March 2014

Hello to All,

If only we could stop talking about the weather! Could this really be it? So warm. So little snow. Could spring really come early this year? Could break up be the easiest ever? Regardless, March is always a wonderful month full of festive occasions and so much more sun and light that we feel drunk on our (usually delusional) spring fever. It's impossible to help it - everyone gets out a lot more in March than they did in January and February and the talk of the impending busy summer is just around the corner. While you're out and about soaking up these longer days, think of the Squirrel...

 

Art Happenings

The wonderful still life paintings from Tony Crocetto's art students are still hanging at the Squirrel. March's artist cancelled, so we'll see what develops. No opening scheduled for this month at this point. But we may be able to hang something new and interesting even if just for a few weeks during this month of many out of town visitors. Stop in and be surprised at what's on the walls, or not! Meanwhile, in the works for April are photographs by Anina Bolt. Artists and photographers interested in showing work at Flying Squirrel can contact Anita to find out what's involved, we have openings we would like to fill, so get creating! Also, watch for announcements about a call for artists for an August group show featuring art and photography that shows off my favorite subject matter: food!

 

Oosik Ski Race

March in Talkeetna has become Oosik month. This fun classic ski race will be held in Flying Squirrel's neighborhood this year, as of now scheduled to start and end at the Mile 11 gravel pit right next door! We will be catering the finish line with two tasty soups and delicious fresh bread. Sign up to ski or volunteer at http://www.denalinordicskiclub.org/ and think of the Squirrel if you need coffee, snacks, Sunday breakfast or a pizza dinner - in honor of this year's Oosik being right next door PIZZA NIGHT WILL BEGIN AT 2pm on Saturday, March 15!

 

Summer Employment Opportunities

Flying Squirrel is accepting applications for summer positions including baker, front counter/barista, dishwasher, and part time cook/prep cook. Please stop by Flying Squirrel during business hours to pick up an application or e-mail to inquire: info@flyingsquirrelcafe.com. We will start needing folks who can train in mid to late April and into May.

 

Squirrel Deals

Walk/Bike/Ski to the Squirrel: The bike path is already almost clear! And the skiing on the Talkeetna Lakes Park trails is still decent. Arrive at the Squirrel by non-motorized means and tell your server when you pay to receive a 5% discount!

Prepay Credit: Prepay $50 or more and receive a 5% bonus as well as lots of convenient perks! We'll keep a card on file with your credit account, you can walk in without your wallet, and you don't have to wait to be rung up, just say, "Put in on my credit" and you're out the door!

Save a Tree/Bag/Cup: Bring your own bag, travel mug, food container and receive a 5% discount!

 

Warmly,

Anita

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February News 2014

Hello All,
Despite the crazy April weather in January, the calendar still says February as far as I can tell. That being said, there's only so long we can all feel stuck inside. So, when you've dug out the appropriate footwear-of-the-day, whether ice cleats, rain boots, snowshoes or sandals, and you figure out how to get out of your driveway, we sure hope you'll stop by the Squirrel! Here are some February happenings...

Valentine's Dinner - Friday evening, February 14
This year we're having a 5-course fancy, but not too fancy, pairings dinner. Couples (or singles) will share appetizers, soup, salad, wood-fired pizza and dessert along with 4 beer or wine pairings. Live classical guitar music will accompany the dinner with our very own Ben Heller. Reservations are being accepted from 5:30pm until 8:30pm. The menu is available at the Squirrel counter if you want a preview. We also have special tickets to Complexities of Love if you want to combine dinner and a show! For more information or to make a reservation, call the Squirrel at 733-6887.

Art Opening - Student Show
Local painter Tony Crocetto has been teaching art classes through Alaska Folk School for several years. Some of his students will show what they've been learning for Flying Squirrel's February exhibit. The opening reception will be held Saturday, February 15 from 3-5pm (note that this is actually the 3rd Saturday in February). March will bring photography by Mark Westman. If you or someone you know would like to show art or photography at Flying Squirrel, we have openings beginning in May - contact me at the Squirrel any time.

Summer Employment Opportunities
It's already time to start thinking about summer! If you or someone you know is interested in working at Flying Squirrel this summer, get an application in early. We'll need bakers, cooks, barista/counter folks, and dishwashers. For more information or to get a hold of an application, please contact me by e-mail or stop in at the Squirrel.

