Around the Valley

See ‘Chicago’ at Massay Theater

Presented by the Glenn Massay Theater and Enliven Dance Company, “Chicago: The Musical” will be onstage Oct. 29-31. Showtimes are 7 p.m. on Oct. 29-30 with a 2 p.m. matinee performance on Saturday, Oct. 31. Tickets are $19 for adults and $11 for students and are available at glennmassaytheater.com or by calling 746-9300. All performances are at the theater, located at 8295 E. College Drive in Palmer.

Ski club to meet

The Mat-Su Ski Club will hold its annual membership meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30 at the Palmer Depot. The event will include door prizes, pizza, silent auction and the chance to purchase trail pins. For more information, visit matsuski.org.

‘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.

‘Rocky Horror’ film fest in Talkeetna Oct. 30

Join the Denali Arts Council for a “Rocky Horror Picture Show” film party at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar on Friday, Oct. 30 from 9 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are $10 for arts council members, $15 for non-members. Costumes recommended.

‘Colony Con’ and ‘Geek!’ onstage at CHS

Colony High School will host its first-ever Colony Con Anime mini-convention this weekend, in conjunction with the drama club’s production of “Geek!,” a play by Crystal Skillman, this weekend. Colony Con will be held from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30 and noon to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31. “Geek!” showtimes are at 7 p.m. Oct. 30-31 and Nov. 6-7.

Admission to the convention is $3 or free with play admission ($10 for adults, $7 for students).

The convention includes vendors, movies, a magic card game tournament, Super Smash Brothers tournament, art displays, photo ops, a panel discussion and a costume contest. On Saturday only, children 12 or under in costume and accompanied by a parent are free to trick-or-treat and enjoy the convention.

Fall fest at Sportsman’s Warehouse

Sportsman’s Warehouse in Wasilla will host a “Fall Festival” event on Saturday, Oct. 31 from noon to 5 p.m. at the store, located at 1901 E. Parks Highway in Wasilla. The event will feature kids’ activities, games, hay rides, trick-or-treating, free pictures, pumpkin carving, costume contests and prizes. Other sponsors include Subway, Red Robin, Papa Murphy’s, Walgreens and AFC. For more information email cdaw@sportsmanswarehouse.com

Mat-Su ‘Haunted Shelter’ open this weekend

The Mat-Su Animal Shelter off 49th State St. in Palmer will turn into a haunted house (shelter) on Friday, Oct. 30 and Saturday, Oct. 31 from 7 to 11 p.m. Admission is $5 and gets children and adults goodies and games. All proceeds and donations will be used for shelter projects.

Haunted house for Halloween

The Wasilla Haunted Garage will present “Halls of Fear,” a haunted house event for kids on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 6582 S. Wassim Circle near mile 9 of KGB Road from 6 to 9 p.m. Free admission.

Valley Performing Arts Halloween party is Oct. 31

Celebrate Halloween with Valley Performing Arts Halloween Party on Saturday, Oct. 31, by dressing in costume for the showing of “Bell, Book and Candle.” There will be door prizes for best, scariest and funniest costumes. Doors open at 6 p.m., the play starts at 7 p.m.

Firefighters to host open house

The Palmer Fire Association will host its 24th annual Autumn Harvest (Halloween) Open House on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 5 to 8 p.m. Kids can have their photo taken with Sparky the Fire Dog, play games and enjoy treats and pumpkin juice. All kids are welcome. For more information, call 745-3701 ext. 1.

Trunk or Treat for Halloween

There will be a ‘Trunk or Treat’ event on Saturday, Oct. 31 from 3 to 5 p.m. in the parking lot at 199 E. Nelson Avenue (near Iditarod Elementary School), with more than a dozen local businesses planning to participate. There will be prizes for best costumes as well as candy. For more information, call 376-7649.

‘Spooktacular’ for domestic violence

Learn about healthy relationships and ways our community can help prevent violence for Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October) at the Brett Memorial Ice Arena’s Ice “Spooktacular Boo Bash” on Oct. 31, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the arena in Wasilla. Activities include R & R Productions deejay and light show, trick or treating, costume contest, on-ice games, a skating performance, selfies and more. Attendees may wear purple ribbons provided and show their safety awareness for prize drawings.

