Around the Peninsula

Nikiski pool, waterslide vacation hours

As a special holiday offering, the Nikiski Pool Waterslide will be open at 1 p.m. daily, except for Mondays, during Christmas break. Hours of operation for the pool facility itself are Tuesday through Friday, 7 a.m. -- 5 p.m. and 6 -- 8 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 1 -- 5 p.m. and 6 -- 9 p.m. For more information please call 776-8800.

Moonlight snowshoe walk

Join solstice celebrators in a Moonlight Snowshoe Walk, Monday Dec. 20, 6 -- 7:30 p.m., at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge. This is a new family event to celebrate the Winter Solstice! Wear warm, layered clothes. Snowshoes and hot cocoa provided free of charge. Pre-registration is requested. Call Michelle Ostrowski at 260-2839.

Come contra dance

Kenai River Folk Dancers hosts a holiday contra dance, Saturday, Dec. 18, from 7 to 10 p.m., at K-Beach Elementary School. ContraBanD provides live music. Beginners are welcome! All dances are taught and called. Bring clean, dry, non-marking shoes. Cost is $5 for adults and no charge for children under age 16 when accompanied by an adult. Potluck snacks are optional, but fun! For more information call: Raymond@ 283-5403.

Macrobiotic cooking class on tap

Kenai Resilience hosts a macrobiotic cooking class: "Wonderful Winter Menu," Saturday, Dec. 18, from 3 -- 7 p.m., at Ionia Longhouse, 54932 Burdock Road, Kasilof. Come learn to prepare some satisfying winter dishes at this free, hands-on class. Afterward, enjoy eating the fruits of your labor, including dinner and dessert! For more information and to RSVP contact Eliza at 262-2824 or or ellers@ionia.org.

New class sessions starting at Challenger

The Challenger Learning Center is offering new sessions of its S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Aviation, Math) Ahead continuous curriculum for K-8th grade. Some of the new topics are: "Forces in Motion," "Moving with Magnets," "Water Cycle," "Alaskan Land Features," "Earthquakes and Volcanoes" and more! Parents can learn with their children or let them work independently with Challenger center teachers. The next session starts Jan. 4, 2011, so get signed up now! Cost is $149 for three classes. For more information or to register contact Kathy East at kathy.east@akchallenger.org., or visit the website: http://akchallenger.org/Programs/Educational/HomeschoolOpportunities/tabid/83/Default.aspx.