Weekend events in the Mat-Su Valley

Registration ends May 1 for Why Not Tri Triathlon

Deadline to register is May 1 for the 2012 Why Not Tri Wasilla Triathlon. The event begins at 9 a.m., June 16 at Wasilla High School and includes a 400-meter swim, 9.25-mile bike ride and a 3-mile run. There are 80 slots still open. Solo registration costs $55 and relay team registration is $120. Proceeds benefit the ALS Association. For more information, visit whynottriwasilla.net.

PJMS book fair ends today

Palmer Junior Middle School, 1159 Chugach St., book fair is from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., through April 20. Buy books for your children and help support the library. For more information, visit matsuk12.us/pjm/site/default.asp or bookfairs.scholastic.com/homepage/pjms, or call 761-4315.

Mom Swap is today

The MOM's Club of Palmer has planned a Mom Swap from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 20 at the United Presbyterian Church in Palmer. Bring your gently used household items, clothes, and trade them in for new gently used items for your family. For more information, contact Dee at (907) 745-1795.

‘Leaving Iowa’ opens today

Wasilla High School Thespian Society presents ‘Leaving Iowa’ at 8 p.m., April 20, 21, 27 and 28, with 2 p.m. matinees on April 22 and 29, at Wasilla High School. Tickets are $8 each.

‘Making Music’ for MYHouse event is today

The next installment in the Making Music series is set for 7 p.m., April 20 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in the Trinity Barns, Mile 2.2, Palmer-Wasilla Highway. Musicians set to perform include Hurricane Dave, Suzy Crosby and the Mountain Waxwings and the Wasilla Bible Church Youth Band. The January Making Music event raised $3,000 for the non-profit MYHouse.

CAS benefit dinner is April 20 and 21

The Palmer High School International Baccalaureate Students are hosting their annual CAS benefit dinner at 7 p.m., April 20 and April 21 starting each day at Lazy Mountain Bible Church, 16005 E Shawn Drive, in Palmer. The dinner includes entertainment, authentic food and live traditional music. All funds will go to the “Life for the World” foundation, which is an organization that promotes youth education in Haiti. Tickets are $18 per person at the door or $30 for two.

Birch tree tapping class is Saturday

Instructors Valerie Barber and Julie Cascio will teach a birch tree tapping class from 1 to 3 p.m., April 21 at the Palmer Center for Sustainable Living, 1509 South Georgeson Dr., Palmer. Signup deadline is April 20. Handouts and taps will be provided. Wear clothing for going outside. Cost is $10 per person. Sign up before April 20. For more information, contact 745-3360 or matsu.ces@alaska.edu.

‘Walk the Hay Flats’ moved to Reflection Lake Saturday

This year’s Palmer Hay Flats’ “Walk the Hay Flats” walk has been canceled because the bridge across the slough has been condemned. In its place, Delesta Fox will lead the walk around Reflection Lake at 9 a.m., April 21 to listen for early migrant calls and watch for waterfowl. The walk is less than 2 miles and hiking boots should be sufficient. Meet at the Palmer Hay Flats access point off the Knik River exit off the Glenn Highway. Reflection Lake is on the right hand side of the highway driving toward Anchorage. For more information, contact 258-6425.

Alaska Moose Federation Spring Banquet is Saturday

Alaska Moose Federation’s Spring Banquet is from 5 to 9 p.m., April 21 at the Marriott Anchorage Downtown, 720 West 7th Ave. Tickets are $75 and are available at (907) 263-9832 or online at growmoremoose.org. For more information, contact Ron Davis at alaskamoosefed@live.com, or (907) 263-9832.

‘The Awakening Forest’ class offered April 21

Instructor Valerie Barber will teach a class from 10 a.m. to noon, April 21 in Room JKB123 at Matanuska-Susitna College, 8295 E. College Dr., in Palmer. Half of the class will meet outdoors and students will discuss the “awakening forest,” longer days, warmer weather, budding trees, and sap flow. We will tap a birch tree and see if the sap may be collected. Aspects of "forest ecology" will be discussed and we will tour the campus arboretum (if possible) on foot to look at and discuss various plantings and their success for growing these trees in Mat-Su Alaska. Cost is $10. For more information, contact jlangus@matsu.alaska.edu or 745-9746.

Mat-Su Family Celebration Festival is April 22

The eighth annual Light of Hope event — called the Mat-Su Family Celebration Festival — is from noon to 4 p.m., April 22 at the Curtis D. Menard Memorial Sports Center. It includes free food, live music, 30 children's activities and tons of local resources to improve family strengths and meet family needs. It's all free! The Light of Hope award also will be presented to an individual who has gone above and beyond for children.

Park Service open house is April 22 in Palmer

National Park Service Open House is from 7 to 8:30 p.m., April 22 at the Palmer Depot. Join officials to hear plans and share your ideas on how the National Park Service can enhance Alaska's parks, leading up to its 100th birthday in 2016. For more information, visit npca.org/alaskaopenhouse. To get a copy of the national Call to Action, visit nps.gov/calltoaction/.

‘Spring Fever Flyball Tourney’ is April 21-22

Alaska Dogs Gone Wild’s Spring Fever Flyball Tourney is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., April 21-22 at Valley Canine Camp and Training Center, 2521 E. Mountain Village Dr., Wasilla. Flyball is a fast-paced and exciting sport with teams of four dogs competing in head-to-head relay races. Dogs of a variety of sizes and types will be competing, so come out and cheer on your favorites. For more information, contact alaskaflyball@gmail.com or visit flyballdogs.com/alaska/.

Bella Kids to host consignment sale April 21-22

Samantha DenBleyker of Palmer has started a new seasonal consignment sales business called “Bella Kids.” The first event is from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., April 21 and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., April 22 and at the Palmer Depot. For more information, contact DenBleyker at 841-0916, or bellakids49@gmail.com, or visit bellakids49.com.