This community event is presented by the ice arena and the Alaska National Organization for Women, with thanks to: Alaska’s Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Alaska Family Services, R & R Productions and the State of Alaska Mat-Su Public Health Center.

Skating admission fees, including a two-for-one special are: public skate (adult) $5, public skate (5 and under/seniors) $4, public skate families (up to 4 members) $15, and skate rental $3.

For more information visit matsugov.us or call 861-7690.

Voice of Democracy scholarship deadline is Nov. 1

High school students may a 3-5 minute audio essay to the Voice of Democracy program, which is awarding $30,000 in scholarships.

Each year, nearly 38,000 high school students from across the country enter to win a share of the $2.2 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the VFW’s Voice of Democracy audio-essay competition.

The VFW established the Voice of Democracy program in 1947 to provide students in grades 9 through 12 the opportunity to express themselves in regards to democratic ideas and principles. For more information, visit bit.ly/1IhHucP.

The deadline to submit an audio essay is Nov. 1.

Garden club to meet

The Meadow Lakes Bloomers Garden Club will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, Nov. 2 at 10:30 a.m. Guest speaker will be Ellen Vande Visse, owner of Good Earth Garden School and author of Ask Mother Nature: A Conscious Gardener's Guide. Her topic will be Green Manure/Cover Crops. The Club meets at the Meadow Lakes Senior Center (Birch Creek Villa), off of Pittman Road in Meadow Lakes. Take Karen Drive and follow the road to the complex.

Valley Garden Club to meet

The Valley Garden Club will meet at 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 3 at the First Baptist Church of Wasilla, located at the intersection of Bogard and Leatherleaf Roads. Guest speaker will be Steve Brown from the Mat-Su Cooperative Extension Service. Brown will speak about large crops from seed to ribbon. There will be door prizes and a potluck following the meeting. All are welcome. For more information, call Joni at 376-5608.

VCRS to host winter film night

Valley Community for Recycling Solutions will host its first Winter Film Night on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 6:30 p.m. with a showing of “Addicted to Plastic,” which is a movie about “a global journey to investigate what we really know about the material of a thousand uses and why there’s so darn much of it.” Seating is limited to 25 people, so please RSVP by calling 745-5544.

Film festival at the Massay is Nov. 6

Alaska Center for the Environment will present the Telluride Mountainfilm Festival at The Glenn Massay Theater on Friday, Nov. 6 at 6:30 p.m.

Begun in 1979, Telluride Mountainfilm is one of America’s longest-running film festivals. To preview some of the films that will be shown, visit mountainfilm.org/tour/films. For tickets ($12 for adults, $10 for students), visit glennmassaytheater.com.

Knik House dinner fundraiser is Nov. 6

Knik House and its parent organization, Blood-n-Fire Ministry of Alaska, is hosting a spaghetti dinner and fundraiser at Church on the Rock in Wasilla, beginning at 6 p.m. All funds raised will help support Blood-n-Fire’s programs, food pantry and Knik House.

For more information contact Andrea Moore at 357-0391 or Karey Gaston at 232-6796.

VPA to hold auditions

Valley Performing Arts will hold auditions for “The Hallelujah Girls,” a comedy directed by DJ Rotach on Saturday, Nov. 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 8 from 7 to 9 p.m. Copies of the script are available at the VPA office (251 W. Swanson Avenue in Wasilla) for overnight checkout. For more information, or to download an audition form, visit valleyperformingarts.org or call 373-0195.

‘Alaska Home Companion’ goes to Sutton

“The Alaska Home Companion—A Frontier Variety Show” is the Valley Arts Alliance’s rendition of a live radio broadcast with skits, music and dance acts, similar to the popular “Prairie Home Companion” radio show on National Public Radio.

The Season 4 Sutton episode of “The Alaska Home Companion” will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Sutton Public Library and Community Resource Center, 11301 N. Chickaloon Way. Suggested donation is $15.

Holiday marketplace planned

The Mat-Su Holiday Marketplace, a “one-stop shopping extravaganza” will be held Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 7-8 at the Menard Center in Wasilla. The event will feature local arts and crafts from more than 100 booths, including jewelry, furs, artwork, fleece, glassware and more.

