Master Landscaping
http://www.masterlandscaping.net

Despite the summer heat, it is cool back here in the little wood. The curving limbs of ancient trees are nature’s sculptures, and the sound of running water from a waterfall and creek are the music, with solos from the birds. On a small still pond, each bloom on the water lilies is a work of art. And no set designer could improve on the lighting. Tread softly along a mossy path and you come to a clearing where you half expect to find fairies dancing in the dappled sunlight.

The surprise is that this idyllic spot is only yards from heavily trafficked streets, a high school and post office, car dealerships and banks - right here in Wilmington, steps away from Oleander Drive.

Jim Freeman, whose company does mostly commercial landscaping, said, “It was such a unique challenge, in really a confined space, to try to bring together so many different elements. But it was enjoyable to work with someone who really wanted to do something of that magnitude in their backyard. It was interesting and there was a lot of creativity there.”

On the edge of the wood, a charming playhouse (”which I won in a raffle,” Kenny said) is popular with the kids. The bridge and gazebo, the latter draped in Confederate jasmine, make romantic settings, especially for brides. “We overseed our lawn with rye (in winter) so the grass is always green, and many of the trees are evergreens, so we can use the garden most of the year,” said Kenny, who prefers to use natural light whenever possible.

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A pool is one of the most calming and soothing design elements you can add to your home. A pool provides pleasure, a fun setting for children to play and splash, and an opportunity to entertain poolside and share a beautiful setting with friends and family. The sound of water is always inviting and today’s pools ensure there will be a water feature – a fountain, a waterfall – in almost every new pool.

While there are still many traditional rectangular pools in this area, particularly in older, established homes, the newest trend is to mimic the landscape and create pools in all sizes and curving shapes that present a softer look, surrounded by decks, patios, gazebos, even temple-like structures that serve as a sheltered area for poolside relaxing, dining and entertaining.

Many of the pools being built today are more than just a pool. They are an extension of the back of the home, featuring outdoor cooking, entertaining and dining areas and lush landscaping, appropriate to the region where the family lives with their pool.

These settings are an elaborate and functional addition to one’s back lawn. People are creating, with the help of pool builders, exterior designers and landscapers, their own island of nature’s paradise.

Creating a regal look

Beto Garcia moved to Oklahoma City from San Antonio 24 years ago to join Blue Haven Pools, which was established in 1954. As general manager of the company, he has designed and built more pools than he can remember. Today, he is very attuned to the changing trends in pools and the landscaping, the outdoor cooking and living areas and special water features, which people want today in and around their pools.

“People are now wanting natural looking pools or ponds – something that can give you that outdoorsy feeling like a spa or a retreat,” Garcia says.

He cites a new look in different interior finishes in pools and a new technology. “In the old days, we put colored dye into the final interior finish,” he says.

Now, Blue Haven and other companies are achieving a spectacular effect that involves miniscule glass beads or glass tiles that come in a range of nature’s water colors,” Garcia says, “These beads or tiles are not affected by the water chemistry or the sunlight, which often gives an iridescent glow when the sun hits them,” he says.

“Whatever color you have chosen to dress your pool will give you either absorbing (black) or refracting (white) light.

This magnificent color lets homeowners imagine they are in the Caribbean, the South Pacific or Mexico,” Garcia says,

A year-round pool

Caleb McCaleb is president of McCaleb Homes, a second generation company founded by his father, Neal. Caleb’s home, which backs up to Lake Arcadia, has one of the most spectacular pools in the area.

“We wanted to create a graceful flow of water and designed a waterfall at the top that flows into the pool, which has a free-flowing shape. The back of the pool has an infinity edge that flows into a lower pool area, which also has an infinity edge, which is one of the latest trends in pools. When McCaleb Homes hosted its Dream Home Tour last year, he said nine of the homes featured had an infinity-edge pool.

The McCalebs also added a creek so it looks like the water is coming through the creek into the pool. They also added a salt water filtration system – another trend – in place of the traditional chlorine. “It’s soft, like a comfortable bath and doesn’t burn your skin or eyes like chlorine,” McCaleb says.

Today’s pools are using more natural materials, especially a lot of flagstone around the edge of the pool, where people like to sit. His beach-entry pool also features a tiny rock from Australia – pebbletech – that is mixed in the plaster. It’s not a loose sand material, but rather a plaster for finishing the pool. A lot of stamped or stained concrete is also being used around today’s pools, he says.

Two years ago, the McCalebs added a fire pit on the back side near the pool and also added more evergreens and a lot of cypress trees. “We wanted a northwest style of landscaping to complement the pool, he says.

McCaleb never closes his pool, “I think pools are eyesores in the lawn when they are closed down and tarped over. I use my pool all year long. The pool is the focal point of the back lawn, along with the outdoor kitchen and comfortable seating and I like a year-round landscaping look around the pool.”.

Antonio Aparicio, owner of Aquascape Pools, designed the McCalebs’ pool. Aparicio’s forte is designing pools that are unusual and he always complements the setting nature has provided. He likes to give each custom pool “its own special touch.”

