Are you registered to vote? Don’t forget — Election Day for the Kenai Peninsula Borough and City of Homer Regular Elections is coming up soon on Tuesday, Oct. 1! If you can’t make it to the polls on Tuesday, stop by Homer City Hall on Pioneer Avenue to take part in early in-person absentee voting — no matter what precinct you’re from! Early absentee voting will be held through Monday, Sept. 30. Your vote matters! Get out there and vote! And if you’re looking for info on other upcoming events, look no further than these Best Bets!

BEST WALK FOR THE WILD BET: On Saturday, Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., come celebrate your National Wildlife Refuges with a 5K fun run/walk! Meet at Mariner Park, channel your favorite inner wild creature and walk, hop, waddle, slither, or flap your way across the vast 2,500 miles — condensed into a 5K — of the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge! Register for free at bit.ly/Walk-Wild. Homer Spit Road.

BEST GARDENING WORKSHOP BET: Did you know that there are over 30 orchid species native to Alaska? Are you curious to learn more? Join the Pratt Museum on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 1-3 p.m. for a class guide by head gardener Shawn Jackinsky on propagation techniques and specific garden conditions that held orchids like Spotted Ladies Slipper, Bog Candle, Ladies Tresses and Green Bog Orchid thrive in your garden! Space is limited, register online at www.prattmuseum.org/events/category/workshops/. 3779 Bartlett St.

BEST CHILD SCREENING BET: The Kenai Peninsula Borough School District Child Find Program and Sprout Infant Learning Program will be offering free screening in motor skills, speech, early learning concepts, vision and hearing for children 0-5 year old (not yet in kindergarten). Screenings will be held in Homer at Paul Banks Elementary School on Monday, Sept. 30 and are by appointment only. To make an appointment for your child to for more information, contact Kelli Creglow at 907-260-5148.1340 East End Road.

BEST ANNUAL FUNDRAISER BET: Ninilchik’s Saturday Lunch Program will host their annual fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 5-7 p.m. at the Ninilchik Community Center. The cost for a meal — BBQ pork sliders and delicious sides — is $10. A vegan option is also available. There will also be a silent auction and live auction, including desserts, during the event. Donated items for the auctions are appreciated! Funds raised during this event will provide weekend snack bags for all elementary students and optional teen take-and-make meals. For questions, contact Linda Hawkins at 907-240-5212. 15763 Kingsley Road.

BEST BRAKE FOR BREAKFAST BET: October is breast cancer awareness month, and South Peninsula Hospital is excited to bring back “Brake for Breakfast” for its second year! On Tuesday, Oct. 8 from 7:30-10 a.m., all are welcome to stop by the convenient drive-through location at the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center for a bag of breakfast goodies and life-saving health education materials. 95 Sterling Highway.

BEST VENDOR APPLICATION BET: Registration for vendors for the 2024 Nutcracker Faire is now open! The Faire will be held on Dec. 7-8 in the Homer High School commons and gym. All Kenai Peninsula vendors with locally-made products are welcome to apply. The application deadline is Nov. 23 at 5 p.m. Apply online at homerart.org/event/2024-nutcracker-faire-call-for-vendors/, or stop by the HCOA office during open hours, Monday through Saturday from 1-5 p.m. 355 W. Pioneer Ave.