Week of August 26
posted August 26, 2008
) |
something new event listings.
Tennessee River Blueway Canoe and Kayak Race Register Now!
Registration is now open for Outdoor Chattanooga’s 2nd annual Tennessee
River Blueway Canoe and Kayak Race on Sat., Sept. 20. This year’s race
will feature two courses, designed for everyone from beginners to
experienced racers. Registration is open Online via Active.com or by
visiting the Blueway race Web page at Outdoor Chattanooga. Proceeds from
Blueway. Questions? Email us.
~Bike2Work Sept. 5
Join Chattanooga’s bicycle commuters for coffee, breakfast, and good
conversation at Bike2Work on Friday, Sept. 5, from 7 to 8:30 a.m. at the
south end of the Walnut Street Bridge in downtown Chattanooga. Want to try
bicycle commuting? Come meet some folks who are already doing it. Email
or call Chattanooga Bicycle Coordinator Philip Pugliese at (423) 643-6887
for more information.
~Beginner Kayak Adventure Sept. 6
Join Outdoor Chattanooga’s OutVenture staff for the last of our 2008
beginner kayak adventures at Harrison Bay State Park, Sat., Sept. 6, from
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Outdoor Chattanooga will provide boats, paddles,
life jackets and experienced staff and volunteers. You bring a sense of
adventure and clothes you don’t mind getting wet. The event is appropriate
for adults and kids ages eight and older when accompanied by an adult.
Boats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Call or email
Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888 for more information.
Events
Booker T. Washington Off-Road Triathlon, Duathlon & Mountain Bike Race
Aug. 30 & 31
Scenic City Multisport will host an off-road running, biking, swimming,
and generally getting dirty, sweaty, and happy event for adults and kids
of all ages at Booker T. Washington State Park on Sat. and Sun., Aug. 30
and 31. The Booker T. Washington Off-Road Triathon, Duathlon, & Mtn. Bike
Race will feature off-road triathlons for adults, teenagers, and kids ages
12 and under on Saturday, and a full day of mountain bike racing for all
ages on Booker T’s. singletrack on Sunday. Online registration closes on
Thurs., Aug. 28 at 11:59 p.m.
Bicycle Demo Day Aug. 31
Owen Cyclery will hold a free demo day for Trek/Gary Fisher bicycles at
Laurel Point, on top of TVA Raccoon Mountain on Sun., Aug. 31, from 10:00
a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Interested
mountain bikers will be able to test the bikes out on Raccoon Mountain’s
single track trail system. For more information, contact [
http://owencyclery.com/index.cfm ]Owen Cyclery at (423) 875-6811.
~20th Annual Labor Day 5K to Benefit FCA Sept. 1
The 20th annual FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) 5K will take place
on Labor Day, Mon., Sept. 1, at Chattanooga State Technical Community
College on Amnicola Highway. Registration opens at 6:30 a.m. and racing
begins at 8:00. To learn more, visit the Chattanooga Track Club.
~UTC Powerade 5K Cross Country Run Sept. 6
Join the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga and the Chattanooga Track
Club for the Powerade 5K Cross Country Run on Sat., Sept. 6, at 7:30 a.m.
on the Moccasin Bend National Archaeological District. The event will
feature categories for runners ages 19 and under through ages 60 and over.
For more information, call or email Bill Gautier at (423) 425-4782.
~Friends of Moccasin Bend Lecture Series begins Sept. 8
Robert G. Stanton, former Director of the [ http://www.nps.gov/ ]National
Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, will be the first speaker
in the [ http://www.moccasinbendpark.org/LectureSeries.htm ]Friends of
Moccasin Bend National Park 2008 lecture series, on Mon., Sept. 8, at 7:00
p.m., at the Tennessee Aquarium Auditorium, 1 Broad St. in downtown
Chattanooga. The lecture is free and open to the public. A lifelong
conservationist and an experienced public administrator, Mr. Stanton
served as the 15th Director of the National Park Service from 1997 until
the end of the Clinton Administration. He was the first African American
to serve in the position since the National Park Service was established
by Congressional legislation in August, 1916.
Adventures
~Backwoods Hike with SAFC Sept. 6
Join the [ http://www.safc.org/ ]Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition for
a strenuous 8-mile hike through Ramsey Cascades on Sat., Sept. 6. Hike
leader Josh Kelly will lead the hike along Ramsey Prong, through one of
the least human-altered forests in eastern North America. Reservations are
required. For more information or to make a reservation, email or call [
mailto:nicole@safc.org ]Nicole Martinez at (828) 252-9223.
Open Gate Day at Lula Lake Sept. 6
The Lula Lake Land Trust will hold their monthly open gate days on Sat.,
Sept. 6, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The public is invited to hike,
mountain bike, picnic, and even bring the family dog, as long as he’s kept
on a leash.
