Chattanooga Community Fitness will offer free PX90 and Insanity fitness classes at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park, on Tues., Feb. 19 and 26, at 6 p.m. Adults and kids ages 12 and older are invited to participate. No experience with the PX90 or Insanity programs is required. To learn more, email Outdoor Chattanooga or call (423) 643-6888.
Rapid Learning Roll Practice Feb. 13
Our Rapid Learning Whitewater Program has moved to Wednesdays, with two sessions: 6-7 and 7-8 p.m. at the Brainerd Recreation Community Center's indoor pool, at 1010 North Moore Rd. The program costs $50 per year for individuals, $75 for families and gives members access to full instruction and all kayaking equipment. Kayakers will all their own gear may participate by paying a single day membership fee of $5. First timers can come for free. To learn more, email or call Terri Chapin at (423) 643-6882.
Sreet Smarts Cycling Seminar Feb. 13
The free Street Smarts Safe Cycling seminar, happening on Wed., Feb. 13, 6 p.m. at Outdoor Chattanooga in Coolidge Park, covers the basic rules of the road and some helpful tips for cyclists wanting to ride on the road. The class is made up of a short video, followed by a question and answer session. Covered are bicycle laws, basic safety, lane positioning, signaling and lane changing, as well as helmet fit, bicycle choice and basic maintenance checks.
The Passage West: Ross' Landing Urban Hike Feb. 16
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will host a special guided walk around the Chattanooga downtown waterfront on Sat., Feb. 16, 1 p.m., beginning at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park. The two hour, 1.8 mile walking tour will explore the importance of Ross's Landing before and during Indian Removal. Led by interpretive ranger Christopher Young, the hike is appropriate for adults and older children. Wear sturdy shoes and dress appropriately for the weather. To learn more, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888.
Bigfoot Hike to Mushroom Rock Feb. 17
The Sierra Club, Cherokee Group and Outdoor Chattanooga will host a family hike to look for Bigfoot at Mushroom Rock on Sun., Feb. 17, beginning at 2 p.m. from the Shackleford Ridge Park ball fields parking lot on Signal Mtn. The easy, 2 mile hike will follow the trail of Bigfoot-otherwise known as Sasquatch, the skunk ape or the yeti-who has been seen numerous times in the area. Hikers are urged to wear sturdy shoes, dress appropriately for the weather and bring water. Reported encounters with Bigfoot have included bluff charges, guttural screams from the underbrush and stick breaking. No reservations are necessary for the hike. Small children should be prepared to walk or be carried. The trail is not suitable for strollers. For more information, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888.
Sierra Club Meeting - Electric Vehicles Feb. 25
The
Sierra Club, Cherokee Group will host electric car owner and advocate David Graham at their next meeting, on Mon., Feb. 25, 7 p.m. at Outdoor Chattanoga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park. Graham's presentation, "What is a Plug in Car and Why Should You Have One," will explain the differences between various types of plug in and hybrid vehicles and the advantages to owning one.
Community Events and Activities
Nature of Life Journaling Retreat Feb. 16
The Chattanooga Arboretum and Nature Center will host a special retreat on Sat., Feb. 16, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., called
"The Nature of Life - Journaling." The purpose of the retreat is to use journal writing as a way to personally connect to seasonal changes in nature. Cost is $65 ($60 for CA&NC members). To register, call
(423) 821-1160.
Great Backyard Bird Count Feb. 16
The Chattanooga Audubon Society invites the public to participate in the
Great Backyard Bird Count this Sat., Feb. 16, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Audubon Acres. Bring binoculars to help collect data for this national event. Admission is $4 (free for Chattanooga Audubon members).
Polar Plunge Chattanooga Feb. 17
The
2013 Polar Plunge Chattanooga on Sun., Feb. 17, will raise a freezer full of cold cash to support Tennessee's Special Olympics athletes. If you dare to plunge into the water, you can join the event as an individual or as part of a team.
Nature Hike: the Geology of Lookout Mtn. Feb. 21
Learn about the Geology of Lookout Mtn. at the
Chattanooga Arboretum and Nature Center on Thurs., Feb. 21, from 1 to 5 p.m. Hike with Geologists Bob Hulse and Drew Comer to learn more about the mountain's rocks, setting and tectonics. Cost is $25 per person ($20 CA&NC members). To register, call
(423) 821-1160.
Fix a Flat Bicycle Maintenance Clinic Feb. 23
The Main St. Bicycle Cooperative, 1918 Union Ave. in Chattanooga, will host
Fix a Flat on Sat., Feb. 23, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. The public is invited to learn about anything pertaining to bicycle flat tires, including fixing, patching and changing. Cost is $15 and goes towards the Bike Coop's Recycle a Bike program. Reservations are required. Space is limited. Email the Bike Coop or call
(423) 987-1060 to reserve your spot.
Workshop: Winter Herbs for Health Feb. 23
Learn about how to use herbs to sustain physical and mental health, especially during the winter, at the
Chattanooga Arboretum and Nature Center on Sat., Feb. 23, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Herbalist Holli Richey will teach the class. To register, call
(423) 821-1160. Cost is $60.
Public Meeting for NPS Trails Management Plan Feb. 28
Officials with the National Park Service will host
two public meetings on Thurs., Feb. 28 at 4 and 6 p.m., at the St. Elmo Fire Hall, 4501 St. Elmo Ave., Chattanooga, to solicit input on an amendment to the management plan for the Lookout Mtn. unit of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. Among the changes being proposed from the existing plan, in place since 1988, are increased access points for mountain bicyclists to the Lookout Mtn. trail system.
News
NPS to Conduct Repairs at Orchard Knob Reservation Through Mar. 28
A National Park Service crew from the Historic Preservation Training Center (HPTC) located in Frederick, MD will be conducting rehabilitation work on the historic wall that surrounds the Orchard Knob Reservation in Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park. This HPCT crew, which is made up of masons, will clean the stone wall, re-point joints, and replace broken or missing cap stones. The areas directly surrounding the wall will be temporarily closed to protect the public while the crew completes this important preservation work. Read the full press release
Governor's Environmental Stewardship Awards Deadline Mar. 29
Each year, the Governors Environmental Stewardship Awards honor outstanding accomplishments in the protection and enhancement of Tennessee's natural resources. Nominations are currently being accepted for individuals and organizations that are dedicated to improving Tennessee's land, water and air. Deadline is Mar. 29, 2013.
Take a Health Dept. Survey
The Chattanooga/Hamilton Co. Health Department needs public input to help them establish priorities and strategies for providing optimum public health services in the community. Please take four minutes to complete the short, online survey.
Native Nibbles Recipe Contest
Russell Cave National Monument is hosting a Native Nibbles recipe contest for adults, teenagers and in a children's division for ages 8 - 12. Contestants may submit vegetarian recipes using native plants, nuts and herbs, such as were used by Native Americans who lived around Russell Cave. Recipes should be send to Keena Graham at Russell Cave by 12 a.m., CST, Mar. 1, 2013. Resources for ideas include Choose My Plate for nutritional information, the White House's Let's MOve