[GStarkCR]

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SIW NEWS BULLETIN
"STICKS IN THE WATER" PADDLERS
March 1, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STICKS IN THE WATER!
We can trace the roots of SIW back to a HyVee breakfast in January 08, but our first real public visibility to area paddlers was a tabletop display at the First Indian Creek Nature Center Paddle Fest in late February of 2008, an easy "birthday" to remember.

Encouraged by the interest of paddlers at the Paddle Fest, we posted fliers, gathered email addresses, and launched the SIW News Bulletin. Our first SIW event was the April "Meet & Greet" gathering at ICNC, followed by the May "Ready, Set, Paddle" on-water event at Jones County Central Park. The June flooding certainly impacted our plans, but we still managed to execute some evening paddles at Pleasant Creek and Ellis Park, plus floats on the Maquoketa and Wapsi Rivers. We were also able to help promote many paddling opportunities provided by county conservation departments and other Iowa paddling groups. SIW has issued over 15 news bulletins and numerous special announcements, and established a yahoogroup interchange and a presence on the paddlingiowa.com website. We have been able to maintain our momentum and enthusiasm through the winter via water trail advocacy, paddling shows, and meetings to socialize and plan 2009 paddling events and activities.

So, here we are. SIW is one year old, with a distro of over 180 email addresses, mostly for members in Johnson, Jones, and Linn counties, but also for friends and supporters from across the state. Our "dance card" of 2009 paddling opportunities is filling in, and member-paddlers are stepping forward to initiate and help execute SIW activities. You better remember your paddling sunglasses, because our future is looking very bright.

My personal thanks to Pam and Kevin Stalnaker, Nick Gaeta, and Tom Sabotta who joined me for that first breakfast, and Joe DeLory, who signed on shortly thereafter. Special thanks to Rich Patterson and Jan Aiels at ICNC, whose encouragement, event, & facility were so helpful in launching SIW. We are also the grateful beneficiaries of encouragement, support, publicity, and answers to our questions from folks all over Iowa, such as Ken & Danette at Seatasea, Nate Hoogeveen & John Wenck at DNR, Larry Gullett & Michele Olson at Jones CCD, Robin Fortney and Dick Howard at CIP.

I’d risk offending many valuable members by trying to recognize a few of the individuals who are creating our success, but they include those who have organized and executed past events, contributed items for our news bulletin, recruited members, paddled with us last summer, participated in our planning sessions, volunteered at Paddle Fest 09, and those who have stepped up as initiators for 2009 events.

The ongoing development and success of SIW will depend on the continuing development of an active leadership core--member-paddlers who thoroughly enjoy and appreciate the benefits of paddling, and want to share that joy and those benefits with other folks of all ages, and especially deliver them to the next generation. We all need to thank those whose names appear as initiators, planners, organizers, and participants in any of our SIW activities, because they all contribute to the continued success of SIW, and that tends to "float all our boats."

Best wishes for a great second year, and a safe & enjoyable paddling season,
Gregg

IN THIS ISSUE:
= Next SIW event April 19 in Jones County.
= Final Cedar Falls Pool Session March 7.
= Canoecopia (March 13-15) presenter has local ties.
= College students to clean Cedar River in CR during March.
= Rescheduled Jones County events March 21.
= 2nd Annual ICNC Paddle Fest a Success!
= 2009 Paddling Calendar, SIW Events firming up.
= DNR Water Trail update.
= DNR: Meandered vs. Non-Meandered Streams?
= We have issues: SIW update re CRANDIC bridge in CR.
= One convenient website now links you to all CCDs.
= Only 1 used kayak for sale in (near) Iowa?
= Astronomy: Full Moon Mar 10, New Moon Mar 26, Vernal Equinox Mar 20.
= Dreaming: First Day of Spring March 20.
= Links to websites, newsletters, cleanups, other great "paddling stuff."
= Pam’s guide to joining the Sticksinthewater Yahoo! Group.

