posted September 4, 2008
Our new building is coming right along, and check out a couple of events for pedalers and paddlers. Watch that lightning bolt ~to see something new.
~Pictures from a New Building
The roof trusses are going in on the new Outdoor Chattanooga Center in Coolidge Park. Check out the progress on our Picasa Web photo album.
~Bicycle Commuting? It's Not Just for Roadies Anymore
According to this article in the Christian Science Monitor, the numbers of Americans who are bicycling for transportation is increasing dramatically, along with concerns about the safety of cars and bicycles sharing the road. Here in Chattanooga, we're seeing a lot more bike commuters, and debates over safety have been raging on Chattanoogan.com for the past few weeks. There are options to help you learn how to use your bike as a vehicle. Contact Chattanooga Bicycle Coordinator Philip Pugliese at (423) 643-6887 for more information about either of these upcoming events . . .
Bike2Work Sept. 5
Get a first-hand look at what bicycle commuting is like by coming to the free, monthly Bike2Work Breakfast this Fri., Sept. 5, from 7 to 8:30 a.m. at the south end of the Walnut St. Bridge. Chattanooga's bicycle commuters gather on the first Friday of every month to share coffee and ideas about how to make bicycle commuting better and safer.
Street Smarts Sept. 13
On Sat., Sept. 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the downtown Development Resource Center, Bike Chattanooga will offer their monthly Street Smarts class. The course is a great resource for adults and teenagers who may be new to road cycling, or who want to pull the bike out of the garage after a hiatus. League of American Bicyclists-certified instructors teach cyclists the rules of the road in Tennessee, as well as basic bicycle maintenance and how to handle on-road situations.
~Beginner Kayak Adventure Sept. 6
Join Outdoor Chattanooga’s OutVenture for the last of our free, 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.
~BYO-Boat Paddle to Williams Island Sept. 13
Join Outdoor Chattanooga for a day trip to explore the wonders of Williams Island. We'll put in at the Suck Creek Boat launch on Suck Creek Rd. at 9:00 a.m. and paddle upstream around the island, ending at the Tennessee River Blueway campsite for some lunch and exploration time. Then, we'll get back in our boats and head back downstream to Suck Creek, getting off of the water by 2:00. The trip is free, but reservations are required. Email ruth@outdoorchattanooga.com or call (423) 643-6889 to make a reservation.
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 the race will go toward upgrading and maintaining campsites along the Blueway. Questions? Email us.
Events
~BioBlitz Sept. 5 & 6
The public is invited to visit the Chattanooga Nature Center and Reflection Riding Arboretum and Botanical Gardens for BioBlitz on Fri. & Sat., Sept. 5 & 6. The event is free to the community. Co-hosted by the Tennessee Aquarium, the BioBlitz will bring together scientists and nature experts from across the region in an attempt to see how many species can be counted in a 24-hour period. The public is invited to observe scientists at work and take part in more than a dozen free programs, including a bat release, guided bird and butterfly walk and owl presentation. BioBlitz goes from 3 p.m. on Friday to 3 p.m. on Saturday. For details, call the Chattanooga Nature Center at (423) 821-1160 ext. 112.
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 National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, will be the first speaker in the 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.
~Open Arms Bicycle Challenge Sept. 13
The Open Arms Care Foundation will host the 4th Annual Open Arms Bike Challenge on Sat., Sept. 13 at 8:00 a.m. in Ooltewah, TN. The Challenge features a 26-mile or 62-mile ride, with all proceeds benefiting people with mental retardation and developmental disabilities in the Chattanooga area. Interested cyclists may register online or by mail to Open Arms Care, 8822, Production Lane, Suite 106, Ooltewah, TN 37363. Cost is $30 pre-registered, or $35 the day of the ride.
~20th Classic Symphony 5K Run Sept. 13
Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Guild will host the 20th annual Classic Symphony 5K Run on Sat., Sept. 13, at 8:30 a.m., beginning in Coolidge Park. The course from Coolidge Park through Heritage Landing is fast, flat and USA Track and Field-certified, appropriate for both seasoned runners and novices. Registration begins at 7:00 a.m. The race begins at 8:30 a.m. Pre-registration is $17 on Active.com. Race day registration is $20. All registered participants receive t-shirts, and prizes will be awarded to overall male and female winners as well as age bracket male and female winners. For more information, contact Rick Volkwein or call (423) 326-2812.
