Winter is a rascal

Our Easter Sunday snowfall wasn’t terribly welcome but it isn’t terribly unusual either. Temps promise to be warmer this week and the ridiculous freeze/thaw will continue. It’s time for us to thank Winter for her strong presence and wish her goodbye. Let’s claim Break Up for real.

Palmer Potholes—Palmer’s Perennial Potholes are definitely making themselves known. Some famous ones are at driveways to businesses and then there is the Post Office pothole which happens annually. Be careful you don’t get into the deep ones from which there is no return. Palmer Pothole etiquette: If you see part of your local road softening, please flag it, so you don’t lose your neighbors. Post the pothole’s location on social media so we know what to avoid; keep watch as it grows and expands and be careful with your sportsmanlike maneuvers to avoid it.

Bears are Bumbling About—There have been several spottings in the last two weeks. The bears are awake and likely hungry and grouchy. It is the time to be alert. Bears are coming out from hibernation and are looking for food. Bird feeders, compost piles, and garbage cans attract hungry bears so make these things scarce and secure. You may not see a bear in downtown Palmer, but they are very close in the neighborhoods and forests surrounding town.

Geese Are Back—We’ve seen them and mostly heard them late last week. Swans led the way but the geese are the reassuring favorites.

Demographics—Did you know that the City of Palmer is only 5.07 miles in area? That is how the boundaries of city limits are defined. And the population is approximately 6000. However, Greater Palmer is more like 60+ miles in area, and not specifically defined. And the population is closer to 30,000+. This estimate of “Greater Palmer” is based on the larger community who relies and claims Palmer as their service center and town. The 99645 zip-code is oftentimes a label for the Palmer area along with the local phone exchanges.

Palmer’s Big Spring Consignment Event—Raven Hall, at the Alaska State Fairgrounds, is transformed this week into the best department store ever. If you have been to one of these Consignment events, you will know what I am talking about. Clothing, sports equipment, decor, books, outer wear, furniture, jeans, men’s clothing, shoes, boots, bags, specialty items, garden art and tools, spotting scopes, binoculars, blankets, and scarves are just a few categories of the immense inventory that awaits shoppers in one big building. It is a bit overwhelming and totally fun. Essentially everyone opens up their closets and brings their things to Raven Hall to sell like one huge garage sale. The distinction is the Consign inventory is good quality and it would be very difficult to walk out empty handed. The sale runs on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Parking and admission are free. There will be food and lots of treasures.

This Week in Palmer—Community Drum Workshop at Percussion in the Valley on Saturday; Barbecue and Dr. Steve Brown at the Train Depot on Friday; Roland Roberts at Hatcher Pass Lodge on Saturday; Mexican Cooking Class on Saturday night with Nourished Health; Community Baby Shower on Saturday; art classes at the Art Cafe; John Messick Book Launch at 203 Kombucha on Saturday; Square Dance Lessons on Friday at Sophia’s Cafe; Knitting at Vagabond Blues at 5 pm on Mondays; Karaoke at the American Legion on the weekend; Live music on Wednesday and weekends at Palmer Ale House; Trivia contests and open mikes at Klondike Mikes and 203 Kombucha; Stones, Gem and Jam at Ak Namaste this weekend.

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. Contact at bhunt@mtaonline.net or text 907.315.3222