Portland Green Streets

Sherrie Withers and Ingrid Sjulander at Green Streets Sponsor Rosemont Market on Congress Street

Spring has arrived (and more than just technically!)  The snowbanks are disappearing, birds are singing in the morning, and certain bare patches of ground are showing the first nubs of bulbs pushing through.  Hope you’re getting to enjoy it all as you get around green this month!

Sign in now here (click here) – Please take a minute and sign in now (and every month!) if you plan to walk, bike, take public transit, carpool, and/or telecommute this Green Streets Day – Friday, March 27th. (Click here and scroll down our main page to see who qualifies as a Green Streeter – anyone can do it!)

And find the Green Streets Sponsor nearest you with this new map – thanks to Green Streets volunteer Sheila Reiser! And/or read the rest of this entry 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!

As always – please e-mail us photos of you (& any other folks!) getting around green at PortlandGreenStreets@yahoo.com!

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How about signing up to coordinate at your school, work site, retirement home, place of worship, or other congregating location?

The Portland Press Herald did a great story this week on the Green Streets coordinating work the eTeam at Harrison Middle School is doing – check it out here!

Pkus we’ve just had some new (and returning!) folks sign on to be  Green Streets coordinators at their workplaces – we send a shout out to Donna Bird, Kevin Casey, Michelle Hammarstrom, Jess Harold, Meredith Johnson, Chris McCabe, Hadley Schmoyer, and Michelle Smith!  And for a list of our other wonderful coordinators, please click here!

Consider coordinating at your location! It’s a fun and simple job that anyone can do…

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Randee Bucknell of Portland writes:

“I love taking the bus! Some of my earliest memories are of my mother and I running for the bus, laughing so hard. I remember one day we were running and I dropped my doll,  and the bus driver waited while we went back to get her. My mother always let me put the money in the meter, I don’t remember how much it was, though. I just loved how big it made me feel.”

Erik West, father of two, who lives with his family in Bath and commutes to Portland writes:

“I telecommute 2 days a week and carpool the other 3. We sold our second car and are making it happen! It’s actually working!”

Jess Harold, who lives and works in Portland writes:

“Once you get used to it, walking to work in the winter is quite enjoyable. I’ve walked to and from work when it was below zero (USM area to Exchange Street) and wasn’t cold. Dressing in some warm layers is of course important. I’ve also found that motorists are very courteous.”

Sherry Mason who commutes from Portland to Brunswick writes:

“There’s a gang of us “Portland ‘Poolers” who work at Bowdoin. We’re beta testing www.purpool.com to track our $$ saved and carbon reduced as a result of our ride sharing.. Happy to evangelize carpooling – the social & monetary benefits far outweigh the minor inconvenience…There are 9 of us in the carpool, which makes it logistically complex but socially really rewarding.”

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Sign up for March into May!

Join March into May, Healthy Portland’s 10 week, fun, free physical activity promotion program! Help yourself “Get More Out of Life” with increased exercise (and/or get rewarded for the work you’re already doing) – simply join on your own or with a small team.  (Walking and biking to work count, too!) To register click here

Sign up Now for Free Bicycle Safety Instructor Training Course

The Bicycle Coalition of Maine, in cooperation with MaineDOT, will offer a free, one-day course at two locations during May to train teachers, police, medical professionals, health educators, parents and volunteers how to most effectively teach bicycle safety to children. The Bicycle Safety Instructor Training course will be held on May 8 in South Portland and on May 14 in Augusta from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Topics covered will include child development and bicycling, helmet fit, dressing for safety, bicycle equipment safety check, rules of the road, basic driving skills and safety maneuvers and incorporating bicycling into your curriculum or program. A portion of the course will take place on bike. Participants must bring a bicycle in good condition and a helmet that fits. Lunch will be provided. Please register at www.BikeMaine.org. Confirmation and details about the location will be sent prior to the class. For more information, please call (207) 623-4511.

