March 4 - Newsletter is in the works

Good evening,
Things have been busy at the shop and we're working on a newsletter to let you know more details. We've been gradually working down the pile of donated bikes, many of them still lingering from the Christmas collection. We want to make room to start building floats, bike machines and other chicanery for the "Step it Up" parade. The purpose of the parade is to build excitement in the community to make positive climate change, and tell our lawmakers to enact legislation that protects and improves our environment. If you're in an community or environmental group please consider entering a display or float in the parade. If you know of a youth group that would like to get involved we're looking for kids to enter a bike-decorating contest and show off their work on the parade route.

We'll have another trade-up day on April 28 when kids can trade in their old bike for one that fits their growing body (or changing needs) for a $10 minimum charge. This was a big success for us last year, especially rewarding because we got to teach a couple of kids to ride for the first time. We plan to promote it more widely this year so we'd like to have all the volunteers we can get in the event of a large turnout. Please call the shop if you can volunteer before or during the event.

Don Ravenscroft is putting 2 bikes together to make a 4-wheeled pedal car. This is one of several projects Don has done for the shop, including the pedal generators. At over 80 years old Don is an enjoyable and interesting guy to have around the shop, whether he's sharing his design insights or telling war stories from his time in the Pacific theatre during WWII maintaining B-29 aircraft.

As always volunteers are needed to keep bikes going out to charities, and developing our programs. Call us (276-02130 or just show up during open times if you can help out.

Nick Hein
Director