Anchorage Daily News

TODAY

COMMUNITY

Knitting events, Two socks on two circular needles for $25, 9:30 a.m.; design and knit a sock for $40, 6:30 p.m.; knit a felted backpack for $30, 7 p.m., Fantastic Fibers, 1035 S. Cobb St., Palmer. Call for other dates. (745-7295)

Chugiak Eagle River Chamber, noon-1 p.m., Bear Mountain Grill, 12300 Old Glenn Highway. AEDC president and CEO Bill Popp will speak at the forum. $14 members, $16 nonmembers. (694-4702, www.cer.org)

Mat Valley Fish and Game Advisory Committee, 7-10 p.m., MTA Building, 480 Commercial Drive. Preparation of comments on proposals for the Board of Fisheries, Southeast and Yakutat Shell. (376-6474)

THURSDAY

COMMUNITY

Adult and Masters Nordic Ski Sessions, 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Beach Lake Ski Chalet, Birchwood Loop Road. Skiers of all abilities are invited. Classical and skate techniques covered. $100-$200. Registration forms online. (376-2169, www.alaskanordic racing.org; www.ernsc.org)

ON THE TOWN

Open Mic, 7 p.m., LoonAttic, 2061 E. Palmer-Wasilla Highway. Play on a big deck with a fire overlooking the lake. Equipment provided; bring your own instrument. No restrictions. Sing, rap, recite poetry, do comedy, play instrumental. Free. (376-2818)

"A Christmas Carol," 7 p.m. today and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Alaska Fine Arts Academy, 12340 Old Glenn Highway, Suite 200. Charles Dickens' classic story of redemption, with seasonal music, carolers and family fun. (694-8909, www.akfinearts.org)

FRIDAY

COMMUNITY

Library activities for kids: Lapsit, 10:15-10:35 a.m; short stories, songs and lots of repetition for children 3 and younger and their caregivers. Preschool story time, 11:15- 11:45 a.m. and 1:15-1:45 p.m.; stories, finger plays and songs for children 3-5 and their caregivers. Chugiak-Eagle River Library, 12400 Old Glenn Highway. Free. (694-2500, www.anch-oragelibrary.org)

Continuum by Carol Tillett and Sarah Hinson, 4-7 p.m., Upstairs Gallery, Mile 2, Trunk Road. An abstract tree of life inspired by research on the three fates, consisting of trunk, branches and roots made up of worked cloth with some wire framework. Free. (229-8541)

Astronomy Program, 7 p.m., Eagle River Nature Center, Eagle River Loop Road. A one-hour indoor presentation. If the skies are clear, be ready to go outside and view the night sky. Bring binoculars or telescope or share the ones set up by astronomers. Free. (694-2108, www.ernc.org)

ON THE TOWN

Matanuska Susitna Orchestra Christmas Concert, 7-8 p.m., St. John Lutheran Church, 440 E. Elmwood. The free string concert will include carols and old favorite Christmas songs. (376-2850)

Beginning Painting Show, 7-9 p.m., Jitters, 11401 Old Glenn Highway. Mat-Su College beginning painting students, under instructor Karmen Staveland, will have a reception for their work, which will be on display through Dec. 30. (745-9755)

SATURDAY

COMMUNITY

Holiday Craft Bazaar, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Riverside Community Church, 10301 Eagle River Loop Road. Shop for unique food and gift items from all over Alaska. (344-1139)

Holiday Bazaar, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Ravenwood Elementary, 9500 Wren Circle, Eagle River. More than 50 vendors, live reindeer, horse-drawn carriage rides and Santa on-site. Free admission. (830-3290, www.ravenwoodholidaybazaar.com)

Free car seat safety check, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Alaska Sales and Service Valley, 6275 E. Blue Lupine Drive. Have your child's car seat or booster checked by certified technicians. Bring the instruction manual and your vehicle with it's owner's manual. (352-1229)

Large Tote Basket Class, 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., Matanuska Christian School, 248 E. Elmwood Ave. Learn how to weave a basket and take home a finished tote basket. $95. (733 2859, www.jchoatebasketry.com)

Christmas Bazaar, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Trinity Barn Plaza, 10355 Palmer-Wasilla Highway. Handmade holiday items, food and Christmas music. (745-0726)

Holiday Bazaar, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Eagle River Elementary School, 10900 Old Eagle River Road. Shop for handcrafted gifts and bid at the silent auction. Bring the kids to see Santa and his reindeer and do free crafts.

