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Morel species collected from the Kenai Peninsula. Clockwise from upper left: Norwegian morel, beautiful morel, excellent morel, sixth black morel, exuberant morel and gray morel. (Photos by Matt Bowser and Colin Canterbury/USFWS)

Refuge Notebook: A new perspective on Kenai morels

Years ago, a co-worker shared with me a place where morels appeared at the bases of cottonwood trees. I have found them at that same… Continue reading

Morel species collected from the Kenai Peninsula. Clockwise from upper left: Norwegian morel, beautiful morel, excellent morel, sixth black morel, exuberant morel and gray morel. (Photos by Matt Bowser and Colin Canterbury/USFWS)
Hannah Lafleur skis through Resurrection Pass on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska on March 29, 2021. (Photo by Kat Sorensen)

Tangled Up in Blue: Passing through

I started writing this column 17 miles into a three-day, 38-mile ski. We had just reached the pass part of the Resurrection Pass trail, where… Continue reading

Hannah Lafleur skis through Resurrection Pass on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska on March 29, 2021. (Photo by Kat Sorensen)
Clarion file

Voices of the Peninsula: Flawed decisions failed Ninilchik athletes

“There was so much that was wrong with the end of this game …”

Clarion file
The pageantry of western opera will join forces with the Tlingit culture’s rich history of storytelling, song and dance to create the world’s first Tlingit opera. The opera, which is currently untitled, will premiere at the Perseverance Theatre around 2025. (Courtesy Photo / Sealaska Heritage Institute)

First-ever first Tlingit opera will premiere locally

It is a collaboration between Perseverance Theatre and the Sealaska Heritage Institute.

The pageantry of western opera will join forces with the Tlingit culture’s rich history of storytelling, song and dance to create the world’s first Tlingit opera. The opera, which is currently untitled, will premiere at the Perseverance Theatre around 2025. (Courtesy Photo / Sealaska Heritage Institute)
This screenshot of a presentation included in a Friday afternoon news conference shows state-owned waterways. (Screenshot)

Opinion: Unlocking Alaska

“After decades of federal obstruction and delay, I am asserting the state’s control of the navigable waters and submerged lands we received at statehood.”

This screenshot of a presentation included in a Friday afternoon news conference shows state-owned waterways. (Screenshot)
Nancy Lord in a 2017 photo. (Photo by Irene Owsley and courtesy of Pier One Theatre)

Lord’s ‘The Frederick Cook Interview’ looks at polar explorer’s narcissism

‘The Frederick Cook Interview’ shows at 7 p.m. Friday on KBBI radio

Nancy Lord in a 2017 photo. (Photo by Irene Owsley and courtesy of Pier One Theatre)
The author gets caught off guard while working at the Peninsula Clarion in 2016 in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Ben Boettger)

Out of the Office: For good, for now

“Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes.” If that figure immediately transports you to the famous number from the musical “Rent,” you’ve caught my drift.… Continue reading

The author gets caught off guard while working at the Peninsula Clarion in 2016 in Kenai, Alaska. (Photo by Ben Boettger)
Melting ice patch in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. (Photo provided by National Park Service)

Refuge Notebook: Ice patch archaeology

Alaska’s mountains and glaciers are beautiful to observe, and many of us enjoy summertime hikes and backpacking among the peaks. Some hardy individuals even undertake… Continue reading

Melting ice patch in Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. (Photo provided by National Park Service)
Fresh citrus and pantry staples like taco seasoning and granulated garlic make for an easy and delicious baked salmon that’s ready to be enjoyed inside a taco, photographed on March 23, 2021 in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)

Kalifornsky Kitchen: Salmon saves the day again

Salmon is extremely versatile, and can be spiced to go with a huge range of cuisines.

