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PETE'S PICKS
With Christmas a little over two weeks away I have no doubt that you have very little free time. If you're like me, your time will be spent running from one holiday gathering to the next while trying to sneak away to buy some presents.
We've become a time-deprived society and internet shopping tends to make our lives easier. But this holiday I encourage you to support our local outdoor businesses by making an extra effort to buy local.
What three locally owned-businesses would you miss if they closed their doors? Stop in, say hello, and make a purchase. It's our local purchases that keep these businesses afloat.
Supporting local businesses preserves the economic diversity of our communities and the unique character of our neighborhoods. And economic research shows that in an increasingly homogenized world, entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to invest and settle in communities that preserve their one-of-a-kind businesses and distinctive character. So let's all do our part to support local businesses and, in the process, help keep Roanoke unique. Happy Holidays!
Pete Eshelman
Director of Outdoor Branding
Roanoke Regional Partnership
  
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HOW DO YOU CONNECT WITH THE OUTDOORS KID ART CONTEST
 Children today spend an average of six hours each day in front of a "screen" but less than four minutes a day in unstructured outdoor play. One of Roanoke Outside's missions is to connect people, especially kids, with the outdoors.
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BRIDGE THE GAP
This is a banner you may have seen hanging above the Roanoke River Greenway. Over the course of the next few months it will be relocated to various locations along the greenway in an effort to raise awareness of the Bridge the Gap campaign.
Here's the scoop.
When complete, the Roanoke River Greenway will offer 18 miles of continuous pathway. There is currently eight miles complete, and another six miles is already funded and slated to be completed in the next two years. If you do the math you'll notice four miles is missing, hence the "Bridge the Gap" campaign.
The unfunded four miles pretty much divides the Roanoke River Greenway in half. The missing section runs from Bridge Street in Roanoke City to Rotary Park in Salem.
Continue reading to learn more about the missing section and how you can help make a difference>>>
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| BLUE RIDGE MARATHON ART CONTEST
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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE FOR OUTDOOR LOVERS
Around here we get pretty excited come Christmas time. It's the one time a year when the odds of us getting a new piece of outdoor gear are pretty good. We've combined a list of gift ideas that would appeal to just about any outdoor enthusiast. And in the spirit of supporting local businesses, we've identified local shops where you can purchase these items. Yes it's easier to purchase online, but there's something special about supporting your local outdoor shop. 
FOR THE RUNNER...
Zensah Leg Sleeves
The sleeves can be worn during training or for recovery to increase oxygen blood flow to the muscles of the lower leg. The more oxygen the muscles receive the faster they recover, allowing athletes to push the envelope in their training. The Recovery Compression Leg Sleeves are ideal for runners, cyclists and triathletes and anyone else who is on their feet. It can be worn during training, recovery, or for traveling.
Continue reading to view our gift ideas for hikers, runners, cyclists, anglers, and more>>>
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Upcoming events to keep your eye oN
- Weekly bike rides throughout Roanoke & NRV Valley
- Weekly ultimate frisbee pickup games (Sundays & Wednesdays)
- Hikes too numerous to list
- Monday Bike Polo
- Tuesday Tune Ups
- Family Intro to Caving Trip - 12/17
- Carvins Cove Trail Work Day - 12/17
- Land of Goshen Hike - 12/17
- Kayak Skills Course - 12/18
- Cascades Trail Hike - 12/18
- Christmas Eve Fun Run/Walk - 12/24
- Meet Famous Young Naturalists - 1/7
- Blue Ridge Marathon & Half Marathon - 4/21/12
- Roanoke Twilight Criterium - 4/21/12
- YMCA Kids Marathon - 4/21/12
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Could your artwork be the face of America's Toughest Road Marathon?