New pool cleaning devices

Guy Shipley of Cardinal Architect Pools has been building custom pools since 1959, so he’s seen many changes in pool design and construction. He likes the look of the new free-form pools, the popular water features and the endless look of the infinity or vanishing edge.

Creating unusual looks for pools is one of the favorite things he likes about the business. “Every pool we build also has an automatic-style cleaner. A lot of the people who have automatic cleaners wouldn’t even know how to vacuum. The old pool sweeps have definitely gone by the wayside,” Shipley says.

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Their home: A three-bedroom, three-bath condo with a balcony on the third floor. It has about 2,800 square feet, sleeps eight people and has lake views from the living room, loft and bedrooms.

The style: The condo is decorated in what Linda Miller calls a contemporary transitional style with colors such as greens, turquoises, browns and golds. The furniture was selected to take advantage of the waterfront setting, such as a glass dining room table. A favorite item is a hand-knotted Duleek rug decorated with deer and birds.

How they found it: They started looking seriously at the Lake Oconee area in January 2005. “We vacationed over there at some of the lake cottages at Cuscowilla, and we really fell in love with Cuscowilla and the lake during that time,” Linda said. When they asked if there were any condos there, they were told about plans for Sojourn. They were the first people to reserve a unit. “It just kind of happened at the right time for us,” she said. “The idea of the condo appealed to us because we could go over there and visit and leave it.”

What they love about it: The 180-degree views of the lake and overall community. “Each time we enter the gates at Cuscowilla, we’re both amazed at the relaxed feeling we have. The entire development has so much character and charm, you almost feel like you step back in time when you enter it,” Linda said. Robert added, “By the time you’re at Cuscowilla, your blood pressure is [down] about 40 points.”

How far from home: About 90 minutes from their home in Johns Creek.

How often they’re there: At least twice a month, and more often in the summer. “You’re out of Atlanta traffic and without being too far away, you can just zip over there,” Linda said. They’ve also already had family there for holidays such as Thanksgiving.

What they do when they’re there: Enjoy the beauty of the lake and Cuscowilla, the couple said. They go for walks on the trails, and also enjoy the two pools and other amenities, like the golf course and restaurants.

SOJOURN IN CUSCOWILLA

Located in the Cuscowilla golf course community, Sojourn has two- and three-bedroom waterfront condos from $489,900 to $709,900. Twelve of the 37 units remain, said Jimmy Branan, broker with Cuscowilla Real Estate. Inside, the units have master suites and private secondary baths. Outside, there’s a dock with day slips, a covered pavilion with a grill and walking trails. The Cuscowilla clubhouse, pool, tennis courts, Waterside Restaurant and Golf House Grill are nearby.

Sojourn property owners’ association fees range from $3,000 to $4,000 per year (depending on the location of and unit size), which includes insurance, landscaping and building maintenance. The condo purchase includes a Cuscowilla residential golf membership, and the developer is paying the purchaser’s first year of monthly golf membership dues.

Tags: amenities, atlanta traffic, balcony, bath condo, cuscowilla, dining room table, greens, lake cottages, lake oconee, Landscaping, pool, square feet, time linda, transitional style
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The revitalization of Alameda Towne Centre took another step Monday as the Planning Board approved the makeover of the building that currently houses Mervyn’s department store.

The renovation will set the stage for a Kohl’s store to open at the site in March, said Mike Corbitt of Harsch Investment Realty, which owns and manages the shopping mall.

The new store comes as Borders Books Inc. is about to open as an anchor store at the mall — earlier this month the bookstore hosted a job fair for the site.

While the idea of a Kohl’s opening has raised a few eyebrows among bloggers and others who say they’d like a more upscale business, a sampling of shoppers at the mall on Thursday found most people pleased with it.

“With the economy the way it is, I think it’s a good thing when you have a new business opening,” said 58-year-old Glenn Hendrickson, a retired electrician. “How can people have problems with that? It would be a lot worse if places were closing.”

The design that the board approved Monday does not call for the footprint of the building to undergo a drastic change. But a portion of the store floor area — along the east and south sides of the building — will be converted into five smaller shops, eliminating the unbroken wall that currently exists on those sides.

Other changes include expanding the loading dock so that there will be two instead of one, with the entrances to Kohl’s being located on

the north side near the AC Transit bus stop and on the south side facing the interior.

New landscaping, benches and wooden trellises are planned, plus additional bicycle racks.

“I haven’t really shopped at Kohl’s before,” said Alameda resident Dorothy Kirschner, 32, as she was leaving Trader Joe’s. “There just hasn’t been one near where I live. But having one here is a good thing. Landscaping Idea It will give us more choice.”

The changes at the shopping mall have been in the works since at least August 2002, when Harsch Investment Realty submitted an expansion plan to the city that included everything from installing palm trees and the construction of a 7,000-square foot Safeway to securing Trader Joe’s.

It also included the removal of a Chevron service station and the construction of a Walgreens at the same site.

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Hanover - Steven R. Tomasi, RLA, ASLA, and president of A.J. Tomasi Nurseries will speak about the benefits landscaping can provide such as providing natural air conditioning and protection from wind, trapping and filtering air pollutants, screening noise and unsightly views to name just a few.

