The Homer Legislative Information Office at 270 W. Pioneer Ave., is now open for the second session of the 29th State Legislature which convenes Tuesday, Jan. 19. At the office, citizens can participate in the legislative process by obtaining public documents, attending committee meetings telephonically and by submitting testimony on legislation. The LIO also has Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend application forms and can help people apply for their PFD online. Normal office hours are 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, and closed for lunch from noon-1 p.m. For more information, call 235-7878.
It’s Jupiter January at the MakerSpace. Design rockets then print them on 3D printers. Makers will aim for Jupiter and launch at the end of the month. Available to kids in grades 4-8, Makerspace is free and meets 3:30-5:30 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays on East Bunnell Avenue near Two Sisters Cafe. Makerspace also is open with classes for all ages from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday in January. For more information and to register, email HomerMakerSpace@gmail.com.
Kachemak Emergency Service Area Board holds its regular monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Jan. 14 at the McNeil Canyon Fire Station, 53048 Ashwood Ave. (Mile 12 East End Road). The public is welcome to attend. For more information, call 235-9811.
Dr. John Morton presents “What’s an Exotic Plant in a Rapidly Changing Climate?” at 7 p.m. Jan. 19 for the Homer Native Plant Society Meeting at the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies. The supervisory biologist at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge, Dr. Morton and his staff have used climate envelope models to forecast native vegetation change on the Kenai Peninsula in response to a warming climate, even as they have been at the forefront of battling “exotic” species on the peninsula. He will present his thoughts and findings about exotic plant management in a rapidly changing climate. A mini program on culturally modified trees also will be presented by Janet Klein. Light refreshments are provided. Free. For details, email jwoodring@alaska.net or call 235-9344.
The Kachemak Bay Birders’ next trip starts at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the Anchor River beach parking lot. Meet at 10 a.m. at the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center to carpool. The trip may be changed if there is flooding on the Old Sterling Highway or Anchor Point beach road. Visit kachemakbaybirders.org for updates or call Michael Craig at 235-0631 for updates. This trip is timed so that the tide will be high enough to see birds out over and in the water as well as along the shore and in the grass and woods. Bring binoculars, field guide and scope if you have one. Dress appropriately. It can be very cold out there. There is no charge and everyone is welcome. All trips are cosponsored by the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. Michael Craig leads the trip.
The Anchor Point Fire & Emergency Medical Service Area Board will hold its board meeting at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Anchor Point Fire Station, 72440 Milo Fritz Ave. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. For more information, call 235-6700.
The Alaska Office of Boating Safety offers “Alaska Water Wise,” a free course designed for the Alaska recreational boater, from 9:45 a.m.-5:45 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Homer Public Library. The 8-hour course is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard. The course satisfies most state’s boating education requirements and may even qualify boaters for boat insurance discounts. For more information or to register, contact Joe McCullough at 907-269-8704 or email joseph.mccullough@alaska.gov.
The annual winter conference of the Alaska Peony Growers Association will take place in Homer at Land’s End Resort from Jan. 28-30. With more than 27 sessions and 23 speakers, there is something for everyone, from the experienced peony grower to grower schools for the beginners. For further information, visit go to www.alaskapeonyconference.com.
The Kachemak Bay Masonic Club holds a spaghetti feed fundraiser from 5:30-8 p.m. Jan. 29 at the Homer Elks Lodge. All proceeds benefit Hospice of Homer and the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies. Tickets are $8 in advance and $10 at the door. Children 8 and under are free. Advance tickets may be purchased by calling Hospice of Homer at 235-6899, the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies at 235-6746 and the Kachemak Bay Masonic Club at 235-3677.
The 2016 Homer Winter Carnival and Homer Events seeks people to participate in the Outhouse Races and the Mr. Homer Pageant. The Outhouse Race is a great way for any family, group, business or organization to have some laughs as a team. The entry fee is $100 which goes to defraying costs involved, with any extra given to a local charity. The Mr. Homer Pageant is open to men and women. People can nominate any amazing personalities to enter by submitting a paragraph or two explaining why that person is qualified to represent Homer as an “exemplary example of extraordinary-ness.” The entry fee is $25. The carnival also seeks businesses or organizations to sponsor events. To register for either event, or to sign up as a sponsor, go to Homer Events on Facebook or call Dax Radtke of Homer Events at 299-0319.
The Alaska Democratic Party holds its Presidential candidate caucuses at 10 a.m. March 26 statewide. The House District 31 caucus is held in Homer at the Kachemak Bay Campus. Voters must be registered members of the Democratic Party to participate. Alaskans not registered as Democrats can change their party affiliation or register to vote at the caucus. To help party officials plan for caucuses, voters are encouraged to preregister for the caucuses by visiting www.akdems.org or calling 907-258-3050. Democrats will elected delegates to the state convention in proportion to the votes each candidate receives. The state convention is May 13-15 in Anchorage.
