While you don’t have to put away your birding scopes just yet, it is time to dig out your writing tools and creative ideas! The 2024 Kachemak Bay Writers Conference is happening this weekend. The conference itself is at capacity, but scheduled readings by conference faculty and this year’s keynote speaker are open to the public! Don’t miss out! For information on other exciting happenings this week, check out these Best Bets!

BEST CITIZEN SCIENCE BET: Kachemak Crane Watch wants you to help report nesting sandhill crane pairs! Shortly after sandhill cranes arrive in Homer, cranes mate and prepare their nest site. Nesting has commenced when the cranes show up alone, indicating one is sitting on the nest. An accurate count of nesting crane pairs helps Kachemak Crane Watch estimate the local crane population and provides an indication of annual reproductive success. Please report nesting sandhill crane pairs to Kachemak Crane Watch at reports@cranewatch.org or by calling 907-235-6262. Leave your name, phone number, and include the location and date when nesting started. For more information, visit www.cranewatch.org.

BEST LOCAL RADIO MUG DESIGN CONTEST BET: KBBI is currently seeking submissions from their talented and creative listeners for the 2024 KBBI members’ mug! The winning design will be featured on limited edition mugs available to all KBBI sustaining members during the Fall 2024 Membership Drive in October, as well as used on their website and during promotion of the Fall Membership Drive. These coveted mugs are considered to be treasured collectors’ items. The artwork will be seen by hundreds of KBBI members, as well as their families and friends in Southcentral Alaska and beyond. The winning artist will also receive a set of six mugs. For more information on contest rules, visit npr.brightspotcdn.com/76/ b6/ a1633ecf4bb690ce25576d17dbe5/kbbi-2024-mug-contest-master.pdf.

BEST ON-AIR CONCERT BET: Bunnell Arts by Air presents Alaska-based Indigenous songwriter Ashley Young, in concert on Friday, May 17 at 7 p.m. Listen on KBBI AM 890 or join the live studio audience at Bunnell! In-person audiences must be seated at 6:45 p.m. With a goal of promoting authenticity, connection, and cycle breaking, Young’s music reveals vulnerable and personal truths that many experience but are often afraid to discuss. Her sources of strength are self-love, risk-taking, and Tlingít tribal values like humor and community. Tickets to attend this event in-person are on a sliding scale of $15, $20 or $30. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.bunnellarts.org/bunnell-arts-by-air/. 106 W Bunnell Ave.

BEST ANNUAL POTTERY TOUR BET: The annual Homer Pottery Tour returns for 2024 on Saturday, May 18 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, May 19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.! Nine ceramics artists are participating in this year’s tour, including Jenny Chamberlain, Paul Dungan, Ruby Haigh, Marie Herdegen, Ahna Iredale, David Kaufmann, Maygen Lotscher, Cynthia Morelli and Lisa Wood. This free event is a unique window into working artists’ personal studio spaces and creative processes. Homer potters open their studios to the public for the weekend and invite visitors to deepen their understanding of each artists’ work. For more information or to see the tour map, visit www.homerpotters.com/.

BEST ANNUAL FUNDRAISER BET: The Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies hosts their annual Spring Fling fundraiser on Saturday, May 18 from 6-9 p.m. at Alice’s Champagne Palace. Join for “A Whale of a Time” and enjoy silent and live auctions, food, drinks, whale songs and more! Tickets are $100 per person, and include appetizers, desserts, and one alcoholic beverage. Proceeds from this event and auction directly support the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies’ mission and help raise vital funds to support their programming efforts. Thematic attire is encouraged. Check out the ongoing online auction at 32auctions.com/whale-of-a-time. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit bit.ly/42Ywmk0. 195 E Pioneer Ave.

BEST GARDEN CLUB BET: The Homer Garden Club will hold their next monthly meeting on Sunday, May 19 from 2-4:30 p.m. at the Aspen Hotel. Master gardener Brenda Adams will share many of the techniques and tricks she developed over years of gardening in Homer at different elevations and in different conditions to help you create unique and special gardens. Adams will also explain the utility and dependability attributes of different plants and why they are important. This event is free and open to the public. 91 Sterling Highway.