Portland Green Streets

Green Streets on the Streets

This in from Summer 2010 Green Streets intern, Michelle Boisvert:

“Munjfest [the Munjoy Hill Neighborhood festival that this year celebrated the bicycle] was a blast! Green Streets, the Portland Bike Commuter Meetup, and the Bicycle Coalition of Maine (BCM) teamed up to offer alternative transportation and bicycling advice, free bike tune ups, Green Street T-shirt stenciling, and a plethora of information about what each group is up to. Thanks to Jim Tasse from BCM, who brought a bike stand and equipment to provide the tune-ups – they were in high demand! Thanks, too, to Green Streets volunteers Maryann Welsch, Kevin Donoghue, and Jake Hoffman for helping out at the table! We met a lot of great people and printed a lot of Green Streets shirts. They’ll look great out on the street this Friday. One Green Streeter said she planned to wear her Green Street shirt on the days that she walks to her elementary school.”

Please take 30 seconds to  Sign in Here for Green Streets Day – Friday, July 30th.  Sign in now (and every month!) if you plan to walk, bike, take public transit, carpool, and/or telecommute this Green Streets Day.

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.

Green Streeter & Bike Coalition rep Jim Tasse does bike checks at Munjfest 2010

Portland Green Streets Calendar

As always, please check out the Portland Green Streets Calendar for exciting upcoming transportation-related events in Greater Portland.

Ride the Bus, Borrow a Book – Youth Escape this Summer to Local Public Library

Children and teens, ages 18 and younger, receive a FREE ride ticket to ride METRO or South Portland City Bus (www.southportland.org) when they borrow a book from participating libraries in Portland, South Portland, Westbrook and Falmouth during July and August.  For more information, visit www.gpmetrobus.com

Bike Commuter Education Program on the Move

The Bike Commuter Education Program, a joint effort of GO MAINE, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine and MaineDOT, is off and running. Or should we say off and riding? And they can come to your workplace too.

The new bike commuter program is designed to assist businesses that want to promote cycling within their organization and help the cyclists who want to commute by bike, and it’s all FREE.

To support businesses, the program offers guidance on creating a bicycle friendly culture in an organization, understanding the needs of a cyclist who rides to and from work, and outlining what facilities a cyclist would typically want at the workplace. While having all the facilities like showers and lockers is nice, it’s not a deal breaker. When an organization understands the cyclist’s perspective, many different options are possible. This program offers that type of guidance to businesses.

To support the cyclist, the program offers on-site training seminars by qualified cycling instructors. These sessions are adapted to the time available to employees during the day or scheduled after hours, at the business’ and employees’ convenience. Through these, existing or would-be cyclists can learn the realities of cycling to and from work and the hard skills that go with it. Topics include setting realistic goals, managing a work out on your way to work, bikes and other equipment, riding techniques, route selection, night riding, and general traffic safety. These classes are taught by instructors who speak from experience and are trained in safe cycling practices. Classes are for novice to intermediate cyclists of all ages.

For more information about the program and to schedule a visit to your place of business, please contact Erik West at ewest@gpcog.org or at 207-774-9891.

Maine Alliance for Sustainable Transportation (MaST) has Launched New Website

The Maine Alliance for Sustainable Transportation (MaST) – of which Portland Green Streets is a member – has officially launched our new website! MaST was spearheaded by the League and has some great groups working to increase access to affordable, reliable and sustainable transportation option.  Check MaST out and find out how you can get involved!

Maine Lighthouse Ride to Benefit Eastern Trail Alliance

September 11, Southern Maine Community College, South Portland – Come take in the view, tour a lighthouse, and cycle to support the Eastern Trail Alliance, an organization dedicated to building a 60-mile greenway from Kittery to South Portland. There are several ride options ranging from 25 to 100 miles.

Hike & Bike with MaineShare

Participate in MaineShare’s annual Hike & Bike event and support their work to provide funding to groups working for a clean, healthy, and prosperous Maine. This is the 3rd year of the smaller footprint “virtual” Hike and Bike: you choose the day and time for your hike or bike, then register and collect donations online, saving time, paper, and fuel. The first 15 people to register will receive a FREE pair of tickets to MOFGA’s Common Ground Country Fair in September! For more info about the Hike & Bike, click here.

