Next Sunday, August 8, from 12-3pm the 2010 Back Cove Block Party takes place right on Baxter Boulevard and Back Cove. Baxter Boulevard will be closed to auto traffic from Vannah Avenue to Payson Park.
Hosted by the City of Portland and the Back Cove Neighborhood Association, the Back Cove Block Party is an opportunity for people to enjoy three hours of car-free quiet and:
Walk or jog
Bike or rollerblade
Picnic or meet neighbors
Loaf and linger
The BCNA, set up near the Vannah Avenue intersection, is providing provide free refreshments, but everyone is invited to bring a picnic lunch or dessert to share. Some are calling it “the city’s biggest potluck.”
To help out, or for more information, contact John Spritz, 773-0872, jspritz@maine.rr.com. Tell your friends and neighbors: they’re shutting down
the Boulevard for you to enjoy!
For special treats for Green Streets Day participants, visit our Green Streets Freebies & Discounts page for offers of free food and drink and various area discounts that day.
Exciting news: the City of Portland has announced a 2-year Bike-Pedestrian Coordinator position – funded through the big stimulus grant Healthy Portland received recently from the federal Health and Human Services Department. This is something the Portland Bike-Ped Advisory Committee has been advocating for, for several years now.
Recent research confirms that cities with Bike-Ped staff end up with much higher rates of residents who walk and bike for transportation. This is a tight turn-around due to the feds’ deadlines (applications due May 19) but we’re hoping some great Green Streets-like folks apply!
Position Description:
JOBS ANNOUNCEMENT
CITY OF PORTLAND, MAINE
BICYCLE/PEDESTRIAN PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Public Services Department – grant funded project position – Seeking qualified individual to coordinate and manage a portion of the “Communities Putting Prevention to Work” grant. This position is dedicated to developing sustainable policy and environmental strategies that improve access to bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure to promote active transportation and a healthy community. This position will be housed in the Department of Public Services and work closely with the Public Health Division. Responsibilities include: development of local roadway design standards that improve bicycle-pedestrian access and safety; assistance with bicycle-pedestrian educational and promotional campaigns; offer educational presentations to and seek feedback from a broad range of community groups and governmental agencies; build partnerships with other agencies and transportation system professionals; develop and seek endorsement of a “Complete Streets” policy. Requires Bachelor’s degree in the area of transportation planning or related field and considerable experience in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure policies and design; Master’s Degree preferred. Experience in planning, community-based policy development, grant funding applications, and grant management desired. Must have excellent interpersonal and organizational skills, and ability to communicate effectively including good group process, facilitation, negotiation, and presentation skills. $862.88/wk – minimum of pay range.
Permanent, full-time employees receive a generous benefits package which includes 12 ½ paid holidays; paid employee health insurance; sick and vacation leave; optional life, dental and income protection insurances; and tuition reduction/scholarship programs with Andover College and the University of Southern Maine. Project employees receive all of the above benefits excluding life insurance. Part-time employees may be eligible for a pro-rated benefits package which may include some, but not all, of the benefits listed above.
The City of Portland is strongly committed to diversity in its workforce.
Women and Minorities are encouraged to apply.
We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity employer.
Send cover letter and resume to the Human Resources Office, City Hall, Room 115, 389 Congress St., Portland, ME 04101, tel. (207) 874-8624, fax (207) 874-8937, or apply online at www.portlandmaine.gov.
Accepting applications/resumes from: Monday, May 10 through Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Portland Green Streets is excited to announce a paid Summer 2010 Internship opportunity – thanks to assistance from Healthy Portland. Healthy Portland has received a big boost for its work to encourage Active Transportation, through a stimulus grant from the federal Health and Human Services Department. As part of their work plan they seek to increase the fun incentives local businesses offer walkers and bikers who are Portland Green Streets participants – to build the number of people who are using active transportation in Portland.
Thus, Portland Green Streets seeks a capable and reliable Summer 2010 Intern who’s primary responsibilities would include:
Taking the Green Streets Incentives Program to the Next Level:
Developing and implementing the “This is a Green Streets Business” Decal Project
Creating online membership capability & downloadable “I’m a Green Streets Member” materials
Communicating with current business sponsors about their offerings & recruiting new business sponsors to boost the number and quality of freebies and discounts offered to Green Streets Day participants
Assessing and developing a Green Streets Discount for walking and biking to businesses anytime during the month
Assessing ability to develop and distribute Portland Green Streets member promotional/incentives gear online (stickers, t-shirts, etc.) & developing next generation of Portland Green Streets gear using existing funds
Hosting a Green Streets presence at summer events to promote PGS incentives program
Portland Green Streets works with more than 50 green-interested local businesses and public sector organizations. This is a great opportunity to build non-profit work experience, gain broad business exposure, and make valuable connections with those playing a lead role in green transportation and public health work in Greater Portland. Intern will also have the opportunity to help build the Active Transportation movement in Portland.
Ideal candidate will be: proficient in computer skills, self-motivated, organized, positive, and energetic – with an interest in, knowledge of, and passion for public health, small business, and/or environmental sustainability.
Position is for June – August at 20 hours/week. Pay rate is $12/hour (note: some flexibility possible for # of hours and the time frame of internship). Position based in Portland. Intern will be supervised by lead organizer of Portland Green Streets with oversight from Healthy Portland.
Applicants should e-mail Sarah Cushman at portlandgreenstreets@yahoo.com with contact information, resume, references, areas of interest, and availability.