Learn how to use landscaping techniques and plantings to make your yard a healthy oasis from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, April 28, at the South Shore Vocational Technical School auditorium, 476 Webster St Backyard Landscaping. (Route 123), Hanover. The lecture is sponsored by the Greenscapes program and the North and South Rivers Watershed Association.

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Take a good look at the front of your house. Cross the street if you have to and take a look again.

Does the landscaping around it compliment it? Landscaping should make your house attractive and add value to it.

The front of your house is very public as it is viewed by passing cars and pedestrians.

The front entrance should be inviting and welcome visitors but not detract from the architecture of the house.

The house should be framed with trees. A large house needs a large frame created by using larger trees (Maples, Linden, Green Ash, Spruce or Pine.)

But a small, one story house should be framed with small to medium trees (flowering crabapples, mountain ash, Pool Landscaping amur maple) unless a large tree is needed for shade.

Larger shade trees can be used in the back yard to frame the house from behind.

You can make a house look lower and wider by extending the foundation planting on the corners and arcing into the foreground.

These wing-like plantings serve to funnel the view from the street toward the house and center it on the front door. This is very useful in two storey buildings.

Use taller plants towards the corners of the house. Plants at the corner locations should not be higher than two-thirds the distance from the ground to the eave.

Lower shrubs should be planted towards the front door, Pool Landscaping and should not be higher than 1/4 to 1/3 the distance from the ground to the eave. This leads the viewer’s eye in a definite direction – towards the front door.

Make the foundation planting wide enough, at least 122 centimetres wide, to make a bold statement of plant material. The lines can be either straight or curved.

If setting out a curve, use a garden hose to play around with the curve, make sure it is bold – not wiggly.

The plants should be planted at least 45 cm from the foundation and not directly beneath the eaves, otherwise they will not receive adequate rainfall and snow cover.

Take time to research the mature height and spread of the plants you have selected.

I think the most common mistake I see are evergreens that have overgrown upwards and outwards beside a one story house.

Some of those junipers have a spread of 213 cm. Sidewalk?

What sidewalk? There are excellent dwarf conifers to consider when it comes to planting in small areas.

For example, the dwarf globe cedar Hetz Midget reaches a mature size of 61 cm x 61 cm whereas, the globe cedar grows 152 cm x 152 cm. Make sure you research the mature sizes before planting.

I know everyone would like an instant garden but have patience, fill in the bare spots with a few annuals while you are waiting for things to fill in.

Keeping it simple is the best rule.

Larger groups of the same plant make that plant more noticeable rather than a collection of one of a kinds.

Use specimen plants sparingly.

A specimen has a unique shape or colour. If you have too many your eye doesn’t know where to look.

A specimen near the front door will define the entryway and give it an added focal point.

Make life easier for yourself and use groups of plants with similar growing conditions.

For example, rhododendrons, ferns and hosta all prefer a moist well-drained soil in a shaded location.

Have a mix of both evergreen and deciduous plants for interest all year long.

Try to use plants that provide more than one season of interest.

One of my favourites is the Bridal Wreath spirea with its arching white flowers in spring and brilliant fall colour.

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Landscaping Services A free lecture series, sponsored by the Greenscapes program and supported by North and South Rivers Watershed Association,

Mass Bays Estuary Association and 11 towns on the South Shore, will take place from 7 to 9 p.m., Mondays, at South Shore Vocational Technical School auditorium, 476 Webster St., Route 123, Hanover. For information, call Debbie Cook at 781-659-8168 or visit debbie@nsrwa.org.

The Benefits of Plants and Landscaping – April 28, 7 to 9 p.m., with Steven R. Tomasi, president, A.J. Tomasi Nurseries.

Well-designed landscaping adds beauty to any home. However, landscaping can provide so many more benefits, such as providing natural air conditioning and protection from wind, trapping and filtering air pollutants, screening noise and unsightly views to name just a few. Landscaping Services Learn how to use landscaping techniques and plantings to make a yard a healthy oasis.

Tame a Water-Consuming Irrigation System – May 5, 7 to 9 p.m., with Ted Moriarty, owner, Smart Watering Co. Irrigations systems abound on the South Shore, but many of people do not know how to use or maintain them properly.

This can lead to water overuse, which can hurt landscaping and the environment. Irrigation systems can help conserve water when designed, maintained and used properly. Learn some simple, effective ways to take control of an irrigation system, and develop a season-long water conservation strategy.

Growing Green – Landscaping Services Using Fewer Pesticides by Knowledgeable Plant Selection – May 12, 7 to 9 p.m., with Deborah Swanson, extension educator, Plymouth County Extension. Swanson,

will highlight plants that have few insect and disease problems, and yet are beautiful in the landscape. Many of these plants are native and often overlooked. Learning what they are and where to plant them will go a long way in reducing pesticides in the landscape. Many of these trees, shrubs and perennials are also drought-tolerant, once established.

Landscape Design Ideas for Success – May 19, 7 to 9 p.m., with Chris Kennedy of Kennedy Country Gardens.

Kennedy will offer solutions to the toughest of gardening dilemmas. Hear suggestions that can increase the value of a property while reducing the work to maintain a beautiful yard and garden. Kennedy will explain how to improve thorny landscaping issues in a yard and how to match the right type of lawn and plants with existing conditions.

