Try this

From the headwaters of the Cowpasture and Jackson rivers in Iron Gate to the urban whitewater in Richmond and on to the tidal river that feeds the Chesapeake Bay, the James River is Central Virginia's centerpiece and focal point.

On July 12, volunteers will take part in the inaugural James River Runoff Rundown as a benefit for the James River Association, a Richmond-based nonprofit whose mission is to safeguard the James River from the headwaters to the Bay.

The idea of the rundown is simple -- river enthusiasts from across the commonwealth will paddle, boat, tube, sail or otherwise cover small sections of the James River.

Your contribution could be a lazy 2-mile float at Scottsville, an intense whitewater kayak through downtown Richmond, a fishing trip with your friends in a skiff below the Varina-Enon Bridge or a sunset cruise to the Chesapeake Bay. The goal is to have the entire length of the James River -- all 340-miles -- traversed in one day.

As part of their rundown, river runners may observe water quality, view wildlife, or simply enjoy the river. To read more about the event, learn how to become a river runner, sponsor an individual river runner or become an event sponsor, visit www.runoffrundown.org.

Calendar

Tomorrow: The Shenandoah Division of the $8.8 million Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League will visit the James River in Richmond for the fourth of five regular-season events. As many as 200 boaters and 200 co-anglers are expected to compete in the tournament, which will award as much as $45,000 in cash. Anglers may register for the tournament online at www.FLWOutdoors.com or by calling (270) 252-1000.

On-site registration will be today from 4-7 p.m. at the Wal-Mart store at 7430 Bell Creek Road in Mechanicsville. Entry fees are $200 for boaters and $100 for coanglers. Osborne Landing in Richmond will host the takeoff and weigh-in at 6:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., respectively.

Sunday: The Southside Health Education Foundation is sponsoring a bass fishing tournament on the James River near Osborne Landing and Kingsland Landing. The entry fee is $150 per boat. To register, go to Dance's Sporting Goods at 570 Southpark Blvd. in Colonial Heights.

June 28: Experience the outdoors by camping overnight at Ginter Park Baptist Church to celebrate the National Great American Backyard Campout. This program, from the National Wildlife Federation, features outdoor skills and educational courses conducted by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. The event begins June 28 at 4 p.m. and concludes June 29 with a campfire service and breakfast.

Activities and educational courses from 4-8 p.m. include archery, fishing/casting skills, outdoor cooking, animal tracks and pelts, and survival skills conducted by DGIF Instructors. Information: www.ginterparkbc.org.

July 5-6: The Buggs Island Archers will host the Big Apple Archery Shoot at the Buggs Island Fish and Wildlife Club near Clarksville. This annual event draws archery enthusiasts from a four-state area. Information: Jerry or Debbie Jordan at Buggsislandarchr@aol.com or go to http://journals.aol.com/dsanjj2u/archers.

Seasons

Continuous: Open season on coyote, groundhog, striped skunk and nutria (trapping only). -- Andy Thompson