If you’re going out this week, better take an umbrella and layer up the rain gear — it’s going to be a wet one! Don’t let the rain put a damper on your plans though — there’s plenty to do this week, including the first in a series of candidate forums hosted by your local news organizations or by the Homer Chamber of Commerce! Tune in on Thursday for the Homer City Council forum and hear from your council and mayoral candidates. For other happenings, check out these Best Bets!

BEST CANDIDATE FORUM BET: Election season is kicking off with a series of candidate forums hosted by the Homer Chamber of Commerce or by KDLL and the Peninsula Clarion, in partnership with the League of Women Voters, KSRM and KBBI. These forums are live and open to the public. Come out for the Homer City Council forum at the Homer Public Library on Thursday, Aug. 29 from 6-7 p.m. to hear your council and mayoral candidates’ viewpoints on issues important to Homer. Community members can attend in person, listen live at KBBI AM 890, KDLL 91.9 FM or KSRM 920 AM or 92.5 FM, or stream online at KBBI.org, KDLL.org, radiokenai.com, or on the Peninsula Clarion Facebook page through Facebook Live. 500 Hazel Ave,

BEST CRANE WALK BET: Experience the magic of sandhill cranes staging for their annual migration with Crane Walks at Inspiration Ridge Preserve, running 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 3 and Thursday, Sept. 5. Crane Walks give you the opportunity to watch sandhill cranes as they gather for pre-migration staging, allowing guests to learn more about sandhill cranes from local expert Nina Faust, explore the ridge above Kachemak Bay and capture incredible photos of Alaskan wildlife. All ticket proceeds benefit public education about cranes in the Homer area. For more information and to book your tour spot, visit akcoastalstudies.org/crane-walks.

BEST MOBILE MAMMOGRAM BET: If you missed out earlier this summer, here’s your chance! The Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic is hosting the Providence mobile mammogram bus at Kachemak Community Center on Pioneer Avenue on Friday, Sept. 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mark your calendars, identify the provider you’d like your results sent to, and schedule your appointment by calling Providence directly at 907-212-3151. If you are concerned about cost, ask about financial assistance when scheduling your appointment. This service is provided regardless of ability to pay. If you’re not yet due for a mammogram, no worries! You can still join in on the fun — KBFPC will have free yoga with Anna Raupp and Zumba with Katie Jo. Snag a friend and join KBFPC for a day of prioritizing your health and well-being! For questions, call KBFPC at 907-235-3436.

BEST GIVE LOCAL BEACHES LOVE BET: It’s time to give our beaches some love! Join the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies on Sept. 7 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bishop’s Beach Pavilion to kick off the 2024 CoastWalk Clean-Up. CACS will be holding a month of marine debris awareness and beach cleanups with a Kickoff Cookout, marine debris crafts like paint a buoy, marine debris lawn games including Buoy Bocce, ring toss and kuub, a Bishop’s Beach cleanup, and more! This is your chance to adopt CoastWalk Zones, sign up for cleanup days, and celebrate the end of summer by cleaning our coastlines. Since 1984, CoastWalk has been an annual effort to clean Kachemak Bay’s beaches and collect critical data on marine debris in Alaska. This year, CACS is thrilled to partner with Alaska Plastic Recovery and Surfrider Kenai Peninsula. The CoastWalk Kick-off is a free event! Bring your friends, family, neighbors and loose acquaintances. For more information, visit akcoastalstudies.org/events.

BEST BOOK AND PLANT SALE BET: The Friends of the Homer Public Library Fall Book and Plant Sale is almost here! Stop by the library on Saturday, Sept. 7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for some great picks! If you’re an FHL member, sneak on over for the members-only pre-sale on Friday, Sept. 6 from 6-8 p.m. and get first pick of the lot! If you’re not yet a member, you can join at the door. FHL is also now accepting good quality donations at the library. Please do not donate any textbooks, magazines, DVDs, CDs, or soiled or damaged books. Potted plant donations may be dropped off during library hours on Thursday, Sept. 5. Please include a note with the plant name and care instructions. 500 Hazel Ave.