OTB Bicycle Cafe – 2 Night Grand Opening: January 30 and 31, 2009

January 27, 2009 by admin · 1 Comment

Join us in celebrating the opening of Pittsburghs only bicycle-themed restaurant and bar! Sample their tasty fare with complimentary hors d’oeuvres from 6-8 PM. Draft beer specials all night!

Come in and try some of their unique creations – the surprisingly delightful Dirt Rag Delight (burger smothered in peanut butter), the Spoke Junkie (a delicious cheese filled zucchini appetizer), or a Pedal Paddle Panini (a tomato, basil, and buffalo mozzarella Panini that’s a Venture Outdoors favorite).

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Filed Under: Outdoor Happenings
Tagged: biking, events

Outdoor Happenings

January 20, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment

Brian’s Ride for Cystic Fibrosis
Brian McCandless is a 3rd year Physical Education major at Slippery Rock University who was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at the young age of 2 months. In an effort to raise money for CF research Brian has completed two bike rides from Florida to Maine covering over 4,000 miles and raising $20,000. Brian in planning a 3rd ride from Washington D.C. to Pittsburgh, June 23-28, and he is looking for people to support him on the trail.

Filed Under: Outdoor Happenings
Tagged: biking, Education, hiking, Outdoor Happenings

MLK Jr. Day Photos

January 20, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment

Monday, January 19th’s MLK Jr. Day in the Park celebration was one for the records! The skating rink was full and the sleds were out. We made commemorative buttons and learned about carrying on Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy by helping others. The Pitt Drumming Club concluded the event with dancing that got people out of their seats onto the dance floor!

Filed Under: Trip Photos
Tagged: community, events, photos

Warren Miller Success!

January 15, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment

The Warren Miller film festival on Saturday, January 10 was a success! Even mother nature stepped aside to allow folks an easy drive to the theater. Almost 400 people attended the three events. There were many kids and families at the matinee and a mob of them in the lobby after the movie seeking an autograph from professional skier Chris Anthony.

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Filed Under: Inside VO
Tagged: events, Inside the Organization, skiing, winter

Venture Outdoors and SCA Commemorate Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

January 15, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment

VENTURE OUTDOORS AND SCA COMMEMORATE LIFE OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
Venture Outdoors Press Release

(Pittsburgh – January 14, 2009) – Venture Outdoors and the Student Conservation Association will commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King’s life by hosting the seventh annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the Park Monday, January 19 at Schenley Park ice rink from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The celebration is one of the largest in the city and provides a platform for children of different backgrounds to learn about their commonalities by having fun together outdoors.
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Filed Under: News, press releases
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Moon illuminates path through Deer Lakes Park

January 12, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment

By Mary Ann Thomas
FOR THE VALLEY NEWS DISPATCH
Thursday, January 8, 2009

When the Wolf Moon rises, a band of hikers will take to the trails, seeing anew wide pathways aglow in the moonlight.

Just as William Shakespeare gushed “How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank,” Venture Outdoors will offer an enchanting excursion with a full moon hike Saturday night at Deer Lakes Park.
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Filed Under: press releases
Tagged: hiking, press, VO News

Telepalooza 2009

January 12, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment

The Appalachian Telemark Association is proud to present Telepalooza 2009 Saturday, January 31 and Sunday, February 1. Telepalooza features ski clinics, professional ski instruction, equipment demos and the 7th annual Jack Zoppetti G.S. Telemark Race, the longest up hill/down hill fun race in the Mid Atlantic Region. Read more

Filed Under: Outdoor Happenings
Tagged: Outdoor Happenings, skiing, winter

Weisbrod Foundation Funds Inclusivity Initiative

January 12, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment

The Robert and Mary Weisbrod Foundation recently awarded Venture Outdoors a $10,000 grant for the multi-year Inclusivity Initiative. The Inclusivity Initiative seeks to remove cultural and economic barriers faced by families in developing healthier lifestyles, environmental awareness, and enhanced civic engagement. In 2006, the Weisbrod Foundation purchased a fleet of bicycles, which has helped VO to double the number of youth served to more than 2,000 children and adolescents per year. Read more

Filed Under: Inside VO
Tagged: community, Family Programs, Grants, News

Ski film to speed through Pittsburgh

January 5, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment

By Karen Price, TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, January 2, 2009

Just try watching a Warren Miller film without getting the overwhelming urge to race to the nearest ski slope. For anyone who’s a ski or snowboard enthusiast, it’s next to impossible.

