Highgear Summit Wristwatch - going high tech for a small budget.

I have not had the chance to test this altimeter, barometer, and digital compass yet. I am just informing you on the purchase of this Summit watch. I got a great deal on it. The newer edition will run you around $160.00 and for right now that was a little out of my range. I found an discontinued older model of the Summit at Campmor for a little under $90.oo. I am currently tingering with it learning the ins and outs of this new wristwatch based technology that has been created by Highgear.com.

You may be asking yourself why not a Suunto. The outrageous price and accessories may it not even a piece of gear I would be willing to tryout do to lack of low budget outdoor folks being able to purchase it. Ya, this includes me! For a more realistic comparison an average of $350.oo and up for Suunto versus the Highgear $250.00 to $150.00 for basically the same thing.

My wife and I are going to Hawaii and the Summit will be taken into the field for true field testing by a low budget outdoorsman. You may be asking why I decided to purchase the Summit. I purchased the Summit altimeter to help with Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) issues that my wife has expereinced in the past. For more information about Acute Mountain Sickness check out our topic menu and click on tips. We have an article about the AMS and my reasoning for the purchase is detailed later in the article.

The top picture is the discontinued model and the second picture is the current model. The only difference in the two models is the coloring all the features are exactly the same.

Be sure to check back later for the total review of the Highgear Summit wristwatch.

Bentley - VentureTree Team

American Lung Association - Asthma Walk Saturday, May 3, 2008

Come out to play with us and support the American Lung Associations - Asthma Walk. Help the Kindred Hospital, Blow the Whistle on Asthma.

Take a short walk to raise money to support over 22 Million Americans that suffer from asthma. Together we can make an impact as we work toward cures, clean air and smoke free kids. The American Lung Association®, can give you 22 million reasons why we need to "Blow the Whistle on Asthma" and why you should help fight the asthma epidemic and make an impact. More than 22 million Americans currently have asthma. You probably know someone who suffers from this chronic disease. It could be a family member, a young child, a co-worker, a neighbor or maybe even you. Asthma Walk gives you the chance to get involved and help your loved ones breathe easier.

Asthma isn't always obvious; you can’t see asthma but you can count its devastating effects in the United States. Asthma is responsible for over 12 million lost school days in children and more than 14 million lost workdays for adults. Even more frightening is the fact that asthma can be fatal; nearly 4,000 deaths are attributed to asthma annually. The economic cost of asthma is staggering - over $16.1 billion dollars is spent annually. We need your help to make an impact in the fight against asthma. Join an Asthma Walk near you today. Asthma Walk is a nation wide effort to bring attention to this devastating chronic illness. We know a lot about asthma, but there is so much we don't know. Your participation will raise the funds necessary to provide life saving education, research and advocacy so we can better control asthma and soon find a cure.

Remember to visit the American Lung Association National web site at www.lungusa.org for information on lung helath resources, including programs and events in your area or call the toll-free Lung Helpline at 1-800-LUNGUSA.

The location for the event is 3777 Nolensville Pike Nashville, TN 37211.

-Bentley VentureTree Team

Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee (PCAT) Fundraiser

Goodday everyone,

Here is a local fundraiser that is working to help to Prevent Child Abuse in Tennessee. Our annual fundraiser is a wine tasting and silent auction event, The Taste of Spring. It is being held Thursday, April 17, 2008 at the Cheekwood Botanical Gardens. The VIP party begins at 6:00 and is featuring The Saucy Sisters, local sassy wine experts. You can review them at
http://www.saucysisters.com/Press.asp. Tickets to the VIP party are $100. You will enjoy a selection of premier wines, have the first chance to bid on silent auction items and have admission for the remainder of the general party.

The general party begins at 7:00 and tickets are $50. There will be an array of great wines to try, jazz music, and heavy hors d'oeurvres. Some sample silent auction items are: a Gatlinburg Getaway, a celebrity autographed guitar, hotel accomodations in Jacksonville, FL and Amelia Island, local restaurant gift certificates, beatiful art and jewlery, Nashville Sounds skyboxes and much more. I hope that you can join us for this great event and collaborate in our fundraising efforts. Please let me know if you would like to purchase a ticket or make a donation in lieu of a ticket.

Come out and support PCAT.
Information provided by a fellow colleague and http://www.saucysisters.com/

Bentley VentureTree Team

Tennessee State Parks March/April Calendar of Events

Here is the March and April Calendar of events. I was going to post to our calendar but thought everyone would like to be able to print out a copy.


Tennessee State Parks Calendar of Events for March and April, 2008

Cumberland Trail March Sunday Nights 8:30 pm WDVX 89.9 fm
Join Bob Fulcher as he presents rare old-time bluegrass, gospel, rockabilly and more, 1926 to present day, from musicians who were born and raised along the Cumberland Trail. For more information contact Bobby.Fulcher@state.tn.us or 423-566-2229. web cast at http://www.wdvx.com/.

Sycamore Shoals March - October Guest Naturalist Tour & Lecture Series
Throughout the year, area naturalists will be joining us at varied times to share in their areas of expertise. Guided tours, hikes, talks, and field trips will explore the park and other areas of natural
interest. For more information, visit www.sycamoreshoals.org or call (423) 543-5808.

Sycamore Shoals March - December Traditional Arts Workshops
Join us for these great workshops that offer a unique opportunity to learn traditional and primitive art forms from expert instructors! Pre-registration will be required in addition to an instructor and materials fee. For more information, visit www.sycamoreshoals.org or call (423) 543-5808.

