Life

In this image released by Sony Pictures, Byung-hun Lee, from left, Ethan Hawke, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Vincent D'Onofrio and Martin Sensmeier appear in a scene from "The Magnificent Seven." (Sam Emerson/Sony Pictures via AP)

Reeling it in: Maybe not magnificent, but definitely pretty good

“The Magnificent Seven”Columbia Pictures2 hours, 13 minutesFull disclosure: “The Magnificent Seven” starring Yul Brynner and Steve McQueen is my favorite western of all time. I’ve… Continue reading

In this image released by Sony Pictures, Byung-hun Lee, from left, Ethan Hawke, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Vincent D'Onofrio and Martin Sensmeier appear in a scene from "The Magnificent Seven." (Sam Emerson/Sony Pictures via AP)
Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion Doug Vandergraft, author of 'A Guide to the Notorious Bars of Alaska,' speaks about his research, favorite bars and more Friday, Sept. 16, 2016 at the Bow Bar in Kenai, Alaska. Vandergraft researched for the book for 14 year in Alaska and Washington D.C.

Author of Alaska bars book makes stop in Kenai

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of author Doug Vandegraft's last name. If you ask Doug Vandegraft, it’s impossible to… Continue reading

Photo by Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion Doug Vandergraft, author of 'A Guide to the Notorious Bars of Alaska,' speaks about his research, favorite bars and more Friday, Sept. 16, 2016 at the Bow Bar in Kenai, Alaska. Vandergraft researched for the book for 14 year in Alaska and Washington D.C.

What’s Happening

Best Bets ■ The Kenai Senior Center and Kenaitze Indian Tribe present Fall Fest, today from 4:30-9:30 p.m. at the Kenai Senior Center. Activities include… Continue reading

Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise, a film about the life of the poet, is one of nine films to be screened at the Homer Documentary Film Festival beginning today. (Courtesy photo)

Homer Docfest celebrates lucky 13

After 13 years of picking interesting films for the Homer Documentary Film Festival at the Homer Theatre, owners Jamie and Lynette Sutton have dialed in… Continue reading

Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise, a film about the life of the poet, is one of nine films to be screened at the Homer Documentary Film Festival beginning today. (Courtesy photo)
Actors Sam Neill, left, and Julian Dennison pose for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'Hunt For The Wilderpeople' in London, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)

‘Hunt for the Wilderpeople’ a nice departure from the beaten path

“Hunt for the Wilderpeople”The Orchard1 hour, 41 minutesOver the nearly two decades I’ve been reviewing movies between these pages, I feel like I’ve written at… Continue reading

Actors Sam Neill, left, and Julian Dennison pose for photographers upon arrival at the premiere of the film 'Hunt For The Wilderpeople' in London, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. (Photo by Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP)
The Bookworm Sez: Don't feel sorry about picking up this book

The Bookworm Sez: Don’t feel sorry about picking up this book

Oh, the things you did in your youth!All those late nights, sneaking out of the house and thinking your parents didn’t know (they did). The… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: Don't feel sorry about picking up this book

Poet’s Corner: I still Haven’y Forgotten

I Still Haven’t ForgottenBy Brett Van Sickle, NikiskiI still haven’t forgotten, the first time I held your hand.Walking on the Kenai beach, my shoes filled… Continue reading

What’s Happening

Best Bets ■ The public is invited to an open house of the newly renovated Brockel Building from 5-7 p.m. today at the Kenai River… Continue reading

Photo by Angela Romano/Courtesy of Mark Kroos Guitarist Mark Kroos plays two guitar parts on his modified double-neck guitar in this undated promotional photo. This week Kroos will play two shows on the Kenai Peninsula: 7:00 p.m at Kenai's Triumverate Theatre on Sept. 17 and a fundraiser for Ninilchik Emergency Services on Sept. 16 at 8 p.m at the Ninilchik Fairgrounds.

