AROUND THE VALLEY: March 1, 2011

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Free pancakes at IHOP today

Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and IHOP restaurants will celebrate National Pancake Day, today, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. IHOP will offer a free short stack of famous pancakes to guests and in return, diners will be asked to leave a little something behind for The Children’s Hospital at Providence. For more information or to donate online, visit ihoppancakeday.com.

Quilters will leave you in stitches

Valley Quilters Guild will gather at 7 p.m., Thursday (social time begins at 6:30 p.m.) at the Palmer Depot. Program includes marking a quilt and the block of the month will feature the Amish diamond square. The guild will also host an open sew event at the depot at 9 a.m., March 12.

Garden club meets today

Valley Garden Club will meet at 10:30 a.m., today at the former Catholic church on Bogard Road in Wasilla. Mel Monson will speak on building and using cold frames.

Following the meeting, there will be a potluck and door prizes.

For information, call Fran at 745-7676.

Chow down at Primrose

A free community breakfast for seniors is from 8 to 10 a.m. today at Primrose Retirement Communities. Primrose hosts the breakfast monthly on the first Tuesday of each month at its facility at 889 N Elkhorn Dr., off Lucille Street.

‘Seasons’ show through March

An art show called “Seasons of the Valley and More” by retired veterinarian Dr. Jim Leach will hang at Rusty’s Restaurant, 320 E. Dahlia in Palmer, Tuesdays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., March 1-28, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Fund-raisers to help bring veteran home

Two fund-raisers are planned Saturday to help the family of U.S. Army Veteran Charles D. Jones bring his body home from the Philippines.

He died unexpectedly while on vacation and the family is raising funds to cover the $7,500 it will cost to bring the body back to Alaska for burial.

• Veterans of Foreign Wars off Knik-Goose Bay Road is sponsoring a Spaghetti Feed fund-raiser from 5 to 8 p.m. The menu includes tossed salad, spaghetti with meat sauce, bread and a variety of desserts. Cost is $10 per person. For more information, contact April Dwyer at aprildwyer77@gmail.com or on Facebook at facebook.com/?ref=home#!/event.php?eid=190781877621206.

• North Bowl is sponsoring a fund-raiser from 5 to 8 p.m. that includes two hours of bowling, taco bar, karaoke and beer and wine. Cost is $50 per person. For more information, contact Cory Jones at akcranker@gmail.com.

If you cannot attend and would like to donate, there is a memorial account set up at Wells Fargo, account number 388027684.

Concert to benefit Lulu Small

A benefit concert for Lulu Small is part of Wasilla Winterfest from 4 to 10 p.m., Friday at the Curtis Menard Sports Center. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted.

The benefit includes lots of bands and performers, art displays, a children’s area with bouncy inflatable toys and more.

NPR host to speak at Alaska event

Join Liane Hansen, NPR’s host of “Weekend Edition Sunday,” will speak at the APRN Speaker Series.

Tickets to the event scheduled for Friday at UAA’s Wendy Williamson Auditorium are $35 each for the conversational lecture from 7 to 8 p.m., with question and answer, or $125 each for a special meet and greet with Liane from 6 to 7 p.m. that includes the lecture as well. For more information, visit aprn.org/speakersseries or call 550-8400.

Car seat safety check Saturday

Safe Kids Mat-Su is sponsoring a child car seat safety check from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday at Alaska Sales and Service.

Strong women, strong

bones class is Friday

Mat-Su Regional Medical Center will offer a class Friday titled “Strong women have strong bones: Building and maintaining healthy bones throughout your life!” Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m., followed by the presentation from noon to 1 p.m. by Dr. Samuel Abbate at the hospital in the Denali Room on the third floor. Please RSVP as seating is limited. For more information, contact Angela Balos at 861-6807 or send e-mail to a.balos@msrmc.com.

Boever book signing Saturday

Valarie Boever will sign copies of her book “Margaret and Midnight the Alaskan Malamute” from 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday at Fireside Books in Palmer. Her first book tells the story of a little girl who lives in Palmer.

