Photographer observes Bristol Bay

Photographer observes Bristol Bay

During photographer Carl Johnson’s trips to document subsistence life in the river-laced Bristol Bay region west of Cook Inlet, he said the subject of wealth… Continue reading

Photographer observes Bristol Bay
This image released by Legendary Pictures and Universal Pictures shows Matt Damon as William Garin in a scene from “The Great Wall.” (Jasin Boland/Legendary Pictures and Universal Pictures via AP)

Reeling it in: ‘Great Wall’ has a few cracks

The big joke about this week’s movie, that Matt Damon, of all people, is in ancient China fighting alongside colorful soldiers atop the titular Great… Continue reading

This image released by Legendary Pictures and Universal Pictures shows Matt Damon as William Garin in a scene from “The Great Wall.” (Jasin Boland/Legendary Pictures and Universal Pictures via AP)
The Bookworm Sez: Jump on this ‘Bucket List’

The Bookworm Sez: Jump on this ‘Bucket List’

You always wanted to jump from an airplane. It’s something you dreamed about doing, just as you’ve always dreamed of walking the Appalachian Trail, seeing… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: Jump on this ‘Bucket List’
Eddie Wood, of Homer, demonstrates dance steps with Stephanie Almaraz in a Spanish class on May 5, 2008 at Soldotna High School. Wood, who travels the peninsula playing percussion and teaching salsa, is hosting his first open class for adults in Soldotna with local artist Kaitlin Vadla on Thursday. (Scott Moon/Peninsula Clarion-File)

Put your best foot forward with salsa dance class

Those looking to add a little spice to their lives this week need look no further than Odie’s Deli in Soldotna, though not for food.… Continue reading

Eddie Wood, of Homer, demonstrates dance steps with Stephanie Almaraz in a Spanish class on May 5, 2008 at Soldotna High School. Wood, who travels the peninsula playing percussion and teaching salsa, is hosting his first open class for adults in Soldotna with local artist Kaitlin Vadla on Thursday. (Scott Moon/Peninsula Clarion-File)
Mike Crawford of Kenai leads a group of fat tire bikers up a climb in the Caribou Hills in January. A fat tire race and ride is planned for Sunday starting at Freddie’s Road House on Oil Well Road near Ninilchik. (Clarion file photo)

Fat tire bike event hits Caribou Hills

By JOEY KLECKA Peninsula Clarion Call them back country backcountry beasts, call them wilderness warriors, call them beach bums. But just don’t call them fat.… Continue reading

Mike Crawford of Kenai leads a group of fat tire bikers up a climb in the Caribou Hills in January. A fat tire race and ride is planned for Sunday starting at Freddie’s Road House on Oil Well Road near Ninilchik. (Clarion file photo)

Why Russia wanted to sell Alaska

The Crimean Peninsula has been in the news again. Oddly enough, that bit of land on the far side of the world, only slightly larger… Continue reading

An Outdoor View: McPhee on catch-and-release

Author’s note: This column first appeared in the Clarion on Nov. 29, 2002. I’ve edited it slightly for brevity. “The Founding Fish” is fascinating book… Continue reading

Dom Watts fits a cow moose with a GPS radio-collar for a study of moose reproduction and calf survival on the Alaska Peninsula. (Photo courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

Refuge Notebook: New wildlife biologist lands in Kenai Refuge

As I navigated the icy roads through Turnagain Pass a couple weeks ago in a borrowed car filled with totes and duffle bags, I couldn’t… Continue reading

Dom Watts fits a cow moose with a GPS radio-collar for a study of moose reproduction and calf survival on the Alaska Peninsula. (Photo courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)
This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Batman, voiced by Will Arnett, in a scene from “The LEGO Batman Movie.” (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)

Reeling it in: A pair of sweet treats at the theater

“John Wick Chapter 2” Summit Entertainment 2 hours, 2 minutes “The Lego Batman Movie” Warner Bros. 1 hour, 44 minutes As I write this, it’s… Continue reading

