KPC is offering a six hour, non-credit, non-shooting course that offers basic fundamentals, skills and rules for safe handling of firearms.

Jason Gahm, NRA certified instructor and owner/operator of Gahm’s Guns and Gunsmithing in Nikiski, will be teaching the class. He will discuss common safety devices, intended uses of different firearms and maintenance. These specific firearms will be discussed: AR15, Berretta PX4, Ruger MK3 22/45, Savage 110, Mossberg 100 ATR, Winchester 1300, S&W J Frame, Springfield M1-A, Remington 597, Colt Trooper and the S&W M&P .45.

The course will be offered from 10 a.m.-noon and from 2-5 p.m. on both Dec. 16 and 17. Both sessions will be held at the Peninsula Center Mall (room 16A) in Soldotna.

The cost of the course is $89. Register at https://kpckenairiver.asapconnected.com/default.aspx or call Joe Thornton, KPC workforce development and training coordinator, at 262-0212 or email jwthornton2@alaska.edu. Registration is also available using this mail-in brochure at this link: http://www.kpc.alaska.edu/files/resources/gun-class-brochure.pdf.

End of semester textbook buyback and holiday sale

Just in time for the holiday gift season, KPC’s fall 2016 semester is coming to an end and the KRC bookstore is promoting the “Merry Sellback” of textbooks. Students can sell back gently used books from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-3 p.m. Dec. 12-16.

The buyback program is designed to put cash in KPC students’ pockets and help future students buy less expensive used books.

The bookstore is having a Christmas “draw your own discount” sale through Dec. 16. Customers receive 5-20 percent discounts on their total purchases. Items not included in the sale include textbooks, bargain books, food, office supplies and AK 49 hats. The bookstore has unique inventory that includes many items not available anywhere else on the Peninsula.

While shopping, customers are invited to use the bookstore’s ‘photo booth’—the painted winter scene of a snowman and an elf with blank faces– allowing for fun holiday pictures.

The book store will be closed from Dec. 9-Jan. 3. The bookstore will begin selling spring 2017 textbooks (for face-to-face courses) beginning Jan. 9. Students taking KPC courses online need to order their books online at http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/kpc.alaska.htm. For more information, call 262-0312 or 262-0306.

KPC participating in Toys for Tots

The KRC Student Union is collaborating with Toys for Tots to collect gifts for children in need on the Peninsula. Last year’s effort was successful with donations totaling more than $1,000.

To donate, drop off new, unwrapped toys (for both children and teens) in the donation box located in KRC Student Services through Dec. 16.

For more information, please call the KRC Student Union at 262-0339 or Student Services at 262-0330.

Art and History of Brewing course back this spring

The popular, one-credit CED A157 (CRN 35831), Art and History of Brewing class will be offered on Tuesdays from 5:30-6:45 p.m. from Jan. 17- May 6. The course was developed by Bill Howell, local beer expert and aficionado.

Students must be 21 years of age or older and will learn basic brewing processes, styles of beer and their historical and regional origins and presentation and pairing with food. The class includes field trips to local breweries.

Howell is a noted craft beer expert who was named 2010 Beer drinker of the Year by the Wynkoop Brewing Company in Denver, Colorado. He has a published two books (available at amazon.com) about Alaska craft breweries, “Kenai Peninsula and Kodiak Island Breweries-Beer on the Last Frontier” and “Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Everything in Between-Beer on the Last Frontier.”

For more information, call 262-0330 or register for the course at UAOnline from the KPC homepage.

This column is provided by Suzie Kendrick, Advancement Programs Manager at Kenai Peninsula College.