News and Notes

Early voting now open

Absentee and early voting is now open for local elections. Early voting locations include the Alaska Division of Elections office (North Fork Professional Building, Suite 102, Wasilla) and the Mat-Su Borough Administration Building (350 E. Dahlia Ave.) in Palmer. By-mail voting is open as well. Any registered voter of the Borough may apply for a ballot to be mailed to them by submitting an absentee by mail ballot application no later than seven days prior to Election Day. The application deadline for the October 6, regular election is Tuesday, September 29.

Completed applications may be mailed or hand-delivered to the Borough Clerk’s Office at 350 E. Dahlia Avenue, Palmer, AK 99645, or faxed to 907-861-7845. For more information, visit matsugov.us.

Disabled vets to receive moose meat

On Monday at 10 a.m., local disabled veterans will receive donations of moose meat at the Menard Center in Wasilla. Coordinated by local pilot Dave Glenn, the City of Wasilla, My House and several local businesses, the event will donate about 1,500 pounds of meat. Although all the meat has already been spoken for, Glenn said the event will offer area residents a chance to stop by and thank veterans for their service.

Wasilla City Council to meet Monday

The Wasilla City Council will hold its regular meeting on Monday, Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. at City Hall, located at 290 E. Herning Ave. An agenda and packet can be found online at ci.wasilla.ak.us or by visiting the city clerk’s office.

Wasilla chamber seeks board members

The Greater Wasilla Chamber of Commerce has four seats open for its 2016 board of directors. Self nominations will be accepted through Oct. 7. To download a nomination packet, visit wasillachamber.org. Packets can be emailed to contact@wasillachamber.org or faxed to (907) 373-2560.

Big Lake to decide city question

Big Lake voters will decide on Oct. 27 whether or not to incorporate as a second-class city. Community “compass forums” are being held each Thursday leading up to the election from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Big Lake Library. The forum will include a panel of incorporation proponents followed by a question-and-answer session. Voters may vote in the upcoming election if they were registered to vote in the proposed city boundaries on or before July 1. Voters will vote by mail, and absentee in-person voting begins Oct. 12.

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.

Grape Tap to host beer tasting Oct. 1

The Grape Tap in downtown Wasilla will host a beer tasting with food pairings on Thursday, Oct. 1 starting at 6 p.m. Enjoy seven different beers and an appetizer plate with matching tastes for $25 per person over age 21. Call 376-8466 to reserve a spot.

‘Beer Meets Chocolate’ on Oct. 8

Arkose Brewery and JB Chocolatier of Palmer have been collaborating on this event ever since Arkose opened its doors, and this anniversary tasting on Oct. 8 at 6 p.m. is not to be missed. A custom chocolate adorned with the Arkose logo was specially designed for the brewery’s fourth anniversary this year. Participants receive four 8-ounce pours of hand-crafted ales, four hand-crafted chocolates and an anniversary glass for $25. There will be additional door prizes throughout the evening to include Arkose’s new stainless steel growler. To sign up, call 746-2337.

‘Beer Meets Canvas’ is Oct. 10

Arkose Brewery invites the community to “Sip. Relax. Create.” while enjoying a tasty brew at the monthly “Beer Meets Canvas” event on Oct. 10 at 2 p.m. For this anniversary event — Arkose turns four this year — $30 covers one beer, all art supplies needed, and a free anniversary glass to take home. There will also be door prizes. For reservations, call 746-2337.

‘Ox-toberfest’ set for Oct. 17

The Musk Ox Farm and Alaska Farmland Trust will be hosting the first ever Ox-toberfest on Saturday, Oct. 17, starting at 5 p.m. This “farm-to-table” event will serve up Alaska-grown fare including brats, cabbage for sauerkraut, potatoes in German potato salad, mustard and even Alaska-grown wheat buns. There will also be German-style wine from K & L as well as locally brewed beer from Arkose Brewery, Bleeding Heart Brewery and more.

Dust off your lederhosen and your best polka for an evening under the stars (or beer tent) with Alaska Blaskapelle and your favorite herd of musk oxen. Adult tickets are $25, and tickets for children age 5 to 17 are $15 (no alcohol for attendees under 21). Purchase tickets in person at The Musk Ox Farm, the Alaska Farmland Trust office, or online at muskoxfarm.org.

‘Mighty Matanuska Brewfest’ is Oct. 17

The 2015 Mighty Matanuska Brewfest is on Saturday, Oct. 17 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Raven Hall on the Alaska State Fairgrounds.

Tasting of brews from around Alaska and beyond begins at 6 p.m. Participatns can vote for their favorite to be the 2016 state fair’s official beer. Attendees will have time to question brewers in a quieter atmosphere until 8 p.m., when dancing to live music by Element 47 begins. Beer-friendly food will be available to purchase. Admission is $40 per person, per day and includes 15, 4-ounce samples of beer. Designated driver tickets are $10 and include a complimentary non-alcohol beverage. Convenience fees apply. All attendees, including DDs, must be 21 or older with a valid ID to attend.

Families needed to foster rescued dogs

Alaska Animal Advocates is a non-profit rescue group that currently focuses on dogs, which hopes to include other animals in the future. These dogs are rescued throughout the state of Alaska and are placed in foster homes, where they are cared for, trained, and socialized. The dogs are spayed/neutered, microchipped, vaccinated, and de-wormed. You can help by providing your home as a foster home. For more information, contact Angie at 841-3173, or send email to aaarescue@yahoo.com, or visit alaskaanimaladvocates.com.