Mark your calendars: Clean water starts here

Lake Norman Charter students show off their haul of trash in the 2012 Big Sweep

What would Charlotte be without a clean and reliable source of water? Learn how the river has nourished humans for thousands of years at the Catawba River Women’s Group monthly meeting on Sept. 17, then pitch in to keep it clean by volunteering in the Great Sweep on Sept. 28 and the Lake Wylie Riversweep on Oct. 5. Stay on top of these local activities and much more by checking out our calendar at CatawbaRiverDistrict.org.

Meanwhile, here are more details about upcoming events. Have fun, and maybe I'll see you there!
– Rich Haag

Great upcoming activities in and near the River District

• Catawba River Women's Group Evening Social – 5:30-7 p.m. Sept. 17 at A Mighty Fortress Lutheran Church in Coulwood: You're invited to join other women interested in the Catawba River for an evening of fun and education. Guest speaker Rusty Rozzelle is an expert on both Catawba River water quality and history (ever heard of Rozzelle's Ferry Road?). Learn more by calling Barbara Lawrence at 704-605-2461. Or reserve your spot by Sept. 15 by sending an email to catawbariverwomen@gmail.com. Event is free, but $5 donations are welcome.
• Mecklenburg Big Sweep – 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 28 at 6 Mecklenburg streams and lakes: Help clean up the Catawba and its streams in this annual event. Hundreds of people pulled 5 tons of junk out of the water last year. This year’s six targets include Latta Plantation Nature Preserve on Mountain Island Lake. Register and learn more at charmeck.org/stormwater/ or call Deania Russo at 704-336-5463. The website has directions and maps to each location.
• Lake Wylie Riversweep – 8 am-1 pm Oct. 5 at various Lake Wylie locations; Help clean up the shores of Lake Wylie in the 12th annual Riversweep, organized by the Catawba Riverkeeper. Come alone or bring your family (kids included), friends, co-workers or neighbors. You `will join residents from all around the lake who care about maintaining a clean and healthy environment. People who have limited physical ability can fulfill many of the tasks performed at each volunteer site. Visit catawbariverkeeper.org to learn more and register.

Send us calendar submissions, too

Does your group have an event of interest to people who live or come to play in the River District? Send us details. We may add it to the calendar. Here are guidelines:

Appropriate items include special events in the River District and programs in or near the River District that are focused on environmental preservation, outdoor activities and community fun. Events must be open to the general public.

The calendar does not list regular meetings except by a handful of important watchdog groups, such as the Lake Wylie and Mountain Island Lake Marine Commissions.

Please be aware that we cannot list everything and reserve the right to accept or reject a calendar item at our discretion.

Send your items: EMAIL your items to Rich Haag and include River District Calendar in the message line.