Contours February 15, 2006

The Bi-Weekly e-Newsletter of Venture Outdoors Inc. 304 Forbes Ave, 2nd Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 For Information and Registration 412-255-0564 (M-F 9-5) or www.ventureoutdoors.org Welcome to the Outdoors! What's in this issue? (Left Column) 1. Trail Mix: Hiking Rocks! 2. Venture Outdoors Membership Corner (V.O. Member's Day was a Wintry Blast!) 3. Call for Volunteers 4. Outdoor Announcements and Events Even More Fun Stuff: (Right Column) I. Venture Outdoors Activity Spotlight (Beer Tasting Hike, Stone Soup Hike, Geology Hike) II. Feedback! - Holiday Programs? III. Venture Outdoors Activity Listing IV. TEAM VO MS150 Biking V. V.O. in the News VI. Inspirations (Henry David Thoreau) VII. What's Goin' On? 1. Trail Mix - Hiking Rocks! Welcome to Trail Mix, a Zip-lock bagful of VO-related fun facts, links and puzzlers, served up fresh with every issue of Contours. Look for helpful information on everything outdoors along with other interesting tidbits that enhance your awareness and well-being (and your funny bone too). Going beneath the Surface... Geologically speaking, Pittsburgh is a pretty unique place. The hilly topography. Three rivers. The high concentration of coal and other minerals. All of these physical attributes of the land have affected the development of the city and surrounding area we all know and love. However, this is only scraping the surface, so to speak... Click the following links to find out more: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/topogeo/education/es4.pdf The Geological Story of Pennsylvania http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/topogeo/pub/pageolmag/pdfs/v28n3_4.pdf Pennsylvania Geology (online magazine issue from the Pennsylvania Geological Survey) "Of ice and waters flowing: The formation of Pittsburgh's three rivers" Trekking the Terrain If 2-D maps and online explanations aren't your learning style, check out our Geology of City Parks hike! (featured in the Venture Outdoors Activity Spotlight) Albert D. Kollar will lead a fun and informative hike through Riverview Park, outlining the history of Pittsburgh's geology. For instance, did you know that Pittsburgh was once part of a vast tropical rain forest with coal swamps, rivers, and prehistoric seas? Sign up for the hike to find out more! Puzzler..."it's Sedimentary My Dear" Can you answer the 3 questions below? Get 1 right, you get the bronze. Get 2 right, you get the silver. Get 3 right, you get the gold! The answer is at the bottom of this newsletter...but we know you won't peek... The Questions... 1. What are the three basic categories of rock? 2. How is coal classified? 3. What geological age of rock is most common around Pittsburgh? Next Generation Snowshoer at Member's Day 2. Venture Outdoors Membership Corner V.O. Member's Day was a Wintry Blast! More than 75 of our members and friends joined us on Sunday the 12th for outdoor winter fun and food at the Venture Outdoors Members Winter Party, which featured the 4th Annual Camp Stove Cook-off! The Cook-Off featured the back-country culinary skills of staff, members and trip leaders who are happy to share their recipes with you. Among the tasty entries was a dish of handmade apple crisp by our Venture Outdoors members who donned pearls and aprons as the "Desperate Housewives Go Camping" team (see photo below). If you are interested in receiving the recipes, please contact Allison Ruppert at aruppert@ventureoutdoors.org or 412-255-0564, ext. 26. A special thanks goes out to Mary Brenholts and the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts who provided the fun art activities; Michelle Paracca who provided chair massages; our committed trip leaders who lead our activities; our camp stove cooks and judges and to Wilderness Voyagers for hosting us. And of course, thank you to all of our members for their steadfast support! Sign up for Membership today and pledge your support to outdoor recreation! Put yourself in the center of the action! We make it easy for you to become a member with Venture Outdoors TODAY. Members receive discounts on the hundreds of activities with Venture Outdoors throughout the year, discounts from local merchants, priority listing on activity waiting lists and subscriptions to Contours and Adventure Times as well as providing support for the organization that means so much to you. Read on for some of the great things that come along with Venture Outdoors membership, and to join, click here! Become a V.O. Member! Discover the advantages of a Venture Outdoors membership...call today! 