 NCBW Newsroom - Regional and Local ActionsThe National & International Scene | Regional and Local Actions | The Research Beat | Resources | Jobs, Grants & RFPs MANISTIQUE (MI) COALITION BACKS SRTS, COMP. STREETS -> According to a Feb. 26th Escanaba Daily Press article, "The Manistique Strategic Alliance for Health (SAH) Coalition is looking to break the tradition of short-term health initiatives and programs. The coalition, which is a creation of the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians, has been busily preparing and planning for a permanent, community-wide makeover that includes two key improvements. The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program, in conjunction with a Complete Streets initiative and the creation of a farmer's market, have become the central focus in a long list of initiatives being tackled by the coalition. According to Kerry Ott, community coordinator for Manistique, the goal of SAH is to encourage healthy lifestyles in order to prevent things like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity. " "'So much in public health in the past has been program-based. You do the program, the funding runs out and you're gone, and there is no lasting change,' explained Ott at a recent meeting of the coalition. 'That's obvious when you look at the obesity numbers in this country -- that the way we've been doing things for the last 25 years, hasn't worked.' In an effort to change this trend, SAH is looking to make long-term changes within the community. One of their most daunting tasks -- bringing SRTS to the area, which will involve a number of surveys. These surveys will target the streets most used by children and eventually suggest ways to make these streets more walkable and safe..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/yeju6zl POTTSTOWN (PA) DOWNTOWN FUTURE MAY START AT TOP -> According to a Mar. 1st Mercury article, "They say it takes vision to revitalize a downtown, that you have to be able to see things not just as they are, but as they could be. But in a down-to-earth way, you also have to look up. A downtown is more than just storefronts. For millions of Americans, downtown is also home -- literally. And those homes, almost universally, are located up above the retail shops, galleries, restaurants and theaters that give a downtown its character. Upper floor residency 'is a must to make a downtown vibrant,' according to Midge McCauley. " "A board member with the International Downtown Association, McCauley is also a retail consultant with Downtown Works in Washington, D.C., and has worked on downtown revitalizations everywhere from Los Angeles to the Chestnut Hill area of Philadelphia. 'When you have residents on the upper floors it helps the businesses to thrive," McCauley said. 'It's terribly important because it means the lights are on at night, and those people are out in the street and it makes the downtown feel safe,' McCauley said..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/ye7rw3p GOOGLE "STREET VIEW" TRIKE TO FILM BOULDER (CO) PATH -> According to a May 1st Daily Camera article, "Sometime this spring -- amid the usual bikers, joggers and amblers -- an odd looking tricycle will roll down the Boulder Creek Path snapping 360-degree photos as it goes. With 21,000 votes, the Boulder Creek Path won a contest Monday to become one of the first off-road locations visited by the new Google Trike, a cross between a mountain bike and trailer with a camera mounted on a pole in the back." "The trike will allow Google to complement its popular Street View function -- which gives users an on-the-ground perspective through their computer screens, including a look at store fronts, street signs and yards -- with a 'path view' for places where cars can't go. 'We're very excited,' said Marni Ratzel, bicycle and transportation planner for the city's Go Boulder program. 'I think it's great for our residents as well as for tourists who come to Boulder to see this great amenity that we have. They can do that virtually prior to coming, and they can show their friends after they've been there. It's just a really cool tool.'..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/yf7csl9 SRTS $$ TO FIX LANCASTER (OH) INTERSECTION -> According to a Mar. 2nd Columbus Dispatch article, "A crosswalk spans busy Cherry Street outside Bib's Eastside Restaurant, but some drivers ignore it and blow right through. Children use the crosswalk as they walk to and from nearby East Elementary School. So do patrons crossing the street to get to Bib's at 202 N. Cherry St." "The restaurant owner, Jim Bibler, has asked city officials to install a stop light or a flashing light. The school crossing guards think something should be done, too. 'The cars come flying down, you put your flag out, they don't stop,' said Cross Colon, who was stationed at the crosswalk Wednesday afternoon with his partner, Kaytelynn Boch. Both are in fifth grade at East..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/y976sph 'COMP STREETS' BILL MOVES THROUGH MINN. LEG. -> According to a Mar. 1st Pioneer Press article, "For decades, planners have designed Minnesota's roads to move cars and trucks as efficiently and quickly as possible. But bicyclists, pedestrians and other road users would start getting a bit more standing if a bill moving through the Minnesota Legislature becomes law. Called 'Complete Streets,' it would give communities more flexibility in designing streets to accommodate local needs and wishes. Rigid state standards that don't easily allow them to add a bike lane in one portion of town or to put in a sidewalk in another would be eased. Common-sense tailored approaches would be encouraged. " "With bipartisan support, and the backing of the state Department of Transportation and key health and environmental groups, the measure is expected to pass with little opposition. 'This is just a way to pause as we make new investments to think of all the users of new roadways,' said state Sen. Tony Lourey, DFL-Kerrick, the bill's chief Senate sponsor. 'Nobody is being forced to put any given feature on any given road,' added Rep. Mike Obermueller, DFL-Eagan, the bill's chief House sponsor. 'This integrates all the different people who would use this road and what pieces are going where.'..