ASTRONOMY

Apollo mission's triumphs, tragedies

WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday

WHERE: Campbell Creek Science Center

DETAILS: The Apollo mission to land humans on the moon and bring them safely back to Earth was one of the greatest technical achievements of the 20th century. Scott Girard, a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Solar System Ambassador, will share his passion for the Apollo mission. Stargazing will follow if the sky is clear.

COST: Free

CONTACT: 267-1247

FISHING

Comment on stocking plan

WHEN: Through Jan. 21

WHERE: Statewide

DETAILS: About 7 million fish per year will be dumped into Alaska waters to benefit anglers. Check out and comment on Fish and Game's proposed plan, which details how many fish, and what kind, will be stocked in which waterways.

COST: Free

CONTACT: Call or e-mail Diane Loopstra at diane.loopstra@alaska.gov, 267-2529

FLORA AND FAUNA

Plants adapt to winter

WHEN: 2 p.m. today

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: Learn how plants adapt to winter with Andy Anderson-Smith of the Alaska Native Plant Society. Program includes a slide show that will help you identify plants in winter. A short hike on nearby trails will follow.

COST: Free; $5 parking for non-members

CONTACT: 694-2108

HIKING/BACKPACKING

Weekly Anchorage hikes

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

WHERE: Ruth Arcand Park on Monday, O'Malley 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

HUNTING

Hunting heritage banquet

WHEN: 5 p.m. Jan. 31

WHERE: Anchorage Sheraton Hotel

DETAILS: National Wild Turkey Federation's 12th annual banquet includes auctions, raffles and door prizes.

COST: $50-$275 depending on level. A reserved table is $600 for eight memberships and dinners.

CONTACT: Tom Bailey at 337-5305 or 261-3103 or Dean Hughes at 267-2207 or 947-5920.

MEETINGS

Discuss game board proposals

WHEN: 7 p.m. Tuesday

WHERE: Millenium Hotel in Anchorage

DETAILS: Anchorage Fish and Game Advisory Committee will hold an election meeting while preparing comments on the Board of Game's Southcentral proposals plus a report of the actions taken by the board at its Prince William Sound meeting.

COST: Free

CONTACT: Aaron Bloomquist at 677-0405

Discuss fisheries proposals

WHEN: 7 p.m. Wednesday

WHERE: Wasilla High School Theatre

DETAILS: Matanuska Valley Fish and Game Advisory Committee will hold elections and discuss Board of Fisheries proposals for Southeast and Yakutat.

COST: Free

CONTACT: Tony Russ at 376-6474

Discuss game proposals

WHEN: 7 p.m. Jan. 12

WHERE: Ninilchik School

DETAILS: Central Peninsula Fish and Game Advisory Committee will hold elections and discuss Board of Game Southcentral proposals.

COST: Free

CONTACT: David Martin at 567-3306

Kenai group to meet

WHEN: 7 p.m. Jan. 14

WHERE: Kenai River Center

DETAILS: Kenai/Soldotna Fish and Game Advisory Committee will hold elections and discuss Board of Game Southcentral proposals.

COST: Free

CONTACT: Gary Dawkins at 262-3993

Cooper Landing group to meet

WHEN: 6 p.m. Jan. 15

WHERE: Cooper Landing Community Hall

DETAILS: Cooper Landing Fish and Game Advisory Committee will hold elections, prepare comments and approve correspondence regarding KRSMA land selection.

COST: Free

CONTACT: Karl Romig at 595-1257

Seward group gathering

WHEN: 7 p.m. Jan. 16

WHERE: Seward City Hall

DETAILS: Seward's Fish and Game Advisory Committee will hold elections and prepare comments on Southcentral proposals to the Board of Game.

COST: Free

CONTACT: Jim McCracken at 224-3701

MUSHING

What makes sled dogs tick?

WHEN: 7 p.m. Jan. 14

WHERE: Campbell Creek Science Center

DETAILS: When humans exercise continuously for long stretches, they burn the fat and glycogen stored in their cells -- and ultimately tire. Dogs running races like the Iditarod and Yukon Quest don't do that, even though their metabolism is just like humans' before they start racing. Dr. Michael Davis, animal exercise researcher and associate professor of veterinary physiology at Oklahoma State University, will explain the similarities and differences between dog and human metabolism and the internal switch dogs are able to throw to change their metabolism.

COST: Free

CONTACT: 267-1247

RECREATION

Denali reservations available

WHERE: By phone, online, mail, fax

DETAILS: Reservations for shuttle buses and sites at Denali National Park's four largest campgrounds are available by phone, online, mail and fax. Phone reservations can be made by calling 1-800-622-7275 or 1-907-272-7275. Go online at www.reservedenali.com.

COST: Varied

CONTACT: www.nps.gov/dena; 1-907-683-2294.

SKIING, BOARDING

Big Alaska Snow Series Slopestyle

WHEN: 10 a.m. today.

WHERE: Hilltop Ski Area

DETAILS: USASA event is open to snowboarders and skiers of all ages. Register at 9 a.m. at Hilltop chalet. Helmets mandatory. Must show proof of USASA membership. Register online with USASA at www.usasa.org.

COST: $20

CONTACT: 344-5173

Thursday night Alyeska race series

WHEN: 6 p.m. Thursday registration at Sitzmark Bar & Grill at Alyeska; races Jan. 15-Feb. 26 with registration at 3 p.m., racing 6 p.m.

WHERE: Alyeska Resort

DETAILS: Chevrolet of South Anchorage Town League Race Series for alpine, snowboard and telemark racers at least 18. Compete as individual or part of a team.

COST: $60 includes video of race at Sitzmark, weekly prizes, two hours of practice and series awards. Doesn't include lift tickets.

CONTACT: 754-2259

WILDLIFE

Are Kenai brown bears imperiled?

WHEN: 7 p.m. Wednesday

WHERE: Islands and Ocean Visitors Center in Homer

DETAILS: After a summer in which 40 brown bears were killed in defense of life and property on the Kenai Peninsula -- far more than normal -- Fish and Game's Jeff Selinger, Thomas McDonough and Larry Lewis will talk about why that happened, whether humans face greater peril and efforts to protect the bears. A 25-minute video produced by Paul Gray of Soldotna will also be shown.

COST: Free

CONTACT: George Matz at 235-9344 or geomatz@alaska.net

WRITING

Nature writing class

WHEN: 7 p.m. Jan. 15 start

WHERE: Sierra Club office, 333 W. Fourth Ave.

DETAILS: Anchorage writer Bill Sherwonit will teach a 12-week nature writing class beginning Jan. 15. Participants will explore their own writing styles, with an emphasis on the personal essay form. The class will also read and discuss works by some of America's finest nature writers.

COST: $200