In this Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014 photo, Riley, a 3-year-old German shepherd, nudges an exercise ball toward a goal at the Teamworks Dog Training arena in Youngsville, N.C. The German sport came to this country about four years ago and is slowing catching on. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed)

Fans of German dog sport ask, ‘Who needs sheep?’

YOUNGSVILLE, N.C. — With shouts of “point” and “drive” from her handler, the 3-year-old German shepherd charges into the triangle of brightly colored rubber orbs,… Continue reading

In this Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014 photo, Riley, a 3-year-old German shepherd, nudges an exercise ball toward a goal at the Teamworks Dog Training arena in Youngsville, N.C. The German sport came to this country about four years ago and is slowing catching on. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed)
Midnight Son opens new worship center

Midnight Son opens new worship center

Sept. 20 was a day of celebration for the Midnight Son Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Kenai as they opened their new worship center. Mayor Pat… Continue reading

Midnight Son opens new worship center

Poet’s Corner: A Sonnet to My Rose

A Sonnet to My Rose By Norm Olson, Nikiski   Eyes brief commune doth comfort and console, Warm icy winter, and grace the terrene day.… Continue reading

Can the end of life really be so sweet

Can the end of life really be so sweet

Last night’s dessert was spectacular. As with many finales, that perfect ending to a perfect meal left you satisfied for the rest of the evening.… Continue reading

Can the end of life really be so sweet

Dracula – from villain to hero

“Dracula Untold” Universal 1 hour 32 minutes Dark Fantasy   Bram Stoker penned his classic gothic novel in 1897, and ever since, the character of… Continue reading

The author along the Swanson River and Swan Lake canoe system on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. The canoe system is accessed via Swanson River Road in Sterling. (Photo courtesy Dave Atcheson)

Tight Lines: The quiet alternative

It’s not unusual in Alaska (at least anywhere on the road system) to round the corner and be struck by a scene that looks more… Continue reading

The author along the Swanson River and Swan Lake canoe system on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. The canoe system is accessed via Swanson River Road in Sterling. (Photo courtesy Dave Atcheson)

Business news

■ The Soldotna and Kenai Chambers of Commerce will host a joint luncheon at noon on Tuesday at the Kenai Visitors Center. A forum with… Continue reading

FILE - This file publicity image released by HBO shows Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen in a scene from "Game of Thrones."   HBO plans to offer a stand-alone version of its popular video-streaming service, CEO Richard Plepler said at an investor meeting at parent Time Warner Inc. on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2014. (AP Photo/HBO, Keith Bernstein, File)

HBO unleashes streaming from cable contracts

NEW YORK — No cable? No problem.Viewers longing to watch “Game of Thrones”, “True Detective” and “Veep” will no longer have to pay big bucks… Continue reading

FILE - This file publicity image released by HBO shows Emilia Clarke as Daenerys Targaryen in a scene from "Game of Thrones."   HBO plans to offer a stand-alone version of its popular video-streaming service, CEO Richard Plepler said at an investor meeting at parent Time Warner Inc. on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2014. (AP Photo/HBO, Keith Bernstein, File)
Spareribs and Sauerkraut

Spareribs and Sauerkraut

When the weather turns chilly, it’s hard to beat the appeal of a one-pot meal simmering on the stove. Be it the sight (and sound)… Continue reading

  • Oct 14, 2014
  • By Sue Ade
  • Food
Spareribs and Sauerkraut
This Sept. 22, 2014 photo shows a Brussels sprout pizza in Concord, N.H. Chic menus at restaurants around the country have begun serving Brussels sprouts after kale introduced Americans to the idea that there actually are many ways to prepare most vegetables. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

10 fresh ways to use Brussels sprouts

Not so long ago there really was only one way to eat Brussels sprouts. It involved boiling the sprouts into oblivion. Once they were reduced… Continue reading

  • Oct 14, 2014
  • By ALISON LADMAN
  • Food
This Sept. 22, 2014 photo shows a Brussels sprout pizza in Concord, N.H. Chic menus at restaurants around the country have begun serving Brussels sprouts after kale introduced Americans to the idea that there actually are many ways to prepare most vegetables. (AP Photo/Matthew Mead)

Pioneer Potluck: About speeding to a birthday party

Keystone Drive, Soldotna, Alaska   Through the years, a few of our friends have met to celebrate our birthdays. With our busy summer schedules, if… Continue reading

  • Oct 14, 2014
  • By Grannie Annie
  • Food

Guilty pleasure

There’s a fat-tire bike on its way with my name on it — but I have mixed feelings about this development.You’ve probably started seeing fat… Continue reading

Abbigael Estelle Quiner

Community News and Notes

Matthew Lincoln Quiner and Angeline Morrill Quiner of Kenai announce the birth of their daughter, Abbigael Estelle Quiner, at 2:02 p.m. Sept. 11, 2014. She… Continue reading

Abbigael Estelle Quiner

Learning for Life: Getting your garden ready for winter

After our long days and garden harvest are over, we gardeners still need to consider preparation steps for our gardens. Cooperative Extension Service has a… Continue reading

This April 26, 2013 photo shows a succulent arrangement on a patio table in Langley, Wash. Many techniques have been developed over the years to help ensure that potted plants survive winter. One of the simplest is to bring them indoors as this gardener intends to do for a second straight year. (AP Photo/Dean Fosdick)

Over-wintering your perennials in pots? Some tips

In simpler times, container gardening was small-scale landscaping using flowering annuals. Enjoy their color for one season and go with something new the next.But shifts… Continue reading

This April 26, 2013 photo shows a succulent arrangement on a patio table in Langley, Wash. Many techniques have been developed over the years to help ensure that potted plants survive winter. One of the simplest is to bring them indoors as this gardener intends to do for a second straight year. (AP Photo/Dean Fosdick)

Church news

First Baptist hosts women's Bible study A nine-week women’s Bible study on I and II Thessalonians, called “Children of the Day” by Beth Moore is… Continue reading

The Lords of the Chunk, a team from Purdue University College of Technology, send a pumpkin down the firing line at the Harvest Homecoming Pumpkin Chunk on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2014 in New Albany, Ind. Six teams built trebuchets for the first-ever event.  (AP Photo/News and Tribune, Staff, Jerod Clapp)

Pumpkin chunk a smashing success

NEW ALBANY, Ind. (AP) — Each stood about 15 feet tall or so, carefully engineered and built specifically for a singular purpose: launching pumpkins about… Continue reading

The Lords of the Chunk, a team from Purdue University College of Technology, send a pumpkin down the firing line at the Harvest Homecoming Pumpkin Chunk on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2014 in New Albany, Ind. Six teams built trebuchets for the first-ever event.  (AP Photo/News and Tribune, Staff, Jerod Clapp)

Refuge Notebook: Special regulations for furbearer trapping on the refuge

As the days get shorter, morning temperatures dip below freezing and termination dust starts to appear on the mountains, it’s evident that fall is in… Continue reading

An Outdoor View: On being a foodie

After years of thinking that fishing was my favorite pastime, I now realize that I was mistaken. My favorite pastime actually is eating.Who knows where… Continue reading

Tune out the downers in your life

Reaching for the car radio dial to catch a weather report seemed so natural. We were heading for Arizona that winter and wondering what kind… Continue reading