This image released by Lucasfilm Ltd. shows Felicity Jones as Jyn Erso in a scene from, "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story."  (Jonathan Olley/Lucasfilm Ltd. via AP)

Reeling it in: ‘Rogue One’ a different kind of ‘Star Wars’ film

“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” Walt Disney Studios 2 hours, 14 minutes   Nothing is better for stirring up the fanboys than a new… Continue reading

This image released by Lucasfilm Ltd. shows Felicity Jones as Jyn Erso in a scene from, "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story."  (Jonathan Olley/Lucasfilm Ltd. via AP)

Poet’s Corner: The Presence of Christmas

The Presence of ChristmasBy Dave Thompson, KenaiGiving to others just what they might needForgiving our brethren for unanswered deedCaring and sharing , the joy of… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: Book offers insight into today's job hunters

The Bookworm Sez: Book offers insight into today’s job hunters

Your father always told you to get a job.He never let you wile away a summer, lying abed until noon. No, he usually rousted you… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: Book offers insight into today's job hunters

What’s Happening

Best Bets ■ The Redoubt Chamber Orchestra and the Kenai Peninsula Singers present “An Evening of Christmas” on Friday at 7 p.m. at the Kenai… Continue reading

This image released by Paramount Pictures shows T.J. Miller as Clay Vanstone, left, and  Jason Bateman as Josh Parker in a scene from "Office Christmas Party." (Glen Wilson/Paramount Pictures via AP)

Reeling it in: ‘Office Christmas Party’ a train wreck, but here’s some better options

“Office Christmas Party” Paramount Pictures 1 hour, 45 minutes   The movie I watched this week was terrible, and it should have come as no… Continue reading

This image released by Paramount Pictures shows T.J. Miller as Clay Vanstone, left, and  Jason Bateman as Josh Parker in a scene from "Office Christmas Party." (Glen Wilson/Paramount Pictures via AP)

Poet’s Corner: Ride the Ridges

Ride the RidgesBy Bonnie Marie Playle, SoldotnaRide the ridges,stay out of the ruts.God makes bridges,when life gets tough.Life can be meannot always serene.Sometimes my plans… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: A clever plot to get kids in the holiday spirit

The Bookworm Sez: A clever plot to get kids in the holiday spirit

Sometimes, your parents have to leave.Mostly, they just go to the grocery store or to work or to give somebody a ride. They’re gone for… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: A clever plot to get kids in the holiday spirit

What’s Happening for Dec. 8

Best Bets ■ The 12th annual Winter Wildlands Alliance Backcountry Film Festival will show in Soldotna on Saturday at River City Wellness Center. This screening… Continue reading

Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion Mike Chihuly and his wife, Shirley, greet a passerby while he signs copies of his recently published book, "Alaska Fish and Fire," on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016 at the annual Peninsula Art Guild's Fine Arts and Crafts Fair in Kenai, Alaska.

As the story unfolds

Ninilchik resident Mike Chihuly has lived enough lives to write several books since moving to Alaska more than 60 years ago. Instead, he packed them… Continue reading

Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion Mike Chihuly and his wife, Shirley, greet a passerby while he signs copies of his recently published book, "Alaska Fish and Fire," on Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016 at the annual Peninsula Art Guild's Fine Arts and Crafts Fair in Kenai, Alaska.

Poet’s Corner: Where Luck Comes In

Where Luck Comes InBy Brent Johnson, Clam GulchThe edge of English morphs a bitas tongues go scuttling over it.A younger ear now seldom learnsabout a… Continue reading

Reeling it in: ‘Don’t Think Twice’ about getting a shot at your dream

“Don’t Think Twice”The Film Arcade1 hour, 32 minutesThis week, as the theaters seem to be holding their breath in anticipation of “Star Wars: Rogue One”… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: 'Cradles of Power' looks at the people who raised presidents

The Bookworm Sez: ‘Cradles of Power’ looks at the people who raised presidents

Your parents had such high hopes for you.You were going to make it, and make something of yourself. You’d have a better life than they… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: 'Cradles of Power' looks at the people who raised presidents

What’s Happening

Best Bets ■ Christmas in the Park is Saturday at Soldotna Creek Park. Enjoy hot cocoa, cookies, the tree lighting and a screening of the… Continue reading

This image released by Disney shows characters Maui, voiced by Dwayne Johnson, right, and Moana, voiced by Auli'i Cravalho, in a scene from the animated film, "Moana."  (Disney via AP)

Reeling it in: ‘Moana’ authentic in its storytelling

“Moana”Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures1 hour, 43 minutesThe holiday season brings with it risky Oscar-bait ventures that studios hope will connect with audiences despite not… Continue reading

This image released by Disney shows characters Maui, voiced by Dwayne Johnson, right, and Moana, voiced by Auli'i Cravalho, in a scene from the animated film, "Moana."  (Disney via AP)

Poem: Ode to a Christmas Tree

Ode To A Christmas TreeBy Trish Thomson, KenaiEach year at the start of the Christmas Season I begin to wonder about where to get a… Continue reading

Brian Duffy, center, as Uncle Drosselmeyer, distributes gifts to children in the party scene during rehearsals last Friday at the Homer Mariner Theatre.

Homer Nutcracker ballet continues the magic

Homer might be as cold as Moscow this winter, but when it comes to the annual production of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, citizens, we’re not talking the… Continue reading

Brian Duffy, center, as Uncle Drosselmeyer, distributes gifts to children in the party scene during rehearsals last Friday at the Homer Mariner Theatre.
The Bookworm Sez: Book filled with fascinating historical nuggets

The Bookworm Sez: Book filled with fascinating historical nuggets

Was your old high school history teacher wrong?You can’t imagine so; she taught you all about World Wars I and II, America’s past, and British… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: Book filled with fascinating historical nuggets
Eve Kilcher stirs a pot of chicken soup while holding Sparrow. The Kilcher's kitchen, which is the backdrop of the cover photo on Homestead Kitchen, was under construction for the majority of the time the Kilchers worked on the cookbook.

Kilcher cookbook depicts delicious life

“Homestead Kitchen” was born out of the same kind of connection that started the Kilcher family’s reality television show — a Facebook message to Eivin… Continue reading

Eve Kilcher stirs a pot of chicken soup while holding Sparrow. The Kilcher's kitchen, which is the backdrop of the cover photo on Homestead Kitchen, was under construction for the majority of the time the Kilchers worked on the cookbook.

What’s Happening

■ Annual Christmas Comes to Kenai events are Friday. At 10 a.m., the doors open for the Kenai Arts Guild arts and craft fair at… Continue reading

Poet’s Corner: Recovery Road

Recovery RoadBy Bonnie Marie Playle, SoldotnaThis road called Recovery,what a road it can be,with its hills, dales and valleys.Some are short, while some are long,all… Continue reading