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By 1914 when this photo was taken, Juneau had developed into an established city. The Victorian era turreted Alaska Steam Laundry (built 1901) is seen on the left, while other buildings such as the Alaskan Hotel and Central Rooming House are on the right. The rooming house was reconstructed in the 1980s. It is now the Senate Mall. (Alaska State Library-P31-021).

Rooted in Community: Alaska Steam Laundry and the MacKinnon Family

Perhaps sharing the leading roles in Juneau High School’s 1915 theatrical play clinched the relationship that bloomed into the MacKinnon family legacy of keeping Juneau… Continue reading

By 1914 when this photo was taken, Juneau had developed into an established city. The Victorian era turreted Alaska Steam Laundry (built 1901) is seen on the left, while other buildings such as the Alaskan Hotel and Central Rooming House are on the right. The rooming house was reconstructed in the 1980s. It is now the Senate Mall. (Alaska State Library-P31-021).
A skunk cabbage inflorescence shows the pointed stigmas of the female phase and the beginning of pollen presentation for the male phase. (Mary F. Willson / For the Juneau Empire)

On the Trails: Spring has sprung

Early avian harbingers have been joined by lots of other species…

A skunk cabbage inflorescence shows the pointed stigmas of the female phase and the beginning of pollen presentation for the male phase. (Mary F. Willson / For the Juneau Empire)
Klas Stolpe

Pure Sole: A remembrance of my mother

The aroma of lupine lingered in the air at my mother’s deathbed.

Klas Stolpe
Artist Liza McElroy of Seward, Alaska, recently sketched two moose in their summertime aquatic environment to illustrate this story. (Courtesy Image / Liza McElroy)

Alaska Science Forum: Why is a moose’s nose so big?

The more you nose.

Artist Liza McElroy of Seward, Alaska, recently sketched two moose in their summertime aquatic environment to illustrate this story. (Courtesy Image / Liza McElroy)
The author's wife waits for a steelhead to hit. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went to the Woods: A solid skunking

But learning never stops and often happens best when reflecting upon failure.

The author's wife waits for a steelhead to hit. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
The Rev. Karen Perkins.

Living & Growing: A ‘virtuous cycle’ of service and connectedness

This is an invitation.

The Rev. Karen Perkins.
On a visit to Pokai Bay, Cruz shares the significance of the ancestral lands where she lives, on the Waianae coast of O’ahu. Cruz speaks to the battle that her community is enduring to protect their lands and leads prayers with the visitors from Southeast Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Lauren Tanel)

Resilient Peoples & Place: Cultural healing mission bonds Indigenous peoples across the Pacific

Tucked amongst the endless array of fog-coated islands that make up the Tongass National Forest, on the northwest edge of Kupreanof Island, is the small… Continue reading

On a visit to Pokai Bay, Cruz shares the significance of the ancestral lands where she lives, on the Waianae coast of O’ahu. Cruz speaks to the battle that her community is enduring to protect their lands and leads prayers with the visitors from Southeast Alaska. (Courtesy Photo / Lauren Tanel)
Spruce tip, Fireweed blend jelly. (Vivian Faith Prescott / For the Capital City Weekly)

Planet Alaska: Postcards from the Rainforest

If your hometown could talk, they asked, what would it say?

Spruce tip, Fireweed blend jelly. (Vivian Faith Prescott / For the Capital City Weekly)
High school and Little League baseball and softball teams bow their heads during invocation for Gastineau Channel Little League's opening day Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau empire

Pure Sole: The Little League

It’s the Little League season.

High school and Little League baseball and softball teams bow their heads during invocation for Gastineau Channel Little League's opening day Saturday at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau empire
A pair of rough-skinned newts beginning the process of mating in a local pond this spring. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: Rough-skinned newts

Breaking new(t)s.

A pair of rough-skinned newts beginning the process of mating in a local pond this spring. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)
In October 2007, 1-year-old Anna Rozell admired a statue of Balto in Central Park of New York City. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Long after run to glory, Balto lives on

Balto gives scientists insight into what makes Alaska sled dogs and other working breeds unique.

In October 2007, 1-year-old Anna Rozell admired a statue of Balto in Central Park of New York City. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)
Jane Hale (Courtesy Photo)

Coming Out: Making mustard

Pardon my caps, but I LOVE THAT STUFF.

Jane Hale (Courtesy Photo)
This photo available under a Creative Commons license shows a statue of Julian of Norwich holding her book "Revelations of Divine Love." Leo Reynolds / Flickr)

Living & Growing: ‘All Shall Be Well’

Julian of Norwich is a mystic whose message of love and trust in God’s goodness are much needed…

This photo available under a Creative Commons license shows a statue of Julian of Norwich holding her book "Revelations of Divine Love." Leo Reynolds / Flickr)
Salmon Northwest Coast art on the Wrangell Cooperative Association community smokehouse. (Vivian Faith Prescott / For the Capital City Weekly)

Planet Alaska: Smokehouse values

There are many ways to smoke salmon, but it takes discipline to take the time to learn and listen.

Salmon Northwest Coast art on the Wrangell Cooperative Association community smokehouse. (Vivian Faith Prescott / For the Capital City Weekly)
Bears greet each other on Chichagof Island. (Courtesy Photo / Elleana Elliott)

Planet Alaska: Elleana Elliott — traveling an island of bears

This award-winning article has been moved in front of the Juneau Empire’s paywall. “My first bear encounter was when I was young. I walked out… Continue reading

Bears greet each other on Chichagof Island. (Courtesy Photo / Elleana Elliott)
This photo shows Spam Musubi with Southeast Alaskan Furikake and Highbush Cranberry dipping sauce. (Vivian Faith Prescott / For the Capital City Weekly)

Planet Alaska: Furikake — A sprinkle of summer

Pronounced FOO-ree-kaw-kay, meaning “to sprinkle.”

This photo shows Spam Musubi with Southeast Alaskan Furikake and Highbush Cranberry dipping sauce. (Vivian Faith Prescott / For the Capital City Weekly)
Blueberry flowers provide early-season food for bumblebees. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: Setting the seasonal clocks

Our spring is slow in coming.

Blueberry flowers provide early-season food for bumblebees. (Courtesy Photo / Bob Armstrong)
Kristen Rozell skis past grizzly bear tracks pressed into a snowmachine trail near Fairbanks on April 23, 2023. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: Bear tracks on snow a sign of the season

Melt season is a sad time for people who enjoy the magic of snow crystals bonding so well to one another, resulting in a web… Continue reading

Kristen Rozell skis past grizzly bear tracks pressed into a snowmachine trail near Fairbanks on April 23, 2023. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)
The author's steelhead was not in the mood for pictures. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went to the Woods: One good fish

Often it’s the thinking that supplies the proper amount of weight and gratitude.

The author's steelhead was not in the mood for pictures. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
This December 2013 photo available under a Creative Commons license shows holly berries and leaves. A study of European holly in Spain showed that leaf browsing by mammals induces an increase of prickliness of the leaves. (Dendroica Cerulea / Flickr)

On the Trails: Inheritance of genetic and acquired traits

Fun with phenotype phenomenon.

This December 2013 photo available under a Creative Commons license shows holly berries and leaves. A study of European holly in Spain showed that leaf browsing by mammals induces an increase of prickliness of the leaves. (Dendroica Cerulea / Flickr)