Welcome to REI Events Update. We have a variety of clinics and
presentations this month, including a lecture on environmental activism
and a slideshow featuring Utah's Redrock Desert.  If sitting still is
not your idea of fun, check out our mountain bike races at
Murphy-Hanrehan or our GPS Navigation Field Day.  There is plenty going
on this month.  We hope to see you there.


REI Bloomington	
494 & Lyndale       952/884-4315

REI Roseville
Cty B2 & Prior      651/635-0211

Shop on-line and sign up for REI's Gear Mail e-mail newsletter at
http://www.rei.com

 
CYCLING CLINICS AND EVENTS 


MURPHY-HANREHAN SPRINT SERIES 
Wednesdays at 6:30 PM (Mass Start)
Registration begins at 5:30 PM
August 28th 
September 4th 

REI has teamed up with Three Rivers Park District to offer a mountain
bike race series at one of the metro area's premier off-road courses.
Prizes will be awarded in all divisions and plenty of swag will be given
out.  Race fees will be charged.  Come out and race!

Three Rivers Patrons:  $10, Non patrons:  $14
Murphy-Hanrehan Park, Savage, MN


MURPHY CHALLENGE AND MOUNTAIN BIKE EXPO
Saturday, September 7th from 9 AM to 1 PM
Murphy-Hanrehan Regional Park, Savage, MN 

A 20 KM race on the Metro area's fastest course and demo bikes to boot.
Great prizes and giveaways.  Free Clinics.  Hosted by Three Rivers Park
District, this event has everything for mountain bike enthusiast.  The
racing and riding season at Murphy-Hanrehan does not last long, so do
miss this opportunity.


CAMP ST. CROIX BIKE TOUR
Sunday, September 22nd at Noon
YMCA Camp St. Croix, Hudson, WI

Great chance to bike the rolling countryside of the Lower St. Croix
River.  The tour is a fully supported ride with 15 & 30 mile route
options.  Bring the whole family and enjoy the fall colors.  Proceeds
from the tour will support camper scholarships at YMCA Camp St. Croix.
Pick up a registration form at REI or call 651-436-8428 for more
information.
 

TIPS FOR FALL AND NIGHT RIDING
Wednesday, September 25th at 7 PM
REI Bloomington

The days may be getting both cooler and shorter, but now is not the time
to pack up that bike until next summer.  Join an REI cycling staff
member for a clinic designed to keep you in the saddle a bit longer.
Proper clothing, lighting and safety for Fall and night time riding will
be covered.  Of course, with winter bound to come, they will provide
tips for the day you put your bike away for the season.



     COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT


ADOPT-A-CRAG DAY IN RED WING
Saturday, September 7th from 9 AM to 1 PM
REI Bloomington

REI, The Access Fund and the Minnesota Climbing Association are joining
forces to help clean up a local crag.  Pitch in with a variety of
maintenance projects that will keep the Barn Bluff climbing area in Red
Wing open for great sport climbing.  Perfect opportunity to give back.
Lunch and T-shirt will be provided to all participants.  Call
952/884-4315 x203 or go to www.mnclimbing.org to register.


PRESENTATIONS


CLIMBING MT. KILIMANJARO
Wednesday, September 4th at 7 PM
REI Bloomington

Jim Klobuchar, former Minneapolis Star Tribune columnist and
widely-traveled adventurer, has led camera safaris and climbs of
Kilimanjaro in Africa for nearly 20 years. His travel organization, Jim
Klobuchar's Adventures, is now offering "East Africa in January," a tour
available to travelers who like options in their international trips.
Jim will be at REI in Bloomington to present the itineraries: A full
safari in Tanzania at the height of the great wildebeest migration or a
climb of the dream mountain, Kilimanjaro, plus a mini-safari. Jim will
have full details and pictures. 


VOICES OF THE WILDERNESS LECTURE
Tuesday, September 17th at 7 PM
REI Bloomington

The "Voices of Wilderness" lecture series, sponsored by the Boundary
Waters Wilderness Foundation, brings Great Old Broads for Wilderness
founder Susan Tixier to REI Bloomington. The theme of her presentation
is: "Bleeding Again - The Return of the Activist." Susan will discuss
how the passion which originally inspired environmentalists must be
restored if the movement is to progress to another level of
effectiveness; one which enhances the "professionalization" of the
environmental community. Tixier is now executive director of Forest
Guardians, a Santa Fe, New Mexico-based conservation group.


