Features

The cover of Kate Mitchell’s “The Bag Lady at the End of the Road,” published in 2018 by Wizard Works. (Image provided)

‘Bag Lady’ tells story of Homer entrepreneur Kate Mitchell

‘Whenever I would think of something or mention it to my children I would jot it down’

The cover of Kate Mitchell’s “The Bag Lady at the End of the Road,” published in 2018 by Wizard Works. (Image provided)
In this undated photo, Anna Pidgorna stands by her piece, “Through Closed Doors.” The arrangement of music on the door is designed so that musicians performing the piece must physically move around the door to act out dramatic dimensions of the piece. (Photo provided)

Visiting artist interprets place through sound

Bunnell Street Art Center’s latest Artist in Residence, Anna Pidgorna, presents a diverse array of interests and accomplishments as a composer, a musician, vocalist, and… Continue reading

In this undated photo, Anna Pidgorna stands by her piece, “Through Closed Doors.” The arrangement of music on the door is designed so that musicians performing the piece must physically move around the door to act out dramatic dimensions of the piece. (Photo provided)
Steps are incorporated into the rock garden at the Flip and Marguerite Felton home. It was one of five gardens featured in the 2018 Homer Garden Tour. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Garden Club publishes new guide

More than 10 years after its last edition, the Homer Garden Club in December released an updated and expanded book on gardening from Ninilchik south.… Continue reading

Steps are incorporated into the rock garden at the Flip and Marguerite Felton home. It was one of five gardens featured in the 2018 Homer Garden Tour. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Quilter Jane Regan offered scraps of fabric from her mother’s collection at the “9 Women / 9 Quilts” show that opened last Friday, Feb. 1, 2019, at the Homer Council on the Arts, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Group quilt exhibit shows collaboration on every work

It’s not uncommon for Homer art galleries to feature group shows. It’s also not uncommon for shows to center on a particular theme. But in… Continue reading

Quilter Jane Regan offered scraps of fabric from her mother’s collection at the “9 Women / 9 Quilts” show that opened last Friday, Feb. 1, 2019, at the Homer Council on the Arts, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Maria Bernier stands by her painting, “Chop,” at the First Friday, Dec 7, 2018, opening of Bunnell Street Arts Center’s 10x10 show in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

10 x 10 show encourages collecting, gifting

Like some other Homer galleries, Bunnell Street Arts Center periodically opens up its walls to community art. With its 10x10 Member’s Show, Bunnell does so… Continue reading

Maria Bernier stands by her painting, “Chop,” at the First Friday, Dec 7, 2018, opening of Bunnell Street Arts Center’s 10x10 show in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Good golly, meet ‘Molly of Denali’

Good golly, meet ‘Molly of Denali’

The show involves Alaska Native characters, voice actors and writers.

Good golly, meet ‘Molly of Denali’
<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News</span> Christine Kulcheski wears a 1980s era jacket by Linda Skelton at the 2018 Wearable Arts last Saturday.

‘Time Traveling’ shows Wearable Arts of past, present and maybe future

The Homer Fiber Arts Collective and Bunnell Street Arts Center powered up its time machine last Saturday for the 2018 Wearable Arts show. Titled “Time… Continue reading

<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News</span> Christine Kulcheski wears a 1980s era jacket by Linda Skelton at the 2018 Wearable Arts last Saturday.
Bookworm Sez: ‘Plight of the Living Dead’ — Zombies meet science in an unsettling read

Bookworm Sez: ‘Plight of the Living Dead’ — Zombies meet science in an unsettling read

What’s bugging you today? Poli-ticks making you want to flea? Ant Doris on your case about the holidays already? It’s tough, really, especially when you’re… Continue reading

Bookworm Sez: ‘Plight of the Living Dead’ — Zombies meet science in an unsettling read
Internationally renowned pianist to play in Soldotna

Internationally renowned pianist to play in Soldotna

At first blush, it’s a tad unbelievable that a pianist of international renown will be playing Soldotna Christ Lutheran Church on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.… Continue reading

Internationally renowned pianist to play in Soldotna
A black bear crosses the Skilak Lake Road in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, near Sterling, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Fall colors dazzle in Kenai National Wildlife Refuge

Leaf peepers don’t have to travel to New England to see fall colors. Brilliant yellows from birch and aspen trees dazzle just up the road… Continue reading

