1. Trail Mix - Snowy Valentine's
 Warm fireplaces...snuggling up on the
sofa...hiding from the snow...
Why would you stay indoors when you can take your Valentine outside?
Nothing says "I love you" quite like a snowball in the face, or wiping
out on a steep snow-covered hill....or snowshoeing or cross-country
skiing across the beautiful wintry landscape. Just be sure to
bundle up in your warmest gear and be careful on those roads. That warm
fireplace will feel much more inviting after an afternoon in the
outdoors.
If this winter weather is too cold for your taste,
here are future VO-related activities you can try out with your
significant other, or great group of fabulous friends!
Banff Mountain Film Festival -
Two nights of action-packed films!
Thursday, April 5 and Friday, April 6, 2007
Starting today, tickets will be on sale at Venture Outdoors by
calling 412-255-0564 or at the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust Box Office:
www.pgharts.org
(also by calling 412-456-6666).
Wine and Cheese Hike - Clinking glasses and hiking
boots...
Saturday, February 24
Chocolate Tasting Hike - Hiking followed by chocolate...need we
say more?
Sunday, March 4
VO Membership - It's the gift of adventure that gives year-round!
Call 412-255-0564 for more information.
2.
VO Winter Party 2007
Our annual winter pilgrimage to Ohiopyle served up a great time for VO
members to meet each other and the VO staff while enjoying a beautiful
winter’s day outside. Over 70 folks snowshoed Ferncliff
Penninsula, hiked the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail, and xc skied the
Youghiogheny River Trail. In between excursions, we warmed our hands
over the campfire, indulged in hot chili & black bean soup provided by
Falls City Pub, and sampled potluck fare brought by members. One of
the day’s highlights was the annual Camp Stove Cook Off, with
contestants vying for Best Entrée and Best Appetizer. Top entries
included Fran and Rudy Johnson’s Italian Seafood Chowder, Sandy
Werderitch’s Leak, Potato & Sausage Soup, Sean Brady’s Spicy Shitake
Noodles, Robyn Seminora’s Grilled Steelhead ala Elk Creek, and Grand
Prize winner, Mitchell Cole’s Baha Tilapia Tacos, which were not only
spicy and delicious, but presented with flair befitting this esteemed
event.
Thanks to Wilderness Voyageurs for providing the outdoor/indoor
site (and outta sight discounts on outdoor gear), and thanks to Falls
City Pub for tasty chili, soup & fixins. Special thanks for outdoor
leadership and indoor activities led by the VO Trip Leader Council: Don
Erdeljac, Pauline Taylor-Raiff, Mary Brenholts (and the Pittsburgh
Center for the Arts), Judd Crosby, Robyn Seminora, Linda Powell (great
chair Massages!), and Laura Vayanasky; and by VO Trip Leaders Jack
Chang, Rose Silva, and Jill Horvatic.
Mark it down for next year: VO Winter Party 2008, not to be missed!
Erik Lingren addresses the crowd
at last Sunday's Winter Member's Party
3.
Job Opportunities with VO
All Job opportunities at
www.ventureoutdoors.org/jobs.asp
MSA/Venture Outdoors Technology Intern
MSA and Venture Outdoors are looking for a computer-savvy intern to help them update
this Southwestern PA non-profit's technology. Online registration
anyone? For information systems majors, this is the dream job!
For more information click on the following link:
http://www.ventureoutdoors.org/docs/MSAintern.pdf
Please send applications to Erik Lingren, Executive Director:
elingren@ventureoutdoors.org
Whose UR MoJo? Logo Art Contest
Help VO create some snazzy new t-shirts! See how many variations
of "Jo Outdoors" you can invent!
4.
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!
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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5. Outdoor
Announcements & Events
Get out your planners folks...
Special Events
Banff Mountain Film Festival - Save the Date!
