Life

Mandy Leslie of Anchorage beers with her brother Zack Leslie of Kenai on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2018, at the Kenai Peninsula Beer Festival at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. Mandy Leslie said her favorite beer was the 12 quadruple beer from the 49th State Brewing Company, which won as the people’s choice for top beer. More than 15 breweries from all around the state participated in the festival, a fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Soldotna with benefits going to local Rotary projects. (Photo by Dan Balmer/Peninsula Clarion)

Soldotna to host eighth-annual Kenai Peninsula Beer Festival this Saturday

The eighth-annual Kenai Peninsula Beer Festival will celebrate community and locally crafted brewing this Saturday. More than 25 breweries, distributors, wineries and a cidery will… Continue reading

Mandy Leslie of Anchorage beers with her brother Zack Leslie of Kenai on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2018, at the Kenai Peninsula Beer Festival at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. Mandy Leslie said her favorite beer was the 12 quadruple beer from the 49th State Brewing Company, which won as the people’s choice for top beer. More than 15 breweries from all around the state participated in the festival, a fundraiser for the Rotary Club of Soldotna with benefits going to local Rotary projects. (Photo by Dan Balmer/Peninsula Clarion)
“Writing desk corner – south-east / Father asleep on couch” circa 1898-1900. This room was probably on the second floor of the two-story Brackett’s Trading Post, otherwise known as the “Mansion House,” located on the northwest corner of 3rd Avenue and Main Street in Skagway. (Courtesy Photo | National Park Service, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, Brackett Family Collection, BRSGY049, KLGO BI-45-5246)

Historic collection shows history of Southeast Alaska during Gold Rush

I have mentioned before how history sometimes seems to fall into our respective laps completely out of the blue. This was certainly the case a… Continue reading

“Writing desk corner – south-east / Father asleep on couch” circa 1898-1900. This room was probably on the second floor of the two-story Brackett’s Trading Post, otherwise known as the “Mansion House,” located on the northwest corner of 3rd Avenue and Main Street in Skagway. (Courtesy Photo | National Park Service, Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, Brackett Family Collection, BRSGY049, KLGO BI-45-5246)
This photo released by Paramount Pictures shows Tom Cruise in “Mission: Impossible – Fallout.” (Photo courtesy Paramount Pictures)

‘Mission: Impossible–Fallout’ is annoyingly good, by the book

“Mission: Impossible — Fallout” One has got to wonder — and I realize I’m not exactly unique in this observation — whether or not Tom… Continue reading

This photo released by Paramount Pictures shows Tom Cruise in “Mission: Impossible – Fallout.” (Photo courtesy Paramount Pictures)

Kenai music teacher earns national recognition

When Deborah Sounart came to Alaska, she had a roundtrip ticket and a plan to leave one year later. She’s starting her 25th year teaching… Continue reading

Funny River Festival supports community’s ‘great big living room’

Mary Youngman describes the Funny River Community Center as the area’s big great living room. She’s the advertising chairwoman for the Funny River Community Association,… Continue reading

This photo released by Sony Entertainment shows Denzel Washington in “The Equalizer 2.” (Photo courtesy Sony Entertainment)

For sequels, ‘Equalizer’ serves its predecessor, ‘Transylvania’ not so much

Equalizer 2/Hotel Transylvania 3 This weekend marked peak summer, at least as far as movie going went — two movies in one day. I know… Continue reading

This photo released by Sony Entertainment shows Denzel Washington in “The Equalizer 2.” (Photo courtesy Sony Entertainment)
<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion</span> Stu Schmutzler dances at the River Stage during Rabbit Creek Ramblers’ set at the 2017 Salmonfest in Ninilchik, Alaska on Friday, Aug. 4, 2017.

Get ready for fish, love and music

The organizers of Salmonfest are ready to bring the people of Alaska another three days of “fish, love and music” next month, with a cause… Continue reading

<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion</span> Stu Schmutzler dances at the River Stage during Rabbit Creek Ramblers’ set at the 2017 Salmonfest in Ninilchik, Alaska on Friday, Aug. 4, 2017.
The seven dancers, Caroline Cho, Rylee Downs, Autianna Spann, Shanna Anderson, Ysabelle Soyangco, Siobhan Dempsey and Shelby Anglebrandt get ready for their trip to Akita, Japan on Wednesday, July 25, 2018, near Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai dance troupe gets ready to perform in Japan

Young performers from the Diamond Dance Project, a dance studio near Kenai, are traveling to Kenai’s sister city, Akita, Japan. The all-female dance group will… Continue reading