Christmas Bazaar and Crafts Fair, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., East Lake Mall, Mile 4. Rent a 4-by-8-foot space for $25 for one day or $35 for both days. Tables, $5. (892-7171)

Merry Merchant Munch Holiday Bazaar, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Valley River Center, Eagle River. An old-fashioned holiday event with sleigh rides and Santa, free cookies and hot drinks. Alaska handcrafted items such as jewelry, stained glass, dolls, woodcrafts, baked items, soaps and candles. (694-4702)

Michele Neithercoat book signing, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Pandemonium Booksellers and Cafe, 1325 E. Palmer Wasilla Highway. Neithercoat will read and sign copies of her new book "The Night Little Fox Saved Christmas." (376-3939)

Linda West book tour, 1 p.m., Pandemonium Booksellers and Cafe, 1325 E. Palmer Wasilla Highway. West will sign copies of her book "Too Much (Focus) (Focus)."

Sue Henry book signing, 1-3 p.m., Annabels Books, Meta Rose Square, 290 N. Yenlo. The Alaska mystery writer will sign copies of her books. (373-7273, www.annabelsbooks@hotmail.com)

Women's String Orchestra Holiday Concert, 1:30-3 p.m., Hiland Mountain Correctional Center, 9101 Hesterberg Road. Linda Rosenthal is the special guest. Tickets available at www.centertix.net or e-mail crofutp@aol.com. All attendees must be pre-cleared by submitting their driver's license number. $25. (248-6806)

Junior Naturalist Winter Survival Program, 2 p.m., Eagle River Nature Center, Eagle River Loop Road. Michael Gustafson will teach techniques for staying warm outdoors. Kids will learn how to safely start a fire and build a shelter in an emergency. Dress for outdoor fun. Free. (694-2108, www.ernc.org)

Wasilla Community Holiday Celebration, 3-5 p.m. Saturday, 323 N. Main St.. The City of Wasilla and the Dorothy G. Page Museum invite the community to participate in hay rides, holiday entertainment, tree lighting and refreshments. Those interested in participating in the gingerbread house contest must have their entry to the museum no later than 4 p.m. Dec. 5. Contact the museum for entry forms and rules. (373-9071, www.cityofwasilla.com/museum)

ON THE TOWN

Silent Auction Fundraiser, 6-9 p.m., Wasilla Multi-Use Sports Complex, Mile 44, Parks Highway. Proceeds will benefit the Alaska Dog and Puppy Rescue. (746-0864)

"A Christmas Story," 8 p.m. today and 2 p.m. Sunday, Valley Performing Arts, 251 W. Swanson Ave. Despite warnings from his parents, teacher and Santa, 9-year-old Ralphie Parker still wants a Red Ryder BB gun for Christmas. $17 adults, $15 students and seniors. (373-0195, www.valleyperformingarts.org)

Swingin' Ravens, 9 p.m.-midnight, Schwabenhof, Mile 6.5 Palmer Wasilla Highway. New Orleans style swing, featuring the music of Louis Armstrong and Pete Fountain. Free. (357-2739)

SUNDAY

COMMUNITY

Flat Baroque 20th anniversary concert, 2-3:30 p.m., Palmer Library, 655 S. Valley Way. Flat Baroque and Friends perform music from the Renaissance in costume, on recorders, krummhorns, strings, harpsichord and percussion. Free. (745-4690, www.cityofpalmer.org/library)

Winter Bird Identification, 2 p.m., Eagle River Nature Center, Eagle River Loop Road. Volunteer Liza Sanden will show how to correctly identify Alaska's winter birds in preparation for the Christmas Bird Count on Dec. 28. Free. (694-2108, www.ernc.org)

MONDAY

ON THE TOWN

Sounds of the Season, 7:30 p.m., Teeland Middle School, 2788 N Seward Meridian Parkway. A free family holiday concert presented by the Mat-Su College Community Band and directed by Gleo Huyck. Fingerlake School principal Dave Nufer will perform a special rendition of "Twas the Night Before Christmas." (746-0218)

TUESDAY

COMMUNITY

Lopi Sweater, 6:30 p.m., Fantastic Fibers, 1035 S. Cobb St., Palmer. $40. 745-7295) p.m.

COMING UP

Auditions for the musical Peter Pan, 6-9 p.m. Dec. 11 and 10 a.m. Dec. 13, Alaska Fine Arts Academy, 12340 Old Glenn Highway, Suite 200. Singers, dancers and actors needed. Readings will be from the script. Bring a prepared song to sing. (694-8909, www.akfinearts.org)

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