PALMER BUZZ: Aug. 15, 2017

Veggie alert

Palmer is awash in fresh veggies. It’s impossible to get away from them. Even if you don’t have a garden, you will find a visiting surprise zucchini on your desk or peas in your mailbox. Remember this time of bounty—because it doesn’t last. Learn how to say no politely. Or better yet, accept the garden gifts and regift to the Food Bank.

Palmer City Council race

Candidates have filed and there are some great choices. Can you imagine the opportunity of having to choose between two or three good people on Oct. 3? It’s an honor and an homage to Palmer.

Stay strong in denial

Anyone that is thinking about discussing snow on the mountains must be silenced. It isn’t snow. It’s clouds. Or atmospheric blending. Or haze.

It is STILL SUMMER. Repeat this loudly with conviction. Use your power of intention to dismiss the idea of Termination Dust. It is STILL SUMMER.

You can put those hoses away

Mother Nature is watering the garden these days.

Tourism Queen

Bonnie Quill is the speaker at the Wednesday Greater Palmer of Commerce lunch at the Palmer Moose Lodge. Bonnie is the Mat Su Convention and Visitors Bureau (MSCVB) executive director. She will speak at noon, updating folks about the Gateway Visitor Center. And the lunch is always great. Chances are pretty good that fresh Valley vegetables will be on the menu.

Hospital open house

Thursday is the Mat Su Regional’s groundbreaking at noon for their new medical complex. Refreshments will be served and it is highly likely that fresh valley vegetables will be part of the fare.

First CSA farm tour

This happens on Sunday and be careful to not get trapped by the vegetables, which have grown so large they can literally take you down.

Eclipse Monday

You have your little homemade glasses ready? Don’t forget this is the big celestial event of the year. Let’s hope we can see a piece of the solar pie.

Blueberries, fish, mushroom and moose locations revealed

So the guy was talking about all the fish he caught last weekend. “Where did you go?” asked his neighbor. The guy said, “Yep.” The same response came with the best ripe blueberry patch, mushroom foraging spot and that totally legal bull moose. Head to Yep.

Dolls and fatties — but no cars

This past weekend saw the Denali Destroyer Dolls cavorting in the 5K all around Palmer in their green and purple getup. Magenta Mayhem, head doll, said there were 41 participants. There was a prize for the wackiest outfit. One runner said it was “the prettiest run they’ve ever done.”

And BackCountry Bike & Ski received truckloads of new fat bikes, some of which are out on the Palmer roads already.

But Hot Summer Nights wasn’t so hot on Saturday night—town was drowning in rain and the classic beauties didn’t make it.

School starts

Monday was the first day and from all the “first day of school” pictures flooding Facebook, Palmer was well represented. Remember these children are our future and their teachers are precious, everyone. Interestingly, the favorite dress code for first day appeared to be specially engineered blue jeans with well designed rips. Oh so popular, they are designed to annoy adults and thrill the kids. It just never changes. Enjoy it—it’s all part of youth’s independent clothing statement.

Graffiti wipe out gathering

A Friday night event at Palmer’s AMooseMent playground is an example of what makes life special. There’s way too much to pop in this column so read the story in Wednesday’s Frontiersman. It’s one of those feel good things that makes you proud of Palmer.

Get ready for the fair

Countdown is eight days. Pack your car with lots of varied clothing because the weather will change frequently. Fair fever is starting. Exhibits were accepted last weekend and the tone was that of great anticipation, mixed with a dash of competitiveness. One week from today is the livestock, chicken, flower, veggie and crop etc. entry. Check the Exhibitor’s Guide at the Alaska State Fair website to make sure you have the right details.