New Years Resolution! Lets Get Healthy, Palmer! January 11th, 2012

Categories: Businesses

Logo-Final-01Peak Fitness was established in 2003 in Palmer and has been helping people stay healthy ever since. Peak Fitness is a very comfortable place to work out, and offers the feel of small town friendliness and all the amenities of a larger facility as well. I personally workout here and couldn’t be happier with the facility and amenities. The staff is wonderful and very accommodating and that speaks volumes for the structure of business and character of the company.

I spoke with Ann Riggs, the owner, and came to understand her passion for this gym and what it offers for the valley.

“I have always had a personal passion for resistance training and physical fitnessIMG_1798 so it was only natural for me to go in the direction of fitness industry. I have 6 children and they were all involved very heavily in competitive Valley sports. They all enjoy resistance training, as well as their favorite team sports. I have always enjoyed working with people and teaching them about fitness and a healthier life style.

After having 6 kids I was carrying a lot more weight than I wanted to, over the course of about year I managed to get rid of about 60 pounds and that is what started me on my way to a healthier life style. That was about 25 years ago. So I have been on both sides of the coin and have learned a lot through the years that is helpful for others in the same situation. Come get a tour from a staff member and receive a day pass to try us out and see if we fit.”
~ Ann Riggs

Peak Fitness offers a special for all new members: One Month Free with a 6 month or 1 year sign-up. It’s their way of saying thank you and showing members that they appreciate the business.  With your membership, you can take advantage of group classes ranging from Pilates to dancing and cycling CLASSES, racquetball, personal training, indoor tanning, massive selections of free weights and stationary machines, cardio equipment, child care, and so much more.

If you have more questions, visit the FAQ page.  When you’re ready, give them a call and get signed up today. In case you missed it, we recently showed you how to get fresh vegetables delivered weekly local weekly to help you start the new year off right CLICK HERE.

Peak Fitness
12051 E. Palmer Wasilla Hwy.
Palmer, AK 99645
Tel: (907) 746-3305
E-mail: [email protected]
www.PeakFitnessOnline.net
FACEBOOK


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Glacier Mountain Adventures December 28th, 2011

Categories: Around Palmer, Uncategorized

Glacier Mountain Adventures

Glacier Mountain Adventures

Dick Stoffel of Glacier Mountain Adventures has years and years of back country experience with horses. He homesteaded his land by the Matanuska Glacier in 1971. Homestead laws required you to prove up on the land by clearing it and building a home within a few years. He wanted to do the work without machinery. He did most of the proving up on the homestead with a quarter horse that he bought in Palmer and trained to work in harness.
Talkeetna Mountains

Talkeetna Mountains


Stoffel still owns the homestead and loves to bring folks on trail rides out of this piece of heaven. He has access to some of the most beautiful back country in the world in the Matanuska Glacier country.

Recently he guided a group up the Carle Wagon Road in Hatcher Pass. He lives in Palmer by Hatcher Pass so he can work with you locally or take you out to some of the wildest country around. He also does packing with his stable of horses which have included Icelandics, Morgans, Arabians, and Quarter Horses. Watch close and you might even see him in the Colony Days Parade next summer.

Colony Days Parade

Colony Days Parade


If you are looking for an experienced guide to help with a trail ride or a week long trip into the back country it would be hard to find a more experienced and amiable person to spend the time with than Dick Stoffel of Glacier Mountain Adventures. Dick is especially interested in people who want to access the back country just to experience the true Alaskan wilderness.

Give him a call at 841-1347 or your can drop him an email at [email protected].

Trail Ride With Dick Stoffel

Trail Ride With Dick Stoffel

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Full Circle Farms December 17th, 2011

Categories: Uncategorized

FullCircle_ID_color

Want fresh organic produce delivered weekly? I recently became a member of Full Circle Farms and am proud to say they make me eat more fruits and vegetables. I find that having the membership helps me make healthier choices. I paid for this service and don’t want anything to go to waste so I eat it! I get to choose what is being delivered so it makes meal planning easier. I have found Full Circle Farms very pleasant to deal with so I wanted to help you ring in the new year with healthy choices. For their Valley friends Full Circle is offering $10 off the first order by using the coupon code “CELERY”. To get started click HERE!

Garden Size

Garden Size

They offer four box sizes to fit your family’s needs: Seed for $34, Sprout for $39.15, Garden for $43.00, and Harvest (the largest) for $54.25. This Palmer pricing includes shipping charges so they may be slightly more than the website quotes. Shipping varies for each location so Wasilla prices may be slightly different. Pictured to the left is about what you would receive in a garden size box. In this box I received 1.5 lbs red potatoes, 1 cabbage head, 1 bunch Leeks (made an awesome potato leek soup!), 4 Fuji Apples, .75 lbs carrots, 4 D’anjou pears, 1 cucumber, 4 Satsumas, 1 bunch red kale, 1 bunch green leaf lettuce, 1 bunch spinach. I checked with local grocery stores and found that some items were less expensive locally. But other items were unavailable, wilted or more expensive. Overal I think Full Circle is a good value because the price is always the same, items are always available, and the produce is delivered fresh weekly.

