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A trumpeter swan feeds in Beluga Slough on Monday, April 12, 2021, in Homer, Alaska. According to local birders, both tundra and trumpeter swans have been seen in the area the past week. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

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Congratulations, citizen! You have diligently fulfilled your duties as a tax-paying, law-abiding resident of the United States of America and Alaska. Today you no doubt… Continue reading

 

Crews work on a boat on Monday, April 5, 2021, at the large-vessel haul out beach on the Homer Spit near the Pier 1 Theatre in Homer, Alaska. In the off season boats are hauled onshore for repair at the beach near the Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

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As part of the Betster’s annual expedition to document signs of spring, yours truly went on a photo safari to tag the usual seasonal markers.… Continue reading

 

Workers with Psenak Construction return with an empty load after dumping armor rock at the Ocean Drive seawall on Monday, March 22, 2021, at Mariner Park on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

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Everyone loves a good joke, especially today, when pranks are taken to an art form. Perhaps because we live in a state of perpetual adversity,… Continue reading

 

A cow moose and calf stand by spruce trees on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, near the Homer News in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

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Last week the Betster got so busy yammering away about Salty Dawg hoodies that yours truly totally forgot about the biggest news of the week.… Continue reading

A cow moose and calf stand by spruce trees on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, near the Homer News in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
A bald eagle perches in a spruce tree near the Lake Street stoplight on Thursday, March 11, 2021, in Homer, Alaska. Since 2010, a pair of bald eagles has nested in the area near Beluga Slough south of the Lake Street and Sterling Highway intersection. The first nest was destroyed when the tree fell down in a winter storm in 2011. In 2012 the eagles built a new nest across from the Homer Post Office by the motorhome dump station. In 2014 they built another nest in a new tree closer to the slough. This year’s eagles have returned to a nest built in 2016 just east of the 2014-2015 nest.

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Social media is all aflutter with the news that an Alaska man the FBI arrested on charges that he participated in the Jan. 6 U.S.… Continue reading

A bald eagle perches in a spruce tree near the Lake Street stoplight on Thursday, March 11, 2021, in Homer, Alaska. Since 2010, a pair of bald eagles has nested in the area near Beluga Slough south of the Lake Street and Sterling Highway intersection. The first nest was destroyed when the tree fell down in a winter storm in 2011. In 2012 the eagles built a new nest across from the Homer Post Office by the motorhome dump station. In 2014 they built another nest in a new tree closer to the slough. This year’s eagles have returned to a nest built in 2016 just east of the 2014-2015 nest.
Snow covers the historic Harrington cabin and outhouse on Tuesday, March 9, 2021, at the Pratt Museum in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

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For the past few months the Betster has been working at home at the Fortress of Solitude in an undisclosed location. Like many of you… Continue reading

Snow covers the historic Harrington cabin and outhouse on Tuesday, March 9, 2021, at the Pratt Museum in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Waves during an extreme high tide and big seas pound the Homer Spit on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 28, 2021, on the Homer Spit, as seen through photographer Malia Anderson's windshield. (Photo by Malia Anderson / Homer News)

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All those social media photos of arms being poked as Alaskans get vaccinated are getting a little cliche — and that’s a good thing. Yeah,… Continue reading

Waves during an extreme high tide and big seas pound the Homer Spit on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 28, 2021, on the Homer Spit, as seen through photographer Malia Anderson's windshield. (Photo by Malia Anderson / Homer News)
The Alaska and U.S. flags fly at half staff on Monday, Feb. 22, 2021, at the Alaska Islands and Ocean Vistor Center. President Joe Biden on Monday ordered flags to be flown at half staff at federal facilities for five days to honor the 500,000 Americans who have died of COVID-19. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

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It’s hard to believe we’re already two months into 2021, but here we are. After Sunday, February will be all over except for the snow… Continue reading

The Alaska and U.S. flags fly at half staff on Monday, Feb. 22, 2021, at the Alaska Islands and Ocean Vistor Center. President Joe Biden on Monday ordered flags to be flown at half staff at federal facilities for five days to honor the 500,000 Americans who have died of COVID-19. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
A sea gull grabs a sea star on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

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Last Thursday the Betster rediscovered why we live in Homer. After a busy day in town, yours truly rounded the corner into the Chez Betster… Continue reading

A sea gull grabs a sea star on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
A fishing boat passes in front of Poot Peak on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

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On Sunday a big game happened down in Tampa where some older guy threw a bunch of touchdown passes and then the GOAT’s (that’s “Greatest… Continue reading

A fishing boat passes in front of Poot Peak on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
The Stormbird comes into the Homer Harbor on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

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A year into the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s hard to pinpoint the actual anniversary date. Is it from Dec. 31, 2019, the day the novel coronavirus… Continue reading

The Stormbird comes into the Homer Harbor on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Mt. Redoubt can be seen across Cook Inlet from Diamond Ridge on the Marathon Ski Trail on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021, near Homer, Alaska. About 4 feet of snow has fallen on Diamond Ridge and Kachemak Nordic Ski Club groomers have begun setting the trail from Lookout Mountain to Diamond Ridge Road. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

