The Betster is on the brink of marching outside, banging pots and pans together and shouting “Bring on spring! Bring on spring!” If I have to shovel my walkway clear of snow one more time, I might lose my entire mind. Thankfully, there’s plenty of distractions from the temperamental weather going on lately. If you’re looking for something to keep your mind off more impending snow, check out this week’s Best Bets!

BEST LIVE HEALTH TALK BET: On Thursday, April 11 at 5 p.m., join Dr. Rob Downey for another installment of Down with Downey: Live at Five on the Seaworthy Functional Medicine Facebook Page as he shares ways for menopause to be a great next chapter in women’s lives! An in-depth Q&A will follow his short presentation. If you have a question about a talk or are interested in a topic, community members are encouraged to send questions or topic ideas to fmc@sphosp.org. If you’ve missed a previous talk, recordings of past Down with Downey talks are available at vimeo.comsphosp.

BEST KNOW YOUR LAND BET: The Homer Soil & Water Conservation District partners with Kachemak Bay Campus for the 2024 Know Your Land talks on alternating Thursdays from 6-7 p.m. On April 11, Monica Kopp from the Homer Soil and Water Conservation District will teach you all you need to know to build and maintain healthy garden soil. We will cover soil testing, understanding your soil test, and the principles of soil health. Learn how to maintain microbially-rich, resilient soil with just a few key concepts. Join in person at KBC or virtually via Zoom. The “Know Your Land” series of talks is a free event brought to you by Homer SWCD, the USDA-NRCS Homer field office, and Kachemak Bay Campus. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/homerswcd. 533 E Pioneer Ave.

BEST ARTIST FACE-TO-FACE BET: Bunnell Street Arts Center will host an Artist in Residence Talks and Dinner event on Friday, April 12 at 6 p.m. Artists Andrew O’Connor, Libby Meyer and Chase Angier will each share a 20-minute slide talk about their work, followed by soup, salad and bread shared with community members. Find out more about Bunnell’s April Artists in Residence and their upcoming workshops at www.bunnellarts.org/events/artist-residency-talks-dinner-6pm/. 106 W Bunnell Ave.

BEST COMMUNITY BAND BET: The Inlet Winds Community Band is hosting a free concert on Saturday, April 13 at 7 p.m. in the Homer High School Mariner Theater! Come watch local adult and high school musicians play some amazing concert songs in this can’t-miss performance led by co-directors Mary and Eric Simondsen. Visit www.cityofhomer-ak.gov/com-rec/inlet-winds-community-band-free-concert-saturday-april-13-7pm to preview the concert program. 600 E Fairview Ave.

BEST WEEKLY WELLNESS BET: SPH Health & Wellness invites you to a free weekly gathering every Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. at Kachemak Bay Campus! Participants can enjoy warm soup, bread and a dose of health education from a rotating presenter, all followed by an hour of yoga with Rachael Mannix Schmoker. On April 17, join Certified Meditation and Mindfulness Consultant Savanna Paladino, also known as Strega Nova, for an evening of mindful engagement! Community members of all ages and abilities are welcome. Come for part of it or all of it! For more information, visit www.facebook.com/SouthPeninsulaHospital. 533 E. Pioneer Ave.

BEST EARTH DAY CELEBRATION BET: What better way to celebrate Earth Day than to spend the day taking care of our planet? Mark your calendars for the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge’s annual Earth Day celebration and clean-up on Saturday, April 20 from 9-11 a.m.! Spend time outside with fellow conservation enthusiasts and help clean up the Refuge. Along with providing an opportunity for stewardship, AMNWR will be giving away prizes to volunteers! For more information, visit www.facebook.com/AlaskaMaritimeNationalWildlifeRefuge/. 95 Sterling Highway.

BEST COMMUNITY SPORTS BET: Kevin Bell Arena is hosting broomball every week on Sundays from 7-9 p.m.! Broomball is similar to hockey, played with a ball on ice but with special shoes instead of skates. All are welcome to play, no experience or equipment is required. Your first time playing is free! For more information, call 907-299-8210 or email homerbroomball@gmail.com. 3150 Homer Spit Road.