How could Homer have missed Hoodie-Hoo Day? Out there in the North Dakota plains, every Feb. 20 people rise up at noon and shout “Hoodie-Hoo” three times on the theory that this will end winter sooner. That’s understandable: the Betster understands NoDak winters rival Fairbanks in intensity. Rise up every morning to a wind that got started in Alberta and won’t stop until it reaches Houston, and you’d shout Hoodie-Hoo, too.

Whatever. It seems to have worked, because winter sure seems a lot more pleasant lately. Skiers report that the snow is just fabulous. If the crop circles snowmachiners make out there in the Caribou Hills are any sign, the motorheads are in heaven, too. Oh yeah, that westerly wind can be refreshing, but like it’s going to last?

Best of all, we’re gaining daylight, pilgrims. Every morning when the Betster takes the canine companion out for his morning constitutional at oh dark hundred, oh dark hundred becomes less and less dark. Why, there might be a smudge of sunshine rising over Grewingk Glacier.

Our long, dark winter months have ended. Say good-bye to February this Tuesday — hey, no Leap Day to torment us one more day. March roars in like a pussy cat, and day by day the signs of spring start coming. The Winter King Tournament. The migration of the long lenses to the Eagle Lady’s grub fest. The Dawg reopening. See? You can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and it’s not a one-eyed junker Subaru. Rejoice, Betsteroids, perhaps with some of these Best Bets:

BEST BIG FAT WHALES BET: Fishermen, are you getting a little tired of sperm whales cherry picking your longlines? Short of jumping in the water and doing your Shamu the Killer Whale imitation, what can ya do? Well, marine biologist Jan Straley has some ideas. Listen to her talk at 7 p.m. today when she discusses the latest research in deterring whale predation — well, within the laws of the Marine Mammal Protection act.

BEST LAISSEZ ROULEZ ETC. BET: What’s with all these Katrina refugees coming to Homer? Maybe they’ve found out we can let the good times roll, too. From 5-7 p.m. Friday, Espresso Express throws a little Mardi Gras bash with gumbo, King cake, music and beads. It’s this month’s Homer Chamber of Commerce mixer.

BEST EGG ON OUR FACE BET: In elementary school circles, the Snews has lost its street cred. First we didn’t identify Eric Benson as the guy getting pied in last week’s page 22 pix. Then yours truly promoted an event happening this week, not last. So here we go again: The McNeil Canyon Elementary School Family Talent Show is 6:30 p.m. this Friday at the school.

BEST AND STILL MORE VARIETY BET: If you can’t get enough of good local talent at McNeil, then check out World Café at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday at the Mariner Theatre. The annual Homer Council on the Arts variety show, you can expect the same incredible entertainment of years past.

BEST UP IN THE SKY BET: “Starry, Starry Nights” is the theme for the Anchor Point Snow Rondi. You know: clear, bright skies that go on forever — kinda like the fun this weekend. Rondi AP style starts at 7 tonight, and continues through Sunday. See the article on page 1 for all the details.

BEST SHAKEN, NOT STIRRED BET: The only good thing on the rocks should be single-malt Scotch, not oil tankers. How safe is Cook Inlet? Listen in at 7 p.m. Monday at the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center when Rick Steiner presents “Cook Inlet on the Rocks,” a talk on shipping safety.

BEST DICK CHENEY LAME JOKE BET: The veep must have been snoozing at those NRA conventions when Charlton Heston made that joke about gun control meaning “a firm grip on my rifle.” Maybe Mr. Cheney could learn a thing or two about hunter safety if he swings by the annual Kachemak Gun Club meeting. The shootin’ society meets at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Homer Middle School band room.