Conneaut Lake Park needs your help to save the Blue Streak. They’re Number 16 at the Pepsi refresh challenge. To get $50,000 to help restore the classic rollercoaster, they need to get to at least number 10.

We’ve done it before, and we’ll do it again. Nobody, but nobody seems to be able to mobilize our bloggers like this area. Conneaut has been struggling the last few years, and as someone who remembers the last, sad, final year of Idora, I don’t want that to happen again. Help save the Blue streak. Don’t let it go the way of Idora’s Wildcat.

Visit the Pepsi Refresh Challenge and vote today

Oh Yeah, visit the Carp and nature center at Pymatuning State Park while you’re at it.

100 Days of Summer: Day 26-Refresh the Blue Streak ©, .

Just a couple quick links:

• Paddle the Point in Pittsburgh is trying for a world record- the Largest paddlecraft Flotilla ever on June 5th. Check out the link for more information.
• Venture Outdoors Festival- An Annual pligrimmage for us. Check out State, Regional And National Outdoor Organizations at Point State Park on May 22nd. So you can check out the water before the big event.
• Experienceswap- is a brand new site that looks like it’s trying to be an outdoor oriented Meetup. Not a lot of activity or resources so far, but you can get in on the ground floor.
• Wilderness Volunteers- is kinda the same thing. Only for Volunteers. In the Wilderness. ..Yep.
• SHout Youngstown asks about a used/Cheap Bike rack for Downtown Commuters.
• Outdoor Newsletter- I’m trying to get signups for a weekly newsletter- I’ll be putting upcoming events like these on it, articles and news releases that I don’t want directly on the site, and coupons and sales from my sponsors. Basically all the useful stuff I can’t fit on the webpage. And, I’ll give you a free download just for trying it. Sign up at the link above.

World’s Largest Flotilla in Pittsburgh, Share an Experience and More Quick Links ©, .

LUCAS, OH- Discover the history of maple syrup making in Ohio at Malabar Farm State Park during the first two weekends in March (March 6-7 and March 13-14) from noon to 4 p.m. Sponsored by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), the 33^rd Annual Maple Syrup Family Festival is free and features sugaring demonstrations, historic tours, horse-drawn rides and sweet maple treats.

Learn how maple sap is transformed into maple syrup. A self-guided tour of the sugar camp and sugarhouse will reveal the evolution of sugaring to visitors. Ohio State Parks staff will lead demonstrations and offer free samples of maple syrup.

Peek inside the summer bell house, behind the nearby Pugh Log Cabin, and transport yourself back in time. Presented by the Richland County Museum, the summer bell house is now set up as a pioneer cabin, where kids and adults can take part in daily pioneer chores like washing clothes, making candles, cooking and tending to the fire. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the horse-drawn wagon rides to the sugar camp provided by the Central Ohio Draft Horse Association.

Pure Ohio maple syrup, homemade maple walnut fudge and maple cotton candy as well as other maple products will be on sale in the Malabar Farm gift shop throughout the season.

Live musical entertainment will be provided along with light refreshments and snacks during the festival in the Pugh Log Cabin. Additionally, Bromfield’s historical 32-room mansion at Malabar will be open for self-guided tours. Tickets may be purchased at the Visitor’s Center gift shop.

Located near the state park, the Malabar Farm Restaurant will offer lunch and dinner specials featuring Malabar Farm products and maple foods during both weekends—kids menu available. For reservations, call (419) 938-5205.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.com

Malaba Farm Maple Family Festival Weekends March 6th-14th ©, .

That’s something you Don’t see everyday

COLUMBUS, OH – Weather conditions are ideal for mushers and their sled dog teams to compete during the annual Punderson Classic Sled Dog Race at Punderson State Park, January 9 and 10.

The park’s manicured golf course and woodland trails provide a scenic backdrop for the event, sponsored by the Siberian Husky Club of Greater Cleveland. More than 60 sled dog teams are scheduled to compete. Spectators are welcome and admitted free.

The qualifying runs get underway at 10 a.m. on Saturday, and continue through 2 p.m. Sunday’s races, including the competition for the $1,000 purse, also begin at 10 a.m. and are expected to conclude by 2 p.m.

General parking for the event is provided at the Punderson State Park beach. Spectators are advised to dress warmly, and come prepared to walk up to one-half mile from the parking area to the race viewing area at the golf course. For the convenience of spectators and participants, snacks and warm refreshments, including hot dogs and chili, will be available the golf course pro shop. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch are served at the dining room at the nearby Punderson Manor lodge and conference center.

Cat Person? Other Winter Activities at Punderson

Park visitors can enjoy additional winter fun at Punderson, including trails for cross-country skiing, a sledding hill, and outdoor skating rink. Options for comfortable overnight stays at the park include guest rooms in the historic Punderson Manor, as well as heated two-bedroom vacation cottages. Special rates on lodge and cottage stays are offered during the event. Reservations can be made by on-line at www.ohiostateparks.org, or by calling 1-800-AT-A-PARK (1-800-282-7275).

Punderson State Park is located outside the village of Newbury in Geauga County, 30 miles east of Cleveland. The park entrance is off State Route 87.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.com

Sled Dog Race at Punderson this Weekend! ©, .

YOUNGSTOWN – On Saturday, September 13, Wick Park will be transformed into a “green world” for the first ever “Grey to Green” Festival on Youngstown’s North Side. Over 40 en­vironmentally oriented businesses, community organizations, and local, regional, and state agencies will be participate in the inaugural event which strives to increase awareness of environmental issues, highlighting the grey-to-green concept in the Youngstown 2010 Plan as well as the Wick Park Revitalization effort that is currently underway.

Activities will include workshops, various green displays (energy, food, work, transportation), demonstrations, musical entertainment, food, farmer’s market, and “green” merchandise vendors. The central theme of the festival will emphasize sustainable practices—minimal energy and resource consumption with maximum recycling and waste reduction.

The Grey to Green Festival organizing coalition’s shared belief and vision is that a collaboration of citizens, agencies, organizations and government can mobilize communities to address important issues and solve problems in new ways by moving from problem-driven solutions to vision-driven solutions in a post-industrial era of transition where many areas such as Youngstown struggle to cope with such change.

The Grey to Green Festival organizing and sponsorship coalition includes the office of U.S. Congressman Tim Ryan, The Raymond John Wean Foundation, The Green Team, Youngstown Litter Control, Defend Youngstown, CityScape, ReCreate, Treez Please, Grow Youngstown, First Book Mahoning Valley, the Oakland Center for the Arts, Green Energy TV, Art Youngstown, the Wick Park Revitalization Committee, The City of Youngstown’s Planning (Youngstown 2010) and Park Departments, Youngstown State University’s Environmental Studies Society, faculty and staff from YSU, as well as concerned citizens, block watches, and youth groups.

For further event information, please contact Atty. Deb Weaver at 330.207.0994.

Youngstown Grey to Green Festival Sept. 13th ©, .