Good day, Green Streeters!  My name is Michelle Boisvert.  I’ll be spending the summer working for Green Streets, and I wanted to introduce myself to you all and tell you a little about myself.  I moved to Portland in 2006 to be closer to good friends, to go to college, and because this city completely charmed me upon visiting — which says alot considering I moved here from Charm City: Baltimore, MD.  The parks, the street trees, the great local businesses, the trails system, the fact that one can live on the East End and walk a few blocks to a beautiful public park, trails into and out of town, accessible water, and A BEACH (?!) while living in a city – I’ve been sold on Portland.

I’ve been working at Preble Street Resource Center for the last four years and doing farm work the last couple of summers.  In May, I graduated from the University of Southern Maine with a bachelors degree in Environmental Policy and Planning.  This summer, while I’m fulfilling the internship requirement for my degree program, I’ll be doing a little bit of everything — including helping with a signage and mapping project at Portland Trails and working on a community visioning project in the Town of Waldoboro.

I should probably tell you about my own green streeting.  I sold my car in 2004 and have been getting alot of exercise ever since.  Mostly, I’m a year-round bike commuter, but I love a good spontaneous conversation with other public transit riders in icy weather or when I have too much to carry.  (Although, I have a knack for bungee cords and have transported everything from cross country skis to camping gear on my bicycle)  I’ve found alot of creative ways to get around Portland and beyond including the bus systems, a temporary car share for an out-of-town job, carpooling, Go Maine’s services, the Portland’s U Car Share program, and USM’s shuttle buses.  If you’ve been curious about using any of these modes of transportation, feel free to ask me anything.  My email address is greenstreetsvolunteers@yahoo.com.

I’m excited for this opportunity to participate in the excellent work Green Streets has been doing to increase awareness for the many modes of transportation we have available, promote healthy and active lifestyles, and create a more vibrant, people-friendly city — by getting folks out from behind the steering wheel!  Some of the work I’ll be doing for Green Streets will include:

• surveying our local business partners about the our incentive program
• developing and implementing improvements to the program to make being a Green Streeter even easier and more convenient
• developing and implementing the “This is a Green Streets Business” decal project
• recruiting new local business sponsors.

Your input is welcome!

I’ll be hanging out at the North Star Cafe on July 20th from 5:30 -7:00 for Green Street’s monthly volunteer social.  Come by to say hello, find out more information about Green Streets & how to get involved, or come share a cookie.  Happy Green Streeting, All, and I hope to see you on the streets on the last Friday of this month!

Munjfest – Portland’s Munjoy Hill neighborhood celebration of summer – will be held on Sunday, July 18 from 11am-4pm, as always on Congress Street at the top of the East End.  This year organizers are going all out with a Lovefest for the Bicycle theme for people of all ages and abilities.  And Green Streets is joining the fray with volunteers and a Print-Your-Own Green Streets T-Shirt Party!

So bring yourself , a favorite blank t-shirt (preferably green!) and your dear old bike out for some fun with a:

• Bike Decorating Party
• Grand Bike Parade (rumor has it that the Grand Marshall may be Bruce Hyman, the City of Portland’s new Bike-Pedestrian Coordinator)
• Kids Bike Raffle of 5 reconditioned bikes – a recycling of good bicycles!
• Bike Safety Q & A Station – for those burning “What am I Really Supposed to do in This Particular Road Situation??” questions
• Free Check-Up from a Local Bike Shop
• Print-Your-Own Green Streets T-Shirt Party! (we’ll have a station set up with stencils of the new Portland Green Streets logo – and black and white options of ink to print with.  We’ll also have some t-shirts on hand for $5 if you don’t have one of your own)

Volunteer with Green Streets at the Event!

