Briefcase

Denali Brewing deemed fairground favorite

For the second year in a row, Denali Brewing Company of Talkeetna was voted as the overall favorite at the Mighty Matanuska Brewfest, which took place on Oct. 14-15 at the Alaska State Fairgrounds. The award means Denali Brewing Company will have the honor of brewing the official beer for the 2012 Alaska State Fair. Its beer “Single Engine Red” held that title in 2011.

This year’s winning beer, Denali Brewing Company’s “Louisville Sour,” is a medium-bodied golden ale fermented in American oak barrels, giving it tart flavors of lemon zest and wood. A local Talkeetna favorite, this unique beer also received recognition from judges at the State Fair this September in their first annual Microbrew Invitational Competition. The “Louisville Sour” won a silver medal in the “Seasonal” category, while Denali Brewing Company’s “Chuli Stout” won a gold medal in the “Ales” category of that same competition.

This year’s Mighty Matanuska Brewfest offered up 60 different beers to the 1,000-brewfest attendees. Of those, approximately 30 were from various Alaska breweries.

‘Women in Business Breakfast’ is Wednesday

The Alaska Small Business Development Center in Anchorage presents a monthly “Hot Topics for Women in Business Breakfast” event at the Crowne Plaza, 109 W. International Airport Road. These monthly events provide a unique networking and learning opportunity for women business owners. Our Oct. 26 breakfast highlights “Business Fraud.” This is a highly praised presentation, offered by Don Krohn and Skye Frison from First National Bank Alaska, on the trends in counterfeit checks, scams and credit card fraud. Attendees at this event will learn additional measures to take to protect their business from financial ruin due to fraud.

If you’re a business owner, this is a must attend breakfast. The Hot Topics for Women in Business Breakfast is offered the last Wednesday of every month in Anchorage. Locally, the AKSBDC is extending this invitation to our women business owners with the hope that enough interest will be generated to provide a series of similar events in Wasilla.

The price is $25 for a continental breakfast buffet, door prizes, and up to two hours of networking and our informative presentation. Doors open at 8a.m. Contact Lisa Shield at 373-7232 to register or email lisa.shield@aksbdc.org.

Free Board Policy Governance workshop set

Eric Craymer will present the workshop “Positive and Effective Leadership through Board Policy Governance: Maximizing Your Leadership Potential” at two meetings, from 9 a.m. to noon, Nov. 8 at Mat-Su College Campus, FSM Bldg, Room 202, 8295 E. College Dr, Palmer, and from 9 a.m. to noon, Nov. 9, at Eagle River Town Center, Conference Room 170, 12001 Business Blvd, Eagle River. Seating is limited. To reserve space, call Connie Egger at 761-2410 or cegger@mta-telco.com.

Wayne Dyok joins Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric team

The Alaska Energy Authority hired Wayne Dyok as lead project manager for the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric Project. Dyok begins work on Nov. 1.

Dyok has more than 35 years of U.S. and international experience in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission licensing, engineering design, environmental studies and energy planning on hydroelectric projects. He has managed major hydroelectric licensing projects for the California Department of Water Resources, Seattle City Light and Dominion Generation. Dyok has a master’s degree in civil engineering and is a licensed civil engineer in Alaska.

In the 2010 preliminary decision document, the AEA identified the Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric project as the safest and best alternative for the state to successfully meet its renewable electric energy goals. The Susitna-Watana Hydroelectric project will be located approximately halfway between Anchorage and Fairbanks, creating a 700-foot dam with a power generation capacity of 600 MW. The project is in the preliminary planning process.

For more information, visit akenergyauthority.org and http://susitna-watanahydro.org.

SBA offers workshops

The Small Business Administration will offer the following classes during October. All classes are held on the second floor of the KeyBank Building, 201 N Lucille St. The next is Oct. 25, 1 to 2 p.m., instructor Dave Kaufman will teach a free class called “Employee Benefits in the Age of Health Care Reform.”

• Oct. 26, 2 to 3 p.m., instructor Nelida Irvine will teach a free class “SBA Programs and Services”.

• Oct. 28, 9a.m. to noon, instructor Sandi Sturm will teach a class called “Build Up Your Geek Skills: Blogging.” Cost is $50.

• Oct. 28, 12:30 to 2 p.m., instructor Andrew Mitton, Esquire, will teach a free “Lunch with a Lawyer” class.

Toastmasters groups meet Tuesdays

There are weekly Toastmasters meetings in the Valley, one in Palmer in the evening and one in the morning in Wasilla. Mat-Su Toastmasters meets Tuesdays from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at the Wasilla Area Senior Center. And the Palmer Toastmasters meet Tuesdays from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. downstairs at the MTA Building in Palmer. For more information, contact Melissa Vega at 841-0077 or email melissa@greatlander.com.

Raffle tickets on sale at Palmer senior center

The Palmer senior citizens center’s membership is having a raffle. Tickets are $1 each for a chance to win. First prize will be a blue afghan with matching pillow. Second prize will be a hand made quilt. Third prize will be cream and yellow afghan. Drawing is Oct. 19 at the grand opening ceremony for The Palmer Senior Citizens Center Inc., dba Mat-Su Senior Services at 1132 S. Chugach St. in Palmer. Proceeds from the fundraiser support the senior center. For more information, contact 745-5454.

Plaque sales to help fund windbreak wall

Support the Palmer Senor Citizens Center Inc., d.b.a. Mat-Su Senior Services, with a gift that will last a lifetime. We are now selling plaques, which will be a permanent fixture on the windbreak wall at the entrance of the Mat-Su Senior Services building located at 1132 S. Chugach Street in Palmer. Plaques can be engraved with a saying of your choice, your name, business, family, or friends names (no memorials please). All proceeds from this fundraiser support the Palmer Senior Citizens Center’s mission to provide services for the health, safety, and welfare of seniors. For more information, contact 745-5454.

For more information, or to pre-register, call 373-7232, or visit aksbdc.org.