May 2013

Hooray for May!
Up north and around Alaska, people wait for the ice to go out on the Tanana River to find out who wins that annual guessing game. I just checked out their website and saw that the ice depth actually got 2 inches THICKER last week and is currently about 10 inches thicker than at this same time last year (and the 5 previous years as well)! Around Talkeetna the roads are clear, the driveways are getting better, and the birch trees are finally being tapped at the Birchworks up the street, but the river is still solid and the farm fields still have a good 2 feet of snow! This is the latest spring I have ever seen. So, we all seem a bit in denial that any day we'll have green leaves and LOTS of visitors to our quiet town. Hope to see you out and about, stopping in at the Squirrel for some of these wonderful events in May...

Friday, May 10, 5-6:30pm - Poetry Slam!
Youth and adult poetry workshops with Kima Hamilton of Brave New Alaskan Voices will be held May 9 & 10 at NSI. A poetry slam will be held here at the Squirrel on Friday evening. Ages 8 and up are welcome for both youth and adult categories. Whatever your style, you can learn to create it, say it, and slam it - or just come by to watch! For questions contact Shoo at 733-2402. Sponsored by the Association of Alaska School Boards and FOCUS Homeschool.


Saturday, May 11, 3-5pm - Second Saturday Art Opening
Visit with Valley artist Jessica Cavazos during her opening reception of "The Unique Art Works of Ravens Element" and to learn more about her culturally unique art of Mehndi. Her Henna art and Painted Candles will be available for viewing and purchase. Art work will be on display until early June. Coming up in June is photography by Dora Miller.



Sunday, May 12, 11am-3pm - Mother's Day High Tea
Enjoy this fine English tradition with a selection of loose leaf teas, champagne, and Flying Squirrel’s sumptuous finger foods presented on a tiered platter…a relaxing and delicious treat for any mother in your life! Reservations highly recommended. For more information or to make a reservation, please call or stop by the Squirrel.


Sunday, June 2, 7pm - Stay Warm CD Release Concert
Yes, my talented sister with the sweet voice, poetic lyrics and unique dulcimer has a new CD! And although she and Jim are now residing in New Haven, Connecticut, Esther will be back for a few weeks to offer up her newest recording for your listening pleasure. As one of the few people that got to hear it first, I can tell you that it's GREAT (though certainly I'm pretty biased)! Join us at Flying Squirrel for Esther's Alaska CD Release including:

Limited Seating CD Release Concert: 7pm, $12. Tickets available in person or by phone at the Squirrel beginning May 7. Doors Open with Hors d'oeuvres on Esther at 6:30pm.
Free After Party, CD Signing and CD celebration cake, 8:30-9:30, all are welcome.
More information about Esther, her music, and her new CD "Stay Warm" is available at esthergolton.com!

May Hours
Despite all the snow on the ground, we are officially on summer hours:
SUNDAY: 8am-5pm
MONDAY*: 7:30am-7pm *Closed Mondays in May & Sept except open holiday weekends
TUESDAY: 7:30am-7pm
WEDNESDAY: 7:30am-7pm
THURSDAY: 7:30am-9pm (Pizza Night: 4-9pm)
FRIDAY: 7:30am-9pm (Pizza Night: 4-9pm)
SATURDAY: 7:30am-9pm (Pizza Night: 4-9pm)



   


Other Tidbits
• CALL FOR ARTISTS: Flying Squirrel will host a group show with an opening in early August entitled Susitna Wild - A Celebration of the River Through Art. This fundraiser for the Coalition for Susitna Dam Alternatives will feature area artists' works that show our local connection to the river. If you are interesting in submitting art for this show, please contact Anita at the Squirrel.
• NEW STAFF: I'm so happy that Kelly and Ben will continue to be the familiar faces you see around the Squirrel this summer. Plus please welcome Brandon, Margaret, Becca, and Katie and give them feedback as they learn the ropes!
• TALKEETNA GROWN CSA: The veggie starts at the farm can't wait for the snow to melt! Brian is still offering shares for this summer's bounty of produce being grown at Birch Creek Ranch - this is THE best way to ensure that you will eat a wide variety of locally grown produce all summer. Forms and more information are available at the Squirrel or call Brian at 841-7885. And YES, Birch Creek Ranch will have the retail greenhouse open from mid May to early June.
• PTA Birds of Alaska Quilt Raffle: Remember that beautiful quilt that was hanging in the Squirrel some of the winter? It will be raffled off on May 22 to benefit the wonderful programs sponsored by the Talkeetna Elementary PTA. Tickets are only $5 and are still available at Flying Squirrel!

