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Volunteers gather at the arch of Project Playground during the first day of the community rebuilt, Aug. 8, 2018. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Project Playground to reopen

For the first time since it burnt down in April of 2017, children will play at Project Playground.

Volunteers gather at the arch of Project Playground during the first day of the community rebuilt, Aug. 8, 2018. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Pilot production of ‘Matilda’ readies for takeoff

Pilot production of ‘Matilda’ readies for takeoff

Heather Mitchell and Karen Allen knew “Matilda” would be perfect for Theater at Latitude 58’s teen and tween actors. But there was a sizable obstacle:… Continue reading

Pilot production of ‘Matilda’ readies for takeoff
Carol Stauffer fills out paperwork while Brian Van Kirk, Thunder Mountain High School music chair, inspects a trumpet donated by Stauffer, who also donated a clarinet. Stauffer’s daughters played the instruments in high school, when they were Van Kirk’s students. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)

Music drive is instrumental for high school program

They took the retired, the worn and the muddled saxes. Brian Van Kirk, music chair at Thunder Mountain High School, and a handful of band… Continue reading

Carol Stauffer fills out paperwork while Brian Van Kirk, Thunder Mountain High School music chair, inspects a trumpet donated by Stauffer, who also donated a clarinet. Stauffer’s daughters played the instruments in high school, when they were Van Kirk’s students. (Ben Hohenstatt | Capital City Weekly)
Former Alaska governor Bill Sheffield talks life, time in office and new book

Former Alaska governor Bill Sheffield talks life, time in office and new book

Alaska’s fifth governor has his first memoir. Former Gov. Bill Sheffield, 90, has a new book, “Bill Sheffield: A Memoir, From the Great Depression to… Continue reading

Former Alaska governor Bill Sheffield talks life, time in office and new book
Ricky Tagaban smiles at a Tiny Desk concert at Kindred Post. Tagaban said his work in drag and weaving are both related to gender identity. Photo by Annie Bartholomew.

Chilkat weaver, drag queen wins award and $7,500 from Rasmuson Foundation

Ricky Tagaban has a garbage bag of mountain goat wool and $7,500 in award money. Tagaban, a Chilkat weaver and drag queen, of Juneau is… Continue reading

Ricky Tagaban smiles at a Tiny Desk concert at Kindred Post. Tagaban said his work in drag and weaving are both related to gender identity. Photo by Annie Bartholomew.
Sarah Dybdahl and Ralph Wolfe

Wolfe and Dybdahl named 40 Under 40, Kindred Post gets grant, AWARE seeks nominations

Arts and culture news in brief for the week of Sept. 19, 2018.

Sarah Dybdahl and Ralph Wolfe
Juneau poet wins national award for self-published book

Juneau poet wins national award for self-published book

Miriam Wagoner never thought her poems would be published, let alone win national awards. But Sept. 9, the Juneau poet won a National Federation of… Continue reading

Juneau poet wins national award for self-published book
Library intern organizes Native culture fest

Library intern organizes Native culture fest

The Douglas Public library wasn’t quiet Saturday. The sounds of drums, singing and dancing from the Woosh.ji.een Dance Group echoed out from the library’s meeting… Continue reading

Library intern organizes Native culture fest
Ashleigh Watt portraying Emily and Ty Yamaoka portraying George talk during a rehearsal of “Our Town” at the Perseverance Theatre. They both picked the ladder scene from the play as one of their favorites. The classic Thornton Wilder play will kickoff the theater’s 40th season. While the play is 80 years old and set before World War I, the two 20-something actors said it’s still poignantly relevant today. (Capital City Weekly | Ben Hohenstatt)

“Our Town” feels like theirs, say Perseverance Theatre actors

A play featuring a soda fountain set in early 20th century New England is absolutely relevant to present day Juneau, said its 20-something leads. “Our… Continue reading

