Because we want you to have your paper before Thanksgiving, we’re coming out early this week. If you pick up the paper on Wednesday, Nov. 23, even though the paper says “Nov. 24,” you didn’t slip into the future a day early. We published sooner. Besides, the post office and stores are closed on the big holiday.

The other morning on Living on Earth, the Betster heard author James Gleick discuss his book about time, Time Travel. In our culture, when asked to point at the future, Gleick said we point forward, and point back at the past. In other cultures, people point forward to the past and back to the future (hey, that would make a great title for a movie). There’s a logic to that, Gleick said. The past is what we know and the future is what we don’t know.

Sometimes we can know the future, or think we know it. Every week for almost 52 years we’ve published on Thursdays — except when we don’t. Now and then we publish a day early. The knowable becomes unknown, although we let you know when we mess with the plan.

Here’s another fun fact. Although the Betster might write “today,” as in “the day this paper comes out,” the B. Actually writes Best Bets a day ahead of time — sometimes a week ahead of time. That can mess with your head, imagining a day ahead while being in the day before.

What we do know is that even though you might get the paper a day early, Thursday will be Thanksgiving, The Big Bird Day, when we gather together to give thanks for all our blessings. Draw up a chair, loosen your belt and tuck in. When you’re done, get out and about and celebrate this amazing town, maybe with these Best Bets:

 

BEST FULL BELLY BET: Don’t have someplace to go for Thanksgiving? Join your neighbors at Homer United Methodist Church’s free Thanksgiving meal from 4-6 p.m. Thursday at the church. Bring a dish to share or just a good appetite for a traditional dinner.

 

BEST IN THE BLACK BET: You don’t need to go up the road for Black Friday sales. Stay in town for the big Black Friday Holiday Faire at the Kachemak Community Center. Shop for crafts, art and products sold by your friends. It runs 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

 

BEST GET WILD BET: Now that the Homer Farmers Market is down to a few hardy growers huddling around a bonfire, head indoors for the Alaska Wild Emporium from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at the old Alaska Wildberry building on Pioneer Avenue. Check out local crafts, food booths and other goodies.

 

BEST SHOP LOCAL BET: It’s also Shop Local Saturday, when stores around town hold special sales and events, like the Homer Bookstore’s book signing with Eve and Eiven Kilcher and their cookbook, “Homestead Kitchen.” See their story in Arts, page 14.

 

BEST GOT YOUR BACK BET: Yeah, the Betster understands how the VA might have a few problems and not be working perfectly. Veterans, share your concerns with VA Alaska Healthcare Director Dr. D. Ballard in a Listening Session from 5-6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Homer Elks Lodge.