Me Again...

Fingers don't fail me now...I've got another opportunity to throw out there at all you River Warriors...I just got off the phone with Steve Schnarr with MO River Relief.  You know that Confluence Watershed Festival we were invited to participate in on September 17 (No School Day at NCS)?  Well, it's been cancelled...booooooo!

Apparently there were some serious issues within the Hazelwood School District and they decided to pull out...That left them without any students to which they might present.

I know...sounds sad.  But wipe away the tears...one school district's political firestorm is another River Kids' incredible opportunity.  You see, Steve called to see if River Kids would like to throw aside our plans to operate a booth and, instead, join them for a day of adventures on and around the rivers.  They already have presenters from around the state booked and boats ready to roll.  They have connections to all kinds of folks who want nothing more than to share some river time with the River Kids.

If we want to join them, we could spend the day boating the MO, touring a water plant, touching live river animals, cleaning up a section of the river, and on and on...Bottom line is, we'd get our own personal watershed festival of sorts.

Here's the topper, Chad Pregracke and Living Lands and Waters are already in town for a cleanup that weekend in Alton, so we are going to try to get them involved in whatever we do as well.  And if they come along, so might the Discovery Channel crew that films them in action...and it's all about face time on the DC.. oh, wait... it's actually all about the rivers, but it's sure fun to be on TV.

So what I need from you all is to check the calendars...see if you can throw everything out for the day and commit to spending the day on the river.  It will definitely be worth your while!

Yes, parents are welcome...yes, kids may come without parents as well. You'll just have to sign one of those awesome RK waivers and we'll arrange transportation/supervision.  We'll work out those details as necessary.

For now, please let me know if you are interested in this opportunity. Steve is getting back to me in a couple days...I would like to be able to offer him some numbers.

Thanks!

Ben

Another River Cleanup THIS WEEKEND

Hello all!

Thanks for all the replies to my last email regarding the September 25 cleanup with Living Lands and Waters.  Looks like we'll have at LEAST 25 people there!

Some folks reminded me that there is another cleanup this weekend in St. Charles with an equally impressive organization called Missouri River Relief.  I am planning to be out of town, but I figure a River Kids group could still be arranged.

This cleanup is from 8:30am (signing in) to about noon.  It will be a lot like the LL&W cleanup I described.

If you are interested in the details, check out the following link:

http://www.riverrelief.org/event/st-charles-missouri-river-clean-up-2010/

You can certainly register on your own and attend; however, if you'd like me just to count you in the River Kids number, I'll take care of the registration for you.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW TONIGHT OR TOMORROW if you would like me to count you in the River Kids number as I register.  All I need is the number of folks you'll be bringing.

Thanks!

Ben

Living Lands and Waters Cleanup Info

Hello there RK Families!

If you are planning on joining the River Kids (and about 300+ other good folks) at the Living Lands and Waters Cleanup on the Mississippi September 25, please:

1) Sign up on the sheet hanging just outside the PA room

or

2) Email me (include the number of people in your group)

or

3) Go outside and dance down the street playing air guitar - actually, this won't get you signed up at all, but it will help spread the word about the event when people ask you what the devil you're doing.

I need to hear from you by Wednesday afternoon.  If you do not get your information in by then, you may still be able to join in, but you won't be guaranteed the free parking pass for the riverfront lot, cool t-shirt/water bottle, or lunch) (A/B sponsors, so there's beer/energy drinks/soda as well.)

More details on the cleanup:

We will meet at 8:30am on the riverfront (cobblestone parking lot) in front of the south foot of the Arch.  We will sign waivers and be assigned to groups there.  We may also meet some of the LL&W crew who usually speak at the beginning to get everyone revved up.

The actual cleanup usually lasts from about 9am-12pm.  We will be traveling out onto the Mississippi in motorized plate boats to cleaning locations along the shoreline chosen by LL&W in the days prior.

We will return to the Arch at approximately noon for lunch and celebration of a highly successful outing.

