Open U Classes - Outdoor & Environment

Bike Repair 101
Fall Gardening
Fly Fishing with Casting
Introduction to Astronomy
Geology of the New River Valley
Finding and Identifying Rocks
How to Build a Dry Stack Retaining Wall
Explore the Solar Green House
Menu for the Future: Exploring Food Sustainability

Back to Main Catalog Page

Bike Repair 101
Does maintaining your own bike seem daunting?  Would you like the confidence to address common bicycle breakdowns and adjustments? Join Bike Barn owner/manager Yusef Messallam for a workshop style hands-on bike repair class focused on general maintenance and roadside repair issues.  From fixing a flat and conducting a pre-ride checkup to installing and removing tires, diagnosing and patching a leaky tube, and maintaining your chain for optimum performance and long life--you'll gain the skills you need to care for you bike. The course equipment fee covers a multi-tool that we'll use in the workshop.  A limited number of bikes are available if you are unable to bring your own.  Please contact Yusef at yusef@bikebarnblacksburg.com to make arrangements. Workshop participants will receive a coupon good for a10% discount on bike repair tools at the Bike Barn.  Each class is limited to 5 students.  $20 plus $15 supply fee payable to the instructor.

Dates	Day	Time	Location
10/03	Friday	7-9PM	Bike Barn	FULL - other sessions below
10/10	Friday	7-9PM	Bike Barn
10/17	Friday	7-9PM	Bike Barn

Fall Gardening - completed
Get your fall garden ready to shine!  This seminar will focus on helping people choose from a wide selection of vegetables and other plants that grow well in the cooler months, as well as offer instruction about soil preparation and variety selection.  Taught by Erica Jones.  $30

Dates	Day	Time	Location
9/4 & 9/11	2 Thursdays	6:30-8:30PM	Y Center

Fly Fishing with Casting - past start date
Have you wanted to try fly fishing but been put off by the unfamiliar jargon? The bewildering array of tackle, gear, and gadgets?  Then this introductory course is for you. Learn all about trout, where they live, what they eat, and how to catch them.  Learn about dry flies, streamers, and nymphs, fly lines, leaders, and tippets, the fly-fisherman's favorite knots, and reasonably priced rods and reels perfect for the beginner. Learn to cast a fly line in thirty minutes with all the dexterity of a practiced fisherman. Twelve hours of classroom instruction, plus group and private casting lessons and an on-the-water demonstration. Recommended text: L.L. Bean Fly Fishing Handbook (1984, 1996).  Instructor Bruce Cantrell calls fly-fishing a “precious, life-affirming experience . . . It teaches patience, self –discipline, and appreciation of the natural world.” $115
*Also includes Fly Casting on Saturday, October 11 and Streamside Demonstration on Saturday, November 8.

Dates	Day	Time	Location
9/17-11/05 10/11 & 11/8*	8 Wednesdays 2 Saturdays	7-9PM 9am-12pm	Y Center Field Trips

Introduction to Astronomy
Interested in learning about planets, constellations and stars? Topics covered will include how stars are named, how to identify constellations and planets, and binocular and telescope usage. The dates for the outdoor observing sessions (10/28 & 11/18) may need to be adjusted as needed for weather. Instructor Jim Chadwick has studied Astronomy for over 55 years and owns a ten-inch Schmidt -Cassegrain telescope that will be used for the outdoor observing sessions. $30. Optional "bring the family" observing session to be held Novermber 25. *Please note: one class date and one observing date have been changed from the catalog.

Dates	Day	Time	Location
10/14 & 11/11* 10/28* & 11/18	Tuesdays Tuesdays	7-9PM 8-10PM	VT Campus TBA

Geology of the New River Valley
Learn about the geologic history of the New River Valley along with the materials and forces that brought the region to its present configuration. Students will discuss the theory of plate tectonics and learn where the continental divide crosses US 460. There will be a Saturday field trip for interested students. The class received rave reviews from Elder hostel attendees at Mountain Lake recently.  Students should bring a hand lens,10X or greater (available at the VT Bookstore) and a pocket knife. Bring local rocks to the first class meeting to be identified if you like. For ages 11 and up. Taught by Hazel Beeler.  $55

Finding and Identifying Rocks
Are you a “rock hound” or budding amateur geologist?  Do you find rocks and wonder what they are? Rock and mineral collecting is a fascinating hobby that can be shared by the entire family. Learn how to find and identify common rocks from the New River Valley region and discover what’s in these rocks and the conditions under which they formed.  Bring local rocks to class for identification if you have them. Students should bring a hand lens, 10X or greater, (available at the VT Bookstore) and a pocket knife if you have one.  For ages 11 and up.   Taught by Hazel Beeler.  $25

Date	Day	Time	Location
10/11	Saturday	9AM-12PM	Y Center

How to Build a Dry Stack Retaining Wall
Are you looking to add another dimension to your property with your own two hands? Dry stack rock or rubble stone walls add a great touch to flowerbeds and landscape projects. Fortunately, building one is easy enough that you can do it yourself!  This class will cover the basics to get you started on your own project.  Taught by Meredith and Steve Jones.  $20

Date	Day	Time	Location
11/01	Saturday	9AM-12PM	Instructor’s Home

Explore the Solar Green House
Come learn about the new Solar Greenhouse located at the Y Community Gardens. This innovative structure uses almost no commercial electricity to produce tomatoes, beans, etc. in the winter months. Additionally, the space can be used to produce specialty crops for culinary and medicinal purposes. Instructor Dave Roper's discussion will cover the science behind the greenhouse including solar components, air circulation, and subterranean heating elements. All proceeds benefit the Y Community Gardens. For more information please visit www.vtymca.org. $15

Date	Day	Time	Location
11/10	Monday	6:30-8:30PM	Y Center

Menu for the Future: Exploring Food Sustainability - past start date
This course explores food systems and their impacts on culture, society, and ecological systems. Students will also consider their role in creating or supporting sustainable food systems. This class is adapted from the Northwest Earth Institute’s discussion courses and brought to you in partnership with the Blacksburg Farmer’s Market (http://www.bbfarmersmarket.org) and the Slow Food: Blueridge Convivium (http://www.slowfoodblueridge.org). The discussion leader is Megan Foster. $30 - includes purchase of the book Menu for the Future. *No class 10/6    

Date	Day	Time	Location
9/22 – 11/10*	7 Mondays	7:00-8:00PM	Lancaster House

Back to Main Catalog Page