BRIEFCASE: July 31, 2011

QuickBooks class offered

The Alaska Small Business Development Center and Alaska Vocational Technical are offering an eight-session, 20-hour online class on QuickBooks Pro 2010 taught by a local Intuit ProAdvisor. The class is from 6:30 to 9 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays through Aug. 11. Pre-registration is required and the deadline to register is July 12. To view workshop details and requirements, or to register, visit aksbdc.org, or call Alaska’s Institute of Technology at (907) 224-6161.

Mat-Su Farm Tour is Aug. 4

Mat-Su Farm Bureau presents the Mat-Su Farm Tour Aug. 4. For more information, or to register, contact Kristi Krueger at 761-3858 or Kristi.Krueger@alaska.gov.

Toastmasters groups meet

Tuesdays in Wasilla, Palmer

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. Toastmasters groups offer an educational and supportive learning environment where you can improve and hone all of your communication skills. Learn to prepare and deliver a speech, provide effective evaluations, and think on your feet with impromptu speeches. For more information, contact Melissa Vega at 841-0077 or email melissa@greatlander.com.

QuickBooks class offered

The Alaska Small Business Development Center and Alaska Vocational Technical are offering an eight-session, 20-hour online class on QuickBooks Pro 2010 taught by a local Intuit ProAdvisor. The class is from 6:30 to 9 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays from through Aug. 11. To view workshop details and requirements, or to register, visit aksbdc.org, or call Alaska’s Institute of Technology at 224-6161.

Houston Farmers Market continues

Houston Farmers Market continues Fridays from 3 to 9 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays in the Spenard Builders Supply parking lot. For more information, contact Peggy Bjornton at 892-4727.

Wasilla city market continues through August

Wasilla Farmers Market is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays through August at the corner of Willow and Herning Streets downtown.

Friday Fling adds ‘Chef at the Market’

Moose Bites Personal Chefs’ Paul Villnerve is the “Chef at the Market” at Friday Fling in Palmer at 4 p.m., Aug. 5. He will prepare a dish made from available crops available at the market that day. Recipe cards and samples also will be given to the audience.

Willow Farmers Market is Fridays

The Willow Farmers Market opens from 2 to 7 p.m., Fridays through Sept. 23 at Mile 68.8, Parks Hwy., across from Newman’s Tesoro. Check out the fresh local produce, crafts and the new food vendors. See what’s new each week on Facebook. For more information, contact Nina Davidson at ninamarie.willow@gmail.com.

Alaska Speakers Bureau recruiting members

Alaska Speakers Bureau is looking for presenters and trainers who are interested in expanding their speaking career to join their new organization.

The Alaska Speakers Bureau facilitates speakers for large and small corporations, professional and trade associations, meeting planners, educational or public institutions requiring keynote, motivational, after-dinner speakers, trainers, and conference facilitators.

For more information, contact the Alaska Speakers Bureau at 339-0178.

Fair recycling needs volunteers

The Alaska State Fair needs volunteers for its recycling program. Volunteers who donate at least four hours of their time to the program receive free entrance to the fair that day and help make a positive impact on their community and state.

For more information on the program or to volunteer, contact Linda Skalsky at 357-9387 or 355-0061.