COMMUNITY
63rd State Winter Carnival in Willow
Contributed by Brenda McCain, Willow Winter Carnival Committee
All Alaskans are invited to enjoy the 63rd State Winter Carnival in Willow for “The Year of the Malamute” at Willow Community Ctr at 69.5 Parks Highway. This historic event has activities for all ages to enjoy inside and outside the and on trails around the community from January 25 - February 7, 2025.
Saturday, Jan. 25th the fun begins with the NEW Su Dog 300-mile Sled dog race when 25 teams leave starting at 2 pm.
At 6 pm doors open for Carnival Bingo at 7 pm. Monday, Jan. 27th as the Su Dog teams are returning there will be the be a Soup tasting contest/$5 to taste and vote. Friday, January 31st the full Carnival weekend begins at the Carnival Kick off Dinner. Doors open at 5 pm with the local Artist’s Quick Draw and the start of the Alaskan Art silent auction. At 6 pm, the Ribs, Beans, Cole Slaw & cake dinner will be served. This event is usually a sell-out. Tickets must be purchased in advance at Newman’s Hilltop
Marathon, Roni’s Deli or Willow Library. $25.00 age 16 and up, $17.00 age 8-15. Free under age 7 (but need ticket). The Carnival King and Queen will be crowned during dinner and the evening will conclude with a spectacular Fireworks display by Gorilla Fireworks.
Saturday, Feb 1 & Sunday Feb 2- 8 am11:00 am Willow Elementary PTA will serve their well-loved breakfast. Saturday, Feb 1 & Sunday February 2 Carnival activities are 10:00 am – 4 pm. Admission to the Carnival is free! Park-
ing is $1.00 per carload, but every person gets a door prize ticket! Some competitions have an entry fee. Inside
Mat-Su Property Values Rise as New Builds Reach 7-Year High
Contributed by Mat-Su Sentinel Property values in the Matanuska-Susitna Borough increased an average of 8.3% over last year, borough property assessment officials told the Assembly on Tuesday, even as the rate of new home construction reached a seven-year high. Property assessments calculated each January are used to create borough property tax bills, which are distributed in June. Those bills are based on the assessed property value paired with the borough’s current mill rate, which is set as part of the annual budget process each
spring.
In 2024 the area-wide tax rate for borough property owners was 8.748 mills, or $874.80 per $100,000 of assessed property value. Whether that rate changes this year will be based on the borough’s upcoming budget, finance officials said Tuesday. Property taxes are the primary source of Mat-Su borough government funding.
About 768 new single-family homes, 127 multifamily homes and 68 commercial buildings were added to the borough last year, according to borough data. That’s an about 25% increase over new construction in 2023 and the highest volume of new builds in the borough since 2018. The average assessed value of a single-family home in Mat-Su for 2025 is $388,091, up about 5% from 2024, acting Borough Assessor Art Godin said at the meeting.
Of the 81,718 property parcels across the borough, 45,742 are currently used for residential purposes, 1,847 are used for multifamily homes and 31,321 are vacant land, he said.
Blue property value assessment postcards will be mailed to residents this month, borough officials said.
Because the 8.3% increase is an average calculated based on all taxable properties across the borough, some property owners will see value increases higher than 8.3%, while others might see smaller increases or, in some cases, decreases, borough officials said
The total value of all property in the borough is about $20.2 billion, Godin said. Only about 70% of that is taxable because of exemptions, including those for senior citizens and disabled veterans, he said.
Property tax assessments take into account the value of both the land and the structures on it. Factors considered in setting assessed values include property improvements and home upgrades, Godin said.
“We spent a significant amount of time out in the field this year, we really had the appraisers out in the field working geographically, property to property,” he said. “A huge part of our job is making sure we’re valuing properties equitably.”
Residents who disagree with their assessment and want to file an appeal can contact the borough assessor’s office, officials said.
Many appeals can be resolved with a phone call, Borough Manager Mike Brown said at the meeting.
“We’re not trying to discourage anyone from appealing,” he said. “But it’s helpful if they make a phone call because a lot of times it might just be a simple difference in terms of what we have in our system in the inventory for that property.”
In 2024, 96 individuals asked the borough to alter their property tax assessment, according to borough data presented at the meeting.
Of those, 74 individuals worked directly with officials to adjust an assessment without a hearing or ultimately dropped their appeal, officials said, while another 22 requested a hearing. Of those who requested a hearing, six ultimately had their assessed property value adjusted by the borough.
Alaska Whole Life Festival
Contributed by Cindy Calzada
The next Alaksa Whole Life Festival is next month, March 8-9, 2025, in Anchorage, at the beautiful Coast Inn on Lake Hood, 3450 Aviation Ave, from 11am to 6pm each day. The festival has been around for over 20 years, offering events, usually twice a year, giving people the opportunity to experience what the metaphysical and healing arts community has to offer.
There are a wide variety of vendors at every festival, offering products and services to bring happiness, healing and insight.
There are vendors selling all kinds of products to make you feel good and bring beauty into your life. Products such as essential oils, jewelry, art, rocks, and stones, metaphysical items like tarot decks, herbs, teas, salves and tinctures.
There are body workers to help ease
Spaghetti, Bids & Fun for Special Olympics Mat-Su
Contributed by Danielle Sherrer
Mark your calendars and get ready for one of the most exciting nights of the year! The 23rd Annual Spaghetti Dinner & Auction to benefit Special Olympics
Alaska Mat-Su Community is set for Saturday, March 1st, 2025, at Mat-Su Career & Technical High School in Wasilla. This family-friendly event is one of our biggest and most beloved fundraisers, bringing the community together for a night of great food, exciting auctions, and—most importantly—supporting our incredible athletes!
Dinner & Auction Details:
Dinner: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM (prepared by our amazing friends at AMVETS Post 9!)
Auction: 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Admission: Just $15! Includes dinner and/or access to all auctions! Your ticket includes a delicious
spaghetti dinner complete with salad, a roll, and a beverage, but dinner is only available until 7:00 PM—so don’t be late!
The Famous $1 Auction – Bring Your Dollar Bills!
The highlight of the evening is our unique $1 Main Auction—a high-energy, fun-filled event where every single bid is just $1! That means anyone can participate, and the excitement of winning is within reach for everyone. Bring a stack of $1 bills and get ready to bid on fantastic prizes!
In addition to the $1 Auction, we will also have a Silent Auction and a Dessert Auction, featuring some of the most mouthwatering treats you can imagine!
Why This Event Matters:
For 23 years, this fundraiser has been essential in keeping our Special Olympics Alaska Mat-Su Community programs alive and thriving. With over 250 local athletes, we rely on the generosity
of our community to provide yearround sports training, competitions, and life-changing opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Every dollar raised goes directly back into these programs!
How You Can Help: Get your tickets today at www.myalaskatix.com
Donate auction items! We’re still accepting donations—call 907-631-8591 if you’d like to contribute! Spread the word! Invite your friends and family for a night of fun and fundraising!
Our Special Olympics Mat-Su athletes are loved and supported by this incredible community, and your contributions—big or small—make a real impact. Thank you for helping us keep the spirit of inclusion, competition, and joy alive!
We’ll see you March 1st for a night to remember!
Alaska High School Students Invited to Apply for Fair Scholarships
Contributed by Melissa Keefe
“Educate” is a key part of the Alaska State Fair mission, and as part of this focus area, the Fair is pleased to award annual scholarships to Alaska high school students. This year, the Fair will award $8,000 in scholarships. Scholarships are open to all Alaska junior and senior high school students who plan to attend college or vocational school. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, March 26, 2025, by 4:30 p.m. AKDT.
The 2025 scholarship awards include:
$3,000 first-place award
$2,000 second-place award
$1,500 third-place award
$1,000 4-H/FFA/Vendor/Dependent of Fair Member award
One $500 honorable mention award
Every student who submits a completed application will receive two free admissions to the 2025 Fair, which is
scheduled for August 15 – September 1 at the fairgrounds in Palmer.
To apply, students should submit:
Cover letter; explain why you think you’re a good candidate and include your name, address, phone and email, school name and phone, counselor’s name, and the name of the college or vocational school he or she plans to attend
Extracurricular resume including interests, clubs, community service and/ or employment
One letter of recommendation
A photo that may be used for publicity purposes
Written essay (1,000 words or less) or creative project (audio, video, performance or visual arts, business plan, social media campaign, arts and crafts, photography, etc.). Please note that DVDs will not be accepted. Students
Design Trends 2025
Contributed by Teresa Roy
I’ve enjoyed working in the home décor field for over 30 years, although my focus has always been specifically on window coverings. We try to bring the “big picture” when working with a client trying to create or update a
Accessories could be pottery, wood and eco-friendly materials. For window treatments natural shades are the ideal choice, not only are natural shades made of sustainable natural material, they also bring the beauty of wood and plant fibers into your home.
SATURATED COLOR
We started seeing this a few years ago and will continue. Saturated color of deep blues, dramatic greens, orange and gold. This trend can be as bold as a single color on the walls, ceiling, trim and accessories. Or to update your home to reflect this trend can be as simple as adding accessories such as bedding, pillows and throws color drenching with layers of color pattern and texture.
MID CENTURTY MODERN
can submit videos online by uploading to their personal YouTube, Instagram or other video account, then entering the video URL on the submission page. All other application materials should be submitted to: Alaska State Fair, Attn: Kelly Larson, 2075 Glenn Hwy., Palmer, Alaska 99645.
The written essay or creative project should address one of the following topics:
Interview a community elder or farmer and share their story through an essay or video. Alaska is number one in the nation for new farmers. We have the youngest population of farmers, and the largest percentage of women involved in agriculture.
What can the Fair do to keep this trend growing?
(continued alaskastatefair.org)
Alaska Warrior Partnership's mission is to Empower Alaska to Empower Veterans. www.alaskawarriorpartnership.org
Our Commitment
The Alaska Warrior Partnership™ (AKWP) is committed to improving veterans' quality of life in the state of Alaska through the coordination of local services and opportunities; from housing and employment to enrollment in VA ebenefits, healthcare, recreation, and more.
WARRIORS CORNER
Our Goals
The goal of The Alaska Warrior Partnership™ (AKWP) is to build a partnership of local Alaskan resources, improve the quality of life for all veterans, their families, and caregivers, and end veteran suicide. More info available at alaskawarriorpartnership.org or 907-312-7229.
Honoring Service and Building Future Leaders
Contributed by CH Bill Pebbles, Post 15, American Legion.
What a fantastic start to the year! January flew by, and we are already a few weeks into February.
On February 3rd, we recognized Four Chaplains Day, a day set aside to honor four men who gave their lives—and even their life jackets—to save fellow service members aboard the U.S.A.T. Dorchester. After giving up their life jackets, these chaplains moved throughout the ship, offering prayers and assistance to those in need after the vessel was torpedoed. As the ship sank, survivors saw them standing together on deck, going down with the ship. These men serve as examples of selfless service. While we may not have to go down with a ship, we can show love and support to others in their time of need—we can love our neighbors.
Our fellow veterans hold a special place in our hearts, and we all want to help. How can we do this? First and foremost, pray for them. Next, consider supporting local groups with boots on the ground,
such as Alaska Warrior Partnership, HRT K9, and, of course, the American Legion. These are just a few of the many organizations in Alaska dedicated to assisting veterans. Most are nonprofits that rely on community support—whether through time, donations, or advocacy. As a Legionnaire Chaplain, I witness the need every day. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of so many. I’d love to share a great opportunity for our youth, brought to you by the American Legion. Today, I’ll highlight a program for young men, though there is a girls’ program that I’ll cover in the future. American Legion Boys State is an intensive citizenship training program designed to instill a sense of individual responsibility to the community, state, and nation. The goal is for each young man who attends to return home as a better citizen, with a desire to be an active leader who contributes to his community. Boys State is not a recreational camp—it is a leadership training program for high school juniors. More information can be found at AlaskaLegion.org.
Mat-Su Ski for Women – A Celebration of Community, Fun, and Giving Back!
site: www.matsuski.org
In-person registration and checkin starts at noon on February 9th with a suggested donation:
$20 per participant for Mat-Su Ski Club
members
skiing and a costume party has brought together individuals of all genders and skiing abilities. It’s a celebration that fosters inclusivity and community spirit, and we can’t wait for you to be part of it!
Event Details: Registration: Online or in-person
Pre-register online at our web -
$30 for non-members
$10 for kids
Exclusive Ski for Women merchandise may be purchased online or in person at check-in.
Ski Tour: The 4K tour begins at 1:00 pm. Costumes are encouraged, so get creative!
The Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show
Contributed by Matt Rowley
As a resident of Southcentral Alaska, you already know that you are amongst the fortunate few to live in the middle of the largest outdoor recreation mecca of the universe. Whether your interests, just to name a few, are: Hiking; camping; backpacking; rock climbing; mountain biking; trail running; horseback riding; off-roading; hunting; trapping; geocaching; photography; kayaking & canoeing; paddleboarding;
whitewater rafting; fishing; shooting; sailing; scuba diving; ice fishing; skiing; snowboarding; snowshoeing; ice climbing; dog sledding; snowmachining; hang gliding; bungee jumping; ziplining; sightseeing; flight seeing; swatting mosquitos…
…or simply enjoying Mother Nature at Her finest, you will find what you need to get your outdoor fix at the Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show!
Winter comes and goes –and it’s going fast. As the Valley’s official Harbinger of Spring, the Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show is
Potluck:
After skiing, warm up at the Chalet with a community potluck. This cherished tradition offers more than just food – it’s a chance to connect and celebrate together.
Suggested Food Contributions by Last
Name:
A – F: Crockpot meals or soups
G – L: Salads
M – R: Desserts
S – Z: Appetizers/Drinks
This year, we are thrilled to revive this tradition of support with a special focus on AWAIC (Abused Women’s Aid in Crisis).
your opportunity to prepare yourself for Alaska’s amazing summer. Vendors and local experts will pack the Menard Center, indoors and out, with products, services, and advice to help you achieve your Alaska outdoor recreational dreams.
This year’s Show is bigger and better than ever, and we’re welcoming more than 50 brand-new vendors in 2025. Educational seminars are going on all weekend, on a wide variety of topics. You will be able to enter raffles for incredible items, with proceeds going to support local nonprofit organizations. Drawings are held every hour, where everyone has a chance to win one of the dozens of door
AWAIC provides essential services such as shelter, advocacy, and resources to women and children affected by domestic violence. By participating in this event, you’ll be contributing to AWAIC’s mission to help survivors find safety and rebuild their lives.
Don’t miss out on this fun-filled day of winter excitement, community bonding, and making a real difference. Whether you’re skiing, socializing, or supporting a worthy cause, the “Ski for Women” event is one you won’t want to miss. Ski you there!
prizes donated by generous Show vendors. Lenders will be on hand to finance the Big Kid Toys that your wife says you can’t live without. The Menard Center’s parking areas have been expanded, and there is no excuse to go home hungry, because you’ll have your pick of gourmet meals offered by the Valley’s finest food trucks.
Save the date and be prepared to embrace Alaska’s amazing outdoor opportunities by visiting the Mat-Su Outdoorsman Show at Wasilla’s Menard Sports & Events Center on April 11th – 13th! Adult admission is $10, Military is $5, and kids are free. Details are at: https://matsuevents.com/