MARKET FRESH

Seafood and sweets on deck for Valentine's

It seems that romance and sweets - chocolate, truffles, cakes, cookies - seem to go together. And this is the week for romantics.

Discovery Channel reports 'Deadliest Catch' captain dies

A spokesman for The Discovery Channel said the captain of the "Deadliest Catch" fishing vessel Cornelia Marie has died.

Tuesday will be 'Kate Shugak Day' in Palmer

In honor of Anchorage author Dana Stabenow's 17th book being released, Palmer is celebrating "Kate Shugak Day" on Tuesday.

REVIEW

'Onegin' is an operatic high point

Tchaikovsky's "Eugene Onegin" had never been performed in Alaska before Saturday night. It's a difficult piece in many ways, not least intellectually.

Blog: Art Snob

"Star Wars" comes to Anchorage Museum

Few images in cinema match the first on-screen appearance of Darth Vader in the original "Star Wars" film. The faceless, insect-eyed mask, black body armor, commanding cape and flared helmet were reminiscent of a Nazi stormtrooper's gear. Everything screams, "This dude's dangerous!"

NED ROZELL

Yukon recorded coldest temperature in North America

A few years ago, 82-year-old Wilfred "Wilf" Blezard remembered the coldest day recorded in North America's history. Blezard was one of four weathermen stationed at the Snag airport in Yukon territory on Feb. 3, 1947. On that day, the temperature dropped to minus 81 degrees Fahrenheit.

REVIEW

Musicians scramble in Rosenthal's absence

In the 40 years since his Alaska debut, I have never known Paul Rosenthal to miss a performance at which he was scheduled to play. But it finally happened. Friday night's opening program in this year's Alaska Airlines Winter Classics chamber music concerts in Anchorage found the series without its founder.

Trip tracker

The enchanting Isle of Capri sits in the Bay of Naples, off the Amalfi Coast of Italy. The island is only accessible by boat, but it has been a resort since the time of the Roman Republic.

REVIEW

Play's take on death philosophical, hilarious

An outbreak of plays about death has hit Anchorage. Last month Anchorage Community Theatre staged "Heart." This month Cyrano's presents "Tuesdays with Morrie." And, in a frustratingly short run, after premiering in San Francisco, William Bivins' "The Afterlife of the Mind" is having its Alaska debut run at Out North.

Rambler is all revved up for a busy First Friday

The Rambler is heading to Alaska Pacific University on this First Friday - the primary assignment being to review the first night of the Alaska Airlines Winter Classics chamber music series in Grant Hall.

REVIEW

Kilcher elegant, but Hawaiian costume drama plods

Fortunately Q'orianka Kilcher has the title role in "Barbarian Princess," the cinematic biography about Hawaii's Princess Ka'iulani, aka Victoria Cleghorn.

OBITUARY

Halibut Cove artist Diana Tillion dies after battle with cancer

Diana Rutzebeck Tillion, an artist known for her octopus ink paintings, died at her home in Halibut Cove on Wednesday night. She was 81 years old and was painting until a week before she died.

JEFF LOWENFELS

Dirt debuts: Vegetable and petunia you don't dead-head

I always dislike those columns where the authors review what is new for the season. Usually, it turns out, these are nothing more than a rehash of the press releases from the seed companies. Countless dollars are spent trying to get people to write about plants and seeds being introduced.

MARKET FRESH

Spice up Alaska seafood for the Super Bowl

For those who haven’t heard, there’s a little football game that’s going to be played this weekend in Florida. Maybe you aren’t a pigskin fan and will be hitting the ski trails as part of the annual Alaska Ski for Women or out creating your own ski event.

Teen artists show their stuff

You get a feel for the energy, curiosity and talent of Alaska's young artists by looking over Laura Hedge's work at the Alaska Region of The Scholastic Art Awards show now on display at the MTS Gallery.

Pride, prejudice, Pushkin

Next Saturday night, for the first time ever, Anchorage Opera will present a Russian language production -- Peter Tchaikovsky's "Eugene Onegin."

ART BEAT

Willow woman in running for Grammy

Tonight's Grammy Awards will find Kirsten Gunlogson, born and raised in Willow, on the edge of her seat.

Blog: Art Snob

NED ROZELL

Alaska geologist packs bags to head to devastated Haiti

When Rich Koehler came to Alaska from Nevada in June, he thought he would spend January at his desk, preparing to explore the state for signs of ancient earthquakes over the summer.

'Deadliest Catch' skipper suffers a stroke

One of the stars of the reality show "Deadliest Catch" suffered a stroke Friday while in port at St. Paul Island, according to Web sites associated with the show.

Reading the North

New books of interest to Alaskans

Trip tracker

South Africa will host the 2010 FIFA World Cup of football, or what we Americans call soccer, from June 11 to July 11. The host cities throughout the country offer much to see and do before and after the games. Each city has a unique vibe and provide perspectives to this diverse country.