Columns

A painting of George Washington at Valley Forge, circa 1911 by Edward Percy Moran. (Library of Congress image)

Opinion: Washington’s selfless example is lost on too many public servants

If Vice-President Kamala Harris wins the election in November, she’ll be sworn in as America’s first woman president in January. Around the same time, women… Continue reading

A painting of George Washington at Valley Forge, circa 1911 by Edward Percy Moran. (Library of Congress image)
An artistic depiction of The Last Supper. (Photo by Gina Del Rosario)

Living and Growing: The Eucharist

If you hear about a place where the purest and most precious gem is given free of charge, and you can come daily and get… Continue reading

An artistic depiction of The Last Supper. (Photo by Gina Del Rosario)
Roasting marshmallows over a campfire. (U.S. Forest Service photo)

Gimme A Smile: Enjoy the ritual of the campfire

The campfire is a summer tradition. Who doesn’t love sitting on a slimy log, batting away mosquitoes while smoke fills your eyes and your gooey… Continue reading

Roasting marshmallows over a campfire. (U.S. Forest Service photo)
(U.S. Forest Service photo)

My Turn: Tongass management plan revision a chance to support values, traditions and livelihoods

I had the privilege of growing up in Southeast Alaska which means that I also had the privilege of learning how to live off of… Continue reading

(U.S. Forest Service photo)
(City and Borough of Juneau photo)

My Turn: Supporting ‘Ship-Free Saturday’ is voting to take away other people’s income

How will you vote on Proposition #2 (no cruise ships on Saturdays)? Proponents of no-cruise Saturdays are sincere about their desire to roll back the… Continue reading

(City and Borough of Juneau photo)
Red elderberry is toxic to humans, but birds consume the fruits readily. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)

On the Trails: Late summer fruits — lots of questions

Mid-August and the berry crops of wild currants are ripe. The stink currant (reportedly so-called for the smell of crushed leaves) sometimes bears large crops… Continue reading

Red elderberry is toxic to humans, but birds consume the fruits readily. (Photo by Bob Armstrong)
A piece of obsidian rock sits on display in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. William Healey Dall collected the rock in 1868 near the Nowitna River in Interior Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Rasic)

Alaska Science Forum: The recent history of a black rock

In June of 1867 — a few months before Alaska would become part of the United States with the transfer of $7.2 million to Russia… Continue reading

A piece of obsidian rock sits on display in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. William Healey Dall collected the rock in 1868 near the Nowitna River in Interior Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Rasic)
For the author the suspense of checking shrimp pots begins with finding the buoy, not pulling the pot. (Screenshot from video by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: Moment of truth

“Is that our buoy?” Terror. What is it doing there? It’s supposed to be around the rocky corner in a little nook protected from the… Continue reading

For the author the suspense of checking shrimp pots begins with finding the buoy, not pulling the pot. (Screenshot from video by Jeff Lund)
U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan addresses a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature in the House chambers on Feb. 7, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: How Sen. Sullivan is prepared to help Putin succeed

Back in March, Face the Nation host Margaret Brennan asked Sen. Dan Sullivan if he was comfortable with Donald Trump’s mental fitness to serve as… Continue reading

U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan addresses a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature in the House chambers on Feb. 7, 2023. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire file photo)
(Photo by Gina Del Rosario)

Living and Growing: Forgiveness

Has someone you deeply care about and trust done something that hurt you so much that you almost died from the emotional pain, which lingered… Continue reading

(Photo by Gina Del Rosario)
A drone image shows widespread flooding in the Mendenhall Valley on Aug. 6, 2024. (Photo by Rich Ross)

Opinion: Juneau’s flood is a wake-up call from Mother Nature

Last week’s sudden catastrophic flooding of the Mendenhall River is one of the worst disasters in Juneau’s history. The 1917 Treadwell Mine cave-in and the… Continue reading

A drone image shows widespread flooding in the Mendenhall Valley on Aug. 6, 2024. (Photo by Rich Ross)
(City and Borough of Juneau photo)

My Turn: Saying goodbye to Juneau after 35 years

I never thought I’d leave. Then came grandchildren. In Portland. Even so, I was adamant. Juneau was home, the place I would be buried. I… Continue reading

(City and Borough of Juneau photo)
Recently emerged toadlets still have their tadpole tails. (Photo by Bob Armstrong).

On the Trails: Visiting Gustavus and Glacier Bay

I hadn’t been over there for several years, and it was time to refresh some old memories of forest walks and boat or kayak trips… Continue reading

Recently emerged toadlets still have their tadpole tails. (Photo by Bob Armstrong).
Voters in Juneau come out of the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall voting location on Nov. 8, 2022. (Lisa Phu/Alaska Beacon)

Opinion: Open primaries, ranked choice voting offer advantages to Alaskans

Ranked choice voting elections have been advancing and retreating since first developed in Denmark in the 1850s. The method was explored in Australia, Ireland, and,… Continue reading

Voters in Juneau come out of the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall voting location on Nov. 8, 2022. (Lisa Phu/Alaska Beacon)
Priest Maxim Gibson is the rector at St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church in Juneau. (Photo provided by Maxim Gibson)

Living and Growing: For the healing of the world

“Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, ‘Son, be of… Continue reading

Priest Maxim Gibson is the rector at St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church in Juneau. (Photo provided by Maxim Gibson)
Western rust fungus can leave a big gnarly lump on pine branches. (Photo by Mary F. Willson)

On the Trails: Flowers, caterpillars and tree foam

Light rain fell as I left the Valley but, as usual, it fell more heavily as I neared the downtown area. Fog lay thick over… Continue reading

Western rust fungus can leave a big gnarly lump on pine branches. (Photo by Mary F. Willson)
The author (back) and his brother (front) at a Forest Service cabin on Prince of Wales island many years ago. (Photo provided by Jeff Lund)

I Went to the Woods: Learning to appreciate the journey to the destination

My wife and I had just moved into the Forest Service cabin and perpetual motion sent me to the lake where there were fish to… Continue reading

The author (back) and his brother (front) at a Forest Service cabin on Prince of Wales island many years ago. (Photo provided by Jeff Lund)
The Council of Nicaea, with Arius depicted as defeated by the council, lying under the feet of Emperor Constantine. (By Jjensen, own work / CC BY-SA 3.0)

Living and Growing: Healing divisions and promoting unity

When we look around us it is not difficult to miss the many divisions and conflicts that exist between nations, political factions, ethnic groups and… Continue reading

The Council of Nicaea, with Arius depicted as defeated by the council, lying under the feet of Emperor Constantine. (By Jjensen, own work / CC BY-SA 3.0)
(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)

My Turn: It’s time to secure Alaska’s economic future

Alaska is at a pivotal time in our state’s strategic decisions. We have the opportunity to pave the way for prosperity and secure Alaska’s economic… Continue reading

(Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire file photo)
Coast Guardsmen march in the Juneau Fourth of July parade on July 4, 2021. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire file photo)

Opinion: The ideas and places that make America

After a week of enjoying Colorado’s sunshine, and tolerating its intense dry heat, it’s good to be back in the cool, moist air of our… Continue reading

Coast Guardsmen march in the Juneau Fourth of July parade on July 4, 2021. (Dana Zigmund / Juneau Empire file photo)