Capital City Weekly

This photo shows Vivian Mork Yeilk’ and supplies for villages in Juneau. (Courtesy Photo / Aakatchaq Shaeffer)

Planet Alaska: It takes a planet

Wooch.éen Yéi Jintuné. We Are Working Together.

This photo shows Vivian Mork Yeilk’ and supplies for villages in Juneau. (Courtesy Photo / Aakatchaq Shaeffer)
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Writers’ Weir: Meeting In Plague Times

A poem by Margo Waring.

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The cast and crew behind “A Tlingit Christmas Carol” smile on a Zoom call. (Courtesy Image / Perseverance Theatre)
The cast and crew behind “A Tlingit Christmas Carol” smile on a Zoom call. (Courtesy Image / Perseverance Theatre)
An illustration by David Brame for “Sanford Biggers: CODESWITCH,”created in collaboration with John Jennings. (Photo courtesy of David Brame)

New Homer creator brings Afrofuturism to town

David Brame’s new graphic novel will be published in January

An illustration by David Brame for “Sanford Biggers: CODESWITCH,”created in collaboration with John Jennings. (Photo courtesy of David Brame)
Despite their name, highbush cranberries aren’t actually cranberries. High bush cranberries are actually in the honeysuckle family and are closely related to elderberries. (Vivian Mork Yéilk’ / For the Capital City Weekly)

Highbush holidays: Recipes using the berries

These are some tasty ways to use those not-actually cranberries this season.

Despite their name, highbush cranberries aren’t actually cranberries. High bush cranberries are actually in the honeysuckle family and are closely related to elderberries. (Vivian Mork Yéilk’ / For the Capital City Weekly)
Rico Lanáat’ Worl’s design ‘Raven Story,’ shown here, is thought to be the first Tlingit-designed art to be featured on a stamp, available beginning in 2021. (Courtesy Image / Sealaska Heritage Institute)
Rico Lanáat’ Worl’s design ‘Raven Story,’ shown here, is thought to be the first Tlingit-designed art to be featured on a stamp, available beginning in 2021. (Courtesy Image / Sealaska Heritage Institute)
The Juneau-Douglas City Museum is using robots to let guests virtually explore the museum from anywhere on earth beginning in November. Here, Empire reporter Michael S. Lockett perambulates the museum with Shelby the robot on Nov. 17, 2020. (Courtesy photo / Elissa Borges)

Domo arigato assister roboto: museum uses robots to allow visits from anywhere

The rise of the machines is upon the Juneau-Douglas City Museum.

The Juneau-Douglas City Museum is using robots to let guests virtually explore the museum from anywhere on earth beginning in November. Here, Empire reporter Michael S. Lockett perambulates the museum with Shelby the robot on Nov. 17, 2020. (Courtesy photo / Elissa Borges)
This August 2020 photo shows a recipe for traditional Thanksgiving stuffing in New York. The recipe can be cut in half and baked in a smaller pan for less time for a smaller group. (Katie Workman via AP)

How to cook (and save) a smaller Thanksgiving feast

By KATIE WORKMAN Associated Press If you’re planning a smaller Thanksgiving gathering this year because of social distancing, you don’t have to give up the… Continue reading

This August 2020 photo shows a recipe for traditional Thanksgiving stuffing in New York. The recipe can be cut in half and baked in a smaller pan for less time for a smaller group. (Katie Workman via AP)
"The Spirit of the Valley" is Perseverance Theatre's latest play. (Courtesy Image / Perseverance Theatre)

Sense of play: New production blends message with fun

“The Spirit of the Valley,” the latest live, virtual offering from Perseverance Theatre, deftly hides its vegetables. A play geared toward younger audiences with a… Continue reading

"The Spirit of the Valley" is Perseverance Theatre's latest play. (Courtesy Image / Perseverance Theatre)
This Nov. 5, 2020, photo provided by the Sealaska Heritage Institute shows a Zoom memorial service for Tlingit elder David Katzeek, conducted by the Institute, showing highlights of Katzeek's life as people honored him over the internet as the pandemic had made in-person ceremonies impossible.  (Sealaska Heritage Institute)

Technology allows thousands to say goodbye to Tlingit elder

‘They were all over the country, wherever our clan members are living’

This Nov. 5, 2020, photo provided by the Sealaska Heritage Institute shows a Zoom memorial service for Tlingit elder David Katzeek, conducted by the Institute, showing highlights of Katzeek's life as people honored him over the internet as the pandemic had made in-person ceremonies impossible.  (Sealaska Heritage Institute)
Courtesy photo / JAMM 
Inmates at Lemon Creek Correctional Center are working with the nonprofit Juneau Alaska Music Matters to make xylophones.

