Life

What’s Happening for Jan. 5

Events and Exhibitions ■ The Performing Arts Society announces the return of two favorites in concert. Flutist Tomoka Raften will join forces with UAA guitarist… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: Will it really make us stronger? Book aims to find out

The Bookworm Sez: Will it really make us stronger? Book aims to find out

You might need an extra blanket tonight. Or three, because the temperature doesn’t seem to match your comfort level. Brrrrrrrrr. Yes, it’s winter and yes,… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: Will it really make us stronger? Book aims to find out

Poet’s Corner: Debbie

DebbieBy Brent Johnson, Clam Gulch Could we hear cottonwoods whispering soft?The voice must be Debbie’s somewhere aloft.Ole cutie owl hootie-hoo’s to the dovebeams like a… Continue reading

What’s Happening for Dec. 29

Events and Exhibitions ■ An exhibit of black and white photography and drawings by Sue Biggs and Mary Broderick is on display at the Kenai… Continue reading

This image released by Columbia Pictures, Jennifer Lawrence, left, and Chris Pratt in a scene from the film, Passengers." (Jaimie Trueblood/Columbia Pictures/Sony via AP)

Reeling it in: ‘Passengers’ finds itself crashing at the end

“Passengers” Sony Pictures 1 hour, 56 minutes   Marketing a big-budget, high concept film is always going to be a tricky business. Sometimes, in an… Continue reading

This image released by Columbia Pictures, Jennifer Lawrence, left, and Chris Pratt in a scene from the film, Passengers." (Jaimie Trueblood/Columbia Pictures/Sony via AP)
FILE - In this April 22, 2016 file photo, flowers lie on a T-shirt signed by fans at a makeshift memorial for musician Prince outside the Apollo Theater in New York. The singer died April 21, 2016, at the age of 57. With the loss of several icons of Generation X's youth, the year 2016 has left the generation born between the early 1960s and the early 1980s, wallowing in memories and contemplating its own mortality. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki, File)

With the loss of its celebrities, Gen X ponders mortality

Princess Leia was our first girl movie heroine, and we made our moms braid brunette yarn so we’d have earmuff buns for Halloween. Carol Brady… Continue reading

FILE - In this April 22, 2016 file photo, flowers lie on a T-shirt signed by fans at a makeshift memorial for musician Prince outside the Apollo Theater in New York. The singer died April 21, 2016, at the age of 57. With the loss of several icons of Generation X's youth, the year 2016 has left the generation born between the early 1960s and the early 1980s, wallowing in memories and contemplating its own mortality. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki, File)
Savanna Bradley's "Chronicle of a Plant Foretold" was inspired by the Drew family diaries.

Diaries inspire artists in Pratt Museum exhibit

Among cultural institutions in Homer, the Pratt Museum has pioneered a unique spot. As a museum of natural history, history, culture and art, its exhibits… Continue reading

Savanna Bradley's "Chronicle of a Plant Foretold" was inspired by the Drew family diaries.
The Bookworm Sez: TV books make for good read

The Bookworm Sez: TV books make for good read

The weather outside is frightful.That’s alright. You’d rather stay inside anyhow, especially in the evening. That’s prime relaxation-time, and winter is a great season for… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: TV books make for good read

Poet’s Corner: Brevity

BrevityBy Norm Olson, NikiskiO Time, I’ve been so cruel to you in words penned in the past,But all ambitions, hopes and dreams were on your… Continue reading

What’s Happening for Dec. 22

Events and Exhibitions ■ Santa is coming this Friday to Nikiski Fire Station No. 1 (mile 17.9 Kenai Spur Highway) and will be there from… 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)

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