Holy dust bowl, Betsteroids. It seems this time of year just about everything is covered in that thin layer of gravel that kept our tires attached to the snow all winter long. The Betster has heard it's called "the brown season" at other locales. But here we just call it spring.
Other signs of spring are all around us. The grass at the ball fields is springing new chutes. Bears are beginning to rummage around looking for food. And the Betster's old hound is shedding enough fur to re-carpet the living room.
Just last week, I saw a flock of geese fly over the still-frozen Beluga Lake looking for a landing strip. And the Betster even made it outside for a picnic, and didn't have to wear long-johns to get through it.
All this sunny, warmish weather means one thing, or maybe two - it's just about time to dig out the fishing poles and barbecues.
But before you start breaking out the short sleeves, remember that springtime in the Cosmic Hamlet can bring a mix of weather (they're calling for rain and snow this weekend, folks). So, before you swap out the studded tires, sit back, relax, and let spring run its course. While you're at it, enjoy some of these bets.
Best there is nothing like a free pizza bet: The Homer Chamber of Commerce Mixer tonight will be held at Starvin' Marvin's and they're offering free pizza, spaghetti, breadsticks and soda to members and their employees and guests. Other sudsy drinks are available for purchase. The mixer kicks off at 5:30 p.m., call the chamber for info.
Best root, root, root for the Homer team bet: Spring sports are hitting high gear all over Marinerland this week with tracksters competing up north at the Skyview Invitational and the softballers heading to Southeast Alaska for a quintuple-header. The soccer stars take a weekend off, but play at Kenai on Tuesday. See the calendar on page 21 for more info.
Best they call the thang rodeo bet: A bunch of safe kids and bikers plan on getting a bit safer on Saturday at Homer High School from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. during the Safe Kids Fair and Bicycle Rodeo. See story on front page for more info.
Best they call the thang Jubilee bet: Want to get a glimpse of some of the talent found in our local youth? You can get that chance on Friday during the Jubilee Youth Variety Show at Mariner Theater. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $10 for Homer Council on the Arts members and $8 for youth. The show starts at 7 p.m.
Best get those Little hounds off on the right paw bet: The folks over at Homer Dog Trainers are holding a puppy kindergarten for the little doggies age 10-16 weeks at 4 p.m. Saturday. Call 235-8053.
Best speaking of Red Dogs bet: Jim Duffied of the NANA Corporation will discuss development at Red Dog Mine on Wednesday at the Anchor Point Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Anchor River Inn.
Best Seuss on the silver screen bet: The movie, Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who, is showing this weekend at Homer Theatre beginning Friday. The 6 p.m. show on Friday is regular price plus three cans of food for the Food Pantry.
Best Rockin' Gardener Bet: Alpine plant specialist and rock gardener Harry Jans will show slides of the hardy plants of Tibet (which just happens to have similar conditions to Alaska) at a presentation at the Best Western Bidarka Inn today at 7 p.m. The show is free and donations are accepted.
