Hazardous Waste Collection Day is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 9, at the Homer Transfer Facility. Collection is free to households; businesses are charged a fee. This event is for households and small businesses. All businesses must pre-register with US Ecology. Households with 55 gallons or more total must also pre-register. US Ecology manages this event; the Kenai Peninsula Borough Solid Waste Dept. provides the location. For specific questions regarding disposal, fees and to pre-register, call US Ecology at 877-375-5040. For general questions call the Kenai Peninsula Borough Solid Waste Department at 907-262-9667.
Women’s March on Homer: Bans Off Our Bodies! starts at 11:30 a.m Saturday, July 9, at the HERC Building at the corner of Pioneer Avenue and the Sterling Highway. Speakers begin at noon. The march proceeds to WKFL Park, where there will be information, activities, music and food. Bring your own sign; signs also will be available at the HERC. Mask wearing and social distancing are encouraged.
The Homer Garden Tour is back and will feature six beautiful Homer area gardens. The gardens will be open from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. July 17. The cost is $15 for viewing the gardens. Tickets can be purchased at the Homer Bookstore. No credit cards will be accepted — just cash or checks please. There is a great deal of diversity in the gardens this year. One is a large innovative commercial garden, another garden is full of native plants and some pay remembrance to a family member. Another garden at higher elevation combines art and gardening. Each garden reflects the personality of the owners and will give the visitor many ideas for their gardens. Creekside visits are common on this tour and flowers abound. Four of the featured gardens will be on a walking tour about 1.3 miles one way in the downtown area. A map with parking spots delineated is included with the ticket purchase. If you do not wish to walk, parking is available at all of these locations. For more information, call Francie at 907-299-5050 or Susan 907-299-6126. For ticket issues call Louise at 907-299-6360.
Free sports physicals for Homer High School athletes and activities will be offered 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 23, at Homer Medical Center, 4136 Bartlett St. This is a walk-in clinic, first come, first served, with no appointments taken.
The sandhill cranes are nesting. Crane chicks or colts have hatched in Homer. Crane colts and other baby wildlife are very vulnerable, so please keep your dogs on leash and cats at home. As part of its Citizen Science projects, Kachemak Crane Watch keeps track of nesting success and wants your observations of sandhill crane colts. Send your report to Kachemak Crane Watch at reports@cranewatch.org or call 235- 6262. Include date of hatching, time, location, number of colts, and your contact information so we can call for details. For more information, contact Nina Faust at 907-235-6262 or reports@cranewatch.org .
Anchor Point Group of Alcoholics Anonymous continues to meet in person at the Anchor Point Chamber of Commerce at 34175 Sterling Hwy (north of Chapman School) on Wednesday and Friday at 7 p.m. These are open meetings, and alcoholics and non-alcoholics are all welcome. For more information, call 907-223-9814.
The Homer Unity Group of Alcoholics Anonymous meets every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 6:30 p.m. downstairs at Homer United Methodist Church, 770 East End Road. All meetings are open to anyone wanting to learn more about recovery from alcoholism. More information and online links to meetings can be found at www.aahomer.org.
The Homer End of The Road Group of Alcoholics Anonymous meets every day at noon and every evening at 8 p.m. at 126 W. Pioneer Ave., Suite 1. For more information, contact 907-283-5722.
Co-Dependents Anonymous (CoDa) meets at 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays and 6:30 p.m. Sundays in the Hillas Building, 126 W. Pioneer Ave., Suite 1 (next to the Homer Theatre). The contact number is 907-756-3104.
Step into Freedom is a narcotics anonymous group that will be held at 7 p.m. every Thursday at the Glacierview Baptist Church “Big House” next to the main church. This group is for both women and men, and is open to non-addicts who would like to sit in on the meetings. For questions, call Jaclyn at 907-756-3530.
The Homer Area Caregiver Support Group meets in the activity room at the Homer Senior Center from 2-3:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month. This group is for family caregivers of individuals suffering from a debilitating illness and requiring full-time care, either in the home or in a facility; caregivers who assist with care of a loved one who lives out of state are also welcome. This is a time to receive support and wisdom from others who are on the same journey as well as to benefit from presentations provided by speakers well versed in subjects related to care giving, such as exercise, communication, self-care and available resources. Newcomers are welcome, always. For questions, please call Pam Hooker at 907-299-7198 or Louise Rempel at 907-399-1262. Remember: You are not alone.