Whether or not you have a bike or use other alternate transportation to get around, we’d love to have you volunteer with us at Munjfest! We’ll need folks to help with various Munjfest organizing activities (the bike decorating party, the parade, the biking Q&A, etc. – and also to host the Green Streets table and star in the T-Shirt Printing Party).  Please select a stint you can help out on this Doodle schedule (it takes 30 seconds – no registration required), put it on your calendar, and we’ll be in touch!

Neighbors, Vendors, Local Businesses and Exhibitors

Interested in entering your dog in the Annual MunjMinster Dog Talent show? Interested in getting involved or sponsoring? Fill out the following form: MunjFest 2010! Form; Call: 207-773-4336 or e-mail: info@munjoyhill.org

Portland Green Streets will be the Featured Non-Profit at the two-year anniversary of Portland GreenDrinks on Tuesday, 3/9 from 5:30-8pm!

The venue is 645 Congress, the historic former “Portland Hall” dorm that has been renovated to house spacious apartments (with discounted rent for tenants who are living car-free) and retail spaces (new home of Local Sprouts). It is a big space with plenty of room to saunter about and network with environmentally-minded folks from Greater Portland.

Thanks to input from GreenDrinks participants, the group has revamped it’s monthly event model and as the Featured Non-Profit this month, Green Streets will not only host a table, but also be:

• offering an on-site Action Item for those attending the event (a quick on-line survey to boost Green Streets’ effectiveness to get more people going green – that will take 3-5 minutes)
• receiving part of the proceeds from the door ($2 if you bring a drinking vessel (BYOV) or $5 if you don’t)

So come on out and bring a friend!

And if you’ve been looking for simple ways to volunteer for Portland Green Streets and can help out with this event, please click on this Doodle (no registration required) and let us know your availability!

Have you thought about becoming a Portland Green Streets volunteer, but don’t know how you can help? Portland Green Streets is transforming into a sustainable organization – specializing the opportunities based on volunteer skills and interests.

So join one of our Green Street volunteer teams and help your community in a way that you enjoy. Share your knowledge and energy with like-minded neighbors!

If you like…

• Learning about and working with local businesses
• Doing budgets and minding the till
• Researching and writing grants

You would excel with the Finance Team!

If you like…

• Meeting new people in the community
• Working with volunteers to find roles that fit their strengths
• Being involved with an awesome organization at an exciting time of growth

You could build upon our Leadership and Volunteer Capacity Team!

If you like…

• Writing, photography, or using the computer
• Facebooking (and have updated your status today)
• Designing logos, t-shirts, and websites
• Market research and profiling target audiences

You should email our Marketing and Communications Team!

To volunteer, email portlandgreenstreets@yahoo.com or stop by one of our Drop-in Volunteer Socials the 1^st and 3^rd Tuesday of every month. Click here for full details.

Tonight!  (Sept 22) – World Car Free Day at North Star Cafe in Portland

See our post

September 23 – Meeting on Possible Bike-Ped Path from Valley Street to High Street (Portland)

There will be a neighborhood meeting to discuss a study to evaluate a potential bicycle and pedestrian path from Valley Street to High Street in Portland’s West End. This path would connect with the existing trail systems along the Fore River Parkway and Harbor View Park. With the redevelopment of the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge, it would provide new access for cyclists and pedestrians traveling between Portland and South Portland. 6pm, Reiche School, 166 Brackett Street, Portland. For more information, contact Tom Errico, Study Project Manager at thomas.errico@ tylin.com. (207) 347-4354.

September 25, 26, 27 – Pedal or Carpool to the Common Ground Fair

If you bicycle all or part of the way to the Common Ground Fair in Unity on September 25-27, you’ll be participating in a tradition that began more than a decade ago. The Bicycle Coalition of Maine partners with the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardners Association (MOFGA) to do valet bicycle parking at the fair.  The service cuts down on traffic and pollution, which is totally fitting with an event celebrating sustainable living practices. Fairgoers who arrive on bicycle receive a rousing welcome, very convenient and safe parking and a $2 discount on admission.  The coalition’s presence at the fair helps spread the word about their efforts to work for better bicycling in Maine. Find the bike best routes.

MOFGA has also partnered with PickUpPal to help folks coordinate carpooling opportunities – check that out here!