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/yzug4sc MORE "MICROPARKS" COMING TO SAN FRANCISCO -> According to a Mar. 1st High Country News blog entry, "San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom announced last week that the City by the Bay will create four new plazas and five "parklets" by summer, using contiguous parking spaces volunteered by corporations and neighborhood businesses. Each parklet will consist of a platform built flush with the sidewalk, with tables, chairs, umbrellas, potted flowers and shrubbery. " "The microparks are meant to discourage a few more drivers -- and thus, congestion and air pollution -- also intended by a bill proposed in the California State Senate to reduce 'free parking' throughout the Golden State. More importantly, they'll provide a place to park your rump and nurse a coffee. (Several of the parklets will appear in front of cafes, which want you to hang out, of course.)" "For the cost of just $7,000 a parklet (more for plazas), these innovative spaces are just about the only way San Francisco can continue greening its plethora of concrete amid a budget crunch. They follow on the heels of a pilot pedestrian plaza that opened in May on Market and 17th Street in the Castro. They're also inspired by the city's popular PARK(ing) Day, during which people temporarily roll out lawns across a few metered spots to barbecue or even set up a swing..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/y9edxdb VERMONT TARGETS OBESITY EPIDEMIC -> According to a Mar. 1st Times Argus article, "About 280,000 Vermont adults -- nearly 60 percent -- are overweight or obese, prompting the state Health Department and the Attorney General's office to jumpstart efforts to encourage people to exercise, improve their daily diets, and hold down health care costs in the process. The effort received a boost recently from First Lady Michelle Obama, who identified fighting the problem of childhood obesity as her 'legacy' issue, with about one-third of the nation's children considered obese. 'To have the first lady talk about this is great,' said Susan Coburn, nutrition and physical activity chief for the Vermont Department of Health. The department pushed its Fit & Healthy initiative in 2006, and now works with schools, communities and employers to encourage healthier behavior aimed at reducing obesity. " "In addition, the Attorney General's office has joined the movement, holding a meeting earlier this month to launch an obesity initiative. This follows the Attorney General's past health-related initiatives on senior issues, end-of-life and palliative care, lead in the environment and anti-tobacco efforts. 'We're not riding in here to save the world, that we've got this great idea,' Attorney General William Sorrell told the group gathered for the Feb. 17 meeting. He said much has been taking place at the local, state and federal level, and he also applauded Michelle Obama's recent comments. 'That is going to highlight national attention and concern on the issue,' Sorrell said. 'This is a happening issue, if you will. I welcome the opportunity for Vermont, as it has in many other arenas, to be at the forefront of positive change for this state and this country.'..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/yhgn2q8 ARDEN HILLS (MN) WEIGHS ACTIVE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT -> According to a Feb. 27th Star Tribune article, "The future of a 450-acre parcel in Arden Hills -- part of a former ammunition plant site -- will be viewed through a new lens before it goes up for auction. The City Council voted this month to look at the Army-owned land with an eye toward creating an active community, with walkable neighborhoods, safe streets, access to green space, healthful food and medical care, clean air and water. The assessment is meant to offer insight into making health a factor in city planning and design. " "'In the past, health has never had a place at the table,' said Tannie Eshenaur, a community health educator with the state Health Department, which will be a partner in the process. 'It's common sense; we know if you have to cross six lanes of traffic, you're never going take that on as a pedestrian. But if we can be more intentional about making health a priority, we can make these small design changes in our communities, so we can improve people's health.' The process is a collaboration among the city, the Department of Health, and Design for Health, a joint initiative of the University of Minnesota, Cornell University and the University of Colorado..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/yfhsv98 OSHKOSH (WI) PROGRAM TO PROVIDE FREE BIKES -> According to a Mar. 1st Northwestern blog entry, "The new Oshkosh Community Bike Program offers the best concepts in creating a new program: collaborations between existing non-profit agencies and finding a new use for discarded items -- all in the name of fulfilling a transportation need in the community." "A program taking root under the Wisconsin Interfaith Needs Response umbrella, OCBP is in the beginning stages of what could morph into something with a far-reaching impact. WINR is known for providing cars to those in need. OCBP will fill a niche by connecting low-income children and adults with bikes..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/yllmzy9 FORT WORTH (TX) BIKE PLAN MOVING FORWARD -> According to a Feb. 10th Star-Telegram article, "As a sea of bicyclists in red and yellow jerseys looked on, City Council members moved forward with a long-range plan this week to weave cyclists into the traffic pattern across Fort Worth. The city has had false starts before with bike plans. But a grassroots movement, including two big bicycling clubs, is solidly behind the latest version, known as Bike Fort Worth. 'With a city that is more bicycle-friendly, then the sport of cycling will be enhanced, and maybe that will encourage more bicycle riding and less auto driving,' John Roberts, president of the Fort Worth Bicycling Association, told the City Council on Tuesday. " "Jim Wilson, president of the Lockheed Martin Recreation Association's cycling club, said the bike plan complements the city's push to get people out of cars by encouraging mass transit and building walkable neighborhoods. 'None of those can go to every home -- none of those can go to every neighborhood; the bicycle is another avenue to connect each of those,' he said. The plan calls for creating 900 miles of new trails and bike lanes -- up from 100 miles today -- and connecting that web to popular destinations and to other cities, while encouraging cycling and striving to decrease bike accidents..." Source: http://tinyurl.com/ye8kqyf Get a jump start on this news by subscribing to CenterLines. Discuss these news articles with other advocates in the Forum section of the ALRC Commons. |
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