Celebrate the wonders of the Earth this April

April is the month of the Earth. Earth Day happens every year on April 22. Even if you can't do something on that day, please consider honoring the Earth and all it provides to us this month by attending an event and/or performing some community service. The following are some events happening in the area:

Nationwide
NATIONAL WILDLIFE WEEK
April 19-27, 2008 is National Wildlife Week Visit the website for the National Wildlife Federation and find out how to become a Citizen Natualist or look up some youth service projects you and the kids can do together.

EARTH DAY NETWORK
Visit the Earth Day Network Website and look up Earth Day events Worldwide, sign the Sky Petition, register to vote, or find out how to contact your politicians to let them know how you feel about earth-friendly legislation.

Pennsylvania Events
April 19, 2008
WESTMORELAND EARTH DAY
Take some time out to visit Westmoreland Earth Day on April 19, 2008 from noon to 5pm at St. Vincent College Carey Center in Latrobe. This is an awesome family friendly event that I personally had a booth at last year. Admission is free. This year they will have live shows, animals, carriage rides, an Indian re-enactment and more. It is a great time all around and I highly recommend it.

April 26, 2008
PRICEDALE PRIDE COMMUNITY SPRING CLEANUP
Come join Friends of the Mon on April 26, 2008 for the semi-annual Pricedale Pride Community Spring Cleanup. (just outside North Belle Vernon) Participants meet at 114 Johnson Ave at 10am. This event is part of the PA Cleanways Road Adoption Program and the Great PA Cleanup. All supplies are provided including bags, safety vests and gloves for everyone by Westmoreland Cleanways. Rostraver township is providing garbage pick up and disposal. This is an event I have organized since last spring and this is our third clean up. So far we have removed more than 50 bags of garbage and even more tires from just a 1/2 mile stretch of road. Here are some pictures from our first cleanup last spring. For more information contact me at stefaniechitester@yahoo.com

April 26, 2008
SCHOONER YOUTH CENTER
Or join our sister event in Monessen at the Schooner Youth Center on the same day. Youth are invited to come and help paint offices in the Youth Center. For more information contact Jennifer at jcmelnick@yahoo.com

May 3, 2008
CONSERVATION CONNECTION AT THE ZOO
Conservation Connection at the Zoo is Saturday, May 3rd at The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. An opportunity for Regional Conservation Organizations and the Public to to meet and share ideas at this wonderful Pittsburgh venue. The event will feature a Classic American Buffet, Behind-the Scenes Tours, Speakers, Children's activities and more! Tickets and information are available now through April 26th at http://www.westmorelandconservancy.org or 412-951-0601.

West Virginia
April 18, 2008
MARLIN ART SHOW - KINGWOOD
Join Main Street Kingwood for an evening of fine Art and fine Wine on Friday April 18 at the Kingwood Community Building. $5.00 per person. With each $75.00 purchase of art your table will receive a bottle of wine. Main Street members will be furnishing hor d'oerves at the tables. For more information on the event or to get tickets call Nancy at 329-1384 or Claudia at 282-8565.

April 19th, 2008
WVU GOLD-BLUE SPRING GAME WVU Mountaineer Field Morgantown, WV
Come out and see the 2008 Mountaineer football team scrimmage at Mountaineer Field, Saturday, April 19 starting at 12:00. All proceeds go to WVU Children's Hospital

April 19th, 2008 to April 20th, 2008
18th ANNUAL MASON-DIXON RAMP FESTIVAL
Spring Tonic menu, Beer battered deep fried ramps, ramp burgers, ramp salad, friend potatoes & ramps, ramp sampler plate, hot dogs, corn bread and beans, batter dipped deep fried fish, biscuits and gravy, salt risin' bread deserts, Uncle Jim's donuts, funnel cakes, sassafras tea, White Buck farms Jams and Jellies & relish, Ramp wine and ramp cheese tasting. Ramp cooking demonstrations and fresh ramps for sale. Many local crafters. No admission. Take I-79 to Exit 1. To sell crafts or for camping call 304-879-5500 or email keeperoftheland@aol.com or visit our web site. April 19 and 20 from 10am to 5pm at the Mason-Dixon Historical Park.

