Anchorage Daily News

BIKING

Birchwood Loop extended

WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday

WHERE: Chugiak High

DETAILS: Planning 15-25 miles on paved roads

COST: Free but Arctic Bicycle Club membership encouraged

CONTACT: Call hotline before each ride at 566-0177, press #3 for latest.

Take a tour of Anchorage

WHEN: 10 a.m. Aug. 24

WHERE: Meet at Fred Meyer at Lake Otis and Abbott near garden center.

DETAILS: Ride Tour of Anchorage trail and see the city east to west.

COST: Free, but Arctic Bicycle Club membership encouraged.

CONTACT: Call hotline before each ride at 566-0177, press #3 for latest.

FILM

Film explores Pebble Mine project

WHEN: 7 p.m. Tuesday

WHERE: Anchorage Museum of History and Art

DETAILS: "Red Gold," a 55-minute documentary film about the proposed Pebble Mine project, was honored at this May's Mountain Film Festival in Telluride, Colo. Filmmakers spent 68 days in Bristol Bay gathering footage for the film and interviewing proponents and opponents of the mine. They followed the salmon, moving from the tidal waters to the spawning grounds, and portrayed the people involved on both sides.

COST: Free

CONTACT: 907-743-1900 or www.renewableresourcescoalition.org

'March of the Penguins'

WHEN: Saturday

WHERE: Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center auditorium in Homer

DETAILS: Showing of movie "March of the Penguins"

COST: Free

CONTACT: www.islandsandocean.org/

FISHING

Kenai red salmon restrictions

WHEN: Rest of season

WHERE: Upstream of Kenai River sonar counter at river Mile 19

DETAILS: Red salmon bag and possession limit will be reduced to one fish. Sport fishing for red salmon below the river mile 19 sonar counter remains closed. The bag and possession limit of red salmon in the Russian River and Kenai River "fly-fishing-only waters" at the confluence of the Russian River, including that portion of the Kenai River from ADF&G regulatory markers located approximately 300 yards upstream of the public boat launch at Sportsman's Landing downstream to the power line are not affected by this action and remain at three fish.

CONTACT: Fish and Game biologists Robert Begich and Jason Pawluk, (907) 262-9368

Lagoon open to young anglers

WHEN: Aug. 29-31

WHERE: Seward Lagoon and lagoon outfall stream

DETAILS: Open to king salmon fishing for anglers 15 years of age or younger. King salmon fishing reported to be slow. Bag and possession limit is two kings per day of any size. Single-hook artificial lures and bait are legal. All fish caught other than king salmon must be released. Another youth fishing day at the Seward Lagoon and lagoon outfall stream for silver salmon will be Sept. 5-7

COST: Free

CONTACT: State fishery biologist Chuck Brazil at 267-2186

Homer Spit silver derby

WHEN: Ends today

WHERE: Homer Spit

DETAILS: Silver salmon are the prey at the Dudiak Fishing Hole on Homer Spit. Cash and merchandise prizes for anglers fishing from land and boat.

CONTACT: Homer Chamber of Commerce, 235-7740; www.homeralaska.org

Kenai silver sampling

WHEN: Through Sept. 30

WHERE: Kenai River

DETAILS: The Division of Sport Fish is sampling silver salmon caught in the Lower Kenai River in an effort to improve management of the species. Anglers may encounter Fish and Game staffers seeking permission to sample their catches. They'll be looking for the presence of an adipose fin and passing a hand-held device over the head of the fish to determine if a coded wire tag is present. Some fish will be sampled for scales and genetic tissue.

CONTACT: Fish and Game biologists Tim McKinley and Rob Massengill at (907) 262-9368

FLORA AND FAUNA

Russian Jack plants

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Monday

WHERE: Russian Jack Greenhouse

DETAILS: Verna Pratt will discuss plants that inhabit the forests and trails of Russian Jack Park. For all ages, but kids under 12 must be with an adult.

