Sidekicks: The Ultimate Gift Store in Palmer Alaska June 16th, 2009

Categories: Businesses

Side Kicks Gifts
642 S Alaska St #104 – In the Koslosky Building
(907) 746-4438

“Ooo, pretty!” is constantly on the tip of your tongue as you walk through Sidekicks, a locally owned gift store in Downtown Palmer. Its new owner, Tiffany Moffitt Rye, is revamping the store and bringing in new merchandise. It’s a family effort; her husband and daughters are usually there to help as well!

What’s so great about Sidekicks? Well, it’s pretty much the ultimate gift store! You can find a gift for anyone; young and young at heart. From heavenly-smelling Colonial Candles, to bright platters declaring “When my Dad cooks, burnt is just another flavor!”, Sidekicks’ selections are one-of-a-kind. Humorous and sweet cards, lavish floral arrangements and photo frames are also found throughout the shop, depending on the themes or colors. An entire room is dedicated to baby gifts, Webkinz, and other gifts for younger children.

You can find many local artists’ creations here. Most of the jewelry in the shop is locally made, as well as pins, soaps, cards and fancy handbags. This is the only store in the Valley where you can find Hatley clothing. And, this is also the only store in the Valley that is licensed with Sanrio. If you have a Hello Kitty fan in your family, you better check this store out. An entire wall of the store is covered in Hello Kitty items.

Store hours are Monday-Friday 11-6, and Saturday 11-4. Stop in for a look!


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Auto Supply Shops in Palmer, Alaska June 16th, 2009

Categories: Businesses

The following are some of the local auto supply stores here in Palmer. If you know of any more, don’t hesitate to email me and I’ll add them to the list.



Carquest Auto Parts

848 S Colony Way
(907) 745-3310



O’Reilly Auto Supply

401 Glacier View Avenue

(907) 745-8155 (new photo needed)



Napa Auto Parts

217 E Arctic Avenue

(907) 745-2181

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Colony Days Parade and Celebration June 14th, 2009

Categories: Events, History

Today I went to the Colony Days Parade and hung out in the Palmer Library parking lot and Friday Fling area.
The following photos were all taken this morning and afternoon.

To view the entire photo collection of today, go to the online album.








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Colony Days! June 11th, 2009

Categories: Events, History

Colony Days is an event-packed weekend in Downtown Palmer. It started as an opportunity to honor the original colonists of Palmer and has grown into a big deal each year for the average “Palmeranian”. Colony Days is a great way to get the community to gather, meet new
friends and greet old and honor its history. The familial feeling is
wonderful and its fun for people of all ages.

Some of the events include an Ice Cream Social at the Downtown Pavilion Area, a Classic Car Rally on Main Street, a Miners vs Monarchs game at the Hermon Brothers Field, a Smoked Salmon Contest at the Depot, and then the anticipated 2009 Bed Races. For a more detailed list of all events, go to the Palmer Chamber of Commerce (PCoC) schedule of events.

The theme of this years Colony Days is the “Return of the Grotto-Lunker”. This is based on an old legend about a dragon-like creature dwelling in the caves of Hatcher Pass. To find out more about the Grotto-Lunker, check out the PCoC website.

The official start of Colony Days begins Friday, June 12th, at 9:00 AM with a Kids Coloring Contest and the display of the the “Statehood Quilt” at the Palmer Visitor Center and Museum. Events continue until Sunday at 6:00 PM.

I encourage you to come out and celebrate the history of our town, as well as enjoy time with the family. Whatever the weather is, come prepared to have a blast!

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Palmer Alaska’s Matsu Miners June 11th, 2009

Categories: Around Palmer, Events, Palmer People

To see the Mat-Su Miners 2010 Schedule, click here!

Today my dad handed me two tickets to the Matsu Miners vs. Anchorage Bucs game and told me to go. So I did. And this is what it was like:

I had never been to a baseball game before, much less one played by Palmer’s very own baseball team. The Matsu Miners began under the name the “Valley Green Giants”, but changed to their current name in 1980 to emphasize the important of mining in the Mat-Su Valley. The team is one of six in the state which compete against each other for a chance to go to Kansas for the National Baseball Congress championship.

Today the stands were packed with young and old. The atmosphere was rather hushed for most of the game in hopes it would boost the players’ concentration. One of the volunteers working the concessions stand told me more than 1,002 people payed to come and watch the game. That plus all those with season passes and gifted tickets led to packed sidelines and grandstands.

Point for the Miners!





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