11 acts scheduled to perform Saturday in 7th annual Juneau’s Got Talent

Eleven acts will show off their talent and compete for cash prizes at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, at the Juneau Arts and Culture Center. The seventh annual Juneau’s Got Talent (JGT), hosted by Juneau Dance Theatre (JDT), is modeled after popular televised talent competitions.

A panel of judges, plus audience dollars, will determine the winner. The top finisher takes home $500 and joins the ranks as an esteemed JGT champion. Director Flordelino Lagundino says of the event, “It’s a full night of entertainment. Our contestants have a broad range of talent and varying experiences to showcase, and you just never know what Juneau is going to get excited about – Juneau’s got a lot of Talent.”

Juneau’s Got Talent will feature performances by guests Jocelyn Miles and Isaiah Unzicker — both previous JGT champions — as well as Margeaux Ljungberg, and Juneau Dance Theatre dancers. Stephanie Strickland will emcee the event with Ljungberg. Goldbelt Tram is providing a no-host bar, and there will be concessions for sale and a dessert auction.

Contestants were selected from a pool of performers who auditioned live or by video submission in December. This year’s finalists include singers, rappers, dancers, clowns and others.

The contestants are: Sammara Apango; Roblin Gray Davis, Darius Mannino; D.loading; Daughters of the New Moon; Diamond Dollar Entertainment; Ruth Gentry; Jaylynn and Johnathan; Ilannie Mateo; Pajama Cat Sharks; Colin Rose; and Mason Simoneau.

Doors open at 6 p.m.. Tickets are $30 in advance at juneaudance.org or $35 at the door. Advance purchased tickets include one free vote for attendees to put toward their favorite act. Additional votes will be available for sale throughout the evening, for $1 each.

Proceeds from Juneau’s Got Talent support Juneau Dance Theatre. Proceeds from the dessert auction will go toward the “Fund the Floor” campaign, to purchase and install a dance studio floor for the organization. Only patrons 21+, with a valid ID, will be served alcohol at this event.

For more information about Juneau’s Got Talent or Juneau Dance Theatre, visit juneaudance.org or call (907) 463-5327.

City and Borough of Juneau conducts Community Health Needs Assessment

The City and Borough of Juneau (CBJ) is partnering with the Alaska Division of Public Health to conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment among Juneau residents 18 years of age and older. The short five-minute survey aims to assess the needs of the people living in our community. Juneau residents can take the survey at www.JuneauSurvey.com. To encourage participation, everyone who completes the survey is automatically entered to win a $500 prize.

A Community Health Needs Assessment is a systematic process for communities to prioritize health needs, and to plan and act upon unmet community health needs. This survey is being managed by Hays Research Group, a market research firm based in Alaska. For more information contact Adam Hays, research director, at info@haysresearch.com or (907) 223-2406.

“Jaws” featured at Parks & Rec Dive-In Movie on Feb. 9

The 1975 thriller movie “Jaws” (rated PG) is scheduled for a dive-in screening at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9, at the Dimond Park Aquatic Center. The event is presented by Allen Marine Tours.

Sspace is limited to 100 guests per show. Locker rooms open 15 minutes before showtime, but guests are welcome to queue in the lobby. Regular pool admission applies; pool passes are accepted.

For more information about admission and passes visit juneaupools.org. For more information about the event contact Parks & Recreation at (907) 586-5226.

Rotary Club of Juneau presents 2023 Vocational Service Awards

The Rotary Club of Juneau recognized community members and organizations at its annual Vocational Service Awards on Jan. 30 at the University of Alaska Southeast. The awards recognize outstanding dedication and adherence to high ethical standards in a profession and benefit to our community.

The winners were Tristan Berkey of Mendenhall River Community School (Individual Service); Dave Campbell of the Juneau Police Department (Public Service); Qacung Blanchett and Taylor Vidic with Áak’w Rock (Collaboration); Sealaska Heritage Institute (Nonprofit); HECLA (Business); and Charlotte Truitt of the Juneau Symphony (Arts).

Pack Creek Bear Viewing Area permits now available online

Reservations for the Pack Creek Bear Viewing Area on Admiralty Island went on sale Feb. 1 at Recreation.gov. A permit for the Pack Creek Bear Viewing Area allows the permit holder to visit from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., April 1 to Sept. 30. Permits need to be purchased online prior to arrival at Pack Creek.

Permits are limited: only 24 visitors are allowed per day during the permitted season. Half of the 24 permits available are for public purchase, the other half are reserved for commercial companies providing guided tours to Pack Creek.

There is no road to Pack Creek; access is by floatplane, motorboat, sailboat, kayak, or canoe. Most visitors arrive by floatplane from Juneau; approximately 30 minutes each way. Pack Creek is within a federally designated wilderness area and has no facilities on site.

Visitors to Pack Creek are entering the world of the coastal brown bear and view these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat as they eat sedges and clams, play with their siblings, sleep, and fish for salmon. The native Tlingit people call Admiralty Island “Kootznoowoo” (from Xutsnoowú) meaning “fortress of the bears.” The island is home to an estimated 1,500 brown bears — more than all the Lower 48 states combined.

Admiralty Island also contains the highest concentration of bald eagle nests in the world. Other birds, mammals and marine life thrive in this rich ecosystem of old growth rain forest and coastal marine environments.

For more information contact the Admiralty National Monument (907) 586-8800.