American Tobacco Trail Workday Sat. January 16 9 a.m.

[Bill Bussey]

Happy New Year Volunteers for the American Tobacco Trail,

This very late message is to remind you of our 
American Tobacco Trail workday, *Saturday, January 16* at 9:00 a.m. at 
the 610 Scott King Road, Durham, NC 27713 
<http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=610+Scott+King+Rd,+Durham,+NC+27713&vps=4&jsv=163d&sll=35.875316,-78.934096&sspn=0.00865,0.007392&ie=UTF8&latlng=&ei=TLI7So-cJIfwMsjMiIgE&sig2=S6ASsa95BLZz5xffFuZV6Q&dtab=5> 
crossing.
 
Check the link or use your vehicle GPS to find 610 Scott King Road, 
Durham, NC 27713.

Check the link or Google 610 Scott King Road, Durham, NC 27713 
<http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=610+Scott+King+Rd,+Durham,+NC+27713&vps=4&jsv=163d&sll=35.875316,-78.934096&sspn=0.00865,0.007392&ie=UTF8&latlng=&ei=TLI7So-cJIfwMsjMiIgE&sig2=S6ASsa95BLZz5xffFuZV6Q&dtab=5>* 
*for directions from where you live.
You'll note that Google maps has now labeled this the American Tobacco 
Trail. Sweet!

We'll be raking and filling in ruts caused by construction of the trail 
in Chatham County south of here. The heavy construction trucks and 
equipment left some fairly serious ruts in this area. We need to smooth 
them out.

Last week Jordan and Patrick Wadsack-Stewart, Andrew Wolschberg  Amanda 
Upton, Bhavan Vadlamani, Leigh Grossfeld, Matt Lanahan Yuzhou Peney, 
Andrew Toparico, Megoraj Kumar, Danlei Yan, Kurren Mehta, Rutrik 
Joglekar, Yong Sung Rhee, Paras Kaushik, Kaat Agha, Hyungouk Kim, Jack 
Tai, Shreye Saxena, Mukesh Kalipershad, Brad Snipes, Barbara McGee, Bob 
Salano, Frank Bennett and Bill Bussey (please forgive for all the 
misspellings - frozen hands don't write well!) broke up frozen ruts and 
dirt and filled ruts just south of Scott King Road. Despite the frigid 
conditions, we got a lot accomplished.

*At this Saturdays' workday, as always, you should bring work gloves, 
full shoes or boots, long pants, *and other 
clothing appropriate for the weather. It is supposed to be a bit warmer 
than it has been, but still in the 40's, on Saturday morning. Please 
dress accordingly and be prepared to work until about noon.

Please keep in mind that the weather this time of year has been and will 
probably be wet, cold or both. We have canceled several workdays 
recently because of the weather, and we'll probably have to cancel more. 
It is the responsibility of those wanting volunteer service hours to 
plan accordingly. The weather was much nicer back in September, October 
and November, when we had very few volunteers.
 
Use your own judgment to make the call whether you want to attend the 
workday in sketchy or uncomfortable conditions. We generally do not work 
in heavy or constant rain.

We'll be digging in mud and clay so you'll probably get dirty. The 
ground may be frozen. If too frozen too hard to break up and work, we'll 
do something else.

You will need to sign a waiver and participation list.

While you don't have to bring any tools because we do have some tools, 
we can use the following if you choose to bring them.

If you have a garden rake (the kind with the short tines - not the leaf 
raking style with a broad fan shape) or round end shovels, please bring 
them.

If you have a cutter (flat blade vs. pick) style mattock, please bring it.

We can also use shovels of any type.

And if you can bring a wheelbarrow, please bring it.

We can always use a pickup truck which you don't mind hauling materials 
and tools. Please contact Bill Bussey <mailto:billbus at gte.net> 
919 545-9104 or Frank Bennett <mailto:FJB675 at hotmail.com> 919-851-3992 
so we can make plans.

Please let Frank Bennett <mailto:FJB675 at hotmail.com> 919-851-3992 or 
Bill Bussey <mailto:billbus at gte.net> 919 545-9104 
know anytime if you have any questions.

For more information on ATT workdays, please see our Volunteering page
at: http://triangletrails.org/VOLUNTEERS.HTM

Remember, you *can always *help the ATT and other trails, greenways and 
paths in the Triangle - or anywhere on the planet - by *picking up and 
hauling out at least one piece of trash*, or picking up and throwing as 
far off the trail, at least one stick, limb or fallen tree, on *every 
*visit or use. If everyone who used our greenways, trails or paths 
picked up and removed at least one piece of trash, stick or limb, we'd 
have the cleanest trails and open space around!

Soccer players can practice their soccer kick by kicking off dried horse 
manure from the trail. Just kick it off to the side. It normally isn't 
that messy, and if it is, you generally have a long walk to clean it 
off. It is a great way to keep in shape.