September 29 – Public Meeting on Maine State Rail Plan at USM!

Come out for rail!  Given the huge impact that rail can have on regional and downtown vehicle congestion and thus walk/bike-ability, come on out to add your  input to this process. We have a number of  valuable transit corridors radiating out from Portland – and using them would have a dramatic impact. This plan has the potential to determine the future of our rail corridors. 6-8 pm, University Event Room, Glickman Library, University of Southern Maine, Portland!  And/or check out links and submit comments on the State’s developing rail plan: http://www.maine. gov/mdot/ railplan

Until September 30, 2009 – Ride METRO for FREE with College ID

Greater Portland Transit District METRO is welcoming students and staff to local colleges with a great deal:  Ride FREE with College ID from August 24 -  September 30, 2009. Students, staff and faculty from the following colleges may ride free with ID:

• Andover College
• Maine College of Art (MECA)
• SALT Institute for Documentary Studies
• Southern Maine Community College (SMCC)
  ( transfer from METRO to South Portland City Bus)
• University of New England
• University of Southern Maine (USM)

METRO does not offer bus service on Labor Day, Monday, September 7. For schedules and additional information, please visit www.gpmetrobus.com or call 774-0351. For ongoing updates, become a Facebook fan of METRO (Greater Portland Transit District) page.

APPLY NOW – Oct 7 Deadline – Worksite Wellness $250 Mini-Grants from Healthy Casco Bay

Get your co-workers walking & biking to work!  Healthy Casco Bay is excited to announce the availability of six mini-grants of up to $250 each for initiatives that help you create a healthier workplace environment for worksites in the Healthy Casco Bay region (Cumberland, Chebeague Island, Falmouth, Freeport, Gray, Long Island, New Gloucester, North Yarmouth, Pownal, and Yarmouth) with 50 or fewer employees. They know that by improving employee health you are generating other important benefits such as reduced healthcare costs, improved employee morale and productivity, improved quality of services or products, and decreased absenteeism. The goal of this initiative is to support you in that process by offering up to a $250 award as well as providing technical assistance to guide you along the way. The Request for Applications may be found at: www.portlandmaine.gov/hhs/hcbwwminigrantrfa2010.pdf

APPLY NOW – Oct 7 Deadline – Healthy Casco Bay Powerful Youth Mini-grant

Healthy Casco Bay is excited to announce the availability of two mini-grants of up to $1,500 each for initiatives that support healthy living among youth who live, learn and play in the Healthy Casco Bay region (Cumberland, Chebeague Island, Falmouth, Freeport, Gray, Long Island, New Gloucester, North Yarmouth, Pownal, and Yarmouth). The goal of this initiative is to create youth-adult collaboration and increase youth involvement in accomplishing social, policy and environmental changes that improve youth health.  The Request for Applications may be found at: www.portlandmaine.gov/hhs/hcbpyminigrantrfa2010.pdf

VOLUNTEER NOW – October Bike-Ped Counts on Franklin Street Arterial

The Franklin Reclamation Authority (FRA) will be conducting a Pedestrian and Bicycle Count during the month of October to collect data on multi-modal crossings of the Franklin Street Arterial. Your volunteer help with this effort will  provide important documentation of the bike and pedestrian use of Franklin Street. This data will be a valuable resource in future planning.

The FRA will conduct this bike/ped count during the following dates and times:

• Weekday Shifts: AM Shift is 6:30-9:00; PM Shift #1 is 2-4; PM Shift #2 is 4-6.  Dates: 10/6: Tuesday; 10/7: Wednesday; 10/8: Thursday; 10/13: Tuesday; 10/14: Wednesday; 10/14: Thursday
• Weekend shift: 10/10: Saturday, 12-2PM.

The FRA will also be surveying pedestrians to collect more detailed data on travel habits. The work of FRA began, and has been supported by the active involvement of members of the public. They need your help to make this Bike/Ped count a success by:

• volunteering for a shift as a counter.
• volunteering for a shift (or part of a shift) to survey pedestrians.