Cumberland State Park Activities
The South Cumberland State Park in Monteagle, TN offers special hikes,
seminars, and other activities every week. Visit the [
http://www.friendsofscsra.org/activities.htm ]Friends of South Cumberland
Park for a complete calendar.
Fall Creek Falls State Park Activities
About an hour and a half drive north of Chattanooga is Fall Creek Falls
State Park in Pikeville, TN. In addition to camping, hiking, and biking,
the park boasts an inn, restaurant, and lake. See a calendar of park
activities for the week of Aug. 24 Sept. 1.
News
~TVA River Neighbors Newsletter
Our annual rainfall is still only 73% of where it should be for the year
and the stream runoff that we rely on for our water supply is down 50%.
Learn how TVA is dealing with the drought in their latest River Neighbors
Newsletter.
Chattanooga Selected to Host Pro-Walk/Pro-Bike 2010
Thanks to the efforts of [ http://www.bikechattanooga.org/ ]Chattanooga
Bicycle Coordinator Philip Pugliese and the [
http://www.chattanoogafun.com/ ]Chattanooga Convention and Visitors
Bureau, the Scenic City will host the ProWalk/ProBike national convention
in the fall of 2010. This event is expected to bring 1000 bicycle and
pedestrian professionals, advocates, transportation planners and public
health practitioners, all of whom are focused on making U.S. cities and
communities walking and bicycle-friendly places. Chattanooga will follow
recent hosts Victoria, B.C., Madison, WI, and Seattle, WA, in presenting
this biennial event.
AARP Poll Shows Overwhelming Support for Complete Streets from the 50+
Crowd
A poll from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) last week
showed that people ages 50 and older are overwhelming in support of
complete streets in their neighborhoods and towns. The poll found "that
while many Americans ages 50+ are trying to move away from car
transportation as a result of high gas prices, their attempt to go 'green'
is challenged by inadequate sidewalks and bike lanes, as well as
insufficient public transportation options."
Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and Lookout Mountain get State Parks and
Recreation Grants
According to an [ http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_133467.asp
]article on Chattanoogan.com, the State of Tennessee has granted the City
of Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and Lookout Mountain grants to develop
local parks, recreation areas, and trails. Hamilton County will receive a
$250,000 Local Parks and Recreation Fund grant and a $76,000 Recreational
Trails Program grant for the Enterprise South Nature Park, to be spent on
site work and the construction of a visitors center and some trail work.
The City of Chattanooga has received $225,000 to develop a spray park at
Warner Park, and the town of Lookout Mountain was granted $150,000 for
playground equipment and installation, surfacing and site preparation for
the Mountain Maze Playground.
International Mountain Bike Association Offers Grants
The [ http://www.imba.com/ ]International Mountain Bike Association (IMBA)
is currently taking applications for the REI Volunteer Stewardship
Challenge, IMBA/USAC Trail Tune Up, and IMBA/Clif Bar Trail Preservation
Grants. September 1 is the deadline for all three grants. Organizations
that are interested in applying for one of these grants, and who would
like assistance, may call Shana Culberson, IMBA Tennessee representative
at (615) 364-4628.
Outside Online’s Fittest “Real-World” Athletes
Outside Online is accepting nominations for what they call the “fittest
real athletes.” These are not pro’s who have lots of sponsorship and free
time, but regular, working folks who find time to be super-fit around
jobs, families, and real life. Check out the nomination requirements to
see if you or someone you know qualifies: triathletes, adventure racers,
or even climbers and kayakers. The fittest “real” athlete may get his or
her picture on the cover of Outside Magazine.
Job Openings
~National Complete Streets Coalition Federal Policy Fellowship
The National Complete Streets Coalition is searching for seeking a
Complete Streets Fellow to help them advance their federal policy efforts
by moving coalition members and partners to action and coordinating the
federal policy efforts of the complete streets network. The full-time,
six-month to a year fellowship requires a bachelor’s degree, and either
educational background or work experience in transportation policy, urban
planning, environmental studies, public policy, or a related field.
Volunteer Opportunities
Lookout Mountain Trail Work with American Hiking
Join the American Hiking Society and the National Park Service in
restoring, maintaining and beautifying the trails in the [
http://www.nps.gov/chch ]Chickamauga Chattanooga National Military Park.
Work on the Bluff, Gum Springs, Kiddie or Mountain Beautiful trails is
scheduled for Wed., Aug. 27, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Saturdays, Sept.
6, and Oct. 4, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. To volunteer or get more
information, email or call Carla Hilling at (423) 266-2507, ext. 4.
~Pot Point Work Day Aug. 29
The Tennessee River Gorge Trust will host a work day at the Pot Point
Cabin and Self-Guided Nature Trail on Fri., Aug. 29, from 9 a.m. to noon.