Inmates work with nonprofit to make instruments for kids

The xylophones come as part of a pandemic-driven curriculum shift.

Courtesy photo / JAMM 
Inmates at Lemon Creek Correctional Center are working with the nonprofit Juneau Alaska Music Matters to make xylophones.
David Kingeistí Katzeek, a Tlingit elder who helps with Tlingit Culture, Language and Literacy program, speaks during a program open house, Monday, April 22, 2019. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)

Traditional memorial ceremony to be held virtually

It will be livestreamed and open to the public.

David Kingeistí Katzeek, a Tlingit elder who helps with Tlingit Culture, Language and Literacy program, speaks during a program open house, Monday, April 22, 2019. (Ben Hohenstatt | Juneau Empire)
This photo shows an encaustic piece titled “Sentinels” by Michelle Morrell. I couldn’t damped the reds in the photo. It depicts the old Aurora Harbor breakwater that was replaced last winter. (Courtesy Image / Michelle Morrell)

First Friday: Encaustics, chai tea and more await

Here’s what’s happening on Friday, Nov. 6

This photo shows an encaustic piece titled “Sentinels” by Michelle Morrell. I couldn’t damped the reds in the photo. It depicts the old Aurora Harbor breakwater that was replaced last winter. (Courtesy Image / Michelle Morrell)
Bunchberries grow on old stumps in Wrangell. (Vivian Faith Prescott / For the Capital City Weekly)

Planet Alaska: The bunchberry yoik

Yes, they’re photogenic, but what I like best is you can still find bunchberries to eat in October.

Bunchberries grow on old stumps in Wrangell. (Vivian Faith Prescott / For the Capital City Weekly)
The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust has pledged $400,000 toward work on the Sealaska Heritage Institute Arts Campus. The donation is contingent upon SHI reaching its fundraising goal, the nonprofit announced. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)

Support pledged for arts campus, symposium and lecture series share schedules

News briefs for the week of Oct. 29, 2020.

The M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust has pledged $400,000 toward work on the Sealaska Heritage Institute Arts Campus. The donation is contingent upon SHI reaching its fundraising goal, the nonprofit announced. (Peter Segall / Juneau Empire)
Frank Henry Kaash Katasse is the writer and director of the new play "The Spirit of the Valley." The all-ages comedy began as something like a writing exercise for Katasse's wife and kids. It's his first time writing and directing a full-length play. “This is certainly a different beast than anything I’ve ever been a part of," he said. “It’s been a really fun experience.” (Courtesy Photo)

Stage is set for all-ages comedy with a message

Thinking green and green screens factor into new play.

Frank Henry Kaash Katasse is the writer and director of the new play "The Spirit of the Valley." The all-ages comedy began as something like a writing exercise for Katasse's wife and kids. It's his first time writing and directing a full-length play. “This is certainly a different beast than anything I’ve ever been a part of," he said. “It’s been a really fun experience.” (Courtesy Photo)
Sherry Simpson, shown in this 2013 photo, passed away recently at the age of 60. Simpson is widely respected and beloved as a writer and educator. (Courtesy Photo / Scott Kiefer)

Sherry Simpson, much-loved writer and educator, dies at 60

Alaska recently lost one of its most influential writers and impactful writing teachers.

Sherry Simpson, shown in this 2013 photo, passed away recently at the age of 60. Simpson is widely respected and beloved as a writer and educator. (Courtesy Photo / Scott Kiefer)
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Writers’ Weir: Blindsided

Do they know yet? They didn’t.

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This photo shows western bog laurel. (Courtesy Photo / Vivian Mork Yéilk’)

Planet Alaska: Southeast Alaska Traditional Plants Summit and Celebration: Protecting what we love

I miss harvesting with my friends and family around Alaska.

This photo shows western bog laurel. (Courtesy Photo / Vivian Mork Yéilk’)
The Southeast Alaska Conservation Council recently produced a zine “Hunker Down For Climate Change” made with art submissions from residents of the Southeast, Oct. 13, 2020. (Courtesy Photo / SEACC)
The Southeast Alaska Conservation Council recently produced a zine “Hunker Down For Climate Change” made with art submissions from residents of the Southeast, Oct. 13, 2020. (Courtesy Photo / SEACC)