Kachemak Emergency Service Area Board holds its regular monthly board meeting at 7 p.m. today at the Kenai Peninsula Borough Annex building at 206 E. Pioneer Ave. The public is welcome to attend. For more information, call 235-9811.
Zumba holds Party in Pink, a Zumbathon charity event, from 10 a.m.-noon Saturday at Homer Middle School. Proceeds go to the Zumba global research grant for breast cancer prevention. At the event survivor gift baskets also will be given to two Homer survivors of breast cancer.
The Homer Hockey Association of USA Hockey sponsor a Girls Hockey Weekend from 11:30-1 p.m. Sunday at the Kevin Bell Ice Arena. The event is open to girls and women of all ages. Skate in a fun, pond-style hockey jamboree. Enjoy free pizza, goodie bags and lots of fun. Registration starts at 11 a.m. For more information and to RSVP, text 399-6383 or email kwestonak@yahoo.com.
The Homer Fish & Game Advisory Committee meets 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the NERRS building on Kachemak Drive. The agenda will include an overview of the most recent moose season and other issues pertaining to upcoming board meetings and topics of local concern. For more information, contact Dave Lyon at 399-2340.
The Kachemak Bay Birders hold at owling trip at 8:30 p.m. Saturday at the Wynn Nature Center parking lot, Mile 1.5 East Skyline Drive. Bring a flashlight. The leader is Gary Lyon. All trips are cosponsored by the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. Everyone is welcome. There is no charge but a donation to the Wynn Nature Center would be appreciated. This trip will be postponed if it is raining or too windy, with the event rescheduled to Sunday at the same time and place. Visit the Kachemak Bay Birders website at kachemakbaybirders.org or call Lyon at 299-2000 or Lani Raymond at 399-9477.
The Southern Peninsula State Parks Advisory Board meets from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 15 at 66590 Oil Well Road, Ninilchik. For more information, contact the Kenai Area State Parks Office at 262-5581.
Kachemak Heritage Land Trust holds its 13th annual auction at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 18 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.
Sprout Family Services hold 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
The summer produced a good tomato crop for most folks lucky enough to have a greenhouse, but no matter how gardeners try, there are always some tomatoes that don’t ripen during the season. Not to worry — Cooperative Extension Service has a free publication, “Harvest of Green Tomatoes,” which provides ripening methods and tasty recipes for those green fruit. 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 beef; Friday, shrimp scampi; Monday, baked ham; Tuesday, beef stroganoff; Wednesday, Cuban pork.
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.
Hospice of Homer
Hospice of Homer will hold a community-wide open house from 5-7 p.m. Oct. 15 at its new offices at 265 Pioneer Ave., Suite 3. The hospice office is now located in the lower level of the building with the entrance to the office in the back of the building where there is parking.
The open house is an opportunity for Hospice of Homer supporters and community members as well as hospice clients, board, staff and volunteers to come together and celebrate its new office. The space is providing opportunities for hospice to hone the services it has provided since 1985. Hospice is now able to house the equipment for its loan closet in its new space rather than have it located in a number of storage units around town. For more information, call Hospice of Homer at 235-6899.
Kachemak Bay Campus
Registration is being held for the upcoming workshop Grant Proposal Writing. 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.
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. More 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. Oct. 16 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 “Introduction to Chinese Medicine,” with Amy Rattenbury, licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist. Learn about how Chinese medicine can improve health and well-being.
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.
