News
and Events February 18
We're
late getting the newsletter out this week because of a couple very special
events. See below. If you saw us on the news Monday night,
you know that we're getting close to move-in day at the Outdoor
Chattanooga Center. Look for the lightning bolt ~to see new events and activities.
~National Geographic Adventure Magazine
Adventurer of the Year in Chattanooga Feb. 28 for Free Event
James
Hooper, one half of the team that earned "National
Geographic Adventure Magazine's" Adventurer of the Year award for 2008,
will come to Chattanooga on Sat., Feb. 28 for a special
presentation at the Tennessee Aquarium Auditorium at 7 p.m. The event, presented by Brewer
Media Group, Outdoor Chattanooga, and the Tennessee
Aquarium, is free and open to the public. Seating will be available on a
first-come, first-served basis. Hooper will present slides and videos that
chronicle his and partner Rob Gauntlett's adventures, which began with a
successful summit of Mt. Everest and continued with a manpowered
journey from the north to south pole in 2007/2008. Additional sponsorship for
this event comes from Artech Design Group,
Red Point Management, and Rock/Creek. Learn more on our Website.
Telluride Mtn. Film Festival Feb. 26
LookOutdoorNews.com
will bring the Telluride
Mountain Film Festival to Chattanooga on Thurs., Feb. 26, 7 p.m., at the Chattanooga
Theatre Centre. The annual festival features independent films about
everything from saving natural resources to shredding class V rapids and bike
polo. Tickets are $10, available only at the door. All ticket proceeds will to
toward non-profit outdoor organizations, specifically SORBA-Chattanooga, Southeast Climbers' Coalition and Appalachian
Voices (Voices Against Mountain Top Removal).
Events
Durham Mine Fossil Dig at CNC Feb. 21
The Chattanooga
Nature Center will host a fossil collecting program at the Durham Mine
site, located in the Lula Lake Land Trust,
on Sat., Feb. 21, from 10 a.m
to 1 p.m. Participants will meet at CNC for a brief orientation and then car caravan to the
mine site. Bring digging tools, hammers, flat chisels, buckets or flats and
newspaper to wrap the specimens. Dress warmly and bring a snack. Space is
limited. Pre-registration and prepayment are required. Cost is $9 Adults, $5
children ($7 Adults, $4 children for CNC Members). Call 821-1160 ext. 0 to reserve a space.
Southern 6K Trail Race Feb. 22
The Boonies, Rock/Creek, and Sunbelt Snacks present the 1st Annual Southern 6K Trail Race
on Sun., Feb. 22, at 2 p.m.
The short, family-friendly event will take place on Southern Adventist
University's Biology Trail. Everyone ages 8 and above is invited to participate
and compete for prizes. Entry race fee is $25 ($20 for SAU students). Proceeds
from the event will go directly to the University's Outdoor Education program
and will help with development and maintenance of the Biology Trail.
~Scenic City Half Marathon and Charity
Challenge Feb. 28
The Chattanooga Track Club
presents the Scenic
City Half Marathon, 5K and Charity Challenge on Saturday, February 28 at 8 a.m. Finley Stadium will serve as the start for the half
marathon and a 5K run and 1K run/walk. In the Charity Challenge, a portion of
each runner/walker entry fee will be donated to a particpating charity of the
racer's choice ($5 from half marathon entries, $2.50 from 5k entries).
Pre-registration or day-of registration are both available.
Adventures
~Tennessee Trails
Association Beginner Hike Feb. 21
The Soddy-Daisy Chapter
of the Tennessee Trails Association will lead a beginner hike at Cloudland Canyon State Park ,10 a.m. on Sat., Feb. 21. The trail is an easy
walk along the canyon, with minimal elevation changes, and numerous overlooks.
Once back at the starting point, hikers will have an option to take the spur
trail to the bottom of the two waterfalls or call it a day. For more
details, visit the Soddy-Daisy
TTA Google calendar. To register, contact the hike coordinator.
~Raccoon Mountain Dayhike with Chattanooga Hiking Club Feb.
28
The Chattanooga
Hiking Club will lead a moderate-paced 9-mile hike around the multi-use
trails on Raccoon Mountain, Sat., Feb. 28. The hike will start at the Laurel
Point Picnic area and go around the TVA reservoir, with stops at the Visitor's
Center and scenic overlooks. For more information about the hike, email hike leader Chris O'Connor.
Up, Around, and Down Group Mtn. Bike Rides
Sundays
On the last Sunday of each month, the Chattanooga Chapter of the
Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association (SORBA) will host an "Up, Around
and Down Ride" on Raccoon
Mountain, at 9:30 a.m. These rides will go from 16 to 25 miles and are
designed for experienced mountain bikers only. For details, visit SORBA's
online forum or email
vice president Erik Rippon. Rides are cancelled for rain or muddy
conditions.