Local Pick Up

Local Pick Up

A note from the company: “Bringing our fresh produce and groceries to Alaska is not always easy. Especially this time of year, we are subject to the unpredictable weather conditions. Our logistics and delivery teams do their best to get high quality food to Alaska members, and the hard work definitely pays off when we see smiles on the faces of locals who haven’t gotten a fresh head of lettuce in several weeks.

It’s hearing about people trekking on snowshoes with headlamps on and sleds in tow, just to get their Full Circle delivery, that reminds us the good food we deliver is not only appreciated, but essential.

Even when our trucks are stuck in a snowstorm and we’re working through the night to ensure the delivery finally arrives, we never regret the decision to bring Full Circle’s organic delivery service into Alaska, now almost 7 years ago.

We hear, frequently, that our produce brightens the days and improves the health of Alaska residents, and that alone is motivation enough to pack each week’s delivery with care and send it off to our friends, members and community in Alaska.” ~ Full Circle Farms~

www.fullcirclefarms.com

Like them on Facebook HERE

Written by: Amber Lanphier

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Colony Christmas – Local Artists and More! December 12th, 2011

Categories: Around Palmer, Businesses, Events

Bad Girls of The North Art Show

Bad Girls of The North Art Show

On Friday I was able to visit the Arts and Crafts Fair and the Bad Girls of the North Craft Show and would love to share the wonderful artists with you! 
Raven Moon Studios had on display some beautiful artwork. Laurel is the gifted artist who creates hand pulled block prints and handmade silk paper collages. To see more information about the art visit www.ravenmoonart.com.

Bad Girls of the North is known for promoting the work of exceptional artists and artisans and they have done it again.

Vicky Potter was at the show to represent Bad Girls of the North and her handmade jewelry Orion Designs. Her hand crafted jewelry is unique and yet simple and classy.

The next artist in the room was Sound Soap, they make great soaps and healthy beauty products. You can find out more about how the soaps are made and the natural ingredients on the website www.soundsoap.com.

Lazy Mountain Leather Co displayed their bags and wallets, showing off their craft. They currently do not have a website but I met Mary and she said she would love a call if you’re interested in their leather goods at 907-373-7924. She also mentioned that they have a shop in Homer during the summer from June to August so feel free to stop in this coming summer.

Fish Lips and Bird Teeth Studio had a unique display of jewelry and home decor pieces crafted from polymer clay.

Rounding out the room I found some delicious delicacies made by Stacy De Priest. She calls her craft Gatherings and she welcome a call from you if you would like to order jams, flavored vinegar, pancake mixes and so much more. Stacy De Priest: 907-373-2302.

Next I headed to the Palmer Depot to see the booths for the year.

I was impressed by a company called A Twist Beyond. This company actually has an alpaca farm here in the valley and and uses all-natural alpaca threads for all their one-of-a-kind hats, gloves, and more. Email Lorie or Jan for more information or to purchase these very soft products.  [email protected].

Alaska Nibbles had some sausage and honey mustard samples I couldn’t refuse. Katheryn, the owner, was a delight to chat with and was very enthusiastic about her products. You can order online at www.alaskanibbles.com.

Another notable artist I met makes incredible wood carvings. Gerry Guay has been carving for so long his detailed work shows the fruits of perfecting his craft. He said feel free to email him if you have inquiries at [email protected].

Denali Dreams had some fantastic soaps. salves and balms. You can find out more or order at www.denalidreams.com.

I’ll end this post with a comment about fresh dairy products from Matanuska Creamery. In addition to great ice cream and cheese, they are now offering fresh-made butter, eggnog, milk and eggs.

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Events of Colony Christmas 2011 December 8th, 2011

Categories: Around Palmer, Events

Colony Christmas

Colony Christmas

Today I visited the “Light Up A Life” Hospice Tree in the Koslosky Center to see what it’s all about. Valley Hospice Resources is working to build support for compassionate end of life care and have a hospice house in the Mat-Su Valley. To support their effort, come donate by purchasing an angel or star to remember a loved one.

The tree will be available in the Koslosky center through the weekend from 10am until 6pm (7pm on Saturday). You are also invited to attend the Gathering of Remembrance at the Palmer Train Depot January 8th when all the names will be read.

See more about their plans at: www.ValleyHospiceResources.org

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2011 Colony Christmas Schedule

Wednesday, December 7

5:30pm dinner                        Advent Prayer Service and Dinner

7pm service St. Michael Catholic Church, 432 E Fireweed


Thursday, December 8

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

Koslosky’s Center – 642 S Alaska Street

Friday, December 9

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 Downtown Businesses- Look for a list at the Pioneer home

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

Koslosky’s Center – 642 S Alaska Street

11 am – 6 pm                          Arts & Craft Fair

Palmer Depot

11am – 6pm                            Information Booth and Sales

Palmer Depot

11am – 6pm Bad Girls of the North juried Craft Show

Downtown Palmer Plaza – 550 S Alaska St

6 pm – 8pm 4th Annual Art Acquisition Reception

Palmer Museum of History & Art, 723 S Valley Way

7 pm                                         Annual Service of Remembrance

Legacy Kehl’s Palmer Chapel – 209 South Alaska St

7 pm – 12 am                          Holiday Ball

Raven Hall – Alaska State Fairgrounds, Glenn Highway

7pm – 10pm                             Christmas Gala benefiting Santa Cops Program

Primrose Retirement Community, 889 North Elkhorn Dr, Wasilla


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

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