Best Bets

The skiing out East End Road isn’t the only thing crusty these days. Conversations at the store and post office this week have included, “Will you stop with the snow dance already,” and “I know we’re Alaskans, but enough already…” and “Oh great, more of the white stuff.”

Still, spring is coming and if you need some proof, talk to the local birders who are spotting seasonal birds, or farmers who are planning for the farmers market, or businesses cleaning and inventorying as they prepare to open on the Spit. If those aren’t enough to fill you with hope, how about the fact that registration is now open for the Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival?

While we wait for the days when we are spinning our tires in mud and lining up at the car wash, take in these Best Bets to keep you informed, educated, and entertained!

BEST NUMBERS THAT MATTER BET: South Peninsula Hospital and Sunrise Medical Weight Loss are hosting a free, interactive community presentation on the technical and scientific aspects of weight loss. Community members can evaluate their inner body health and measurements using a Segmental Body Composition scale and learn how to apply this information to their own health and wellness.

Come at least 30 minutes early for a free Body Composition Analysis and use the results during the presentation. Presentation takes place Thursday, March 23 at 5 p.m. at Kachemak Bay Campus. For more information, contact wellness@sphosp.org or visit sphosp.org.

BEST THRIVING THURSDAY BET: SVT Thriving Thursdays continue. This week, join Mark Bell, Emergency Services Manager for SVT as he discusses all things water: storage, safety, and filtration. He will discuss what families should have on hand in case of emergencies. As a bonus, Jenifer Dickson will lead a sauerkraut making class. All supplies provided. March 23, 6-7:30 p.m. in the Wellness Wing at SVT. For more information, call 907-226-2228.

BEST COMMUNITY HOUSING CONVERSATION BET: Join in the conversation on Housing Solutions in the Greater Homer Area, including Homer housing survey results, What Are Our Priorities workshop and Solutions and Next Steps workshop. Saturday, March 25, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Christian Community Church, 3838 Bartlett Street. Doors open at 9 a.m. For more information, email info@ddaalaska.com. Supported by City of Homer, MAPP, Homer Chamber of Commerce, South Peninsula Hospital Foundation, KPEDD, and Choosing Our Roots.

BEST SUNDAY FUNDAYS BET: The Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies continues Wynnter Sunday Fundays at the Wynn Nature Center. Join in every Sunday, 1-3 p.m. for games, hot dogs, science, s’mores, and more. On March 26, they host Welcoming Spring. Free and everyone is welcome. For more information call 907-235-6667 or email henry@akcoastalstudies.org. Wynn Nature Center is located at mile 1.5 East Skyline Drive.

BEST COMMUNITY CHORUS BET: The Kenai Peninsula Community Chorus spring semester is in full swing and is still looking for community members to join in. Led by Kyle Schneider, rehearsals are held Tuesdays at the Homer High School Mariner Theatre, 7-9 p.m. with the upcoming schedule — March 28, and April 4, 18, and 25. The purpose of the rehearsals is to gather together to sign and make music as an ensemble. For more information about sheet music and fees, visit pieronetheatre.org or email laura@pieronetheatre.org.

BEST 3D FILM SERIES BET: Pratt Museum and Park hosts Diving Deep into Discussions “3D” film series every Tuesday at 7 p.m. Free and open to the public, films relevant to the Kachemak Bay region will be featured and participants are invited to discuss the topics together with our Director of Lifelong Learning Experiences. Schedule: March 28 – “Alaskan Nets – One Town, One Dream” (2022), 117 minutes; April 4 – “The fish on my plate – A Journey with Paul Greenberg” (2017), 60 minutes. These free events will be in the downstairs classroom gallery. Please access the classroom directly from the lower south parking area. For more information, email education@prattmuseum.org. Feel free to bring your own refreshments to enjoy or share.

BEST PRATT PLANNING BET: Pratt Museum staff are seeking input on potential enhancements to their outdoor area as they explore options to make ADA-accessible improvements to portions of the trail system, consider the creation of a covered pavilion or amphitheater, and to better connect to Pioneer Avenue. Join them for guided walks on Wednesday, March 29 at 12:15 p.m., 4:15 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. For more information, please email communications@prattmuseum.org.

BEST COMPELLING CONVERSATIONS BET: Pratt Museum and Park presents facilitated small group community discussions that explore some of the ways that Alaskans recognize our cultural heritage and carry it forward. Co-sponsored by the Alaska Humanities Forum, this event will include guided, open-ended questions, with light refreshments provided. On Wednesday, March 29, 7-8:30 p.m., enjoy “Salmonberries & Saag Aloo: Carrying Our Heritage.” This free event will be in the downstairs classroom gallery. Please access the classroom directly from the lower south parking area. For more information and to save your seat, email education@prattmuseum.org.

BEST CALL FOR YOUTH ART BET: Homer Council on the Arts will be hosting their annual exhibit Jubilee! Celebrating Youth in the Arts April 7-29. Homer-area youth are invited to contribute one or two of their best artworks in any medium no later than April 1. For more information, visit homerart.org, call 907-235-4288, or stop by 355 West Pioneer Avenue, Monday through Saturday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

BEST RETURN OF THE BIRDS BET: Registration is now open for the 31st Annual Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival, May 3 to 7 at https://kachemakshorebird.org/.