ARCTIC MAN
Sledfest starts Wednesday
WHEN: Wednesday through Saturday
WHERE: Summit Lake
WHAT: Arctic Man, where the fastest skiers, boarders and snowmachiners come together for a week of high-speed fun that is Alaska's version of spring break at Daytona Beach. Practice starts Tuesday with races starting Friday at 11 a.m. Alaska Motor Mushers will hold a hillcross, drags and a jumping contest after the Arctic Man races.
COST: Varies
CONTACT: www.arcticman.com
BIRDING
"Nest, Eggs and Songbirds"
WHEN: Saturday, 1-3 p.m.
WHERE: Alaska Heritage Museum at Wells Fargo
WHAT: Explore how songbirds build nests, what you can do to encourage birds in your yard, and view a number of local species without worrying about them flying away. Bird TLC's live education songbirds will be available for viewing and photos.
COST: Free
CONTACT: 562-4852
Hawk watch weekend
WHEN: April 16-17
WHERE: Mile 119 of Glenn Highway
WHAT: Celebrate the return of migrating raptors with this annual Anchorage Audubon field trip. Migrating raptors that can be seen include golden eagle, red-tailed hawk, rough-legged hawk, sharp-shinned hawk, northern goshawk, American kestrel, peregrine falcon and merlin. Organizers suggest binoculars, spotting scopes, lunch and lawn chairs. A special hawk watchers' dinner is Saturday night by reservation only. Meet 10 a.m. at Mile 119. A short raptor identification talk begins at 10:30 a.m.
COST: Watching is free
CONTACT: For dinner reservations, call the lodge at 1-907-745-5121. Info: matsubirders.org/html/calendar.html.
BOATING
Free eight-hour course
WHEN: April 16, May 21
WHERE: Atwood Building in Anchorage
WHAT: Alaska Office of Boating Safety is offering Alaska Water Wise, a boating course for Alaskans. The eight-hour course is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard. It satisfies most state's boating-safety education requirements and may qualify boaters for insurance discounts.
COST: Free
CONTACT: Megan Piersma at 269-6042 or Joe McCullough at 269-8704 or joseph.mccullough@alaska.gov
Paddle Sports America
WHEN: April 11-12, 6:30-9:30 p.m.
WHERE: Alliance Christian Fellowship Church in Eagle River.
WHAT: Safety seminar for novice canoers, kayakers and other paddlesports enthusiasts. Topics include basics such as paddle craft characteristics and vessel capacities, selecting a proper paddle and how to file a float plan. Paddlers will learn the proper way to transport the paddlecraft, conduct a pre-departure check, dress for a safe trip and load gear.
COST: $25
CONTACT: www.active.com; 694-3570
FISHING
Project Healing Waters
WHEN: Thursdays 4 p.m.
WHERE: Department of Veteran Affairs Building, Muldoon
WHAT: Fly-tying classes for wounded soldiers and veterans as part of the Project Healing Waters program that continues with fishing trips during the spring and summer.
CONTACT: Staff Sgt. Michael Henrie at michael.henrie@elmendorf.af.mil or 223-9793
GOLF
Golf swap and expo
WHEN: April 30, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE: University Center Mall
WHAT: Inaugural golf swap and expo. Your chance to buy, sell or trade new and used golf equipment. There will be merchandise from local retail shops, golf professionals, used rental sets, etc.
COST: Prices vary
CONTACT: 250-1852
GUNS
Eagle River Lions Club gun show
WHEN: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
WHERE: Eagle River Lions clubhouse
WHAT: Eagle River Lions Club hosts a gun show open to everyone, and refreshments will be available.
COST: $5 for adults; $1 for children age 9-12; free for children 8 and under.
CONTACT: eagleriverlions.org; 694-9123
HUNTING
Ruffed Grouse banquet
WHEN: Saturday, 5-11 p.m.
WHERE: Hilton Anchorage
WHAT: The Ruffed Grouse Society is hosting its 19th annual banquet to raise money for habitat restoration and improvement, youth shooting and hunting activities, Becoming an Outdoor Woman, graduate studies and shooting, hunting and access rights.
COST: $80 includes dinner and annual membership
CONTACT: 375-8609
Midnight Sun Gundog Assoc. banquet and auction
WHEN: April 16
WHERE: Eagle River Lions Club
WHAT: The Midnight Sun Retriever Clubs annual banquet, auction and raffle to promote club programs and activities. Sign up by April 11 to be included in the early bird gun raffle.
COST: $30.00 per person
CONTACT: kentbull@gci.net; 229-2951.
SHRIMPING
You can lower pots soon
WHEN: April 15
WHERE: Prince William Sound
WHAT: Opening of the sport and subsistence shrimp pot fishery, with shrimpers allowed up to five pots per vessel. Season continues through Sept. 15
COST: Fishing license and free permit, available at Fish and Game offices in April
CONTACT: Dan Bosch, 267-2153.
Parks and Recreation
Portage center opening
WHEN: May 7
WHERE: Portage Lake
WHAT: Portage Glacier visitor center opens to the public seven days a week. The visitor center is in the final year of gradual recreation fee increase for the movies and exhibits.
COST: $5 for adults; children 15 and under are free.
CONTACT: 754-2316.
RUNNING
Anchorage Heart Run
WHEN: April 30, 9:30 a.m.
WHERE: UAA Arts building, room 150
WHAT: The largest footrace in Alaska, the Heart Run unites serious runners and casual walkers in the fight against the country's No. 1 and No. 3 killers -- heart disease and stroke. Athletes of all abilities take stride during the 5-K competitive and non-competitive runs and the 3-K Heart Lite event.
COST: Register by April 23: $20 for adults; $5 for children; $45 for a family.
CONTACT: heartrun.com; 865-5300.
WILDERNESS TREKKING
Brooks Range slide show
WHEN: April 12, 6 p.m.
WHERE: REI, Anchorage
WHAT: Author and adventurer Bill Sherwonit will show slides and discuss his solo trip through the wilderness of Gates of the Arctic National Park. He will also be available to sign copies of his book "Changing Paths: Travels and Meditations in Alaska's Arctic Wilderness."
COST: Free
CONTACT: 272-4565
A year in Chugach State Park
WHEN: May 17
WHERE: REI, Anchorage
WHAT: Join photographer Carl Battreall as he shows what he discovered on his 13-month photo safari in Chugach State Park. Get some ideas for new places to explore close to home and see why many consider Chugach State Park the crown jewel of the Alaska State Park system.
COST: Free
CONTACT: 694-1075
WILDLIFE
On the run
WHEN: April 13, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Alaska Zoo Gateway Education Building
WHAT: Todd Rinaldi, a research biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, discusses his work studying wolf packs and their movement in relation to human activity in the Nelchina Basin. Lecture will be followed by an encounter with the zoo's wolf pack.
COST: Free
CONTACT: alaskazoo.org