Wow! I thought I was ready and excited for summer, but after writing and reading all this, I'm already thinking about the relaxing days of autumn. Now, everyone go outside and do a sun dance and get that snow to melt!
Warmly,
Anita Continue reading »

April 2013

Hello Everyone,
Wow, who knew that I would be thinking of spring so longingly this late in March. I don't remember so much fresh snow and so much cold (below zero temps) at the same time that my childhood home in Pennsylvania has bright yellow forsythia and colorful crocuses in full bloom! Hopefully by the time all of these fun April events occur, this especially wintery March will just be a memory and we'll be peeling off the layers of clothing both indoors and out. Beyond all the delicious food and drink, there are SO MANY great reasons to come to the Squirrel this month; apologies in advance for the inevitable lake that will form in the parking lot at some point in April - please don't let it stop you from finding your way into the Squirrel!

Gluten Free Baking Class
Sunday, April 7, 1-4pm - LOTS of people have expressed an interest in this class with only a few sign ups so far - REGISTER BEFORE WEDNESDAY by calling Alaska Folk School at 733-7111! Just a decade ago, gluten-intolerance levels were at 1 in 2,500 worldwide. Some surveys suggest that today, 1 in 133 people are more comfortable when they stay away from certain grains including wheat, barley and others. So, how do you bake without wheat flour? This class will introduce participants about what gluten free means for baking including substitutions, gluten free flours, and finding recipes with the common, easy to obtain ingredients you may already have in your kitchen. Join this fun, interactive and hands-on session in the kitchen at Flying Squirrel Bakery Café where you will help make delicious gluten free cookies and muffins. Min 6, Max 12. PREREGISTRATION IS REQUIRED!

Beer Trippin' & Beer Bakin'
Denali Brewing Company has organized another year's "Beer Trippin' Weekend" where homebrew enthusiasts from Anchorage spend a few days in Talkeetna...well, drinking beer, I guess! This year, we're joining in the fun with an informal Beer Bakin' class on Saturday morning, April 6 at 10am. Only a $5 materials fee for 1 1/2 hours in the Squirrel kitchen where we'll make bacon-cheddar-ale muffins and chocolate beer crinkle cookies! Anyone's welcome (6 years old and up, probably it will mostly be adults), but be prepared to hear a lot about beer from serious homebrew enthusiasts. Call ahead if you'd like to come - limit is 16.

Second Saturday Art Opening
Saturday, April 13, 3-5pm - Here at the Squirrel, we try to encourage and support the staff in their non-work endeavors. We're super excited that our front counter diva, Kelly Saunders will be hanging her first ever art show here. Come by for the opening reception of "Mystical. Wild. Free." a collection of paintings and photography from a magical perception including Kelly's unique art with a story-telling and thought-provoking twist.

Talkeetna Chamber of Commerce General Meeting
Flying Squirrel will stay open until about 9pm, a bit later than usual, on Thursday, April 11 to host the Chamber's monthly general meeting. Meeting begins at 6:30, come a little early for some dinner, snacks or dessert!

Earth Day
The Talkeetna Earth Day Celebration will be held at the Sheldon Community Arts Hangar on Saturday, April 20 from 11am-3pm. Come see us at our booth where we'll have granola, breads, rhubarb ade, t-shirts, and lots of information about how the food you eat affects our planet and what we do at the Squirrel to try to help. Also, it's that time of year when we all start to think about the snow melting enough to plant something in it! Brian's CSA Talkeetna Grown has 2013 produce shares available - forms can be found on bulletin boards around town, at the Squirrel or at his booth on Earth Day. Yay veggies!


Spring Steeping: A Tea-Themed Open House
Saturday, April 27, 11am-1pm - Stop in at the Squirrel to talk tea with co-owner of Summit Spice & Tea Company, Audrey Paule. Try some free samples including traditional and unique varieties of black tea, green tea, maté, herbal tea and more! Loose leaf tea and tea accessories will be available for purchase. As part of this event you can also sign up for a special one time class: INTRO TO TEA - SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 10am ...a wonderful opportunity to get more in depth at this tea tasting with Audrey Paule. The approximately one hour class will include a mixed flight of 10 traditional teas from around the world. Learn some tea history, tea brewing techniques and what factors affect tea quality before and after steeping. Maximum 16 participants. Cost: $10. Preregistration and prepayment required. Please call or stop by Flying Squirrel to register.

