The next Kachemak Emergency Service Area Board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight, Thursday, at the fire station at 53048 Ashwood Ave.
The South Kenai Peninsula Hospital Service Area Board will hold its regular monthly meeting virtually via Zoom at 6:30 p.m. tonight, Thursday. 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 and gone; Alaska’s final tally has been added to the national pot. Locally, we will soon know who will be our representatives for the next few years. Between elections and a pandemic leaving economic debris in its path, 2020 has been rough on everyone. Still, most of us managed to cast our vote in a safe manner and we all deserve a cheer for that. We did it. We voted in the election that will be discussed for decades to come. We made history.
Now the hard work comes — figuring out the agendas of our newly elected government bodies. You don’t have to wait for an election year to make your voice heard; you can start making a difference now. The decisions made in local council chambers are often open to public comment before a final decision is made. Your comments are another way to vote for or against new proposals that can affect your daily life. And sometimes, a single voice will make the greatest difference; you need not be a political activist to advocate for our corner of the world.
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 — and, maybe, we will get to 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 2020 Nutcracker Faire in-person event has been canceled. Homer Council on the Arts is pleased to offer a Virtual Nutcracker Faire to help you shop local and support artists this holiday season. The Virtual Nutcracker Faire is live now at homerart.org/shoplocal and will remain on our website through the end of the year. We will continue to add vendors as registrations come in; to participate as a vendor, register at homerart.org/2020-nutcracker-faire
Do you know a student in need of adequate study space with WiFi access during remote learning? Homer Council on the Arts has limited space available from 9am to noon on regular school days. Contact HCOA to reserve a space at 235-4288 or hcoa@homerart.org
Homer Council on the Arts is proud to partner with the legendary Taj Mahal to bring you access to his first ever LIVESTREAM performance on November 17 at 5pm AK time! Taj Mahal is a composer, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, multi-GRAMMY® winner, multi-Blues Music Award winner, Blues Hall of Fame member and Americana Music Association’s Lifetime Achievement award recipient. He last visited Homer in 2012- don’t miss his long awaited return performance!
Your $20 ticket purchase includes one device and as many viewers as you’d like, as well as 48-hour access to the stream in case you can’t join live. A portion of each ticket purchased through our custom link benefits HCOA- get your ticket now at homerart.org/tajmahal
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.
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 free virtual “College 101” classes in November that will address these questions and more. These are free.
1) 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.
2) 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.
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
South Peninsula Hospital sponsors Know Your Numbers, a free online event to learn how to understand your rotary health fair lab results. It will be hosted online by Ross Tanner, DO, Board Certified Clinical Lipidology and Board Certified Internal Medicine and Founder, Diabetes and Lipid Clinic of Alaska. The Facebook live event takes place at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14. Enjoy your morning coffee with Dr. Tanner as he walks you through what your Rotary Health Fair lab results can tell you about your health. Dr. Tanner is a specialist at the SPH Specialty Clinic, and is known statewide for his expertise in lipids and diabetes management and provides care for adult patients with diabetes, obesity, elevated blood pressure or cholesterol problems. Can’t make it? No worries – it will be on the rotary health fair website. Visit www.rotaryhealthfair.org for additional information.
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.