COST: Free

CONTACT: 343-4260

Bears feeding on moose

WHEN: 2 p.m. today, Aug. 24

WHERE: Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Portage

DETAILS: Three adult brown bears will be fed a donated railroad-killed moose hind quarter in a wildlife exhibition that demonstrates the bears' natural instincts and social behaviors over a fresh meal. Interns will answer questions. Several models of the Bear Educational Awareness & Research Station (BEARS) interpretive center will be on display.

CONTACT: Kelly Miller, 301-5575

Get berry smart

WHEN: 2 p.m. today

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: Learn about edible wild berries with wildflower expert Verna Pratt.

COST: Free; $5 parking for nonmembers

CONTACT: 694-2108

Learn about mushrooms

WHEN: 7 p.m. Wednesday

WHERE: Campbell Creek Science Center

DETAILS: Local mushroom enthusiasts will share their knowledge about mushrooms, including specimens from all over Southcentral. Bring some from your own yard to identify.

COST: Free

CONTACT: 267-1247

Wildlife, birding hotspots

WHEN: 3 p.m. today , Aug. 24-25

WHERE: Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitors Center in Homer

DETAILS: Refuge staffers will lead a talk pointing out wildlife and birding hotspots in Homer area.

COST: Free

CONTACT: www.islandsandocean.org/

Sea otter CSI

WHEN: 7 p.m. Tuesday Aug. 19

WHERE: Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitors Center in Homer

DETAILS: Dr. Sebastian Carrasco, of Unversity of California Davis Wildlife Health Science Lab describes his work on diseases afflicting Kachemak Bay sea otters.

COST: Free

CONTACT: www.islandsandocean.org/

Find edible mushrooms

WHEN: 2 p.m. Aug. 24

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: Volunteers Diane Pleninger and Chris Maack will lead a 2-mile walk looking for edible and interesting mushrooms that grow along the trails.

COST: Free; parking is $5 for non-members

CONTACT: 694-2108

HIKING/BACKPACKING

Weekly Anchorage hikes

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Monday, Thursday

WHERE: Bicentennial Park Smoke Jumper trailhead on Monday, Kincaid Park, Raspberry parking lot on Thursday

DETAILS: Alaska Outdoors weekly hikes. Sunday hike includes Mize Trail cleanup. Thursday is a mountain trail.

COST: $1

CONTACT: 770-0440, www.alaska-outdoors.org

Beach Walk

WHEN: 11 a.m. Thursday , Aug. 26

WHERE: Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitors Center in Homer

DETAILS: Morning explorations at Bishop's Beach. All ages.

COST: Free

CONTACT: www.islandsandocean.org/

Mid-week nordic walking

WHEN: 6:15-7 p.m. Tuesday; 6:15-8 p.m. Thursday

WHERE: Various parks

DETAILS: Low-impact approach to increasing health outdoors. Concentrate on quality workouts over moderate and longer courses. Pair up with others of similar speed and intensity to practice technique and increase mileage. Ages 12 and up.

COST: $5/day or prepaid with pass or punch card.

CONTACT: Ronn Randall, 343-4260 or randallr@muni.org

Big Wild Trails at Hilltop

WHEN: 6-7 p.m. Wednesday

WHERE: Hilltop Chalet

DETAILS: Discover new trails while increasing your personal fitness on this more-advanced hiking series.

COST: Free

CONTACT: 343-6397, 343-6566

Highland trekking

WHEN: 9 a.m. Aug. 30

WHERE: Alpenglow

DETAILS: Moderately challenging alpine walking tour. Bring nordic walking poles and a daypack (with snacks, water). Meet at Alpenglow. Most be 16.

COST: $12; parking $5 without state parking sticker

CONTACT: Ronn Randall, 343-4260

KIDS

Outside play program in Palmer

WHEN: 1:30-3:30 p.m. Wednesday

WHERE: Spring Creek Farm, 6404 N. Lossing Road, Palmer

DETAILS: "Come Outside and Play" is Spring Creek Outdoor Adventures-sponsored program for kids of all ages. Outdoor games featured each week; snacks included.

