Uptown improvements, safety and upcoming events

October is totally cranked up. We received our Permanent Fund Dividends and there is snow on top of Lazy Mountain. Geese and cranes have headed south. The full flock of multicolored flamingos have moved inside for the winter; the same is true for both plastic life-size cows at Country Cuts. Flower baskets and lawn chairs have been stashed and snow shovels have been retrieved. The only leaves still on the trees are cottonwood and alder and they will soon be down, along with all the birch leaves. It’s time to hang the little lights as the big darkness begins. Palmer is prepping and buttoning up for winter.

Palmer Uptown Improvements—Many buildings had facelifts or reconstruction over the summer. The Mat Valley Federal Credit Union, The BackCountry Bike and Ski shop, the old Hartley Brothers Building are just a few that are looking mighty good these days. We have new pavement on the Palmer-Wasilla which is always a sweet improvement. But besides all this heavy-duty construction, Palmer still has so much going for it.

Underbelly—Our little town is not without an icky underbelly. Trucks have been stolen or “borrowed” without permission. Pumpkins have been smashed. Personal assaults have happened. Cabbages have been stolen. Vehicles have been broken into at trail heads and on city streets. This kind of crime is not tolerated well in our town. Public condemnation is high and visible regarding these offensive actions. We like to think that we’re a honest and happy town and some of us (myself included) perpetuate that glossy image at every turn.

Safety First and Last—Safety is not just a noun; it is also a verb, as in “safety up.” Lock your doors. Secure your stuff. Report suspicious things. Upgrade your Neighborhood Watch. Be careful in dark parking lots. Keep your eyes open. Don’t be passive. Walk with friends. Talk to your neighbors. Don’t turn a blind eye to the homeless. Make the call. If you see a marauding moose or a scary stranger, let people know. Be prepared for winter and cold and snow and ice on the roads. We don’t have to be “locked and loaded,” but we have to be alert and anticipatory.

Alert Helper—Does this mean that Palmer is crime-ridden? Absolutely not. However, it does mean that we must “up our game” as citizens and residents and watch out for others. And be a helper. Don’t be scared to help a stranger, but be careful and aware of your environment and surroundings.

Palmer Upcoming events—History Night is Wednesday night at the Moose Lodge. Friday Night is a great release party at the Palmer Train Depot . Saturday is a featured themed event at NonEssentials focusing on health, including fitness, yoga, kombuchu, health coaching, facials and natural botanicals. The very first Holiday bazaar is this weekend at the Alaska State Fair. The weekend is full of various art events at the several art shops in Palmer and at Level Seven Spiritual Center on Sunday afternoon. Sunday evening is Peter Mulvey music and stories at Vagabond Blues . If you haven’t had the intimate joy of listening to entertainment in this cozy setting, then you are definitely missing out here. As always, this is not a comprehensive listing of all Palmer events, but it’s a good start! Palmer is just so full of good things.

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