TOS February Field Trips
The Chattanooga Chapter of the Tennessee
Ornithological Society holds monthly field trips to view various bird
species. In February, TOS will
host field trips to Stevenson,
AL and Nickajack Lake on Feb. 21, and a special trip to view barn owls and
woodcocks on Feb. 28. Both trips are free and open to the public. For trip
details, email Cathy Lockwitz.
Bike Polo Back on Schedule every Wednesday
Evening
Outdoor Chattanooga's weekly pickup bicycle polo
games are back on a regular schedule every Wednesday evening, beginning around 5:00 p.m. at the Ross'
Landing Green on the downtown waterfront. Any interested players are
welcome. Helmets are required, and lights are strongly recommended. Rainy or
muddy conditions cancel. Email or call Minya James at (423) 643-6888 to
learn more.
Cumberland State Park Activities
The South Cumberland State Park in Monteagle, TN offers special hikes, seminars, and other activities
every week. Visit the Friends of South Cumberland Park
for a complete calendar.
News
~How do you Re-use?
How do you reuse your trash to keep it out of the landfill or recycle
bin?
I save the plastic bags that my morning
newspaper comes in to pull up poison ivy! You slide your hand down into the
bag, it covers and protects all the way up your arm. Grab that nasty sucker,
yank it out, reverse the bag, keeping the offending plant inside and toss in
garbage. If you just use gardening gloves to pull it up, they get the oil on
them and invariably you touch your face, etc and transfer the oils. (I speak
from experience!)
-Sue Lowery
Last week we had a question:
What can you do
with ½ gallon, wax-covered paper cartons that have held milk, O.J., etc? Any
ideas?
~Battlefield's Alexander Bridge Closed to Vehicular
Traffic
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park has announced the immediate closure
of Alexander's Bridge to vehicular traffic. The bridge, located in Chickamauga
Battlefield on Alexander
Bridge Rd.,
provides park access across West Chickamauga Creek in the southeast corner of
the battlefield. Inspections by the Georgia Department of Transportation,
confirmed by the Federal Highway Administration, identified significant
structural deficiencies. The closure was recommended by both agencies. The
bridge is open to cycling and pedestrian traffic. Efforts are underway to
identify options for restoring motor vehicle access across Chickamauga Creek
via Alexander's Bridge Road as soon as possible. For more information about the closure, contact Sam Weddle at (423) 752-5213 ext.113.
~How Much Energy
Does Your House Use?
From U.K.'s "The Guardian:"
Smart
Meters are gizmos that can be plugged into your home's power meter to
see how much energy you are using at any given time. Now Google is pilot testing a Web-driven tool
called a Powermeter
that receives information from networked smart meters in homes to analyze your
energy use. Both programs are being tested in the U.K. right now.
Chickamauga Park Seeking Public Input
on New Management Plan
As a part of the process for a new General Management Plan (GMP), Chickamauga and
Chattanooga National Military Park will host public meetings to obtain
public input for the future of the historic park on Tues., Mar. 10 at the Chickamauga Battlefield Visitors Center, and on Thurs., Mar. 12 at Walker Pavilion in Coolidge Park. Both meetings will happen from 4 to 8 p.m. The last general management plan for the park was
adopted in 1988. A new General Management Plan will serve as the foundation and
framework for management of the park for the next 20 years. Contact Sam Weddle
at (423) 752-5213 ext. 113, or visit the park planning website for more
information.
Youth Participation in the Outdoors Down in 2007
A report from the Outdoor
Foundation, a non-profit division of the Outdoor Industry Association,
participation in outdoor activities and sports was up overall in 2007. However,
the report also notes an 11% decline in participation among children ages 6 to17
with the sharpest declines among youth ages 6 to 12. The report surveyed 60,000
Americans ages six and older. It is used to sight trends in outdoor recreation
participation, with focused looks at youth, diversity, and gender.
Classes, Clinics & Meetings
Trout Unlimited Hosts SE Anglers for Monthly Meeting Feb. 19
The Appalachian Chapter of Trout
Unlimited will hold their monthly meeting at 6:30 pm on Feb. 19, 2009 at the Greenway Farm in Hixson. The
featured speaker for the meeting will be Captain Dane Law, Fly Fishing Guide
and Owner of Southeastern Anglers. Dane is a United States Coast Guard
licensed Captain who lives in Reliance TN on the banks of the Hiwassee River.
Chattanooga/Hamilton County Health Dept. "Basic
Grant Writing" Feb. 19
The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Health
Department will host a free class on basic grant writing on Thurs., Feb.
19, from 9 to 11:00 a.m. in the department's Sam Rose Room, east wing, 1st floor, 921 E. 3rd St., Chattanooga. The video training workshop, hosted in partnership
with the Tennessee
Department of Health, Division of Minority Health and Disparity Elimination,
and the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services, will provide tips for beginner grant writers to help improve chances
in winning grants. To register and to receive advance materials, call or email Rozelyn Fields at (615)
741-9443..
