You know you’ve been in Homer a long time when the annual eruption of old potholes doesn’t surprise you. Ah, there’s the Big Dipper on the Sterling Highway. Whoops, swerve to avoid Eats Many Subarus on West Hill Road. Uh-oh, look out for the Beijing Mudhole on Ohlson Mountain Road.

You know you’ve really been in Homer a long time when you start naming potholes. Start circulating a petition to save the potholes, and break-up has gotten to you. Maybe it’s time to take a long walk on the beach.

New to Homer and excited by all the mud and dust? You’re in luck, because the way this spring has been going, break-up could last until, oh, Labor Day. Sudden cold snaps and sneak blizzards shouldn’t surprise anyone. Yeah, winter isn’t over until the last flake of snow melts away the bear face on Poot Peak.

So even though big city store ads show people dressed up in fancy Easter duds, forget about the Queen Elizabeth hats and bright color frocks — unless you layer them with long johns and fleece. You know the joke about how to make God laugh? That’s right: make plans. You could be going to church in XtraTufs and Hellies this Sunday.

Considering all the way cool stuff going on in town, you’ll have to make a few plans, like some of these Best Bets:

BEST AND ON THE THIRD HAND BET: The finest young minds and wits of the peninsula take on each other Friday and Saturday with the Drama, Debate and Forensics Tournament at Homer High School. At 7 p.m. Friday at the Homer Theatre, the teams present “Random Acts of Drama, Debate and Forensics,” skits, pantomime and more.

At 3 p.m. Saturday at the high school library, the public is invited to watch a public forum debate on the issue “Resolved: the American media work against the best interest of the American public.” Hotshot reporters from Alaska’s Best Weekly (that’s us) and other papers cross-examine debaters.

BEST WHEN GRAVITY FAILS BET: Businesses all over town have spent the past month squeezing that last bit of aerodynamics out of little pinewood derby cars. At noon Saturday at West Homer Elementary School, they roll their creations down a ramp and see who wins. It’s all a fund-raiser for the Homer Boy Scouts, so cheer on the racers and pick up the special pinewood lunch.

BEST DANCE FASTER BET: Homer’s band of belly dancers has been thrilling crowds at the street fair for years. They’re ready to start touring, and to raise money, the Shivering Gypsies perform at 7 p.m. Saturday at Beluga Lake Lodge. There will be great music and fine Middle Eastern cuisine, too. Admission is $10.

BEST CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? BET: That bad connection in your cell phone might not be crummy service. It could be all in your head — or, your ears. Hearing loss can creep up on us. As part of the Pratt Museum’s “Body Works” exhibit, people who know more than you will be talking about, well, the body. This week’s talk at noon Monday and Tuesday is “Hearing: It’s More Than You Could Have Imagined,” presented by Kim Arlington of South Peninsula Hospital.

BEST LOVE YOUR PLANET BET: Earth Week starts next week, with a big Earth Day celebration coming April 22. To kick off the week, films are shown Tuesday and Wednesday from 7-9:30 p.m. at the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center.