Winter Hours
SUNDAY: 8am-5pm
MONDAY: closed
TUESDAY: 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)

Onward toward Spring. Again.
Warmly,
Anita Continue reading »

December and Beyond - Flying Squirrel News December 2013

Hello to all, happy holidays and happy winter!

Sure is wintery around here. Plenty of snow and below zero temps were November's norms in Talkeetna. Hopefully things will warm up a little so we don't all feel like staying in our warm beds all day. Either way, we hope you'll stop in at the Squirrel for one of many warm reasons including soups, panini sandwiches, delicious hot K-Bay Caffe coffee, a pot of tea and a cookie, wood fired pizza and so much more! This December is sure to fly by with the first of the month being on Thanksgiving weekend. Here's what's happening at the Squirrel in the next few weeks:


Squirrely Table at PTA Handmade Holiday Bazaar
At Talkeetna Elementary School
Saturday, December 7, 11am-5pm
Among all the other wonderful vendors at this annual holiday craft fair and PTA fundraiser, look for ME at a fun, miscellaneous table with Flying Squirrel stocking stuffers like granola, kale chips, coffee beans and stickers. Plus I'll be selling my sister, Esther Golton's wonderful music CDs as well as some farm pickles and jam! There is no better gift than something that is locally produced, handmade and supports a local business or artist!


Gingerbread House Workshops
Sundays, December 8 (2-3:30) & December 15 (1:30-3:30)
There is still time and room to sign up for our annual family gingerbread house workshop! Preregistration and prepayment is required so please stop by or call this week! This two part family participation class includes designing and baking on the first Sunday and decorating on the second Sunday. Up to 4 participants per house which must include at least one adult. Come join in the fun!


Second Saturday Art Opening, Live Music & Taste of Talkeetna
Saturday, December 14
New to Talkeetna, Leah Kilmer is a talented young painter and has prepared a wonderful and colorful show. Please support local art and artists, come check out her work and meet the artist from 3-5pm. Also, I finally convinced Dave Harrell to provide a little background music for this festive evening and he'll be playing some live piano from about 4-6pm. And, if you're lucky enough to get tickets for the Taste of Talkeetna, we'll be seeing you at the Squirrel between 4 and 8pm!


Holiday Gift Ideas & Christmas Special Orders
We can ship your favorite Squirrel goodies anywhere in the US! To share some Squirrel love, visit our online store or e-mail us to make a special request. Of course, if you live close by, stop in to select from a wide array of mini cookies, plated and wrapped for holiday visiting, or contact us to request anything from a big cookie platter to appetizers to fully catered holiday parties. Christmas is right around the corner and we will send along an email update with our Christmas special order selections such as gorgeous Yule logs, Christmas stollen, cheesecakes, dinner rolls and other fancy items for your holiday table. Deadline for Christmas orders will be December 22 with pick up on Christmas Eve day.


Holiday and January Hours
We're keeping things the same over the next few weeks with our regular Tuesday-Sunday hours through December 22. Then it will get mixed up a bit with the holidays - please note WE WILL BE OPEN ON WEEKENDS (Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays) throughout the Christmas and New Years weeks:
OPEN Tuesday, December 24, 9am-3pm - Christmas eve - holiday orders ready for pick up noon-3
CLOSED Wednesday, December 25 & Thursday, December 26 - closed for Christmas
OPEN Friday, December 27, 9am-9pm with Wood Fired Pizza from 4-9pm
OPEN Saturday, December 28, 9am-9pm with Wood Fired Pizza from 4-9pm
OPEN Sunday, December 29, 9am-5pm
CLOSED December 30 - January 2 - Happy New Year!
OPEN Friday, January 3, 9am-9pm with Wood Fired Pizza from 4-9pm
OPEN Saturday, January 4, 9am-9pm with Wood Fired Pizza from 4-9pm
OPEN Sunday, January 5, 9am-5pm
Beginning the first full week in January, we'll be open regular hours again, but we'll be closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Have a very warm and wonderful December, full of giving and receiving lots of love and light.
Anita
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November News 2103

Hello to all,
Thirteen years in Alaska and I have never seen a Halloween with no snow on the ground. When she came in for fill in shift yesterday, Jenny said, "If I wanted this kind of weather, I'd move back to Portland." The rain we didn't get in June and July has definitely caught up with us. It sure creates a bigger demand for soup! Holiday season is upon us already...look for Squirrel treats and nibbles at some of the local craft shows and events and let us know how we can help make your Thanksgiving extra special, easy and delicious! Don't forget we are OPEN ON TUESDAYS this winter!

