There’s a feeling of Christmas in Homer — the sidewalks and streets are dressed in holiday style, and the town is hopping with great festivity and fun events. As we inch closer to the darkest day of the year, take advantage of several upcoming opportunities to boost your health or health knowledge. Lift your spirits with holiday light shows and concerts — and don’t forget to tick off all the names on your Christmas shopping list at the Procrastinator’s Fair this weekend! Spread some generosity this season with toy drives and food drives happening now. For details, check out these Best Bets!
BEST THRIVING HEALTH BET: Join SVT Health & Wellness coach Jenifer Dickson on Thursday, Dec. 7 from 6-7:30 p.m. for a discussion on what it takes to make it through the holidays. This time of year can be a time of significant stress for many people struggling with loneliness, grief, recovery, dietary changes, etc. This week, participants will talk about tools we can use during this season, even if life isn’t playing out exactly as we want. If you have insight on what has helped you, you are welcome to share! If you need some concrete ideas, take part in the class for relaxation techniques, healthy yet nourishing recipes, local and online resources, and more. Join in person or via Zoom. For more information, visit svt.org/events/thrive. 880 East End Rd.
BEST POETRY READING BET: Join Bunnell Street Arts Center on Friday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. for a poetry reading by Homer poet Wendy Erd, featuring her new book, “It’s a Crooked Road / But Not Far / To The House of Flowers.” Erd’s poems crisscross the Pacific, from an elegy for a forest in Alaska to a magical wish for those living on the streets of Saigon. Time lives differently in this work; poems layer details of the human and natural world with the heart-tugging awareness of the ephemeral nature of all things. Within that tender beauty, these poems offer the possibility of transformation. Donations will be welcome at the door for this event. For more information, visit www.bunnellarts.org/poetry-reading-by-wendy-erd-december-8th-2023/. 106 W Bunnell Ave.
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.
BEST PROCRASTINATORS HELP BET: Are you scrambling to finish your holiday shopping or preparations? Never fear, the annual Procrastinator’s Fair is almost here! On Saturday, Dec. 9 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 10 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., get your special treats, crafts and last-minute gifts at the fair, hosted by West Homer Elementary! There will be over 60 vendors of all kinds available to patrons, as well as free events including cookie decorating, kid crafting, Christmas tree drawing, vendor drawings, face painting, a visit from the Solstice Fairies, Santa, live music and horse rides. Don’t miss out! 995 Soundview Ave.
BEST TOY DRIVE BET: Join the Homer Chamber of Commerce and the Homer Police Department in making a difference for all the children in Homer this holiday season! Through Sunday, Dec. 10, drop off new, unwrapped gifts of toys or sporting goods items for families in need at drop-boxes around town. Locations include the Homer Police Department, Art Shop Gallery, Save-U-More, Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies and the Homer Chamber of Commerce. 201 Sterling Highway.
BEST LIVE HEALTH BET: Join South Peninsula Hospital for their monthly health lecture series, “Down with Downey: Live at Five.” On Dec. 14, Dr. Rob Downey goes live at 5 p.m. on the Seaworthy Functional Medicine Facebook page to discuss the many dimensions of thyroid function and disease that frustrate people and have wonderful solutions. An in-depth Q&A will follow his short presentation. Sessions are recorded and available for viewing at vimeo.com/sphosp. For more information, call 907-435-3070.
BEST HOLIDAY LIGHTS BET: Bear Creek Winery presents their annual Garden of Lights for two weekends, Dec. 15-16 and Dec. 22-23, from 5-7 p.m.! Experience an evening of free holiday fun for the entire family. Come take a stroll through a winter wonderland filled with delightful holiday displays and enjoy festive lights, music and hot cocoa! 60203 Bear Creek Dr.
BEST FOOD DRIVE BET: Have you got some canned goods or extra food you don’t quite know what to do with? Wonder no more! The Anchor Point Senior Center is holding a Holiday Box Food Drive until mid-December — donations can be dropped off at the Helping Hands Thrift Store or Anchor Point Senior Center on Milo Fritz Avenue in Anchor Point. Some suggested donations include meat (turkey, ham, moose, fish, etc.), eggs, pasta, rice, flour, sugar, fresh fruit, bread, crackers, snacks, butter, nuts, canned goods (milk, veggies, fruit) and pumpkin. Join the Anchor Point Senior Center in making sure everyone has great food this holiday season! For more information, call 907-235-7786. 72750 Milo Fritz Ave.
BEST CHRISTMAS MUSIC BET: Kenai Peninsula Orchestra presents “An Evening of Christmas” on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 3 p.m. in the Homer High School auditorium. This event will feature local musicians and conductor Eric Simondsen, and offer an audience sing-along. Admission for general audience is $15. Students 18 and under get in for free. Tickets are available for sale in Homer at the Homer Bookstore or at the door. 600 E Fairview Ave.
BEST WEEKLY WELLNESS BET: SPH Health & Wellness invites you to a free weekly gathering every Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. at Kachemak Bay Campus! Participants can enjoy warm soup, bread and a dose of health education from a rotating presenter, all followed by an hour of yin-style yoga with certified instructor Metis Riley. On Dec. 13, massage therapist Liv Vincent will present a mini class on self-massage techniques for sinus and lymph drainage. Vincent will demonstrate how to locate the massage points necessary to easily clear your sinuses and drain lymph fluid from your head and neck. These techniques require no supplies and can be performed solo or on a partner at any age or life stage. Community members of all ages and abilities are welcome. Come for part of it or all of it! 533 E Pioneer Ave.
The Homer Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Homer Police Department to create a Toy Drive, running through Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023 in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Santa approaches the crowd of children gathered around his sleigh at the annual Holiday Tree Lighting on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023 at the Homer Chamber of Commerce in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Santa approaches the crowd of children gathered around his sleigh at the annual Holiday Tree Lighting on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023 at the Homer Chamber of Commerce in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Santa approaches the crowd of children gathered around his sleigh at the annual Holiday Tree Lighting on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023 at the Homer Chamber of Commerce in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