The seven dancers, Caroline Cho, Rylee Downs, Autianna Spann, Shanna Anderson, Ysabelle Soyangco, Siobhan Dempsey and Shelby Anglebrandt get ready for their trip to Akita, Japan on Wednesday, July 25, 2018, near Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
In this Wednesday, July 12, 2017 photo, people walk among the stalls at the Soldotna Wednesday Market in Soldotna, Alaska. The Soldotna Chamber of Commerce organizes the market each week for local vendors and features local musicians. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)

Progress Days market features food, crafts, music and more

Similar to the Wednesday Market in Soldotna, the Progress Days market Saturday and Sunday, July 27 and 28, will be full of craft and food… Continue reading

In this Wednesday, July 12, 2017 photo, people walk among the stalls at the Soldotna Wednesday Market in Soldotna, Alaska. The Soldotna Chamber of Commerce organizes the market each week for local vendors and features local musicians. (Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion, file)
This photo released by Legendary Entertianment, Flynn Picture Company and Seven Bucks Productions shows Dwayne Johnson (right) and Neve Campbell in “Skyscraper.” (Courtesy Legendary Entertianment, Flynn Picture Company and Seven Bucks Productions)

‘Skyscraper’ can’t be ‘Die Hard,’ but at least it’s not boring

Skyscraper It’s probably appropriate that Dwayne Johnson should be the one to finally star in a direct rip-off of “Die Hard,” considering that Johnson is… Continue reading

This photo released by Legendary Entertianment, Flynn Picture Company and Seven Bucks Productions shows Dwayne Johnson (right) and Neve Campbell in “Skyscraper.” (Courtesy Legendary Entertianment, Flynn Picture Company and Seven Bucks Productions)
Megan (left) and Aroon (right) Duncanson. Courtesy image.

Woman who grew up in the bush becomes renowned artist

Megan Duncanson is living the dream, or as she likes to call it, the MAD life. MAD Art Designs, short for Megan Aroon Duncanson, is… Continue reading

Megan (left) and Aroon (right) Duncanson. Courtesy image.

5th annual Swank Street Market celebrates boutique, antique and more in Soldotna this weekend

Swank Street Market will be hosting their fifth annual flea market today, Saturday and Sunday in Soldotna. The first market was in the summer of… Continue reading

This filim still released by Marvel Studios shows Evangeline Lilly and Paul Rudd in “Ant-Man and the Wasp.” (Photo courtesy Marvel Studios)

‘Ant-Man’ installment begins to overstretch Marvel universe

“Ant-Man & The Wasp” As the era of Marvel closes out its 10th year, I think film historians of the future will note this point… Continue reading

This filim still released by Marvel Studios shows Evangeline Lilly and Paul Rudd in “Ant-Man and the Wasp.” (Photo courtesy Marvel Studios)
This is an aerial view at the intersection of Front Street and Seward Street downtown. (Courtesy Photo | Josh McGraw)

Local artists showcase talent as part of downtown revitalization

Rico Worl, Christy Eriksen discuss medallions, Front and Seward streets intersection.

This is an aerial view at the intersection of Front Street and Seward Street downtown. (Courtesy Photo | Josh McGraw)

Poet’s corner: 186,000 miles per second: An ode to light

186,000 miles per second: An ode to light By Rosalind Foster, Kenai Light— Slow down! Why rush along so fast? Flutter, settle, pause, delight —… Continue reading

‘Ant-Man’ installment begins to overstretch Marvel universe

“Ant-Man & The Wasp” As the era of Marvel closes out its 10th year, I think film historians of the future will note this point… Continue reading

Poet’s corner: 186,000 miles per second: An ode to light

186,000 miles per second: An ode to light By Rosalind Foster, Kenai Light— Slow down! Why rush along so fast? Flutter, settle, pause, delight —… Continue reading

Rock’N the Ranch music festival is back for second year

This Friday and Saturday, the RustyRavin Plant Ranch, a commercial greenhouse near Kenai, will be hosting the Rock’N the Ranch music festival for the second… Continue reading

Out of class, but not off duty: Local teachers come together to make music

For the members of the band Recess Duty, teaching music all day just wasn’t enough. “We decided we should do something for ourselves,” Kent Peterson,… Continue reading

This photo released by Universal Pictures shows Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard in “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.” (Photo courtesy Universal Pictures)

“Fallen Kingdom” not as smart as its predecessors, still thrilling

“Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” As the years go by, the “Jurassic Park” franchise has begun to experience something the real dinosaurs never did: evolution. These… Continue reading

This photo released by Universal Pictures shows Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard in “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.” (Photo courtesy Universal Pictures)