Around the Valley

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Lights, music set tone for holidays

The Mitchell family is back this year with its Christmas Light Spectacular. The family invites the community to enjoy holiday lights that dance to music and donate to the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Alaska. The lights are on from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.

Find the house at 5270 S. Tennyson Court in Wasilla. Take Knik-Goose Bay Road to Mile 8.1 just past Settler’s Bay and turn at the first right, which is Kathlyn. Take Kathlyn to Gladstone and turn right, then an immediate left onto Tennyson. The family asks those enjoying the display not block the driveways of neighbors and turn radios to 91.5 FM to hear the music that goes with the dancing lights. For more information, visit christmasinak.com.

‘King Island Christmas’ production ends today

Valley Performing Art’s production of King Island Christmas at Machetanz Theater in Wasilla at 2 p.m., today will be its final performance. The musical is a uniquely Alaskan holiday story based on the book written and illustrated by Alaskans Jean Rogers and Rie Munoz. The performance tells the true story of 150 residents of a tiny island in the middle of the Bering Sea overcoming adversity to achieve the impossible.

The Mat-Su Special Santa Program also is collecting unwrapped toys to be distributed for the Toys For Tots Program. Toys can be dropped off during any performance of King Island Christmas. Tickets cost $16 for youth and seniors and $18 for adults.

To purchase tickets, call 373-0195 or visit valleyperformingarts.org.

Valley Christmas bird count

The 31st Matanuska Valley Christmas Bird Count is today. Valley field counters will attempt to count every bird seen inside of the Matanuska Valley Count Circle, a 15-mile diameter circle centered at Four Corners on the Palmer-Wasilla Highway at Trunk Road. Valley residents who live within 7.5 miles of Four Corners and have bird feeders in their yard can participate by counting the birds that visit their feeders on Dec. 19. For more information, visit matsubirders.org.

Service of light on longest night

Trinity Lutheran Church, 10355 Palmer-Wasilla Highway, will conduct a quiet, meditative worship service at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday — the day of the year with the longest night. The service includes special music, scripture, stories, silent reflection, healing prayer and communion. For more information, call 745-0726.

Holiday tours at the reindeer farm

The Reindeer Farm in Palmer will offer holiday tours from noon to 9 p.m. through Dec. 24.

Tours include Christmas lights timed to music, reindeer tours, hayrides, s’mores 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 reindeerfarm.com.

Christmas Eve service planned

Pastor Ron Hamman and the Independent Baptist Church of Wasilla, 4900 Palmer-Wasilla Highway, invite the public to a special Christmas Eve service to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. The service begins at 7 p.m., Dec. 24 with refreshments and fellowship to follow. Come early for the best seating. For more information, call 357-4229.

Christmas Friendship Dinner to host 19th annual event 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.

Kiwanis Club meets Tuesdays

Kiwanis Club of Palmer meets at noon, Tuesdays at Turkey Red in Palmer. The speaker Dec. 21 is Dr. Stacey Lowe from Life Family Chiropractics.

Wasilla Public Library holiday closures

The Wasilla Meta-Rose Public Library will be closed on Dec. 24 and 25, regular hours will resume on Dec. 27. The library will also be closed for New Years on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. Regular hours will resume on Jan. 3.

Ski and snowboard at Alyeska

Mat-Su Ski and Snowboard Club Inc. is sponsoring a program on alternating Saturdays beginning on Jan. 8 and 15. For $300, participants receive round-trip motorcoach transportation, lift tickets and two lessons for eight outings.

Participants requiring rental equipment will be charged an additional $120. Students may participate in both schedules for $550. For more information, e-mail matsusnow@mtaonline.net or visit matsusnow.org.

MOMS Club open house Dec. 28

Palmer MOMS Club open house is Dec. 28 from noon to 2 p.m. at the Mat-Su Borough gym.

VCRS open house

Valley Community for Recycling Solutions open house celebration is at 3 p.m., Jan. 6 at 9456 E. Chanlyut Circle, in Palmer.

To get there, take 49th State St., turn right before entering the Mat-Su Borough Central landfill. For more information, call 745-5544.

Mayors’ Ball is Jan. 29

A boroughwide Mayors’ Ball is planned from 8 to 11 p.m., Jan. 29, 2011, at the Palmer Moose Lodge. For more information, call 745- 3206.

Ice fishing derby Feb. 5

“Getting Jiggy” Kids Ice Fishing Derby of the year for kids 3-16 is from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Feb. 5, 2011, at Knik Lake. All proceeds go to the Alaska Make A Wish Foundation. E-mail prochevy@yahoo.com.

r online visit themasterangler.com/forum/showthread.php?911-Official-2011-Gettin-Jiggy-Kids-Ice-Fishing-Derby&p=2710#post2710.