Mat-Su events (1/18/12)

Strategies for Tenants of Commercial Leases, 9:30-11 a.m., Mat-Su Small Business Development Center, 201 N. Lucille St., Suite 2A, Wasilla. Learn how to negotiate smart leases, minimize leasing costs and improve your bottom line. Vellum, LLC is an Alaska law firm providing services to small businesses and their owners. Preregistration and prepayment required. $20. (373-7232, www.aksbdc.org)

Tai Chi Classes, 10-11 a.m. every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, Mat-Su Senior Services, 1132 S. Chugach St., Palmer. (745-5454)

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 community on what is occurring within the Palmer area. Lunch $4-$7, meeting fee $4. (745-2880, palmerchamber.org)

AARP Drivers Safety Class, 1-5 p.m. today and Thursday, Mat-Su Senior Services, 1132 S. Chugach St., Palmer. Must be 50 years or older to participate. Call to sign up. $12-$14, fee includes both days (745-5454)

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, palmerseniors.com)

The Childbearing Year, 7 p.m., Alaska Center for Acupuncture, 642 S. Alaska St. Suite 208, Palmer.Learn about simple, safe and effective herbs to address many common pregnancy complaints or concerns from pregnancy, birth and postpartum. Free.

THURSDAY

Mat-Su Valley AARP, 1 p.m., Wasilla Senior Center, 1301 S. Century Circle. Open to the public. Free. (745-5033)

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

Tai Chi Ch'uan Classes, 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Mat Su Borough Gym, 350 E. Dahlia Ave., Palmer. Practiced for health, relaxation, exercise and self-defense. It is appropriate for anyone, regardless of physical ability. $185. (745-9578)

Mat-Su Community Chorus Rehearsals, 7-9 p.m. Thursdays through April. Wasilla High School, 701 E. Bogard Road. Directed by Meggie Aube. $35. (745-7519, 319-331-1040)

FRIDAY

Is Your Website Google-ized?, 9-11 a.m., Mat-Su Small Business Development Center, 201 N Lucille St., Suite 2A, Wasilla. Learn to create content to help you get found, ways to optimize your website for search engines and people, using social media to promote that great content and tips for converting visitors to leads. Preregistration and prepayment required. $20. (373-7232, www.aksbdc.org)

Computers for the Complete Beginner, 1-4 p.m., Mat-Su College, E. College Drive, Palmer. An introduction to using a personal computer. For people with no previous computer knowledge. Includes an overview of word-processing, spreadsheets, data management, using email, and searching the Internet. $95. (745-9713, www.matsu.alaska.edu)

Valley Festival of the Arts, 6:30- 9 p.m., Colony Middle School, 9250 E. Colony Schools Drive, Palmer. Fun activities for families, art and culinary activities, music from Teeland MS Jazz band, Mat-Su Youth Orchestra, Crow Creek Bag Pipe, Colony HS Drumline, dance from Sonja's Dance Studio and Sahara Storm Circus Arts group. The money raised supports the Colony Middle School summer music camp scholarship fund. $3-$8. (761-1517)

"God's Favorite," 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, Valley Performing Arts, 251 W. Swanson Ave., Wasilla. A comedy loosely based on the biblical book of Job and the prodigal son. $15-$17. (373-0195, www.valleyperformingarts.org)

SATURDAY

The Art of Skin Sewing: Fur Mittens, 9 a.m.-noon, Mat-Su College, E. College Drive, Palmer. Learn basic hand techniques necessary for sewing with fur and leather as used by Alaska Natives. $95. (745-9713, www.matsu.alaska.edu)

Beginning Aleut/Alutiiq Twine Weaving, 1-4 p.m., Mat-Su College, E. College Drive, Palmer. Learn how to begin a basket and twine, weave, add spokes and weavers to form a circle ending up with a pin made from two different colors of grass. $100. (745-9713, www.matsu.alaska.edu)

Knitting Guild, 1-3 p.m., Meridian Point Building, 865 Seward Meridian Parkway, Wasilla. Networking, short educational program, show and tell. Items for sale. Free. (360-8607)

Melissa Mitchell & Spiff, 7:30- 9:30 p.m., Sheldon Community Arts Hangar, 22249 S. D St., Talkeetna. The acoustic, folk singer/songwriter will perform. $16-$18. (733-7929, www.denaliartscouncil.org)