual 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.… Continue reading

Spheres and spinners ride a rainbow on a downtown wall on Aug. 13. (Photo by Denise Carroll)
A line of shoppers waits outside Centennial Hall during the Public Market in November of 2019. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Gimme a Smile: What are you waiting for?

Waiting is hard. There’s nothing fun about it, unless your mom has established the habit of playing I-Spy in the line at the post office,… Continue reading

A line of shoppers waits outside Centennial Hall during the Public Market in November of 2019. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Brent Merten

Living and Growing: The ugliness of death is made beautiful by Jesus

My wife and I recently took our grandkids camping at Eagle Beach. Of particular fascination to them (and our dog) were the scores of chum… Continue reading

Brent Merten