Beginning September 2, 2010, the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown will conduct a scuba diving class that, upon completion, will graduate students with a NAUI (National Association of Underwater Instructors) Scuba Diver certification.

“This is a great opportunity to experience the underwater environment,” said Jamie Hedrick, class instructor. “It’s a lot of fun and you don’t have to be a very proficient swimmer to participate.”

To provide the most comprehensive level of instruction, the course includes classroom, pool and open-water training sessions.

Classes are held at the Zamias Aquatic Center at Pitt Johnstown on Thursdays from 5:30PM-9:00PM and run for seven weeks. Attendance at all classes is mandatory to earn the certification.

Additional details, including price structure and prerequisites, are available on this Scuba Diving Class flyer. Register by calling Jamie Hedrick at (814) 269-2006.

Photograph courtesy of Shawn Schmalz

For many families, it’s a summer tradition to pack up and head to a favorite spot for the annual Independence Day fireworks displays. Lawn chairs, clear skies and perhaps a blanket are all that is needed to enjoy these colorful nighttime presentations.

There are many fireworks displays are planned throughout the Johnstown PA region for the upcoming holiday weekend. The popular Johnstown Galleria’s annual fireworks display will occur on Saturday, July 3, 2010 at approximately 9:30pm. This beautiful exhibit can best be seen from the Richland/Geistown area. Many people simply park in the Galleria or neighboring parking lots to get the best view.

Continuing the custom of treating Johnstown residents and visitors to a performance of patriotic favorites suitable to the holiday, the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra will stage their annual 4^th of July Concert at Point Stadium on Sunday, July 4, 2010 at 8pm, which will be followed by a fireworks display. This presentation is best viewed in the downtown or overlooking areas (a favorite viewpoint is from the observation deck atop the Inclined Plane).

Admission is free to both events.

Other fireworks display within driving range of the Johnstown area include:

• Kennywood Park July 1-5, 2010 at dusk
• Somerset High School July 3, 2010 at dusk
• Lakemont Park July 3-4, 2010
• Idlewild Park July 4, 2010 at 10pm
• Indiana County Fairgrounds July 4, 2010
• DelGrosso Park July 4, 2010 at dusk
• Central PA 4th Fest July 4, 2010 at 9:15pm
• Blair County Ballpark July 5, 2010, following the 7:05pm Altoona Curve game

Keep in mind, all firework shows are weather permitting.

Recreation opportunities abound in the Johnstown PA area. Hiking, biking, running and kayaking are some of the most popular activities our residents and guests can often be witnessed enjoying. For many of our younger citizens, the activity of choice is skateboarding and BMX riding. The greater Johnstown region happily boasts two skate parks—one in Johnstown’s West End; the other at Windber Recreation Park—that were created to meet the specific needs of these athletes.

The West End skate park is located at the Bheam School Playground on the corner of J Street and Fairfield Avenue and features a variety of equipment for riders, including:

• 4’ half pipe
• 4’ incline
• 4’ spine
• 4’ quarter pipe
• Small box

Click here for a map to the Johnstown, PA skate park.

The Windber-area skate park is open from 8:00AM to dusk and is located at Windber Recreation Park, on Route 160, East of Windber, PA. This park features:

• 4’ quarter pipe
• Fun box
• Rails
• and more

Click here for a map to the Windber, PA skate park.

In both cases, access to the skate park is free. The use of protective equipment is the responsibility and choice of the rider, though use of a helmet is strongly recommended. Additionally, both parks permit bicycle use of the equipment.

Renée Daly, Economic Development Specialist for the City of Johnstown, and coordinator for the Johnstown and West End farmers markets is looking forward to the upcoming season, “This year there will be eleven vendors surrounding Central Park, music at the Gazebo, and live chef demonstrations.” The chef demonstrations are new to this year’s market and will be featured on select Fridays throughout the season (see the Do Johnstown! calendar for details). Daly adds, “We have so many great local chefs around here that we want to not only show off the products customers can purchase at the market, but also show off the skills of the local chefs.”

The farmers markets below offer a variety of locally-produced items, some organic, such as produce, meats, dairy products, baked and other homemade goods, flowers, and crafts. Items offered vary by market.

Johnstown Farmers Market
Central Park, downtown Johnstown
814-536-8616
Fridays, 5/21/2010-10/29/2010, 9:00 am-2:00 pm

Moxham Farmers Market
Grove Avenue United Methodist Church, 501 Grove Avenue, Moxham section of Johnstown
814-539-8684
Thursdays, 7/1/2010-10/28/2010, 4:00 pm-7:00 pm

West End Market
Corner of Fairfield Avenue and H Street, West End section of Johnstown
814-536-8616
Tuesdays, 6/15/2010-10/26/2010, 3:00 pm-6:00 pm

Westmont Farmers Market
Westmont Presbyterian Church, 601 Luzerne Street, Johnstown
http://www.westmontpc.org/
Saturdays, 5/22/2010-10/23/2010*, 9:00 am-12:00 pm
*No market on the following dates: 9/11, 9/25, 10/9