A black bear crosses the Skilak Lake Road in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018, near Sterling, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
<span class="neFMT neFMT_Subhead">Northern lights return</span>

Best Bets

Everyone talks about the Ides of March, but does anyone care about the Ides of September? That would be Saturday, the 15th. Oh, sure, the… Continue reading

<span class="neFMT neFMT_Subhead">Northern lights return</span>
A woman ties a ribbon to a memorial to Katie Kennedy at this year’s Burning Basket, Dream, on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018 at Mariner Park in Homer, Alaska. The photo shows Kennedy placing her bra in the 2017 Burning Basket. Kennedy died of breast cancer this year. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

An intimate view of the Burning Basket from formation to flames

The image came via text in early June: a lilac-painted 1972 Volkswagen van set against a picturesque backdrop of nettles and fireweed. Not a bad… Continue reading

A woman ties a ribbon to a memorial to Katie Kennedy at this year’s Burning Basket, Dream, on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2018 at Mariner Park in Homer, Alaska. The photo shows Kennedy placing her bra in the 2017 Burning Basket. Kennedy died of breast cancer this year. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Janet Klein, left, holds her grandson, Sylas Reising, 4, while she visits with her daughter, Deborah Klein, center, and son-in-law George Reising, right, at Bishop’s Beach, Homer, Alaska, on Aug. 9, 2018. Not shown is Kai Reising, 6. Silas and Kai were the inspiration for the Klein’s “color and learn” book, “Alaska’s Dinosaurs and Other Cretaceous Creatures.”

Kleins publish new book on Alaska dinosaurs

A new children’s book out this month fulfills a request made by two Seward boys to their mother. Kai, 5, and Sylas Reising, 4, had… Continue reading

Janet Klein, left, holds her grandson, Sylas Reising, 4, while she visits with her daughter, Deborah Klein, center, and son-in-law George Reising, right, at Bishop’s Beach, Homer, Alaska, on Aug. 9, 2018. Not shown is Kai Reising, 6. Silas and Kai were the inspiration for the Klein’s “color and learn” book, “Alaska’s Dinosaurs and Other Cretaceous Creatures.”
Joan Brown Dodd, left, and Doug Dodd pose for a photo at the Homer News on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Author couple publish new books

Homer has long been known for its support of new and established authors. Through college classes, readings, workshops and writers groups, local literary artists teach… Continue reading

Joan Brown Dodd, left, and Doug Dodd pose for a photo at the Homer News on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2018, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion</span> Stu Schmutzler dances at the River Stage during Rabbit Creek Ramblers’ set at the 2017 Salmonfest in Ninilchik, Alaska on Friday, Aug. 4, 2017.

Get ready for fish, love and music

The organizers of Salmonfest are ready to bring the people of Alaska another three days of “fish, love and music” next month, with a cause… Continue reading

<span class="neFMT neFMT_PhotoCredit">Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion</span> Stu Schmutzler dances at the River Stage during Rabbit Creek Ramblers’ set at the 2017 Salmonfest in Ninilchik, Alaska on Friday, Aug. 4, 2017.

Pioneer Potluck: About bears and people

Driving from Anchorage to Nikiski I was “bombing” along in my old green L.T.D., radio blaring, arm out the open window so I could feel… Continue reading

Here’s the thing: Taking time for myself

When my husband left for work I called out, “I love you more than pizza!” as he walked out the door. I haven’t been that… Continue reading

Learning to love and listen

It’s the middle of February and I can’t say I’m too confident about how this year is going. It feels like 2017 is still finding… Continue reading

Colleen Puch wishes the students on her bus good luck on their first day of school at Nikiski North Star Elementary School, marking the start of her forty fourth year as a school bus driver Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017 in Nikiski, Alaska. She chose to drive for one more year so she could drive her great-grandson to school, after having driven her children and grandchildren. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)

Year begins in Kenai Peninsula Borough School District

Along the stretch of South Miller Loop Road to Nikiski North Star Elementary, students, with their families watching, patiently awaited the school bus that would… Continue reading

Colleen Puch wishes the students on her bus good luck on their first day of school at Nikiski North Star Elementary School, marking the start of her forty fourth year as a school bus driver Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2017 in Nikiski, Alaska. She chose to drive for one more year so she could drive her great-grandson to school, after having driven her children and grandchildren. (Photo by Kat Sorensen/Peninsula Clarion)