Issue #59 / September 2011
|
In this issue
Events
· Re-visioning McGrath/O'Brien/Rt 28 Corridor public meeting, Wed., Sep. 14 · NYC Streets with Janette Sadik-Khan, NYC Transportation Commissioner, Th., Sep. 15
· Ride 4 Bob Zeeb, bicycle ride and BBQ benefits LivableStreets, Sat., Sep. 24
Action e-lert
· Emails needed to support Green Line Extension
Why?
· Imagine no public transit
What's happening · President Obama appoints LivableStreets Board Member Chris Hart to US Access Board · Vote: 'The public way' blog nominated one of Boston's best blogs. Make it #1. · Hubway, Boston's new bike share system, off to strong start · Volunteer at Hub on Wheels, Boston's annual bicycle festival · Jobs & Internships
Calendar - Click here to view full listing of upcoming events and public meetings
|
|
Events, events and more events
_______________________________________________________
|
|
Attend re-visioning McGrath/O'Brien/Rt 28 Corridor public meeting
Hosted by LivableStreets Wednesday, September 14, 6:30-8:30 pm @ Argenziano School Cafeteria at Lincoln Park, 290 Washington Street, Somerville 02143 This is a free and open to the public meeting. To help with planning, please RSVP to steve@livablestreets.info
What happens to the "northern artery" will shape what happens to the surrounding neighborhoods and entire region. At the public meeting we will discuss a set of redesign goals for the more than 20 separate road, real estate, and community development efforts along the Rt. 28 Corridor (McGrath/O'Brien Highway) currently shaping the Boston - Medford corridor. Please attend - we want to hear from you.
LivableStreets has brought together a coalition of community, environmental, transportation, and health advocates from Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, and Medford to create a new vision to reunite and reinvigorate the area. Like many old commuter arterials that have been replaced by new Interstates, the McGrath/O'Brien Highway is falling apart. With I-93 now carrying most of the regional traffic, should McGrath be rebuilt as a 6-lane highway, or as the set of urban streets it once was? It's about the future of our communities. |
|
Roadmap to Sustainable Infrastructure & Green Cities with Janette Sadik-Khan, NYC Dept of Transportation Commissioner Co-sponsored by LivableStreets Alliance
Thursday, September 15, 6:30-7:30 pm @ Piper Auditorium, Gund Hall, 48 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA Free and open to the public
Come get inspired as Janette Sadik-Khan, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation, tells us about the Department of Transportation's success in transforming the City's streetscapes through the design and construction of major sustainable projects. From hundreds of miles of bikeways, to Summer Streets, and parklets, New York City has made tremendous changes that are a model for us in the Boston region.
Organized by the Zofnass Program for Sustainable Infrastructure at Harvard GSD.
For more information, click here >>> |
|
Ride with us on the Ride 4 Bob Zeeb Sept 24 The ride benefits LivableStreets and celebrates the life and spirit of Robert Zeeb
Saturday, September 24, 9:00 am
Meet at Auburndale Park in Newton, MA (start & finish) 20 and 40 mile loops, with shorter excursions possible.
"Because he was so passionate about cycling, we think he would be especially pleased that this bike ride will benefit LivableStreets. Last year's event was an incredible success with more than 100 riders. We look forward to seeing you all for a wonderful fall ride along some of Bob's favorite routes." say his two sons, Peter and Noel, who are organizing the ride.
Register at www.ride4bobzeeb.org Invite friends through Facebook
> If you are not able to attend or ride, but still wish to make a donation in memory of Bob Zeeb, you can online through website or send a check with 'Ride4BobZeeb' in the memo directly to LivableStreets, 70 Pacific Street, Cambridge MA 02139.
About Bob Zeeb Bob Zeeb was regularly cycling 50 miles a day and hoped to make a cross-country trip the summer of 2011. He died November 10, 2009, as the result of a bicycle accident due to a missing electrical utility vault access plate.
Bob was a retired educational administrator for the Newton Schools, a coordinator of adult education for the First Unitarian Society of Newton, an avid environmentalist, social justice activist, gardener, and cyclist. He was a resident of Newtonville with his wife, Holly, for the past 45 years.