Fiber Arts Guild steps “Out of the Box”

The Valley Fiber Arts Guild will hold its “Out of the Box” sale on Saturday, Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Palmer Depot in downtown Palmer. The event will feature fiber crafts from local artisans as well as wood items from the Alaska Woodturners Association and work from students in the Mat-Su College arts department. For more information, email patmil@mtaonline.net.

Art show upcoming

An art show featuring the work of Dr. James Leach will be on display on Saturday, Nov. 7 at The Boardwalk inside the Carrs Center in Wasilla. The art was created while Leach was an artist in residence at Ernest Gruening State Historical Park in 2015. The Boardwalk is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Mat-Su CVB annual meeting is Nov. 13

The Mat-Su Convention & Visitors Bureau is hosting an informative panel discussion about tourism destination development featuring Travel Oregon’s “Rural Tourism Studio” in conjunction with the CVB’s annual meeting Nov. 13 at Evangelo’s Restaurant in Wasilla. Joining Travel Oregon on the panel will be representatives from the Mat-Su Parks and Trails Foundation, as well as a representative from Chickaloon Village, who will talk about a new multi-year Ahtna cultural tourism development grant. There will also be an update of the Gateway Visitor Center Project from the design team at Wolf Architecture. The panel discussion begins at 9 a.m. and continues to 10:30 a.m. From 11 a.m. to noon, the Voice of the Membership meeting takes place, followed by the annual Stars of the Industry awards luncheon at noon. This year’s half-day event kicks off the Mat-Su CVB’s 30th anniversary.

Tickets are $25 and include all components, including lunch. Tickets are available by calling 746-5000 or by e-mailing Justin@alaskavisit.com. The event is open to the public (you don’t have to be a member of the Mat-Su CVB to attend).

Wasilla Lake Christian School fundraiser, auction

Wasilla Lake Christian School is hosting its annual fundraiser and auction benefit at Wasilla Nazarene Church, 2001 Palmer-Wasilla Hwy. on Friday, Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. A $25 ticket gets attendees dinner and entrance into the auction, which will offer: a one-week vacation in Cabo San Lucas, fly-in salmon fishing trips, Knik Glacier flights, Alaska train rides, Alyeska hotel nights, guns, Diversified Tires, and gift certificates to Chepo’s, Locals, Hacienda and more.

Call 373-6439 for more information.

Houston High to host craft fair

A “Merchant’s Market” craft and baked goods bazaar will be held on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Houston High. The first 25 people who show up will receive a free gift (limit one per family). There will be a cake ticket giveaway, drawings and door prizes as well as a concession stand.

‘Go for the Gravy’ runs Nov. 14

Fronteras Spanish Immersion Charter School is hosting its eighth annual “Go for the Gravy” races on Saturday, Nov. 14 at Wasilla High School. The outdoor 3k and 5k races start at 10 a.m., followed by an indoor kids’ fun run at 10:45.

Registration forms are available online at bit.ly/1MhVBBX. Entry fees are $10 for the kids’ race, $25 for the 3k and 5k races through Nov. 11. Discounts available for military and groups.

Race-day registration opens at 9 a.m. The first 100 to register and pay in full will receive a race t-shirt. Proceeds go to Fronteras and The Children’s Place.

Bazaar booths available

Booth are still available for the TOPS Holiday Bazaar, which will be held Nov. 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mat-Su Senior Services. For more information, call Liz at 892-6406.

Chris Smither concert at Massay Nov. 15

Whistling Swan Productions welcomes blues-folk artist Chris Smither to the Glenn Massay Theater on Sunday, Nov. 15 at 4 p.m. For tickets, visit glennmassaytheater.com

Fish and Game AC to hold elections

The Matanuska Valley Fish and Game Advisory Committee will hold its annual election on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m. at the Wasilla High School theater. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

See ‘Pamyua’ in concert Nov. 18

See the Inuit dance and music group “Pamyua” on the Glenn Massay Theater stage on Wednesday, Nov. 18 at 6:30 p.m. The group encourages audiences to appreciate indigenous traditions while relating ancient traditional wisdom into modern culture. Pamyua believes that unity is possible though music and dance.

For tickets, visit glennmassaytheater.com.

UA encourages early enrollment

The University of Alaska is celebrating UA College Appreciation Week Nov. 16-20 by encouraging high school seniors to apply early for college.

