River Town Program Newsletter Volume 2, Issue 7 July 2012 In This Issue Mon River Sojourn Recap Cal River Fest RL Concert Series PM Public Art Wyatt Park MBRA Events River Town Action Team Meetings California - 3rd Saturday of the month, 10am, after Parks Authority meeting

Brownsville - Blueprint Community Meetings, 1st Friday of the month, 9am, borough building

Fredericktown - 1st Wednesday of the month, 6pm, fire hall

Rices Landing - 4th Wednesday of the month, 6pm, Pavilion by the Lock Wall

Greensboro - Neighborhood Advisory Council, 2nd Thursday of the month, 6:30pm, log cabin

Point Marion - 4th Monday of the month, 7pm, Boy Scout building Town Websites Brownsville

Fredericktown - Maxwell Basin Recreation Area

Greensboro Local Blogs SWPA Rural Exploration

Lost Monongahela

Ten Mile Creek

Warrior Trail Quick Links For more information McCollom Development Strategies

Pennsylvania Environmental Council

SCA Corps

Brownsville Area Revitalization Corporation More Open Fishing Days

Mon River Sojourn Recap First Mon River Sojourn a Success!

On June 9, 2012, over 60 participants in canoes and kayaks paddled the Mon River between Rices Landing and Fredericktown as part of the first ever Mon River Sojourn. The 57 participants and 8 safety boaters were provided a welcome to the region by Ryan Belski, Mayor of Rices Landing Borough, before launching. Just before reaching Millsboro, the sojourners paddled up Ten Mile Creek and stopped at the Greene Cove Yacht Club for a delicious boxed lunch in the pavilion and enjoyed an informative presentation on water quality and citizen water monitoring efforts, presented by Ken Dufalla and Chuck Hummell of the Izaak Walton League of America (IWLA), Harry Enstrom Chapter.

After lunch, participants enjoyed the scenery of a more tranquil paddle up Ten Mile Creek a few miles, then floated back to the Mon and took out for the day at the Fredericktown Ferry Landing. Most participants walked as a group to the Riviera for Ribfest 2012 and enjoyed food, drinks, and sharing stories about the trip.

It was a beautiful day to show off the River Towns to plenty of visitors--only 12 participants were from the River Town area! Of the rest of the paddlers, 24 were from Pittsburgh; 11 from Waynesburg; 6 from Morgantown; 2 from Washington; and 2 from north of Pittsburgh. Many were first time visitors and were impressed with the beauty of the river and the number of events occurring throughout the summer. All participants left with a commemorative t-shirt and a packet of information about attractions and upcoming events in all six River Towns.

Thank you to all of the River Town volunteers who helped to make the day a success and especially to our business sponsors: Bee Graphix, Bower Brothers, Brownsville Area Redevelopment Corporation (BARC), Connie's Pizza n Pies, Fredericktown Butcher Shop, Greene Cove Yacht Club, and The Riviera Restaurant and Lounge. The trip was supported by a grant through the Pennsylvania Organization of Watersheds and River (POWR) and PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). Featured Business of the Month Point Marion Marina, Point Marion, PA

Point Marion Marina has recently opened for business along the Monongahela River. The marina is located at the corner of Water Street and Penn Street, or at approximately Mile 90 along the river. Owner Bobby Delansky says it is part of a bigger dream to get more people on the water in Point Marion, and to get people on the river to stop and come into town. The marina currently has space for 20 boats. 19 of those spaces are for rental, with one additional space left for public use. The floating docks are attached to high pilings to raise and lower with the water level. The marina has space for an attached business and addition of more dock space in the future. For dock space rental, please contact Jim Delansky at 724-557-5344, and for seasonal rental or use, contact Bobby Delansky at 724-998-5407. California River Fest

Planning Stages

On Saturday, August 18th and Sunday, August 19th, California will be hosting the first annual River Fest. This will be a 2-day outdoor festival on lower Wood Street including food and craft vendors, live music, games, and fireworks. It will also be held in conjunction with the California Grand Prix bike race in town.

