Happy Thanksgiving from the Homer News to all who celebrate! The Betster hopes everyone enjoys warmth, comfort and delicious food this holiday season. Mark your calendars for all kinds of community events coming up, including local shopping incentives and holiday fairs, a day to practice wellness, a virtual science fiction talk and Homer’s annual holiday tree lighting! Find out details on these and more in these Best Bets!

BEST HOLIDAY FUN RUN BET: The Homer Community Recreation Division and Kachemak Bay Running Club present the traditional Turkey Trot Fun Run/Walk on Thanksgiving morning! All ages and fitness levels are welcome at this non-timed, noncompetitive event on Thursday, Nov. 23. This is also a food drive for the Homer Food Pantry — participants should bring two non-perishable food items as their registration fee. Each person who brings food will receive a ticket to enter the door prize drawing. Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. Thursday morning in the Homer High School commons. The 5K run/walk starts at 10 a.m. — please leave your dogs and bicycles at home. For more information, visit www.cityofhomer-ak.gov/com-rec/thanksgiving-turkey-trot-fun-runwalk-food-drive or call 907-235-6090. 600 E Fairview Ave.

BEST SHOP LOCAL BET: Don’t miss out on Homer’s Shop Local Weekend — Friday, Nov. 24 through Sunday, Nov. 26. Starting on Black Friday, pick up your Bingo card at any of the 25 participating local businesses and get it stamped as you take advantage of special deals and promotions! Each completed bingo is a chance to win amazing prizes from each of the businesses — or a grand prize of $500 Homer Bucks! For more details, visit www.homeralaska.org/events/small-business-saturday/.

BEST HOLIDAY BAZAAR BET: Mark your calendars for the annual Anchor Point Holiday Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Chapman School gym! Shop for gifts and craft goods including homemade decor, fashion and jewelry or baked goods, enjoy snacks for sale and have yourself a merry little holiday time! 73286 School Ave.

BEST WELLNESS BET: South Peninsula Hospital Health & Wellness invites you to a free weekly gathering on Wednesday, Nov. 29 from 5-7 p.m. at Kachemak Bay Campus! Participants can enjoy tasty food and a dose of health education, followed by an hour of yoga. This month’s yoga teacher is Allie Setterquist. On Wednesday, join presenter Bhante Suyama, a Buddhist monk, for an “Intro to Meditation” session! Bhante will walk you through what meditation is, the amazing benefits of this practice, then lead you through a guided session. Community members of all ages and abilities are welcome! Come for part of it or all of it!

BEST VIRTUAL TALK BET: Join the Homer Public Library for a virtual author talk on the power of women in science fiction on Thursday, Nov. 30 at 10 a.m. Bestselling and award-winning author Naomi Alderman will discuss her new novel, “The Future,” that delivers a dazzling tour de force where a handful of friends plot a daring heist to save the world from the tech giants whose greed threatens life as we know it. For more information or to register for this event, visit libraryc.org/homerlibrary/33952.

BEST HOLIDAY LIGHTS BET: Homer Chamber of Commerce’s annual Holiday Tree Lighting takes place this year on Thursday, Nov. 30 from 5:30-7 p.m. Meet Santa, enjoy hot cocoa with s’more cups, kids crafts, and Christmas carols by the Homer High School choir! There will also be a special performance by the K.P. Brass Band. Come write and send your letters to Santa, or donate toys to the Homer Police Department’s toy drive! For more information, visit https://www.homeralaska.org/events/holiday-tree-lighting-ceremony/. 201 Sterling Highway.

BEST HOLIDAY FAIR BET: Homer Council on the Arts’ annual Nutcracker Faire arrives soon! Featuring artists and makers from across the Kenai Peninsula, this event will be held at Homer High School on Saturday, Dec. 2 from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (masks required from 11 a.m. to noon) and Sunday, Dec. 3 from noon to 5 p.m. (masks required from noon to 1 p.m.). For more information, visit homerart.org/event/2023-nutcracker-faire/. 600 E Fairview Ave.

BEST ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION BET: Join the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in their celebration of 20 years of serving the Homer community on Saturday, Dec. 2! This free event starts at 5 p.m., with presentations beginning at 6 p.m., and cake cutting at 6:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided by Alaska Geographic. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/AlaskaMaritimeNationalWildlifeRefuge/. 95 Sterling Highway.

BEST ARTS AWARDS BET: Homer Council on the Arts is accepting nominations for their 2023 Arts Awards through Saturday, Dec. 9! HCOA confers its Arts Awards annually to individuals and businesses who have contributed significantly to the arts in our community. Find the nomination form online at https://homerart.org/event/homer-council-on-the-arts-annual-awards/. You can also submit your form to HCOA either by mail or in-person. Winners will be announced at the HCOA Annual Meeting on Jan. 26, 2024. 355 W Pioneer Ave.