Trail Mix for July 2: Cyclists donate $45,000 to charity

Three local charities will each receive $15,000 on the Fourth of July, courtesy of the Central Valley Cycling Charitable Association.

The association will present the checks Saturday morning to the Freewheel Project, Oasis-Central Valley Regional Center and The Sweet Eats Program at its fireworks stand on the northwest corner of Shaw and Clovis avenues. The fireworks booth will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. today through Saturday.

Plans call for donations of another $15,000 to each of the three organizations later this year, member Alan Kasparian said.

The association is a group of 200-plus riders who raise money year-round for local charities. At the start of each year, riders train for a 100-mile century ride and also set a goal to raise $1,000 each.

“Our group gives cyclists a good name,” Kasparian said. “We’re paying back to the community.”

The group has donated nearly $850,000 and is on track to raise $900,000 in nine years, Kasparian said. Later this year, the association will begin its push for next year’s “Ride to $1 Million” goal.

For more information, go to cvcca.org.

Drought drops waterfowl numbers

California waterfowl have been devastated by the drought, with populations dropping 30% from last year, according to a report by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.

The total number of breeding ducks (all species) dropped to an estimated 315,580 as compared to 448,750 last year. Breeding mallards, the most numerous duck species in the state, declined 28% during that time and are down 42% since 2013.

“Habitat conditions were poor the last three years in both northeastern California and the Central Valley and the production of young ducks was reduced as a result,” said Melanie Weaver, the agency’s waterfowl program environmental scientist.

The drop can trigger a change in state hunting regulations, which are set annually by the Fish and Game Commission. However, most of the state’s wintering duck population comes from breeding areas near Alaska and Canada, where habitat conditions are reported to be better than average, Weaver added.

This year’s survey estimated the total number of breeding ducks at 315,580, compared to 448,750 last year and 451,300 in 2013. This year’s total is about 40% below the long-term average.

The full report can be accessed on the CDFW website, wildlife.ca.gov.

Events

Freedom Run

When: 7 a.m. Saturday

Where: Start/finish at Sunset View Shelter, Woodward Park

Celebrate Independence Day with a hearty run or brisk walk of two or four miles. Participants in this year’s Freedom Run will receive an American flag-themed shirt, food and timed results.

Prizes will be given to the top three finishers in each age group for men and women: 14 and younger, 15-19, 20-29, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59, 60-69 and 70 and over.

Course options are a 4-mile run or run/walk, 2-mile run or run/walk, and a quarter-mile youth race (ages 8 and younger). Registration is $30 per race for adults ($10 discount for active or retired military) and $15 for the youth race.

After today, prices increase $5.

Register online at runsignup.com or in person starting at 6 a.m. race day.

News & Notes

▪ Extra hands are needed to help shape the new slopestyle course at China Peak Mountain Resort. The resort is asking for volunteers Friday and Saturday, with free day passes given to those willing to put in a few hours of hard work. All interested should check in at the Ski Patrol Lodge and sign the volunteer waiver by 9 a.m.

▪ To help ease traffic for the Fourth of July holiday weekend, Yosemite National Park is asking visitors to arrive at park entrances by 9 a.m. each day. In years past, late visitors were forced to wait up to two hours in east Yosemite Valley because of traffic congestion and limited parking. Visitors are encouraged to take the free shuttle and use the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System. For routes and times, go to yarts.com.

▪ Starting Monday, the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias at Yosemite National Park will be closed — potentially for as long as two years — for major renovations. A free shuttle will take visitors from Badger Pass to Glacier Point from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.

▪ Sierra National Forest announced a number of fire restrictions that took effect immediately. They include no open flame fires outside designated recreation sites, with the exception being a portable stove using gas or pressurized liquid; no smoking except in an enclosed vehicle or approved campground; no use of an internal combustion engine; no blasting or welding except with a permit; no open burning; and restricted use of chain saws.

This story was originally published July 1, 2015 at 6:09 PM with the headline "Trail Mix for July 2: Cyclists donate $45,000 to charity."