Credit Union 1 is celebrating 60 years of giving, but we couldn’t do it without our members! To that we say: we appreciate you!  Please join us at our Soldotna Branch for the first Member Appreciation of the year on Friday, March 29 from 6:30-8:30pm!

Enjoy free hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine and a silent auction featuring items donated from local businesses. Money raised from the event will benefit the Kenai Peninsula Boys and Girls Club to aid them in building a Soldotna teen center, which will also be used by the kids from the Soldotna Boys and Girls Club. Currently, they’re using Redoubt Elementary but space is severely limited, causing kids trying join to be placed on a waiting list. The new building will not only allow for new activities, but the club can also take on more of these children who’ve needed to wait for available space in the program.

Our goal is to raise at least $5,000 and Credit Union 1 will match all funds raised during the evening.

We look forward to seeing you there! 

Our Soldotna branch is located at 44758 Sterling Highway, Unit E

Hi! I’m Ashley, Financial Education Coordinator for Credit Union 1! Starting now, you’ll start seeing blog posts from me every week or so – and they’ll all be about financial education. Don’t worry; these won’t be sales pitches or me preaching about “the right way” to handle your money…just a bunch of fun tips and tricks to help you manage your finances.

Be sure to visit this blog on Fridays, because I’ll have a different topic that will discuss savings tricks, healthy spending, budgeting, credit do’s and don’ts, avoiding fees and a whole lot more. Are there other things you’d like to learn about? Let me know by emailing me at oneforallalaska@cu1.org or by leaving a comment below. I want to dig around and get the dirt on all the things you want to learn about so don’t be shy – send me an idea, web link or a financial myth to be busted!  In the meantime, enjoy my first post, all about paying yourself first.

We’ve all heard it, but who really does it? The general rule of thumb is to save 10% of your income for an emergency savings – but in these times, who can actually afford to do it?! For those of us who aren’t salaried employees (and even those who are!) paychecks can go quickly and putting money into savings is usually the first item on the budget chopping block.

The Children’s Lunchbox is thrilled to be partnering with the Alaska Culinary Association and co-hosting their first annual “Nourish their Dreams” benefit. In years past this event (formerly Secret’s of the Chef) has brought together local chef’s to display their signature touch on classic Alaskan cuisine and this year will be no different. There will be live entertainment and silent and live auctions with something for everyone!

Proceeds from ticket sales and auction items will help the Children's Lunchbox continue to feed hungry children and help the Culinary Association to provide scholarships for continued education opportunities for our youth. When kids have opportunities to improve their lives, everyone benefits. Food provides the building blocks children need to reach their full potential (research identifies that continued hunger during infancy and childhood affects every aspect of a child's development and health). 

Please join them for a sampling of the best food Alaska has to offer and then buy a vote (or several) for your favorite dish. The chef with the most votes over the course of the evening will receive the People’s Choice Award at the end of the event.

This event will take place at 6 p.m. on March 23 at the Aviation Museum. Click here for more information or to purchase your $50 ticket.

Check out what's new in Mountain View! The latest Mountain View Villager is attached below.

Join Bean's Cafe for their Annual Empty Bowl Project event on Saturday, March 10, 2012, 11 am to 2 pm at the Egan Center. Get a handcrafted bowl to keep and fill it with all you can eat soup and cornbread, all to benefit programs at Bean's Cafe.

Tickets available at Credit Union 1's South Branch, Picture This Art Gallery, Tastee Freez, Cabin Fever and Great Harvest Bread Company. Check out the attached flyer for more information or visit www.beanscafe.org.