Not that it was anything dramatic or anything, but whew, the election has ended and we can now return to our usual uncluttered highways absent of campaign signs. Well, there might be some blue tarp covered objects or a lost hubcap or two, but hopefully we can enjoy these marvelous fall colors that go on and on. The Betster isn’t sure what’s finer, moving out of winter or back into. Green? Gold? Mud? Well, that’s universal, so slow down and try to avoid the puddles.
Soon enough everything will freeze up for good, or at least until next April, and a clean coat of snow will dust the land. Finish those fall chores, and when you’re done, reward yourself, perhaps with these best bets:
BEST COASTAL CLEANUP BET: The last Center for Alaska Coastal Studies’ annual Coastwalk 2021 clean-up will be this Saturday, Oct. 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Homer Harbor. The citizen monitoring and coastal cleanup project invites volunteers to pick a stretch of Kachemak Bay beach to look for environmental changes and pick up marine debris. This year’s theme is “Washed Away,” with a focus on waterways and runoff. To catch trash before it enters the ocean, volunteers are encouraged to clean a river or stream and gather the same information they would on a CoastWalk. CACS provides data sheets, how-to information and even bags to collect trash. Participants should sign up by contacting Henry at 907-235-6741 or henry@akcoastalstudies.org and meet Saturday at the Mariner Memorial. Masks and social distancing are required.
BEST WRITING BET: Are you a writer who wants to share your works? You’re in luck because the 24th annual Kenai Peninsula Writers’ Contest is currently open through Dec. 10! Peninsula residents of all ages are invited to submit their best poetry, fiction and nonfiction pieces for a chance to win prizes such as cash, Homer Bucks and local gift certificates. Each category and division will award first, second and third place prizes. The categories include poetry, fiction and nonfiction in age divisions for adults or open, grades K-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12. Each submission has an entry fee of $10 for the adult/open category and $3 for grades K-12. Find out more about the contest at homerart.org/writers-contest.
BEST POP UP MOVIE BET: The Alaska Bookmobile will present a pop up movie screening on a giant blow up screen on Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Homer Council on the Arts. According to the event’s description, Anchorage artist Jimmy Richardson collaborates and connects groups of people through the bookmobile’s library and redefines how people think of spaces through mobility.
BEST DRUMMING BET: Interested in making your own traditional native style hoop drum and learning to play music on it? Join White Eagle Medicine Woman and Michaela Baumgartner on Oct. 9 from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Whirling Rainbow Center to make your own ceremonial drum and learn about traditional music, dance and art.
The event will also be hosted via Zoom for those who cannot attend in person. For more details and to register, go to https://www.whirlingrainbow.com/product/1-day-workshop-ceremonial-drum-making/.
Birch trees catch the afteroon light from a trail in the Cottonwood-Eastland Unit of Kachemak Bay State Park off East End Road on Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, near Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong)
Rose hips are just coming to fruit as seen from a trail in the Cottonwood-Eastland Unit of Kachemak Bay State Park off East End Road on Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, near Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong)
