Life

Promotional material for both “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.” (Photos courtesy WarnerMedia and Universal Pictues)

On the Screen: ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer’ together spark excitement at the cinema

The double feature, despite or perhaps because of how silly it is, totally worked

Promotional material for both “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.” (Photos courtesy WarnerMedia and Universal Pictues)
A grazing board, also known as a charcuterie board, is prepared Saturday, July 22, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Grazing board rules

Charcuterie boards are all the rage in the wedding scene right now

A grazing board, also known as a charcuterie board, is prepared Saturday, July 22, 2023, in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Charles “Windy” Wagner was an adept gardener who liked sharing his produce and telling stories about its quality. (Photo courtesy of the Knackstedt Collection)

Windy Wagner: Breath of fresh air or just a blowhard? (Part 2)

By most accounts, Charles “Windy” Wagner was an energetic, boisterous storyteller who entertained his listeners

Charles “Windy” Wagner was an adept gardener who liked sharing his produce and telling stories about its quality. (Photo courtesy of the Knackstedt Collection)
Tatum Anderson rehearses “The Aristocats Kids” during a Triumvirate Theatre drama camp on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at the Boys and Girls Club of the Kenai Peninsula Main Office in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Putting on ‘real theater’ in only 3 weeks

Triumvirate Theatre Youth Camp to stage “Aristocats”

Tatum Anderson rehearses “The Aristocats Kids” during a Triumvirate Theatre drama camp on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at the Boys and Girls Club of the Kenai Peninsula Main Office in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Robin Williams as Walter Finch and Al Pacino as Will Dormer in “Insomnia.” (Photo courtesy WarnerMedia)

On the Screen: Nolan disappoints in 2002’s ‘Insomnia’

In preparation of Nolan’s latest cinematic feat, “Oppenheimer,” some friends and I have been rewatching past films

Robin Williams as Walter Finch and Al Pacino as Will Dormer in “Insomnia.” (Photo courtesy WarnerMedia)
Performers takes the stage in Ninilchik, Alaska, on Friday, August 5, 2022, for Salmonfest, an annual event that raises awareness about salmon-related causes. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Local, national talent ready for Salmonfest

Represented among the talent are local acts like Blackwater Railroad Company, Medium Build and the Hope Social Club

Performers takes the stage in Ninilchik, Alaska, on Friday, August 5, 2022, for Salmonfest, an annual event that raises awareness about salmon-related causes. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Rhubarb is preserved in jars. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Capturing the taste of home

Canning preserves local rhubarb’s vibrant flavors

Rhubarb is preserved in jars. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Dirk Brankel performs as part of Gold Peak during the Seventh Annual Rock’N the Ranch at the Rusty Ravin on Friday, July 7, 2023, at Rusty Ravin Plant Ranch in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Rock’N the Ranch delivers promised energy

Ahead of the start of the Seventh Annual Rock’N the Ranch at the Rusty Ravin, co-owner and organizer Ravin Swan said that the energy would… Continue reading

Dirk Brankel performs as part of Gold Peak during the Seventh Annual Rock’N the Ranch at the Rusty Ravin on Friday, July 7, 2023, at Rusty Ravin Plant Ranch in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
“Barnacle Bob’s Bottle with Cups,” by Shannon Olds, is seen as part of Clay on Display at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Art Center celebrates 50 years of Kenai Potters Guild

Since 1973, in a studio space adjacent to the Kenai Art Center, members of the Kenai Potters Guild have gathered to throw clay, to fire… Continue reading

“Barnacle Bob’s Bottle with Cups,” by Shannon Olds, is seen as part of Clay on Display at the Kenai Art Center in Kenai, Alaska, on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Windy Wagner enjoyed entertaining company at his home along the Kenai River. (Photo courtesy of the Knackstedt Collection)

Windy Wagner: Breath of fresh air or just a blowhard? (Part 1)

