When growing old

When Growing OldDolores RusinThinking big thoughts during the nightSometimes sleep eludesThoughts run rampant through my brainLike worry at Sunrise what should I doThe question comes… Continue reading

FILE - In this Aug. 3, 2002 file photo, The Grateful Dead, from left, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann, Bob Weir and Mickey Hart perform during a reunion concert in East Troy, Wis. Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann and Bob Weir have joined forces with John Mayer to form the band, Dead & Company. They will perform a show on Oct. 31 at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)

Grateful Dead members, John Mayer band up for Dead & Company

NEW YORK — Members of the Grateful Dead are coming back to life in a new supergroup with John Mayer.Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann and Bob… Continue reading

FILE - In this Aug. 3, 2002 file photo, The Grateful Dead, from left, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann, Bob Weir and Mickey Hart perform during a reunion concert in East Troy, Wis. Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann and Bob Weir have joined forces with John Mayer to form the band, Dead & Company. They will perform a show on Oct. 31 at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)

Charlie is an autism service dog in training

LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Animal lover and trainer Julie Shaw wants you to meet Charlie, a 10-week-old Australian Labradoodle bred for calmness — not because he’s… Continue reading

This photo provided by The Weinstein Company shows, Rachel McAdams, left, as Maureen Hope and Jake Gyllenhaal as Billy Hope, in the film, "Southpaw."  The movie releases in the U.S. on July 24, 2015. (Scott Garfield/The Weinstein Company via AP)

Reeling it in: The good and the bad on the bigscreen

“Trainwreck”Apatow Productions2 hours, 5 minutesThere are times I feel out of touch with the mainstream of film criticism. More so lately than usual. Most of… Continue reading

This photo provided by The Weinstein Company shows, Rachel McAdams, left, as Maureen Hope and Jake Gyllenhaal as Billy Hope, in the film, "Southpaw."  The movie releases in the U.S. on July 24, 2015. (Scott Garfield/The Weinstein Company via AP)

What’s Happening

■ Salmonfest is Friday through Sunday at the Ninilchik fair grounds, see story.■ The Kenai Peninsula Orchestra Summer Music Festival’s chamber concert with the Madison… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: Curiosity will bring you back to this book

The Bookworm Sez: Curiosity will bring you back to this book

There’s never enough space in your closet. So maybe it’s time to purge, to donate things that don’t fit anymore. That’d make a lot of… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: Curiosity will bring you back to this book

Welcoming literary citizens: An interview with 49 Writers’ new director

For Erin Coughlin Hollowell, the poet who in early July became executive director of Alaska’s largest writing group, 49 Writers, part of being a writer… Continue reading

This photo provided by Disney shows Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man in a scene from Marvel's "Ant-Man." The film releases in the U.S. on Friday, July 17, 2015. (Zade Rosenthal/Disney/Marvel via AP)

Reeling it in: Tiny superhero a huge surprise

“Ant-Man” Marvel Studios 1 hour, 57 minutes   The early reviews for this week’s latest Marvel Comics outing, “Ant-Man,” were decidedly mediocre. Looking at sites… Continue reading

This photo provided by Disney shows Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man in a scene from Marvel's "Ant-Man." The film releases in the U.S. on Friday, July 17, 2015. (Zade Rosenthal/Disney/Marvel via AP)

What’s Happening

■ Check out the Progress Days festival at Soldotna Creek Park in Soldotna, which includes live entertainment from 11:45 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and 11:45 a.m.-4… Continue reading

What’s Happening

Best Bets ■ The Soldotna Library is hosting an Alaskan themed art show displaying work of several local artists. The art will be on display… Continue reading

In this image released by Universal Pictures, Scarlet Overkill, voiced by Sandra Bullock, second left, appears with minions Stuart, left, Kevin and Bob, right, in a scene from the animated feature, "Minions." (Illumination Entertainment/Universal Pictures via AP)

Reeling it in: ‘Minions’ have their work cut out for them

“Minions” Illumination Entertainment 1 hour, 31 minutes   Minions is a movie that is seriously confused about its subjects. I know it’s perhaps a bit… Continue reading

In this image released by Universal Pictures, Scarlet Overkill, voiced by Sandra Bullock, second left, appears with minions Stuart, left, Kevin and Bob, right, in a scene from the animated feature, "Minions." (Illumination Entertainment/Universal Pictures via AP)

What’s Happening

Events and Exhibits ■ The Soldotna Library is hosting an Alaskan themed art show displaying work of several local artists. The art will be on… Continue reading

Poem: Coal For Fish

Coal For FishBy John A. Anderson, KenaiThe moon rises above the Alaska Range like anisland in the sky sleeping in the starlight ...The windsongs on… Continue reading

Reeling it in: Fascinating story carries ‘The Woman in Gold’

“The Woman in Gold”Weinstein Company1 hour, 49 minutesThere are a million great stories about art and artists down through the ages, probably because artists are… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: Lots to glean from 'Pardon My Hearse'

The Bookworm Sez: Lots to glean from ‘Pardon My Hearse’

The job you were hired to do and the job you do today sure are different.The Old You, in fact, would only barely recognize the… Continue reading

The Bookworm Sez: Lots to glean from 'Pardon My Hearse'
'Born to be Wild'

‘Born to be Wild’

You’ll never be accused of missing adventure because you’re too tired. Two, in fact, is just the right amount of tires; because the weather is… Continue reading

'Born to be Wild'

What’s Happening

Best Bets ■ Celebrate Independence Day in Kenai. The theme of the day’s festivities is “Honoring Our Hometown Heroes.” The parade steps off at 11… Continue reading

Love unique theaters, different crowds, and even the different concession options

In the past few years I’ve been lucky enough to travel quite a bit, and one of my favorite things about being in a new… Continue reading

Asia Freeman's "Big Blue Bog."

Watermark: Art show about inspiration, collaboration

When two artists join lives together, it’s inevitable that their art also will merge. For Asia Freeman and Michael Walsh, a couple who met through… Continue reading

Asia Freeman's "Big Blue Bog."
FILE - In this file image released by Disney-Pixar, characters, from left, Anger, voiced by Lewis Black, Disgust, voiced by Mindy Kaling, Joy, voiced by Amy Poehler, Fear, voiced by Bill Hader, and Sadness, voiced by Phyllis Smith appear in a scene from the animated film, "Inside Out," in theaters on June 19. (Disney-Pixar via AP, File)

Inside out color coated memories

“Inside Out” Disney-Pixar 1 hours 42 min   When I first heard the concept of “Inside Out,” this week’s fabulous new Pixar animated film, I… Continue reading

FILE - In this file image released by Disney-Pixar, characters, from left, Anger, voiced by Lewis Black, Disgust, voiced by Mindy Kaling, Joy, voiced by Amy Poehler, Fear, voiced by Bill Hader, and Sadness, voiced by Phyllis Smith appear in a scene from the animated film, "Inside Out," in theaters on June 19. (Disney-Pixar via AP, File)