Columns

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)

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)
Nick Begich III campaign materials sit on tables ahead of a May 16, 2022, GOP debate held in Juneau. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: An endorsement that puts the Constitution last

Nick Begich III wants another shot at becoming Alaska’s congressman at large. This time he wants to get ahead of the pack by securing the… Continue reading

Nick Begich III campaign materials sit on tables ahead of a May 16, 2022, GOP debate held in Juneau. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire file photo)
Ned Rozell holds up a king salmon caught on the Tanana River, a major tributary of the Yukon, in July 2019, when some fishing was still allowed. (Photo by Sam Bishop)

Alaska Science Forum: Yet another dramatic Arctic Report Card

In December 2006, I sat in a similar carpeted room in this city and listened to scientists talk about an Alaska-size chunk of sea ice… Continue reading

Ned Rozell holds up a king salmon caught on the Tanana River, a major tributary of the Yukon, in July 2019, when some fishing was still allowed. (Photo by Sam Bishop)
A Menorah display in the British borough of Havering, where plans for a community menorah for Hanukkah were cancelled due to “tensions” before being revived. (Photo courtesy of Andrew Rosindell, Member of Parliament for Romford)

Living and Growing: Interfaith support of menorah shows ‘we are all brothers and sisters in humanity’

I belong to a book club. We meet once a month via Zoom, not a holdover from the pandemic, but because the club is comprised… Continue reading

A Menorah display in the British borough of Havering, where plans for a community menorah for Hanukkah were cancelled due to “tensions” before being revived. (Photo courtesy of Andrew Rosindell, Member of Parliament for Romford)
A local display of flowering rhododendrons may include some types with toxic nectar. (Photo by Denise Carroll)

On the Trails: Honey and nectar

Several kinds of bees can make honey, although domestic honeybees are the most famous and best-studied. They make honey from flower nectar, storing it in… Continue reading

A local display of flowering rhododendrons may include some types with toxic nectar. (Photo by Denise Carroll)
A bucket of compost awaits pickup by Juneau Composts on Douglas in December of 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: City’s proposed composting program threatens to push out longtime private operator

As the owner of Juneau Composts (JC), I would like to offer some comments about CBJ’s proposed compost program. At the recent Nov. 2 community… Continue reading

A bucket of compost awaits pickup by Juneau Composts on Douglas in December of 2022. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
“I voted” stickers await voters on Election Day 2022. That election was the first regular general election in Alaska to include ranked choice voting, which was narrowly approved by voters in 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: Not a failed election

A recent article in the Empire for Dec. 6 was titled “Failed election shows why Alaska should repeal ranked-choice voting.” The article’s example from Alameda… Continue reading

“I voted” stickers await voters on Election Day 2022. That election was the first regular general election in Alaska to include ranked choice voting, which was narrowly approved by voters in 2020. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire file photo)