Announcements

The American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 16, offers Christmas gift wrapping from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Christmas Eve at Ulmer’s. Donations to support veterans programs are gratefully accepted. 

Cooperative Extension Service

This season of family, food, fun and giving is a great time to reflect on the abundant freedoms, security and peace we each enjoy, and to think of those who will spend the season and coming year with much less. The 4-H program  works with local youth to help them make a positive impact by pledging their “hands to larger service.” This December the Kenai Peninsula 4-H Program encourages people to set an example for the youth in their lives by including them when giving time or money to a local charity.

The Alaska 4-H Global Citizenship and Exchange program also invites people to join its efforts to raise support for families in disaster and conflict stricken areas around the globe. By raising funds for ShelterBox USA, participating 4-H youth get a hands-on opportunity to impact the lives of people they may never meet. To learn more about the 4-H Global Citizenship and Exchange program visit www.alaska4h.org/4-h-exchange-program.html. To learn more about how to donate to ShelterBox USA, visit 35409.thankyou4caring.org. 4-H is the Positive Youth Development Program of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service, and is open to youth participants in grade K-12. Program enrollment is available year-round. For more information call the Extension Office at 907-262-5824, visit www.uaf.edu/ces/districts/kenai, or stop by the extension office from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday in the Doors and Windows Building, 43961 Kalifornsky Beach Road, Soldotna.

Friendship Center

Friendship Center Adult Day Services is open between the hours of 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 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Friday. The lunch menu for this week is: Wednesday, beef tacos, Thursday, closed for Christmas; Friday, battered cod; Monday, turkey meatloaf; Tuesday, chicken pot pie; Wednesday, baked pork chops; next Thursday, closed for New Year’s Day.

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 members, $6 nonmembers.

Tai Chi classes are Thursday at 3 p.m. The cost per class is $3 for members and $6 for nonmembers. Call Daniel Weisser at 235-7655.

Duplicate Bridge meets Thursdays at 1 p.m.

Caregiver Support Group meets 2-3:30 p.m. the second and fourth Thursday in the senior center dining room. Call Pam Hooker at 299-7198 or Kathy Hedges at 235-4556.

Kachemak Bay Campus

The upcoming Winter/Spring Class and workshop schedule is now online at kpc.alaska.edu/KBC/searchable_schedule. Stop by the campus to sign-up or register online. If interested in earning a degree or returning to college, call 235-7743 for advising information for winter/spring semester classes. To earn your GED or improve basic reading, writing and math skills, call 235-1606. The campus is closed through Jan. 5.

Pratt Museum

The museum winter hours are noon-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday; the museum is closed Monday. Business offices are open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

The museum offers free admission all December. 

The People’s Choice Art Exhibit features artwork people voted on to display in the downstairs museum art gallery.  The show is up through Dec. 31.

“Women Who Run with the Tides: New Work by 29 Women — 25 years” includes works by women artists who lived and worked in the Kachemak Bay area at least 25 years ago. The exhibit was curated by Kim Terpening and Nancy Wise.

South Peninsula Hospital

South Peninsula Hospital offers free help with certified application counselors for people wanting to sign up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. Appointments are on select Saturdays through February. Dates for assistance are Jan. 10, Jan. 24, Feb. 7 and Feb. 14. Call 235-8101 to make an appointment.

SVT Health & Wellness

SVT Health & Wellness offers classes covering all aspects of wellness every Thursday at 6 p.m. There are no classes today for Christmas and on Jan. 1 for New Year’s day. The next class is Jan. 8, “Introduction to Tai Chi & Qigong” with Amy Rattenbury, licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist.
Join Rattenbury for a brief overview on Tai Chi and Qigong and learn several gentle movements for relaxation and rejuvenation. wear loose comfortable clothing, all ages and abilities are welcome.

The Jan. 15 class is “Congo: Land of Plenty, Land of Paradox,” with Patty Delate, family nurse practitioner.
 Join her for a slideshow and discussion of her journey to the heart of Africa and to the heart of the people living in a land torn by war and insecurity.

On Jan. 22 is “Kick Those Sugar Blues, Part One” and on Jan. 29 is “Kick Those Sugar Blues, Part Two,” with Hillery Daily, naturopathic doctor, and Amy Rattenbury, licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist. Are you struggling with low energy, poor concentration, having trouble losing thoseweight or feeling more pain and inflammation? You may be suffering from the sugar blues. Join them for a discussion on how sugar affects your body, mind and emotions. Learn about helpful supplements and ideas on how to remove sugar from your diet.