The Backcountry Film Festival is 7 p.m. today at the Homer Theatre. The festival is sponsored locally by the Kachemak Nordic Ski Club and The Alaska Quiet Rights Coalition. All proceeds will go to support these two organizations. The festival features seven short films focusing on backcountry skiing and snowboarding. Tickets are $10 at the door. Door prizes will be awarded at intermission and tickets include a chance to win a Black Diamond backcountry ski package.
The Kachemak Bay Birders meet at 4:30 p.m. Monday at the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center in the auditorium. Following the meeting, Michelle Michaud presents “The Birds of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge.” She will share her experience counting albatross nests on Midway Island for three weeks in December and January this year. There is no charge and everyone is welcome. For more information, call Lani Raymond at 235-9477.
Nominations for the South Peninsula Haven House Women of Distinction awards end today. Awards are presented March 22 at Land’s End Resort. In celebration of the cross-generational contributions of women, Haven House will present awards to the Woman of the Year, Young Woman of the Year and the Elder Woman of Wisdom. The mission of the Women of Distinction awards is to encourage the potential of all women as valued members and leaders of our community. Women of Distinction Awards honor women who have displayed outstanding leadership, excellence and dedication to the community. The criteria for nomination are excellence in the arts, profession or vocational calling; serves as a role model for young women and girls; and gives back to the community. To nominate, visit havenhousealaska.org/woman_of_distinction.html.
Best Beginnings Homer, Homer Head Start and Kachemak Kids Early Learning Center offer free training for the community on exposing infants and toddlers to language. Two 3-hour training sessions are offered on Feb. 26 from 9 a.m. to noon at Kachemak Kids Early Learning Center, 3838 Bartlett Street, and from 1-4 p.m. at Homer Head Start. Research shows that the earlier children are exposed to language, the better chance they have in school. The training is free and open to the public. Parents, caregivers, professionals and child care providers are encouraged to attend. The training will be facilitated by Bonny Headley, University of Alaska Anchorage assistant professor in early learning. Clock hour credits are available for child care providers. Child care providers can also request reimbursement for hiring sub-staff so they can attend the training. No child care will be available unless family is enrolled at the training location. To RSVP and for more information, call 435-7101.
District 30 Democrats will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Kachemak Community Center, Mile 3 East End Road. For more information, call Kate Finn at 235-5329.
First Lady Sandy Parnell has opened the nomination period for the First Lady’s Volunteer of the Year awards. The First Lady invites all Alaskans to help recognize their fellow citizens who have shown extraordinary volunteer service and made a positive impact on their community by nominating them for the awards. An executive committee made up of Alaskans from around the state will select award recipients from the nominees. The winners will be recognized at a ceremony in May. Nominations are due by March 1. For more information, log on to the governor’s website at gov.alaska.gov/parnell/governors-office/volunteer-awards.html.
A raffle for a 2000 Triumph Dual Tiger Sport 900 cc motorcycle is being held to help with medical bills for volunteer firefighter John Cox. Tickets are $50 each or three for $125. The raffle ends Feb. 28. The motorcycle is on display at Carquest. Tickets are available by calling Charmaine Collins at 435-7126 or Greg Collins at 299-2625. Donations also are welcome.
The Friends of Kachemak Bay State Park seeks a logo for the organization. The winning design receives a free two-day state park cabin rental and round-trip water taxi ride with Mako’s Water Taxi. The design should include the image of a devil’s club plant and should be a black-and-white, 2-inch-by-3-inch image. The deadline is 8 p.m. March 1. Send images to Brad Kloeckl at bkloeckl@yahoo.com.
The Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center seeks volunteers to help with everything from helping visitors to helping plan and execute community programs like Cleanup Day and the Fourth of July Parade. Call 235-7740 to figure out where the chamber can best use your talents and local knowledge.
The Kachemak Bay Celtic Club is calling for artists, musicians, poets, dancers, vendors and community members interested in helping celebrate the Celtic culture. Upcoming events include St. Patrick’s Day, Tartan Day, Highland Games and more. For more information, call Shelly at 299-1557 or Nancy at (907) 748-4844.
The Mindfulness Meeting is a group for cultivating wisdom, gratitude and serenity through skills and practice that meets weekly on Fridays. The meeting is from noon to 1:30 p.m. Friday in the conference room at 3691 Ben Walters Lane, next to Sprout and Harbor School of Music. Everyone is welcome; there is no charge. For more information, call Rachel or Sharon at 235-7712. This group is sponsored by South Peninsula Haven House.