Outdoor Chattanooga News And Events

  • Tuesday, January 10, 2012
  • Ruth Thompson

Here are upcoming outdoor news and events:

Rapid Learning Resumes Jan. 10 -
Outdoor Chattanooga’s Rapid Learning Whitewater Club will resume our weekly kayak roll practice this evening, Tues., Jan. 10, 6 to 8 p.m. at the UTC Maclellan Gym indoor pool. Any members of the public, ages 8 and older, wishing to try a roll practice are welcome. The first visit is free. Beginners are encouraged to attend. For more information, email Terri Chapin or call (423) 643-6882. Keep updated on the Rapid Learning Facebook page.

Street Smarts
Jan. 11
Outdoor Chattanooga will host our monthly Street Smarts safe cycling seminar on Wed., Jan. 11, 2012, 6 p.m. at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park. Our League of American Bicyclists certified instructor will offer a few simple tips and tricks for driving your bicycle as a vehicle in traffic. The class is appropriate for adults and kids ages 8 and older when accompanied by an adult. No bicycle necessary. To learn more, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888.

Winter Workshop: Accessorizing You and Your Bicycle for Winter Jan. 12
Outdoor Chattanooga will begin our third year of Winter Workshops on Thurs., Jan. 12, 6 p.m. with a class on how to keep you and your bicycle fit and warm during the winter months. Outdoor Chattanooga staffers James Eubank and Patrick Morin will offer tips on keeping your bike healthy and your toes warm while commuting to work or school. The workshop is free and open to the public. No bicycle is necessary. For more information, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888.

Winter Workshop: Caving Ethics Jan. 19
Ben Eudy from the Southeastern Cave Conservancy, Inc. will teach a Winter Workshop on the ethics of caving on Thurs., Jan. 19, 6 p.m. at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park. Eudy will present about best practices for exploring the area’s most delicate ecosystem. The workshop is free and open to the public. To learn more, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888.

Winter Workshop: Eat the Weeds in Your Own Back Yard Jan. 26
Learn about edible plants that grow in your own back yard during our third Winter Workshop on Thurs., Jan. 26, 6 p.m. at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park. Herbalist Holli Richie will guide participants through a menu of weeds and even offer some taste samples. The workshop is free and open to the public. To learn more, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888.

More Events
What’s on Your Plate? Screens Jan. 10
Gaining Ground and the Baylor School will host a free, public screening of the film, "What's on Your Plate?" a fun documentary that delves into the who's, how's, where's and why's of local food systems through the eyes of two eleven year old adventurers. The film will screen at the Roddy Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. on Tues., Jan. 10, followed by a question and answer session with local farmers Richard Candler of Williams Island Farm and Robin Fazio of Sonrise Farm.

Longboard Maintenance Class
Jan. 14
L2 Boards will host a longboard maintenance class in their shop, at the corner of 1st and Market Sts. on Sat., Jan. 14, from 5 to 6 p.m. Learn about board set up, bearing and truck maintenance and general care. To learn more about the workshop, email or call the shop at (423) 531-7873.

Tennessee Sandhill Crane Festival Jan. 14-15
The TN Wildlife Resources Agency and TN Ornithological Society will host the annual TN Sandhill Crane Festival on Sat. and Sun., Jan. 14 and 15, at the Birchwood Elementary School in Birchwood, TN. The free event celebrates the yearly visit of thousands of Sandhill cranes to the Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge. There will be guides with spotting scopes at the Refuge to help visitors view the cranes and other wildlife, speakers, workshops, films, and children’s activities at the Birchwood Elementary School, and special Native American presentations at the nearby Cherokee Removal Memorial Park.

Owl Pellet Dissection at CANC Jan. 21
The Chattanooga Arboretum and Nature Center will host a workshop on dissecting owl pellets on Sat., Jan. 21 at 1 p.m. Participants will dissect pellets to examine the diets of great horned owls, barred owls, barn owls and screech owls. Space is limited and preregistration is required. Cost is $11 for adults, $8 for kids and incldes all day admission to the CANC property. To reserve a space, call (423) 821-1160 ext. 0.