Be part of one the most exciting planning projects in the State of Maine! Your time and participation is valuable, so FRA is working to provide some gifts and prizes for volunteers and also a gathering of all that have supported the FRA effort. Contact the Franklin Street Ped Count Coordinator, Ingrid Swanson at iswanson@hotmail. com about your availability on one or more of these days.

Oct 3 – Cool Congress with Maine Cool Communities

Keynote Speaker: Bill McKibben - Live on ITV

Presenters:

• Energy Efficiency -  Suzanne Watson Director of Policy for the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
  Transportation – Chris Wilhite, Director of Sierra Club Rhode Island
• Renewable Energy – John Kerry, Director of the Maine Office of Energy Security and Independence
  Adaptation Strategies -  Rhett Lamb, Planning Director in Keene, NH

8 am -4 pm UMaine Augusta – Live ITV at UMaine Presque Isle and UMaine Machias.  Following the Event: Tour LEED Platinum Hannaford Supermarket in Augusta. Register today here!

October 3 -  Friends of Casco Bay’s Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival

A couple of transportation-related films they are featuring:

• Division Street: This is not your father’s road trip. Roads and cars have fragmented wild landscapes, ushered in urban sprawl, and challenged some of the bedrock values we once took for granted.  But as the transportation crisis appears to be spiraling out of control, a new generation of ecologists, engineers, city-planners, and everyday citizens are transforming the future of the American road.
• Amsterdam: The Bicycling Capital of Europe: In this inspiring short, we learn how Amsterdam has created a bicycle-friendly city that promotes a healthier, more active lifestyle.  With people meeting face to face instead of bumper to bumper, the city challenges us to rethink our car-centered lives in the United States.

5 – 9 p.m. (doors open at 4), Abromson Auditorium, USM, 88 Bedford Street, Portland. Tickets $15 in advance / $20 at the door – buy online at www.cascobay.org or in person at the Whole Foods Market in Portland. The event features ten great films – as well as free popcorn, dinner reception catered by Whole Foods Market, cash bar, raffle & festivities.  Proceeds will benefit Friends of Casco Bay’s work to improve & protect the Bay. More info, including a full list of film descriptions, can be found here: www.cascobay.org

October 18 – Reiche International 5K Road Race

Runners and walkers! Come participate in a  beautiful 5 kilometer run through Portland’s scenic West End neighborhood in support of Maine’s most ethnically diverse school, Reiche Elementary. This will be a community event celebrating Reiche’s amazing international student body representing 32 nationalities! In deference to the upcoming holiday, participants are invited to wear a costume (not mandatory). The race starts and ends at Reiche Elementary. The well-marked single loop course begins on Brackett Street & continues through the streets of the West End including Chadwick, Neal, Pine & Spring Streets. It includes one climb – behind the Western Prom Cemetery. Otherwise it’s fast and flat. High quality T-shirt for all registered runners! Prizes awarded! All ages! The first 99 registrants will be entered into a drawing to win one of two $50 gift certificates to Local 188 Restaurant and Lounge! 9:30 Am start – REGISTER NOW!  www.reicheinternational.com

Oct 24 – Step Up to the Plate Awards

Give Portland-area youth the recognition they deserve at the League of Young Voters Education Fund’s second biennial “Step Up to the Plate” awards! This year’s theme, “Doing More With Less,” focuses on young people who are able to successfully overcome the recession by finding creative ways to sustain positive community ventures. The evening includes a silent auction, hors d’oeuvres, award presentations, live music and guest speaker Billy Wimsatt. Please go to the website to make nominations and vote for the winners – Step Up to the Plate Awards! Saturday, October 24th, 7:30pm-11pm at SPACE Gallery

Enter Now to Win Custom Built Bike! Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s 2009 Super Raffle

The winner will receive a handmade, custom Maine bicycle valued at more than $3,500. Additional information is available on their Web site http://www.bikemain e.org/superraffle.htm

AMTRAK Downeaster Specials

College 6Tix – Get smart this semester. Purchase a College 6TIX pass and get six one-way trips on the Amtrak Downeaster for just $76. With up to 50% off the regular fare, it’s a no brainier.

