~*Southeast Water Trails Forum Oct. 29/30
*Conservationists, paddlers, fishermen, and representatives from agencies that develop and maintain water trails will attend the first annual Southeast Water Trails Forum this Thurs. and Fri., Oct. 29 and 30, at the Chattanooga Marriott. The two-day forum will focus on educating water trail users and developers on the steps to creating, funding, preserving, and developing water bodies as trails. To learn more about the conference or to register, call (615) 627-1310 or email kd@southeastwaterforum.org .

~*Bike Polo Resumes Nov. 3*
Grab your beater bike! Outdoor Chattanooga’s weekly pickup bicycle polo game resumes regular play in Coolidge Park each Tuesday evening at 5:30, beginning Nov. 3. Meet at Outdoor Chattanooga, at 200 River St. Players must provide their own bicycles and are required to wear helmets. Mallets and balls are provided. New players are always welcome. Email or call Minya James at (423) 643-6884 for details.

~*Head of the Hooch Nov. 7/8 – Do Not Miss it!*
The Head of the Hooch is now the largest single day rowing regatta in the U.S. On Sat., Nov. 7, 1234 racing shells will compete in 5,000 meter races against the clock on the Tennessee River in downtown Chattanooga. On Sat., and Sun., the regatta will host over 6,000 rowers from all over the U.S. and the world. Racing begins by 8:30 a.m. each morning and spectators get in free. New for 2009, the Chattanooga Market will set up a special arts and crafts market for the event and tethered balloon rides will be available for $10, with proceeds benefitting Row for the Cure. Come watch the action from the Walnut St. Bridge, Ross’ Landing, Coolidge Park or the Tennessee Riverpark.

*City Requesting Proposals for Skate Park Lease by Oct. 30**
*The City of Chattanooga’s Parks and Recreation Department is now requesting proposals to lease the Chattown Skate Park and pro shop facilities located in the First Tennessee Pavilion complex near Finley Stadium. Intent is for a professional management team to operate set hours of operation and to provide skating-related pro shop activities. The lease agreement would include the Skate Park property and the pro shop building at 1801 Carter St. Deadline is 4 p.m. on Fri., Oct. 30.

*_Events_*
~*“A Sense of Wonder” the Life of Rachel Carson Oct. 29
*The Arts and Education Council of Chattanooga will present “A Sense of Wonder,” a two act play about the life and writings of Rachel Carson, this Thurs., Oct. 29, 7 p.m. at the UTC Roland Hayes Concert Hall. The play, written and performed by Kaiulani Lee, highlights the times before and after Carson published “Silent Spring,” the 1962 book that is often credited for launching the modern environmental movement. The play focuses on Carson’s career as a wildlife biologist and writer. Purchase tickets online or call (800) 267-4232 for more information.
*
Wilderness Workshop Oct. 31*
Tennessee Wild will host a Wilderness Workshop at the Chattanooga Nature Center on Sat., Oct. 31, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Representatives from Campaign for America's Wilderness and The Wilderness Society will be on hand for this fun and interactive training. Attendees will learn how they can get involved with our effort to expand wilderness in the Cherokee National Forest. The workshop is free and open to the public. Childcare will be provided. To learn more, please email or call Jeff Hunter at 423-322-7866.

*Team in Training Information Meetings Oct. & Nov.*
Team in Training will hold introductory meetings for people who are interested in training for their first century ride, marathon, or triathlon. The organization helps individuals train in exchange for agreeing to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The free, introductory meetings will be held at 6 p.m., at the following times and locations.
Tues., Oct. 27 – Hamilton Family YMCA - 7430 Shallowford Road 37421
Thurs., Nov. 5 – North River Family YMCA - 4138 Hixson Pike 37415
Tues., Nov. 10 – Terminal Brewhouse - 6 East 14th Street 37408
Email or call Lisa Bailey at (800) 331-2980, ext. 23 for more information.

*_Adventures_**
South Cumberland State Park Activities*
The rangers at the South Cumberland State Park host activities every weekend at park facilities near Monteagle, TN. Visit the Friends of SCSRA for a detailed calendar. All times are CDT.
~*Sat., Nov. 7 *
/2 p.m. - Fall Tree I.D. Hike/
Join Ranger Jamie at the Stone Door Ranger Station for this short, interpretive hike to learn about the trees and forest that give us the beautiful fall colors.