March 26 – Public Meeting: Understanding the Local Need and Uses for the Maine State Pier

Will include a panel discussion of local business and civic leaders & questions from the public.  An opportunity to voice local bike, pedestrian and public transit needs.  7:00 PM to 8:30 PM, Ocean Gateway Terminal, 14 Ocean Gateway Pier. Followed by Community Workshop, April 11 – see below.

March 27 – Greater Portland Council of Governments Sustainability Forum

“Toward a Sustainable Regional Economy”, Featuring Michael Shuman, 7:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Portland (click on this link for more info)

March 28 – Town Hall: How Clean Energy Can Repower Our Community

Come to a public forum to find out how clean energy technologies, like wind and solar, will reduce global warming pollution while creating millions of new jobs at home today. Featured speakers include: Seth Berry, State Representative, House District 67; Patrick Woodcock, Senator Olympia Snowe’s Legislative Assistant; Dave Marshall, Portland City Councilor, Chair of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Committee; Paul Kando, Midcoast Green Collaborative; Patrick Coon, ReVision Energy. For more info, please contact Katie Kokkinos at kkokkinos@environmentmaine.org or at 207-253-1965 or Susan Shell at sshell@pewtrusts.org or at 207-589-4188. 7-9pm, Brunswick High School-Crooker Theater, 116 Maquoit Rd, Brunswick. Free.

April 3 – A Town Hall Meeting on The Economy, Healthcare, War, and the Environment

Town Hall Meeting for Maine residents to voice their concerns directly to their elected representatives – focusing on the fragile state of our economy, our fractured healthcare system, our ongoing foreign wars, and the continued threats to our environment.  Meant to be as inclusive, non-partisan, and open-minded as possible.  Bringing together a wide variety of individual and group interests together to voice our collective concerns to both our Congressional delegation in Washington and our State and Municipal leaders here in Maine. Friday, April 3rd; 6-9:30 (exact hours are subject to potential change.) Hannaford Hall, USM Campus, Portland, ME.  All welcome.

(Organizers include: American Friends Service Committee Maine, Food for Maine’s Future, Maine Campaign for a U.S. Dept. of Peace & Nonviolence, Maine Green Independent Party, Maine Toxics Action Coalition, Maine Veterans for Peace, NAACP Portland Branch, Physicians for Social Responsibility Maine, Women in Need Industries)

April 11 – Community Design Workshop: Creating a Pier for Portland’s Future

The public will tackle questions as they relate to the future of the Maine State Pier utilizing information gathered during previous meetings. Members of the public will be broken up into groups and taken through a facilitated conversation as they address the topic.  9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Ocean Gateway Terminal, 14 Ocean Gateway Pier

April 26 – The Great Maine Bike Swap

The Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s Great Bike Swap in Portland promises to be bigger than ever.  Come to the swap to buy used bikes and bike gear in good condition and/or to sell items.  Experts will be on hand to help with pricing and fit.  This year’s swap will feature refreshments, mini-workshops, a bicycle trivia contest and other entertainment.  Start looking in your basement or garage for unused bikes that can earn you some extra cash. 10am-2pm, USM Sullivan Gym, Falmouth Street, Portland.

April 29 – Public Workshop on Franklin Arterial

The Franklin Street Arterial Study Committee will be holding a design workshop at Ocean Gateway on Wednesday, April 29th from 6:40 to 9:40 pm. The goal of the workshop is to update the public on the work of the study committee, help set community priorities for what the Franklin Street corridor could be in the future, and to generate design ideas that will move us towards those goals. The interactive workshop will focus on developing solutions for the corridor that maximize opportunities in a variety of areas, including: motor vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle service, economic development, open space, public transportation, land use, urban design, environmental quality, and neighborhood connectivity.