If you or anyone you know would like to become a vendor or sponsor the event, please contact: Marah Vecenie at (724) 603-3151 or at sca.mvecenie@gmail.com.

Go Green with the River Towns Program!

Interested in saving energy, reducing waste, and protecting our environment?

For more information on how you can help the River Towns "go green," contact Lindsay Baxter at lbaxter@pecpa.org.

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Rices Landing Summer Concert Series A Growing Audience

The Rices Landing summer concert series has been growing with each concert. The most recent event saw over 120 people along and on the Mon in anchored boats rocking out to local band, Hit n' Run. Local vendors were in attendance, including Jefferson Morgan Marching Band selling nachos and hotdogs, Rices Landing Boy Scouts selling deep fried oreos and funnel cakes, Fredericktown area vendor selling shaved ice and a variety of foods, and a Fredericktown artist selling hand-made bracelets.

All concerts are free and open to the public. They occur 6PM-9PM, every second and fourth Saturday through September. Concessions and crafts are available for purchase from local vendors and recycling is available at each concert.

Join us for the remaining 2012 concerts: July 28: Jaguar Mountain Rundown August 11: Flashback August 25: The Jades September 8: Proof Positive & The Classics September 22: The Split

Bring your lawn chairs out and sit by the river for this free, family-friendly event.

Are you a vendor? Please contact us to sell your product at our concerts! Samantha Lichtenwald, SCA River Town Outreach Corps, sca.slichtenwald@gmail.com, (724) 603-3151. Point Marion Public Art Project Update for ongoing public art project in Point Marion, PA An exciting, and very visible, step was taken last month for the Point Marion Public Art Project. All of the signs were taken down off of the blue building in town to prepare the wall for power-washing and a fresh coat of paint later this month. The colors for the background of the mosaic were voted on during the Regatta on Memorial Day weekend. By the end of August we will hopefully see this great work of art completed.

If you would like to help with this project there are still workshops and work days you can get involved in!

July 18 (Wednesday): 1PM to ? - Artist Debbie will be directing work on the large panels July 24 (Tuesday): 9AM to 5PM - Cut glass will be glued on the large panels August 3 (Friday): 9AM to ? - Artist Debbie will be back to work on the large panels

On the first floor of the Jordan Building, and it has been hot - so dress appropriately. Bottled water will be available.

Sadler Building painting begins on Saturday, July 21! Prior to painting, the building must be spray washed, degreased, and sprayed again. Can YOU help by providing sprayers, extension ladders, or labor?

Help spread the word by telling your friends, family, and neighbors! Wyatt Park - California, PA California's Wyatt Park improvements

 In the heart of downtown California sits Wyatt Park, a beautiful piece of public green space right on the river. But there is a predicament with the park; you cannot see the river without peering through undergrowth and vines.
 The SCA Corps members started fixing up the park in late June by clearing out undergrowth, small trees, and vines that were covering the fence (before and after photos shown below) but this park needs a lot more TLC to be able to see the water on the other side. 
 Recently, the California Borough Recreation Authority (CBRA) decided to give $4,000 to clean up Wyatt Park and open up view corridors to the river.

Bids were taken from three different tree service companies in the area. After much discussion, one was chosen.

After Treecision, from Charleroi, will be taking on the job clearing vegetation up to 8 feet, leaving all large trees. They will also be removing dead and small invasive trees, as well as removing other trash and debris. The project is expected to be complete in the very near future. Once complete, the SCA Corps members will go back in and pick up where the tree service company left off and continuing to improve upon the beauty of this park.

Before Maxwell Basin Recreation Area Fredericktown Area Summer Events

Photo by Randy Miller.

The summer fun is continuing in the Fredericktown area, thanks to the Maxwell Basin Recreation Area's (MBRA) schedule of events. Ribfest at the Riviera was delicious as usual, and the fireworks prior to the 4th were spectacular. The show lasted more than 25 minutes, and both the town and river were packed. The businesses partnering to host some of these events are having some of their best years ever, as they attract both visitors and residents!

Upcoming events include a beach volleyball tournament, concerts, and the return of Dock Dogs!

Visit the MBRA website for the full summer schedule and more information!