Portage Borough Farmers Flea Market
Site of the former Caldwell Avenue School on Main Street, Portage
http://www.portageboro.com/
Saturdays, 7/3/2010-9/11/2010, 9:00 am-12:00 pm

Ebensburg Farmers Market
Penn Eben Park, Sample Street, Ebensburg
http://www.ebensburgmainstreet.com/events/farmers_market.html
Saturdays, 7/31/2010-9/18/2010, 9:00 am-12:00 pm

Somerset County Farmers Market
Georgian Place, Somerset
http://www.somersetcountyfarmersmarket.com/
Saturdays, 5/29/2010-10/30/2010 9:00 am-1:00 pm and Wednesdays 6/16/2010-10/27/2010, 3:00 pm-6:00 pm

Ligonier Country Market
West Main Street and U.S. Route 30, Ligonier
http://www.ligoniercountrymarket.com/
Saturdays, 5/22/2010-10/2/2010, 8:00 am-12:00 pm

So, get out today and support your local farmer by visiting the farmers market nearest you.

As the weather once again returns to the hot sunny days of summer, adults and children alike will soon be looking for new ways to cool off and enjoy the outdoors. Coal Tubin’, opening in Johnstown’s Moxham neighborhood on May 15th, will provide local adventurers with such an opportunity.

The Coal Tubin’ voyage consists of a tube down ride down Stonycreek River. Tubes are rented out at the Coal Tubin’ location in Moxham, and a staff member will shuttle participants to Greenhouse Park, where the real journey begins. Tubers will ride down the scenic Stonycreek River, taking in the sights while gliding along the water, returning to the Moxham location 2 to 3 hours later. “It allows people to get away to do something without driving for hours to get there” reports Coal Tubin’ co-owner Chad Gontkovic. “It takes the work out of it [with transportation being taken care of by us].”

“I’m a huge advocate of Johnstown,” says Gontkovic. “I see the resources we have here. Johnstown is one of those places that has so much.”

Indeed, it is not hard to see the appeal of spending a lazy summer day with friends or family, drifting along in the water, seeing the natural beauty of the Johnstown area.

Coal Tubin’ has already gained quite a bit of excitement in the area, utilizing their Web site and Facebook page to attract local residents and build anticipation for the opening weekend.

The business will open on May 15 at 10AM, and will be open every weekend this summer from 10AM to 5PM (depending on weather and river conditions), as well as during other special events such as Thunder in the Valley. Tubing is available for adults and children as young as 5 (children under 14 need to be accompanied by an adult).

Coal Tubin’ is located at 303 Central Avenue in the Moxham neighborhood of Johnstown (click here for a map). Their website is at www.coaltubin.com. Click here to join their Facebook group.

According to the Pennsylvania Center for Dairy Excellence, our state is the 5^th largest producer of milk in the United States. Vale Wood Farms offers a unique look into this business by hosting spring and fall open houses and a summertime day of festivities.

“We feel it is part of our responsibility to share our agricultural heritage,” says Carissa Westrick, Director of Marketing at Vale Wood Farms. “It’s really a lot of fun for us, too.”

The spring tours are held during the month of May and are limited to groups of 15 or more. The itinerary includes visiting the cow and calf area for an hour and then another hour at the processing area. “We host groups of all ages,” says Carissa, “from pre-school to vocational schools; from college students to senior citizens. We tailor the tour the suit the group.”

Are these tours popular? More so than even Vale Wood Farms staff would have expected. Each May since the tours began a decade ago, they can expect 3,000 or more people to pass through their working farm. Spring tours are by appointment only and can be reserved by calling (814) 886-7171. Tours cost $4.00 per person and include a sample of chocolate or strawberry milk. For only $1.00 more you can include an ice cream sample, too.

The fall open house is themed towards the harvest time our region experiences each year. These tours are open to groups of all sizes and include a guided hayride tour of the farm and time in the farm’s pumpkin patch. The pumpkin patch and additional hayrides each cost $2.00 per person.

Between the open house events, the farm hosts a customer appreciation day each summer. This event is free and features live music and fun competitions that include cow-milking and ice cream-eating contests.

The staff at Vale Wood Farms seems to get as much from these events as their visitors do. “We’re a small family business. This really gives us the opportunity to interact one-on-one with our customers,” says Carissa. “It also opens a dialog about where our food comes from. If you can show someone, it puts so much more perspective on what they see in the grocery store.”

And, of course, it’s a low-cost way to have fun with your family right here in the Johnstown area.

Vale Wood Farms is located at 517 Vale Wood Road, Loretto, PA (click here for a map). Watch the “Do Johnstown!” calendar or visit www.valewoodfarms.com for dates and additional details on all of these opportunities.

