Oops. Santa Claus seems to have messed up the Betster’s Christmas wish list.  “A new snow shovel,” the Betster asked for. And what did Santa send? Snow. None of that scenic Currier & Ives stuff, either — we got the full onslaught, about 2 feet by Christmas morning.

Fortunately, hard-working plow people put in some overtime and got our streets mostly clear. Power crews slogged through heavy, wet mashed potato snow to get electricity back. Whew. The Betster hopes they got some time with families on Boxing Day.

It all goes to prove the wisdom of the folk saying, “Be careful what you wish for — you just might get it.” Hasn’t the Betster warned you of this? Wish for rain, you get a flood. Wish for sunshine, you get a drought. Wish for snow, you get a blizzard. Wish for hugs, you get kisses. OK, that might actually work out sometimes.

So the Betster is going to whistle in the wind and wish for peace and prosperity in this new year to come. Be safe, be well and cheer in the New Year, perhaps with some of these Best Bets:

 

BEST BE SAFE BET: The Alaska State Troopers have extra patrols out this weekend, so if you don’t want to wear prisoner jammies on New Year’s Day, take a cab, travel with a designated driver or don’t drink at all. Can’t decide what to do for New Year’s Eve? Check out the options on page 2.

 

BEST ART SO GOOD YOU CAN EAT IT BET: A New Year’s Eve tradition returns with Bunnell Street Arts Center’s Edible Arts Extravaganza. The only rule is that the art must be edible. Drop off submissions noon to 5:30 p.m. Monday The show starts at 6 p.m. with eating at 7 p.m. Admission is $10 kids, $20 adults.

 

BEST LANARK STYLE BET: Troy MacGillivray comes from a long line of fiddlers and dancers from Lanark, Nova Scotia, which means he knows a thing or two about step dancing. He’ll be helping shake the walls of Renn Tolman’s boat shop on Kachemak Drive for the annual New Year’s Eve contra dance starting at 8 p.m.

 

BEST WORK IT OFF BET: If you resolve for the new year to exercise more, start the year off at noon Wednesday with the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies weekly Winter Wednesday Walks. Meet by 11:30 a.m. at CACS off Lake Street to car pool. For the weekly walk, call 235-6667.