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PETE'S PICKS

Half way through May (National Bike Month) and I've biked to work nine days, which is half of my Clean Commute Pledge. With a clear 10-day weather forecast, I'm feeling pretty confident I'll make my goal.
Saturday is National Kids to Parks Day, so why not make an effort to bike to your nearest neighborhood park. The Discovery Center on Mill Mountain is offering several programs on Saturday to encourage children and parents to discover the park. Activities include insect investigation (10-11:30am), animal encounters (11:30am-noon), family scavenger hunt (noon-12:30pm & 1:30-2pm), and nature games (12:30-1:30pm).
If you're looking for a mellow beginner mountain bike trail to get started on, check out the "beginner biking trail" at Explore Park. This one-mile loop is the perfect trail to work on your technique...before heading over to the "intermediate" or "expert" trails.
And last, but certainly not least, did you know this week is American Craft Beer Week? Blue 5 currently has 46 craft beers on tap, with plans to increase it to 60 in the very near future. They invite you to sign the Declaration of Beer Independence, and enjoy the special beer events they have planned. I'm pretty sure I know where I'll be Friday evening...at the Green Flash Tap Takeover.
Have a great one and, Get Outside!

Pete Eshelman Director of Outdoor Branding
Roanoke Regional Partnership
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THE GREENWAY NEEDS YOUR HELP
A new section of the Roanoke River Greenway opens today, adding almost another mile for us to enjoy. This new section starts at Memorial Bridge (Black Dog Salvage) and heads up river to Bridge Street.
When complete, the Roanoke River Greenway will offer 18 miles of continuous pathway. There are currently eight miles completed, and another six miles are 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 that was publicly unveiled May 15.
Learn more about the "Bridge the Gap" Campaign>>>
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OUR WATER - KEEP IT CLEAN, CLEAR, & SAFE
Did you know that every time it rains, the rainwater (commonly known as stormwater runoff) picks up pollutants in its path and carries them into storm drains which lead to the nearest creek, stream, or river?
These pollutants include motor oil, gasoline, lawn chemicals, pet waste, litter, soil, and more. Polluted water can be unsafe for drinking, recreation, and plant and aquatic life. But you can help.
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HOW TO MISS A CHILDHOOD
via Rachel Macy Stafford...
Each minute of every day, we are presented with a choice on how we spend our moments. We can either miss the moments or grasp them.
I'm going Hands Free. I want to make memories, not to-do lists. I want to feel the squeeze of my daughter's arms, not the pressure of over-commitment. I want to get lost in conversation with my spouse, not consumed by a sea of unimportant emails. I want to be overwhelmed by sunsets that give me hope, not by extracurricular commitments that steal my joy. I want the noise of my life to be a mixture of laughter and gratitude, not the intrusive buzz of cell phones and text messages. I am letting go of distraction, disconnection, and perfection to live a life that simply, so very simply, consists of what really matters.
I'm going Hands Free, and if this sounds like a life you want to start living, come along.
Continue reading to learn more about a Hands Free revolution>>>
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| WIN FLOYDFEST TICKETS
There is a reason FloydFest was voted "Best Outdoor Festival" by Blue Ridge Outdoors magazine - it's simply an incredible experience you don't want to miss. It's much more than just a music festival - four days of camping (if you want to), more than 100 performers on 10 music stages, beer and wine gardens, performance art, global village, kids' universe, craft workshops, trapeze school, disc golf, mountain bike trail, and lots more.
The music acts you'll see are too numerous to list, but here are a few headliners you won't want to miss: Alison Krauss, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Jackson Browne, SOJA, Brandi Carlile, Leftover Salmon, Matisyahu, Bruce Hornsby, Ricky Skaggs, Sam Bush, Galactic, ALO, Punch Brothers, Gary Clark, Toubah Krewe, Locos Por Juana, and many, many more.
And just like Roanoke Outside, FloydFest places a strong emphasis on the outdoors. Here's a little information you'll need to know to make sure you make the most of FloydFest, and all the outdoor opportunities it offers.
Continue reading to learn how you can win a pair of four-day passes to FloydFest>>>
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UPCOMING EVENTS TO KEEP YOUR EYE ON
Visit The RoanokeOutside.com Calendar of Events for details on these upcoming events!
- 21st Annual Wilderness Road Ride - 5/26
- Festival of Trails - 5/26
- Tuff Strutter 5K Trail Run - 5/27
- Kirk Fest - 5/30-6/2
- Troutville Trail Days - 6/1-2
- Guided Full Moon Canoe Trip - 6/2
- 4th Annual Race for Open Space - 6/2
- A.T. Hiking Weekend - 6/2-3
- 4th Annual Race for Open Space - 6/2
- Conquer the Cove Trail 25K & Marathon - 6/3
- Quick Start Paddling Class - 6/9
- Run With Grace - 6/9
- Boat Demo Day - 6/13
- Wilderness Wednesdays Backpacking Class - 6/13
- Fat Tire Frenzy - 6/16
- Light Up the Night 5K - 6/16
- Moomaw Madness Sprint Triathlon - 6/23
- Eastern Divide Ultra Trail Marathon - 6/23
- Mountain Junkies Fat 5 Endurance Race - 6/30
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Roanoke Regional Partnership · 111 Franklin Plaza, Suite 333 · Roanoke, VA 24011540.343.1550 X 104 · www.roanoke.org
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