Having once spent some time in Florida, the Betster naively believed yours truly could escape the wrath of tropical depressions by moving to Alaska. As if. It turns out Alaska suffers its own version of big, warm, sloppy and windy weather systems. We’re where typhoons come to die.

As we’ve seen the past few weeks, not even Alaska can stop a typhoon dead in its tracks. Before collapsing in a head-on collision with our big, cold mountain ranges, those storms have to dump a lot of water on the coast and blow things around. This might explain how hillsides slide onto the highways and why we’ve had seesawing temperatures.

Fear not, citizens. Soon enough we’ll truly, madly, deeply have winter, perhaps even this weekend. Snow is in the forecast, probably more certain up there in the hills and less so by the seashore. Consider this last call to get all those chores done before snow hides all our mistakes and procrastination.

And when you’re done, get out and enjoy this soggy little town, perhaps with these best bets:

BEST BOOK BET: Join The Pratt Museum & Park on Friday for the “Cold Mountain Path” by local author Tom Kizzia book launch. “Cold Mountain Path” revisits the story-rich landscape of Kizzia’s previous national bestseller, “Pilgrim’s Wilderness.” The book launch begins at 7 p.m. at The Pratt Museum & Park. Space is limited for this event and masks are required. RSVP to reserve a seat or to receive the zoom link by contacting Holly at hatkins@prattmuseum.org or call 907-435-3335.

BEST HOCKEY BET: Show off your Mariner pride this Friday night at the Homer versus Kenai ice hockey game at Kevin Bell Arena at 7 p.m.

BEST FIRST FRIDAY BET: Want to get out this Friday but don’t want to face the cold? Check out some of the November First Friday art exhibits opening! Gerard Garland will present “All things wood” at the Art Shop Gallery, featuring the bowls, vases, tables and a few unique items he made out of wood. Jeff, Ranja and M’fanwy Dean will open their family gallery this Friday to show off their variety of new work, such as M’fanwy’s original carved wood panel, “Honeycomb,” Jeff’s large heat-colored steel engraving, “The Way of the Mammoth” and Ranja’s new giclee print of “A Magical Moment.” The Homer Council on the Arts is hosting its “Fun with 5×7” show for community members to purchase small works of art right in time for the holidays. There are so many other exhibits opening this Friday, so take the family out and get inspired!

BEST SISTER CITIES BET: The Consular Office of Japan in Anchorage holds a Japan-Alaska Sister Cities Photo and Essay Campaign, themed “a Heartwarming Experience Achieved Through the Japan-Alaska Sister City Exchange.” The contest is now accepting photo and essay submissions through Feb. 4, 2022. Residents of all ages from municipalities with formal Japan-Alaska sister city relationships, such as Homer, are eligible to participate. For more information, visit www.anchorage.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itpr_en/11_000001_00215.html.

BEST BARTERING BET: The City of Homer Community Recreation will host the 2021 Ski & Winter Gear Swap Wednesday, Nov. 10 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Participants can barter, trade sell or even give away their winter and ski gear as the season approaches. The Homer High School Ski team will also wax skis as a team fundraiser. Masks are required.