Marine Trades Roundhaul
set for Friday at Otto’s
Otto’s Machine Works on Ocean Drive opens its doors to the public from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday for the Homer Marine Trades Association Roundhaul, “a networking, shoot-the-breeze, catch up with old friends kind of get together,” as Kate Mitchell of the Homer Marine Trades Association describes it.
New owners Alan and Linda Engebretsen have taken over Otto Kilcher’s machine shop as part of the Bay Weld business. The new component allows them to machine and create special parts going into the custom boats they are building. The Engebretsens will give a tour of the shop, with light refreshments served. Homer Marine Trades board also will conduct a short meeting to catch up the membership on all its projects.
Bay Weld is one of the founding members of Homer Marine Trades and a local company into its second generation repairing and building boats for Homer and beyond.
Also on Friday, the 2016 Homer Marine Trades Association tidebooks will be available. All members receive tidebooks for their businesses.
In other marine trades news, Marshall Bullock has been hired as the new Marine Technology Workforce Development coordinator at Kachemak Bay Campus. He will work with the community to identify training needed, find the instructors and schedule the training.
Part of the Homer Marine Trades’ mission is to promote the marine industry and work toward marine training classes taught in Homer, providing job skills businesses need to grow.
For more information on the Homer Marine Trades Association, contact Kate Mitchell at 235-8363.
Chamber members vote
on two board positions
The Homer Chamber of Commerce reminds members that the deadline for selecting two candidates for the two open board positions is at 5 p.m. Dec. 15. The nominees are:
• Mike Barth, agent/owner, State Farm Insurance (incumbent);
• Steve Franklin, owner, Peninsula Home Inspection;
• Robert “Bob” Letson, CEO, South Peninsula Hospital (incumbent);
• Nelton Palma, owner, The Alibi;
• Kimberley Royce, owner, Triquetra Massage;
• Doug Stark, owner, Alaska Engineering and Management; and
• Adrienne Sweeney, owner, Driftwood Inn, Lodges & RV Park, and AJ’s Oldtown Steakhouse (incumbent).
The chamber will hold its annual meeting at noon Jan. 26 at the Best Western Bidarka Inn. At this meeting, the board of directors will be introduced and members will vote on any changes to the chamber’s by-laws.
In other chamber news:
• The annual Christmas tree lighting will be from 5-7 p.m. Friday at the Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center on the Sterling Highway. There will be photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, crafts for the kids and grandkids, a bonfire, refreshments and music from the Homer High School choir.
• The chamber is currently selling car and airline raffle tickets. Car raffle tickets are $100 each. The winner has the choice of a $25,000 voucher toward the vehicle of his or her choice at Stanley Chrysler or $15,000 cash. Airline raffle tickets are $35. The first place prize is an Alaska Airlines gift certificate for $2,000. The second place prize is a Ravn Alaska Commuter coupon booklet with eight one-way tickets valued at $1,100. A combination ticket is $130.
Only 500 tickets will be sold. Tickets can be purchased at the Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center. The drawing will be at 6 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Homer Elks Lodge No. 2127. For more information, call the chamber at 235-7740.
