For the past few days the Betster has been chasing owls and comets. The Betster has been on a mission to find that great gray owl for the Betster Spousal Companion, who has yet to see it. You’d think this would be easy what with all the cop reports of cars blocking West Hill Road. Nope.

First the great gray was on the uphill side of West Hill, then on the downhill side. On Tuesday the bird hotline reported a sighting of it being on the trail below the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center. Nada.

Meanwhile, the Betster heard of Comet Panstarrs visible in the western sky a moon’s width left of the crescent moon. The B. looked to the west at sunset. Sliver thin crescent moon: check. Half-moon to the left. No luck. Comet Hale-Bopp Panstarrs isn’t.

However, once you think all the wonders of the universe remain elusive, another wonder apears. On a Spit constitutional on Tuesday, the B. saw a sweet little white bird flittering about on some driftwood logs, a snow bunting.

Spring time brings wonders like that. Never give up on nature, because like love, she’ll always surprise ya. Hmm — like this week’s Best Bets.

BEST FOOD AND STORIES BET: The free community meals at Homer United Methodist Church are always fun, but tonight’s dinner at 5:30 p.m. at the church should be a treat: the Pioneers of Alaska are the hosts. You have to lived in Alaska at least 30 years to be a Pioneer, so expect some good stories to go along with the meal.

BEST SPROCKET TIME BET: Take a few film projectors, some old 16mm film, a troupe of burlesque performers and the talents of filmmaker Michael Walsh, multimedia artist Kayla Spaan and DJ Steve Collins, and what do you get? Filmjam, that’s what. See what happens from 8 to 9:30 p.m. Friday at the Bunnell Street Arts Center. From noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at Bunnell, Walsh and Spaan also present a hands-on workshop using recycled 16mm films rescued from the trash.

BEST KNICK-KNACK PADDY WHACK BET: Start the St. Patrick’s Day weekend off with the Shamrock Shin-Dig and Shenanigans starting at 7 p.m. Saturday at Alice’s Champagne Palace. Organized by the Kevin Bell Ice Arena and the Divas hockey team, the night includes an Irish dinner buffet, green beer, a split-the-pot contest, magical mystery envelopes, music and more. Dinner and beer is $20 or music with beer is $10, with all proceeds benefitting the ice arena.

BEST BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE BET: Celebrate a proper St. Paddy’s Day with music, dancing, limericks and poetry at the Kachemak Bay Celtic Club’s celebration from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Hey, it doesn’t get more Irish than that. A family-friendly event, there are kids activities, a kilted gentlemen’s lovely legs competition, dancing, poems and readings, and music by the Sea Chanty Singers, Lindianne and others, and the Celtic Cats. Tickets are $10 adults, $25 families and $5 students at the door or the Homer Bookstore. Proceeds support the Kachemak Bay Highland Games in July.

BEST BACK AGAIN BET: Oh, and don’t forget what’s become a Homer St. Patrick’s Day tradition, music by the Irish Lords at the Down East Saloon. Yeah, the Betster thought the Lords was a rugby team, but it’s also the name of a pretty darn good local band. The party starts at 8 p.m. Sunday.