May 15 Wednesday
Don't miss the Kachemak Bay Writers' Conference Festival of Readings, on Saturday and Sunday, May 18 & 19 at 7:30 pm at Kachemak Bay Campus. Over these two nights, the talented professional writers featured at the conference will read their work. This event is free and open to the public. For more information visit the Kachemak Bay Writers' Conference website at writersconf.kpc.alaska.edu or email eshollowell@alaska.edu.
May 16 Thursday
Homer Steps Up community walking challenge is a free, four week event running May 1 – 28, 2024. In its 8th year, this popular event is open to anyone on the southern Kenai Peninsula, and regularly attracts hundreds of individuals on dozens of teams to compete for over $3,000 in random drawing and cash prizes. The winning team, based on a cumulative average of their members’ steps gets bragging rights, their name on the traveling trophy and a $500 award for a non-profit of their choice. The challenge is free to register online, and teams of 5-25 members compete by logging their steps using a wearable fitness tracker, smartphone or tracking and entering them manually. New this year is a youth category. Registration and information at www.homerstepsup.com. Homer Steps Up is coordinated by South Peninsula Hospital with support from City of Homer, South Peninsula Behavioral Health, SPARC, and SVT Health & Wellness.
EXTRA:Prizes - The top three winning teams will get the opportunity to designate cash donations to a local non-profit of their choice. Thanks to a grant from South Peninsula Hospital Foundation, all individual participants reaching a weekly step average of 35,000 steps (approximately 5,000 steps a day) will be entered for weekly prize drawings and $1,800 in end of challenge cash prizes. Three winners will be drawn in three different step categories weekly, and they are eligible for $100, $200 and $300 cash prizes at the challenge end. New this year is a youth category. Winners will be announced and all will be celebrated at the end of challenge awards event.
Free indoor walking - As part of this event, free indoor walking will be provided every Wednesday in the month of May starting May 1st from 5-6pm at SPARC. During this time participants can enjoy free indoor walking, pick up free Homer Steps Up swag, get a free blood pressure reading and get assistance signing up. All are invited to stay from 6-7pm for free community yoga.
Learn more - Homer Steps Up is coordinated by South Peninsula Hospital and is made possible by support from the partners: City of Homer, South Peninsula Behavioral Health, SPARC, and SVT Health & Wellness. For more information visit www.homerstepsup.com or learn more at weekly Wellness Wednesday events at the KP College every Wednesday from 5-7pm through end of April.
Black Tie Gala Fundraiser for the Norman Lowell Gallery & Homer Council on the Arts
This formal event includes a catered reception by Executive Chef Michael Ann Ferguson followed by a performance of Shostakovich’s autobiographical Quartet No. 8 by Homer’s Glacier Quartet and a Vocal Showcase featuring Jim Anderson, Britny Bradshaw, and David Camp accompanied by pianist Karen Strid.
Friday, May 17th at the Norman Lowell Gallery
Reception begins at 6 pm with performances beginning at 7 pm
Reserve your seat online at homerart.org or stop by the HCOA office
2024 Mary Epperson Folk Music Camp
July 15th – 19th 10am -4pmOpen to ages 8-17
The emphasis of Mary Epperson Music Camp is to have fun playing music!
Each student will select their classes from a list of options. We will do our best to place students in requested classes as well as an ensemble group of 4-7 students.
Each day will consist of a whole group gathering, 3 separate 45-minute class blocks, the ensemble rehearsal, and a group close-out.
On Friday, student ensembles will perform from 3-4 for each other and invited guests!
To register, complete the ticket purchase and fill out the camp registration packet by July 7th.
Shortly after Sandhill Cranes arrive in Homer, cranes mate and prepare their nest site. Pairs canstart sitting on their nest as early as late April. Nesting has commenced when the cranes show upalone, indicating one is sitting on the nest. Last year over 60 nests were reported. An accuratecount of nesting crane pairs helps Kachemak Crane Watch estimate the local crane population andprovides an indication of annual reproductive success.Please report nesting Sandhill Crane pairs to Kachemak Crane Watch at reports@cranewatch.org orby calling 907-235-6262. Leave your name, phone number, and include the location and date whennesting started. Thank you for participating in this Citizen Science effort.For more information contact: Nina Faust at 907-235-6262 or reports@cranewatch.orgKachemak Crane Watch is a project of the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies.
Calling all jewelry makers, sculptors, smiths and other metalworkers!
HCOA wants to recognize the talent and mastery of metalworkers on the Kenai Peninsula. The goal of this exhibition is to showcase the diversity of design, techniques, and versatility of metalworks. Works can be sculptural or functional. We encourage artists to submit up to 3 current or past works.
Important Dates:
Submissions open through June 1st
*Artwork can be dropped off to the HCOA gallery May 1st- June 1st
Learn more and submit online at homerart.org
Homer Senior Citizens, Inc.
Annual Membership Meeting
Silver Lining Café at Homer Senior Center
Thursday, May 16, at 1:30 PM
Become a member and vote for new board Members at the meeting. If you join by May 15th at 1 pm, you will be eligible to vote at the meeting! You can vote in person at the HSC office, request a ballot to be mailed to you, designate someone to vote for you by giving them a notorized letter to represent you to vote on your behalf, or cast your ballot in person on May 16. Don’t miss this important event—refreshments, door prizes, and great people to meet!
Four new board members will be elected to guide Homer Senior Citizens, Inc. and all its facilities of assisted living, independent living, Senior Center, and Silver Lining Café toward being an outstanding choice for Senior Living.
For information on candidates endorsed by Vote for Senior Safety in Homer AK go to this Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558469372167
Seward's He Will Provide Food Pantry is open every Thursday from 3pm to 6pm. He Will Provide is located at 238 5th Ave in the basement of the City Annex building. The entrance is in the back. This is an emergency assistance food pantry.He Will Provide will be open Tuesday, November 21st from 3 to 6. He Will Provide will not be open on Thursday the 23rd. Happy Thanksgiving!
Heidi's Booty Camp is a fabulous introductory workout class available to all ages & sizes! It will be based on basic form and functional movements that will progress into HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) using body weight and minimal equipment. Participants will work at their own pace and level. Led by instructor Heidi Cox. Cost of class is $3 and is scheduled for Tues. & Thurs. from 5:30-6:30pm.
Kids are allowed to come during this class but PLEASE bring your own toys & NO balls or wheeled equipment/toys allowed (for safety reasons).
***Don't forget to bring clean indoor shoes to put on in the entry way, prior to entering the floor. Thank you!***
For ten Thursday nights, starting at 5:30pm on January 11th, South Peninsula Behavioral Health (also known as "The Center") is offering free 90 minute classes on Couple's Communication. Come join us at 3665 Ben Walters Lane in Homer, to learn ways to feel better understood and have a deeper connection with your partner. Call 907 235-7701 to speak with facilitators Jen Haerle or Donna Duncan.