News Briefs from the Great Outdoors
FEBRUARY 7, 2006
1. NEW. Where in the great outdoors is this?
2. Summer boating camp for boys and girls
3. Urban solution to save wildlife
4. Hunter Buzz: New camo pattern, a la Wrangler
5. What do biting insects hate? Can you say… Geraniol?
6. Calling all weekend adventurers
7. Got fleece jeans?
8. Jumpstart the boating season
9. Another kind of cruise
10. How about sunglasses with built-in readers?
11. Vacation for marine diversity
12. Florida Panthers in Georgia, Alabama?
13. Free outdoor events help teens learn life skills
14. Prediction: Boating growth fueled by new outboard technology
15. Drive-in theatre for RVs
16. He’s a one-legged America’s Cup skipper. So what?
17. Non-profit biking club sued
18. Weigh-in on commercial space tourism
19. 37,000 gunning for Las Vegas
20. Compressing the sales cycle
21. From paddle boats to go fast boats and some sailboats, too
22. The Extreme Vacationer Handbook
23. Leisure travelers want beauty
24. Love or hate? Gray whale versus yacht
25. Remembering Red Ryder
26. Where in the great outdoors is this? The answer
1. NEW. Where in the great outdoors is this?
Google Earth these coordinates: 27 37'43.46" N, 82 44'12.42" W
But why? See #26.
2. Summer boating camp for boys and girls
NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. – Florida Sailing & Cruising School (FS&CS) has announced Camp AHOY!, a week-long summer day program for boys and girls 10 to 15 years of age emphasizing boating safety and the marine environment. Barb Hansen, who co-founded and has managed FS&CS since 1984, said the school has scheduled four Camp AHOY! sessions, all based from Marinatown Marina on the Caloosahatchee River in N. Fort Myers. Each five-day camp session begins on a Monday in July and concludes on the following Friday. Tuition for the unique summer camp is $995. For information phone Hansen at 1-800-262-7939 or visit http://www.flsailandcruiseschool.com/
3. Urban solution to save wildlife
PALM HARBOR, Fla. -- The St. Petersburg-Clearwater area is now welcoming the public into three wildlife preserves -- Brooker Creek Preserve, Weedon Island Preserve on Tampa Bay and Shell Key Preserve on the Gulf of Mexico. "These are natural attractions for people who would rather hike and paddle deep into wild places than see a fake hippo open its jaws," said H. Bruce Rinker, Ph.D., director of Pinellas County Environmental Lands Division. “They are a model for other fast-growing areas,” said Rinker.
4. Hunter Buzz: New camo pattern, a la Wrangler
GREENSBORO, N.C. -- The buzz among hunting professionals for 2006 is the introduction of a significant new camouflage pattern, Advantage® MAX-1 HD™, designed to allow hunters to melt into open terrain landscapes. Adding to the buzz was news that the new camo pattern has been picked up and used extensively by a major hunting garment brand – ProGear™ by Wrangler®. The new pattern is said to perform well in any open setting with its balance of neutral earth tones, grasses, rush, rock and sage. It is effective hunting small game and big game like whitetail, mule deer, elk and bighorn sheep.
5. What do biting insects hate? Can you say… Geraniol?
CARTERSVILLE, Georgia – Biting insects lay low in winter but their enemies, people like Dan Ritter, plot their demise all year long. Ritter, chief of Bug Band, Inc., says the future of insect repellents is positively, absolutely “Not Deet.” Bug Band’s proprietary recipe includes a powerful repellent called Geraniol, a sweet-smelling ingredient safe for kids and adults, too. Ritter’s company has introduced insect-repellent wristbands in favorite kiddy colors, including Glow-in-the-Dark. Far out. Golfers, gardeners, anglers, campers and hikers prefer the 6-ounce pump spray bottle.(Hunters get it in camo.) “The bugs are coming. The bugs are coming,” warns Ritter. www.bugband.net.
6. Calling all weekend adventurers
PALM ISLAND RESORT, Cape Haze, Florida
Enjoy the outdoors at Palm Island Resort - located on a Gulf barrier island and accessible only by car ferry or private vessel. With two miles of private beach, Palm Island offers everything for outdoors. World-class tarpon and backcountry fishing, island activities including four pools, complimentary tennis, canoe and kayak rentals, bicycling, island massages, mainland golf, birding, beach toy rentals, restaurants and nature trails. Explore the mangrove trails and find Hidden Lake on Palm Island by kayak or canoe. Families are entertained weekly by Red Beard the Pirate.