Celebration of life, fund-raiser set for Saturday

A celebration of life for Charles D. Jones is from 5 to 7 p.m., Saturday at North Bowl. The event also is a fund-raiser to help the family bring their father home. He passed away while on vacation in the Philippines and the cost to bring him home is $7,500. The Mardi Gras Bowling fund-raiser includes a taco buffet, bowling and beer and wine. Cost is $50 per person with all proceeds benefiting the Jones family. For more information, contact North Bowl at 357-6600.

Trappers association plans

fund-raiser for 2 mushers

The Alaska Frontier Trappers Association has planned its first annual Trappers and Mushers Soiree Saturday to benefit local mushers Cym Smith and Kelly Maxner. The event includes all Alaskan fare with auctions and fun conversation. For more information, contact Rick Ellis at rgellis@mtaonline.net or (907) 232-5531.

Lincoln Day dinner set for Saturday

Valley Republican Women’s Club’s Lincoln Day Dinner is at 6 p.m., Saturday at the Grand View Inn. The event includes an auction. Tickets are $50. For more information, contact Rosie Torres at rosiekassidy@hotmail.com.

Vintage snowmachine exhibition planned

Anchorage Yamaha, NOS Energy drink, City Diner, Fur Rondy and AMMC are bringing a Vintage Snowmachine Exhibition, Parade and Show and Shine to downtown Anchorage, Saturday, just after the start of the Iditarod. To participate, pre-register by 6 p.m., today at Anchorage Yamaha at 3919 Spenard Road in Anchorage.

Mardi Gras Bow-Wow Ball Saturday

A Taste of New Orleans to Warm the Cold Alaskan Winter — brought to you by Alaska Dog & Puppy Rescue — is from 6 to 10 p.m., Saturday at the Palmer Train Depot. The event includes a New Orleans buffet, live music, silent suction, door prizes, a magician, a costume contest and more. Tickets re available at Paw Prince and Doggie Decadents in Anchorage, Alaska TLC Kennels in Wasilla, Non-Essentials in Palmer and at the door. Tickets are $50 per person and are tax-deductable. Proceeds benefit the medical costs for ADPR’s dogs and puppies. For more information, contact 745-7030.

Bagpipers perform at Palmer Library Sunday

A group of bagpipers and drummers from the top Alaska bagpipe band will perform traditional Scottish music as part of the Friends of the Palmer Library’s free Sunday music program at 2 p.m., Sunday in the library. The event includes refreshments and conversation. For more information, contact Candy Kopperud at ckopperud@palmerak.org or visit cityofpalmer.org/library.

Valley Fine Arts Association meets March 7

The Valley Fine Arts Association meets from 4 to 8 p.m., March 7 at the Mat-Su College in Room 212 for its regular scheduled Paint-Together. World-renowned artist Charles Gause is the featured speaker at 6 p.m. For more information, visit valleyfineartsassociation.com.

Meadow Lakes Bloomers meet March 7

Meadow Lakes Bloomers Garden Club meets 10:30 a.m., March 7 at the new senior housing complex, Birch Creek Villa, off of Pittman Rd. in Meadow Lakes. To get there, turn right off Pittman Road onto Karen Drive and follow the road 2 miles to the center. The guest speaker is Les Brake of Willow who will talk about “Coyote Garden at 26: How It’s Happened (so far).” For more information, contact Trudy Hosler at 376-4296 or e-mail tjhosler@mtaonline.net.

Special Olympics USA Scarf Project seeks donations

Special Olympics Inc. and Coats and Clark, owner of Red Heart Yarns have launched a 2011 Special Olympics USA Scarf Project. The nationwide initiative gives people who knit or crochet a unique opportunity to support the organization. The project aims to collect 350 scarves to hand out to athletes at the 2011 Winter Games at east High School March 11-13. Participants are asked to follow specific guidelines, but creativity in pattern and design are encouraged. Scarves should be 54 to 60 inches long, 6 inches wide and knit or crocheted using Red Hart Yarns Super Saver 886 Blue and 512 Turqua. Deadline to donate is March 9. Completed scarves can be sent directly to the Anchorage Special Olympics Alaska office, 3200 Mountain view Drive, Anchorage, AK 99501. For more information, visit specialolympicsalaska.org and click on the Scarf Project link.

