The Kenai Peninsula Borough Solid Waste Department Central Peninsula Landfill and Transfer Facilities and Sites summer operating hours have started. All facilities are now open seven days a week. Hours of operation are: Anchor Point, 24 hours daily; Homer Transfer Site, 8 a.m.-5:45 p.m. Monday-Saturday and noon-4 p.m. Sunday; McNeil Canyon Transfer Site, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. daily; Ninilchik Transfer Site, 24 hours daily.
The Alaska Multiple Schlerosis Center offers a short workshop, “Live Your Best Life with a Chronic Illness,” from 3-4 p.m. today at the Homer Council on the Arts. Antonia Fiflis-Fowler will provide a brief explanation of what MS and Parkinson’s Disease are and answer questions from attendees. Time will also be set aside for those interested in starting an MS Support Group. Dotti Harness-Foster will instruct a mini 15-minute Body Movement Class. Tela Bacher and Devony Lehner with the T.R.A.I.L.S. program at the Independent Living Center will speak about recreational opportunities in the area. This event is free, but pre-register at 907-929-2567 or antonia@alaskamscenter.org.
Homer Yacht Club kicks off summer with a barbecue at 5 p.m. Friday at Grace Ridge Brewing on Ocean Drive. Come learn about sailing opportunities, mingle with Homer’s finest sailors and celebrate with Grace Ridge Brewing its 1-year anniversary.
The Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL) has started a chapter in Homer. George Donart, the CCL Alaska State Coordinator, visits Homer on Saturday for several events, all at the Kachemak Bay Campus. From 9-10:15 a.m., the new CCL Homer Chapter holds its monthly meeting to be coordinated with the CCL National Call. From 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Donart leads a “Love Your Mother” workshop to teach about climate advocate training, including discussion of CCL’s Carbon Fee and Dividend proposal to address climate change. From 5-6 p.m., Donart gives a community presentation about CCL and the Carbon Fee and Dividend legislative proposal. From 5-7 p.m. Friday is an informal social at Alice’s Champagne Palce to welcome Donart.
For more information, contact Elisa Russ, Co-Group Leader, Citizens Climate Lobby, AK Homer Chapter, at elisa.russ68@gmail.com or 907-399-1721. For more information on the Citizens’ Climate Lobby, visit www.citizensclimatelobby.com.
The Kachemak Bay Quilters 33rd annual quilt show is 10 a.m.-8 p.m Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday at the Homer Elks Lodge. A $2 donation is requested.
The Cooperative Extension Service and Homer Homemakers FCE offer free testing of pressure canner dial gauges on Monday from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Ulmer’s Drug and Hardware. Gauges can be tested on or off the canner lid. There will be free food preservation publications available. Pressure canners using weighted gauges do not need to be checked. For more information, call the Cooperative Extension Service Office at 1-800-478-5824.
The 30th Annual Homer Garden Club Plant Sale is 11 a.m. May 20 on the lawn by the Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center. The plants for sale are both perennial and annual “starts” from club members as well as established perennials from members’ gardens and a special section of plants grown by the students at Paul Banks Elementary School in their greenhouse (those proceeds to benefit their PTA). Don’t miss out, so come early — it’s usually over by noon.
The Anchor Point Fire &Emergency Medical Service Area Board holds its next board meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday May 17, at the Anchor Point Fire Station, 72440 Milo Fritz Ave. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend. For more information, call 235-6700.
Trail’s Day is June 3. Volunteers are needed for trails work and beach clean-ups in Kachemak Bay State Park. Sign up for a guided family hike to Grewingk Glacier or volunteer for light trail work or a beach clean up project in Kachemak Bay State Park. A $20 donation covers the water taxi cost. Volunteers leave the harbor at 7 a.m., hikers leave at 8:30 a.m. and everyone returns between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Pre-registration by May 26 is required. To register, for more detailed information on projects available or to add your name to be notified of other summer volunteer opportunities in the park, contact Christina Whiting at kbayvolunteer@gmail.com, 907-435-7969, or visit the Alaska State Park office on the second floor, Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitors Center.
Sandhill cranes have arrived. Report sandhill crane sightings to Kachemak Crane Watch at 235-6262 or reports@cranewatch.org. Provide date, time, location and number of cranes. Leave a name and number in case they need more details.
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. The lunch menu for this week is: today, roast turkey; Friday, coriander cod; Monday, chicken cordon bleu; Tuesday, barbecue beef brisket; Wednesday, chicken parmesan; next Thursday, closed for members-only annual meeting.
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.
Homer Folk School
Homer Folk School offers these upcoming classes, held at Ageya Wilderness Center above Skyline Drive at the top of East Hill Road. To register or for more information, visit homerfolkschool.org or call 299-9117.
• May 13, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.: Discover Yoga: A Beginner’s Workshop. Learn about or renew your practice in yoga; $45.
• May 13, 6:30-8 p.m.: Fireside Chat: How to Teach Your Skill. There is no charge, but RSVP at the website.
• May 20, 1-4 p.m.: Nature Journaling and Drawing. Learn how to heighten awareness of nature by keeping a nature journal; $60.
• May 21, 4-7 p.m.: Indian Vegetarian Cooking. Explore traditional north Indian cooking; $40.
• May 29, 6-8 p.m.: Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants Walk, Bishop’s Beach. In this guided walk, students learn to identify edible and medicinal plants; $15.
Kachemak Bay Campus
Registration for the 2017 Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference, June 9-13, is being held. For more information, visit http://writersconference.homer.alaska.edu.
A Student Art Showcase opening featuring work from painting class is on display in Pioneer Hall.
Registration for fall classes has begun for general public and degree-seeking students. See the schedule for most classes at www.kpc.alaska.edu/academics/schedule.
Pratt Museum
The museum gallery is open noon-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and closed Sundays and Mondays. Business offices are open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Artist Argent Kvasnikoff’s exhibit, Qena Sint’isis, is up through May 26. It presents a form of cultural expression that describes a new take on the indigenous culture of the southern Kenai Peninsula.
South Peninsula Hospital
Free speech and swallowing screenings are being offered at South Peninsula Hospital’s Rehabilitation Department throughout the month of May in recognition of Better Hearing and Speech Month.
Susan Cates-Blackmon, M.Ed., CCC-SLP, offers this screening for speech, language, swallowing, voice, resonance or cognitive communication. This 15-minute exercise is perfect for adults, children and their caregivers who have concerns about a potential speech or swallowing concern. Call the hospital’s Rehabilitation Department at 235-0370 to arrange a free 15-minute appointment.
SPH offers a Day of Mindfulness from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at Many Rivers on East End Road. Jerry Braza, PhD, presents the one-day training. The morning session includes guided mindfulness practice and a mindful walk. The afternoon includes deep relaxation, mindful contemplation, mindful movements and practices for home. No prior experience is needed.
People can register for half or full-day training. A sliding scale registration fee is offered and ranges from $20-$30 for the half day, and $30-$60 for the full day. Contact South Peninsula hospital at www.sphosp.org for more information or 235-0258 to register.
South Peninsula Hospital offers a one-day safe sitter class 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, May 20. The special class is designed for students going in to sixth through eighth grades and teaches basic child care, infant and child CPR, first aid, safety for the sitter, behavior management and business etiquette.
The class is filled with fun games and role-playing exercises to prepare students for when they’re home alone, watching younger siblings or babysitting. Students even get to use manikins to practice rescue skills like choking rescue and CPR.
Pre-registration is required by May 17. The cost is $50 per person; scholarships are available based on need. Space is limited. For more information or to register, call the education department at 235-0258.
