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RED FLAG WARNING : High Potential For Wildfires – ! EXPIRED !

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URGENT – FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
358 AM EDT THU MAR 24 2016

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-PRINCE GEORGES-ANNE ARUNDEL-CHARLES-
ST. MARYS-CALVERT-NORTHWEST MONTGOMERY-
CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST MONTGOMERY-NORTHWEST HOWARD-
CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST HOWARD-AUGUSTA-ROCKINGHAM-SHENANDOAH-
FREDERICK VA-PAGE-WARREN-CLARKE-NELSON-ALBEMARLE-GREENE-MADISON-
RAPPAHANNOCK-ORANGE-CULPEPER-
PRINCE WILLIAM/MANASSAS/MANASSAS PARK-FAIRFAX-
ARLINGTON/FALLS CHURCH/ALEXANDRIA-STAFFORD-SPOTSYLVANIA-
KING GEORGE-NORTHERN FAUQUIER-SOUTHERN FAUQUIER-WESTERN HIGHLAND-
EASTERN HIGHLAND-WESTERN LOUDOUN-EASTERN LOUDOUN-
NORTHERN VIRGINIA BLUE RIDGE-CENTRAL VIRGINIA BLUE RIDGE-
JEFFERSON-HARDY-WESTERN GRANT-EASTERN GRANT-WESTERN PENDLETON-
EASTERN PENDLETON-
358 AM EDT THU MAR 24 2016

…RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 8 PM EDT
THIS EVENING FOR STRONG WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY FOR CENTRAL AND
SOUTHERN MARYLAND…NORTHERN AND CENTRAL VIRGINIA AND PORTIONS OF
THE POTOMAC HIGHLANDS IN WEST VIRGINIA.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A
RED FLAG WARNING FOR STRONG WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITY…WHICH IS IN
EFFECT FROM 10 AM THIS MORNING TO 8 PM EDT THIS EVENING. THE FIRE
WEATHER WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT.

* HUMIDITY…25 TO 30 PERCENT.

* WINDS…SOUTH 20 TO 25 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 35 MPH. THE
STRONGEST GUSTS WILL BE THIS AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING.

* FUEL MOISTURE…LESS THAN 8 PERCENT.

* IMPACTS…ANY FIRES WILL HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO SPREAD VERY
RAPIDLY DUE TO STRONG WINDS…LOW HUMIDITIES AND DRY
VEGETATION.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A RED FLAG WARNING MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE EITHER OCCURRING NOW…OR WILL SHORTLY. A COMBINATION OF
STRONG WINDS…LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY…AND WARM TEMPERATURES CAN
CONTRIBUTE TO EXTREME FIRE BEHAVIOR.

Fire Weather Watch : ! EXPIRED !

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Fire Weather Watch
URGENT – FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE…RESENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
937 PM EDT WED MAR 23 2016

DCZ001-MDZ003>006-011-013-014-016>018-501>508-VAZ025>031-036>040-
050>057-501>508-WVZ050>053-055-501>506-241000-
/O.NEW.KLWX.FW.A.0001.160324T1500Z-160325T0000Z/
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-WASHINGTON-FREDERICK MD-CARROLL-
NORTHERN BALTIMORE-SOUTHERN BALTIMORE-PRINCE GEORGES-ANNE ARUNDEL-
CHARLES-ST. MARYS-CALVERT-EXTREME WESTERN ALLEGANY-
CENTRAL AND EASTERN ALLEGANY-NORTHWEST MONTGOMERY-
CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST MONTGOMERY-NORTHWEST HOWARD-
CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST HOWARD-NORTHWEST HARFORD-SOUTHEAST HARFORD-
AUGUSTA-ROCKINGHAM-SHENANDOAH-FREDERICK VA-PAGE-WARREN-CLARKE-
NELSON-ALBEMARLE-GREENE-MADISON-RAPPAHANNOCK-ORANGE-CULPEPER-
PRINCE WILLIAM/MANASSAS/MANASSAS PARK-FAIRFAX-
ARLINGTON/FALLS CHURCH/ALEXANDRIA-STAFFORD-SPOTSYLVANIA-
KING GEORGE-NORTHERN FAUQUIER-SOUTHERN FAUQUIER-WESTERN HIGHLAND-
EASTERN HIGHLAND-WESTERN LOUDOUN-EASTERN LOUDOUN-
NORTHERN VIRGINIA BLUE RIDGE-CENTRAL VIRGINIA BLUE RIDGE-
HAMPSHIRE-MORGAN-BERKELEY-JEFFERSON-HARDY-WESTERN GRANT-
EASTERN GRANT-WESTERN MINERAL-EASTERN MINERAL-WESTERN PENDLETON-
EASTERN PENDLETON-
937 PM EDT WED MAR 23 2016

…FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH
THURSDAY EVENING FOR STRONG WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES FOR ALL
MARYLAND COUNTIES WEST OF THE CHESAPEAKE BAY…EASTERN WEST
VIRGINIA…AND NORTHERN AND CENTRAL VIRGINIA DOWN TO
FREDERICKSBURG AND CHARLOTTESVILLE.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A
FIRE WEATHER WATCH FOR STRONG WINDS AND LOW HUMIDITIES…WHICH IS
IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING.

* HUMIDITY…25 TO 30 PERCENT.

* WINDS…SOUTH 20 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 35 MPH.

* FUEL MOISTURE…LESS THAN 8 PERCENT.

* IMPACTS…ANY FIRES WILL HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO SPREAD VERY
RAPIDLY DUE TO STRONG WINDS…LOW HUMIDITIES AND DRY VEGETATION.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A FIRE WEATHER WATCH MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE FORECAST TO OCCUR. LISTEN FOR LATER FORECASTS AND POSSIBLE
RED FLAG WARNINGS.

&&

$$
URGENT – FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BLACKSBURG VA
1012 PM EDT WED MAR 23 2016

…CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS EXPECTED THURSDAY…

.VERY DRY FUELS WILL COMBINE WITH MINIMUM RELATIVE HUMIDITY VALUES
OF 25 TO 30 PERCENT AND SOUTHWEST WINDS OF 15 TO 20 MPH WITH
HIGHER GUSTS TO RESULT IN CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS FROM
LATE THURSDAY MORNING THROUGH THE AFTERNOON INTO THE EARLY EVENING
HOURS. A COLD FRONT WILL MOVE INTO THE REGION AFTER SUNSET
THURSDAY AND BRING INCREASED RELATIVE HUMIDITY ALONG WITH RAIN
SHOWERS.

VAZ018>020-022>024-033>035-043>047-058-059-241200-
/O.NEW.KRNK.FW.A.0001.160324T1400Z-160325T0000Z/
CRAIG-ALLEGHANY VA-BATH-ROANOKE-BOTETOURT-ROCKBRIDGE-FRANKLIN-
BEDFORD-AMHERST-HENRY-PITTSYLVANIA-CAMPBELL-APPOMATTOX-BUCKINGHAM-
HALIFAX-CHARLOTTE-
1012 PM EDT WED MAR 23 2016

…FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM 10 AM EDT THURSDAY THROUGH
THURSDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR LOCATIONS
MAINLY EAST OF A HOT SPRINGS…TO ROANOKE…TO MARTINSVILLE LINE.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN BLACKSBURG HAS ISSUED A FIRE
WEATHER WATCH FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY…WHICH IS IN
EFFECT FROM 10 AM EDT THURSDAY THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING.

* AFFECTED AREA…IN VIRGINIA…FIRE WEATHER ZONE 018 CRAIG…
FIRE WEATHER ZONE 019 ALLEGHANY VA…FIRE WEATHER ZONE 020
BATH… FIRE WEATHER ZONE 022 ROANOKE…FIRE WEATHER ZONE 023
BOTETOURT… FIRE WEATHER ZONE 024 ROCKBRIDGE…FIRE WEATHER
ZONE 033 FRANKLIN…FIRE WEATHER ZONE 034 BEDFORD…FIRE
WEATHER ZONE 035 AMHERST…FIRE WEATHER ZONE 043 HENRY…FIRE
WEATHER ZONE 044 PITTSYLVANIA…FIRE WEATHER ZONE 045
CAMPBELL…FIRE WEATHER ZONE 046 APPOMATTOX…FIRE WEATHER
ZONE 047 BUCKINGHAM…FIRE WEATHER ZONE 058 HALIFAX AND FIRE
WEATHER ZONE 059 CHARLOTTE.

* WINDS…SOUTHWEST 15 TO 20 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 30 MPH.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY…AS LOW AS 25 TO 30 PERCENT.

* IMPACTS…THE COMBINATION OF GUSTY WINDS…LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY
AND VERY LOW FUEL MOISTURE WILL ENHANCE THE THREAT FOR THE
SPREAD OF WILDFIRES FROM LATE THURSDAY MORNING INTO THE EARLY
EVENING HOURS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A FIRE WEATHER WATCH MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS
ARE FORECAST TO OCCUR. LISTEN FOR LATER FORECASTS AND POSSIBLE
RED FLAG WARNINGS.

