What a week! The Betster hopes everyone had a fantastic time last weekend during the Winter Carnival Celebration. The events don’t stop there! For details on what’s coming our way, check out these Best Bets.

BEST CHILI COOK-OFF BET: Drop by Grace Ridge Brewing on Thursday, Feb. 13 starting at 6 p.m. for a Valentine’s Eve chili cook-off benefiting Kachemak Nordic Ski Club! Anyone is welcome to enter and participate for some fun camaraderie and competition—bring your loved ones and your best chili or bread. Tasting will begin at 6 p.m., judging at 7 p.m. Suggested donation $10. There is plenty of table space and outlets at the brewery for Crock-Pots; other sides like corn bread or gluten-free bread are also encouraged. Be earth-friendly and bring your own clean bowl! 870 Smoky Bay Way.

BEST SMALL TOWN NOMINATIONS BET: It’s the last weekend to vote! Homer has been nominated a second time for Best Small Town Arts Scene in USA Today’s 10Best Reader’s Choice Awards! Homer ranked #4 last year with the help of everyone who went out and voted — now the Homer Chamber of Commerce asks for your votes again to help Homer take the No. 1 spot this time! Community members can vote once daily through Monday, Feb. 17. Let’s keep Homer on the map as an arts destination, and show the world what makes this town so special! Find more information on the HCOC Facebook page. Cast your vote for Homer every day at tinyurl.com/2t8b79sr.

BEST HEALTH AND WELLNESS BET: Join South Peninsula Hospital for Wellness Wednesdays, a free evening of health education, food and yoga held weekly on Wednesdays at Kachemak Bay Campus from 5:30-7:30 p.m. On Feb. 19, Taylor Kendal Chandler, owner of Seeds and Spells, will present “The Language of Living Well.” Chandler’s discussion will be followed by an hour of yoga. For more information, visit the SPH Facebook page or contact wellness@sphosp.org or 907-235-0285. 533 E Pioneer Ave.

BEST LIFELONG LEARNING NOMINATIONS BET: The Friends of the Homer Public Library are now accepting nominations for the 2025 Lifelong Learners. Each year, FHL honors one adult community member and one youth who has shown endless commitment to acquiring an exceptional skill or knowledge. Nomination forms are available at HPL or online at the FHL website. Nominations must be received by Friday, Feb. 21. The FHL Lifelong Learning Celebration will take place on Saturday, March 29 at 6:30 p.m. 500 Hazel Ave.

BEST TUESDAY NIGHT LIGHTS BET: The Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies hosts Tuesday Night Lights, Homer’s favorite free winter weeknight speaker series, weekly on Tuesdays from 6:30-8 p.m. On Feb. 25, Alaska Department of Fish and Game area managers Mike Booz and Holly Dickinson will answer your questions about the current status of chinook (King) salmon in Kachemak Bay. Visit Coastal Studies Headquarters each week to hear from local chefs, artists, scientists and more! 708 Smoky Bay Way.

BEST COMP PLAN REVIEW BET: The public review draft of the 2035 Homer Comprehensive Plan Update is here! Project organizers want your feedback; the deadline to provide comments is March 14. Find the draft plan on the project website at homercompplanupdate.com/, or stop by Homer City Hall or the Homer Public Library to get a hard copy of the plan. Share your feedback by using the online comment box in the “Contact Us” section of the project website, call or email the project team directly or pick up a comment form at City Hall and drop it off there after filling it out. Don’t miss out on being part of Homer’s future! Homer City Hall, 491 E Pioneer Ave. Homer Public Library, 500 Hazel Ave.

A volunteer judge (left) makes a note on a scorecard after sampling a drink during the annual Homer Brewfest, part of this year’s Winter Carnival Celebration, at the Best Western Bidarka Inn on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Homer, Alaska. (Chloe Pleznac/Homer News)