Photos by Megan Pacer / Homer News                                Music lovers listen to a performance on the River Stage at Salmonfest on Aug. 4, 2018, in Ninilchik.

Salmonfest music festival canceled for 2020

Salmonfest director confident next year’s festival will go ahead as planned.

Photos by Megan Pacer / Homer News                                Music lovers listen to a performance on the River Stage at Salmonfest on Aug. 4, 2018, in Ninilchik.
Members of the Kenai Watershed Forum sing an educational tune promoting the Stream Watch program during a break between bands on the Ocean Stage at Salmonfest on Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018 at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)

Ani DiFranco to headline Salmonfest

Annual festival returns with increased camping space, costume contest and more

Members of the Kenai Watershed Forum sing an educational tune promoting the Stream Watch program during a break between bands on the Ocean Stage at Salmonfest on Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018 at the Kenai Peninsula Fairgrounds in Ninilchik, Alaska. (Photo by Megan Pacer/Homer News)
Local business owner Kylee Swircenski poses in front of the logo of her store, Positive Vibe, on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019 in Kenai. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)

Local crystal shop doubles as gallery for artists in the community

When Kylee Swircenski moved to Kenai two years ago, she had no intention of starting her own business. As someone who regularly uses various forms… Continue reading

Local business owner Kylee Swircenski poses in front of the logo of her store, Positive Vibe, on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019 in Kenai. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
‘Glass’ — The sequel we didn’t ask for
‘Glass’ — The sequel we didn’t ask for
“Talk to Me” — a devastating, hilarious fall to earth

“Talk to Me” — a devastating, hilarious fall to earth

The view from above was stunning. The cliche says that people look like ants when you’re looking down from a ledge, and they do. Trees… Continue reading

“Talk to Me” — a devastating, hilarious fall to earth
Now Playing: Best and Worst of 2018

Now Playing: Best and Worst of 2018

Well, another year gone, another year’s worth of movies to reflect on. This year I saw 61 new movies, which, when you do the math,… Continue reading

Now Playing: Best and Worst of 2018
Now Playing: Solid writing and offscreen terror bring depth to ‘Bird Box’

Now Playing: Solid writing and offscreen terror bring depth to ‘Bird Box’

Does anyone remember “The Happening” from way back in 2008? No? Well, you should. “The Happening” should be forever commemorated as what happens when M.… Continue reading

Now Playing: Solid writing and offscreen terror bring depth to ‘Bird Box’
Chelsea Hart, who was born and raised in Kenai and has been performing comedy and opera across Europe for the past four years, is pictured in this undated photo. (Photo by Zowwi Ranford/Courtesy of Chelsea Hart)

Kenai local Chelsea Hart returns home to teach comedy writing workshop for Kenai Performers

Globetrotting comedienne and entertainer Chelsea Hart has returned to her hometown of Kenai to offer a comedy writing workshop with the Kenai Performers today. Hart… Continue reading

Chelsea Hart, who was born and raised in Kenai and has been performing comedy and opera across Europe for the past four years, is pictured in this undated photo. (Photo by Zowwi Ranford/Courtesy of Chelsea Hart)
Bookworm Sez: ‘An Unexplained Death’ — An unsettling, not-to-be-missed read

Bookworm Sez: ‘An Unexplained Death’ — An unsettling, not-to-be-missed read

Missing…. That single word belies the deep panic and fear behind the reason for the poster it’s on. Someone’s gone, not where he should be,… Continue reading

Bookworm Sez: ‘An Unexplained Death’ — An unsettling, not-to-be-missed read
Netflix brings cinema to streaming with dark, blood-soaked ‘The Night Comes for Us’

Netflix brings cinema to streaming with dark, blood-soaked ‘The Night Comes for Us’

It’s true that there are a slew of movies new in theaters that are probably worth watching, but I am in that rare occasion of… Continue reading

Netflix brings cinema to streaming with dark, blood-soaked ‘The Night Comes for Us’
Reading, writing and drinking — ‘A Sidecar Named Desire’ offers the perfect trio

Reading, writing and drinking — ‘A Sidecar Named Desire’ offers the perfect trio

The holiday season started with a cup of cheer. Then there was a sip of wassail, some mistletoe and wine, and rummy-tum-tum along the way.… Continue reading

Reading, writing and drinking — ‘A Sidecar Named Desire’ offers the perfect trio
Bookworm Sez: ‘(Don’t) Call Me Crazy’ offers a chorus of writers on surviving mental illness

Bookworm Sez: ‘(Don’t) Call Me Crazy’ offers a chorus of writers on surviving mental illness

Ouch, you twisted your shoulder and it hurts. That’ll last awhile, but you’ll be okay. Might need a sling, maybe, but it won’t cramp your… Continue reading

Bookworm Sez: ‘(Don’t) Call Me Crazy’ offers a chorus of writers on surviving mental illness
Now Playing: ‘Aquaman’ a sea adventure that heads DC in the right direction

Now Playing: ‘Aquaman’ a sea adventure that heads DC in the right direction

Growing up, I was never a DC guy. I, of course, liked Superman and Batman because, well, because I’m an American and I think it’s… Continue reading

Now Playing: ‘Aquaman’ a sea adventure that heads DC in the right direction
Spider-Man’s theory of everything — An animated sequel that works in any universe

Spider-Man’s theory of everything — An animated sequel that works in any universe

It’s rare for a movie to go so far against my expectations for me to be actually floored by the time the credits roll, but… Continue reading

Spider-Man’s theory of everything — An animated sequel that works in any universe
Bookworm Sez: ‘If You Ask Me’ — Old advice made new again

Bookworm Sez: ‘If You Ask Me’ — Old advice made new again

What should you do? When relationships break down, what then? Or you lose your job and your bank account is depleted, your home is in… Continue reading

Bookworm Sez: ‘If You Ask Me’ — Old advice made new again
(Lions Gate)

Now Playing: ‘The Spy Who Dumped Me’ — for when blockbusters and indies don’t appeal

You would think with streaming video being the norm and the fact that there are a million different options of movies to watch at home,… Continue reading

(Lions Gate)
‘Evening of Christmas’ concert continues to grow

‘Evening of Christmas’ concert continues to grow

In 2003, the Redoubt Chamber Orchestra held its first “Evening of Christmas” concert at Christ Lutheran Church in Soldotna in front of an audience of… Continue reading

‘Evening of Christmas’ concert continues to grow
‘Ralph Breaks the Internet’ — an inventive sequel that brings something new to the table

‘Ralph Breaks the Internet’ — an inventive sequel that brings something new to the table

Sequels used to be an really iffy business. But, “Cars” notwithstanding, the crew over at Disney/Pixar seem to be able to defy the odds again… Continue reading

‘Ralph Breaks the Internet’ — an inventive sequel that brings something new to the table
‘The Noel Stranger’ — a familiar, yet cozy holiday tale

‘The Noel Stranger’ — a familiar, yet cozy holiday tale

You thought you knew what was inside the box. Though it was wrapped, you could tell what it was. You shook it, upended it, and… Continue reading

‘The Noel Stranger’ — a familiar, yet cozy holiday tale
‘Never Home Alone’ — a tale of creepy, crawly invaders you should invite in

‘Never Home Alone’ — a tale of creepy, crawly invaders you should invite in

Ahhhhh, a quiet night at home. You’ve been promising yourselves that for a long time. A nice dinner. Maybe a movie, or soft music and… Continue reading

‘Never Home Alone’ — a tale of creepy, crawly invaders you should invite in