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Molly Yazwinski holds a 3,000-year-old moose skull with antlers still attached, found in a river on Alaska’s North Slope. Her aunt, Pam Groves, steadies an inflatable canoe. (Courtesy Photo /Dan Mann) 2. A 14,000-year-old fragment of a moose antler, top left, rests on a sand bar of a northern river next to the bones of ice-age horses, caribou and muskoxen, as well as the horns of a steppe bison. Photo by Pam Groves. 3. Moose such as this one, photographed this year near Whitehorse in the Yukon, may have been present in Alaska as long as people have. Photo by Ned Rozell.

Alaska Science Forum: Ancient moose antlers hint of early arrival

When a great deal of Earth’s water was locked up within mountains of ice, our ancestors scampered across a dry corridor from what is today… Continue reading

Molly Yazwinski holds a 3,000-year-old moose skull with antlers still attached, found in a river on Alaska’s North Slope. Her aunt, Pam Groves, steadies an inflatable canoe. (Courtesy Photo /Dan Mann) 2. A 14,000-year-old fragment of a moose antler, top left, rests on a sand bar of a northern river next to the bones of ice-age horses, caribou and muskoxen, as well as the horns of a steppe bison. Photo by Pam Groves. 3. Moose such as this one, photographed this year near Whitehorse in the Yukon, may have been present in Alaska as long as people have. Photo by Ned Rozell.
Harbor seals have a face full of whiskers, which the seals use to follow hydrodynamic wakes left by prey fish; even a blind seal can track a fish this way, discriminating victims by size and shape and direction of movement. (Courtesy Photo / Jos Bakker)

On the Trails: The sense of touch

Touch is a mechanical sense, detecting physical stimuli such as pressure, texture, stretch, vibrations and flow. Touch receptors come in a variety of forms —… Continue reading

Harbor seals have a face full of whiskers, which the seals use to follow hydrodynamic wakes left by prey fish; even a blind seal can track a fish this way, discriminating victims by size and shape and direction of movement. (Courtesy Photo / Jos Bakker)
A heron stands near Mendenhall Lake. (Courtesy Photo)
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November brings bright sights

A good snowfall in early November drew us out to enjoy the brightened landscape…

A heron stands near Mendenhall Lake. (Courtesy Photo)
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Modest Mouse frontman Isaac Brock screams to a sold out crowd for the opening show of a three-night stay at Seattle’s Showbox venue Monday, Nov. 21. Modest Mouse is currently touring to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the band’s fourth album “The Lonesome Crowded West.” (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Capital City Weekly

25 to life: Reflecting on ‘The Lonesome Crowded West’ at a milestone

Anniversary shows commemorate the indie-rock stalwarts’ breakthrough album.

Modest Mouse frontman Isaac Brock screams to a sold out crowd for the opening show of a three-night stay at Seattle’s Showbox venue Monday, Nov. 21. Modest Mouse is currently touring to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the band’s fourth album “The Lonesome Crowded West.” (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
This image released by PBS shows characters, from left, Tooey, voiced by Sequoia Janvier, Trini, voiced by Vienna Leacock and Molly, voiced by Sovereign Bill, in a scene from the animated series “Molly of Denali.” The animated show, which highlights the adventures of a 10-year-old Athabascan girl, Molly Mabray, has been nominated for two Emmys. (PBS)
Capital City Weekly

‘You can do these things’: Emmy-nominated Juneau writers hope ‘Molly of Denali’ success opens door for more Indigenous voices

“It’s a huge moment for Alaska Native people”

This image released by PBS shows characters, from left, Tooey, voiced by Sequoia Janvier, Trini, voiced by Vienna Leacock and Molly, voiced by Sovereign Bill, in a scene from the animated series “Molly of Denali.” The animated show, which highlights the adventures of a 10-year-old Athabascan girl, Molly Mabray, has been nominated for two Emmys. (PBS)
The author isn't a big fan of atmospheric rivers, but the forest variety are very much appreciated. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went to the Woods: Tireless thankfulness

One should never tire of writing columns about gratitude. I hope I never do.

The author isn't a big fan of atmospheric rivers, but the forest variety are very much appreciated. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
Emcees, Selah Judge and Almaria Alcantra, open the community feast. (Courtesy Photo /Jennifer Nu)
Capital City Weekly

Resilient Peoples & Place: Food sovereignty, wellness and healing at UAS’ 2nd Annual Community Feast

“I hope you feel a sense of being together and united on this place.”

Emcees, Selah Judge and Almaria Alcantra, open the community feast. (Courtesy Photo /Jennifer Nu)
George Argus collects samples of willow shrubs on a slope near the town of McCarthy, Alaska in 1955. (Courtesy Photo / Neil Davis)

Alaska Science Forum: A man of the mountain, and its willows

When you are a young boy growing up in Brooklyn in the 1930s, sniffing warm pastries your father has placed in the window of his… Continue reading

George Argus collects samples of willow shrubs on a slope near the town of McCarthy, Alaska in 1955. (Courtesy Photo / Neil Davis)
A competitor in the first-ever USA Powerlifting Coastal Clash competition hosted in Juneau starts his first round of deadlifting Saturday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

Pump it up: Residents compete in first-ever Juneau USA Powerlifting event

“The atmosphere was electric”

A competitor in the first-ever USA Powerlifting Coastal Clash competition hosted in Juneau starts his first round of deadlifting Saturday afternoon. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)
A woman welcomes runners to Brooklyn during the New York City Marathon on Nov. 6, 2022. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)

Alaska Science Forum: A five-hour tour of the Big Apple

The New York City Marathon seems worth more than money…

  • Nov 11, 2022
  • By Ned Rozell
A woman welcomes runners to Brooklyn during the New York City Marathon on Nov. 6, 2022. (Courtesy Photo / Ned Rozell)
Finding where bucks were isn't a problem this time of year. Finding where they are is the challenge. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went to the Woods: Really skilled or really lucky

My success may come in spite of my method, not because of it.

