Emilie Springer

Homer’s Kachemak Nordic Ski Club annual Junior Nordic ski program will begin on the last Saturday in January and the registration deadline is coming up this weekend. KBBI’s Emilie Springer talked with board member Anna McCarthy and ski instructor Emily Lints in the station earlier this week.

Seward Polar Bear Jump to raise cancer took place in Seward on January 17th. The event has been a tradition in Seward, Alaska for over 40 years.

Bunnell Street Arts Center brings thespians and puppeteers from Sandglass Theater, a performance venue in Putney, Vermont to Homer as artists in residence for September and October with a performance of their work “Feral” at Pier One Theatre from September 19th-21st. Emilie Springer spoke with Artistic Director Shoshana Bass about her thoughts on puppetry, history of her home theater and what the show is offering this weekend.

The Kachemak Bay Campus began their 14th year as host of the Semester by the Bay program. The fall semester focuses on marine mammals and the spring focuses on environmental conservation. Both take advantage and access to resources in the local landscape for plenty of time with hands-on learning opportunities. Emilie Springer spoke with students in the fall cohort about what they hope to bring to and gain from the experience.

On Saturday evening, following the Bunnell First Friday opening, the gallery hosted an Arctic Refuge: Art and Advocacy talk with Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuges and this month’s Fairbanks artist Lynn Larsen and her partner Refuge guide Ron Yarnell to share their 35 years exploring the refuge and thoughts on the future. Emilie Springer attended and collected notes from the speakers.

Homer’s American Legion Post 16, known as General Buckner Post 16, will socially celebrate their 80th year commemoration of the post on September 6th. KBBI’s Emilie Springer spoke with post member Bill Sheldon about his history with the United States military, Air National Guard in Alaska and his memories of Post 16 since he has lived in Homer since 1959.

The fall season swiftly carries on: the Mariner athletic teams are scheduled for events all weekend, the Kenai Peninsula College has started their semester and the galleries are prepared for September First Friday. Homer’s Christina Whiting provided a preview of shows for the Homer News and additional background details for her own show, hosted at Fireweed Gallery. Emilie Springer talked with Christina Whiting on Thursday about the details of the art, travel experience and her Friday presentation.

Jan Knutson, community events coordinator with the Homer Chamber of Commerce recently received two peninsula awards in the past week: Art Advocate Award with Homer Council on the Arts and the Kenai Peninsula Outstanding Individual in Tourism. Emilie Springer spoke with Chamber Director Brad Anderson on Knutson’s contributions to the Chamber and the community.

Pier One finishes the summer month of August with “Stranded,” a series of 10 minute plays by Alaskan playwrights, mostly from Homer, that will be performed on the Spit in the last week of the month and first week of September. Emilie Springer attended a final rehearsal to collect comments from performers before the show opens this weekend on Friday August 29th at 7:30 p.m.

The Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies presents a series of five short films related to natural water environments in the Kachemak Bay area assembled by Bjorn Olson with the assistance of Kim McNutt. Emilie Springer spoke with Olson in the KBBI studio for more details on the films and his personal background in Alaska.