The next Kachemak Bay State Park Citizens Advisory Board meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10. This is a call-in meeting that the public can attend by calling 1-907-202-7104. Code to enter the meeting: 778847665#. This meeting will have on the agenda a resolution being brought before the board regarding the importance of natural sound and quiet spaces in today’s ever increasing world of noise. The draft agenda can be found at kbaysoundscape.org under November Resolution.
There will be a Veterans Day Parade at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 11 starting at the corner of Lake Street and Pioneer Avenue. The parade will proceed on Pioneer Avenue, down Main Street and the highway to the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center for a short service. After that, the Elks and Emblem Club will be hosting a free meal for veterans and there will be Quilt of Valor quilts presented. Come on out and say thank you to all those that have served this great country.
Homer’s Kachemak Bay Quilters will award red, white, and blue Quilt of Valor lap quilts to local service members and veterans touched by war in a special ceremony at the Veterans Day luncheon at the Homer Elk’s Lodge on Wednesday, Nov. 11.
To get a Quilt of Valor for your treasured veteran, nominate him or her using the simple nomination form on the Quilts of Valor (QOV) website (www.qovf.org).
To nominate a veteran in Homer to receive a Quilt of Valor:
Go to the Quilts of Valor Foundation website — www.qovf.org
Click on Take Action
Click on Request a Quilt of Valor
Complete the one-page online form and submit it to the QOV Foundation.
For more information, contact Karrie Youngblood at 907-399-2085.
The next Kachemak Emergency Service Area Board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12 at the fire station at 53048 Ashwood Avenue.
The South Kenai Peninsula Hospital Service Area Board will hold its regular monthly meeting virtually via Zoom at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 12. The Committee of the Whole will meet at 5:30 p.m. before the regular meeting. The South Kenai Peninsula Hospital Service Area Board is an elected board that oversees local tax dollars for a healthier community.
The public is welcome to attend both meetings. The Zoom link is available on the Kenai Peninsula Borough website at www.kpb.us or by emailing Devony Lehner at dlehnerediting@gmail.com.
The Anchor Point Fire & Emergency Medical Service Area Board will hold its next board meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18.
It is that time of year again when we gear up for the Thanksgiving Basket Program. Applications are available at First National Bank, the Food Bank, the Salvation Army, Anchor Point Food Bank and the Twin Rivers L.S. in Ninilchik. The Senior Center is closed in Ninilchik so we had to search for an alternate location. Please get your application in as soon as possible so the food can be ordered. If you have any questions, please call David at 310-990-3455. If you would like to help pack the boxes and/or give a donation, please contact David about volunteering and send donations to Kachemak Bay Lions at P.O. Box 1824 Homer, AK 99603.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough Solid Waste facilities are now closed on Sundays through April 25, 2021. For more information, contact the KPB Solid Waste Department at 907-262-9667 or check their webpage at https://www.kpb.us/swd-waste/about-solidwaste.
Kenai Peninsula Votes tidbit:
Election day has come to pass — finally. Now we wait for the final tally, hoping that by this time next week all the ballots will have been counted with decisive results. Hopefully, in the days and weeks to come, tears of celebrations and tears of loss will dry, and we return to our pre-election, sane selves. Hopefully, we’ll remember the awkward holiday dinners of four years ago and promise ourselves to do better this year. Remembering families are meant to be forever, we won’t get another small turkey for a small gathering. OK, some politicians think being elected is forever, but most of us won’t notice their absence from our Thanksgiving table or from drawing names for holiday gift exchanges.
Some old hands in the political ring have already begun planning for the next election of government representatives, state and local mandates, propositions, measures and initiatives. These folks may be on target, maybe now is the time to start figuring out the process, the candidates, what is at stake, who benefits, and perhaps learn the true value of your vote. Have a bone to pick about how things are run? Have a better idea? Share your thoughts with your local representatives. Who knows? Maybe in the next election you will see change, all because you spoke up. You don’t have to wait to vote; you can start making a difference now and we’ll all vote on it.
Anchor Point Senior Citizens
The Anchor Point Senior Center on Milo Fritz Avenue serves take-out meals on Thursday evenings with pickup from 5-6 p.m. Helping Hands Thrift Store is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and donations can be dropped off any time. The office staff are at work and available by phone for addressing needs. For information, call 235-7786.
Friendship Center
Friendship Center Adult Day Services is closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Call 235-4556.
Homer Senior Citizens
All activities are canceled and the Homer Senior Center is closed to the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Homer Senior Citizens congregate lunch is closed, but meals can be picked up at noon from Monday-Friday. You must call 907-235-7655 by 10 a.m. daily to reserve your meal.
Hospice of Homer
Hospice of Homer is in need of volunteers to help move medical equipment between their office and client’s homes. They are looking for one-time, short-term and long-term help to work alongside their experienced volunteers and appreciate whatever time you can spare. If you can help, please call Christina at 235-6899.
Hospice of Homer requests that anyone who needs to borrow or return medical equipment or to pick up disposable personal care items, call the office. Staff will check availability and arrange a time for pick up.
Anyone needing access to grief counseling or other services should also call to talk with a staff member. Staff will be available Monday-Thursday at 235-6899.
