Best Bets

The Betster has decided, that, rather than waste these precious sunny hours before the rain and typical spring weather hits Homer this weekend, now is a good time to get out and enjoy it.

So, with that, as the Betster pulls on a pair of Birkenstocks and slides on a pair of sunnies, all that’s left to say is to check out the following Best Bets:

BEST BIRD BET: Are you ready to celebrate the return of spring birds? Build a nesting box to welcome home spring’s bird migration to Homer through a workshop at the Homer Council on the Arts from noon to 3 p.m. this Friday. Assemble, paint, and decorate your very own birdhouse with Kiki Abrahamson at the HCOA gallery. Ages 8 and older are welcome, or younger kids with an adult. This is a great family activity. The workshop fee is $20 per house. Scholarships are available: contact Peggy at director@homerart.org. Space and materials are limited, so sign up today. Registration form and online payment available at www.homerart.org, or stop by the HCOA office.

BEST BERNIE BET: Bernie and the Believers will play at 9 p.m. this Friday night at Alice’s Champagne Palace through the Salmonfest Music Series. Bernie Dalton was a strong, physically fit, and very active 47 year old. He reached out to singer/songwriter and music/voice teacher Essence Goldman with an inspiration and passion to bring his musical vision to life. Shortly after they started, Dalton was diagnosed with ALS. While Essence/friends/family wanted to send him on a father/daughter trip of a lifetime, Bernie had another dream, to make a record of his songs with his daughter’s participation. The album is now finished and was debuted by Bernie and The Believers (the band Essence formed for the project) last year. In partnership with Joe Rizzo and the Triumvirate Theatre in Nikiski and a Harper Grant, Alice’s brings Bernie and The Believers to Homer as part of the fundraising project for Bernie and his daughter, Nicole. Bernie will be watching the show via live stream from his hospital room. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 door. All proceeds go directly to Bernie and his daughter.

BEST BOOGIE BET: The Good Time Travelers will be bringing their good time back to Homer, playing at Alice’s Champagne Palace at 9 p.m. on Saturday. Built by two singer-songwriters, The Good Time Travelers are a multi-instrumental duo with a vibe so big that they have been described as a “two-piece power-trio.” Pete Kartsounes and Michael Kirkpatrick have a sound that is rooted in bluegrass and folk music, but the sentiment is pure rock and roll. GTT’s road has quickly taken them to the stages of well-known festivals like The Northwest String Summit, Big Sky Big Grass, Salmonfest and other popular string-parties. They may only pass through town for a short time, but it will most certainly be a “good time.” Tickets are $10.

BEST GARDEN BET: This Sunday, the Homer Garden Club is happy to present Alaska teacher Paul Marmora as he demonstrates the art of bonsai. Marmora will illustrate how to prune a tree found in Alaska and modify it to exhibit the bonsai principles of harmony and peace. The meeting is from 2-4 p.m. at the Best Western Bidarka Inn downstairs. Get other gardening questions answered by local gardeners over coffee and snacks after the meeting.

Moose browse at the east end of Beluga Lake about 6 p.m. Thursday, April 11, 2019, as seen from the airport viewing platform at the end of FAA Road in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

A moose browses at the east end of Beluga Lake about 6 p.m. Thursday, April 11, 2019, as seen from the airport viewing platform at the end of FAA Road in Homer, Alaska. The moose was among five moose feeding in the marsh. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Two moose browse at the east end of Beluga Lake about 6 p.m. Thursday, April 11, 2019, as seen from the airport viewing platform at the end of FAA Road in Homer, Alaska. The moose were among a group of five feeding in the marsh. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)