A quick glance at the weather forecast for a Pacific Northwest city calls for a chance of rain, and temperatures in the high 40s and mid 30s. And at another Pacific Northwest city, the forecast is for rain, highs in the high 40s and lows in the mid 40s. Betsteroids, here’s a quiz: Which one is for Seattle and which for Homer?
Yeah, it’s kind of hard to tell. Seahawk Nation not only includes fans in Alaska, apparently parts of Alaska have broken loose and drifted down into Washington and Oregon. That’ll shorten the flight to the Lower 48. All that rainy winter weather we complain about when we go to Seattle apparently has followed us home.
Remember those winters when the Homer Harbor froze solid and it took flamethrowers to break free? Remember when snow fell so high you could walk out your second-story balcony? Remember when people thought Alaska was a godforsaken ice box? Forget Fairbanks. These days, if you’re an FBI agent who screwed up a case, you get sent to New York City as punishment. Alaska is the new Florida, which the Betster finds really weird seeing as how the B. came to Alaska to escape Florida.
You can run, but you can’t hide. We live in a topsy-turvy universe. No wonder kids get all confused. You would be, too, if all your life you’d expected at least winters to have snow and temps in the teens. If you can’t trust a good ol’ Alaska winter, what can you trust? Gravity?
Roll with it, Betsteroids. This isn’t the first time we’ve seen green grass in January. It’s not the first time the Homer Racing Association has considered canoe races on Beluga Lake. It’s not the first winter you’ve worn out six pairs of ice cleats. If you want stable weather, try Phoenix. The Betster just checked. The forecast is for highs in the 70s, lows in the 40s, and clear skies.
So buck up, put on your Grundens and brace yourself for a good time, maybe with these Best Bets:
BEST LIGHT ANOTHER CANDLE BET: Woot! It’s another big community organization birthday bash. KBBI AM 890 Public Radio celebrates its 35th anniversary starting at 5:30 p.m. today at the Homer Elks Lodge. Bring a dish to share for the potluck, check out silent auction items and then stick around for the annual meeting. The real fun starts at 6:45 p.m. with music by Flat Five.
BEST WORD UP BET: Be brave. Be bold. As Mom used to say, “Use your words.” Be part of Brave New Alaskan Voices, a youth slam poetry group, meeting from 3:30-6 p.m. today at the R.E.C. Room on Nielsen Lane. A safe, nonjudgmental place, it’s a way for youth ages 12-18 to help their creative writing grow.
BEST PLAY HARD BET: Put down the smart phones, power down the computer and learn how to get back to nature. OK, you’ll be inside a bit to watch “Play Again!” starting at 6 p.m. today at the Homer Theatre, but you’ll be so inspired you’ll want to get unplugged. Admission is $5 and benefits the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies Terry Shepherd Summer Camp Scholarship Fund.
BEST SWAP IT BET: Get some new-to-you winter outdoor gear or pass some on at the Community Recreation gear swap from 5:30-7 p.m. in the Homer High School Commons. Stick around and see the first night of Telluride MountainFilm in the Mariner Theatre, starting at 7 p.m. MountainFilm also shows with a second set of awesome films at 7 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is $10 each night.
BEST PRETTY SLICK BET: Yeah, the Mariners play some good hockey, but if you want to see some league action, check out the Kenai River Brown Bears at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Kevin Bell Ice Arena when they play an exhibition game. Admission is a donation of a nonperishable food item. Bonus: skate with the Bears in a pubic skate from 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Saturday. Admission also is a nonperishable food item. Proceeds benefit the Homer Community Food Pantry.
