The Homer Volunteer Fire Department reminds campers to extinguish camp fires when done and to thoroughly stir embers with water. Make sure the fire is all the way out and cool to the touch. As Smokey Bear says, “If it’s too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave.” For more information on camp fire safety, visit smokeybear.com.

South Peninsula Haven House board of directors holds its annual meeting at 5:30 p.m. today at Haven House, 3939 Lake Street, Suite 2.

A Fish Taco Fundraiser to benefit the Homer Community Food Pantry is 5-7 p.m. today at Grace Ridge Brewing Co. A suggested donation of $10 can be made at the door.

Special Olympics holds a Community Yard Sale to benefit Special Olympics from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at 3665 Ben Walters Lane. Booth space is a $20 suggested donation. Special Olympics also seeks bocce ball partners for Tuesday afternoons and Friday mornings. Call Carol 399-2500 to reserve a booth or for more information.

The Cooperative Extension Service offers free testing of pressure canner dial gauges from 2-5 p.m. Wednesday, June 28, at the Homer Farmers Market. Gauges can be tested on or off the lid of the canner. It is important to have pressure canner dial gauges checked annually to help assure home canned food is safely processed. There will be free food preservation publications available. Pressure canners using weighted gauges do not need to be checked. For more information, contact the Cooperative Extension Service Office at 1-800-478-5824.

City of Homer natural gas assessments are due July 1. Payments may be made in person at City Hall at 491 E. Pioneer Ave., by mail, or with a credit card over the phone by calling 235-8121. City Hall business hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For questions or problems, call Juli at 435-3111.

The Homer Chess Club meets 4:45-5:45 p.m. every Monday (except holidays) at the Homer Public Library. Everyone of all ages are welcome. The current club was started by brothers Bryce and Sybastian Rindlisbacher who asked their mother to start a chess club. For more information, contact Wes Schact at 299-7470.

Sandhill crane chicks have started hatching. Report sightings to Kachemak Crane Watch at 235-6262 or reports@cranewatch.org. Provide date, time, location and number of cranes. Leave a name and number in case they need more details.

Anchor Point Senior Citizens

The Anchor Point Senior Center on Milo Fritz Road is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m.-noon Friday. The center serves Thursday night dinners starting at 5:30 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 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Exercise sessions are at 10 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. For information, call 235-7786.

Fourth of July events

The Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center seeks Fourth of July parade entry applications. The due date is Monday, June 26. This year’s theme is “Homer in Bloom-City of Peonies.” Rita Jo and Leroy Shoultz of Alaska Perfect Peony growers will be the Parade Grand Marshals and will lead the parade riding in a helicopter provided by Alaska Ultimate Safaris. Alaska USA Federal Credit Union is the major parade financial sponsor. Bay Realty will be the official parade headquarters. The parade is 6 p.m. Tuesday, July 4, on Pioneer Avenue. Prizes will be awarded in a variety of categories including Best Adult Group, Best Children’s Group, Best of Bikes and Trikes, Best with Animals, Best of Antique Cars, Trucks and Machinery, Best Use of Theme – Homer in Bloom, Best of Show, and Judges’ Sentimental Favorite.

Parade entry forms are available at the Chamber at 201 Sterling Highway or on-line at https://www.homeralaska.org/4th-of-july-parade.html. For more information on the Fourth of July Parade and activities, contact the Chamber at 235-7740.

The American Legion Post 16 on East End Road holds a Fourth of July Carnival and Barbecue. There will be hot dogs, hamburgers, homemade pies and more. There will be a minimal charge for food. There will be all kinds of carnival games at 50 cents and $1. The event is open to the public.

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

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. The lunch menu for this week is: today, roast pork loin; Friday, coriander cod; Monday, chicken cordon bleu; Tuesday, barbecue beef brisket; Wednesday, chicken parmesan, next Thursday, roast turkey.

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.

Kachemak Bay Campus

Registration for fall classes is open for general public and degree-seeking students. Classes include Mushrooms of Kachemak Bay (Sept. 15-16), Ceramics, Computer Science, Geology, Calculus, Russian History, History of Alaska, Introduction to Creative Writing, Welding, Yoga, Conservation Biology and Global Climate Change. Sign up early. Appointments are available with an advisor throughout the summer. See the schedule for most classes at www.kpc.alaska.edu/academics/schedule.

Pratt Museum

The museum gallery is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Business offices are open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Historic Harbor Walking Tours are held starting at the Pratt wheelhouse at the Salty Dawg on the Spit. From 3-4:30 p.m. every Monday and Thursday through Sept. 4, a museum docent leads a tour of the historic Homer Harbor docks. Admission is $10 a person or $8 when purchased with museum admission.

Artist David Rosenthal’s show, “Art and Science on the Katmai Coast,” is on exhibit through July 30.

Road Construction

East End Road Mile 5.2-12.6

A pavement preservation project is now underway from Mile 5.5-12.6 East End Road from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Expect delays of about 10 minutes. Work being done includes lining with rock and cleaning ditches, replacing about 40 culverts, regrading some curves, putting down a subbase and new pavement, installing guard rails, striping and sign replacement. The anticipated completion date is Oct. 31.

Student News

Mattea Peters made the Dean’s List at Northwest Nazarene University, Nampa, Idaho, for earning at least a 3.5 grade-point average.

Maggie Koplin made the high honors list at the University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point, for earning between a 3.75-3.89 grade point average.

Birth