Thursday, April 5 and Friday, April 6
7:00 PM
Byham Theater
For more information visit,
www.ventureoutdoors.org/banfffilmfest.asp
Craft Beer School
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust will be holding craft beer schools. There will be a preview on February 20
at the Cabaret at Theater Square. Our friends from
Vecenie Distributing, who provides
the beer at our beer tasting hikes,
will be teaching the classes. The rest of the series will be:
March 20 - 101: Ales vs. Lagers
April 17 - 102: American Craft Beers
May 5 - 103: European Specialty Beers
June 19 - 104: Wheat Bier
Find out more about this series from
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. For tickets call 412-456-6666.
If you are attending this series please contact Rob Walters at
412-255-0564, ext. 28 or
rwalters@ventureoutdoors.org.
Audubon Society Benefit Concert
February 24th, 7:00 PM
Beechwood Farms Nature Reserve Auditorium
Jack Knight and the 3kR Band are delighted to let you know about Audubon
Society's upcoming One Earth Concert. Songs will include a selection of
various original songs focused on Earth, Peace, Love and Hope. Children
(of all ages) are welcome!
Venture Outdoors is one of the sponsors of this event. For more
information, and to buy tickets, please visit
http://jackknightmusic.com/events/
Hurry! Tickets are going fast!
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.
The kids preparing to go out on a trek with Rob
at last Sunday's Winter Member's Party
Environment/Health/Community
Environmental Book Club
First Monday of the month
7:30pm
Borders Book Store on McKnight Road in North Hills
We usually hang out at the comfy chairs near the science section behind
the music. It is not compulsory to have read the book or bought the book
here. The discussion is informal and often fun. Borders also makes these
books available to us at 20% discount.
Our next books are: Monday, March 5: The Death of Nature by Bill
McKibben Monday, April 2: 1491 by Charles C. Mann (through p. 228)
Monday, May 7: 1491 (p. 229 to end)
Preregistration is not required but if you have questions you can
contact Kim Metheny
kmetheny@hotmail.com.
5,000,000 Steps for a Cure
Starting March 17, 2006, Mark Shaffer will be attempting a thru hike of
the Appalachian Trail in memory of his nephew Eric, who lost his battle
to leukemia a year before. His goal is to raise $20 for each mile
walked. If you would like to support Mark's endeavor to raise funds for
the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, visit his website:
www.fivemillionsteps.org. You can also track Mark's progress on the AT
through his blog at
http://fivemillionsteps.org/trailjournal/
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.
Clean-Up/Trails
Great Allegheny Passage
The trail from Pittsburgh to DC is now complete!
Click here for the Pop City article.
6. Call for Volunteers
We need a little help here!
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 412-255-0564
today.
7. 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.
Thanks for supporting Venture Outdoors!
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An Announcement about
Risk Waivers
Due to a change in our
insurance policy, ALL trip participants must fill
out a risk waiver on EACH trip they attend.
The past policy has been that once a person has
filled out a risk waiver, they were covered for the
year. This is not the case anymore, so we
appreciate your help in adjusting to the change.
Your safety is of utmost importance to us at Venture
Outdoors!
Jordan and Mike enjoy snowshoeing
at last Sunday's Winter Member's Party
I. The Venture Outdoors
Activity Spotlight
Here are some trips that you'll really enjoy.
Saturday, February 17
Family Snowshoeing
This trip will help shake winter doldrums for
families and others looking for an easy,
rejuvenating winter experience outdoors. We selected
a fun and easy trail for everyone in the family to
enjoy. Fee includes snowshoe rental.
Location: Bear Run
Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Cost: $8.00 Kids, $18.00 member,
$25.00 non-member
Sunday, February 18
Scotch Tasting Hike
Explore the highlands of Mount Lebanon on a hike
through little known Bird Park. We will take a
frosty walk for an hour returning to a leader’s
house for a sampling of Scotch Whisky to warm our
hearts. A better evening cannot be found on this
side of the Atlantic. To help us conjure the images
of the Highlands this event will feature the bagpipe
playing of Ryan Stephenson. Minimun age 21.
Location: Bird Park, South Hills
Time: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Cost: $30.00 member, $45.00 non-member
Saturday, March 3
Wilderness First Aid
This 16-hour course in Wilderness First Aid is
taught by the Wilderness Medicine Institute of NOLS.
