Ozark National Scenic Riverways Named One of Nation’s 10 Most Endangered Rivers

Press Advisory:
National Organization Joined by Local Paddlers and Conservationists to Announce Ozarks Riverways among Nation’s Most Endangered Rivers

Press Conference:
Tuesday, May 17, 2011 – 10 a.m.
Alpine Shop

440 N Kirkwood
Kirkwood, Missouri 63122

Representatives speaking include:

Ms. Kally Higgins,
Spokesperson for the Friends of Ozark Riverways – A coalition representing 21 Missouri conservation, fishing, and outdoor organizations.

Mr. J. Gordon Philpott
Board member of the national organization, American Rivers

Ms. Lisa Hollenbeck
Co-owner of Alpine Shop, representative of outdoor industry and Missouri paddlers and recreation enthusiasts

Missouri’s premier national riverway, the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, is being named one of the nation’s ten most threatened riverways in American Rivers annual report released May 17, 2011.

Representatives from many statewide environmental, fishing, paddling, and conservation organizations are joining together to put the National Park Service on notice that the NPS needs to manage the pristine river and parklands with an eye to the future. There are signs that the river so loved by Missourians and millions of visitors each year may be destroyed by pollution, erosion and poor management.

Today’s announcement serves as a wake up call to the National Park Service that Missouri’s largest national park needs to step up its management and address problems in the park that have slowly been eroding the quality of the park.

“We have to do more today to avert the catastrophes of tomorrow,” says Kally Higgins, Friends of Ozarks spokesperson. “ We are seeing visible signs that the health of the Current River is in trouble.  For example, we have seen in recent years signs restricting swimming in certain areas because of too high bacteria and we often see riverbanks damaged by erosion where inappropriate access points have sprung up. We want to work with the National Park Service to make sure that these problems are examined, inventoried, and given full environmental review before it prepares its general management plan.”

Next year, the park service will be releasing its 10-year General Management Plan and the conservation community has identified past decisions, policies, and practices that collectively are causing harm to the park resources.

This is the first time that the Current River and its tributaries have been named a threatened riverway on American River’s Endangered Rivers list, which began in 1985.

Photo Opportunities:

  • The press conference will be held at Alpine Shop with a background of kayak, canoe, and paddling equipment.
  • Many representatives from the 20 + organizations will be present for comment.
  • A map that depicts that excessive number of access points along the 132-mile stretch of river will be available.
  • A 3 minute video that depicts the riverway’s scenic beauty will also be launched on the American Rivers website and the Friends of Ozark Riverways site on the 17th and B- roll available, upon request.
  • Photographs of damage to the river will also be available.

Contact:
Rindy O’Brien, Coordinator
Friends of Ozark Riverways,
202-247-5290
314- 621-0230
rindyob@mac.com

Faye Augustyn,
American Rivers,
202-347-7550
faugustyn@americanrivers.org

Kat Logan Smith, Executive Director,
Missouri Coalition for the Environment
,
314-727-0600
klogansmith@moenviron.org

Lisa Hollenbeck, Co-Owner
Alpine Shop
314-962-7715
lisah@alpineshop.com

Alpine Shop’s Demo Days: Try Before You Buy!

Alpine Shop knows you wouldn’t buy a car without taking it for a test drive first. (You wouldn’t, would you?) The same applies when you’re shopping for a new kayak, canoe or bike, as well. Alpine Shop’s Demo Days are the perfect way to Try Before You Buy.

A line of Canoes at the 2010 Alpine Shop's Demo Days
Boat after boat after boat, just waiting to be paddled by you.

Let’s take boats to start. Every craft will handle just a little bit differently, and you’d be amazed at how much little adjustments – like moving your seat forward or back – can have major effects on how a new boat paddles. That’s why this weekend’s Demo Days at Creve Coeur Lake are so helpful to you if you’re in the market for a new boat. We’ll have a full selection of nearly every major brand we carry available to paddle at Sailboat Cove on Saturday and Sunday, May 14-15. And while we’ll continue to have smaller Paddle Demo Days throughout the summer on an almost bi-weekly basis, we won’t have the sheer number of canoes and kayaks each week like we’ll have this weekend.

If you’re just getting started on your paddling career, you won’t find a better introduction to the sport then the chance to discover what each individual kayak or canoe type can offer you. And while some of the finer points of each craft may not be readily apparent to you, what you will find is an idea of the general type of boat that will work best for you.

If you’re an experienced paddler looking to take a step up, here’s your chance to play around with other people’s boats to your heart’s content. Find out which boat matches you’re desires perfectly.

Save yourself some time and register for Alpine Shop’s Demo Days in advance by clicking here.

Below are a couple of links that you may find useful before coming out and seeing us. Let us know if there’s anything else we can do to help you find your perfect boat.

Canoe & Kayak Magazine’s Buyer’s Guide

Alpine Shop’s Learn to Paddle Guide

Not a paddler, but a pedaler?

This year, we’re pleased to welcome the Specialized Test the Best Demo Team to Alpine Shop’s Demo Days! Creve Coeur Lake Park – besides the lake – also has one of the area’s most popular bike paths, so it’s a perfect fit to try out our newest line of bikes to find out exactly what type of bike works best for you.