Incontinence issues class is March 11

Mat-Su Regional Medical Center will offer a class March 11 on treatment options for incontinence issues. Lunch begins at 12:30 p.m., followed by the presentation from 1 to 2 p.m. by Dr. Greg O. Lund at the hospital in the Matanuska Room, next to the cafeteria. Please RSVP as seating is limited. For more information, contact Angela Balos at 861-6807 or send e-mail to a.balos@msrmc.com.

Great outdoors calls for Valley women

An “Outdoors Women” workshop will be held March 11-13 at Victory Bible Camp near Palmer. The program introduces women to hunting, fishing and related outdoors activities. More than 48 hands-on sessions are scheduled, including firearms safety, bear safety, shotgun clinics, field dressing of fish and game, ice fishing, spin fishing, fly tying, dog mushing, snowmachining, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, GPS operation, fish smoking, rod building, outdoors photography and winter survival. Cost is $250 for applications postmarked before Feb. 15; $300 after. For more information, call 267-2218.

Reed book signing March 12

Carol Reed will sign copies of her book “Musk Ox Magic” from 2 to 4 p.m., March 12 at Fireside Books in Palmer. The book is her first and was illustrated by her daughters. The story is set at the Windy Valley Musk Ox Farm on Lazy Mountain.

Palmer Lions Club 44th annual gun show

Palmer Lions Club 44th annual gun show is March 12-13 at Raven Hall on the Alaska State Fairgrounds. The annual event includes more than 300 tables of guns, knives and outdoor gear, as well as a free chance to win a fishing charter, hourly door prizes and a rifle raffle. The event is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., March 12 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 13. Park at the state fairgrounds purple gate and a free shuttle will deliver people to Raven Hall. Cost is $5 and children under 13 are free. For more information, call 761-3750.

Palmer Historical Society meets Wednesday

Palmer Historical Society meets at 7 p.m., March 16 at the Palmer Library. The presentation is about radioactive fallout and the milk contamination controversy — 1950s and 1960s. April 20 the program will focus on skiing at Independence in the 1960s and 1970s. People who join the organization or renew their membership at the meeting get a copy of the mystery disk of photos and archival materials from the Stroup collection mentioned in the Feb. 1 issue of the Frontiersman.

Legislators schedule public meetings March 19

Alaska legislative representative have scheduled three public meetings March 19. The first is from 10 a.m. to Noon, March 19 at Willow Elementary School with Sen. Charlie Huggins and Rep. Mark Neuman. The second is from 1 to 3 p.m., March 19 at Lazy Mountain Bible Church with Sen. Huggins and Rep. Bill Stoltze. And the third is from 4 to 6 p.m., March 19 at Eagle River Town Center, Room 170, with Sen. Huggins, Rep. Stoltze, Sen. Fred Dyson, Sen. Cathy Giessel, Rep. Anna Fairclough, and Rep. Dan Saddler.

Valley Fine Arts Association meets March 21

The Valley Fine Arts Association meets from 4 to 8 p.m., March 21 at the Mat-Su College in Room 212 for its regular scheduled Paint-Together. For more information, visit valleyfineartsassociation.com, or call 495-6636.

Hip replacement informational class offered March 21

Mat-Su Regional Medical Center will offer a class March 21 on anterior hip replacement surgery. Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m., followed by the presentation from noon to 1 p.m. by Dr. Gary E. Benedetti at the hospital in the Denali Room on the third floor. Please RSVP as seating is limited. For more information, contact Angela Balos at 861-6807 or send e-mail to a.balos@msrmc.com.

Informational class on robotic surgery offered March 25

Mat-Su Regional Medical Center will offer a class March 25 about minimally invasive robotic surgery. Lunch begins at 11 a.m., followed by the presentation at 11:30 a.m. by Dr. Greg O.Lund at the hospital in the Denali Room on the third floor. Please RSVP as seating is limited. For more information, contact Angela Balos at 861-6807 or send e-mail to a.balos@msrmc.com.

