The big blue and white show

This Palmer show has been going on for several weeks. You look outside the window and all you see is the big, beautiful blue sky and the white on the mountains. It is extraordinary. The symbolism of Blue and White is ancient. The color combo is holy, clean, peaceful and inspiring. There are entire books devoted to this subject. In fact, I teach classes about the “Big Blue and White,” and it never fails to resonant. We are so lucky to live in the land of blue and white.

Palmer Community Foundation—This important group is accepting grant requests for just a short time. Think about what Palmer needs and submit a grant request. It’s our community and lets just continue to make it better and better.

The Palmer Arts Council—This group is on the very verge of finally selling the old powerhouse in the historic Matanuska Plant Block of Palmer. If you are interested in bidding, contact Remax’s Jeremy Millen soon. This piece of land is a very special spot in Palmer, practically right at the base of the water tower. The Palmer Arts Council can no longer keep the plot on the books because the Council’s mission statement doesn’t include owning an old building. Hopefully someone— with a heart for Palmer and history—will step up and make this into an extraordinary property for all to love and enjoy.

Pioneer Motel—Let’s hear it for this small motel which went through a major remodel. There is a housekeeping staff, new carpet, and hardwood floors. Each room now has high quality mattresses. The manager Val is working hard to educate folks about this affordable and clean option for visitors. More than a few times she has opened up her rooms to families going through trauma and for this we all are grateful.

Time to Get Rid of Your Ick—Take your household hazardous waste to the Mat Su borough drop off this week. You can drop off all sorts of icky stuff like cleaning supplies, automotive fluids, paints and solvents. And you can pick up items—which you can reuse— items such as other paint, cleaning supplies. The location is the Solid Waste Division at the Borough Landfill off of 49th Street, next door to the Animal Shelter and the Valley Recycling Center. Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Palmer Drumbeat—On Sunday the Matanuska drumming group offered a wonderful drum presentation and this week is another percussion event. Dr. Aube continually enriches our town with classes and presentations in drums and the sultry marimba..

Recycled Art—The Valley Center for Recycling is offering affordable classes in recycled art. Next week is picture frames. Check out their website for more info.

Wednesday—Time to learn about Mat Su Wildlife today over at the Matanuska Experimental Farm, near the hospital. 7pm for the talk on animals and wildlife and habitats.

Thursday—Family Science Night at Butte Elementary where you will be offered tacos and salsa, And then you can make slime, volcanos, water-can robot, bean can pencil holder, pencil shavings flowers, cereal box pinball machine and a planet mobile out of CDs. Thursday is the Palmer Contra Dance at the Salvation Army.

Big Full Weekend—Palmer Food Swap is this weekend on Saturday at 10 am at the Annex in Palmer. Tai Chi is at the White Feather Wellness Studio on Saturday at 10:30 am. March Marimba Showcase is Saturday at 6pm Alaskan Poet Mar Ka will be at Fireside books at 2pm Saturday. A great Mosaic Mirror and Frame—two day class—is on Saturday and Sunday at the Art Cafe on Blueberry. Palmer Illustrated Art Journaling is Sunday at 1pm at Level Seven in downtown Palmer on Elmwood. The uptown 203 Kombuchery has open night, vinyl night and art gatherings on the weekends. Non-Essentials always has some sort of food and health activity on the weekends. Plus this weekend, up the road, is a winter workshop for Women in the Outdoors including hunting, shooting, and fishing in addition to other outdoor skills. Just plug in the titles for additional social media info or check your local newspaper listings!

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