Did this year’s election drive you nuts? For future reference, the Betster has discovered a sure-fire way to avoid the madness of a ruthless presidential campaign. Leave the country, even if it’s just to Canada.

Holy Tofino, Betsteroids! If you escape to the wild coast of Vancouver Island, no one there talks about the presidential election. OK, there was one ex-pat who put up a pro-Obama billboard on the way to the Victoria airport, but other than that, zip. If Canadians sussed out you were American, they were quick to express sympathies and polite enough not to stray into the subject of politics.

Well, the big election cycle has ended, and  love or hate the results, that’s the way it goes. Other than millions of electrons sacrificed for detailed analysis on political blogs, the rest of us will go back to our normal lives — well, try to get back to our normal lives, if you think about all those old ladies in New York bravely climbing 20-story brownstone apartment buildings until the elevator gets running again.

We’ve come through another election cycle intact, with no palace coup, no armed revolution, just good old fashioned change through the ballot box. Huzzah! Isn’t this country great? You voted. Now honor your citizenship by having some good fun, maybe with these Best Bets:

BEST WEALTHY IN HEALTH BET: Keep that body in shape and running right by attending the annual Rotary Health Fair. Get blood tests, check out dozens of booths and figure out how you can better take care of yourself. The fair starts at 7:30 a.m. and runs to 1 p.m. Saturday at Homer High School. See schedule and descriptions of booths on pages 14 to 19.

BEST SUPER CITIZENS BET: The veterans of our military services are dang glad you voted, because that’s why they signed up for the toughest job possible, to protect your basic rights. Show them some love this Sunday at the
11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month for the annual Veterans Day parade and celebration. Ceremonies and the parade starts at the memorial at the corner of Pioneer
Avenue and Lake Street. See story, page 1, for details.

BEST HELPING HANDS BET: Help neighbors this weekend with several benefits around town. At 9 p.m. Friday at the Down East Saloon, check out the Thanksgiving Food Drive Concert. Bring canned food to help out. Chris Snyder and Nick Peper perform. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, East Homer Church of Christ holds its annual winter coat give-away. If you have an old coat in good condition to donate, drop it off at the church near Mile 2 East End Road. Or, bring outgrown coats to swap for other coats.

BEST FABULOUS IN FIBER BET: Quilting has been a tradition in Homer, and judging by the awesome quilts that go up for raffle, they don’t make them any better. Learn about the history of quilts and see some amazing work at the “Quilts, Quilters and Their Stories” exhibit opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Pratt Museum.