Here in Alaska, March will roar in like a grizzly bear and also roar out like a grizzly bear. Forget all those Lower 48 aphorisms. Winter won’t be over until the last little mound of snow melts away. In some parts of Homer, that could be June, especially with the snow we got this year.

Still, it got sunny enough this week even a seasoned Alaskan could be excused into thinking spring is on the way. Yep, the daylight hours are getting longer. Depending on your work schedule, you can drive to and from your job in light. Icicles are dripping. Snow is melting away at the beach.

Why, heck, it got so darn sunny one day the Betster knows some KBBI disc jockey was tempted to play that song of spring, the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun.” Too soon?

Nope. As you should know by now, the way to get through winter is to embrace all the subtle signs of the changing season. Break-up is on its way. If you look closely, trees and shrubs have begun to bud. Teenagers will start wearing shorts. Smile, Betster persons, and enjoy these best bets:

BEST GARDEN STARTING BET: Looking to start a vegetable garden but not sure where to start? Join Homer Soil & Water and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service this Thursday night at 6 p.m. to learn where and what to plant. This free online seminar is part five of the Know Your Land series. Presented by Monica Kopp, Homer Soil & Water’s Ag Program coordinator and Southern Kenai Peninsula farmer, this one-hour workshop will give participants the down-and-dirty on site selection, considerations for gardening in this northern climate and the best crops to plant for beginners in the region. No registration is necessary. Visit https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84344126227 to participate in How to Start Your Garden, Part One.

BEST COMMUNITY VOICE BET: Interested in learning more about city projects? Presentations on the Wayfinding and Streetscape project, as well as the HERC campus proposal, will be given at the Homer City Council meeting on Monday, Feb. 28. Committee of the Whole will begin at 5 p.m. and the regular meeting will be at 6 p.m. The meeting will give residents a chance to learn about both projects that will change the landscape of the city in the future. The council will meet at City Hall in the Cowles Council Chambers, but the meetings will also be livestreamed via Zoom. To watch the Committee of the Whole, visit https://cityofhomer.zoom.us/j/953097829?pwd=RlVmSlc1YnpUUExhbFE0b0NwSCtqUT09. To watch the regular meeting, visit https://cityofhomer.zoom.us/j/205093973?pwd=UmhJWEZ3ZVdvbDkxZ3Ntbld1NlNXQT09.

BEST INTERGENERATIONAL LEARNING BET: The Wynn Nature Center is inviting all students and their loved ones to a special intergenerational event on Friday, Feb. 25 from 4:30-8:30 p.m. Participants will spend time on the trails looking for signs of winter life, enjoy a campfire dinner, use a telescope to check out the winter stars and participate in Globe at Night. Space is limited. To register, email Henry Reiske at Henry@akcoastalstudies.org.

BEST SKATING PARTY BET: The R.E.C. Room is hosting a private skating party this Friday at the SPARC for teenagers ages 12-18. This event is an effort to also bring together youth outside of the R.E.C. Room, move winter bodies and meet new folks! The R.E.C. will be open after early release on Friday at 2 p.m. and will be picking up teens at Homer Middle School to bring to the R.E.C. The R.E.C. Room van, (Barbara) will then make its way towards the SPARC at around 4 p.m. Students will need a mask, socks and a water bottle, as well as arrange rides home. Shuttles for pick-ups at the R.E.C. Room can also be arranged. For more information, contact Sierra at recroom@kbfpc.org.

BEST FUREVER HOME BET: There are so many animals in need of their furever home at Alaska Mindful Paws animal shelter, just like this week’s Pet of the Week Dalton! There are so many deserving animals in need of a loving home. Call Alaska Mindful Paws at 907-235-3141 to meet your new furry friend. The animal shelter is located across from the Public Works Department off the Sterling Highway. The shelter’s business hours are noon-7 p.m. Tuesday, noon-5 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, and 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Closed Mondays.