In yet another sign that winter has truly, madly gripped Homer in her sweet little claws, the other day the Betster saw a guy skating on Beluga Lake. Some concerned citizen didn't think that was a good idea and called the cops. Homer's finest asked the guy to leave, not so much because it's illegal for an adult male to test the breaking strength of new ice, but because it might give impressionable kids the wrong idea. You know those kids -- they don't have the sense of mature, experienced adults, which is why you're always reading about children getting all huffy over silly little issues. Wait, that's the Alaska Legislature.

Uh, never mind. Under the current conventional wisdom about global warming, it shouldn't be bone chillin' cold in November. We're s'posed to have balmy, near freezing weather right up to Christmas, whereupon a 10-day period of single-digit temps makes us feel like real Alaskans, by gum. Well, that's the thing with weather. Nature doesn't really give a hoot about conventional wisdom. The best conventional wisdom the Betster ever found was on a tea bag: Expect nothing; prepare for anything. Here in the Banana Belt, that's pretty good advice. No doubt by the time the Homer News hits the streets, it'll be raining again. Be prepared. Be very prepared. One thing you can always expect in Homer is a whopping good time, like some of these Best Bets:

BEST BEYOND HATE BET: Palden Gyatso, an exiled Tibetan monk, has endured torture and oppression none of us can imagine. At 7 p.m. today he speaks on human rights and overcoming hatred and anger at the Anhata Center, East End Road. A $20 donation is requested. At 7 p.m. Friday he also speaks at the Haas Studio on Bunnell Avenue.

BEST IN FLANDERS FIELDS BET: The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month: that's the traditional time to honor Veterans Day. Friday, veterans from every conflict since World War II march down Pioneer Avenue and pause at Homer's two memorials to honor their comrades. The parade starts at 10:30 a.m. at Homer High School.

BEST THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT BET: What's happening? Homer's Happening, Betsteroids. From 10 a.m.-5 p.m. in the commons, Kachemak Bay Campus east, youth and adults get together to explore youth issues and come up with creative solutions. From 6-10 p.m. today there's an opening celebration with bands, dancing and food at the Best Western Bidarka Inn. Homer's Film Society also holds a workshop along with the event.

BEST BIG EYED BIRDS BET: Mysterious. Spooky. Wise. Deep in the woods the owls live. You gotta admit, they're way-cool birds. At 5 p.m. Friday, the Pratt Museum holds an opening reception for "In Celebration of Owls," an exhibit about, well, owls. The reception includes a live owl viewing.

BEST TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH BET: Triglycerides out of whack? Blood pressure high? Now's the time to get control of your health with the Health Fair at the Homer High School. There are booths galore with lots of great information. See the list on page 7. From 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the high school commons, Deland Anderson also leads a discussion, "Taking a Hold of Your Health," part of the Pratt Museum's Community Conversations series.