Outdoor Chattanooga News And Events

Tuesday, March 19, 2013 - by Ruth Thompson


Here are upcoming news and events from Outdoor Chattanooga:


Free Bicycle Fit and Maintenance Fair March 23

Outdoor Chattanooga and a host of local bicycle shops will host a free bicycle fit and maintenance fair on Sat., Mar. 23, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park. The public is invited to bring their bicycles and get a free basic fit, drivetrain diagnosis and free short classes on fixing a flat tire and mountain bike etiquette. At 12:30 p.m., Outdoor Chattanooga will host a free demo ride on the Bike Chattanooga Bicycle Transit System. To learn more, email Outdoor Chattanooga or call (423) 643-6888.

Outdoor Expo and Gear Swap April 20 - Register NOW!!

Attention all outfitters, conservation organizations, bicycle and canoe manufacturers, outdoor clubs, and gear swappers, sign up now for Outdoor Chattanooga's 7th annual Outdoor Exp & Gear Swap on Sat., Apr. 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Coolidge Park. 10'x10' exhibit spots in Coolidge Park only cost $25. Come show off (or sell) your stuff. We'll invite the public to come for free. 

Adoptapalooza April 20

As a part of our Outdoor Expo and Gear Swap, we'll host our 2nd annual Adoptapalooza Dog and Cat adoption fair at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park. Area rescue organizations will bring their most adoptable pets for you to meet, and share information about their programs. Dog and cat service agencies are invited to participate for a registration fee of $25. Learn more.

Rapid Learning Roll Practice March 19

Our Rapid Learning Whitewater Program continues every Wed. evening, 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.

Sierra Club Presentation March 25 - Outdoor Chattanooga

Outdoor Chattanooga: what we do, who we are, will be special presentation during the next meeting of the Sierra Club, Cherokee Group on Mon., Mar. 25, 7 p.m. at our facility at 200 River St. in Coolidge Park. Learn about Outdoor Chattanooga programs, activities, events and how we connect residents and visitors to Chattanooga's outdoors. To learn more, email Outdoor Chattanooga or call (423) 643-6888.

Community Events and Activities

Cumberland Trail Suite March 22

Cumberland Trail Suite will bring together, for the first time, an array of musicians to play music native to the Cumberland Plateau, on Fri., Mar. 22, 7:30 p.m. at the Tivoli Theatre. Grammy winners Tim O'Brien and Rhiannon Giddens (of the Carolina Chocolate Drops) will host this benefit for the Friends of the Cumberland Trail. A full lineup of performers will also include Fletcher Bright, Earl T. Bridgeman, Clyde Davenport and the Chattanooga Choral Society for the Preservation of African American Song.  

Lookout Wild Film Festival March 22-24

The inaugural Lookout Wild Film Festival will showcase films that highlight wild places and the people that play in them with three days of screenings Fri., Mar. 22- Sun., Mar. 24 at the Chattanooga Choo Choo Hotel and downtown at Ross' Landing. The event will feature short and feature length films about outdoor sports, adventure and conservation. Tickets are $5 for one day, $10 for the weekend.  

Get Out Chattanooga Challenge March 23

Downtown Chattanooga will host several hundred adventure seekers for the first Get Out Chattanooga Challenge on Sat., Mar. 23, beginning and ending at Ross' Landing. The obstacle course will run from the river to the Soutside through parks and other built features to challenge both individuals and teams.

Rock Creek River Gorge Trail Race March 23
Trail runners from all over the world will come to Chattanooga to take on 6.4 or 10.2 miles of scenic singletrack overlooking the TN River Gorge on Sat., Mar. 23 for the Rock/Creek River Gorge Trail Race. The event is a seasonal challenge with wet spring weather and technical terrain. Registration is still open.
  
Wildlife Photography Workshop at CA&NC March 23
The Chattanooga Arboretum and Nature Center will host a wildlife photography workshop, taught by Tom and Pat Cory on Sat., Mar. 23 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Professional photographers Tom and Pat Cory will start with specific techniques for capturing wildlife photos, then lead the group into the field to try their new skills. Cost is $50 per person. Preregistration is required.
  