Future workdays are still being planned. Here is the tentative schedule
for upcoming workdays. *Note that these can change if there is an area 
on the trail that needs immediate attention.*

*Upcoming American Tobacco Trail Workdays  * 
<http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=610+Scott+King+Rd,+Durham,+NC+27713&vps=4&jsv=163d&sll=35.875316,-78.934096&sspn=0.00865,0.007392&ie=UTF8&latlng=&ei=TLI7So-cJIfwMsjMiIgE&sig2=S6ASsa95BLZz5xffFuZV6Q&dtab=5>

*Saturday, January 16* Durham Workday Scott King Road Access 9 a.m. 610 
Scott King Road, Durham, NC 27713 
<http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=610+Scott+King+Rd,+Durham,+NC+27713&vps=4&jsv=163d&sll=35.875316,-78.934096&sspn=0.00865,0.007392&ie=UTF8&latlng=&ei=TLI7So-cJIfwMsjMiIgE&sig2=S6ASsa95BLZz5xffFuZV6Q&dtab=5>

*Saturday, January 23* Durham Workday Fayetteville Road Access 9 a.m. 
7724 Fayetteville Road, Durham NC 27713 
<http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&source=hp&q=7724+Fayetteville+Road,+Durham,+NC+27713&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=7724+Fayetteville+Rd,+Durham,+NC+27713&gl=us&ei=CVE9S72UE4q8lAfTnfGkBw&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CAkQ8gEwAA>
*
Saturday, January 30* Durham Workday Scott King Road Access 9 a.m. 610 
Scott King Road, Durham, NC 27713 
<http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=610+Scott+King+Rd,+Durham,+NC+27713&vps=4&jsv=163d&sll=35.875316,-78.934096&sspn=0.00865,0.007392&ie=UTF8&latlng=&ei=TLI7So-cJIfwMsjMiIgE&sig2=S6ASsa95BLZz5xffFuZV6Q&dtab=5>

*More News
*
Construction of the Chatham County section of the ATT about 4/5ths 
complete! The asphalt has been put down between New Hope Church Road to 
the south and the Durham County line to the north. The sustained 
unseasonably cold weather of the past few weeks, coupled with the rains 
of the past three months, have really slowed down completion work on the 
trail in Chatham County

All of the ATT in Chatham County is now CLOSED because it is a 
construction zone. *Please stay out of this area while construction is 
going on. If you see construction equipment moving, then turn around. 
*Please read and heed all signs and instructions related to construction 
in this area.

The Town of Cary has asked us to tell all that the *ATT in Chatham 
County should be considered closed until *the entire 4.6 mile section is 
complete sometime in January or February.

Yep, I know we've been pushing this date back, but those are the breaks! 
The recent wet weather hasn't helped speed the completion of the trail. 
So please be patient! Also, we've been informed that the formal "Grand 
opening" probably won't be until National Trails Day on June 5, 2010. 
However, the ATT in Chatham should be open in February.

Both bridges over *Panther Creek and Northeast Creek trestles* are 
essentially complete. Safety fencing and other final details are now 
being installed. However, as mentioned above, *trail construction is now 
happening between Scott King Road to the north and O'Kelly Chapel Road 
to the south. Please stay off the trail in this area, particularly if 
you see working construction equipment.*

For more information be sure to check out our TRTC/ATT News Link 
<http://triangletrails.org/NEWS.HTM>.

*Do You Live Near the ATT in Chatham County?
*Do you plan on using the ATT in Chatham County on a regular basis once 
it is completed? If so, the trail needs your help to be the "eyes and 
ears" for safety and maintenance concerns, as well as to help keep the 
trail clean. This should be fun and easy to do. It should be just an 
extension of what you normally do on your walk or ride on the trail.

For more details, contact Bill Bussey <mailto:billbus at gte.net> 919 
545-9104.*
*
*Here is an easy way to help TRTC support the American Tobacco Trail 
*while using your computer. Go to http://www.goodsearch.com/ . At the 
"Who do you Goodsearch for?"  button in the middle of the page, enter 
TRTC, or Triangle Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Save it as instructed.
*
Or Better Yet, make it Your Homepage in your browser!* See your 
browser's instructions on how to make this page your homepage.

Instead of using Google or Yahoo as your search engine, use 
http://www.goodsearch.com/ . TRTC will get about a penny a search in 
most situations. You can read all about it at the website. Check it 
out!* It works very well!* It is now my search engine of choice!  Please 
let me know if you have any questions. comments or concerns.

*Please Remember the ATT in your Year End Gifts 
<http://www.triangletrails.org/MEMBERS.HTM>*

Thank you for your support of the Triangle Rails to Trails Conservancy!

Our work continues in 2009 and beyond, and year end donations 
<http://www.triangletrails.org/MEMBERS.HTM> of any amount are gladly 
accepted and needed. TRTC will continue to apply for trails-related 
grants but funds from memberships and donations remain an important 
mechanism for acquiring tools and supplies used in our year-round 
efforts to maintain the ATT and other local trails. We need donations 
and memberships to pay for our trail workday insurance as well as to 
assist in matching grant funding. Thank you for your continued support, 
and happy holidays!
*
You Lookin' for Maps?!

*You can print out our latest ATT map *right now* at 
http://www.triangletrails.org/ATT.HTM . Click on both links under the 
thumbnail for both sides of the map. Thanks to Wayne Horton for this map 
which is arguably one of the most popular trail maps in the triangle.

And let me take this opportunity to *Thank You* for all of your help
and support in building, cleaning and clearing the American Tobacco
Trail in 2009. Thanks to your hard work, expertise and
diligent efforts, we are making steady progress.

Thousands of trail 
users are *now safely using* the sections of the trail and facilities
you have helped clear, clean and build. We get so many wonderful
comments and thanks on how well the trail looks when folks use these
facilities. These trail users are often *amazed* to find out that these
improvements were done *completely* by volunteers. Thank you for the
great work and for volunteering your valuable time to help with this
project. Know that it wouldn't be possible without the great work of
each and every one of you.

Thanks for your help and support in building the American Tobacco Trail.

Happy Trails and Happy New Year,

Bill Bussey
Triangle Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
americantobaccotrail at embarqmail.com
www.triangletrails.org
919 545-9104
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