It’s cleaner, it’s simpler and today we rolled out an entirely new and free online calendar system packed with local Juneau events and venues.

Our goal with this new system? To help connect individuals within our community and continue to spread the word about happenings in Juneau.

This new system is all part of the Empire’s goal to continue to improve and enhance our online offerings. Readers will find details on everything from sports fund raisers to regular club meetings, from out-of-town guest speakers to things just for fun.

The new system is broken down into three basic areas: events, venues and organizations. Events are exactly what one would expect and each event page features all the vital details, including an interactive locator map and up to three images. Venues are where events are occurring; users can find out details on a specific venue or find out what’s happening at that location. Take Centennial Hall, for example. As a popular spot for big events, users will be able to find out exactly what is going on at the hall and when with our new system. Organizations are local clubs or groups. This new feature is just another way to connect individuals with other folks in our community who share similar interests.

Submitting an event is easy, free and readers with an existing Juneau Empire account automatically have an account on the site. Just go to events.juneauempire.com, login if prompted, and then use the navigation in the right rail to complete tasks, such as add an event, venue or organization. Users do not have to be logged in to browse listing, making it a true community calendar. Additionally, any events entered in this calendar automatically get added to our print calendars, Around Town and Sports in Juneau.

Those familiar with our old online calendar may remember a clunky and somewhat confusing experience. This new product features essentially the same functionality but displays it in a clean, easy-to-use format. Browsing for events is simpler, too. Users can search for events in a variety of ways including by date, event type, or venue, to name a few.

Of course, this calendar is fresh off the press, so to speak, and anything in our old calendar’s database can be found on this new site. But we know we don’t quite have it all. So, we are inviting you — our readers — to post upcoming events that you’re hosting. Add information about your organization. Check to make sure your venue is listed and if not, let us know, or add it to the database yourself.

You see, we don’t think of this as the “Juneau Empire” calendar — even though it’s labeled as such — we think of it as Juneau’s community calendar; we just provide the framework.

Juneau Empire Publisher Mark Bryan said the rollout of this new database is just one of many improvements on the horizon.

“We’re moving forward with enhancements to our website to make it easier for users and readers, to make for a more enjoyable experience,” he said. “The calendar product is widely used and was in need of an overhaul. But it’s just one of many improvements which are forthcoming.”

So, if have a moment, stop on by to familiarize yourself with events.juneauempire.com. We hope you like it.

• Do you have questions about the new calendar system? No problem. Send all inquiries to webteam@juneauempire.com, or call Abby Lowell directly at 523-2271.