Life

Bookworm Sez: Hockey knowledge not needed for ‘Beartown’

Your favorite team cannot be beat. As soon as they hit the court, field, or rink, they play their hearts out to win. And win.… Continue reading

This image released by STX Entertainment and EuropaCorp shows Emma Watson in a scene from “The Circle.” (AP)

Reeling it in: ‘The Circle’ spins too fast

This week’s big release had just about everything going for it. As far as grown-up thrillers go, how could you ask for more than Tom… Continue reading

This image released by STX Entertainment and EuropaCorp shows Emma Watson in a scene from “The Circle.” (AP)
Paul Tornow, of Soldotna, completed his work “Strength in the Face of Adversity” on the Kenai Peninsula College campus after 11 years of work. (Kat Sorensen/Peninsula College)

Moose statues complete after 11 years

There are a lot of numbers behind the two large moose on Kenai Peninsula College’s Kenai River Campus. The bull moose are over 16 feet… Continue reading

Paul Tornow, of Soldotna, completed his work “Strength in the Face of Adversity” on the Kenai Peninsula College campus after 11 years of work. (Kat Sorensen/Peninsula College)
Rick Brooks to bring unique style to Kenai

Rick Brooks to bring unique style to Kenai

Rick Brooks is used to traveling with the music. His fingers travel up and down the fret board. He’s travelled throughout Alaska, the Lower 48… Continue reading

Rick Brooks to bring unique style to Kenai
Club and concert series to be hosted at Cannery Lodge

Club and concert series to be hosted at Cannery Lodge

By BEN BOETTGER Peninsula Clarion A building on south shore of the Kenai River mouth — which over the years has been a fish cannery,… Continue reading

Club and concert series to be hosted at Cannery Lodge
The Bookworm Sez: ‘Gideon’ weaves a tangled web

The Bookworm Sez: ‘Gideon’ weaves a tangled web

It wasn’t where you put it down. The last time you saw it, it was over there where you laid it. You remember doing that;… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: ‘Gideon’ weaves a tangled web
This image released by Universal Pictures shows, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, seated left, and Nathalie Emmanuel, seated right, and Tyrese Gibson, standing from left, Scott Eastwood, Dwayne Johnson and Michelle Rodriguez in “The Fate of the Furious.” (Matt Kennedy/Universal Pictures via AP)

Reeling it in: Still fast, still furious

“The Fate of the Furious” Universal Pictures 2 hours, 16 minutes Some franchises feel inevitable, like the James Bond films or “Star Trek,” constantly rebooting… Continue reading

This image released by Universal Pictures shows, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, seated left, and Nathalie Emmanuel, seated right, and Tyrese Gibson, standing from left, Scott Eastwood, Dwayne Johnson and Michelle Rodriguez in “The Fate of the Furious.” (Matt Kennedy/Universal Pictures via AP)

Pioneer Potluck: Easter Dinner

On a farm in Northern Colorado 1937-1955 Easter dinner was always planned at least two weeks ahead of time on the farm where we grew… Continue reading

Metoo the sled dog protects baby Lynx. The challenge of bringing home a newborn daughter to a life with 40 dogs is just one of the stories shared in “Life with Forty Dogs,” by Kasilof musher Joseph Robertia, which came out Tuesday, April 4, 2017. (Photo courtesy Joseph Robertia)

A kennel of characters: Dogs get their day with Kasilof musher, writer

One Kasilof family has turned their love of animals into a sled dog kennel where the stories of the dogs take center stage. Those stories… Continue reading

Metoo the sled dog protects baby Lynx. The challenge of bringing home a newborn daughter to a life with 40 dogs is just one of the stories shared in “Life with Forty Dogs,” by Kasilof musher Joseph Robertia, which came out Tuesday, April 4, 2017. (Photo courtesy Joseph Robertia)
The Bookworm Sez: Work with others? Read this

The Bookworm Sez: Work with others? Read this

Your co-worker is an idiot. All day long, he’s blah-blah-blah, telling you how great he is, the coolest guy ever. If you’ve done something, he’s… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: Work with others? Read this
In this image released by Paramount Pictures, Scarlett Johansson appears in a scene from, “Ghost in the Shell.” (Jasin Boland/Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures via AP)

Reeling it in: More than a machine in ‘Ghost in the Shell’

“Ghost in the Shell” Paramount Pictures 1 hour, 47 minutes I read an article recently where the author postulated that Scarlett Johansson is at her… Continue reading

In this image released by Paramount Pictures, Scarlett Johansson appears in a scene from, “Ghost in the Shell.” (Jasin Boland/Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Pictures via AP)
With Downton Cannery lacking a male heir, Lady Edith (portrayed by Chris Pepper) suffers emotional anguish at a rehearsal of Triumvirate Theater's 12th annual dinner theater production, "Downton Cannery" on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at Mykel's Restaurant in Soldotna, Alaska. The "Downton Abbey" spoof will be performed Friday and Saturday, and on Friday March 31. The shows start at 6 p.m at Mykels, and inlude a three-course meal and art auction. Tickets are $48. 

