Best Bets

August 15, 2018 8:11 pm
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At left, Jillian Tracy, 12, of Palmer, and Caroline Higgins, right, of Philadelphia, do a presentation on orca whales at the end of Marine Mammal Camp on Friday, Aug. 10, 2018, at the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies in Homer, Alaska. The girls and other camps went to the camp at the Peterson Bay Field Station and then closed with talks on marine mammals. They also articulated a “sea cat,” or lynx, skeleton with bone expert Lee Post. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
At left, Jillian Tracy, 12, of Palmer, and Caroline Higgins, right, of Philadelphia, do a presentation on orca whales at the end of Marine Mammal Camp on Friday, Aug. 10, 2018, at the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies in Homer, Alaska. The girls and other camps went to the camp at the Peterson Bay Field Station and then closed with talks on marine mammals. They also articulated a “sea cat,” or lynx, skeleton with bone expert Lee Post. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

What do other Homerites do to entertain friends and family when they come?

Some old comrades of the Betsters are touching down on Alaska soil for the first time in their lives today, and other than a few main activities planned, the Betster is at somewhat of a loss.

Of course, there are always the traditional tourist attractions to be found on the Homer Spit, in Old Town, etc. Although, those are sure to be overrun by tourists already and therefore somewhat less enjoyable.

Of course, the weather also could not see fit to hold out for the Betster’s friends in order to let them leave with a positive — if unrealistic — view of the Cosmic Hamlet by the Sea.

It appears the Betster’s friends are destined to see Homer’s true colors in this shoulder season: grey.

The Betster might have to take a look at these Best Bets this week:

BEST DRAMA BET: Need a place to hide out as the weather turns south? You can catch “Calendar Girls” by Tom Firth at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Pier One Theatre. It continued Saturday and Sunday. When Annie’s husband, John, dies of leukemia, she and best friend Chris resolve to raise money for a new settee in the local hospital waiting room. They manage to persuade four fellow Women’s Institute members to pose nude with them for an “alternative” calendar, with a little help from hospital porter and amateur photographer Lawrence. The news of the women’s charitable venture spreads like wildfire, and hordes of press soon descend on the small village of Knapeley in the Yorkshire Dales. The calendar is a success, but Chris and Annie’s friendship is put to the test under the strain of their new-found fame. “Calendar Girls” is based on the true story of eleven WI members who posed nude for a calendar to raise money for the Leukemia Research Fund. General admission costs $15.

BEST FREE BET: In the mood for something that’ll get you off your feet and onto the dance floor? Look no further than the Homer Elks Lodge on Friday. Honky-tonk pianist extraordinaire Mario Carboni performs in a free concert sponsored by the Homer Elks Lodge and AJ’s Old Town Steakhouse. Admission is open to the public with no cover charge. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m.

BEST BOOK BET: Local author Doug Dodd will host a book signing from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Homer Bookstore for his new book, “Man in Hole: Love, Lies, Addiction, and Butting Porcupines.” The book is a gripping memoir about growing up in rural Montana and his struggle with addiction. Dodd recently published the book around the same time his wife, Joan Brown Dodd, published her own called “The Beggar’s Gift.”

BEST BUNNELL BET: Gwendolen Chatfield, Scottish singer-songwriter and previous Artist in Residence and Artist in Schools at Bunnell, returns from the United Kingdom for continued creative and professional projects in Homer. Join in welcoming Gwennie back to Homer with an evening of music and good cheer accompanied by Knute Tonga, from 7:30-9 p.m. on Saturday at Bunell Street Arts Center. There is a $15 suggested donation/pay-as-you-can.

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