This year they will be June 17-29th and July 8-20th. Monday through Thursday and Saturday. Class times are either 6-7:45am or 5:30-7:30pm. The cost is: $175 for morning classes, or $200 for evening classes. Participants that complete the course also receive a Spokane River Rowing wet tech T-shirt (value $20). Must be 18 or older.

To register, go to:

Learn To Row

Once you have completed the LTR session you, are considered a “Master Rower” and are eligible to join Spokane River Rowing Assoc. Your annual dues which pay for SRRA’s US Rowing membership & insurance, $100 annually) are waived your first season. Monthly coached practices $100 or 10 session punch cards available.

Website: https://www.spokanerowing.org

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Ok, so it’s not really outdoor news but I know we will have a lot of readers interested in this. Gonzaga’s Spring Concert, April 24th 2009 is Death Cab For Cutie. Tickets go on sale today for about 30 smacks at ticketswest.com. Hopefully you won’t have to camp out in the cold like you do for Zags b-ball tix.

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OK, here are my requests for musical genres heretofore under-represented on the Bloomsday course: Nordic death metal, dub reggae, electronica, soul/rare groove DJ, a Scorpions cover band, and the one and only Tom Jones live and in person at the finish line. Can you think of anything else we need? If so read the details in this press release:

BLOOMSDAY LOOKING FOR ENTERTAINERS
On-Course Performers Have Until March 11th to Sign Up

Spokane, WA—With just over three months remaining before the 33rd running of the Lilac Bloomsday Run, organizers are looking for bands, drummers, dancers and other performers interested in entertaining participants along the route. Entertainers who would like to perform along the 7-1/2-mile course on May 3 should fill out an application and return it to the Bloomsday office by Wednesday, March 11th.

“Entertainment along the route has become a big part of the Bloomsday experience,” said Bloomsday Course Entertainment Director Dori Robertson. “This is the sixth year we’ve had official performers and a contest to decide which group is best, and this has become a Bloomsday tradition that’s fun for both participants and entertainers.”

Anyone with a song to sing, dance to perform, or any other sort of entertainment to share on race day is invited to apply. Forms are available at the Bloomsday office (1610 W. Riverside), online (www.bloomsdayrun.org) or by contacting the Bloomsday office (838-1579).

Organizers will review applications and select performers by April 2 for the available spaces along the course. Performers must be officially signed up to be eligible to win the 2009 Bloomsday Top Performer award, which will be determined by race entrants who log on and vote after the race. The top three bands will receive prize money of $500, $300, and $200.

Last year’s winner, out of nearly 25 participating groups, was the band Spare Parts, which was located at Ft. George Wright Drive and Elliot Road. Nearly a thousand votes were cast in the competition.

For non-performers, sign-up for the 33rd annual Lilac Bloomsday Run is now available online at www.bloomsdayrun.org.

# # #

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But what they really need is more board members east of the Cascades, where the Alliance has the most growth potential and where their work doesn’t overlap with the Cascade Bicycle Club. If you are a bicycle advocate this could be a great opportunity. The deadline for inquiries is this Thursday:

Bicycle Alliance Seeking New Board Members

The Bicycle Alliance of Washington is seeking members from around the state to serve on its Board of Directors.

This is an opportunity to help lead the only organization devoted to bicycle advocacy in the state. The Board is responsible for creating vision, setting overall policy, ensuring implementation of programs, and fiscal oversight. As a Board member, you will serve on committees, participate in fundraising, provide technical and professional advice, and participate in advocacy efforts. Board members serve a 3-year term and the full Board meets quarterly.

Interested parties can make inquiries and applicants should submit a letter of interest with credentials to BAWboard@bicyclealliance.org by January 15, 2009.

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The hardest part about driving may be getting out of your driveway. // Photo Jon Snyder

Here’s bunch of things related to the storm:

– STA service is beginning to be restored today. Routes 23, 24, 25, 73 and 90 will have partial service. See the STA website for more details. This could be a great way to get around if you live near these lines.

– All five local ski resorts are open with lush conditions–just call ahead for road conditions. Mt. Spokane reports that Mt. Spokane Park Drive has been plowed all the way to the top.

– All local Post Office buildings are open today with the exception of Downtown Riverside branch (PO boxes are accessible but window service is closed.)

– If you are cross country skiing or telemarking to get around be careful. We took the whole family out XC skis yesterday and had to be very careful dodging traffic. It was safer to be on sidewalks sometimes because the powder was too deep on the shoulders and their were an abundance of incredibly bad drivers on the roads. I saw a lot of young drivers getting stuck in small front wheel-drive cars or driving fast and out-of-control in SUVs. Other drivers may be the biggest danger on the roads right now.

– As reported here yesterday Mountain Gear, Spokane Alpine Haus, and Wild Walls are all open and I expect more stores to open today. Please patronize our advertisers who have worked hard to stay open during the storm!

– Governor Gregoire’s new budget has been released and it includes tons of cuts and some stimulus spending on education infrastructure on the Eastside of the state. No word on state stimulus for transportation projects, including active transportation. As for Federal stimulus for transportation projects Obama’s stimulus plan is now up to 850 billion. He has reportedly chosen Illinois Republican Ray LaHood for transportation secretary. It will be interesting to see if the increased stimulus amount or the choice of LaHood will benefit active transportation projects in the nation or in Spokane.

– Colder weather is coming tomorrow. Don’t let your pipes freeze!

The post More Storm Reports appeared first on Out There Venture.

Citizens wanting to help plan the new BMX Park at Joe Albi stadium are invited to meet with Mike Aho of Spokane Parks and Rec on Tuesday, October 21, at 7PM at the Shadle Starbucks on Wellesley. Come give input on this cool new bike facility. For more info contact Aho at maho@spokanecity.org. Or read my editorial on the BMX park this month.

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Endurance cyclist Michael Emde.

Local cyclist Michael Emde won the Furnace Creek 500 for an amazing third year in a row. Read more about Emde and the other Spokane finishers of this incredible race here at the Spokane Regional Sports Commission site.

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