COST: $2 per child, no registration necessary

CONTACT: 1-907-746-2795

Nature Walk and Talk for kids

WHEN: 10:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday

WHERE: Spring Creek Farm, 6404 N. Lossing Road, Palmer

DETAILS: Nature walk around Spring Creek Farm. Then sit back with a snack while listening to a storybook. For ages 5-up; children must be accompanied by adult. Bring your own snacks.

COST: Free

CONTACT: 1-907-746-2795

Finding dandelions, sunflowers

WHEN: 2 p.m. Aug. 23

WHERE: Eagle River Nature Center

DETAILS: Junior naturalists will cover the asters or composite family, which include many familiar plants, including dandelions and sunflowers.

COST: Free, parking is $5 for nonmembers

CONTACT: 694-2108

MOUNTAINEERING

Babcock discusses Denali tragedy

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday

WHERE: First United Methodist Church, Ninth Avenue and G Street

DETAILS: Jeff Babcock, who was on Mount McKinley during the 1967 Wilcox tragedy, will discuss James Tabor's recently published "Forever on the Mountain: The Truth Behind One of the Most Tragic, Mysterious and Controversial Disasters in Mountaineering History." The mountaineering club will be celebrating its 50th anniversary at Alpenglow ski lodge on Sept. 14. There will be an historic slide show, barbecue, mountain games and hikes.

COST: Free

CONTACT: Sean Bolender at 830-5102

MUSHING

Serum run potluck

WHEN: 1 p.m. today

WHERE: Willow Community Center

DETAILS: Potluck and meeting for the annual Norman Vaughn Serum Run. Applications being accepted for the 2009 Serum Run, with details at www.serumrun.org. Deadline is Oct. 1. First meeting of those planning to make the run Sept. 27 at Willow Community Center.

COST: Free

CONTACT: Carolyn Muegge-Vaughan at 227-6311

ORIENTEERING

Meeting, pizza party

WHEN: Wednesday

WHERE: Russian Jack Springs Park

DETAILS: 6 p.m. mass start followed by pizza and meeting

COST: $5 members, $6 nonmembers

CONTACT: Dan Billman 345-1749 www.oalaska.org

ROLLER SKIING

Third annual Cuddy Classic

WHEN: 10:30 a.m. Saturday

WHERE: Cuddy Family Midtown Park

DETAILS: Olympians Kikkan Randall and Lars Flora are signed up for a multi-lap classic technique race on the Great Loop, and a two-lap sprint on the new Speed Skating Oval. Part of the grand opening of Cuddy Family Midtown Park adjacent to Loussac Library. Helmets and gloves required for all competitors, ages 12 and up.

COST: $20 adults, $15 youth.

CONTACT: 343-4260

WILDERNESS SAFETY

Glacier travel, crevasse rescue

WHEN: Saturday-Aug. 24

WHERE: Matanuska Glacier

DETAILS: Two-day workshop provides introductory instruction on the techniques needed to travel safely on a glacier. Learn crampon use, self arrest, ice screw placement, anchor building, belaying, fixed line ascension, and hauling and raising systems.

COST: $350 per person

CONTACT: Alaska Mountaineering School, 1-907-733-1016 or email info@climbalaska.org

Safer expedition backpacking

WHEN: Monday-Thursday

WHERE: Meet in Talkeetna to drive to Peters Hills

DETAILS: Four-day workshop teaches skills for safe and responsible expedition backpacking in tundra wilderness: camping, cooking, self-care, teamwork, travel and safety skills in bear country, map and compass use and natural history, hiking through a variety of terrain.

COST: $650 per person

CONTACT: Alaska Mountaineering School, 1-907-733-1016 or email info@climbalaska.org

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Compiled by Daily News outdoors editor Mike Campbell. Deadline for submission is 9 a.m. Monday. E-mail items to outdoors@adn.com, fax to 258-2157 or mail to Anchorage Daily News, P.O. Box 149001, Anchorage 99514-9001.

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Site of the week

www.whittieralaskachamber.org/calendar.htm:

Whittier's silver salmon derby kicks off Aug. 29, with a "small fry" competition scheduled for Sept. 13.

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