Capital Chat

Terra Patterson joins Capital Chat to discuss the October Swimming Schedule at Dimond Park and Augustus G. Brown.

 Rochelle from the Juneau Arts & Culture Center (the JACC) previews Season 52 and a packed First Friday: meet featured artists Jessica Critchard (Sitka—“threaded bones” needlepoint/embroidery; donating half of sales to ANDVSA) and Lou Casiopo (Gustavus—contemporary sculpture with social commentary) at the gallery opening, Fri 4–7 pm, with refreshments. She also teases near-term events—a mask theatre workshop (Tues/Thurs, 6–8 pm) and a JUNEAU Piano Series concert with Whitehorse artists Jessica Tong & Michael Shepherd—plus the return of Wearable Arts in February (theme: Camp; artist applications due Nov 17). Admission is free, there’s easy parking, and the JACC makes a great launch point to stroll the rest of First Friday downtown; details at jahc.org. 

 Annie Kail’s celebrates its 50th year with a First Friday showcase (4:30–7:30 pm, Seward Street) featuring longtime gallery favorite Pia Riley and first-time exhibitor Suzanne Fouquois, both from Petersburg. Expect Riley’s vibrant watercolors and oils—florals, birds, and trees—plus Fouquois’ acrylic works on canvas, wood panel, and her distinctive indoor/outdoor pieces painted with porch & floor paint on treated plywood. Meet the artists, enjoy refreshments, and purchase brand-new originals (Riley brought ~16 new works; no prints yet). Can’t make it tonight? The show remains through the weekend, with pieces added to anniekaills.com afterward. 

The museum’s October is anything but sleepy. First Friday features a one-hour performance block (4:30–5:30 pm; open until 6) with Juneau Pipe Band bagpipers, Filipino dance groups, and musicians from High Cost of Living, all celebrating the closing month of “Wild Joys: Creating Community Through Performing Arts” (final day Oct 16). Families can also join Patsy Ann’s birthday party on Oct 11, 1–3 pm. On Oct 16, the Gold Town hosts a free, hour-long “Not-So-Silent” screening of 1930s–50s Stonehouse home movies with live music, plus curated JUMP shorts. The museum also announces the spring 12×12 theme: “Monochrome in Color.” Details at juneau.gov/museum (Fourth & Main, across from the Capitol).

 Goldbelt’s 25th annual AKtoberfest takes over the mountain this Saturday (Oct 4), 1–~9 pm—now family-friendly from 1–4 pm with kids’ coloring, games, costume contest and a piñata, then switching at 4:30 pm to live music, beer pong & cornhole tourneys, an adult costume contest, and grand-prize drawings (~8:30 pm) for Alaska Airlines miles and an Eaglecrest season pass. Your ticket includes the tram ride and an all-day German buffet (brats & sauerkraut, chicken & dumplings, Bavarian pretzels, potato salad, pork loin, desserts). Kids are just $10. Presented with Alaska Brewing Company. Tickets: goldbelttram.com or at the Tram lobby on operating days (may sell out). Form your teams and come hungry! 

 Eaglecrest GM Craig Simmons shares a packed update: the Assembly approved moving all Eaglecrest staff onto CBJ’s pay scale—bringing roughly 20–40% wage increases, annual COLAs (3% then 5%), and CBJ-level perks like paid holidays doubling from 6 to 12—boosting recruiting and retention. The mountain is hiring now, especially in Snow Sports School (instructors & front desk), plus lift ops, mountain ops, food & beverage, and marketing (apply via the CBJ jobs page or email [email protected]

). Off-season maintenance is nearly wrapped (lift bearings, shives, Ptarmigan gearbox and driveshaft, new top–bottom lift phone lines), and the road to the gondola mid-station officially broke ground; for safety, the base area is temporarily closed to hikers until equipment traffic settles. Discover Eaglecrest Day returned with a big turnout, raising about $10,000 for the Eaglecrest Foundation to get more kids on snow. Craig’s upbeat about a smoother, “second-season” winter with high staff return and a well-oiled operation. 

 Angel chats with Todd from Downtown Rotary about Capital Brewfest: a Friday Brewers’ Dinner (5–8 pm) catered by Devil’s Club with beer pairings, followed by Saturday’s festival at Centennial Hall featuring 20+ Alaska breweries, live music from the Gittin’ Strangers, and plenty of non-alcoholic options. VIP gets in at noon (skip the line); GA runs 1–5 pm. Tickets at capbrewfest.co ($40 GA, $65 VIP, $100 dinner, $150 combo). Proceeds support local Rotary projects like the Fish Creek shelter and new elementary playground equipment. 

Chancellor Palmer joins Angel to recap UAS’s student–employer networking dinner and unveil Alaska Unlocked: beginning Fall 2026, out-of-state students pay in-state tuition for in-person, online, or hybrid study. UAS also celebrates national recognition for its Health Information Management program (program of distinction; 1 of 40 demo schools) and the School of Education’s Frank Murray Leadership Award—a first for Alaska. Plus: spring career fair, how to plug into programs, and an invite to the next Evening at Egan on glacial outburst flooding.

The Juneau Community Bands join Angel to preview Taku Winds’ Oktoberfest-themed season opener: Saturday the 27th at the JACC (food/beer at 6pm from TK Maguire’s; concert at 7pm). Expect polka-ready classics (Strauss, Smetana, Brahms), a quick dance lesson, and family-friendly fun—lederhosen and dirndls encouraged! They also share how JCB serves Juneau year-round (Fourth of July marching band, Reindeer Band) and how adults can get involved. Tickets available via the JACC box office and at the door; AARP Alaska is this season’s sponsor.

 Ben Brown (Juneau Chamber) outlines the Chamber’s mission and shares member-survey takeaways: the Chamber opposes Prop 3 (seasonal sales tax) due to business burden and year-round purchasing needs, while taking no position on Props 1 and 2 and urging voters to study the pamphlet and vote. He previews Chamber luncheons with candidate forums (school board this Thursday; assembly the following week) and the Oct 11 annual dinner, “For the Health of It,” featuring awards and limited public tickets at juneauchamber.com.