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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 (unsubscribe information is at the very end of this email) Welcome to the Outdoors! What's in this issue? 1. Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2. Venture Outdoors Membership Corner 3. Call for Volunteers 4. Outdoor Announcements and Events Even More Fun Stuff: I. Feedback! - Membership II. PAEE Conference III. Venture Outdoors Activity Spotlight (XC Skiing, Beer Hike, Chili Hike, Aviary/Arboretum Hike) IV. V.O. in the News V. Inspirations (Jimmy Carter) VI. What's Goin' On? |
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1. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
A Day in the Park - Perfect for the family! Celebrate the equality and diversity of humankind. January 16, 2006 is Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Venture Outdoors is having their 4th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the Park. Click here to find out more about how the Civil Rights Movement was driven by the non-violent efforts of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A Day ON… King once said, "Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve." So get out there and serve! This day doesn't have to be a day off…it should be a day ON! Lend us a hand by volunteering at the Day in the Park (see Call for Volunteers). Find other service opportunities in the area by clicking here. 2. Venture Outdoors Membership Corner 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! Already a member? Consider upgrading your membership or buying a gift membership for someone. Click here or call the membership office at 412-255-0564, ext. 26, (M-F 9-5). New Member Discounts Venture Outdoors is pleased to offer the following new merchant discounts to all of our members. These are just three of the many benefits of membership. East End Brewing Company Discount Venture Outdoors members receive a dollar off of the purchase of NEW GROWLERS. "What is a growler?" you may ask? Why it's the very best friend of a good beer drinker such as yourself! It's one half-gallon of the freshest brew you ever laid your lips on. With the discount, it is $2 for the jug, $10 for the beer, refills $10. The containers are completely reusable. The East End Brewing Company, just rated the 3rd best local microbrewery by City Paper readers, is a brewing operation that puts a much lighter load on the earth's resources than comparable traditional facilities. Contact East End Brewing Company at (412) 537-2337. JoS. A. Bank Clothiers Discount JoS. A. Bank Clothiers specializes in Professional, Corporate Casual and Casual men's clothing and was one of our fashion show participants. Members of Venture Outdoors may apply for the JoS. A. Bank Corporate Card and receive a 20% discount on all regularly priced merchandise, available for in-store, catalogue and Internet orders. Present your membership card or corporate ID # at the store to receive your discount card (corporate ID # is available to current members by calling Allison Ruppert at 412-255-0564, ext. 26). You can also request a discount card by giving your corporate ID # by phone at 1-800-285-2265 or by email at corporatecard@jos-a-bank.com. To request a catalogue or for the store nearest you, please call 1-800-285-2265 or visit www.josbank.com.
3. Call for Volunteers We need a little help here! Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the Park Venture Outdoors is in need of volunteer support for Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the Park on Monday, January 16, 2006 at Schenley Park Ice Rink. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is a joint effort undertaken by numerous local partners. Our co-sponsor for this event is the Student Conservation Association. Supporting partners include: American Eagle, Citiparks, Dominion, and Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. Volunteer duties would include registration, ice skating, sledding, set-up, and art activities. Lunch will be provided and volunteer shifts begin at 11AM. To sign up, please contact Allison Ruppert at 412-255-0564, ext. 26 or aruppert@ventureoutdoors.org by January 13, 2006. 
Fun crafts at Day in the Park. 4. Outdoor Announcements & Events Get out your planners folks… Christmas Tree Recycling Collection The Pennsylvania Resources Council (PRC), in partnership with the Union Project, Construction Junction, and the City of Pittsburgh, is hosting a Christmas tree recycling collection on SATURDAY, JANUARY 14, 2006 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Emery Tree Service, the event sponsor, will recycle all of the trees into mulch. During that timeframe, individuals are invited to drop off their real Christmas trees at Construction Junction, 214 N. Lexington Street in the Point Breeze section of Pittsburgh. A $1 fee per tree will be charged to help defray the costs of the event. Christmas trees must be free of ornaments and loose or tied with a string when dropped off. Absolutely no trees in plastic bags will be accepted. The National Christmas Tree Association estimates 25-30 million trees are sold in the U.S. each year. Recycling diverts these trees from the landfill, saving space for items that cannot be reused or recycled. Call PRC at (412) 488-7490 or visit www.prc.org for more information. Live. Learn. Ride. Dig. Eat. Drink. Be Merry. That's the plan for the PTAG Gala year-end festivity, Sunday January 8th, in North Park, at the Old Boy Scout Cabin across from the lake on Ingomar (aka Wildwood) near the corner of Babcock Blvd. We'll start at 10am with a power-breakfast of coffee and Allegro Hearth baked goods while IMBA's Karl Rosengarth presents a valuable trail-building presentation. At 11:30 we'll go for a ride or perhaps a hike or ski depending on the weather. At 1:30 we'll come back and enjoy some food, soft drinks courtesy of Allegheny County Parks and some Troeg's beer while we discuss plans for 2006. Then we'll celebrate a year of good deeds in our local parks by presenting the top trail workers and everyone else with prizes galore, courtesy of Dirt Rag Magazine, Hoss Technical Gear, Speedgoat, and other sources yet to be confirmed. For all the upcoming info, Join and read the Pittsburgh MTB access list serve: Send an email to pgh_mtb_access-subscribe@topica.com Or call Biber 412.761.7973 or Maurice 412.302.9070 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. Environmental Center Program Manager The Regional Environmental Education Center (REEC) is currently seeking a Program Manager to operate and help expand existing programs and develop new programs. The current programming is targeted to grades 3 through 7 in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The most significant short-term goals of this position include, facilitating the existing programs, increasing awareness in area schools, new program development, and increasing staff to accommodate expected program growth. For more information about this job opportunity, email REEC. Submit Resume and salary history to: PGHR Consulting PO Box 63 Ingomar, PA 15127 pghr@pghrconsulting.com Commission Announces Testing For Entry-Level Fisheries Biologists The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is looking for individuals interested in a career in fisheries management or fisheries research. Applications are being accepted by the State Civil Service Commission through February 17, 2006. Application forms and further information on the application process can be obtained from the State Civil Service Commission web site at www.scsc.state.pa.us or by calling the Pittsburgh office at 412-565-7666 (Text Telephone: 412-565-2484.) Questions may also be addressed to the PFBC's Human Resources Office at 717-705-7820. |
I. Feedback! - Membership
It's 2006 and Venture Outdoors is looking to expand the outdoor community…and we want YOU to be a member. Help us by answering a few quick questions: *What type of activities would you like to see at future members-only events? *What benefit of membership do you find to be the most valuable? *If you have never joined, what can we do to make you a member? Please send your comments to: feedback@ventureoutdoors.org. Thank you for taking the time to write!