Tags: drought, greens, irrigation, irrigation system, landscape, Landscape Design, Landscaping, landscaping service, Landscaping Services, perennials, plantings, plants, Services, shrub, shrubs, suggestion
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NEW YORK, USA: This June’s Annual Caribbean Tourism Summit (ACTS) in Washington DC from June 21 to 24 is not only the first such meeting, it also represents the new spirit of collaboration between the Caribbean’s public and private sectors. To convene the meeting, the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO), representing regional governments, and the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA), the umbrella body for the private sector, are combining resources in their new marketing and business development entity, the Caribbean Tourism Development Company (CTDC) whose mission is to own, promote, protect, advance and enhance the Caribbean brand, while making a profit. In previous years, each June, the CTO had organized Caribbean Week in New York activities, billed as a celebration of the sights, sounds, colours, cultural and unique vacation attributes of the Caribbean; while the CHA had hosted the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Conference, formerly known as CHIC, and held in recent years at the Hyatt Regency in Miami. These separate activities will not happen this year as energies are concentrated on combining conferences and transferring the travel and tourism debate from the shores of the region to the beltway of the American capital. Following the Summit, key policy makers head to Antigua %26amp; Barbuda for another landmark day-long meeting focusing on Tourism during the 29th Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government set for July 3 to 5. Organizers say this Washington Summit is an opportunity for influential policy makers, financial leaders, marketing professionals, and tourism industry officials from more than 30 Caribbean countries to interact with each other as well as with US Government officials and leaders of tourism and investment communities. In fact, plans are afoot to invite US Presidential candidates Senator John McCain (R) and either of the Democratic Senators Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton depending on who emerges from the primary battle by June. As delegates look to the economic future of the Caribbean region, former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan is confirmed to address the conference on Monday, June 23. While some commentators argue that the authority on American domestic economic and monetary policy might not be a relevant candidate to speak about Caribbean tourism, others believe Dr. Greenspan’s presence will help to sensitise Caribbean policy makers about the important economic impact of the services sector. Organizers want the %26quot;learning conference%26quot; to help educate Caribbean stakeholders in general about the critical importance of tourism. Ministers of Finance and Governors of Central Banks, who oversee foreign exchange but have not played a central role in shaping tourism policy, have been invited to be part of the inner circle of players in taking a serious look at the challenges facing the region. The conference also offers an opportunity for the Caribbean to present compelling arguments to the Bretton Woods institutions and multilateral agencies about the debilitating impact trade liberalization has had on agricultural industries like sugar and bananas, and the need for a hand-up to boost the services sector in which small vulnerable economies have a competitive advantage. The new requirement which stipulates that Americans use a passport when traveling by air from the Caribbean is also expected to dominate the conference, given its current and potential negative impact on Caribbean air arrivals just when the region must aggressively compete with other destinations (which have long required passports for entry into their ports) for today’s paltry percentage of Americans who will travel internationally. The other keynote speaker is Bahamian Dr. Myles Munroe, Founder and Senior Pastor of Bahamas Faith Ministries International, who will no doubt set an energetic and inspirational tone. Dr Munroe, scheduled to lead an inspirational brunch on Sunday, June 22, was chosen to speak based on his ability to energize a diverse audience as he did at a recent Caribbean Tourism Conference in his native Bahamas. With a reputation for %26quot;Transforming Followers into Leaders,%26quot; Dr. Munroe will inspire investors, politicians, tourism industry executives, the Caribbean Diaspora and Friends of the Caribbean to meaningfully contribute to the growth and prosperity of the Caribbean region. %26quot;ACTS will be held a time when all investors, political and tourism decision-makers, as well as the powerful Caribbean-American community will be called upon to help the Caribbean get on the path to realizing its full economic potential,%26quot; said St. Lucia’s Minister of Tourism Senator Allen Chastanet, co-chairman of the CTDC, and chairman of the CTO. %26quot;And we’re very excited to have one of our region’s most celebrated motivational and spiritual speakers add his influence to this important effort.%26quot; Also planned for the Summit will be the holding of CTO and CHA’s Board of Directors meetings; a meeting of the new CTO Council of Ministers and Commissioners of Tourism; a %26quot;Capital Caribbean%26quot; Wedding; Town Hall Meetings ostensibly targeting Diaspora communities; interactive conference sessions and a gala dinner at which lifetime achievement and special recognition awards will be presented. %26quot;This conference is a rare opportunity to take a close look at the key issues and solutions that will (stimulate) tourism and investment revenue in the region,%26quot; said Peter Odle, co-chairman of the CTDC and President of the CHA. Held to coincide with June’s Caribbean American Heritage Month, the first Summit marks the dawn of a new day in Caribbean tourism. As delegates gear up for networking opportunities, food, rum and entertainment, and unique Caribbean vacation offers, they should also get ready for change - a change in the way tourism is managed in the Caribbean.

