Palmer History Night

Last week Dr. Alex Hill offered some wonderful introspection into the growth of communication in Alaska’s 50s and onward. There were many slides and discussions about old Alaska personalities and radio/television improvements. There was explanation about how communication helped the statewide medical facilities. We learned about how Sun Spots accelerate the Northern Lights Showings. And we learned about Low Earth Orbit constellations of satellites. It was great information, good company, nice door-prizes and and fabulous cookies as always. Next month Palme r History Night is at the Moose Lodge on April 19, Monday Night and the subject will be the Bush Family and their farming and produce farm-stand.

Palmer Online Safety—Palmer Police, Alaska State Troopers and Homeland Security offered commonsense and technical information to adults last week at a special after-hours presentation in the Palmer High School little theater. It was filled with preventative advice. Everyone knows that there is a dark-side of the online world which preys on the vulnerable populations. It is crucial to be aware of scams and tricks and behaviors that put one or one’s family at risk. They explained that parents today are the first generation of parents who have to navigate these particular online explosive minefields. It is important to be ready and have conversations upfront with youth in order to avoid bad situations and horrible results. Everyone agrees that this online safety program is definitely a topic which needs to will be presented again for adults, parents and caregivers. It’s important stuff. Thanks to the law enforcement individuals who planned and offered this presentation.

Palmer Crazy Music Scene—Huycke Entertainment and Koot’s brought a 7 piece reggae rock band, Diggin Dirt, to the Palmer train depot last week. It was pretty crazy to hear such soulful saxophone players and stellar guitarists let loose in Palmer. Blazing horns mixed with steady percussion and sweet guitar was threaded throughout the great show. Dancing was practically required with the tight rhythm. The opener was Childish Tycoon, who warmed up the stage in good style.

Palmer Train Depot never Disappoints—This small rock concert venue worked well and hopefully there will be more of them. It’s kinda amazing how everything works well at the depot—funerals, weddings, religious services, quilt making, public hearings, markets, storytelling, private parties, or community groups. We are lucky to have such a great variety of offerings in our community.

Women’s History Celebration on Friday Night in Palmer at the Palmer Train Depot.—March has been Women’s History Month and the big finale is Friday Night at the Palmer Train Depot. This event is sponsored by Alaska Family Services which is also celebrating more than four decades of service. There will be storytellers, artists, musicians, female entrepreneurs, founding mothers, and success stories of local women businesses. A formal dinner, fashion show and silent auction, and specialty brew, concocted by Bleeding Heart Brewery, are all part of the commemorative evening along with stories celebrating some amazing women in our community. Alaska Family Services has a long history in Palmer and the Valley. They offer Child Care Assistance, Domestic Violence Shelter, Family Support and Preservation, Family Violence Intervention, Supplemental help for pregnant and new mothers and children, Work Services and Behavioral Health Treatment including Alcohol and Tobacco programs. The celebration is sold out but the sentiments are shared abundantly.

This Week in Palmer—First Saturday Vendor Market at the Borough Community Gym on April 1, starting at 10am. (This is no April Fools Joke.) Triple Black Diamonds plays live at Hatcher Pass Lodge at 4pm on Saturday.

Barbara Hunt is both Palmer writer and artist. She works hard to keep the robust pulse of Palmer, Alaska. She shares the good stuff in the weekly Palmer Alaska Buzz Column in the Mat Su Valley Frontiersman and daily on the Palmer Alaska Buzz Facebook Group. Contact at bhunt@mtaonline.net or text 907.315.3222