End of February quickens in Palmer

So Much Happening—As the air warms up and the light lasts longer, it feels like activity is gearing up all over the place. More dog walkers, more bike riders, more families on the walking paths, trailheads are busier, playgrounds are back…we have begun the heady transition back to high activity of our springtime sun.

Palmer Tuesday is an opportunity to hear the Mat Su Orchestra at the Palmer Pioneer Home at 6pm. Public is welcome.

Palmer Wednesday presents a Game Swap at Bleeding Heart Brewery. This is a really cool opportunity to trade up some complete games and learn about new ones…this includes board games and card games. Also there is an event at the Rebarchek Farm entitled FARM-LINK from 6-8 pm.

Palmer Thursday presents Palmer Ale House is Harp Daddy and Ben Heller live at upstairs lounge 6-9 pm.

Palmer Thursday begins the three day final run for showings of Hadestown as it begins its last weekend at the Glenn Massay Theater over at the college. The buzz is crazy good on this show and the talent is overwhelming. Last shows are Thursday, Friday and this weekend.

Palmer Friday presents the annual Palmer Wine Walk sponsored by the Palmer Museum of History and Art. This Friday night is “Sip and Shop” at the Palmer Museum of History and Art. It’s a fun evening of wine, shopping and community celebration from 5 to 8 pm on Feb 25th. There will be wine samples at different retail shops in Palmer. And there may be snacks, silent auction and fun stuff along the way. Here is a chance to support Palmer small businesses and support the Museum. And you get to have a great time as well. We need this type of fun right now…..it’s been a long winter. Also at the museum is an art exhibit ongoing which is creative offerings from local art students at valley high schools.

Palmer Saturday is the grand opening of Poppy Lane downtown! If you haven’t stopped in, you should. It is very nice…..it feels like a gorgeous, high-end store in a trendy, upscale town….and it definitely raises the standard of shopping in Palmer. Yet it also feels wonderfully welcoming and very designer— yet hometown Palmer. It has terrific vendors and lots of inventory. 10-6 on Saturday.

Palmer Weekend is full of live music around tow. And BAKED ALASKA at Sweet Gypsy! There are dance lessons at the American Legion. Saturday is a Vendor Market at the Borough Gym. There is the science expo and lots of basketball and skiing.

Palmer Sunday is the Mat Su Orchestra performance at the United Protestant Presbyterian Church at 3pm. This is a public event and the concert will benefit the Friends of the Palmer Library. The theme of the concert is “Reading is Adventurous” so expect some interesting music! The Mat Su Orchestra is also performing at the Pioneer Home on Tuesday at 6.

Palmer Potholes and Puddles—It seems a bit early to recognize the pothole and puddle period this year. But with the mild temps we will be facing this obstacle course now. The key is to NOT drive through them. Avoid them as much as you can. It might mean slowing down to negotiate the awkward course. But get good at it because it will be a daily contest to get around these growing potholes and puddles.

Palmer Earns Three Plus Hours—It’s late February and we already have been given a gift of 3 plus hours of daylight. We are deserving! Back in the dark heart of December we had only 5.27 hours of daylight. And now we have a glorious 11 plus hours. And it is only going to get better. This is a joyful time where exponential daylight gain is noticeable and yes, there is a touch of warmness in the sun. Palmer—we made it through another dark spell. Raise your glass and celebrate nature’s goodwill!

Barbara Hunt is both Palmer writer and artist. She works hard to keep the robust pulse of Palmer, Alaska. She shares the good stuff in the weekly Palmer Alaska Buzz Column in the Mat Su Valley Frontiersman and daily on the Palmer Alaska Buzz Facebook Group. Contact at bhunt@mtaonline.net or text 907.315.3222