Best Bets

Can Homer really be experiencing such a tranquil, drawn-out stretch of true summer? The Betster remembers many a summer season that was more rain than sun and more than enough wind for the entire lower Kenai Peninsula.

But these past few weeks have flown in the face of traditional Kachemak Bay summer weather. The Betster is even having a hard time keeping up with the watering needs of flowers in the garden — something nature usually just takes care of on its own.

As with all good things, the Betster feels the other Xtratuf is about to drop at any moment, bringing with it a return to the more traditional, hum drum weather befitting a seaside town.

In that case, we’d all better enjoy this while it lasts!

While you’re at it, enjoy some of this week’s Best Bets:

BEST ENTERTAINMENT BET: The Pier One Theatre presents “Little Women,” which continues its run this weekend. The first show is at 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Pier One Theatre on the Homer Spit. General admission costs $15, senior tickets are $14, tickets for Raven’s Club Members are $13 and youth get in for $10. Family tickets are $55. Tickets are available at the Homer Bookstore, Sea Lion Art and Lodging and at the door. Will Call and information can be reached at 907-226-2287. Written by Peter Clapman and adapted from the novel by Louisa M. Alcott, “Little Women” brings to life the beloved story of the March girls – Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy – and Laurie, the boy next door, as they grow up happily together. While their father is away serving as a chaplain in the Civil War, the sisters struggle to support themselves and keep their household running despite the fact that the family recently lost its fortune. As the girls grow older, each faces her own personal demons and moral challenges.

BEST BETTER COMMUNITY BET: Join MAPP, the City of Homer, and KPB Office of Emergency Management for a half-day on “Responding to Disasters: A Whole Community Approach.” Recent earthquakes and tsunami warnings have brought emergency preparedness into everyone’s awareness. Join this community conversation so that you are prepared to be part of the solution in future emergencies. Whole Community is a means by which residents, emergency management practitioners, organizational and community leaders, and government officials can collectively understand and assess the needs of their respective communities and determine the best ways to organize and strengthen their assets, capacities, and interests. This quarterly meeting takes place from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Friday at Pioneer Hall Room 202 on Kachemak Bay Campus.

BEST BAY WRITERS BET: There will be a public reading by Diane Ackerman, the keynote speaker for this year’s Kachemak Bay Writers Conference and a Pulitzer Prize finalist poet and nonfiction writer. This takes place at 8 p.m. this Saturday at the Mariner Theatre. It is open to the public and a book signing will follow.

BEST BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE BET: And they’re not done yet! Get even more from the writers conference by attending the Festival of Literary Readings by Kachemak Bay Writers’ Conference presenting writers. It takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday at Alice’s Champagne Palace and features short readings by seven poets, essayists and novelists. It is open to public at no cost. Readings will be by Kazim Ali, Martha Amore, Christian Kiefer, Barrie Jean Borich, Erin Coughlin Hollowell, Rosemary McGuire and Elena Passerello. Readings will continue at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, at Land’s End Resort.