This image released by Disney shows characters Maui, voiced by Dwayne Johnson, right, and Moana, voiced by Auli'i Cravalho, in a scene from the animated film, "Moana."  (Disney via AP)

Reeling it in: ‘Moana’ authentic in its storytelling

“Moana”Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures1 hour, 43 minutesThe holiday season brings with it risky Oscar-bait ventures that studios hope will connect with audiences despite not… Continue reading

This image released by Disney shows characters Maui, voiced by Dwayne Johnson, right, and Moana, voiced by Auli'i Cravalho, in a scene from the animated film, "Moana."  (Disney via AP)

Poem: Ode to a Christmas Tree

Ode To A Christmas TreeBy Trish Thomson, KenaiEach year at the start of the Christmas Season I begin to wonder about where to get a… Continue reading

Brian Duffy, center, as Uncle Drosselmeyer, distributes gifts to children in the party scene during rehearsals last Friday at the Homer Mariner Theatre.

Homer Nutcracker ballet continues the magic

Homer might be as cold as Moscow this winter, but when it comes to the annual production of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker, citizens, we’re not talking the… Continue reading

Brian Duffy, center, as Uncle Drosselmeyer, distributes gifts to children in the party scene during rehearsals last Friday at the Homer Mariner Theatre.
The Bookworm Sez: Book filled with fascinating historical nuggets

The Bookworm Sez: Book filled with fascinating historical nuggets

Was your old high school history teacher wrong?You can’t imagine so; she taught you all about World Wars I and II, America’s past, and British… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: Book filled with fascinating historical nuggets
Eve Kilcher stirs a pot of chicken soup while holding Sparrow. The Kilcher's kitchen, which is the backdrop of the cover photo on Homestead Kitchen, was under construction for the majority of the time the Kilchers worked on the cookbook.

Kilcher cookbook depicts delicious life

“Homestead Kitchen” was born out of the same kind of connection that started the Kilcher family’s reality television show — a Facebook message to Eivin… Continue reading

Eve Kilcher stirs a pot of chicken soup while holding Sparrow. The Kilcher's kitchen, which is the backdrop of the cover photo on Homestead Kitchen, was under construction for the majority of the time the Kilchers worked on the cookbook.

What’s Happening

■ Annual Christmas Comes to Kenai events are Friday. At 10 a.m., the doors open for the Kenai Arts Guild arts and craft fair at… Continue reading

Poet’s Corner: Recovery Road

Recovery RoadBy Bonnie Marie Playle, SoldotnaThis road called Recovery,what a road it can be,with its hills, dales and valleys.Some are short, while some are long,all… Continue reading

This image released by Warner Bros. Entertainment shows Eddie Redmayne in a scene from, "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them." (Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros. via AP)

Reeling it in: ‘Fantastic Beasts’ missing the Potter magic

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”Warner Bros.2 hours, 13 minutesAfter years of discussion and months of breathless advertising, the latest film from the world… Continue reading

This image released by Warner Bros. Entertainment shows Eddie Redmayne in a scene from, "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them." (Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros. via AP)
The Bookworm Sez: 'Hot Sauce Nation' a spicy read

The Bookworm Sez: ‘Hot Sauce Nation’ a spicy read

All the things you love will be on your table this holiday.Steaming mashed potatoes with a dollop of butter. Turkey or ham, fresh from the… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: 'Hot Sauce Nation' a spicy read

‘Arrival’ speaks of cooperation, hope

“Arrival” 21 Laps Entertainment 1 hour, 55 mintes Amy Adams, as Dr. Louise Banks, is flying in a helicopter when she gets her first glimpse… Continue reading

Brief histories of everyday objects

Brief histories of everyday objects

Imagine the first person who created a toothbrush.Better yet – imagine life before a toothbrush. Think about it: getting your mouth minty-fresh wasn’t exactly easy… Continue reading

Brief histories of everyday objects

Cellist and pianist to play concert

Like chocolate and peanut butter, cello and piano are two great tastes that perfectly complement together. Composers have thought so for centuries, and this Saturday… Continue reading

This image released by Disney shows Benedict Cumberbatch in a scene from Marvel's "Doctor Strange." (Disney/Marvel via AP)

Reeling it in: ‘Doctor Strange’ delves deeper into Marvel universe

“Doctor Strange” Marvel Studios 1 hour, 55 minutes   Marvel Comics, due to a series of ill-advised deals, sold off the film rights to its… Continue reading

This image released by Disney shows Benedict Cumberbatch in a scene from Marvel's "Doctor Strange." (Disney/Marvel via AP)

What’s Happening for the week of Nov. 10

Best Bets ■ “Once Upon a Mattress,” the “Princess and the Pea” musical, will be performed at the Soldotna High School auditorium, Thursday-Saturday, at 7… Continue reading

The way home gets longer

You can’t remember a thing these days.Whatchamacallit’s name doesn’t come quite as easily anymore. You can’t recall the title of that movie you used to… Continue reading

Author Ernestine Hayes holds her latest book "The Tao of Raven: An Alaska Native Memoir." (Photo by Mary Catharine Martin/Capital City Weekly)

‘The Tao of Raven’: Book explores wisdom of traditional stories

Ernestine Hayes used to tell people she didn’t understand the story of Raven and the box of daylight until she had grandchildren.But when one of… Continue reading

Author Ernestine Hayes holds her latest book "The Tao of Raven: An Alaska Native Memoir." (Photo by Mary Catharine Martin/Capital City Weekly)
Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion A dancer from Peninsula Artists in Motion, a central Kenai Peninsula dance group, rehearses Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016 at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. The group will perform Friday, Nov. 4, 2016 at the high school at 7 p.m. to mark its 15th anniversary.

Peninsula Artists in Motion return to stage

This weekend’s performance by the dance troupe Peninsula Artists in Motion mark both the group’s 15th year of existence and a return to the large… Continue reading

Photo by Elizabeth Earl/Peninsula Clarion A dancer from Peninsula Artists in Motion, a central Kenai Peninsula dance group, rehearses Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2016 at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska. The group will perform Friday, Nov. 4, 2016 at the high school at 7 p.m. to mark its 15th anniversary.

What’s Happening

Best Bets ■ The Peninsula Artists in Motion 15th anniversary dance concert is at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Renee C. Henderson Auditorium… Continue reading

In this image released by Sony Pictures, Tom Hanks, left, and Felicity Jones appear in a scene from, "Inferno." (Jonathan Prime/Sony Pictures via AP)

Reeling It In: ‘Inferno’ never really heats up

“Inferno”Columbia Pictures2 hours, 1 minuteLast week on the radio show that I co-host we talked about adaptations and how tricky a prospect that can be.… Continue reading

In this image released by Sony Pictures, Tom Hanks, left, and Felicity Jones appear in a scene from, "Inferno." (Jonathan Prime/Sony Pictures via AP)
The Bookworm Sez: The syory of a pioneer on two wheels

The Bookworm Sez: The syory of a pioneer on two wheels

It’s a great big world out there.So many things to see, so many places to visit. You can find pictures of those spots, but photos… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: The syory of a pioneer on two wheels