April 19th, 2008
EARTH DAY 5K - MAGP SPRINT #3 Hazel Ruby McQuain Waterfront Park,185 Garrett St. Morgantown, WV 26507
The Earth Day 5K has been organized to create awareness of environmental issues and to inform our county residents of what they can do locally to help imporve the quality of our earth. It will include many festivities such as volunteer community cleanup, environmental education booths, live music, food, and children's activities. Registration: Race fee is $15 per person if postmarked by April 11 and $20 if sent after this date or received on race day. Race day registration will be held between 9:45-10:30am.

April 20th, 2008
BIG BEAR LAKE BIKE CLASSIC-WVMBA #3
Enjoy the Kids Race and Cross Country Mountain Bike Race in Bruceton Mills, WV at Big Bear Lake. Registration opens at 9AM; Kids race at 10AM; Start Time: Sport and Beginner 11:30AM and Expert 12:noon Fees: Kids Race $5.; Main Event WVMBA members $30, non-members $35. Directions: Off I-68 Exit #29 Hazelton, WV, follow signs 3 miles south to Big Bear Lake. Camping on site: Primitive $5.00 per person, RV and Tent sites $10.00 per person

April 26th, 2008
PARENT'S PLACE 5K-MAGP SPRINT #4
Enjoy this 5L run, walk, and shorter Kid's Race with refreshments and activities for the kids before, during, and afterwards. Early Registration $15.00 and MUST BE POSTMARKED BY APRIL 14TH. Race Day Registration $18.00 - Make checks payable to Parents Place. HELPING LOCAL CHARITABLE AND COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS. To Register online, go to www.iplayoutside.com/Events/2008/04/10758 or www.parentsplacewv.com
304-291-3381
Jack Roberts Park, Morgantown, WV

April 26th, 2008
PARENT'S PLACE 5K RUN-WALK
Parent's Place is hosting its 5K run/walk on April 26, 2008, starting at 10 am. This event will take place at Jack Roberts Park in Morgantown's First Ward and travels through nearby White Park. Lot's of fun and activities for the whole family. Registration is from 8:45 to 9:45am. No registrations after 9:45am. All pre-registered runners are guaranteed a t-shirt. Cost before April 14 is $15.00 and after April 14 is $18.00. To Register online, go to www.iplayoutside.com/Events/2008/04/10758 or www.parentsplacewv.com
304-291-3646
Jack Roberts Park, Morgantown, WV

April 26th, 2008
SKATE JAM 2008
The Friends of Deckers Creek Youth Advisory Board is proud to present the 2008 Skate Jam on April 26 from 11:-4:00pm at Marilla Park. This event is a celebration of Earth Day and Global Youth Service Day. Many scheduled activities - for more information please call the FODC office at 292-3970 or email youth@dekerscreek.org Concessions sold by the Greater Morgantown ARea Youth Commission and listen to music.
304-292-3970
Marilla Park Morgantown, WV 26501

April 26th, 2008
WVU ZUMBA INSTRUCTOR EVENT Rec Center Dr. Morgantown, WV 26505
WVU Zumba instructors are hosting an event to raise funds for the Mountaineer Boys and Girls Club at the WVU Recreation Center. Zumba fuses hypnotic musical rhythms and tantalizing moves to create a dynamic workout system designed to be FUN and EASY TO DO! All ages event! A $10 donation is requested but not required.


Don't see an event in your neighborhood? Contact me if you'd like help to organize one, whether this month or anytime in the future. I would also be happy to announce your event if you send me the time, place, date info. Please send at least two weeks ahead if possible.

I am pleased to announce that Friends of the Mon has recently been adopted as an initiative of the Brownsville Area Revitalization Authority. We finally have funding for an AmeriCorps OSM/VISTA position that will begin sometime this May. This means that FOM will now have a full-time staff person to work on and assist with area projects. Stay tuned for updates to the website in the near future and more opportunities to get involved.