Spring Equinox week

You can already tell spring is here—with its’ second arrival. There really are about six seasons of spring in Palmer. It all begins with the melt and pond time. The Second is all the bird noises. Our owls are out late at night. Woodpeckers are industrious and frequent. Little birds seem far more cheerful and obvious than a month ago. Geese are starting to leave the midwest and won’t arrive for another few fortnights. Today, March 20 is the official Spring Equinox. Sunrise is around 8am and sunset is around 8pm. We are at the equal light and dark stage.

The Palmer Scene Evolution—Our town’s spiking synergy is its’ very own engine. No longer can any one person expect to partake in everything this little town has to offer. It’s an impossibility because of the sheer amount of existing activity—which exponentially prompts and propels other activities. That is the definition of vitality and Palmer fails us not in this category. And it isn’t even summer yet. Oh, and big congratulations to Poppy Lane, that cute little place in uptown for its’ grand opening.

Green Gallop—They cantered past the museum and trotted up side-streets. Many were dressed in green hats, wigs, boas or tutus. It was a grey Sunday but Green Palmer really shook it loose for the Mayor’s Green Gallop’s first run of the season. It is so much fun to see and probably more fun to participate.

Weeklies:

• Monday—Happy Fun Run, Community Silent Meditation at Level Seven

• Tuesday—Safe Space at Level Seven, Rocking Music Bingo at Klondike’s, Borough Assembly Meetings, Palmer City Hall meetings, Weekly Running club.

• Wednesday—Palmer Chamber of Commerce, History Night at the Moose Lodge, School board meetings, church meetings,

• Thursday—Extension event, Vinyl Night at 203 Kombuchu, Kiwanis Club, and Entrepreneurs at Palmer Downtown Deli

• Friday—Open Mic, Oulu, Fine Dining at the Palmer Restaurants, Shopping opportunities and markets, Community yoga, Live Music, and Bookclub.

• Saturday—Festivals, gun shows, sport and ski events, movies, and live music

• Sunday—Faith gatherings, Art Cafe, Tai Chi and Art Journaling at Level Seven, Library events, Vagabonds Afternoon Jam, and Open Mic at 203 Kombuchery

Monthlies:

It’s hard to keep track of all the other speciality monthly meetings and gatherings—Palmer History night is third Wednesday, Entrepreneurs is Third Thursday, Cash Mob is Last Thursday, Palmer Renaissance Art is Last Sunday. There is the evolving First Fridays. revolving art shows, recycling events, along with the knitters and crocheter who meet through out each week. Don’t forget the Palmer Bike, Runner, and road cycling meetings, Drumming events, Library events, Depot events and meetings, Art events, Contra dances, Rotary, Moose, Kiwanis, Oulu, Qi Gong, Tai Chi, and Yoga.

Wednesday—Take your first public Farm Spring Walking Tour over at the UAF Matanuska Experiment Farm at 430. Wear your boots and visit cows. Then head over to Arkose Brewery, off of Steel Loop. There, at 530 pm, Pints & Palmer kicks off. This is a public event sponsored by the Palmer Community Foundation. It’s a “friend-raiser” where one has “a pint for Palmer,” “a pint for its’ people” and “a pint with a purpose.” One might also consider having procured a designated driver for safe delivery of those passionate Palmer toasters.

Friday—Visit Edelweiss at the Colony Inn’s for authentic German “Kaffee und Kuchen” between 9am and noon. In the afternoon, visit Fred Meyers and taste test Nourished Health Coach: Winona Benson’s—Green Detoxing drinks. Then stop by Jorgensen’s Family Chiropractic and try making your own homemade soap at 6pm.

This weekend: Build and beautify some luxury bird accommodations with mosaic bird houses at the Art Cafe. Go to the indoor garage sale at the American Legion. Attend a State Budget public hearing online or in person. Do a country two-step with Ken Peltier at 4 Corners. Check out live entertainment on the Bar Block. Meet with author and artist Monica Devine at Fireside Books on Saturday from 1-4pm. Sunday is the Illustrated Art Journal at Level Seven. And Sunday afternoon is the weekly delightful Vagabond’s music jam.

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