Kachemak Bay Writers' Conference attendees fill the room in Kachemak Bay Campus's Pioneer Hall during the opening panel on Saturday, May 18, 2024 in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference announces 2026 keynote speaker, faculty list

The keynote speaker for the 2026 conference will be poet and essayist, Jane Hirshfield.

Kachemak Bay Writers' Conference attendees fill the room in Kachemak Bay Campus's Pioneer Hall during the opening panel on Saturday, May 18, 2024 in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
A still image from Michael Walsh's "His World and it's Harms" (2025). Courtesy of Michael Walsh.

Porcupine Theater to host ‘LAT59: Filmmaker Forum,’ featuring new films from 3 local artists

The inaugeral event will celebrate the Homer filmmakers over Sept. 25, 26 and 27.

A still image from Michael Walsh's "His World and it's Harms" (2025). Courtesy of Michael Walsh.
Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
A girl dressed as Snow White takes candy from a witch at the Orca Theater’s Trunk or Treat in Soldotna during Halloween in 2022.

It’s getting to look a lot like Halloween

Kenai and Soldotna will soon be alive with fall fun, trick-or-treating and other seasonal celebrations

Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion
A girl dressed as Snow White takes candy from a witch at the Orca Theater’s Trunk or Treat in Soldotna during Halloween in 2022.
Jaxon Bourne sits in his booth at the Homer Farmers Market with his handmade knives, pens and cutting boards on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. Photo by Christina Whiting

Bladesmithing is a journey

Homer youth showcases handmade knives and more.

Jaxon Bourne sits in his booth at the Homer Farmers Market with his handmade knives, pens and cutting boards on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. Photo by Christina Whiting
Roasted tofu and quinoa salad with sunflower miso dressing make a high-protein salad to fuel busy afternoons. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

A meal to feel good about

Roasted tofu and quinoa salad with sunflower miso dressing is a high-protein salad to fuel busy afternoons.

Roasted tofu and quinoa salad with sunflower miso dressing make a high-protein salad to fuel busy afternoons. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
The author's puppy, Ruthie, is seen in this undated photo. (Photo courtesy Meredith Harber)

Minister’s Message: Prayer for peace

People are hurting — deep in our bones hurting.

The author's puppy, Ruthie, is seen in this undated photo. (Photo courtesy Meredith Harber)
Dolly Farnsworth was another driving force in the early days of the borough. She housed the borough’s first administrative efforts in her own bookkeeping building — initially for free — and assisted borough clerk Frances Brymer with early efforts in taxes, assessing and accounting. (Clark Fair photo)

No Simple Matter: Finding the borough a home — Part 4

The entire borough operating budget for the first six months was about $13,000.

Dolly Farnsworth was another driving force in the early days of the borough. She housed the borough’s first administrative efforts in her own bookkeeping building — initially for free — and assisted borough clerk Frances Brymer with early efforts in taxes, assessing and accounting. (Clark Fair photo)
Nick Varney

Unhinged Alaska: A quick insight into moose

It seems that my style insults some of the intelligentsia who author odes to tree moss and/or are devout lingcod whisperers.

Nick Varney
Amy Burton, Heidi Hinz and Yvette Tappana rehearse “Savannah Sipping Society” at the Kenai Performers Theater near Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

It’s all about women

Kenai Performers will liven the stage this weekend a one-act comedy about female friendship.

Amy Burton, Heidi Hinz and Yvette Tappana rehearse “Savannah Sipping Society” at the Kenai Performers Theater near Soldotna, Alaska, on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Gage Sturman and Ella Mallard rehearse “The Girl Next Door” at Triumvirate Theatre in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Looking back at growing up

Triumvirate Theatre stages Joe Rizzo’s “The Girl Next Door.”

Gage Sturman and Ella Mallard rehearse “The Girl Next Door” at Triumvirate Theatre in Kenai, Alaska, on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)
Virginia Walters (Courtesy photo)
The key to this alphabet soup is knife work, and you get extra credit for homemade chicken bone broth. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Reading at the table

We had a great time at dinner picking letters out of our alphabet soup and thinking of words that start with them.

The key to this alphabet soup is knife work, and you get extra credit for homemade chicken bone broth. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
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Minister’s Message: Coasting

Winning at work but losing at home is still losing.

File
Loren, editor and publisher of the Cheechako News, sold a lot of ad space during the back-and-forth publicity campaigns by communities striving to become the administrative seat for the Kenai Peninsula Borough. When the campaigns were over, he offered unifying words for the future. (Photo courtesy of the KPC historical archive)

No Simple Matter: Finding the borough a home — Part 3

It didn’t take long for the sparks to fly.

Loren, editor and publisher of the Cheechako News, sold a lot of ad space during the back-and-forth publicity campaigns by communities striving to become the administrative seat for the Kenai Peninsula Borough. When the campaigns were over, he offered unifying words for the future. (Photo courtesy of the KPC historical archive)
The Kenai Marching Band performs during the Second Annual Kenai Marching Showcase at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Marching Band preps for national contest during weekend showcase

The Kenai band will be traveling to Indianapolis in November to compete at the Bands of America Grand National Championships.

The Kenai Marching Band performs during the Second Annual Kenai Marching Showcase at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
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Minister’s Message: Seeing the invisible

Jesus is on the lookout for those who walk through life unnoticed.

File
Harold Pomeroy was the director of Alaska’s Territorial Civil Defense before becoming the first executive of the Kenai Peninsula Borough in 1964. (Photo courtesy of Alaska Digital Archives)

No Simple Matter: Finding the borough a home — Part 2

The decision to locate the borough seat in or near Tustumena was termed by the Cheechako as “perhaps one of the most surprising incidents at the meeting.”

Harold Pomeroy was the director of Alaska’s Territorial Civil Defense before becoming the first executive of the Kenai Peninsula Borough in 1964. (Photo courtesy of Alaska Digital Archives)
Volunteers at Glacier Spit Cleanup in September 2022. Photo provided by Center for Alaska Coastal Studies

CoastWalk 2025 kicks off this September in Homer

CACS’s annual marine debris cleanup and data collection event will start Sept. 6.

Volunteers at Glacier Spit Cleanup in September 2022. Photo provided by Center for Alaska Coastal Studies
These chicken wings are sweet, mildly spicy, and fragrant with fresh ginger and garlic. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Small bites of indulgence

These gochujang-braised chicken wings are best enjoyed as a side dish to seasoned vegetables.

These chicken wings are sweet, mildly spicy, and fragrant with fresh ginger and garlic. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Ceramics by Jenny Nakao are on display through September 2025 at Bunnell Street Arts Center in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Bunnell Street Arts Center

1st Friday of fall

Fall is in the air and new art is on display in Homer’s galleries.

Ceramics by Jenny Nakao are on display through September 2025 at Bunnell Street Arts Center in Homer, Alaska. Photo provided by Bunnell Street Arts Center