On Jan. 10, Venture Outdoors is bringing Miller’s most recent offering, “Children of Winter” to the Carnegie Library in Homestead.

“Out West, they’ve had Miller showings forever, but we’ve only done it (in Pittsburgh) once, when the SouthSide works opened,” said Seth Garnot of Venture Outdoors. “We thought it would be good to bring it back here. It’s just fun for people during a snowy January and hopefully will inspire them to go outside and do something.”

Miller started making ski movies on an 8mm camera in 1946 after he was discharged from the Navy. He and his friends filmed each other as a way to improve their skiing, and it wasn’t long before other folks started asking to see the movies. This year marks the 59th annual U.S. Tour, with the movie showing in 240 locations across the United States, in most areas for only one night.

Part of the charm of Miller’s films is the narration told over the footage, an element that has been in place from the start and was initially used to make up for poor cinematography. Although Miller’s films set the foundation for a whole genre of adventure sports films, he stays true to his roots.

“They haven’t gone to the big, huge extremes,” Garnot said. “They’ve stayed more family-friendly, making fun films.”

Chris Anthony, one of the skiers who appears in the film, will be in Pittsburgh to give a talk following the afternoon showing and also participate in a dinner and craft beer tasting in the evening. Some of the more classic ski segments are filmed in Alaska, Colorado, Japan, Iceland and Austria, he said, and there’s also a lot of footage in terrain parks and halfpipes.

“I think what makes the film more unique this year is the positions the cameramen are putting themselves into to get these shots,” said Anthony, a veteran of nine World Extreme Skiing Championships. “It’s pretty phenomenal.”

Anthony’s segment is filmed in Leadville, Colo., where he participates in the town’s annual “skijoring” race and proves that sometimes people in Miller films do some ridiculous things and get hurt.

“It’s this crazy subculture race that’s existed for 60 years,” he said. “They fill the street with snow, build three different jumps and other obstacles and pull you through on a rope at 40 mph being pulled by a horse.

“It’s quite dangerous, and I ended up in the hospital after I landed on my head. But it’s entertaining.”

For Ticket Options CLICK HERE!

Filed Under: News
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Winter Members’ Day: February 7

January 5, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment

Join us at Ohiopyle from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM for outdoor winter fun and food!

Ohiopyle State Park encompasses 19,052 acres of rugged natural beauty and serves as the gateway to the Laurel Mountains. Weather permitting, we’ll feature cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and the ever-popular snowcreature-making competition. There will even be an opportunity to relieve the winter stress with a chair massage. Kids will enjoy art activities with the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts.

We’ll also feature the annual Camp Stove Cook-off, which allows you to show off your culinary skills by preparing your favorite dishes on an outdoor stove. Venture Outdoors staff will be on hand to judge entries and awards will be given for: best entrée, best appetizer, and best dessert.

This event is free and open to all Venture Outdoors Members and their friends and family.
Food will be provided (separate from the Cook-off) but please bring a potluck dish to share if you wish.

To participate in the Camp Stove Cook-off call the Venture Outdoors office by Wednesday, February 4 to reserve your spot as a chef or judge. Please specify the categories which you are competing in when you register.

Click the green sign up button below to register for this free event!

Special thanks to Wilderness Voyageurs for providing the winter party site!

Filed Under: Features, Uncategorized
Tagged: Family Programs, free, Members, Ohiopyle, Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, winter

OTB Bicycle Cafe – 2 Night Grand Opening: January 30 and 31, 2009

Outdoor Happenings

MLK Jr. Day Photos

Warren Miller Success!

Venture Outdoors and SCA Commemorate Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Moon illuminates path through Deer Lakes Park

Telepalooza 2009

Weisbrod Foundation Funds Inclusivity Initiative

Ski film to speed through Pittsburgh

Winter Members’ Day: February 7

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