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Larry & Jacque Ficek, Wasilla Alaska Realtors

Who Do You Think You Are? Things to Do in Wasilla Alaska, Spot a Great Gray Owl!

Who Do You Think You Are? Things to Do in Wasilla Alaska, Spot a Great Gray Owl!

I have lived in Alaska a long time-I was born here. This is the absolute best year for spotting owls I have ever been witness to. Larry and I have established another hot-line, similar to our Northern Lights Phone Tree, where we call our clients and friends when we see the owls in the area. So far we have seen them nearly a dozen times in our little corner of the world and made tons of calls! Even if you are not a birder, these are amazing birds to see and to photograph.

Things to Do in Wasilla Alaska, Spot a Great Gray Owl!

Apparently, the snow has been so deep that it is affecting the normal hunting of the owls. A story in the local newspaper suggests that the depth of the snow is straining on the owls' sight and hearing capabilities making them hunt in the daylight.

Who Do You Think You Are?    Things to Do in Wasilla Alaska, Spot a Great Gray Owl!

Who Do You Think You Are?    Things to Do in Wasilla Alaska, Spot a Great Gray Owl!

Jacque & Larry

Things to Do in Wasilla Alaska, Spot a Great Gray Owl!

December's Season Of Celebrations & Sharing, Shop with a Cop and Firefighter in Anchorage Alaska

December's Season Of Celebrations & Sharing, Shop with a Cop or Firefighter in Anchorage Alaska

The Anchorage Police Department Employee Association and the Anchorage Firefighters Union Local 1264 recently held their annual 'Shop with a Cop or Firefighter' program. The association provides $100 each to about 50 local children to shop with a cop and/or firefighter. The kiddos are referred to the program from area shelters and they even get to meet the big man himself. Santa rides atop the Santa Claus Express firetruck while shopping.

It is a great chance to help local families and allow the kids to meet police and firefighters in a non-emergency situation.

Jacque & Larry

December's Season Of Celebrations & Sharing, Shop with a Cop or Firefighter in Anchorage, Alaska


December's Season Of Celebrations & Sharing, Volunteer at an Animal Shelter

December's Season Of Celebrations & Sharing, Volunteer at an Animal Shelter

If all the people around you already have enough 'stuff' and you need an idea for a gift or an opportunity to volunteer, how about your local animal shelter?

December's Season Of Celebrations & Sharing, Volunteer at an Animal Shelter

December's Season Of Celebrations & Sharing, Volunteer at an Animal Shelter

December's Season Of Celebrations & Sharing, Volunteer at an Animal Shelter

There are plenty of animals at the local shelters that are overlooked. Whether you volunteer your time to walk the dogs or simply to help get them used to people, or you donate blankets, towels, food or toys most shelters will welcome the assistance.

Of course there are many opportunities to help people, sponsoring a pet is just different way to help. Many pets that come to the shelters also come with fees when they are adopted. By sponsoring a pet, you may give it a bit more time and a better chance to be adopted. If you do consider sponsoring a pet, think about the older ones as they are typically overlooked for the pups and kittens.

There is a group of folks locally spreading the word about our local shelter and what is needed. At the Mat-Su Animal Control Center, volunteers are desperately needed to walk the dogs and help socialize them. There are not enough hands to take the dogs out to potty and, in turn, they must remain in their kennels (and possibly regress in potty training).

A list of items needed at our local animal shelter (Wasilla, Palmer, Sutton, Butte, Houston and the Mat-Su Valley) is:
Canned Cat Food
Cat Toys
Cat Treats
KMR Kitten Milk Replacements
Canned Dog Food
Dog Toys
Dog Treats
Big Blankets
Baby Blankets
Towels
Chicken or Turkey Baby Food
Small Paper Food Trays (think nachos, red and white paper trays)
Latex/Nitrite Exam Gloves

Whether or not you volunteer your time, adopt an animal, sponsor an animal or two a year PLEASE pass the word to others that are compassionate towards the animals left in shelters.

