Life

Jack Black and Cate Blanchett star in ‘The House with a Clock in Its Walls.’ (Universal Pictures)

‘The House with a Clock in Its Walls’ never lives up to its potential

There are many things to like about this week’s amusing and affable horror-lite kids movie, “The House with a Clock in Its Walls.” For one,… Continue reading

Jack Black and Cate Blanchett star in ‘The House with a Clock in Its Walls.’ (Universal Pictures)

Poet’s Corner: The Last Rose of Summer

The Last Rose of Summer By Dave Thompson Kenai, Alaska The thunder rolls in tempo on this September day Signaling the Autumn as Summer fades… Continue reading

Poet’s Corner: Bittersweet

Bittersweet By Lori Lindsay, Soldotna I didn’t know my life could change, I didn’t know it needed to. But you were an unexpected miracle That… Continue reading

Kenai Performers opens season with murder mystery dinner theater

Kenai Performers opens season with murder mystery dinner theater

The school year has begun; the leaves are changing colors and every morning’s just a little bit colder than the last. It’s time for the… Continue reading

Kenai Performers opens season with murder mystery dinner theater
A woman ties a ribbon to a memorial to Katie Kennedy at this year’s Burning Basket, Dream, on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018 at Mariner Park in Homer, Alaska. The photo shows Kennedy placing her bra in the 2017 Burning Basket. Kennedy died of breast cancer this year. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

An intimate view of the Burning Basket from formation to flames

The image came via text in early June: a lilac-painted 1972 Volkswagen van set against a picturesque backdrop of nettles and fireweed. Not a bad… Continue reading

A woman ties a ribbon to a memorial to Katie Kennedy at this year’s Burning Basket, Dream, on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018 at Mariner Park in Homer, Alaska. The photo shows Kennedy placing her bra in the 2017 Burning Basket. Kennedy died of breast cancer this year. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Poet’s Corner: Florence

Florence The Name Means Flourishing Prosperity (Perhaps It’s An Offer From God…) by Norm Olson Fires in the west and storms in the east While the middle… Continue reading

‘The Nun’ — a rollercoaster of scares

‘The Nun’ — a rollercoaster of scares

This time of year, heading into the Halloween season always makes me think about my own relationship to horror movies. I remember catching bits of… Continue reading

‘The Nun’ — a rollercoaster of scares
SYDNEY JOHNSON<span class="IDappliedStyle" title="InDesign: Book">| Courtesy Photo</span> Sydney Johnson’s white Vans carry formline designs of a raven and a frog, representing her moiety and clan.<span class="IDappliedStyle" title="InDesign: Book"></span>

This young Juneau artist is doing her part to keep Native artwork alive

On her first day of preschool, Sydney Johnson had a decision to make. During drawing time, she and other students had a wide array of… Continue reading

SYDNEY JOHNSON<span class="IDappliedStyle" title="InDesign: Book">| Courtesy Photo</span> Sydney Johnson’s white Vans carry formline designs of a raven and a frog, representing her moiety and clan.<span class="IDappliedStyle" title="InDesign: Book"></span>
Sterling Area Senior Citizens Inc. board members and volunteers Linda Bond, Sandy Bailey, Janet Jones, Jacquie Turpin, Kristie Bass, Lynn Near, Dee Duvall and Dale Lundell met to discuss plans for the Sterling Street Fair at the Sterling Senior Center in Sterling, Alaska, on Monday, Aug. 13, 2018. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Sassy not senior,’ Sterling Senior Center hopes to draw community together with street fair

There’s more to Sterling than a whole lot of people realize. That’s the message Jacquie Turpin, a member of the Sterling Area Senior Center Inc.… Continue reading

Sterling Area Senior Citizens Inc. board members and volunteers Linda Bond, Sandy Bailey, Janet Jones, Jacquie Turpin, Kristie Bass, Lynn Near, Dee Duvall and Dale Lundell met to discuss plans for the Sterling Street Fair at the Sterling Senior Center in Sterling, Alaska, on Monday, Aug. 13, 2018. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
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

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

Kenai music teacher earns national recognition

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.