Tag Archives: Free

May 30, 2009 – Free Family Bike Fun and the Major Taylor Cycling Club

Major Taylor racing in Paris
Image via Wikipedia

Saturday,  May 30 is Beyond Bikes Day – a family friendly bicycle celenbration for beginners – I wan’t to make sure to point out that this is beginner friendly – I know we have posted lots of bike information but I am a bike begginner myself and I know that it can be intimidating.  

Beyond Bikes Day is organized by Venture Outdoors and the Major Taylor Cycling Club

The event will be held Saturday, May 30, at the Kingsley Association Community Center at 6435 Frankstown Avenue from noon to 3 p.m. This particular event will encourage biking as a family-friendly activity, as well as showcase some of the bike lanes in Pittsburgh, particularly the bike lane along East Liberty Boulevard. Riders are encouraged to bring their own bikes and helmets. A limited number of loaner bikes will be available. Raffle prizes will be given away throughout the day, including kids’ bikes and biking gear.

I had seen a reference to the Major Taylor Club before but I didn’t know much about it.  The Pittsburgh Chapter is a project of Pitt’s Center for Minority Health.  

Do you know Major Taylor? 

In the late 1890’s bicycle races drew crowds that filled Madison Square Garden; the biggest draw of all was Marshall W. Major Taylor. Having become the undisputed black champion of America, Taylor overcame racial segregation and intolerance to become the one-mile sprint world champion in 1899, and by the end of 1898 held seven world cycling records! 

Why is this important? 

The University of Pittsburgh‘s Center for Minority Health and Adventure Cycling Association share the goal of encouraging people from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds, including African Americans, to explore the landscapes and history of America by bicycle. That is why these two organizations are committed to creating an Underground Railroad Bicycle Route. Throughout history black people have used bicycles as a mode of transportation. Both Major Taylor and the Underground Railroad represent the struggle to freedom from slavery and the challenge to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities.  

More info on the Pittsburgh Major Taylor Cycling Club is availble here.  Also the blogger Pittsburgh Guy has a great post about the Major Taylor Club and their ride to show support for the families of the police officers that will killed in April. Continue reading

PGH 250 Community Connections Wrap Up – Check out some of these projects!

City of PittsburghImage via WikipediaI know that you are probably saying that you have heard enough about Pittsburgh’s 250 Birthday – I agree that a year long party is really long.  One aspect of the birthday celebration is a number of grants to fund projects that represent pride and progress in the region.  I was honored to be party of the grant making process last year and I was truly blown away by the proposals.  The projects that have received funding have been really great.

Check out some of these great projects at the Community Connections event on Monday, December 13,  2008 at the Science Center.  I will be on one of the panels that will be discussing the projects.  There will be a reception following.  I am looking forward to learning more about some of the other funded projects.

Pittsburgh 250: Making the Connections
Program Begins: 3:00pm, Reception Begins: 5:00pm
Carnegie Science Center, One Allegheny Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA

The Sprout Fund invites you to mark one year since the announcement of the grant awardees by attending Pittsburgh 250: Making The Connections.

Join scores of other Community Connections volunteers, project managers, foundation supporters, and more in both celebrating the success of this year’s initiative and continuing its work. Panel discussions will look at what has happened, and what will continue happening thanks to Community Connections.

And afterwards, while listening to the thematically-aligned sounds of the Newlanders, you’ll have a chance to continue the process of connecting with your peers in the region and within Southwestern Pennsylvania’s community organizing, non-profit, and fundraising worlds

RSVP: communityconnections [at] sproutfund.org or 412.325.0646

via PopCity Media

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Free Ben and Jerry's on Election Day

Bring your voting stub to Ben and Jerry’s between 5-8pm on Nov. 4, 2008 and get a free scoop of ice cream.

I think that the only Ben & Jerry’s in Pittsburgh is in Sq. Hill on Forbes Ave.

I guess it has been a while since I have been in Ben & Jerry’s (probably because I am often seeking the ice cream at Oh Yeah!) – I didn’t know Steven Colbert had his own flavor – Americone Dream.

h/t Progress Pittsburgh

Continue reading

Grand Opening Celebration for the New Hill District Library

Some of the best places in and around Pittsburgh are the libraries.  When some of these libraries were built they were way more than a place to find books – both the Braddock Library and the Homestead libraries had pools and gymnasiums too.

This Saturday this first new library building in Pittsburgh will open in the Hill District.

Stop by between 9:30 am and 1pm to celebrate the new library with crafts, storytelling, puppet shows and more.

Hill District Library Grand Opening Celebration
Saturday,  October 25,  2008 9:30am-1pm
2177 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

via This Is Happening.com Continue reading

Radio Round Up – October 10, 2008

Candy appleImage via WikipediaCandy AND Carmel Apples, Hayrides and Pumpkins  – Fall Festival at Trax Farms

  • Saturdays and Sundays 10-5
  • Corn Maze
  • Hay rides
  • pumpkin picking

Festival of Lights Kick Off

  • Art from light will illuminate Pittsburgh buildings
  • The lights come on Friday at 8:30pm
  • Free concert in Katz Plaza starting at 6pm with Etta Cox

Fort Ligonier Days  – Celebrates the 250

Howl-o-Ween Party for Pets at Schenley Park

  • Sunday, October 10, 2008 @ noon
  • Schenley Park
  • 14th Annual Animal Friends costume party for pets

FREE Day at the Zoo

  • Thanks to RADical days the zoo is free on Sunday, October 12, 2008
  • Lots of family activities with other regional assets

Extreme Makeover Home Edition is coming to Pittsburgh – they are looking for volunteers!
Next Weekend – Podcamp Pittsburgh – Free unconference to learn all about blogging, podcasting and all things web2.0.

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