Events, news & notes 10/29

Published online on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009

Homegrown Cyclocross Series
When: Sunday
Where: Woodward Park
Dirt, mud, cement, grass and sand - all in the same lap. No wonder why cyclocross is the fastest-growing branch of cycling. This is the second of a five-race series through mid-December.

Racing begins at 10 a.m. and concludes with the expert race at 12:30 p.m. Fees are $20 for adults and $10 for juniors. Details: homegrowncross.com

News & notes

The leader of a father-and-son backpacking party that activated its personal locator beacon three times during a three-day trip in the Grand Canyon was cited for "creating a hazardous condition" for rescue teams, according to a Park Service report. One of the 911 calls was because some water tasted "salty."

Deadlines are approaching for several pheasant hunts for juniors, women, families and disabled persons offered through the Department of Fish and Game's Game Bird Heritage Program. Many of these hunts are in the Valley. Applications and information can be found at: www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/uplandgame/gamebird/.

Help Audubon California determine its Bird of the Year by voting online. The finalists are California condor, brown pelican, peregrine falcon, acorn woodpecker, yellow-billed magpie and western snowy plover. Cast your ballot at www.ca.audubon.org/.

Golden trout advocate Howard Kern of Westlake Village was named Field & Stream's Conservation Hero of the Year for his efforts to preserve and protect California's state fish.

Fresno resident Ryan Levis last summer completed a 30-day wilderness course in Wyoming's Wind River Range offered by the National Outdoor Leadership School. Topics included camping, cooking, map reading and Leave No Trace principles.

Deer hunting season closes Sunday in zones D6, D7 and D8, which stretches from Mariposa County to Tulare County.