Mat-Su events calendar (12/7/11-12/13/11)

The Greater Palmer Chamber of Commerce, noon-1 p.m., Palmer Moose Lodge, 1136 S. Cobb St. A weekly lunch for local business people to provide networking opportunities and update the local business community on what is occurring within the Palmer area. $7-$4 for lunch, $4 meeting fee. (745-2880, www.palmerchamber.org)

Medicare Part D Open Enrollment, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday for walk-ins. Tuesday and Thursday by appointment only, Mat-Su Senior Services, 1132 S. Chugach St., Palmer. Call ahead to see what is needed or to schedule an appointment. (745-5454, www.palmerseniors.com)

Wreath Silent Auction for Mat-Su Foster Teens, through Dec. 14, Krazy Moose Sub Shop, 405 E. Herning, Wasilla. Wreaths decorated by Girl Scouts and Twindly Bridge Charter School students will be displayed, with the auction ending at noon Dec. 14. The proceeds will be used to buy gift cards for foster teens and young adults who have aged out without a permanent family. (376-4678, www.acrf.org)

Santa's Workshop, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday, 290 N. Yenlo, Meta Rose Square Clock Tower, Wasilla. Thirty days of bazaar shopping featuring handmade honey, soy bath and body products, soy candles, wood carvings, diamond willow, blankets, knitting, jewelry and more. (841-7385)

"Strong Seniors" Program, 10- 11 a.m., Wasilla Area Senior Campus, 1301 S. Century Circle. Seniors, work out with your friends every Monday and Wednesday at the Club50 Fitness Center. $5 for eight weeks. (376-3104)

Grocery Shopping Days, 1 p.m., Mat-Su Senior Services, 1132 S. Chugach St., Palmer. Transportation is provided to local Mat-Su area grocery stores and shopping centers every Wednesday and Friday. Participants must be age 60 or older or be assisting a senior. (745-5454, www.palmerseniors.com)

Bingo, 1-3 p.m., Wasilla Area Senior Campus, 1301 S. Century Circle. (376-3104, 376-3104)

Special Santa Drive for Foster Children, 3:30-7:30 p.m., Mat-Su Sylvan Learning Center, 1261 Seward Meridian Parkway. The Alaska Center for Resource Families and the Office of Children's Services are collecting new gifts for local foster children and children being raised by relatives. Bring new books, toys or winter clothing to the center. (357-7323)

Measuring, Managing and Mitigating the Effects of Stress, 7-8 p.m., Alaska Center for Acupuncture, 642 S. Alaska St., Suite 208, Palmer. Learn about stress management, the key to healthier living and how biofeedback can help with stress. Free.

THURSDAY

Bingo, 1-3:30 p.m., Mat-Su Senior Services, 1132 S. Chugach St., Palmer. 25 cents per card. (745-5454, www.palmerseniors.com)

New Physician Reception, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, 2500 S. Woodworth Loop. Enjoy hors d'oeuvres and beverages in the lobby and meet the newest members of the medical staff. RSVP. Free. (861-6807, www.matsuregional.com)

FRIDAY

Holiday Bazaar, Craft and Book Fair, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Mat-Su Regional Outpatient Center, 950 E. Bogard Road, Wasilla. Handmade gifts by the talented employees and volunteers.

Bad Girls of the North at Colony Christmas, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. Saturday, Alaska Gallery at Turkey Red, 550 S. Alaska St., Palmer. An intimate collection of crafts from Alaska artisans. (227-8007, 232-0175, www.badgirlsofthenorth.com)

MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint, 1-4 p.m., Mat-Su College, East College Drive. This course introduces the very basics of word processing, spreadsheets and presentation software using Microsoft Office. Call to register. $25. (745-9746, www.matsu.alaska.edu)

Holiday Gala Benefit, 7-10 p.m., Primrose Retirement Community, 799 N. Elkhorn Drive, Wasilla. Featuring music by pianist Alexander Zlatkovski. Bring an unwrapped gift, gift card or other donation for Santa Cops, a program that benefits seniors in need on Christmas. RSVP by Thursday. (373-5500)

"A Christmas Carol," 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, Valley Performing Arts, 251 W. Swanson Ave., Wasilla. This version of the classic story goes beyond other adaptations with a unique dramatic concept: Charles Dickens himself is introduced to the audience, observing and performing small roles. $17-$19. (373-0195, www.valleyperforming arts.org)

SATURDAY

Christmas Bazaar, 9 a.m.- 4 p.m., Mat-Su Senior Services, 1132 S. Chugach St. (745-5454, www.palmerseniors.com)

Reindeer Farm Christmas, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Reindeer Farm, 5561 S. Bodenburg Loop Road, Palmer. Come do crafts with Santa's elves in the workshop. Plus reindeer tours, wagon rides, elves' stories and more. $10. (745-4000, www.reindeerfarm.com)

MS Excel: Beyond the Basics, 1-3 p.m., Mat-Su College, E. College Drive. Discover how to quickly create reports and analyses, advanced graphing techniques and how to perform complex math. Call to register. $35. (745-9746, www.matsu.alaska.edu)

Christmas Concert, 3-5 p.m., United Protestant Presbyterian Church, 713 S. Denali St. The Matanuska Susitna Orchestra, conducted by Kate Patterson, will perform. The youth orchestra will also perform. Free, accepting donations for the Palmer Food Bank. (376-2850)

Former Harlem Globetrotters, 7 p.m., Palmer High School, 1170 W. Arctic Ave. Meadowlark's Comedy All-Stars vs. Anchorage Police Department Search Team All-Stars in the benefit for APD Auxiliary Search Team and Palmer Volunteer Firefighters. Tickets are available at all locations of Tesoro to Go, Blockbuster Video and Kaladi Brothers Coffee. $15 in advance, $20 at the gate admits one adult or two children.

MONDAY

Blood Pressure Checks, 10- 11:30 a.m., Mat-Su Senior Services, 1132 S. Chugach St., Palmer. A nurse volunteer will take blood pressure every Monday. (745-5454)

A Treasury of Christmas Songs and Carols, noon-1:30 p.m., Evangelos Restaurant, 2530 E. Parks Highway, Wasilla. Mat-Su Women's Connection hosts a mini-concert by Suzy Crosby and the Mountain Waxwings. Sandy McDonald shares how divorce affected her relationships. $15 includes lunch and complimentary nursery. (892-8482, 357-8220)

Living Well Alaska: Diabetes Self-Management Program, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Mat-Su Regional Hospital, 2500 S. Woodworth Loop A six-week workshop for people with diabetes.

Mat-Su Concert Band Practice, 7-9 p.m., Wasilla High School, 701 E. Bogard Road. New players are welcome to join the largest music ensemble in Mat-Su. (360-0628)

TUESDAY

Game Day, 1-3 p.m., Mat-Su Senior Services, 1132 S. Chugach St., Palmer. An afternoon of board, card and dice games. (745-5454, www.palmerseniors.com)

Mat-Su Community Chorus Rehearsals, 7 p.m., Wasilla High School, 701 E. Bogard Road. Special rehearsals for the Christmas concert on Dec. 17. (745-7519)

Exercise Class, 7 p.m., Mat-Su Senior Services, 1132 S. Chugach St., Palmer. (745-5454, www.palmerseniors.com)