Solo Duets

This summer Triumvirate Theatre president Joe Rizzo was trying to teach himself to play “Dueling Banjos.” When he searched YouTube for instructional videos, he found… Continue reading

Photo by Angela Romano/Courtesy of Mark Kroos Guitarist Mark Kroos plays two guitar parts on his modified double-neck guitar in this undated promotional photo. This week Kroos will play two shows on the Kenai Peninsula: 7:00 p.m at Kenai's Triumverate Theatre on Sept. 17 and a fundraiser for Ninilchik Emergency Services on Sept. 16 at 8 p.m at the Ninilchik Fairgrounds.
Darktown: Someone always has to be first

Darktown: Someone always has to be first

Someone always has to be first. That can be a good thing, or a bad one. Good, if it’s a cafeteria, supermarket queue, electronics store,… Continue reading

Darktown: Someone always has to be first
This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Tom Hanks, right, and Aaron Eckhart in a scene from "Sully." (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)

Reeling it in: ‘Sully’ hits high notes but misses opportunities

“Sully”Warner Bros.1 hour, 36 minutes“Sully,” Clint Eastwood’s latest, but hopefully not last, film is a mixed bag of triumphant successes and missed opportunities. It’s a… Continue reading

This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Tom Hanks, right, and Aaron Eckhart in a scene from "Sully." (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)

Poet’s Corner: Community Canine

Community CanineBy Hedy Huss, SoldotnaRecently, a “Gentleman Quarterly” fella moved into the cabin on the property.Oh, what a “hottie.”Bonus! Extra credit — Jackson —his handsome… Continue reading

Reeling it in: Revisiting ‘Blazing Saddles’ for the first time

“Blazing Saddles” Warner Bros. 1 hour, 33 minutes   “Blazing Saddles,” Mel Brooks’ 1974 classic subversive western comedy, is one of those movies that, when… Continue reading

What’s Happening

Best Bets ■ ARTSpace and the Rotary Club of Soldotna will have their annual exhibit and sale from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday at the… Continue reading

Poet’s Corener: Nestled in the Arms of God

Nestled In the Arms of GodBy Bonnie Marie Playle, SoldotnaIt’s comforting to know whether it be human or animal,that God is always near.It doesn’t matter… Continue reading

Photo courtesy of ARTSpace Alaska This undated lithograph by Jim Evenson is titled "Setting the Net."

Evenson lithographs collected in limited-edition book

A new limited-edition book portrays the long artistic career of Nikiski homesteader, commercial fisherman, and lithographer Jim Evenson with 50 images Evenson chose as favorites.… Continue reading

Photo courtesy of ARTSpace Alaska This undated lithograph by Jim Evenson is titled "Setting the Net."
The Bookworm Sez: 'Unlock the Weird' a perfect diversion

The Bookworm Sez: ‘Unlock the Weird’ a perfect diversion

School has started, and you’ve got it all locked down.You know your class schedule, who your teachers are, who assigns the most homework, and who… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: 'Unlock the Weird' a perfect diversion

What’s Happening

Best Bets ■ The Peninsula Art Guild will honor the artists who generously contributed their own artwork to the Harvest Art Exhibit and Auction at… Continue reading

This image released by Focus Features shows Kubo, voiced by Art Parkinson in a scene from the animated film, "Kubo and the Two Strings." (Laika Studios/Focus Features via AP)

Reeling it in: ‘Kubo’ takes animation to new levels

“Kubo and the Two Strings” Laika Entertainment 1 hour, 41 minutes   A recent trend among animated movies has been to have a sequence of… Continue reading

This image released by Focus Features shows Kubo, voiced by Art Parkinson in a scene from the animated film, "Kubo and the Two Strings." (Laika Studios/Focus Features via AP)
Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion This clay mask made by Helene Griffith was photographed on Tuesday, Aug. 30 in Kenai. This weekend Griffith will begin leading free mask-making workshops at the Reading Corner Bookstore in Kenai, and will open her Ancient Earth Art Gallery on Oct. 1. The gallery will exhibit masks made in the workshop at the end of October.

Masks of Earth

Helene Griffith said she’s naming her new art gallery after an entity she described as “the master creator.” Her Ancient Earth Gallery will open on… Continue reading

Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion This clay mask made by Helene Griffith was photographed on Tuesday, Aug. 30 in Kenai. This weekend Griffith will begin leading free mask-making workshops at the Reading Corner Bookstore in Kenai, and will open her Ancient Earth Art Gallery on Oct. 1. The gallery will exhibit masks made in the workshop at the end of October.