November – Events and Opportunities
In case you didn’t get a chance to Make Your Voice Heard about Off-Peninsula Snow Clearing of Sidewalks – call your City Councilor and/or send the Council an e-mail. On Nov. 5 the Public Safety Committee (PSC) of the Portland City Council met to discuss a proposal to release off-peninsula homeowners from their obligation to shovel sidewalks in front of their homes. Public comment was taken at the meeting. The City Council will then vote on it Nov. 17th. As we are all pedestrians at some point, it is important that city leaders hear from you. Without a serious challenge or alternate plans (especially from off-peninsula residents) the proposal will pass. City councilor phone numbers & e-mail are available on the city web-site at http://www.ci. portland. me.us/council. htm
November 12 – Come out for “The Winterization of the Green Streets Experience – how to go green through the winter” (more details here) - co-sponsored with the Portland Bike Commuter Meetup. Walkers, bicyclists, public transit users, and carpoolers will meet both together and separately, to discuss various aspects of these alternate transportation modes – specific to the challenges of the winter season. East End Community School at 7 PM.
Not sure you’re ready to commit to all winter? No problem. Even if you just want to see what the challenges are and how they might be met, this meeting should help to give you an idea of what it takes, and maybe, what’s not as hard as you might think.
Nov 20 – Make Your Voice Heard on Bicycle-Pedestrian Access to Veteran’s Bridge (which links South Portland to St. John’s & Commercial Streets). MaineDOT will be holding a preliminary public meeting on the Veteran’s Bridge project at 6:00 pm on Monday, Nov 17th at City Hall in Portland. Also, Erik Osborn, chair of the Portland Bike-Ped Advisory Committee has been asked to serve on Portland Area Comprehensive Transportation’s (PACTS) stakeholder group – to prepare a vision for the Vet’s Bridge replacement/renovation, to be carried forward into design. Let Erik know your thoughts about improving bike-ped access on & off the bridge – either through this thread on the Portland Bike Commuter Meetup or through the Portland Bike-Ped Committee’s listserve (To join the listserve send an e-mail to: Portland-BikePed-Comm-subscribe@yahoogroups.com and write “Subscribe” in the subject line.)
“Honor the Stop” Wristband Campaign – Honor the Stop is a community-based campaign to promote the safe, courteous and respectful sharing of roadways by all users. The black and red wristband honors those who have been seriously injured or lost their lives. By accepting a wristband, an individual pledges to obey all roadway laws and to respectfully encourage others to do the same. For more info and/or to let local organizers know if you would be interested in receiving a wristband, go to: http://www.mainebrook.com/HonorTheStop/
Get a Portland Bike Rack for Your Business or Organization – “Donate” a bike hitch through the City (you & your company can choose where you want it and then the City will take care of installation). The City is currently working on a plaque to add to recognize each business. For more details click here.
Amtrak Downeaster -
- Start the school year off right with a College 6TIX booklet and get six one-way trips on the Downeaster for just $76 when you show your college I.D. With up to 50% off regular fares, it’s a no-brainer. Purchase online or at a Quik-Trak machine today.
- Enjoy a 30% discount when you travel on any Downeaster train this fall. Tickets must be purchased at least 3 days in advance of travel. Some restrictions and blackout dates may apply. Offer expires 11/16/08. Reference promotion code v182.
- Celtics & Bruins Packages: the Downeaster has teamed up with Our Tickets and Tours to offer Celtics and Bruins Packages. You get a game ticket and round-trip transportation on the Downeaster from any station, to Boston, and back. The following are the ONLY available dates, so call OUR TICKETS and TOURS now at 207-787-3184!
Celtics11/7 vs. Bucks $7911/12 vs. Hawks $7511/18 vs. Knicks $75Bruins11/6 vs. Maple Leafs $5911/19 vs Sabres $5512/8 vs. Lightning $551/6 vs. Wild $55
- And the Downeaster Discovery field trip program provides train transportation to school and youth groups from any Downeaster Station for just $15 round-trip per person. Groups of 15 or more can travel in a safe and comfortable environment to many educational destinations. For more information contact Natalie@nnepra.com.
- Other promotions include: Save 25% on medical-related travel, Kids ride for free on Sundays, Seniors ride for 1/2 price on Tuesdays through Thursdays, and sports fans and theater goers save 25% on tickets for evening events – check out these and other Downeaster Specials!