Best Bets

The Betster would like to put in a request to Mother Nature that the snow make a decision. It drops by a for a quick chat, a bite of cake, a sip of tea, then disappears without warning. The barren winter ground — or if you’re among the lucky residents of Diamond Ridge and Skyline, slushy ice — it leaves behind is hardly as fun.

As the temperature stays in the 30s and 40s this week, the Betster would like to know when Homer will be graced with snow’s full, undivided attention. When can the Betster traverse trails on cross-country skis, build a snowman or throw snowballs at unsuspecting passerbys? When will the Betster be to ice skate on Beluga Lake? When will Homerites get to drive — and hopefully not lose — their cars onto the lake? When will Homer be a winter wonderland?

The Betster will be patient a little longer, but beseeches Mother Nature to get her unruly, chilly child on the right track so Homer can have something bright and white to offset the even earlier darkness that Daylight Savings brought with it last Sunday. If you, like the Betster, are at a loss for things to do in the meantime, check out this week’s happenings in Homer.

BEST PHILANTHROPIC BET: As Thanksgiving inches closer on our calenders, it’s important to remember those who do not have the means to stock their pantries each week — let alone for a big holiday feast. Homer’s Food Pantry is preparing for a long winter and needs the community’s support. What better way for the community to support this local organization than by gathering in the Homer Community Methodist Church and eating delicious soup out of bowls made by local potters that you get to take home? There isn’t. Come into town on Friday, Nov. 10 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. and grab some grub. Lunch only is $10, while lunch and a rad pottery bowl is $35.

BEST ALTRUISTIC BET: It’s a weekend of charitable giving in Homer, so after you’ve eaten your fill of soup at Empty Bowls on Friday, save up some room for Saturday. Hospice of Homer’s annual fundraising gala will be held at Wasabi’s on Saturday, Nov. 11 from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Attendees will enjoy a gourmet meal, live and silent auctions and time to chat with friends and neighbors while supporting a worthy cause. Tickets are $80 per person and are available at Hospice of Homer and The Homer Bookstore.

BEST CULINARY CHOPS BET: If cooking gourmet meals is more your style — or you need something to do before going to the fundraiser on Saturday — pop over to the Kachemak Bay Campus for an afternoon of delicious learning. Join Teri Robl, who provided Homer News readers with mouthwatering fall recipes in her Kachemak Cuisine column (see p. 2) this week, in making a Thai feast on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 1-4 p.m. This local culinary legend will walk you through the steps to create a four-course luncheon including firecrackers, scented fish, Thai salad and Chiang Mai noodle soup. To register, call 235-7743. The fee is $75 per person.

BEST FANTASY GENRE BET: If you’ve ever watched Lord of the Rings, played Dungeons and Dragons or just plain wished you could be a fairy, wizard or medival swordsperson, The Shire of IceFire Bay may put the home in Homer for you. This lively Live Action Role Play (LARP) group puts together events where members go on quests in character arond our cosmic hamlet. All ages are welcome — you just have to come with a sense of whimsy and imagination. To see if this band of LARPers might be your new tribe, drop in on a LARP Arts and Sciences meeting at the Homer Public Library in the large public meeting room, every Friday from 3:30-6 p.m. Join in with weekly activities that include designing your character, building weapons, costume and jewerly making, and sometimes practice for events. You don’t have to be a fighter to join — many group members enjoy other aspects of LARP. Contact Rowyn Cunningham for more information at 756-3563, or drop by The Shire of IceFire Bay’s Facebook page.