For the past few days a car has laid on its side by a hairpin curve on West Hill Road. The Betster sure hopes no one got injured in that crash. Tow truck drivers probably have been a bit busy this week. Maybe leaving a few VIDs — that’s cop talk for “vehicle in the ditch” — on the side of the road would be a good idea to help people slow down. Someone could spray paint on the car’s bottom “The laws of physics are strictly enforced.”
Well, let ye who has never slid on black ice mock the first person who didn’t get his studded tires on in time. Judging by the lines at local tire services, that would be about half of us. It’s not that we don’t know winter is coming. Even people who have moved here from California nine months ago understand the concept. Heck, they seem to be more on top of it than sourdoughs who have pulled every Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend. Alaskans just tend to be cheap and don’t wear down their studs until absolutely necessary.
Oh, and by the way: winter has come.
On second thought, perhaps leaving a car upside down on the side of the road wouldn’t be a good idea, especially if you wrote “no shooting.” An abandoned car would look like a cheese grater by break up. Bad idea.
A good idea would be for all of us to buck up and get our winter gear in shape. Put some food and a sleeping bag in your rig. Drag out the tow strap and battery cables. You know the drill. Plan for extra time getting to where you need to go, even if it’s such a fun time ahead like these Best Bets:
BEST KEEP IT CIVIL BET: With the big presidential election coming up Nov. 8, how can we increase voter turnout? That’s the topic for Election 2016, a nonpartisan discussion at 5:30 p.m. today at the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center. Andy Haas facilitates the conversation, with a focus not on candidates but on voter education. Refreshments will be served.
BEST MAKE IT CIVIL BET: For a historical perspective on Civil Rights, join Kachemak Bay Campus Professor Emeritus Michael Hawfield in another community discussion, “Alaska and the Ballot: The Importance of the Vote on the Road to Civil Rights in Alaska” at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the college. Senator Emeritus Victor Fischer, one of three surviving delegates to the Alaska Consitutional Convention, makes the opening remarks.
BEST MILLI VANILLI BET: Do you think you can lip sync better than Milli Vanilli, the duo that fooled audiences for years that they actually sang their songs? Sing away at the Down East Saloon’s Lip Syncing Contest at 9 p.m. Saturday. A $150 grand prize goes to the best act. The contest is judge on lip-sync ability, choreography and attire. Sign up by 9 p.m. with the bartender.
BEST SKATE AWAY BET: On the Betster’s bucket list is this trip: ice skating Grewingk Glacier Lake. How cool would it be to skate around big blue bergs frozen in ice? Learn more about the epic adventure when Conrad Field talks about skating the lake at 5:30 p.m. today at Grace Ridge Brewing, part of the brewery’s Barley and Oats talk series.
