Not that the Betsteroid is complaining. This has been such a fantabulous summer, it can keep on going. After the summer of doom in 2008, when sunshine became so rare businesses shut down at the merest hint of a shadow, 2009 has been a miracle. Two August weekends in a row where at least one day was sunny? That's just damn weird. Sometimes we're rewarded for our suffering.

We put up with the cold, the dark, the high electric bills, the annual February silly controversy and the snow because you can find no finer summer than an Alaska summer. Yeah, yeah, we put a cheery spin on winter by talking about the great skiing, the beauty of the landscape and the northern lights, but in our hearts you just know we're all vitamin D deprived maniacs one SAD light away from buying a one-way ticket to Maui. If summer turns out to be winter, except you don't have to shovel the walk, what's the dang point?

With a summer like this, winter becomes possible. Winter can be endured. Winter can be even looked forward to. Break that deal, Alaska, and I don't know about you, but the Betsteroid is going to start shopping for a condo in Key West.

Summer can keep on keeping on. It officially doesn't end for another week, the day circled in red on charter captain's calendars, Sept. 7. The Betsteroid won't be giving up on summer until the first snowflake falls, until the beach turns to ice and the sun sets before supper.

So milk the beautiful days for all they're worth. Savor the summer as long as it stays alive in your heart, perhaps with some of these Best Bets:

BEST WHATAPALOOZA BET: If you've been wondering what those strange white ships are doing in the Kachemak Bay, no, they're not wayward cruise ships. It's Hydropalooza, your tax dollars at work as the NOAA ships Fairweather and Rainier map the bay bottom. Learn about the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration's two-year program and what it learned last summer in a presentation from 6-7 p.m. today at the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center.

BEST MOREPALOOZA BET: But wait -- there's more. You can tour the big boats from 1-4 p.m. Saturday when they moor at the Deep Water Dock. Meet the crew, check out the cool science gear and learn about the Hydropalooza project. Adults age 18 and over are required to bring photo identification since the dock is one of those TSA regulated areas.

BEST LETTING GO BET: You know kids. They grow up, they get big and healthy and pretty soon they're ready to be on their own off in the deep ocean catching their own fish. Celebrate another successful seal rescue today at 4 p.m. at Bishop's Beach when the Alaska SeaLife Center releases Milky Way-Midnight, a rehabilitated harbor seal rescued near Tyonek. Bring the kids, but leave pets at home.

BEST 'BIRA BET: Homer audiences have been hearing Zimbabwean music for years, thanks to the 397 marimba bands in town that seem to pop up like pushki. Less commonly heard is music from the African instrument it's based on, the mbira. Hear the soothing sounds of the mbira at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Bunnell Street Arts Center when mbira masters Erica Azim and Patience Chaitezvi perform in concert. They teach workshops on Saturday and Sunday at Kachemak Bay Campus or Bunnell. See the "What's Happening" calendar online at www.homernews.com for workshop listings or call Bunnell at 235-2662.

BEST SILVERY BET: The silvers might be slow running this year, but over at The Saltry in Halibut Cove, they're celebrating a big silver catch this year -- the popular restaurant's 25th anniversary. Join the celebration at 5 p.m. Saturday with a traditional Hawaiian luau. Call Central Charters at 235-7847 for reservations.

BEST BLONDE BOMBSHELL BET: Hedwig's hot, Hedwig's angry and Hedwig's really, really confused. After a summer-long run around town, "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" finally hits the stage at Pier One Theatre. Atz Lee Kilcher totally rocks in the lead role. The show opens at 8:15 p.m. Friday and continues at 8:15 p.m. Saturday and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $16, with reservations at 235-7333. Danger, danger, Will Robinson: there's lots of adult content, so children under 18 are admitted only with parents or guardians.

BEST THREE B'S BET: That's birds, botany and blueberries, when naturalist Dale Chorman leads an expedition across the bay to the Grace Ridge Trail. Pick some berries, learn about the boreal forest and watch for late-summer birds. The fee is $85, including boat ride. Bring our own provisions. It's a fund-raiser for Kachemak Heritage Land Trust. Call 235-5263 for reservations.

Homer's Best Bets