Palmer raven route

Nearly everyday, before sundown, our local Palmer ravens collect and make their homing flight to their evening roosting place. It seems as if they’ve fulfilled their work day in town, scavenging snips and snacks, inspecting dumpsters, hanging out at McDonalds and other drive-throughs. Many of the stronger, more storied, and dominant ravens have spent their time at the Palmer dump. Despite intense Eagle and Magpie competition, industrious ravens represent well at our most beautiful landfill in the world. It is a wonderful place for scraps and food, plus lots of shiny gifts.

But somehow, about an hour before sun sets, the Ravens collectively gang up for the flight home, after a good day’s work. Now, their destinations are uncertain. Some say they huddle in a conspiracy up Smith Road. Some say the inconvenience of Ravens cluster half-way up Wolverine Creek. Others say the famous Raven Murder tree is actually on the Lazy Mountain Trail, about of a third of the way up.

Imagine what it must be like when all the ravens return, after another big day in town. Do they chit chat about their findings? Do they laugh at the spoils? Do they discuss the corvid caches? Do they tell tales of humans slipping on the ice? Or of near-misses with the eagle who lives by the Matanuska River? Certainly all the ravens settle down eventually, chill and sleep the sleep of the weary bird. It’s all good and part of our February life; and the Palmer Buzz honors and celebrates the Ritual of the Raven.

Palmer earns two-and-a-half hoursIt’s early February and we already have been given a gift of 2.5 hours. We are deserving! Back in the dark heart of December we had only 5.27 hours of daylight. And now we have a glorious 8-plus hours. And it is only going to get better. This is a joyful time where exponential daylight gain is noticeable and yes, once in a while, there is a touch of warmness in the sun. Palmer—we made it through another dark spell. Raise your glass and celebrate nature’s goodwill!

Birthday Anniversaries last week“One year in Business Location” was celebrated by 203 Kombucha last week with an introduction of Pineapple Kombucha (which was heavenly.) Oat-milk lattes, cinnamon sugar toast and coffee also made their way onto the menu. It was packed with customers, balloons and wonderful music performers. Over at NonEssentials on Palmer’s main street, owner Denise Nelson’s first year in the NonEssential business was celebrated in a big way by friends, patrons and local celebrities. There were chocolates, chewy bombs, crunchy micro-greens, teas and oils, and some gorgeous babies..

Energy is Picking Up in P-Town

Without a doubt (and definitely coinciding with the gift of sunlight,) events and destinations are on the upswing as well.

Add a full moon this weekend and we will be energized to participate fully in some great Palmer activities. Don’t forget to check out the basketball and hockey schedules along with other fun stuff in P-Town.

This WeekWednesday afternoon is a Radon Clinic at the Matanuska Experiment Farm (12 p.m.), along with a rescheduled Tour of the Farm (3 p.m.); Wednesday night is the Palmer Museum Annual Meeting at 530 pm.

Friday is ‘First Friday at Poppy Lane—Sweetheart Edition.’ And next door in the Hartley Motors Building, at 203 Kombucha, is an interactive Steampunk Collage with Anna Folsom.

Saturday Morning Palmer Food Swap at Level Seven Spiritual Center at 10 a.m.; Avalanche Center Cabin Fever Reliever at Palmer Moose Lodge at 5:30 p.m.; Moose Ranger Winter Trails —Moonlit Miles February Ride at 7 p.m.

Sunday Feb 9—2020 Mat Su Ski For Women at Government Peak Rec Area; Culture Crush—Mat Su Orchestra Celebration of Music—from around the world—at the Palmer Train Depot 3 p.m.

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. Her “Palmer Buzz Community Calendar” is available at Palmer shops and the Palmer museum. Contact at bhunt@mtaonline.net or text 907.315.3222