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JUNEAU - There's a lot going on in Juneau right under the surface, all varieties of remarkable artistic endeavors brewing right on the sidewalk. Many won't be seen in advertisements or on television, and usually the best source to track them down is the word on the street.

Much to my everlasting shame, and most likely my Grandma Minkie's mortification, I never learned how to make stew. Seriously. Stew: the beefy goodness of thick, rich gravy that caresses browned potatoes and carrots. For some reason stew intimidated me. How does one get the meat so mouthwateringly tender, while at the same time keeping the vegetables from turning to mush? And the gravy? How is it possible to thicken it so that it's not pasty, but rather rich and luxurious?

Editor's note: Every year, the Juneau Economic Development Council (JEDC) prepares an economic indicators report for Juneau and the entire Southeast Alaskan region. What follows is the executive summary of the report. If you're interested in reading more, visit http://jedc.org or stop by the JEDC office for a full copy of the report. This year's report was produced by JEDC Program Officer Meilani Schijvens.

The women at a recent practice of the Juneau Roller Girls were still learning each others' names and faces, but co-coach Jeanne Crochet tells them they'll need to get comfortable in a hurry to become effective blockers.

A decade ago there were no thistles growing along the logging road where I hiked almost daily. Their appearance a few years later was surprising, but I took little notice other than to admire their striking purple flowers and fearsome stature, daring anyone to come near the profusion of prickly stems and leaves. I knew they were considered invasive but I wasn't aware of the serious extent of their insidious aggression or probable impact on other vegetation.