By Nikki Lewis
Turnagain Times Correspondent

I think it's safe to say that everyone here in Girdwood is feeling pretty good about the recent snow. It was beginning to feel as if months had gone by since the last time we had a good dump. Spirits were heavy, skiers and boarders were twiddling their thumbs with boredom. I myself began to question, where did winter go?

But the snow is falling hard now and looks like it will keep coming down! And along with new snow and powder days, Girdwood has a lot going on these next two weeks to keep us all happy about the recent turn in weather and the slightly longer days.

The Girdwood Center for Visual Arts on Olympic Mountain Loop Road, next to the Bake Shop on the boardwalk, is “Celebrating the Return of Light” through the month of January—an anticipatory event of the long approaching summer days.

As the GCVA stated in a description of the artist, “Digital artist Francine Dufour Jones has created a festival of color to brighten our winter. If you haven't popped in yet to soak up some color, we warmly invite you. A little art can go a long way in cheering our minds.”

So if you are suffering from Vitamin D deficiency then perhaps this might be a quick fix for those winter blues.

The GCVA is also on the look out for local artists for their Feb. 6 show entitled “Snow, Sweat, and Tears” in the Girdwood Gallery. All forms of art are welcome and the deadline to submit artwork is Jan. 31. There is a $5 entry for non-members and $2 for members. Please contact 783-3209 with any questions.

Also, for those who love to cook or have others cook for them like myself, stop by Little Bears Playhouse to purchase the new Girdwood recipe book entitled Tastes of the Valley. Parents and community members of Girdwood graciously donated all the recipes. They are $20 a pop and all proceeds will benefit quality learning equipment and curriculum for Little Bears Playhouse Inc. This is an excellent opportunity to support your community and its families.

Maxine's Glacier City Bistro located on Crow Creek Road, will be hosting a fundraiser on Sunday, Jan. 24, to help raise money to send four local Girdwood students to Washington D.C. to participate in a world leadership forum called, “People to People.”

Maxine's will be opening their doors early at 2:30 p.m. with a performance by Melissa Mitchell until 6 p.m. There will also be a silent auction from 6-10 p.m. with music from John and Julia.

Come show your support for these kids who were selectively chosen based on their academics and extra curricular activities and bring a little piece of Girdwood to Washington D.C.

Don't forget every Wednesday is locals' night at Pepe's Turnagain House with a half priced bar menu. Head out to Indian and enjoy fine dining on the Turnagain Arm. The bar menu includes an array of appetizers, including fresh Alaskan Oysters served on the half shell, Rockefeller, or deep-fried. Locals' night is from 5-9 p.m. and you must sit at the bar to be eligible for half priced items. Normal hours are 5-9 p.m., Monday thru Friday, and brunch is served from noon to 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, with dinner from 3-9 p.m.

And it's locals' night at the Double Musky. Every Tuesday and Thursday night they offer two-for-one appetizers and Wednesday is two-for-one dinners. This local special continues until March 15. So get out and eat!

Now on to The Scene.

Friday, January 22

Loose Gravel at the Brown Bear Saloon. 9 p.m. to closing. Cover charge. This will be a "Get Your Funk On" costume party, so find your inner disco diva or tree hugger and come have fun. There will be a shuttle running from Town Square Girdwood beginning around 9 p.m. and will be making runs every hour.

Big Fat Buddha at the Sitzmark. 10 p.m. $3 cover.

Saturday, January 23

The Whipsaws at the Brown Bear Saloon. 9 p.m. to closing. $10 cover.

The Lost Marauders at the Sitzmark. 10 p.m. $7 cover.

11:20's at Maxine's Glacier City Bistro from 8-11 p.m.

Friday, January 29

Scott Elnes & his Fairweather Friends at the Sitzmark. 10 p.m. $3 cover.

Spiff at Maxine's Glacier City Bistro from 8-11 p.m.

Saturday, January 30

Hot Dog & Ski Bunny Costume Party at the Sitzmark. 10 p.m. $10 cover.

Melissa Mitchell at Maxine's Glacier City Bistro from 8-11 p.m.

Friday, February 5

Chad Reynolds at Maxine's Glacier City Bistro from 8-11 p.m.