The Homer Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center’s Annual Tree Lighting Celebration scheduled for tonight has been canceled due to concerns about public gatherings under the updated state COVID-19 guidelines. The drawing for the Side by Side and YETI Family Pack will still take place tonight, Thursday, at 5:30 p.m. Santa will be drawing the winning tickets and will light up the Christmas Tree. The Chamber will broadcast the event on its Facebook page. Call the Homer Chamber of Commerce with any questions, 907-235-2270.
The Cook Inlet Regional Citizens Advisory Council (CIRCAC) is holding its Board of Directors meeting at 9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 4. Due to COVID-19, the meeting will be virtual only. For questions or a meeting agenda please email jamora@circac.org. For more information visit www.circac.org. CIRCAC represents citizens in promoting environmentally safe marine transportation and oil facility operations in Cook Inlet.
The South Kenai Peninsula Hospital Service Area Board will hold its regular monthly meeting virtually via ZOOM at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10. 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. Learn about the workings of your hospital.
The public is welcome to attend both meetings. The ZOOM link is available on the Kenai Peninsula Borough website at https://www.kpb.us/service-areas/south-kenai-peninsula-hospital-service-area and by emailing Devony 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, Dec. 16.
The Homer Chamber Visitor Center is closed to the public till further notice due to Gov. Dunleavy’s COVID 19 emergency alert on Nov. 12. However, if someone would like to buy Raffle Tickets at $20/ticket in person for the Grand Prize 2020 Yamaha Wolverine Side X Side, and the Second Prize of a 10 piece Family Pack, they can come to our Chamber office front door, call 907-235-7740 and staff will open up the Visitor Center for one person at a time. Raffle tickets may also be purchased online at www.homeralaska.org and/or at the following local Chamber Member business locations: Ulmer’s Drug & Hardware in the sports department, Save-U-More, Gear Shed or Lower Peninsula Power Sports. The two winning raffle tickets will be drawn this Thursday.
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:
At press time, 12 days remain before the Electoral College is scheduled to cast its votes. Perhaps then the election season of 2020 can officially come to an end, leaving a few lessons to be remembered in its wake. While clear, uncontested election results are always hoped for, challenges confirm that our system, our democracy, is as strong as ever. Certainly, the value of individual votes is emphasized as recounts are taking place in various states, ensuring/reassuring America’s voters that their vote has, indeed, been accounted for. Elections are messy and sometimes ugly, but our government of the people continues to work — even under worldwide scrutiny, the nation prevails, and the Grand Experiment goes on.
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
Homer Council on the Arts has fresh-cut local Christmas trees available to preorder, with your choice of spruce or pine. Pine branches are also available for making wreaths, swags, or other decorations. Proceeds support its Youth Summer Arts Scholarship. Visit HomerArt.org for details and to place an order.
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. The council 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 9 a.m. to noon on regular school days. Contact HCOA to reserve a space at 235-4288 or hcoa@homerart.org
Kachemak Bay Campus
$500 COVID relief grants are available for Kenai Peninsula College students. This funding has been made available through grants via the CARES Act from the City of Homer and the City of Soldotna, as well as through the Damon Foundation Endowment. Applicants must be enrolled in six or more credits at KPC (either or both campuses) and meet the criteria listed on the COVID-19 relief funding web page found at kpc.alaska.edu. Applications are due Dec. 18, 2020. Prompt submission of applications for assistance is strongly encouraged. Funds are limited.
KPC is now offering UAA’s fast-track certificate in Business Leadership that students can achieve in one or two semesters. If you are looking for a quick way to boost your resume or to make a career shift, this Occupational Endorsement Certificate (OEC) is for you. Perfect for individuals in entry-level leadership roles and people wanting to build skills and stand out in a crowd, and for the Spring 2021 term, applicants may be eligible for financial awards up to $1,000. The OEC includes six classes that cover key business concepts in business foundations, supervision, selling, computer skills, leadership and communication. Students will also learn principles of finance, establishing goals and problem solving, marketing, and spreadsheet applications. Some of these classes are part of the general education requirement so if you have already taken one or more you are well on your way. General registration begins Monday, Nov. 23. Interested parties can call KBC at 907-235-7743 to be connected to an advisor.
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 is closed for regular hours due to an increase in COVID-19 cases. However, small groups or pods may visit by appointment only starting today. For more information and to set up an appointment, call 907-235-8635.
“Greetings from the Past: History in Postcards” and “Shifting Tides: Convergence in Cloth” are on exhibit through Dec. 19.
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.
