Out & About: Honk if you like youth’s goose call

OUTSTANDNG – Andrew Graham, a Cheney High School sophomore, made a big splash this month at the Washington State Goose Calling Championship in Kennewick.

Last year the teen came out of nowhere to win the junior division. This year he won the junior and open divisions, beating a field that included the Idaho state champion.

Graham gets an expense-paid trip in November to the 36th annual World Goose Calling Championships in Easton, Md.

Newcomers take shot at gun sports, hunting

OUTDO – Kids and adults can sample the sports of shooting and hunting at the 14th annual New Shooters Day sponsored by the Inland Empire Chapter of Safari Club International ( inlandempiresci.org).

Organizers especially want to treat people who don’t have a friend or family member to introduce them to the sports.

The event is set for 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Sept. 11, at Miller Ranch Hunting Preserve, south of Cheney on Williams Lake Road.

In a safety-controlled environment, club members will introduce participants to firing .22 and .243 rifles, shotguns, sporting clays, archery, plus a Laser Shot hunting simulator.

Hunting live pen-raised pheasants is planned and helpers will show participants how to clean the birds. Firearms and ammunition are provided along with lunch and prize drawings.

The event is free, although donations are appreciated.

Preregister by Sept. 5.

Contact: Larry Maddux, (509) 443-1474, or email laurencem@comcast.net.

More bike tours for autumn schedule

OUTPEDAL – Last Sunday’s story on September-October bicycling events prompted announcements from several other ride organizers:

• Great Northwest Fall Tour , Sept. 4: Ride 15-, 30-, 50- or 85-mile routes that begin at the Newport City Park, Benefits Newport/ Priest River Rotary Club.

Info: gnwft.homestead.com/

• Labor Day Rathdrum Lions Club Pancake Feed Ride, Sept. 5: This 30-mile ride, loosely organized by the Spokane Bicycle Club, has been changed slightly. Meet 8:30 a.m. at Post Falls Park, Exit 5 on I-90. Breakfast is $5. Info: Don Carlton 747-5581.

• RIM Ride, Sept. 18: Rotary In Motion Family Fun Ride starts and finishes in Liberty Lake with rides of 5, 15, 25, 50 or 100 miles; finishes with potato feed. Costs vary, with family discounts. Info: rotaryinmotion.com/

• The complete list of 2011 rides – as well as a list of area cycling groups – has been updated in the Cycling Calendar at spokesman.com/outdoors/

Register now for SpokeFest discount

OUTDEAL – SpokeFest, which has bloomed into a major Spokane bicycling event, is set for Sept. 11, but you can save money by preregistering before Sept. 1.

SpokeFest organizers use proceeds for local bike projects. Info: spokefest.org/