Skwentna area poker run starts today
An Skwentna area poker run is Jan. 27-29. Riders pay $20 cash entryfee at Yentna Station and all five cards must be turned in at ShellLake Lodge by 7 p.m., Jan. 29. best five-card hand is the winner.Cash prizes will be paid to the top five hands as follows. Gas andfood and lodging available at all lodges. Advanced overnightreservations are recommended. Lodges are: Luce’s Lodge, 733-1942;Yentna Station, 733-2746; Northwood Lodge, 733-3742; SkwentnaRoadhouse, 733-2726; and Shell Lake Lodge, 733-2817.
Win a date and support the Iron Dog
Looking for a unique way to support the Iron Dog race this year? Ifyou are the highest bidder, your support could also get you a datewith either Carl Swenson or teammate Jana Pevan-Peterson. the twoare competing as Team no. 20 in this year’s race and are auctioningoff dates with themselves to help cover their costs. the fun beginsat 7 p.m., Jan. 28 at the Islander on big Lake and includes asilent auction, food and door prizes.
For more information, contact 631-2200 or visitraceteam20.com.
Backcountry Film fest at CHS tonight
The Backcountry Film Festival is coming to Colony High SchoolAuditorium at 7 p.m., Jan. 27.
Willow Winter Carnival begins tonight
The annual Willow Winter Carnival beings at 6 p.m. with a dinnerand fireworks at 7:30 p.m., Jan. 27 and continues Jan. 28, 29 andFeb. 4 and 5.
VaMoose20 Winter Mountain Bike Race isSunday
The VaMoose20 Winter Mountain Bike Race begins at noon, Jan. 29 atthe Willow Community Center, Mile 69.8 Parks Highway, in Willow.the race route follows the Willow Winter Trail System. Registrationends at 11:59 p.m., Jan. 27. Cost is $27.50 for the racing divisionand $7.50 for the touring division.
Fundraiser for Iditarod rookie is Feb. 3
A community fundraiser to benefit Iditarod rookie Jaimee Kinzer isfrom 6 to 10 p.m., Feb. 3 at the Palmer Train Depot. Dinnerincludes Caesar salad, chicken fettuccine and cheesecake. the eventalso includes a silent auction, door prizes, cake sale, live bandafter dinner and DJ/music and dancing after the band finishesplaying. the event is non-alcoholic and family friendly. Ticketscost $5 to $10 and are available by calling or texting715-9174.
Winter Family Fun Day is Feb. 4
Alaskans for Palmer Hay Flats’ Winter Family Fun Day is from 11a.m. to 3 p.m., Feb. 4 at Reflections Lake, Knik River Access atMile 31.5 of the Glenn Highway. Come cross-country ski, snowshoe,ice skate or walk the loop around the lake. Stay warm withcampfires, hot beverages and tasty treats while soaking in thebeauty of the picturesque spot. Learn how to use the equipmentproperly, as well as avalanche safety and awareness. Join us forthis National Winter Trails Day event and the opportunity to tryhealthy winter sports. For more information, contact 357-8711 or373-7484 or .
Skijor workshop offered Feb. 5
Skijor Workshop offered by the better Companion at the Regine DogTraining Facility (off Mile 4, Fairview Loop Road) in Wasillabegins at 10 a.m., Feb. 5 and is expected to last three or fourhours. This class is for intermediate cross-country skiers to learnto ski with their dog, teach their dog to run in front of you. Theclass includes a short indoors theory portion, then outdoorspractice. For more information, contact 357-2521, orbettercompanion.com.
Mushing with your pet dog classes offered
Mushing with your pet dog offered by the better Companion at theRegine Dog Training Facility (off Mile 4, Fairview Loop Road) inWasilla on Sundays, Feb. 12 and 19. part 1 on Feb. 12, 10 a.m. to 2p.m.: equipment, making your own ganglines, sled theory and sledpractice – learn to drive the sled pulled by snow machine. part 2on Feb. 19, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.: teaching your 1-2 pet dogs to stay infront and run in front; safe mushing; teaching directions; examyour dogs after the run. Loaner sleds are available and sleds forsale. For more information, contact 357-2521, orbettercompanion.com.
Register now for women’s outdoors workshop
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game is hosting the “Become anOutdoors-Woman” winter workshop March 9-11 at Victory Bible Campnear Palmer.
The program is designed to introduce people to hunting, fishing andrelated outdoor activities. More than 48 hands-on sessions arescheduled including firearms safety, bear safety, shotgun clinics,field dressing of fish and game, ice fishing, spin fishing, flytying, wild edibles, snowmaching, cross-country skiing,snowshoeing, GPS operation, fish smoking, bow fishing, outdoorsphotography and winter survival.
The fee is $250 for applications postmarked by March 1 and $300after March 1. the fee includes meals, lodging, instruction,program materials and use of demonstration equipment.
In addition, registration is open for the following beyond BOWevents: firearms cleaning and maintenance (Jan. 25); fur sewing(Feb. 6-8); family ice fishing day (Feb. 11); women’s huntereducation class (Feb. 12); and overnight backcountry ski and icefishing trip to Juneau Lake cabin in the Chugach National Forest,March 3-4.
Registration is required for all events, and forms can obtained byemailing .
5th annual Mat-Su Pike Derby
Houston Chamber of Commerce’s fifth annual Mat-Su Pike Derby isFeb. 1 to March 31 in all Mat-Su Borough waters. Cost is $10. Allprizes are “Made in Mat-Su” products and services. Weekly and grandprizes for “Longest,” “Heaviest,” “Shortest,” and the “Most PikeCaught.” For more information, contact 315-8486 or visit matsupikederby.com.
Drill conductor course
Alaska Marine Safety Education Association will offer a one-dayfishing vessel safety and drill conductor course at 8 a.m., Feb. 4in Eagle River, at the Eagle River VFW Hall, 10527 VFW Rd. Thisfree course meets the U.S. Coast Guard training requirements forcommercial fishing vessels. Participants practice hands-on in thewater and on a vessel, with emergency equipment that should beonboard any commercial fishing or other sizeable vessel — PFDs,life rafts, immersion suits, EPIRBs, fire extinguishers, andpractice emergency procedures like man overboard, abandon ship,fire fighting and flooding control. Pre-registration isrecommended.
For more information, or to preregister, contact Mary Chambers , or (907) 747-3287, or visit amsea.org.
Big Lake Winter Fest is Feb. 17-19
Big Lake Winter Fest is Feb. 17-19 on Iron Dog weekend includesfreestyle races, kitty cat races, dealer demos and a vintagesnowmachine display. to help plan the new event, the committeemeets at 6:30 p.m., Thursday at Pizza Thyme. For more information,visit biglakewinterfest.com.
Iron Dog is Feb. 19
The 29th annual Iron Dog race begins Feb. 19, 2012, in big Lake. Aweekend of fun, called “Celebrate the Ice” big Lake festival alsois planned. the fun includes snowmachine demonstrations, dealertest rides, a Poker Run, competitions, shuttle transportationthroughout the lake and community, vendors, concert on the ice andfireworks.
For more information, contact Ina Mueller 230-0935 .
Iditarod starts March 3
The ceremonial start for the 2012 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race isat 10 a.m., March 3 in downtown Anchorage. the actual start of therace is March 4 in Willow.