What the SCA Corps Has Been Up To As summer set in along the Mon River in June, the SCA corps were busy as usual with a wide variety of projects. The corps members ran in the "Oyster Race" in Pittsburgh, which benefited our partner agency, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council (PEC). PEC also hosted the Mon River Sojourn, in which more than 50 people came out to paddle. The SCA corps helped with the logistics of the event, and served as the safety crew during the excursion. Town-by-town, here else is what was accomplished:

Point Marion:

The corps recently spent a day working on the currently unfinished bike trail leading to West Virginia. They cut, sawed, and removed downed trees and branches, picked up trash, and removed tires and other large debris. This trail will someday connect Point Marion to the network of biking trails in northern West Virginia. Also, corps members hung some window clings in businesses around town. Look for them next time you are out and about!

Greensboro:

Planning for Greensboro's annual "Art Blast on the Mon" event is underway, with assistance from the SCA corps. The event will be held on Labor Day weekend, and will feature a wide variety of musical and artistic acts, vendors, etc... More information will be released in the coming weeks and months.

Rices Landing: The corps assisted with the planning and the logistics of the Mon River Sojourn, hosted by PEC, which left from the boat launch at Rices Landing. Corps members also served as the safety boaters during the event. The summer concert series is also well underway, with increasing attendance at each event. These concerts will run through September.

Fredericktown:

Fredericktown served as the end-point for the Mon River Sojourn, with paddlers taking out at the ferry landing. After helping everyone unload and packing the gear, the corps stopped by Rib Fest for a bit. And while there have not been as many work days in Fredericktown this past month, planning is underway for meetings, events, and projects throughout the late summer and fall.

Brownsville:

The SCA corps is working to expand its activities in Brownsville. They are reaching out for more community members to attend meetings and get involved in projects. The corps is also working to plan more work days in Central Park and at the wharf. Finally, the corps is looking to do some creek clean-ups, and will start in Brownsville.

California:

The entire corps spent a work day in Wyatt Park this past month. They worked to cut small trees, remove invasive species, and pull vines and debris from along the fence. Thanks to their hard work, there is now a beautiful view of the river from Wood Street, the Library, and Wyatt Park. The corps will be back for more park and river improvements, and are continuing to plan River Fest. River Town Events & Projects!

California

• Wed., July 18, 5-7PM: Annual Kids Fair, The Center in The Woods, 724-938-6800 FMI
• Thurs., Aug 2, 8PM: Budd Grebb Mem. Summer Basketball League Championship game, Mechanic Street Park, contact Phil Pergola 412-721-7300
• Wed., Aug 8, 5-8PM: Car & Bike Show, free, The Center in The Woods, 724-938-3554 FMI
• Sat., Aug 18 9AM-5PM: ABRA California Grand Prix bike race
• Sat.-Sun., Aug 18-19, all day: River Fest, lower Wood Street, 724-301-3151 FMI
• Sat., Sept 8: Waffle Breakfast & Flea Market, The Center in The Woods, 724-938-3554 FMI

Brownsville

• Now to Aug 6: Kara Ruth Snyder's "Inward Morning", Frank L. Melega Art Museum, 71 Market St., FMI visit melegaartmuseum.org
• Wed., Now to Sept. 26, 4-7PM: Farmers Market sponsored by Buy Local, Downtown Market St. parking lot, FMI call 724-437-7913 or visit buylocalfayette.org/brownsville
• Sun., July 22, 11AM-5PM: Spaghetti Dinner Fund Raiser put on by Friends of Market Street Arts and the Brownsville Sons of Italy, Frank Ricco Lodge 731, 16 Race St, $7 per adult
• Sun., July 22, 6-8PM: Music on the Mon, The Jades classic rock band, Nemacolin Castle, 136 Front Street
• Fri., July 27-Sun., July 29: 50th Anniversary of Nemacolin Castle Public Opening, 136 Front

St. Hours: Fri. 11AM-10PM, Sat. 10AM-10PM, Sun. Noon-10PM, FMI call 724-785-6882 or visit www.nemacolincastle.org

