Best Bets

Whew! We made it, Homerites. We collectively survived the 2018 midterm elections.

No matter who you were rooting for nationally and here at home, the Betster thinks we can all agree that was one stressful week leading up to Tuesday. And for those of us who, like the Betster, stayed up to get solid results after the polls closed, it was an even longer night.

But it’s over! We may not all be happy with the outcome — elections seldom please everyone or allow truly representative candidates to make it to the ballot — but we can all rejoice in the common ground we share heading into the holiday season.

Now’s not the time to argue with your neighbor or result to name-calling. Now’s the time to try, more than ever, to understand each other. That’s the only way common ground and consensus is achieved — through real listening and understanding, rather than just hearing.

So, it’s time to shift focus to the future. Not just the political future, but the more trivial one as well.

Time to start digging out those generations-old recipes for sweet potatoes and green bean casserole. Time to fill your home with smells of fresh-baked cookies, cinnamon, or whatever other Autumn scent catches your fancy.

Time to finalize the guest list for Thanksgiving dinner.

And, yes, amazingly, time to get a start on that holiday shopping. No sooner had the Day of the Dead gone to bed than did Safeway tear down the holiday’s trappings, relegate them to one sad corner of the store and replace them with all things snowy and eggnog-y.

If none of these late fall activities sound very appealing, you could always try your luck with these Best Bets:

BEST OUTDOOR BUFF BET: The Kachemak Ski Club will be screening Warren Miller’s “The Face of Winter” at 7 p.m. at the Homer Theatre. This annual fundraiser is to support the Homer Rope Tow. Prizes will be awarded, including free lift tickets for the tow. A silent auction will be held for items such as Ravn Air tickets to Anchorage and a flightseeing trip courtesy of Sasquatch Alaska.

BEST BENEFIT BET: Give a little something back while having a good time at the same time. Performances by Fresh Produce, Homer’s improv comedy group, will take place at 7:30 p.m. both Friday and Saturday at the Art Barn, 1060 E. End Rd. There is a suggested donation of $7. All proceeds from Friday’s show will benefit the Artists in Schools Program, while all proceeds from Saturday’s show will benefit Haven House.

BEST BOW-WOW BET: It’s always exciting when a new business comes to town. However, most of them are generally for humans. Imagine how psyched your furry family members will be to know that there’s a new spa opening in town just for them! Head on over to Lucky Paws Pet Spa at 1130 Ocean Dr., Suite B, for its grand opening from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. This is a free event with hot dogs to be served after a ribbon cutting at 1 p.m. Full grooming services will not be available during the grand opening, but free nail trims for pets will be available.

BEST REMEMBRANCE BET: Veterans Day is upon us once again. The time to remember all those who fought for the freedoms we currently enjoy. Join the Homer area community in celebration this Sunday starting at 11 a.m. with a ceremony at the Homer Emblem Club Veterans Memorial. A parade will then move along Pioneer Avenue, to Main Street, to the veterans memorial at Alaska Islands and Oceans Visitor Center for a second ceremony.