The Annual Homer Spit Run – 10k Run to the Bay and Cosmic Half Marathon — will be held this Saturday. The 10k to the Bay is a USATF certified 10k course that starts at Homer High School and continues to the end of the Spit. It benefits local youth sports programs. Runners in the 10k start at 10 a.m. at Homer High School. There will be an untimed walkers division for the 10k. Registration is only available this Friday at bib pick up or day of. The fee is $30 with no day-of penalty. All registered walkers will receive a T-shirt and a bib. For the Cosmic Half Marathon, day-of registration and bib pick up will be at the high school. The half marathon starts at 9 a.m. at the ferry terminal and will follow a similar course to the 10k, ending at Land’s End. Registration for the half marathon is $40 ahead of time with an extra $5 charged for day-of registration. Kachemak Bay Running Club members get a $5 discount for registration. Early bib pick up will be available for the 10k and half marathon this Friday at the Homer High School Commons from 5:30-7:30 p.m. All day-of registration and bib pick up will be available from 8-8:45 a.m. for the half marathon and 8-9:45 a.m. for the 10k on Saturday, also at the high school.
The Anchor Point Fire & Emergency Medical Service Area Board will hold its next board meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday July 17 at the Anchor Point Fire Station, 72440 Milo Fritz Ave. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. For more information, call 235-6700.
Please report sandhill crane sightings to Kachemak Crane Watch at 235-6262 or reports@cranewatch.org. Date, time, location, behavior, and number of cranes is helpful. Leave a name and number in case they need more details.
South Peninsula Hospital is accepting proposals for an onsite coffee/espresso vendor at its main facility location at 4300 Bartlett Street. Proposals are due by 5 p.m., July 10. Guidelines and requirements are at www.sphosp.org or by contacting Glenn Radeke, Facilities Director, at 235-0351.
The Homer Chamber of Commerce is now accepting entries for the 2019 Fourth of July Parade. The theme is “Homer Grown,” in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Homer Farmers Market and the increasing popularity of locally-grown-food businesses. Applications are available online at https://www.homeralaska.org/4th-of-july-parade.html or in person at the Chamber. The parade will take place on Pioneer Avenue on Thursday, July 4, starting at 6 p.m. Call 235-7740 or email info@homeralaska.org with questions.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough Homer Annex has moved to its new location at 638 East Pioneer Ave. in the Homer Borough Maintenance building east of the Homer Volunteer Fire Department. The annex door is to the right of the double garage doors. For more information call 235-9837.
Kenai Peninsula Votes tidbit by Alex Koplin:
There is a movement growing across the country to change the way we vote for legislators. Is it a true democratic election when the winner has less than the majority of voter’s approval? Ranked choice voting won’t let a candidate win unless they get 50% plus one of the votes that have been casted. This method of ranked choice voting is being considered here on the Kenai by the Kenai Peninsula election stakeholders’ group. Currently, ranked choice voting is used in Maine’s elections, as well as other municipalities across the country. It’s a very innovative and democratic process, and to get a better view of how it works, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rgo-eJ-D__s
Kenai Peninsula Votes, wants to applaud the Kenai Peninsula election stakeholder’s group for all of their efforts. This talented group is working on encouraging ways for more people to participate in voting. If you want to learn more about the borough’s election stakeholders group, visit them at: https://www.kpb.us/assembly-clerk/active-task-forces/election-stakeholders-group
Ultimate Frisbee group meets Mondays and Thursdays from 7-9 p.m. at the Homer High School turf field. Contact: Sunny at 441-0314.
Kenai Peninsula Borough Solid Waste facilities are now open seven days a week through September. Hours are 8 a.m.-5:45 p.m. Monday-Friday and noon-4 p.m. Sundays. For more information, contact the KPB Solid Waste Department at 907-262-9667.
Anchor Point Senior Citizens
The Anchor Point Senior Center on Milo Fritz Avenue, 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. The lunch menu for this week is: today, walnut-crusted pork; Friday, shrimp scampi; Monday, shepherd’s pie; Tuesday, honey dijon chicken; Wednesday, pork shoulder; next Thursday, baked ham.
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
The Pratt Museum has reopened for the season, with hours daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Kachemak Bay Campus
Register for fall 2019 classes now. Save your space and register early. Payments aren’t due until September. The new fall schedule is out this week. Come by the college and pick one up, or look for them throughout the town.
Computer Game Design and Virtual Reality App Development for-credit classes are offered this fall. Sign up now before the classes are full. Call 235-7743 or visit http://www.kpc.alaska.edu/ to register.
Alaska Islands and Oceans Visitor Center
The Islands & Ocean Visitor Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ranger-led talks and walks are Sundays at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. All programs are free of charge.
South Peninsula Hospital
South Peninsula Hospital’s certified speech therapist Ashley Brasfield will offer a free, family-friendly event that focuses on children’s speech and language development. Brasfield has a master of science degree in speech-language pathology from the University of North Carolina. Join Ashley from 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 9 at the Homer Public Library to learn techniques for reading aloud to your child, and some simple at-home strategies for improved speech and language development of children age 3 years and up. Learn about the value of speech-language assessments, and how speech therapy might make a difference in your child’s development. Contact the hospital’s Health and Wellness department at wellness@sphosp.org or call 907-235-0970 for more information.
South Peninsula Hospital is accepting proposals for an onsite coffee/espresso vendor at its main facility location at 4300 Bartlett Street. Proposals are due by 5 p.m. July 10. Guidelines and requirements are at www.sphosp.org or by contacting Glenn Radeke, Facilities Director, at 235-0351.
Homer Medical Center offers free sports physicals at a one-day clinic on Saturday, July 20 for high school students who need a physical for participation in school sanctioned activities. Appointments are not required, and exams are offered from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the clinic on Bartlett Street. Exams are offered free of charge by Homer Medical Center providers. Parents are asked to complete the History Form (and if applicable the Special Needs Supplemental form) and bring this entire document with them. Additional information and the form can be found online at homermedical.org or by calling the clinic at 235-8586.
