Heart Walk of the Piney Woods (Sat., Sept. 22)

This year's Walker County Heart Walk, also known as Heart Walk of the Piney Woods, will be held Sat., Sept. 22 at 9a at Bowers Stadium (SHSU).

The Walker County Heart Walk raises money for the American Heart Association.

To register for this event, click here.

Prime Time Dancers: Free Dance Classes

The Prime Time Dancers are offering free dance classes to anyone "AARP aged." The classes will be held on Tuesdays from 5-6p at the Performing Arts Center (PAC) at SHSU.

All kinds of dance styles will be taught: line, tap, folk, jazz, clogging, etc.

For more info, contact Cindy Gratz at 936.294.1311.

Outdoor Explorer (Sat., Sept. 15)

Sat., Sept. 15 will be the final Outdoor Explorer of the season. This free event is brought to you by the City of Huntsville Recreation Services Dept. and Huntsville State Park.

Outdoor Explorer teaches participants basic safety for activities such as hiking, biking, and kayaking. After the instruction, you spend the rest of your day as you please, and equipment use is free (kayaks, etc.).

Kids under 12 are welcome, but they must be accompanied by a parent at all times.

Classes are scheduled from 9a-12p. Pre-registration is recommended. For more info, you can contact Kim Barnes at 936.294.5725.

Free Zumba Classes

For those of you who don't already know: You can attend free Zumba classes here in Huntsville! The classes take place at Huntsville Intermediate School (5th Grade Gym) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-6:30p. 

the creator of Zumba

Zumba is a fitness program where participants dance and get aerobic exercise. Zumba incorporates many things, including salsa and hip hop music, martial arts, squats and lunges, etc. 

Dive Pirates 2nd Annual Chili Cookoff (Sat., Sept. 29)

Hey, divers and friends! On Sat., Sept. 29, Blue Lagoon will be hosting the 2nd Annual Dive Pirates Chili Cookoff... and underwater treasure hunt!

There will be all kinds of prizes at this event - a Go Pro camera & accessories, a Yeti cooler, underwater light kits, dive knives, cases, computers, etc.

Admission is $20 at the gate. Enter your team in the chili cookoff for an additional $40. Proceeds go to the Dive Pirates Foundation, an organization that teaches injured service men and women how to dive.

For more information, check out Blue Lagoon on Facebook by clicking here or on their website - http://bluelagoonscuba.net/.

YMCA Info for the Kiddos

Registration runs through Friday, Sept. 7 for flag football and soccer. Remind your kids that it's fun to stay at the YYYYYYMCA!

Flag football: Ages 5-12
Soccer: Ages 3-4

For more info, you can contact the YMCA at 936.295.8009 or pay them a visit at 2906 Old Houston Rd.

The Raven's Revenge Bike Ride (Sat., March 10)

The Raven's Revenge ride will take place on Sat., March 10. The ride starts at West Hill Mall at 8a. Riders can choose how many miles they ride: 10, 20, 33, 51, or 61.

Registration fees are $35 for individuals and $65 for families. Registration forms can be downloaded by clicking here. Proceeds from this ride go to help Texas Lions Camp - a camp that provides camping experiences (free of charge) to kids with medical conditions.

For more information, you can call Tim Dixon at 254.644.8242 or email info@huntsvilleravenride.org.

9th Annual Beautification Golf Tournament

Event: 9th Annual Beautification Golf Tournament

Date: February 24, 2012 (Registration starts at noon/shotgun start at 1:00pm)

Location: Raven Nest Golf Course

 

On February 24, 2012, the City of Huntsville will be holding the 9th Annual Beautification Golf Tournament at the Raven Nest Golf Course. The money raised at this event will be used to buy wildflower seeds and new trees along with other drought recovery initiatives.

 

For more information, contact Penny Joiner at:

 

Email: pjoiner@huntsvilletx.gov
Phone: (936) 294-5708
Fax: (936) 294-5701

 

Click HERE to see the official brochure for this event.  

Ice Bowl 2012: Helping Huntsville's Hungry (Sat., Feb. 18)

Hey, disc golf fans and nice people! On Sat., Feb. 18, Shawshank Disc Golf Course will host Ice Bowl 2012 - a disc golf competition that's been around since the 80s and that has tournaments scheduled around the globe. Ice Bowl raises money for charity, and in this case, the charities being helped are Rita B. Huff Animal Shelter and The Good Shepherd Mission.

The entry fee for the Ice Bowl is $25 plus an item on the "acceptable donations" list. Acceptable donations include: cat litter, trash bags, paper towels, cleaning supplies, dry beans or rice, and non-perishable food items (including canned goods). This pays for your entry fee, and you also get a t-shirt and a disc.

The event is being sponsored by many local businesses, and it is being coordinated by BJ Moody of Smoken Joe's. If you have questions, you can call BJ at 979.219.4370.

Outdoor Adventure Club Movie Night (Tues., Jan. 31)

Hey, outdoorsy people! SHSU's Outdoor Adventure Club will be having a movie night the last Tuesday of every month. This Tuesday, they will be showing Progression - a movie about rock climbing.