INTERESTED IN A MORE INTERACTIVE SIW EXPERIENCE?
Then please consider joining the Sticksinthewater Yahoo! Group, which facilitates the exchange of info, paddling invitations, last minute plans, etc. between participating members. To join in the fun, just follow the steps in Canoe Pam’s guide to joining the group, always included at the end of each SIW News Bulletin.

NEXT SIW EVENT APRIL 19 IN JONES COUNTY:
Mark you calendars for Sunday, April 19, 2009; 2:00--5:00 pm at the Jones County Central Park Nature Center for our next SIW event: "Getting It Together." Whether you're going paddling for an afternoon or for a week, you need to know how to pack the appropriate gear & supplies to ensure a safe & enjoyable adventure. We'll have presentations about canoe packing and kayak packing, an overview of water trails and paddling routes in Jones County, plus time for socializing. Presenters will be Pam & Kevin Stalnaker, canoe packing; Keith Garrett, kayak packing; and Larry Gullet, paddling in Jones County. Watch for more details in the April SIW News Bulletin.

POOL SESSIONS COMING TO A CLOSE IN CEDAR FALLS:
Not structured training, but Prairie Rapids Paddlers members will assist participants with general paddling questions, along with skills in basic strokes, bracing, rolling, self rescue, assisted rescue, etc. Four sessions were scheduled, last one will be Saturday, March 7, from 5:00-8:00 PM. Each session lasts 3 hours & pool fee is $10 per session. For more info:
http://scgrahamfoto.com/prp/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=309..
or http://www.paddlingiowa.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=2199.

CANOECOPIA, WORLD’S LARGEST PADDLESPORT SHOW, MARCH 13-15:
Complete info on exhibitors, presentation schedules, and presenter biographies is now available. Voice of experience: Read the info ahead of time; it really is a test. Arrive early, stay late; it takes time to cover over 200 exhibits and choose from between 56 presentations (just Saturday) plus demos in the Atrium and in the Pool. Tennis shoes make it easier to hop in and out of boats. Food is available, but not inexpensive; if that’s an issue, plan to eat light during the day, or plan a picnic in your vehicle. If you’re staying overnight, register ahead; Wisconsin State HS Girls Basketball Tournament is usually the same weekend. Oh, and the Cache Lake camping food exhibit provides samples.

Cedar Rapids native Mark Schoon, owner of Carpe Diem Outfitting in Maine, and one of the paddlers pursuing the Scandinavian Circumnavigation, will be a Fri/Sat presenter at this year’s Canoecopia. His speaker biography is quite impressive, and his topic will be "Mount Desert Island & Downeast Maine – A Paddlers’s Paradise." You can also catch Mark in Sat/Sun pool sessions ""By Yourself & In Trouble." More info at: http://www..rutabaga.com/canoecopia/page.asp?pgid=1001.

COLLEGE STUDENTS TO CLEAN UP CEDAR RIVER MAR 15 – Apr 3:
Most of our SIW members are probably not eligible to participate, but maybe you have a son or daughter? or a grandchild? Or maybe you work with students? "Alternative Spring Break" is an opportunity for college students to work with Chad Pregracke and the Living Lands & Waters group, provide some valuable community service, and interact with others who share their age group and interests. Three sessions, each one week long, limited to 50 students per session. Check it out: http://www.livinglandsandwaters.org/AlternativeSpringBreak/default.htm.

2nd ANNUAL INDIAN CREEK NATURE CENTER PADDLE FEST A SUCCESS:
While Paddle Fest did not draw the overwhelming numbers we saw in 2008, we had a good crowd for the afternoon sessions, and respectable attendance for the first-time morning event targeted at Canoe Country fishing. Presenters Michael Furtman, Orlan Love, and Ken Kremer were all interesting and entertaining, each from a different perspective, but it was obvious that all shared a genuine enthusiasm for outdoor adventure. Attendees were also treated to a look at Bill Schoon’s newly completed 25 lb. Lapstrake wooden canoe, and were able to visit with folks at the DNR Water Trails, Project AWARE, and SIW exhibits.