412-255-0564, ext. 26 Or, click here. 3. Call for Volunteers We need a little help here! General Volunteers Do you have some time to spare during the week? If so, we would be happy to include you in our ever-growing family of volunteers. Venture Outdoors staff is in need of volunteers for data entry, mailings and premium shipments as well as various office assistance during regular business hours (9 – 5 PM, Monday – Friday). Can't commit to the weekdays? We are always looking for volunteers for our exciting events such as the Banff Film Festival and Venture Outdoors Festival. Please contact Allison Ruppert at 412-255-0564, ext. 26 or aruppert@ventureoutdoors.org today. "Desperate Housewives go Camping" Volunteers needed for Non-profit Summit Tuesday, March 7 Grantmakers of Western Pennsylvania's annual summit will be bringing together from 700-1000 people who are connected with our non-profit organizations to engage in a 21st century electronic town meeting that is being designed and facilitated by AmericaSpeaks. WE REALLY NEED YOUR HELP. To make the summit a success requires a large number of volunteer table facilitators. The way that the electronic town meeting works is that all participants sit together in groups of ten. Throughout the day, each table engages in a discussion about designated issues (related to topics such as neighborhoods, the economy, the needs of children, youth, and families, etc.). Volunteer facilitators manage these table conversations and that's why we need you. If you're willing to join in this effort, please send an e-mail with your name, address, phone number and a short (two line) description of the work you do to Ann Begler at PghSummit@aol.com. 4. Outdoor Announcements & Events Get out your planners folks... Allegheny Mountain Rescue Group Allegheny Mountain Rescue Group (AMRG ) is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit search and rescue (SAR) resource that has offered support to government agencies responsible for lost- and injured-person incidents for 20 years. A Training Calender can be found on their website at www.amrg.info/schedule.htm If you would like to be added to their e-mail list, send your request to training@amrg.info. Pittsburgh Voyager Contests Pittsburgh Voyager is holding two different contests open to students in grades 4-12 in the Southwestern PA region of the US. "Name that Boat" (boat naming contest) "What a Green Boat Means to Me" (poster contest) Rules, instructions for entering, and prizes for the contest can be found at our website, www.pittsburghvoyager.org. While the poster contest must be entered by mail, students may enter the Name that Boat contest online, with the assistance of a parent or guardian. Contests run through February 28, 2006! Tell your kids, your friends, your friends’ kids, your colleagues, your favorite teacher... 2006 Yockatomac Trek The 2006 Y-Trek is in the final planning stages and the dates have been set for June 17 to June 25. We will be leaving Washington, DC early Saturday afternoon on June 17th and arriving in McKeesport, PA a little before noon for a closing picnic celebration of the trek on Sunday June 25th. It has alway been an enjoyable and interesting ride, and this year there's only about eight miles of Great Allegheny Passage trail left to be completed from Cumberland through McKeesport. For more information, check out the ATA website or join the Yoktrek mailing list: Send an email to join-yoktrek@listserver.atatrail.org. The system will send an e-mail asking for confirmation. To actually join the list one must reply to this confirmation request. 