The event will be held at the outdoor recreational rental shed behind the HKC on campus. It will start at roughly 8p. For more info, you can view the Facebook event page by clicking here or view the group by clicking here.

You are encouraged to bring blankets and/or lawn chairs, as the movie will be shown outdoors.

Sweethearts 5K Fun Run/Walk

Event Name: Sweethearts 5K Fun Run/Walk
Date: February 11, 2012 at 9:00am (Registration at 8:30am)
Location: SHSU Bowers Stadium
Fee: $20.00-$25.00

On February 11th, the Walker County/Piney Woods American Heart Association will be hosting its first Sweethearts 5K fun run/walk. Heart disease is still the leading cause of death in our country. Eating healthier and exercising for as little as thirty minutes every day can help you reduce the risks of heart disease. Register today and start walking/running in order to train for this event! The money raised will help the American Heart Association fund research and raise awareness about the dangers of heart disease.

Register for this event by clicking HERE.

 

Speak up for Kids CASA 5K (Oct. 8th)

Speak up for Kids CASA 5K

Saturday, October 8th, 2011

Bowers Stadium parking lot

Sam Houston State University
500 Bowers Boulevard
Huntsville, Texas 77340

This Saturday, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) will be hosting a 5K race that will start in the Bowers Stadium Parking lot on Saturday morning.

Speak Up For Kids CASA 5K events across the state raise funds and friends for CASA programs--whose volunteers speak up for abused and neglected children in the court and the foster care system. ALL of the proceeds from each event benefit this program and aid in efforts to recruit and train CASA volunteers.

It is NOT too late to register.

Registration Information and Pricing:

5K Run Registration (Single Participant)          $20.00
5K Run Registration (Family Participants)        $25.00
1 Mile Fun Run (Single Participant)                  $20.00
1 Mile Fun Run (Family Participants)                $25.00

Registration is $20 and is open until Thursday, October 6th. All participants who register on time will be given an event T-Shirt. Late Registration will be open until right before the event, and participants who register after the deadline will be given a T-Shirt while supplies last.

Schedule:

7:15am --Check-In & Late Registration

8:15am --Start time for 5k at the SHSU Bowers' Stadium

8:25am --Fun Run Start

Program & Awards Ceremony will follow the Fun Run. The 5K run is equivalent to 3.1 miles and the Fun Run is 1 mile. Water Stations will be available at various points along the course. Race numbers will be assigned and times will be recorded. There will be multiple awards given for different age groups, but EVERYONE who enters is a winner.

Good luck to all that enter this race!

Click HERE to see the Official Website for the CASA 5k Race.

Click HERE to see the Official Walker County CASA website to find out how you can become a volunteer or a friend of CASA.

Click HERE to see the Official Website for Seven Hills Running Club (local running club for Huntsville, TX)

Aftermath: Square Dancing Free Family Fun Night

Let it be known! It's hip to be a square dancer on Monday nights! Last Monday was the first of two FREE family fun nights that the Huntsville Promenadors throw each year before beginning their regular Square Dance lessons.



I went with three of my friends and ALL of us had a blast. We were probably the youngest people there, but everyone was very nice and thrilled to have us. Nobody was critical of the fact that we were clueless as to how to square dance, and instead gave helpful tips and words of encouragement. Someone said that that "Square dancers are probably the nicest people you will ever meet," and judging by the group of people we met last week, I can definitely believe that. We are very excited about going back again tonight!



The greatest mistake I made last week had nothing to do with the dance moves, and believe me, I made many. I recently went to an event that I was certain would be filled with yummy free food, but I instead left starving, so I ate a Party Pizza before going to square dance last week. I will NOT be doing that again, because they had AMAZING free food. The majority of the regulars bring a different dish every week. That picture isn't even of half of the table.


One of my favorite things about the night were all of the fancy costumes. We didn't know what to wear last week. One of my friends wore a fancy ball gown that she got for $2.00 from a yard sale, one wore jeans and a T-shirt, I wore a horrible mismatched skirt and shirt, and one friend looked like John Travolta from the Urban Cowboy. Everyone else, was better dressed than my group of misfits. There were several nice costumes, and matching costumes for couples, but I have to say that THIS pair won my vote for best dressed:



If you are interested in checking out Square Dancing, then you should definitely go tonight. Tonight is the other free class, and next week starts the official classes. Classes meet every Monday, and it is only $40.00 person and $20.00 for students. That ends up being only a dollor or two per class. The food alone is worth way more than that, and the dancing is FUN. If you don't believe me, then find out for yourself tonight!

Square Dancing: Two Family Fun Nights

Square Dancing: Two Family Fun Nights

Huntsville Promenaders

Mondays, September 19th and September 26th

7:00pn - 9:30pm

7045 Hwy 75 S

Huntsville, TX 77340

FREE of charge!

Have you ever had the urge to learn how to square dance or already know how and are looking for other people who share your interest? Well, there is a square dancing club in town that fits both of those needs! Even though I have two left feet, I am excited about the possibility of two FREE dance classes!