~*CHC Cloudland Canyon Day Hike Oct. 31*
The Chattanooga Hiking Club will host a moderately strenuous 6.5-mile hike in Georgia’s Cloudland Canyon State Park on Sat., Oct. 31. Cloudland Canyon is one of the most scenic areas around Chattanooga. The majority of the hike will take place in the canyon gorge in Sitton Gulch, with an elevation gain of 1,000 feet at the end when the group returns to the canyon rim. For details and directions, email Kendra Cross.

~*Ft. Mtn. State Park Family Hike Nov. 7*
The Chattanooga Trekkers family hiking group will do a camping/hiking weekend at Georgia's Ft. Mountain State Park on Sat., Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. Some of the group will be camping overnight and others will opt for the day hike. The Trekkers always hike moderate trails and also provide a shorter, kid-friendly trail option for families with young children. For more information, email or call group leader Valerie Radu at (423) 425-4307.

*_More News_*
*Google Street Trike - Where do YOU Want to Bike?*
Hot dog! Google has created a tricycle to start mapping bicycle routes around U.S. locations. The new Google Street Trike has already mapped popular attractions and parks in the United Kingdom. Now, Google is soliciting input on where in the U.S. they should go to map bicycle routes. From now through Oct. 28, the public is being asked to suggest potential spots in six categories: Parks and Trails, University Campuses, Pedestrian Malls, Theme Parks and Zoos, Landmarks, and Sports Venues (e.g. golf courses, race tracks, stadiums). So what should they come map in Chattanooga? Let them know .

*Cades Cove Loop Road to be Closed for Paving in Spring, 2010
*Great Smoky Mountains National Park managers have announced plans to rehabilitate the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road in the spring of 2010. Due to the limitations on work processes posed by the narrow, single lane historic road the Park plans to close the road to all use from Mar. 1 through May 21, 2010. The road will remain a single lane, one-way byway, but the Park does plan to pave a number of informal pull-offs that are already in use, but badly eroded. The Cades Cove campground, picnic area, horseback riding stable and campground store will operate as normal, and any trails not accessed by the loop road will also remain open.

*Over $13,000 Raised for Trails at StumpJump Oct. 3*
Six hundred trail runners and a variety of sponsors raised over $13,000 for trail advocacy at the 9th annual Rock/Creek Stump Jump 50K/11K trail race, held on Sat., Oct. 3. The Wilderness Trail Running Association (a.k.a. The Boonies) will use raised funds to secure access to new trails, maintain existing trail systems, and promote and organize trail racing. Additional direct beneficiaries this year include the Cumberland Trail Conference , Friends of the Cumberland Trail , the Lula Lake Land Trust , and the Signal Mountain High School Cross Country team.

*_Volunteer Opportunities_*
*Head of the Hooch Nov. 7/8 - Volunteers Needed*
The Lookout Rowing Club needs volunteers for the annual Head of the Hooch rowing regatta, beginning Sat., Oct. 31 and extending through the end of the competition on Nov. 7. Don't miss this opportunity to be in the middle of the action during this ultra exciting competitive event. Dozens of volunteers are needed to do everything from helping launch and recover racing shells to installing buoys and helping to control traffic. Other jobs include manning 1st aid stations, piloting launches on the water during competition, and helping direct foot traffic. Please email Lookout Rowing Club president Henry Magnuson to participate or learn more.
*
*~*Sunset Rock Trail Day Nov. 8
*The Southeastern Climbers Coalition will host a volunteer trail day at Sunset Rock in Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park on Sun., Nov. 8, beginning at 9 a.m. Volunteers will make improvements to the trail structure, landscaping, and erosion control. Interested participants should bring work gloves. The National Park Service will provide tools. SCC will provide lunch and water. Email Chuck Weber for specific directions and more information. *

**_Website of the Week_**_
_*If you haven’t visited the Tennessee Valley Authority’s newly-redesigned Website for Kids lately, take another look.
*_
_**_Last Week’s Website:_**
*What exactly is bouldering all about? This video on Climbing.com chronicles the first leg of the Triple Crown Bouldering Competition, which comes to Chattanooga every December.

*_Coming Up . . ._** *
*November *
*11 *~Demo Day at Urban Rocks
*13 * Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival
*14 *Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon, ½ Marathon & Jr. Marathon
Upchuck 50K Trail Race
~American Bouldering Series Locals Comp
*15* Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival
*21* Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis
*26* Sports Barn Turkey Trot
Grateful Gobbler Walk
*
December
5 *Hiwassee Refuge by Kayak
Triple Crown Bouldering Series – Stone Fort *
12 *Wauhatchie Trail Run *
19 *Lookout 100K & 10K Trail Race