Dani Reed with the Mat-Su Health Foundation joins host Mike Chmielewski to discuss the release of the 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment on this episode of Community Health Connection.

State Fair President Jason Ortiz introduced us to Blake Allen, the new CEO of the Alaska State Fair. Blake and Jason had just finished coffee at Vagabond Blues.

Welcome Blake!

(left to right: Mike Chmielewski, Blake Allen, Jason Ortiz)

Palmer Mayor Jim Cooper discusses the recent city council meeting for April 28th, on this week’s Mayor’s Minutes with host Mike Chmielewski.

Well, the calendar says May is right around the corner, but the sky says, so what? Bah, there are too many things to do to get bogged down by grey skies. Let’s take a small dip into the pool of fun things happening around the Greater PalmerMetroPlex and beyond this weekend.

The 4th annual American Cancer Society Mat-Su Taste of Hope: A Chef’s Competition is tonight. The taste-off features a competition between six chefs from around the Mat-Su. This benefit for the American Cancer Society is at Everett’s Restaurant. Tickets and information for this 21 and older event are at acstasteofhopematsu.org.

The “Valley Chrome & Wheel” Car Show is at the Palmer Sport Center this weekend. The 49th State Street Rodders host this free three-day event of sweet four-wheeled art. Check statestreetrodders.com for the schedule. The Palmer Sports Center, formerly called the MTA Events Center, is across from the Palmer Junior Middle School Sports fields.

Blackwater Railroad kicks-off the Palmer Alehouse’s Summer Concert Series tomorrow. The show starts at 7 p.m. The Summer Concert Series schedule is available at PalmerAlehouse.com.

Saturday night is full of ABBA! ABBAlaska plays at the Palmer Alehouse. Come enjoy the Swedish pop celebration with funky disco grooves, stunning harmonies, costumes and more. The show starts at 7 p.m.

With summer on its way, Saturday is the Safe Summer Kick Off at the Palmer Depot from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Come join the Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation for a family-friendly event all about getting outside, staying active, and being safe. There will be presentations, exhibits and giveaways. More information is available on the Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation Facebook page.

The Fishhook Community Council is hosting a community clean-up on Saturday. Meet up at the fire station at 8200 East Turner Road.

at 9 a.m.

Kristin Link will sign copies of her book, Discover the Art of Field Sketching, at Fireside Books on Saturday from 1 to p.m. to 4 p.m.

The Palmer Arts Council presents a performance on the Bailey piano by internationally acclaimed pianist Roman Rudnytsky on Saturday at 7 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Palmer. He will be joined by local performers. Rudnytsky is an American concert pianist of Ukrainian background and a graduate of the Juilliard School. Tickets and show information available at palmerarts.org

The Great Alaska Aviation Gathering is coming to the Palmer Airport on Saturday and Sunday. This free event is expected to draw about 25,000 people to the airport and the State Fairgrounds. The $5 parking fee at the fairgrounds benefits Palmer Moose Hockey. More information at alaskaairmen.org.

Page 2 airs weekdays at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:50 a.m., and 6 p.m.

Tune in at 89.7 in Palmer, 89.5 in Sutton, 88.3 in Chickaloon and Glacier View or online at bigcabbageradio.org.

Please support Page 2 News. Donate today at bigcabbageradio.org.

This Page Two article was reported by Keith Peticola and produced by yours truly, Lee Henrikson. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.

That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Thursday April 30, 2026.

Join host Ken Hoffman and his guest, Rita Jo Shoultz from Alaska Perfect Peony and Fritz Creek Gardens in Homer, Alaska, as they discuss all things peonies.

It’s time to put away the winter gear and get ready for summer. Get those hiking boots out. Start thinking about fishing gear. Pull out the kayaks and the waterproof boots. Trade your ski poles for your trekking poles. Check the expiration date on your bear spray.

And remember: Safety in the outdoors is important. You can always use a refresher or learn something new about summertime safety in back country Alaska.

With that in mind, you can start the season off with the Safe Summer Kick-off on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Palmer Depot.

The Kickoff is sponsored by the Mat-Su Trails and Parks Foundation. They know that having access to the outdoors promotes healthy communities. And by access, they mean safe access. And by safe, they mean being prepared with the right equipment and the right knowledge.

