The River Current || March 21, 2007 || Issue XXXXIV  

The twice monthly e-newsletter of the Charles River Watershed Association
...bringing our backyard river to your door...

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In this issue:
1)       Benefit concert this Saturday night
2)       CRWA water and science theme park April 29^th
3)       Participate in the Run of the Charles Canoe and Kayak race

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 1) Benefit concert at First Parish of Watertown
On Saturday, March 24^th a rising bluegrass group, Jaded Mandolin, is performing a concert to benefit CRWA at the First Parish of Watertown, 35 Church Street on the corner of Church and Summer Streets. The concert begins at 8pm; tickets are $15 for adults, $9 for students and seniors and $32 for families. Reserve your tickets by calling 617-924-6143. For more information visit our website at www.charlesriver.org/events/events.html 

2) CRWA water and science theme park
On Sunday, April 29th, along with the Run of the Charles race, CRWA will transform Herter Park on Soldier’s Field Road in Brighton into a festive theme park which celebrates and educates about life in the Charles River and in its watershed. The displays and events at the theme park will explore a topic that is pertinent to all of our lives -- clean and abundant water.

Between 10am and 3:30pm join crowds of all ages to view exhibitions, board a riverboat for an Eco Boat trip, experiment with a watershed model and celebrate the introduction of 1.5 million juvenile American Shad into the Charles River. The theme park is part of the week-long Cambridge Science Festival.

CRWA is in need of volunteers on the day of the event to carry and sell fish balloons to people throughout the park; each balloon sold will contribute to CRWA’s Adopt a Shad program to help restore the fish to the river. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Peggy Sunshine at 781-788-0007x235 or psunshine@crwa.org. For more information, visit www.charlesriver.org/events/2007/science.html

3) Paddle in the 25^th Annual Run of the Charles Canoe & Kayak Race on April 29^th
Be a part of one of the great events of the spring and help CRWA continue its work to protect the health and beauty of the Charles! Participate in this year’s race as an individual or team:

INDIVIDUAL PADDLERS

Amateur and professional paddlers compete along the Charles River from Dedham to the Finish Live Festival at Herter Park in Brighton.  There are 19-, 9-, 7-, and 6-mile races, for individuals or pairs paddling together. Whether you’re a pro paddler, or new to the sport, it’s a great day! 

CORPORATE RELAY

Join dozens of other companies in the 24-Mile Corporate Canoe Relay at the 25^th Run of the Charles Canoe & Kayak Race on Sunday, April 29, 2007. You need ten paddlers per team for the 5-leg relay. The longest leg is 6 miles, the shortest is 2 ½ miles.  Get a friendly challenge going – between departments, offices, or random groups of co-workers – and paddle it out for fun and bragging rights. No experience necessary!  Great fun and team building!  Gear can be rented! Some companies even offer prizes to their fastest (and slowest) teams. Your company name will be on your team’s canoe(s) as you paddle down river through Needham, Newton, Wellesley, Waltham, and Watertown to Allston. The race ends at Herter Park, Soldiers Field Road, Brighton for a Finish Line Festival full of music, refreshments, picnics, family activities, and displays. Enjoy a celebration of teamwork on the historic Charles River.

For more information on participating in the Run of the Charles, including race options and start times, call 508-698-6810, e-mail rotc@crwa.org or visit our website at  www.charlesriver.org/rotc/rotc.html