The Homer Volunteer Fire Department, Anchor Point Fire and Emergency Medical Services, and Kachemak Emergency Services offer chimney brushes for people to borrow and use to clean chimneys. Brushes can be picked up during normal business hours. HVFD also recommends an annual inspection of heating appliances, wood stoves and chimneys. 

The 2016 Homer Winter Carnival and Homer Events seeks people to participate in the Outhouse Races and the Mr. Homer Pageant. The Outhouse Race is a great way for any family, group, business or organization to have some laughs as a team. The entry fee is $100 which goes to defraying costs involved, with any extra given to a local charity. The Mr. Homer Pageant is open to men and women. People can nominate any amazing personalities to enter by submitting a paragraph or two explaining why that person is qualified to represent Homer as an “exemplary example of extraordinary-ness.” The entry fee is $25. The carnival also seeks businesses or organizations to sponsor events. To register for either event, or to sign up as a sponsor, go to Homer Events on Facebook or call Dax Radtke of Homer Events at 299-0319.

Anchor Point Senior Citizens

The Anchor Point Senior Center on Milo Fritz Road reopens on Jan. 4. 

The Anchor Point Senior Center on Milo Fritz Road is open for winter hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 10 a.m.-noon Friday. The center serves Thursday night dinners starting at 5:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Bingo is at 6 p.m. with play starting at 7 p.m. on Friday nights. The Helping Hands Thrift Store is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Exercise sessions are at 10 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. For more information, call the senior center at 235-7786.

Friendship Center

Friendship Center Adult Day Services is open 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday with extended hours for special situations. Programs are offered daily, including story time, crafts and musical performances. Call 235-4556.

Homer Senior Citizens

Homer Senior Citizens lunch is open to seniors and guests and is served noon-1:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. The lunch menu for this week is: today, roast turkey with mashed potatoes and gravy; Friday, closed for New Year’s Day; Monday, baked chicken; Tuesday, pork marsala; Wednesday, beef tacos; next Thursday, country style roast pork.

Strong Women classes are 1:30-2:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Homer Senior Center. The cost is $3 for members and $6 for nonmembers per class.

Zumba Gold classes with Maria are 11 a.m.-noon Tuesdays and 1:30-2:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Homer Senior Center. The cost per class is $4 for members, $6 for nonmembers.

Duplicate Bridge meets at 1 p.m. Thursdays. Tai chi classes are Thursdays at 3 p.m. The cost per class is $3 for members and $6 for nonmembers. Call Daniel Weisser at 235-4555.

Caregiver Support Group meets 2-3:30 p.m. the second and fourth Thursday in the senior center conference room. Call Jacquie Thaute at 299-2924 or Daniel Weisser at 235-4555.

Kachemak Bay Campus

Registration for winter and spring classes has now begun for community education, job training, recreation or degrees. Interested in a degree or training programs for jobs like certified nursing assistant? Make an appointment soon with an advisor at 235-7743. For GED, ESL and ABE classes, call 235-7743.

KBC is closed until Jan. 4.

Pratt Museum

Winter gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday through December. Admission is free through December. Business offices are open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Sprout Family Services

Sprout Family Services needs parents of children ages 0-5 to volunteer for their focus group “Early Childhood Development and Sprout Family Services” on Saturday, Jan.16, from 4-5 p.m. at the Homer Public Library. 

The objective of the focus group is to understand community perceptions of Sprout and learn where parents get information on child development and parenting.  Childcare will be provided.  Participants will receive a $10 K Bay Caffé  gift card and will also be entered to win a $100 gas gift card.  

Please e-mail office@sproutalaska.org or call 235-6044 by Jan. 11 if you are interested in participating.