Announcements
The sandhill crane migration is nearing and usually happens in mid-September. Please report sandhill crane sightings to Kachemak Crane Watch at 235-6262 or reports@cranewatch.org. Include date, time, location and number of birds. If able to identify as colts, please note that number, too.
The Kachemak Emergency Service Area Board holds its regular monthly board meeting at 7 p.m. today at the McNeil Canyon Fire Station, 53048 Ashwood Ave. (Mile 12 East End Road). The agenda will be posted at the Kenai Peninsula Borough annex building and at the fire station. The public is welcome to attend. For more information, call 235-9811.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency holds an open house on updating and redefining coastal floodplain areas at noon today at City Hall, Cowles Council Chambers. Learn about floodplain mapping objectives and how they may affect coastal property. Representatives of the state of Alaska and city of Homer also will attend. Areas affected include Baycrest, West Hill, Crittenden Street to Old Town, Beluga Slough and Beluga Lake, Ocean Drive and Kachemak Drive. The Homer Spit is not affected as floodplain maps were updated in 2013. Preview maps online at cityofhomer-ak.gov/planning/floodplains.
The Kachemak Bay Birders hold a birding trip to the Anchor River on Saturday. To carpool, meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center parking lot or meet at 8 a.m. at the Anchor River boat launch parking lot. Michael Craig and Michelle Michaud lead the trip. The event also is cosponsored by the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. Everyone is welcome. There is no charge, but there may be a parking fee. For more information, call Michael Craig at 235-0631.
Robin Schmidt from the Social Security Administration’s office in Anchorage visits Homer on Sept. 18 at City Hall in the Cowles Council Chambers. From noon to 1:30 p.m. there will be a presentation, “Understanding Social Security,” and from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. will be the “mySocialSecurity” presentation and registration opportunity. Social Security wants people to understand the basics of Social Security retirement, disability, Medicare, survivors’ benefits and more. Schmidt also will be available to help establish personal mySocialSecurity account (statements are no longer mailed) and find out what else can be accessed through an online account. For more information, please call Patti Boily at the Independent Living Center at 235-7911 or Robin Schmidt at SSA Anchorage 1-855-602-5001, ext. 30706.
Cook Inletkeeper, together with the Susitna River Coalition, is bringing Stoecker Ecological and Felt Soul Media’s award-winning documentary, DamNation, at 7 p.m. Sept. 18 to the Homer Theatre and at 7 p.m. Sept. 20 to the Kenai River Center Doors open at 6:30 p.m. at both locations. Presented by Patagonia, DamNation tells the story of the 20th century dam building boom in the Lower 48 and explores the growing effort to remove dams that have negative impacts on fish, and the growing awareness that America’s future is bound to the life and health of free-flowing rivers.
A Taste of Homer is at 8 p.m. Sept. 20 at Wasabi’s. A vendors auction benefits the Homer Farmers Market. The event features 16 local food vendors, including Bear Creek Winery, Boat Yard Cafe, Boss Hoggz, Coal Town Coffee, Cool Juicy Bus, Far Out Cafe/FORK Club, Fresh Sourdough Express, Homer Brewing Co., The Homer Farmers Market, Jakolof Oyster Co., Land’s End Resort/Chart Room Restaurant & Lounge, Red Bird Kitchen, Wasabi’s, Vagabond Café and Vida’s Thai Food. Tickets are $40 for early birds and $45 at the door. Homer Tours will provide transport to and from the Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. For more information, visit tasteofhomer.com or facebook.com/tasteofhomer.
The Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council will hold its regular fall board meeting in Homer this year. The council will meet at the Islands and Ocean Visitor Center from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sept. 25 and 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Sept. 26. The public is invited to attend. For more information, including requesting a draft board meeting agenda, contact Outreach Coordinator Lisa Matlock at lisa.matlock@pwsrcac.org or 907-273-6235.
SPARC, the South Peninsula Amateur Radio Club, holds Amateur Radio Training Classes from 5-6:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month, Oct. 7, Nov. 4 and Dec. 2, at the Homer Public Library. It also holds classes from noon-2 p.m. the second Saturday of the month, Oct. 11, Nov. 8 and Dec. 13. A testing session is noon-2 p.m. Dec. 13. Classes and testing are free, with a book purchase for $20. Learn about  amateur radio and obtaining a “Ham Ticket” License or upgrading current licenses. Current ham operators also are invited, so come and share knowledge and  experiences. SPARC holds its monthly meetings after Tuesday evening classes from 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. For more information, contact Patrick Brown, KL3DB, Shanley Kerls, KL5AJK, or phone 907-775-4638.
Friendship Center
Friendship Center Adult Day Services is open 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday with extended hours for special situations. Special programs are offered daily, including story time, crafts and musical performances. For more information, call 235-4556.
Homer Senior Citizens
Homer Senior Citizens lunch is open to seniors and guests and is served 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Friday. The lunch menu for this week is: today, roast turkey; Friday, blackened cod; Monday, Swiss steak; Tuesday, chicken picatta; Wednesday, seafood stir fry.
Strong Women classes are 1-2 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 members, $6 nonmembers.
Tai Chi classes are Thursday at 3 p.m. The cost per class is $3 for members and $6 for nonmembers. Call Daniel Weisser at 235-7655.
Caregiver Support Group meets 2-3:30 p.m. the second and fourth Thursday in the senior center dining room. Call Pam Hooker at 299-7198 or Kathy Hedges at 235-4556.
Kachemak Bay Campus
Registration is being held for these upcoming classes: Introduction to the Personal Essay, Tai Chi, Kundalini Yoga, Grant Proposal Writing and Digital Camera. For a schedule, visit kbc.alaska.edu/KBC/searchableschedule. Call 235-7743 for information.
To earn a GED or improve basic reading, writing and math skills, call 235-1602. Computer classes in MS Excel and QuickBooks classes begin Sept. 20 and run five weeks. Hatha Yoga class with Alayne Tetor starts at 6 p.m. Sept. 27.
Pratt Museum
The museum galleries are open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Sunday. Starting Monday, winter hours change, with the museum closed on Mondays and open noon-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Business offices are open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Homer artist Jo Going presents “Reliquary,” a solo exhibit that is a mixed media installation featuring found animal bones collected by the artist from the Arctic tundra over 29 years. The show ends Sept. 21.
South Peninsula Hospital
South Peninsula Hospital offers an American Heart Association First Aid Class from 1-5 p.m. Sept. 12. The course is $50 and preregistration is required via the SPH Education Department at 235-0258.
Exhibitors are invited to participate in the annual Rotary Health Fair, set for 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 1 at Homer High School. The fair is sponsored by Homer Kachemak Bay Rotary Club in partnership with South Peninsula Hospital. The purpose of the fair is to promote individual wellness and provide free and inexpensive information and screenings related to health. The theme is “It’s Your Life … Take a Day to Be Well.” Exhibitors are invited to provide learning centers, screenings, information, demonstrations or interactive activities to promote their message or service related to health. No sales are permitted at the fair. Booth space is free, and the deadline to reserve a space is Sept. 17. Visit www.sphosp.org for application and additional information, or call 235-0397.
SVT Health & Wellness
SVT Health & Wellness offers a series of classes covering all aspects of wellness every Thursday at 6 p.m. Today’s class is “Conflict Resolution Techniques,” by Michelle Waclawski. Learn about the different levels of conflict and specific ways to manage it. For more information, call 226-2228 ext. 660.