Off-road rider training course for youth Aug. 2

With all of the ATVs, dirt bikes and off-road use in our area, the following press release is very important for our young folks:

Saturday, Aug. 2, the Mono County Sheriff's Department with the help of Rob Rickert, owner and instructor of the Rob Rickert Dirt Bike Schools, will offer a 4-6 hour hands-on rider training course that emphasizes safety and skill development for ATVs and dirt bikes. This course is free and is partially funded by the ATV Safety Institute through the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. ASI will be bringing instructors, quads and ATVs.

Students will practice basic safety techniques with hands-on exercises covering starting and stopping, turning, negotiating hills, emergency stopping and swerving, and riding over obstacles. Particular emphasis is placed on the safety implications relating to each lesson. The course also covers protective gear, environmental concerns and local laws. Participants receive the Rider Course Handbook, which reinforces the safety information and riding techniques covered during the ATV/Dirt bike Rider Course.

This course is for individuals 6 years of age and older, and there are some machine size restrictions depending on age. Students younger than 12 years old must have a parent present during the entire course.

Bring your bike/ATV and gear to the county's open pit on Highway 395 in Coleville just north of the Marine Corps base housing at 9 a.m. Aug. 2. And remember, it's free and a fun and safe way to spend part of your day. Please RSVP to Lt. Dave O'Hara or Deputy Ray Tems by calling (760) 932-7549. They can answer any questions you might have about the course. Registration will occur at the time of the event.

How Big is Big? fishing derby runs through July 31

After today, there are only eight more days of this fun fishing derby. The river is getting even more beautiful and nice fish are being caught. Get out and catch one, enter it at the Walker General Store and have a chance to win one of the many good prizes available to contestants.

Relay for Life

The Antelope Valley Survivors Relay for Life team has been very busy lately and will continue to be for another several days. Their fundraising car wash last Saturday helped them work toward their overall goal, and they are now getting ready for the Relay for Life event this Saturday evening through Sunday morning at Lampe Park in Gardnerville. The event is open to the public, who are encouraged to come and support the many teams who will be providing a variety of fundraisers.

n Lynne Katusich can be reached at lynnekat@schat.net or (530) 495-2552.