PALMER BUZZ: Forming a creative community

One Month—Last Saturday, Mabel Wimmer was crocheting a new afghan in Palmer, Alaska. I checked in with Mabel, because exactly one month prior, she had been totally burnt out of her home. She had lost everything (including her dear big dogs and her cat) in the December fire. Since the Mendaltna Lodge fire, she has been living here and there. She is in process of relocating to Palmer, she says. And the reason is because the Palmer community has been so generous and full of care.

So on Saturday—when I reached out, she told me about the colorful afghan she was making. I imagined it finished and thought—yeah, here is a new part of her life. But NO. She wasn’t making it for herself. She was making it for—the family, who had recently been burnt out of their home. A family who had lost everything. Mabel explained, “Cozy things are important.” She continued, “ It doesn’t matter if you are rich or poor; it is a part of us to help. To not be able to share compassion is like not having air or water or sunshine.”

Mabel, we are happy you are joining our community. Your generous spirit will be appreciated in Palmer.

Creative Council in Palmer Alaska—There’s a bunch of fun people in Palmer who love the spoken word, art, images, music and creative expression. And they are meeting in Palmer, this Saturday at 4pm. It is an Open Mic and Artist Showcase. There is room for everybody in this group and it all meets at the Palmer Downtown Deli on January 1. Bring your yarn, your markers, your flute, your fiddle, your poetry, and enjoy yourself. Share your poetry, your photography or your art. It is also a fundraiser for Bikers Against Hunger. Canned goods will be collected and donated to those in need. There will be an open mic and as always, the Deli’s signature, delicious cannolis. For more info, call 907-715-8717 or email 907creativecouncil@gmail.com

Cash Mob this Week—Thursday night is when people join together and support their town merchants. It is a Cash Mob and it starts at Klondike’s anytime after 5. Around 7 pm, everyone heads to a specific retailer and spends a few bucks. When you have fifty folks spending 20 bucks, this cash boost turns into a major evening for the retailer. Small brick and mortar shops need infusions like this in the slow months. And it is fun. Do your part and party with us in Palmer.

What’s important?—Fires, Guns, Feeding the Hungry? Plastic bags, crime, helping your neighbor? School budget, Port wars, comforting a child? Fast drivers, crippled moose, clothing the homeless? New Restaurants, art venues, girl scout cookies? The Palmer Buzz thinks everything is important, big or small. If it happens in 99645, it’s worth discussing. And that’s what happens—24/7—on the Palmer Buzz. The Facebook group is very robust and sometimes animated with opinion. But it stays clean and mostly free of snark. But most importantly, it is all Palmer—all the time.

Sunday Painterly Event—The Palmer Downtown Deli was the place for a phenomenal breakfast brunch and then an intense session with portrait painters from all over the valley. Beautiful Margaret Adsit was the model and she graced the scene in a off-white silk dress, paisley wrap, and pearls. She held a slim volume of text from 1888 by James Whitcomb Riley. But the book wasn’t that interesting. Instead, she gazed out the window at the wonders of Palmer for four hours. FOUR HOURS. That is how long it took for the various painters to begin to capture the wistful look on her face and the dreamy expression in her eyes. It was a magnificent painting event and all agreed that more of these opportunities are in order. As you can tell, the Palmer Downtown Deli is beginning to define itself by being a cultural center in Palmer, in addition to always serving excellent food. Thanks to proprietor Kevin Brown and his wonderful staff for their vision and cooperation with the community.

Storytelling in Palmer—Untold Stories is Sunday Night at the Palmer Train Depot. If you haven’t attended this, you are missing out. Local folks will tell their stories……some promise to be hysterical and some promise to be poignant. Either way, it is in the great tradition of storytelling, and it is a pure evening of joy. The theme is “Surviving,” and no doubt there will be some amazing tales. Our wonderful Palmer Museum of History and Art along with BBella Proprietor Betty Pierce are the engines for this community event. This event always sells out so get your ticket quickly.

Lots to do—Palmer is hopping at the end of January. There are Political planning meetings, Matanuska Markets, Monday Markets, Brewery Tastings, Food classes, Tribal Skull Paintings, American Legion Prime Rib event, Steve Poltz concert, Gordy Tentrees concert, Yoga and Oulu classes, Thrifter Rock PJ Party, Blood Drive, Roller Derby, Art shows, Ice Skate events, Library events, and plenty of Ice bug runs. Don’t be a winter bear and hibernate.