Finding where bucks were isn't a problem this time of year. Finding where they are is the challenge. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
Courtesy Photo / Juanita McCallon
Capital City Weekly

Writers Weir: ‘My Daddy Went to War Today’

A poem about a World War II veteran.

Courtesy Photo / Juanita McCallon
This November 2011 photo available under a Creative Commons license shows a man playing a didgeridoo, perhaps the best-known instrument requiring circular breathing. This instrument is a hollow tube, cylindrical or tapered, traditionally made from selected trees hollowed out by termites. Sounds are made when a player places the tube against the face and blows, vibrating the lips. (<a href="http://imagicity.com/" target="_blank">Imagicity</a>)

On the Trails: Unusual breathing arrangements

A breath-taking column.

  • Nov 8, 2022
  • By Mark F. Willson For the
This November 2011 photo available under a Creative Commons license shows a man playing a didgeridoo, perhaps the best-known instrument requiring circular breathing. This instrument is a hollow tube, cylindrical or tapered, traditionally made from selected trees hollowed out by termites. Sounds are made when a player places the tube against the face and blows, vibrating the lips. (<a href="http://imagicity.com/" target="_blank">Imagicity</a>)
Bird researcher Jesse Conklin uses a radio antenna to relocate young bar-tailed godwits outside Nome on July 15, 2022. One of the birds Conklin and Dan Ruthrauff fitted with a satellite transmitter that day later flew from Alaska to Tasmania in a nonstop 11-day trip. (Courtesy Photo / Dan Ruthrauff)

Alaska Science Forum: 750 miles per day for 11 days, no rest

No…sleep…till…Tasmania?!

Bird researcher Jesse Conklin uses a radio antenna to relocate young bar-tailed godwits outside Nome on July 15, 2022. One of the birds Conklin and Dan Ruthrauff fitted with a satellite transmitter that day later flew from Alaska to Tasmania in a nonstop 11-day trip. (Courtesy Photo / Dan Ruthrauff)
From left to right, AWARE’s 2023 honorees are Kate Wolfe, Jeni Brown, LaRae Jones and Susan Bell. The four are set to be honored at the upcoming 26th annual Women of Distinction Gala at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall set to take place on March 4 of 2023. (Courtesy / AWARE)
Capital City Weekly

AWARE announces 2023 Women of Distinction honorees

The four women will be honored at the organization’s upcoming gala

From left to right, AWARE’s 2023 honorees are Kate Wolfe, Jeni Brown, LaRae Jones and Susan Bell. The four are set to be honored at the upcoming 26th annual Women of Distinction Gala at the Elizabeth Peratrovich Hall set to take place on March 4 of 2023. (Courtesy / AWARE)
Whooping cranes wade their pool at the International Crane Foundation. (Mary F. Willson / For the Juneau Empire)

On the Trails: Old stomping grounds put on a grand show

Observing the colors of the leaves…and squirrels.

  • Nov 1, 2022
  • By Mary F. Willson For the Juneau Empire
Whooping cranes wade their pool at the International Crane Foundation. (Mary F. Willson / For the Juneau Empire)
U.S. Forest Service fish biologist Eric Castro prepares to drop a minnow trap into East Ohmer Creek. The crew moved hundreds of young fish prior to doing work in back channels. (Mary Catharine Martin / SalmonState)

The Salmon State: Growing ‘giant pumpkins’ and fish habitat in Petersburg

A tree grows in Petersburg.

U.S. Forest Service fish biologist Eric Castro prepares to drop a minnow trap into East Ohmer Creek. The crew moved hundreds of young fish prior to doing work in back channels. (Mary Catharine Martin / SalmonState)
This carving by Jon Rowan has entered the realm of pricelessness thanks to the family memories and the carver himself. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)

I Went to the Woods: Value appreciation

At some point, we start wrapping our heads around value, not just cost.

This carving by Jon Rowan has entered the realm of pricelessness thanks to the family memories and the carver himself. (Jeff Lund / For the Juneau Empire)
This photo shows a cauldron of halibut chowder around the firepit on a Fall evening. (Vivian Faith Prescott / For the Capital City Weekly)
Capital City Weekly

Planet Alaska: Chowder season

Fall reminds me of cupping my hands around a bowl of warm halibut chowder…

This photo shows a cauldron of halibut chowder around the firepit on a Fall evening. (Vivian Faith Prescott / For the Capital City Weekly)
The conference began Wednesday night, September 7, with Warming of the Hands, a greeting by local clan leaders. (Peter Metcalfe / Sharing Our Knowledge Conference)
Capital City Weekly

Resilient Peoples & Place: When a time for peace is facilitated through partnership

There was a light mist in the air as I walked across the wooden bridge…

The conference began Wednesday night, September 7, with Warming of the Hands, a greeting by local clan leaders. (Peter Metcalfe / Sharing Our Knowledge Conference)