The Bookworm Sez: With ‘Should I Still Wish,’ author comes full circle

The Bookworm Sez: With ‘Should I Still Wish,’ author comes full circle

One foot in front of the other. That’s best for moving forward: one foot, then the next, baby steps or great big strides, slow and… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: With ‘Should I Still Wish,’ author comes full circle

Poet’s Corner: Serenity is Gone

Serenity Is Gone By Bonnie Marie Playle, Soldotna Going to a meeting on a July Friday night, both of us happy, not a care in… Continue reading

This image released by Twentieth Century Fox shows Hugh Jackman from the film, “Logan.” (Ben Rothstein/Twentieth Century Fox via AP)

Reeling It In: ‘Logan’ takes a hard, gritty edge

“Logan” Twentieth Century Fox 2 hours, 17 minutes There’s no question that this week’s “Logan” sets a new high standard for super-hero movies in general… Continue reading

This image released by Twentieth Century Fox shows Hugh Jackman from the film, “Logan.” (Ben Rothstein/Twentieth Century Fox via AP)
FILE - This image released by Roadside Attractions and Amazon Studios shows Michelle Williams, left, and Casey Affleck in a scene from “Manchester By The Sea.” (Claire Folger/Roadside Attractions and Amazon Studios via AP, File)

Reeling it in: Oscar for ‘Manchester-by-the-Sea’ well deserved

“Manchester by the Sea” Roadside Attractions 2 hours, 17 minutes To absolutely no one’s surprise, Casey Affleck won Best Actor at last weekend’s Oscar ceremony,… Continue reading

FILE - This image released by Roadside Attractions and Amazon Studios shows Michelle Williams, left, and Casey Affleck in a scene from “Manchester By The Sea.” (Claire Folger/Roadside Attractions and Amazon Studios via AP, File)
The Bookworm Sez: ‘Dodge City’ explores the men behind the badge

The Bookworm Sez: ‘Dodge City’ explores the men behind the badge

It’s only a piece of metal. Star-shaped, circular, oval, or shield-like, it’s so small, it could fit in your hand or your pocket. It’s made… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: ‘Dodge City’ explores the men behind the badge
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’
Cast members perform a song and dance number during a run-through of “Guys and Dolls” on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017 at the Renee C. Henderson Auditorium in Kenai, Alaska. (Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion)

‘Guys and Dolls’ set to open Friday

One of the country’s best-loved musicals will hit the stage in Kenai this weekend for a six-performance run. The Kenai Performers’ rendition of “Guys and… Continue reading

Cast members perform a song and dance number during a run-through of “Guys and Dolls” on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2017 at the Renee C. Henderson Auditorium in Kenai, Alaska. (Megan Pacer/Peninsula Clarion)
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)
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
Bookworm Sez: You really can’t remember.

Bookworm Sez: You really can’t remember.

For sure, something important happened years ago, something you should recall very easily, but time’s made things fuzzy. Have you forgotten or, worse yet, have… Continue reading

Bookworm Sez: You really can’t remember.
'La La Land' is doing gangbuster business

‘La La Land’ is doing gangbuster business

“La La Land Lion’s Gate 2 hour, 8 minutes Last week I spent a lot of time whining about how I was too sick to… Continue reading

'La La Land' is doing gangbuster business
This image released by A24 Films shows Alex Hibbert in a scene from the film, “Moonlight.” Nominees for the 89th Academy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017. (David Bornfriend/A24 via AP)

Reeling it in: Handicapping the Oscars

Typically being too sick to go to the movies in late January wouldn’t be a huge loss. The month is full of throw-away dreck like… Continue reading

This image released by A24 Films shows Alex Hibbert in a scene from the film, “Moonlight.” Nominees for the 89th Academy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017. (David Bornfriend/A24 via AP)
The Bookworm Sez: Steamy bedrooms and cold revenge

The Bookworm Sez: Steamy bedrooms and cold revenge

Catch me if you can. You might have said that once, giggling. You may have yelled it at a game one afternoon. You said it,… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: Steamy bedrooms and cold revenge

Economy comedian to make stop in Soldotna

Kenai Peninsula residents looking for a laugh this week will have an opportunity to see a live comedy act Thursday, albeit with a heavy dose… Continue reading

Photo by Michael Penn/Juneau Empire  Christine Carpenter holds one of her artworks in the Alaska Robotics Gallery on Jan. 6,she made after being raped in Italy.

Sexual assault survivor finds freedom in art inspired from her diary

“I think it’s powerful and addresses something that isn’t often talked about in public,” Lauren Brooks, a former advocate for Aiding Women in Abuse and… Continue reading

Photo by Michael Penn/Juneau Empire  Christine Carpenter holds one of her artworks in the Alaska Robotics Gallery on Jan. 6,she made after being raped in Italy.
The best and worst of 2016

The best and worst of 2016

2016 is come and gone and though it was definitely a dramatic year in a lot of ways, I’m not sure how monumental it was… Continue reading

The best and worst of 2016
The Bookworm Sez: Putting fat in perspective

The Bookworm Sez: Putting fat in perspective

Here’s something important: your pants don’t fit anymore. The blame, you’re sure, lands squarely with the holidays: too many toddies, too much figgy pudding. Perhaps… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: Putting fat in perspective