~Open House at John C. Wilson Park, Sept. 14
Join the Lookout Mountain Land Trust for an open house at John C. Wilson Park, on Cummings Highway, Sun., Sep. 14 from 2 to 4 p.m. The Trust will host Guided tours of the park--including the new Kudzu eating goats--and light refreshments will be provided. Enjoy walking trails, views of the Tennessee River and accessible picnic tables. Information about the Lookout Mountain Conservancy and its programs will also be available. For more information, please contact Sarah Quattrochi at (423) 653-0091.
~BRAT Sept. 14-20
For 2008, the Bicycle Ride Across Tennessee will begin at Warrior’s Path State Park in Kingsport, TN and meander through the mountains around Gatlingburg, Jonesborough, and other East Tennessee landmarks. A portion of proceeds from the event will go to The Cumberland Trail Conference (CTC), a non-profit organization dedicated to the creation and preservation of Cumberland Trail State Park.
Adventures
Backwoods Hike with SAFC Sept. 6
Join the 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 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 Friends of South Cumberland Park for a complete calendar.
News
~”PictureTomorrow” Photography Contest
The Photographic Society of Chattanooga, Two North Shore, and the Association for Visual Artists are hosting a photographic contest called, “PictureTomorrow: Using Photography to Embody the Future We Value." Amateur photographers can submit photographs in 13 categories, which include nature, outdoor sports, kids at play, the sky, and landscapes. The winners of each category will be invited to exhibit and sell their work at a weekend exhibition on Oct. 25 and 26. A free workshop on how to prepare for exhibiting will be offered to winners by the Photographic Society of Chattanooga. Photographers must be from the greater Chattanooga area. Photos must be taken in the greater Chattanooga area and must be submitted by Oct. 1. For more information, call (423) 756-6746.
~”Outside” Takes a Look at the Democratic/Republican Conventions
The New York Times and CNN aren’t the only media attending both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions. Check out these blogs from Outside Online and Grist to get outdoor and environmental takes on our favorite political circuses.
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.
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 Chickamauga Chattanooga National Military Park. Work on the Bluff, Gum Springs, Kiddie or Mountain Beautiful trails is scheduled for 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.
~Cumberland Trail Conference Work Project Sept. 8-12
On Sept. 8 – 12, join an AmeriCorps NCCC team for trail maintenance on the Tennessee River Gorge segment of the Cumberland Trail in Hamilton Co., TN. Maintenance to be performed will include replacing wooden steps, repairing bridges and wooden walk-ways, repairing trail tread, removing fallen trees, and trail blazing. The NCCC team will be lodged at Pot Point House near Signal Mountain. An RSVP is required and space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The work day in the field will be 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST.
~Cumberland Trail Conference Work Project Sept. 15-Oct. 2
On Sept. 15 – Oct. 2, the Cumberland Trail Conference and AmeriCorps NCCC will host a bridge-building project across the Possum and Rock Creek Gorges in northern Hamilton Co., TN. Volunteers are needed to pack in the bridge components, materials for bridge footings, scaffolding, and the tools needed for construction. Volunteers will also participate in bridge construction. Food and lodging will be provided at the Lutheran Camp located in Soddy-Daisy, TN. An RSVP is required and space is limited. The work day in the field will be 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST.
Website of the Week
Tennessee Bicycling Advocates is an online group whose purpose is to communicate bicycling issues and promote safe, courteous, and responsible cycling in the state of Tennessee. Anyone can join. Visit the Website and click on “Apply for Group Membership” mid-way in the right-hand column.
Last Week’s Site:
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.
Weekly Water Saver Tip
Saving water is as easy as fixing a drip. If you’re on a budget and don’t know about home plumbing, check out these do it yourself Websites: DIYNetwork and HomeTime.com.
Last Week’s 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.
Coming Up . . .
September
19 National Park(ing) Day
20 Tennessee River Blueway Canoe and Kayak Race
Battlefield Bicycle Ride
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 Bike2Work
4 8th Annual Rock/Creek StumpJump 50K Trail Race
Sequatchie Valley Century
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
Signal Mountain Road Race
Battlefield Bicycle Ride
Toyota of Cleveland/YMCA Strong Adventure Race
18-19 Fall Colors Weekend at Fall Creek Falls
23 Chattanooga Asthma Walk
25 Wild Foods Day at Fall Creek Falls
November
1-2 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 Bike2Work
6 Triple Crown Bouldering Competition
~Beginner Hike w/ Chattanooga Hiking Club
13 Wauhatchie Trail Run
20 Lookout Mountain 100K Trail Race
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