Checker's Mutt Strutt and Bike Race

Checker's Mutt Strut and Charity Bike Ride will be at the Martinsville Speedway on April 4, 2009!

• Check-in will begin at 8 a.m.
• Charity Ride will begin at 10 a.m.
• A Strut with your Mutt will begin at 11 a.m.
• Enjoy a Picnic With Your Pet at noon!
  

Registration is $15, which includes refreshements, entertainment, and (if you register by March 15) you will receive a long-sleeved event T-shirt!!!

Contact the SPCA at 276-638-PAWS for more information, or register and create a team online at www.firstgiving.com/spca. Feel free to walk/ride as an individual or as part of a pack (two or more participants).

Photo and article information obtained at http://www.spcamhc.org/calendar.cfm?ID=280

Exploration - Paddle & Hike on April 4

DRBA’s First Saturday Outing on April 4 will explore both water and land trails at Mayo Lake near Roxboro in Person County, NC. Meeting at 10:00, we will first paddle a 2-mile canoe/kayak loop trail on the lake, following markers in the water that tell about the lake, fish and wildlife. The 85-mile wooded shoreline provides ample habitat for wildlife.

After lunch at lakeside picnic tables, we have the option of hiking just over a mile on the Wood Duck Trail and Wild Turkey Trail. Those who want more time on the water or on the park’s trails may continue on their own afterward.

Coordinator Paul Johnson said, "Ever since DRBA's first event at Mayo Park in January 2008, we have looked forward to returning in warm weather to take advantage of the canoe/kayak trail, and to again enjoy the beauty of the trails through the woods along the beautiful lake."

Participants are asked to meet at 10:00 at the Amphitheater Parking Lot. They should supply boat, paddles, life jackets, hiking boots or walking shoes, drinks and lunch; wear water-shedding artificial fabric or wool (not cotton, and certainly not blue jeans); and provide a back-up change of clothing. All participants will be asked to sign a waiver.

DIRECTIONS: Mayo Lake, located at 599 Neals Store Road, Roxboro, NC, is 10 miles from Roxboro and 3 miles from the Virginia line.

• From South Boston, VA, take US 501 South to Mayo, Virginia. Turn left on VA 96 to Virgilina and right on NC 49 South. From NC 49 South pass Dixon’s Store and turn right on Neal’s Store Road (SR 1515).
• From Roxboro, take NC 49 North 8 miles to Neal’s Store Road (SR 1515).
• The Amphitheater Parking Lot is the last left turn before the large parking area at the Boat Launch (operated by the NC Wildlife Resources Commission).

For more information, contact Paul Johnson at 434-476-7599 or kpauljohnson@yahoo.com.

Article and photo contributed by: T Butler

Posted by: Vicky Thomas

Wednesday Workdays

Calling all volunteers! Join the Dan River Basin Association on the second Wednesday of each month to help spruce up a local trail. You’ll get a good workout and make a positive impact at the same time!

March 11th from 2-5 PM:
Meet at the parking lot of the Fieldale Trail at 3521 S. River Road- Fieldale, VA.

Tasks:
Attaching trail marker signs (please bring a hammer if you have one)
Sprucing up the trail (please bring loppers, work gloves, and a rake if available)
Picking up litter (please bring work gloves; bags will be provided)

To register, contact Jennifer Doss at 276-634-2545 or jdoss@danriver.org.

Other Upcoming Dates:
4/8 Jones Cliff Trail (Gravely Nature Preserve) 2-5 p.m.
5/13 Rhododendron Trail (Gravely Nature Preserve) 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
6/10 Lauren Mountain Preserve (Bassett) 8 a.m.-12 p.m.
7/8 Marrowbone Creek 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
8/12 Fieldale Trail 8 a.m. -12 p.m.
9/9 Gravely Nature Preserve 8 a.m.- 12 p.m.
10/14 Lauren Mountain Preserve (Bassett) 2-5 p.m.
11/11 Doe Run Trail 2-5 p.m.
12/9 Fieldale Trail 2-5 p.m.

"The Shootout" Mountain Bike Race Planned

The Southern Virginia Mountain Bike Association (SVMBA)is planning a mountain bike race in Danville, Virginia and needs your help.

They will need VOLUNTEERS on trail work days prior to the event. This year's event will have the largest draw that they have ever seen. Volunteer support is important to ensure that the trail is safe and to make the best possible impression on out of town visitors.

Please plan to attend the following trailwork days ...
The "third" Saturday in March --- March 21st - Puddle Fixin' and Root Bustin'
The "third" Saturday in April --- April 18th - Signage/Barriers/New Growth trimming
The "third" Saturday in May --- May 16th - ALL OF THE ABOVE !!!