So Long Winter : Wintergreen Says Farewell To Ski Season With Annual Splash & Dash

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©2016 Blue Ridge Life Magazine : Photos By BRL Mountain Photographer Paul Purpura : Over 60 contestants turned out for the annual Splash & Dash (Pond Skimming) event this past Saturday - March 19, 2016 held at Wintergreen Resort. The lighthearted event is a fun way to close out the ski season and move into the warmer days ahead.
©2016 Blue Ridge Life Magazine : Photos By BRL Mountain Photographer Paul Purpura : Over 60 contestants turned out for the annual Splash & Dash (Pond Skimming) event this past Saturday – March 19, 2016 held at Wintergreen Resort. The lighthearted event is a fun way to close out the ski season and move into the warmer days ahead.

Wintergreen Resort
Nelson County, Virginia

Spring arrived early Sunday morning at 12:30 EDT, just in time for the folks at Wintergreen Resort to close out the ski season with their annual Splash & Dash (known as Pond Skimming to the veterans). The event is held each year around this time as a fun way to move into the warmer days ahead. The 2016 event had a record 62 contestants, and yes, some of them made it across!

Check out more of Paul’s pictures in the album below. Along with many from the resort.

Thanks to everyone who came out for a FANTASTIC Pond Skim event! Conditions were ideal with mother nature providing…

Posted by Wintergreen Resort on Saturday, March 19, 2016

And you can click here to see some of the past year’s pond skimming events.

See you next season on the slopes!

Augusta: Fire Burning Over 800 Acres In GW National Forest 75% Contained : Updated 1PM : 3.22.16

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Photo Courtesy of Carole Painter : Mountain wildfire still spreading across area. Around 6:20 pm Friday evening - March 18, 2016 the fire was right behind Mead-Westvaco warehouse off Lofton Road in Augusta County.
Photo Courtesy of Carole Painter : Mountain wildfire still spreading across area. Around 6:20 pm Friday evening – March 18, 2016 the fire was right behind Mead-Westvaco warehouse off Lofton Road in Augusta County.

Near St Mary’s Wilderness Area / Cellar Mountain
Augusta County, Virginia

We first told you about a mountain wildfire burning in the GW National Forest portion of St. Mary’s Wilderness on Thursday. By Saturday morning the fire had now taken in over 500 acres. Efforts are being made to contain the fire, but as seen in the photo above taken by Carole Painter, smoke was still rising from the area late Friday afternoon.

Snow and rain that moved in over the weekend helped firefighters in controlling the wildfire. The fire that started as roughly 20 acres on Thursday of last week has now taken in over 800 acres.

Above, a 1PM Tuesday release from the US Forest Service regarding the fire and measures being taken to get it under control. Click on image to enlarge.
Above, a 1PM Tuesday release from the US Forest Service regarding the fire and measures being taken to get it under control. Click on image to enlarge.

Photo courtesy of Carole Painter: A plume of smoke and a haze layer can be seen below early Friday morning from the mountain wildfire near St Mary's Wilderness in Augusta and Rockbridge Counties. This photo was taken from Lofton Road near Cold Springs Road in Augusta. March 18, 2016
Photo courtesy of Carole Painter: A plume of smoke and a haze layer can be seen below early Friday morning from the mountain wildfire near St Mary’s Wilderness in Augusta and Rockbridge Counties. This photo was taken from Lofton Road near Cold Springs Road in Augusta. March 18, 2016

WHSV's Isabel Rosales went right into the Cellar Mountain Fire zone to update you on the wildfire. Thoughtful responders made sure she used a hardhat and a protective jacket while reporting.

Posted by WHSV – TV 3 on Friday, March 18, 2016

More pics from the cellar mtn fire this evening

Posted by Raphine Volunteer Fire Company on Thursday, March 17, 2016

NEWS ALERT : Augusta: Gusty Winds & Low Humidity Fuel Wildfire : Updated 9:52 PM

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Photo By Sandy Berry : Fire still burning at St. Marys in Vesuvius, Virginia just before 10PM Thursday night - March 17, 2016.  Photo taken near Raphine.
Photo By Sandy Berry : Fire still burning at St. Marys in Vesuvius, Virginia just before 10PM Thursday night – March 17, 2016. Photo taken near Raphine.
Photo By Carole Painter : A large mountain fire can be seen late Thursday afternoon between Lofton and Montebello heading down the Nelson County side.
Photo By Carole Painter : A large mountain fire can be seen late Thursday afternoon around 4 PM between Lofton and Montebello heading down the Nelson County side.