  • Mar 24, 2021
  • By Victoria Petersen For the Peninsula Clarion
  • Food and Drink
Fresh citrus and pantry staples like taco seasoning and granulated garlic make for an easy and delicious baked salmon that’s ready to be enjoyed inside a taco, photographed on March 23, 2021 in Anchorage, Alaska. (Photo by Victoria Petersen/Peninsula Clarion)
The Kenai River Brown Bears celebrate the first-period goal of Logan Ritchie (far left) on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)

Voices of the Peninsula: Brown Bears are back and need your support

Our club will resume hockey operations at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex beginning April 16.

The Kenai River Brown Bears celebrate the first-period goal of Logan Ritchie (far left) on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019, at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Adam Crum, commissioner of the Alaska state health department, testifies before a state Senate committee on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)

Opinion: Looking back on 1 year of the pandemic

For me, this anniversary provides a reflective opportunity to think about not only what happened in the past year, but how we can continue to move forward as a state.

Adam Crum, commissioner of the Alaska state health department, testifies before a state Senate committee on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, in Juneau, Alaska. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

Alaska Voices: New bill supports Alaska rural communities

“HB137 is good for seniors; it is good for Alaskans…”

  • Mar 20, 2021
  • By Peter Zuyus
(Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
Bruce Schultz, interim chancellor of the University of Alaska Anchorage (courtesy)

Alaska Voices: Making higher education accessible to all Alaskans

While each of our universities has its own identity and specialty, our strength comes from our shared vision for the future of higher education in Alaska.

  • Mar 20, 2021
  • Bruce Schultz, interim chancellor of the University of Alaska Anchorage; Dan White, chancellor of the University of Alaska Fairbanks; Karen Carey, chancellor of the University of Alaska Southeast.
  • University of Alaska
Bruce Schultz, interim chancellor of the University of Alaska Anchorage (courtesy)
Till Lauer

Tangled Up in Blue: Marathon Training

I want to brag for a second, although my self-deprecating side would argue this whole column is just a biweekly boast. After ignoring incessant calls… Continue reading

Till Lauer
A snowmachine at rest in front of the Snag Lake public use cabin. (Photo provided by USFWS)

Preparedness is key to staying safe in the backcountry

If you spend any time in the backcountry it’s bound to happen: an ankle sprain halfway into a day hike, the afternoon blowup that unexpectedly… Continue reading

A snowmachine at rest in front of the Snag Lake public use cabin. (Photo provided by USFWS)
Ariel Silverman (Photo courtesy of Ariel Silverman)

Voices of the Peninsula: The costs of climate change on the Pebble Mine

Climate change should be thoroughly factored into mine planning and regulation.

Ariel Silverman (Photo courtesy of Ariel Silverman)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at an Anchorage news conference on Dec. 11, 2020. (Courtesy photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)

Opinion: Secretary Blinken, protect Alaska’s fisheries

Perhaps no group of Alaskans has been impacted more severely by the global economic collapse than our fishers and processors

  • Mar 17, 2021
  • Gov. Mike Dunleavy
Gov. Mike Dunleavy speaks at an Anchorage news conference on Dec. 11, 2020. (Courtesy photo / Office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy)
Some of the works in Charles Aguilar's show opening Friday, March 5, 2021, at Grace Ridge Brewey in Homer, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of Grace Ridge Brewery)

Collage, puppet artist looks for ‘magik’ in his creations

Charles Aguilar’s latest show is at Grace Ridge Brewery

Some of the works in Charles Aguilar's show opening Friday, March 5, 2021, at Grace Ridge Brewey in Homer, Alaska. (Photo courtesy of Grace Ridge Brewery)
Nick Varney (courtesy)

Unhinged Alaska: Winter fusses

“So,” he said, “there will still be dude and dudette taters?”

Nick Varney (courtesy)
Kim McNett in a photo taken in March 2014 on one of her Arctic adventures. (Photo by Bjørn Olson)

Voices of the Peninsula: Peatlands can help draw down and sequester carbon

Though peatlands cover only 3% of the Earth’s surface, they store twice the amount of carbon as all the world’s forests combined.

Kim McNett in a photo taken in March 2014 on one of her Arctic adventures. (Photo by Bjørn Olson)