Events Calendar

Events for the week of May 15, 2013:

Events

Ongoing

• Entries are being accepted to a Salvage Art Exhibit at the Kenai River Festival from June 7 to 9. Creations should be made from items normally thrown away. There will be three categories, each with a youth (12-18) and adult division. Large sculptures should be greater than 2 feet tall. Small sculptures are less than 2 feet tall. Containers from recycled or repurposed materials could be vessels, vases, bowls or bags. Awards will be voted on by viewers. For more information, call 252-2773.
• The Peninsula Art Guild is accepting entries of original quilted wall hangings, 8 square feet or less, to the third annual Art Quilt Exhibit on display in June in Gallery Too of the Kenai Fine Arts Center. The submission deadline is 5 p.m. June 1. Bring entries to the center at 816 Cook Ave. in Old Town Kenai, open noon to 5 p.m., Wednesdays through Saturdays. Call 262-7767 for more information.
• Far North Roller Derby is looking for women skaters to play. For practice times and more information, contact Minista of Da Fist at 690-2738, Skittles Skarzitch at 354-2801 or email farnorthderby@yahoo.com.
• Soldotna High School class of 1993 is planning a reunion from July 26 to 29. Alumni interested in more information can email soldotna1993@gmail.com or call or text Amy at 775-771-6152, Lisa at 907-690-2100 or Rachel at 907-398-9146.
• The Kenai Peninsula College Kenai River Campus Learning Center is seeking host families for KPC international exchange students (through the Youth for Understanding program). Families are needed to host a student for a semester of the 2013/14 school year, or for the entire year. Participating families will receive a monthly stipend of $200. Call Diane Taylor at 262-0328 or Mark Larson at 252-0327 more information.
• Registration is open for the 2013 Tri The Kenai Triathlon, June 9 at Skyview High School. The adult event includes a 500-yard pool swim, a 10-mile road bike and a 5-kilometer trail run, while the youth event (ages 6 to 14) includes a 100-yard swim, 4-k trail bike and 3-k run. Registration closes at midnight June 1. Competitors wishing to be considered for seeding must be registered by May 15. This year’s event will include a charity focus on the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank. Volunteers are needed. For more information or to register, visit www.trithekenai.com or email registration@trithekenai.com.
• Triumvirate Theatre’s Soldotna Drama Camp will hold two sessions, May 27 to June 8 and June 24 to July 9, at the theater in the Peninsula Center Mall. Camps run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will teach everything from acting to set construction, for third grade and up. The instructor is Royce Wood, with producer Joe Rizzo. Cost is $295 in advance and $395 after the last day of school (May 22), or $150 per camp if registering for both sessions. Scholarships are available and vouchers from the Connections and Galena home-school programs are accepted.) To register, visit www.triumviratetheatre.org.
• Matti’s Farm is looking for volunteers and a possible future executive director to provide input into the vision, creation and growth of the Matti’s Farm project for sustainable agriculture and foster child education. Contact Blair Martin at blair@diamondmranch.com or 252-8070. For more information, visit  www.mattisfarm.org.
• The Kenai River Professional Guides Association is asking for donors and volunteers to its annual Wounded Warriors event. On June 6 and 7, in conjunction with JBER and Fort Wainwright, injured vets and their support staff will be treated to fishing, lodging, meals, guided fishing and gifts from the community. Businesses or organizations that can support the wounded warrior project are asked to call Dave Goggia at 907-252-3503 or 283-9026 or email dave@hookycharters.com.

Wednesday, May 15

• The Soldotna United Methodist Church offers a food pantry from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for residents experiencing food shortages. Nonperishable food donations may be dropped off to the church from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to noon Sundays.
• Odie’s Deli holds a pub quiz event at 6 p.m. Wednesdays. The entry fee is $5 per teams of four or $10 for teams of five. The winning team takes home the entry fees.
• Peninsula Grace Brethren Church on K-Beach holds kids’ discipleship classes from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays for kids ages 3 through fifth grade, with a nursery for kids under age 3. For more information, call 262-6442, visit www.tinyurl.com/peninsulakids or email brigit@peninsulagrace.org.

Thursday, May 16

• Re. Paul Seaton will hold Kenai office hours from noon to 3 p.m. Thursday in the Legislative Office at 145 Main St. Loop, Suite 220, Kenai. Constituents can drop by any time or schedule an appointment by calling 1-800-665-2689 or e-mailing Rep.Paul.Seaton@akleg.gov.
• Square and round dancing is held from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursdays at the Ninilchik senior center. It is open to the public.
• The annual Kenai Birding Festival will be held May 16 to 19. A complete schedule is available at www.kenaibirdfest.com. Events include a Kenai Fjords Wildlife Tour and opening reception May 16; a Kenai River float trip, Information Nest and Own Night on May 17; a 24-hour Midnight Sun Big Sit event, Birder’s Breakfast, Birding Hot Spot Tour, photography hike, bird walk, children’s program, Kenai Wildlife Viewing Platform With the Experts, family walk, Wildscaping and a keynote event on May 18, and a barbecue and birders’ potluck on May 19.

