September is coming close around the corner, but that doesn’t mean Homer is slowing down yet! With the summer tourist season still in full swing and a number of great community events coming up in the next few weeks, there’s plenty of activity still to partake in. From community craft nights to fundraisers to arts festivals, see what’s in store with these Best Bets.

BEST COMMUNITY CRAFTING BET: If you have a craft you’re working on, SVT would love to have you! On Thursday, Aug. 24 from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Wellness Wing, join SVT for an informal night to work on your project, have some snacks and be with others. Mark Ball, Seldovia Village Tribe emergency services manager, will provide a brief overview of “Prepare in a Year” supplies to have on hand. This event is part of SVT’s program of Thrive! classes hosted by health and wellness coach Jenifer Dickson. For more information, call 907-226-2228 or visit svt.org/events/thrive. 880 East End Road.

BEST CITIZEN SCIENTIST CRANE SIGHTING BET: Kachemak Crane Watch is looking to Citizen Scientists for help in a special sandhill crane population survey. The next two count days are on Saturday, Aug. 26 and Saturday, Sept. 2. Please report the number of adults, colts, or banded cranes seen by location, time, and day, and your name and contact information for the final count day to reports@cranewatch.org or by calling 907-235-6262. Craniacs will also gather for Count Day Fly-ins at Beluga Slough from 6 p.m. till sundown at the picnic table. For more information, call 907-235-6262.

BEST FORAGING AND COOKING BET: Join Kachemak Heritage Land Trust for a guided foraging and cooking experience on Saturday, Aug. 26. Meet at KHLT’s main office to carpool for foraging on a KHLT-protected property in Homer from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. After a midday break, meet at The Classic Cook for a three-course, interactive cooking class led by Chef Teri Robl featuring the morning’s harvest, local salmon, and wine pairing suggestions. Just want to forage? Only want to cook? No problem! You can purchase a ticket for foraging, or cooking, or both! This event is limited to 12 attendees per activity. For more information, visit www.kachemaklandtrust.org/events.html. 315 Klondike Ave.

BEST GARDENING WITH ORCHIDS BET: Pratt Museum & Park Gardeners Yarrow and Shawn are hosting a Gardening with Wild Orchids class on Saturday, Aug. 26, 1-3 p.m., $30/person. For more information and to register, prattmuseum.org, call 907-235-8635 or stop by 3779 Bartlett Street.

BEST CONCERT FUNDRAISER BET: The Ninilchik Senior Center hosts the Honky-Tonk Rebel, Mario Carboni, for a live concert and fundraiser on Monday, Aug. 28 starting at 6 p.m. This family-friendly is $10 per person, benefiting the Ninilchik Senior Citizens Center. Attendees are encouraged to bring finger food to share. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. For more information, call 907-567-3988. 66265 Aspen Ave. in Ninilchik.

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

BEST WORLD ARTS FESTIVAL BET: Mark your calendars for the Alaska World Arts Festival coming Sept. 7-21. Enjoy free and ticketed music, dance, theater, film, visual arts, storytelling, literature and comedy events and activities by local, national and international artists. Opening Gala at the Homer Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Sept. 7. For more information, tickets and the full Festival schedule, visit alaskaworldarts.org.

BEST LIVE READING BET: Join Kachemak Bay Campus for a live reading presented by Tutka Bay Writers Retreat featured instructor, Amy E. Butcher. This event, co-sponsored by KBC and the Homer Bookstore, is free and open to the public. The reading will be held the evening before the 2023 retreat begins, on Thursday, Sept. 14 from 6-7:30 p.m. Butcher is an award-winning essayist and author of “Mothertrucker,” published in 2021. For more information, visit 49writers.org/event/amy-butcher-homer-reading/. 533 E Pioneer Ave.

A traffic message board on the Sterling Highway on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023 alerts community members that tsunami siren upgrades and testing will continue through Aug. 31 in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Families enjoy playing at Bishop’s Beach during a -1.1 tide on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023 in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)

Young seed cones on a spruce tree bordering the Beluga Slough boardwalk are a vibrant reddish color on Friday, Aug. 18, 2023 in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)