Out & About: Paddling Film Festival benefits local water access efforts
OUTFLICKS – From pro kayakers on play waves and wild whitewater rafting to paddling with a fishing rod in search of northern pike, a collection of paddling films coming to Spokane has something for everyone.
The 11th annual Reel Paddling Film Festival World Tour will be screened at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Mountain Gear Headquarters, 6021 E. Mansfield in Spokane Valley.
The event is sponsored by Mountain Gear, the Northwest Whitewater Association and the Spokane Canoe & Kayak Club to raise funds for local projects benefiting paddlers and water access.
About a dozen paddling films from the World Tour collection are featured, including the 10 festival category winners.
The show includes hairy whitewater action, sea kayakers exploring remote coastlines, northern river canoe expeditions, international river travel films, environmental documentaries and short films capturing the lighter side of paddling life.
Tickets, $10, are available at the Mountain Gear retail store, 2002 N. Division, or at the door.
However, space is limited to 100 viewers.
Doors will open at 6 p.m. Special “vintage” whitewater videos such as “Great White Hunter” will be screened prior to the main festival show.
Beer, wine and other beverages will be sold and door prizes will be given. Local paddling groups will be on hand with information about their activities.
Dishman Hills hits 50
OUTDO – The Dishman Hills Conservancy will celebrate 50 years of preserving priceless Spokane Valley open spaces for wildlife, recreation and education with a celebration dinner on Friday.
The event will be held at Barrister Winery, 1213 Union Pacific Railroad in downtown Spokane. Cost: $50.
Jack Nisbet, author and naturalist, will present a dinner program.
Sign up: dishmanhills.org.
Bloomsday deadline nears
OUTTUNE – Some outdoors enthusiasts train for Bloomsday. Others see the annual run through Spokane with a field of 45,000 as a fitness boost for upcoming hiking adventures.
Either way, entry deadline for the May 1 event is online is April 17 at bloomsdayrun.org.
Outdoor programs on tap
OUTREACH – Outdoors related free programs of note this week include:
Osprey monitoring – program by biologist Wayne Melquist on Coeur d’Alene- area ospreys, for Coeur d’
Spokane River revitalizing – Gonzaga University Environmental Studies presents research, for Spokane Audubon, 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Riverview Retirement Community Building, 2117 E. North Crescent Ave.
Fishing preview – Randall Osborne, biologist, and guide Sean Visintainer offer forecasts for fishing area waters, for Spokane Fly Fishers, 7 p.m. on Wednesday, St. Francis School, 1104 W. Heroy Ave.