Keystone Kops
To be Sworn In
The Alaska Day Festival Keystone Kops will be sworn in by an Alaska Public Safety officer at noon Wednesday on the Sitka Pioneers Home lawn.
The Kops are coordinated by Jen Houx, 738-1779.
The Alaska Day Festival schedule of events, tickets, buttons and other items can be found at Centennial Hall.
Ice Cream Social
Set at Baranof
Baranof Elementary will host a family ice cream social 1:15-2:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12.
All Baranof and Imagination Library families are invited to meet, socialize, eat ice cream, and take part in the ‘‘Drums Alive’’ demonstration on the Baranof playground and covered area. The event will happen rain or shine.
SCLT to Meet
Sitka Community Land Trust announces its next regular meeting 6:15-7:45 p.m. Monday, Oct. 15, at Sitka Public Library in the large meeting room.
The public is invited. For information call 738-2888 or go to sitkaclt.org.
Photo Display
Up at Hospital
The Greater Sitka Arts Council will host the “I Can Be a Community Leader” photography display at Sitka Community Hospital through Nov. 4.
The display will feature 10 members of the Sitka community selected, interviewed, and photographed by KGH students, under the guidance of local artist Ellen Frankenstein.
The display is available daily at the hospital’s bottom level, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The project is supported in part by a grant from the Alaska State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts with additional funding from the Rasmuson Foundation.
Contact Jessica Christianson, 966-1355, for more information.
‘Curious Creatures’
At Whalefest Grind
The Sitka Sound Science Center and the Sitka Monthly Grind will host the Whalefest Maritime Grind 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, at Centennial Hall. Doors open at 7 p.m. The theme is: “Curious Creatures!’’
‘‘We will explore the bizarre beings, fantastic fables and strange new world of our vast oceans,” organizers said.
The Sitka Monthly Grind philosophy is to provide affordable, nonpolitical, family entertainment.
Tickets may be purchased at Old Harbor Books and at the door. The cost is $5 for adults and $1 for kids. The price of the ticket will be reimbursed at the door with a plate of homemade dessert.
Attendees can take their own mug for beverages.
For information call Alex Thorne at 747-8878 ext. 2 or Jeff Budd, 747-4821.
Dam Emergency
System to be Tested
The annual Blue Lake Dam Emergency Action Plan notification test is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 11.
Those who work downstream of the dam or are part of the local emergency management team will be contacted by telephone during the notification test, the city said in a press release.
Equipment, including the public warning sirens which are automatically triggered, will also be tested by broadcasting a “only a test” message at the Gary Paxton Industrial Park.
‘‘In the unlikely event the Blue Lake dam failed from a large earthquake or long period of flood, the estimated dam break flood would reach the downstream industrial park in 5 minutes,’’ Andy Eggen, generation system manager, said.
If inspection of the dam after any event indicates a developing safety problem, the Blue Lake operator will start the telephone notification list, the press release said. The operator also can manually trigger the outdoor warning sirens at the industrial park and campground below the dam.
Sitka WhaleFest
Tickets on Sale
The 22nd annual Sitka WhaleFest is Nov. 1-4. The theme this year is “Curious Creatures.”
The symposium will take participants on an exploration of the ‘‘bizarre beings and fantastic fables that inspire fairytales and horror films, and the strange new world we are finding within our vast oceans,’’ organizers said.
The event includes a symposium, wildlife cruises, market and café, fun run (walk, 5K or 10K), and banquet with keynote speaker Gene Tagaban.
Tickets are at sitkawhalefest.org, or Old Harbor Books starting Oct. 19.
Idle Free Sitka
Panel to Meet
The Idle Free Sitka task force will meet noon-1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, at Fisheye Café. George Pakenham, who made the documentary film ‘‘Idle Threat: Man on Emission,’’ will join via video conference to discuss ideas for reducing pollution by decreasing the prevalence of vehicle idling.
The meeting is open to the public. For information contact Stephanie Staley at 738-1228.
