May 2007 Archives
Here’s an interesting program you should check out: BickerBikes helps Chicago youth get active through cool workshops where they learn how to repair and fix up an old bike. They earn the bike once they’re done, and in the process learn about bike safety and rules for riding, good nutrition and exercise tips, and how to get around the city under their own power. Sounds great!
The program is raising money now to help pay for two summer classes and a year-round after-school bike club. They’re looking to bring in $5,000 in individual donations. If you head over to this site, you can donate and support this innovative project.
Our own Raul Echeverria is working on BickerBikes as part of his work at Bickerdike Redevelopment Corporation.
What does your donation buy?
Safe Riders - $25 allows one youth to ride safely with a helmet, lights and bell.
Self Sufficient Youth - $100 enables youth to keep on riding for years with a lock, patch kit, pump and tools.
Creating a New Generation of Cyclists - $500 to $1,000 provides critical program support for mentoring, mechanics instruction, nutrition education, safe-cycling drills, and parts for rebuilt bicycles.
Changing the city - Less congestion, decreased pollution, active and healthier youth: Priceless.
Posted by Paul Smith on May 31, 2007
We’re very excited about this: join us this Friday, May 18th, for the opening of Envisioning the Bloomingdale. This is an exhibit of early visions for the elevated park we’re all hoping to see emerge on the Bloomingdale line. This Friday is the kick-off reception, free and open to the public. It’s from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Acme Art Works, 1st floor, on 1741 N Western Ave.
The exhibit is sponsored by the Bloomingdale Trail Collaborative, but it’s primarily the work of the Chicago Architectural Club. They’ve put together a terrific collection of conceptual pieces from architects and planners to artists and kids. It’s going to be very cool. (Check out the great poster they did for it.)
The show runs through June 3rd. It’s open Thursday through Sunday, noon to 5 p.m., and by appointment.
Hope to see you Friday night!
Posted by Paul Smith on May 16, 2007
Friends of the Bloomingdale Trail is hiring for our first-ever paid staff position. The job title is Program Coordinator. The position starts effective June 1, 2007, so get those résumés in today!
Check out the listing, and please forward it on to anyone you know who may be interested. We’re looking for top-notch candidates to fill this position. It’s an exciting time to be a part of the Bloomingdale Trail project, please join us!
Posted by Paul Smith on May 10, 2007
The Bloomingdale Trail is a featured tour as part of the City’s Great Chicago Spaces and Places, May 19th and 20th. Tours will be led by our volunteer docents (thanks to everyone who came out last Thursday). The Saturday tour starts at 1:30 p.m., and the Sunday tour starts at 9:30 a.m., and lasts 2 hours. If you’ve never seen it in person, or you know of some friends who would be interested, this is a terrific opportunity to get up close and personal and get a great overview of the Trail.
Online registration is available, and it’s only $3. Don’t miss it!
Posted by Paul Smith on May 09, 2007
Longtime freight-railroad user
Peerless Confection Company at 1250 W. Schubert is closing its doors. The company has been making hard candies on Chicago's north side since 1914. Peerless was one of the last companies east of the highway that used the Bloomingdale Line for freight service before traffic was rerouted, leaving the Bloomingdale dormant. For many years, the grade-level freight service to the candy plant traversed dense urban neighborhoods along Lakewood Ave. after crossing east on the Bloomingdale and then over Chicago River. Several active industrial freight users remain on Goose Island and nearby areas, served by the newly created
Chicago Terminal Railroad.
For more about the north side's freight rail history see the excellent
North Side Switching site.
Posted by Josh Deth on May 03, 2007