Cannery nobility

… Continue reading

With Downton Cannery lacking a male heir, Lady Edith (portrayed by Chris Pepper) suffers emotional anguish at a rehearsal of Triumvirate Theater's 12th annual dinner theater production, "Downton Cannery" on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at Mykel's Restaurant in Soldotna, Alaska. The "Downton Abbey" spoof will be performed Friday and Saturday, and on Friday March 31. The shows start at 6 p.m at Mykels, and inlude a three-course meal and art auction. Tickets are $48. 
Dancers from the Soldotna-based studio Forever Dance Alaska pose in a scene from their upcoming show “Be Light, Be Love” on Wednesday, March 22, 2017 in Kenai Central High School’s Renee C. Henderson Auditorium. “Be Light, Be Love” will show Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m at Kenai Central High. Tickets are $10 or $15, depending on seat location.

Dancers take up social message with ‘Be Light, Be Love’

The dancers onstage at Forever Dance Alaska’s upcoming show hope to start a dialogue without saying much at all. The Soldotna-based dance studio’s Aurora Dance… Continue reading

Dancers from the Soldotna-based studio Forever Dance Alaska pose in a scene from their upcoming show “Be Light, Be Love” on Wednesday, March 22, 2017 in Kenai Central High School’s Renee C. Henderson Auditorium. “Be Light, Be Love” will show Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m at Kenai Central High. Tickets are $10 or $15, depending on seat location.
‘Medical Marijuana’ one to read with caution

‘Medical Marijuana’ one to read with caution

A great big handful. That’s how many pills you take each day. Two for symptom relief. One for pain now, one later. Some to stave… Continue reading

‘Medical Marijuana’ one to read with caution
This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows a scene from, “Kong: Skull Island.” (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)

Reeling it in: Kong proves he’s still king

“Kong: Skull Island” Warner Bros. 1 hour, 58 minutes After more than a dozen different film versions, you’d think there wouldn’t be much new that… Continue reading

This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows a scene from, “Kong: Skull Island.” (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)
The Bookworm Sez: With ‘Should I Still Wish,’ author comes full circle

The Bookworm Sez: With ‘Should I Still Wish,’ author comes full circle

One foot in front of the other. That’s best for moving forward: one foot, then the next, baby steps or great big strides, slow and… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: With ‘Should I Still Wish,’ author comes full circle

Poet’s Corner: Serenity is Gone

Serenity Is Gone By Bonnie Marie Playle, Soldotna Going to a meeting on a July Friday night, both of us happy, not a care in… Continue reading

This image released by Twentieth Century Fox shows Hugh Jackman from the film, “Logan.” (Ben Rothstein/Twentieth Century Fox via AP)

Reeling It In: ‘Logan’ takes a hard, gritty edge

“Logan” Twentieth Century Fox 2 hours, 17 minutes There’s no question that this week’s “Logan” sets a new high standard for super-hero movies in general… Continue reading

This image released by Twentieth Century Fox shows Hugh Jackman from the film, “Logan.” (Ben Rothstein/Twentieth Century Fox via AP)
FILE - This image released by Roadside Attractions and Amazon Studios shows Michelle Williams, left, and Casey Affleck in a scene from “Manchester By The Sea.” (Claire Folger/Roadside Attractions and Amazon Studios via AP, File)

Reeling it in: Oscar for ‘Manchester-by-the-Sea’ well deserved

“Manchester by the Sea” Roadside Attractions 2 hours, 17 minutes To absolutely no one’s surprise, Casey Affleck won Best Actor at last weekend’s Oscar ceremony,… Continue reading

FILE - This image released by Roadside Attractions and Amazon Studios shows Michelle Williams, left, and Casey Affleck in a scene from “Manchester By The Sea.” (Claire Folger/Roadside Attractions and Amazon Studios via AP, File)
The Bookworm Sez: ‘Dodge City’ explores the men behind the badge

The Bookworm Sez: ‘Dodge City’ explores the men behind the badge

It’s only a piece of metal. Star-shaped, circular, oval, or shield-like, it’s so small, it could fit in your hand or your pocket. It’s made… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: ‘Dodge City’ explores the men behind the badge