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.

Mat-Su Birders to meet

The Mat-Su Birders wild bird club will meet Wednesday, September 9 at 7 p.m., in the Palmer Public Library Meeting Room. The Alaska Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center will be presenting “Kachina” the Short-eared Owl, a species common on the Palmer Hay Flats. Everyone interested in wild birds is welcome. More information about the Mat-Su Birders can be found at <www.matsubirders.org>.”

Wasilla chamber meets today

The Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce will meet from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. today (Tuesday, Sept. 8) at the Grill in the Grand View Inn in Wasilla. Guest speaker will be Bob Sullivan of Country Financial, who will speak about Social Security benefits. For more information, visit wasillachamber.org or call 376-1299.

Earth Care Jamboree planned

The Interfaith Earth Care Action Group will hold an Earth Care Jamboree on Saturday, Sept. 12 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Arctic Valley Chalet. The event will feature live music by the Brubaker Family Band, Vinyl Floors and Naked Mabel, along with food vendors, hiking, workshops and community art. The purpose of the event is for people to learn about the different ways faith communities and organizations are working to mitigate climate change and empower them to take action. The event is open to everyone, with a suggested $5 donation. For more information call 746-9047, email interfaithearthcareak@gmail.com or visit interfaithcareak.blogspot.com.

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, and the overall grand prize winner will receive two tickets on the Alaska Railroad to Seward. For more information or to register, visit eventbrite.com/e/mat-su-preparedness-fair-tickets-17717756286.

Quilters will bee meeting Thursday

The Valley Quilters Guild will meet September 10 at the Palmer Depot in downtown Palmer. Social hour begins at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will include a presentation about marketing and selling quilts, and members will be showing items entered in the Alaska State Fair. Visitors and new members are welcome. For more information, call 355-4298.

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.

5K run to benefit homeless

The Wasilla Homeless Committee will hold a 5K “Run, Walk, ‘N Roll” on Saturday, Sept. 19 starting at Three Bears Alaska at the corner of Pittman and the Parks Highway. The event will finish at the parking lot of Church on the Rock. Race-day registration will be available, as will advance registration at wasillahomeless-committee.org. Registration is $25 for adults, $15 for ages 12-18 and under 12 is free. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be served at the finish.

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.

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 Highwya. 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.

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.

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.

C.S. Lewis workshop planned

The Willow Community Center will host a workshop about author C.S. Lewis presented by Dr. Bruce Edwards. 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.

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.

‘Yoga in the Park’ offered Tuesdays

Free yoga in the park classes are offered from 7 to 8 p.m., Tuesdays at Newcomb Park on Wasilla Lake. Featuring KMBQ guest DJ. People should wear comfortable clothes and bring a yoga mat.

‘Swim and Trim’ semi-weekly at the Palmer Pool

A women’s “Swim and Trim” class is from 8 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Palmer Pool. For more information, call 746-2137.

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.

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.

Register for fall classes at Dancers Workshop of Wasilla

Register for end-of-summer and fall classes at Dancers Workshop of Wasilla, dance classes for all ages. Register online at bit.ly/1SR6LP9.

Youth shooting leagues forming now

Alaska Scholastic Clay Target Program-YESS is accepting registrations for summer youth in grades fourth through 12th for shotgun leagues and instruction. Beginners are welcome. For more information, call 373-0961 or email loktsafe@mtaonline.net.

Master gardening class begins Sept. 2

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service Alaska Master Gardener class will take place at the Matanuska Experiment Farm Wednesdays from 6 to 9 p.m. from September 2 through December 2. The class will be led by Dr. Steve Brown and local gardening experts. To learn more or sign up visit bit.ly/ces-workshops.

Pre Season Nordic ski training

The Mat Su Ski Club is sponsoring a training program for Nordic skiers who are looking to maintain their fitness and ski conditioning through a variety of ski specific dry-land exercises. These will include, but are not limited to: ski walking, bounding, spenst exercises, etc.

The program will meet at 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Mondays and Wednesdays, Sept. 9 to Oct. 28, at Government Peak Recreation Area. The $100 fee includes Mat Su Ski Club membership. Registration will be at GPRA on Sept. 9.

For more info email: farrens@mtaonline.net.

Sister City ‘Alaska Grown’ potluck is Sept. 10

Six middle school students and two adults from the City of Saroma, Japan will visit Palmer this September. Saroma has been Palmer’s Sister City in Japan for 35 years. The students will meet on their first day in Palmer with Mayor DeLena Johnson and tour the City before visiting other attractions with their Palmer host student counterparts.

The community is invited to a Welcome Potluck with an “Alaska Grown” theme at 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 10, at Palmer Junior Middle School. Everyone is invited to bring a dish and encouraged to wear their “Alaska Grown” shirts and hats.

Alaska VegFest is Sept. 12

Alaska Vegan Society will sponsor the second annual Alaska VegFest is Sept. 12 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Anchorage, 825 S. Klevin Street, Anchorage. The event includes three nationally known speakers, a catered lunch, cooking demonstration, and door prizes. Cost is $40. For more information, contact 373-1526, or visit alaskaveg.org.

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.

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.

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.

‘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.

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.

‘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.