Best Bets

Congrats to the prize winners from this year’s Winter Carnival Parade! This Betster hopes everyone enjoyed the fun and spectacle put on by all the parade participants — as well as the warmer weather and the sunshine while it lasted! Coming up this week, head on over to the library for a special screening of a fantastic classic film, also part of the ongoing Big Read event series. Or learn a few things about gardens and soils in advance of the upcoming growing season! While you’re at it, don’t forget to vote for Homer as the “Best Small Town Arts Scene” — only a few days left till the poll closes! For details on these events and more, check out this week’s Best Bets!

BEST MOVIE NIGHT BET: Now is the time to seize the day! Join the Homer Public Library for a special screening of Disney’s “Newsies” (1992), rated PG, on Friday, Feb. 16 from 1-2:30 p.m. “Newsies” is the true story of a courageous group of newsboys who become unlikely heroes when they team up to fight an unscrupulous newspaper tycoon. Determined to make their dreams come true, they find the courage to challenge the powerful. This viewing is part of Homer’s NEA Big Read event series, and is sponsored by Friends of the Homer Library. For more information, call 907-435-3195 or email info@friendshomerlibrary.org. 500 Hazel Ave.

BEST GARDEN CLUB BET: The Homer Garden Club will hold its monthly meeting on Sunday, Feb. 18 from 2-4:30 p.m. at the Aspen Hotel. All are welcome at this event. Emily McDonald, a soil conservationist with the Homer Soil and Water Conservation District, will speak about improving garden soils. Her extensive knowledge of soils make her an excellent resource for all types of gardeners in the Homer area. 91 Sterling Hwy.

BEST SMALL TOWN AWARD BET: Only a few days left to vote for Homer as USA Today’s “Best Small Town Arts Scene!” Part of USA Today’s 2024 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, nominees are submitted by a panel of experts and 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. The poll is open until Feb. 18 — every vote is crucial! For more information and to cast your daily vote, visit the Homer Chamber of Commerce Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HomerChamberofCommerce/.

BEST WEEKLY SPEAKERS BET: The Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies continues their winter weeknight program, Tuesday Night Lights, through February! This free, family-friendly rotating event series at CACS headquarters will feature a new special guest giving a talk or hosting an activity every week. On Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 6 p.m., join for “Nearshore Research Results” and learn how changes in nearshore environments are affecting Sunflower Seastar populations with USGS biologist Sarah Traiger. Live-streamed presentation in Homer and Cordova! Make sure to check out the full schedule for other amazing speakers at www.facebook.com/ConnectingUwiththeNatureofAlaskasince1982/. 708 Smoky Bay Way.

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 Therapeutic Flying Yoga with Joolee Aurant. On Feb. 21, take part in “From Conflict to Connection,” where Donna Duncan, LCSW and Clinical Director at South Peninsula Behavioral Healthy Services, will discuss strategies for transforming conflict to connection — a great skill to have in any relationship. Community members of all ages and abilities are welcome. Come for part of it or all of it! For more information, check SPH’s calendar of events at www.sphosp.org/whats-new/calendar_of_events/. 533 E. Pioneer Ave.

BEST WRITERS CONTEST BET: The 26th Kenai Peninsula Writer’s Contest is here! Running through March 2, submissions are open to all Kenai Peninsula residents for three writing categories and five age groups ranging from K-3rd grade to Adult/Open. Participants may submit unlimited entries in poetry, fiction and nonfiction. Submissions to the Adult/Open age group are $10 each. Submissions to age groups within K-12th grade are $3 each. For more information, call Homer Council on the Arts at 907-235-4288. 355 W Pioneer Ave.

BEST PLATE PAINTING BET: Bunnell Street Arts Center invites all Homer community members to paint a commemorative art plate in support of the 30th Annual Plate Project fundraiser! Paint at Bunnell during normal gallery hours, or paint at home. Bunnell will hold additional Plate Painting workshops in March with artist Kendra Harvey and Bunnell staff and friends. Plates are exhibited at the Annual Plate Project Opening in May, and competitively selected by new and renewing members annually for $125 – $1000 donations to Bunnell. An artist-led community effort since 1994, the Plate Project provides essential support for the mission and programs of Bunnell Street Arts Center. This year’s plate project will be fired by Plate Project originator, Ahna Iredale. For more information, call (907) 235-2662 or visit http://www.bunnellarts.org. 106 W Bunnell Ave.