Outdoor Chattanooga News And Events

Thursday, August 09, 2012 - by Ruth Thompson


Here are upcoming Outdoor Chattanooga news and events:

Free Fitness Class Continues Thursdays through August
Due to its popularity, Outdoor Chattanooga and Greenlife Grocery will continue hosting free, public fitness classes, using the Px90 and Insanity programs on Thursday evenings, 6 p.m. at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park. The classes will be led by instructor Paul Mason and are geared toward people of all fitness levels.

Greenlife Healthy Eating Specialist Morgan Walley will provide healthy snacks.  No pre registration is required. To learn more, email Outdoor Chattanooga or call (423) 643-6888.

Downtown Kayak Adventures Aug. 18 & 19
Outdoor Chattanooga will host our weekly Downtown Kayak Adventures on Sat. and Sun., Aug. 18 and 19, from 9 to11:30 a.m. The beginner friendly trips take paddlers around the Passage, Maclellan Island and Ross’ Landing. Reservations are required. No experience is necessary. Cost is $35 per adult and $25 per child ages 8-13 and includes all equipment and instruction. Trips will continue through Aug. 26. For reservations or to learn more, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888.

Soccer Night at Riverfront Nights Aug. 11
The Chattanooga Football Club will host the first of our special, free activities on the Ross’ Landing Green from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sat., Aug. 11, as part of the Riverfront Nights Summer Music Series. Bring the whole family to play disc golf from 6-7 p.m. and Ultimate from 7-8 before Papa Grows Funk headlines the river level stage. Opener: the Kymera Project.

TN River Gorge Kayak Trip Aug. 11
Outdoor Chattanooga will host a special day kayak trip through the heart of the TN River Gorge on Sat., Aug. 11, from 9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. We’ll launch at the entrance to the gorge and paddle to Raccoon Mtn., with a lunch stop at Pot Point. Some kayaking experience required. The trip is appropriate for adults and kids ages 14 and older when accompanied by an adult. Cost is $45 per person and includes all gear and guides. Bring your own lunch and snacks. Reservations are required.  Email Outdoor Chattanooga or call (423) 643-6888 to make a reservation or learn more.

Rapid Learning Roll Practice Aug. 14
Come join us for our weekly Rapid Learning Whitewater Program roll practice, this evening, Tues., Aug. 14, at Hamilton County’s Chester Frost Park. Two sessions: 5:30 to 7 and 7 to 8:30 p.m. Participants can come for either session, first come, first served. As always, members of the public who want to try the program may visit the first time for free. After that, membership is $50 per year for individuals, $75 for adults. Kayakers with their own boats, PFD’s, paddles and skirts may join the practice for $5. To learn more, email Outdoor Chattanooga or call (423) 643-6888.

Bike Maintenance Clinic Aug. 16 – Wheels
Join us at our next free bicycle maintenance clinic on Thurs., Aug. 16, 6 p.m. at Outdoor Chattanooga, 200 River St. in Coolidge Park. Professional mechanic Taylor Keaton of the Chattanooga Trek Store will share tips on general bicycle maintenance with special emphasis on keeping your wheels in good repair. The seminar is free. Bring your bicycle if you’d like some professional advice. To learn more, email or call Outdoor Chattanooga at (423) 643-6888.

Chickamauga Battlefield Bicycle Tour Aug. 18
Outdoor Chattanooga and Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park will host a free bicycle tour of Chickamauga Battlefield on Sat., Aug. 18, 9:30 a.m., from the Battlefield Visitors Center. Adults and kids ages 8 and older are invited to take a leisurely ride around the battlefield (approx. 5-6 miles) with a National Park interpretive ranger to learn about Civil War history. Bring your own bicycle or borrow one from the Outdoor Chattanooga mobile bicycle fleet. Riders must be at least 5’ tall to borrow a bicycle. To reserve a loaner bike, call the Battlefield Visitors Center at (706) 866-9241. Helmets are required for all riders. Additional tours are scheduled for Sept. 15, and Oct. 20.

FOC Bicycle Ride from Chickamauga Aug. 18
The Friends of Outdoor Chattanooga (FOC) will host a special adult bicycle ride from Chickamauga, GA to join the Chickamauga Battlefield bicycle tour on Sat., Aug. 18, 9:30 a.m. from Gordon Lee High School in Chickamauga, GA. The FOC ride will travel trafficked roads from Gordon Lee H.S. to Chickamauga Battlefield, where the group will join Outdoor Chattanooga’s interpretive tour. The ride is appropriate for adults and kids ages 16 and older when accompanied by an adult. Helmets are required. To learn more, email FOC president John Karr.

