Homer's Best Bets </MCC HEAD>

Story last updated at 7:52 PM on Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Homer's Best Bets

Alert weather watchers might have noticed a little nip in the air on calm summer evenings. "Seems a might chilly," they say. "Might need to make a fire in the wood stove tonight." Some crazed workaholics of the Always Getting Ready School of Life Management have even been seen polishing their snow tires.

Ignore them, the Betster says.

Do you see "fall" on the calendar? Has termination dust appeared on the Kenai Mountains? Have convoys of chilled southerners loaded up their motorhomes and moved on out? Have terrified children lined up for their chickenpox shots? Have kids gone into mourning as they head into one last weekend of summer vacation?

Photo by Michael Armstrong

Twenty-two thousand miles and some change Dave Thomas of Isle of Mull, Scotland, stands by his 1967 Austin Mini-Van parked on Pioneer Avenue in Homer last week. Thomas has driven 22,000 miles since leaving Scotland almost four months ago. He shipped the Mini from Liverpool, England, to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and drove it across Canada to Alaska, with stops in Inuvik and Prudhoe Bay. Thomas plans to drive to Vancouver, B.C., and ship the Mini to Vladivostok, Russia, and drive back to Scotland through Asia and Europe next spring. The most asked question? How many miles per gallon does it get? he said. The answer: 50-60 mpg at highway speeds. The Mini has been modified for rally racing, and has a 40-gallon fuel tank. Thomas heard about Homer while visiting up north. This is the end of the road. Theres stuff happening here, he said. I wanted to find out.

Oh wait: Yeah, school starts Monday. Never mind.

Sure, it can drop down into the 40s at night, but once that sun gets above the spruce tops, it's broiling -- almost 60 degrees. You can still wear shorts, or shorts and tights for that nerdy Homer hippy look. Haven't finished that deck? Still need to put up some trim you'd been promising your loving spouse you'd do all summer?

There's still time -- time to work, time to play, time to take long walks on the beach, time to entertain visiting friends and relatives or time to squeeze in one more big adventure. Come the dark days of December, when our day-night hours flip flop, and temperatures hover around zero, we'll call this beautiful weather.

August often gets cursed for its rainy and cold weather. Big storms blow in off the Gulf of Alaska, pounding the beaches with surging rollers. She's a maligned month, not like the more popular June, but August will surprise you. Just when you think the day is shot and it's going to rain on the Breast Cancer Run, Holy Cue Ball Heads, the sun pops out.

So be ready for changes in life, love or weather. That's the month for you, ready to keep you on your toes. Whether it's back to school or back to San Diego, before you go, there's always something to do, like these Best Bets:

BEST ONE LAST RUN BET: The Betster goofed by calling "Hit & Run!" a Pier One Youth Theatre production. My bad. It's a regular main stage show directed by Marc Oliver. Catch it for its last run this weekend with shows at 7:30 p.m. today and Friday and 8:15 p.m. Saturday.

BEST BIGGEST LITTLE BET: If you're driving north this weekend, you can't help but slow down in Ninilchik for Alaska's biggest little fair, the Kenai Peninsula State Fair. Why bother with the traffic in Palmer when you've got all the same cool stuff here on the Kenai -- including the racing pigs? Yee-hah! The fair runs 10 a.m.-10 pm. Friday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.

BEST STREET WISE BET: After a long absence -- including a two-year hiatus -- the Homer Council on the Arts Street Faire is back on the street. You won't have to slog uphill this time, since it's on Hazel Avenue next to the Homer Public Library. Catch arts and crafts booths and demonstrations, music and food from noon-8 p.m. Saturday.

BEST THIRD FRIDAY BET: We have so much art in town we have to spread art openings over three Fridays. Last week a new show opened at Bunnell, and from 5-7 p.m. Friday Kat Tomka has a new show opening at the Pratt Museum.

BEST ALIEN INVADERS: They're bug-eyed and green with nasty claws, but if we remain vigilant, alien green crabs won't invade the sacred shores of Kachemak Bay. Learn how to identify the nasty critters with a monitoring workshop from 10-11 a.m. Saturday on the Pier One Theatre beach on the Homer Spit. Wear your XtraTufs.

BEST DIVINE DOINGS BET: While off wintering down south, Homer artists Kim and Gordon Terpening discovered a new passion: chocolate. Learn the finer points of chocolate with a guided tasting from 5:30-7 p.m. Sunday at the Mermaid Caf. Seating is limited.

BEST DYNAMIC DUO BET: For 30 years, Alaskans have enjoyed the amazing music of JoAnn and Monte. They play for two nights this month, with shows 6-9 p.m. Friday and Aug. 28 at the Fresh Sourdough Express Bakery, singing new tunes from their latest CD, "Unplugged." Seating is limited and reservations are required. Call 235-7571.

BEST ART AND ABOUT BET: Want to get across the bay and stretch those creative muscles? Ride the Danny J for a class in plein aire -- that's French for "braving the elements and painting the world live" -- taught by Halibut Cove artist Marian Beck 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. Fee is $100; transportation, lunch and paints included. Bring your own talent, brushes and painting surface. Proceeds benefit Kachemak Heritage Land Trust. Call 235-5263 to register. or for more information.

Homer's Best Bets