The 35th annual Talkeetna-Trapper Creek Birdathon begins on Friday, May 2nd, at 6 pm and continues until 6 pm on Saturday, May 3rd. Area residents and their guests are welcome to participate by identifying as many species of birds as can be found in the count circle during the 24 hour period. You can go birding by yourself or with family or friends, traveling “green” or using a vehicle. Participants gather around a fire in the evening on Saturday. The gathering will be on the gravel bar near the corner of Third and B Street, past the Talkeetna Inn.  If you have questions, leave a message for Jeff or Deb at 907 733-2066.

Willow CERT and Willow Caswell Fire Department host Wildland Preparedness Public Education Day on Saturday, May 3rd at the Willow Fire Station from 11am until 5pm. There will be a car wash, fire safe presentations, and BBQ food. More information at the Willow CERT Facebook Page.

Denali Arts Council hosts Steve Durr's art opening and book signing at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar on Saturday, May 3rd from 3 to 6pm. At 4pm, Steve will read selected portions from his book; Ptarmigan Song. All are welcome.

The Willow Area Community Organization (WACO) holds their monthly meeting at the Willow Community Center on the first Wednesday of every month at 7pm. The next meeting is on May 7th, all are welcome. More information at waco-ak.org.

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service is offering Pressure Canner Gauge Testing today (Thursday, May 8th). They will be at the Talkeetna Public Library from 1 to 4pm. All are welcome to bring a pressure canner dial gauge in for a test to make sure it is accurate and functioning properly. New or unused gauges should be tested before first use. Questions may be directed to to Melissa Clampitt at mrclampitt@alaska.edu.

The Friends of the Talkeetna Library meet at 1pm on Friday, May 9th at the Talkeetna Public Library. New members or interested parties are always welcome. Zoom is also an option to join the meeting. For more information including Zoom info call the library at 907-861-7645.

Local students with the afterschool program, Su Valley Band Lab, will be showcasing their new found skills with support from the band Wasteland Hop at Su Valley Jr./Sr. High School on Friday, May 9th. Doors open at 6:30pm and the showcase starts at 7pm. All are welcome to attend.

Talkeetna Community Schools hosts Family Movie Night at Talkeetna Elementary School on Friday, May 9th. They are showing the PG-rated movie; Earth to Echo. Doors open at 6:45pm, the movie starts at 7pm.

Alaskan author Eowyn Ivey will share her recently published book, Black Woods Blue Sky, on Saturday, May 10th at 2 pm in the Willow Public Library meeting room. All are welcome.

Wasteland Hop will be perform at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar on Saturday, May 10th. Out of Fort Collins, Colorado, Wasteland Hop plays a soulful and unique blend of folk, rock, and hip-hop. This is an all ages show. Doors open at 6:30pm and the music starts at 7pm. Tickets available at denaliartscouncil.org.

Denali Arts Council's Music Academy presents a Mother's Day Concert with the Rhythm and Red Shoe Ensemble, Desperate Measures and the Community Choir on Sunday, May 11th at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar. Doors open at 3:30pm, and the concert begins at 4pm.

The next Talkeetna Skatepark Committee Meeting will be taking place on Wednesday, May 14th at 6pm at the Denali Education Center. All are welcome to attend. Please email tkaskatepark@gmail.com for the Zoom link to join virtually or if you would like more information.