1. Trail Mix -Thanks to the Outdoors
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).
Check out the NEW Venture Outdoors Blog!
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Thanksgiving...
This year when you sit down to your Thanksgiving leftovers,
remember to thank the outdoors. Click
here for more...
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For more information or more activities check out the Activity Spotlight or VO Activities listing in
the right column or visit our website.
Pilgrim Puzzler...
The Pilgrims liked the wild turkey so much; they later wanted to give it what esteemed title?
2.
Outdoor Announcements & Events
Get
out your planners folks...
Thanks PPG!
Everyone here at
Venture Outdoors would like to thank
PPG for including us in the PPG Matching Gift Program! Your donations
help us make the Pittsburgh region a better place to live!
The PPG Matching Gift Program is a great opportunity for others at PPG and other local
companies to help us achieve our mission. Make a donation today through the Matching Gift
Program and help us get you outside!
For more information on the Matching Gifts Program
and PPG
click here.
Want to make a donation? Support V.O.!
Special
Events
The Allegheny Front Local Food Happy Hour
What?: The Allegheny Front environmental radio program celebrates the holiday season. Join radio staff and contributors, as well as
regional environmental newsmakers for a happy hour featuring local food and
drink. Bring your environmental stories, too, as elements of the party will
be taped for a special broadcast.
When?: Friday, December 1st from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.
Where?: WYEP-FM's Community Broadcast Center, 67 Bedford Square, in Pittsburgh's South Side.
Reserve your space now!: E-mail info@alleghenyfront.org (space is limited).
A five dollar donation will be requested at the door. For more information please click here.
Fly Tying Nights
by Wilderness Voyageurs
What?: Join Dale Kotowski for Fly Tying Nights. We have some supplies,
but feel free to bring your own. Share patterns and tips or learn new ones.
When?: Beginning November 1st, every other Wednesday
night at 6:30 PM
Where?: Falls City Restaurant and Pub
For more information: Contact Wilderness Voyageurs at
724-329-8336.
Contest for Kids
National Safe Boating Council (NSBC)
presents its 2nd annual Boating Safety Sidekicks contest:
Who can enter?: Kids ages 4 - 15 (divided into 3 age groups. First, second, and third place prizes
will be awarded in each of the 3 age groups).
What to do?: Prepare a short story, poster, or video to tell others
how to be a safe boater.
Want to enter?: Visit the Boating Safety Sidekicks website at
www.boatingsidekicks.com for more information on the contest and how to enter.
Deadline: Enter now until January 1, 2007.
Environment/Health/Community
Venture Outdoors Member Joins Climb For Hope
Laura Willumsen of Pittsburgh has joined the Climb for Hope expedition which is
raising money for breast cancer research by climbing Cotopaxi, the highest active
volcano in Ecuador (19,500'), to raise funds that will be directed toward a vaccine being
developed at Johns Hopkins University.
The Climb for Hope was created by Andrew Buerger of Baltimore whose sister has late-stage
cancer. He and twenty other climbers are raising a minimum of $5,000 each by the end of
December. The climb takes place from January 4 - 13, 2007 and will be led by Chris Warner, a veteran
mountaineer who has summited Mt. Everest and K2 among many others.
To find out more about Climb for Hope and to make a donation, go to
www.climbforhope.com.
Changes in Fall Musky Stocking
Waterways around PA will see an increase in musky stockings in the near future. The PA Fish and Boating
Commission would like input from anglers about the changes. You can take the survey
here, or for more information, please visit
www.fishandboat.com.
Leave
No Trace Survey
The
Center for Outdoor Ethics is seeking your input and
ideas in order to make the Leave No Trace program more effective,
useful and successful. Please take a few minutes to complete
this quick survey. Your input is extremely valuable, and
your comments and new ideas are welcome.
Click
here to take the survey!
Clean-Up/Trails
Mountain
Bike Trail Maintenance
with the Pittsburgh
Trail Advocacy Group
Bring: tools, water and lunch, gloves, and appropriate clothes.
