Best bets for the weekend

We had a tantalizing taste of springlike weather earlier this week, but weather gurus say "Tough luck, Chuck," winter ain't over till it's over, despite what the groundhog said. (Never trust a large rodent when it comes to meteorology.) So we're likely to see more rain showers around the Sound and snow in the mountains through this weekend. Whatever. One harbinger of spring is earlier than ever: This Sunday starts daylight-saving time — three weeks sooner, thanks to some whim of Congress. So "spring ahead" and turn clocks forward an hour when you head for bed Saturday. Here are some ideas to keep the fun quotient high:

Paws in action: Get a look at the best-looking dogs in Washington this weekend. It's the Seattle Kennel Club All-Breed Dog show at Qwest Field Event Center. Lots of details, including how they judge all those events, in Madeline McKenzie's Weekend Highlight. Go, have fun, then go home to the best dog: the one who loves you.

Instead of four legs, two wheels: If your other dog is a bike (or something like that), don't miss the Seattle International Bicycle Expo this weekend at Magnuson Park. Also, don't miss today's story all about weekly cycling outings you might enjoy, once you're all outfitted with new gear.

Going Green isn't just about climate change: This weekend starts the annual round of St. Patrick's Day celebrations around Seattle. The St. Patrick's Day Dash is Sunday. Saturday has the Irish Soda Bread Contest for amateur cooks and another event that isn't necessarily tied to St. Patrick's Day but could be: the Cask Beer Festival at Seattle Center.

High times: Head for the hijinks at Snoqualmie Pass on Saturday. There's a demonstration event for skiers, boarders and snowshoers, Spree at the Summit, to raise money for a good cause, the Outdoors for All program. Or there's the Cascade Freeheel Festival for folks who don't like to be tied down but like a free barbecue and good music.

And don't miss: The Everett Boat Show; Nordic Heritage Day in Bothell; the Poverty Bay Wine Festival in Des Moines; and the Bainbridge Home and Garden Show on Bainbridge Island.

Northwest Weekend editor Brian J. Cantwell, a Seattle native, lives on his sailboat in Ballard. Reach him at bcantwell@seattletimes.com or 206-748-5724.