The Kick-Off will help you hike, climb, fish, and boat with the knowledge you need to be safe.

The event is organized by Revel Treks and Tours. Come learn about bear safety, water safety, trail etiquette, and backcountry navigation.

Also find out about the wealth of trails, rivers, and public lands available for summertime adventure. About a dozen organizations will share information about trails, waterways and public lands in our area.

Four free seminars will help build your safety skills:

Prevent, Avoid, Respond: Alaska Wildlife Safety by Onward and Upward;

Planning, Preparation, Communication and Emergency Response by the Alaska Mountain Rescue Group;

Cold Water & Boating Safety by the Alaska Office of Boating Safety; and

Theory & Practice of Outdoor Risk Management with Onward and Upward.

Come to the Safe Summer Kick-Off at the Palmer Depot between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday. It’s free and all are welcome.

And, speaking of safety, warmer temperatures mean that the ice on creeks, lakes, and rivers is melting. It is unstable.

As ice decays, its thickness and strength varies from one area to another. This creates conditions that are hazardous and hard to see. Even ice that appears thick can be weak and dangerous due to warming temperatures and changing conditions.

If you see someone fall through the ice, call 911 immediately. Officials emphasize that bystanders should maintain a safe distance from the water.

Keep visual contact with the individual or their last known location. Do not attempt to go onto the ice to help. You may need to be rescued, too.

Page 2 airs weekdays at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:50 a.m., and 6 p.m.

Tune in at 89.7 in Palmer, 89.5 in Sutton, 88.3 in Chickaloon and Glacier View or online at bigcabbageradio.org.

Please support Page 2 News. Donate today at bigcabbageradio.org.

This Page Two article was reported by David Cheezem and produced by yours truly, Lee Henrikson. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.

That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

[Photo courtesy of Revel Treks & Tours]

Where were you on April 29, 1951?

Were you or your relatives among the residents of the newly former City of Palmer?

Palmer, Alaska, was officially incorporated as a city in 1951 under the territorial government. It transitioned from a federally managed agricultural colony into a local municipality.

Palmer was initially a railroad stop on the Matanuska branch of the Alaska Railroad. It was established around 1916 and served as a farming and mining supply center.

It continued to develop under the 1935 New Deal Matanuska Colony Project. The project brought 203 Midwestern farming families to the area and established it as an agricultural hub.

The Federal Emergency Relief Administration created the planned community with modern utilities and housing for the families relocating from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.

Increased economic activity, population growth, and the need for organized infrastructure after World War II led to incorporation of Palmer as a city.

The City incorporated to manage its own affairs, including the development of local roads and community services.

It celebrates its 75th anniversary tomorrow. It also celebrates another milestone: the Grand Reopening of the remodeled Palmer Golf Course Clubhouse.

Join this free family friendly event from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Palmer Golf Course Clubhouse, 1000 E. Lepak Avenue. This community gathering honors Palmer’s history and showcases its new recreational facilities.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will formally open the remodeled clubhouse. Displays will feature local Police and Fire & Rescue vehicles. Enjoy various games and activities including Palmer Saroma Kai Noodle Chute.

All 18 holes of the golf course open on Thursday for walking only. The driving range is still too squishy to open. Sign up for tee times at palmergc.teesnap.net.

A reminder: Thursday is the deadline to get studded tires swapped out.

Page 2 airs weekdays at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:50 a.m., and 6 p.m.

Tune in at 89.7 in Palmer, 89.5 in Sutton, 88.3 in Chickaloon and Glacier View or online at bigcabbageradio.org.

Please support Page 2 News. Donate today at bigcabbageradio.org.

This Page Two article was reported by Mike Chmielewski and produced by yours truly, Lee Henrikson. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.

That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Tuesday April 28, 2026.

(image from palmerak.org)

Join Dr. Jill Valerius and host Lee Henrikson as they conclude a three-part series discussing breast cancer screenings.

Port McKenzie is more than just a dock across Cook Inlet from Anchorage.

It’s part of the 9,000-acre Special Use District owned by the Mat-Su Borough. The district includes about 8,000 acres of uplands and 1,000 acres of tidelands. It is envisioned as both an industrial hub and a gateway for exporting Alaska’s natural resources and importing key materials.

