How’s the first week of March treating y’all? The Betster has been enjoying the sun, and hopes that warmer temperatures will soon be here to stay. It’s time to start shaking off your cabin fever, so get out and about this week for some great upcoming events! Bunnell continues to host plate-painting days in advance of their annual Plate Project fundraiser. Kevin Bell Arena introduces weekly broomball games — no experience required! Take part in some key informational meetings on climate-smart homes or buying a home for the first time, or register in advance for a don’t-miss virtual talk with an iconic fantasy author! While you’re at it, check out the agenda for the upcoming Kachemak Bay Science Conference! For details, check out this week’s Best Bets.

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, Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., or paint at home. 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.

BEST WINTER SPORTS BET: Kevin Bell Arena is hosting broomball every week on Sundays, starting on March 10 from 7-9 p.m.! Broomball is similar to hockey, played with a ball on ice but with special shoes instead of skates. All are welcome to play, no experience or equipment is required. Your first time playing is free! For more information, call 907-299-8210 or email homerbroomball@gmail.com. 3150 Homer Spit Rd.

BEST CLIMATE SMART HOMES BET: Cook Inletkeeper and the Kachemak Bay Conservation Society are hosting a March meeting on Climate Smart Homer Homes at Kachemak Bay Campus’s Pioneer Hall. On Tuesday, March 12, join for a “soup and mingle” at 5:30 p.m., preceding the meeting at 6 p.m. Join other volunteers on an information-gathering mission and learn about existing resources and gaps, working toward creating a calendar of events and programs that provide the tools to make much needed energy efficiency improvements to Homer homes. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/events/411186511312409. 533 E Pioneer 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 yoga with Karen Roush. On March 13, join Rev. Lisa Talbott, pastor of Homer United Methodist Church, for a thought-provoking discussion and practical application as she shares how contemplative practices unite us across traditions, reminding us to connect to what we find most meaningful in life. Contemplative practices are practical, radical, and transformative, and assist us in developing capacities for deep concentration and quieting the mind in the midst of the action and distraction that fills everyday life. Community members of all ages and abilities are welcome. Come for part of it or all of it! For more information, visit www.facebook.com/SouthPeninsulaHospital. 533 E. Pioneer Ave.

BEST AUTHOR TALK BET: Did you secretly want to be a dragon rider when you were growing up? Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to hear from one of the literary world’s best-selling fantasy authors! On Thursday, March 14 from noon to 1 p.m., the Friends of the Homer Library is hosting a virtual author’s talk with Christopher Paolini, author of the “The Inheritance Cycle” series, recently continued in “Murtaugh.” For more information and to register, visit libraryc.org/homerlibrary.

BEST FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS BET: Do you feel left out of the Homer real estate market? Are you wondering where you might fit in and what you can do to get your foot in the door? Wonder no more — join the Friends of the Homer Library and Red Knot Real Estate for a “First Time Homer Buyer Class” on Thursday, March 14 at 6 p.m. at the Homer Public Library. Realtor Susannah Webster, mortgage lender Steven Gist and home builder Jason Weisser will present two hours of education, creative brainstorming, tough love and future planning. For more information, contact Susannah Webster at 907-299-4317, susannah@redknotrealestate.com, or visit www.homeralaska.org/event/red-knot-real-estate%3A-first-time-home-buyer-class/1510/. 500 Hazel Ave.

BEST SCIENCE CONFERENCE BET: Mark your calendars for the 2024 Kachemak Bay Science Conference, coming up on March 17-20! Held at Kachemak Bay Campus, in person for the first time since 2018, this conference is a forum for presenting scientific and traditional ecological knowledge relevant to Kachemak Bay and its surrounding coasts and waters. The theme this year is “Cultivating Knowledge for Healthy Ecosystems and Communities.” For more information, visit kachemakbayscience.org/. 533 E Pioneer Ave.