Winterfest 2008, February 2, 10-2pm, Giorgetti Park
Join your neighbors, friends and family for a fun day at Giorgetti Park in Rutland. What Mother Nature will bring will dictate the events of the day, but plans include: snowshoe demos, raffles, obstacle course, delicious food, winter camping demo, marshmallow toasting. Winterfest will also launch the beginning of Story Walks at Pine Hill Park. Come see what book is featured and explore the lower trails of the park. For more info call: 773-1822 x 13.
**Volunteers are needed for this event. Please contact me directly if you can lend a hand: jennynixoncarter@gmail.com.**

Matter of Balance - Coaches Training
Matter of Balance - Coaches Training, August 21: Chances are you know someone who has fallen or who is afraid of falling. A Matter of Balance is a proven program designed to help people manage concerns about falls and increase physical activity. The Rutland Area Wellness Coalition is looking for volunteers to help provide this program. A Matter of Balance coaches help participants become more confident about managing falls by believing that they can increase their strength, find ways to reduce falls, and protect themselves if they do fall. In addition, participants report that they have increased the amount they exercise on a regular basis. There will be a coach training session on Thursday August 21 from 8:30am to 4:30pm at the Rutland Regional Medical Center. If you would like to attend or want more information, contact Laurie Knauer, A Matter of Balance Coordinator at 468-3093.

Hey Ladies! New England Women’s Cross Country Ski Day, Mountain Top Inn, Chittenden
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Enjoy a fun day of cross-country skiing for women taught by women! Experience cross-country ski clinics for every level of skier - from first-timers to seasoned masters! There will be wax demonstrations, prizes and a catered lunch catered. Space is limited to sign up today. Cost ranges from $20-30 depending upon when you register. For more info contact Trina Hosmer 802-253-0810.
Third Annual Mountain Top Youth Paintball/XC biathlon, Mountain Top Inn, Chittenden, January 27, 2008
Mark your calendars for this entertainingly splatful event. In 2007 it was the largest youth biathlon ever held in the world. For more info:
http://www.mountaintopinn.com/paintballposter2008.pdf

Local mountains offer locals discounts!
Some area mountains are offering discount ski tickets and programs to Vermont residents. A valid ID is required. At Killington, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are $44 Vermonter days. At Okemo, tickets are $39 on Wednesdays, $29 on Sundays from 8-1:30pm, and on Tuesdays women ski for $39 in January and March.

RAPAC Coalition Meeting, February 6, 2008, 8-9:30am, Dana Rec Center
This meeting is open to anyone interested. We will be discussing RAPAC programs, hearing updates from some of our CHAMPPS partners, and having an open forum discussion on issues faced by our coalition partners. If you have any questions, contact Jenny at 802.353.0037

Precision Walk
WalkRutland unwraps a new event for the holiday season: Precision WalkRutland. This event is free and open to all Rutland County adults. This is a fun, non-competitive opportunity to get out and get inspired to walk. Participants guess how long it will take them to walk a mile on a flat, measured course. The person who finishes closest to their estimated time is the “winner”.

The event takes place every Tuesday at 10am in the parking lot behind the Rutland Regional Field House. Pariticipants should meet inside the doors to the field house. In the event of inclement weather, the event will be held inside the Diamond Run Mall.

If you have questions or would like more information, please send an e-mail or call Sandra Owens at 775-0555.

Burlington Marathon
The 2008 Burlington Marathon is scheduled for Saturday, May 25th. This event is open for those looking to do a full marathon, 2-person relay or 3-5 person relay. The course winds through downtown Burlington and surrounding neighborhoods. This is the largest event of its kind in Vermont. The number of registrants allowed is limited so if you are considering this event, you should sign up now. Relay entrants are selected by lottery which opens on January 2. For more information, see: www.runvermont.org.

In Rutland you can find great training support with the Marble Valley Runners. See their website for training times and locations: www.marblevalleyrunners.org.

Green Mountain Club-Summer Hikes
Take a Hike-- Don't let the rain keep you off the trails this month. There are still plenty of weeks of good hiking ahead. Want to get out but don't have a partner? The Green Mountain Club Killington Section still has several hikes planned through early September. For a complete list of hikes, see: http://web.mac.com/gmckillington/iWeb/GMCKS/Welcome.html

Pine Hill Park - Update
The Pine Hill Partnership and a host of volunteers have been working their tails off in Pine Hill Park this summer. They have added new trail sections and maintained old ones. If you have not been in the park recently, then be sure to stop by and enjoy the remaining summer season on the trails. This is a true jewel for Rutland County. A resounding "Thank You"to Michael, Andrew, Keith, Shelley, Tim, Youth Works and GE for making all of the improvements happen. Cindi is working to organize a fall trail work day but there is no date yet. I will keep you posted--volunteers are always needed!

Rutland Multi-Use Path- August 2008 Update
Multi-Use path update: RAPAC is frequently asked about the proposed Multi-Use path for Rutland. This project is being spearheaded by the Rutland Creative Economy Recreation Committee. The proposed path will be approximately 2-miles long and 10-feet wide, running from Giorgetti Park to the College of St. Joseph's. The path will provide access to some of Rutland City's great natural resources along East and Otter creeks, a safe place for kids and families to play and exercise, and an alternative commuting route for bikers and walkers. The design phase of the project began this summer and is expected to take six to eight months. The path right-of-way plans are dependant on the design engineering work but will begin prior to the completion of design engineering. Stay-tuned for future updates as the project progresses.

Pine Hill Park Walks!
* Is winter chasing you indoors? * Join WalkRutland guided walks at !Pine Hill Park Sunday November 9th 1:00pm and 3:00pm pre walk yoga stretch at 12:45 pm Walk will take place rain-snow-shine- weather appropriate dress suggested Sign up – questions? contact: Sandra Owens 775-0555 visit our website: www.walkrutland.com