With less than two weeks to go until Christmas, the Betster hopes y’all have gotten your holiday shopping done and are well on your way with your preparations! It’s been a busy month with lots of festive events, from the chamber’s tree lighting, the Nutcracker Faire and the annual “Nutcracker” ballet. If you aren’t tired out yet and are still looking for fun things to do, look no further than these Best Bets!

BEST INTERNSHIP PRESENTATIONS BET: Join Dr. Debbie Tobin’s Semester by the Bay students on Thursday, Dec. 12 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. as they present their research, outreach, and projects from their internships to showcase their activities and achievements to the college and the Homer community. This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided. 533 E. Pioneer Ave.

BEST BIRD COUNT BET: Homer’s Annual Christmas Bird Count is happening on Saturday, Dec. 14! Meet at the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Visitor Center at 8:30 a.m. to get your area and team assignment. Coffee/tea and breakfast goodies will be available. Count in the field all day and return at 4:30 p.m. to compile the species and numbers. This event is free and open to the public — you don’t have to be an expert birder to help with this important citizen science count! Teams have experts and include newer birders. If you aren’t able to make it to the AMNWR Visitor Center, you can help with the Christmas Bird Count as a Feeder Watcher! Record the species of bird, maximum numbers of each species at your feeder or in your yard at one time (noting the time and the total amount of time spent observing the feeder) and submit results to the Feeder Watcher Coordinator, Kathy Eagle, at katheagle@gmail.com or 907-232-3789. Check in with Kathy ahead of time to be sure you are in the “Count Circle.” More information about Homer’s Christmas Bird Count can be found online at kachemakbaybirders.com. For questions, contact the CBC coordinator/compiler Dave Erikson at 907-441-7931. 95 Sterling Highway.

BEST WELLNESS WEDNESDAY BET: Join South Peninsula Hospital for Wellness Wednesdays, an engaging lineup of events designed to inspire, educate, and bring our community together, held at Kachemak Bay Campus from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Each session offers expert-led talks on wellness and health as well as a comforting bowl of soup to nourish your body and soul. On Dec. 18, South Peninsula Behavioral Health Services CEO Jay Bechtol presents “Talking with Your Children About Mental Health” and offers practical tools for navigating mental health conversations with children and fostering resilience in families. Following Bechtol’s presentation, enjoy a free hour of Integral Yoga with Kali Tanaya, a seasoned instructor with a unique approach that blends mindfulness, yoga psychology, and tantra philosophy. 533 E. Pioneer Ave.

BEST BOOK GIVING TREE BET: Start your holiday giving early with the Book Giving Tree, an annual fundraiser hosted by the Friends of the Homer Public Library and the Homer Bookstore in support of the Homer Public Library’s collection. Stop by the Book Giving Tree in the library’s front entrance and choose a book title tag — or tags — that you’d like to see available at the library. There are a wide variety of genre choices and appealing books for all ages. Not sure which book title to choose, but want to give to the library? Select a gift certificate tag and give any amount starting at $5. To make your purchase, take your book tag to the Homer Bookstore and make your purchase there or call the Homer Bookstore at 907-235-7496 and pay over the phone. Homer Public Library, 500 Hazel Ave.

BEST TEEN NIGHT BET: The SPARC is hosting free teen nights for youth in grades 7-12 every Friday through December from 8-10:30 p.m. Attendees will have access to all SPARC equipment and pizza and drinks will be provided. Youth should bring clean indoor shoes to change into; all minors must have a liability waiver on file signed by parent/guardian. Find more information at https://sparchomer.org/. 600 Sterling Highway.