Recent Articles
Tsunami Warning System Testing – Wednesday 27th at 9:45am
by Dan Nelson, Citizen Corps Program Coordinator, KPB IC-III Planning Section Chief
OFFICIALS TO CONDUCT TEST OF THE ALASKA TSUNAMI WARNING SYSTEM
NOAA’s National Weather Service and Alaska’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, in cooperation with local emergency management offices and the Alaska Broadcasters Association, will conduct a test of the tsunami warning communications system on Wednesday, March 27 at 9:45 a.m.
The test is part of Tsunami Preparedness Week, proclaimed by Gov. Sean Parnell as March 24 to 30. The week coincides with the anniversary of the Good Friday Earthquake – a devastating 9.2 magnitude earthquake that triggered deadly tsunamis in Alaska on Good Friday, March 27, 1964.
The communications test will involve NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards, the emergency alert system and other state and local communication links. Radio listeners should hear the familiar alerting tone followed by an audio message describing the test, similar to the routine monthly tests of the emergency alert system. Residents of some communities may hear sirens, and the siren audio may not contain the word “TEST.”
It is important to note that some television systems are programmed to scroll a standard message based upon the emergency code received. In some cases, the message may not contain the word ‘TEST’. An audio message will say that it is a test, but if the volume is turned down or otherwise unheard, viewers may not realize the warning is a test.
The general public can participate in the test by monitoring NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards, commercial radio, cable TV or local television for the emergency alert system message. Local emergency management may use the test to help increase preparedness for the tsunami hazard. If there is excessive seismic activity on March 27, the test will be canceled.
The public can provide feedback online at http://ready.alaska.gov/
Click here for answers to frequently asked tsunami-related questions.
Choose Respect
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE…
Alaska’s Governor, Sean Parnell, is reaching out across the state to encourage individuals and communities to “Choose Respect” and to work together to put a stop to domestic violence, sexual assault and child sexual abuse. March 28th is set-aside for Alaskans to individually and collectively Choose Respect.
A rally and march will be held on the 28th, starting at Susan B. English School and ending at the Post Office, beginning at 3:10 p.m., right after school. Community members are invited to participate. We hope to see government leaders, business owners, parents, teachers, students, toddlers and more at this event. More than 140 communities around Alaska will be participating this year. Let’s join them in helping show our kids that choosing respect is of the utmost importance.
People are encouraged to make signs, to bring pictures of those who have suffered from these abuses, and to come with a positive outlook toward helping our state grow stronger together.
In a letter to “Choose Respect” participants, Governor Parnell wrote, “As you know, positive change must occur at the community and individual level. Every day across Alaska, we see the traditional value of respect being restored. We are witnessing increased survivor support and new opportunities to protect our children. Each step brings us closer to ending domestic violence, sexual assault, and child sexual abuse.”
To continue sharing this positive message in our community, there will be an art exhibition in May, featuring local works of art, compositions, photos and more. Community members are encouraged to create something that communicates how choosing respect is important to each individual. Frames will be made available for any who would like to frame their work. Additionally, a photography workshop will take place in the spring so that those who are interested in presenting a photographic interpretation of choosing respect can get some additional inspiration.
For more information on these events, please contact Laurel Hilts at 234-7898, xt. 226.
Seldovia’s Extreme Explorers
by Jenny Chissus, photos by Hig and Erin
I had the great fortune to enjoy a random visit with Erin the other day while awaiting the 4-H guy to show up at the SOCC. Erin and Hig’s interest in “extreme exploration” intrigues me! Not just the fact that they are out there, on their own, in the elements – and seriously – many times FAR from any kind of assistance or comforts that we take for granted – but I seem to settle in on the fear of the lack of warmth – and I get stuck there.
I’ve only been in Alaska for 18 years, and I was imported from Hawaii – so my tolerance of the cold is, well, big time wimpy! 
The beauty is, that if you have the right equipment and clothing, being out in the elements can be amazingly wonderful, beautiful, quiet and inspiring. But the next challenge – besides staying warm, when I consider their grand adventures – is the ability to keep the kids happy, warm (I know – there it is again), and managing the demanding eating/sleeping schedules of young children!
