Best Bets

The Betster has been busy putting away winter gear and gearing up for spring. Premature? Maybe, but I’m doing it anyway. So long, shovel. Hello, hoe. See you next year, skis. Let’s go, garden gloves. What can I say, I’m an optimist!

BEST MARINE DEBRIS DISCUSSION BET: The Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies will host a listening session for the Alaska Marine Debris Action Plan. This plan is designed to help CACS explain and tackle the marine debris issue in Alaska and this session is a chance for community members to contribute to the plan with their own experience and thoughts. Join in on Thursday, April 13, 5:30-7 p.m. to share what you have seen and what you hope to see happen with marine debris. For more information, contact Center For Alaskan Coastal Studies at 907-235-6746, akcoastalstudies.org, or contact Henry at henry@akcoastalstudies.org.

BEST HOMER BREAKDOWN BET: Sponsored by the REC Room, Breakdown is a free, all-ages concert event that will feature local bands, taking place at SPARC on Friday, April 14, 3:30-7 p.m. Breakdown focuses on bringing fun and entertainment to youth, while providing messaging about mental health and the resources available in Homer. Area youth are invited to stop by for food, prizes, activities, and live music by The High Femmes and Bed of Roses, with an open mic to follow the concert. For more information, call the REC Room at 907-235-3436 ext. 102, email Tyler at tyler@kbfpc.org or visit online, homerrecroom.org.

BEST PLATE PAINTING BET: This is the final week to join Bunnell Street Arts Center’s Painted Plate Project. Stop by the gallery Thursday and Friday, April 13 and 14, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. to paint on site. Completed plates will be competitively selected by new and renewing members. For more information, call Bunnell at 907-235-2662 or stop by 106 W Bunnell Avenue.

BEST HOSPICE VOLUNTEER TRAINING BET: Hospice of Homer invites community members to their annual volunteer training on Saturday, April 15, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This training will provide you the skills to serve as a volunteer to community members in need, including as a volunteer visitor, shopping and running errands, providing rides to appointments and dropping off and picking up medical equipment. Lunch and beverages provided. For more information and to reserve your spot, call 907-235-6899.

BEST BEEKEEPERS MEETING/CLASS BET: Homer Area Beekeepers Association invites everyone to their next membership and mini beekeeping class, Saturday, April 15, 2 p.m. at the Homer Methodist Church at 880 East End Road. Topics for this months meeting include how to hive your bees, feeding your hive, swarms and swarm behavior, and bee yard efficiency. In addition to these topics, Erin Caryk will talk on how to cut hives out of walls of buildings. Everyone is welcome to attend. For more information, contact Linda at 907-290-1695.

BEST FREE MUSIC WORKSHOP BET: The Art of Inclusion, a free workshop with Brazilian multi-instrumentalist and educator, Eduardo Mendonca. In this free workshop, community members will learn how to use the arts as a tool of liberation and inclusivity while having fun. Geared towards educators, but open to all, join in on Tuesday, April 18, 5:30 p.m. at Kachemak Bay Campus. Please RSVP at homerart.org.

BEST COMMUNITY CHORUS BET: There’s still time to join the spring semester of the Kenai Peninsula Community Chorus. Led by Kyle Schneider, there are two gatherings remaining, April 18 and April 25, 7-9 p.m. at the Homer High School Mariner Theatre. 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 COMPELLING CONVERSATIONS BET: Pratt Museum and Park presents facilitated small group community discussions to explore some of the ways that Alaskans recognize their cultural heritage and carry it forward. Co-sponsored by the Alaska Humanities Forum, this event is open to everyone, includes guided, open-ended questions to explore, and with light refreshments provided. On Wednesday, April 19, 7-8:30 p.m., join in the discussion topic “Legacy, Community, Mentorship.” 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 at education@prattmuseum.org.

BEST CALLING ALL GRANDPARENTS BET: If you are a local grandparent who would be interested in taking a class through South Peninsula Hospital on infant/toddler/child care, to learn what to do in the case of a choking infant or child, child and infant CPR, basic first aid, injury prevention/management, and more, email wellness@sphosp.org.

BEST REPORT THOSE SANDHILLS BET: Sandhill Cranes are being spotted. Report your sightings to Kachemak Crane Watch by calling 907-235-6262 or emailing reports@cranewatch.org. This is the most reliable way to ensure your important sighting makes it into the citizen science information for the year. More information online at cranewatch.org.

BEST WALKING CHALLENGE BET: Registration is open for South Peninsula Hospital’s 7th annual Homer Steps Up community walking challenge. Walk to win with weekly drawing for Homer Bucks and end of challenge cash prizes. For more information and to register your team, visit homerstepsup.com.

BEST FOOD HUB BET: The Alaska Food Hub online marketplace is open for customers. Local producers list their products for sale and customers place orders beginning Fridays at noon through Mondays at 10 p.m., with confirmed orders are ready for pick up on Wednesdays at the Homer United Methodist Church. Available now are poultry, micro greens, fermented veggies, sourdough bread, eggs, smoked salmon, sweets, and more. Order online at alaskafoodhub.org, click the button “Shop the Market!”

BEST SENIOR ACTIVITIES BET: Homer Senior Center hosts numerous weekly activities: Strong Seniors Fitness Classes Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 11 a.m. to noon. Join in for weekly slow-motion weight lifting and stretching classes that promote strength and mobility training. Stop by Tuesdays, 10-11 a.m. for Zumba Gold classes. Participants must complete the consent form and physician authorization form, available at homerseniors.com or in person at the office. Call 907-235-4555 or email bonny@homerseniors.com to register. Also at the senior center, stop by for board games every 1st and 3rd Thursday, noon to 4 p.m. and card games on Mondays, noon to 4 p.m. Homer Senior Center, 3935 Svedlund Street.