“College is a game changer, leading to better careers and higher paying

jobs. Alaska data shows that 63 percent of Alaska jobs will require a

postsecondary education by 2018,” said Saichi Oba, associate vice president

for student and enrollment services at the UA System in a press release. “Applying early is not only a good first step, but it actually increases a student’s chance of

success in college. Students that apply early have more time to apply for

financial aid, make important decisions regarding classes and majors, and learn about campus life.”

High school seniors are encouraged to apply to the University of Alaska

through uaonline.alaska.edu.

See ‘The Shoot Dangs’ at the Massay Nov. 20

As part of the AK Home Concert Series, Glenn Massay Theater presents “The Shoot Dangs,” a local “blueCrass” band, on Friday, Nov. 20, at 7:30 p.m. The band says its songs are based on life’s lessons, inspired by outlaws and influenced by legends.

For tickets, visit glennmassaytheater.com.

Northern Lights Valley Knitters meet Nov. 21

The Northern Lights Valley Knitters will host its monthly meeting from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 865 N. Seward Meridian Pkwy. in Wasilla.

Pioneer Peak plans bazaar

Pioneer Peak Elementary will hold a holiday bazaar at the school on Dec. 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Over 70 vendors will be on hand and there will be lots of holiday gifts and ideas. Free.

Northern Lights Valley Knitters meet Dec. 13

The Northern Lights Valley Knitters will host its monthly meeting from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 13 at 865 N. Seward Meridian Pkwy. in Wasilla.

Colony Christmas Triathlon is Dec. 13

The 2015 Colony Christmas Triathlon, sponsored by the Mat-Su Health Foundation, begins at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 13 at the Alaska Club in Palmer. Entry fees are $35 per person, $50 for two-person teams, and $60 for three-person teams. Triathlon is a 5k run, 500-yard swim and 10k bike. Bikes may be swapped for cross-country skis in the event of heavy snowfall/coverage.

For more information, visit palmerchamber.org or contact the Greater Palmer Chamber of Commerce at 745-2880 or director@palmerchamber.org.

Willow Winter Solstice Marathon is Dec. 19

The Willow Winter Solstice Marathon, half marathon and 5k races begin at the Willow Community Center, Mile 70 Parks Hwy., on Saturday, Dec. 19. Register online at bit.ly/1Lky6Hu.

Entry fees (online): marathon - $70; half marathon - $50; 5K - $30; virtual runner - $50. On race day, marathon and half-marathon bump up $10, 5K increases $5.

For more information, visit willowrunningcompany.com.

ONGOING EVENTS

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.

Free cooking demonstrations

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 following until Oct. 15 in the “Five Loaves Two Fish”kitchen Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 501 E. Bogard Rd., Wasilla. Prepare dishes using fresh Alaskan produce.

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.

October is Farm to School month

October is National Farm to School month. “Farm to School” refers to schools serving local, farm-fresh foods ranging from fruits and veggies to honey and meat.

According to the USDA, one-third of U.S. children are obese or overweight, and only 2 percent of children get the recommended serving of fruits and vegetable each day. Farm to School programs increase students’ daily fruit and vegetable consumption significantly.

Often schools incorporate curriculums that help students learn about nutrition, agriculture, science, math and the path that food takes from the farm to the table as well as creating experience-based learning opportunities by visiting farms and participating in gardening, recycling, and entrepreneurial programs.

The Farm to School concept is simple: bring tasty, nutritious food from the people who grow it to the school kids that want to eat it. The details involved in making this a reality can be daunting, however. With that in mind the Center for Rural Affairs has put together a Farm to School Month Starter Kit, guide and several other resources to help wade through all the complexities. For more details, visit cfra.org/f2s.

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.

MEA warns members of phone scam

Cooperative request its members make payments at a third-party location,” said Julie Estey, Director of Public Relations.

Estey urges anyone who receives this type of call to hang up immediately and contact MEA directly at 761-9300 (Mat-Su) or 689-9300 (Eagle River).

Job Corps seeks interview, business attire for students

The Alaska Job Corps “Career Closet” seeks donations of men’s business causal 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.

Drivers needed to chauffeur cancer patients

The American Cancer Society is hoping to start up a Mat-Su version of its “Road to Recovery Program.” The society is looking for drivers to shuttle cancer patients from