• Thurs., Aug 2: Kennywood Community Picnic, Patsy Hillman Community Park
• Sat., Aug 4, 11AM-8PM: 3rd Annual Brownsville Community Festival and 4th Annual

Ducky Race, Snowden Square, FMI call 724-785-3363

• Sun., Aug 5, 4-8PM: Classic Car Show, Fiddle's Restaurant, 101 Bridge Street

Fredericktown

• Fri.-Sat., July 20-21: Great American Food Drive, Washington County Fairgrounds
• Sat., July 21: Beach Volleyball Tournament, Greene Cove Sand Volleyball Court-POSTPONED!
• Sat., July 21, 1PM: Horseshoe Tournament, Owls Club in Millsboro
• Sun., July 29, 1PM: Rockin' on the Mon, South of Ten Mile Creek
• Sat.-Sun., Aug 4-5: Dock Dogs Competition, Greene Cove
• Fri., Aug 10, 8PM: Bachelor Auction, Benefit for Tyler Miller

Rices Landing

• Sat., July 28, 6-9PM: Gazebo Concert - Jaguar Mountain Rundown, Min Love Park Gazebo
• Sat., Aug 11, 6-9PM: Gazebo Concert - Flashback, Min Love Park Gazebo
• Thurs., 5:30PM open: Bingo Night, Rices Landing Fire Hall

Greensboro

• Sat., May-Oct 9AM-1PM: Farmer's Market at the Gazebo
• Sat., Sept. 1 10AM-5PM & Sun., Sept. 2, 12-4PM: Art Blast on the Mon, Log Cabin

Point Marion

• Wed., July 18, 1PM: Public Art Workshop, Jordan Auto Building, Penn & Main
• Mon., July 23, 7PM: River Town Meeting, Boy Scout Building
• Tues., July 24, 9AM-5PM: Public Art Workshop, Jordan Auto Building, Penn & Main
• Fri., Aug 3, 9AM: Public Art Workshop, Jordan Auto Building, Penn & Main
• Tues., Aug 7, 11AM: Kids Summer Reading Program, Meet birds from WV Raptor Center, Point Marion Public Library
• Sun., Aug 12, 1PM: General Membership Meeting, Prepare for FestiFall, Friendship Hill

Green Tip of the Month Prevent the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species

Aquatic invasive species are plants and animals that have been introduced into new ecosystems. These organisms can have environmental, recreational, economic, or health impacts in the areas they affect. The invaders may damage equipment and compete with native species. Anglers and boaters commonly introduce aquatic invasive species into new waters on accident. Many species are virtually invisible. They can easily hitch a ride on boats, boat trailers, fishing equipment, diving equipment, or even clothing that comes in contact with the water. These hitchhikers can then be transported to different water ways. Once invasive species become established, they are very difficult to control, and often times they are impossible to remove completely. That is why preventing the spread of invaders like zebra mussels, Asian clams, purple loosestrife, Asian carp, and didymo in Pennsylvania is such a high priority.

You can help protect Pennsylvania's waterways by following these guidelines: Check for and remove plants, mud, and aquatic life from your boat and the following equipment before transporting: Anchor, rope, motor lower unit, hull, trailer hitch, rollers, lights, axle, life jackets,swimming floats, water skis, wakeboards, tubes, shoes, boots, clothing, fishing vests, waders, rod, reel, line, hooks, lures, and tackle boxes. Always drain water from the following before transporting: Motor, jet drive, live well, compartments, boat hull, bilge, shoes, boots and waders, bait buckets, life jackets, swimming floats, water skis, wakeboards, and tubes. Clean boat and gear by spraying with a high-pressure washer with hot water (140° F) or dry everything for at least five days. Thick and dense material like life jackets and felt-soled wading gear will hold moisture longer and can be more difficult to clean. Dispose of bait properly; do not release bait back into the water unless you collected the bait there. Never dip your bait bucket into a lake or river if it contains water from another water source. Visit PA Fish and Boat Commission for more information. Contact Info Cathy McCollom Principal, McCollom Development Strategies csm@mccollomds.com 814-521-3520

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River Town Program | 716 Oden Street | Confluence | PA | 15424