Mat-Su libraries are closed New Years Day - Thursday, January 1st. This includes Trapper Creek, Talkeetna and Willow Public Library. The Talkeetna Public Library reminds you that the wi-fi is always on and accessible from the parking lot, the book drop box will be open. For more information, you may call 907-861-7645.

Sunshine Community Health Center will be closed on New Years Day, January 1st. This includes the Talkeetna and Willow clinics. They remind you to plan ahead for prescriptions, appointments and care needs.

The Susitna Community Council meets on Thursday, January 1st at the Upper Susitna Community & Senior Center at 7 pm. An option to attend via Zoom is available, you can find the meeting information and Zoom Link on the announcement at KTNA.org.

Denali Arts Council hosts Ice Carving Workshops, taught by Tommy Salami. An adult and youth workshop on Saturday, January 3rd outside the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar. Tommy will instruct participants on carving techniques on 10lb blocks of ice. This is a great way to learn how to carve before the Ice Carving Competition. Supplies will be provided, and you can take your carving home with you. Register online at denaliartscouncil.org.

Denali Arts Council presents a screening of the film 76 Days Adrift on Saturday, January 3rd, at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar. This film documents the experience of Steven Callahan, he recounts the night of February 4th, 1982, when a collision with a whale caused his boat to sink in the Atlantic Ocean. Doors open at 6:30 pm, and the film begins at 7pm. Tickets are available at denaliartscouncil.org.

The Talkeetna Community Council meets the first Monday of each month at 7pm at the Talkeetna Public Library and over Zoom. Visit talkeetnacouncil.org for more information including the Zoom link.

Strong Women exercise group meet at 10 am at the Talkeetna Public Library on Tuesdays and Thursdays. A Zoom option is available. This program is aimed at improving strength, balance and flexibility for women over 40 years old. Newcomers are always welcome, weights and instructions are provided. For more information, you may call the library at 907-861-7645.

Talkeetna Recycling is closed today, Tuesday, due to the snow. They are normally open on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 12 to 4pm.

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. The next one is on January 6th. 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. Learn more and sign up at denaliartscouncil.org. Drop-ins are welcome if space allows.

The Talkeetna Skatepark Committee is meeting on Wednesday, January 7th at 6PM at the Talkeetna Library. All are welcome to attend.

The Friends of the Talkeetna Library meet on Friday, January 9th at 1pm, at the Talkeetna Library. All are welcome.

Denali Arts Council and Green Light Circus present: a Circus Sunday! The first of 5 scheduled monthly workshops between January and May, will be Sunday, January 11th. The day will feature aerial silks workshops followed by open juggling at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar. Three workshops are scheduled between 10am and 3pm, space is limited in the aerial workshops and pre-registration is recommended. Find more information at denaliartscouncil.org.

There is Toddler Gym today at the Talkeetna Elementary School from 4:30-5:30pm. A parent or responsible adult must attend with the child and complete a liability release form.

Talkeetna Recycling is open on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 12:00 to 4:00 pm at the Talkeetna Transfer station. Cardboard recycling is available on Saturdays only. They are always looking for volunteers. To learn more, call Cici at (907)355-8324 and visit their Facebook Page.

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.

Talkeetna Chamber of Commerce and Talkeetna Community Council host a community conversation on the subject of a pedestrian only Main Street in downtown Talkeetna. All are invited to attend on Tuesday, January 13th from 6 to 8pm at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar.

Talkeetna Public Library hosts Breakfast Book Club on Wednesday, January 14th at 9:30am. This month they are discussing the book, Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mendel. Light breakfast foods, coffee, and tea will be available. All we welcome to attend, there is an option to join via Zoom. Next month’s selection is What the Fireflies Knew by Kai Harris. For more information you may call the library at (907)861-7645.

Denali Arts Council hosts B Movie Bingo Night on Wednesday, January 14th, at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar. This event is geared towards adults. Doors open at 6:30, movie begins at 7pm.