***If you are running short on time, your donations can be dropped off at the Anchorage MLS, Valley Office at 201 E Swanson Ave #8, Wasilla Alaska 99654

Jacque & Larry

December's Season Of Celebrations & Sharing, Volunteer at an Animal Shelter

Things to Do, Places to Go in Palmer Alaska-Palmer Colony Christmas in December


Things to Do, Places to Go in Palmer Alaska-Palmer Colony Christmas in December

The Palmer Chamber of Commerce has outlined the schedule of events for this years Colony Christmas in Palmer.

2011 Colony Christmas Schedule

Saturday, December 10

9 am – 11 am
Lions Club Pancake Breakfast

Salvation Army, 209 W Evergreen Avenue

9 am – 4 pm
Craft Bazaar

Mat-Su Seniors Services (Palmer Sr. Ctr), 1132 S Chugach St

10 am – 4:45 pm
Information Booth and Sales

Palmer Depot

10 am – 4 pm
Palmer Museum of History and Art Open

723 S Valley Way

10 am – 4 pm
Kids Activity Events & Warm-Up Stations
Sponsored by:
Frost a Christmas Cookie - Cover-Ups, 840 S Colony Way
Kids Activity Table -
Madd Matters, 1088 S Bailey St

10 am – 4 pm
Festival of Mini Trees –Benefits the Special Santa Program

Colony Inn, 325 E. Elmwood Avenue

10 am – 6 pm
Gingerbread Houses, Sponsored by Alaska USA Federal Credit Union

Presented by Blueberry Moose Catering & Events
Pioneer Home, 250 E Fireweed Avenue
Various Businesses- Look for a list at the Pioneer home

10 am – 7 pm
Arts & Craft Fair

Palmer Depot

10 am – 6 pm
Arts & Crafts Fair

Borough Gym, 350 E Dahlia Avenue

10am - 7pm
Information Booth

Rib Shack at Borough Gym Foyer, 350 E Dahlia Ave

10 am – 5 pm
Arts & Craft Fair

Alaska Job Corps, Cope Industrial Way

10am – 6pm
Bad Girls of the North juried Craft Show
Downtown Palmer Plaza – 550 S Alaska St

10 am – 7 pm
“Light Up A Life” Hospice Tree

Koslosky’s Center - 642 S Alaska Street

10 am – 6 pm
Open House, Caroling & Bake Sale

Colony House Museum, 316 E Elmwood Avenue

10am – 5pm
The Original Colony Manager’s-Open House Tour
Presented by Mat-Su Bed &Breakfast Association, 308 E Elmwood Ave

10am - 5 pm
The Gallery –Douglas François Girard, in person from Noon to 5 pm

1150 S Colony Way (in the Key Bank Plaza)

11 am – 2 pm
Cookie Contest presented by Mat-Su Bed & Breakfast Association

Palmer Museum- 723 S Valley Way

11 am – 7 pm
Nativity Displays

LDS Church - 560 W Arctic Ave

11am – 3 pm
Denali Destroyer Dolls- Holiday Hair

Downtown Palmer Plaza, 500 South Alaska St

11am - 3pm
Photos with Santa, Sponsored by IBEW Local 1547

Downtown Palmer Plaza Deli - 500 South Alaska St

11am – 4pm
Sweet Adeline’s- Christmas Caroling around Palmer

Noon - 3pm
Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides presented by AK Alaska Bling

585 S Valley Way

Noon – 4 pm
Snow Machine Sled Rides -Presented by Alaska Backcountry Adventure Tours

Open area next to Colony Inn

Noon – 3 pm
Reindeer Farm, petting, feeding and photos & warming station

Silvertip Design-421 S Alaska St

Noon – 3 pm
Free Kids Games, presented by CCS Early Learning

Palmer Depot – Outside

12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Snowshoe Obstacle Course

742 S Alaska St. (in front of the Depot)

1 pm – 4 pm
Horse Drawn Sleigh Rides Sponsored by Usibelli Coal Mine

Pavilion across from Palmer Museum

1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
“Ice Castles on the Green” Ice Sculptures-Presented by Valley Arts Alliance

320 E Dahlia Street in the Historic District

2:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Smoosh Race

742 S Alaska St. (in front of the Depot)

2:30pm
Youth Mitten Money Scramble, Presented by CCS Early Learning

Palmer Depot – Outside

2:30 pm – 4 pm
Air Force Band of the Pacific Alaska Express

Presented by KMBQ Q99.7
Mat-Su Seniors Services (Palmer Sr. Center), 1132 S Chugach Street

