Part of what makes Alaskans Alaskan is our ability to tolerate the weather. While we await the long, sun-filled days of summer, there’s no shortage of events and activities to keep us distracted from these unseasonably cool temperatures. The Betster encourages you to get out and enjoy all the Homer happenings. Just check out these Best Bets!

BEST NATURE JOURNALING BET: Pratt Museum & Park hosts Homer artist Kim McNett’s beginner-friendly field sketching and recording techniques intended to strengthen participant’s observation and appreciation of the natural world. Journaling for Kids takes place Thursday, June 8 and 15, 4-6 p.m., $10/class. Journaling for Adults is Friday, June 16, 4-6 p.m., $25. Workshops include a blank journal and use of all supplies. Space is limited and need-based scholarships are available at education@prattmuseum.org. For more information, including to register, call 907-235-8635, visit prattmuseum.org, or stop by 3779 Bartlett Street.

BEST THRIVING THURSDAY BET: SVT continues their Thriving Thursday events. On Thursday June 8, 6-7:30 p.m., it’s an evening presentation on International Travel with Dr. Gear, SVT’s medical director and family physician. Dr. Gear will share photos and stories of his many travels as a medical educator and discuss ways individuals can prepare medically for their own travels. For more information, call 907-226-2228. SVT, 880 East End Road.

BEST RECOVERY SPEAKER BET: All Things Recovery hosts their Recovery Speaker Series on Friday, June 9, 6-7:30 p.m. with a graduate from their local men’s residential treatment, Set Free Compass, sharing his journey from drug addiction to recovery. Stop by and be inspired, 960 East End Road, in the covered pavilion behind Glaciverview Baptist Church. For more information, call 907-756-3530.

BEST FIDDLING POET BET: Alice’s Champagne Palace presents an evening of music featuring Alaskan Fiddling Poet, Ken Waldman with guest David McCormick, as well as The Pushki Pickers, Saturday, June 10, 9 p.m. For more information, visit aliceschampagnepalace.com or stop by Alice’s, 195 E Pioneer Avenue.

BEST BLUEGRASS JAM BET: Homer Council on the Arts hosts bluegrass jam sessions the Second Sunday of every month all summer long, open to all instruments and abilities. Stop by the gallery on Sunday, June 11, 1-4 p.m. and make Bluegrass, Oldtime, and Mountain music. Light refreshments available. For more information, 907-235-4288. Homer Council on the Arts, 355 W Pioneer Avenue.

BEST YOUTH CAMPING BET: Homer’s REC room is offering a free camping experience across the bay at the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies Peterson Bay Field Station, Sunday to Tuesday, June 11-13. This is for a small number of youth ages 13-18 who have never had the opportunity to go across the bay. All teens on the Southern Kenai Peninsula are eligible, and will only need to find transportation to and from the Homer’s REC room. For more information, call 907-235-3436.

BEST SOLSTICE IN SELDOVIA BET: Make plans to set out across the bay for the 22nd Annual Seldovia Summer Solstice Music Festival, Thursday, June 15 to Sunday, June 18. This year’s lineup includes a variety of genres from Rhythm and Blues, Swing, Folk, Rock, Hip Hop, Bluegrass, Americana, Classical Traditions, Honky Tonk, Country, Alternative Punk, and even a Celtic Harp. Starting on Thursday, June 15, Festival performers will play onboard the Seldovia Bay Ferry’s Kachemak Voyager as it makes its way from Homer to Seldovia. Later that evening there will be a free Open Mic event where visitors and locals are invited to show off their talents. Friday events include musical groups busking at various venues around the community in the morning and afternoon and Main Stage concerts begin late afternoon through the evening. Saturday includes a performers’ Song Circle, Performers’ Workshops, and more Main Stage events. Find the full schedule of events at seldoviaartscouncil.org.

BEST MOBILE MAMMOGRAM BET: The Breast Cancer Detection Center of Alaska is bringing their Mobile Mammogram truck to the Kenai Peninsula. Schedule a referral visit with your provider and contact BCDC at 907-479-3909 to make your mammogram appointment at one of these community partner locations: June 16 in Kasilof at Tustumena Lodge, June 20 in Ninilchik at the Ninilchik Community Clinic, June 21 in Seldovia at SVT Health & Wellness Clinic, and June 23 and 24 in Anchor Point at the SVT Clinic. This service is provided regardless of ability to pay after any insurance has been billed, but referral from a medical provider is required. For more information on eligibility and breast cancer screening recommendations, call Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic in Homer at 907-235-3436.

BEST HALIBUT DERBY BET: The Homer Chamber of Commerce is hosting a one-month halibut tournament. Buy a daily derby ticket through June 30 for a chance to win the big jackpot for the largest halibut. Release a barn door-size fish and you’ll be entered to win a $2,000 prize. Daily derby tickets can be purchased online at homeralaska.org and must be purchased by 8 a.m. for that day of fishing. Tournament headquarters and weigh-in area are located at Buttwhackers behind the Salty Dawg Saloon. For more information, contact the Chamber at 907-235-7740.

BEST BRAIN AWARENESS BET: June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month. If you or your loved ones start to notice changes in your memory, it’s important to bring them up with your healthcare provider. Some memory changes can be caused by treatable conditions or by medications, but if those are not the cause, a diagnosis can help you learn how to slow your symptom progression, increase your access to medications and services, and give you information to plan for the future. More information can be found online with the Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska in Anchorage, 907-561-3313, 1750 Abbott Road, alzalaska.org.

BEST LOVE OUR TRAILS BET: Love your local trails? Get out and help keep them hikeable for all, all summer long. The Park relies on volunteers. Complete and submit a volunteer form to receive notification of opportunities on both sides of the bay. Find more information, including the volunteer form, and trails report on Facebook, Friends of Kachemak Bay State Park on Facebook and friendsofkachemakbay.org.

A rock cairn and half moon are pictured on Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at the Land’s End Resort beach in Homer, Alaska. Photo by Christina Whiting

Former longtime community member Pat Melone (left), now living in Port Angeles, Washington, visited the Homer Spit on Friday, June 2, 2023 with friends Cheryl McCurdy and Chris Johnson from her new community. Photo by Christina Whiting