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For all the years the Betster has lived in Homer, we’re still amazed at how much difference a little bit of altitude can make. That’s… Continue reading

Mt. Redoubt can be seen across Cook Inlet from Diamond Ridge on the Marathon Ski Trail on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021, near Homer, Alaska. About 4 feet of snow has fallen on Diamond Ridge and Kachemak Nordic Ski Club groomers have begun setting the trail from Lookout Mountain to Diamond Ridge Road. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
The white of a bald eagle's head makes perfect camouflage while sitting in a snow covered spruce tree on Jan. 19, 2021, on Diamond Ridge in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

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The great experiment in representative democracy continued this week when new and returning Alaska Legislators were sworn in on Tuesday. Yesterday, the Trumps moved out… Continue reading

The white of a bald eagle's head makes perfect camouflage while sitting in a snow covered spruce tree on Jan. 19, 2021, on Diamond Ridge in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
A large flock of rock sandpipers flies over the Mud Bay side of the Homer Spit on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

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For about a week there the year 2021 looked like it might show some promise. We had an awesome fireworks display on the Spit, and… Continue reading

A large flock of rock sandpipers flies over the Mud Bay side of the Homer Spit on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
People walk the beach on the New Year's Eve, Dec. 32, 2020, at Mariner Park on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

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OK, Betster persons, admit it. January at the End of the Road can get a wee bit quiet. Well, not just quiet. Quiet we get… Continue reading

People walk the beach on the New Year's Eve, Dec. 32, 2020, at Mariner Park on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
A bald eagle sits on top of the gazebo at Mariner Park on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020, on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

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Waiting for 2020 to end is like hoping for a kidney stone to pass. If you’ve never experienced the pleasure of that life event, imagine… Continue reading

A bald eagle sits on top of the gazebo at Mariner Park on Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020, on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Memorial luminarias provide a somber light at Hospice of Homer's "Light Up a Life" and 35th Anniversary Gathering last Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska. The event honored staff and volunteers who have helped out at the organization over the decades. As a fundraiser for hospice, people purchased luminarias to honor deceased friends and family. Luminarias are a Hispanic tradition where candles are placed in a paper bag weighed down with sand. Also known as farolitios, Catholics place luminarias to guide the spirit of the Christ child to one's home. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

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It’s going to be tough this Christmas. Many of us will be sharing the day with just our intimate family circle. To be COVID-19 safe,… Continue reading

Memorial luminarias provide a somber light at Hospice of Homer's "Light Up a Life" and 35th Anniversary Gathering last Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, at WKFL Park in Homer, Alaska. The event honored staff and volunteers who have helped out at the organization over the decades. As a fundraiser for hospice, people purchased luminarias to honor deceased friends and family. Luminarias are a Hispanic tradition where candles are placed in a paper bag weighed down with sand. Also known as farolitios, Catholics place luminarias to guide the spirit of the Christ child to one's home. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Mount Iliamna glows pink as the sun rises on Wednesday morning, Dec. 16, 2020, as seen from Diamond Ridge near Homer, Alaska. Iliamna is one of three Cook Inlet volcanoes visible from Homer. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

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Almost daily some data cruncher from Outside will send us a press release announcing how Alaska ranks according to various metrics. This week we learned… Continue reading

Mount Iliamna glows pink as the sun rises on Wednesday morning, Dec. 16, 2020, as seen from Diamond Ridge near Homer, Alaska. Iliamna is one of three Cook Inlet volcanoes visible from Homer. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Although snow has fallen on Poot Peak, the image of the iconic bear’s eyes and nose of the mountain remains faint, as seen here on Friday, Dec. 4, 2020, in Homer, Alaska. The mountain is named after Henry Poot, also known as “China” Poot, an Alaska Native man who hunted and fished in the area in the early 1900s. According to Marilyn Sigman’s “Entangled: People and Ecological Change in Alaska’s Kachemak Bay,” Poot was the son of a Native woman and a Chinese cannery worker. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)

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Although snow has fallen on Poot Peak, the image of the iconic bear’s eyes and nose of the mountain remains faint, as seen here on Friday, Dec. 4, 2020, in Homer, Alaska. The mountain is named after Henry Poot, also known as “China” Poot, an Alaska Native man who hunted and fished in the area in the early 1900s. According to Marilyn Sigman’s “Entangled: People and Ecological Change in Alaska’s Kachemak Bay,” Poot was the son of a Native woman and a Chinese cannery worker. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News)
Snow falls on the Cape Lynch, right, and other boats on Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News).

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Well, if you were still denying winter’s arrival, Homer weather over the weekend cleared that up for you right quick. It never ceases to amaze… Continue reading

Snow falls on the Cape Lynch, right, and other boats on Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, on the Homer Spit in Homer, Alaska. (Photo by Michael Armstrong/Homer News).
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