Near Montebello
Nelson County, Virginia

Original post from 4:54 PM – 3.17.16
BRL has learned of a wildfire is underway in the mountains near the St. Mary’s Wilderness area. Many reports put it on the Augusta side, but Carole Painter that sent us the photo above said it looks like “it’s between Lofton and Montebello heading down the Nelson County side.” as well.

BRL has confirmed with the Virginia Department of Forestry in Charlotteville that the fire is not a controlled or prescribed burn and is on US Forestry property.

Photos courtesy of Raphine VFC. #stmarysfire

Posted by Nelson Mag on Thursday, March 17, 2016

You asked us about this fire: here are some answers. Can you see the smoke where you are?

Posted by WHSV – TV 3 on Thursday, March 17, 2016

According to WHSV in Harrisonburg:

Wildfire-fighting units and aircraft with the U.S. Forest Service and local firefighters and rescuers went to a forest fire in the Saint Mary’s Wilderness inside the George Washington National Forest.

The fire was called in around 2:30 p.m. on Thursday. The site appeared to be near the up-slope end of the mountainous St. Mary’s Road, perhaps a mile or two north of the Blue Ridge Parkway’s Bald Mountain Overlook [ map ]. The fire area was around four miles west of Sherando Lake Recreation Area and about seven miles west of the Wintergreen Resort.”

Look at all that smoke towards Nelson County!

Posted by The Cheese Shop on Thursday, March 17, 2016

Above The Cheese Shop in Augusta County shared these photos to Facebook.

More as we kknow.

VA Society Of Landscape Designers Elects New Board : President From Gladstone

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Photo courtesy of VSLD : Yulita Ellis of Ellis Landscape & Garden Designs in Gladstone has been elected the 2016 president of The Virginia Society of Landscape Designers.
Photo courtesy of VSLD : Yulita Ellis of Ellis Landscape & Garden Designs in Gladstone has been elected the 2016 president of The Virginia Society of Landscape Designers.

Charlottesville / Gladstone, Virginia

The Virginia Society of Landscape Designers (VSLD) elected its 2016 officers and board at our annual meeting which was held at CitySpace in Charlottesville, VA. They are: President – Yulita Ellis of Ellis Landscape & Garden Designs in Gladstone; Vice President – Meg French of Meg French Landscape Design in Virginia Beach; Secretary – Chris Coen of Nature’s Palette in Henrico; Treasurer – Virginia Rockwell of Gentle Gardener Green Design in Montpelier Station; Past President – Tom Thompson of Natural Art Landscaping in Richmond; Director – Denise Hargraves of Denise Hargraves Designs in Somerset; Director – Lesley Sewell of Sewell Horticulture in Crozet; Director – Shelly Arthur of Shelly Arthur Landscape and Garden Design, LLC in Manakin-Sabot and Director – Anna Best of Samara Landscape Design in Ashland.

Founded in 1960, the VSLD promotes the professional competence of its members through statewide certification standards, continuing education, and research. The organization’s goals include the beautification of Virginia’s spaces, the enhancement of the relationship between man, architecture and the environment, and the promotion of professionalism in the application of design.

VSLD members are dedicated to providing their clients with the finest in landscape design services and help in the selection of appropriate and interesting plants and hardscapes. For more information or to contact a landscape designer in your area, go to www.vsld.org.

Spring Forward This Weekend Saturday Night Before Bed : Daylight Saving Time Begins 2AM Sunday

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Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 AM Sunday morning, so be sure to set your clock ahead 1 hour at bedtime Saturday night.
Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 AM Sunday morning, so be sure to set your clock ahead 1 hour at bedtime Saturday night.

Central Virginia Blue Ridge

With the warmer temps arriving thoughts are turning to longer days. Just in time! Daylight Saving Time begins this Sunday – March 13th at 2AM. But for those of us that party until that hour, your best bet is to move your clock ahead one hour before turning in on Saturday night. Then you’re all taken care of until Sunday – November 6th when we go back to standard time.

Until then, enjoy those longer and warmer days to come!

Inaugural Be Bold Weekend At Wintergreen Wraps Up

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©2016 Blue Ridge Life Magazine : Photos By Paul Purpura : The inagural kidkoff for the Be Bold Weekend At Wintergreen wrapped up Sunday a full day of slope-side partying from  on the Blue Ridge Terrace with merchandise raffles throughout the afternoon.
©2016 Blue Ridge Life Magazine : Photos By Paul Purpura : The inagural kidkoff for the Be Bold Weekend At Wintergreen wrapped up Sunday a full day of slope-side partying from on the Blue Ridge Terrace with merchandise raffles throughout the afternoon.

