Around the Valley

For the complete list of events included in Around the Valley, look online at bit.ly/RyPLDi. Send items for Around the Valley to news@frontiersman.com.

‘Dance Battle America’ premiere party is Sept. 14

All are welcome to join Wasilla dancers Courtney Millslagle, Penny Wojtacha, Sierra Kistler, Madi Coe and Camryn Smart at the Menard Sports Center in Wasilla on Monday, Sept. 14 at 8 p.m. for the premiere of the ABC TV show “Dance Battle America,” in which the girls compete against dancers from around the country. The show begins at 9 p.m.

Library to hold used book sale

The Wasilla Public Library will hold its used book sale from Sept. 11 through Sept. 15 at the American Legion Post 35, located at mile 46 of the Parks Highway. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sept. 11 and 12, from noon to 6 p.m. on Sept. 13, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sept. 14 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 15.

Gardening club to gather

The Meadow Lakes Bloomers Garden Club will meet Monday, September 14 at 10:30 a.m. at the Meadow Lakes Senior Center, which is located just off Pittman Road. Take Karen Drive for about two miles (the name changes several times) until reaching the complex. Watch for blue signs that say “Meadow Lakes Sports Field and Playground.” For more information, call Tresa at 354-4020.

United Way kicks off campaign

The United Way of Mat-Su will kick off its 2015 fundraising campaign with an event Monday, Sept. 14 from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Evangelo’s Restaurant banquet hall. For more information, email give@unitedwaymatsu.org or call 745-5822.

Military academy information available Sept. 15

All Mat-Su Valley high school and middle school students wishing to learn more about the United States military academies are welcome to attend the information night at Dimond High School in Anchorage on Sept. 15.

If you have specific questions about the process of obtaining a full-ride scholarship to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland please contact Joel Lautrup, blue and gold officer volunteer in the Valley, at 907-841-3231; or visit usna.edu.

Houston principal to speak at Rotary

The Susitna Rotary Club will meet on Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. at Piccolino’s Restaurant in Wasilla. Guest speaker will be Houston High principal Bill Johnson.

Garden club plans potluck

The Willow Garden Club will meet on Thursday, Sept. 17 at 6 p.m. at the Willow Community Center. The event will include a potluck dinner, a club report and advisory board and committee sign-ups for 2016. There are multiple opportunities to volunteer on the club.

Mat-Su CVB hosting candidate forum

The Mat-Su Convention and Visitors Bureau is hosting a candidate forum on Sept. 17 at Evangelo’s at noon. Candidates for all three Mat-Su Borough Assembly seats, as well as the two candidates for Mat-Su Borough Mayor, will attend.

The candidate forum is free, and a buffet lunch can be purchased directly through Evangelo’s for $15. The forum will include opening statements, questions from the audience, and concluding statements from each candidate.

For more information about the candidate forum, or to RSVP, interested people can contact Casey Ressler at casey@alaskavisit.com.

Reflections Lake tower to be dedicated

Alaskans for Palmer Hay Flats State Game Refuge will hold a dedication ceremony for the area’s new interpretive viewing tower on Friday, Sept. 18 at 11 a.m. The tower is locted at the refuge, which is located at mile 30.6 of the Glenn Highway. The event will feature a ceremony, light refreshments and dignitaries including elected officials, sponsors, donors and the board of directors. The public is invited to try out the new tower, which provides a 360-degree view of the landscape. For more information, call 357-8711 or 715-6699.

Prepare for safety fair

The Mat-Su Emergency Expo and Safety Fair will be held Saturday, September 19 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mat-Su College, located at 8295 College Drive. The free annual community event is held to coincide with National Emergency Preparedness Month and is presented by the Mat-Su Borough Local Emergency Planning Committee and AARP Alaska. It will feature more than a dozen exhibitors as well as a poster contest open to youths age 5 to 18. The theme is “What Emergency Preparedness Means to You,” and the first 100 entries will receive McDonald’s coupons. Grand prizes will be awarded in six age groups.

There will also be a grand door prize for two tickets on the Alaska Railroad to Seward. For more information or to register, visit eventbrite.com/e/mat-su-preparedness-fair-tickets-17717756286.