Call to artists for juried events

The Anchorage Museum invites artists to apply for its most popular, juried art and craft events. Summer Art Potpourri occurs daily during June and July. Crafts Weekend happens during the three-day Thanksgiving weekend, Nov. 25-27. Both events offer artists an opportunity to sell their work and interact with museum visitors. Crafts Weekend and Summer Art Potpourri will be juried simultaneously. Artists can submit digital images for one or both events.

Deadline for entries is 6 p.m. March 25. Selections will be made by April 15. More information and a prospectus are available at anchoragemuseum.org.

Toastmasters offer communication classes

Palmer Toastmasters offers a six-week workshop on communication from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m., Tuesdays through March 29 in MTA’s Basement Conference center. Cost is $59. For more information, contact Beth Fread, 351-3489 or send e-mail to Beth@BethsValleyViews.com, or visit palmertms.freetoasthost.org/.

Valley Fine Arts Association meets April 4

The Valley Fine Arts Association meets from 4 to 8 p.m., April 4 at the Mat-Su College in Room 212 for its regular scheduled Paint-Together. For more information, visit valleyfineartsassociation.com, or call 495-6636.

Learn acrylic painting

Wasilla Area Seniors Inc. is offering a six-week series of acrylic painting classes from 1 to 3:30 p.m., beginning April 5. Cost is $12 per class. For more information, call Jim at 892-5000.

Annual Baby and Children’s Fair is April 9

Mat-Su Regional Medical Center’s annual Baby and Children’s Fair is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 9 at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, 2500 South Woodworth Loop. For more information, contact Angela Balos at 861-6807 or send e-mail to a.balos@msrmc.com.

Shred it up at Wells Fargo

The Better Business Bureau’s free document shredding is coming to the Mat-Su. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 16 at Wells Fargo Bank, 1701 E. Parks Highway, people can drive up and drop off up to three bags or boxes of unwanted documents per person. Items will be securely shredded free on-the-spot by Shred Alaska. No cardboard or three-ring binders. For more information, visit alaska.bbb.org/secure-your-id.

Valley Fine Arts Association meets April 18

The Valley Fine Arts Association meets from 4 to 8 p.m., April 18 at the Mat-Su College in Room 212 for its regular scheduled Paint-Together. Kurt Jacobson, Artist, will conduct a demonstration at 6 p.m. For more information, visit valleyfineartsassociation.com, or call 495-6636.

Shoot for the cure at May 20 cystic fibrosis fund-raiser

A cystic fibrosis fund-raising event is planned from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., May 20 at the Birchwood Recreation and Shooting Park.

Nordic Ski is subject of third poster contest

The Mat-Su Borough is seeking paintings, drawing, photographs or inspirational views from borough artists depicting the Nordic Ski Trails project at Hatcher Pass. Inspiration could mean a colorful stream of skiers with Pioneer Peak as a backdrop; a memorable sky with trail through spruce; an original take on the area to suggest its future of Nordic competitions, healthy outdoor family fun and increased tourism.

Work should be submitted ready for print on May 25 or earlier.

This is an annual poster contest that highlights a local artist’s or photographer’s work and promotes a Borough Assembly priority project. It’s recommended artists look at a map of the area before working. For more information call Public Affairs Director Patty Sullivan at 745-9577 or e-mail psullivan@matsugov.us.

RECURRING EVENTS

Ahtna language classes offered

Ahtna Athabascan language classes are offered Mondays from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Ya Ne Dah Ah School, Mile 55.5 Glenn Hwy. For more information, call Kari at 745-0722.

Calling all writers

Writers are invited to join a newly formed local chapter of the Alaska Writers Guild to discuss 2011 meeting times, dates, places, topics, form critique groups and vote on a name. Annual membership is $60. For more information, visit alaskawritersguild.com.