There will also be a "RACE VOLUNTEER" Meeting on Saturday May 16th AFTER trail work at 1:00 pm until 4:00pm --- PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR
The RACE will be Sunday May 31st --- REGISTRATION opens at 8:00 am.

To volunteer, contact SVMBAinfo@comcast.net

More information on the race can be found here: http://www.svmba.org/races_info.htm

Information submitted by: Chris Tompkins
Edited & Posted by: Jennifer Doss

Arbor Day Uptown Poetry Contest

Contest Details:

• Poems must be about trees/forests and how they impact people, animals, or our environment.
• The contest is open to all grades 6th through 12th grade students currently residing in Martinsville and Henry County or attending schools in these areas.
• Poems must be received by March 31, 2009.

Rules:

• A completed entry form must accompany each poem. Students may submit more than one poem. Poems should be typed on white paper using a standard 12-point serif typeface such as "Times New Roman."
• Poems must be original. There must be a title at the top and author's full name and home telephone number at the bottom. Poems can be any length and in any style.
• Send entries and form(s) to Lois Christensen by email, gatewaytwo@co.henry.va.us or mail entry to: Gateway Streetscape Foundation, P.O. Box 7, Collinsville, VA 24078. Entries can also be faxed to 276-638-7970.
• Entries will be judged on originality, relevance, style, and spelling.

PRIZES:

• High Schools: First place winner will receive a $100 cash prize. Second place will receive $50, and third place $25. Awards will be presented and poets expected to recite their poems on April 25th.
• Middle Schools: First place winner will receive a $50 cash prize. Second place will receive $25, and third place $15. Awards will be presented and poets expected to recite their poems on April 25th.
• The Arbor Day Uptown ceremony will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2009. The event will be held from 10 to noon. More details will be provided to the winners.

Article provided by: Lois Christensen
Posted by: Vicky Thomas

Canoe & Kayak Gear Swap Planned

The Creek Freaks Paddle Club of Franklin County would like to invite the public to their 1st Annual Creek Freak Gear Swap. The gear swap will take place Saturday April 11, 2009 in the parking lot at Anderson Lawn & Garden Center located on 220 north of Rocky Mount. The event will be held between the hours of 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. So be ready to buy, sell, or trade all unwanted boats and paddling gear. Everyone is welcome to come shop, but participants wanting to sell items must be current Creek Freak Members! If you decide to sell you will need to use your own vehicle or bring a table to set up your booth to sell from. Contact Calvin Young for more information, 540-263-0755 or acyoung421@peoplepc.com.

Article provided by: Calvin Young

Edited and posted by: Vicky Thomas

2nd Water Monitor Training Session

Join the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA), the Friends of Philpott, and the US Army Corps of Engineers at a free training workshop:

Date: Saturday, March 14, 2009
Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Location: Salthouse Branch Park, Philpott Lake area
Street: Salthouse Branch Road
City/Town: Bassett, VA

Ever wanted to become a Virginia Save Our Streams (VASOS) monitor? Well here's your chance. DRBA, the Friends, and the Corps are partnering to establish a water monitoring program at Philpott Lake. Without our dedicated volunteer monitors, there would be no program. This workshop will provide hands-on training in the stream monitoring method and macroinvertebrate identification for anyone interested in becoming a volunteer water monitor. As citizens, we value our water resources, such as Philpott Lake, for their natural beauty; for the many ways they help meet human needs; and for the fact that they provide habitat for thousands of species of plants, fish, and wildlife. It is our goal to help as many citizens as possible to participate in the protection of our rivers, lakes, and streams and to become advocates for clean water. While the workshop is geared toward adult learners, children accompanied by a parent or guardian are welcome to attend.

You can access the water monitoring site from Fairystone Park Highway (Route 57) by turning onto Trent Hill Road (SR 674). Travel 1.3 miles and turn left on Philpott Road (SR 674). Travel 1.3 miles and turn left on Cedar Hill Road (SR 603). Please note that the road name changes to Philpott Road at county line. Travel about 4 miles to a “Stop” sign, then turn left on Knob Church Road (SR 798). Go less than a mile and bear left onto Salthouse Branch Road. From there it is just 1.5 miles into the park. Please dress for the weather--we know you will!--and bring waterproof boots if you have them. We will have drinks and snacks.

Contact Info: Linda Drage
Phone: 2766816805
Email: ldrage@comcast.net

Article provided by: Linda Drage

Photos provided by: Brian Williams

Edited and posted by: Vicky Thomas