Best Bets

Well, here we are, already nearly a month into the New Year. If you are like this Betster, you have kept a few resolutions, faltered on a couple, and given up all together on one or two. Not to worry, there are still 11 more months to write that story, learn that language or instrument, take that class, wake up or go to bed earlier… If one of your goals this year was to participate in more community events and activities, just check out these Best Bets.

BEST PRE-K LEARNING BET: Parents, bring your preschoolers out to the Pre-K Puffins Early Learning Program, Thursday, Jan. 26, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Islands & Ocean Visitor Center where they will learn about Salmon Sharks. Hosted by the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, 95 Sterling Highway.

BEST THRIVING THURSDAYS BET: SVT hosts another Thriving Thursdays series this winter. On Jan. 26, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., join in for the first installment of their Be Prepared series with Mark Ball and Nick Cantrell discussing how to best prepare for emergencies. Included will be practical planning for your household, based on recommendations by the State of Alaska. Meet in person at the Wellness Conference Room, 880 East End Road, or join in online by Zoom — find link at www.svt.org/events/thrive. For more information, 907-226-2228.

BEST 2022 ARTS AWARDS BET: Homer Council on the Arts annual meeting is Friday, Jan. 27, 6 p.m. which will include a presentation on the state of HCOA and a celebration of the 2022 Arts Awards recipients. Since 2005, HCOA has presented the annual Community Arts Award as a way to support local artists. For more information, 907-235-4288. 355 W Pioneer Avenue.

BEST CITIZEN SCIENCE BET: Beach walkers are wanted for a COASST Beached Bird training session on Saturday, Jan. 28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. at the Islands & Ocean Visitor Center. Join COASST, the coastal observation and seabird survey team and help monitor the marine environment. COASST participants collect data on beach-cast carcasses of marine birds on a monthly basis to establish the baseline patterns of bird mortality on Alaska’s beaches. Beach surveys are best conducted in groups – please come with a partner in mind or plan to join a team during the training. For more information, 206-221-6893, coasst@uw.edu, www.coasst.org.

BEST SPAGHETTI FEED BET: Homer Elks hosts their 6th Annual Spaghetti Feed & Silent Auction fundraiser to benefit Hospice of Homer and Masonic Lodge #24. Saturday, Jan. 28, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Homer Elks, 215 Jenny Way. Advance tickets $10, $15 at the door, children 8 and under Free. For more information, tickets and to donate an item to the silent auction, call or stop by the Hospice office, 907-235-6899, 265 E Pioneer Avenue.

BEST SUNDAY FUNDAYS BET: The Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies hosts Wynnter Sunday Fundays at the Wynn Nature Center. Come hang out every Sunday, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for games, hot dogs, science, s’mores, and more. On Jan. 29, learn winter crafts. Free and everyone is welcome. More information at akcoastalstudies.org or 907-235-6667. Wynn Nature Center is located at mile 1.5 East Skyline Drive.

BEST COMMUNITY RESOURCE BET: Need assistance? Community Resource Connect happens Tuesday, Jan. 31, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Homer at SPARC, 600 Sterling Highway and in Anchor Point at the Food Pantry, 34361 Old Sterling Highway. This free event is provided to connect community members with resources and providers who can support you and/or your family through a variety of needs. More than 20 local vendors will offer resources related to housing, food, employment, health care, mental health information, health screenings, and more. Free supplies will be given out, including emergency gear, backpacks, comfort packs, laundry/shower/clothing vouchers, food to go, sleeping bags and hygiene kits. Free transportation to and from both locations is available — in Homer call 907-399-8008; in Anchor Point call 907-299-2188. This free, one-day community resource event is for anyone experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, and anyone in need of resources. All are welcome to attend. Updates posted at Community Resource Connect on Facebook.

BEST SNOW RONDI DRAWING BET: The Anchor Point Senior Center hosts a drawing contest for Anchor Point’s 2023 Snow Rondi Pin and Banner. Two age categories: Pre-K to third grade and fourth to eighth grade. Turn drawings in to the Anchor Point Library by noon on Monday, Jan. 30. More information can be found at anchorpointseniorcenter.com or call 907-235-7786.

BEST COMMUNITY CHORUS BET: The Kenai Peninsula Community Chorus kicked off its spring semester this week and is looking for people to join in. This semester is being lead by Kyle Schneider and rehearsals for the community chorus will be held Tuesdays at the Homer High School Mariner Theatre, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Jan. 31, Feb. 14, 21, 28, March 7, 28, and April 4, 18, and 25. The purpose of the rehearsals is to gather together to sing and make music as an ensemble. For more information about sheet music, fees, and the recently updates COVID-19 policy, visit pieronetheatre.org or email laura@pieronetheatre.org.

BEST MAYORAL CANDIDATE FORUM BET: Stop by the Kachemak Bay Campus on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 5:30 p.m. for the Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor Candidate Forum. Candidates Peter Micciche, Linda Hutchings, Zachary Hamilton, and David Carey have been invited to attend. A representative from the Homer Chamber of Commerce Legislative Committee will moderate. Attend in person, or by Zoom through the Homer Chamber of Commerce Facebook page. For more information, call 907-235-7740.

BEST COMMUNITY ART BET: Community members are invited to create original artworks exploring the theme of bodily autonomy for the March exhibit, “Unto Ourselves: Radical Autonomy,” a partnership between Homer Council on the Arts and Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic. Complete the online submission form by Feb. 22 at homerart.org/events/. For more information, 907-235-4288.