Wintergreen Resort
Nelson County, Virginia

It was a big weekend at Wintergreen Resort as the first Be Bold Weekend wrapped up on Sunday afternoon. In addition, it was also the annual Mardi Gras slopeside event held by Wintergreen Adaptive Sports. The Freestyle Double Cross was also going on.

Folks broke out their Mardi Gras best as part of the annual slopeside parade put on by Wintergreen Adaptive Sports.
Folks broke out their Mardi Gras best as part of the annual slopeside parade put on by Wintergreen Adaptive Sports.

The raffle winners of the skis and the snowboard actually swapped prizes last night. That's adapting!

Posted by Wintergreen Adaptive Sports on Sunday, March 6, 2016


View lots more of Paul’s photos from the weekend in the gallery above!

Snow Begins Falling Across The Blue Ridge Area

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©2016 Blue Ridge Life : Photo By Tommy Stafford : Late Thursday afternoon the first hints of snow could be seen crossing over Three Ridges just west of Beech Grove in Nelson County. That's near the Blue Ridge Parkway and Wintergreen Resort.
©2016 Blue Ridge Life : Photo By Tommy Stafford : Late Thursday afternoon the first hints of snow could be seen crossing over Three Ridges just west of Beech Grove in Nelson County. That’s near the Blue Ridge Parkway and Wintergreen Resort.

Nelson County, Virginia
As expected, snow began falling late in the day across the Blue Ridge Mountains of Central Virginia. Winter Weather Advisories have been posted through Friday morning most of the area. In the higher elevations snow began sticking by 4PM.

The snow has arrived at SHD! Hopefully this will be the last time we see the white stuff this season. What do you think? Love the snow or hate it? ❄️❄️

Posted by Shenandoah Valley Regional Airport on Thursday, March 3, 2016

Brew Ridge Trail Celebrates Series Of Events In March

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Screen Shot 2016-03-03 at 9.36.03 AM

Central Virginia Blue Ridge
Nelson County

The Brew Ridge Trail, Virginia’s Original Beer Destination, is coming together to celebrate award-winning local craft beer in Central Virginia with the first Brew Ridge Trail Week from March 14 – 19, 2016. Brewers from Blue Mountain Brewery, Blue Mountain Barrel House, Devils Backbone, South Street, Starr Hill and Wild Wolf collaborated on a Belgian-Style Quadrupel Ale to be released that week in each member’s tap room. A contest was held to name the collaboration beer and the name “Too Many Cooks” was selected.
“The latest Brew Ridge Trail collaboration beer is the first of this series created at South Street Brewery, and it completes the cycle of all six breweries on the trail having hosted a collaboration brew,” said Blue Mountain Brewery Founder and Brewmaster, Taylor Smack. “For such a momentous event, we chose one of the biggest beer styles out there, the Belgian Quad, which is also a fun beer to tackle because it lends itself to the addition of so many different ingredients.”

Brewed at South Street Brewery on January 20, each brewer provided different ingredients that went into the recipe for “Too Many Cooks.” Local honey, Belgian “candi” sugar made from sugar beets, dark German malts, Slovenian hops, star anise, orange peel and more were all part of this beer that features yeast from the Rochefort Trappist monastery brewery. “Too Many Cooks” promises to be a heady ale with deep, naturally spicy Belgian flavors, topping out at 12.55% alcohol by volume.

Special events are scheduled at each of the breweries during Brew Ridge Trail Week, including tap takeovers featuring the collaboration beer at select retail accounts around Virginia, as well as happenings at each of the trail members’ brewery locations. Brew Ridge Trail Week kicks off with an Industry Night and “Meet the Brewers” event at Starr Hill on March 15. The “Too Many Cooks” collaboration beer will be officially released at South Street on March 16.
Other highlights during the week include: Devils Backbone Mug Club event on March 14; Locals Night at Blue Mountain on March 16; Saint Patrick’s Day Parties at Blue Mountain Brewery and Wild Wolf on March 17; Whoa Nelly Launch Party at Wild Wolf and Friday Cheers at the Blue Mountain Barrel House on March 18; Reilly’s 5k Run at Devils Backbone and St. Patty’s Day event at Starr Hill on March 19. For a full list of events, visit www.BrewRidgeTrail.com/Events

Click on flier above to enlarge and read about the March events.
Click on flier above to enlarge and read about the March events.
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