Bikes and boats are all included in your $5 registration fee – and you’ll also get a free hot dog, chips and drink as well.

Why Guess? Test! Alpine Shop’s Demo Days May 14-15

Alpine Shop's Demo Days at Creve Coeur Lake

Come on out to the north end of Creve Coeur Lake Park for Alpine Shop‘s annual Demo Days on Saturday and Sunday, May 14-15, 2011. Not only is this our largest paddle demo weekend of the year, we’ll also have the demo team from Specialized Bicycles on hand to give you your first shot at riding our newest line of bikes!

There’s no reason to guess at which boat or bike will work best for you. Just come out this weekend and test to your heart’s content. Registration is just $5 AND you’ll receive a free $10 gift card to Alpine Shop at the lake just for signing up. (You’re making $5 on the deal!)

Alpine Shop's Demo Days at Creve Coeur Lake
More boats than you can paddle in a day? Let's find out!

Paddle Demos:

If you’re in the market for a new kayak or canoe, you’ll have a chance to paddle more boats this weekend than you will have at any other point for the rest of this calendar year. While we continually hold demo nights throughout the summer, those events won’t have any where near the same amount of craft at your paddle-tips as you’ll find here.

We expect to have representatives from Current Designs, Dagger, Hobie, Perception, Wenonah and Wilderness Systems. And we’ll also have boats from Jackson, Old Town, Native and LiquidLogic at the lake as well.

There is no better time to try before you buy.

Bike Demos:

Specialized Hotrock Bicycle
Try out our newest line of bikes: Specialized!

As many of you know, Alpine Shop is now one of St. Louis’ newest Specialized Bicycle Dealers. This weekend, Specialized’s demo crew will be at Creve Coeur Lake with us, giving you a chance to pedal your next new bike.

We’ll be featuring hybrid bikes this weekend, so if you’re in line for a bike that you can use for fitness, work commuting or just playing with your kids, these bikes are perfect for you.

Did we mention free hot dogs for all?

On-Line Registration

This year, for the first time, you can save time on-site and register on-line! All you need to do is register below, print and fill out your waiver form and bring it and your ticket to the event and exchange it for your wristband. If you don’t feel like that helps you at all, feel free to register with us at the lake on the day(s) of the event.

Save time and avoid waiting by bringing your own personal flotation device and/or paddle. Cyclists should bring their own helmet.

Alpine Shop’s Demo Days

Saturday & Sunday, May 14 & 15, 2011
Creve Coeur Lake Park – Tremayne Shelter at Sailboat Cove
11 AM – 4 PM on both days
$5 Demo Participation Fee (Includes FREE $10 Store Gift Card) – Register in advance by clicking here!

Alpine Shop’s “Meet Our Mom” Photo Contest

Alpine Shop's Mother's Day Photo Contest 2011

This Mother’s Day, simply take a photo of you and your Mom (or Mom’s – of you and your family) doing anything outdoors. Then just post it on Alpine Shop’s facebook wall and you could win up to a $50 gift card! It’s that simple.

Just post your photo by Monday, May 9 at 5 pm, along with information on who’s who in the photo and what you’re doing and we’ll pick five random winners.  We’ll announce those winners the next morning at 9 am.

So, kids, take your Mom outside this Sunday and snap a couple of shots of everyone together. It may just make this Mother’s Day even more special for her!

For those of you who won’t be able to spend this weekend with your Mother, or if Mom can’t make it outside anymore, or for whatever reason, this weekend just won’t work – we encourage you to get creative! Find some old photos of your family – even if it’s not from this weekend. Or cut-and-paste some old photos together to give yourself the perfect Mother’s Day on the summit of Half Dome in Yosemite Park!

Just have fun with the idea of Mother’s Day this weekend!

 

Alpine Shop Asks: Where would you celebrate Earth Day?

A year ago, I wrote this post on What Does Earth Day Really Mean.  I’ve decided this year, I have no interest to get into any political discussions. All I’d like to see is Alpine Shop’s customers’ favorite places on earth.

Because what good is Earth Day if we can celebrate our planet’s most beautiful locales? So whether you’re a mountain lover, a beach comber, a prairie dweller or an ocean-goer, visit our facebook page here and post your pics or video of your favorite places on Earth. If you could celebrate 4/22 anywhere on Earth, where would it be?

My favorites? Well, here you go…

Half Dome, Yosemite National Park - from Glacier Point
The view of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park, from Glacier Point.

Yosemite holds such a spell on me, it’s difficult to describe. (If you’re interested in learning more about it though, join me on May 26, 2011 for a clinic on the park at our Kirkwood location.) Yosemite Valley may be overrun with tourists, but I still love it. And I love getting out of the valley and exploring miles of trails that are virtually deserted. Pure paradise.

Castor River Shut-ins / Amidon Conservation Area
The Castor River Shut-Ins near Fredericktown, Mo.

