Best Bets

January 24, 2024 1:30 am
Tags: ,
Members of the planning committee met at SPARC on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024 to plan for the upcoming Community Resource Connect event on Jan. 30. From left to right, Jane Rohr from Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic; Abbey Ferrer from South Peninsula Behavioral Health; Lindsey Collins from South Peninsula Haven House; Cinda Martin from the Homer Community Food Pantry; Lorne Carroll from the State of Alaska Public Health Nursing; Allison O’Neill from Homer United Methodist Church; Dana Roberts from Independent Living Center. Committee members not pictured are SPH’s Annie Garay, the Anchor Point Food Pantry’s Missy Martin and Cynthia West from the State of Alaska Division of Health. Photo provided by Derotha Ferraro
Members of the planning committee met at SPARC on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024 to plan for the upcoming Community Resource Connect event on Jan. 30. From left to right, Jane Rohr from Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic; Abbey Ferrer from South Peninsula Behavioral Health; Lindsey Collins from South Peninsula Haven House; Cinda Martin from the Homer Community Food Pantry; Lorne Carroll from the State of Alaska Public Health Nursing; Allison O’Neill from Homer United Methodist Church; Dana Roberts from Independent Living Center. Committee members not pictured are SPH’s Annie Garay, the Anchor Point Food Pantry’s Missy Martin and Cynthia West from the State of Alaska Division of Health. Photo provided by Derotha Ferraro

Extra, extra! — extra time, that is, to submit to Homer Council on the Arts’ call for art for the “Finding Home” exhibit! If you have artwork that fits the theme and haven’t submitted it yet, now’s your chance! In other news, the annual Community Resource Connect event is coming soon, and Coop’s Coffee is accepting items for donation up to the event! If you have new or gently-used and clean items to donate, bring them by Coop’s Coffee out on East End Road. Otherwise, mark your calendars for upcoming weekly talks and the annual Winter Carnival Parade — and don’t forget to submit to the now-open Kenai Peninsula Writers Contest! For details, check out this week’s Best Bets!

BEST CALL FOR ART BET: The deadline for submissions to the “Finding Home” call for art has been extended to Saturday, Jan. 27 at 5 p.m.! Submission forms and artwork should be submitted to the Homer Council on the Arts office by the extended deadline. “Finding Homer” is a show by HCOA and Friends of the Homer Library, inspired by Jess Walter’s novel, “The Cold Millions,” and based on the 2022-2023 NEA Big Read theme, “Where we live.” This exhibition asks creatives of all ages and abilities, “What does home mean to you?” and, more specifically, “How do you make the Homer area your home?” For more information, visit homerart.org/event/big-read-america-call-for-art/. 355 W Pioneer Ave.

BEST DONATION DRIVE BET: Coop’s Coffee is holding a donation drive to collect items in support of the upcoming annual Community Resource Connect event! From now until Jan. 30, bring your donation items (new tents, sleds, batteries, water jugs, pet supplies or menstrual products, or gently-used and clean sleeping bags, sleeping pads, backpacks and winter gear) to Coop’s Coffee and receive a free cup of coffee with your donation! For questions, ask the Coop’s Coffee barista or call 907-235-0285. 60866 East End Rd.

BEST COMMUNITY RESOURCES BET: The annual Community Resource Connect is on Tuesday, Jan. 30 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.! Anyone in need of resources is invited to this free one-day event, hosted by South Peninsula Hospital, Community Defined and Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic. Community Resource Connect in Homer will be held at the SPARC on 600 Sterling Highway, and in Anchor Point at the VFW Post 10221 at 72551 Milo Fritz Ave. Get connected with over 20 local vendors offering resources related to food, employment info, health care and mental health, health screenings, and much more. Free emergency gear, backpacks, comfort packs, food-to-go, sleeping bags, menstrual kits, winter gear, and more will be available. A point-in-time homeless count and data collection will happen at these events, as part of a nationwide point-in-time homeless count. Free transportation is offered to and from both locations; for Homer, call 907-235- 0285 and for Anchor Point, call 907-299-8437. On-site childcare, lunch, and coffee will also be provided! For more information, visit www.homeralaska.org/event/donation-drive/1430/.

BEST WEEKLY SPEAKERS BET: The Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies’ hosts a winter weeknight program, Tuesday Night Lights, in January! This free rotating event series at CACS headquarters will feature a new special guest giving a talk or hosting an activity every week. On Tuesday, Jan. 30 at 6 p.m., join for “Free-diving in Kachemak Bay,” a presentation by Curtis Jackson of Mako’s Water Taxi about diving opportunities in Kachemak Bay and experiencing the astounding undersea world in our backyards. Make sure to check out the full schedule for other amazing speakers at www.facebook.com/ConnectingUwiththeNatureofAlaskasince1982/. 708 Smoky Bay Way.

BEST WEEKLY WELLNESS BET: SPH Health & Wellness invites you to a free weekly gathering every Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. at Kachemak Bay Campus! Participants can enjoy warm soup, bread and a dose of health education from a rotating presenter, all followed by an hour of gentle, Hatha-based yoga led by certified instructor Britt Huffman. On Jan. 31, get an introduction to financial peace with Dave Ramsey’s 7 Baby Steps to Financial Wellness, presented by Angela Hinnegan, Certified Workplace Trainer for Financial Peace University and Chief Operating Officer for South Peninsula Hospital. Community members of all ages and abilities are welcome. Come for part of it or all of it! 533 E. Pioneer Ave.

BEST WRITERS CONTEST BET: The 26th Kenai Peninsula Writer’s Contest is here! Running through March 2, submissions are open to all Kenai Peninsula residents for three writing categories and five age groups ranging from K-3rd grade to Adult/Open. Participants may submit unlimited entries in poetry, fiction and nonfiction. Submissions to the Adult/Open age group are $10 each. Submissions to age groups within K-12th grade are $3 each. For more information, call Homer Council on the Arts at 907-235-4288. 355 W Pioneer Ave.

BEST WINTER PARADE BET: Mark your calendars for the 70th annual Winter Carnival Parade, happening on Saturday, Feb. 10 at noon on Pioneer Avenue! This year’s theme is “What’s Old Is New.” Organizers are looking for volunteer photographers, as well as volunteers to help with traffic, including Homer High School students. If you would like to participate in the parade itself, fill out the entry form for your float! Participants can also register a walking entry, cars or bikes. For more information and to access the form, visit www.homeralaska.org/events/winter-carnival-celebration/.

Tags: ,