Student News
Willem Strydom, a graduate of Homer High School, earned academic distinction for the most recent semester at Whitman College, Walla Walla, Washington. This recognition is given to students who have completed a minimum of 12 credits, passed all credits attempted, and have earned a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher on no fewer than nine graded credits during the semester.
Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
The Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge visitor center is now open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit our website for a full calendar of our summer events.
Anchor Point Senior Citizens
The Anchor Point Senior Center on Milo Fritz Avenue serves take-out meals on Thursday evenings with pickup from 5-6:30 p.m. Tuesday is Kickin’ Fried Chicken night, serving from 4-6 p.m. with eight- and 12-piece piece buckets or three-piece meals, with or without coleslaw and biscuits. Walk ins are welcome or call ahead at 235-7786 to reserve. Thursday night is Home Cooked Dinner Night. Each Thursday is a different meal. Dine in or take out; served from 5-6:30 p.m. For reservations, call 907-235-7786. Visit www.anchorpointseniorcenter.com for more information. Meals and programs are open to the public and do not require membership. Call 235-7786 for more information.
Homer Senior Citizens
The Terrace Assisted Living is closed to visitors because of a COVID-19 outbreak. .
Homer Public Library
Homer Public Library and the Center for Alaska Coastal Studies staff join together for an outdoor story and activity. Meet at the StoryWalk Trail at the library. StoryWalk meets every Tuesday through Aug. 2 from 1-2:30 p.m. For ages 6-10. This is a 9-week program. Register for as many days as you want. Space is limited. Please register at: https://www.cityofhomer-ak.gov/library/outdoor-adventures-and-stories-cacs-0.
Hospice of Homer
At Hospice of Homer we believe in coming together with others, in a safe and non-judgmental setting, to explore the meaning of significant losses in our lives. Talking it out can release sorrow and provide comfort. It can help us to move forward and to regain a sense of serenity while honoring those we have lost to isolation, distance or death.
We fully understand how difficult taking that first step can be. For this reason, hospice offers a bereavement correspondence series. We will provide you, or your family members, with a monthly letter dealing with loss and the mourning process. These letters are designed to help you transition into the new reality which was created by loss.
At present hospice is offering opportunities to engage in conversation about our individual and collective grief experiences. You do not need to be a client of hospice to access these conversations. There is no charge for attending the meetings or for the correspondence program. See below for meeting times and call the office or email Office@hospiceofhomer.org to participate in the Correspondence program.
Widow/Widower’s Group meets every Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. with Robin.
Conversations on Loss are the first and third Saturdays with Thomas and Maria.
Homer Council on the Arts
Registration is open for HCOA’s summer art camps, with one-week sessions in July and August for ages 5-7 and 8-12. Details and registration at homerart.org/education/.
Registration is open for a variety of summer art classes. Stained glass, Chinese painting, paper peonies, jamming and songwriting… plus youth art camps in July and August. Find out more and register at homerart.org/education/
HCOA is hiring! We are seeking a part-time Marketing and Administrative Assistant. Job description at homerart.org/about/
Our 2nd Friday Performance Series continues; join us at 6pm in the HCOA gallery each month! July 8th features singer Sue Butler and friends. On August 12th turntablist Prepmode will perform and offer an interactive demo. More info at homerart.org/community/performances/
Kachemak Bay Campus
Registration is now open for the fall 2022 semester. To view the searchable schedule ,visit https://kpc.alaska.edu/academics/schedule/.
The Pratt Museum & Park
The Pratt Museum & Park is now open to the public from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
“Protection: Adaptation and Resistance” is now showing at the museum. Experience the work of 54 contemporary Indigenous Alaska artists. In times of complex challenges, and growing concerns for the future, how are Indigenous Alaska artists strengthening self and community, guiding the next generation from surviving to thriving? “Protection: Adaptation and Resistance” explores how a new cohort of Alaska Indigenous artists embrace customary art forms and modern technology to create innovative new platforms for sharing, storytelling; reconnecting with ancestral knowledge; and strengthening relationships to land and with one another.
