The Betster, always a chatty sort, was talking on the phone the other day and realized that yes, in fact, we are now living in the season some call Spring. You see, some Outsider was inquiring about the weather up here, so I did what all promising meteorologists do and looked out the windows. Out the window to the north the skies were dark and it was raining. Out the window to the south, I kid you not, it was sunny with blue skies. Ah spring. Time to dodge cloudbursts and rediscover lost tools and dog dishes in your yard. Time to brace yourself for visiting relatives and finalize summer adventure plans. For the Betster, however, it's time to do some mental spring cleaning, like what is going on this week with this introductory paragraph. In it, sadly, you will find no references to French philosophers, Latin sayings, or quad lattes. There will be no attempts at sounding witty, wily or like I know some inside joke. This opening paragraph may, in fact, sound like an entirely different Betster wrote it in the first place. But that's the whole point, isn't it? Spring is the time of renewal, of sweeping off that DOT gravel from the intersections in your mind. And as you ponder that last sentence ad nauseam, sip your triple mochachino and worry that Voltaire is rolling over in his grave, check out these Best Bets.

Best not just the birthplace of golf bet: It may be too early in the year to whack little white balls into ponds and off of trees, but you can get a taste of Scotland's other glorious export, single malt scotch, at Friday's wine class at the Homestead Restaurant. For $25 you get to taste four varieties and chow down on appetizers. Plus, you won't have to lie about your golf score in the morning. Tasting begins at 6:30 p.m.

Best keep the kids safe bet: Accidents involving kids are never fun, but learning about safety can be at the Safe Kids Fair Saturday from 10 a.m. -2 p.m. at the Homer High School. Activities include a bike rodeo, water safety and appearances by Safety Seal, Smokey Bear and Coastie, the remote-controlled Coast Guard vessel. Admission is free.

Best get rid of that Pentium 486 bet: Old electronics are worthless and take up too much space in garages and landfills. Here's your chance to dump 'em. Take your old computers, televisions, stereos, cell phones and the like to be recycled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at Spenard Builders Supply.

Best go to Kenai for culture? Bet: You heard it here first, or second if you already read the arts page. The world premiere of Adrienne Albert's "An Alaskan Symphony" will be held at the Renee C. Henderson Auditorium in Kenai at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, followed by a performance at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Mariner Theatre.

Best you could poke an eye out with that bet: It's all fun and games at the Alibi over the weekend as they host the Last Stand Dart Tournament on Friday at 7 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday at 10 a.m.

Best risky business bet: If crab fishing on the Bering Sea doesn't seem risky enough for you, try going all in with a 7, 2 offsuite. Don't know what I'm talking about? You can learn all about it at the Otter Room on Tuesday. It's holding a Deadliest Catch Party at 6 and 9 p.m. with Texas Hold 'Em poker beginning at 7 p.m.

Homer's Best Bets