The 2010 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is underway in Willow AK.  This unique and exciting sled dog race is an annual event and involves sled dog racing enthusiasts from all over.  This year almost half of the 120 volunteers to help teams get safely to the start were from other states who enjoy the work and being involved with the dogs.  Each volunteer has to be trained by taking the Iditarod’s dog handling class to be sure everyone has the proper gear and methods of dealing with dog teams.  These volunteers are required to be at a level of fitness that will allow them to jog beside the team and do other strenuous checks to ensure safety. One volunteer, as reported by the Frontiersman, came from as far as South Africa to be a part of the races this year.

With more than 1,000 dogs involved in the races, the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog race has an enthusiasm behind it that draws a huge fan base each year.

For updates on the 2010 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, visit the Frontiersman online.

For information on buying and selling property in Anchorage, including Palmer and Wasilla AK, contact The Kristan Cole Team today.

New Ski Facility expected in 2011

The new Hatcher Pass Nordic skiing facility plans are moving forward in Mat-Su Valley AK.  This month, Steven Noble, the project engineer for DOWL HKM, presented to the Mat-Su Convention and Visitors Bureau about what to expect for this skiing facility project.  The environmental impact statement is expected to be completed in November, and design work should wrap up in April of 2011.  Construction is slated for next summer which will include a parking lot, transit hub, and access road.  Noble pointed out that the environmental impact statement is being done very quickly for this project, as most federally funded projects take 5 to 10 years to complete this stage.  After the draft of the environmental impact statement is brought to the public eye in April, there will be about 18 months of time for public input.  The new Hatcher Pass Nordic skiing facility is anticipated to be operational in fall of 2011.

For more news on the latest developments in Mat-Su Valley AK, visit the Frontiersman online.

And for all your Mat-Su Valley AK real estate endeavors, contact The Kristan Cole Team today.

One of Mat-Su Valley AK’s very own is representing the U.S. in the Vancouver Winter Olympics this year.  Kerry Weiland, a determined hockey player, was named to the U.S. Olympic women’s ice hockey team last December where she made her debut in the Winter Games with a 12-1 win over China.  As reported in the Frontiersman, friends, relatives and former coaches all attested to Weiland’s determination to realize her Olympic dreams.  Weiland was also credited as being the first girl to be named first-team all-conference in boys’ ice hockey at Palmer High, and later at the University of Wisconsin she became the first player to be named All-American in the history of the Badgers’ women’s hockey program.

For more on Weiland, including career highlights and achievements, visit the Frontiersman online.  And be sure to stay tuned to the Winter Olympics!

For all your real estate needs, whether buying or selling property in Mat-Su Valley AK including Palmer, Wasilla, and Anchorage Alaska, contact The Kristan Cole Team today.

The Mat-Su Valley has recently been seeing some new project plans from the Alaska Railroad Corp. coming to light.  The plans for a rail service to Port MacKenzie aren’t new, but more detail was allotted the public last week when Evangelo’s restaurant in Wasilla AK allowed placards explaining the Valley projects to be posted, with officials from Alaska Railroad Corp. ready to answer questions.  Some of the detailed projects include the Mat-Su Borough’s plans for rail service to Port MacKenzie, new bathrooms at Talkeetna station, new concrete and steel supports for the Matanuska River bridge, and the straightening of tracks in Wasilla.  The straightening of the tracks will be targeted at the area south of the Parks Highway in the Fairview Loop area, and the project is expected to be done in phases.

For more details on these projects visit the Frontiersman online.

For more information on real estate in Mat-Su Valley AK including Anchorage, Wasilla, and Palmer properties, contact The Kristan Cole Team today.

Finding a real tree in Mat-Su Valley AK for the Holidays

Finding that perfect Christmas tree is a tradition for many families and the Mat-Su Valley AK area has some great places to go to keep the tradition alive.  In Anchorage AK visit Bob Smith’s Minnesota Christmas Trees or Northern Pacific Enterprises to find that lovely evergreen that will be the centerpiece of your holiday festivities.  Available tree types can include the wonderful aroma of Balsam Fir, Canaan Fir, Fraser Fir, full Norway pine, the green/blue-green of Scotch Pine, White Pine, Colorado Spruce, and White Spruce.

And remember a few tips for keeping your tree fresh throughout the holidays:

• Shake off any loose needles before setting up the tree and give it a second cut before setting it in a bucket of water.
• Keep your tree properly watered and regulate the temperature of the room the tree will be displayed in to about 65 degrees.

For more information on AK tree farms visit americantowns.com.

For more information on buying or selling homes in Anchorage AK including Wasilla and Palmer, contact The Kristan Cole Team today.