Life

JJamppong. (Photo by Tressa Dale)

Spice up seafood with jjamppong

I have recently formed an uneasy truce with the spider who lives in my laundry room. I always find her on the wall next to… Continue reading

JJamppong. (Photo by Tressa Dale)
Courtesy photo Virginia Walters

Life in the Pedestrian Lane: Regular or unleaded?

Writer’s note: Time for a summer rerun. This column was first run in August 2011. The more things change the more they stay the same.… Continue reading

Courtesy photo Virginia Walters
John Fenger, seen here in his later years, died in 2006.

Medical establishment comes to Homer — Part 3

In early spring 1965, there were loose ends to tie up …

John Fenger, seen here in his later years, died in 2006.
Riz Ahmed’s Ballister Boldheart and Chloë Grace Moretz’s Nimona peer through the window of a subway car at a contingent of knights waiting to arrest them in “Nimona.” (Photo courtesy Annapurna Pictures)

On the Screen: ‘Nimona’ challenges rigid systems, celebrates individuality

In a futuristic fantasy setting, two unlikely allies are forced together — a heroic knight framed for murder and a shape-shifting child looking for revenge… Continue reading

Riz Ahmed’s Ballister Boldheart and Chloë Grace Moretz’s Nimona peer through the window of a subway car at a contingent of knights waiting to arrest them in “Nimona.” (Photo courtesy Annapurna Pictures)
Nick Varney

Unhinged Alaska: Here we go again

Although we’ve been through what seems like epoch weeks of dark and threatening skies shedding showers like triggered fire suppression systems, most of us are… Continue reading

Nick Varney
The Fenger children — (left to right) Heidi, Eric and Peter — delight in a bounty of silver salmon gathered by setnet below their home in August 1962. (Photo courtesy of the Fenger Family Collection)

Medical establishment comes to Homer — Part 2

It was normal for Dr. John Fenger to receive phone calls when someone in Homer needed medical attention.

The Fenger children — (left to right) Heidi, Eric and Peter — delight in a bounty of silver salmon gathered by setnet below their home in August 1962. (Photo courtesy of the Fenger Family Collection)
Chicken tikka masala. (Photo by Tressa Dale)

Adventurous chicken tikka masala

From the time he was big enough to sit in our special backpack, we’ve been taking him to Skyline for hikes. At first it was… Continue reading

Chicken tikka masala. (Photo by Tressa Dale)
Childhood photos of Chris and Carine McCandless are displayed in "The Wild Truth," which lays in the Peninsula Clarion office on Thursday, June 29, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Off the Shelf: Chris McCandless in a new light

I get a lot of podcast recommendations from my friends who work in public radio. Sometimes the recommendation comes as a texted link to a… Continue reading

Childhood photos of Chris and Carine McCandless are displayed in "The Wild Truth," which lays in the Peninsula Clarion office on Thursday, June 29, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O'Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Danger Money plays at the Rock’N the Ranch at the Rusty Ravin Music Festival in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, July 8, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)

Rock’N the Ranch to bring ‘get up and dance’ bands to 2-day festival

Bands will again descend on Rusty Ravin Plant Ranch for the Seventh Annual Rock’N the Ranch at the Rusty Ravin next weekend, July 7 and… Continue reading

Danger Money plays at the Rock’N the Ranch at the Rusty Ravin Music Festival in Kenai, Alaska, on Friday, July 8, 2022. (Camille Botello/Peninsula Clarion)
Homemade rhubarb ice cream is served. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)

Sweet and tart ice cream for a summer child

The rhubarb is tender and plentiful now

Homemade rhubarb ice cream is served. (Photo by Tressa Dale/Peninsula Clarion)
Posing stiffly in the bow of the M.S. Hygiene, along the Alaska coast, is Nurse Grace Heutink, clad in a warm fur parka. (Photo courtesy of the Fenger Family Collection)

Medical establishment comes to Homer — Part 1

In the early days of formal medicine in Homer, doctors and dentists were often forced to improvise.

Posing stiffly in the bow of the M.S. Hygiene, along the Alaska coast, is Nurse Grace Heutink, clad in a warm fur parka. (Photo courtesy of the Fenger Family Collection)
Will Morrow (courtesy)

If the shoe fits …

I thought Sambas were simply affordable indoor soccer shoes from my high school and college days. Who knew I was so ahead of my time?

Will Morrow (courtesy)
File

Minister’s Message: Practicing Jesus’ compassion

I need to know that Jesus aches when there are Christians who spout hatred and perpetuate violence

File
Connie Brannock, part of Connie Brannock’s Tiny House of Funk, performs during the Soldotna Music Series at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Grooving in the rain

Connie Brannock’s Tiny House of Funk and Wasabi Black bring energy to Soldotna stage

Connie Brannock, part of Connie Brannock’s Tiny House of Funk, performs during the Soldotna Music Series at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, Alaska, on Wednesday, June 21, 2023. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Matt Damon appears as Sonny Vaccaro in "Air." (Photo courtesy Amazon Studios)

Shoes are the star in riveting ‘Air’

I don’t know much about basketball. I know less about Nike, and, to me, Jordan is mostly just the guy from “Space Jam.”

Matt Damon appears as Sonny Vaccaro in "Air." (Photo courtesy Amazon Studios)
This photo of John Floyd King was taken during his U.S. Army service during World War I. Written beneath the photo was “Some soldier, eh!” (Photo courtesy of the Brennan Family Collection)

The Separate Lives of the Man Who Fell — Part 3

Alec Hardin MacDonald appeared in the census count as a resident of Takotna Village in Interior Alaska

This photo of John Floyd King was taken during his U.S. Army service during World War I. Written beneath the photo was “Some soldier, eh!” (Photo courtesy of the Brennan Family Collection)
File

Minister’s Message: Stop, pray and listen

Read some scripture, scream out your prayer to God, then wait and listen for the Spirit of God to answer

File
The Kenai Cinema on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)

Kenai Cinema announces discounted summer movie program

On Wednesdays and Thursdays, an animated children’s film and a “Harry Potter” film will be played at 10 a.m.

The Kenai Cinema on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in Kenai, Alaska. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Connie Brannock’s Tiny House of Funk. (Photo provided by Seldovia Arts Council)

‘Unchained’ and drumming in Alaska

Connie Brannock’s Tiny House of Funk seeks to “extend joy through music” at Soldotna Creek Park

Connie Brannock’s Tiny House of Funk. (Photo provided by Seldovia Arts Council)
A copy of Tom Walker’s “The Wanderer: An Alaska Wolf’s Final Journey” is held in The Peninsula Clarion building on Thursday, June 15, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)

Off the Shelf: Take a walk on the wolf side

“The Wanderer: An Alaska Wolf’s Final Journey,” is the latest book from Alaska writer and photographer Tom Walker

A copy of Tom Walker’s “The Wanderer: An Alaska Wolf’s Final Journey” is held in The Peninsula Clarion building on Thursday, June 15, 2023 in Kenai, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)