A three-toed woodpecker rattles away on a beetle-killed spruce. The yellow staining is apparent on the tail, wingtips, breast, and throat. The gold cap on its head is the normal coloration. (Matt Bowser, USFWS, Jan 28, 2017)

Refuge Notebook: A splash of yellow on the winter landscape

A few years ago I received a call about an odd, unidentifiable bird. This is not an abnormal call to our office and we are… Continue reading

A three-toed woodpecker rattles away on a beetle-killed spruce. The yellow staining is apparent on the tail, wingtips, breast, and throat. The gold cap on its head is the normal coloration. (Matt Bowser, USFWS, Jan 28, 2017)

New years resolutions to receive big boost

Getting out and working on those New Year’s resolution fitness goals just got easier. With the start of the new year comes a bevy of… Continue reading

When bad conditions become challenging conditions

“It is not competing against yourself, or against other athletes, but it is ultimately the mountain that wins. What you realize after a time is… Continue reading

This image released by Sony Pictures shows Ansel Elgort, right, and Jamie Foxx in a scene from “Baby Driver.” (Wilson Webb/Sony/TriStar Pictures via AP)

Reeling it in: The good and the bad of 2017

2017 was an odd year for all of us. Outside, the world seems more divided than it ever has, though I can’t say I’ve felt… Continue reading

This image released by Sony Pictures shows Ansel Elgort, right, and Jamie Foxx in a scene from “Baby Driver.” (Wilson Webb/Sony/TriStar Pictures via AP)

What’s Happening

Events and Exhibitions • On display in January at the Kenai Fine Art Center is Art Teachers of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District. The… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: ‘Before I Let Go’ one to let go

The Bookworm Sez: ‘Before I Let Go’ one to let go

Home is where your heart is. You’ve probably heard that before but is it true? Home is where you put your stuff. It’s where you… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: ‘Before I Let Go’ one to let go
This Dec. 8 photo shows a Korean grain bowl in New York. This dish is from a recipe by Sara Moulton. (Sara Moulton via AP)

Korean Grain Bowl is built on healthy, filling ingredients

Every New Year, lots of us resolve to lose weight. And every year, lots of us fail. The problem? We go from eating too much… Continue reading

  • Jan 2, 2018
  • By SARA MOULTON
  • Food
This Dec. 8 photo shows a Korean grain bowl in New York. This dish is from a recipe by Sara Moulton. (Sara Moulton via AP)
This Dec. 18 photo provided by The Culinary Institute of America shows a vegetable carpaccio in Hyde Park, N.Y. This dish is from a recipe by the CIA. (Phil Mansfield/The Culinary Institute of America via AP)

Vegetables get happy with garlic- and spice-infused drizzles

Obviously, we love cooking. At The Culinary Institute of America, it’s in our shared DNA to boil, braise, baste, and bake. But when it comes… Continue reading

  • Jan 2, 2018
  • By The Culinary Institute of America
  • Food
This Dec. 18 photo provided by The Culinary Institute of America shows a vegetable carpaccio in Hyde Park, N.Y. This dish is from a recipe by the CIA. (Phil Mansfield/The Culinary Institute of America via AP)

Pioneer Potluck: Tying up loose ends at the end of the year

This year has we have seen lots of changes and lots of different outcomes. Bob and I worked hard at making our life easier around… Continue reading

  • Jan 2, 2018
  • By ANN ‘GRANNIE ANNIE’ BERG
  • Food

Pioneer Potluck: About birthdays and old friends

We are blessed to have many great friends. We heard from many at Christmas by way of a pretty card and the “new” way to… Continue reading

  • Jan 2, 2018
  • By ANN ‘GRANNIE ANNIE’ BERG
  • Food
This Jan. 1 photo shows cauliflower mashed potatoes, bottom right, in New York. Not only is this pur&

Cauliflower Mashed Potatoes are simple to make

Let’s say you’ve resolved to eat healthier in the New Year, but find yourself tripped up over and over again by your unconquerable yen for… Continue reading

  • Jan 2, 2018
  • By SARA MOULTON
  • Food
This Jan. 1 photo shows cauliflower mashed potatoes, bottom right, in New York. Not only is this pur&
This Dec. 26, 2017 photo shows shrimp and pineapple skewers in Bethesda, Md. A super easy go-to recipe, which uses easy pantry ingredients, you can even use canned pineapple, to create something that still feels high-end.(Melissa daArabian via AP)

Shrimp paired with pineapple brings elegance and sweetness

After all the cooking and shopping that the holidays inspire us to do, I’m looking forward to pulling out some easy recipes that use pantry… Continue reading

  • Jan 2, 2018
  • By MELISSA D’ARABIAN
  • Food
This Dec. 26, 2017 photo shows shrimp and pineapple skewers in Bethesda, Md. A super easy go-to recipe, which uses easy pantry ingredients, you can even use canned pineapple, to create something that still feels high-end.(Melissa daArabian via AP)

It is what it is: Tradition!

Anything you say can and will be used against you by your children at a later date. And so on Christmas Day, my wife found… Continue reading

Tony Doyle points out the finer details in a photo presentation Dec. 20 at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

Doyle, Sexton open peninsula eyes to nearby backcountry skiing

Four hours of work for a 15-minute thrill may not sound like a reasonable payoff, but for backcountry ski enthusiasts Tony Doyle and Trent Sexton,… Continue reading

Tony Doyle points out the finer details in a photo presentation Dec. 20 at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center. (Photo by Joey Klecka/Peninsula Clarion)

An Outdoor View: Bonefishing, Part 5

Author’s note: This column is the fifth in a series about fishing at Christmas Island in 1987. — LP My initiation to bonefishing was looking… Continue reading

YCC leader Nick Longobardi looks over Skilak Lake from the Vista Trail. (Photo courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)

Refuge Notebook: Thanks to those who serve at the Refuge

Each year — and 2017 is no exception — I look back and am thankful for the many volunteers and seasonal employees without whom the… Continue reading

YCC leader Nick Longobardi looks over Skilak Lake from the Vista Trail. (Photo courtesy Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)
Lynn Naden’s giant Root Ball in her Root shows. (Photo by Michael Armstrong, Homer News)

‘Root’ shows expand meaning of community, connection

The Pratt Museum’s Root shows invite lots of interpretations. Tree roots abound in both paper artist Lynn Marie Naden’s solo Root show, upstairs at the… Continue reading

Lynn Naden’s giant Root Ball in her Root shows. (Photo by Michael Armstrong, Homer News)
The Bookworm Sez: ‘Grass Roots’ lays out history of marijuana

The Bookworm Sez: ‘Grass Roots’ lays out history of marijuana

Is the grass greener on the other side of the fence? It doesn’t seem to be. Your side looks just fine, healthy, and filled with… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: ‘Grass Roots’ lays out history of marijuana
This image released by Twentieth Century Fox shows a scene from the animated film, “Ferdinand.” (Twentieth Century Fox via AP)

Reeling it in: ‘Ferdinand’: The book was better

“Ferdinand” Twentieth Century Fox 1 hour, 48 minutes It’s always a little dangerous to indulge in a large scale adaptation of something you loved as… Continue reading

This image released by Twentieth Century Fox shows a scene from the animated film, “Ferdinand.” (Twentieth Century Fox via AP)

What’s Happening

Events and Exhibitions • For the month of January, Jay Goltz’s Solo Water Color Show will be on display at the Soldotna Senior Center. •… Continue reading