The bear Is out

This large stuffed bear sits dutifully in the Police car along a busy Palmer roadway and watches. He doesn’t write tickets. He doesn’t pull you over. He just watches. He is rather huge. And he is a huge reminder to keep your speed under control. Many people wave at the bear as they drive by. Or honk. Or wink. Or giggle. This is community policing at its best. Many people have asked for a “ride-along” with the pink Palmer Police Care Bear. Good Job Palmer Police!

Migration is Happening—Our Palmer world is coming alive with trickley little streams, sprouts, baby birds, buds, buttons and blossoms on vegetation, and major migration happening in the skies. The annual spring migration brings back the swans, hawks, cranes, thrushes and geese. Along with this migration comes the annual feeling of joy and appreciation of our place. It’s been a very long and very harsh winter. Heavy mother moose are laying down and in the dark woods predators are watchfully waiting. Birch trees are tapped. Cats are out late at night now, scratching in the gravel and marking and re-anointing their territories. Dogs are in full-on ecstasy examining all the winter’s debris and remains. Ants are crawling, moths have hatched and big black flies are waking up. Mudpie lane is firming up but still has some squishy spots. As we observe the spring arrival we can see the blood in the trees and the minuscule buds on the branches. We look carefully for slight shades of green to appear. Perhaps this year we are more grateful than ever for spring.

Palmer History Night—On 4-20, Wednesday night, at 7pm is Palmer History Night at the Moose Lodge. It is always an interesting gathering and there are always nice people and good snacks. All are welcome.

Moving About—The Alaska Chicks store has moved uptown to101 Arctic Avenue on Palmer’s North End, in between Pizza Delphi and Alpenglow Hair Studio. The Alaska Picker is in its’ last two weeks of operation over in the Mat Maid historic block. Uptown, the new Omnivore Restaurant has a Game Night, now on Wednesdays. Wood & Wire Guitars & Music Shop is moving up the Glenn highway to the old Holt Enterprises building, where Frank Holt fixed up your chainsaws. This relocation and expansion, will allow for more lessons, workshops, classes, repairs at this musical place.

Earth Day Happy Hour at Hamilton Farms!—On Friday there is a fundraiser with locally grown food and locally sourced libations! The fun event will include music and flower baskets and and an auction. The Alaska Farmland Trust is the wonderful local beneficiary because it preserves Palmer farmlands, a legacy of our history.

So Much happening on Palmer Saturday— “Cut Flower Garden” class with Seeds and Soil; “The Flavors of India” cooking class by Nourished Health Coaching; Sherrod Field and Rabbit Slough cleanups; Soccer at Palmer High; Rock the the Resilience visual and performing arts show at Glenn Massay Theater on Saturday at 6pm; Mat Su Brewery BreakupShakeup barbecue event all day; Local author Elishaba Doerksen book signing at Fireside Books; celebration of St George’s Day at Fireside Books. There is live music at the Palmer Alehouse, Klondikes and 203 Kombucha.

Get Ready for Next week— The last week of April is something to plan for because it is the both the Community Bike and Outdoor Gear swap and the large community Who Let The Girls Out event. Next week is also the last day at the Alaska Pickers, a favorite store in Palmer. The annual MEA event is also next week.

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 2022 Community Calendar” is available at the Palmer shops. Contact at bhunt@mtaonline.net or text 907.315.3222