Exhibit to open: The Newport Art Museum, 76 Bellevue Ave., will open “On The Edge,” an exhibit of photographs by Kathie Florsheim, tonightwith a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. The show will run to Jan. 21.

A panel discussion on photography, journalism and coastal issues will also be held tonight, beginning at 6 p.m. Panelists include John Torgan, Narragansett Bay-keeper; Jon Boothroyd of the Rhode Island Geological Survey; Charlie Cannon, landscape architect; and Florsheim. The museum is open and free to the public on Gallery Night.

Wreath-laying ceremony for former student killed in Iraq: The Rogers High School community will honor Sgt. Michael R. Weidemann, a graduate of Rogers High School who was killed in Iraq, in a brief ceremony tomorrow at 9:20 a.m. The event will include a wreath laying and nine-gun salute, will be held at the flagpole in front of the high school. The public is invited to join in honoring the memory of Sgt. Weidemann.

Sea mammal talk: Heather Medic, stranding coordinator for the Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Program at Mystic Aquarium, will offer a public presentation on her work with marine mammals that become stranded along Rhode Island’s south coast, tomorrow at 1 p.m.

Medic’s presentation will focus on current legislation, information on local species identification, statistics on sightings and strandings and the current systems of notification, response and rescue. The Mystic Aquarium & Institute for Exploration has been rescuing stranded marine mammals for over 25 years, and is a founding member of the Northeast Regional Stranding Network.

Veteran’s Day observance: The United Veterans Council of Newport County and the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S., Conover-Leary Post No. 406, Newport, will hold a Veterans Day ceremony Saturdayat 11 a.m. on the lawn of Newport City Hall, Broadway. As in past years, the Artillery Company of Newport, veteran’s organizations of Newport County, the Rogers High School Army Junior ROTC, clergy, city and legislative officials as well as local area townspeople will participate. A featured speaker will present the Veterans Day address. All are welcome and encouraged to attend. Also, citizens are asked to observe this day by displaying the American flag.

Containers will be available at the ceremony for the deposit of worn/faded/unserviceable U.S. flags. These flags will be retired and properly disposed of at an appropriate flag-retirement ceremony to be held at a later date.

Veteran’s Day tower opening: The City of Newport will open the tower in Miantonomi Memorial Park, Hillside Avenue, Saturday from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., weather permitting, in observance of Veteran’s Day.

The 100-foot stone tower was erected in 1929, and is located on the highest hill in Newport. Built as a World War I monument, it contains an interior set of circular stone steps ending with an open metal staircase, to the observation deck on the top.

Adults and families are welcome to climb up the tower, but it is a strenuous climb both to the top of the hill, and to the top of the tower. Appropriate shoes for climbing are required and binoculars are recommended. Pets and young children are not advised to climb the tower. There is also a lower observation deck about 50 feet up. An adult must accompany all children since the upper section of the 100-foot tower is an open and steep spiral staircase. On clear days, views of Providence and Block Island are common as well as the beaches and neighborhoods of the island and the Navy base.

Also Saturday, the Aquidneck Land Trust will lead a tour at 1 p.m. which will highlight the park’s unique natural and historical features, along with the neighboring Sunset Hill Park area, a six-acre parcel the trust recently acquired from the city through a conservation easement. Participants for the walk should meet at the tower at 1 p.m. The tour will take place rain or shine, so please dress accordingly.