Order Now – Discounted Bike Racks for Your Location from GO MAINE
GO MAINE is proud to announce the Bike Racks for ME Program, providing bicycle parking for Maine.
The MaineDOT and GO MAINE Commuter Connections, in partnership with the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, support and encourage bicycling as an important mode of transportation. They have created Bike Racks for ME for communities, organizations, workplaces and private businesses across Maine to help expand bicycle parking opportunities.
Before you start, here are some things you should know:
This is a statewide program open to communities, organizations, workplaces and private businesses across Maine .
The application has a time limit on it because prices may change. As such prices are good through March 2010.
For a current copy of the application go to: GO MAINE.org GO MAINE will update the application after March.
The program will remain in effect until the number of requests exceeds availability.
The racks are all black. GO MAINE has heard that some areas, including Portland , specify different colors for different areas of the city. Please do your research before you order.
GO MAINE needs a signed hard copy of the application along with a check to process the application. They cannot accept orders electronically.
Please respect the quantity limits GO MAINE has set on the racks. This is intended to allow for fair distribution from the program.
GO MAINE looks forward to hearing from you and thanks you for you interest in increasing and improving bicycling in Maine .
Please send any questions about the application or program to Erik West at ewest@gpcog.org.
Review & Submit Comments about the Draft Report: LD 846, Ways to Reduce Energy/ Promote Efficiency on Major Transportation Corridors
MaineDOT welcomes comments from people interested in the Draft Report for LD 846. The report and comment section can be found here. The comment period for this draft report will end on January 26th, 2010.
This report is being developed for presentation to the Joint Standing Committees on Transportation and Natural Resources. This report is pursuant to LD 846, 124th Maine State Legislature, Resolve, Directing the Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) to Study Ways to Reduce Energy Use and Promote Efficiency along Major Transportation Corridors.
MaineDOT has worked with Stakeholder Groups including the Maine Municipal Association, the State Planning Office, the Department of Environmental Protection, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, Regional Planning Organizations, The Bicycle Coalition of Maine and others.
Sign in now (click here) – Please take a minute to sign in now (and every month!) if you plan to walk, bike, take public transit, carpool, and/or telecommute this Green Streets Day – Friday, October 30th. Signing in helps us see our growing numbers as we become a greener city.
For special treats for Green Streets participants, visit our Green Streets Freebies & Discounts page for offers of free food and drink and various area discounts that day (just FYI, we’re currently suspending our raffle program while we work to keep Green Streets volunteer hours sustainable).
Planning to dress up for Halloween at your school or office? Show off your costume on your bus ride, bike ride, or walk through town! (Just don’t let any loose costume pieces get caught in your spokes.) If you aren’t dressing up, don’t forget to wear something green this Friday. And as always – please e-mail us photos of you (& any other folks!) getting around green at PortlandGreenStreets@yahoo.com! (Especially if you are commuting in costume!)
Kathy Beach, who commutes from South Portland to Scarborough says:
“Keep up the good work. I’ve talked 2 people at my job site into riding their bikes to work occasionally. The summer is the easiest time to make our case!”
Michael Danahy sold his car last year and walks, bikes, rides the bus and carpools everywhere. He writes, “Is it true that So Portland bus is free if you have a towel or otherwise can show that you’re going to/from the beach?”
The Answer – Until September 5th, you can get a free ride HOME from the beach when leaving from the Preble & Willow St. bus stop! Check out our website for full details.
Betsy Melrose commutes from Westbrook to the Old Port.
She writes: “Biked to work one day and then biked to a friends house in Windham. Lots of uphill on Blackstrap Road! Heavier trip with my CSA farmshare on the back of the bike!!”
Meg Quinn lives on Munjoy Hill. Starting next month, her son (pictured with Meg here) will walk to the East End School and she will walk or bike to her office on Fore St. At which point, she says ”We will be fully green-commuting household (when kid goes to nearby elementary instead of far-away preschool). Yay!”
Julia Reddy writes: “Selling my car a year ago was the best thing I’ve done – for my body, my spirit, and my footprint!”
Mary Anne Higgins, who struggles against laziness in her walking commute from the East End to the Old Port, writes:
“It was a very busy week and I’d been driving to work more often than I like. I forced myself to walk for Green Streets Day. The smells of the ocean, fresh-cut grass, and searoses; the smiling neighbors who said hello; and the sound of the sea gulls all reminded me why I love walking to work. I arrived at work happy, awake, and relaxed. I really needed the reminder. And thankfully a friend drove me home in the rain after work!”
Portland Green Streets would like to say thanks again to sponsor Gorham Bike & Ski for all they do for the Greater Portland community – and especially for their support of the Blessing of the Bicycles in May. What a crew!
And read the rest of this entry(click the “Read the rest of this entry” below and then scroll down the post) for the freebies, discounts, and raffle items from local businesses – for those in Greater Portland who:
Wear Green (shirt, pants, socks, whatever!)
and Get Around Green (walk, bike, take transit, carpool, telecommute, etc.) on Green Streets Day!
Back Cove Block Party- everyone is invited!
Review & Submit Comments about the Draft Report: LD 846, Ways to Reduce Energy/ Promote Efficiency on Major Transportation Corridors
Kathy Beach, who commutes from South Portland to Scarborough says:
Michael Danahy sold his car last year and walks, bikes, rides the bus and carpools everywhere. He writes, “Is it true that So Portland bus is free if you have a towel or otherwise can show that you’re going to/from the beach?”
