It’s official — the frost is on the pumpkin and potatoes, squash and whatever other late season goodies your garden continues to produce. Though we’ve yet to see any substantial snow on the ground, we all know it’s coming and some of us are even excited about it, skis waxed, cleats handy, shovels perched by our front doors. While a lot of us spent our summers running about and putting our energy out, fall and winter are a great time to tuck in and tackle indoor house projects, creative projects, and begin planning for the upcoming holiday season. For now though, there’s no shortage of community activities to enjoy — painting classes, film festival, live music and more! Sit back, sip a cup of hot chocolate as the cold air approaches, and check out these Best Bets that’ll help keep cabin fever at bay.

Best Learn to Paint Bet: Learn the beautiful art of Chinese brush painting with Homer artist Sharlene Cline. Using traditional techniques of brush loading, color mixing and careful brush strokes, participants will create bird of paradise flowers. Friday, Oct. 21, 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Homer Council on the Arts. All experiences levels are welcome and all supplies are provided. $50 HCOA members, $60 General.

Best Arts by Air Bet: Stop by Bunnell Street Arts Center and be a part of a live audience listening to music that will also be broadcast on KBBI. Bunnell’s Arts by Air radio series features Alaskan and visiting musicians in all genres and is co-produced with KBBI. This week’s concert is saxophonist and electronic wind synthesist Rick Zelinsky and violist Lena Lukina. Is it classical? Jazz? Ambient, nature or electronic music? It’s all of these and more. The new ensemble, Alaska Electronic Orchestra (AEO), presents Zelinsky’s new compositions, electronic production and saxophones while featuring exciting guest master musicians. Friday, Oct. 21, 7-8 p.m. Guests are asked to be seated by 6:45 p.m. for the live broadcast at 7 p.m.

Best Quilt Ogling Bet: Continuing the long-running tradition of the Kachemak Bay Quilter’s quilt show, the Kachemak Bay Lions have taken over hosting the event and are holding their 1st annual Quilt Show. The public is invited to stop by the Homer Elks Lodge and take in the display of locally quilted items, including large bed quilts, small bed quilts, wall hangings, pillows, garments, table runners, purses, toys, and more. Saturday, Oct. 22, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 23, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. to view. Suggested donation of $5 per person. All proceeds benefit the Kachemak Bay Lions projects, including Thanksgiving baskets, kid’s eye screenings and eye glasses for the needy, to name just a few of the projects.

Best Wine Class Bet: Love wine? Enjoy a Cabernet Sauvignon Wine Class with Sharlene Cline and Marilyn Parrett. Saturday, Oct. 22, 6 p.m. at Homer Council on the Arts. $30/seat includes a flight of three cabs and appetizers, plus a silent auction. Must be 21 years or older. Reserve your seat at homerart.org.

Best Film Festival Bet: Superfest Disability Film Festival is the longest-running disability film festival in the world and Homer’s Independent Living Center is hosting free screenings of eight short films and one feature film at the Kachemak Bay Campus. These films are by and about folks with disabilities, and celebrates these individuals as innovative forces for social change. Sunday, Oct. 23. Short films will run 1:30-3:30 p.m. and the feature film screening of “Changer: A Hand Telling” shows at 4 p.m., with a Zoom discussion with the filmmakers at 5 p.m. Free, donations appreciated. More information at superfestfilm.com or 907-235-1674.

Best Get Out the Vote Bet: It’s voting season and House District 6 is hosting a free, family-friendly event with music by Atz Lee and Nikos Kilcher. Find our where your polling place is, learn about absentee and early voting options, get answers on ranked choice voting, and meet House District 6 Candidate Louie Flora. Sunday, Oct. 23, 5-7 p.m. at Alice’s Champagne Palace.

Best Trivia Night Fundraiser Bet: Homer High School’s National Honor Society annual Trivia Night fundraiser is back! A benefit for NHS and Share the Spirit, participants can come with a team of up to six, or join a team on site. In addition to trivia, there will be a dessert auction and refreshments, with $100 Homer Bucks for the winning team. Tickets at the door. $10/person, $5/students. Tuesday, Oct. 25, 6:30 p.m. in the high school commons. For more information, call 907-235-4685.

Homer resident Beth Carroll visits the Twitter Creek Farms booth at the Homer Farmers Market on Sunday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Homer, Alaska. A few vendors are still selling on Saturdays and Wednesdays. (Photo by Christina Whiting)