Out & About: Spring training for bird dogs

OUTHUNT – A clinic for owners of pointing dogs of all ages and abilities is set for 8 a.m.-noon on June 8 at the Spokane Bird Dog Association’s Espanola training grounds west of Medical Lake.

Pro trainer Dan Hoke of Dunfur Kennel will present a clinic, after which participants can work their own dogs on pigeons and chukars provided by the club.

Cost: $20. Bring a lunch. Preregister with Bill Colyar to assure enough birds are ordered, (509) 953-8682.

Floods, flowers, nature at Turnbull

OUTDO – Experts in wildlife, wildflowers and geology will combine their talents for a festival of nature walks, youth activities, and educational information on Saturday at Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge.

The second annual “Floods, Flowers, and Feathers Festival” – completely free, including no entry fee into the refuge – will include nature hikes linked to topics such as Ice Age Floods and Channeled Scablands, spring birds, wild- flowers and insects.

The refuge is 4.2 miles south of Cheney, off Cheney-Plaza Road.  Space is limited for some activities so it’s best to preregister.

Info: Turnbull Refuge, (509) 235-4723; fws.gov/refuge/ Turnbull.

Bike commuters get week of events

OUTPEDAL – Bicycle commuting – and all of its benefits in terms of health, environment and money savings – will be celebrated in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene with activities during Bike to Work Week, Monday through Saturday.

Preregister to get the most out of each.

Spokane’s Bike to Work Week (mycommute.org/ bike-to-work) kicks off with a free pancake breakfast Monday, 7 a.m., at Riverfront Park. Riders can log their mileage online, enjoy “energizer stations” supported by local businesses and join a wrap-up celebration with prizes and refreshments at NoLi Brewery on Friday.

Coeur d’Alene’s Bike To Work Week (cdaidparks.org) kicks-off at 7:30 a.m. Monday with a group ride from Silver Lake Mall to the Coeur d’Alene Library for coffee and doughnuts. Other events are set each day, ending with a corporate challenge recognition ceremony at noon Saturday in Community Garden.

Adventure races based at Farragut

OUTFIELD – Trail runs from 3 to 52 miles, mountain bike races and multisport adventure races for individuals and teams are packed into Adventure Sports Week Idaho, June 2-9, based out of Farragut State Park. Info: (208) 664-0135, adventuresports weekIdaho.com.

Little Goose Dam closing to traffic

OUTBOUND – Little Goose Dam on the Snake River will close to vehicle traffic across the river starting Wednesday through July 13, for construction.