7. Got fleece jeans?
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Don’t let a temperature plunge keep you from enjoying the great outdoors. Wrangler Rugged Wear® has what some would call the ultimate pair of jeans for really cold weather – jeans lined with cotton fleece. Fleece Jean has an outer shell of denim lined on the inside with soft, pine-green cotton fleece. It has extra deep, front pockets, also lined in fleece. Styled as a relaxed fit jean, it has large leg openings that fit easily over boots. It’s machine washable, too. Visit www.wrangler.com or phone 1-888-784-8571 for the name of a nearby retailer.
8. Jumpstart the boating season
Get a jumpstart on the boating season. Shop for supplies or equip vessels for the spring before the first warm weekend arrives. Http://www.boaterscatalog.com
9. Another kind of cruise
NORTH FORT MYERS, Fla. -- There are cruises and there are cruises. One kind of cruise puts you on a ship with hundreds of cabins, lots of strangers and elaborate spreads of food. The other puts you on a vessel with only two or three cabins and you have to bring your own groceries. It comes with a skipper who goes where you want to go on the placid Gulf Intracoastal Waterway along famous barrier islands like Sanibel, Captiva, Caya Costa, Useppa and Boca Grande. Southwest Florida Yachts offers a 36-foot Grand Banks luxury trawler for five days for about $3,000. (http://www.swfyachts.com/)
10. How about sunglasses with built-in readers?
MOBILE, Ala – Ono’s Trading Company has announced five new styles for its polarized performance sunglasses with built-in readers. New styles come in two lens colors, amber and gray, with five reader magnifications – 1.50, 1.75, 2.00, 2.25, and 2.50. Farsighted people can focus up-close to tie fishing knots, dial the cell phone, check golf scores, check maps and read books on the beach. The Carabelle, Oak Harbor, Vieux Carré, Aviator and Harbor Docks are less than $100. Check out the new styles and get a list of retailers at www.onostradingcompany.com or phone Ono’s at 866-865-4695.
11. Vacation for marine diversity
TIERRA VERDE, Fla. -- Here’s a new activity for families and singles when you vacation in Florida. If you schedule your vacation just right, you can join citizens of the Tampa Bay area who volunteer to improve the wildlife and sealife diversity of Tampa Bay. The volunteer activities are organized by Tampa Bay Watch, Inc., a non-profit stewardship program dedicated to protect and restore the marine and wetland environments of Tampa Bay. For more information and a schedule of planned events like planting seagrass, counting scallops, or starting oyster colonies visit www.tampabaywatch.org or contact volunteer coordinator Kendall Sanderson at Ksanderson@tampabaywatch.org or by phoning 727-867-8166.
12. Florida Panthers in Georgia, Alabama?
VERO BEACH, Fla. – Today there are an estimated 80 Florida panthers in the wild. But managers hope eventually to establish three or more self-sustaining 240-animal populations of the endangered animal so it can be removed from all endangered lists. But Florida has no additional suitable habitat. On January 31 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service unveiled an update on its recovery plan that looks to other Southeastern states (Alabama, Georgia, are you listening?) to participate in the recovery. At one time the animal ranged throughout most of the southeastern United States. Public comment will be accepted through April 3. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
13. Free outdoor events help teens learn life skills
National Teen Anglers organizes free one-day events for teenagers that teach fishing, boating, ecology, biology, meteorology and -- best of all -- life skills. Information, schedules and registration are online at www.teenanglers.org. www.teenaglers.org. Contact Suzanne Kelly, 772-519-2534, Suzanne@teenanglers.org, or Capt. Al Bernetti, 772-519-2534, Al@teenanglers.org.
14. Prediction: Boating growth fueled by new outboard technology
CLEVELAND -- Recreational boats and accessories will grow by 4.5 percent a year through 2009, according to a study by the Freedonia Group, a market research firm. The firm said the growth will come from the sales of new 2 and 4-stroke outboard motors that perform better on less fuel and with fewer emissions. (Soundings Trade Only)
15. Drive-in theatre for RVs
SUTHERLIN, Oregon -- Jim Remley, new owner of the Hi-Way Haven RV Park, shows movies on an old drive-in theatre screen that predates the RV park. So far he has given his RV patrons some pretty good fare ncluding Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window and the original War of the Worlds. Coming soon, Rio Bravo with John Wayne. (RV Business)