5:00 pm
Parade of Lights, Sponsored by MTA

Downtown Palmer

6:30 pm
FIREWORKS, Sponsored by BP
Borough baseball fields & Library parking lot

7:00 pm
“Love Came Down at Christmas” Concert
By The Alaska Children’s Choir
St. Johns Lutheran Church 440 E Elmwood

Sunday, December 11

9 am – 10:30 am
Triathlon Registration,
Sponsored by Mat-Su Health Foundation
Presented by Peak Fitness
Peak Fitness, 12051 E Palmer Wasilla Highway

10 am – 6 pm
“Light Up A Life” Hospice Tree

Koslosky’s Center, 642 S Alaska Street

11:00 am
Triathlon Race Starts, Sponsored by Mat-Su Health Foundation
Presented by Peak Fitness

Peak Fitness, 12051 E Palmer Wasilla Highway

Noon – 8 pm
Palmer Pioneer Hockey Steak Feed

Moose Lodge, 1136 S Cobb Street, Tickets $15 available at door or from players

2 pm – 7 pm
Nativity Display
LDS Church - 560 W Arctic Ave

For more information, call the Palmer Chamber at 745-2880

Things to Do, Places to Go in Palmer Alaska-Palmer Colony Christmas in December

Traveling Localism-The Red Hills Market in Dundee Oregon-YUM!

Traveling Localism-The Red Hills Market in Dundee Oregon-YUM!

While visiting family in the Sherwood/Dundee Oregon area, we visited The Red Hills Market. This was a requirement as Larry's brother Shiloh is a chef there, we are already fans of his food and we had not yet been to The Red Hills Market.

Located at 115 SW 7th in Dundee, the market is just off the main road and easily accessible for a quick bite (or long one if you have time).

The front of the building is nearly as inviting as the inside with tall windows that let you peek in. There is re-purposed wine barrel seating in Adirondack style just under the protective eaves. Whether waiting for your fellow dinner guests or just visiting after dinner, they are very comfortable.

Traveling Localism-The Red Hills Market in Dundee Oregon-YUM!

Traveling Localism-The Red Hills Market in Dundee Oregon-YUM!

Traveling Localism-The Red Hills Market in Dundee Oregon-YUM!

Once inside, the chic wine country elegance touches all senses. The decor is part of the attitude and the furnishings are rustic, sturdy and generous enough for dinner and dessert plates. You can hear the other diners chatter but it is a fun part of the local ambiannce. The market has 'wine country' decor, trinkets and in the kitchen fun style books to peruse upon or purchase as your food is being prepared.

As for the food, there are many choices on the menu depending on your mood. Hearty, hand crafted sandwiches filled with roast beef or turkey and all the fixings (locally made blue cheese dressing on the roast beef for example), hand tossed (thin and crispy) wood fired pizza are on the menu. I am a vegetarian so eating out for me usually involves a little more planning but The Red Hills Market has really well put together salads with local produce and fresh artisan cheeses.

Traveling Localism-The Red Hills Market in Dundee Oregon-YUM!

Traveling Localism-The Red Hills Market in Dundee Oregon-YUM!

Traveling Localism-The Red Hills Market in Dundee Oregon-YUM!

When you taste the food you will know why there is a deli case with the dressings, cheeses, farm fresh eggs and scrumptious desserts right at the front. The Red Hills Market makes it easy to take some local food delights home to share (or simply whisk away so you can have an extra taste later).

Traveling Localism-The Red Hills Market in Dundee Oregon-YUM!

Traveling Localism-The Red Hills Market in Dundee Oregon-YUM!

Traveling Localism-The Red Hills Market in Dundee Oregon-YUM!

Traveling Localism-The Red Hills Market in Dundee Oregon-YUM!Traveling Localism-The Red Hills Market in Dundee Oregon-YUM!

Lunch or dinner, casual or entertaining friends, the The Red Hills Market in Dundee is on our 'have to' list when we are in the area.

Jacque & Larry

Traveling Localism-The Red Hills Market in Dundee Oregon-YUM!