REI COMMUNITY CALENDAR ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR MAY

SANDY CITY - The following presentations are offered free of charge to the public at the Sandy City REI store. REI is located at 10600 South & 230 West in the northwest corner of the South Towne Mall property. Due to construction, the 106^th mall entrance is closed. The mall can be accessed at 104^th and State St or at 100^th South. For more information, please call (801) 501-0850 or visit our website at www.rei.com and click on the stores & events link. Attendance is limited to fifty participants on a first- come first- served basis.

ADVENTURE TRAVEL TO MAGICAL COSTA RICA

Thursday, May 10^th, 7pm

For years you've probably heard friends rave about Costa Rica: its natural beauty, wildlife, friendly people, reasonable prices, erupting volcanoes, beautiful beaches, and the mysterious rainforests. You know what? It's all true! It's hard to imagine that there can be such diversity in landforms and wildlife in such a small country, but you'll soon be telling your friends about that amazing place called Costa Rica.

ORIENTEERING

Thursday, May 17^th, 7pm

Learn to navigate using a map and compass to find checkpoints in this fun outdoor sport suitable for all ages and abilities! Instruction begins in the classroom with basic concepts such as orienting the map, choosing routes, and using handrails and catching features before culminating in a practical exercise outside the store on a simple map. Bring a compass if you have one or borrow one from the instructor. Instructor Ed White first tried orienteering twenty years ago and has been hooked ever since He has competed throughout the US and Canada and is the current U.S. Champion in the Men's 40-44 age group

ROCK CLIMBING 101

Thursday, May 24^th, 7pm

If you are ready to learn the ropes in one of this country's fastest growing sports, then this is the evening for you! Topics will include an overview of climbing, equipment, safety, and training. REI Climbing Gurus offer this primer on Rock Climbing.

SALT LAKE CITY - The following presentations are offered free of charge to the public at the Salt Lake City REI store. REI is located at 3285 East & 3300 South. For more information, please call 486-2100 or visit our website at www.rei.com and click on the stores & events link and select Salt Lake City.

DANCE ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS

Tuesday, May 15^th, 7pm

Dance Across the Mountains is an incredible photographic journey through the eyes of professional nature photographer Jeffrey Ambrose. This journey spans the vast mountain regions of Alaska, Canada, Montana, Utah and more. Come enjoy this epic journey through some of the most beautiful landscapes in western North America. Jeffrey Ambrose was born and raised in the embrace of the Wasatch Mountains near Salt Lake City, Utah. He has been photographing the wild lands of North America for many years. His photographic focus is to capture more than just images, but to capture the feelings and moods associated with his experiences.

BACKPACKING SKILLS FOR YOUTH

Wednesday, May 16th, 7pm

How do you prevent your hiking boots from causing blisters? What is the best way to load up your pack? What do you do if you encounter a moose on the trail? For answers to these questions and more, join the experts from REI tonight for some fun and useful tips on backpacking and camping. This evening's presentation, designed for the next generation of outdoor enthusiasts, will cover the ins and outs of gear essentials such as packs, tents, sleeping bags, stoves, footwear, and clothing layers. A special section titled "Respect It!" will highlight the seven principles of Leave No Trace outdoor ethics. Families, youth groups and scout troops are encouraged to attend!

GPS 101

Tuesday, May 22^nd, 7pm

A Global Positioning System is a fun and accurate tool that can help you navigate through backcountry terrain or even down city streets. Join REI navigation expert John Higgins as he unveils the mysteries of this fun and fascinating piece of technology. This presentation will cover basic GPS functions such as determining latitude and longitude, programming routes, and recording travel.

SPECIAL EVENTS AT REI:

UTAH NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY PLANT SALE

Saturday, May 12^th, 9am

Spruce up you house and yard with drought tolerant indigenous plants! Purchase your native perennials, cacti, trees, and shrubs available for sale. 10% of the proceeds will benefit the Salt Lake Chapter of UNPS. Sale runs 9am until 4pm at REI in Salt Lake City or as supplies last. The Utah Native Plant Society is dedicated to the appreciation, preservation, conservation and responsible use of the native plant and plant communities found in the state of Utah and the Intermountain West. Their goal is to foster public recognition of the spectacularly diverse flora of the state-a natural treasure to be valued, respected and protected.

