MetroSpokane

In case you were at the lake...

Forty seconds of pyrotechnic luv - fireworks' grand finale as seen from the streets of downtown Spokane.  BONUS:  multiple car alarms.  Hope you had a good Fourth o' July.

Gordon Price is back...

Gordon Price, the director of the City Program at Simon Fraser University will be back in town next week.  If you missed him last time he was here to speak, set aside some time next Wednesday, 5/21 at 10:30 AM.  An excellent speaker, he brings some fantastic observations as to what makes a city work.  He also edits a great monthly emagazine named Price Tags. 

As a part of the ongoing Community Roundtables at City Hall, the third forum will deal with directing growth to our centers and corridors.  A panel consisting of Jim Frank (Greenstone Homes) and Pete Raynor.

Spokane's Bike to Work Week: Kick off recap

FROM OutThere Monthly:  "It’s hard to think of a better start to Spokane Bike to Work Week than the gathering this morning at Riverfront Park. Several hundred cyclists showed up to get free pancakes and orange juice and mingle before work."

With nearly 900 riders registered it's easy to see that commuting by bike is a valid practice by many in our community.  We're amped for the big Wrap-Up celebration this Friday at the Steamplant Grill.  Plenty o' schwag will be handed out, so be sure and show up.

• Spokane Bike-to-Work Week Kickoff [OutThere Monthly]
• Bike-to-Work Week [official website]

 

Bike to Work closes in on 700

As of yesterday Spokane's Bike to Work Committee reported that nearly 700 people (687 total) had registered for Spokane's Bike to Work Week which takes place May 12-16.  The kick-off breakfast at Riverfront Park is expecting to see around 300 bike-riders while the closing event is nearing 300 people as well.  If you haven't registered there's still time. 

One of the coolest joint events is "Walk and Roll to School Day" with seven elementary schools promoting walking or bike riding as a good way to get to and from school. 

We are a biking city!  Don't get left...in your car.

• Bike to Work Week-registration is open [MetroSpokane]
• Bike to Work Spokane [website]
• Tips on carrying bike loads [cyclingspokane]

Get yer bike plan on

Twenty years have passed Spokane's Master Bicycle Plan was last updated, and to celebrate it's getting a fresh look and an update.  Over the next couple of weeks there will be a few meetings for you to provide your input and discuss issues.  If you can't quite make the meeting you're still able to provide comments through Spokane's 2008 Online Bike Plan Survey. 

• Master Bike Plan & supporting documents [Website]
• Three Open Houses to get input on Bike Plan [Press Release-pdf]

Public Meeting Details:

• Tuesday, April 22, Southside Senior Activity Center, 3151 E. 27th Ave,
  6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.
• Thursday, April 24, West Central Community Center, 1603 N. Belt,
  7:00 PM to 9:00 PM.
• Tuesday, April 29, Northeast Community Center, 4001 N. Cook,
  6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

 

MetroSpokane Inbox: Spokane River Forum

Via the MetroSpokane inbox, a tipster dropped us line that The Spokane River Forum website is up and running.  It's a new organization to us, but we're waaaaaay impressed with their Mission:

The Spokane River Forum serves as a clearinghouse and information exchange for all things Spokane River.

Even more impressive is the event they're staging this Summer to raise awareness of the role the Spokane river plays in our lives:  A 120 mile journey from Lake Coeur d'Alene to the Upper Columbia River over two, three-day periods.  The first is June 13th - 15th and the second is June 20th - 23rd.  Registration closes on May 2nd for this event and we have a sense it'll fill up rapidly.  Oh, and while you're at it feel free to join the organization.

• Spokane River Forum [website]
• I love the Spokane River Raft and Paddle Expedition [pdf - map]

Bike to work week-registration is open

Filled your gas tank up recently?  If you're now beginning to calculate your commute as cost-per-trip instead of miles-per-gallon we have the event for you.  National bike-to-work-week will be held from May 12 - 16 this year, and in Spokane the event promises to be bigger than ever.  The week kicks off with a BTW breakfast from 7am-9am in Riverfront Park and wraps up with a party at the Steam Plant with plenty-o-schwag for registered participants (grand prize is a commuter bike from REI).

Speaking of Bike-to-work-week registration, it's now open and even though all activities associated with BTW Spokane are free it's important to register to better understand participation.  So give it a try.  Your pocketbook might thank you.

• Bike-to-work Spokane [website]
• Spokanegasprices.com [website]

Tour de Spokane? Any takers?

[Images from the 2007 Tour de Bronx]
Runners have Bloomsday, B-Ballers have Hoopfest, bicyclists have...?  We think it's high time an event that is Spokane centric and specifically for bicyclists takes place.  Why not a Tour de Spokane?  Imagine an entire weekend day dedicated to cycling the streets of Spokane?  We've talked about the need for a Ciclovia Spokane event previously, but it seems that Spokane really does well with annual events like the ones mentioned above.

Fundrace2008: Find out who's backing who in Spokane

This one's a stretch , but since it involves a google maps mashup of Spokane then we figured we're covered.  Today's topic is Fundrace 2008, and it's a pretty cool way to see who's backin' who in the recent caucuses for el Presidente.  Zoom in on Spokane, enter a zipcode, name or address and you'll have hours of fun discovering who's backing who in your town and how much they're throwing down.  Let's just say south of I-90 the nabes are active.  Happy snooping.

Gaiser Conservatory Holiday Lights...

Be sure and GET FLASH...

Not many cities can boast a full on conservatory as part of their parks system, and for Spokane the Gaiser Conservatory at Manito park is a great asset.  When the short days of winter have you pulling your hair out there's no better time to visit and take in the light, warmth and oxygen-rich air.  Until that time arrives though, you're best to visit now through the 16th of December when the Holiday Lights are on display.  Something like 20k lights make for an odd, but entertaining way to experience our conservatory this time of year.  The free event is put on by the Parks and Rec Dept. and The Friends of Manito, so drop a few bills in the basket while you're there to show your support.

• Gaiser Conservatory at Manito Park [GMAP]