III. The Venture Outdoors Activity Spotlight So much to do, so little time… Sunday, January 8 Cross-Country Skiing These outings are designed for folks with some prior experience cross country skiing (beginners should start with Cross Country Ski-Lite outings). We'll head out into the snow to enjoy the beauty of the Laurel Highlands while gliding through the mountain laurel and hemlocks. Location: Laurel Ridge State Park Time: 10:00 PM - 2:00 PM Cost: $20 member/$25 non-member 
Playing around on a XC Ski trip. Saturday, January 14 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: Deer Lakes Park Time: 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM Cost: $25.00 member/$30.00 non-member Sunday, January 15 Cold Weather - Hot Chili Hike Spend a day in the woods, explore a trail, get some exercise and discover something new about the world all around us. Afterward, we'll enjoy a heaping helping of hot chili. Location: Frick Park Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Cost: $12.00 member/$15.00 non-member Saturday, January 21 Aviary & Arboretum Hike This lovely little hike combine fresh air amidst towering trees with the exotic climate of the National Aviary. Starting with a tour of Pittsburgh's oldest park, the Allegheny Commons, we'll see a wide variety of massive trees marked with name plates dating back to 1867. Once we've toured the 80 acres and scenic bridges of Lake Elizabeth, we will head indoors to warm up in the Aviary and enjoy a guided tour. The Aviary is a delight to the senses, with rooms of exotic birds walking across your path, flying overhead, and building nests just a few feet away without the separation of cages. All ages welcome. Location: North Side of Pittsburgh Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM Cost: $20.00 member/$25.00 non-member For a complete listing of activities, check out our website: www.ventureoutdoors.org. IV. V.O. in the News Check out the latest about Venture Outdoors in the news media: Cranberry Journal Pittsburgh LIVE (Snow days) Pittsburgh LIVE (…through the woods) V. Words of Inspiration Things that make you go: hmmm… "It is good to realize that if love and peace can prevail on earth, and if we can teach our children to honor nature's gifts, the joys and beauties of the outdoors will be here forever." - Jimmy Carter VI. What's Goin' On? More action-packed activities from groups all around the region. Saturday, January 7 Skiing - Laurel Mountain Ski-touring at Laurel Mountain off US30. Meet at Edgewood Town Mall at 9 AM. Hike if snow conditions are not good. $7.50 carpool - 60 miles from Edgewood. Call Norm Snyder, 412-351-4068. Time: 9:00 AM Cost: Free Organization: Sierra Club, Allegheny Group Sunday, January 8 Hiking - Todd Sanctuary, Beechwood Farms Hike an easy 5 miles at Todd Sanctuary and Beechwood Farms with an optional visit to the Hartwood Acres lighting display. Meet at 10:30 AM at the Harmarville National City Bank. $3.50 carpool - 30 miles from Harmarville. Call John Dern, 412-856-4642. Time: 10:30 AM Cost: Free Organization: Sierra Club, Allegheny Group Wednesday, January 11 GPS 102 Location: REI Pittsburgh Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Cost: Free Organization: R.E.I. Saturday, January 14 Skiing - Laurel Ridge State Park Ski-touring for all levels at Laurel Ridge State Park on Rt.653. Meet at New Stanton Park and Ride at 10 AM or inquire about Monroeville carpools. Rentals available. Bring lunch or buy at the warming hut. $5 carpool - 40 miles. Call Bill Kozorra or Dianne Ciccarelli, 412-531-6236. Time: 10:00 AM Cost: Free Organization: Sierra Club, Allegheny Group Sunday, January 15 Hiking - Conemaugh Reservoir Area Hike an easy 5 miles at Todd Sanctuary and Beechwood Farms with an optional visit to the Hartwood Acres lighting display. Meet at 10:30 AM at the Harmarville National City Bank. $3.50 carpool - 30 miles from Harmarville. Call John Dern, 412-856-4642. Time: Call for time. Cost: Free Organization: Sierra Club, Allegheny Group Sunday, January 15 Hiking - Oil Creek State Park Ski-touring at Oil Creek State Park. Hike if skiing is not good. $12 carpool - 102 miles. Call Dave Mottorn, 724-327-7582. Time: Call for time. Cost: Free Organization: Sierra Club, Allegheny Group Wednesday, January 18 Intro to Nordic Skiing Free your heel and your mind will follow. Forget the flashy clothing, lift lines and tickets that are synonymous for the alpine skier. Join REI as we outfit you for a cross-country ski odyssey. We will discuss the fundamental differences between backcountry, telemarking, and touring ski styles. In addition, we will cover proper clothing and potential hazards in the backcountry. For more information please call customer service (412)488-9410 Location: REI Pittsburgh Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Cost: Free for members. Organization: R.E.I.
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