PALMER BUZZ: Remembering David

It seems as if everyone has a David or two in their lives. Either David is an uncle, brother, friend, boss, colleague, son or an ex-boyfriend. Universally David is a biblical name, known worldwide.

In Palmer and the surrounding areas, the name David holds very special significance.

David Grunwald is the lost boy we all searched for last year. Without going into all the terrible details, suffice it to say that David has special meaning in many people’s hearts. The community searched, prayed, held vigils, lit candles, and hoped for his safe return. This was not the case; he was murdered and left in the cold and the dark on Knik River Road. We are nearly at the one-year anniversary of his death and the courts are dealing with the terrible aftermath and his victimizers.

A wondrous statue, located at the Academy Charter School, commemorates his life. Legislation has been proposed at a state level. Great respect is offered to his family.

At this important one-year mark, take some time and remember David. Check in with the young people you know. Help out with lost boys and girls, when they go the wrong way or simply disappear. Assist and volunteer with the weak, poor, depressed, feeble and mentally ill.

Honor our old and our Veterans. This is our community and take great care...in honor of David.

BEER CAN LAUNCH — Friday, Nov. 10, is a major event which features a revitalization of the Alaska Beer Can! It is a “can launch” debut party only at Bearpaw River Brewing Company on the Palmer Wasilla Highway, near the silo. It’s been a while since 1979 canned Alaskan Prinz Brau was available — but now the local Frontiersman IPA will be available in six-packs at the Taproom.

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA RETIRES — This is the Palmer Police patrol car No. 4714 which is being decommissioned. This rig, with the big light-bar, has served law enforcement and the public well after many years of service. The Buzz wonders how many special citizens were granted the place of honor, in the back seat.

PUMPKIN WARNING — Lunchtime Pumpkin Lineup: Warning issued last week regarding pumpkins on porches. It appears that our friends, the moose, are just hanging around waiting for wayward pumpkins to become lunch. You can see many snaps of these feasts and although they are kinda cute, they can also lead to too much familiarity. Once a moose visitor finds a pumpkin spice treat on your front porch, they will come back for more — regardless of what is there. Which means your nativity scene could be ingested next. So move the pumpkins and squash off the porch and a safe distance from your porch and walking area.

BIRD TIME — Now that all the bears are in hibernation slumber, it is safe to refill the bird feeders. We have had some great sightings of bright blue stellar jays in Palmer neighborhoods. And of course there are our little faithful friends, the Black Capped Chickadee who are ever loyal, along with the Pine Grosbeak and the Red Polls. Bohemian Waxwings are swirling around in large groups looking for trees still bearing fruit. And have you heard the owls? There are lots of them right now, and their melancholy hooting sounds like forlorn sound-horns in the deep fog.

MR. FOGG — Mr. Fogg breathed heavy in Palmer last week. In and out. The fog was so deep you could no longer detect any mountains, buildings or reassuring landmarks. Even road stripes were difficult to see. Cows, children, dogs and drivers are disoriented in the thickness of grey. Drivers, use your headlights.

THEE NORTHERN SOUND—This week try to catch the Sunday afternoon party at 2 p.m. at the Palmer Depot celebrating Valley students headed off to New York City to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. Community good wishes for safe travels will be offered to band members at 2 p.m. on Nov. 12. There will be drum majors, marching band members and director and performances by Bucket of Fish, Devil’s Horns, Colony Choir and Color Guard. And there’s an interesting Instrument Petting Zoo which means you will have the opportunity to get close to a tuba. This is put on by The Friends of the Palmer Library and there is more info at their site.

SO MUCH TO DO — Holiday festivals are plentiful and Cover Ups in downtown Palmer is having an open house on Saturday. BackCountry Bike and Ski is having a clinic on Winter Fat Bikes on Friday evening. The Food Swap is at the Annex on Saturday morning. Art Classes with Glenda Field are at Artists Uncorked on Saturday. Wine tasting is at the Palmer Elks Lodge on Saturday evening. A Consignment show is at the Fairgrounds at Raven Hall. And just in case you need to travel to Wasilla, catch beautiful Maria McKiernan’s amazing art show on the Second Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Espresso Cafe, on Seward Meridian.