Talkeetna Public Library hosts Storytime at 11:15am on Thursdays with a snack, stories and a craft. This week is Science Thursday and attendees will be learning all about buoyancy. All are welcome. For more information, you may call Talkeetna Library at 907-861-7645.

Denali Arts Council's Music Academy will again be offering a weekly community choir rehearsal this year at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar. The choir will perform at the annual Mother's Day Concert. All voices are welcome. Commitment to rehearsals should be a priority. You may email Sandy, tkb@alaska.net, with any questions. Thursday, January 15th at 5:30pm will be the first rehearsal.

The Trapper Creek Community Council meeting that was scheduled for tonight has been postponed to January 22nd, 6:30 pm due to weather.

Sunshine Transit is closed today (Friday) due to icy road conditions.

• Both locations of Sunshine Community Health Center are closed today (Friday) due to the weather. This includes Talkeetna and Willow clinics. They remind you to call 911 for emergencies.
• Due to icy roads and bad weather conditions, the Upper Susitna Food Pantry is closed today, Friday January 16th.
• Bingo at the Upper Susitna Community and Senior Center scheduled for today is canceled.
• The Trapper Creek Post Office not receiving mail today.

Notice to travelers heading north - as of 11am Friday, the Parks Highway is shutdown near H&H and Jana's Jumpin Java.

Talkeetna Library hosts a class about Artificial Intelligence on Saturday, January 17th at 2pm. You can learn about what it is and how it helps. Topics covered with be learning to use virtual assistants like Siri, navigate with GPS, get recommendations for shopping, and how to recognize scams. This program is open to all ages, all are welcome.

Talkeetna Library hosts the Tween Page to Screen program on Saturday, January 17th from 5 to 7pm. They will be watching the movie adaptation of Holes, by Louis Sachar.

The Talkeetna Public Library is open today; however, Sizzle and Stir Club is canceled. For more information, please call the library at 907-861-7645.

The KTNA’s Board of Directors meets the third Monday of the month at 4:30pm at the station on 2nd Street in Talkeetna. The next one is on January 19th, all are welcome. For more information, call 907-733-1700 or email manager@ktna.org.

The Talkeetna Parks Advisory Committee (TPAC) is meeting Monday, January 19th at 6:30pm at the Talkeetna Public Library. All are welcome. The meeting will be also available via Zoom. Please contact Karl Swanson with any questions at 907-733-7547 or email, tpac@talkeetnacouncil.org.

The annual election meeting of the Chase Community Council is Wednesday, January 21st at 6PM at the Latitude 62 Lodge.

Multi Users of Talkeetna Trails (MUTT) hosts a volunteer meeting for the 3rd annual Rich Crain Classic on Wednesday, January 21st at the Latitude 62 at 7pm. They are looking for volunteers to help with grooming trails, registration, tending a campfire and timing events. If you can’t make it to the meeting, you can contact info@talkeetnamutt.org to inquire about volunteering.

The Recycling Committee is meeting Thursday, January 22nd at 4:30pm via Zoom. Contact Cici at 907-355-8324 for details.

The Trapper Creek Community Council is meeting Thursday, January 22nd at 6:30 pm at the Trapper Creek Community Center.

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.

The Talkeetna Public Library presents the program Unleash the Power of Your Library Card on Saturday, January 24, from 2-4pm. Participants will learn how to access Alaska and national newspapers, renew library items and put things on hold, and access digital and audio books and magazines for free using the Libby App. A current library card is required which can be obtained at the front desk as needed. Call 907-861-7645 or come into the library to sign up.

The Talkeetna Public Library hosts the Teen Book to Movie program this Saturday, January 24th, from 6 to 8pm. The program features The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins. This is the prequel story of the Hunger Games series. Teens 13 to 18 are invited for pizza and snacks and lively discussion on the book and its movie.

Denali Arts Council is hosting Arctic Entries at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar on Saturday, January 24th. Seven local storytellers tell true 7-minute stories on the theme of Going Once, Going Twice: Stories of putting yourself on the line, unexpected wins, and near misses. The doors open at 6:30pm and stories start at 7pm. Tickets available at denaliartscouncil.org.