News
Help Wanted: Part Time Bike Chattanooga Customer Service Representatives
The Bike Chattanooga Bicycle Transit System is looking for a few people who like bikes! If you are interested in helping as temporary, part time customer service representative during weekday lunch and rush hours and full days Sat. and Sun., please email Bike Chattanooga with a resume if you are interested. The hours are flexible.

Bike Chattanooga Mobile Phone App

The City of Chattanooga’s Bike Chattanooga Bicycle Transit System is open for business, and now you can access a map feed for your smart phone.

Vote for Chattanooga in Blue Ridge Outdoors “Best Mountain Towns”
We’re tied with Knoxville and Washington , D.C. and Richmond, VA are beating us. REALLY? Vote now. The winning city gets featured in BRO in November.

Web Hit of the Week
Roots Rated is the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance’s new guide to outdoor experiences.
Last Week’s Web Hit
One Degree South: Great footage sea kayaks and kayakers in their favorite element, as they paddle 117 km of the Australian coastline in one day.

Upcoming Events . . .
August

24-26              Outdoor Knoxfest
25
                    Raft for the Cure
25/26       Village Volkswagen River Gorge Omnium
26          Beginner Women’s Mtn. Bike Clinic

September
1                      Paddlers Night at Riverfront Nights
8                      Bicycle Night at Riverfront Nights
8-15               
Bicycle Ride Across Tennessee (BRAT)
9                      Iron Jr. Triathlon
15                    Dog Night at Riverfront Nights
20                   
Bicycle Maintenance Clinic: Fix a Flat
20-23              Southeast Foot Trails Coalition Conference
21-23              Marie Humphreys Fall Open House & Native Plant Sale
22-23              Skyhoundz World Canine Disc Championships
23          National Plug In Day
30                    Komen Race for the Cure

October
5-14               
RiverRocks Chattanooga
6                     
Swim the Suck
                        Rock/Creek Stump Jump
                        UTC Intra-Squad/Alumni Regatta
            Sequatchie Valley Century
                        River Rocks Canoe and Kayak Race
                        SUP Splash
                        TN River Rescue
13                    Chattanooga Head Race
            Triple Crown Bouldering Competition – The Stone Fort
                        Chattajack 31 Mile SUP/Kayak Race
18          Bicycle Maintenance Clinic: Prepping for Winter
21                    7 Bridges Marathon

November
3-4                 
Head of the Hooch
10                    Upchuck 50K/11-Miler
            Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon/Half Marathon/Jr. Marathon

December
9                     
Chattanooga Whiskey Run
15                   
Lookout Mountain 50-miler/10k



Georgia DNR Law Enforcement Receives Grant To Promote Safe Boating

The week of May 18-24 is recognized as National Safe Boating Week, and conservation rangers with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Law Enforcement Division encourage those on the water to wear life jackets, file a float plan, stay sober and follow DNR regulations for safe boating.  During National Safe Boating Week, and throughout the boating season, the National ... (click for more)

Agencies Announce Funding Agreement For Federal Trout Hatchery Operation, Tennessee Valley Stocking

Senator Lamar Alexander and representatives from the Tennessee Valley Authority, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and Georgia Department of Natural Resources announced Friday a new agreement that will continue popular trout stocking programs in reservoirs and tailwaters of certain TVA dams across the region. TVA will provide more ... (click for more)

Berke Keeping Bobby Dodd As Police Chief

Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke said Friday he is keeping Bobby Dodd as police chief. “I have had numerous conversations with Chief Dodd over the last several weeks,” said Mayor Berke. “I appreciate his dedication and experience in law enforcement and have asked him to continue to serve as chief of police.” “I look forward to continuing to work with Mayor Berke and his administration, ... (click for more)

Baker Says City Withdrawal On Riverbend Security Will Make Pin Costs Rise Next Year

Riverbend Festival Executive Director Chip Baker told the Civitan Club on Friday that the city's decision to no longer provide city police officers inside the festival gates will cost pin prices to go up next year. Mr. Baker said, "I understand the actions that governments have to take, but we'll have to adjust our prices next year. How much, I don't know yet." City officials ... (click for more)

Scandals At Home And Abroad

Since my hip operation and time in recovery, I have tried to set aside things that are insignificant to me and to average Americans. Don't get me wrong here. What these people are doing (Bengahzi) is despicable be they left or right wing, and they have been doing it (both sides) for a long time. But the dirty deeds themselves carry little weight as to what they mean to you or me. ... (click for more)

Roy Exum: The Boy Who Dared To Speak

Jeff Bliss, an 18-year-old who is in the 10th grade because he dropped out of school last year, got kicked out of a Texas classroom a couple of weeks ago. But as he was exiting the room, he launched into the most wonderful rant that has ever been on the art of teaching children. He should know – his mom is a teacher. With his long hair waving almost as much as his arms, the teenager ... (click for more)