2006 Western Pennsylvania Environmental Awards - Seeking Nominations The Pennsylvania Environmental Council and Dominion, sponsors of the Western Pennsylvania Environmental Awards Program, have announced that they are now accepting nominations for the 2006 Environmental Awards, to be presented at the Westin Convention Center Hotel on May 25, 2006. An independent panel of judges will evaluate all nominations. In honor of each awardee, the sponsors will make a $1,000 donation to a nonprofit organization of the awardee's choice that provides environmental benefits to western Pennsylvania. Nomination forms are available by calling PEC at (412) 481-9400 and must be submitted by March 17, 2006. Natural Photography Notes natural landscape photography by S. Rick Armstrong January 13 through February 19 Artists' reception -- Friday, January 13, 7-9 PM Photographic notations exploring the musical nature of the urban wilderness. Gallery hours: M-F, 12-5 PM, and during film screenings in Melwood Screening Room. Filmmakers Galleries 477 Melwood Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213 412-681-5449 www.pghfilmmakers.org Laurel Ridge State Park Web Cam For anyone curious about how much snow is in the Laurel Highlands, click on the link below for the web cam at Laurel Ridge State Park: http://www.paccsa.org/webcam.htm Work on the new building at Laurel Ridge is completed. The new ski shelter has three picnic tables, a wood-burning stove, and a bathroom available. A new outside ski rack was put up, while a station waxing table was recently installed inside the warming room. For directions, click here. I. The Venture Outdoors Activity Spotlight Check it out! Sunday, February 19 Stone Soup Hike Our hike will explore the Fern Hollow and Falls Ravine watersheds, revealing vistas only possible when the trees have dropped their leaves. After about three easy miles, we'll head back to warm up with delicious stone soup! Just bring a mug of cut veggies to add to the pot. Location: Frick Park Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Cost: $12.00 member/$15.00 non-member Saturday, February 25 Beer Tasting Hike We'll walk 2-3 miles of scenic trails and learn about the natural history of one of our local parks. The hike will be followed by an exotic sampling of hand picked beers accompanied by cheese, crackers and other snacks. Minimum age: 21. Location: Dark Hollow Woods (New Location!) Time: 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM Cost: $25.00 member/$30.00 non-member Sunday, February 26 Geology of City Parks While traversing the park trails with Carnegie Museum geologist, Albert D. Kollar, we will learn how to recognize ancient rocks and the fossils within, as well as the dangerous land slides that are more prone to Riverview Park than any of the other parks. Included with the trip is a copy of "The Geology of Riverview Park" guide for each participant. Location: Riverview Park Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Cost: $14.50 member/$17.50 non-member For a complete listing of activities, check out our website: www.ventureoutdoors.org. II. Feedback! - Holiday Programs? Summer holidays are a great time to gather and have fun. However, we don't want to compete with Uncle Ted's annual barbecue, so... *What is your opinion on having programming on Memorial Day, Labor Day, and 4th of July weekends? *If interested, what types of activities would you like to see? Please send your comments to: feedback@ventureoutdoors.org. Thank you for taking the time to write! III. The Venture Outdoors Activity Listing So much to do, so little time... Saturday, February 18 - Sunday, February 19 Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe Weekend Location: Wilderness Lodge, near Erie Time: 9:00 AM Saturday - 4:00 PM Sunday Cost: $89.00 member/$99.00 non-member Saturday, February 18 Activities Day Trek Location: Raccoon Creek State Park Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Cost: $8.00 member/$10.00 non-member Snowshoeing - Lite Location: Kennerdell, Kittanning State Forest Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Cost: $30.00 member/$35.00 non-member (If no snow, deduct $20 for hike price) Sunday, February 19 Stone Soup Hike *Activity Spotlight!* Thursday, February 23 All Terrain Night Hikes Location: North Park, Pie Traynor Field Time: 5:45 PM - 8:30 PM Cost: $8.00 member/$12.00 non-member Saturday, February 25 Activities Beer Tasting Hike *Activity Spotlight!* Cross Country Skiing - Lite Location: Laurel Ridge State Park Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Cost: $20.00 member/$25.00 non-member Sunday, February 26 Activities Geology of City Parks *Activity Spotlight!