Palmer pussy willow time

Pussy Willows are bloomed out on the flatlands and have yet to bud on the mountainside. This is part of the dichotomy of Pussy Willows. They sort of symbolize the duplicity of the seasons. Hard and soft; Cold and Warm; Dark and light. The long slender stems of the woody willow are covered with furry little bundles of swaddled catkins just to keep the seeds warm. It’s a beautiful analogy and so obvious in our weather where it might rain, might snow, might sunshine, or might blow. The classic story of the pussy willow is too sweet to not repeat once again. “According to an old Polish legend, a mother cat was crying at the bank of the river in which her kittens were drowning. The willows, at the river’s edge, longed to help the Mama Cat, so they swept their long, graceful branches into the waters to rescue the tiny kittens. The kittens gripped on tightly to their branches and were brought safely to shore. Each springtime since, goes the legend, the willow branches sprout tiny fur-like buds, where the tiny kittens once clung.” :)

Clean Up This Week—The Palmer street sweepers have been out in full force and now it is the time for Palmer humans to get on board. This is the time for picking up trash. It may not be your personal trash but it is our community. And the great winds in Palmer are nonselective. So regardless of “whose” trash it is, it is up to all of us to help collect it. The City of Palmer is encouraging everyone’s participation by offering a yard waste drop-off over at the MTA events center This will be this week and free for city residents. Dumpsters are available for yard waste or green waste only. The official clean up day is Saturday from 9-12. For every yellow bag you fill, you receive a raffle ticket and a possible prize. Plus there is a barbecue at the library parking lot. The big prize of course is a clean town and everybody wins.

Aviation Weekend in Palmer—Palmer is the place for the Great Alaska Aviation Gathering and Trade-show this weekend. There will be flight schools, parts suppliers, airlines, aircraft manufacturers, aircraft static displays, markets and swap meets. There is an expected 25,000 attendance of air enthusiasts and professionals. There will be many food trucks and a Show and Shine aircraft event.

Each year, the Alaska Airmen’s Association hosts Alaska’s largest aviation event, bringing together aviation enthusiasts, industry leaders, and pilots from across the country. This premier gathering celebrates Alaska’s vital aviation presence and the unique role aviation plays in the state. Whether you're a seasoned aviator, an aspiring pilot, or simply captivated by flight, the event offers an exciting lineup of exhibits, aircraft displays, educational seminars, and networking opportunities.

This is a showcase the best of aviation in Alaska and beyond! At Palmer’s home-office and the main campus of Airframes Alaska, there will be an annual open house, demo days, aviation product demonstrations, outdoor gear demonstrations, facility tours, bush planes on display and access to a team of experts to answer your questions. Many of the festivities will be at the runway near New Horizons and also at the Alaska State Fair. It’s a fun group of people from all over the skys. Fairgrounds and Palmer Airport opens to the Public at 9am. Show and Shine aircraft arrive shortly afterwards. Classes on learning to fly, Alaska Aviation Insurance Market, Advocacy, Pilot Town Hall meeting, Scholarships, Aviation Weather Websites, Surviving the Unexpected, Awards and Water bombing. Check out alaskaairmen.org for specifics.

Great Alaska Valley Chrome and Wheel Car Show Gathering—This happens indoor at the MTA Event Center and Ice Rink, across from Palmer Middle School on Thursday-Sunday. It’s a great car show which is free and fun. Food trucks might be present along with many gorgeous automobiles. This is put on by the AK 49th Safe Street Rodders, which is a non profit car club.

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