RK Events - Don't Miss Out!

The Board Meeting was fantastic the other day...Thanks to this
dedicated,
enthusiastic group for spending the extra time. I am working with
Tobie to
schedule the next Board meeting and the new member meeting we discussed.
I'll keep you posted.

If all goes the way this Board Meeting did, this year will be
unbelievably
better than any previous year.

For now, I'd like you all to know about three specific River Kid-
friendly
events. They are optional, but more than ever, I think it's important
for
River Kids and their families to make a strong showing whenever
possible.
Those of you who have attended cleanups together know just how
powerful the
hands-on experience can be. It opens eyes, poses questions, and
validates
our cause...It's the most tangible way to feel like you're making a
difference. So here are the events to consider:

1) This weekend - Friday, if you're off school or want to take off,
there is
a HUGE river festival up a the Columbia Bottoms Conservation area. RK
toyed
with the idea of running a booth, but our group skipping out on school
seemed a bit unreasonable...and it's not a fitting field trip for the
whole
4th-6th...

RK did sponsor a booth though...the H2Orchestra (water-based musical
instruments) will be there thanks to us. I'll be going up there for a
short
while just to represent River Kids a bit...Anyone else would be
welcome to
join me.

2) MO River Relief Cleanup - this Saturday. Following the festival is a
huge cleanup...MO River Relief has been doing this for a long time and
they
know how to make these events a TON of fun...Worth going if you can
make it!
You might see Chad Pregracke or Jeff Barrow (co-authors of From the
Bottom
Up) there as well. You can get details and register for the event at
www.riverrelief.org

3) Tammy Becker, of Living Lands and Waters, emailed us to invite
River Kids
families to attend their upcoming re-scheduled Anheuser-Busch Cleanup
downtown on Saturday, September 20. If you're interested in attending
that
one, let me know and I'll get you details about where to meet and
such...no
registration for that one. You would undoubtedly see Chad and the
rest of
the crew there...And if you've never seen them in action, you're really
missing out! They are a hoot!

4) Watershed-Wide Water Monitoring Day with the River des Peres
Watershed
Coalition in Forest Park...October 4. No training necessary. Join
experienced STREAM Team members at 9am at the Forest Park Visitor's
Center
and head out into the field to assigned sites. Lunch is provided at
the end
of the monitoring around noon. This would be a GREAT chance for some
of our
kids and family members to get acquainted with water monitoring. We
need to
let them know if you are joining, so if you are interested in this one,
please tell me soon.

So I know this is pre-season for RK, technically, but for all you die-
hard
river-lovers, these are some GREAT opportunities.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Ben