TODAY
Author Mary Breu, 5 p.m., Fireside Books, 720 S. Alaska St. Meet the author of "Last Letters from Attu," which chronicles the experience of Etta Jones, who was taken as a prisoner of war on Attu during World War II. Free. (www.goodbooksbadcoffee.com/event/last-letters-attu-author-mary-breu)
THURSDAY
Bingo, 1-3 p.m., Palmer Senior Citizens Center, 831 S. Chugach St. The Palmer Senior Citizens Center invites everyone to join the fun every Thursday. 25 cents per card. (745-5454)
Reconnecting to Life after a Loss, 7-8:30 p.m., Alaska Center for Acupuncture, 642 S. Alaska St., Suite 208. The workshop addresses the common pattern of life before, during and following a loss; the three stages of loss; coping skills and nine ways of healing our lives from a loss. Call to pre-register. Free. (745-8688, www.alaskaacupuncture.com)
FRIDAY
Family Promise Mat-Su Birthday Bash, 6:30-8:30 p.m., AT&T Sports Center, 1507 N. Double B St. Celebrating five years of serving homeless families in the Mat-Su. Pizza, specially created theme cake, court games and fun. Bring your friends. Free. (357-6160, www.familypromisematsu.org)
Making Music IV Fundraiser, 7 p.m., Trinity Lutheran Church, 10355 E. Palmer-Wasilla Highway. Funds raised will go toward a home for Jim White and his family. Donations accepted. (745-6889, trinityl.net)
Learn to Square Dance, 7-8:30 p.m., The Salvation Army, 209 W. Evergreen, Palmer. Paws & Taws Square Dance Club free beginners lessons. Club Dances for experienced dancers are 8:30-10 p.m. Couples, families and singles welcome. First three lessons free then $5 per dancer. (745-4565, 232-5682www.alaska.net/~charley/dances.htm#PALMER)
The Defrosters, 8 p.m., Schwabenhof, Mile 7.5 Palmer-Wasilla Highway. Take the chill off with great dance music. (www.myspace.com/thedefrosters)
"Pride & Prejudice," A Theatre Production, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, Valley Performing Arts, 251 W. Swanson Ave., Wasilla. Jane Austen's story of the duel between Elizabeth and her pride and Darcy and his prejudice. $16-$18. (373-0195)
SATURDAY
K9 Athletes Symposium & Mushing History Conference, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Willow Community Center, Mile 69.7 Parks Highway. The Willow Dog Mushers Association's Canine Athletes Symposium will be held in conjunction with the Mushing History Conference, with keynote speaker Mary Shields, the first woman to finish the Iditarod, in 1974. One-day pass: $5-$35. Two-day pass; $5-$50 juniors; $10 dinner, movie and auction. (495-0671, www.willowdogmushers.com/)
Big Lake Fishing Derby, 9 a.m. Saturday-Sunday, Burkeshore Marina, 3610 N Burkeshore Drive. Sponsored by Burkeshore Marina, the Big Lake Chamber of Commerce, the Odom Corporation, Valley Country Stores, and North Lakes Liquor. $10 entry fee enters you into a drawing for a boat. Tickets are available at North Lakes Liquor and Valley Country Stores and Burkeshore Marina. (892-6300, burkeshore.com/2010_Fishing_Derby.html)
Arts & Crafts Bazaar, 10 a.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 501 E. Bogard Road. Vendor applications for a community arts and crafts fair are being accepted. No entry fee. (355-8225)
Operation Medicine Cabinet, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Wasilla Fred Meyer, 1501 E. Parks Highway. Bring expired or unused medications and help prevent misuse and abuse of unwanted over-the-counter and prescription drugs. Sponsored by Alaska State Troopers and Matanuska-Susitna Borough. For your privacy, please remove or black out personal information on labels. Free. (745-9557, www.operationmedicinecabinet.org)
Alaska Dispatch Publishing