Coming up in May
Our hours will remain the same through April. In May, we'll open up on Tuesdays and add in Thursday pizza nights (we'll be open 7 days per week from Memorial Day to Labor Day). At this time we're still hiring a few positions for summer - send serious inquiries our way for bakers and front counter/barista staff opportunities! Mother's Day is always a big hit at the Squirrel - this year we'll be trying "High Tea" for something different, refreshing and relaxing for all the well-deserving mom's out there - more details to come! We're also hoping for another visit by Michael McGuire from K-Bay Caffe to get our staff trained up and to bring you another chance to get all jazzed up about K-Bay's awesome coffee.

Summer here we come!
Hopefully,
Anita Continue reading »

February - what's not to love!

Ahhh February.
What's not to love? Heart shaped cookies and mouth-watering truffles, beautiful fluffy snow, the days getting just long enough that something can be done after 4pm, the feeling that spring is on the way but Talkeetna is not yet overwhelmed by visitors. I think I might like February almost as much as March! This February there are even more things to love - particularly if you find your way over to the Squirrel:

LOVE BITES: a tasty and tasteful Valentine's pairing dinner
Thursday, February 14, 5:30pm
Save the date! Make a reservation! This one's not to be missed (whether you think love bites the big one or you hope to end up with a few love bites of your own on Valentine's Day). Join us at the Squirrel for a special evening with tablecloths, flowers, full service, an amazing 5 course mostly wood-fired dinner with beer or wine pairings and special guest Adam Fast from Specialty Imports. Limited seating, advance reservations required, 21+ please. Also, after the pairing dinner, we can pair you up with tickets to Complexities of Love, the Valentine's variety show at the Sheldon Arts Hangar - showtime is 8pm. Call or stop by the Squirrel to find out more, see the menu or make a reservation!

 
Second Saturday Art Opening
February is a short month for art on the walls, so make sure you stop in early in the month or come to the opening reception on Saturday, February 9, 3-5pm to see the exhibit, Alaskan Dreams, new paintings by Bill Barstow. As well, the Talkeetna PTA bird quilt will be back on our walls - the gorgeous quilt is being raffled as a fundraiser for Elementary School programs. 2013 will bring some wonderful art and artists to the walls of the Squirrel including, Mike & Jyoti's niece Priya Wittman, our own wonderful barista Kelly Saunders, henna artist Jessica Cavazos, photographer Dora Miller, more Crocetto paintings AND hopefully a group show celebrating our local beloved waterway, The Susitna River.

Adult Cooking Classes - Artisan Bread Basics Again!
Back by popular demand will be a second round of the Artisan Bread Baking class that everyone enjoyed so much last fall. Having learned from that class, this one will be longer so we can cover all the things there are to talk about AND have time to bake and eat our breads! So, please sign up and pay in advance for the class, especially if you tried in November and it was full: Sunday, February 17, 1pm-4:30pm. $28 per person. Limited to 12 participants. Also, more classes in the works with Alaska Folk School, hopefully this spring: Gluten Free Baking and Flatbreads!

Coffee and Other Treats
We'll be ordering K-Bay Caffe coffee beans this weekend. If you want something special (wouldn't that make a great Valentine's gift!), let us know before this Sunday so we can order your favorite kind in one or 5 pound bags. We'll have decadent truffles available in cute little boxes and heart shaped cookies galore for the week or so before Valentine's. AND the biggest treat these days seems to be the yummy experiments we're doing with grilled panini sandwiches! Stop by and try something new.

The Great Outdoors
Finally we have some great snow. Let's hope it doesn't all melt too quick. There are so many fun opportunities to get outside right now including the new Tigger Lake ski loop which is practically in our back yard. If you come to the Squirrel by non-motorized means, you get a 5% discount! That means arriving by skis, snowshoes, on foot, bicycle, dog sled, or horse! It's pretty unofficial, but you can get to the Squirrel from the trails quite easily if you're looking. I also think it will be great fun to check out the hopefully first annual Fat Tire Bike Race in Talkeetna. The Squirrel will be at the registration with coffee and goodies! Crazy fun.

Summer Employment Opportunities
It's that time of year when we all start thinking and planning for the busy months ahead. Summer employment (training beginning in April and early May) is available at the Squirrel for many skill levels including baking, cooking, counter/barista, dishwasher and more. If you or someone you know want to work hard and eat well, you can stop by and ask for an application or send an e-mail.

Click here for our hours of operation and lots of other information about all things Flying Squirrel!

If Valentine's Day is nothing else, it makes me think about finding nice things to say to people, not just once a year, but whenever possible - so thanks to everyone - we love you, customers!

