Life

One of Gundega Snepste's puzuri sculptures made of grass reeds decorates the Homer Council on the Arts.

Ancient Latvian art with a Homer twist

Hanging from the ceiling of the Homer Council on the Arts, a 4-foot wide, multifaceted sculpture looks like a temple from a cosmic fantasy. Based… Continue reading

One of Gundega Snepste's puzuri sculptures made of grass reeds decorates the Homer Council on the Arts.
This photo provided by Open Road Films shows, Michael Keaton, from left, Liev Schreiber, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams, John Slattery and Brian d'Arcy James in a scene from the film, "Spotlight." The film was nominated for a Golden Globe award for best motion picture drama on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015. The 73rd Annual Golden Globes will be held on Jan. 10, 2016. (Kerry Hayes/Open Road Films via AP)

Reeling it in: Holiday releases bring awards season buzz

The holiday season brings more than jolly old elves and visions of dancing sugar plums. It’s also the time when Hollywood delivers the flood of… Continue reading

This photo provided by Open Road Films shows, Michael Keaton, from left, Liev Schreiber, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams, John Slattery and Brian d'Arcy James in a scene from the film, "Spotlight." The film was nominated for a Golden Globe award for best motion picture drama on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2015. The 73rd Annual Golden Globes will be held on Jan. 10, 2016. (Kerry Hayes/Open Road Films via AP)

What’s Happening

Events and Exhibitions ■ The Lucretia Carter Memorial “Small Fry Original” display will be at the Soldotna Public Library from January to February of 2016.… Continue reading

I forgive you; 3 small, strong words

“I forgive you.”Are there any three more powerful words? Can “I love you” – also used for countertops, couches, or coats – bestow such mercy?… Continue reading

‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens”Lucasfilm2 hours, 16 minutesA new “Star Wars” movie opened this weekend. As a film critic, I’m understandably wary of hyperbole, especially… Continue reading

Presence of Christmas

The Presence of ChristmasDave ThompsonGiving to others just what they might needForgiving our brethren for unanswered deedCaring and sharing , the joy of it allThe… Continue reading

What’s Happening

Events and Exhibits ■ The Homer-based Whirling Rainbow Foundation and Grandmother Drum International Peace Project will have a fundraising CD release concert at the Sterling… Continue reading

A day in the life of Alaska fishery photographer Chris Miller

Fishermen pick fish. Pollock gasp for air. A lobster trap rises to the light-filled sea surface like a treasure chest long-hidden. Juneau photographer Chris Miller’s… Continue reading

David R. Boxley of Metlakatla, far right, discusses the future of Northwest Coast indigenous art at the Walter Soboleff Center on Thursday along with artists, from left to right, Rico Worl of Juneau, Nick Galanin of Sitka, moderator Xhunei Lance Twitchell of Juneau, and Alison Bremner of Yakutat. The panel was the final lecture in a series put on by Sealaska Heritage Institute in honor of Native American Heritage month.

The future of Northwest Coast art

At a panel on the future of Northwest Coast indigenous art, young Alaska Native artists talked about issues facing the art and the artists who… Continue reading

David R. Boxley of Metlakatla, far right, discusses the future of Northwest Coast indigenous art at the Walter Soboleff Center on Thursday along with artists, from left to right, Rico Worl of Juneau, Nick Galanin of Sitka, moderator Xhunei Lance Twitchell of Juneau, and Alison Bremner of Yakutat. The panel was the final lecture in a series put on by Sealaska Heritage Institute in honor of Native American Heritage month.

Poem: My House Without Windows

My House Without WindowsBy Dave Thompson, KenaiFrom my house without windowsOn the river of denialI see those far-off placesThose enchanted tropic islesMy mind takes me… Continue reading

“Krampus” a disappointment, destined to be forgotten

“Krampus”Legendary Pictures1 hours, 38 minutesLet’s get one thing out of the way. By the time you read this article, you will have completely forgotten the… Continue reading

What’s Happening

Events and Exhibitions ■ “A Tale of Four Cities,” and exhibition of work by Nicole Lopez, is on display in the Gary Freeburg Gallery at… Continue reading

Poet’s Corner: Romancing the Rock

Romancing the RockBy Hedy-Jo Huss, SoldotnaToddlers to teens, adults to seniors and all in-betweeners succumb to the rhythms of the sea. Perhaps it is primal… Continue reading

This photo provided by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Michael B. Jordan, right, as Adonis Johnson and Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures', Warner Bros. Pictures' and New Line Cinema's drama "Creed," a Warner Bros. Pictures release. The movie opened in U.S. theaters on Nov. 25, 2015. (Barry Wetcher/Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)

Reeling it in: ‘Creed’ scores a solid win

“Creed”Warner Bros.2 hours, 13 minutesWhen Sylvester Stallone announced he was returning to the glory days of his youth with 2006’s “Rocky Balboa,” I assumed it… Continue reading

This photo provided by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Michael B. Jordan, right, as Adonis Johnson and Sylvester Stallone as Rocky Balboa in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures', Warner Bros. Pictures' and New Line Cinema's drama "Creed," a Warner Bros. Pictures release. The movie opened in U.S. theaters on Nov. 25, 2015. (Barry Wetcher/Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)

What’s Happening

Best Bets ■ The Soldotna Chamber of Commerce presents Christmas in the Park from 4-5 p.m. Saturday at Soldotna Creek Park. The event includes a… Continue reading

Courtesy art/Maya Salganek, UAF Actors Louise Leonard, left, and Jacob Holley-Kline, right, face off in one of the darker scenes in Jack Dalton's play, "Assimilation" during a performance in Fairbanks, Alaska. The play neared the end of its tour with a Monday performance at the McLane Commons at Kenai Peninsula College in Soldotna, Alaska.

Dark play meant to evoke empathy, understanding

In front of a solemn audience at Kenai Peninsula College, actress Louise Leonard turned her back on a young man as he was struck repeatedly… Continue reading

Courtesy art/Maya Salganek, UAF Actors Louise Leonard, left, and Jacob Holley-Kline, right, face off in one of the darker scenes in Jack Dalton's play, "Assimilation" during a performance in Fairbanks, Alaska. The play neared the end of its tour with a Monday performance at the McLane Commons at Kenai Peninsula College in Soldotna, Alaska.

Poem: The Melody of Nature Jubilant

The Melody of Nature JubilantBy Kasey Kaiser, KenaiAs the glistening rays of the sun’s appearance, float into the unlit sky, nature starts her symphony once… Continue reading

Reeling it in: ‘Mockingjay part 2’

“Mockingjay Pt. 2”Lionsgate Pictures2 hour, 17 minutes I love it when a series ends stronger than it began. The concept of sequels that exists today… Continue reading

What’s Happening

Best bet ■ Christmas Comes to Kenai is Friday. The Kenai Fine Arts Guild Arts and Crafts Fair opens at 10 a.m. at Kenai Central… Continue reading

In this image released by Legendary Pictures and Universal Pictures, Tom Hiddleston, left, and Mia Wasikowska appear in a scene from "Crimson Peak." (Kerry Hayes/Legendary Pictures and Universal Pictures via AP)

Reeling it in: ‘Crimson Peak’ also has its valleys

“Crimson Peak” Universal Pictures 1 hour, 59 minutes   I do a lot of complaining that the “good” movies don’t play here. We get the… Continue reading

In this image released by Legendary Pictures and Universal Pictures, Tom Hiddleston, left, and Mia Wasikowska appear in a scene from "Crimson Peak." (Kerry Hayes/Legendary Pictures and Universal Pictures via AP)