Around the Valley

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Light of Hope wreath auction

AT&T Sports Center is host to the Light of Hope’s 2010 wreath auction. This year’s auction features 11 mini wreaths, designed by local visual artist Tamora Harding-Childs, approximately 90 mid-size wreaths and four extra-large wreaths decorated by agencies and individuals from all over the Mat-Su Valley. Wreaths are on display through Nov. 30 at the AT&T Sports Center’s lobby, snack bar and upper mezzanine area. Proceeds benefit the eighth Annual Light of Hope event scheduled for April 2011. Light of Hope, part of the National Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month, is free and offers children’s activities, a ribbon tying and candle lighting ceremonies and recognition awards for those who go above and beyond for children year-round. For more information, contact Jamey Duhamel at 775-2978.

Nomination deadline is Monday for ‘Culture and Art Lifetime Achievement Award’

The award is given out annually to one individual whose career or dedication to artistic civic engagement has greatly contributed to the advancement or promotion of cultural and artistic expression in our Palmer community. To nominate someone by the Monday deadline, fill out the Lifetime Achievement Award form at thepalmerartscouncil.org/PAC_Events.

Paint-Together is Monday

The Valley Fine Arts Association will hold its bi-monthly Paint-Together from 4 to 8 p.m., Monday at Mat-Su College in Room 212. Ilene Paulsen will do a demonstration on how she paints backgrounds in watercolor.

The next paint-together is from 4 to 8 p.m., Dec. 6 at Mat-Su College in Room 212. For more information, contact Karen 495-6636.

Legislators to hold

town hall meeting Monday

Valley legislators will hold a town hall meeting Monday at the Legislative Information Office, 600 E. Railroad Avenue in Wasilla. Sens. Linda Menard (R-Mat-Su) and Charlie Huggins (R-Mat-Su) plan to be there as well as Reps. Bill Stoltze (R-Butte) and Mark Neuman (R-Willow) and, tentatively, Carl Gatto (R-Palmer). For more information, call Michael at 465-6600.

Kiwanis Club Tuesday

The Kiwanis Club meets at noon Tuesday at Turkey Red in Palmer. The group will have a special meeting to recruit new members.

The speakers are Mary Shields, lieutenant governor of Alaska Yukon South, and Frank Morehouse, Pacific Northwest district governor. Morehouse will be in Alaska to help increase membership in Kiwanis.

He will be at Turkey Red at 11 a.m. to talk to prospective members. After the regular noon luncheon, Morehouse will meet with community leaders.

Salmon symposium Tuesday and Wednesday

The third annual Mat-Su Salmon Science and Conservation Symposium is Tuesday and Wednesday at the Central Mat-Su Public Safety Building to discuss information on conservation and research projects related to Mat-Su Basin watersheds, salmon and their habitat. The format this year will include presentations on science and conservation, topical discussion groups, networking time, a poster session and talks by special guest Ray Troll. For more information, contact Corrine Smith at 276-3133 ext. 121, or send e-mail toCorinne_smith@tnc.org.

American Society of Civil Engineers gathers Wednesday

The Mat-Su Branch of the American Society of Engineers meets from noon to 1 p.m., Wednesday at Mat-Su College in Room FSM 206. Mike Campfield and Daniel Dryden will give a presentation on Snow Stability and Avalanches.

Mat Valley Fish & Game Advisory Committee meets Wednesday

The Mat Valley Fish & Game Advisory Committee will meet at 7 p.m., Wednesday at the MTA Building in Palmer in the medium conference room. For more information, contact Stephen Darilek at 376-9797.

Palmer Historical Society meets Wednesday

Palmer Historical Society meets at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday at the Palmer Library. Guest speaker is Eagle River author Jody Ellis-Knapp who will talk about her book “Ghosts of Alaska.” The group meets at 7 p.m., Jan. 19, 2011, at the Palmer Library.

Great American Smokeout Thursday

Breathe Free Mat-Su is offering free quit kits to smokers who commit to quit during the Great American Smokeout Thursday. The kits include information about the Alaska Tobacco Quit Line and tips for quitting, as well as assorted gum and candies to help smokers make it through the first day. To get your quit kit, call 746-6123. Supplies are limited. For help quitting, call the Alaska Tobacco Quit Line at 1-800-QUIT-NOW.