Talkeetna Brewfest is Sept. 19

Talkeetna Brewfest begins at 2 p.m., Sept .19 at the Don Sheldon Community Arts Hangar in Talkeetna. This fundraiser benefits the Northern Susitna Institute. Purchase tickets online at bit.ly/1IWhuRk.

C.S. Lewis workshop planned

The Willow Community Center will host a workshop about author C.S. Lewis presented by Dr. Bruce Edwards. The workshop will be held Saturday, Sept. 19 at the library. To register online, visit cslewisworkshop.eventbrite.com. Registration lunch is $43, registration only is $30. For more information, email willowlibraryassociation@gmail.com. This event is a fundraiser for the library.

Author to speak at Women’s Connection luncheon

Author and nationally known speaker Pauletta Staley will speak at the Mat-Su Women’s Connection luncheon on Monday, Sept. 21 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Evangelo’s Restaurant in Wasilla. Staley will share how women leave a legacy by their lives and words. The event will also feature a panel of military women who will share the challenges they face in the military. All are invited to attend. For reservations, call 892-8482 or email alaskalpacas@mtaonline.net. Cost for the luncheon is $18 and includes childcare.

Youth farming advocate to speak

Severine von Tschamer Fleming, who is the director of The Greenhorns, a youth farming organization, will speak at the Matanuska Experiment Farm on Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. The topic of Tschamer Fleming’s speech will be “Growing Local Food Systems.” The event is free and open to the public. The event is part of a nine-day speaking tour sponsored by the Alaska Food Policy Council and the Alaska Marine Conservation Council.

Fly fishing film festival is Sept. 24

Canadian magazine Fly Fusion will present the International Fly Fishing Film Festival on Thursday, Sept. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the Glenn Massay Theater in Palmer.

The festival includes short and feature-length films produced by professional filmmakers from all corners of the globe, showcasing the passion, lifestyle and culture of fly fishing.

Arkose Brewery will be serving their artfully crafted ales at the event. All beer sales will benefit a local nonprofit.

Advance tickets are $15 and are available for purchase at Mossy’s Fly Shop, Arkose Brewery and online at glennmassaytheater.com. Tickets can be purchased at the door for $18.

Set Free Alaska plans annual event

Set Free Alaska will hold its annual event this year at Evangelo’s on Saturday, September 26 starting at 6:30 p.m. We have a great event planned this year with appetizers and great prizes. This year the group will be kicking off its new youth outpatient program as part of this year’s event. You may RSVP by either calling 373-4742 or register online at eventbrite.com. To learn more, visit setfreealaska.org.

Children’s choir seeks members

The Alaska Children's Choir is currently hosting auditions for the fall semester. Children ages 5-18 are welcome to audition. To schedule an audition time or for more information contact Jessie Eddings at 982-5467 or email alaskachildrenschoir@yahoo.com.

Permaculture class offered

The Alaska Cold Climate Permaculture Institute will hold its permaculture design course for six weekends beginning in October at the Matanuska Experiment Farm. Graduates will received a Permaculture Design Certificate. Jude Hobbs of Permaculture Institute of North America will co-teach the course with local permaculture instructor Cindee Karns of AlaskanBioshelter in Eagle River. Classes will include hands-on lectures, several field trips and activities. Register by Sept. 21 for the early bird discount. For more information or to sign up, visit alaskapermaculture.com or call Cindee at 622-3969.

RSVP seeks volunteers

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program is resuming service in the Mat-Su through the Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association. RSVP is a volunteer network for people age 55 and older. The organization is seeking volunteers. For more information, contact Doreen Lacy at doreenl@apiai.org or call 222-4244.

Depot Farm Market is open Mondays

The Depot Farm Market is open from noon to 6 p.m., Mondays in the Palmer Depot. The market is open year-round and offers a drawing for a free gift basket each week. For more information, visit facebook.com/depotfarmmarket.

Free cooking demonstrations Thursdays

Winona Benson with the University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service Nutrition Program is teaching a free cooking class called “Fresh From the Garden” at 1 p.m., Aug. 13, and every Thursday until Oct. 15 in the “Five Loaves Two Fish” kitchen Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 501 E. Bogard Rd., Wasilla. Learn how to prepare fresh Alaskan produce. Learn recipes, nutrition facts, cooking times and more.

