Some folks have been phoning the Snews asking if the Betster has gone walkabout. "Where oh where is Best Bets?" alert readers have asked. Fear not. Week after the week, the Force willing, your humble guide to Hot Homer Happenings will continue to spout discount wisdom.

True, now and then it happens that Best Bets falls at the end of section A when the Snews goes to two sections. Yeah, yeah, it would seem logical that after 497 straight issues of having Best Bets on the last page — so like it would be convenient and all to find it — that, indeed, Best Bets would be on the last page. Hah! This shows you don't understand the arcane art of newspaper layout, Betsteroids.

The Betster doesn't understand it either. If the Betster understood the arcane art of newspaper layout, the Betster would be Imperial Publisher or whatever they call the big cheese at the New York Times. The Betster is just like this word drone who sneaks in at oh dark hundred and commits literature. OK, stupid jokes.

So if you need a supersize quad latte, skinny, 102.6 degrees, to locate Best Bets, don't blame the Betster. And really, I mean, how hard can it be? If there are two sections, and the last back page has a full-page real estate ad listing quality, affordable double-wide trailers on scenic lots for $475,000, that's not Best Bets. Hint: try the other section.

And while you're trying that, hey, why not try some of these Best Bets?

BEST DOWN FROM THE MOUNTAIN BET: "Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?" jumpstarted a revival in old timey music — and brought folk and bluegrass music back to its roots. Tonight from 6:30 to 9 p.m. you can listen to — or play along — at the Homer Old Time Fiddle and Banjo Jam at Amped Café.

BEST, HEY, WHERE'D THE SEA GO? If this weekend you wake up late and notice that like the ocean has gone way, way out, don't panic. It's not a tsunami, just low tide. Today through Saturday has some screamin' minus tides. From 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, naturalists from the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center conduct guided tours of tide pools you can only see on really low, low tides.

BEST NATURE AROUND THE BAY BET: Speaking of Islands and Ocean, throughout the week the visitor center has lots of cool events. Check out the Summer Discovery Labs from 1-3 p.m. on Friday, Saturday or Wednesday. The Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies also has programs up at the Carl E. Wynn Nature Center, on East Skyline Drive off East Hill Road. Friday the Wynn Center holds a "Garden to Gourmet Potluck" from 6 to 8 p.m. Bring a dish to share of locally caught or grown food. Saturday at 10:30 a.m. the center has a guided birding walk, so if you want to see — or hear — some of our rare birds, check that out.

BEST OUTDOOR ARTS BET: There's no telling what Homer artists will do when you let them run wild in the woods. Every summer the annual Facing the Elements show behind the Pratt Museum is a surprise. Swing by from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday and meet some of the artists at the opening reception.

BEST, OH, AND BY THE WAY BET: Saturday, it's the annual Homer News Spit Run, of course. The run isn't about the best dang weekly paper in town, but about the runners and walkers out there to build up a sweat and have some fun. The race starts at 10 a.m. at Homer High School, with late registration at 8 a.m. You can register for free up to 5 p.m. today at the Homer News. Not racing? Catch the finish at Land's End Resort on the Homer Spit, and then stick around for a barbecue on the deck and the Kachemak Bay Yacht Club Regatta at 1 p.m.

BEST FADED TYVEK BET: What's with the Tyvek? visitors to Homer might wonder. Yeah, that seems to be the house siding of choice, but you won't be seeing any of that on the Homer Council on the Arts Home Tour from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday. These are quality homes, distinctive homes. The fee of $25 a person or $45 for a couple supports the art council. Swing by the council office or the Homer Bookstore for tickets and a map.