WILD UTAH SLIDESHOW
Wednesday, September 18th at 7 PM
REI Bloomington

Join the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance for a breathtaking journey
through the famous redrock country of Southern Utah.  This slideshow
features stunning images by noted wilderness photographers and the voice
of Pulitzer Prize winning author Wallace Stegner.


HIKING AND CAMPING CLINICS


    GPS 101
Wednesday, September 11th at 7 PM 
 REI Bloomington
Thursday, September 12th at 7 PM
	    REI Roseville 

Our introductory clinic on Global Positioning Systems is back by popular
demand.  An experienced REI employee will give this informative clinic
on the basics of using the GPS technology to aid you in your outdoors
adventures.  The clinic will also cover GPS compatible mapping software.



   
GPS NAVIGATION FIELD DAY
Saturday, September 14th   from 9 AM to 2 PM
Jenson Lake, Lebanon Hills Regional Park in Eagan

Great hands-on, in-the-field opportunity to improve your navigation
skills hosted by REI and National Geographic Maps.  Learn how to use
your GPS unit in conjunction with maps and mapping software.  The
program is intended to teach useful skills for hikers, mountain bikers
and outdoor enthusiasts.  Attendance at Intro to GPS (see description
above) is required.  Participants must bring their own GPS unit.  Call
952/884-4315 ext. 9 to register or for more information.


BACKPACKING THE GRAND CANYON
Thursday, September 19th   at 7 PM
REI Bloomington

REI employee and former Arizona resident Pete Passolt will share slides
and information on backpacking in the Grand Canyon.  Pete will highlight
hiking the south rim of the canyon.  He will also discuss alternative
route options, provide information on what necessities one needs to
pack, and pass along important information about obtaining permits.
Additionally, he will suggest great hikes to undertake during the winter
months elsewhere in Arizona.

LEAVE NO TRACE
Thursday, September 12th   at 7 PM
REI Bloomington

Join REI's own Leave No Trace trainers as they discuss the seven
principles of LNT. The information provided will help you to learn what
you can do to minimize your impact, whether you're in a state campground
or a pristine wilderness area.

For Parents and Children
Saturday, September 21st at 11 AM
REI Bloomington

Come and join in the fun of the PEAK program while you and your child
learn building blocks for a foundation of outdoor ethics. Our Leave No
Trace trainers have activities and games for kids to make learning about
minimizing impact, while enjoying the outdoors, an hour well spent.


PADDLING CLINICS AND EVENTS


KAYAKING IN VOYAGEUR'S NATIONAL PARK	
Monday, September 16th   at 7 PM
REI Bloomington

If you're curious about taking a kayak trip to the 218,054 acre park in
the northwest corner of Minnesota, then join Inland Sea Kayakers for a
presentation by Jennifer Hunt of the Voyageurs Region National Park
Association. She will highlight excellent kayaking locations, share
information about the history of the park, and update us on the current
issues facing Voyageurs. It's a wonderful park to explore!


SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS


MN ROVERS FALL INTRODUCTION
Tuesday, September 10th   at 7 PM
REI Bloomington

Want To Play Outside? The Minnesota Rovers Outing Club is a diverse
group of people drawn together by a common appreciation for the
outdoors. The Rovers hike, bike, canoe, climb, snowshoe, camp, sightsee,
and take an active role in the preservation of the wilderness with which
Minnesota is so well endowed. This informational meeting and slideshow
can answer all of your questions.  See you there!


POLAR GET-FIT TOUR	
Thursday, September 26th   at 7 PM
REI Bloomington

Polar USA tech representative Terry Wood will be at REI to answer
questions about using a heart rate monitor to get the most out of your
workouts. Terry will also be administering a resting heart rate test to
gauge your current fitness level. Bring questions about what to look for
in a new heart rate monitor or how to get the most out of your current
heart rate monitor.


SALES AND EVENTS


LABOR DAY SALE
August 23rd to September 2nd 

Shop 3 ways - visit REI Bloomington or REI Roseville, click
http://www.rei.com or call 800/426-4840



CLASSES


CLIMBING CLASSES
1st & 3rd Wednesdays of the Month at 6 PM (September 4th   & September
18th)
REI Bloomington Pinnacle

An introductory climbing class taught by a certified Vertical Endeavors
instructor.  Participants will learn about equipment, knot tying, belay
technique, rope work, climbing commands, and safety issues.

The course is $20 for REI members, $30 for non-member and includes the
use of climbing shoe and harness.  Class are offered from 6 PM - 9 PM.
All students must be at least 14 years of age.  Advanced registration
and payment is required.  
Call 952/ 884-4315 to register.