Events & Opportunities
August 24 – 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. METRO, with bus ridership averaging 1.5 million annually, is Maine’s largest public transportation carrier, providing bus service to Portland, Westbrook, Falmouth and the Maine Mall area of South Portland with connections to South Portland City Bus, ZOOM, Intercity ShuttleBus, Concord Coach, Greyhound Bus, Amtrak/Downeaster, Portland Jetport and Casco Bay Lines.
August 26 – Neighborhood Meeting to Discuss Bicycle Lanes on Forest, Deering and Park Avenues
The City of Portland and the Department of Public Services will host a neighborhood meeting to discuss the opportunity to expand the city’s bicycle network on Forest Avenue, Deering Avenue and Park Avenue. The public will be able to learn of the proposed lane additions as well as have questions answered. 6:00 PM, State of Maine Room, City Hall
August 29 – Joshua’s Ride
Joshua’s Ride honors a college student who was killed while bicycling. The ride has distances of 10, 22 and 77 miles and it begins at Cape Elizabeth High School. Find out more.
August 29 – Don’t Walk Home! (Roadside Repair) and The Art of Wheel Truing from the Bicycle Workshop.
Don’t Walk Home! (Roadside Repair) – ( 9:00am – 11:30am) Covers how to prevent having to do roadside repair as well as how to deal with flat tires and possibly unhappy gears, chains, brakes etc. using just what you can carry with you on your bike. The Art of Wheel Truing (12:30 – 3:00pm) Truing a wheel is more than a skill. It is an art. This class will introduce you to the art of wheel work. These classes are totally hands on and use your bike if possible so you learn how to fix your stuff. You will learn a TON! Each class costs $60/person and runs for 2.5 hours. They are open to anyone 15 or older and there’s a deal for parents where they can bring their child and take the class with their child and they only charge for the child. Accompanying parents are free! Check it out at The Bicycle Workshop.
September 1 – Green Streets Drop-In Volunteer Social at North Star Cafe – Every 1st Tuesday from 7:30-9am
September 2 – Public Presentation of Franklin Street Design Options from Franklin Street Study Committee
The Franklin Street Study Committee will be sharing three distinct interpretations of an improved Franklin Street Corridor with the pubic at the Merrill Auditorium Rehearsal Hall, behind City Hall. Please come to learn about the three design alternatives, the Context Sensitive Solutions study model that has guided the process, and to offer your input on the alternatives – and bring a friend! 6- 8pm.
By September 5th - South Portland Bus – Last Chance for the 4th Annual Ride Home Free From the Beach!
Take the South Portland bus (including from downtown Portland locations) to Willard Beach and get a free ride home – from June 15th to September 5th. Show the driver your beach towel, sunscreen, etc. at the Preble & Willow St. bus stop only, and get a free trip back home. Once you’re on the bus you can enter the drawing for a fun South Portland Bus Service beach towel. Drawing forms available from the driver. Four winners picked each Friday. For more information, call 767-5556.
September 9 – Portland City Council Vote on Bike Lanes
The Portland City Council is expected to vote on September 9 on a proposal to add bicycle lanes to a section of Ocean Avenue. The plan must win five votes in order to pass and it failed to do so on an earlier vote. E-mail or call your City Councilor!
September 15 – Green Streets Drop-In Volunteer Social at North Star Cafe – Every 3rd Tuesday from 5:30 – 7pm
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
Check Out the Bicycle Coalition of Maine’s Strategic Plan
The Bicycle Coalition of Maine has adopted a strategic plan that will focus its work in six key areas:
- Improving bicycle infrastructure.
- Teaching bicycle safety to more Maine children.
- Expanding our Share the Road campaign.
- Advocating for bicyclists at the Maine Legislature and in other venues.
- Encouraging more Mainers to bicycle.
- Strengthening our organization.
Take a few moments to read the plan summary and to find out how you can get involved. Please encourage your friends and family to make Maine a better place to bicycle by joining the coalition. Thanks to the 1,300 members who participated in the plan’s creation by completing a survey last March.
AMTRAK Downeaster Specials
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.