BOATING

Safety grants up to $4,000

WHERE: Mail

WHEN: Deadline 5 p.m. Dec. 1

DETAILS: Alaska Marine Safety Education Association is offering mini-grants to help fund cold-water and boating safety training and education projects intended to enhance safety training and education. Funds are available only to AMSEA-trained educators and instructors who are actively teaching or supporting boating or cold-water safety. Maximum is $4,000 per project. Winners will be announced Jan. 9.

COST: Free

CONTACT: www.amsea.org or 1-907-747-3287.

Register for Yukon River Quest

WHERE: Whitehorse, Yukon

WHEN: Entry deadline is April 15, 2009

DETAILS: Entries are open for the 460-mile Yukon River Quest June 24-28 from Whitehorse to Dawson City. Find entry forms are on the race Web site. The 2009 race purse has been increased $5,000 to $36,000, and the race includes new open, mixed and women's divisions in the growing voyageur class. Last year, there were 100 signups and 89 teams started -- the limit is 100.

COST: $714 for tandem canoes and kayaks, $408 for solo canoes and kayaks, $205 per person for voyageur canoe teams of six or more paddlers. Each team also must submit a refundable $200 rescue deposit .

CONTACT: info@yukonriverquest.com or call 1-867-333-5628

HIKING/BACKPACKING

Weekly Anchorage hikes

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Monday, Thursday

WHERE: Hillside Park on Monday, Prospect Heights Trail Head on Thursday

DETAILS: Alaska Outdoors weekly hikes. Monday hike an easier trail, suitable for kids. Thursday is a mountain trail.

COST: $1

CONTACT: 770-0440, www.alaska-outdoors.org

KIDS

Stroller strides for moms

WHEN: 10-11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays until Dec. 25.

WHERE: O'Malley Gardens, 11051 O'Malley Centre Drive

DETAILS: Have fun with your baby, get a great workout and meet other moms. Toddler turf time will follow class.

CONTACT: 1-888-605-7860; www.strollerstrides.net/anchorage

Tons of Fun for Tots

WHEN: 10:30 a.m. Wednesday (first 3 Wednesdays of every month until Dec. 17)

WHERE: Lidia Selkregg chalet in Russian Jack Springs Park, Russian Jack Springs Park

DETAILS: Enjoy story-times, crafts and outdoor play every Wednesday. Classes rotate each week. Call for schedule. For ages 3-5.

COST: $4 a day / $15 session

CONTACT: 343-4258 www.muni.org/parks

Make a birch bark basket

WHEN: 2 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: Program limited to eight children (age 8 and up) who register and are accompanied by an adult.

COST: $10, $5 parking for nonmembers

CONTACT: 694-2108

MEETINGS & CLASSES

Plant pathology presentation

WHEN: 2 p.m. today

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: Plant pathologist Lori Trummer will discuss diseased trees in Southcentral and the Interior. She will show samples of tree rot, stem decay, cankers and other diseases, followed by a question-and-answer session. This is Trummer's farewell program. She is retiring after a 20-year career with the Forest Service.

COST: Free, $5 parking for non-members

CONTACT: 694-2108

Predators, prey in Denali Park

WHEN: 7 p.m. Wednesday

WHERE: Campbell Creek Science Center

DETAILS: Layne Adams, wildlife researcher with the Alaska Science Center of the U.S. Geological Survey, will describe his ongoing research on the interactions of predators and prey in Denali National Park.

COST: Free

CONTACT: 267-1247

Legendary climber Johnston talks about winter ascents

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday

WHERE: First United Methodist Church

DETAILS: Longtime mountaineer Dave Johnston of Talkeetna, part of the team that recorded the first winter ascent of Mount McKinley and the first man to climb to the highest point of all 50 states, will describe his winter mountaineering adventures.

COST: Free

CONTACT: Sean Bolender, 830-5102

Learn about the night sky

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: The program includes a one-hour presentation and Q&A session. If the sky is clear, view the it with binoculars or a telescope. Children can earn their Junior Astronomer Certificate after attending six programs and completing "Star Notes." Ask for a punch card at the front desk.

COST: Free, $5 parking for nonmembers

CONTACT: 694-2108

SNOWBOARDING

Get a free helmet checkup

WHEN: 5 p.m. today

WHERE: 3801 Centerpoint Drive (east of C Street, between 36th and 40th avenues)

DETAILS: As part of a kickoff meeting for the Big Alaska Snowboard & Freestyle Club, a free helmet check will be offered by Orthopedic Physicians Anchorage. Meet Big Alaska coaches, sign up to volunteer or register for a training program. Go to www.usasa.org and bring proof of USASA registration to the meeting. Pizza and beverages provided; bring a salad or dessert.

COST: Free

CONTACT: www.bigalaskasnow.net

Big Alaska board meeting

WHEN: 6 p.m. Thursday

WHERE: Mexico in Alaska restaurant

DETAILS: Applications sought for new board members. For details, contact current directors Ron Dailey, Steve Stassel, Jody Moses, Doug Hupp or Alison Sterley.

COST: Free

CONTACT: www.bigalaskasnow.net

RECREATION

20th-annual turkey shoot

WHEN: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. today

WHERE: Carol Moench Archery Range, Old Glenn Highway across from Amonson Road

DETAILS: Twenty 3-D animal targets will be set in realistic hunting conditions. Prizes awarded in all categories with two or more participants. Kids 12 and under shoot free. All kids receive a prize. Hot lunch provided.

COST: $5-$25

CONTACT: 1-907-354-8589 cookinletarchers.com

5-K Family Run/Walk

WHEN: 10:30 a.m. Saturday

WHERE: Wasilla High School

DETAILS: 5-K run/walk Thanksgiving holiday race is a fundraiser for Fronteras Spanish Immersion Charter School. First 100 kids with paid entries will receive T-shirts; adults will get running hats. Registration and bib pick-up starts 9 a.m. Adult race begins 10:30 a.m.; kids race starts an hour later. All races begin and end at Wasilla High School.

COST: $20 adults; $5 kids; $30 for a family of 4

CONTACT: 1-907-232-7036 www.fronteras-k8.us

Compiled by reporter Heather March. Find her online at adn.com/contact/hmarch or call 257-4435.

Site of the week

The 40-year-old Alyeska Ski Club has alpine ski training for everyone from Mighty Mites as young as 7 to adults.