Best Bets

The spooky day approaches — but never fear! Homer has lots of great experiences in store for you to take part in, including a couple of storytelling events and a workshop on learning to be prepared. Mark your calendars also for the Fall Festival this weekend, and a series of fun activities on Halloween night itself! Curious to find out more? Check out these Best Bets!

BEST EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS BET: Join SVT Emergency Manager Mark Ball for a presentation on emergency preparedness on Thursday, Oct. 26 from 6-7:30 p.m. Learn what the State of Alaska recommends for every household, with topics including “Home Hazard Hunt,” “Drop, Cover and Hold On,” and “Shelter in Place.” Every Alaskan should have this information on hand. Join in person or via Zoom. This class is part of SVT’s “Thrive!” series hosted by Health and Wellness Coach Jenifer Dickson in the Wellness Wing. For more information, visit svt.org/events/thrive. 880 East End Road.

BEST LOCAL AUTHOR TALK: Join the Friends of the Homer Public Library and local author Robert Stark for a discussion of his new book, “Warflower: A True Story of Family, Service and Life in Alaska” on Thursday, Oct. 26 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Listen in person in the library’s Fireplace Reading Lounge, or join virtually over Zoom. “Warflower” is a coming-of-age memoir about family traditions, brotherhood, and Stark’s personal journey into manhood without a father to teach him. For more information and for the Zoom link, visit https://www.cityofhomer-ak.gov/library/warflower-author-talk-robert-stark. 500 Hazel Avenue.

BEST STORYTELLING BET: Join Bunnell Street Arts Center and Ciissiar Quentin Simeon on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m. for a curated storytelling event, “Spill Your Ink,” exploring tattoo and Yup’ik storytelling culture. Simeon will share some inked skin and a profound story connecting honeybees and paradoxes. Featured guests are Yup’ik artist Amber Webb and Jennifer Quluqarmiu, with music produced by Jonah “Jaywail” Parker. There will be opportunities for attendees to share their tattoo stories if time permits. For more information or to purchase tickets for this event, visit https://bunnell-street-arts-center.square.site/tickets-workshops. 106 W Bunnell Ave.

BEST COMMUNITY SUPPORTED ART BET: Applications for Bunnell Street Arts Center’s 7th annual Community Supported Art (CSA) program are open through Oct. 31. Alaska-based Bunnell member artists are encouraged to apply to create 30 unique pieces of art curated with five other artists. Six artists are selected by competitive application based on quality, contrast and compatibility for the CSA collection. Semi-finalists will be asked to provide a prototype by Dec. 1. All thirty pieces of art are due to Bunnell Street Arts Center by May 1, 2024. Shares go on sale June 1, 2024. For more information or to apply, visit www.bunnellarts.org/csa-program/. Additional questions can be directed to b.lee@bunnellarts.org

BEST FALL FESTIVAL BET: Mark your calendars for the 2023 Homer Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 28! The Homer Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for a day of family-friendly festivities. Plan to celebrate the enchanting colors and crisp air of fall with a variety of exciting activities that will delight both young and young-at-heart. HCOC is looking for vendors, food trucks and folks to host games and events; booth space is free to HCOC members. For more information, contact Silas Firth at membership@homeralaska.org. 201 Sterling Highway.

BEST HALLOWEEN FUN BET: Pioneer Avenue Trick or Treat will make a grand return on Tuesday, Oct. 31 from 4-6 p.m.! After the success of the First Annual Trick or Treat in 2022, the Homer Chamber of Commerce is gearing up to make this year’s event even more thrilling—so get your costumes ready, gather your little ghouls and goblins, and prepare for a day of delightful scares and sweet treasures. If you would like your business put on the walking map or would like to set up a pop-up along Pioneer Ave, contact Silas at membership@homeralaska.org. For more information, visit www.homeralaska.org/events/annual-events/pioneer-ave-trick-or-treat/.

BEST CALL FOR FESTIVAL ART BET: The Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival is seeking applications for the 2024 Festival Artist! Each year, a unique piece is commissioned to be auctioned during the Festival. The design will be featured on posters, programs and merchandise. Additionally, the selected artist has the opportunity to show their work in Homer and/or host workshops, and will receive compensation for their piece and involvement in the Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival. To be considered as the 2024 Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival Artist, please submit 4-6 samples of your previous work electronically to KachemakShorebird@gmail.com by Nov. 3.

BEST TIME ON THE ICE BET: Youth and adult hockey registration at the Kevin Bell Arena is now open! A co-ed Hockey Jamboree will also take place at the arena on Oct. 27-29, all levels welcome. Paid registration is required. Public ice skating also opens in November, with Friday Night Lights starting on Nov. 3 at 5 p.m. Other open skate sessions are on Saturdays from 2:45-4:45 p.m. and Sundays from 1:45-3:45 p.m. Admission is $7, skate rental is $3. Get in free with a Homer Hockey Association membership — for more information on programs and fees, visit www.kevinbellarena.org/. 3150 Homer Spit Road.