REI ADULT CLIMBING NIGHT

Thursday, May 17^th, 6:30pm-8:30pm

We would like to invite you to attend Adults-only (16 & up) climbing night at the Salt Lake City REI store. This is a perfect opportunity for beginners as well as experienced climbers to climb our one-of-a-kind wall on routes ranging from 5.5 to 5.13 in difficulty. You are welcome to invite your friends & family to attend. Please RSVP via email to espreng@rei.com so that as many of our REI certified belayers are available as necessary. Climbing harnesses of all sizes will be available at no charge, and climbing shoes can be rented for the evening at the low cost of only $2.00. Whether you are looking to start climbing, train for next summer, or meet people with similar interests come enjoy an evening of climbing & camaraderie with your friends at the Salt Lake City REI.

COMMUNITY EVENTS:

INTERMOUNTAIN CUP SERIES: SHOWDOWN AT 5-MILE PASS



Saturday, May 5^th, 9am

Experience the Intermountain Cup: The classic Mountain Bike Race Series of the Intermountain West! The 13th Annual Showdown at Five Mile Pass is presented by Racers Cycle Service. This race is fantastic for spectators and racers. Experience winding double track loops course. REI will be on hand to provide a hydration station and prizes for winners in different categories. http://www.intermountaincup.com

UTA RIDESHARE BIKE BONANZA

Friday, May 18^th, 4pm

Music, food, prize drawings, free bike tune ups, activities for kids and much more! This year the Bike Bonanza is happening in conjunction with the Downtown Alliance's. Join us at the Gallivan Center (239 S. Main Street) from 4:00-9:00 p.m. Pick up your registration packet for the Salt Lake Century Ride at the event too. Cost: free. Visit www.utarideshare.comfor event updates.

THE SALT LAKE CENTURY RIDE

Saturday, May 19th, 7:30am

The Cycle Salt Lake Century, Inc., a not-for-profit organization, is proud to sponsor this twentieth annual recreational bicycle event that features your choice of 33, 67 or 100 mile routes. Your entry fee will assist the Mayor's Bicycle Advisory Committee to build and maintain bicycle routes and trails and promote bicycle advocacy in Utah. All riders will depart from and return to the Utah State Fair Park. All routes head north with the 67 and 100 mile routes traveling to Antelope Island. All cyclists are welcome. This is a non-competitive event. The 33 mile option is the perfect route for a family, parent with a child or the first timer to an organized bicycle event. Entry fee is $40.00 pre-registered or $45.00 day-of event. Registration fee includes lunch, food and drink at the rest stops and a commemorative short sleeved T-shirt. www.cyclesaltlakecentury.com.

INTERMOUNTAIN CUP SERIES: 2ND ANNUAL STAN CRANE MEMORIAL

Saturday, May 28^th, 9am

Experience the classic mountain bike race series of the Intermountain West! The Stan Crane Memorial is presented by Revolution Mountain Sports. This course features full-on XC racing right in your back yard of fun, tight single-track & climbing on a wide dirt road. 1,100 vertical per lap! REI provides the Hydration Station & prizes for winners in different categories. http://www.intermountaincup.com

CLASSES:

STAY SAFE IN THE OUTDOORS: BASIC WILDERNESS LIFE SUPPORT CLASS

Saturday, May 19^th 9:30am & Saturday, May 26^th 9:30am

Created for all outdoor enthusiasts, the Basic Wilderness Life Support® certification is a one day course designed to help you prevent and treat injuries and illnesses common in outdoor activities. Developed at the University of Utah, School of Medicine the course will teach you to prepare for your outing, assess injuries and scene safety, decide whether to evacuate or treat a patient, and methods of evacuation. The curriculum was developed from our advanced course used to train medical professionals and will be taught by one of our certified instructors. The course includes morning lectures at REI and an afternoon outdoors (weather permitting) participating in hands on scenarios. At the end of the day you will receive your BWLS certificate. Cost is $95 per person. Please register by calling REI's customer service department at (801) 486-2100. http://www.bwls.org