Anita Continue reading »

December 2012 News (and January no news)

Hello and happy December from the Squirrel,
Well, winter and the holiday season are here and will be gone before we know it. I can't encourage everyone strongly enough to spend your holiday (and every day) dollars locally, and even better, to think of ways of DOING loving, enriching and memorable things with friends and family, rather than being focused solely on giving tangible gifts. That being said, I'm off to go ice skating with Oliver on this cold sunny afternoon (special thanks to Laura Wright for extending the lake skating season), and I can't wait for my upcoming vacation when I plan to have high tea with my mother whose birthday is today!

Hope to see you at the Squirrel this month as we have many activities, festivities and tastabilities (?) to help make your season bright...

Second Saturday Art Opening
Saturday, December 8, 3-5pm
Su Valley High graduate and former Flying Squirrel barista, Jennifer Birdsall is back in Talkeetna for a month and brings us another photography show that is sure to be unique and creative! This special art opening begins one hour before the Taste of Talkeetna (see below) and will include some live piano with Su Valley High School student James Davenport. AND, here's a big head's up for February: GET YOUR APRONS ON AGAIN! We're going to have another group show featuring creative aprons - handmade or otherwise super interesting and fun. This year, we'd like to accept other wildly creative wearable art if there's room! So start sewing - you've got almost two months.

Taste of Talkeetna
Saturday, December 8, 4-8pm
Tickets may still be available (check at the Roadhouse) for this annual Chamber of Commerce sponsored tour of Talkeetna eateries. You'll have a little more time this year and hopefully not everyone will come to the Squirrel first on their way into town. We'll be prepared though and hope that participants will take some time to enjoy live piano music and new photography on the walls (see above).

Gingerbread House Workshop
Sundays, December 9, 2-3:30pm at the Squirrel
AND December 16, 1:30-3:30pm at Alaska Folk School/NSI
Sign up ASAP for our annual two-part workshop for families and friends in groups of up to 4 (one adult required per group). The first Sunday includes gingerbread baking with building and decorating on the second Sunday. Finished houses will be included in a special gingerbread village display and can be brought home any time before December 24. Cost: $40 per house. Pre-registration & pre-payment is required.

Take a Step Toward Healthy Baking Class
Thursday, December 13, 4-6pm
Get more nutrition with your deliciousness. There are many ways to reduce fat, increase fiber, and lower salt and sugar in baked goods without feeling like you're eating granola! Learn how to substitute whole grains, natural and low glycemic sweeteners, and fat alternatives in existing recipes. Limited to 12 participants. Preregistration and prepayment is required. For anyone ages 15 and up. Must have 6 participants to run the class. Cost: $16/person.

Holiday Ordering
MAIL ORDERS AVAILABLE NOW! - check out our online store to send a little Squirrel food love to friends and family anywhere in the US. We're happy to ship ruggelach, granola, t-shirts, and cookies nicely packaged with a holiday gift card. Order in person with cash or check at the Squirrel for a 5% discount.
K-BAY COFFEE BEANS - Who wouldn't be happy with a pound of delicious, thoughtfully chosen, organic, fair-trade coffee beans in their stocking? We have one pound bags available at the counter and will order once more next week if there's a particular variety you're looking for. Let us know if you want to order some!
CHRISTMAS EVE - Impressive, festive and delicious Chocolate Peppermint Yule Logs were such a hit last year! You'll be able to order one for your Christmas dinner along with traditional Stollen bread, cheesecakes, coffee cakes and dinner rolls. Pick up will be on MONDAY, December 24. Look for fliers and order forms in a week or so.
COOKIES BY THE DOZEN - Watch for the cookie transformation in our pastry case this week as we start making holiday cookie plates and a wide variety of different mini cookies perfect for office, school, parties and holiday visiting.

Dates for our annual Winter Break
Until December 23 we will be open regular winter hours (see below). On Monday, December 24, we'll be OPEN from 9am-3pm including Christmas order pick ups. At 3pm we'll close for a staff party and then, Flying Squirrel will be taking a three week winter break! We'll reopen for business on Wednesday, January 16, 2013 all refreshed and ready for the new year.

December Hours
SUNDAY: 8am-5pm
MONDAYS & TUESDAYS: CLOSED
WEDNESDAY: 7:30am-6pm
THURSDAY: 7:30am-6pm
FRIDAY: 7:30am-9pm (Pizza Night: 4-9pm)
SATURDAY: 7:30am-9pm (Pizza Night: 4-9pm)

Enjoy every moment and stay warm,
Anita Continue reading »