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However, Red Boat Cruises general manager John Robson said he had no knowledge of claims that some of its staff took greenstone from the bay late on Tuesday afternoon.
He said yesterday he found the accusations hard to believe, would be mortified if they were true, and would be looking into it.
All greenstone is under ownership of Ngai Tahu and cannot be taken from the land without Ngai Tahu permission.
Grant Webster, chief operating officer of Tourism Holdings Ltd, which owns Red Boat Cruises, said the alleged activity didnt fit in with the way it operated and he was flabbergasted by the accusations.
%26quot;The key thing is its clearly not something that is condoned in any way, shape or form or fits into the way we operate,%26quot; he said.
The company, which had a good relationship with the Department of Conservation and Ngai Tahu, would be investigating the claims, Mr Webster said.
Mr Robson said Red Boat Cruises went to the Anita Bay area once a year for a staff social gathering, which they did late on Tuesday afternoon. Some staff had stayed on the big boat to swim off it while about 15 were ferried to shore in several trips in a smaller boat, with the attraction being a stone whalers cottage, he said.
Eye-witnesses have told The Southland Times when the Red Boat Cruises staff got to shore, a number had begun gathering greenstone and put pieces in their pockets, and in a couple of instances, bags. The staffers were picked up by the small boat and taken back to the big boat about an hour later, on nightfall.
Mr Robson said any suggestion they had gone to Anita Bay to collect greenstone was totally untrue. %26quot;If anyone got greenstone I would be mortified and I will be checking with my staff.%26quot; Runanga o Ngai Tahu Kaiwhakahaere (Chairman) Mark Solomon said it condemned the illegal taking of pounamu (greenstone). %26quot;We had no prior knowledge of the incident in question before being contacted by the media, but if these types of activities have been going on we would be very concerned and will consider what action to take after further investigation,%26quot; he said. %26quot;It is encouraging to see there is a growing awareness by the public that Ngai Tahu owns pounamu and that laws exist to protect those ownership rights.%26quot; Department of Conservation Te Anau area manager Reg Kemper said Anita Bay, which was part of Fiordland National Park, was DOCs responsibility but the greenstone in the park was owned by Ngai Tahu as part of the claims settlement act.
%26quot;Its not a mineral owned by the general public, its owned by Ngai Tahu.%26quot; Taking greenstone without Ngai Tahu permission would be like taking someones car without the owners permission, he said.
The type of greenstone found at Anita Bay is bowenite, which is also under ownership of Ngai Tahu, a Ngai Tahu spokesman said.
Bowenite is described as a rare type of pounamu on the Encyclopaedia of New Zealand website, Te Ara. The natural pebbles (known to Maori as tangiwai) were valued by Maori for adornment, the site says.
In 2000, Museum of New Zealand staffer Graham Wilson described bowenite as originating in Anita Bay in Milford and was used for jewellery before Maori discovered pounamu or greenstone.

Tags: greens, suggestion
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HIKING

Wednesdays The Audubon Society of Pennsylvania holds walks every Wednesday, 9 a.m. 412-963-6100.

March 29 Afternoon Hike in the Woods. Brady’s Run Park. 6-8 miles. Must be over 18. 11 a.m.- 3 p.m. $5 members, $10 non-members. Venture Outdoors. 412-255-0564.

March 29 Sushi and Sake Hike. Frick Park. Minimum age 21. 4-7 p.m. $35 members, $55 non-members. Venture Outdoors. 412-255-0564.

March 30 Beaver Creek State Park. Sections of the national North Country Trail and well-preserved canal locks. $6 carpool. Sierra Club, 412-362-5567.

April 5 Easy 7-mile loop, Sarver (Buffalo Creek). Meet at Bob Evans Restaurant on old Route 28 in Harmarville, 10 a.m. $2.50 carpool. Sierra Club, 412-828-5154.

May 4 A Walk on a Trail. Schenley Park, Steve Faloon Trail, Circuit Drive at Westinghouse Pond, Oakland. Dogs on leashes welcome. Less than 2 miles. 10 a.m. $15, kids $10. Benefits Steve Faloon Bone Marrow Fund. 412-561-7161.

HUNTING

March 29 Western Pennsylvania Woodlands and Wildlife Conference. Discuss forest management, plant diversity, pests, forest economics, etc. 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Greensburg. $35 includes buffet lunch. Register at 412-837-1402, http://westmoreland.extension.psu.edu.

April 21-22 Pennsylvania Game Commissioners Meeting. 8:30 a.m. both days. 2001 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg.

May 4, May 11 Qualifying shoot for program that culls deer from Allegheny County parks. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Northside Sportsmen’s Association, Marshall. 412-931-9438, 412-735-0497. Hunts occur during regular archery season.

July 19 Youth Day. Pitcairn-Monroeville Sportsmen’s Club, Rt. 48, North Versailles, 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Boys and girls 9-15. Rifle, trap, archery, safety education, muzzleloader, trapping. Allegheny County Sportsmen’s League. Register by June 15. 412-824-6467, acslyouthday2008@yahoo.com.

SHOOTS

ALIQUIPPA BUCKTAILS Skeet and trap, Wednesdays 6 p.m. and Fridays 5 p.m. 724-378-1450 or www.bucktails.us.

ALLEGHENY COUNTY RIFLE CLUB Saturdays and Sundays: ATA registered trap, 10 a.m. 412-821-9828.