Support Group meetings have been canceled.
Hospice of Homer has had an unusually high demand for medical equipment recently and are in great need of many items. Anyone wishing to help can go to Smile.amazon.com.
Select Hospice of Homer as your charity then select Charity List and choose any of the items on our List of Current Needs. All donated equipment is loaned out free of charge to anyone who needs it in the Homer vicinity and a percentage of the purchase is donated to Hospice of Homer.
Homer Council on the Arts
The Kenai Peninsula Writers Contest is back. Homer Council on the Arts invites Kenai Peninsula residents of all ages and skill levels to participate. Categories include poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Winning entries in each category and age group will win prizes such as cash, Homer Bucks, and local gift certificates. Visit HomerArt.org/writers-contest for entry guidelines and to submit your writing.
Kachemak Bay Campus
Open registration for the Spring semester begins Monday, Nov. 23. Look for the Spring class schedule in your mailbox and around town.
“Obituaries and Eulogies: Why They Matter and How to Write Them,” a virtual writing workshop with Heather Lende, will be held from 5-7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 7. As part of this year’s Alaska Reads program, acclaimed author Heather Lende will draw from her 20 years experience writing obituaries for the Chilkat Valley News in Haines which produced “Find the Good,” one of her books. To register, please visit https://kbcnoncredit.asapconnected.com or call 235-1674.
Attention future college students (and their parents): Are you undecided about whether college is right for you or overwhelmed by all the choices? Do you have trouble finding the information you are looking for on websites? Do you have questions about the different kinds of financial aid available? Would you like to learn how to create an academic resume? KPC will be hosting the following three, free virtual “College 101” classes in November that will address these questions and more. These are free.
1. Resources for Exploration will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9. Review websites and other resources for exploring colleges, majors, careers, and scholarships. This includes visiting college websites, submitting requests for more information, taking physical and/or virtual tours, using sites like Career Coach and AKCIS for career information, and more. The free class will also cover the basics of creating an academic resume for college and scholarship applications. To register visit https://kbcnoncredit.asapconnected.com or call 235-1651.
2. Admissions Timelines and Financial Aid will be held from 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16. Learn about admissions timelines for both high school seniors and adult students returning to school. The class will guide this discussion but plan to cover the various options for college admissions. Also included in the discussion: placement testing, financial aid, registration, and other deadlines. Includes a comparison of the similarities and differences between high school and college. To register visit https://kbcnoncredit.asapconnected.com or call 235-1651.
3. Tips and Tricks for Succeeding in College will take place from 6-7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23. Whether this is a first attempt at college or a return to college after a break in education, this class will discuss tips and tricks to help make your first semester a successful one. Everything from attending orientation, to finding and utilizing valuable campus resources, and connecting with your advisor. To register visit https://kbcnoncredit.asapconnected.com or call 235-1651.
Marine Electronics with Mark Zeiset will be held from 6-9 p.m. on Nov. 11 via Zoom. This is a free class that includes basic troubleshooting and theory of direct current systems on vessels. Topics include electrical terms and definitions, safety codes, basic diagrams, battery types and application, marine wiring and more. This session will meet online and will not include access to equipment. To register visit https://kbcnoncredit.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough Homer Annex is open with some restrictions at 638 East Pioneer Ave. in the Homer Borough Maintenance building east of the Homer Volunteer Fire Department. Please limit visits to one person at a time and wait in the parking lot or in vehicles while other people are inside. Masks are recommended but not required. The office is staffed for help by phone or email. For more information call 235-9837 or email Tamarron Baxter at tbaxter@kpb.us. Forms for property tax exemptions or appeals are available outside on the door, and a dropbox is available for completed forms.
Pratt Museum
The Pratt Museum’s fall hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
“Shifting Tides: Convergence of Cloth” is on exhibit through Nov. 28.
These hours are subject to updates in compliance with CDC State/Federal Public Health Guidance.
For the safety of guests, members and staff:
• Face masks required for entry.
• Visitor log sign-in required upon entry.
• Social distancing guidelines include maintaining 6 feet of distance at all times.
• Capacity limited to 10 guests in the museum at one time.
Face masks and capacity limits do not apply to outdoor spaces including gardens, forest trails, and Homestead cabin; however, staff do request that visitors respectfully comply with social distancing guidelines.
Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center
The Alaska Islands & Ocean Visitor Center operations are temporarily suspended, but please visit virtually and take a 3D tour by going to http://ow.ly/hf3f50Bf4HB. The Beluga Slough Trail and other outdoor areas on the refuge will remain open to provide healthy options for recreation and relaxation. Kids can download the Agents of Discovery App and play an interactive learning game on the trail.
To reach refuge staff call 907-235-6546 or email alaskamaritime@fws.gov.
South Peninsula Hospital
Free COVID-19 tests are offered 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week at the lower level of the SPH Specialty Clinic, at 4201 Bartlett Street, Homer. Please use the Danview Avenue access. Tests are for those who have had recent travel out of state, have been exposed to someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19, they have new onset of any symptom related to COVID-19, or have a provider referral. See complete list of eligible individuals at www.sphosp.org or call the COVID information line at 235-0235. Please call and pre-register before coming if and when possible.
