Homer’s Best Bets

November 12, 2014 2:41 pm
Tags: ,
Kallan Johnson, left, of McNeil Canyon Elementary School and Carter Woodhead of Chapman School pose with Homer Electric Association’s LED Lucy after winning first place and third place, respectively for grades K-1 in HEA’s south service area energy conservation contest. -Photo by McKibben Jackinsky, Homer News
Kallan Johnson, left, of McNeil Canyon Elementary School and Carter Woodhead of Chapman School pose with Homer Electric Association’s LED Lucy after winning first place and third place, respectively for grades K-1 in HEA’s south service area energy conservation contest. -Photo by McKibben Jackinsky, Homer News

If it seems like the world has gotten dimmer, don’t despair, Betsteroids. Last week the National Aeronautics and Space Administration announced that the universe is brighter than we thought. Observations from the Cosmic Infrared Background Experiment have detected more infrared light in the dark space between galaxies. Scientists now think the space between galaxies is filled with stars flung adrift by galactic tidal forces, kind of like driftwood logs cast up on beaches.

We all know the universe is really, really big, but the experiments show that in the vastness between galaxies it might not be lonely, and that there could be stars drifting in the cosmic void, sort of like islands in the ocean. If you had a superduper starship cruising from the Milky Way to the Andromeda galaxy and your warp drive broke down, well, you might fetch up on a lonely planet.

Huh. Kind of like Homer. All sorts of people have wound up here who might have been on their way to someplace else and got stranded. Maybe they planned to turn around at the end of the road. Maybe they planned to drive their aquacars into the sea and head to Kodiak. Maybe they missed the ferry. And here you are.

Stranded or not, you won’t find yourself with nothing to do, because it’s November in Homer, the start of the fabulous megaholiday season, with lots of cool things to do, like these Best Bets:

 

BEST PARC IT BET: You took the survey. You’ve been following the news about the Park, Art, Recreation and Culture, or PARC, study. Find out the results and join the discussion about what it all means in a community meeting from 5:30-8:30 p.m. today at the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center.

 

BEST SOUPER BET: You can’t get far in a starship without soup. Fuel up at the Empty Bowls Soup Luncheon from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday at the Homer United Methodist Church. Local potters have made bowls and local restaurants have made soup. Soup alone is $10; with a bowl it’s $30, but bowls might be sold out. Get tickets today at the Homer Bookstore or at the door on Friday. Proceeds benefit the Homer Community Food Pantry.

 

BEST LITTLE ART, BIG TALENT BET: Bunnell Street Arts Center member artists have created art on the small scale — 10-inches-by-10-inches. Check out the art and maybe pick up a great Christmas present at the opening from 5-7 p.m. Friday at Bunnell.

 

BEST LUTEFISK OH MY BET: No haggis will be served, but you can get an equally bizarre national dish at Faith Lutheran Church’s annual Lutefisk Dinner at 5 p.m. Saturday. Swedish meatballs and lefse also will be served, and entertainment is provided.

 

BEST GET CRAFTY BET: Get a jump on holiday presents at the Homer Emblem Club’s annual Arts and Crafts Fair, running 3-8 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday at the Homer Elks Lodge.

 

BEST AR-OOO BET: Embrace your inner wolf at Homer Outdoor Wilderness Leaders, or HoWL’s, Homer Outdoor Film Festival and Annual Auction. Get dinner at 6 p.m. or just come for the films. There also is a silent auction. Tickets are $15 general or $30 with dinner. Call 399-4695 for information or stop by HoWL Headquarters on Ocean Drive.

Tags: ,