HOMER'S BEST BETS</MCC HEAD>

Story last updated at 2:39 p.m. Thursday, January 2, 2003

HOMER'S BEST BETS
The daylight hours in January grow by mere minutes, and yet this month has its own allure. The holidays have come and gone, as have half our neighbors, it seems. Unless you work banker's hours, you're not likely to see the sun rise before heading off to the day's labor. And a dark winter morning? Heading outside can be like opening up the door to a permafrost freezer in Umiat. Ah, but getting up early is worth it. Outside of town, beyond the photon pollution of high-mast lights, the stars shine clear and true, and sharp eyes can see every star of the Big Dipper. Venus, Jupiter, Saturn and Mars spread across the ecliptic. For the next few weeks, we'll walk in magical mornings and enchanting evenings. When you're tired of the cold and want some sun or entertainment, try out these best bets:

BEST BEST-FRIEND BET: Cats, of course, should be properly worshipped, and it goes without saying that they're superior to lesser mammals. Most felines would concede that dogs can be highly amusing. Photographer Karen Roush has made a name for herself taking pix of those silly canines. Her show, "More Homer Dogs and What They Do," opens from 5-7 p.m. Friday at Ptarmigan Arts -- the only First Friday event this week.

BEST ART ON LOAN BET: The Homer Council on the Arts has invited its members to share the art from their walls -- whether their own or other's -- for "Off the Wall," a week-long show starting Wednesday. HCOA also holds its annual membership meeting at 6 p.m. Friday if you're a member and want to get a sneak preview of the show. Not a member? Why not join and help support the best little arts council in Alaska.

BEST SNOW! SNOW! BET: With a good 2 feet or more of snow in the hills, the long drought has ended. The Kachemak Nordic Ski Club has packed and groomed the Baycrest Hill and McNeil Canyon trails, and you can be sure every snowmachiner who can find a trail has been on it. (Alas, the Ohlson Mountain rope tow remains closed, but call 235-SNOW for updates). This week's best bet has to be anything to do with snow.

BEST BACK TO SCHOOL BET: Students grades K-12 aren't the only ones heading back to school this month. Registration continues at the Kachemak Bay Campus, Kenai Peninsula College, with classes starting the week of Jan. 13. Call 235-7743 for information. Want something a bit lighter? Community School registration is 3-8 p.m. Tuesday-next Thursday at Homer High School. Along with practical courses like "Wilderness First Aid" or "No Fear Computers," you can take some fun courses, like "Bad Art Days" or "Introduction to Kayak Surfing." Or you can just bang some hoops or whack a v-ball in any of the sports and recreation courses. Call 235-6090.

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