The 2018 Homer Winter Carnival will take place from Thursday, Feb. 8 through Monday, Feb. 12. It is hosted by the Homer Chamber of Commerce. Parade line-up will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 10 at Homer High School with the parade beginning at noon down Pioneer Avenue. Parade applications are online at homeralaska.org/winter-carnival and are due Monday, Feb. 5.
As part of the carnival, the Mr. Homer Pageant will be held Friday, Feb. 9 at the Homer Elks Lodge. Hosted by Chris Story, the pageant is a comedy contest with three rounds that seeks “Very Homer-ish” people. The winner will be chosen by a panel of three judges and will receive a crown and the chance to make personal appearances at other events in Homer, beginning with riding a float in the Winter Carnival Parade.
The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Child Find Program will be offering free screenings for preschoolers (3 to 5 years old). The screening will include your child’s motor skills, speech, early learning concepts, vision and hearing. There are two screening dates to choose from:
• Chapman School, Tuesday, Feb. 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. To make an appointment for your child, please call the Chapman School at 235-8671.
• McNeil Canyon School, Wednesday, Feb. 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. To make an appointment for your child, please call the McNeil Canyon School at 235-8181. For more information about the screenings, contact Robin at 714-8930.
The Homer Foundation announces that application forms for the 2018 City of Homer Grants Program are now available. The applicants must be IRS 501(c)(3) tax exempt organizations, in existence in Homer a minimum of three years, with their primary facility and core programs, activities and services offered within the Homer City limits. This is a competitive grants process. The organization must be administered locally with a local policy-making board of directors. The organization may have no other financial or in-kind support from the City of Homer in the prior calendar year. The funding is for general operating support. Application forms are available from the Homer Foundation’s website: www.homerfoundation.org/grant-programs/ or contact 235-0541 or jsteward@homerfoundation.org. Application deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16.
The Homer Legislative Information Office at 270 W Pioneer, is now open for the second session of the 30th State Legislature. 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 office also is a distribution site for PFD forms and staff can help people apply for their PFD online. Normal office hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, closed for lunch from 12:30-1 p.m. The office will open to accommodate Legislative meetings outside of these hours. For more information call 235-7878.
A Boating Skills and Seamanship class run by the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, Homer Flotilla, runs through March 8. It costs $55, with all materials provided. It is being held in Room A 104 at Homer High School, and covers introduction to boating, navigation, boat handling, rules of the road, aids to navigation, lines and knots, legal requirements, weather, radio, seamanship and more. Contact 907-299-0232 or email craig@homernet.net for information or to register.
Tsalteshi Trails Association will hold a 20- and 40-kilometer Tour of Tsalteshi freestyle ski race Feb. 18 at the trailhead behind Skyview Middle School, the day after Frozen River Fest craft beer festival. The 40-kilometer race — two laps around the trails — starts at 11:30 a.m. The 20-kilometer race — one lap around the trails — starts at noon.
Prizes will be awarded for the first three men and women finishers in each race and raffle drawings will be available to all participants. Awards will be given at a post-race party at Kenai River Brewing in Soldotna.
To register or for more information, visit www.touroftsalteshi.org.
The LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual and queer) Teen Support and Discussion Group meets at 4 p.m. every Tuesday at the REC Room, 3957 Neilsen Circle.
The private group is for ages 12-18.
For more information, contact Anna Meredith at the REC Room, 235-3436, or Irene Saxton-Opatz at the Center, 235-7701.
Anchor Point Senior Citizens
The Anchor Point Senior Center on Milo Fritz Road is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m.-noon Friday. The center serves Thursday night dinners starting at 5:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome.
Bingo is at 6:30 p.m. with doors opening at 6 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 information, call 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
The Caregiver Support Group meets 2-3:30 p.m. the second and fourth Thursday in the senior center conference room. Call Pam Hooker at 299-7198 or Daniel Weisser at 235-4555.
Homer Senior Citizens lunch is open to seniors and guests and is served noon-1:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
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.
Pratt Museum
The museum gallery is closed for the month of January and reopens on Feb. 1. Business offices are open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Kachemak Bay Campus
Scientific Illustration class with Lee Post starts Feb. 5. Sign-up by Feb. 2.
Marine Electronics class with Mark Zeiset will be held Feb. 2 at 6 p.m. It costs $35. Advanced registration is required.
Brown Bag Lunch Travelogue Public Talk: Thurs.. Feb. 8th 12noon. “Traveling Across Kenya”presented by Paula Martin
Biology of Sharks 5-week class starts Feb. 7 at 6 p.m. Taught by Ken Goldman.
Ceramic artist David Kaufmann will conduct a special hands-on ceramics workshop at KBC on Feb. 10 and 11. “Primitive Vessels” will cover methods of forming vessels while taking inspiration from some of the world’s ancient enduring objects. Fee: $175 Advance registration deadline is Feb. 7.
Basic MS Excel workshop will be held Feb. 9 and 16 from 12-2 p.m.. Sign up by Feb. 8.
Registration is still open for all Feb., March and April classes. The course schedules are online to review at https://www.kpc.alaska.edu/academics/schedule/ and at https://kbcnoncredit.asapconnected.com/
Other upcoming classes include: Fly-Fishing ( April 7 and 14), QuickBooks (March 31), Beginning Glaciology of Kachemak Bay (March 1 – April 5), Birds of Kachemak Bay, Marine Invertebrates (March 31 – April 1), Flash Fiction Writing (March 3 and 10) and more.
Registration is open for newly approved USCG Able Seaman(Through Feb. 24) and 100 Ton license classes along with Marine Electronics, RSW for Vessels, Deckhand Training, Navigation and our maritime classes at https://kbcnoncredit.asapconnected.com/.
Advising services are available for individuals wishing to start or continue earning a two or four year degree and register for Jan. classes. Call 235-7743 for an appointment.
KBC offers free GED, ESL, college preparation and life skills courses and individual assistance. Call 235-7743.
South Peninsula Hospital
Join South Peninsula Hospital and Dr. Rob Downey at SPARC (600 Sterling Hwy next to Homer Middle School) for “Walk with a Doc” on Saturday, Feb. 3 from 9-10 a.m. Hear a brief talk by Dr. Downey on “Silent Inflammation &CRP: What you need to know” and spend the rest of the hour walking at your own pace, chatting and asking any questions. This is a free event, open to all ages and abilities. There is parking up at the SPARC and down below in the Homer Middle School Parking lot.
Walk with a Doc is a walking program for everyone interested in taking steps for a healthier lifestyle. There will be free blood pressure screenings, prizes, and refreshments. Please bring clean indoor walking shoes. Call the Health &Wellness Department at (907) 235-0285 with questions or for more information, or visit www.sphosp.org. Plan ahead for the Feb. 17 Walk with a Doc with Sonja Martin-Young.
South Peninsula Hospital is accepting applications for its Board of Directors. Prior experience in healthcare, finance, leadership community/volunteer service is helpful. Call 235-0237 or visit www.sphosp.org and click on “About SPH” for more information.
South Peninsula Hospital is offering a one day Safe Sitter Course for students grades six through eight from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 9. Preregistration is required by Feb. 7. Call (907) 235-0970 to register or for more information. Scholarships available.