 
Second Saturday Art Opening
Well, November's art show will be whatever it will be. Some combination of sketches and drawings by some combination of Chris Bowman and Jon Mann. Entitled "Kind of Sketchy" it's sure to be, well, whatever it will be! Come check it out during November - and visit the artists (Bowman via skype I believe) at the opening reception on Saturday, November 9, 3-5pm. December we will welcome a new artist and new-comer to the Talkeetna area, Leah Kilmer, who will hang original paintings.

 
Cooking Class - Holiday Baking
Sunday, November 17, 1-4pm
This class in the Flying Squirrel kitchen will focus on tips and techniques for making beautiful, delicious and stress-free holiday treats from scratch.  Rolled, drop, and refrigerator cookies, pie crusts and fillings, holiday spices and fruits, and holiday yeast breads will be discussed. Help to make, bake, eat and take home pumpkin-pecan-praline pie, mini pannetones, and some fancy cookies. To register for this class (it's already 1/2 full!), please contact Alaska Folk School at 907-733-7111 or by going to this link.

 
Thanksgiving Orders: Turkeys & Pies & Croutons oh my...
It's that time of year already! We'll be dreaming up some fancy and delectable desserts for your Thanksgiving table. Look for another e-mail this month as well as posters around town with our holiday offerings including my mother's most delicious cranberry sauce, several varieties of pie and cheesecake as well as fresh dinner rolls. The order deadline will be November 23 with pick up on November 27. I foresee Brian's Talkeetna Grown Sweet Mama Squash in some pies! We have unseasoned croutons available now to stash for your whole grain stuffing and often we run out before Thanksgiving, so you might want to pick up a bag or two next time you stop in. Finally, we will order fresh free range turkeys through New Sagaya again this year - ORDER DEADLINE OF NOVEMBER 15!

Everyone Loves a Bargain, Discount, Bonus or Deal!
• Espresso Drink Punch Card - Early Risers get the bonus! Buy any drink made on the espresso machine BEFORE 10AM and remind us to punch your card. Buy 9 and get a 12 oz free! Most days, the Squirrel is OPEN AT 7:30am.
• Bread Card - Buy 12 breads, get a $5 value toward the next one. We keep them on file and throw them away after a year of no use, so come get some bread!

• Prepay Credit - Pre-purchase $50 or more and get a 5% bonus ($2.50 on $50, etc.). We keep a credit for you in our file box. Advantages for you: you don't have to wait as long to be rung up; you can come in without your wallet; other discounts still apply; plus as my mother would say: I didn't find $2.50 in the street today! 
• To Go Packaging Discount - 5% off if you bring your own travel mug, or bread bag, or soup container...
• Mike Fisher Non-Motorized Discount - 5% off if you arrive at the Squirrel by non-motorized means!

Regular and Holiday Hours
Our regular winter hours will apply for all of November, except we will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, November 28 and we will open later than usual on Friday, November 29, at 10am.
SUNDAY: 8am-5pm
MONDAY: closed
TUESDAY: 7:30am-6pm
WEDNESDAY: 7:30am-6pm
THURSDAY: 7:30am-6pm
FRIDAY: 7:30am-9pm (Pizza Night: 4-9pm)
SATURDAY: 7:30am-9pm (Pizza Night: 4-9pm)

Coming Up in December
• Mail Order Holiday Goodies! - Actually you can do this any time at our online store! Send some Squirrel love to your loved ones including ruggelach, birch nut granola, assorted cookies, dog treats, t-shirts and gift certificates. Soon to be added: kale chips, seeded barley crackers, and Squirrel stickers.

• Gingerbread House Workshops - This year's two part gingerbread house class will be held on Sundays, December 8 & 15. Save the dates and watch for posters, sign up and more information to come. You can already get your name on the list since a limited number of houses will be available. Call or ask at the counter to reserve a spot for this fun annual family event!
• Taste of Talkeetna - Word on the street is that this annual tour of Talkeetna restaurants sponsored by the Talkeetna Chamber of Commerce will be held on Saturday evening, December 14.
• Christmas Holiday - Great news! We plan to do our usual Christmas holiday order, then after being closed for a couple of days, we'll be open weekends at the end of December! Hopefully returning college students and visiting family members will be able to get their Squirrel fill before the end of the year.

Hope everyone stays warm and dry out there!
Anita
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