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The community is invited to a Kick-Off Party in Village Park for the Talkeetna Ice Festival from 4 - 6pm to celebrate the start of the Festival and the ice carving competition. The Talkeetna Elementary School PTA will have s’mores, hot cocoa, and hot soups for sale (benefiting the Talkeetna Elementary PTA). There is ice available if you are interested in carving, register at denaliartscouncil.org.

The Talkeetna Historical Society is hosting the annual Talkeetna Jeopardy game on Thursday, January 30th, at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar. Doors open at 6:30 and the show starts at 7:00pm. Ticket proceeds support the museum. Team participants are still needed. Please contact the museum at 907-733-2487 or message them on social media if you are interested.

The 63rd Annual Willow State Winter Carnival begins on Friday, January 31st with a wide variety of events for all ages through Sunday, February 2nd. More information, including the complete schedule of events can be found at waco-ak.org and on the Willow Area Community Organization's FaceBook Page.

The Talkeetna Art Walk is Friday, January 31st from 3pm to 6pm. There are multiple participating businesses featuring local artists. This free, family friendly event will have you enjoying beautiful art, interactive art installations and games, hot beverages and light snacks. Art walk passports are available for pickup on Friday, January 31st at the Flying Squirrel Bakery and Cafe and the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar. Passports can be turned in at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar between 5pm and 7pm that day to be entered into a drawing.

Denali Arts Council presents Myles from Dublin. This trio features John Walsh, Pat Broaders, and Jannell Canerday. This lovely concert of traditional Irish music and song will be by candle light. This beautiful event is free to the community at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar at 7pm. Donations are welcome.

Here's what's coming up for the Talkeetna Ice Festival on Saturday, February 1st:

• Ice sculpture viewing and voting at the Talkeetna Village Park from 12 to 5pm. There will be hot beverages, kid activities, and an ice carving demonstration.
• A Chili Cook Off with tasting and voting is from 1 to 5pm at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar. The winner will be announced at 5pm, in the Village Park.
• Kick Sled Races for ages 3 to 93 are from 1 to 2 pm on Main Street. Kick Sleds of various sizes will be provided or bring your own. Don’t worry if you’ve never been on a kick sled before - if you can walk you can kick sled! Call Holly at 907-355-4903 with any questions.
• A Tandem Ski Race, put on by the Talkeetna Chamber of Commerce is from 2 to 3pm on Main Street.
• The Dog Keg Pull Race, put on by Denali Education Center is from 3 to 4pm on Main Street. Winners will be announced at 5 pm in the Village Park.

The Talkeetna Public Library offers Book to Movie Saturday, February 1st at 6pm at the Talkeetna Public Library. Teens will talk about the book, The Bread Winner, and then watch the movie and have snacks.  Teen between 13 and 18 are welcome to join the fun. Pick up time is 8pm.

The world premier of Frostbitten, a 45 minute documentary by David Hannah is at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar on Saturday, February 1st. Frostbitten follows climber Nigel Vardy as he returns to Alaska 25 years after getting stuck on Denali, to thank the locals who saved his life. The film screening will be followed by a Q and A with David and Nigel. Doors open at 6:30pm, the film starts at 7pm.

Denali Nordic Ski Club hosts the 13th Annual Frozen Basil Poker Ski on Sunday, February 2nd. This 7.5 mile ski starts at 12pm at Flying Squirrel Bakery and Café and ends at Denali Brew Pub on Main Street. A shuttle is available from Denali Education Center to Flying Squirrel, running every 15 minutes from 10:45am until 12pm.

Talkeetna Public Library offers Reading Mentors Tuesdays from 3:15 to 4:15pm. Second to fourth graders are invited to attend this program, where students are matched with adult reading partners. This program is aimed at teaching confidence in reading. Sunshine Transit is available to transport students from Talkeetna Elementary School. Homeschoolers are welcome. There is still space for students to join. Adult Mentors are also needed. Please register at the Talkeetna Elementary or call the library. Please call the library at 907-861-7645 to preregister for this program.

There is an Open House for public comment on the Strategic Plan for Mat-Su Borough Public Libraries on Wednesday, February 5th from 4 to 6pm. Suggestions and comments about what you envision for your library's future will be gathered.  There is also a short survey you can fill out; it is available online or on paper at all the Mat-Su Borough libraries. These are due Feb 16th. All are welcome to come give their input and enjoy some refreshments.

The Denali Nordic Ski Club will have its monthly board meeting on Thursday, February 6th at 6 pm at the Latitude 62. All are welcome.

The Talkeetna Skatepark Committee will meet on Thursday, February 6th, at 6 pm at the Talkeetna Public Library. At this meeting, they will conduct regular business and view and discuss the recently received park plan with Grindline, Inc.'s senior project manager, James Klinedinst, who will join via Zoom. A Zoom link is available for this meeting; please email TKASkatepark@gmail.com for the link.