Next Date and Location:
Sunday, December 10
- Northpark, end of the year wrap up trail day.
For general information, email trail@bike-pgh.org
3.
Venture Outdoors Membership Corner
Bicycle Wreath Workshop for VO Members!
Are your ready to make the coolest wreath ever? Bring a bicycle wheel,
with or without a tire, and Mary Brenholts of the Pittsburgh Center for
the Arts will provide all the greens, gold, & silver for your spectacular
creation.
Location: Venture Outdoors Office
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Cost: $15.00 member
Member
Discounts
The Vitamin
Emporium is offering members $5 off $30 or more and
$10 off $60 or more their products which are already 10-20%
off suggested retail prices. The Vitamin Emporium offers
a wide-array of high-quality vitamins, herbal and homeopathic
remedies, and organic and natural body and skin care products
all at discount prices. The store also carries hard-to-find
and unusual products as well as natural gift and household
items. The store’s concept is geared toward attracting consumers
who have already or want to get informed and take charge
of their health and learn more about how nutritional supplements
can enhance their health and quality of life.
is offering a 10% discount on the purchase of a yoga class
package for Venture Outdoors members! Located in the historic
South Side, Breathe Yoga Studio is dedicated to offering
every individual the opportunity to enhance their physical,
mental and spiritual well-being through the practice of
yoga. We aim to create a safe, friendly and welcoming environment
for our students to explore and experience an eclectic variety
of beginner through advanced yoga classes with knowledgeable
and well trained instructors. Our on-going in-studio schedule
includes yoga classes in hatha, vinyasa, and Iyengar styles
as well as Middle Eastern belly dance and modern dance classes.
Breathe Yoga Studio also offers off-site group and private
instruction through our “Breathe Out” program including
summer outdoor yoga classes at South Side Works. Relax,
rejuvenate and unwind - isn't it time for you to learn how
to breathe? Call 412/481.YOGA (9642) for more information.
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.
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4.
Call for Volunteers
We need a little
help here!
Gift-wrapping at REI for Venture Outdoors
Every year during the holiday shopping season, REI likes to extend an invitation to the groups
and organizations that they work with to come into their store during the busy holiday weekends
to set up a gift wrapping table.
We extend this opportunity to volunteers to go to the store and
promote and raise funds for Venture Outdoors as we wrap gifts. This will take place December 16th.
If you are unable to donate your time, please consider donating supplies such as wrapping paper,
tape, bows and tags. For more information, please contact Allison Ruppert at 412-255-0564, ext. 26
or aruppert@ventureoutdoors.org.
Calling all Database Dynamos and Office Oficianos
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). Shifts are flexible.
Please contact Allison Ruppert at 412-255-0564, ext. 26
or aruppert@ventureoutdoors.org
today.
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I.
Unique Holiday Gift Ideas
Perfect
for anyone who enjoys the outdoors!
Just in time for the Holidays, Kayak Pittsburgh Gift packages! These gifts
are perfect for the paddling enthusiast or as a way to introduce a beginner
to the water (but they are such good deals that you may want to keep them for
yourself)! No one really needs another neck tie or sweater and best of all
these gifts are one size fits all. Spring is just one cold winter away.
We recommend this gift be accompanied with some strong sun block and a good pair
of sunglasses. Think SUN!
Venture Outdoors Adventure in a Bottle
Buy a years’ worth of adventure for the whole family!
Our one-size-fits-all Venture Outdoors Adventure in a Bottle Holiday Gift Offer
is an excellent $70 offer ($120 value), including a household membership to
Venture Outdoors with discounts on hundreds of trips and activities. Plus,
inside the bottle are:
- 2 tickets to the Banff Mountain Film Festival on April 5 & 6, 2007 at The
Byham Theater (this premium will be mailed in late March/early April)
- Venture Outdoors window decal
- invitations to member appreciation events and member-only events
- merchant discounts
- priority seating on Venture Outdoors activity waiting lists
- subscription to Contours (e-newsletter) and Adventure Times (schedule of activities published 3X per year)
All this adventure comes bundled inside a virtually indestructible Venture Outdoors
Nalgene water bottle! Normally a $120 value, you save $50 by giving this great
holiday gift for only $70. This offer is ONLY available until December 31, 2006.
