Best Bets

What are we supposed to do now?

That’s what the Betster has been left pondering the last few days as we Homerites settle firmly into 2018. The Betster just barely had time to get square with 2017 before it was whisked away, and now we’re all expected to change gears and forge ahead into an entirely new year?

It’s that awkward lull between the holiday season — filled with family and vacations and scrumptious treats of the highest caliber and caloric intake — and spring, the next thing we can reasonably look forward to.

Sure, the Betster supposes there’s Valentines Day, but does that really even count as a holiday?

So, until that blessed break up and the sweet relief brought by warmer temperatures and humane levels of sunshine, we are doomed to wallow in this nebulous in-between, wandering rather aimlessly through this fog of nothing much to look forward to as the spring fever wells up slowly but surely inside.

The Betster does find, however, that keeping active with winter sports, or even just a quick walk once a day while the sun dares to show its face, can help with all this. And if that’s not enough, try keeping yourself busy with these best bets:

BEST HEAVY BREATHING BET:

The Thursday night Fun Runs are still going strong for the month of January, hosted by the Kachemak Bay Running Club. This month, the runs will take place starting from Fat Olives. Fun Runs are approximately 3 miles long, and participants do not have to run to join. All ages and abilities are welcome. Participants also need not be a member of the Kachemak Bay Running Club to join in. All runs are free and start at 6 p.m.

BEST PAINT BRUSH BET: One thing that really lifted the world out of a post-holiday slump was the Women’s March movement that took over the country in January 2017, around the president’s inauguration. The march is returning this year, with a focus on advocating for women’s rights, and with all members of the community welcome to join. Sign painting for the march is going on from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 13-19 at the Old Inlet Book Shop on Main Street. Paint and brushes will be available or you can bring your own.

BEST BYGONE BET: If you’d rather keep busy but also stay inside, then Alice’s Champagne Palace has just the ticket. The Tom Petty Tribute returns for a very special performance on Saturday, Jan. 13. Sadly, it is even more poignant this year, with Petty having passed away in October 2017. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door and can be purchased at The Homer Bookstore, Old Inlet Bookshop and Alice’s Champagne Palace.

BEST BIO BET: If you’re anything like the Betster, you probably spend the majority of your morning thinking about what you’ll eat for lunch. But have you ever stopped to think about what kind of lunch a salmon has to think about? Coowe Walker, who has done extensive research that documents the influences of alders, peat lands, and salt marshes in the diet and growth of juvenile salmon, will present “What’s for Lunch? How Native Plants in Kachemak Bay Provide Food for Juvenile Salmon” from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14. This is a free event, with light refreshments to be served.

Bright lights, little city The city lights of Homer are reflected at high tide in Beluga Slough as seen from the deck of Beluga Lake Lodge last Thursday evening, Jan. 4 2018. (Photo by Michael Armstrong, Homer News)

Skiers do the Sunset Loop Sunday on the Kachemak Nordic Ski Club trails on Diamond Ridge. Through the trailhead at the Diamond Ridge Fire Station, skiers can access the trail with a fabulous view of Kachemak Bay. (Photo by Michael Armstrong, Homer News)