Yeah, it started out for the big cheese himself — "Number 1" as they call him at the White House — but poor George Washington now has to share a holiday with everyone from Martin van Buren to "43," the current occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Or does Presidents' Day only apply to past presidents? The Betster could never figure that one out.

While pondering mysteries, how come stores hold White Sales on Presidents' Day? Is it like because of the White House thing? Go figure.

While we're at it, how come there isn't like a Citizens' Day — you know, to honor the poor schlubs who built this country and elect the Prez? OK, the poor schlubs who elect the electors who elect the Prez. How come we don't have our own holiday?

Traditionally, Homer celebrates Presidents' Day with The Mother of All Snowstorms, so that those of us working in private enterprise can get a day off like guvmint workers. Only, that was like so last weekend. Two storms in a fortnight? How likely is that?

So while pondering the role of the executive branch in American government, mercantile logic and whether or not you can sleep in Monday, hey, check out these Best Bets:

BEST FRIDAY NIGHT FLIX BETS: The Kachemak Bay Campus Foreign Film series is back at its old location in the New! Remodeled! East Campus Building, with showings of "Heart of Light" at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Want to make it a double-feature? Go to the early show and then head down Pioneer Avenue for the 8:15 p.m. showing of "Coach Carter" at the Homer Theatre. Proceeds from Friday's showing help support the Homer High School PTA.

BEST VIVA LA FRANCE! BET: Back when American cuisine consisted of succotash and turkey, the French had already made cooking a fine art. If you have a hankering for some gore-met qwee-zine made by the people who gave us the Statute of Liberty, hey, check out the AFS Gourmet French Dinner at 7 p.m. Saturday. A $75 donation is requested for a four-course meal, with tickets available at the Homer Bookstore. Proceeds benefit the AFS Homer Foreign Exchange Program.

BEST THAT WHITE STUFF BET: The Betster's old managing editor — now covering the witch beat for the Salem News — permanently banned the phrase "the white stuff" from the Homer News. We just say "snow" here. Conditions permitting, you might be able to catch some good ski runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Ohlson Mountain, when the ski tow is running. Call 235-SNOW for updates.

BEST NOW THEY'RE TAXING BEDS? BET: What's up with this? Can't a citizen get a good night's sleep without payin' Uncle Dale? What's up with this bed tax idea anyway? If you want to listen to the Kenai Peninsula Borough's budget concerns — and revenue enhancement proposals to deal with it — listen in as various Assemblybeings speak at the noon Tuesday Homer Chamber of Commerce luncheon. A $10 lunch is optional.

BEST INVASION OF THE VALLEY BET: Sen. Ben Stevens, R-Anchorville, used a quaint phrase that really ticked off our Road Bush friends up in the Mat-Su Valley. We're not so stupid. The top-ranked basketball teams from Palmer and Colony high schools will be formidable opponents when the Homer High School Mariners take 'em on this weekend. Why make 'em mad? The Mariner boys play Colony at 7 p.m. and the Mariner girls play at 8:45 p.m. Friday in the Alice Witte Gym. The boys play Palmer at 1:30 p.m. and the girls play at 3:15 p.m. Saturday.