Anchorage Daily News

BOATING

Knik Canoers Kayakers meet

WHEN: 7-9 p.m. Sept. 25

WHERE: Wilda Marston Theatre, Loussac Library

DETAILS: Meeting includes a show and tell of past summer river, lake and ocean outings. Get ideas for future trips.

COST: Free

CONTACT: 345-6642

FILM

Reel Rock Film Tour

WHEN: Friday and Saturday

WHERE: Bear Tooth Theatrepub

DETAILS: The third-annual package of climbing and adventure films. Includes shorts and appearances by local climbers. Among the features: "The Sharp End" that includes all-or-nothing solo ascents, "Grand Canyon Walls", "On Sight" and "The Aerialist."

COST: $3

CONTACT: www.beartooththeatre.net

FISHING

Snagging now legal in Homer Spit

WHEN: Through Dec. 31

WHERE: Nick Dudiak Fishing Lagoon in Homer

DETAILS: Because some stocked silver salmon in the lagoon "could not be adequately harvested without snagging," according to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game is allowing the practice for the rest of the season.

COST: Free

CONTACT: Division of Sport Fish at 267-2218

Fishery proposals to be discussed

WHEN: 6 p.m. Tuesday

WHERE: Kenai Peninsula College

DETAILS: The Kenai-Soldotna Fish & Game Advisory Committee will discuss federal subsistence fisheries proposals for the upcoming Southcentral Rural Advisory Council meeting. Information on the federal subsistence board proposals is at alaska.fws.gov/asm/public.cfml

COST: Free

CONTACT: Gary Dawkins 262-3993

FLORA AND FAUNA

Sea otter presentation

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Sept. 26

WHERE: Alaska Islands & Ocean Visitor Center in Homer

DETAILS: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge plans a night of sea otter programming. Included: Sheryl Sotelo's McNeil Canyon Elementary School project on sea otters; a Kristen Worman talk on her summer's work picking up sea otters that died in Kachemak Bay; Karen Corbell will introduce a brochure on boat collisions with sea otters.

COST: Free

CONTACT: Lisa Matlock at 226-4617 or by e-mail at lisa_matlock@fws.gov

HIKING/BACKPACKING

Weekly Anchorage hikes

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

WHERE: Potter Marsh boardwalk on Monday, Prospect Heights 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

Bound for Dew Mound

WHEN: 2 p.m. Sept. 21

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: This family friendly three-mile hike heads along the Dew Mound--Meadows loop. You'll see the forest changing colors with the arrival of cooler temperatures.

COST: Free; parking is $5 for nonmembers

CONTACT: 694-2108

Soak in fall colors

WHEN: 11 a.m. Sept. 27

WHERE: Parking lot at Mile 115.2 of Seward Highway, just past Chugach State Park headquarters

DETAILS: Join Bob and Ann Fisher for a roughly seven-mile hike from Rainbow to Potter. Expect ups and down -- including an 850 foot climb in a one-mile stretch -- and a muddy trail. Spectacular views of Turnagain Arm are available. Hikers should be in good shape and bring a daypack with food, water and rain gear. Well-behaved dogs are welcome.

COST: $5 parking for those without state park passes

CONTACT: 694-2108 to register

Highland trek to The Dome

WHEN: 10 a.m. today

WHERE: North Bivouac trail head

DETAILS: Challenging alpine hike with moderate inclines. Nordic walking poles, snacks, water and a camera recommended. Must be at least 16.

COST: $12

CONTACT: Ronn Randall, 343-4260

Nordic walking introduction

WHEN: 6:15 p.m. Monday, plus Oct. 6, 8, 13

WHERE: Centennial Park

DETAILS: Nordic walking poles add stability and balance while you get joint-saving low-impact and outdoor exercise. This easy class focuses on equipment and techniques, running concurrently with bi-weekly nordic walking workouts. Some poles are loaned out. Ages 12 and up.

COST: $25 per session

CONTACT: Ronn Randall, 343-4260

KIDS

Mushroom hunt

WHEN: 10 a.m. today

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: Take a guided mushroom foray for about two miles along the Albert Loop trail with naturalist Dominique Collet. Limited to the first 20 people who register.

