PALMER BUZZ: Aug. 2, 2017

Palmer Pride Runneth Over

Palmer Pride is an annual summer picnic which celebrates everything Palmer. It happened last Friday at the train depot. Juicy chunks of cabbage, fresh peas, grilled hot dogs, and sushi were shared with the full inclusive community. Bushes Bunches, Palmer Produce, Don Berberich, VanderWeele and Rempel Farms contributed the vegetables and everyone contributed the friendliness. The Palmer Saroma Kai offered their famous Noodle Chute where chopsticks chased noodles and tomatoes down a wicked water slide.

Big-time beautification awards went out to Ruth Allen, Doc Blatchford, Mary Boyd, Doug and Malin Prins, Merry Maxwell, Barbara Johnson, Dianne Wilson, Alfred and Barbara Nault and Mountain Rose Estates. Active Soles, owned by Anne Thomas, received the 2017 Innovative Business Award for all their new community events. The Boutique on Main received the Cheechako Business Award. Alaska Pickers received the Newest Business Award. B&B Bargains received the Sourdough Business Award. Jeff Helmricks from the Airport Advisory Commission received the award for longest serving commission board member. And former Palmer Mayor, John Combs, received the well-deserved 2017 Palmer Citizen of the Year award.

Ready for Big Art and Yum Pizza?

Humdingers Gourmet Pizza in Palmer is having a Really Big Art showing this month. These are oversize large and lively pieces by regional artists. And have some extra delicious pizza while you’re there. It is the best pizza in Palmer, by the way. It’s on Valley Way, past the State Troopers and Palmer Police police buildings. Just ask for Gordon!

Remember Carol Wilson?

Well she was the long time executive director of Palmer Chamber of Commerce. She helped make many improvements to Palmer including our lovely visitor garden, Alaska Job Corps, and senior housing facilities. She will be at the Greater Palmer Chamber Of Commerce meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 2 at the Moose Lodge at 12 p.m.

Wednesday night Take The Drive

Head up to Sutton and listen to Brenda Xu at a community concert. (Yes, Sutton. Who says we don’t have culture exploding all around us?) Brenda’s work has been compared to Aimee Mann and she is described as an ambient folk artist.

Yay Agriculture!

It’s Agriculture’s Appreciation Day in the sun on Thursday, Aug. 3, at the Experiment Farm near the hospital. Grow operations of every veggie variety celebrate Yeah Agriculture Day, along with poultry, cattle and appreciative humans. Hay wagon rides, farm equipment displays, cooking demos, vendors, exhibits will make this a regular agriculture rock concert.

Friday and it’s Time To Dance

It’s the weekend and it’s worth getting your crazy on at the Ale House’s outside stage with the 907 Band. And then shimmy over to the Klondike Mike’s and hit it with Anchorage’s great band—Boogie Shoes!!! Good musicians all—but keyboardist and vocalist Elle Janecek is the local hero of this gig and we all want to see her and hear her funk.

Saturday is the Sweet Spot

Go up the Butte and do yoga and brunch. Then speed over to watch the agility dogs at Sirius Ranch. Go pick some peas.

Or pop up north for some early blueberry action. But be careful of our friends—the bears. They get first choice of anything.

Running With The Bulls On A Sunday

Yes it is wild and crazy and it is the 15th year for this annual event at the Musk Ox Farm. Forget the fun fiesta in Europe. Instead run with prehistoric beasts in Palmer. It is this Sunday and don’t be late—because the bulls wait for no one.

Gentle Buzz-worthy Reminders

Share some of that lettuce with your neighbors and get ready for the big zucchini onslaught, coming on strong. Your last day to sign up for the ever-popular mushroom class is Friday at the college. Don’t forget to enter your favorite cow name in the contest for the cow couch at Country Cuts. Lastly check out the Palmer Grow planters behind the Palmer Depot. It is right beside the newly expanding bike trail construction.

T-Minus 3 Weeks and Counting…

Palmer will be welcoming the world to the Alaska State Fair in just a few weeks. This is our big show and our opportunity to visit Venice Beach oddities right on our own turf. The Palmer Buzz promises to be on top of all things curious and interesting. You have a little over one week to enter something into the official state fair competitions, so get cracking Palmer and show your stuff!