Around the Valley

Candlelight vigil to be held

The Alaska Trauma Center and the Mat Su Coalition for Suicide Prevention will host a candlelight vigil and memory tree ceremony to remember those lost to suicide and comfort their living loved ones at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 22 in the conference room of the Turn-A-Leaf Thrift Store building (400 N. Yenlo St., Wasilla).

Christmas Eve candlelight service planned

Matanuska Assembly of God will host a Christmas Eve candlelight service from 6 to 6:45 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 24, at 865 W. Auklet Ave. across from Palmer High School. All are welcome.

Healthy storytime starts Jan. 4

UAF Cooperative Extension will host “Fruit and Veggie Tales: A preschool storytime” at 10:15 a.m. on Mondays from Jan. 4 through Feb. 8 at the UAF Matanuska Experiment Farm, located at 1509 S. Georgeson Road in Palmer. There will be stories, healthy snacks, games, learning and more. Parents will receive informative handouts and recipes each week following the program, which is led by UAF CES Nutrition Educator Winona Benson. To register or for more information call 745-3424 or 745-3360.

‘Skate the Lake’ scheduled

A ‘Skate the Lake’ community skating party is planned for Saturday, Jan. 16 from noon to 2 p.m. at Wasilla Lake. Hot chocolate and cookies will be provided at the pavilion by the City of Wasilla’s Department of Parks and Recreation. Attendees must bring their own skating equipment. For more information, contact Wasilla Parks and Rec at 357-9100 or recreation @ci.wasilla.ak.us.

Martial arts seminar scheduled

Palmer’s Alaska Center for Acupuncture and Anchorage’s Seven Sages Internal Martial Arts Studio will host Dr. Joanne Wu from New York for two weekend martial arts seminars on Ba Gua Zhang Small Palm in January. The workshops will be held on Saturdays and Sundays, Jan. 16-17 and Jan. 23-24 at Meditate Alaska in Suite #215 of the Koslosky Building in downtown Palmer. Registration for each two-day course is $400. To register, call Jay and Jenn Bartholomew at 907-231-7733.

ONGOING

Borough trailhead parking passes available

The 2016 Mat-Su Borough trailhead parking passes are now available. Passes are $40 for the first pass, $30 for a second and are valid from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2016. The borough offers a few ways to get a pass:

• Download the application form from the borough’s website, www.matsugov.us, and mail in payment;

• Fill out a fee envelope and place the payment into any of the borough’s fee stations at the trailheads;

• Pick up one at the Recreational Services office, located at the Borough Building at 350 E. Dahlia Ave. in Palmer.

Ski club offers lessons

The Mat-Su Ski Club is sponsoring adult cross-country skiing lessons this winter. Lessons are offered on five days a week and participants may attend any session at any time. Lessons are offered on Saturdays from Dec. 5 through March 1 from 10 to 11:15 a.m. (skate and classic technique); Mondays and Wednesdays from Dec. 7 through March 2 from noon to 1 p.m. (classic); and Tuesdays and Thursdays from Dec. 8 through March 3 from noon to 1 p.m. (skate). All lessons will be at either Government Peak Recreation Area or Archangel Road, depending on snow conditions. Cost is $50 for a 5-punch card, $90 for a 10-punch card, $150 for unlimited sessions and $12 for walk-up students. To register online, visit matsuski.org.

Free soup and sandwiches offered Wednesdays

Lamb of God Church on Church Road serves free soup and sandwiches from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesdays. All are welcome.

Valley Pastors Network meets Thursdays

Valley pastors from many churches meet at 8 a.m., Thursdays for prayer, fellowship and breakfast. Pastors and ministry leaders from all churches are invited. The location changes monthly. For more information, visit valleypastorsprayernetwork.com.

Full Gospel Fellowship meets Thursdays Study group meets Thursdays

All pastors and preachers using the Lectionary are invited to an interdenominational text study at 11 a.m., Thursdays at Alpha Counseling, 500 N. Main Street, Suite B. For more information, contact 745-0726 or 373-5595.

Call-in help line offered

First Church of Christ, Scientist in Wasilla is sponsoring a phone line available around-the-clock for a 30-minute program with examples of how people are finding prayerful solutions to life’s problems. For more information, contact 331-0238. Programs change each Saturday.

The Religious Society of Friends meet monthly

The Religious Society of Friends, a Quaker organization, meets the second Sunday of each month at Birchtree Charter School just off the Palmer-Wasilla Highway midway between Palmer and Wasilla. An un-programmed meeting for Worship and First Day School (Sunday School) starts at 11 a.m., followed by a time for refreshments. The society welcomes “seekers of Truth from all walks.” For more information, call 746-1152.

Prayer group meets Mondays

A Centering Prayer group meets at 6:30 p.m., Mondays at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Wasilla. Centering Prayer is a form of contemplative prayer or silent Christian meditation. For more information, contact Paul Supina at psupina@gmail.com, or 864-0115.

Join Mat-Su Toastmasters

Toastmasters is a self-paced program offering flexibility while allowing unlimited personal growth and self-improvement. Toastmasters helps you learn clear communication and helps build self-confidence. If you have received our letter in the mail and come to our meeting, we will treat you to a free breakfast. Mat-Su Toastmasters meets from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., Tuesdays at the Primrose Retirement Center, 889 N. Elkhorn, Wasilla. For more information, call Linda at 232-0624 or Cheryl at 354 5702.