COST: Free; parking $5 for nonmembers

CONTACT: 694-2108

Southcentral insects

WHEN: 2 p.m. today

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: Author and naturalist Dominique Collet will present a program on insects in our region and sign her book, "Insects of Southcentral Alaska," afterwards.

COST: Free; parking $5 for nonmembers

CONTACT: 694-2108

Smells of autumn

WHEN: 2 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: Explore the smells of fall, from yummy to stinky. A staff naturalist will demonstrate how smell and taste are connected and lead a walk to sample the air. For youngsters grades K-6.

COST: Free; parking is $5 for nonmembers

CONTACT: 694-2108

MEETINGS

Audubon potluck and program

WHEN: 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday

WHERE: BP Energy Center, 1014 Energy Court, off Seward Highway

DETAILS: Anchorage Audubon's September program has moved to its new location at the BP Energy Center. This week, there will be photos of birding during the summer. Bring up to 10 photos of your adventures. The evening will begin with a potluck supper; bring a dish.

COST: Free

CONTACT: 248-0442, anchorageaudubon.org

ROLLERSKIING

Kincaid Stampede roller ski race

WHEN: 1 p.m. Sept. 21

WHERE: Kincaid Chalet

DETAILS: Sprint starts and gutsy long-course challenges included in this Anchorage Grand Priz Roller Ski race series event. There are male, female, masters and junior divisions, with an awards presentation and pot luck dinner afterward at Kincaid Outdoor Center. Helmets and gloves required.

COST: $20

CONTACT: Ronn Randall, 343-4260

SKIING

Winter-long ski training at APU

WHEN: Oct. 1 through April

WHERE: APU's Moseley Sports Center

DETAILS: Winter long ski training program aimed at U.S. Masters Nationals in Anchorage next spring. Registration has begun.

COST: $500 now, $500 by Oct. 1

CONTACT: 564-8906; hbrooks@alaska pacific.edu, nordic.alaskapacific.edu/forms.php

SKIJORING

Run Rover Run

WHEN: 12:30 p.m. Sept. 21; registration begins 11 a.m.

WHERE: Campbell Lake at entrance to Kincaid Park

DETAILS: First event of Anchorage Skijor Club's 2008-09 season for one dog only on hilly trail. Races for men, women and juniors offered. Dogs must be on leash at all times.

COST: $5 single-day membership or season membership

CONTACT: Rebecca Voris, 243-5234

TRAILS

National Public Lands Day

WHEN: 8:30 a.m. Sept. 27

WHERE: BLM Campbell Creek Science Center, 5600 Science Center Drive, 68th Avenue and Elmore Road

DETAILS: Help rejuvenate trails as part of National Public Lands Day at various spots at Campbell Tract and Far North Bicentennial Park. Wear warm clothes, boots and gloves; tools provided. Free pizza lunch for all volunteers.

COST: Free

CONTACT: 267-1247

Science Center open house

WHEN: 1:30-4:30 p.m. Sept. 27

WHERE: BLM Campbell Creek Science Center, 5600 Science Center Drive, off 68th Avenue and Elmore Road

DETAILS: "Take it Outside: Connect with Your Public Lands" is the focus of this year's annual open house, a family event that features educational games, live music and the science center's new poster calendar.

COST: Free

CONTACT: 267-1247

Archangel Trail clearing

WHEN: 1 p.m. Sept. 21

WHERE: Reed Lakes parking lot off Hatcher Pass Road

DETAILS: Effort to the clear the Archangel Trail.

COST: Free

CONTACT: www.matsuski.com/

WRITING

Nature writing class

WHEN: 7:30 p.m., beginning Sept. 25

WHERE: Sierra Club office downtown

WHAT: Anchorage nature writer and author Bill Sherwonit will teach a 12-week workshop-style nature writing class with emphasis on personal essays. Further information about the teacher is also available at www.billsherwonit.alaskawriters.com.

COST: $200

CONTACT: 245-0283 or akgriz@hotmail.com

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