Around the Peninsula

CIRCAC to meet today

The Cook Inlet Regional Advisory Council's Environmental Monitoring Committee is scheduled to meet today at 9:30 a.m. in Kenai. The public is invited to attend.

For an agenda or more information, call CIRCAC at 283-7222 or (800) 652-7222.

Women invited to brunch, lectures

The Solid Rock Conference Center will host a brunch from 10 to 11:30 a.m. today for women, especially moms on the run. Nutrition instructor Robin Eberline will provide ideas for balanced meals for children. Julia Heasley, a registered nurse, will offer tips for finding balance in the midst of stress. Kate Jefferson will provide music.

The brunch costs $7 and child care will be provided. For reservations, call Carolyn at 262-4214.

Internet class offered

A free Internet class for those interested in learning about Web searching techniques will be held today from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Kenai Community Library. Dan Moultrie will share his expertise on useful financial Web sites. Space is limited.

For more information or to register, call the library at 283-4378.

Care Center offering parenting education

The Kenai Peninsula Community Care Center is offering a video-based parent education program for parents of children ages 2 through 12 entitled, "Active Parenting Today," beginning today and continuing each following Monday for eight weeks.

The class meets from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Central Peninsula General Hospital in the Borealis Room. Registration is free and runs through Feb. 25. For more information, call the center at 283-7635.

Parents needed for After Prom activities

Kenai Central High School will host a meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the school staff lounge for all parents interested in helping with After Prom activities. For more information, call 283-7524.

Peninsula Allergy meeting rescheduled

The Peninsula Allergy Network meeting originally scheduled for Thursday will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Christ Lutheran Church in Soldotna. Everyone who deals with environmental or food allergies or intolerances is welcome to attend at no charge.

Bring recipes, cookbooks or other information to share. For more information, call Deb Nyquist at 283-1683 or Ruth Lewis at 260-3320.

Blood bank has urgent need for blood

The Blood Bank of Alaska needs type O negative blood. Type O negative blood is universal and can be donated to anyone. The blood bank also is requesting all other blood types. The Kenai Peninsula Blood Bank is upstairs in the Blazy Mall in Soldotna.

The blood bank will be closed today. It will take donations at Heritage Place on Tuesday from noon to 5 p.m., at Kenai Peninsula College from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will resume regular office hours Thursday and Friday from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, call 260-5672.

Kasilof Historical Society plans meeting

The Kasilof Historical Society will meet Thursday. The business meeting begins at 6 p.m. The program, Growing up in Kasilof, will begin at 7. It is open to the public. For more information, call 262-2439.

Pratt Museum offers cultural opportunities

The Pratt Museum in Homer will host a finger food potluck Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. The potluck is part of the museum's community conversations program and will focus on the topic, "What Makes a Local?"

The museum currently is hosting the exhibit, "Quilts in Alaska: A Textile Album of the Last Frontier," in conjunction with the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center. Each venue is hosting one half of the large exhibition.

The museum also is starting its WHIZ Kids family activity program each Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m. The public is invited to attend and participate in hands-on arts and crafts that explore the history, art, science and cross-cultural connections in the museum's exhibits and collections.

The museum is seeking volunteers for the summer season.

For more information, call Michelle Bayes at (907) 235-8635 ext. 25.

Small farms mini-series to start

The Kenai Peninsula Farm Bureau and University of Alaska Fairbanks-Cooperative Extension Service will sponsor a six-session small farms mini-series beginning next week. The first session will be Feb. 18 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Cook Inlet Aquaculture Building. Dr. Bob Wheeler, a forestry specialist with the UAF Cooperative Extension Service, will present Agroforestry Systems.

On Feb. 19, Dr. Milan Shipka, a livestock specialist with UAF Cooperative Extension Service, will present Livestock Production and Nutrition, also from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Cook Inlet Aquaculture Building. Further sessions are scheduled for March 27, 28, April 22 and 23. Preregistration is requested for all sessions. For more information, call 262-5824.

Boys and Girls Clubs event promotes literacy

The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Kenai Peninsula will hold its annual Read Across America Celebration from 5:30 to 7 p.m. March 1 at the Kenai Clubhouse, 11247 Frontage Road. Attendees will be able to participate in a series of 15-minute stations promoting literacy and the love of reading, including a workshop for parents to help their children become better readers.

Pizza and juice will be served, and door prizes will be awarded. There is no charge for the event. The public is encouraged to attend. For more information, call Mary Jo at 283-2682.

Nominations being accepted for awards

Gov. Tony Knowles has announced that applications are being accepted for the fourth annual Governor's Trails and Recreational Access for Alaska (TRAAK) Awards for Excellence. Winners will be selected from a statewide pool of applicants, based on their contribution to trails and recreation opportunities within the state. This year, outstanding facility designs will be recognized as well. Nomination letters must be received by March 29. Nominations with more than one supporting letter are strongly encouraged. For more information, call (907) 465-4070 or (888) PLAN-DOT.

Hospital plans workshops

Central Peninsula General Hospital will offer several workshops in April. Workshops offered by the hospital will include, Introduction to Healing Ministry, April 5 from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.; Healing Touch Spiritual Ministry Level 1, April 6 from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. and April 7 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.; and Sent to Heal and Anoint -- The Use of Essential Oils Will Healing Touch Spiritual Ministries, April 12 from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. and April 13 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. For more information, call Susan Shoemaker at 262-8172.

Hunter certification to be required

Beginning Aug. 1, hunter education certification will be required for all people born after Jan. 1, 1986, who hunt in game management units 7, 13, 14, 15 and 20, or they must be under direct immediate supervision of a licensed hunter who has completed the certified hunter education course.

Hunter education classes are taught by state-certified volunteer instructors across the state. For more information, call the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in Soldotna at 262-9368.