A little advice for the newbies and reminders for the river-wise -

1. Your health and safety should come above and before ANYTHING ELSE! Do not touch or attempt to move anything that makes you nervous.  Do not venture into areas that seem dangerous.
2. Dress in layers so you can adjust to the temp as it changes from morning to midday
3. Know that you will be working physically hard the whole time we're out and about, and you may be walking through wooded areas with mosquitoes, chiggers, and itch-causing plants.
4. Wear clothes that you don't mind getting REALLY dirty.
5. Wear rubber boots that come up calf-high or higher.
6. If you bring a small backpack, you can carry a camera, water bottle, and snack with you - however, water bottles will be available where we are working, so you do not NEED to bring anything.
7. Work gloves are provided.
8. Do not try to do too much - if you've never been on a cleanup, it may shock you to see all the trash.  That can be overwhelming, both physically and emotionally.  Some of you may want to get it all in one trip, and that's not realistic or even necessary - we will be back!  Also, bigger items can be moved with machinery that LL&W have.  If we let them know there's something we can't get, they will mark it on GPS and come get it later.
9. Plan on having fun - no mudball fights will break out, but we do like to joke around and have a good time.  We'll have a little contest amongst River Kids to find the most interesting item and (if possible) bring it back!

So, I thought this email wasn't long enough, so I'm adding in this line just to make it even longer.  You don't really need to read it.  There's absolutely no reason to read it.  In fact, it's kinda silly that you still are reading this.  I'm starting to think that you need to get out a bit more if all you do is sit around and read pointless lines in emails like this. Seriously, there's absolutely nothing else of value in this paragraph.  Well since you're still reading, My favorite color is purple; I have a cockapoo named Ollie. My kids are named Gavin, Jackson, and Bella...Two of them think it's really funny that some people might still be reading this.

Really, because of who LL&W is (and who we are), this will undoubtedly be an amazing event.

Oh, and FYI - We are limited to bringing 40 people, and 16 are signed up already!

Looking forward to the first cleanup of the year!!!

Rock on, RK!

Ben

Meeting Dates

I know you all were hoping to have more to add to your calendars.  I'm here for you.  Here is the list of meeting dates for RK this year.  Note that some dates are for Board Members only.  Some additional dates for Board meetings and events will be added as the year continues.

All meetings will run from 4-5pm in the library.  All members who are currently attending NCS should go to Extended Day at 3:30pm for check-in and snack.  There is no charge for this time in Extended Day.  And who doesn't love free stuff?

All members who are not picked up by the end of the meeting will be sent back to Extended Day until pickup.  Regular Extended Day fees will apply for this time period only.

RK Meeting Dates ­

Sept ­ 10, 24
Oct ­ 1,15
Nov ­ 5, 19
Dec ­ 3, 10
Jan ­ 7, 21, 28 (Board Meeting)
Feb ­ 11, 18
Mar - 4
Apr ­ 1, 8, 15, 22 (Board Meeting), 29
May ­ 6, 20 (Final Meeting - RK Party - location/time TBA)

Additional Important Dates to Note -

Thursday, September 2 - RK Open House - RK Board Members asked to attend

Friday, September 17 - Confluence Watershed Festival - No school that day so I will get a bus for all those who want to join in the fun
Saturday, September 25 - Living Lands and Waters Cleanup at STL Riverfront
Sunday, March 27 - Annual participation in Confluence Trash Bash
Sunday, April 17 - Annual booth at STL Earth Day Festival in Forest Park
August 10 - Ben's birthday

I have checked all of these dates against the school calendar (avoiding days off and early dismissals) and most religious holiday calendars...however, if you think I've missed something important (still possible) and there remains some avoidable conflict, please let me know.  Of course we can't foresee the inevitable sports team practice schedule conflicts right now, but I'm sure we'll work those out as they happen...

Let me know if you are in need of even more dates to place on our calendar. As I said, I'm there for you.

