MAY!
May to me means new faces, Mother's Day, bicycles, and the much anticipated change from a brown world to a colorful green world with flowers and growing things! Everyone seems to be smiling a little more these days - here are a few reasons to come into Flying Squirrel and share a smile or two...

Second Saturday Art Opening
Talkeetna folks that have been here awhile know Rose Jenne as the business owner of the old Three Rivers gas station, laundromat and convenience store. Retirement has enabled her to explore her creative side with beautiful and artistic mosaics. Join the artist on Saturday, May 9 from 3-5pm for the opening reception of her show entitled "Bits and Pieces". Rose's work will be on display through June 11. In June, young local Kaitlin McLure will hang paintings in her first solo show.

Mother's Day Brunch!
Treat yourself or one of the mother's in your life to a delicious and relaxing brunch at Flying Squirrel on Sunday, May 10 between 11am-3pm. Working on the brunch menu today, my mouth was watering - I'm the lucky one that gets to try everything!

As usual we'll feature Alaska Grown ingredients with entrees, desserts and fancy sparkling wine and fruit mimosas. Children's menu will be available and all mothers will receive the royal treatment they deserve and a special surprise. Reservations highly recommended, please call to reserve a table!

Talkeetna Baked, Talkeetna Grown: From Us to You...
Flying Squirrel tries to use as many Alaska and locally grown ingredients as possible. And, we want to spread the food love to you in any way we can! Anchorage and Willow folks can sign up any time for our prepaid bakery shares, delivered to 3 locations every other week.
Check out this link about bakery deliveries for more information or to sign up. Also, we hope Squirrel customers and fans will consider supporting our small Talkeetna family farm and partner Talkeetna Grown at Birch Creek Ranch! Prepaid vegetable shares (CSA) are available in 3 different sizes with weekly pick up next to Flying Squirrel starting in mid June, and farm produce is available at three different farm stand/market opportunities from July-September. Potatoes can be purchased over the counter at the Squirrel in 5 pound bags, usually into June! Please visit the farm's website to find out more about our family farm and how to put more local farm produce on your table and in your belly!

Summer Hours
In the middle of May we will transition to summer hours of operation. We'll still be closed on Mondays and Tuesdays until May 15. Summer hours after May 15 - open 7 days with three pizza nights:
SUNDAY: 8am-5pm
MONDAY: 7:30am-7pm
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)

Enjoy the sunshine...and the rain...and the sunshine...and the rain!
Anita Continue reading »

Hello everyone! Well, apparently spring has sprung in Talkeetna and beyond! Let's hope it's not an April Fool's joke, because this is about the earliest any of us have seen it. Our parking lot is gradually draining and at this rate will be cleared of snow, slush, ice and water three weeks earlier than usual. Time to start thinking about riding bikes to the Squirrel for a refreshing rhubarb ade!


Here are a few other reasons you might want to stop by this month:

Spring/Summer Bakery Shares
Delivered to Anchorage and Willow
Anchorage and Willow Squirrel fans - this one's for you! Go to THIS LINK to find out more information or sign up for a prepaid bakery share, delivered every other week to the Willow Library or, in Anchorage: Open Space (E 64th) or Southcentral Foundation Wellness Center (Tudor Cir.).

Spring/Summer shares start next week and continue from April through July. If you are super excited to give this a try, but you will be away for a portion of the season, please contact me to make special arrangements and figure out the prorated cost. Options include bread, pastries and/or gluten free!

Second Saturday Art Opening
Two worlds collide in April's art show with photography by two locals that didn't even know each other before this exhibit came about! Heather Leba will show her macro nature photography and Mark Westman will hang some spectacular Alaska alpine photography. Join the artists for the Second Saturday art opening on April 11 from 3-5pm. The show, entitled Little Worlds will be on display through early May. The month of May will bring Talkeetna's well-loved matriarch Rose Jenne who will fill our walls with her wonderful mosaics!

Earth Day Excellence - The Squirrel will reward your efforts for the planet!
The Squirrel tries hard to have a positive impact on customer well-being and the planet's health with thoughtful business decisions. Earth Day is a great time to remind ourselves that there is always more we can all do! Find out what the Squirrel is doing to make a difference at THIS LINK. This year, Earth Day, April 22 is on a Wednesday and we will offer a double discount for anyone who arrives at the Squirrel by non-motorized means or brings in their own to-go packaging like a travel mug. Also, check out this extra, extra Earth Day bonus: bring in proof that you made a donation to the Talkeetna Recycling program fundraising effort and receive a free Eat.Real.Food sticker, plus 10% discount on all purchases (offer good from April 22-26).

Flying Squirrel is very hopeful that Talkeetna is taking important steps toward a sustainable, long term recycling program for our town. Finally! Consider supporting this effort by attending the evening fundraiser at the Hangar on Saturday, April 18 and the day time community Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 25. See you there!

Baking with Whole Grains Cooking Class
Sunday, April 26, 1-4pm - Explore whole grains in the kitchen at Flying Squirrel Bakery Cafe! Can whole wheat flour be used instead of white flour in a cookie recipe? Why does homemade whole wheat bread come out so dense? What can be done with left over cooked quinoa? Owner Anita Golton will discuss baking techniques that work whole grains into your diet. In this class, participants will help convert a pancake recipe to include left over cooked whole grains, taste test Flying Squirrel’s new whole grain Alaska Grown barley hot cereal, and prepare the Squirrel’s recipe for Molasses Multigrain bread. An analysis of the nutritional content of two comparative recipes will be done if time allows. Cost: $36. Go here to register, or contact Alaska Folk School at 907-733-7111.

Summer Employment Opportunities
Skye, Nate, Mark, Kimmie and I will be joined in the kitchen and at the counter by some new, friendly and hard working folks over the next month. As we start transitioning to the busy summer season, please welcome (and have extra patience with) Sierra, Dylan, Ryan, Kaila, Steph and Mike. Though I can't imagine all these people working in the Squirrel's kitchen at the same time, there is room for a few more! We are still looking for someone to join the baking crew, ideally with 1-2 years experience as well as two part time barista/counter helper/dishwasher positions. Stop in or e-mail if you're interested. Photo thanks: Cleiri Quezada!

Not that I need to tell any mother to save the date for Mother's Day, but, save the date for Mother's Day Brunch at Flying Squirrel: Sunday, May 10, 11am-2pm, more info to come in the next newsletter!

Enjoy the longer days and incredible sunshine!
Anita Continue reading »