Kachemak Heritage Land Trust holds its 13th annual auction at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Wasabi’s. Music is by the Spit City Slickers. The first Land at Heart Award also will be given to Lynn Whitmore of Kachemak Moose Habitat Inc. Tickets are $60 and on sale at KHLT, 315 Klondike Ave., or the Homer Bookstore. For more information, call 235-5263 (235-LAND) or visit kachemaklandtrust.org.
The Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Training, or COASST, seeks beachwalkers to participate as pilot testers for a new marine debris monitoring program. A training session is 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center. Sign up to attend by calling 206-221-6893 or email coasst@uw.edu. Using protocols, volunteers will survey marine debris twice a month through March 2015 and report monthly. COASST is sponsored by the University of Washington School of Aquatic & Fishery Sciences in collaboration with the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.
The Kachemak Skeeters Youth Sport Shooting Club announces registration is open for a new season. Youth in grades 3-12 are welcome to join; however, space is limited. Anyone interested in the shooting sports but don’t know much about it is welcome to come out to the Kachemak Gun Club and watch practices 10 a.m.-noon every Saturday at Mile 160 Sterling Highway, Ibenson Road near Blackwater Bend. Call or text 399-2972 for more information about the Skeeters or email kachemakskeeters@gmail.com.
The Homer Native Plant Society’s monthly winter programs start at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies on Smokey Bay Way. Participants are invited to bring slides of their favorite summer plants (up to 10 minutes worth) to show. The program includes a presentation on the mini plant family/botany of plantain. Light refreshments are provided. For more information, call 235-9344 or email jwoodring@alaska.net.
Sprout Family Services holds its annual meeting for the board of directors at 6 p.m. Oct. 22 at 3691 Ben Walters Lane, No. 4. All are welcome. Sprout Family Services is a nonprofit that promotes the healthy development of children and families.
Big Brothers Big Sisters holds its annual Dream Big Fundraiser from noon-1 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Homer Elks Lodge. Reserve a seat or table by calling 235-8391. Learn how to help sustain the local BBBS mentoring program through donations and volunteering as a Big or with events and planning.
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.
Cooperative Extension Service
Are you considering joining the many folks who are using high tunnels for crop production? If so, there is a free class coming up for new producers. This workshop will be taught via distance delivery and in person at the Kenai and Homer Kenai Peninsula College campuses starting Oct. 23. Space is limited and registration is required. The Cooperative Extension Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service are teaming up to teach what it takes to apply for the NRCS program, construction considerations from snow load to irrigation, soil and nutrient management, pest control, recordkeeping and more. To register, call 235-7743 in Homer or 262-5824 in the central peninsula.
The Cooperative Extension Service is a year-round resource for a variety of topics. Visit today at www.uaf.edu/ces/districts/kenai to find this publication and more. Or, stop by the extension office from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday in the Doors and Windows Building, 43961 Kalifornsky Beach Road, Soldotna.
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 rockfish; Monday, baked chicken teriyaki; Tuesday, lasagna; Wednesday, curried chicken.
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 the upcoming workshop, Grant Proposal Writing, taught by Heather O’Connor. The workshop is 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday with a $75 fee. Register in advance. A Creative Digital Camera class with Taz Tally begins Oct. 25. Register by Oct. 24. Kenai Peninsula Borough School District art specialist Debbie Harris presents a one-credit teacher education workshop, “Easy Art in Every Classroom,” from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Oct. 25, Nov. 1 and 8. Advance registration is required.
At 6:30 p.m. Oct. 30, Deb Evensen presents “New ways to help children with FASD succeed from preschool through adult life.” Hear stories of those living with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.
The KBC Student Art Show opening featuring work by drawing students is 5-6:30 p.m. Oct. 23.
The KBC Visiting Writers Series presents poet John Morgan Nov. 7- 9. Morgan does a public reading at 7 p.m. Nov. 7 and a poetry workshop, “Forms of Feeling: Poetry in Our Lives,” Nov. 8-9. Advanced registration is Nov. 4.
To earn your GED or improve basic reading, writing and math skills, call 235-1602.
Pratt Museum
The museum winter hours are noon-5 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday; the museum is closed Monday. Business offices are open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
“Communities, Disaster and Change” is a traveling exhibition coordinated by the Valdez Museum and Historical Archive. Framed by the 50-year anniversary of the devastating Good Friday Earthquake that struck Alaska on March 27, 1964, the exhibit features 28 artists from around the state. Each artist has submitted one piece, although some works contain multiple elements, such as diptychs and sculptural arrangements, that address the theme of natural disasters’ effects on their communities.
“La Fiesta en el Dia de Los Muertos,” the 29th annual Ritz benefit, is 6:30-10 p.m. Nov. 1 at Wasabi’s. The event includes Spanish cuisine served in a festive Day of the Dead atmosphere with musical entertainment by The Devils Club, featuring Johnny B., Jeff Szarzi, Jennifer King and Tyler Munns. Donated artwork is on display now at the Pratt through Oct. 29 and on Oct. 31 at Wasabi’s. Tickets are on sale for $100 at the Pratt and the Homer Bookstore.
South Peninsula Hospital
The 31st annual Rotary Health Fair is set for 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Nov. 1 at Homer High School. “It’s Your Life … Take a Day to be Well” is the theme of the fair, sponsored by Homer Kachemak Bay Rotary Club in cooperation with South Peninsula Hospital. The purpose of the fair is to set aside just one day of your life to take advantage of free and inexpensive health screenings and up-to-date information on relevant health topics. More than 60 exhibitors will be available to offer various health screenings and services, including blood pressure, vision tests, hearing tests, flu shots, fitness tests and more.
As part of the health fair, comprehensive blood analysis is available for only $40, a sizeable discount from the average cost of a comparable test. In addition to the basic wellness test, additional tests available for purchase include prostate, thyroid, cardiac, vitamin D and hemoglobin A1C. These tests are offered by appointment at the fair, or before the fair at the hospital with the results available for pickup at the fair. Representatives of the 2014 Rotary Health Fair will be on hand at the Homer Senior Center from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. today to assist individuals in making their appointment for this year’s health fair. Appointments will be made at this time for blood testing in advance at the hospital or for Saturday, Nov. 1 at the health fair.
Appointments are offered from Oct. 13-31 in the hospital conference room on the hospital’s lower level. Payment must be made by cash or check at time of the test, and checks can be made to Rotary. Appointments can be made for both the day of the fair or for advance draws at the hospital at www.sphosp.org or by calling the health fair hotline at 399-3158. Book early as appointments fill up the closer it gets to fair date. No food or drink, only water, should be consumed 10-12 hours prior to the test. In all cases prescription medication should be taken and diabetics should not fast. For more information and details on the Health Fair, visit the South Peninsula Hospital website at www.sphosp.org or call the Health Fair Hotline at 399-3158.
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 “Chakras: What Are They?” with Melody Barrett, licensed massage therapist. Explore the seven major chakra energies, their colors, location and meanings as well as how they intertwine with emotional, physical and spiritual health.
Every Wednesday in October is Wellness Wednesday. Naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist Hillery Daily answers questions free from noon to 1 p.m. Learn about nutritional consultations, supplements and herbs; detoxification and heavy metal burdens; acupuncture, and balancing hormones. For more information, call 226-2228 ext. 660.