Join this exciting work. At the Franklin Reclamation Authority workshop held 2 years ago residents Revisioned the corridor. This time, with Maine DOT and the City of Portland at the table, we will be working on the blueprints for what the Future Franklin Street corridor might look like. Participants are encouraged to pre-register online at:
http://www.portlandmaine.gov/franklinstreetarterial.htm (The Ocean Gateway building is located two blocks east of Franklin Street on the waterfront, at the corner of Thames and Hancock Streets.)

April 30 – League of Young Voters ReEmergence Party

The League of Young Voters fourth annual ReEmergence party! Each spring, about 300 young people join LYV for this exciting event to celebrate local arts and music, and to educate and engage their peers on local issues. This year’s theme is “Carnival of Earthly Delights,” highlighting Earth Day, the environment, transportation issues, going green, and more. It will feature bobbing for green apples, access to local CSAs, and a piñata. Also host ng a number of local DJs, musicians, poets, dancers, and performers. The magic will take place from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Portland Company Complex (Fore St. by the Portland Yacht Services).

May 8 – Happy Trails Big Bash and Silent Auction

Portland Trails’ annual party and fundraising auction!  “Happy Trails” is scheduled for the evening of Friday May 8th, 2009 at The Portland Club on State Street in Portland.  Delicious hors d’oeuvres from Black Tie Catering, desserts from Izzy’s Cheesecake, great live music by Big Chief, and more than 200 exciting silent auction items!  For more info…

May 11-15, 2009 – Commute Another Way Week

Bicycle Coalition of Maine and GoMaine co-sponsor this annual, statewide event that encourages alternatives to driving. Commute Another Way Week promotes carpools, vanpools, public transit (bus, ferry and rail), bicycling and walking as cost-effective, healthy and enjoyable alternatives to driving alone to work. Friday, May 15 has been designated as National Bike to Work Day. Why do it? Because healthy, economical and environmentally-friendly transportation choices means energy savings, improved health, less stress, higher morale and more money saved for commuters and employers. For more information, go to www.commuteanotherwayweek.org or call 800.280.RIDE.

Save the Date: May 12 – 2009 Active Communities Conference: Walking, Biking, Physical Activity and the Built Environment,

Who should attend: public health, safety, planning, economic development and public works professionals, citizens, municipal officials and others interested in learning more! Keynote Address: “Creating Healthy and Successful Communities in Challenging Times”, Todd Litman, founder and executive director of the Victoria Transport Policy Institute. Todd has written or co-written (with public health, transportation, planning and other partners) several guides and technical manuals dealing with transportation and land use planning issues. He is a frequent speaker at conferences and workshops. His presentations range from technical and practical, to humorous and inspirational.

Participants will learn what “active community environments” means for Maine’s large and small communities, how investing in active community environments can result in benefits to the local economy, and the planning and funding processes and resources available. There will also be sessions on Safe Routes to School encouragement programs. Plus a chance to meet other people from across the state working hard to improve their communities.

Presented by Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention,  Maine Department of Transportation, Maine Department of Conservation, Maine State Planning Office. Harraseeket Inn, Freeport; Free.  Registration information to follow.

May 31 – Eighth Annual Women’s Ride for Heart Health

This all-women ride is suited for all ages and fitness levels, with distances of five, 10 and 25 miles. The ride offers beautiful views of the countryside and coast. Free yoga, massage therapy, nutrition presentations and heart health exhibits for participants. Proceeds benefit the Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s safety education programs. For more information or to pre-register, go to http://www.bikemaine.org/womensride/index.html or call (207) 623-4511. The fee will be announced on the website.  9 a.m. at L.L. Bean’s Casco Conference Center, Casco Street, Freeport, Maine

Spring Saturday or Sunday Getaway to Boston on the Train!

Early Bird Special!  Early risers are rewarded on Saturdays and Sundays. Pay just 50% of the full adult fare when departing on train 690 and returning on 695, 697, or 699. Tickets must be purchased at least three days in advance of travel. Please reference promotion code v175. Some blackout dates and restrictions may apply. SEE ALL DOWNEASTER DEALS – CLICK HERE

Donate a Bike to the CBC in Biddeford

The Community Bicycle Center in Biddeford needs gently used bikes for its programs that teach bicycle repair to youth and community members.  Email the center to find out more about the types of bikes that they can use.

