Debra Leisek

Celebrate Alaska Day ......Sunday October 18, 2009!

Alaska Day marks the day Alaska was formally transferred from Russia to the United States...

October 18, 1867.

Alaska Day is an official state holiday so state government offices, the Alaska court system, state library, schools (closed for students), and many businesses are closed, Monday the 19^th. Although our schools in Homer were closed Friday for some reason...

After 68 years of Russian rule in Sitka, Alaska, the Russian flag at the governor's house was lowered on October 18, 1867, and replaced with a United States flag. Two years before, the transcontinental telegraph line reached Sitka, and old expansionist dreams were rekindled. The United States bought the territory for 7.2 million dollars. Many Americans thought this was a waste of money and called Alaska "Seward's Folly", after William Seward, the state's secretary who championed the purchase.

There was little interest in Alaska from the lower 48 until gold was discovered. About 10,000 fortune seekers headed for the Klondike gold fields. Many of them hiked from Skagway across the Chilkoot Trail. In 1898, gold was found on the beaches near the Alaskan city of Nome. A city of tents sprang up overnight and by 1900, 232 ships had arrived in Nome carrying nearly 18,000 prospectors.

During World War II, Alaska's location was very important for the USA. By the time Japan invaded the Aleutian Islands in 1943, more than 140,000 military personnel were stationed in Alaska. The Aleutian campaign, known as the "One Thousand Mile War," was the first battle fought on American soil since the Civil War. Alaska maintained its status as a territory until it became the 49th state of the United States on January 3, 1959.

Look Ma.... I'm flying over Cook Inlet in Homer Alaska....

Soaring over Cook Inlet....doesn't he look like he is about to fly ?

Scott Dickerson is a very Talented Photographer. His work has been featured in Magazines such as National Geographic & Alaska as well Newspapers such as The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Anchorage Daily News. He is quite a talent and one of Homers' Own.... Born and raised here....

But today he was up off Bay Crest Hill taking shots and flying like a bird in his contraption ...so I thought I would take a few of him....

For More about Scott Dickerson go to http://www.scottdickerson.com/

In the interest of disclosure... he also took the beautiful picture of my building.... I love that picture...

Are you prepared for the next big Earthquake???

It has been reported we have had 80 earthquakes since last night in the Fox Islands Group which is home to Unalaska and Nikolski. No one was hurt and no damage has been reported. The biggest was reported to be a 6.3 on the scale

The Alaska Earthquake Information Center site is http://www.aeic.alaska.edu/

While we live our daily lives and always hope for the best, but you have to know that one day we may have an earthquake like the quake of 1964. The best time to prepare is now..... You should have a plan and supplies should the big one hit us. You should be able to provide food and water for your family for at least 3 days... I say longer than that.... plus clothes, fuel, batteries...essentials should be kept somewhere that they will remain dry and useable

Here is a great site to go to and find all the information you need to prepare yourself and your family for such an event as the Big Earthquake of 1964.

http://www.aeic.alaska.edu/html_docs/pdf_files/eqprepare.pdf

80 earthquakes in less than 24 hours is something to stop and think about .....No reason to panic... but good time to stop and think about your plan to protect your family and home..... Don't wait till it's too late

Three Moose on the Highway......

Take a look at this beautiful family unit munching down together as the make their way to wherever it is they go....

The Family unit... The mother moose and her babies... well... her teenagers from the looks of it!

They were not at all bothered by the people slowing down to watch them!

No matter how many times you see these guys...it is impressive!

Monday is Columbus Day, and Federal business on the Kenai Peninsula will be closed.

The Post Office will be closed.

Schools will be on regular class schedules.

City library and offices will be open...

Check with Your Bank....

Title Companies are open

And of Course Bay Realty is open!

Now Next Week Is Alaska Day and the Reverse will be true!

Except for Bay Realty....... We will be Open Alaska Day too!

In fourteen hundred ninety-two
Columbus sailed the ocean blue.

He had three ships and left from Spain;
He sailed through sunshine, wind and rain.

He sailed by night; he sailed by day;
He used the stars to find his way.

A compass also helped him know
How to find the way to go.

Ninety sailors were on board;
Some men worked while others snored.

Then the workers went to sleep;
And others watched the ocean deep.

Day after day they looked for land;
They dreamed of trees and rocks and sand.

October 12 their dream came true,
You never saw a happier crew!

"Indians! Indians!" Columbus cried;
His heart was filled with joyful pride.

But "India" the land was not;
It was the Bahamas, and it was hot.

The Arakawa natives were very nice;
They gave the sailors food and spice.

Columbus sailed on to find some gold
To bring back home, as he'd been told.

He made the trip again and again,
Trading gold to bring to Spain.

The first American? No, not quite.
But Columbus was brave, and he was bright.