Kiwanis Club meets on Tuesdays

The Kiwanis Club, an international service organization dedicated to serving the youth and elderly of the local community, meets weekly with fellowship, planning fund-raising and service events. The club meets from noon to 1 p.m., Tuesdays in the Turkey Red banquet room in Palmer and features a different speaker every week on a variety of topics of interest to the people of the Valley. On the last Tuesday of every month, an evening meeting is offered from 6 to 7 p.m. for members or guests who cannot attend the noon meetings. For more information, contact Marian Lear at melear@mtaonline.net.

Toastmasters meets Tuesdays

Toastmasters group meets from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., Tuesdays at Wasilla Area Seniors Inc, 1301 S Century Cir. Toastmasters helps people develop better communication and leaderships skills, think quicker and more clearly on their feet, builds self-confidence and strong leadership qualities. For more information, contact Dennis Moore at djmoore611@gci.net; Angela Ritchey at angritchey@yahoo.com, or visit www.matsutm.org.

Rotary meets Wednesdays at Evangelo’s

The Wasilla Rotary Club No. 104 meets for lunch and program every Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m., downstairs at Evangelo’s Restaurant, 2530 E Parks Hwy. For more information, contact Kerry Aguirre, Club Secretary, at 861-6849. Visitors are always welcome!

New arthritis support group meets in Anchorage

Arthritis Support Group meets on the third Wednesday of each month from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Ivy Room at the Alaska Regional Hospital in Anchorage. The first meeting is Wednesday and the featured speaker is Laura Goss, Alaska Branch Manager for the Arthritis Foundation Great West Region Inc. For more information, contact Dawn Scott, at (907) 223-4001 or akdawnscott@gmail.com. This event is supported by the Arthritis Foundation Alaska Branch office, 615 E. 82nd Ave., Ste. B-4 in Anchorage. Their phone is 277-2784 and the statewide toll-free number is (866) 997-2784. Arthritis Answers Helpline serving Alaska, Washington and Oregon is (800) 542-0295.

TOPS meets three times a week

Take of Pounds Sensibly, a non-profit weight loss support group, has three chapters that meet weekly in the Valley. For more information, contact Kathy Miller at 376-9571 or write to matsutops@webtv.net.

Historical society meets Wednesday

Palmer Historical Society’s next meeting is 7 p.m., Wednesday at the Palmer Library.

Grandparents group meets Wednesdays

Mat-Su Valley Grandparents Support Group meets on the second Wednesday of each month from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the LINKS Resource Center, located in the Valley Business Center, 4931 E. Mayflower Lane No. 3. For information, call Rozann Kimpton at 376-7322 or Melody McCullia at 373-8963.

AMVETS ramps up weekend fun

Fridays at AMVETS Post 9 are karaoke night with Leon Troutman. Friday also is steak night and the 9 a.m. Sunday mornings breakfasts are back. For more information, call 376-2999.

VAA meets Thursdays

Valley Arts Alliance meets at 11 a.m., Thursdays, at Sophia’s Kafe Neo.

Alzheimer’s resource group meets Thursdays

The Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska group meets from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Thursdays, at the Trinity Barn Plaza, Mile 2.2 Palmer/Wasilla Hwy. Join us to learn how to choose a health care professional and how to work with the health care team. Learn the steps to be a successful health care advocate. For more information, contact Sam Meneses at smeneses@alzalaska.org, or visit alzalaska.org.

Free soup supper offered Thursdays

First Presbyterian Church of Wasilla, 1375 E. Bogard Rd., offers free soup suppers from 6 to 7:30 p.m., Thursdays. Everyone is welcome to come share a free, warm meal in a family setting. For more information, contact Maggie at maggiemorock@gmail.com or online, visit http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Stone-Soup/195078043841684?v=info.

Wasilla museum offers free Fridays

The Dorothy G. Page Museum, 323 North Main St., offers free Friday admission for Mat-Su Borough residents resumes this week as well. For more information, contact 373-9071.

Alaska Center for Spiritual Living meets Sundays

Alaska Center for Spiritual Living meets the second Sunday of each month at the CoDi building at 7335 E. Palmer Wasilla Hwy. Meditation begins at 10:30 a.m. with a service to follow at 11 a.m. For more information, contact Robert at 315-3407.