To the Betster, it looks like 2014 has two themes at work: weather and history. 

Let’s take the weather first. It’s been full of surprises — like the winter that wasn’t and the summer that’s already been. OK, don’t tell me you haven’t been thinking the same thing as you’ve soaked up the rays on the string of recent sunny days. There’s been a cloud in that sky of blue and it’s been this: If March was warm and sunny, will it snow in July?  Don’t deny it — you haven’t put the winter gear away because you know you might need snow boots when the fish are supposed to be running. The Betster isn’t prone to dour predictions — heck, the Betster can make Pollyanna look like a pessimist — but it’s hard to shake the feeling that Ma Nature may have some surprises in store, not all of them pleasant. That rain in the forecast is actually a good thing.

Now, history. Is there anybody in Homer not having a milestone anniversary in 2014? Now that might be the real news the way the year is shaping up. But the Betster admits all this looking back helps create a sense of community by connecting newcomers with the past and honoring those who’ve lived here in good times and bad, not to mention strange. All the looking back also is a good reminder: The more things change, the more they remain the same.

That’s why we’re confident you’ll have a good time at these Best Bets — no matter what the weather does.

BEST SLICE OF HISTORY BET: Celebrate Homer’s 50 years as a city by stopping by the Homer Senior Center tonight for “Meet the People.” Listen to four of the Homer area’s pioneer women share their stories about the good old days. It begins at 5 p.m.

BEST THE WORLD’S FULL OF OPPORTUNITIES BET: Don’t miss the Homer College, Career and Job Fair from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday at Kachemak Bay Campus, Kenai Peninsula College-University of Alaska Anchorage. Find out about career opportunities, get some help putting a shine on your resume, or come dressed for an interview.

BEST CELEBRATE YOUNG ARTISTS BET: This week’s First Friday is a lot like spring itself — fresh. That’s because it includes the work of young artists displaying their work for Jubilee!, the annual celebration of student artists. Jubilee! shows open at the Homer Council on the Arts, the Pratt Museum and South Peninsula Hospital. And Paul Banks Elementary School also holds its Art Extravaganza.

BEST PEEK AT THE WISH LIST BET: The Senate’s version of the capital budget is open for discussion at a teleconference scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday at the Homer Legislative Information Office. Comments will be taken between 1-1:30 p.m. 

BEST TO MARKET TO MARKET BET: It won’t be long before the Homer Farmers’ Market is bustling with activity. Get in the mood with “To Market To Market To Buy a Fat Pig,” a film about thriving markets across the country that shows at the Homer Theater at 7 p.m. April 10 and benefits the Homer market.