Friday, May 17

• Kenai Community Library has music-filled story time with Chris Pepper at 11 a.m. Fridays.
• Sen. Peter Micciche will speak at an Alaska Alliance meeting at noon at Paradisos Restaurant in Kenai. To RSVP, call Jane Conway at 229-7920.
• The annual Kenai Birding Festival will be held May 16 to 19. A complete schedule is available at www.kenaibirdfest.com. Events include a Kenai Fjords Wildlife Tour and opening reception May 16; a Kenai River float trip, Information Nest and Own Night on May 17; a 24-hour Midnight Sun Big Sit event, Birder’s Breakfast, Birding Hot Spot Tour, photography hike, bird walk, children’s program, Kenai Wildlife Viewing Platform With the Experts, family walk, Wildscaping and a keynote event on May 18, and a barbecue and birders’ potluck on May 19.
• Triumvirate Theatre presents the “Bad Song Survey,” adapted from the comedy by Miami Herald humor columnist Dave Barry, updated with song submissions from central peninsula readers. Shows are at 7 p.m. May 17, 18, 24 and 25 at the theater in the Peninsula Center Mall in Soldotna.
  Tickets are $15, available in advance at the Triumvirate Bookstore and at the door.
• The Bellamy Brothers, plus Brewer and Shipley will perform at 7:30 p.m. at the Renee C. Henderson Auditorium at Kenai Central High School, as a fundraiser for the Alaska Public Officers Assocition.

Saturday, May 18

• The Central Peninsula Garden Club’s annual spring Workshop Weekend will be held in May. Workshops are scheduled every Saturday during May. Advance registration is required for most of the workshops. Registration for most workshops is $5. The schedule can be seen on the club’s website, www.cenpengardenclub.org, or by contacting Marion Nelson for an e-mail version by calling 283-4632.Workshops May 18 are Ergonomics of Gardening, Bigger, Better, Faster Compost, Garden Planning and Charting, Photographing Flowers and Plants, and Raised Beds.
• A 4-mile MS Walk will be held at 11 a.m., with registration at 10 a.m., at Soldotna High School. For information, call 262-1802. To register, visit http://walkwas.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?fr_id=20929&pg=entry.
• The Kenai Peninsula Bed and Breakfast Association will feature fishing guide Randy Berg at its monthly meeting, held at 11 a.m. at the Kenai Visitors and Cultural Center.
• Kenai Community Library will hold a beaded bookmark class at 3 p.m. The materials cost is $3 to $6, depending on materials, to be paid in cash at the time of the class.
• The annual Kenai Birding Festival will be held May 16 to 19. A complete schedule is available at www.kenaibirdfest.com. Events include a Kenai Fjords Wildlife Tour and opening reception May 16; a Kenai River float trip, Information Nest and Own Night on May 17; a 24-hour Midnight Sun Big Sit event, Birder’s Breakfast, Birding Hot Spot Tour, photography hike, bird walk, children’s program, Kenai Wildlife Viewing Platform With the Experts, family walk, Wildscaping and a keynote event on May 18, and a barbecue and birders’ potluck on May 19.

Sunday, May 19

• The annual Kenai Birding Festival will be held May 16 to 19. A complete schedule is available at www.kenaibirdfest.com. Events include a Kenai Fjords Wildlife Tour and opening reception May 16; a Kenai River float trip, Information Nest and Own Night on May 17; a 24-hour Midnight Sun Big Sit event, Birder’s Breakfast, Birding Hot Spot Tour, photography hike, bird walk, children’s program, Kenai Wildlife Viewing Platform With the Experts, family walk, Wildscaping and a keynote event on May 18, and a barbecue and birders’ potluck on May 19.

Monday, May 20

• Kenai Peninsula cleanup week will be held May 13 to 18. Pick up bags at the Kenai or Soldotna chambers of commerce. Pick up trash and deposit in Dumpsters made available in Kenai, or leave them by the roadside for pickup (only during cleanup week). A free appreciation barbecue will be held from 11:30 to 2:30 p.m. May 18 at the Kenai green strip park on Main Street, with a drawing for one boys and one girls bicycles for participating kids 12 and under. For more information, call 283-7989 or 283-3692.
• Toast Masters meets from noon to 1 p.m. Mondays at Soldotna City Hall. It is open to the public.
• Round dancing is held from 12:45 to 2:30 p.m. Mondays at the Soldotna Senior Center. It is open to the public.

