The sun is shining, the peonies are blooming, the Spit is hopping and the salmon are running. Summer, my friends, is here. In between weeding the garden, baiting the hook, entertaining visitors and soaking up all the summer fun, enjoy these Best Bets Homer happenings that include presentations, celebrations, fundraisers and more.

BEST COMMUNITY PRESENTATION BET: Celebrate a remarkable milestone achieved by Altruist Relief Kitchen, a nonprofit created by community member Lucas Wilcox, whose wood-fired field kitchens have been serving meals to those in need, including refugees and most recently in the war-torn areas of Ukraine. During this presentation, Wilcox will share photos, videos and stories about all that has been achieved, including more than 50,000 meals served in Ukraine after 20 weeks of cooking. Thursday, July 27, 6 p.m. at Grace Ridge Brewing, 870 Smoky Bay Way.

BEST SUMMER READING CELEBRATION BET: Friends of the Homer Public Library have been hosting a Summer Reading Program and are now celebrating all the reading and learning community members have been doing this summer. Enjoy the outdoor party at the library on Saturday, July 29 from 5-7 p.m. with music, games, ice cream and hot dogs. Reading challenge participants will be awarded books and prizes and LEGO contest winners will also be announced.

BEST SUMMER MARKET BET: Shop local during Odin Mead’s Summer Market on Sunday, July 30, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with local artisans, food and mead. Shop and sip. 5290 Davis Street.

BEST STRUT YOUR POOCH BET: Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic hosts Strut Your Pooch on Sunday, July 30, beginning at 4 p.m. Register on-site and leave from Grace Ridge Brewing, strut a loop to Lake Street and then back. Dog leashes are required and dog treats will be for sale. The $10 fee supports KBFPC’s early screening and breast cancer prevention programs. 870 Smoky Bay Way.

BEST PEONY CELEBRATION BET: Homer’s fourth annual Peony Celebrations are in full swing and include peony farm tours, meadery and greenhouse tours, a self-guided Pioneer Avenue walking tour, peony sales and more. Bouquet sales at the Homer Chamber of Commerce are Thursday, July 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, July 28, 2-6 p.m. and Saturday, July 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Stop by the Homer Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center for a copy of the walking map and find the full schedule of events and activities at homeralaska.org/events, 907-235-7740, 201 Sterling Highway.

BEST COMMUNITY THEATRE BET: Pier One Theatre presents “Trey Parker’s Cannibal! The Musical,” based on an early film by Trey Parker that tells the story of Alfred Packer, the only person in America to be convicted of cannibalism. The sole survivor of an ill-fated trip to the Colorado Territory, Parker tells his side of the tale to news reporter Polly Pry as he awaits his execution. The local version of this story includes a belly-dancing horse, dancing snowmen, time traveling hippies and toe-tapping songs. Show dates are July 27-29 at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee on Sunday, July 30 at 4 p.m. All performances in the woods behind the Pratt Museum & Park at 3779 Bartlett Street. Tickets are available for presale and reservation. To make reservations call the Pier One office at 907-226-2287 or visit pieronetheatre.org.

BEST COMMUNITY THEATRE AUDITIONS BET: Pier One Theatre’s Mud Bay Bards are holding auditions for their production of William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” on Saturday, July 29 at 1 p.m. and Monday, July 31 at 6 p.m. at the Pier One Spit Theatre. “The Tempest” will be directed by Maynard Smith and staged at the Homer High School Mariner Theatre in early October. All are welcome at auditions. For more information, call the Pier One office at 907-226-2287.

BEST KIDS SUMMER LUNCHBAG BET: The Anchor Point Food Pantry is providing a Kid’s Summer Lunchbag Program on Wednesdays, noon to 2 p.m. through August, available to all children 18 years old and younger. 34361 Old Sterling Highway.

BEST CALL FOR ART: Bunnell Street Arts Center and Homer Art & Frame are seeking artists to participate in Bunnell’s Annual 10-by-10-inch member exhibit, themed “Taking Care.” Through their creations, artists can lead as healers and in times of tension, crisis or distress, artists surface truth and create images of energy, vibrancy and hope. “Taking Care” aims to foster hope, spark joy and nurture self and community resilience. Join or renew your membership at Bunnell to participate. Register artwork by August 18. Artwork due by August 28. Exhibit will be on display for the month of September. Work must be 10 inches in any direction and ready to hang. Members may submit up to three works and be available for sale for $100, $200 or $300. 10-by-10-inch wooden panels available at Bunnell while supplies last. Membership and exhibit information at 907-235-2662, bunnellarts.org.

BEST CITIZEN SCIENCE CRANE BET: Successful fledging and mortality reports of the local sandhill crane populations help Kachemak Crane Watch compare nesting success rates year after year and Citizen Science reports are vital to monitoring of the nesting season. Please report any fledged crane colts, including where and when you see them, as well as your contact information. If the colts you have been watching have disappeared or died, please report how they died, if you know. Send reports to reports@cranewatch.org or call 907-235-6262.

Peonies are in bloom along Pioneer Avenue on Friday, July 21, 2023 in Homer, Alaska as Homer celebrates its City of Peonies designation. Photo by Christina Whiting

A couple enjoys the view from the end of the road at the park by Land’s End Resort on Thursday, July 20, 2023 in Homer, Alaska. Photo by Christina Whiting

Family and friends from all over the U.S. come together to celebrate a wedding, including a hike to Grewingk Glacier on Wednesday, July 19, 2023 in Homer, Alaska. Photo by Christina Whiting