Life

In this image released by 20th Century Fox, Taron Egerton, left, and Michael Caine appear in a scene from "Kingsman: The Secret Service." (AP Photo/20th Century Fox, Jaap Buitendijk)

‘Kingsman’ takes the inherent cartoony illogic of James Bond

‘Kingsman: The Secret Service’ 20th Century Fox 2 hour, 9 minutes British filmmaker Matthew Vaughn isn’t afraid to shake things up when it comes to… Continue reading

In this image released by 20th Century Fox, Taron Egerton, left, and Michael Caine appear in a scene from "Kingsman: The Secret Service." (AP Photo/20th Century Fox, Jaap Buitendijk)
Make it easy to plan your next party

Make it easy to plan your next party

The campaigning has started already. It sure seems like the last election ended yesterday, but here we go again. So: Democrat? Or Republican? Does policy… Continue reading

Make it easy to plan your next party

What’s Happening

Best Bets ■ The Kenai Performers’ production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” will run Feb. 20, 21, 22, 27, 28 and March 1… Continue reading

Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion Ian McEwan sings as Levi in a dress rehearsal for "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at the Kenai Central High School auditorium on Tuesday, Feb. 17.

Technicolor Dreamcoat to debut this Friday

The Kenai Performers want to share something amazing and colorful. This Friday, the drama company will present “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at the… Continue reading

Ben Boettger/Peninsula Clarion Ian McEwan sings as Levi in a dress rehearsal for "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat" at the Kenai Central High School auditorium on Tuesday, Feb. 17.

What’s Happening

Events and Exhibits ■ The Peninsula Art Guild is ‘calling for artists’ to submit up to two of their own original pieces of artwork by… Continue reading

Poem: Mountains to Climb

Mountains to ClimbBy Dee Rusin, KenaiAlways another mountain to climbOnce reached the topYou never can stopAlways another mountain to climbAlways a long valley belowStep by… Continue reading

This undated photo provided by Frances Lincoln Ltd. from the book "The Writer's Garden," shows George Bernard Shaw's sophisticated yet modest-looking writer's hut where he wrote most of his plays at Shaw's Corner his rural retreat at Ayot Saint Lawrence, Hertfordshire, in the U.K. The hut was built on a turntable so the playwright could turn it to take advantage of the natural light. The property is managed now by the National Trust which around the time of his birthday each year airs performances of his plays in the garden. (AP Photo/Frances Lincoln Ltd., Richard Hanson)

Many artists have drawn inspiration, drive from nature

Gardens have held a special place in many artists’ lives, and their creativity was much the better for it.Writer Sir Walter Scott gardened to distance… Continue reading

This undated photo provided by Frances Lincoln Ltd. from the book "The Writer's Garden," shows George Bernard Shaw's sophisticated yet modest-looking writer's hut where he wrote most of his plays at Shaw's Corner his rural retreat at Ayot Saint Lawrence, Hertfordshire, in the U.K. The hut was built on a turntable so the playwright could turn it to take advantage of the natural light. The property is managed now by the National Trust which around the time of his birthday each year airs performances of his plays in the garden. (AP Photo/Frances Lincoln Ltd., Richard Hanson)
This image released by The Weinstein Company shows, clockwise from left, Keira Knightley, Matthew Beard, Matthew Goode, Allen Leech and Benedict Cumberbatch in a scene from the film, "The Imitation Game." The film was nominated for an Oscar Award for best feature. Cumberbatch was also nominated for best actor and Knightley for best supporting actress for their roles in the film. (AP Photo/The Weinstein Company, Jack English

Reeling it in: ‘The Imitation Game’ good, but misses potential

‘The Imitation Game”The Weinstein Company1 hour, 54 minutesBenedict Cumberbatch is an interesting specimen of actor. I feel like he’s just come about all of a… Continue reading

This image released by The Weinstein Company shows, clockwise from left, Keira Knightley, Matthew Beard, Matthew Goode, Allen Leech and Benedict Cumberbatch in a scene from the film, "The Imitation Game." The film was nominated for an Oscar Award for best feature. Cumberbatch was also nominated for best actor and Knightley for best supporting actress for their roles in the film. (AP Photo/The Weinstein Company, Jack English
The Bookworm Sez: 'Dead or Alive?' perfect for the budding biologist