Bob and Holly Zeeb enjoyed many cycling trips together: in Crete, in the Finger Lakes regions of New York State, in the Boulder area of Colorado, and in Maine. Bob and their two sons, Peter, of Arlington and Noel, of Cambridge, cycled in the Loire Valley in France together in 2008 in celebration of his 70th birthday.
|
|
Action e-lert
_______________________________________________________________
|
|
E-mails needed to support Green Line Extension
Write now
An email personalized by you will be more powerful than a form letter. Key reasons not to delay the extension include:
There are lots of relevant people to email. You can do it all in one email TO: jerome.grafe@state.ma.us, christine.kirby@state.ma.us, David.mohler@state.ma.us, katherine.fichter@dot.state.ma.us, publicinformation@ctps.org CC: arnold.anne@epa.gov, cooke.donald@epa.gov, monahan.rosemary@epa.gov, pamela.stephenson@dot.gov, michael.chong@dot.gov, william.gordon@dot.gov
For more detailed information and opportunities to comment at upcoming public meetings, click here >>> |
The Green Line rail extension from Lechmere in Cambridge to Somerville and Medford may be delayed until 2018. It is crucial that as many voices as possible reach decision makers by September 13.|
Why?
_______________________________________________________________
|
|
Part 4, on why LivableStreets is working to create safe streets for all, and a world-class transportation system for you.
During Hurricane Irene, all public transit was shut down. Imagine what life would be like every day without buses, subways, or commuter rail to get to work, a friends' house, and in or out of town. LivableStreets works to ensure that public transit has a future. Irene reminded us just how essential transit is to living and working in the Boston region. Join LivableStreets, and invest in ensuring that public transit only shuts down during hurricanes, and not every day.
LivableStreets is your voice for better walking, biking, and public transit. Join LivableStreets now to be part of making the Boston region a better place to live, work, and play.
|
|
What's happening
_______________________________________________________________
|
|
President Obama appoints LivableStreets board member Christopher Hart to key administration post
Congratulations Chris!
> White House press announcement >>> > For more about Chris, check out LivableStreets' people page here >>> |
President Barack Obama has appointed Chris Hart, LivableStreets board member and Director of Urban and Transit Projects at Institute for Human-Centered Design, to the United States Access Board. The Board coordinates Federal agencies and represents the public, particularly people with disabilities. The Board is comprised of 13 members of the public appointed by the President and representatives from 12 Federal departments.|
VOTE now for 'the public way' blog 'The public way' - LivableStreets Steve Miller's blog - is nominated as one of Boston's best local affairs blog. Make it #1 by voting for it today.
Vote now. Polls close today. Simply go here and click 'vote for this site' >>> And to remind you of why the blog is so good, here are links to a few recent postings: - Democracy, demagoguery, and bicycling > - Saving public transportation > - How roads shape economies > - Federal Highway fund rescission > |
|
Boston's Hubway bike share off to strong start
Have you tried one of the new Hubway bikes? Over the first four weeks of operation, Hubway surpassed expectations, with 2,200 members and handled over 35,000 trips. Wow.
In the next year, we hope that the system will expand to Cambridge, Somerville, Brookline, and Arlington. LivableStreets played a key role in the launch of the Boston Bikes program and we are so excited to see great programs like Hubway come out of it.
For more information about the system and to become a member, click here >>> |
|
Join LivableStreets Hub On Wheels team and volunteer
Sunday, September 25, 8 am - 5 pm @ Boston City Hall Plaza, Gov't Center
This year, you can join the ride, volunteer for LivableStreets, enjoy the festival, and watch a professional bike race - all in one day! Hub On Wheels, the City of Boston's annual bicycle festival, has played a critical role in raising public awareness for bicycling and the Boston Bikes program. LivableStreets Alliance has been involved in Hub On Wheels since its inception. Come ride with us, and/or volunteer!
To join LivableStreets team, register here >>> and click on 'join existing team', and scroll down to 'LivableStreets Alliance'. Need a LivableStreets orange t-shirt to ride in? Come by LivableStreets booth before the ride and make a $15 donation to get one.
Want to volunteer, e-mail kara@livablestreets.info for more information. |
|
Jobs & Internships
LivableStreets Program Intern Interested in transportation advocacy, community outreach, and organizational development? LivableStreets wants you. LivableStreets hosts monthly and annual events, does community outreach, has a membership program, and more. This fall we will be hosting events, spreading the word about planning projects and advocacy work, and meeting many new people in the process. LivableStreets is seeking a part-time intern to help with various tasks during September through December.
Responsibilities include: website and database development, campaign outreach and event marketing, and writing and editing. Large growth potential to take on more tasks in entrepreneurial atmosphere.
Qualifications include: strong written and verbal skills, attention to detail and accuracy, ability to work independently, proficient in Microsoft Excel, familiarity with Constant Contact a plus, commitment to LivableStreets mission, available to work 5-8 hrs on Tues, Weds, or Friday (including some nights/weekends)
Apply by September 20, 2011. This is an unpaid internship. Course credit available. How to apply: Email cover letter, resume, and availability to kara@livablestreets.info.
Additional LivableStreets internship & volunteer opportunities available here >>>
|
|
|