Today offers a rare event: the rising of the full moon at 12:12 a.m. on Dec. 12. That would be a totally cosmic moment here in the Cosmic Hamlet, except — alas — that’s East Coast time, which means the moon rose at 8:12 p.m. Wednesday.

Still, full moons bring great joy here in the dark of December. The light will shine, Betsteroids.

Here’s another cosmic moment: As of today, the sun will not set earlier than 4:03 p.m. We’re almost to the solstice, all the more reason to celebrate, perhaps with these Best Bets:

BEST BACK IN THE DAY BET: In the mood for some storytelling and learning more about the lower Kenai Peninsula’s rich homesteader history? Head to the Kachemak Heritage Land Trust Annual Meeting from 6-8 p.m. tonight at the Alaska Islands and Ocean Center, where Homestead Kids Part III will be presented. Kachemak Heritage Land Trust as an organization recognizes the importance of sharing the history and stories of our past — how our communities came to be. Join them to hear stories from some of the original homesteaders of our area.

BEST MUSICAL BET: In the mood for something a little more musical? Support your local youth by attending the Homer Middle School Winter Concert tonight from 7-8 p.m. at Homer High School. The Homer Middle School Music Department presents its annual Winter Concert in the Mariner Theatre. They will be joined by special guests the Harbor School of Music, Dance Homer Youth Chorus and Harbor School Singers under the direction of Mrs. Britny Bradshaw. While this event is free of admission, donations to the Homer Middle School Music Department will be accepted at the door.

BEST BIRD BET: The Christmas Bird Count is officially upon us again. It runs from 8:30 a.m. through 6 p.m. this Saturday. Meet at the Alaska Islands & Ocean Visitor Center. Help count the number of birds wintering in the Homer area. Birders of all ability levels are welcome. Count areas will be assigned so that less experienced birders are teamed with more experienced birders. Coffee, tea, and breakfast goodies will be available. Dress to be comfortable outdoors for the day.

Return to the Alaska Islands & Ocean Visitor Center at 4:30 p.m. The bird counts from each team will be compiled and participants will enjoy a potluck dinner. Please bring a dish to share. This event is co-sponsored by Kachemak Bay Birders and the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge. For more information, contact Lani Raymond at (399-9477) or lanibirder@gmail.com.

BEST CRAFTY BET: Still need a few more gifts this holiday season? Head over to the Cynthia Morelli Studio & Back Porch Gallery Annual Winter Pottery Sale from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday at the studio adjacent to the Lookout Ski Trails at 60159 Lookout Ridge Ave. off Ohlson Mt. Road. This one day annual event is a celebration of art and community with the studio transformed into a gallery space. Enjoy freshly home baked sweet and savory delights while you shop, or sit on the couch by the woodstove and soak in the warmth with a friend. Guest Artist Kelsey Hardy-Place is a printmaker. Along with woodfired functional pottery, sculpture and drawings, there will be a wide variety of hand printed calendars, cards and works on fabric.

BEST STILL HAVEN’T GOTTEN ALL THE PRESENTS BET: Did you miss your chance to get to the Nutcracker Faire last weekend? Still working on scraping together the last of your holiday presents? Paul Banks Elementary School has the fair for you with the Procrastinators Fair from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. There will be a free drawing every hour, free crafting and cookie decorating for kids and more than 50 Alaska vendors with wonderful wares to top off your holiday. There will also be kettle corn, live music and visiting with Santa from 2-6 p.m.

Sydney Jones, left, with her mother, Sarah Bollwitt, visits with Santa Claus on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, at the Homer Nutcracker Faire at Homer High School in Homer, Alaska. Sydney’s father, Morgan Jones, right, and sister, Jenaka, watch. Sydney had her mother write a letter to Santa Claus for her. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Ireland Styvar performs as Clara on Dec. 6, 2019, in the 2019 production of the Homer Nutcracker Ballet at the Mariner Theatre, in Homer, Alaska. The ballet continues this weekend at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, and 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. (Photo by Aaron Christ)