Judging by the photos, it looks like most of the people who attend the Huntsville Promenaders events are over fifty, but I don't see anywhere on the website that states that is a requirement. It sounds like fun for all ages... especially with these two free classes! AND a great work out to boot (pun intended).

The official dance classes will begin in October and last about fourteen weeks. There is a cost for these dance classes after the two free nights in September, but I did not see that price on the website.

For more information, contact:

President Jerry & Theta Upton at 936-856-5287 or email jerryupton@sbcglobal.net

Sand Volleyball Tournament—June 22nd at The Arbors

SAND VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT

Arbors of Sam Houston

Wednesday, June 22 at 5:30pm!

Sign-up in the main office—deadline by event day!

The Arbors at Sam Houston will be hosting a Volleyball Tournament next Wednesday! Sign-up in the front office TODAY. The deadline to enter is the day of the competition. Teams consist of groups of four. Each member of the winning team will win a gift card of an unknown amount to an unknown place… EXCITING!

While you are in the office, get a cup of lemonade and make a donation to Alex’s Lemonade Stand, a foundation that is raising funds to help raise awareness and research funds against childhood cancer.

Water Aerobics Classes

The City of Huntsville's Recreation Services Department (the same nice people that sponsor the free Zumba classes at the high school gym) is holding water aerobics classes from now through October 1st at the Aquatic Center. The classes are not free, but the cost is only $35 for the entire program, and you can attend as many classes as you want. 


The schedule:
Mondays & Wednesdays: 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. 
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 11 a.m. to noon


You must be 18 or older to participate. To register for the class, go to the City of Huntsville Service Center (448 State Hwy 75 North) or register before the first class at the Aquatic Center (912 Avenue N).

Learn to Play Quidditch! June 3rd, 2pm

Learn to Play Quidditch!

June 3rd, 2pm

Thomas Henry (Josey) Ball Park
2250 Sam Houston Avenue
Huntsville , TX 77340

The SHSU Quidditch team has been very busy! We saw them last week playing in a Quidditch tournament at Comicpalooza. This week, they will be teaching children the ins and outs of Quidditch as a part of the annual Texas Reading Club. This sounds like a lot of fun for Harry Potter and/or competitive sports fans alike! Grab your brooms and have fun this Friday afternoon!

Zumba: Free Class Tuesdays & Thursdays

Zumba is a Latin-style dance/fitness workout. It's one of the current workout crazes, and it looks like it could be a fun thing to try.

You can try Zumba for free at the Huntsville High School Old Gym on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 - 6:30 PM. 

For more information on Zumba, check out their website here: www.zumba.com.

Classes run through July 1, so dance your way over before it's too late!

This event is held by the City of Huntsville, so if you need more info, you can contact Kim Barnes at kbarnes@huntsvilletx.gov. 

Something to do any time: Geocaching!

If you're looking for a way to get a little physical activity, one thing you can do is geocache. Geocaching is "a real-world outdoor treasure hunting game." This is an activity that does not cost anything. All you need to do is find out where a cache is located and start searching for it! You can do this by searching on www.geocaching.com or by installing an application on your smartphone.

There are several geocaches to be found in Huntsville. Just type the zip code into the search box on the geocaching website and it will list all of the caches in the area. The search results page will give you everything you need to know about the cache: description, difficulty/terrain, when it was placed, and when it was last found. Most importantly, it gives you the GPS coordinates, which tell you where to locate the cache. Just type the coordinates into your GPS device or into maps.google.com. If you have a smartphone, you can download apps that will allow you to search for caches. I have a BlackBerry Torch and used the app "Geocache Navigator." It worked pretty well. If you do not want to pay for an app, just get the coordinates from geocaching.com and then put them into a map program on your phone or into your GPS.

If none of this is making sense, or if you just want to read more about it, go here for a helpful brochure/guide made by the people of geocaching.com!

If you would like to start out easy, go to geocaching.com, search for caches in zip code 77340, then choose "Forgotten Lovers." It is located in the cemetery on Montgomery Road. There is also a cache in Gibbs Park:

If you take something, try to leave something! Also, try to leave something cool! These caches in Huntsville have a lot of junk in them! Haha. Happy geocaching!

Product: S2H Replay

The S2H Replay is a band that goes on your wrist that tracks your physical activity. You simply put it on, engage in activity, and rack up points. Once you accumulate enough points, you can redeem them for rewards. Some of the rewards include: Gift cards from places like Target and GameStop, music downloads, DVDs, and even Facebook credits.

The S2H Replay only costs $19.99, and they offer replacement bands for $2.99. They have 8 colors to choose from, and the bands come in 3 sizes. Find your size here.

I haven't tried this yet, but I plan to order one in the near future, and I will be sure to give you guys an update!

Check out their website at www.s2h.com. If you end up purchasing one, let us know if you liked it or not! And as always, if you have any fitness-related product reviews or any non-mainstream sporting events you would like for us to cover, email us at info@heyhuntsvilletx.com and we will post your info in our blog!

Photo of the black version (from their website):