I'd love to hear from some of you about summer adventures and such!  See you at school soon!

Ben

RK Distribution List...

Hello all!

This email list is due for it's annual update...as of right now, this
distribution list contains the emails of last year's active members plus anyone who has not requested removal from the list.  If you are receiving RK updates and would no longer like to do so, please simply email me with your removal request.  Otherwise I'll assume you are either:

1) Still interested in reading my amazingly witty emails
2) Uninterested but too lazy to remove yourself
 or
3) Completely annoyed by my emails yet too kind to insult me with a blunt removal request

In any of these situations, you will remain on the list and receive the
general emails I send out about events, activities, latest news, code words for entry into the secret RK Yacht Club, yada yada...

Let me take this moment to invite all graduates to stay in contact with RK and participate in meetings/events as you are willing/available.  Though I know many of you will find it challenging to attend all meetings, you may still choose to visit occasionally or serve on the Board and maintain your connection with the  organization.  Still others may choose simply to show up at cleanups and such.  I want it to be clear that graduation from NCS does not at all mean you need to graduate from RK.

Now on to business...

Here's the official ALL CALL for this year's RK Board...I am aware that many RK would like to serve on the Board.  Board membership is voluntary.  The only requirements are that you must have been a member the previous year and be willing to meet one additional meeting per month throughout the year.  It is in these meetings where many of the guiding decisions regarding the organization are made.  It's where new projects are conceptualized, old projects are revitalized, poorly contributing members are ostracized... kidding... sort of...

RK who are planning on serving should send me an email, stop by my classroom this week, or show up at the first Board meeting of the year to express commitment.  I will then create a separate RK Board email list for emails that concern only Board Members.

To give you a taste of some of the early decisions the Board will be making, we'll be discussing all of last year's projects and decide what projects we will maintain and which we might table or abandon altogether.  We'll also discuss new ideas, so bring on the brainstorm...Will there be an RK Benefit Concert????

We will follow the same format as last year in general - meetings twice a month on Fridays from 4-5pm in the library.  Snack will be provided in Ext. Day (at no additional charge to RK members) before meetings.

Upcoming events already on the calendar:

Aug 30-Sept.3 - First Week Back - RK Enrollment Forms available in Ext. Day Office for all returning members.

September 2 - 3:45-4:30pm - Open House for potential RK families - 4th-6th grade families who have not participated will be given the opportunity to check out what we have to offer. RK Board Members are requested to attend this Open House.

September 4-11 - River Camp???? - Mo River Relief is interested in working with us to arrange some unique educational outings along the Missouri River. They can offer us the chance to spend the afternoons and evenings with some of the amazing folks at MO River Relief - Actual activities and timing to be determined.  No plans for missing out on school.

September 11 - St. Charles River Cleanup with MO River Relief - Big one...tons of fun.

September 17 - Confluence Watershed Festival - Special Invitation - In certain situations, RK Board Members are invited to take part in outside events during school hours.  In this case, there is an educational festival near the Confluence of the MO and Miss Rivers all morning.  RK has been invited to provide a booth with hands-on activities related to rivers.  This is a large educational festival hosted by Missouri River Relief involving fantastic river folks from all over the bi-state region.  RK members and parents interested in participating should contact me so we can arrange participation.  This would involve obtaining special permission from teachers and admin.  Missed school work will need to be made up of course...nothing in life is completely free.

September 25 - 9am-1pm - Living Lands and Waters and A-B team up annually for one of the biggest cleanups in the region AND RIVER KIDS IS INVITED...(This is the rescheduled event from June.)  This is a great opportunity for RK to show it's river pride...This event is not open to the public, but we get invited because of our connection with LL&W.  We love to bring out tons of people, so let me know ASAP if you're interested in attending.

Is that enough to keep you busy for a while?

I'll keep you in the loop and on the river,

See you soon!

Ben
Your RK Captain

Yacht Club Code Phrase of the Week - River Time