Like I said, Erin and Hig are inspirational – as these things I mentioned above – well, the management of them all just comes naturally to them. As I ride out the road to show property, or visit a friend, or pick up someone at Jakolof Dock, I often see Erin or Hig on their bikes with Katmai and Lituya in their trailers making the trek to and from town – winter or summer, rain or sun! The children have grown up with this wanderlust and appreciation for the outdoors – and I can’t think of a greater gift a parent can give to their child is a love for the outdoors,travel and adventure – and to enjoy time together as a family. This, it appears, is all under control. They are making (and recording) memories that will last a lifetime.
Recently, Hig and Erin’s 4,000 mile trek from Seattle to the Aleutians was shared with the world: Journey on the Wild Coast was shown on PBS which is a compilation of the footage taken during their trip! The book A Long Walk Home is the written version of their experience and is also available on their site.
Also – keep an eye out for Erin’s newest book – coming out in October 2013, Small Feet, Big Land, about life in Alaska, their adventures as a family living in Seldovia and their treks around the state with Katmai and Lituya!
Regarding this upcoming trip – Tracing the Heart of Alaska – A Journey Around Cook Inlet, their plans are to leave Wednesday, March 27, 2013 – on the Laura S. out of Seldovia to be dropped off in Dogfish Bay to begin the hike.
There are so many trips this young couple, and now, family have taken – that you should certainly check out their website to read more – see beautiful photos and be able to vicariously enjoy this great adventure coming up touring Cook Inlet. There are opportunities to catch up with them, connect via email, phone, Facebook, etc. and even offer support financially or with housing when they walk through your community.
“We’d love to hear your ideas in the comments, and for anyone who lives on Cook Inlet – in person as well. We’re also hoping to have people join us when we’re on beaches near towns for a walking conversation, or just to say hi (a 4-year-old’s pace is quite relaxed so we’ll be easy to catch/keep up with).” Hig
You can click on the map below to go directly to Hig and Erin’s site: GroundTruthTrekking.org to catch up on all the details, see more photos of their exciting adventures, both past and present! Their website is so full of information regarding their trips, their philosophy, and many photos of the most amazing places – most of us will never go!
ATTENTION SELDOVIANS: Hig, Erin, Katmai and Lituya plan to camp the night at Outside Beach (most likely on the 2nd now since the weather may be pushing them back a day) and would love for you to stop by to say hello and visit by the fire that evening – or come by to send them on their way towards Barabara Point in the morning! Stay tuned for further information as to the exact date of their arrival in Seldovia!
Check out their rough schedule below for an expected itinerary. Obviously this schedule is subject to all kinds of changes, as weather and children are not always (seldom) predictable! As of the posting of this article – weather will most likely set this whole schedule back 1-2 days. Click here to go to their website for updated schedule!
Start: 3/27
Nanwalek: 3/29
Port Graham: 3/30
Seldovia: 4/2
Vosnesenska: 4/9
Homer:4/12
Ninilchik: 4/19
Kasilof: 4/24
Kenai: 4/28
Nikiski: 5/1
Hope: 5/10
Girdwood: 5/15
Anchorage: 5/22
Tyonek: 6/4
Tuxedni Bay: 6/20
Chinitna Bay: 6/29
Williamsport: 7/6
McNeil Bay: 7/15
Sukoi Bay: 7/24
And you know what I personally find super fantastic? Through their books, movies, Facebook and blogging, we can enjoy this exploration too, without the cold – from the comfort of our living rooms! Thanks Erin and Hig for sharing this amazing experience with all of us! We wish you safe, happy and warm travels!
Bilingual School Student in California Looking for Alaska Information – Will you help?
by Jenny Chissus
I received this sweet letter from Kelsey and am pleased to honor her wishes and post this letter to show our support of her efforts to study our beautiful state! I spoke with an administrator at the school who was excited that Kelsey would hear back from folks in Alaska to help her with her report. If you have information that you would like to contribute – please feel free to mail it directly to the school at the following address:
Kelsey H.
c/o Mrs. Hernandez
Napa Valley Language Academy
2700 Kilburn Avenue
Napa, CA. 94558
THANK YOU!
B
Seldovia Time