Anchor Point Senior Citizens
The Anchor Point Senior Center on Milo Fritz Road is open for winter hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 10 a.m.-noon Friday. The center serves Thursday night dinners starting at 5:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome. Bingo is at 6 p.m. with play starting at 7 p.m. on Friday nights. The Helping Hands Thrift Store is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Exercise sessions are at 10 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. For more information, call the senior center at 235-7786.
Friendship Center
Friendship Center Adult Day Services is open 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday with extended hours for special situations. Programs are offered daily, including story time, crafts and musical performances. Call 235-4556.
Homer Senior Citizens
Homer Senior Citizens lunch is open to seniors and guests and is served noon-1:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. The lunch menu for this week is: today, roast beef with mashed potatoes; Friday, seared ahi; Monday, beef stroganoff; Tuesday, spaghetti and Italian sausage; Wednesday, Cuban pork; next Thursday, roast turkey with mashed potatoes.
Strong Women classes are 1:30-2:30 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 for members, $6 for nonmembers.
Duplicate Bridge meets at 1 p.m. Thursdays. Tai chi classes are Thursdays at 3 p.m. The cost per class is $3 for members and $6 for nonmembers. Call Daniel Weisser at 235-4555.
Caregiver Support Group meets 2-3:30 p.m. the second and fourth Thursday in the senior center conference room. Call Jacquie Thaute at 299-2924 or Daniel Weisser at 235-4555.
The Kachemak Advocates of Recycling (KARe)
What else can you recycle in the Homer area?
• Cell phones: Collection boxes are located at Cook InletKeeper and near the exit door at Spenard Builder’s Supply. They will take cell phones, smart phones, digital cameras, iPads, chargers, rechargeable cell phone batteries, cell phone accessories plus paper manuals and plastic packaging for cell phones.
• Eyeglasses: The Lion’s Club collects glasses for repair and reuse. In Homer, take them to Gus VanDyke at Scruggs Automotive, 1080 Ocean Drive.
• Prescription medicines and drugs: Put them in a bin, an “amnesty box,” in the lobby of the Homer Police station on Heath Street. These substances should never be put down the drain or toilet, nor put in the trash because they are terribly dangerous for the environment.
What are some of the major changes, previously mentioned, to help people recycle in the Homer area?
• Plastic bags and stretchy wrap can be recycled at the dump.
• Metal jar lids and metal bottle caps, as well as metal tin cans, may be recycled in the tin recycling bin at the dump.
• Mixed paper may be put in with newspaper in all locations. Mixed paper is almost any paper that does not have foil or plastic on it.
• Aluminum bake ware and aluminum pet food cans may be recycled in all locations in the aluminum bins.
For questions to the Borough’s Solid Waste Department, contact them at 262-9667.
Kachemak Bay Campus
Registration for all winter and spring classes and workshops is now being held. Many community education, job training, recreation or degree-seeking classes are being offered. Register at uaonline.alaska.edu. Check out most of the KBC opportunities at www.kpc.alaska.edu/files/resources/spring-2016-kbc-schedule.pdf.
Classes include Beginning Spanish, Drawing, 6-Pack Boat License Preparation, Biology of Sharks, Polar Bears, Outboard Engine Repair, Creative Writing, Ceramics, Woodworking, Deck Handling Job training, Political Science, Introduction to Business, Yoga, Boat DC Electrical Basics, Tai Chi and more. Sign-up now; pay latter.
Interested in a two- or four-year degree? Make an appointment soon with an adviser at 235-7743.
In recognition of Civil Rights Day, Diane Benson will present a public lecture, “Alaska Native Civil Rights and the Challenge of Violence,” at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 18 at the Kachemak Bay Campus. Benson is a University of Alaska Fairbanks assistant professor of literary arts and Native studies and an award-winning playwright, poet, essayist and advocate. She will explore the current state of civil rights for Alaska Natives, with a particular emphasis on violence suffered by Alaska Natives in contemporary Alaska. The lecture is being facilitated by Michael Hawfield, KBC associate professor of history and political science, and is free to the public. The lecture is cosponsored by the University of Alaska Anchorage’s Diversity Action Council. For more information, call 235-7743.
Pratt Museum
The museum gallery is closed for January. Business offices are open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Sprout Family Services
Sprout Family Services needs parents of children ages 0-5 to volunteer for their focus group “Early Childhood Development and Sprout Family Services” on Saturday, Jan.16, from 4-5 p.m. at the Homer Public Library.
The objective of the focus group is to understand community perceptions of Sprout and learn where parents get information on child development and parenting. Childcare will be provided. Participants will receive a $10 K Bay Caffé gift card and will also be entered to win a $100 gas gift card.
E-mail office@sproutalaska.org or call 235-6044 for more information.