Tasks might include trail maintenance, weeding, clearing out the
workshop/garage, preparing wood for an upcoming bridge-build on the trail,
etc. Lunch will be provided. Email or call Sarah Quattrochi to participate
at (423) 653-0091.
~BioBlitz Sept. 5 & 6
The Chattanooga Nature Center, Tennessee Aquarium and Reflection Riding
Arboretum and Botanical Gardens will host the second annual Chattanooga
BioBlitz on Fri. and Sat., Sept. 5 and 6. The event will bring together
scientists, volunteers and program participants from around the region to
catalogue the hundreds of plants and animals residing at the Nature
Center, Reflection Riding and Lookout Creek area. Interested volunteers
are invited to help with the project. To find out more, please email or
call [ mailto:sarahq@cnpchatt.org ]Sarah Quattrochi at (423) 653-0091.
Website of the Week
Hiking Chattanooga went off-line for a while, but the Website is now back,
better than ever, as a resource for area trails, hiking clubs, and
conservation organizations. Check it out.
Last Week’s Site:
[ http://www.moccasinbendpark.org/index.htm ]The Friends of Moccasin Bend
National Park has developed a new Website. On it, you’ll find up-to-date
information about the development of the park and a calendar of events.
Weekly Water Saver Tip
One of the best ways to conserve water (and keep waste out of our
landfills) is by using compost on your flowers and vegetables. This great
article on Grist.org shows you how to get started composting, whether you
live on a farm or in an apartment.
Last Week’s Tip: When you wash your vegetables, or strain your cooked
vegetables and pasta, don’t dump the water down the drain. Save the water
in a big stew pot and use it to water your plants. They will appreciate
the extra nutrients.
Coming Up . . .
September
13 [ http://www.outdoorchattanooga.com/ ]BYO-Boat Williams Island
Kayak/Canoe Trip
~Open Arms Bicycle Challenge
~20th Symphony Classic 5K Run
14-20 [ http://www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/BRAT/ ]Bicycle Ride
Across Tennessee
19 ~National Park(ing) Day
20 [ http://www.outdoorchattanooga.com/1314.htm ]Tennessee River
Blueway Canoe and Kayak Race
[ http://www.outdoorchattanooga.com/ ]Battlefield Bicycle Ride
[ http://www.hamiltontn.gov/fair/ ]Hamilton County Fair 5K Run
and Walk
20/21 Reflection Riding’s Native Plant Sale
25-28 Women’s Hanggliding Festival
26-28 Black Bear Rampage
27/28 Skyhoundz World Canine Disc Championship
28 Komen Chattanooga Race for the Cure
October
2 Ducks Unlimited Fall Flight Banquet
3 [ http://www.bikechattanooga.org/ ]Bike2Work
4 [ http://www.rockcreek.com/stumpjump/ ]8th Annual Rock/Creek
StumpJump 50K Trail Race
[ http://www.chattbike.com/ ]Sequatchie Valley Century
[ http://www.tennesseeriverrescue.com/ ] Tennessee River Rescue
5 Beginner Hike at Chickamauga Battlefield
9-16 ~College Week w/ Cumberland Trail Conference
11 Joe Johnson 10K
11-12 Chattanooga Head Race
14-17 TN State Natural Areas Conference
18 Festival of Jack ‘o Lanterns at Chattanooga Nature Center
Sublime in Art and Nature Scavenger Hunt Greenway Farm
[ http://www.chattanoogatrackclub.org/ ]Signal Mountain Road
Race
[ http://www.outdoorchattanooga.com/ ]Battlefield Bicycle Ride
[ http://www.strongadventurerace.com/ ]~Toyota of
Cleveland/YMCA Strong Adventure Race
18-19 Fall Colors Weekend at Fall Creek Falls
23 [ http://www.mrsnv.com/evt/home.jsp?id=2038 ]~Chattanooga Asthma
Walk
25 [ http://www.fallcreekfalls.org/ ]Wild Foods Day at Fall Creek
Falls
November
1-2 [ http://www.headofthehooch.org/ ]Head of the Hooch Rowing Regatta
7 Bike2Work
8 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon & 10-Mile Race
9 ~Beginner Hike w/ Chattanooga Hiking Club
27 Thanksgiving Dinner at Tennessee State Parks
December
5 [ http://www.bikechattanooga.org/ ]Bike2Work
6 [ http://www.triplecrownbouldering.org/ ]Triple Crown
Bouldering Competition
[ http://hiking.chattanooga.net/tentative.htm#current
]~Beginner Hike w/ Chattanooga Hiking Club
13 [ http://www.chattanoogatrackclub.org/ ]Wauhatchie Trail Run
20 Lookout Mountain 100K Trail Race
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