ALL SEASONS TRAP AND SKEET Wednesdays: Open shoots, 5 p.m. 814-590-3777.

CALIFORNIA HILL Sundays: Sporting clays and five-stand, 9 a.m. 724-938-3480, 724-938-3477.

CARRICK SPORTSMEN Sundays: Traps, 1 p.m. Junior rifle and traps programs, personal protection/firearms safety, hunter safety courses. 724-348-5354 or http://www.carricksportsmen.com.

CHARLEROI ARCHERY CLUB March 1-2, NFAA Mid-Atlantic archery shoot. 724-366-3596.

CLAIRTON Tuesdays: Skeet, trap leagues and practice, 5 p.m. Fridays: Trap practice 6 p.m. Sundays: Trap practice, leagues, 1 p.m. Last weekend of each month: Cast bullet and .22 rim-fire matches, www.clairtonsc.org.

CLAYBUSTERS Sundays: Sporting clays, five stand, skeet and trap, 9 a.m. and Thursdays 1 p.m. 814-437-3252, 814-437-3428.

COLLIER SPORTSMEN Tuesdays beginning April 15: Trap 6:30 p.m. Public welcome. 412-276-9628.

CONNELLSVILLE SPORTSMEN Tuesdays: Trap practice and skeet shooting, 5 p.m.

CORAOPOLIS Sundays: Junior Olympic archery development, 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays: Indoor archery, 7 p.m. Wednesdays: Informal combat, 7 p.m. 412-264-9920, 412-793-7692.

CROWFOOT ROD %26amp; GUN Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays: Public trap practice, 7 p.m. 724-327-9315, 724-327-0592.

DORMONT-MT. LEBANON SPORTSMEN Mondays: Outdoor pistol, NMC and MPRL, 7 p.m., Wednesdays: Indoor Open shoot, noon. 412-531-5043, www.mdi.net/dml.

EAST MONONGAHELA SPORTSMEN Mondays and Thursdays: Bowling pin shoot, 6:30 p.m. Thursdays: Trap, 6:30 p.m. Third Sundays: Air pistol silhouette match, 1 p.m. 412-384-4747, http://www.dp.net/~emsc.

ELRAMA SPORTSMEN Mondays: Trap practice, 6 p.m. 412-384-8896.

FIVE POINTS HUNT Mondays: Trap practice, 5:30 p.m. 724-375-7381, 724-457-0315, www.fivepointshuntingclub.com.

FORD CITY SPORTSMEN May 18: Relay for Life Cancer Trap Shoot, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. 100 16-yard targets, prizes awarded. Public welcome, benefits American Cancer Society. Wednesdays: Skeet practice, 6 p.m. Fridays: Trap practice, 6 p.m. 724-763-3136, fordcitysportsmen@yahoo.com.

FOREST GROVE SPORTSMEN Mondays: Trap, 6 p.m. Thursdays: Combat pistol shoots, 4 p.m., Third Wednesdays: Membership meetings, 7 p.m. Third Sundays: Muzzle-loaders shoots, noon. 412-269-0942.

LAWRENCE COUNTY Wednesdays: Trap/skeet shoot, 5 p.m. 5-stand, 5 p.m. Thursdays: 5 p.m.; Sundays: Sporting clays, 9:30 a.m. 5-stand, 9:30 a.m. 724-652-1075.

LIBRARY SPORTSMEN ASSOCIATION Thursdays: Trap, skeet, 6 p.m. 412-835-9812, www.librarysa.com.

LONG BRANCH SPORTSMEN Tuesdays: Indoor NRA 50-foot small bore pistol league, 7 p.m. 724-925-2919, 724-333-4408, www.bloomautomatic.com/lbsc

McDONALD SPORTSMEN Thursdays: Trap and skeet, 7 p.m. 724-796-2271, www.mcdonaldsportsmen.com.

McKEESPORT SPORTSMEN Skeet practice, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. Cast bullet matches third Saturdays, 9 a.m., three classes, public welcome. 412-271-2144, 412- 824-7566.

MILLVALE SPORTSMEN Tuesdays: Skeet, 5 p.m. Wednesdays: Evening leagues, practice, 6 p.m. Saturdays: Registered targets, 9 a.m. 724-935-9963, www.millvalesportsmens.org.

NORTH BUFFALO SPORTSMAN’S Second Sundays: Action pistol, rifle. Third Sundays: Hunters trail shoot. Last Saturdays and Sundays: 3-D archery. 724-353-2444, 724-664-0513.

NORTH SIDE SPORTSMEN Wednesdays: Skeet, 6 p.m. Trap, 6 p.m. Sundays: Trap, skeet, 11 a.m. 724-935-9884, www.nssa.ws.

PITCAIRN-MONROEVILLE SPORTSMEN Thursdays: Trap, practical pistol practice, 6 p.m. Saturdays: Trap practice, 10 a.m. Sundays: trap practice, 1 p.m. 412-824-3790, www.pmsconline.com.

POSSUM HOLLOW SPORTSMEN Thursdays: 3-D archery, 6 p.m. 724-513-5338, 724-601-4796, 724-843-3489, www.possumhollowsportsmansclub.com.