Adventures
Guild Trail Hike with Chattanooga Trekkers Jan. 14
The Chattanooga Trekkers family hiking group will host a hike on the Ruby Falls section of Lookout Mtn.’s Guild Trail on Sat., Jan. 14, 1 p.m. The rail trail was built on the historic route of the C & LM Broad Gauge Railroad and follows its path up the mountain. The hike requires an RVSP. For more information, email or call hike leader Valerie Radu at (423) 503-2318.

Soddy-Daisy TTA Hikes in Jan.
The Soddy-Daisy chapter of the TN Trails Assoc. will host several winter hikes on the Cumberland Trail and other local trails, such as Raccoon Mtn. and the TN Riverpark during the month of Jan. Visit the chapter's Website for details or contact hike leader George Bonneau at (423) 842-3619.

Weekly 5-Points Rides with SORBA-Chattanooga
The Chattanooga Chapter of the Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association hosts weekly mountain bike rides at the 5-Points Recreation Area on Lookout Mtn. every Sun. at 10 a.m. All riders are welcome and groups will be divided into varying abilities. Average ride length: 12-16 miles.

News
Fees Waived at Point Park Jan. 14-16
Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will waive entrance fees to enter Point Park on top of Lookout Mtn. Sat., Jan. 14 through Mon., Jan. 16, in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday. All park entrance fees, including commercial tour entrance fees will be waived at all 395 national parks Jan. 14 – 16, 2012. This fee-free weekend provides an opportunity for individuals and families alike to take an affordable vacation or to explore a nearby park they have never visited before. For more information, call the Lookout Mountain Battlefield Visitor Center at (423) 821-7786.

Web Hit of the Week
In honor of this week’s Winter Workshop on winter cycling, we take you to a post on Commute by Bike.

Last Week’s Web Hit
In honor of their free film screening next week, we highlight Gaining Ground Chattanooga, and just for fun, some Night Bikes.

Happy New Year!
Feb.
18 - S-S-Snakes Alive at CA&NC
19 - Southern 6 Trail Race and Kiddie K

March
10 - Scout Day at CA&NC
17 - Durham Mine Site and Fossil Dig at CA&NC
24 - Rock/Creek River Gorge Trail Race

April
21 - Outdoor Expo and Gear Swap
21-22 - Sequatchie Valley Fest
28/29 - Volunteer 80 Race to the Smokies

May
5 - 3State/3Mountain Challenge
19 - Scenic City Trail Marathon and ½ Marathon
Children’s Hospital Dragon Boat Festival
Chattanooga Tour de Cure
IHN 5K Run and Walk to End Homelessness
June
1-3 - TN Valley Canoe Club Paddle School
2 - National Trails Day
15-17 - Chattanooga Mountains Stage Race

July
8 - Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon

October
6 - Swim the Suck
Rock/Creek Stump Jump
UTC Intra-Squad/Alumni Regatta
13 - Chattanooga Head Race

November
3-4 - Head of the Hooch

Latest Headlines
Outdoors
Green Thumb Garden Club Meeting Topic Is "Tennessee Smart Yards" April 8
  • 3/26/2024

The Green Thumb Garden Club of Collegedale/Ooltewah will meet Monday, April 8 at 6:45 p.m. at Chestnut Hall (in the Commons), 4950 Swinyar Dr. in Collegedale. The presenter is Master Gardener ... more

Ford Little Appointed To Tennessee Fish And Wildlife Commission
Ford Little Appointed To Tennessee Fish And Wildlife Commission
  • 3/23/2024

Ford Little has been named to the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission. A Knoxville native, he will represent Commission District 2 which consists of 11 counties. His appointment runs through ... more

2024-25 Hunting And Trapping Proposals Presented To Commission At March Meeting
  • 3/23/2024

The Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission heard proposals for the state’s 2024-25 hunting and trapping seasons at its two-day meeting which concluded Friday at Buffalo Ridge Refuge. The Tennessee ... more