Thanks to all the SIW members who attended and/or promoted this year’s ICNC Paddle Fest, and to member volunteers Kathy Marsh, Bill Thomas, Tom Sabotta, Kent Kinion, Pam Stalnaker, and Joe DeLory, who assisted with registration and cleanup throughout the event. Special thanks to ICNC Director Rich Patterson and Programs Coordinator Jan Aiels, for asking SIW to participate in this event. Please forward your program/presentation suggestions for Paddle Fest 2010.

JONES COUNTY SPECIAL EVENTS MARCH 21:
These two events were rescheduled from Feb due to weather. The Whitewater & Lost Canyon Archaeological Study Summary Archaeology session starts at 10:00 am, and requires preregistration at 563-487-3541. It features cindy Peterson, Project Archaeologist at the U of I, and U of I PhD student, providing a non-technical summary of the archaeological work completed at Whitewater and Lost Canyon last fall.

The Nature Center Open House with a new live animal exhibit runs from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm, with no registration required. Both events will be at the Jones County Central Park Nature Center.
Watch for a special SIW email with attached fliers in the next couple of weeks.

SIW PADDLING EVENT CALENDAR FOR 2009 IS DEVELOPING:
(SIW-organized events in bold)
January 25; SIW Planning Meeting, discuss SIW sponsored events, area paddling events, joint ventures with Central Iowa Paddlers (completed).
February 13-15; Iowa Paddling Expo at CanoeSport Outfitters Indianola, IA, exhibits, presentations; http://www.canoesportoutfitters.com/index.htm (completed).
February 27-28; SIW co-sponsorship of the Indian Creek Nature Center "Paddle Fest" with Michael Furtman, Orlan Love, Seatasea Watersports. www.indiancreeknaturecenter.org/. (completed).
March 13-15; Canoecopia at Madison, WI, world’s largest paddling show; http://www.rutabaga.com/canoecopia/page.asp?pgid=1001.
April 18; CanoeSport Outfitters Spring Demo, Lake Ahquabi, Indianola, IA; http://www.canoesportoutfitters.com/index.htm
April 19; SIW "Getting It Together," event, 2:00-5:00 pm, Jones County Central Park Nature Center. For a day or for a week, what and how to pack for canoes & for kayaks, plus a look at water trail development & paddling routes in Jones County, & social time with other members.
May 1-3; Canoe Pam’s Annual Camping/Paddling Weekend, Upper Iowa River, Hruska’s Campground, shuttle coordination, outdoor cooking, organized by Pam Stalnaker. Preregistration requested. canoepam@yahoo.com.
May 2-3; Iowa Rivers Revival, Webster City; http://www.iowarivers.org/Home/tabid/36/Default.aspx.
May 9; Seatasea Watersports Free Demo Paddle, 10am–2pm, location TBD; http://www.seatasea.com/
May 16; SIW "Ready, Set, Paddle" event, Johnson County Kent Park. Spring exercise for boats and paddlers, informal test paddle swaps for the willing, potluck lunch; initiated by Dave and Janice Bell.
May 17; "SIW Paddle 100" Organizational Meeting, 2:00-5:00 pm in Meeting Room E, 2nd floor of the Iowa City Public Library; initiated by Mark Hartstack. (See June 12-15 event.)
May 18; Seatasea Watersports Free Demo Paddle, 4:30-7pm, location TBD; http://www.seatasea.com/
May 31-June 6; Tacitus Hussey Memorial Trip, weeklong paddle/camp, Turkey River, organized by Alan Donaldson; alandonaldson@sprintmail.com.
June 8; Seatasea Watersports Free Demo Paddle, 4:30-7pm, location TBD; http://www.seatasea.com/
June 12-15; "SIW Paddle 100," 100 mile paddling/camping trip, Anamosa to Princeton, IA on the Wapsipinicon River, initiated by Mark Hartstack... (See May 17 Org Meeting, Mtg Rm E, 2nd floor Iowa City Public Library.)
June 13-17; 22nd Annual Disorganized Cedar River Canoe Float, Otranto, MN to Janesville, IA, coordination of vehicle transport, campsite fees and meals by individuals, some SIW members participate annually... Jlhughes@myclearwave.net.
June 20-27; DNR Project AWARE, annual week-long cleanup, Cedar River, North Cedar Natural Area (NW Linn County) to Saulsbury Bridge Recreation Area (Muscatine County). www.iowaprojectaware.com.
June 22; Seatasea Watersports Free Demo Paddle, 4:30-7pm, location TBD; http://www.seatasea.com/
July 4th; SIW "Evening Fireworks Paddle" on the Cedar River at Cedar Rapids; initated by Joe DeLory.
July 6; Seatasea Watersports Free Demo Paddle, 4:30-7pm, location TBD; http://www.seatasea.com/
July 11-12; Annual Canoe Van Buren, weekend float/camp from Selma to Farmington on the Des Moines River; http://villagesofvanburen.com/canoe-vb.htm.
July 18-19; Paddle & Portage Race, Madison, WI. http://www..badgerstategames.org/node/329.
July 20; Seatasea Watersports Free Demo Paddle, 4:30-7pm, location TBD; http://www.seatasea.com/
July 25-Aug 1; Great River Rumble, LaCrosse, WI to Dubuque, IA, weeklong paddle/camp on the Mississippi River, coordinated meals, campsites, transportation of gear, some SIW members already registered; http://www.riverrumble.org/.
August 10; Seatasea Watersports Free Demo Paddle, 4:30-7pm, location TBD; http://www.seatasea.com/
August 24; Seatasea Watersports Free Demo Paddle, 4:30-7pm, location TBD; http://www.seatasea.com/
Dates TBD; SIW Weekday Evening Paddle Sessions, 6:00 pm till dark, Gregg Stark will initiate a schedule of mixed days of the week at places like Pleasant Creek, Mohawk Park, Ellis Park, Cedar Lake, Prairie Creek (Linn County). Looking for someone to initiate similar paddles in Johnson and Jones Counties.
Date TBD; SIW Explore the Odessa Water Trail, likely early season, dependent on Mississippi River level; initiated by Gregg Stark.
Date TBD; SIW Turkey River Float, tour of Motor Mill; initiated by Clara Swan, assistance by Larry Stone.
Date TBD; SIW Boatbuilder Gathering at Kirkwood Community College.