Ashleigh Watt portraying Emily and Ty Yamaoka portraying George talk during a rehearsal of “Our Town” at the Perseverance Theatre. They both picked the ladder scene from the play as one of their favorites. The classic Thornton Wilder play will kickoff the theater’s 40th season. While the play is 80 years old and set before World War I, the two 20-something actors said it’s still poignantly relevant today. (Capital City Weekly | Ben Hohenstatt)
Devita Stipek Writer talks about her murals and other paintings that are now gracing Carnival Cruise ships. Writer, a member of the Juneau Artist Gallery co-op, was interviewed there on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Cinderella story brings Juneau artist’s work to millions

The offer that changed Devita Stipek Writer’s life came as a surprise. In 2001, the Juneau artist received a Saturday phone call from a man… Continue reading

Devita Stipek Writer talks about her murals and other paintings that are now gracing Carnival Cruise ships. Writer, a member of the Juneau Artist Gallery co-op, was interviewed there on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day comes to Juneau

Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day comes to Juneau

Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day has been an event in Anchorage for years, and now it’s coming to Juneau. The collaboration between Girl Scouts… Continue reading

Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day comes to Juneau
Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority is looking at all options in the sale of the subport land along Juneau downtown waterfront on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Mental Health Trust spending time, money on subport property

City officials are growing increasingly impatient with the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority.

Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority is looking at all options in the sale of the subport land along Juneau downtown waterfront on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Meet the judges on the ballot in Southeast Alaska

Meet the judges on the ballot in Southeast Alaska

They’re on the ballot, but you won’t see any ads for them. On Nov. 6, Alaskans across the state will be asked to decide whether… Continue reading

Meet the judges on the ballot in Southeast Alaska
Judge sets date in case of billion-dollar oil lawsuit

Judge sets date in case of billion-dollar oil lawsuit

Sitka judge will hear arguments on a lawsuit with billion-dollar implications for Alaska.

Judge sets date in case of billion-dollar oil lawsuit
Valley Lumber & Building Supply Company has been sold to Bruce Abel, who owns Don Abel Building Supply. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Valley Lumber sold to Don Abel owner

Owner of Don Abel Building Supply buys similar business near Nugget Mall.

Valley Lumber & Building Supply Company has been sold to Bruce Abel, who owns Don Abel Building Supply. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Assembly candidates answers questions during a Special Native Issues Forum at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. From left: Garrett Schoenberger, Carole Triem, Tom Williams, Don Habeger, Wade Bryson, Michelle Bonnet Hale and Loren Jones. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Education topics stand out at Assembly forum

Candidates circled back to educational topics during the first public forum of election season.

Assembly candidates answers questions during a Special Native Issues Forum at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. From left: Garrett Schoenberger, Carole Triem, Tom Williams, Don Habeger, Wade Bryson, Michelle Bonnet Hale and Loren Jones. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Assembly candidates answers questions during a Special Native Issues Forum at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. From left: Garrett Schoenberger, Carole Triem, Tom Williams, Don Habeger, Wade Bryson, Michelle Bonnet Hale and Loren Jones. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Education topics stand out at Assembly forum

During the first public forum of election season, the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly candidates kept circling back to the topic of improving education.… Continue reading

Assembly candidates answers questions during a Special Native Issues Forum at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. From left: Garrett Schoenberger, Carole Triem, Tom Williams, Don Habeger, Wade Bryson, Michelle Bonnet Hale and Loren Jones. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Mayoral candidates Saralyn Tabachnick, left, Norton Gregory, center, and Beth Weldon answers questions during a Special Native Issues Forum at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Mayoral candidates Saralyn Tabachnick, left, Norton Gregory, center, and Beth Weldon answers questions during a Special Native Issues Forum at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Salmon treaty process was ‘bloody,’ but included some wins for AK, negotiators say

Salmon treaty process was ‘bloody,’ but included some wins for AK, negotiators say

Alaska, Washington and Oregon representatives settled negotiation Monday with Canada on how to share dwindling Chinook salmon harvests through a 10-year international treaty. The agreement,… Continue reading

Salmon treaty process was ‘bloody,’ but included some wins for AK, negotiators say
Kava-not protesters demonstrate in front of Capitol

Kava-not protesters demonstrate in front of Capitol

“Did you notice that his name ends in a nah? It’s nah, nada, no way.”

Kava-not protesters demonstrate in front of Capitol