The 11^th annual River Sojourn is a 3-day paddling and camping trip down the Stonycreek River, starting Thursday, June 3^rd at Greenhouse Park in Johnstown and ending Sunday, June 6^th at Summer’s Best Two Weeks campsite near Boswell, PA. Participants may sign up for just parts of the trek, or the entire journey. It is also open to both experienced paddlers and first-timers.

The trip involves both a chance to appreciate the waterway and surrounding wildlife from the boat, and to learn more about the local environment through presentations delivered at each evening’s campsite. The presentation topics include “10 Ways to Experience the Stonycreek” and “10 Stellar Paddling Trips.”

To learn more about the 2010 Stony-Kiski-Conemaugh River Sojourn, visit: http://www.conemaughvalleyconservancy.org/recreation/skcs.html

Now, after earning the title “Simply the Coolest Event” every year since 2006, they have continued to refine the beer selection, increase the available food and expand the gathering to span two days.

“We supply samples of more than 60 beers, with more than half being new to Johnstown,” says Todd. In fact, they work throughout the year to select and acquire the beer menu for the tasting, often tasking their wholesalers to seek out the rarest of beers. “The feedback we receive from our customers and Mung attendees drives the selection for each year.”

Every year the drink menu has continued to evolve to a more upscale selection. In earlier years the stock of more accessible imports was always the last to go. Michael says they took this as a sign. When that happens “you know you can try the crazier beers,” he says.

While it’s the beer that gets the spotlight, the food selection is also a large part of the annual event. Throughout the four-hour tasting there is a steady flow of free food, including grilled meats, cheeses and vegetables. According to Todd, “there are some that come that are more interested in the food.”

The Worldwide Beer Mung is Friday, May 14^th, 2010 from 6:30-10:30PM and Saturday, May 15^th, 2010 from 4:00-8:00PM at Tulune’s Southside Saloon, 36 Bridge Street, Johnstown PA (click here for a map).

Tickets are $50 per person and are available at Tulune’s. Tickets to Saturday’s event have already sold out and Friday’s are going quickly.

For more information on Tulune’s Southside Saloon, visit their Web site.

For those that would to take advantage of this resource, but have no prior riding experience (or, maybe it’s just been a while since you’ve been in the saddle), courses through Pennsylvania’s Motorcycle Safety Program (PAMSP) could be the first step in igniting this passion. These courses are designed to train riders in the safe operation of motorcycles using both classroom and hands-on riding sessions.

First off, the courses offered through the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program are free to Pennsylvania residents with a valid PA driver’s license or motorcycle permit. For those taking the Basic Rider Course (a beginner course that teaches all riding fundamentals as well as PA-specific motorcycle laws) it gets even better—motorcycles are provided free of charge for use during the riding courses. This means the only thing really separating you from becoming licensed to operate a motorcycle is a desire to learn and the cost of a permit.

In addition to the Basic Rider Course, the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program offers an Experienced Rider Course, which is aimed at honing motorcycle operation skills in individuals that fall under the intermediate/advanced level of riding skills.

With both courses, the opportunity is the same—you learn valuable skills and have fun while doing it. PAMSP Rider Coaches are highly-skilled instructors, delivering a proven, state-sanctioned curriculum. Courses are well-structured, safe and enjoyable.

Here are a couple of tips for those interested in these classes:

• Classes fill up very quickly (particularly the Basic Rider Course). Plan ahead to determine which course date and location works best for you and then register online as soon as registration opens.
• Do not arrive late. Late arrivals are not allowed to participate in class, a rule that is strictly enforced.
• Bring a beverage and/or light snack for riding days. There are ample breaks for course changes, etc. that provide an opportunity to refresh yourself.
• When using your own motorcycle (Experienced Rider Course only) purchase some pipe insulation (available at any hardware store) and duct tape to wrap your engine guards, just in case you experience a slow-speed lay down.

The two course locations most convenient to residents of the Johnstown area are:

• Greater Johnstown Career & Technology Center (click here for a map)
• Portage High School (click here for a map)

To learn more about these courses, including course dates, registration details and course requirements, visit www.pamsp.com.

The events, aptly named “First Friday Wine Tasting” and “Second Friday Beer Tasting”, occur on the first and second Fridays of every month of the year and are a particularly nice way to combat a chilly Pennsylvania winter. “We attract a pretty varied crowd,” says Laura, a hostess at Green Gables. “It’s a nice mix of younger and older people.”

Located at the well-known Mountain Playhouse, the tastings take place at the restaurant from 6:00PM-8:00PM. Wine tastings cost $25 per person and include samplings of six varieties of wine. Beer tastings are $20 per person and provide samplings of eight finely-crafted beers. Each includes a selection of light hors d’oeuvres.

What better excuse to head out with a friend or spouse?  “We have great wines and beers that you just won’t find at other places in the area,” says Laura. “Come out, try something new and have a good time.”

For additional details, including information on dinner specials associated with the tastings, contact Green Gables by calling (814) 629-9201 x103 or visit www.mountainplayhouse.org.

Green Gables Restaurant is located at 7712 Somerset Pike, Jennerstown, PA (click here for a map).