Frog Watch at the Chattanooga Zoo March 29

The Chattanooga Zoo invites amateur naturalists to join them for the first Frogwatch USA training on Fri., Mar. 29, from 6-8 p.m. at the zoo. FrogWatch USA is a citizen science program that trains volunteers to listen and report the breeding calls of frogs and toads in the greater Chattanoga community. Participants will learn to identify frog species by call and report their findings to the national FrogWatch Association. Space is limited. Contact Rick Jackson, Curator or Exhibits, to reserve your spot.

Web Hit(s) of the Week  

While we're playing at our Outdoor Expo & Gear Swap, Outdoor Knoxville will be celebrating their neck of the outdoor woods.

Last Week's Web Hit
Are you ready to bike the Tour de Noog?    
 
2013
6          Out Run the Police
            Wake Up with the Birds at CA&NC
            Color Me Chattanooga 5K
            Chickamauga Chase
            Freedom Run 5K
            Spring Babies at CA&NC
            Bird Banding at CA&NC
28        AMP-K9-5K

May, 2013
4          Children's Hospital Dragon Boat Festival
            3 State 3 Mountain Challengel
            Chattanooga Tour de Cure
            Chattanooga Chase
            Beer Over Dirt

  

July, 2013
22-26   TN River Gorge "Huck Finn" Adventure Camp

August, 2013
10        Still Hollow Trail Race
11        Cannonball Charge

September, 2013
8          Iron Jr. Triathlon
29        Komen Race for the Cure

October, 2013
5          Rock/Creek Stump Jump
  




Ocoee River Most Popular Whitewater Rafting River In America According To Recent Study

The Ocoee River is officially the most visited whitewater river in the United States with 229,542 visitors in 2012, according to research results announced today by tourism officials in Chattanooga. After the Ocoee River, the other four most visited whitewater rivers are: the Arkansas River in Colorado (208,329), Pigeon River in Tennessee (169,060), Nantahala River in North Carolina ... (click for more)

TVA Celebrates National Trails Day With Enhancement Efforts

The Tennessee Valley Authority will be making improvements at six trail locations in Tennessee and Alabama on Saturday, June 1, to celebrate National Trails Day and is encouraging volunteers to participate. Among the projects is the 1.5-mile Buck Island Trail on Guntersville Reservoir in Alabama. Partially destroyed by a tornado in spring 2011, the trail will be rerouted ... (click for more)

Dog Fighting Operation Uncovered On Talledega Avenue

TBI was executing a narcotics search warrant at 6302Talladega Ave. in Chattanooga on Friday and uncovered a dog fighting operation. Officials said it consisted of numerous pit bills, a fight ring, a treadmill and blood-stained carpets and paneling. Mcckamey Animal Services personnel were processing the fight scene. The search warrant was being executed by the ... (click for more)

City May Move Forward On $47 Million Wilcox Tunnel Project

City officials may move forward on a $47 million project to upgrade the narrow Wilcox Tunnel through Missionary Ridge. The City Council on Tuesday is to consider a resolution to apply for a $25 million federal TIGER grant. The city would still have to come up with $21,825,000 through "local funds or grants." The city has already spent $175,000 on the project. Improving ... (click for more)

Rep. Eric Watson Reflects On Memorial Day

Memorial Day is the time for Americans to reconnect with their history and the core values that make this country great by honoring those who gave their lives for the ideals we cherish. Soldiers are people who come from all walks of life, from every corner of this great land of ours. They are our fathers, our sons, our mothers and our daughters, our friends, and our neighbors.  ... (click for more)

Roy Exum: Sharing The Laughter

This time last week I was certain that laughter is the best medicine but I have since found I was wrong. Early in the week, as I revealed I was struggling with some health issues, I asked unashamedly for help. Since then the prayers of the people have already resulted in miracles and blessings but what has staggered me are not just hundreds of jokes that have flooded my email but ... (click for more)