Port McKenzie Director David Griffin has led the facility since 2023. He brings a background in land and resource management. Griffin explains that the port is more than what you see from a distance.

Large bulk carriers bring in commodities like road salt for winter maintenance and cement for construction projects. Most of the vessel traffic is barges. They transport equipment, fuel, and materials to remote communities across western Alaska and Cook Inlet.

Griffin contrasts Port McKenzie with the Port of Anchorage. Anchorage handles containerized goods like groceries and vehicles. It serves as a major fuel and military hub. Port McKenzie is designed for bulk materials and large-scale industrial use.

The Port MacKenzie Rail Extension is key to port expansion. It would connect the port to the rail system. About 25 miles of the 32-mile rail bed are built.

Griffin says completing the rail line would be transformative, especially as demand grows for Alaska’s minerals, timber, and other bulk resources. The port could become the primary export site for materials coming from the Interior and beyond.

He expressed optimism about the proposed natural gas pipeline from the North Slope. If completed, the project would require massive amounts of materials. This highlights the importance of Port McKenzie.

Development at the port continues. Plans include a bulk fuel terminal, expanded cement operations, and maybe a data center. A mining company is building an antimony processing facility at the port. The district’s industrial zoning and large amount of available land make it attractive for such projects.

The port operates with just three borough staff. It sees about 30 barge visits and one to two large ships annually.

Looking ahead, Griffin notes infrastructure improvements funded by recent grants, include new security systems, a 120-ton crane, and a planned barge haul-out facility. Last week the State of Alaska announced a federal grant of $34 million for Port Mackenzie. The grant will fund a 110-acre cargo laydown area, rail spur, and barge dock improvements.

Griffin says keep an eye on Port McKenzie. As Alaska’s resource development grows, the port is poised to play a key role in moving resources to market.

In other news:

The MEA annual meeting is tomorrow night at the Glenn Massay Theater. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the meeting starts at 6 p.m.

The Palmer City Council also meets tomorrow night at 6 p.m.

The City of Palmer 75th anniversary and the grand reopening celebration of the Palmer Golf Course Clubhouse is on Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the clubhouse

The Palmer Golf course will open on Thursday. Tentatively all holes will open for walking only. Check the Palmer Municipal Golf Course Facebook page for updates.

Page 2 airs weekdays at 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11:50 a.m., and 6 p.m.

Tune in at 89.7 in Palmer, 89.5 in Sutton, 88.3 in Chickaloon and Glacier View or online at bigcabbageradio.org.

Please support Page 2 News. Donate today at bigcabbageradio.org.

This Page Two article was reported by Mike Chmielewski and produced by yours truly, Lee Henrikson. If you have an idea for a Page 2 topic, please email us at page2@radiofreepalmer.org.

That’s it for today and the news on Page Two on Monday April 27, 2026.

(image from matsu.gov)

Mon Apr 27

Dr. Jill Valerius and Lee Henrikson conclude their discussion on breast cancer screening on Your Health at 7:30 a.m. repeating at 5 p.m.

Tue Apr 28

Find out about the Community Health Needs Assessment from Dani Reed of Mat-Su Health Foundation on Communion Community Health Connections 8 a.m. repeating at 5 p.m.

Wed Apr 29

Rita Jo Schultz from Alaska Perfect Peonies in Homer joins host Ken Hoffman on Ag Matters at 7:30 a.m. repeating at 5:30 p.m.

Fri May 1

Palmer City Manager Kolby Zerkel gives an update on the City with Mike Chmielewski on Inside the City at 8 a.m. repeating at 5:30 p.m.

Margaret Adsit from AK Farmland Trust joins Mike on Valley Edition at 5 p.m. repeating Sat. at noon.

Hear a report from the Hatcher Pass Avalanche Center at 7:20 a.m. followed by Ed Strabel talking about cross country skiing at 7:30 a.m.

Sat. May 2

Rachel Levitt and John Robertson review federal actions that impact Alaska on Home Saturday at 12:30 p.m. repeating Monday at 5:30 p.m.

Tune in 89.7 in Palmer, 89.5 in Sutton, 88.3 in Glacier View or online at bigcabbage.radio.org

See the full schedule at bigcabbageradio.org/schedule/

Earlier episodes of many shows are in Podcasts on bigcabbageradio.org.