Most folks seemed to enjoy Charles A. Wagner. They appreciated his hospitality and generosity, his stories and good humor, and his thorough knowledge of the… Continue reading

Windy Wagner enjoyed entertaining company at his home along the Kenai River. (Photo courtesy of the Knackstedt Collection)
A copy of Charlie Stephens' "Passion Over Pain" rests in grass on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Off the Shelf: ‘Passion’ begets fulfillment in personal story by local author

When I talked to retired teacher and local author Charlie Stephens about his book, “Passion Over Pain,” in early May, he said he wanted it… Continue reading

A copy of Charlie Stephens' "Passion Over Pain" rests in grass on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in Soldotna, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
JJamppong. (Photo by Tressa Dale)

Spice up seafood with jjamppong

I have recently formed an uneasy truce with the spider who lives in my laundry room. I always find her on the wall next to… Continue reading

JJamppong. (Photo by Tressa Dale)
Courtesy photo Virginia Walters

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: Regular or unleaded?

Writer’s note: Time for a summer rerun. This column was first run in August 2011. The more things change the more they stay the same.… Continue reading

Courtesy photo Virginia Walters
John Fenger, seen here in his later years, died in 2006.

Medical establishment comes to Homer — Part 3

In early spring 1965, there were loose ends to tie up …

John Fenger, seen here in his later years, died in 2006.
Riz Ahmed’s Ballister Boldheart and Chloë Grace Moretz’s Nimona peer through the window of a subway car at a contingent of knights waiting to arrest them in “Nimona.” (Photo courtesy Annapurna Pictures)

On the Screen: ‘Nimona’ challenges rigid systems, celebrates individuality

In a futuristic fantasy setting, two unlikely allies are forced together — a heroic knight framed for murder and a shape-shifting child looking for revenge… Continue reading

Riz Ahmed’s Ballister Boldheart and Chloë Grace Moretz’s Nimona peer through the window of a subway car at a contingent of knights waiting to arrest them in “Nimona.” (Photo courtesy Annapurna Pictures)
Nick Varney

Unhinged Alaska: Here we go again

Although we’ve been through what seems like epoch weeks of dark and threatening skies shedding showers like triggered fire suppression systems, most of us are… Continue reading

Nick Varney
The Fenger children — (left to right) Heidi, Eric and Peter — delight in a bounty of silver salmon gathered by setnet below their home in August 1962. (Photo courtesy of the Fenger Family Collection)

Medical establishment comes to Homer — Part 2

It was normal for Dr. John Fenger to receive phone calls when someone in Homer needed medical attention.

The Fenger children — (left to right) Heidi, Eric and Peter — delight in a bounty of silver salmon gathered by setnet below their home in August 1962. (Photo courtesy of the Fenger Family Collection)
Chicken tikka masala. (Photo by Tressa Dale)

Adventurous chicken tikka masala

From the time he was big enough to sit in our special backpack, we’ve been taking him to Skyline for hikes. At first it was… Continue reading

Chicken tikka masala. (Photo by Tressa Dale)
Childhood photos of Chris and Carine McCandless are displayed in "The Wild Truth," which lays in the Peninsula Clarion office on Thursday, June 29, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Off the Shelf: Chris McCandless in a new light

I get a lot of podcast recommendations from my friends who work in public radio. Sometimes the recommendation comes as a texted link to a… Continue reading

Childhood photos of Chris and Carine McCandless are displayed in "The Wild Truth," which lays in the Peninsula Clarion office on Thursday, June 29, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Danger Money plays at the Rock’N the Ranch at the Rusty Ravin Music Festival in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, July 8, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Rock’N the Ranch to bring ‘get up and dance’ bands to 2-day festival

Bands will again descend on Rusty Ravin Plant Ranch for the Seventh Annual Rock’N the Ranch at the Rusty Ravin next weekend, July 7 and… Continue reading

Danger Money plays at the Rock’N the Ranch at the Rusty Ravin Music Festival in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, July 8, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)