We cannot guarantee delivery for orders made after December 19th and unless picked up
from our office, are subject to extra shipping charges due to the customer.
Call Venture Outdoors at 412-255-0564 to place your order for this wonderful holiday
gift offer. Order now to make sure you receive your Adventure in a Bottle in time
for the holidays – remember it usually takes at least a week for deliveries. Hurry
and order one for everyone on your list today.
II.
V.O. in the News
Check
out the latest about Venture Outdoors in the news. See more press on our website.
Venture Outdoors on WQED
Check out our Executive Director, Erik Lingren, and Nancy Furbee!
WQED Multimedia, Farmland Preservation, Part 2
Venture Outdoors on KDKA
Check out our recent spot on KDKA's Pittsburgh TODAY Live!
Pittsburghers take to wireless
Pittsburgh Tribune Review, Business
November 3, 2006
Everything
outdoors - now on a searchable database
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, On the Go: Travel, Leisure, and
Food
October 15, 2006
III. Venture
Outdoors Activities
For more information
on any of our activities visit our website
www.ventureoutdoors.org.
Thursday, November 30
All Terrain Evening Hikes - NEW Fall Series!
Location: Highland Park Dam
Time: 5:45 PM - 8:30 PM
Cost: $10.00 member/$12.00 non-member
Saturday, December 2
Beer Tasting Hike
Location: Bird Park
Time: 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Cost: $25.00 member/$30.00 non-member
60 Hikes within 60 Miles of Pittsburgh
Location: Frick Park
Time: 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Cost: $8.00 member/$10.00 non-member
Sunday, December 3
Matzo Ball Hike
Location: Schenley Park
Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Cost: $12.00 member/$15.00 non-member
Tuesday, December 5
Bicycle Wreath Workshop - Members Only
Location: Venture Outdoors Office
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Cost: $15.00 member
IV.
Words of Inspiration
Things that make you go, "Hmmmm..."
"I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees,
and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite,
which is yes."
~E. E. Cummings
V.
What's Goin' On?
More action-packed activities from groups all around the region.
If you or your organization wants to contribute an event to this section of Contours, email
tchicka@ventureoutdoors.org for more information.
Saturday, December 2
ARL Wildlife Center Breakfast with
Santa & The Animals
Seating is limited, Reservations Required! Call 412-793-6900 or email
jargall@animalrescue.org for reservations.
Location: 6000 Verona Rd. Verona, PA
Time: 10am & 11:30am - 11:30am & 1:00 pm
Cost: Free members/ $5 person non-member
Organization:
Animal Rescue League Wildlife Center
Hike
Call Ed Divers, 412-828-5154.
Location: Yough River Trail near Connellsville
Time: 9:00 AM - Late afternoon
Cost: Free
Organization: Sierra Club, Allegheny Group
Sunday, December 3
Hike
Call Diane Neely, 724-459-3012.
Location: Blue Spruce Park
Time: 10:00 AM - Late afternoon
Cost: Free
Organization: Sierra Club, Allegheny Group
Hike
Call Dick Pratt, 412-362-5567.
Location: Burgettstown Gamelands
Time: Call - Late afternoon
Cost: Free
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.
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VI.
Support VO
Do
your online shopping through iGive
and support Venture Outdoors!
That's right, go head and buy something for yourself
or a friend – a new CD, the latest bestseller, essentials like
toothpaste or vitamins, even a computer. But first join at www.iGive.com/VentureOutdoors.
Every time you shop at one of the over 600 name-brand stores
in the Mall at iGive.com, we'll receive a donation of up
to 26% of each purchase you make, at no cost to you.
Membership is free and your privacy is guaranteed.
Contact Allison with any questions about this great program:
aruppert@ventureoutdoors.org
Thanks for supporting Venture Outdoors!
Experience
Pittsburgh from a different perspective
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