Tuesday, May 21

• The Central Peninsula Garden Club will hold its regular monthly program at 7 p.m. at the Cook Inlet Aquaculture Building on K-Beach Road. The topic is about high tunnels and the cost-share program. Meetings are open to the public, with refreshments and sometimes door prizes. For more information, contact Marion Nelson at 283-4632.

Upcoming events

• Kenai Community Library will host a TED Talk and lunch discussion at 12:15 p.m. May 23 on, “Txting is Killing Language. JK!!” by John McWhorter.
• Neighbor to Neighbor classes will be offered by the Cooperative Extension Service. Landscaping for the Homeowner will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. May 23, with Judy Reese, stewardship forester with the Division of Forestry. How to Create Lawn Envy, or Tips for Growing Great Grass, will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. May 30, with Curtis Stigall from An Arboristic pre-registration is a must. Pre-registration is required for the classes. Call 262-5824.
• Beginning square and round dancing will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. the second and fourth Fridays of the month at the VFW on Birch Street in Soldotna starting May 24, continuing June 14 and 28, July 12 and 26 and Aug. 9 and 23. Admission is free and donations welcomed. For more information, call Theresa Lusby at 360-790-1757 or email rtlusby@aol.com.
• The Study in Soldotna is offering a Flight Ground School for pilots in training from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 25, June 1 and June 8. The course is $430 total, books included. Call 262-6227 or email thestudysoldotna@yahoo.com to reserve a spot.
• A LeeShore Center fundraiser bazaar will be held from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 25 and 26 at the Aspen Hotel in Soldotna and Hope Community Resource Recreation Center on Princeton Avenue, off K-Beach. Home consultants as well as vendors of handmade goods will be available, as well as activities for families.
• A potluck picnic will be held for the Kenai Peninsula Adoption League, for people who have built their families through adoption or who are interested in adoption, from 4 to 7 p.m. May 25 at the Kenai Municipal Park on Forrest Avenue in Kenai. Call Kate at 252-4530.
• The Kenai Peninsula Orchestra celebrates its 30^th anniversary with an evening of fine food and classical music at 7 p.m. May 25 in the Alaska Christian College’s conference room. Tickets are $75, available at River City Books and Dr. Thompson’s office in Soldotna and at the Homer Bookstore in Homer. For more information, contact Mi’shell French at 398-7843 or Linda Reinhart at 235-8650.
• A Swing Into Summer big band dance concert will be held from 8 to 10:30 p.m. at the Kenai Central High School auditorium. Tickets are $10 in advance of $15 at the door. Proceeds benefit the KCHS Jazz and Community Big Band. For more information or advance tickets, contact Deb Sounart at 283-2124.
• Nikiski Pool is offering three sessions of swim lessons, for beginners, intermediate, tiny tots, advanced beginners and semiprivate lessons,  beginning June 4. Registration begins May 28. Call Nigel at 776-8800 for more information.
• Colossal Coaster World vacation Bible school will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. June 3 through June 7 for ages 4 through sixth grade at College Heights Baptist Church on K-Beach. Call 262-3220.
• The Sterling Community Center will hold a grand opening ceremony and open house from 3 to 7 p.m. June 8, including music, door prizes, games, a bouncy jump, fast ball pitch, soccer kick, class demos, membership and team/class sign ups, event scheduling and a ping-pong tournament. Bring a finger food dish to share and/or volunteer. Call 262-7224 for more information Contact Kathy Becher to volunteer at sterlingcommunityclub@live.com.
• The Kenai Community Library will hold a featured local artist showcase at 6 p.m. May 30, with singer/songwriter Chris Pepper.
• God’s Olympics Vacation Bible School will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. June 3 to 7 at Peninsula Grace Brethren Church, Mile 19.5 K-Beach Road, for all ages, kids to adults. For more information or to view the adult classes that will be offered, visit www.peninsulagrace.org or call 262.6442.
• A Farmers Fresh Market will open to the public from 3 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays starting June 4, continuing into September. Farmers Fresh Market specializes in local produce and benefits the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank. The market is located on Community College Drive in the food bank parking lot. For information, call Bonnie at 262-3111.
• The annual Family Fun in the Midnight Sun/Nikiski Days will be held from noon to 4:30 p.m. June 15 at the North Peninsula Recreation Service Area facilities, with family food, music and games, and bikes and family prizes to be given away. A family fun run also will be held, with registration at 9 a.m. and the race at 10 a.m. Entry forms are at the Nikiski Pool or online at northpenrec.com. For more information, call 776-8800.

Nightlife

• Mykel’s in Soldotna has live music by Robb Justice and Friends Thursdays for locals’ night and music by Bob Ramponi on Friday and Saturday nights.
• St. Elias Brewing Co. in Soldotna has live music by Troubadour North from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday.
• Veronica’s in Kenai has open mic music at 6:30 Fridays and live music by Emily Grossman, violin, and Kevin Charlestream, cello, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday.