It’s time for Page Two: News that might not make the front page for Thursday January 8, 2026.
Lulu Small plays Palmer Alehouse Unplugged tonight from 6 to 9:00 p.m. One of the state’s most beloved performers, Small’s career spans more than four decades. This free show has limited seating.
Looking to get out and do something this weekend? Here are some ideas.
The Magician’s Nephew opens tomorrow at Valley Performing Arts. Digory and his friend Polly set forth on a series of magical adventures with his uncle’s magic rings in this classic C.S. Lewis story. Get your tickets online at VPAalaska.org. The play runs Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday matinees through January 25.
The shared trails presentation by the Alaska Trappers Association is on Saturday from noon to 3 p.m. at Wasilla VFW 301 E Lakeview Ave. Learn how to identify a trap line, how traps and snares are operated, how to remove a trapped pet, and state and borough rules and regulations on trapping.
The Forest That Never Sleeps plays at Hatcher Pass Lodge from 4 to 7 p.m. on Saturday. The cafe will be serving up homemade food and drinks from noon to 5 p.m. and drinks from the bar until 7 p.m.
The New Years Eve Fireworks at the Iditapark in Wasilla are rescheduled for Saturday. Festivities start at 6:30 p.m. at the Red Pavilion with free s’mores supplies, hot coffee, cocoa, and cider while they last. The fireworks start at 8 p.m. They were cancelled on New Year’s Eve due to wind.
If you’re wanting to get out and play with all the new snow, temperatures should warm up to the teens this weekend.
Just be aware of backcountry conditions if you’re heading up into mountains. The Backcountry Avalanche Forecast that expired at 7 a.m. today rated the avalanche danger as considerable on slopes above 3500′ and moderate below 3500′.
Cross country skiing should be great. Check out the trail grooming at matsuski.org before setting out. Here’s the update as of this morning.
Independence Mine, GPRA, and the Lazy/Knik Trails were groomed last night. The mine area needs to be packed better once temperatures warm up. GPRA is 39% recently groomed. There may still be problems with overflow on the Susitna Loop. The Lazy/Knik Trails are 44% groomed. No new grooming reported as of this morning at Archangel Road or the Moose Range.
The Ladies Only Hike from Revel Treks and Tours is at Mat Lake State Recreation Area at 11 a.m. on Saturday Sign up and more info are at reveltreksandtours.com/events.
Skeetawk is open today from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., on Friday from 4 p.m. to8 p.m. and on Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
There’s always sledding or snowshoeing up in the Independence Mine area.
Don’t forget your 2026 annual parking passes for borough and state parks.
Get your 2026 Mat-Su trail parking passes for $40, or two for $70 online at matsu.gov. You can also go to the Borough Building to buy your passes.
The Alaska State Parks pass is $60 from DNR. Go to dnr.alaska.gov/parks/passes to purchase.
Stay warm, stay safe, have fun.
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This Page Two article was written and read by Lee Henrikson. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.
That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Thursday January 8, 2026.