September is soon to close, but October is wide open for some exciting community events! Finish off National Recovery Month with a fun get-together hosted by SVT, enjoy a nature photography presentation and talk at Islands and Ocean, or submit your art to one or more of several upcoming shows. For all that and more, check out these Best Bets. And don’t forget to vote on Tuesday!

BEST PHOTO SUBMISSION BET: Homer News wants your photos! If you are a local business hosting or a local participating in events and activities around town, we’d love to feature your photos in Homer’s Best Bets! High quality images can be sent to towncrier@homernews.com. Please include a brief description of what is happening in the photo, names of individuals pictured, and the date and location the photo was taken.

BEST RECOVERY CELEBRATION BET: SVT is hosting bingo and a potluck with Kachemak Bay Recovery Connection on Thursday, Sept. 28 from 6-7:30 p.m. in celebration of National Recovery Month. Whether you are in recovery or just want to support the cause, join for games and laughs and chances to win great prizes, including chair massages, vitamin C, vitamin D, probiotics and KBRC swag. This event is part of SVT’s Thrive! Classes with Jenifer Dickson in the Wellness Wing. 880 East End Rd.

BEST LOCAL TALK BET: Join Friends of Alaska National Wildlife Refuge for a free presentation by local photographer Taz Tally on Thursday, Sept. 28 from 6:30-8 p.m. For the past 10 years, the Homer author, photographer and adventurer has been exploring Alaska’s Brooks Range, the farthest north mountain range and one of the most remote wilderness areas in North America. The event will take place in the auditorium of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge and will include a talk and imagery of the Brooks Range by Tally. For more information, call 907-235-6961. 95 Sterling Highway.

BEST HEALTH FAIR EXHIBITOR BET: Exhibitor applications are now being accepted through Friday, Sept. 29 for the 40th annual Rotary Health Fair! The fair will be held from on Saturday, Nov. 4 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Homer High School. The purpose of the Rotary Health Fair is to promote individual wellness and learning and education to improve one’s overall health. Exhibitors are encouraged to provide learning centers or demonstrations to share their particular educational message. This event is supported by the Homer-Kachemak Bay Rotary Club. For more information or to apply for an exhibitor space, call 907-399-3158 or visit rotaryhealthfair.org.

BEST WILDLIFE REFUGE CELEBRATION BET: Join the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge for Walk for the Wild 2023! On Saturday, Sept. 30 at 10 a.m., meet at Mariner Park and walk, hop, waddle, slither or roll your way through a 5K along the Homer Spit Trail, representing the vast 2,500 miles of the Refuge. Enjoy a scavenger hunt along the way as well! This event is free — register at bit.ly/3r39zoE. Don’t forget to dress appropriately for the weather. If you can’t make it to the guided event, you may participate virtually as well — see the registration link for details on how. Contact melanie.dufour@alaskarefugefriends.org with questions. Homer Spit Rd.

BEST LOCAL VOTING BET: Mark your calendars for Election Day on Tuesday, Oct. 3! Practice your civic right by voting in the City of Homer Regular Election and the Kenai Peninsula Borough Regular Municipal Election. Find the list of candidates online in the Voter Pamphlet at www.kpb.us/images/KPB/CLK/Elections/230163KPBVotersPamp2023-FINAL.pdf. Check your polling location in the Voter Pamphlet or on the State of Alaska website at myvoterinformation.alaska.gov/. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. There’s no such thing as a vote that doesn’t matter — make sure you cast your ballot!

BEST CALL FOR ART BET: Homer Council on the Arts has opened a call for art for their annual 5×7 show! Open to all ages and abilities, community members may submit work online through Saturday, Oct. 21. This small works show is about experimenting, trying something new, and camaraderie among the South Peninsula arts community and challenges artists to think inside the box. Artists may submit up to three entries, all mediums included, and all submitted works must be for sale. For more information, visit homerart.org or call 907-235-4288. 355 W Pioneer Ave.

BEST COMMUNITY SUPPORTED ART BET: Applications for Bunnell Street Arts Center’s 7th annual Community Supported Art (CSA) program are open through Oct. 31. Alaska-based Bunnell member artists are encouraged to apply to create 30 unique pieces of art curated with five other artists. Six artists are selected by competitive application based on quality, contrast and compatibility for the CSA collection. Semi-finalists will be asked to provide a prototype by Dec. 1. All thirty pieces of art are due to Bunnell Street Arts Center by May 1, 2024. Shares go on sale June 1, 2024. For more information or to apply, visit www.bunnellarts.org/csa-program/. Additional questions can be directed to b.lee@bunnellarts.org.

The Homer Spit’s Seafarer’s Memorial looks out at a sunny yet brisk fall afternoon on Sunday, Sep. 17, 2023 in Homer, Alaska. (Finn Heimbold/Homer News)

Ocean waves crash against the Homer Spit’s shore and spray rock and sand across the surface of Homer Spit Rd. on Sunday, Sep. 17, 2023 in Homer, Alaska. (Finn Heimbold/Homer News)