Best Bets

Nothing says spring in Alaska like the return of migratory birds and birders. Easily identified by the spotting scopes they carry and the binoculars around their necks are the birders. Also easily identifiable by their call and size, flocks of sandhill cranes have been reported hanging out in Beluga Slough and fields out East End Road. Other migratory birds making their way back include shorebirds like greater yellowlegs and least sandpipers spotted along the shoreline at Bishop’s Beach, seabirds including Pacific loons and Harlequin ducks spotted in the harbor, and woodland birds like sparrows and Canada jays noted along local trails. For a list of birds being seen, visit kachemakbaybirders.org or stop by the Islands & Ocean Visitor Center during Shorebird weekend. Not a birder? Well there’s plenty of other activities going on in town to keep you busy, from baseball to book clubs, fairs to the food hub. Just check out these best bets.

BEST BIRD FESTIVAL BET: The 31st Annual Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival is May 3-7 with more than 100 events, workshops, presentations, and activities taking place around town, celebrating spring and the return of the migratory birds. There are activities for all ages and for non-birders alike, some with fees and many free. For more information, including the schedule of events and registration, kachemakshorebird.org.

BEST LADY MARINERS BASEBALL BET: Cheer on the Lady Mariner Softball team at Bash on the Bay, a three-day invitational tournament, this year welcoming teams from Chugiak, Delta, Eilson, Palmer, and Sitka. Enjoy the games, a food truck, bake sale, and a fundraiser. Games take place Thursday, May 4 at 6 p.m., Friday, May 5 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. with derbies in the evening, and Saturday, May 6 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For the full schedule of games and more information, visit their website, marinersoftball.net. Jack Gist Park, Adams Drive out East End Road.

BEST CALLING ALL QUILTERS BET: Kachemak Bay Lions will be hosting their annual Mother’s Day Quilt Show on Sunday, May 14 and are looking for quilters interesting in exhibiting. Enter your quilt by printing the entry form from Kachemak Bay Lions E-Club website, e-clubhouse.org/sites/kachemakbayak/, and drop it off on Thursday, May 4 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Kachemak City Community Center, 59906 Bear Creek Drive or Saturday, May 6 between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Elks Lodge, 215 Jenny Way. For more information, contact Karri, 907-399-2085.

BEST SPRING BAZAAR BET: Anchor Point’s Chapman School is holding their annual Spring Bazaar on Saturday, May 6, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the school gym. Browse gifts, crafts, homemade décor, fashion jewelry, and more. For more information or to apply for a table, call 907-235-8671. Chapman School, 73286 School Street, Anchor Point.

BEST BOOK CLUB MEETING BET: Hospice of Homer hosts the Good Death Book Club Meeting on Saturday, May 6 at 11 a.m. Join for a discussion on the May Book Club selection, “When Breath Becomes Air” by Paul Kalanithi. For more information, call 907-235-6899. Hospice of Homer, 265 E Pioneer Avenue.

BEST SAFE & HEALTHY KIDS FAIR BET: South Peninsula Hospital presents the 30th Anniversary of the Safe and Healthy Kids Fair on Saturday, May 6, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stop by and enjoy the bike rodeo, free car seat checks, Teddy Bear Clinic, entertainment by Sea Legs, Homer’s stilt troupe, vendors, food, bubbles, chalk painting, and other fun activities. All events take place in the parking lot of the Homer High School, 600 E Fairview Avenue.

BEST MOTHERBIRD FAIR: Stop by SPARC on Saturday, May 6, noon to 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 7, noon to 5 p.m. for the 2023 MotherBird Fair, featuring more than 60 vendors, hot food, baked goods, massages, flowers, free kids craft activities, and cookie decorating, and free drawings every half hour. SPARC, 600 Sterling Highway.

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 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 is 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.

BEST WRITERS CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS BET: Save the date for free community presentations by this year’s Kachemak Bay Writers Conference presenters and faculty. Saturday, May 13, 8 p.m. Keynote Speaker Robin Wall Kimmerer, an award-winning author, scientist, decorated professor, and enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, will read from her work at the Mariner Theatre. On Sunday, May 14 at 7:30 p.m., conference faculty members Jason Mott, Paisley Rekdal, and Francisco Cantu will read from their work at Alice’s Champagne Palace. On Monday, May 15,at 7:30 p.m., conference faculty members Sara Eliza Johnson, Reyna Grande, and J. Drew Lanham will read from their work at Kachemak Bay Campus. More information about the conference and these talented writers at https://writersconf.kpc.alaska.edu.