* Snowshoeing Location: Quebec Run Wild Area Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Cost: $30.00 member/$35.00 non-member IV. TEAM VO MS150 Biking There is still time to join! Imagine yourself, a member of TEAM VENTURE OUTDOORS, biking the MS150's "Escape to the Lake (Erie)." Yes, you! Last year over 1,400 cyclists rode the one-way tour over scenic back roads as the finale to raising over $800,000 to help the fight against MS. Here’s an opportunity to have great fun, meet a challenge and do fundraising all as a team of great people for a great cause. This is a goal you can accomplish; it’s a very doable challenge for everyone interested. The ride is a fundraiser; therefore, each person is required to raise the amount designated by the MS Society for participation. Any additional funds raised will qualify the team for prizes based on the most dollars brought in. For more details, click here. Email Team Captain Jeanette Tuttle-Hamer at tutham@earthlink.net to discuss the details and training for TEAM VO! V. V.O. in the News Check out the latest about Venture Outdoors in the news media: Pittsburgh LIVE (Why Walk?) Cranberry Journal (Snowshoeing) Pittsburgh LIVE (Snow days) Pittsburgh LIVE (...through the woods) VI. Words of Inspiration Things that make you go: hmmm... "The finest workers in stone are not copper or steel tools, but the gentle touches of air and water working at their leisure with a liberal allowance of time." - Henry David Thoreau VII. What's Goin' On? More action-packed activities from groups all around the region. Thursday, February 16 DEER IN YOUR BACKYARD: How To Deal With The Challenges of Overabundant Deer In Your Community Location: Regional Learning Alliance, Cranberry Time: 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM Cost: Free Organization: Sierra Club, Allegheny Group Friday, February 17 - Monday, February 20 The Great Backyard Bird Count Organization: Audubon Society of Western PA Friday, February 17 Cook Forest Digital Photography Workshop Location: Clarion River Lodge Resort & Spa Time: 7:00 PM Cost: View website packages Organization: PA Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau Saturday, February 18 Hiking - Moraine State Park Time: 9:00 AM Cost: $3.25 carpool Organization: Sierra Club, Allegheny Group Call Alan Aliskovitz, 412-708-4094 Saturday, February 18 Birding Outing at Cook Forest/Piney Tract Time: 9:00 AM Cost: Free Organization: Audubon Society of Western PA Saturday, February 18 Winter Birds At Todd Sanctuary Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 NOON Cost: Free Organization: Audubon Society of Western PA Sunday, February 19 Intermediate Ski Touring - Laurel Mt. Area Time: Meet in Latrobe at 10 AM Cost: Call Diane Neely, 724-459-3012 Organization: Sierra Club, Allegheny Group Wednesday, February 22 Fitness in the Outdoors Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Cost: Free Organization: R.E.I. Wednesday, February 22 Dr. Douglas Tallamy - The Importance of the Suburban Garden and Biodiversity Location: Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve Time: 7:00 PM Cost: Free Organization: Audubon Society of Western PA Sunday, February 26 Ski Touring - Laurel Ridge State Park Time: Call Dave Mottorn, 724-327-7582 Cost: $8 for carpool Organization: Sierra Club, Allegheny Group Sunday, February 26 Hiking - Raccoon Creek State Park Time: Call Dick Pratt, 412-362-5567 Cost: $3.50 carpool Organization: Sierra Club, Allegheny Group Complete Listings at www.ventureoutdoors.org Questions? Call us 412-255-0564 Contours is an e-newsletter of Venture Outdoors and is published every two weeks. PUZZLER ANSWER: 1. Each categorization of rock depends upon how the rock was formed. Igneous rock is formed by the cooling of magma or lava. Sedimentary rock is formed by the erosion of existing rocks that are then compacted and cemented together. Metamorphic rock is chemically altered by extreme heat and pressure. Over time, rocks can change in a process known as the rock cycle. 2. Coal is actually considered a biologic sedimentary rock, because it is created by an accumulation of plant (or carbon-rich) matter. Here's a map of the distribution of coal in Pennsylvania. 3. Certain rocks were formed during certain ages of the earth's development. The areas of a map representing these geological ages are determined by the age of the bedrock found directly underneath the soil. The rocks of Pittsburgh and most of south western Pennsylvania were made in the Pennsylvanian Age (which occurred 290-323 million years ago).