Capital Chat

Capital Chat talks with Bethany Gassen about her new “Be a Pearl” initiative, a coaching and speaking program focused on helping women live authentically and reconnect with their true identity. Bethany shares the inspiration behind the concept and previews her upcoming women’s workshop on April 18 at The Huddle in Juneau. The event promises fun activities, meaningful connection, and a relaxed atmosphere for women of all ages. Bethany also discusses her expanding coaching work, future plans for marriage-focused programming, and invites the community to support the event through door prizes and participation. 

Mike Clasby sits down with Lion's Club Members Sandra Lujan "Treasure/Co-Chair and Tim Wilson "Co-Chair/Past President.
In this episode Lion's member talk on the history of the Gold Medal Tournament, notable moments, and announce the brackets for the 77th Juneau Lions Club Gold Medal Basketball Tournament. For more information visit the Lion's Club website at https://juneaulions.org/

Southeast Alaska EV Transportation Solutions Panel is happening February 11th on live stream at RenewableJuneau.org. Featuring AMHS Director Craig Tornga, AML President Don Reid, Representative Jeremy Bynum and others. This panel will discuss the EV transport, ferry access and policy solutions.

 John Bressette is Juneau’s new avalanche advisor, and he stepped into the job at a wild moment. Tasked with tracking weather and avalanche risk along the capital’s urban paths, Bressette arrived just before record snowfall hit the city. What followed was rain, flooding, a disaster declaration, and evacuation advisories in downtown Juneau — putting his role to the test almost immediately. This is his story.

Celebrate 40 years of JAMHI at a special movie premiere on Friday, February 13th at Glacier Cinemas. 

JAMHI Health & Wellness, Inc. is fortunate to have many strengths and assets that support its mission of helping people live their best lives. From clean, well-maintained facilities and strong community partnerships to a long history of providing high-quality services, a caring and committed board of directors, and an increasingly comprehensive array of services, these resources are deeply valued and never taken for granted.

Even so, JAMHI recognizes that its most important resource in achieving its mission is its people.

The organization works daily to demonstrate respect for and appreciation of all JAMHI staff. Their passion for helping others, commitment to the JAMHI code of ethics and quality care, and willingness to continuously learn, collaborate, problem-solve, and support one another are the foundation of JAMHI’s positive organizational culture. That culture—and the people who sustain it every day—is held in high regard and supported in several key ways, including:

• Regularly comparing pay scales with similar health and human service organizations throughout Alaska and Southeast Alaska to remain competitive
• Providing ongoing opportunities for formal and informal staff input, with accountable follow-through on organizational improvement suggestions
• Offering an educational reimbursement program to support career development aligned with JAMHI’s mission
• Creating opportunities for continuous learning and internal advancement

JAMHI firmly believes that organizational culture eats strategy for lunch and holds its positive culture and the personnel committed to it in the highest regard.

Brian Holst joins Capital Chat to discuss the impact of the Cruise Industry on Juneau and the upcoming Innovation Summit. JEDC is governed by an 11-person Board of Directors—including permanent seats held by the Juneau Mayor and the Chancellor of the University of Alaska Southeast, plus nine other diverse thought leaders and industry experts appointed by the CBJ Assembly. Brian Holst has served as the JEDC Executive Director since 2008 and drives strategic development, management of the institution’s human and financial resources, and implementation of the Board’s long-term vision.

JEDC has a long history of supporting economic development in Juneau and the Southeast region of Alaska. Since October 2010, the JEDC has led an industry, cluster-based planning approach to the Southeast Alaska region. JEDC’s Southeast Alaska Cluster Initiative continues to successfully unite private sector industry clusters with federal, state, and local agencies, university faculty, trade association representatives, economic development organizations, community leaders, and other stakeholders to address industry needs, concerns, and opportunities on a collaborative basis.

JEDC hosts the Innovation Summit, a national award-winning annual innovation-centered conference gathering hundreds of Alaskan professionals across all disciplines, which hosts a diverse array of presenters, performances, and experiences designed to foster relationships and inspire new perspectives. Programming includes the Innovation Summit Pitch Contest, where selected entrepreneurs pitch their business innovations to a diverse group of peers, investors, and leaders for a chance to win a crowdfunded cash prize. All participants receive mentor support.

The Southeast Alaska Revolving Loan Fund was launched by JEDC in 1997. The fund provides loans to startup and expanding businesses with a focus on job creation. JEDC has made over 200 loans to a wide range of small businesses in the region, using seed capital from local government, earned income, and federal loan sources (like USDA Rural Development).  JEDC provides technical assistance to businesses in areas such as financial planning, marketing, and operations.

Wearable Art Extravaganza: CAMP!

Join us for the 2026 Wearable Art Extravaganza: CAMP! Outrageous. Outdoorsy. Out-Of-This-World.

SHOWTIMES
Saturday, February 14 at 8PM, doors open at 7PM
Sunday, February 15 at 3PM, doors open at 2PM

Featuring a runway show and a curated silent auction, Wearable Art is a major fundraiser for the Juneau Arts & Humanities Council and a celebration of creativity.

Tickets can be purchased online (click the tickets link in this event), by calling 907-586-2787, or visiting the Juneau Arts & Culture Center.

For more information, visit: www.jahc.org/wearable-art/

The Juneau Jazz Fest will host world-class jazz performers alongside school jazz groups and adult jazz fans to learn, play, and appreciate America's Music...Jazz. The festival encompasses a series of clinics, performances tailored for both schools and the public, and collaborative presentations featuring artists, students, and local performers. Juneau Jazz Fest is a partnership between Juneau Jazz & Classics and the Juneau School District. Kyle Athayde, Bob Athayde and Henry Plum join Capital Chat to perform!

The Gastineau Channel Little League registration is open! The League is governed by Little League International and is one of the largest youth sports organization in Juneau. In 2024 we had 38 teams with 439 players and more than 100 adult volunteers.

The objective of GCLL and Little League shall be to implant firmly in the children of the community the ideals of good sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty, courage and respect for authority, so that they may be well adjusted, stronger and happier children and will grow to be good, decent, healthy and trustworthy citizens. To keep our fees low and involve as many children as possible we rely on community support. Assistance for our program comes from a Youth Activity Board grant from the City of Juneau, Home Run Card Sales, registrations, and many generous Juneau sponsors.

This program is partially funded by the citizens of the City and Borough of Juneau through sales tax revenues.

The purpose of the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce is to develop, advance and promote the economic, industrial, commercial, professional, cultural and civic welfare of the Juneau area. The objective is to improve the business climate and make this community more prosperous, more ecologically attractive and more desirable as a place to work, live and shop.

In these pursuits, the Chamber seeks to provide leadership for political action on business issues and a forum for the exchange of member ideas.

In addition to the Board of Directors the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce has, as its members, hundreds of diverse businesses, organizations, and individuals dedicated to improving and sustaining Juneau’s economy.

These dedicated civic leaders are part of a dynamic volunteer network that incorporates the Juneau Chamber’s committees, works with regulatory agencies, state and local government, and business professionals in maintaining Juneau’s high quality of life and economic diversity.

Please call or stop by if you have any questions or are interested in learning more about the Chamber of Commerce. We have various resources on hand, including local business maps, directories, and membership forms