Neighbors

Sitka rose petals are easy to find and gather. You can use them to bring a delightfully floral taste and aroma to desserts, syrups, and stews.

Gathering Alaska: Rose petals

When I was growing up, I never understood the fuss about roses. Yes, they were pretty and smelled wonderful when they bloomed, but it was… Continue reading

Sitka rose petals are easy to find and gather. You can use them to bring a delightfully floral taste and aroma to desserts, syrups, and stews.
Last year I bought a small "boutique" sized charcoal grill for a party and used it one or two times. This year, I've used it a lot more and I'm having a blast with it.

Meals with Midgi: Grilled bacon, watermelon and pineapple kebabs

I’m just going to say it: what a summer we’re having! We’ve had so many warm and sunny days this summer, I’m starting to think… Continue reading

Last year I bought a small "boutique" sized charcoal grill for a party and used it one or two times. This year, I've used it a lot more and I'm having a blast with it.
A cluster of sea balloons, slightly worn.

Off the Trails: Looking at intertidal algae

The tide was moderately low, a minus 3.9 or so, and four of us had the privilege of tagging along with a genial visiting algologist… Continue reading

A cluster of sea balloons, slightly worn.
A building at the site of Cos Jacket, a former village on the Tanana River.

A ghost town on the Tanana River

COS JACKET — On a canoe trip down the lower Tanana River, we’ve scrambled up a sandy bank to explore a place that is less… Continue reading

A building at the site of Cos Jacket, a former village on the Tanana River.

Biomass-fueled greenhouse handbook in works for Alaska schools

The U.S. Forest Service has funded a contract issued by Southeast Conference through its partner, the Alaska Energy Authority, to the Cold Climate Housing Research… Continue reading

ADF&G opens fishing and hunting workshops

Five fishing and hunting workshops put on by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game are now open for registration. Two of the workshops, Step… Continue reading

Congress OKs bill labeling GMOs

WASHINGTON — Consumers wanting to know if their foods contain genetically modified ingredients will be able to find out for the first time.Congress sent legislation… Continue reading

Trail Mix Inc. expands statewide with Forest Service agreement

In a unique agreement, a local volunteer organization formally partnered with the U.S. Forest Service to help maintain cabins and trails in Alaska’s two national… Continue reading

A 2002 photo taken during the second leg of the Aleutian Islands survey shows a snailfish. The Alaska Fisheries Science Center, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has helped name more than a dozen new species over the last decade.

Surveys off Alaska lead to new types of soft-bodied fish

ANCHORAGE — Federal biologist Jay Orr never knows what’s going to come up in nets lowered to the ocean floor off Alaska’s remote Aleutian Islands,… Continue reading

A 2002 photo taken during the second leg of the Aleutian Islands survey shows a snailfish. The Alaska Fisheries Science Center, part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, has helped name more than a dozen new species over the last decade.
Caribou swim the Kobuk River in their fall migration, Kobuk Valley National Park. All photos c. Nick Jans.

An essay from Jans’ ‘The Giant’s Hand: A Life in Arctic Alaska’

CARIBOU TIMEIt’s caribou time in arctic Alaska. The bright sun of summer fades; golden willow leaves flicker in the wind. To the north, the jagged… Continue reading

Caribou swim the Kobuk River in their fall migration, Kobuk Valley National Park. All photos c. Nick Jans.

Former Juneau Symphony conductor directs new children’s musical

Kyle Wiley Pickett, who left Juneau in 2014 to conduct the Topeka Symphony and the Springfield, Missouri Symphony, also found time to travel to Prague… Continue reading

Klondike trail resident artists to give talks

SKAGWAY— Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park will host three artist outreach talks to celebrate the experience of this year’s Artists in Residence on the… Continue reading

A sharp chain will make confetti, not sawdust.

Woodshed Kings: Zen and the Art of Chainsaw

In Alaska running a chainsaw is a social skill. You go out with the gang, buck up some downed trees, bring them somewhere, pitch them… Continue reading

A sharp chain will make confetti, not sawdust.
Ella Mooney takes over for her mother Jen and protects sockeye salmon from bugs.

How to gill a girl: Salmon fishing in Hydaburg

HOW TO GILL A GIRL: SALMON FISHING IN HYDABURGLike a salmon, I grew up running wild. As a toddler, I chased my brother through the… Continue reading

Ella Mooney takes over for her mother Jen and protects sockeye salmon from bugs.
Sled dogs howl in chorus as they pull a heavy skiff down the Ambler River.

A conversation with Nick Jans about his 12th and latest book

“An arctic pirate looks at sixty.”That’s how Nick Jans describes his newest book, a moving collection of essays called “The Giant’s Hand: A Life in… Continue reading

Sled dogs howl in chorus as they pull a heavy skiff down the Ambler River.
The cover of "The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet"

Rainy Day Reads: Sci-fi for the soul

Science fiction writing, traditionally, is good at a lot of things: vibrant worlds, elaborate backstories, complex plots and lots and lots of delicious weirdness. Giving… Continue reading

The cover of "The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet"
The Hobbit was reviewed by Clara Ferguson.

Young readers review their favorite books: Week 5

Each week throughout the summer, the Juneau Public Libraries, in collaboration with the Friends of the Juneau Public Libraries and local businesses, award young readers… Continue reading

The Hobbit was reviewed by Clara Ferguson.
Artistic Coordinater Brandon Howard and summer intern Dara DeGrave add the final grout to a tile mural in front of The Canvas Gallery & Studio on June 29. Canvas artist Susy Martin made nearly 2,000 clay faces. Larger square tiles made by community members during a fundraiser form the border of the mural, and Marianne Manning made the glass mosaic top.

The Canvas’ mural is complete

The mural outside The Canvas Community Art Studio and Gallery is complete.Artistic coordinator Brandon Howard said the unused, empty space “used to drive me nuts.”“It… Continue reading

Artistic Coordinater Brandon Howard and summer intern Dara DeGrave add the final grout to a tile mural in front of The Canvas Gallery & Studio on June 29. Canvas artist Susy Martin made nearly 2,000 clay faces. Larger square tiles made by community members during a fundraiser form the border of the mural, and Marianne Manning made the glass mosaic top.

August king opener likely in Southeast

AUGUST KING OPENER LIKELY IN SOUTHEASTSALMON TAKES CENTER STAGE EACH SUMMER BUT MANY OTHER FISHERIES ALSO ARE IN FULL SWING FROM KETCHIKAN TO KOTZEBUE.For salmon,… Continue reading

A Rorschach test in the Tongass canopy.

Art in Unusual Places

The Capital City Weekly welcomes reader-submitted images of art in unusual or unexpected places. Photographers of all levels of ability are invited to send in… Continue reading

A Rorschach test in the Tongass canopy.