Early risers are rewarded on Saturdays and Sundays. Pay just $24.00 round-trip when traveling on train 690 and 695, 697, or 699. Tickets must be purchased at least three days in advance of travel. Reference promotion code v175. Blackout dates and restrictions may apply.

The Downeaster is currently offering 50% off the price of any Downeaster ticket for senior citizens (62+) and folks with disabilities. The discount can be used any day of the week and on any Downeaster train. To take advantage of this discount, travelers must use discount code V543 and must reserve their tickets at least three days in advance. Seniors will need to show proof of age; disabled folks will need to show a Medicare card or other proof of disability status. Disabled individuals can book tickets over the phone or at a staffed ticket window, due to a limitation in Amtrak’s web site - for contact and station information click here. All in all, this is a fabulous discount and a great way for seniors and disabled folks to get out, enjoy the summer, and leave the car at home!

This Fall – Don’t Forget the New Covered Bike Racks in Spring St. Garage!

Thanks to the hard work of and financing from the Portland Downtown District, new bike racks that hold 20 bikes have been added just inside the Spring Street garage at the entrance on Free Street in Portland.  Spread the word – bikes parked there are out of the rain and in a safe location.  An enormous plus for people who ride (or get stuck) in inclement weather – like the past 10 days!

Bring a U Car Vehicle to Munjoy Hill!

Car Sharing is a wonderful way to save money (get rid of your other car!) while having the convenience of a car when you need it – and you only pay for the time you’re actually using it. U Car Share (run by U Haul) pays EVERYTHING, including gas, maintenance, and insurance. Rate for a Chrysler PT Cruiser is $9.50 per hour, or $66 per day.  It’s  wonderful service! If you live on the East End in Portland get your membership application fee waived for a limited time.   Log in at www.ucarshare.com to sign up anduse this promotional code: MUNJOYHILL. If enough of East Enders join, the company will locate a car close by. For more information, contact Peter Alexander at 773-4606.

At Portland Green Streets we’re all volunteers – and a fun crew it is!  We seek a capable and reliable intern for the Fall who’s primary responsibilities would include assisting with:

• developing informative monthly e-newsletter
• communicating with Green Streets volunteers, business sponsors, and interested individuals
• events coordination
• website maintenance and development
• working on a specific project such as: mapping, volunteer and/or business recruitment, Portland Green Streets gear development, fundraising, graphic design and/or updating our marketing materials, etc.

The position is for September – December, 5-8 hrs/wk, with opportunity to continue through the Spring if interested.  Position is based in Portland. The intern will work closely with the lead organizer and also with other Green Streets volunteers on specific projects.

Portland Green Streets works with more than 50 green-interested local businesses, non-profit and public sector organizations.  This is a great opportunity to build non-profit work experience, gain broad exposure and make valuable connections with those playing a lead role in green transportation and conservation work in Greater Portland. In addition, intern would have opportunity to help Portland Green Streets chart its course.

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.

Please email portlandgreenstreets@yahoo.com with your contact information, resume, areas of interest, and availability.

Green Streeters at the first Drop-In Volunteer Social in July

We’re experimenting with a fun new way to get some Green Streets work done. Twice a month we’ll be holding Green Streets Drop-In Volunteer Socials – at North Star Cafe, 225 Congress St.,  in Portland.

So come on out for one!  They’re on:

• 3rd Tuesdays from 5:30-7pm (for evening folks and/or folks with schedules that are more accommodating in the evening)

It’s a chance for Green Streets volunteers to crank out some organizational work in a supportive social atmosphere, so just:

• Bring yourself and/or a friend
• Come hear about some volunteer possibilities if you’re new
• Bring a notepad and/or laptop
• If you’re on a committee, bring some paperwork
• Grab a coffee
• Get some solo or group work done
• Bounce questions and ideas off other organizers
• Come when you can – leave when you need to!

Per the above schedule, the next Drop-In Volunteer Social will be this coming Tuesday, August 18th from 5:30 – 7 pm.  Hope to see you there!