SIW EVENTS UNDER CONSIDERATION:
Date TBD; Joint Event(s) with Central Iowa Paddlers, possibly other Iowa paddling clubs, currently under discussion as the groups develop their schedules.
Date TBD; Johnson County Iowa River Water Trail, need Initiator, will coordinate with Johnson County Naturalist Brad Friedhoff.
Dates TBD; Weekday Paddle Floats, likely initiated by our retired members.
Dates TBD; Full Moon Paddles, TBD, 2009 full moon dates are May 9, Jun 7, Jul 7, Aug 5, Sep 4, Oct 4.
Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival Parade, Jun 27.

IOWA WATER TRAIL UPDATE:
IWT Grant Applications will be scored on March 3; we hope to be able to report the results shortly thereafter. Several applications have been submitted from Eastern Iowa. We’re also expecting an announcement in the near future about an online user survey project in which we will be encouraging all SIW members to participate.

FROM THE IOWA DNR: MEANDERED & NON-MEANDERED RIVERS:
The terms "Meandered" and "Non-Meandered Rivers" probably do more to confuse than define, so let's try to make sense of them:
A meandered river is one in which adjacent land owners own the land above the high water mark. Land below the high water mark is public, giving citizens the right to explore sandbars at leisure without worry of trespassing.
A non-meandered river, on the other hand, is one in which private landowners own all the land adjacent to and underneath the water-including the bottom, sandbars, and banks. Most river miles in Iowa are designated as non-meandered. State law, however, permits activities incidental to navigation on non-meandered rivers, such as, fishing, swimming, and wading when the river is considered navigable. This law also allows for trash clean-ups and the need to portage obstructions in the rivers. View a map of meandered rivers,*pdf and legal boundaries of meandered rivers,*pdf to learn more.
A navigable river is defined by state law as one "which can support a vessel capable of carrying one or more persons during a total of a six-month period in one out of every ten years." Most rivers in Iowa are navigable.
Link to more info on the issue:
http://www.iowadnr.gov/watertrails/trails.html
Another link which clarifies relative to paddling, fishing, swimming, cleanups, etc.: http://www.iowadnr.gov/volunteer/aware/files/landownerguide.pdf

