PALMER BUZZ: Oct. 17, 2017

Murder, after a fashion, on the water tower

Yes, it was a stunning scene, right on the very top of the water tower. An unnamed source reported the “murder” on late Sunday afternoon. It seems there were a great number of ravens warming their tail feathers on the sunny reflective surface of the water tower tank. And, the plural name for a group of ravens, is a correctly termed “murder.”

Clever source!

Terrific rumor

We’ve seen the sign but there is no spring roll yet. Where the former Peking Restaurant stands, will become a Pho Thai restaurant. Excitement is building as Palmer welcomes its first pho.

The buzz in Palmer is prepping for winter

Palmer winterizing is at full tilt. Tire shops are booked. Last minute outdoor projects are being thrown together in overdrive. Frosty gutter cleaning is a popular destination. Furnace filters and furnace technicians are in demand. There may be a few more days for sealing decks but you’re gambling this late in the season. More than a few homeowners have been sadly surprised with their outside frozen spigot because they didn’t disconnect their hoses. It doesn’t take much of a freeze to jam up that water system. Snow shovels are being retrieved, along with snow tires. Also look for that ice scraper and throw it in the car along with an extra blanket. Antifreeze is being added, but don’t spill any on the ground or you could kill your pet. Check your fire extinguisher and smoke alarms. Extra water bottles don’t do well in the car once it freezes but snacks keep pretty well. Folks are putting up vegetables with a vengeance and pulling in plants. Washing windows will help our shy sunlight come through during winter. And loading up on the little fairy white lights keeps things happy as the dark season starts to settle in. So much work is getting done, it makes you want to move south or start hibernation.

Palmer peeps just want to have fun

A simple weekend question—“What’s fun in Palmer this weekend?” resulted in dozens of great crowdsourced answers: Stacie went mountain biking with Women on Wheels; Debbie put perennials to bed for the winter; three brothers were hiking Gold Mint trail; Myrna was part of the Alaska Home Companion show broadcast on Palmer Big Cabbage public radio station; MaryAnn went on the farm and geology hike at the Agriculture Experiment Farm over near the hospital. (There was a Soil Scientist and Farm Director explaining geology and nature’s secrets;) Sean actually mowed a lawn; Priscilla was hanging out at the Alaska Pickers; Robert and his children were at the Williams Reindeer Farm; Half the town was at the football game for Palmer High School; Gail shopped in downtown Palmer; Linda stopped by Artists Uncorked to see the 2nd Saturday artist in residence; Barbara finished putting up the purple ribbons with the Domestic Violence information cards on S. Alaska Street light posts; Joyce took the dogs for a long walk at the river; Laura and two dozen others exchanged homemade food at the Palmer Food Swap; Larry was recovering from a hangover from Klondike Mike’s Braided River Friday night show; Missy took her new puppy for a walk around Reflections Lake; David broke in his new fat tire bike (purchased at Palmer’s Backcountry Bike and Ski) on the Government Peak trail. Tracy did a sunrise Butte hike.

Quite a number of folks admitted to some delightful couch/football time along with a great number of dogs.

‘Man of La Mancha’ at the college

This award winning performance, sponsored by the Palmer Arts Council, opens this weekend at the beautiful Glenn Massay Theater. This is both a classic and a good one.

Dean Phipps is the director and offers his clever take on the reality versus illusion aspect of the play. Well loved music teacher, musician and Musical Director Stan Harris along with Palmer’s percussionist Maggie Aube-Trammel join with 11 other musicians. There is so much talent in the cast and many are (or were) from Palmer including Craige Baker, Collin Christiansen, Mark Weaver, Assemblyman Jim Sykes and Greta Kopperud.

Local crew members include Kai West, Karl Kopperud, Bea Adler, Joelle Werner, Brian Mead, Betty Shadura and John Fairfield, producer.

Go ahead and Dream the Impossible Dream

This week there are just bunches of fall festivals along with Creative Saturday night at the depot, Bazaar at the State Fair, a Breastival at the hospital, Winery Mystery, shows at Vagabond’s and Klondike's, breakfast at the Deli, and Paint-A-Mug at Arkose Brewery. You better hop on social media to keep up with all the buzz.