Cumberland Trail April Sunday Nights 8:30 pm WDVX 89.9 fm
Join Bob Fulcher as he presents rare old-time bluegrass, gospel, rockabilly and more, 1926 to present day, from musicians who were born and raised along the Cumberland Trail. For more information contact Bobby.Fulcher@state.tn.us or 423-566-2229. web cast at http://www.wdvx.com/.

Natchez Trace April Seagraves Trail Ride
Bring your horses and come to the Annual Seagraves Trail Ride. This ride is in memory of a local cowboy. The event is held at the Natchez Trace Wrangler Camp and will include a bar-b-que meal and auction. Contact (731) 968-3742.

Natchez Trace April 8th Grade History Trip
This is a field day for 8th graders. Students will have the opportunity to walk through a living timeline with re-enactors for various times in our states history. There will be demonstrations on various time periods including the 1700,1800, Civil War, CCC and Present Day. Alisha.Weber@state.tn.us or (731) 968-3742.

Sycamore Shoals April - October Guest Naturalist Tour & Lecture Series
Throughout the year, area naturalists will be joining us at varied times to share in their areas of expertise. Guided tours, hikes, talks, and field trips will explore the park and other areas of natural interest. For more information, visit www.sycamoreshoals.org or call (423) 543-5808.

Sycamore Shoals April - December Traditional Arts Workshops
Join us for these great workshops that offer a unique opportunity to learn traditional and primitive art forms from expert instructors! Pre-registration will be required in addition to an instructor and materials fee. For more information, visit www.sycamoreshoals.org or call (423) 543-5808.

Fort Pillow April 12& 13 144th Anniversary Reenactment Weekend
This event will give the public a chance to see what life was like for soldiers during the Civil War. There will be various living history programs and visitors will be able to tour both Union and Confederate encampments. Vendors will be available to provide food and souvenirs. A reenactment skirmish will take place both Saturday and Sunday. Greg.S.Taylor@state.tn.us or Robby.Tidwell@state.tn.us or (731) 738-5581.

Cedars of Lebanon April 17 Third Thursday Bluegrass Jam Session
Bluegrass Jam Session for individuals and groups. Pick in the back room, the front porch, under a tree or on stage with other bluegrass musicians. This is a great way for beginners to learn to play with a group and for the seasoned picker to stay in practice or show off their skills. This event takes place the THIRD Thursday of the month beginning November 15, 2007 and ending with the last Jam Session on April 17, 2008. For further information call (615) 286-1390.

Bledsoe Creek April 19 Earth Day Activites
Bledsoe Creek State park will be hosting Earth Day activities. Bledsoe Creek State Park is located at 400 Zieglers Fort Rd Gallatin TN. Their will be interpretive programs and many activities for the kids. Tangle wing, Corp of Engineers, TN State Parks, Friends of Bledsoe Creek State Park, and organizations from around the area will be present for the activities. Hope you will be able to join us for the fun and celebration the wonders our State Parks have to offer. 10 am - 2 pm. For more information (615) 452 3706.

Standing Stone April 18 &19 Spring Naturalist Rally
Join our park’s special guests, at the Standing Stone Naturalist Rally, for a fun, educational experience as we take a jaunt through Standing Stone’s wild woods and natural history. Regardless if you’re a nature enthusiast or just enjoy a walk in the woods the rally has something to offer everyone. We hope you will come, enjoy your visit, and learn much about the natural history of the area. Contact: Shawn Hughes, Shawn.Hughes@state.tn.us or (931) 823-6347.

Warriors Path April 18 - 20 Spring Nature Festival
Experience the delights of spring nature discovery in the great Tennessee outdoors. Participate in seminars taught by professionals, and hikes guided by trained naturalists. Topics include: spring wildflowers, tracking, astronomy, stream life, local geology, spring trees, and more! Free. Marty.Silver@state.tn.us or (423) 239-6786. Sycamore Shoals April 19 Landscape Seminar & Plant Auction An exciting array of unusual ornamental & native perennials, trees and shrubs will be auctioned during this event. A great opportunity to add new species to your landscape! Sponsored by The UT Extension Service, E.Tenn. Nursery Assoc., and the Eliz/Carter Co. Chamber of Commerce. For more information, visit www.sycamoreshoals.org or call (423) 543-5808.

Davy Crockett April 22 Earth Day Celebration
Birthplace Join us in celebrating nature on Earth Day. Environmental awareness and improving wildlife habitats will be our focus. We will plant deciduous trees native to our region on the park and we will have a limited amount of free trees to give away for all those that participate in this event. Activities will begin at the Campground Pavilion at 1:00 pm. For more information please contact Dawn.Coleman@state.tn.us or call (423) 257-2167. Sycamore Shoals April 26 Community Plant Exchange The front parking lot will be bustling this morning! Bring cuttings and potted outdoor and indoor plants, to exchange for species you don’t have. A fun way to meet other gardeners and increase your collection. For more information, visit www.sycamoreshoals.org or call (423) 543-5808.

Sycamore Shoals April 26 Mountain River Concert
Our continuing series of performances highlight the talents of traditional musicians from our region. Join us at 7:00pm in the Sycamore Shoals Visitors Center on the last Saturday of every month except July, September, November, and December. Admissions Charge. For more information, visit www.sycamoreshoals.org or call (423) 543-5808.

Information provided by: www.tnstateparks.com.

Bentley VentureTree Team