True Alaskans know that when it comes to weather, bet on fatalism. Admit it: In your heart you knew that somehow, someway, sometime Those Beings Who Control the Weather would even up the score. So when the rain pounding on your metal roof sounds like a million teeny-tiny little ball bearings, when water sneaks down your chimney because, gosh dang it, you really were going to caulk it last July, OK, don't complain. We've had it coming.

It's October, the time of year when fall and winter duke it out. What's it going to be? Day after day of rain so intense you take out your Old Testament cubit measuring stick? A sneaky little mid-month snowfall? Maybe, oh, rain, hard frost and a sneaky mid-month snowfall? You never know. That's the joy and mystery of being an Alaskan.

Ah, but it's a mystery tempered by the joy of living in a cool place like Homer, with all these Best Bets:

BEST, YOU KNOW, THE WEATHER HAS BEEN FUNNY BET: Global warming? You think? Something is going on, and like Bob Dylan said, you don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind's blowing. Spout off on what's going on, why and what it all means from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Friday with "Climate Change," this month's Community Conversation at the Pratt Museum. Deland Anderson facilitates the discussion.

BEST HERE'S ANOTHER ZEN GARDEN BET: Homer kids don't spend their summers mowing lawns. Nah, they do things like go off to Japan. Check out what Claire Thorington and Nate Spence did on their summer vacation when they show slides and share their travel experiences to the 2004 Youth Eco Forum in Hokkaido, Japan. The talk is at 7 p.m. Friday at the Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center.

BEST LOSE THE MONKEY MIND BET: Want to learn the wisdom of the ages from some Tibetan sages? Buddhist monks from the Drepung Loseling Monastery present a dharma talk on "The Psychology of Enlightenment" from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday at the cedar cabin, 1058 East End Road. Suggested donation of $20. Chairs and cushions provided. All are welcome. Presented by Floating Leaf Sangha.

BEST CONTEST OF THE WEEK: No, no, not the Red Sox-Yankees game. We're talking two two! chances to see the legislative candidates try to convince you why you should send them to Juneau? (Did anyone say anything about them coming home?) Tonight at 7 p.m. the candidates for state House and Senate speak at a forum at Homer City Hall. Then at noon Tuesday, the Homer Chamber of Commerce sponsors another forum at noon at the Best Western Bidarka Inn.

BEST HERE COME THE JUDGE BET: Judge James Hornaday probably thought he'd never wield a gavel again, but hey, there you go. Come watch him and the newly elected Homer City Council members take the oath of office at 7 p.m. Monday at Homer City Hall. Hey, maybe our new mayor will serenade us with a few ukulele tunes.