16. He’s a one-legged America’s Cup skipper. So what?
TORINO, Italy -- Torino mayor Sergio Chiamparino said his town, host of the Winter Olympics, will announce on March 24 its support for a new America’s Cup entry – ideaArgo – a vessel that will be crewed completely by disabled sailors, led by skipper Lars Grael who lost a leg in a sailing regatta. (Servizi Nautica)
17. Non-profit biking club sued
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Jerry Reese, 60, who suffered a spine injury while biking a mountain trail, has sued the non-profit biking club, Oklahoma Earthbike Fellowship, claiming it didn’t properly maintain a trail bridge. (International Mountain Bicycling Association)
18. Weigh-in on commercial space tourism
WASHINGTON D.C. -- The Federal Aviation Administration has invited public comment through February on its proposed rules for commercial human space flight. A study cited by the FAA estimates that space tourism could generate $1 billion a year in revenues by the year 2021, mostly from sub=orbital flights drawing 15,000 passengers. (inbusinesslasvegas)
19. 37,000 gunning for Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS -- Producers of the annual ‘SHOT SHOW’ estimate 37,000 shooting and hunting professionals from 75 countries will attend the big trade show Feb. 9-12 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. (National Shooting Sports Foundation.)
20. Compressing the sales cycle
FERNANDINA BEACH, Florida -- American Sportfishing Association and National Shooting Sports Foundation have endorsed a new program of online surveys by Southwick Associates to help fish and wildlife agencies, manufacturers and retailers adjust their marketing efforts more quickly. Hunters participate at www.huntersruvey.com; anglers at www.anglersurvey.com. (Southwick Associates)
21. From paddle boats to go fast boats and some sailboats, too.
MIAMI BEACH -- More than 2,300 boat and accessories companies will unveil their 2006-2007 models at the Miami International Boat Show and Strictly Sail Miami show Feb. 16-20. Boating Writers International will present 42 members with awards of excellence for 2005 articles, columns, photography and broadcast submissions. (Boating Writers International, NMMA)
22. The Extreme Vacationer Handbook
A new online magazine has debuted. Adventure Journey: The Extreme Vacationer’s Handbook, reports that it won’t cover “cookie-cutter” trips but rather the world’s most remarkable places and activities such as scuba diving the Himalayas, extreme biking in Utah’s Canyonlands, and live volcano climbing in Peru. Editor is W. K. Jackson. (Adventure Journey)
23. Leisure travelers want beauty
Areas seeking to successfully market their destinations to leisure travelers should emphasize scenic beauty, relaxation, good weather, and no schedules to meet. These are among the conclusions of an AARP survey of leisure travelers in the U.S. ages 41 to 59. Top five vacation states, among those surveyed, were Florida, New York, Hawaii, Colorado, and Nevada. (Inside Bay Area)
24. Love or hate? Gray whale versus yacht
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- A gray whale about 30-feet long surfaced unexpectedly in the Pacific Ocean close to Santa Barbara and belly-flopped on top of a 27-foot yacht, crushing its cabin, marine radio, electronics and steering mechanism. The whale then resurfaced and knocked a passenger down with its tail, cracking his ribs. The whale surfaced a third time and, according to skipper Jerry Gormley, just stared at him. Wayne Perryman with the National Marine Fisheries Service in San Diego said the whale was probably just curious and his behavior was not ill-intentioned, but “friendly.” (Associated Press via Outdoor Pressroom.)
25. Remembering Red Ryder
ROGERS, Ark. -- Daisy Outdoor Products, famous for its Red Ryder BB gun, celebrates its 120th anniversary in 2006. (Daisy Outdoor Products via The Outdoor Wire)
26. Where in the great outdoors is this?
Google Earth these coordinates: 27 37'43.46" N, 82 44'12.42" W
This is a spot on a hiking trail around a lagoon on Fort DeSoto Park, a Pinellas County, Fla. park on the Gulf of Mexico, perhaps your best bet for medium to close-up pictures of a reddish egret, or a wood stork and just paces away from the number one beach in the U.S., North Beach. Set up the tripod for a sunset picture. (Fort DeSoto Park)
News Briefs from the Great Outdoors© is a service of AuCoin & Associates, Inc., 5253 Dover St. NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33703. Whether you’re selling gear or granola…hulls or hooch…issues or answers, you need specialists. From research to reward, our specialty is… Communications for the Great Outdoors. For information about sponsorship fees and other public relations programs contact Bill AuCoin, 727-522-2371, wmaucoin@verizon.net.