This course is designed to provide outdoor leaders,
guides and rangers an introduction to First Aid and
patient care in remote settings. Emphasis is placed
on principles of treatment and decision making, not
the memorization of lists. All levels of training
and experience are welcome. Lodging options
available, $15 per evening in the dorm bed. Camping
is free, and everyone has access to bathrooms,
showers, and kitchen.
Location: Crooked Creek Environmental L C
Time: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Cost: $150.00 member, $170.00 non-member
II.
V.O. in the News
Check
out the latest about Venture Outdoors in the news. See more press on our website.
Venturing Outdoors
My Generation
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Magazine
-Wednesday, January 24, 2007
SCA and Venture Outdoors
Commemorate Dr. King's Legacy
with Fifth Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the Park
Venture Outdoors
-Monday, January 15, 2007
III. Venture
Outdoors Activities
For more information
on any of our activities visit our website
www.ventureoutdoors.org.
Thursday, February 15
All Terrain Night Hikes - Winter Series
Location: Washington's Landing
Time: 5:45 PM - 8:30 PM
Cost: $10.00 member, $14.00 non-member
Saturday, February 17 Activities
Day Treks
Location: Allegheny Gorge, Kennerdell
Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Cost: $5.00 member, $10.00 non-member
Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe Weekend
Location: Wilderness Lodge, near Erie
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Cost: $90.00 member, $110.00 non-member
Family Snowshoeing
Location: Bear Run
Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Cost: $18.00 member, $25.00 non-member
Sunday, February 18 Activities
Cross Country Skiing - Lite
Location: Laurel Ridge State Park
Time: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Cost: $15.00 member, $20.00 non-member
Scotch Tasting Hike
Location: Bird Park, South Hills
Time: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Cost: $30.00 member, $45.00 non-member
Saturday, February 24 Activities
Cross Country Skiing
Location: Laurel Mountian
Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Cost: $15.00 member, $25.00 non-member
Doggie Day Treks
Location: North Park
Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Cost: $8.00 member, $12.00 non-member
Wine and Cheese Hikes
Location: Dark Hollow Woods
Time: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Cost: $25.00 member, $30.00 non-member
Sunday, February 25 Activities
Stone Soup Hike
Location: Frick Park
Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Cost: $10.00 member, $15.00 non-member
Snowshoeing
Location: Quebec Run
Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Cost: $20.00 member, $35.00 non-member
IV. Words of Inspiration
Things that make you go, "Hmmmm..."
Lunar Eclipse, 2005
http://venture-outdoors.blogspot.com
Sharon F. McDermott is a poet and an administrator
at the Center for Environmental Oncology of UPCI. In
2005, her chapbook, Alley Scatting, inspired by the
alleyways of Pittsburgh, was published by Parallel
Press, University of Wisconsin,
http://parallelpress.library.wisc.edu/about.shtml
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.
Wednesday, February 14
”Open Space in the City: Grass Roots Conservation at
its Most Effective!” (Monthly Meeting)
Location: Phipps Civic Garden Center, 5th &
Shady
Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Cost: Free
Organization:
Allegheny Group, Sierra Club
Saturday, February 17
Three Rivers Birding Club Outing
Location: Cook Forest/Piney Tract
Time: 9:00 AM
Cost: free
Organization:
Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania
Monday, February 19
Mission Playground presents Across the Atlas:
An Alaskan Adventure
Location: REI Pittsburgh
Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Cost: free
Organization:
R.E.I.
Wednesday, February 21 Activities
Public Parks as Outdoor Classrooms
Location: Carnegie Mellon University -
Gregg Hall Auditorium
Time: 6:00 PM
Cost: Free
Organizations:
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy,
CMU,
Nine Mile Run Watershed Association
Climb for Hope
At this slide show presentation, Laura
Willumsen
will share with us her stories and pictures from
this amazing adventure.
Location: REI Pittsburgh
Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Cost: free
Organization:
R.E.I.
Wednesday, February 28
Going the Distance
Location: REI Pittsburgh
Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Cost: free
Organization:
R.E.I.
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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