The 64th Annual Willow State Winter Carnival begins on Friday, January 23rd with a wide variety of events for all ages through Sunday, February 1st. More information, including the complete schedule of events can be found at waco-ak.org and on the Willow Winter Carnival’s FaceBook Page.

Denali Arts Council is holding auditions for their annual variety show, Complexities of Love. If you have a talent you’d like to share—dance, music, comedy, poetry, puppetry, or anything else—they’d love to hear from you. Four rehearsals are scheduled on Sundays January 18th through February 8th, from 3 to 5 pm at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar. You must attend one of these rehearsals and audition for Jenny in order to be included in the show.

The Talkeetna Public Library hosts the The Sizzle & Stir Club beginning today (Monday, January 12th). This 7-week long cooking program is open to 4th and 5th graders and homeschool students are welcome. Transportation from Talkeetna Elementary School to the library will be provided by Sunshine Transit. There are still two spots available, for more information and to register, please call the library at 907-861-7645.

Talkeetna Elementary PTA hosts the following Community Enrichment Activities each week at Talkeetna Elementary School's gym:

• Pick-Up Basketball for teens and adults, 8th grade and up is on Sundays from 6-8 pm.
• Toddler Gym Time is on Mondays from 4:30-5:30 pm.

You may email REBECCA.HRDY@matsuk12.us for more information.

Watercolorist, Miles Bloomfield, is instructing a series of Winter Plein Air Painting classes. Classes are from 1 to 4pm at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar each Tuesday in the month of January. This is an outdoor painting class, so participants should dress for the weather. If temperatures are too cold, the class will be held indoors. All supplies are provided. Sign up is available at denaliartscouncil.org. Drop-ins are welcome if space allows.

Talkeetna Public Library's Reading Mentors program is on Tuesdays at 3:15pm. This program is for 1st through 3rd graders and is designed to help new readers get experience and confidence in reading out loud. Transportation from Talkeetna Elementary School to the library will be provided by Sunshine Transit. If you have any questions, or you would like to volunteer as a reading, mentor, you may call the library at 907-861-7645.

The Willow Public Library's Mentoring Program meets every Wednesday from 3:10 to 4:30pm, when Willow Elementary School is in session. This program is for Kindergartners through 5th graders. You may call the Willow Library at 907-861-7655 with questions.

The Willow Public Library hosts a Story Time, followed by play time in the Willow Community Center on Thursdays beginning at 11:00am. Story Time is geared toward children up to 5 years old, but all are welcome. You may call the Willow Library at 907-861-7655 with any questions.

Talkeetna Public Library hosts Storytime at 11:15am on Thursdays with a snack, stories and a craft. All are welcome. For more information, you may call Talkeetna Library at 907-861-7645.