Plant Pressing and Herbariums
Saturday, July 16, 1-3 p.m., $20
Join the Pratt Curator of Botanical Exhibits, Yarrow Hinnant, and Head Gardener, Shawn Jackinsky, as they explore methods of plant pressing and the role of herbariums in botanical collections.
Materials provided.
Cultivating Wild Plants in Your Garden
Saturday, July 23, 1-3 p.m., $20
Have you ever wondered how to incorporate beautiful Alaskan wildflowers or unique alpine plants into your home garden? Join Shawn Jackinsky, Pratt Head Gardener and Kenai Peninsula Homesteader, to learn some of the fun and creative ways to bring these plants into your garden
South Peninsula Hospital
South Peninsula Hospital’s COVID-19 Test and Vaccine Clinic at 4201 Bartlett Street is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, and closed on weekends.
PCR COVID-19 testing is offered at the walk-up clinic, no appointment necessary. PCR Testing at the SPH COVID-19 Test and Vaccine Clinic is no longer free. Insurance will be billed for testing. Those uninsured or not using insurance will be charged $50, and can pay at time of service or be billed. Test results will be provided on South Peninsula Hospital’s electronic health portal, and are normally available within 24 hours.
Testing is recommended for individuals experiencing COVID-like symptoms, for those with known exposure to an individual who tested positive for COVID-19, for travel requirements, with a provider referral and in advance of medical appointments. In addition to the PCR testing offered at the hospital’s walk-up clinic, free home-test kits are available at the hospital’s main entrance 24/7, at the Homer Chamber of Commerce, and for purchase at numerous local retailers.
COVID-19 vaccinations are offered for free at the site on Bartlett Street on Thursdays and Fridays by appointment only. Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines are available for individuals ages five and over, and boosters are offered to eligible groups as recommended by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and as made available by FDA under emergency use authorizations.
In addition to the stand-alone clinic on Bartlett Street, both COVID-19 testing and vaccinations are offered by appointment at Homer Medical Center and the hospital’s Family Care Clinic. For more information on SPH Covid-19 services and care, visit www.sphosp.org and click on the covid tab, or call 907-235-0235.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10221
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10221 holds burger night from 5-7 p.m. every Friday. Monday night tacos is 5-7 p.m. The VFW is open to the public; you do not need to be a member to attend. Dine in or take out. Call 235-5582 to order ahead. The VFW is located at 72551 Milo Fritz Ave. in Anchor Point.
Kenai Peninsula Voters Tidbit
Voters: Here’s your next to-do
August 16 is the next very important date to put on your calendar. And it’s a two-fer. Two elections on one day. It will be the General Election for the primary we just finished for the US congressional seat, and it will be the regular Primary for all other state elections – governor, our US and state senators and representatives.
Let’s break this down a bit. The General Election for the primary held in June will be on one side of the ballot. There you will Rank Choice the three candidates who made it to the general. On the other side of the ballot will be the regular Primary where you will choose one candidate for each seat. One ballot – two elections!
As in the past, voters can request an Absentee mail-in ballot by going to elections.alaska.gov or call the elections office (907) 465-4611. Your deadline to request an Absentee mail-in ballot for the August 16 election is August 6.
There are actually four ways to vote! By Mail, Electronic Transmission, Special Needs, Early and In-Person. To discover more about all these voting options check out this link https://elections.alaska.gov/Core/AKVoteEarly.php
Your next to-do is a two-fer but it comes down to this – be informed. Listen to and read candidate forums and visit websites for the three running for the US congressional seat. And, find out more about all the candidates that will be on the General Primary ballot. Note, there are 19 state senate districts and 40 state house districts. Where can you find which one you are in? You guessed it! At elections.alaska.gov!
If you need a better understanding of Rank Choice Voting visit https://www.elections.alaska.gov/RCV.php
You can be an informed voter. And remember, all votes count and all voices matter.
For any voting questions you may have feel free to email akoplin907@gmail.com.