Thanks so much to all of you who signed in with your participation in Green Streets Day, last Friday, February 27th!

With people able to report others going green at their locations, we have an estimated number of 278 total participants – and there were 90 of you great folks signing in:

• 32 walking, 14 biking, 13 taking the bus, train or ferry, 20 carpooling or vanpooling, and 2 telecommuting, and 9 using multiple modes (i.e., some combination of the above)!
• collectively saving 1042 single-occupancy vehicle miles! (many of you saving those kinds of miles every day)
• keeping approximately $82 in gas money in your wallets!
• improving our air quality & individual health, & reducing our CO₂ emissions by approximately 832 pounds!
• enjoying the opportunity to get outdoors a bit more and/or share transportation with others
• starting (& continuing) a fun and important conversation with the people of our community about how we get around!

Note: please continue to sign in every month – and please talk to other Green Streets participants about doing so as well. It helps us with participation data, like number of miles & emissions saved, commuting methods used, etc!

The winners of this month’s raffle come from the following work/school/life places: (Remember, you don’t have to be headed to a job on Green Streets Day – just getting around green no matter what you’re up to!)

Community Counseling Center, Council on International Educational Exchange, FB Environmental, Fore Solutions, Friends School of Portland, Maine Medical Center, MediaPower, Inc., Retirement!, Salt Institute for Documentary Studies, Spectrum Printing & Graphics, University of Southern Maine, USM Muskie School

Now! The winners are:

• DEB BARTH – A vintage Tour de Cure Jersey from our local American Diabetes Association office!
• DAVE WARREN – A cool reusable shopping bag from Portland Trails!
• SARAH WOLCHESKI – $10 gift card from Rosemont Bakery on Congress Street!
• TSVETA SEMOVA – A Ten-Ride Ticket from the South Portland Bus Service!
• MICHAEL PULASKI – A $50 gift certificate to the Maine Running Company!
• MATTHEW REDMAN – A fancy water bottle from Healthy Portland!
• MEG MCLAUGHLIN – One free pint of Others! famous gelato!
• LINDSAY SIROIS – Two free tickets for the Greater Portland METRO Bus!
• REBECCA BEEMAN – A 6 month subscription from Port City Life Magazine!
• JESSICA HAROLD – Free admission tickets to the Children’s Museum of Maine!
• JEREMY FINK – One free pair of Bridgedale or SmartWool socks from Nomads!
• JAMES HARVEY – A super cozy mug – from WMPG – Greater Portland Community Radio!
• ELLIE CHASE – A $10 gift card to enjoy at O’Naturals!

Winners will be notified how to claim their prizes.

Thanks again to the American Diabetes Association, Portland Trails, Rosemont Market & Bakery, South Portland Bus Service, Others!, Maine Running Company, O’Naturals, the Children’s Museum, Nomads, Port City Life, METRO, WMPG, and Healthy Portland for your gifts to the Portland Green Streets initiative!

Have a great month out there going green and – and take a second to note any new upcoming Events and Opportunities for March and April!

Note: we update the Events & Opportunities posts as we receive information – so be sure to scroll through it for new items even if you think you’ve read it before.

Sign up for March into May!

Join March into May, Healthy Portland’s 10 week, fun, free physical activity promotion program! Help yourself “Get More Out of Life” with increased exercise (and/or get rewarded for the work you’re already doing) – simply join on your own or with a small team.  (Walking and biking to work count, too!) To register click here

March 27 – Greater Portland Council of Governments Sustainability Forum

“Toward a Sustainable Regional Economy”, Featuring Michael Shuman, 7:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Portland (click on this link for more info)

POSTPONED TIL LATE APRIL – DATE TBA – Public Workshop on Franklin Arterial

Public Workshop Announcement: Help envision the future of Franklin Street. Join the Franklin Street Arterial Group, the Franklin Reclamation Authority and others for a public workshop. 6-9 pm at Ocean Gateway. (The Ocean Gateway building is located two blocks east of Franklin Street on the waterfront, at the corner of Thames and Hancock Streets.)

