ADVANCE FOR THE WEEKEND OF MARCH 21-22 AND THEREAFTER - In an undated photo provided by BearSpray.com, Tim Lynch sprays the Bear Attack Pack backwards out of a backpack in a demonstration. The canister can be discharged much like pulling the ripcord on a parachute. The pack fits any size can of bear spray. (AP Photo/courtesy of BearSpray.com)

Movie stuntman hopes bear spray backpack will save lives

LIVINGSTON, Mont. (AP) — It may sound contradictory, but the people taking the biggest risks are usually the most safety conscious.Take Billy Lucas, for example.… Continue reading

ADVANCE FOR THE WEEKEND OF MARCH 21-22 AND THEREAFTER - In an undated photo provided by BearSpray.com, Tim Lynch sprays the Bear Attack Pack backwards out of a backpack in a demonstration. The canister can be discharged much like pulling the ripcord on a parachute. The pack fits any size can of bear spray. (AP Photo/courtesy of BearSpray.com)

Out of the clouds, into the bright blue sky

As my wiper blades blurred over the windshield as fast as they could squeegee the water off from a torrential British Columbia spring rainfall, I… Continue reading

What’s Happening

Events and Exhibits ■ The Triumvirate Theatre’s 10th annual fishing parody show and fundraising auction, “The Princess Brine,” shows March 27 and 28 at Mykel’s… Continue reading

You were this close

You were this close

You were this close. You almost had it. Missed it by a hair, by just a smidge. You were slightly off the mark; in fact,… Continue reading

You were this close

Poet’s Corner: My Two Husbands

My Two Husbands Kira Shalynn, Kenai   I love him at his best..... strong arms, hands, and chest focused projects galore always looking to give… Continue reading

In this image released by Lionsgate, Theo James, center, Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort appear in a scene from "The Divergent Series: Insurgent." (AP Photo/Lionsgate, Andrew Cooper)

Reeling it in: Moviegoers could do far worse than ‘Insurgent’

‘Insurgent’Red Wagon Entertainment1 hour, 59 minutes“Insurgent,” the sequel to last year’s modest hit “Divergent,” starts out with promise. The film has high production values, and… Continue reading

In this image released by Lionsgate, Theo James, center, Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort appear in a scene from "The Divergent Series: Insurgent." (AP Photo/Lionsgate, Andrew Cooper)
Pioneer Potluck: About growing up on a farm

Pioneer Potluck: About growing up on a farm

1937 to 1955 Northern Colorado I have a small book that my grandson Michael Jordan gave me, titled, “Grandma, Tell me your Memories.” He gave… Continue reading

  • Mar 24, 2015
  • By Grannie Annie
  • Food
Pioneer Potluck: About growing up on a farm
Grilled to perfection, butter-basted artichokes, golden in spring

Grilled to perfection, butter-basted artichokes, golden in spring

For the next several weeks, artichokes will be at their peak. From March to May, you’ll find the best artichokes at the market – and… Continue reading

  • Mar 24, 2015
  • By Sue Ade
  • Food
Grilled to perfection, butter-basted artichokes, golden in spring
This Feb. 23, 2015 photo shows Brussels sprouts in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

Getting evenly roasted Brussels sprouts is all about space

With Passover looming, I thought it might be nice to suggest a side dish — roasted Brussels sprouts — to complement the feast’s traditional items.… Continue reading

  • Mar 24, 2015
  • By SARA MOULTON
  • Food
This Feb. 23, 2015 photo shows Brussels sprouts in Concord, N.H. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)
This March 2, 2015 photo shows celery root and chipotle romoulade slaw in Concord, N.H. Celery root is a good source of filling fiber and vitamins C and K. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

Celery root: It’s not pretty, but it’s pretty tasty in slaw

It wasn’t until I lived in France that I fully appreciated how underused celeriac — also called celery root — is here in the US.… Continue reading

  • Mar 24, 2015
  • By MELISSA D'ARABIAN
  • Food
This March 2, 2015 photo shows celery root and chipotle romoulade slaw in Concord, N.H. Celery root is a good source of filling fiber and vitamins C and K. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

Church news

Sterling Pentecostal plans Kids Day The Sterling Pentecostal Church will present a Kids Day on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. Skits, games, puppets, activities, and door… Continue reading

A really good ending

Whether it is the final moments of a sporting event, a concert encore, the completion of a journey or even the last tasty bite of… Continue reading

Silhouette of the Steller's Jay, one of five corvid species found on the Kenai Peninsula. Georg Steller, its namesake, was the naturalist who accompanied Commodore Vitus Bering on his exploration of Alaska in 1741-42. (Photo courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

Refuge Notebook: Ode to Crows, Ravens, Jays and Magpies

I recently co-authored an article in Bird Conservation International on the demographics of Mariana Crows. While always pleased to have a paper published in a… Continue reading

Silhouette of the Steller's Jay, one of five corvid species found on the Kenai Peninsula. Georg Steller, its namesake, was the naturalist who accompanied Commodore Vitus Bering on his exploration of Alaska in 1741-42. (Photo courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

An Outdoor View: Fishing 2015

With early-run king salmon and razor clams pretty much out of the picture for the coming season, let’s take measure of what’s left.Below are some… Continue reading

In this Monday, March 9, 2015 photo provided by Lee Reich, having a few tricks to conserve water, this aloe plant can go months without a drop of added water in New Paltz, N.Y. (AP Photo/Lee Reich)

Jade plants (and other succulents): Go easy on watering

A friend phoned me a few weeks ago concerned about the sunken, blackened areas on the trunk of her jade plant. When I suggested that… Continue reading

In this Monday, March 9, 2015 photo provided by Lee Reich, having a few tricks to conserve water, this aloe plant can go months without a drop of added water in New Paltz, N.Y. (AP Photo/Lee Reich)
Hey, what do you know?

Hey, what do you know?

Hey, what do you know? It’s a good question, and the answer is that you probably know a lot. You know enough to do your… Continue reading

Hey, what do you know?
This image released by Disney shows Lily James as Cinderella in Disney's live-action feature film inspired by the classic fairy tale, "Cinderella." (AP Photo/Disney, Jonathan Olley)

‘Cinderella’ is pretty good; just too predictable

“Cinderella” Disney Studios 1 hours 53 minutes   I was talking to my mother the other day about this week’s “Cinderella,” the latest in Walt… Continue reading

This image released by Disney shows Lily James as Cinderella in Disney's live-action feature film inspired by the classic fairy tale, "Cinderella." (AP Photo/Disney, Jonathan Olley)

What’s Happening

Best Bets ■ The Performing Arts Society is proud to present the Polar Winds in a performance on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Soldotna Christ… Continue reading

A mountain bike outfitted for a fishing excursion should include a rack for holding gear and rod tubes. Other available accessories include panniers and trailers. (Photo courtesy Dave Atcheson)

Tight Lines: Access great backcountry angling via bicycle

It’s usually not difficult to distinguish the real bicyclist from the occasional fisherman spotted riding our local trails. For one thing, the fisherman won’t likely… Continue reading

A mountain bike outfitted for a fishing excursion should include a rack for holding gear and rod tubes. Other available accessories include panniers and trailers. (Photo courtesy Dave Atcheson)

Soldotna Trustworthy Hardware and Fishing 2015 Ice Fishing Derby Results

2015 Ice Fishing Derby Results Kids Division 1st PlaceEllie Burns – 3.07 lb. RainbowBrayden Gagnon – 2.11 lb. Dolly VardenAdrein Krastas - .70 lb. KokaneeTanner… Continue reading