SIW HAS ISSUES: CRANDIC BRIDGE REPLACEMENT OVER CEDAR RIVER IN DOWNTOWN CEDAR RAPIDS:
Our Feb issue included an item about the replacement of this bridge, and DNR permit requirements that included the removal of the temporary rock "roadway" when the bridge is completed. As of last weekend, it appears that construction crews are making good progress on the bridge piers. If it was July, some of us would be tempted to run some of the chutes created by the rock and construction. Unfortunately, we’d have to compete with chunks of ice moving downstream. Here’s hoping for good weather and normal river levels. That would be good for the construction crews and for paddlers.

ASTRONOMY FOR PADDLERS:
Websites tell us to expect the next Full Moon on Feb 9, next New Moon Feb 24. Full Moon Mar 10, First Day of Spring Mar 20, New Moon Mar 26.

OPPORTUNITIES TO BUY, SELL, OR TRADE PADDLING GEAR:
Maybe the approach of spring and the boat show sales will encourage sales of used canoes, kayaks, and paddling gear. Here’s the only ad we have recently seen:
Kayak for Sale; Eddyline Nighthawk 16, Red, $1750 OBO, lightly used 2 seasons, call to see or test paddle, James Keyes, Omaha, NE, 402-680-6369. http://www.paddlingiowa.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=2269
If you’re looking to buy, sell, or trade, here are some websites to check:
http://cedarrapids.craigslist..org/
http://www.paddlingiowa..com/phpBB/viewforum.php?f=5
http://www.paddling.net/Classifieds/forSale.html
http://www.seatasea.com/ClearanceBoats.htm
http://www.canoesportoutfitters.com/Deals.htm

AREA COUNTY CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT WEBSITES:
Eastern Iowa County Conservation Departments are gearing up to present their spring event schedules and newsletters. We will try to highlight their paddle events, but we encourage you to watch for all of their outdoor events and activities via their websites, calendars, and newsletters. Special thanks to SIW member Jim Peters, who cued us in to a new centralized website from which you can access conservation department information & websites for all 99 Iowa counties:
www.mycountyparks.com. Very convenient!

LOTS OF LINKS TO GREAT IOWA PADDLING INFO:
US Naval Observatory; sunrise, sunset, moonrise, moonset, moon phases, etc. http://aa.usno.navy.mil/.
Star Date Online; solar system, planets, comets, meteor showers, etc. http://stardate.org/..
"Paddling.Net" national paddlers website providing access to boat data, test reports, classified ads, and advice about paddling and paddling activities from around the country: http://www.paddling.net/.
"PaddlingIowa" mother of all Iowa paddling info, including paddling opportunities, trip reports, classified ads: http://www...paddlingiowa.com/.
"Sticks In the Water" email site at sticksinthewater@yahoo.
"Sticks In the Water" group site at http://groups.yahoo.com.
"Sticks In the Water" discussion topic section on paddlingiowa.com under Community/Forums.
Central Iowa Paddlers, based in Central Iowa, broad participation... http://www.paddleiowa.org/.
Saukenuk Paddlers Canoe and Kayak Club, Quad Cities. http://www.rivers-end.org/saukenuk/.
Iowa DNR home page: http://www.iowadnr.gov/index..html
Iowa DNR publications: http://www.iowadnr..com/pub..html
Iowa DNR, Iowa Water Trails: http://www.iowadnr..gov/watertrails/user.html
Iowa DNR, Fishing Reports: http://www..iowadnr.com/news/currentfish.html
DNR guidelines for display of registration decals and numbers, other legal requirements: http://www.boat-ed.com/ia/ia_specific_images/pdfs/IA_handbook_its_the_law.pdf
IOWATER-sponsored cleanup events across the state: http://www..iowater.net/StreamCleanupEvents.htm.