This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows Batman, voiced by Will Arnett, in a scene from “The LEGO Batman Movie.” (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP)
The Bookworm Sez: A book you can sink your teeth into

The Bookworm Sez: A book you can sink your teeth into

You’ve got a packed schedule. Extra meetings, vacation planning, guests arriving, errands, it’s a lot to do but one thing’s for certain: you’ll find time… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: A book you can sink your teeth into
The Beginning Fly Fishing Class at Kenai Peninsula College, tying some flies in preparation for their field trip. (Photo courtesy Dave Atcheson)

Tight Lines: A variety of fish-related activities to carry us through the winter

Ice fishing may be at its peak right now, and there are always a handful of hardy fly fishers hitting the unfrozen sections of Kenai… Continue reading

The Beginning Fly Fishing Class at Kenai Peninsula College, tying some flies in preparation for their field trip. (Photo courtesy Dave Atcheson)

Unhinged Alaska: The grump is back and hungover

Last spring I wrote a column titled “Something wicked this way comes”. It was about a reccurring spring battle we have with malevolent moose who… Continue reading

Russian America on the peninsula in the mid-1800s

By SHANA LOSHBAUGH For the Clarion Russians claimed the Kenai Peninsula for 81 years. Although few, they brought massive changes to the North Pacific, including… Continue reading

KPC students earn honors

Kenai Peninsula College students earn honors The following students have earned academic honors at Kenai Peninsula College for the Fall 2016 semester. To be eligible… Continue reading

From the recycling bin

Did you know … From daily tasks to our most unusual needs, plastics have increasingly provided the performance characteristics that fulfill consumer needs at many… Continue reading

Busy month for Sterling Judo Club

Busy month for Sterling Judo Club

Rio Olympics Judo Silver Medalist Travis Stevens will be conducting a two day clinic this month in Anchorage. Stevens is a three-time USA Olympic Judo… Continue reading

Busy month for Sterling Judo Club
In this July 2016 photo, a kayak floats on the surface of Kenai Lake in Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)

Prepare for safety before heading out on small boats

  Not everyone on the Kenai Peninsula’s rivers and lakes is out with a big boat. In recent years, more people have been heading onto… Continue reading

In this July 2016 photo, a kayak floats on the surface of Kenai Lake in Cooper Landing, Alaska. (Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion)
Why biodiversity matters: A food web showing 110 relationships among 98 species found on the Kenai Peninsula. Browns are fungi, reds are animals, and greens are plants. Note how humans (Homo sapiens) are part of our web.

Refuge Notebook: 2,000 species on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge

In 2016, the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge passed a milestone of sorts. Over 2,000 species are now documented on the 2 million-acre refuge including 207… Continue reading

Why biodiversity matters: A food web showing 110 relationships among 98 species found on the Kenai Peninsula. Browns are fungi, reds are animals, and greens are plants. Note how humans (Homo sapiens) are part of our web.
FILE - In this Feb. 6, 2014, file photo, Mark Morical carves through the heavy powder snow at the top of Vista Butte west of Bend, Ore. Some backcountry areas in Central Oregon are so accessible that it is hard to even consider them backcountry and Vista Butte is certainly one of those places. (Joe Kline/The Bulletin via AP, File)

Backcountry enthusiasts must be prepared for danger

By MARK MORICAL The (Bend) Bulletin VISTA BUTTE SNO-PARK, Ore. — Some backcountry areas in Central Oregon are so accessible that it is hard to… Continue reading

FILE - In this Feb. 6, 2014, file photo, Mark Morical carves through the heavy powder snow at the top of Vista Butte west of Bend, Ore. Some backcountry areas in Central Oregon are so accessible that it is hard to even consider them backcountry and Vista Butte is certainly one of those places. (Joe Kline/The Bulletin via AP, File)

Voices of Faith: Love and marriage

Cupid’s arrows are flying through the mail again and I’m somewhat of an authority on the subject of the season. I’ve been in love with… Continue reading