Homer’s Best Bets

August 21, 2014 12:21 pm
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Alaska Service Corps members pose for a photo near the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center last Friday. Working with the Southeast Alaska Guidance Association out of Juneau, they pulled up hemp nettle, an invasive weed. From left to right are Sheba Brown of Claremont, Calif.; Kendall Tuniston of Grand Rapids, Mich.; Myles Morris of St. Paul, Minn.; Heather Hughes; Megan Montgomery of Brookfield, Conn.; Matt Harrison of Mound, Minn.; and Dan Bowen of Juneau.-Photo by Michael Armstrong, Homer News
Alaska Service Corps members pose for a photo near the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center last Friday. Working with the Southeast Alaska Guidance Association out of Juneau, they pulled up hemp nettle, an invasive weed. From left to right are Sheba Brown of Claremont, Calif.; Kendall Tuniston of Grand Rapids, Mich.; Myles Morris of St. Paul, Minn.; Heather Hughes; Megan Montgomery of Brookfield, Conn.; Matt Harrison of Mound, Minn.; and Dan Bowen of Juneau.-Photo by Michael Armstrong, Homer News

Now that the August primary has ended, school has started, the silver salmon run has slowed down and the Kenai Peninsula Fair is over, it seems calm around here. Almost too calm, you know, like that scene in a Western film where a tumbleweed blows down a dusty, deserted street and an old cowboy plays a mournful tune on his harmonica.

Holy Sergio Leone! You know how that turns out. A bunch of bad dudes ride in wearing black dusters, Clint Eastwood steps through the saloon door and stuff happens.

If you thought our usual political dramarama was over, kid, you haven’t been in Alaska long, have ya? Late August has this reputation of being all sleepy and quiet as we slowly wind down from a busy summer. OK, not if you’re a student or teacher, but if you’re a fisherman or tourist industry worker, things have started to relax.

Somehow, though, excitement comes rolling our way. Maybe we’ll get a big late-summer storm. Maybe a volcano will blow. Maybe some scandal will happen. Maybe there will be a big police bust. You never know. That’s how the world turns. Just when you think things have calmed down, shazam.

Fear not, political junkies. The Homer and Kenai Peninsula Borough election season has started, with elections on Oct. 7. With races for governor and U.S. Senate and three more ballot propositions in the November election, there might be a respite of about a week before things heat up.

All of which is to say, it sure won’t be boring this fall. So buckle up and get ready for more fun, like some of these Best Bets:

BEST GET WILD BET: Enjoy a fine summer day and eat great, Homer grown food for the Carl Wynne Nature Center’s Fantastic Friday Community Potluck at 5:30 p.m. Friday. Bring a dish to share and explore more than 140 acres of trails and trees.

 

BEST GET NATURAL BET: The Homer Dance Festival closes at 7 p.m. Saturday with “Nature’s Walk: An Evening of Dance and Multimedia Performance” at the Mariner Theatre. All month dancers have been working on their moves, and recently they filmed a performance. It all comes together. Tickets are available at the Homer Bookstore.

 

BEST STAND DOWN BET: Veterans, take a breather, relax and enjoy time with your friends and families for the seventh annual Southern Kenai Veterans Free Picnic from noon-4 p.m. Sunday at the American Legion Post 16, East End Road. Veterans representatives will be there to answer questions about the Kenai VA Medical Clinic and other matters. Enjoy a barbecue, games for the kids and music by Hillary Arwen and the 8-Mile Band.

 

BEST SWING AWAY BET: With school back in session, it’s time for the Contra and Square Dance season. Start it off with the big kick off at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at West Homer Elementary School. Boston band Nor’easter joins the China Pooters. Beginners are welcome. Admission is $7, with youth under 16 free. 

 

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