Wasilla Waves Spaghetti Feed Friday

The non-profit Wasilla Waves Swim Club will host its third annual Spaghetti Feed and Silent Auction Fundraiser from 6 to 8 p.m., Friday at the VFW on Knik Goose Bay Road. Start your Christmas shopping with the variety of items in their silent auction and try your luck with a split-the-pot raffle. Enjoy a spaghetti meal with garlic bread, Caesar salad, and dessert for $6 per person. Children 4 and under eat free. For more information, email wasillawaves@yahoo.com.

Model train show Saturday

First Baptist Church of Wasilla, located at Bogard Road and Letherleaf Loop, is host to a free model train show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday. At least four collectors will show their trains and share their stories. One room will feature wooden trains that beginners can try their hands at operating. A second room features train videos. Door prize drawings are at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. Lunch will be served and snacks will be available.

Hospice artists to sell note cards at Carrs Saturday

The non-profit Hospice Foundation of Mat-Su Inc.’s Palliative Artist will sell note cards featuring artwork done by patients at the Wasilla Carrs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday.

Shonti Elder debuts new CD at Palmer concert Saturday

Shonti Elder presents songs from her new CD, “Bow Drawn” from 7 to 9 p.m., Saturday at Vagabond Blues. Musicians from Wings to Fly and Jubilee join her for this Palmer Arts Concert promotion. Tickets are available at Fireside Books, Vagabond Blues, and Matanuska Music for $15 for students and $10 for seniors. Visit palmerartscouncil.org for information.

Go For the Gravy Walk/Run Saturday

Celebrate Thanksgiving the Saturday before with a 5K, 3K, and kids run at 9 a.m., Saturday at Wasilla High School. The kids race will be indoors and the 5K and 3K will be on a back course on the bike path out Bogard Road to Wasilla Fishhook. All proceeds go to the Fronteras Spanish Immersion Charer School Physical Education Program. For more information, call 232-7036 or visit fronterask8.us.

Women-Teens-Girls “Cloz” Swap Saturday

Women of all shapes and sizes are encouraged to attend the clothing swap at the Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday. The swap will be in the downstairs social room at 3201 Turnagain Street. Participants are encouraged to bring friends and teens, a portable mirror, snacks or beverages to share, and business cards for networking. Only clothes, shoes, and accessories are eligible for trade. All leftovers will be donated to Safe Harbor. For more information, contact Robyn Lauster at 245-1634 or Leslie Kleinfeld at 277-5255.

Thanksgiving Food Drive Saturday

The faith community is joining together this Thanksgiviing to collectively distribute food to those in need at three locations from 1 to 6 p.m., Saturday. Locals are encouraged to organize churches, temples, or offices to collect food, donate funds, or volunteer to help set up or distribute the food. For more information on how you can help, contact: (In Wasilla) Good Shepherd Lutheran Church at 376-3522, (in Willow) United Methodist Church at 495-6638, (in Talkeetna) Jenny at 733-2710.

Barefoot Reunion Tour Nov. 21

The “Barefoot Reunion Tour” comes to Talkeetna at 7 p.m., Nov. 21, at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar. This tour will feature the original band members — Annalisa Tornfelt, Angela Oudean, Jason Norris, Kate Hamre and Mike Mickelson. As an added bonus, John MacDonald, formerly of King Wilkie, will open the show. Cost is $20 for general admission or $18 for Denali Arts Council members. Tickets can be purchased at denaliartscouncil.org, Twister Creek and Mile High Pizza Pie, or at the DAC office 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays. Advanced purchase is recommended as seating is limited.

Kiwanis Club Nov. 23

The Kiwanis Club will meet at noon on Tuesday, Nov. 23 at Turkey Red in Palmer. The speaker this week is Lucas Strickland from Smart Energy Works.

Valley Community for Recycling Solutions is moving

Valley Community for Recycling Solutions on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway at 49th State Street will be closed Nov. 25, Thanksgiving Day. The recycling center also will be closed the first week of December. No residential recycling drop off or 24-hour bins available Wednesday, Dec. 1 through Tuesday, Dec. 7. The center will re-open Wednesday, Dec. 8 at its new site, 9465 Chanlyut Circle, down 49th State Street (turn right before entering the MSB Central landfill; you will see our new building at the end of the road). For more information, call 745-5544.

Holiday Photos for a cause Nov. 26

Holiday Pet Photos are available at Pet Zoo in Wasilla from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, Nov. 26. Cost is a $20 donation to Advocates for Dog and Puppy Wellness, a non-profit corporation with a mission to raise awareness and encourage participation in local animal shelters.

