Best Bets

November 4, 2020 2:30 am
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Aaron Fleenor, at top, uses a chute to distribute candy on Halloween night, Oct. 31, 2020, in downtown Homer, Alaska. Helping are Amber Fleenor, center, and Shade Fleenor, left. Because of COVID-19 safety concerns, some people created devices like this to give candy away while keeping social distance. Trick or treating was more subdued than usual, but still drew children in costume to neighborhood above Pioneer Avenue. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Aaron Fleenor, at top, uses a chute to distribute candy on Halloween night, Oct. 31, 2020, in downtown Homer, Alaska. Helping are Amber Fleenor, center, and Shade Fleenor, left. Because of COVID-19 safety concerns, some people created devices like this to give candy away while keeping social distance. Trick or treating was more subdued than usual, but still drew children in costume to neighborhood above Pioneer Avenue. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

It’s probably only a coincidence that Dias de los Muertos, the Days of the Dead, ended on Monday, Nov. 2, the night before Election Day. Dias de los Muertos is the traditional Mexican holiday when the veil is thinnest between the living and the dead. It’s a day to honor ancestors with tokens left on family altars. It has nothing to do with all the scariness that happened on Tuesday.

Whew, is the Betster ever glad the election is over — well, mostly. As yours truly writes this, national results are trickling in and it appears that former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Kamala Harris will win. If you remember 2000, it ain’t over until it’s over, though. Here in Alaska, there are tens of thousands of absentee ballots to be counted, so we won’t know for at least a week the final results.

We voted, though. We participated in the grandest tradition of our representative democracy. After we’ve sorted out the results, it will be time to congratulate the winners and thank the losers for giving us choices. Take down those campaign signs, too. Take a deep breath, tap elbows with your neighbors and resolve to be kind. You can reward yourself for being a good citizen, perhaps with these Best Bets:

BEST BE THE FIRST BET: That’s First Friday, which marks the monthly change of exhibits at local art galleries. Some you can attend in person while others COVID-19 in-person restrictions. Check out new venues like Darren “The Plantman” Williams’ new space in the Alaska Wildberry building, featuring Megan Frost’s paintings on vinyl records.

BEST VIRTUAL TUNES BET: You don’t need to cruise old YouTube videos of Fleetwood Mac to get great music. Just tune in from 6-7 p.m. Friday for a First Friday concert with local musician Foot performing for the Pratt Museum’s “Shifting Tides” exhibit. Foot will be treating us to an hour of songs and music streamed straight from the museum. Along with listening to her amazing music, viewers will get a special glimpse of the exhibit and get a chance to buy raffle tickets. Visit www.prattmuseum.org for the connection.

BEST FOODIE BET: Now that Alaska farmers are winding down from the season, it’s time for them to gather for the annual Alaska Food Conference & Festival. Join them virtually from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily Friday and Saturday. Learn more about, and engage in, the various issues affecting Alaska’s food system. To participate, visit https://www.akfoodpolicycouncil.org/2020-festival-conference.

BEST QUICK BET: Flash fiction is fast, so we’ll make this tres vite, as they say in France. Justin Herrman teaches a Flash Fiction Writers Workshop from 1- 3 p.m. Saturday at the Homer Council on the Arts. Learn to create your own small fiction. Space is limited so register soon at www.homerart.org. The fee is $52 for members and $60 for nonmembers.

Carol Standaert hands out candy on Halloween night, Oct. 31, 2020, in downtown Homer, Alaska. Trick or treating was more subdued than usual, but still drew children in costume to neighborhood above Pioneer Avenue. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

Carol Standaert hands out candy on Halloween night, Oct. 31, 2020, in downtown Homer, Alaska. Trick or treating was more subdued than usual, but still drew children in costume to neighborhood above Pioneer Avenue. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

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