Pioneers of Alaska Convention in Palmer Sept. 22-26

Pioneers of Alaska Men's Igloo No. 31 and Women's Igloo No. 11 are hosting the Pioneers of Alaska 99th Grand Igloo Convention at Raven Hall in Palmer from Sept. 22 to 26.

International Fly Fishing Film Festival is Sept. 24

The International Fly Fishing Film Festival Mat-Su Valley begins at 7:30 p.m., Sept. 24 at the Glenn Massay Theater at Mat-Su College in Palmer. Tickets are on sale at bit.ly/1IjCFAh.

CMS will host craft bazaar

The Colony Middle School craft bazaar will be held Oct. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the school. Vendors looking to sell items can contact Toby Lambert at 761-1517 or email tobias.lambert@matsuk12.us. Table space is $40.

‘The Hills are Alive’ at Colony Middle

Colony Middle Schools drama department will stage “The Sound of Music” starting Oct. 30. Showtimes are Oct. 30 at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 31 at 2 and 7 p.m., Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 7 at 2 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 each or $13 for dinner and show tickets fro the Nov. 6 and 7 evening performances. Call 761-1517 or email tobias.lambert@matsuk12.us for tickets.

Holiday Bazaar vendors wanted

Vendors are needed for the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Holiday Bazaar Oct. 10. Vendors with high-quality, unique items can reserve space by calling Pat Ott at 355-4104, or contacting mikenpatott@gmail.com.

See ‘Alaska Home Companion’ at the MATI Oct. 10

“Alaska Home Companion” is Oct. 10 at the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry, 3800 W. Museum Dr., Wasilla.

Fall Bazaar is Oct. 10 at Career Tech

Mat-Su Career and Technical High School’s Business Professionals of America Chapter’s 3rd annual Fall Bazaar is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 10 at 2472 N. Seward Meridian. Vendor booth spaces are $50 before Sept. 14, and $60 after. For more information, or to apply for booth space, contact amy.riddle@matsuk12.us, or 352-0428.

Vendors sought for Legion craft fair

Susitna Valley American Legion Auxiliary Unit 35 seeks vendors for a craft fair Oct. 17-18. To book a space, call Connie at 376-7658, or 354-5945 and leave a message. Space is available first-come, first-served.

Coast Guard to offer fall boating safety classes

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Mat-Su Flotilla will offer a four-session fall boating safety and seamanship class at the MTA Building, 480 Commercial Dr., Palmer. Cost is $60 and is payable at the first class. Classes meet from 6 to 10 p.m., Oct. 23; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 24; 6 to 10 p.m., Oct. 30; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Oct. 31. Fee is discounted if students share a book. The class is free to auxiliary members in good standing. For more information, contact Terri Telkamp at telkamp@mtaonline.net; or Burton Johnson at Burkjak@gmail.com.

‘Night at the Museum’ is Oct. 31 at the MATI

“Night at the Museum” is from 4 to 8 p.m., Oct. 31 at the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry, 3800 W. Museum Dr., Wasilla.

Talkeetna Holiday Bazaar upcoming

The Talkeetna St. Bernard’s Catholic Church will hold its Christmas holiday bazaar from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, November 7 at the Sheldon Community Arts Hanger (22249 S. D Street) in Talkeetna. Local crafts, beads, jewelry, ivory, pottery, paintings, handmade soaps, fabric art and other items will be available for purchase. There will also be a silent auction, baked goods and food available. Tables are $30. For more information or to reserve a table, call D.D. at 733-1212 or Suzy at 733-2300.

‘High Heels for High Hopes” in Nov. 12

Ptarmigan Pediatrics (with Shear Fire Design, Mat-Su Regional, Q99.7, and Signs and Lighting Repair) is sponsoring “High Heels for High Hopes: Viva Las Vegas” event to benefit the March of Dimes at Raven Hall on the Alaska State Fairgrounds at 7 p.m., Nov. 12. To model, volunteer, or sponsor, contact Ashleigh Green at 907-276-4111 or agreen@marchofdimes.org.

‘Christmas Bazaar’ is Dec. 19 and 20 at the MATI

“Christmas Bazaar” is Dec. 19 and 20 at the Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry, 3800 W. Museum Drive in Wasilla.