April 3 – A Town Hall Meeting on The Economy, Healthcare, War, and the Environment

Town Hall Meeting for Maine residents to voice their concerns directly to their elected representatives – focusing on the fragile state of our economy, our fractured healthcare system, our ongoing foreign wars, and the continued threats to our environment.  Meant to be as inclusive, non-partisan, and open-minded as possible.  Bringing together a wide variety of individual and group interests together to voice our collective concerns to both our Congressional delegation in Washington and our State and Municipal leaders here in Maine. Friday, April 3rd; 6-9:30 (exact hours are subject to potential change.) Hannaford Hall, USM Campus, Portland, ME.  All welcome.

(Organizers include: American Friends Service Committee Maine, Food for Maine’s Future, Forest Ecology Network, Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space, Green Horizon Foundation, Maine Campaign for a U.S. Dept. of Peace & Nonviolence, Maine Chapter National Lawyers Guild, Maine Green Independent Party, Maine Toxics Action Coalition, Maine Veterans for Peace, Military Families Speak Out, NAACP Portland Branch, Pax Christi Maine, Peace Action Maine, Southern Maine Labor Council, Physicians for a National Healthcare Plan, Physicians for Social Responsibility Maine, WMPG’s “This Better Be Good”, Women in Need Industries)

April 26 – The Great Maine Bike Swap

The Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s Great Bike Swap in Portland promises to be bigger than ever.  Come to the swap to buy used bikes and bike gear in good condition and/or to sell items.  Experts will be on hand to help with pricing and fit.  This year’s swap will feature refreshments, mini-workshops, a bicycle trivia contest and other entertainment.  Start looking in your basement or garage for unused bikes that can earn you some extra cash. 10am-2pm, USM Sullivan Gym, Falmouth Street, Portland.

April 30 – League of Young Voters ReEmergence Party

The League of Young Voters fourth annual ReEmergence party! Each spring, about 300 young people join LYV for this exciting event to celebrate local arts and music, and to educate and engage their peers on local issues. This year’s theme is “Carnival of Earthly Delights,” highlighting Earth Day, the environment, transportation issues, going green, and more. It will feature bobbing for green apples, access to local CSAs, and a piñata. Also host ng a number of local DJs, musicians, poets, dancers, and performers. The magic will take place from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Portland Company Complex (Fore St. by the Portland Yacht Services).

New Green Streets Promotional Poster!

Download this great new promotional poster (click here) for Portland Green Streets and post it at the office, your favorite public space – wherever!  And thanks to Corey Templeton of Portland Maine Daily Photo for designing it!

Winter Saturday or Sunday Getaway to Boston on the Train!

Donate a Bike to the CBC in Biddeford

The Community Bicycle Center in Biddeford needs gently used bikes for its programs that teach bicycle repair to youth and community members.  Email the center to find out more about the types of bikes that they can use.

Climate Change Impact of Transportation Planning – Maine Legislative Push

The Bicycle Coalition of Maine (BCM) will play a leadership role this year in advocating for legislation that asks state agencies to consider the potential climate impacts of long-term state projects, such as highways and schools. Designing and developing communities and roads where we can safely bike and walk is an important first step in reducing Maine’s carbon footprint. This month, BCM joined with representatives from 26 other Maine environmental and public health organizations (collectively known as the Environmental Priorities Coalition) to endorse that bill and several others that will protect Maine’s natural heritage. We’ll keep you updated about the details of this legislation and its progress at the Statehouse. Please encourage your state legislators to support the measures.