Holiday tours at the reindeer farm

The Reindeer Farm in Palmer will offer holiday tours from noon to 9 p.m., Nov. 26 to Dec. 24. Tours include Christmas lights timed to music, reindeer tours, hay rides, smores and photos with Santa. Open Thursday, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through the Holiday Season. For more information, contact Denise Hardy at hardyof5@yahoo.com, or visit online www.reindeerfarm.com.

‘Origins’ exhibit ends Nov. 28

A unique exhibit, called Origins, featuring items such as fragments of the Dead Sea Scroll, early versions of the King James Bible and rare atlases from the 16th and 17th centuries is in Wasilla from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., daily through Sunday, Nov. 28, at 449 West Parks Highway, in the Shop Rite Mall. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under, or people 55 and older. For more information, or to arrange group tours for school and church organizations, call 376-2888, or visit origins-themuseum.com.

Jeremiah Oliver in concert Nov. 28

“Footsteps in the Snow”, a concert on piano will be presented at 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 28 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Palmer. Composer Jeremiah Oliver will be performing original compositions, Brahms, Debussy, Grieg, and more. A reception will be held following the concert to meet the artist and gather as a community. Suggested donation is $10 for individuals and $25 for families. For more information, visit jeremiaholiver.com.

Learn to knit a baby sweater Nov. 28

Learn to knit a baby sweater from the top down from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Nov. 28 at the Valley School of Creative Knitting, Hatcherview Business Park. Visit www.valleysock.com for supplies. For more information, email info@valleysock.com.

Kiwanis Club Nov. 30

The Kiwanis Club will meet at noon on Tuesday, Nov. 30 at Turkey Red in Palmer. The speaker this week is Kirby Spangler who will speak about off grid-living.

Festival of Lights Dec. 10

The Denali Arts Council is hosting the 21st anniversary of the Festival of Lights from 7 to 8 p.m., Dec. 10. This will be a non-denominational celebration of the holiday season complete with a forum for community members to gather, sing seasonal songs, tell stories or recite poems. The event is free, however cans of food will be accepted for The Food Bank. Anyone interested in helping out or participating in the celebration can contact Nick Condon at 355-5382.

Holiday Ball is Dec. 10

Alaska State Fair’s annual Holiday Ball is at 8 p.m., Dec. 10 at Raven Hall on the fairgrounds. Cost is $30 per person or $200 for a table of eight. Tickets are available online at alaskastatefair.org. For more information, or to purchase tickets by phone, call 745-4827.

Christmas Carnival and Bazaar Dec. 11

The Christmas Carnival and Bazaar from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 11 at the AT&T Sports Center on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway. The event includes 45 Alaska vendors, inflatable rides and 12 carnival-style games. For more information, call 841-9396.

Colony Christmas Open House Dec. 11

The Colony House Museum will opent its doors from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Dec. 11 as part of Palmer’s community wide Colony Christmas celebration. The museum will be decked out in a style of days past and holiday treats and treasures will be found at the dining room Bake Sale table. Guests will also enjoy caroling around the 1895 Colony family piano. For more information, contact Gerry at 745-1935.

‘Moments in Alaska’ in Talkeetna

The Talkeetna Artists Guild will host Kym Swift’s “Moments in Alaska” from 4 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 11. Her work includes an eight panel salmon run, flora and fauna, and scenes depticting moments in Alaska. This is a free family event and the work will be on display until early January.

Steak feed fund-raiser

Pioneer Amateur Hockey Association’s sixth annual steak feed fund-raiser is from noon to 8 p.m., Dec. 12 at the Palmer Moose Lodge, at 110 S. Cobb St. The menu includes New York steak and baked potato, salad and garlic bread. Proceeds benefit the “Gear up for Hockey” program, scholarships for players and also provide team tournament fees.

Christmas Friendship Dinner Dec. 25

The 19th annual Christmas Friendship Dinner is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 25 at the Curtis D. Menard Sports Center. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there, along with entertainment and food including turkey, ham and dessert. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 746-1053, or e-mail CFD@mtaonline.net.

Mayors’ Ball is Jan. 15

A boroughwide Mayors’ Ball is planned from 8 to 11 p.m., Jan. 15, 2011, at the Palmer Railroad Depot. The Bill Tull Jazz Band will perform and all proceeds benefit Valley food banks. For more information, call 745- 3206.