If you're visiting our way-cool town and the fog should linger, well, that's situation normal in a maritime climate. Up north you get better odds for clear skies. You also get muddy rivers instead of endless oceans, mosquitoes instead of eagles (and about the same size) and bedraggled salmon instead of sea-bright kings.

Don't despair, though. Should the chunky moisture continue the Betster suggests curling up with a big, fat novel (the Betster is trying to finish "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" before some kid blabs in public and spoils the ending.) Along with the usual glorious outdoors events, there are plenty of back-up indoor Best Bets, too.

BEST INDY DAY BET: Visit for New Year's Eve and you'll see some great fireworks here, but with the fog and the long daylight, fireworks on the Fourth make about as much sense as stargazing at midnight. Check out the schedule of events for a list of things to do in Homer, Seldovia and Anchor Point. From parades to barbecues to raft races, there's plenty going on.

BEST BORN TO BE WILD BET: The folks who put on the Three Barons Fair in Anchorage have sent down the Wild Rovers to stake out a camp on Main Street. Couldn't make the annual Renaissance Fair in Los Anchorage? Visit the Gypsy Fair noon-5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Timeless Toys for singing, dancing, storytelling, face painting and music. Hey, maybe the Betster's favorite RenFair booth will be there, those charming ladies who torture apples.

BEST MELLOW BET: Don't want to do anything on the Fourth? Sleep in late and turn on KBBI from 9 a.m.-noon and then 1-3 p.m. for a jazz program hosted by Bill Cosby, the Cat of Cool. Stay tuned after the news for the musical stylings and political parody of the Capitol Steps from 6:30-7 p.m.

BEST PRAISE THE LORD BET: That big tent on the Sterling Highway stays up through the weekend as the Rev. Sommerdorf and his family hold an old fashioned revival meeting at 7 p.m. today-Saturday and then 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday.

BEST SHAKE THE RAFTERS BET: Around the corner from the big revival tent, cruise up Pioneer Avenue and to Bartlett Street to the Christian Community Church as The Young Continentals perform at 6:30 p.m. Sunday. A traveling teenage tour group of 30 singers, dancers and technicians presents "Extreme Power 2003," a program of music, drama, choreography and personal testimony.

BEST ROCK THE HOUSE BET: The poor Sisters of Hoboken so appreciated Homer's help in solving their pressing financial problems they've returned to Pier One Theatre with another variety revue. Those sweet ladies perform "Nunsense II" starting 8:15 p.m. Friday, with shows continuing at 8:15 p.m. Saturday and 7:30 p.m. Sunday and next Thursday.

BEST DANG LITTLE NIBBLES IN TOWN BET: No, not all the new restaurants that have opened this summer. The Betster is talkin' the great treats at the First Friday art openings. What an amazing spread. Oh, and the art can be pretty good, too. First Friday is always a happenin' time, so check out the galleries on Bunnell Street and Pioneer Avenue.