SIW SEEKING "INITIATORS" FOR PADDLING EVENTS:
The SIW Steering Committee is looking for a few paddling event "Initiators" to help share the load of getting SIW associates out on the water more often. Per the Common Adventure philosophy, "Initiators" of these paddling events are not serving as outfitters, instructors, or paddling experts. Their role is to schedule and coordinate an event, including dates, times, put-ins, take-outs, shuttles, basic route information, and provide common sense reminders re planning & equipment (see the SIW events above for examples). If you have an interest, please contact the editor.

EDITOR’S NOTES:
Thanks for the words of encouragement, calendar items, and story ideas..... Please keep them coming! We apologize in advance for any errors or omissions.
Email your SIW News Bulletin corrections, news items, and story ideas to "SIW Editor" at greggpeggystark@yahoo.com.
If you do not wish to receive future copies of this SIW News Bulletin, please send an email to sticksinthewater@yahoo.com. with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line.
All other address changes, subscription adds, or inquiries about "Sticks In the Water" paddlers should be emailed to sticksinthewater@yahoo.com.
"Sticks In the Water" is a canoe and kayak paddling network, centered around Johnson, Jones, and Linn counties in Eastern Iowa, working to provide area paddlers with expanded opportunities to enjoy more time on the water, in a safe and environmentally responsible manner. For more info, email sticksinthewater@yahoo.com.

SAFE PADDLING:
The Sticks In the Water paddling group embraces the "Common Adventure" philosophy, under which individual paddlers recognize that paddlesports & other outdoor activities inherently include some risk of injury or death, and assume responsibility for the safety of themselves & the members of their party. The "initiators" of SIW events are not necessarily outfitters, instructors, or paddling experts. That said, we strongly encourage all paddlers to wear PFD’s, avoid on-water alcohol, & utilize proper equipment, training, & procedures in pursuit of a safe & enjoyable paddling experience.
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How to Sign Up For The Sticksinthewater Yahoo! Group
By our resident "Groups Guru" CanoePam
If you already have a Yahoo! email address, sign in to your Yahoo! mail and go to Step B below.
If you do not have a Yahoo! email address, follow the following steps. You don’t need to use this email address for the group, but you need one at least temporarily.
Step A: Go to http://yahoo..com. You will see a "Sign up" item near the bottom on the right. Select it and follow the instructions to generate a Yahoo! id and email address. When you have finished filling it out, select the "Create My Account". You will get a "success" screen. Make sure you go to "Edit your marketing preference" and opt-out of the items you have no interest in (probably all of them!).. When you have edited your preferences, select the "Experience Yahoo" button. Don’t want to get email at this Yahoo! address? Don’t worry, you can change it soon... Now go to Step B below.
Step B: Go to http://groups.yahoo.com. In the center of the page you’ll see a Search box to "Find a Yahoo! Group". Enter "sticksinthewater" in the search box and press "Return". Select the sticksinthewater group. You should see a "Join this Group" message on the right side of the page... Click on that button. Fill in the form. If you want to use another email address to receive messages from the group, you add it here. Now is the time to decide what your message preferences are, so read the options carefully.. You can change them later if you like too. Make sure you tell us why you’re joining! After you finish filling in the form, select the "Join" button at the bottom.. This will generate an email to the Yahoo! group moderators to approve your application to join. We require these steps so we don’t get lots of spammers. Make sure you set your email spam filters to allow messages from the group; this is particularly important if you have an email account from Microsoft (hotmail or msn) because these domains frequently don’t allow Yahoo! messages without specific action from you.
In a day or so you should get a message in your email letting you know you’ve been approved. Follow the instructions to finalize your membership. If a couple of days go by and you don’t see anything, check your spam folder in case your mail server routed our message to that location.
Once you are a group member you can send messages to all the other members by sending mail to sticksinthewater@yahoogroups.com. All we ask is that you treat others as you would like to be treated; insults, personal attacks, obscene or foul language, or spamming will get your Sticksinthewater Yahoo! group membership cancelled without any second chances.
If you have any questions, send an email to canoepam@yahoo.com.. I will reply in a day or so, usually less. Like the rest of the sticksinthewater crew, I’m a volunteer with a "day job" that sometimes gets in the way. Be patient; I will get back to you.