The fireweed has bloomed to its tips and the petals have slowly started to peel away. This morning dew appeared on the Betster’s car, and for a moment yours truly had the brief shock that it might be frost. Nope. That would be so September.

Schools has started, hurrah! (sort of), and pretty soon the tourleys will head south back to their home turf. We’ll have our town back, and you hard working souls in the visitor service industry can sleep in — a lot. Like they said in July, “You can sleep next winter.” That’s just 19 days away, but who’s counting?

Whoa, though. That doesn’t mean summer has ended. We still have sunny days ahead and daylight hours longer than the night. Road destruction continues apace, a sure sign of the season. As long as the temperatures stay above freezing, as long as the Homer Farmers Market remains open, as long as you can get away with a light jacket at night, we have summer.

So persevere, citizens, be safe, breathe and enjoy life with these Best Bets:

BEST EXHIBIT BET: The Homer Council on the Arts is presenting a special event exhibit and reception of Tim Troll’s “Waters of Bristol Bay” from 1-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21. “Waters of Bristol Bay” was on exhibit at HCOA in July and is currently at South Peninsula Hospital, and will return for one day only at an outdoor tented exhibit. The event also will have beverages from Homer Brewing Company. The artist’s proceeds will go to support the Pedro Bay Rivers Conservation project. The gallery will also be open with Brad Hughes’s exhibit, ”Abysmal Art Show… Go Deeper.”

BEST FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS BET: The Homer High School Mariners football team plays against Chugiak High School Friday night at Homer High School. Kickoff is at 6 p.m., so head on over to the field to support the Homer Mariners!

BEST VACCINATION BET: Feeling crummy and think you may need to get tested for COVID-19? Want to help be a part of the solution to keep yourself and others safe and receive a free COVID-19 vaccination? Well does the Betster have great news for you!

A free pop-up COVID-19 testing and vaccination clinic will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20 in Anchor Point at the NTC Mobile Community Health Clinic next to the Cheeky Moose laundry mat. Walk-ins are welcome. The vaccination clinic will offer the Pfizer, Moderna and Janssen vaccines.

Additionally, South Peninsula Hospital and Capstone Clinic have partnered with the Homer Public Library to offer free drive-up rapid COVID-19 tests through Friday at 4 p.m. The testing clinic will be open Thursday from noon to 8 p.m. The clinic is located in the Homer Public Library parking lot.

BEST NATURE BET: Kachemak Crane Watch needs all Betster peoples help this weekend to participate in the annual Sandhill Crane count day. The first population survey day will be Saturday, Aug. 21 from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Kachemak Crane Watch would like to know of specific crane sightings, including the number of adults, colts, or banded cranes seen by location, time, and day, and your name and contact information for each of the count days to reports@cranewatch.org or by calling 907-235-6262. For a special experience, join the team at Beluga Slough at the end of the gravel trail for the evening crane fly-in from 6 p.m. to sundown. Please wear a mask and maintain a 6-foot physical distance from others. For more information, contact Nina Faust at 235-6262.