Coffee Table

Authors-in-residence from Storyknife share excerpts of their works.Guests:Ching-In Chen, Yalonda JD Green, Maureen Bhutong Boyd, Dr. Dipika Mukherjee, Anna Smist, Sasha Tandlich, Erin Hollowell.Storyknife.org

Saturday, September 19th, the Homer Library Advisory Board, Friends of the Homer Library and library staff is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Hazel Avenue building with an Open House from 2 to 5 PM. On today's coffee table we are taking a look back at the history of our library prior to when the community came together to realize the dream of a designing and building a library to meet our community's needs in 2006.

A look at Homer's observance of the International Day of Peace. Members of Veterans for Peace and faith leaders talk about Homer's International Day of Peace events, the lasting impacts of war, and what building peace can look like in our own community.

September is National Recovery Month, and this week's guests on the Coffee Table are from Kachemak Bay Recovery Connections, to talk about recovery and local programs. We discuss the importance of peer support and personal stories of recovery, the history and mission of KBRC, and the collaborations with a variety of other local organizations.

The Homer Community Food Pantry is celebrating its 35th anniversary with an Art & Adventure Auction tonight at the Porcupine Theater. This morning, we'll have guests from the Food Pantry on the Coffee Table to talk about the needs the food pantry serves, and share information about tonight's celebration and fund raiser.Guests: Deb Schmidt, Karen Nogle.

Our guest for this program are from HYPE, Homer Youth Programs Everyday, to discuss this new program's goals of connecting youth with after school activities around the community.

Two of the three candidates for Alaska Senate District C discussed the Permanent Fund Dividend, oil and gas, fisheries, education, and transportation. Guests:Representative Louise StutesHeath SmithCarrie Harris was invited but did not attend

Brent Johnson is one of two candidates running to fill the District 6 seat in the Alaska House of Representatives. District 6 covers the Kenai Peninsula south of Tustumena Lake, including Kasilof, Anchor Point, Homer and Seldovia.

A preview of information about this Saturday's Concert on the Lawn, including live performances by Madelynn Moore, and Copper River Band.

The Homer Chamber of Commerce joins Coffee Table to preview the community's Fourth of July celebration, discuss the start of the busy summer visitor season, and talk about how tourism impacts local businesses. Guests will also provide updates on Chamber initiatives, upcoming events, economic trends, and opportunities for community involvement.

This week's Coffee Table celebrates the 70th anniversary of South Peninsula Hospital, tracing its journey from a two-bed community hospital established in 1956 to the modern regional healthcare system it is today. Guests Ryan Smith, Aaron Weisser, Derotha Ferraro, and Eric Fenger discuss the vision, volunteerism, and determination that built the hospital, highlight key milestones and expansions over seven decades, share stories of the people who shaped its history, and explore how SPH has adapted to meet the changing healthcare needs of the southern Kenai Peninsula. The conversation also looks ahead to future challenges and opportunities, including workforce housing, childcare, urgent care services, and the next chapter in community healthcare.

A discussion about the current state of the Homer Senior Center, including financial challenges, services provided to the community, ongoing investigations and restructuring efforts, future sustainability, and opportunities for community involvement and support.Guests: Shirlie Gribble, Board of Directors; Colleen James, Board of Directors; Sarah Weideman, Executive Director; Adi Davis, Director of Operations;

Jennifer Norton, Sarah Brewer and Curt Jackson join KBBI's Simon Lopez to discuss the upcoming season for Pier One Theatre.

A discussion on Kachemak Bay State Park, about projects, funding, features, and challenges, with members of the Kachemak Bay State Park Citizen Advisory Board, Friends of Kachemak Bay State Park, and the park superintendent.

A discussion on violence in Alaska, Missing, Murdered, Indigenous Womens and Children, how the legal system helps/fails, local resources, and solutions to providing safer communities.

Kyle Schneider and Mark Robinson join KBBI's Simon Lopez ahead of a community production of Mozart's Requiem.

