If we were commissars, we’d be polishing our medals and fluffing up our big fur for the big May Day parade in Red Square. Oh, that is like so Soviet Union. What do you think this is, the People’s Republic of Alaska? Here at latitude 59 degrees and some change, we don’t make a big deal of May 1, what everyone else celebrates as labor day.

Nope, we’ll just treat this as another awesome spring day. Today’s just a good day to bask in that ever growing daylight. You’d think after more than a lifetime living in Alaska the Betster would get used to the daylight gain that comes with spring. Not really. That daylight gain of five minutes a day sneaks up on you fast. 

Do you feel your mind and body revving up? Do you feel like you could work and play for 16 straight hours? The season is upon us. Out on the Spit that new trail is going in, people are opening up their shops and getting things spiffed up. Here in town parking lots have been swept, flowers planted and windows washed. 

We have one more weekend to get chores done before the Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival, what’s become our unofficial trial run of the tourist season before things really get hopping on Memorial Day weekend. So shine up those XtraTufs, get out the tanning butter and batten down the hatches.

Meanwhile, take some time to relax and enjoy Homer with these Best Bets:

BEST CRUISIN’ BET: You won’t have to carry a flashlight to walk from downtown to Old Town on the First Friday art crawl. With this awesome spring light, you’re living in art. Check out openings on Pioneer Avenue and Bunnell Avenue, but don’t miss First Friday events at West Homer Elementary School and Flex School. Check out the a new venue for art, with Erin Rae D’Eimon’s show at the Knitty Stash on Main Street.

BEST PRESERVATION BET: With high tunnels warming up, already local farmers are working the soil and thinking about planting. Learn about one family’s homesteading food systems and how they acclimate and make available heirloom seeds. Ember Jackinsky speaks on “Sustainable Foods for Future Generations” at 5 p.m. today at the Pratt Museum. If it’s nice out, the talk is outdoors in the Pratt’s Pioneer Garden.

BEST KEEP IT CLEAN BET: OK, with all the dirt, dust and trash, maybe that should be “make it clean.” Already dedicated volunteers with big yellow bags have been working the ditches to pick up the trash. Join the Homer Chamber of Commerce, Homer Rotary and Homer Lions Club for this year’s Clean-Up Day, sponsored by AJ’s Oldtown Steakhouse & Tavern. Drop off trash from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Homer Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center and fuel up on hot dogs. Oh, and you can compete for prizes for the most trash collected. Bring gently used clothing for the Big Brothers Big Sisters clothing drive from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., also at the chamber.

BEST GET DECADENT BET: The Relay for Life teams have baked some awesome desserts, and they’re all yours if you bid high and bid often for the fifth annual Relay for Life Wine Tasting and Decadent Dessert Auction Fundraiser 6 p.m. Friday at the Homestead Restaurant. Admission is $30 and proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.