Cook Inletkeeper holds a training session for people interested in becoming a water quality monitor. Volunteers learn to monitor streams for acidity, dissolved oxygen, temperature and bacteria. Three free training sessions are 6-8:30 p.m. April 15 and 16 and noon-3 p.m. April 18. Call Rachel at 235-4068, ext. 29, or rachel@inletkeeper.org to sign up.

The Center -- South Peninsula Behavioral Health Services holds its monthly board of directors meeting at 6 p.m. April 16 in the board room at 3948 Ben Walters Lane. Call 235-7701.

The Kachemak Bay Research Reserve seeks people to serve on its nine-member community council. Apply by 5 p.m. April 24. Call 226-4656 or e-mail terry.thompson@alaska.gov.

The Kachemacs Macintosh User Group meets the first Thursday of the month at the Homer Public Library from 6-8 p.m. Call Diane at 235-0714 for more information.

The Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies has a free snowshoe loan program 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, at 708 Smokey Bay Way. Call 235-6667.

The Homer Public Health Center, 195 E. Bunnell Ave., offers a varicella immunization clinic from 9-11 a.m. and 1-3:30 p.m. Friday. Varicella protects against chickenpox disease and is required for kindergarten through sixth-grade school admission starting July 1. To schedule an immunization appointment, call 235-8857.

Registration for the 17th annual Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival has started. Festival information, including the schedule of events and registration forms, is at www.homeralaska.org. The printed program also is available at the Homer Chamber of Commerce. Register early because some events fill up quickly. Call 235-7740.

Congressman Don Young, R-Alaska, has a new toll-free phone number for constituents not served by a local district office: (866) 990-5979. "I look forward to hearing from many more Alaskans on the issues tht concern them, and helping them in any way I can," Young said.