PALMER BUZZ: Goodbye to Ms. Museum

Selena Ortega-Chiolero has said goodbye as the Executive Director of the Palmer Museum of History and Art. She is off to other adventures but leaves behind a legacy of exhibits and activities, well loved by Palmer, Alaska. It is totally clear that Ms. Ortega raised the community bar for culture and cultural understanding during her tenure. Many of her exhibits were extraordinary and some unforgettable, such as Apron Strings, Second Saturday Art Walks,

Palmer Wine Walks, Untold Stories and the Dia De Los Muertos exhibit. Fortunately for all Alaskans, Ms. Ortega remains on the statewide Museums Alaska Board of Directors and will continue to live in Palmer.

Filming the act

Nomad Cinematics, Alaska Picker and the Bleeding Heart Brewery made some more history last week with the hanging of colorful holiday lights on the Palmer Water Tower. A video is available online and the turn-on event will occur in early December. Yeah team!

Palmer Pho to go

It was the Peking Restaurant for many years—off the Palmer Wasilla Highway—up on the hill above Carrs grocery, which eventually turned into the current Fred Meyer Marketplace. The two golden Fu Dogs still sit on the front steps to welcome and protect under the red Asian pagoda. As of last week on Oct. 16, it is now the Pho and Thai Restaurant. Pho, pronounced “fa,” is an extraordinary dish, popular in most of the world, and unavailable in

Palmer. Until now. It is a Vietnamese noodle soup consisting of broth, noodles, herbs and meat. Sarin Him, Bun Chin and Noi Promson are in the opening stages and personal reports of deliciousness are being attested to by Palmer residents. All three proprietors are very happy to be established in Palmer and Chin has another restaurant in Homer. He says he was personally asked to consider the Palmer location and he is glad he did. They are open Tuesday

through Sunday. Get ready for some delicious cashew chicken, pad Thai, fresh spring rolls, and of course pho.

First Palmer snow

It lightens and brightens the darkness of forthcoming winter. The large round bales of hay in the fields become major marshmallows in the landscape. Small birds stand out from the darkened shrubs and animals have tracks now, so you can see where that cat goes late at night when he has broken curfew. Drive safe Palmer peeps. This weekend saw the sad annual reunion of the Summer Tire Club and there were accidents aplenty.

Palmer creatives

The Creative Council took over the Palmer Depot on Saturday night. This function was the first offered up by the Palmer Creative Council, headed up by Jacob Mann and Sloane Delafosse. They had a large table of Legos for the littles. And a writer workshop. And Alcohol Ink painting by Betty Pierce. One table was reserved for those intent on making “Thinking Caps.” There was music and food and it was just terrific in terms of synergy, along with a community mural. The event shared its proceeds with yarn cap maker for cancer patients. There was an open mic opportunity and later, once the kids left, there was an uncensored open mic night.

It’s always hard to get something new rolling in Palmer. But this gathering rocked and rolled.

There is obviously a Palmer place for this kind of creative joy mixed with new energy.

Exciting ads and news trending

There is new asphalt on the PW highway and first avalanche beacon checkpoint signage in Hatcher Pass. Palmer Alaska Farm Tours owner Margaret Adsit won a major tourism award.

No more private dumps on the outskirts of town! Big, new art and lights on the commuters’ Glenn Highway.

This forthcoming weekend is the Halloween Community Potluck and Scary Readings on Sunday at the Depot. There are dozens of parties, celebrations, festivals and bazaars. The social season has officially begun. Make room for your last chance to see “Man of La Mancha” at the college on this final weekend.

Palmer pumpkin pick

Nominations being taken for the best Palmer pumpkin! Just post a photo on the Palmer Buzz site.

Winner will be in the newspaper next week.