Homers Best Bets </MCC HEAD>

Story last updated at 10:05 PM on Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Homers Best Bets

Holy trebuchet, Betsteroids! When Cupid fires his arrow of love at ya, sometimes it feels not like a teeny little dart, but a big boulder flung by one of those medieval siege machines. Uh, that's speaking metaphorically, of course. You don't hit the people you love -- that's the first lesson in Relationships 101.
Love can sneak up on us when we're not noticing, and when it touches us, ka-zam! We walk around in a daze, amazed that someone else in this big old universe cares about us. So deeply do we fall for someone that it's just her or him and us.

Photographer: Aaron Selbig, Homer News

Mark Maurette with his dog Dot T Dawg and horse Yukon rides down Pioneer Avenue in Saturday's Homer Winter Carnival Parade, waving to the crowd and throwing candy to the children.

That's amore, Betsteroids, and we're not talking about eels with sharp teeth. On Feb. 14 we celebrate that peculiar emotion called love. Consider it your 48-hour warning, guys. You have two whole days to buy your sweetie that one perfect gift for Saint Valentine's Day. Not that you'll get it right, of course, but if you're hauled up before the High Court of Love, at least you can plead good intentions.
Don't have a sweetie? Here in Alaska, where the odds are good but the goods are odd, it might not always be easy to get a date on Saturday night. Dates, schmates: In this modern age, you don't have to stay home alone and can go out by yourself. Open yourself to the possibility of love, and find it, perhaps on one of these cool Best Bets:

BEST FROM THE HEART BET: Feel the beat and learn to dance with "Havana Meets New Orleans," a social dance lesson and party taught by Eddie Wood. The class starts at 7 p.m. Saturday at The Studio on East Bunnell Avenue. No experience necessary, and couples or singles are welcome. The cost is $45 a couple or $25 a person.

BEST CURMUDGEON BET: Not wild about all the Valentine's Day fuss? You're in good company on Saturday. At 10 p.m. there's an Anti-Love Valentine's Day party at Kharacter's and also at 10 p.m. is Valentine's Day Sucks with the Holy Santos Gang at the Down East Saloon.

BEST CURRYING FAVOR BET: Looking for some exotic fare for a romantic Valentine's Day dinner? Go for "A Taste of Taj: An Evening of India" at 7 p.m. Saturday at Bunnell Street Arts Center. Sponsored by the Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic, tickets are $50 a person. For reservations, call 235-3436.

BEST CHEESY GOOD TIME BET: Recent snow has put the ski trails around town in great shape. What better way to enjoy them than with the Kachemak Nordic Ski Club's annual Wine and Cheese Wooden Ski Tour? The ski, sip and sup event runs noon-4 p.m. Sunday starting at the McNeil Elementary School trailhead. The suggested donation is $20 for ski club members, $25 for nonmembers, $10 for children ages 11-20 and children under age 10 free.

BEST SHRED THAT NET BET: With all the b-ball action on the lower Kenai Peninsula, the courts will need a new coat of varnish. In Homer the Mariners take on Skyview with games starting Friday. See the full schedule in the calendar, page 19. Up in Ninilchik, the Ninilchik Invitational Tournament brings some of the state's top teams to town, including last year's 2A champs from Yakutat. See story, page 12, for all the details.