The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District requests input from staff, parents, and community members at the districtwide KPBSD budget development meeting, scheduled at the following locations:
Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 6 p.m. in the Homer High School Library
Wednesday, Feb. 20, at 6 p.m. in the Soldotna High School Library
Thursday, Feb. 21, at 6 p.m. in the Kenai Central High School Library
Tuesday, Feb. 26, at 6 p.m. in the Seward High School Library
As new budget information becomes available, it will be posted here: http://www.kpbsd.k12.ak.us/departments.aspx?id=38. If you have questions, please call Natalie Bates at 714-8888.
The Kachemak Bay Birders’ next trip will be to the Spit on Saturday, Feb. 2. Meet in the parking lot at the base of the Spit on Kachemak Drive at 12:30 p.m. The timing of this trip coincides with a good high tide which will make it easier to view birds out over the water. Bring binoculars, field guide and a spotting scope if you have them. All Kachemak Bay Birding trips are cosponsored by the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. All trips are free and everyone is welcome to attend. The leader for this trip is Jim Herbert and for more information contact him at 907-362-0020.
The Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center hosts the annual Winter Carnival Parade. The theme this year is “Coasting Through Winter” celebrating the Coast Guard’s 50th anniversary in Homer. The Winter Carnival Celebration and Parade is the weekend of Thursday through Sunday, Feb. 7-10 with the parade on Saturday, Feb. 9 noon. The Grand Marshals are from the Coast Guard. Parade line-up will be at the Homer High School at 11 a.m. Parade Headquarters is at Bay Realty with Darrell Oliver, Master of Ceremonies. Homer Parade entry applications are available on-line at the Homer Chamber’s website www.homeralaska.org/winter-carnival-parade or available at the Chamber’s office located at 201 Sterling Highway. Applications are due on or before Friday, Feb. 1.
For more information on Parade entry applications, please contact Jan Knutson, Homer Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center and Community Events manager at 235-7740 or stop by the Chamber’s office at 201 Sterling Highway, which is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Kenai Peninsula Votes offers advice on voting. Did you know that if you applied for a Permanent Fund Dividend (PFD) in the last couple of years, you also registered to vote? There are thousands of Alaskans who are not aware that they are registered voters. For whatever reason, after they completed their PFD application, not all the people were informed that they had the ability to vote. If you did fill out your PFD and want to find out if you are a registered voter in Alaska, go to: https://myvoterinformation.alaska.gov/ and answer the questions on that page. With the power of voting your voice can be heard. For more information on Kenai Peninsula Votes, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Community/Kenai-Peninsula-Votes-1137000326349152/
Kachemak Bay State Parks is currently recruiting for members for the Kachemak Bay State Parks Citizens Advisory Board.
This advisory board provides Alaska State Parks with recommendations and input on management issues in Kachemak Bay State/Wilderness Park, Eveline State Recreation Site, and Diamond Creek State Recreation Area.
Board members meet the second Wednesday of the month September through May from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Island and Oceans Visitor Center in Homer. If you are interested in applying for this advisory board, please fill out an application at http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/misc/boards.htm under State Park Advisory Boards.
Please mail or email your application to Alaska State Parks, 95 Sterling Highway, Homer AK, 99603.
Applications are due by Feb. 15.
For more information, please contact South District Ranger Jason Okuly at 435-7595 or email Jason.Okuly@Alaska.Gov.
The 2019 Homer Friends of the NRA Banquet will be held on March 2 at Bald Mountain Air Hangar in Homer. Get tickets to the banquet at friendsofnra.org/eventtickets/Events/Details/2?eventld=56297. There will also be a gun raffle drawing held on Feb. 23 at Christian Community Church in Homer. There will be “food, games, fellowship, fun and firearms,” according to a release from the Friends of the NRA. There will also be a gun raffle. For more details, visit facebook.com/HomerFNRA/. For raffle tickets, call Greg at 907-299-2625 or email homerakfnra@hotmail.com.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough Road Service Area would like to remind individuals and private contractors not to deposit snow and ice onto borough right-of-ways. This is against Kenai Peninsula Borough code. Accumulated snow piles and berms near roadways present a safety concern by limiting visibility. It creates road maintenance problems. Call 262-4427 with any questions.
The Homer Volunteer Fire Department wants to remind the public as the temperature drops and they start to turn the heat on, make sure you properly have your chimney cleaned and inspected.
The department offers chimney brushes at the station for your convenience. Give them a call if you have any questions at 907-235-3155 ext. 0.
The South Peninsula Haven House (SPHH) Board of Directors is currently accepting nominations from community members for the 2019 Women of Distinction. The Board invites community members to participate in celebrating the cross-generational contributions of women in our community by nominating a woman in one of the three categories listed below: Woman of Distinction, Woman of Wisdom, and Young Woman of Distinction. Nomination forms may be obtained from the Haven House office, from our website at www.havenhousealaska.org or from Haven House’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/havenhousealaska. Completed forms can be submitted to South Peninsula Haven House, 3776 Lake Street, Homer, AK 99603 or emailed to admin@havenhousealaska.org. The deadline for nominations is March 1. The 2019 Honorees will be honored at the March 29 Women of Distinction dinner and auction to be held at Alice’s Champagne Palace.
