The 2018 Homer Winter Carnival will take place from Thursday, Feb. 8 through Monday, Feb. 12. It is hosted by the Homer Chamber of Commerce. Parade line-up will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 10 at Homer High School with the parade beginning at noon down Pioneer Avenue. Parade applications are online at homeralaska.org/winter-carnival and are due Monday, Feb. 5.
As part of the carnival, the Mr. Homer Pageant will be held Friday, Feb. 9 at the Homer Elks Lodge. Hosted by Chris Story, the pageant is a comedy contest with three rounds that seeks “Very Homer-ish” people. The winner will be chosen by a panel of three judges and will receive a crown and the chance to make personal appearances at other events in Homer, beginning with riding a float in the Winter Carnival Parade.
The Kachemak Bay Birders’ next trip will be to the Spit on Saturday, Feb. 10. Meet in the parking lot at the base of the Spit on Kachemak Drive at 8:30 a.m. There will be a high tide which will make it easier to view the sea birds out in the water. Bring binoculars, field guide and a spotting scope if you have one. (Reminder to dress for the cold and possible icy conditions). 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 Michael Craig, and for more information contact him at 907-235-0631.
The Anchor Point Fire &Emergency Medical Service Area Board will hold its next board meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Feb. 21 at the Anchor Point Fire Station, 72440 Milo Fritz Ave. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. For more information, call 235-6700.
The Homer Foundation announces that application forms for the 2018 City of Homer Grants Program are now available. The applicants must be IRS 501(c)(3) tax exempt organizations, in existence in Homer a minimum of three years, with their primary facility and core programs, activities and services offered within the Homer City limits. This is a competitive grants process. The organization must be administered locally with a local policy-making board of directors. The organization may have no other financial or in-kind support from the City of Homer in the prior calendar year. The funding is for general operating support. Application forms are available from the Homer Foundation’s website: www.homerfoundation.org/grant-programs/ or contact 235-0541 or jsteward@homerfoundation.org. Application deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16.
The Homer Legislative Information Office at 270 W Pioneer, is now open for the second session of the 30th State Legislature. At the office, citizens can participate in the legislative process by obtaining public documents, attending committee meetings telephonically and by submitting testimony on legislation. The office also is a distribution site for PFD forms and staff can help people apply for their PFD online. Normal office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, closed for lunch from 12:30-1 p.m. The office will open to accommodate Legislative meetings outside of these hours. For more information call 235-7878.
The South Peninsula Athletic and Recreation Center (SPARC) announces its inaugural membership drive to coincide with Valentine’s Day and Healthy Heart month. You have until Feb. 14 to take advantage of this introductory offer. SPARC is offering a variety of annual memberships: Individual membership – $199.95, Couples membership – $324.95, Family (up to four members) – $449.95, plus $30 for an additional member (up to seven members).
This membership lasts 365 days after your date of purchase and gives you unlimited access to all SPARC offered activities for youth and adults, as well as a 50 percent discount for all special events such as concerts, tournaments and leagues. You also get a 10 percent discount on rental fees for the facility. Call 299-5115, or visit SparcHomer.org for more information.
A Boating Skills and Seamanship class run by the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, Homer Flotilla, runs through March 8. It costs $55, with all materials provided. It is being held in Room A 104 at Homer High School, and covers introduction to boating, navigation, boat handling, rules of the road, aids to navigation, lines and knots, legal requirements, weather, radio, seamanship and more. Contact 907-299-0232 or email craig@homernet.net for information or to register.
Kachemak Emergency Service Area Board will be holding a budget work session at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13 with the regular monthly board meeting following. The meeting will be held at the McNeil Canyon Fire Station, 53048 Ashwood Ave. – Mile 12 East End . The public is welcome to attend. Call 235-9811 for more information.
Tsalteshi Trails Association will hold a 20- and 40-kilometer Tour of Tsalteshi freestyle ski race Feb. 18 at the trailhead behind Skyview Middle School, the day after Frozen River Fest craft beer festival. The 40-kilometer race — two laps around the trails — starts at 11:30 a.m. The 20-kilometer race — one lap around the trails — starts at noon.
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. To register or for more information, visit www.touroftsalteshi.org.
The LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and queer) Teen Support and Discussion Group meets at 4 p.m. every Tuesday at the REC Room, 3957 Neilsen Circle.
The private group is for ages 12-18.
For more information, contact Anna Meredith at the REC Room, 235-3436, or Irene Saxton-Opatz at the Center, 235-7701.
The American Legion Auxiliary presents several scholarships to graduating high school seniors and continuing education students. Students from Anchor Point, Nikolaevsk and south across Kachemak Bay, East End Road, and Connections are eligible to apply for these scholarships. Check the deadlines for the following. Applications are available at your local high school counselor’s office and at the American Legion Mile, 2.5 East Road – Homer.
National President’s Scholarship $1,500 plus: Award is gifted to high school seniors who are daughters, sons, greats and step-great children of Veterans who served in the Armed Forces during eligibility dates for membership in The American Legion. Return completed application to your nearest American Legion Post or American Legion Auxiliary. Deadline is March 1.
National Non-Traditional Auxiliary Scholarship $1,000: For continuing students who are members of the Legion, Auxiliary, or S.A.L. (Legion Family). Deadline March 1, 2018. Thinking about going back to college – this one is for you. Return your completed application to the nearest American Legion Post or American Legion Auxiliary.