The Bookworm Sez: ‘Dead or Alive?’ perfect for the budding biologist

Lately, you’ve been fighting a lot with your brother.Sometimes, he makes you mad, though, and you just can’t help it! So you yell, and he… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: 'Dead or Alive?' perfect for the budding biologist
The color guard at the inaugural ball in Kenai Friday. (Photo by Caleb Kuehn)

Having a ball: Hundreds celebrate with governor

Editor's note: This story has been corrected to reflect how organizer Sara Pozonsky characterized Gov. Bill Walker's political orientation. She said he was formerly a… Continue reading

The color guard at the inaugural ball in Kenai Friday. (Photo by Caleb Kuehn)

What’s Happening

Best Bets ■ The Frozen River Fest is at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna on Saturday from 3-6 p.m. Defy the winter cold and join… Continue reading

This photo released by Lionsgate shows, Jason Statham, center, as Nick Wild in a scene from the film, "Wild Card." (AP Photo/Lionsgate)

Reeling it in: ‘Wild Card’ worth a roll of the dice

“Wild Card” Lionsgate 1 hour, 32 minutes   My intention this week was to review the current Academy Award Best Picture front-runner, “Boyhood.” This unique… Continue reading

This photo released by Lionsgate shows, Jason Statham, center, as Nick Wild in a scene from the film, "Wild Card." (AP Photo/Lionsgate)

Poem: A Sad Day Coming

A Sad Day ComingBy Mike McKinley What is going to happen to meIn this dark place with a hard, cold floor?I think of how I… Continue reading

America’s Got Talent contestant to perform at local bar

The self-proclaimed Diva of Delirium is coming to the Kenai Peninsula. This Friday night, Palmer based musician LuLu Small will play a one-night only performance… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: Enjoy the mayhem in 'Shark Skin Suite'

The Bookworm Sez: Enjoy the mayhem in ‘Shark Skin Suite’

Always be kind to others.Consider the feelings of your fellow humans. Treat them as you would be treated. That’s the Golden Rule, something you learned… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: Enjoy the mayhem in 'Shark Skin Suite'

What’s Happening

Best Bets ■ The Kenai Peninsula Orchestra is proud to participate in the Link Up program in conjunction with Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute. Students… Continue reading

Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Kaitlin Vadla looks at her paintings while talking to a reporter on Wednesday Jan. 28, 2015 at The Flats Bistro in Kenai, Alaska.

Same place, whole new view

Shortly before leaving her hometown of Soldotna for an extended college study trip to New Zealand, Kaitlin Vadla injured her knee.“I couldn’t do anything outside… Continue reading

Photo by Rashah McChesney/Peninsula Clarion Kaitlin Vadla looks at her paintings while talking to a reporter on Wednesday Jan. 28, 2015 at The Flats Bistro in Kenai, Alaska.
In this image released by Warner Bros. Pictures, Kyle Gallner, left, and Bradley Cooper appear in a scene from "American Sniper." The film is based on the autobiography by Chris Kyle. (AP Photo/Warner Bros. Pictures)

Reeling it In: ‘American Sniper’ an expertly crafted film

“American Sniper”Warner Bros.2 hours, 22 minutesClint Eastwood has certainly paid his dues as a director. He’s had hits and he’s had misses, but rarely has… Continue reading

In this image released by Warner Bros. Pictures, Kyle Gallner, left, and Bradley Cooper appear in a scene from "American Sniper." The film is based on the autobiography by Chris Kyle. (AP Photo/Warner Bros. Pictures)
The Bookworm Sez: 'The Magician's Lie' and entertaining read

The Bookworm Sez: ‘The Magician’s Lie’ and entertaining read

Abracadabra. Now you see it.Now you don’t because a good magician knows to hide his props behind his fingers, beneath her clothes, in his pockets.… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: 'The Magician's Lie' and entertaining read

Poem: The Farmer’s Wife

The Farmer’s Wife by Norm Olson We left the plow there in the field Where Dad died that April day. We sold the horses and… Continue reading