RICHLAND SPORTSMEN Thursdays: Archery. Alternate Mondays: Junior rifle. 412-486-2873.

ROSTRAVER SPORTSMEN Practice trap, pistol and 3-D archery. 724-872-4399.

RUFFSDALE GUN Sundays: Trap practice, noon. Saturdays, 10 a.m.

SALTSBURG SPORTSMEN Paintball shoot second and fourth Sundays, 9:30 a.m. 724-845-6936.

SHANER SPORTSMEN Fridays: Trap. 724-494-6834, 412-417-3744.

SINNAMAHONING SPORTSMEN Paint ball shoot second and fourth Sundays, 9:30 a.m. 724-845-6936.

SPORTSMEN’S ASSOCIATION OF GREENSBURG 724-834-3671.

SUTERSVILLE SPORTSMEN Trap practice: Mondays, 6 p.m., Tuesdays 10 a.m. 412-872-0989.

TARENTUM SPORTSMEN Thursdays: Skeet practice, 5:30 p.m. 724- 353-1216.

TRAFFORD SPORTSMEN Indoor pistol: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 1 p.m. Trap: Wednesdays 10 a.m.; Fridays 6 p.m. Tuesdays: Archery practice, evenings; Bowling pin shoot: First and third Sundays, 10:30 a.m. 412-372-3820.

VICTORY HILL GUN Tuesdays: Trap practice, 6 p.m. 724-258-9871.

WASHINGTON SPORTSMEN Thursdays: Trap, wobble trap, skeet, 6 p.m. 724-222-0651.

WEST PENN SPORTSMEN Five-stand: Sundays, 10 a.m., Thursdays 4 p.m. Trap: Thursdays 4:30 p.m.

YOUNGWOOD Trap: Sunday 10 a.m., Tuesdays, 6 p.m.

HUNTER-TRAPPER SAFETY

Allegheny County

March 29-30 Monroeville Municipal Building. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. and Sun. Lunch provided, registration 412-856-3369.

March 28-29 Bullcreek Rod and Gun Club. 6-9 p.m. Fri.; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. Lunch provided, registration 724-226-3369.

April 4-6 Carrick Sportsmen’s Club. 6-10 p.m. Fri.; 8:30-4:30 p.m. Sat. Registration 412-398-9599.

April 19-20 Springdale District Sportsmen’s Association. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Lunch provided, registration 724-335-7171.

Armstrong County

April 4-5 Armstrong County Hunting and Fishing Club. 6-9 p.m. Fri.; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. Registration 724-543-4920, 724-763-8288.

Beaver County

March 28-29 Beaver Valley Sportsmen’s Club. 5:30-9:30 p.m. Fri.; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. Registration 724-544-8904.

April 18-19 Pine Run Sportsmen’s Club. 5-9 p.m. Fri.; 8 a.m-4 p.m. Sat. Registration. 724-774-4642.

April 21-23 Ambridge Sportsmen’s Club. 5:30-9:30 p.m. Registration 724-869-9749.

Greene County

March 21-22 New Freeport Fire Hall. 6:30-9:30 p.m. Fri.; 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sat. Lunch provided, registration 724-447-2040.

Indiana County

April 4-5 Montgomery Township Rod and Gun Club. 5:30-9 p.m. Fri.; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. Lunch provided, registration 724-254-9264.

April 18-19 Indiana County Bow and Gun Club. 6-9 p.m. Fri.; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. Lunch provided, registration 724-422-6326, 724-463-0822.

Somerset County

April 1, April 3, April 5 Rockwood American Legion. 6:30-9 p.m. April 1, April 3; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. April 5. Lunch provided, registration 814-926-2465.

Westmoreland County

March 29-30 Bridgeport National Guard. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat.; 1-5 p.m. Sun. Lunch provided, registration 724-925-8054.

March 29-30 Rostraver Sportsmen’s Club. 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat.; 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Sun. Lunch provided, registration 724-684-4219.

FISHING

March 29 Early opening day trout season (18 southeastern counties only). Details at www.fish.state.pa.us.

March 30 Ice Out Party. S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie. 1-5:30 p.m., Cauley Memorial Auditorium, 215 East 4th St., Erie. $8 adults, under 12 $5, toddlers free. 814-453-2270.

April 12 Opening day trout season. Details at www.fish.state.pa.us.

April 12 Ohio River Catfish Tournament continues April 26, May 10, May 24, June 14, June 26. Pittsburgh to Wheeling. $10, 304-387-3982.

April 26 Magical Macros and Art of Fly Tying. McKeever Environmental Learning Center, Sandy Lake. 724-376-1000, info@mckeever.org. www.mckeever.org.

May 17 Dan Wagner Memorial Kids Fishing Day, Allison Park Sportsmen’s Club, North Park Lake. Free and open to all children.

May 17-18 George Daniel Fly Fishing Clinic. McKeever Environmental Learning Center, Sandy Lake. 724-376-1000, info@mckeever.org, www.mckeever.org.

June 7 Fisherman’s Paradise Bus Trip. Penn’s Woods West Trout Unlimited trip to Spring Creek, Bellefont/State College. $50, $45 before May 1. Non-members welcome. 412-521-0714, pwwtubustrip@gmail.com.

