A few weeks ago a Fairbanks ministry descended on Homer. There were a couple of street preachers a praisin’ the Lord and a thumpin’ the Bible and just doing their dangdest to save Homer souls from eternal damnation. The pickings were pretty good considering they’d set up shop right next to the Salty Dawg.

It kinda makes you wonder why with like 25 churches here in town someone thinks our spiritual needs aren’t being met. If you’re lookin’ to be saved in Homer, you can pretty near stumble down Pioneer Avenue or East End Road and find salvation within a couple of blocks.

Lots of people complained to the cops, but you know that pesky ol’ First Amendment: freedom of religion, freedom of speech and all that. You just can’t lock up people for an excess of faith, not in this country.

People passed out little religious pamphlets. One woman asked the Betster if the B. was going to heaven, to which the B. said, “Hey, I live in Homer. I’m already there.”

OK, Homer might not be the eternal paradise of the Bible or the Quran, but it could be a good starting point. We have great weather (at least this week), gorgeous scenery, cool people and really nice dogs. Housing prices have been a bit steep lately, and of course there’s the problem with trying to find cheap underwear in town.

So as ya ponder your spiritual future, take a moment to contemplate your sojourn on planet Homer, whether you’re just passing through or here for the long haul. And hey, why not check out some of these Best Bets?

BEST BUGS AND BEACHES BET: If you look closely, you can see all sorts of marvels in our local environment. Bug Week continues at the Pratt Museum. From 1-2 p.m. today, Sue Mauger leads a tour of wet bugs along Woodard Creek, the stream that runs behind and under the museum. Want to explore the bugs of the sea, like crabs? Start your morning from 9-11 a.m. with guided tide pooling. Meet at the Bishop’s Beach parking area. There are low tides this weekend, and Bug Week continues; see Calendar for more events.

BEST CHEAP THEATER BET: For theater lovers, heaven is endless plays at a low, low admission price. Well, Pier One can only do so much, but they’ve got the cheap seats covered. Tonight is bargain night, with all seats $8. “Crimes of the Heart” starts at 7:30 p.m. For reservations, call 235-7333.

BEST UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL BET: Get out those fisheye lenses and head up to the hills, because the wildflowers are in bloom. From 6-8 p.m. Friday Richard Krieger runs a wildflower photography workshop at the Carl E. Wynn Nature Center. Better yet, the workshop is free, except for all those electrons you’ll burn on your digital camera card.

BEST SHARI THE SPIRIT BET: Who better to run Wells Fargo than Ms. Share the Spirit herself, Shari Daugherty? Welcome her as new bank manager, and give her an attagirl for all her hard work at the Chamber Mixer from 6-8 p.m. Friday at Wells Fargo. Hole in the Wall Barbecue caters, with music by Ethan Martin.

BEST BIG ROCKS BET: For geology around Homer we have some rocks, a little coal, maybe some sand and some more rocks. OK, it’s more complicated than that. Learn about the geology of Kachemak Bay with geologist Taz Tally from 8:45 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday. The tour is $195 and is sponsored by Kachemak Heritage Land Trust. Call 235-5263 for information.

BEST BIKIN’ AND SHOPPIN’ BET: Bike on down to the Homer Council on the Arts Street Fair, and keep on bikin’ with Ride for Art, a short — or really long — tour of Homer. The tour is a fundraiser for the arts council. After your tour, check out the street fair, with shopping, booths and music. Or skip the biking and just hang out at the fair. Call 235-4288 for info.

BEST KEEPIN’ IT SAFE BET: Who you gonna call when you need help? The cops, the medics or the firefighters, of course. It’s a thankless job, but from 1-4 p.m. Sunday at the Homer Elks Lodge, our local public safety workers get some long overdue thanks with a Public Safety Appreciation Day Picnic. Tickets are $7 a person, $20 a family, and support the people who have got your back.

BEST KEEPIN’ IT CLEAN BET: Cook Inletkeeper volunteers do things like test creeks and streams to make sure our local watershed doesn’t get slimed. From 6-10 p.m. at Bishop’s Beach is its annual Splash Bash, a way for the Keeper to say thank you to its volunteers. There is live music, fresh fish and yummy dessert.