Artist Wants to Blow the Whistle on Sidewalk Wolves

--An artist would like to see New York City become a whistle-free zone. Ilona Granet wants to post 2-foot-square metal and enamel signs--one in pink, the other magenta--warning men not to bother women pedestrians with sexual innuendoes and whistles. One sign shows a woman admonishing a truck driver: “No Cat Calls--Whistling (or) Kissing Sounds.” The other, illustrated with a man restraining a struggling wolf, advises in English and Spanish: “Curb Your Animal Instinct.” The artist said she hopes the signs, which she plans to begin putting up this week, will become part of a dialogue between men and women. “It can be a real problem that men don’t get. A lot of men think it’s complimentary,” Granet said. City Department of Transportation spokesman Victor Ross said Granet has been granted permission to hang the signs for six months “as works of art.”

--Bigfoot is finally getting official recognition--and a first name. The Washington Centennial Commission has selected “Harrison Bigfoot” as mascot of the state’s 100th anniversary celebration. His first name comes from Benjamin Harrison, who was President when Washington became the 42nd state in 1889. According to legend, Bigfoot, sometimes called Sasquatch, roams the Northwest woods as a sub-Arctic version of the abominable snowman. The centennial commission plans to choose a person to wear a Bigfoot costume at centennial events that begin Nov. 11. “We’re looking for a very friendly Bigfoot, an actor who will portray an attractive representative of our centennial,” said Sue Brush, a spokeswoman for the centennial celebration. There are no height or shoe size requirements for the role, she said.

--Despite recent speculation that Elvis Presley may still be alive, a capacity crowd of 4,000 was expected to tour his former residence, Graceland, on the anniversary of his death. More than 70 stands of flowers, many shaped like guitars, hearts or teddy bears, lined a walk beside the grave on the grounds of the white-columned mansion in Memphis, Tenn. Graceland staffers said fans have been upset this year by jokes fanned by a new book, “Is Elvis Alive?” The theory that Presley did not die has not affected activities, however. A candlelight, graveside procession Monday night was the largest event of a nine-day celebration called “Elvis International Tribute Week,” organized by managers of Graceland. More than 35,000 people are expected to tour Graceland during the event. Presley died on Aug. 16, 1977.