BOATING

Pittsburgh Area Power Squadon boating safety seminars are free, additional fee for course materials.

March 30 Learn To Sail Seminar. Northland Public Library, hosted by Moraine Sailing Club. 1:30-5 p.m., 412-366-8100, joeshields@yahoo.com.

April 3 How to Use a Chart. Oakmont Yacht Club, Oakmont. 7 p.m. Mark Steele, 412-760-1465, m.d.steele@verizon.net.

April 5 Canoe and Kayak Classic, Emporium Country Club, Emporium. 11-mile course, Driftwood branch Susquehanna River. All racing and family classes. Adults $15, juniors up to age 17 $10. 814-546-2011, beetlecamp@yahoo.com, www.eteamz.com/canoeclassic.

April 12 Personal Watercraft Safety Course. Mon Valley YMCA, 9 a.m. $20, includes snacks, beverages. Register 724-684-5320.

April 19 Personal Watercraft Safety Course. Mon Valley YMCA, 9 a.m. $20, includes snacks, beverages. Register 724-684-5320.

April 26 Personal Watercraft Safety Course. Mon Valley YMCA, 9 a.m. $20, includes snacks, beverages. Register 724-684-5320.

May 1 Using VHF and VHF/DSC Marine Radio, Oakmont Yacht Club, Oakmont. 7 p.m. Mark Steele, 412-760-1465, m.d.steele@verizon.net.

June 14 Boating Course. A%26amp;M Marine, New Castle. Holt Conner, 724-752-4410.

EDUCATIONAL

April 6 Case of the Vanishing Pond. Jennings Environmental Education Center, Slippery Rock. Indoor and outdoor discovery. 2 p.m. Register by March 31, 724-794-1090.

April 13, April 27 Sunday Strolls (Signs of spring and dam hike). McKeever Environmental Learning Center, Sandy Lake. 724-376-1000, info@mckeever.org. www.mckeever.org.

April 20 Reliving Pennsylvania’s Native Culture. Jennings Environmental Education Center, Slippery Rock. Historical reinactors, 2 p.m. 724-794-6011.

April 24 Fayette County Children’s Water Festival. Divito Park, Dunbar. 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. 724-438-4497.

April 26 Battling Invasive Species. Jennings Environmental Education Center, Slippery Rock. Help wanted to manage invasive species. Lunch provided. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Age 12-plus, register by April 18 at 724-794-6011.

April 26 Pond Management Workshop. Representatives of Penn State, Crawford and Venango County Conservation Districts, Pennsylvania Lake Management Society. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Towne Square Conference Center 110 West Spring Street, 4th floor Titusville. $10, register by April 21, 814-676-2832.

April 27 Frick Park Bird Walk, Nine Mile Run Watershed Association. 7:30 a.m. Meets Frick Park. Bird watching, ecological restoration. Wissahickon Nature Club, 412-521-3365..

May 9-11 A Feather Quest. Two-day birdwatcher eco-tour, Ohiopyle State Park. $150-$185. 724-329-0986, eeohiopyle@qcol.net.

May 11 Spring Wildflowers. Jennings Environmental Education Center, Slippery Rock. Half-hour guided walk. 2 p.m. 724-794-6011.

May 11, May 25 Sunday Strolls (Mother’s Day Hike and Leave No Trace). McKeever Environmental Learning Center, Sandy Lake. 724-376-1000, info@mckeever.org. www.mckeever.org.

May 24 Spring Woodland Flowers. McKeever Environmental Learning Center, Sandy Lake. 724-376-1000, info@mckeever.org. www.mckeever.org.

VOLUNTEER

April 19 Volunteer Work Day. McKeever Environmental Learning Center, Sandy Lake. 724-376-1000, info@mckeever.org. www.mckeever.org.

April 19 Nine Mile Run Stream Sweep, Nine Mile Run Watershed Association. 9:30 a.m.-noon. Meets Frick Park. 412-371-8779 ext. 14.

MISC.

April 3 Physical Activity Lecture. Schenley Park Visitor Center, Oakland. Noon, pittsburghparks.org.

April 4-5 Banff Mountain Film Festival. Carnegie Library of Homestead Music Hall, 7 p.m. $12 one night, $20 both nights. Tickets@ventureoutdoors.org.

April 10 Injury Prevention Lecture. Schenley Park Visitor Center, Oakland. Noon, pittsburghparks.org.

April 19 Frick Environmental Center Earth Day Celebration. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 2005 Beechwood Blvd, Squirrel Hill. 412-422-6538.

April 27 Frick Park Bird Walk. 7:30 a.m.

Meet in parking lot off Lancaster Avenue, lower Frick Park. 412-521-3365.

May 23-23 Outdoor Extravaganza. Butler Outdoor Club. Sampler of outdoor activities. Base camp at Breakneck Campground near McConnell’s Mills and Moraine State Park). www.butleroutdoorclub.com,724-526-5407 and joyceappel@windstream.net.

Get listed in GETout. At least two Fridays prior to the event, send event name, activity, date, time, location, fee and phone number to outdoors@post-gazette.com or Post-Gazette, Outdoors, GETout Events, 34 Blvd. of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.

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