Sunday, December 7, 2003
In the stacks: Large-print books circulate at library
The focus this week is on large-print books, and, in addition to the great books listed below, look for new large print titles by these best-selling authors: Robert Parker, Fern Michaels, Dorothy Garlock, Catherine Coulter, Tom Clancy, Anne Perry and Jack Higgins, to name a few. To see a list of large print titles that have been added to the Juneau Public Library shelves in the past year, check out the "NEW!" tab at the top of the blue banner on our online catalog.
Private property rights are important
On behalf of anyone who owns a home in Alaska and cares about private property rights, I urge the governor to buy back the coal bed methane leases the state of Alaska has sold under/near Alaskans' private homes and start the CBM development process anew, after letting Alaska's homeowners know what can happen to them when the leases are sold.
No to road; how about light rail?
Juneau is special. Juneau is not like other towns. Juneau has many of the advantages of a city with few of a city's disadvantages. Here one can find a wide variety of cultural and arts events. And one can also find a parking place convenient to the venue.
Alert for diabetes
I received a phone call yesterday from my sister who lives in Juneau. She read to me what was in the newspaper on "Diabetes likely to rise among Alaska youths."
Upset at business license fee increase
I think the increase in business license fee is outrageous. Because of the increase in fees, I'm making my real estate license inactive. The city gets no license fees from an inactive license. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that a lot of people who have purchased business licenses at $50 for a small second job or a home-based craft business decide not to get a license at all.
Seeking better Lynn Canal ferry service
I'm writing in response to a letter by John Conley of Ketchikan on Nov. 25. The letter "Better ferries or new roads" had comments about Haines and Skagway that I believe were incorrect.
Yes, gay marriage is a threat
In reference to Ellie Sica's letter Dec. 5, 2003, "Is gay marriage a threat," Ellie mentions that it goes against "some" of his religious beliefs. If you read the Bible, God says in His word that it's an abomination to God. Webster's definition of abomination is: that which is abominable; anything hateful, wicked, or shamefully vile; an object or state that excites disgust and hatred; a hateful or shameful vice; pollution.
Police & Fire
Reports from Juneau police, fire officials and state troopers.
Bar owners, anti-smoking advocates debate ordinance
The Juneau Clean Air Coalition is lobbying to ban smoking in all bars and bar/restaurants in Juneau, but the food and beverage industry is fighting back.
Thane Road contractor looking to repair hill by end of the week
Thane Road traffic could be back to normal in another week.
The state Department of Transportation hired a Juneau contractor Friday to rebuild a hill that fell away from the Gastineau Channel side of the road Monday.
Flying boats homing in on the Panhandle
Southeast Alaskans looking out onto Lynn Canal this summer might wonder what is hovering over the water.
Photo: Santa clothes
Steve Earl, wishing only to be known as Santa Claus, waves and smiles to passersby while strolling the streets of downtown Juneau on Saturday.
Around Town
Around Town is a listing of local nonprofit events.
Plan touts hydropower project for Glacier Bay
Southeast residents will consider a proposed hydroelectric power facility and land exchange in Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve.
State Chamber picks Juneau Access as a top priority
The Alaska State Chamber of Commerce has picked completion of the Juneau Access project as one of its top five lobbying priorities for the upcoming legislative session.
Incumbents serving on planning panel, hospital board likely to be appointed again
The Juneau Assembly will vote Monday on its own recommendations to re-appoint the incumbents serving on the city's Planning Commission and Bartlett Regional Hospital Board of Directors.
My Turn: 'Responsible' youth drinking can cause permanent damage
Parent, rethink your good intentions. As we have all heard at one time or another, they can pave the way to Hell.
Out & About
Upcoming outdoor events in Juneau.
Southeast Wild: Annual bird count - A social event with a scientific purpose
This year marks the 104th anniversary of the Christmas Bird Count.
On Christmas Day 1900, 27 conservationists in 25 localities, led by ornithologist Frank Chapman, changed the course of history.
Yukon eel season finds international market
It's eel season on the Yukon River.
Hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, of the squiggly, squirmy creatures are swimming up from the Bering Sea, a seething mass wriggling beneath the river ice to spawn and die.
Outdoor Web sites
Web sites of interest to local outdoors enthusiasts.
Making Tracks
November's cold weather and heavy snowfall left Nordic skiers in Juneau ready for what promises to be a busy season.
"It can only get better from last year," said Mike Sigler, who works at the federal fisheries lab at Auke Bay and was skiing with co-worker Michele Masuda during the lunch hour Thursday.
Ski club gives members trails access
Membership in the Juneau Nordic Ski Club gives skiers access to trails near the Mendenhall Glacier and at the Eaglecrest Ski Area.
Dues go toward expanding and grooming trails and furthering educational opportunities.
Snow report
Snow report from Eaglecrest Ski Area.
Hoonah takes third place at state tourney
For the first time in four years, the Hoonah Braves didn't finish second in the Class 1A-2A-3A (West) state volleyball tournament.
But the Braves didn't win the tournament held this weekend at Anchorage's Dimond High School.
Cavaliers go to their reserves to end eight-game losing streak
Jason Kapono, the Cavaliers' less-hyped rookie, scored 16 points and Darius Miles added 15 as Cleveland snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 95-85 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday night.
Former Juneau-Douglas High School star Carlos Boozer added a double-double for the Cavaliers, finishing with 12 points and 10 rebounds despite being in foul trouble much of the game.
Sports in Juneau
Sports in Juneau is a service provided by the Juneau Empire to provide information on upcoming sports and outdoors events in Juneau.
Last similar change in flu strain killed nearly 65,000 nationwide
The last time there was a flu strain mutation similar to the one sickening thousands of Americans this year, nearly 65,000 died.
Judge OKs lethal wolf control
An Alaska judge on Friday rejected an attempt by an animal-rights group to stop a state-sponsored program allowing hunters to shoot wolves from airplanes in Alaska.
Report: Flu this year could be big killer
The flu may have killed a 17-year-old girl in Kotlik last week, according to the state's preliminary autopsy report.
Photo: Arctic treat
Young Yoon of the Oriental Shopping Center in Anchorage shows off Alaska eels last month in Anchorage.
Alaska Digest
News in brief from around the state.
This Day in History
In Alaska; in the nation; in the world.