A discussion about the implementation of the Icelandic Prevention Model in Homer, with Hannah Gustafson, Bill Bell, Jessi Felice, and Rudy Multz

Organizers and speakers for the Homer Democracy Fair speak about the event on 4/18/2026 at Kachemak Bay Campus, and preview some of the subjects during the event.

This week's guests are the candidates for HEA's District 3, Peter Crimp and Bob Day, for a discussion of their positions on various issues facing HEA.

A discussion with the Climate Artists Collective as they are gathered in Homer for residencies, installations, classes, workshops, and public events.

Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Superintendent Clayton Holland and board member Tim Daugharty discuss the district's current budget, proposed school closure plans, and strategies for reducing district spending.

South Peninsula Haven House Woman of Distinction Awards. Guests:Britt Hoffman, Board ChairLindsey Collins, Executive DirectorLia Shelton, Board Liaison and HAP Coordinator

A discussion with Senator Gary Stevens and Representative Louise Stutes about the current legislative session and issues of concern for our district and the state.

Listen to this episode of the Coffee Table, for a discussion with the people behind Homer's newest news outlet, the Homer Independent Press, a locally owned, nonprofit, online newspaper; to hear about the challenges of starting a new publication, their mission, and how they fit into the long history of local journalism.

In 2026, the Homer Public Library celebrates twenty years in their new building. The concept, development, planning, and funding of the building was driven by community members recognizing the unfilled needs of the existing building at the time, and has resulted in a highly popular community space. Guests:Dave Berry - Director, Homer Public LibraryNancy Lord - served on the Homer Library Advisory Board and chaired the New Library Capital CampaignSue Mauger - served as Chair of the Library Advisory Board and Friends of the Homer Public LibraryKen Castner - chaired the Library Building CommitteeBen Gibson - Owner's Representative on the construction contract

A discussion with representatives from South Peninsula Haven House, to talk about the organization, services, advocacy, and prevention. Girls on the Run program starting in February, plus new program for boys, Let Me Run. Planet Youth Survey conclusion with plans to share the results with community stakeholders over the next few months.

Fathoms Deep is a ten-part series aired once a month to record our harbor's history told by people who lived and worked in Homer at the time, and their descendants.

Readings from six writers in residence at Storyknife Writer's Retreat

KBBI's Concert on the Lawn 2025 preview

A review of training materials for the Safe Zone project

An Oral History of Homer Harbor - this episode focuses on the charter fishing industry

The Kenai Peninsula celebrates Pride month

A preview of Kachemak Bay State Park's summer volunteer opportunities

Harbor expansion project update with the City of Homer

The Seward Prevention Coalition and the Icelandic Prevention Model for youth drug abuse

KPBSD Board President Zen Kelly and Seward Representative Virginia Morgan talk about school funding and the state budget.

Dementia Awareness Week

Episode six of Coffee Table's oral history of the harbor in Homer, Alaska

The Homer Opus music program trains young violinists.

Summer programs, federal funding and making The Pratt Museum digitally accessible

Meet the candidates for Homer Electric Association District 3 Board of Directors

An overview of the results of the Gross National Happiness Survey in Seward, Alaska

Fathoms Deep: An Oral History of Homer Harbor Episode 5, 1978-88

Find out about ongoing research projects, programs, training and funding at KBNERR.

An interview with Senate President Gary Stevens, a review of bills sponsored and votes by Representatives Louise Stutes and Sarah Vance and an interview with Homer organizer, Sandy Garrity.

A breakdown of the City of Homer, Alaska's Comprehensive Plan

Host Kathleen Gustafson and Kenai Peninsula School District Superintendent Clayton Holland take questions from the listeners and talk about the education budget currently under discussion in the state legislature.

Find and support all ages activities through Where Can I Homer? and Planet Youth on the lower Kenai Peninsula.

Fathoms Deep: An Oral History of Homer HarborEpisode 3, Statehood to the '64 Earthquake