Orienteering Clinic at TN Aquarium Feb. 21
The Tennessee
Aquarium will host an orienteering class for adults and children on Sat.,
Feb. 21, from 1 to 4 p.m. Participants will get acquainted with compass and
map techniques, and then head into the wild in search of six stations hidden by
the instructor. The terrain will be steep, so students should wear shoes
suitable for off-trail hiking, and kids should be old enough to handle the ups
and downs. Cost is $13 ($8 for Aquarium members) and includes water and a
snack.
Climbing Classes to Beat the Winter Blues
Both of Chattanooga's climbing gyms are offering
classes for kids and adults in everything from belaying technique to core
fitness this winter. The Tennessee Bouldering
Authority offers classes in core fitness, beginner and intermediate
climbing for adults, and climbing for juniors (ages 6-12) and youth (ages
13-17). The Urban Rocks Gym
teaches belaying technique, introduction to climbing, an advances classes in
climbing, indoor lead, and self-rescue. Group climbing instruction can also be
found through The
Adventure Guild.
~Free Intro
to Fly Fishing Clinics Mar. 14 and Apr. 11
Outdoor Chattanooga and Choo Choo Fly & Tackle will offer a free Introduction to Fly
Fishing Clinics on Saturdays, Mar. 14, and Apr. 11 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Choo-Choo Fly and Tackle Store in North Chattanooga. The clinics will cover equipment
selection, casting techniques, and information on where to find the fish.
Participation is open to adults and kids ages 16 and older when accompanied by
an adult. Equipment will be provided. Classes are limited to 12. To make a
reservation, call (423) 643-6889 or email
Outdoor Chattanoooga.
Volunteer
Opportunities
~Patrol the River
Gorge with the Tennessee River Gorge Trust
The Tennessee River Gorge Trust will offer
volunteers a chance to patrol TRGT properties with executive Director Jim Brown
on Thursdays, February 26, March 5, 12, 19 and 26. Specific properties will be
patrolled each week, and volunteer space is limited to three people per trip.
To learn more, call or email Sarah Quattrochi
at (423)266-0314 ext. 3.
~Invasive Plant
Removal at Reflection Riding Feb. 28
Volunteers are invited to join Dr. Richard Clements at Reflection Riding
Arboretum and Botanical Garden on Sat., Feb. 28 from 9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. To volunteer or learn more, call or
email Mary Katherine Harper at
821-9582 x. 200-
Website of the Week
The Tennessee Trails
Association has a new Soddy-Daisy chapter. They are already busy, leading
hikes and building trails.
Last
Week's WebSite:
Eleven-year-old Jordan Romero hopes to
be the youngest person ever to successfully climb the seven summits, the
highest peaks on seven continents. Thus far, Romero has reached the peaks of
all but Carstenz Pyramid in Indonesia, Mt. Vinson Massif on Antarctica, Mt. Everest.
Coming
Up . . .
March
6 Bike2Work Begins
28 Outdoor
Chattanooga Outdoor Expo, Gear Swap & Grand Opening
April
2-4 ~TN State Greenways and Trails Forum
3 Bike2Work
3-5
Reflection Riding Wildflower Festival
& Native Plant Sale
Ducks Unlimited
State Convention in Chattanooga
4 Rock/Creek River
Gorge Trail Race
Dusk 'til Dawn Adventure
Race
7 Chattanooga EcoExpo
18 Chattanooga Dragon Boat Races
Chickamauga Chase
26 3rd Annual Scenic City
Triathlon
May
1 Bike2Work
2 3State/3Mountain Challenge
4-9 Chattanooga District, TN Senior
Olympics
7-9 Southeastern Foot Trails
Conference
9 Tour de
Cure
16 ~Riverfront Relay for Life
~Greenway
Challenge Adventure Race
23 Scenic City Trail Marathon &
½ Marathon
29-31 Tennessee
Valley Canoe Club Paddle School
June
5 Bike2Work
6 National
Trails Day
13 Blue
Cross Riverbend Walk/Run
19-21 Chattanooga
Mountains Stage Race
July
3 Bike2Work
12 BMW of Chattanooga
Waterfront Triathlon
August
7 Bike2Work
8 Greenway 5-Mile
Trail Race
September
4 Bike2Work
5 Raisin'
Hope Ride
26 TN River Blueway Canoe and Kayak Race
27 Komen Race for the Cure
October
2 Bike2Work
3 Rock/Creek Stump Jump 50K
Sequatchie Valley Century
10 Chattanooga Head Race
November
6 Bike2Work
7/8 Head of the Hooch
14 Upchuck 50K Trail Race
December
19 Lookout 100K & 10K Trail Race
Ruth
Thompson
Events Coordinator
Outdoor Chattanooga
1250 Market Street, Suite 1006
Chattanooga, TN 37402
Phone: (423) 643-6889
Fax: (423)
643-6885
ruth@outdoorchattanooga.com
www.outdoorchattanooga.com