Ultimate Frisbee groups meets Mondays from 7:30-9:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. at the SPARC.
Kenai Peninsula Borough Solid Waste facilities are closed on Sundays through April 28, 2019.
For more information contact the KPB Solid Waste Department at 907-262-9667.
Tsalteshi Trails Association will hold a 20- and 40-kilometer Tour of Tsalteshi ski race on Feb. 17 at the trailhead behind Skyview Middle School in Soldotna. The 40-kilometer freestyle race — two laps around the trails — starts at 11:30 a.m. A 20-kilometer race — one lap around the trails, with freestyle and classic divisions — starts shortly thereafter. Prizes will be awarded for the first three men and women finishers in each race and raffle drawings will be available to all participants. Awards will be given at a post-race party at Kenai River Brewing in Soldotna. Discounts are available for early registration and members of Tsalteshi Trails Association, Kachemak Nordic Ski Club and Seward Nordic Ski Club. The first 100 to sign up get a free buff with local artwork. To register or for more information, visit www.touroftsalteshi.org.
Anchor Point Senior Citizens
The Anchor Point Senior Center on Milo Fritz Road is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m. to noon Friday.
The center serves Thursday night dinners starting at 5 p.m. Everyone is welcome.
Bingo is at 6:30 p.m. with doors opening at 6 p.m. on Friday nights. The Helping Hands Thrift Store is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Exercise sessions are at 10 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. For information, call 235-7786.
Friendship Center
Friendship Center Adult Day Services is open 9 a.m. to 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
The Caregiver Support Group meets 2-3:30 p.m. the second and fourth Thursday in the senior center conference room. Call Pam Hooker at 299-7198 or Daniel Weisser at 235-4555.
Homer Senior Citizens lunch is open to seniors and guests and is served noon-1:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Lunch costs $7 for seniors age 60 and older, and $15 for those under 60.
Strong Women classes are 1:30-2:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Homer Senior Center. Zumba Gold classes with Maria are 11 a.m.-noon Tuesdays and 1:30-2:30 p.m. Thursdays at the Homer Senior Center.
Tai chi classes are Thursdays at 3 p.m. Duplicate Bridge meets at 1 p.m. Thursdays. Call Daniel Weisser at 235-4555.
Duplicate Bridge is $3 for members and $5 for non-members.
Strong Women, Zumba and Tai Chi are $5 for members and $7 for non-members.
Pratt Museum
Galleries are closed for renovations until May 2019.
The business office is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Kachemak Bay Campus
First Friday: Joe Kashi Photography opening from 5-6:30 p.m. on Feb. 1 in Pioneer Hall. Free event.
The Big Read: From noon to 1:30 p.m. on Feb. 4 in Pioneer Hall, Brian Partridge holds a conversation around the theme of human development. What does Roz Chast’s “Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant?” have to say about life’s final season? Are the descriptions accurate? Bring your ideas, opinions, and your lunch. Free event.
Marine Tech and Art Classes run throughout the Spring, some starting right away.
Get certified in lieu of USCG exam. USCG approved Master 100 Ton/OUPV class; Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 2-24. Cost is $700.
Advanced Photoshop Skills with Taz Talley: Saturday, Feb. 2-16 for $100.
Gill Net Building with Jessica Marx: Tuesdays and Thursdays, Feb. 5-28 for $175.
Pottery Surface Techniques with Maygen Janetta-Lotscher: Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 16 – 23 for $125.
Vinyasa Flow with a touch of Yin Yoga with Melisse Reichman begins Wednesday, Feb. 13, continuing through March 7 for $70.
South Peninsula Hospital
Homer Medical Center is offering free Diabetes Screenings in the month of January for patients without a current diabetes diagnosis. The screening includes a Point of Care diabetes screening blood test (HbA1C), a 30 minute visit with Peggy Ellen Kleinleder, RN, certified diabetes nurse educator, a review of test results, diabetes education on healthy eating for pre-diabetes, diabetes and diabetes prevention, a blood pressure check and free take-home materials. Daytime and evening appointments are available. Call Homer Medical Center at 235-8586 and ask for the New Year’s Free Diabetes Screening. It is free, and no insurance is necessary.
Certified Nurse Midwives from Homer Medical Center’s West Wing are offering free classes on childbirth and newborn care running every Tuesday through Feb. 12. The free one-hour classes are at 5:30 p.m. in South Peninsula Hospital’s conference rooms on the hospital’s lower level. No registration is required. Subjects include anatomy, labor and birth; breathing and relaxation techniques and other pain relief options; complications of labor and birth; newborn care and breastfeeding. For more information contact the West Wing at 235-3040 or visit homermedical.org.
South Peninsula Hospital will offer American Heart Association CPR/AED and First Aid course on Friday, Feb. 22. CPR/AED is from 8 a.m. to noon for $50 and First Aid from 1-4 p.m. for $50. Please contact South Peninsula Hospital Education Department at (907) 235-0258 to register or for more information.