Airfare assistance offered for cancer patients

ConocoPhillips and BP Alaska will expand Corporate Angel Network’s mission by providing free air transportation for cancer patients traveling to treatment between Anchorage and Fairbanks. ConocoPhillips Alaska and BP are offering empty seats to cancer patients and family members on their Monday and Thursday scheduled flights between Anchorage and Fairbanks. Call Corporate Angel Network at 866-328-1313 to register within three weeks of a specific appointment.

Full Gospel Fellowship Luncheon meets Thursdays at the Trout House Restaurant in the Community Room in Wasilla. For more information, contact 315-1118 or visit corpangelnetwork.org.

Sunrise Rotary meets Tuesdays

Wasilla Sunrise Rotary meets at 7 a.m., Tuesdays. The group has a new meeting place,

the Meridian Point Building, 865 Seward Meridian Parkway. For more information, visit wasillasunriserotary.com.

Wasilla Toastmasters meets Tuesdays

Wasilla Toastmasters meets from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., Tuesdays at Primrose Retirement Center, 920 Elkhorn, in the Pub. Learn to improve your speaking skills, enhance your listening and leadership skills and building confidence in all of these areas.

Palmer Lions meet Tuesdays

Palmer Lions Club meets at noon, Tuesdays at the Moose Lodge No. 793, 1136 South Cobb St. in Palmer. For more information, call 761-3750.

Palmer Toastmasters meet Tuesdays

Palmer Toastmasters meets at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays at the MTA Building in Palmer. For more information, call 907-539-7111, or visit palmer.toastmastersclubs.org.

Wasilla Lions Club meets Tuesdays

Wasilla Lions Club meets the second and third Tuesdaysfrom 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., at the Wasilla Senior Center, 1301 S. Century Circle in Wasilla. Those wishing to join and current members are encouraged to attend. For more information, contact Sam Carranza at 907-252-8589.

Wasilla Rotary Club meets Wednesdays

Wasilla Rotary meets at noon, Wednesdays at the Hacienda Mexican Restaurant by Fred Meyer, at 1781 E Palmer-Wasilla Highway in Wasilla.

Grandparent support group meets twice a month

The Grandparents Support Group in Mat Su Meets twice a month at Turn a Leaf Community room next to the thrift store at 404 N. Yenlo in Wasilla.

On the second Saturday of each month from 1 to 3 p.m., relative caregivers and their children enjoy activities and snacks. On the third Friday from 10:30 a.m. to noon, relative caregivers (no children) plan activities and provide support with guest speakers on topics that relate to raising grandchildren that may have experienced abuse and neglect.

For more information, contact David Carry with Volunteers of America at 1-888-522-9866 or email grands@oaak.org or visit voaak.org. The local contact person for the group is Rozann Kimpton, who can be reached at 376-7322 or by email at rozann@mtaonline.net.

Cribbage tourney on Thursdays

Play a nine-game cribbage tournament at 6 p.m., Thursday evenings at North Bowl along the Palmer-Wasilla Highway. For more information, call 315-4398.

Big Lake yoga Thursdays

Yoga class is from 6 to 7 p.m., Thursdays at the Big Lake Lions Rec Center. Instructed by Anita Hartman, RYT, PT. Suggested donation of $10 per class, bring your own mat. Call Anita 907-227-0640.

Join Mat-Su Youth Orchestra

Youths are invited to join the Mat-Su Youth Orchestra, a multi-age youth orchestra community group. Cost is $25 a year. For more information, contact 373-6763 or levesque@mtaonline.net.

Willow Community Rebuild Project accepting donations

The Willow Community Rebuild Project is working on “building silver linings” by helping those who suffered in the Sockeye fire “to regain not only a house but a home.” Some homes are in progress, but more money is needed to fund all the losses of people who qualify for the project. Donations can go to Matanuska Valley Federal Credit Union account 149984. For more information, contact Krista Fee at saharastormstudio@yahoo.com.

Job Corps seeks interview, business attire for students

The Alaska Job Corps “Career Closet” seeks donations of men’s business casual and interview attire and women’s small and medium career and interview attire. Donations can be dropped off at the front desk on the Alaska Job Corps Campus. Assisting students with clothing for entry into careers is appreciated.

Apply for Alaska Job Corps Center training Wednesdays

The Job Corps Center offers free career technical training for people ages 16-24. Orientations are at 2 p.m., Wednesdays at the Alaska Job Corps Center, 800 E. Lynn Martin Drive in Palmer. Bring two pay stubs, or proof of public assistance, and proof of citizenship, and a social security card. For information, contact 907-562-6200, 800-733-5627, or alaska.jobcorps.gov.

Tennis association hosting youth clinics

The Mat-Su Tennis Association is hosting a "Smash Camp" with tennis pro Aaron Haines on Friday at Colony High School for area youth ages 6-17.

Cost for each one-hour session is $35. Players ages 6-10 meet at 10:30 a.m.; beginners ages 11-17 meet at 12:30 p.m.; and advanced players ages 11-17 meet at 3 p.m. Additional sessions are scheduled for Feb. 19 and March 11.

The camp focuses on fundamentals. As a movement-based tennis camp, all drills and games are designed to keep students engaged and moving.

For more information, email matsutennis@gmail.com or see matsutennis.org.