Auxiliary Spirit of Youth Scholarship $1,000: Must be a Junior Auxiliary Member for past three years and hold a membership card for the current (2018) year. A 4 year Award. Return your completed application to the nearest American Legion Post or American Legion Auxiliary. Deadline March 1.
Department of Alaska – Richard D. Johnson Memorial $1,000: For any high school senior who may not be able to get a scholarship and are ready to make a commitment to post-secondary education. Deadline is March 30.
Merrilyn Stock Memorial Scholarship $500-$1,000: For continuing students (no matter what age) who are members of the Legion Family. Due March 31.
American Legion Auxiliary Unit 16 Scholarships $500 award: High School Seniors (student GPA 2 to 3.5), Deadline is April 10.
American Legion Auxiliary Robert Turkington Memorial Scholarship: “Make Hay While The Sun Shines”
(1) $750 Scholarship for a high school senior student (GPA no higher than 3.5).
Contact Darlene 235-6789 or Post @ 235-8864 for more information and/or applications. Several of the State and National scholarships have A $500 (Homer winner) Award.
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.
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 menu for this week is: Thursday, roast turkey; Friday, fish and chips; Monday, baked chicken teriyaki; Tuesday, spinache quiche; Wednesday, beef lasagna; next Thursday, baked ham.
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.
Pratt Museum
Galleries are open Tuesday-Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.
Upcoming events and exhibits:
Curator’s Closet: 50 Years of Collecting at the Pratt Museum. — In anticipation of the Pratt Museum’s 50th Anniversary, current and former Collections staff collaborate to share some of their “favorite things.” Take a dive into the Museum’s collections, and consider: what do we value as a community? Exhibit is on display in the Special Exhibits Gallery through April 28.
Pratt Play Date — from 10-11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 16. Bring your babies and toddlers to enjoy hands-on activities at the Pratt Museum. Siblings are welcome. You’re never too young to start visiting your community museum.
Behind the Scenes Collections Tours — These will start at 2 p.m. on Thursdays, starting today. In conjunction with the Curator’s Closet exhibit, Behind the Scenes Collections Tours will be offered. Get up close to the thousands of wonderful historical objects kept in the Pratt’s Natural History and Cultural Collections. The tours cost $5 per person.
Winter Carnival Celebration — from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Febr. 10. The Pratt Museum offers half price admission and heart rock scavenger hunts in the galleries to celebrate Winter Carnival.
Ongoing activities:
Fish Feedings have resumed fro, 4-5 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays in the Marine Gallery. Help feed the intertidal creatures in the aquaria. Fish Feeding is fun and all are welcome.
Kachemak Bay Campus
There will be a Brown Bag Lunch Travelogue Public Talk at noon Thursdaym Feb. 8 titled “Traveling Across Kenya,” presented by Paula Martin.
Feb. 9 is the deadline to sign-up for the Basic MS Excel workshop, which will be held Feb. 9 and 16 from noon to 2 p.m. The cost is $60.
Ceramic artist David Kaufmann will conduct a special hands-on ceramics workshop at KBC on Feb. 10 and 11. “Primitive Vessels” will cover methods of forming vessels while taking inspiration from some of the world’s ancient enduring objects. Fee: $175. The advance registration deadline is Thursday, Feb. 8.
Register in advance at: www.kpc.alaska.edu/academics/schedule/ for Beginning Glaciology of KBay(March 1 through April 5), Marine Invertebrates(March 31 through April1); Birds of Kachemak Bay(April 5-26, April 21 and 28); and Fly-Fishing ( April 7 and 14).
Registration is open at kbcnoncredit.asapconnected.com// for Chinese Painting with Sharlene Cline (March 22 and 29, and April 5. The cost is $90); Flash Fiction Writing (March 3 and 10, for $60); Painting the Live Model (March 31, for $55); and Quickbooks( Arpil 6, for $25).
Upcoming Maritime technology classes include, newly approved USCG 100 Ton/OUPV (March 2 through April 7, costing $700); RSW for Vessels (March 23-25, for $250); Deckhand Training (March 3 through April 14, for $85); and Navigation (March 27 through April 12, for $95). For information and to register, visit kbcnoncredit.asapconnected.com/
KBC offers free GED, ESL, college preparation and life skills courses and individual assistance. Call 235-7743.
From 5-6:30 p.m. on March 2 there will be a First Friday opening of a photography exhibit featuring new work by Joe Kashi.
At 6:30 p.m. on March 28 there will be a Public Reading and Craft Talk with visiting poet Jericho Brown.
South Peninsula Hospital
Walk with a Doc is a walking program for everyone interested in taking steps for a healthier lifestyle. There will be free blood pressure screenings, prizes, and refreshments. Please bring clean indoor walking shoes. Call the Health &Wellness Department at (907) 235-0285 with questions or for more information, or visit www.sphosp.org. Plan ahead for the Feb. 17 Walk with a Doc with Sonja Martin-Young.
South Peninsula Hospital is accepting applications for its Board of Directors. Prior experience in healthcare, finance, leadership community/volunteer service is helpful. Call 235-0237 or visit www.sphosp.org and click on “About SPH” for more information.