Most people don’t know about the Castor River shut-ins at Amidon Conservation Area near Fredericktown, Mo. In all honesty, I’m not sure I want more people to know about it. I was married about 100 feet to the left of the spot where this photo was taken. My wife and I love it. Our kids love it. It’s just a magical, beautiful place. Go during the late spring when floods have scoured the pink granite walls clean but the mud has had a chance to dry!

The beach at Bloody Bay in Negril, Jamaica
Bloody Bay in Negril, Jamaica.

In honor of my wife who taught me to relax on a beach and just enjoy the waves rather than immediately get into a kayak and go paddle away into them, I have to put Negril, Jamaica on my list of favorite spots on this earth.

What are your favorites? Don’t forget to post your photos and/or videos on our facebook page before Monday, April 25 at Noon CDT, for your chance to win a gift certificate.

 

Two Great Bikes for Great Prices this Weekend

As the price of gas continues to soar, have you considered commuting to work? Or maybe just riding to stay in shape? Alpine Shop has an answer for you.

This weekend only, April 15-17, we’ve got two bikes at great sale prices: the Marin Venezia – an introductory road bike originally priced at $1099 and now on sale for $599 – and the Marin Belvedere – a great commuter bike that normally retails at $590 is just $399.

Alpine Shop bike shop manager Traci Berry gives a great introduction to both bikes in the quick video below. Enjoy!

If you’d like more information on these bikes from Alpine Shop, you can find them by following the links below.

Marin Venezia

Marin Belvedere

Swap’s Friday Night First Choice – Video

If you’ve never been with us in Kirkwood for the opening night of a Swap, then this video is for you. We want you to know exactly what you’ve been missing out on.

This video shows footage just as we’ve opened up the tent for customers. Everyone has a great time. We gave away a bunch of great prizes to people standing line. Thanks to Columbia Sportswear and Marmot for providing many of the prizes.

If you weren’t able to join us tonight, we hope you’ll come by sometime this weekend and join in our official kickoff for spring!

Panoramic View of the Inside of the Swap Tent

Alpine Shop Swap Tent Panorama
Alpine Shop Swap Tent Panorama
Full 360 degree view of the Swap Tent Pre-Swap

Lighting isn’t the best, but this will give you an idea of just how many bikes and other gear are just sitting in the Swap Tent waiting for the mad rush this evening. Don’t wait around, get in line as soon as possible!

Friday Night = First Choice at Great Deals

Kayaks for Sale at Alpine Shop Swap
Kayaks anyone? They're each $250 starting at 7 pm tonight, April 8, 2011

With just over five hours to go until we open the Swap tent up to the public for the beginning of Alpine Shops’ Spring Swap, we have a great collection of used boats, bikes, camping gear and clothing for everyone this weekend. As we’ve said before, though, once the deals are gone, they’re gone for good. Like the picture on the left here. Each one of the boats on the rack are on sale for $250 this weekend at the Swap (assuming they last the entire weekend).

We’ve also got another “sneak peek” video inside the Kirkwood tent for you. After two and a half days of accepting gear, we have the tent pretty much full, with the biggest rush of gear still to come (the two hours before the Swap).

So come on out and join us tonight! The line will be forming any minute now and by the time we open up the tent at 7 pm tonight, we’ll have four or five hundred close friends in line just waiting to grab ahold of some new gear. See you then!

Celebrate Good Deals and Great Outdoors at Spring Swap

Alpine Shop's Swap - Friday Night First Choice
Alpine Shop's Spring Swap
The line forms for Friday Night's first shot at the used goods at Alpine Shop's Spring Swap.

Now in its seventeenth year, Alpine Shop’s Spring Swap Festival gives area families an opportunity to sell their used outdoor gear while also helping the store provide tens of thousands of dollars to worthwhile organizations.

Alpine Shop’s 17th Annual Spring Swap Festival begins Friday, April 8 at 7 pm at our Kirkwood and Columbia locations and continues through Sunday, April 10. Customers can begin bringing their used gear to sell on Wednesday, April 6 to those locations only.

The Spring Swap Festival is a consignment-based sale the Alpine Shop hosts each April. Anyone is invited to bring in used warm-weather outdoor gear or clothing to sell for two and a half days in a 10,000 square foot tent in the South parking lot of our Kirkwood location. Alpine Shop’s Columbia location will also feature used gear, as well.

The first night of the Swap festival is also the main fundraising effort of the weekend. Everyone 13 years or older pays $5 to get into the tent. Every penny of that money goes to a particular charity. This year that organization is Trailnet – a St. Louis-based not-for-profit organization with a 20-year history of promoting active living, a way of life that encourages people to integrate physical activity into their daily routines. Alpine Shop is proud to assist them in their efforts.

Customers bring in an average of over 2,000 total items to the Swap tent each Spring Swap Festival, with an emphasis on bikes, boats, camping gear and warm-weather clothing for the whole family.

Items that find new homes during Swap not only make some extra money for the seller, but also help save gear from our trash dumps. Even items that don’t sell can make a difference. Participants can mark on their consignment contracts that they would like Alpine Shop to donate the gear to the charity of Alpine Shop’s choosing if the item doesn’t sell.

For more information on specific times and Swap rules, please visit alpineshop.com.

Here’s a sneak peek at what’s going on inside the tent…