After this weekend's work party on Saturday, the Outer Point Trail will be well on its way to becoming the first trail in Juneau to grant trailhead-to-ocean access for individuals with disabilities.

The volunteer work party, aimed at helping make this a reality, is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon and is open to all individuals and abilities.

Erik Boraas, executive director of Trail Mix, Inc., said making the trail ADA accessible is one of the main reasons for doing the work this summer season, which will likely last a few more weeks.

At 4 a.m. two nights ago, I heard my son creeping down our wooden stairs. He snuck quietly into the laundry room and then, went silent. A few moments later, the “peep, peep, peep” of waking chicks perforated through the floor boards. Before long, he was stealing back up the stairs, headed for his bed, but not before an obligatory bathroom stop.

I smiled to myself. He had woken to check on our nine newest family members — four black sexlinks, three cornish crosses and two brown leghorn chicks.

“Careful on that slippery rock,” he said. “There’s no easy way out if you fall in.”

I tip-toed along the mossy granite outcropping, hoping my Xtra-tuffs would hold against the slimy nature of the algae and evening frost.

What Ward Air Owner and Pilot Randy Kiesel said was true.

The rock sloped as steeply as a kiddy slide into the aqua waters of Turner Lake, and from there it disappeared into the dark deeps of the freshwater lake.

With summer fishing on the minds of most, the Alaska State Troopers are hoping to keep things running smooth for fisherman targeting crab or shrimp this season with a public crab pot gear check from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 4 at the trooper offices on Sherwood Lane.

State Trooper Aaron Frenzel said it never hurts to double-check gear before fishing, especially if it means avoiding an unnecessary ticket.

“Most times people just don’t realize what they need or other times people get a little lazy,” Frenzel said.