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 e-mail your application to Alaska State Parks, 95 Sterling Highway, Homer AK, 99603. Applications are due by Feb. 15, 2019. For more information please contact the South District Ranger Jason Okuly at 435-7595, Jason.Okuly@Alaska.Gov.

Sen. Gary Stevens will be at the Homer LIO Office at 270 W Pioneer Ave. to visit with constituents from 1:30-4 p.m. today.

Bear Creek Winery will host its annual winter light display this month, an evening of holiday fun for the entire family. Take a stroll through a winter wonderland filled with delightful holiday displays. Warm up by a toasty fire pit with a cup of hot cocoa and enjoy the holiday music at the pavilion. The light display will run from 5-7 p.m. this Friday and Saturday.

Homer’s American Legion Auxiliary will offer Christmas gift wrapping daily from noon to 5 p.m. at Ulmer’s Drug and Hardware on Lake Street. This will run from through Sunday, Dec. 23. Hours will be from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Christmas Eve. There is no fee for this service, but donations will be accepted. Any donations will go to support programs for veterans. Contact Jackie Norvell at 235-3232 for more information.

This season the Homer Public Library, Homer Bookstore and Spenard Builders Supply are working together to gain books for the library.

Across from the library circulation desk is a Giving Tree donated by Spenard and decorated by the Friends of the Homer Library and the Library Advisory Board. Tags on the tree feature 76 titles the library would like to add to its collection. All books are being procured through the Homer Bookstore.

Individuals can choose a tag and make a cash purchase at the circulation desk or take their tag to the Homer Bookstore for a credit card purchase. Donors can choose to have a book plate included to acknowledge or dedicate their gift. The tree is available during library hours from now until the end of the year.

The Homer Community Food Pantry is encouraging area residents to participate in a reverse Advent calendar project this holiday season.

The pantry will accept the boxes between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day at 770 East End Road. Call the food pantry at 907-235-1968 for more information and for the list of items to put in the box.

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.

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.

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 5:30 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 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 menu for this week is: Today, roast beef; Friday, chicken cordon bleu; Monday, beef lasagna; Tuesday, closed for Christmas; Wednesday, beef tamales; and next Thursday, barbecue ribs.

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

Public Registration is now open for all winter/spring classes. Many start Jan. 14. See https://www.kpc.alaska.edu/academics/schedule/ and https://kbcnoncredit.asapconnected.com/

To register, go online to www.alaska.edu/uaonline or stop by the Campus at 533. E. Pioneer Ave. between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. Register early, pay later to ensure registration. Call 235-7743 for more information or an advising appointment if wishing to pursue one of the many possible degrees.

Those seeking to earn an AA degree or BA degree: Contact KBC advisor at 235-7743.

Classes include Welding, Medical Terminology, Cetaceans of Alaska, Able Seaman, Yoga, Gill Net Building, Oceanography, Drawing, Environmental Economics and Policy, Medical Coding, Introduction to Behaviorial Psychology, Volcanology of Kachemak Bay, East Asian History, Tai Chi, Private Ground School, Deckhand Skill training, 100 Ton/OUPV, Pit-fired Pottery, and more. KPC will be closed Dec. 24-Jan. 2.

South Peninsula Hospital

SafeSitter Babysitting class is offered Friday, Jan. 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Students in 6th through 8th grade learn how to be safe when home alone, watching siblings or babysitting. Course covers safety skills, first aid, child care and business etiquette. Registration required, cost is $50 and scholarships are available. Call 235-0970 or visit sphosp.org

South Peninsula Hospital’s Homer Medical Center offers “Living Well Alaska,” a chronic disease self-management class from mid-January to mid-February. Developed by Stanford University, and endorsed by the State DHSS, this six week group workshop is for people dealing with ongoing health conditions or the family members who support them. It offers fun with others while you practice skills to live life to the fullest and meet day-to-day challenges. At a Living Well Alaska workshop, you will learn the skills to set goals, problem solve understand and handle symptoms, eat well and be active, deal with difficult emotions and work with your health care team

The workshop is Wednesdays from Jan. 9–Feb. 13, 2019, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Homer Medical Center. The cost is $10 for the entire six-week series. Registration is required. For more information and to register, please call the hospital’s education department at 235-0258.