Saturday, Oct. 03, 2009

Outdoors briefs: Richland Rod & Gun Club sets October meeting

From Herald news services

RICHLAND -- The Richland Rod & Gun Club will have its October meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the city of Richland maintenance facility, exit 3 from Interstate 182 to Queensgate Drive, across from Wal-Mart.

Speakers are 2008 quality trip winners Lyle Gilk and Bill Tanner.

Grant to speak to CCA Tri-Cities chapter

RICHLAND -- State Rep. Laura Grant, D-Walla Walla, is the guest speaker Thursday at the October meeting of the Coastal Conservation Association Tri-Cities chapter.

The meeting is 7 p.m. at O'Callahan's at the Shilo Inn, 50 Comstock Street, Richland.

Bryan Irwin, Pacific Northwest executive director for the nonprofit salmon and steelhead conservation group, also is expected to attend.

Blue Mountain Wildlife planS open house

PENDLETON -- Live music, lunch and photo opportunities with birds of prey are part of Blue Mountain Wildlife's annual open house and fundraiser Oct. 10 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Pendleton.

Visitors to the center will see and have an opportunity to have their pictures taken with hawks, owls, eagles and falcons; take a tour of the center and watch a falconry demonstration. A silent auction and drawing also will be offered, with a grand prize for a two-night (nonweekend) stay at Barking Mad Farm Country Bed and Breakfast in Enterprise.

All proceeds will support the Blue Mountain Wildlife's rehabilitation and education programs.

Blue Mountain Wildlife is a nonprofit organization that accepts native wildlife for rehabilitation and offers education programs using live, nonreleasable birds of prey throughout northeast Oregon and southeast Washington. For information call 541-278-0215.

Directions to the center from Interstate 84 at exit 209 are south onto Southgate/Highway 395, then six miles to a right turn off Highway 395 onto Arabian Drive, then left to 71046 Appaloosa Lane. For more information about the center, visit www.bluemountainwildlife.org.

Helmets recommended at some ski resorts

VANCOUVER, British Columbia -- Six months after actress Natasha Richardson died following a fall at the Mount Tremblant ski resort in Quebec, the company that operates the facility has announced helmet requirements at its North American resorts.

Vancouver-based Intrawest said Thursday it will recommend all skiers and snowboarders wear helmets when the ski season begins in a few weeks.

Richardson, the 45-year-old wife of actor Liam Neeson, died in March after falling during a ski lesson and suffering a head injury at Mount Tremblant.

Intrawest operates nine ski resorts at Winter Park, Copper Mountain, and Steamboat Ski & Resort in Colorado; Stratton in Vermont; Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia; Mountain Creek in New Jersey; Mount Tremblant in Quebec; Panorama Mountain near Invermere, British Columbia; and Whistler Blackcomb.