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The Newsletter Featuring Livable Community Items That Readers Value and Highlights of Happenings Along the West Corridor on the RTD West Rail Line Serving Golden, Lakewood & Denver.
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Hello Everyone! This is Bill Spriggs and I have found several news articles, links and blogs that I wanted to share along THE BACK FENCE & beyond in this Sunday Edition, May 06, 2012. |
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West Corridor, Denver & Region
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[Note below: we covered this on Wed, May 02, but I wanted to share with everyone that it went national. Fantastic work to all at Reconnecting America!]
TheAtlanticCities.com
Ideas for Optimizing Denver's Transit System By Kaid Benfield, May 04, 2012 Transit analysts Reconnecting America and the Denver equity coalition Mile High Connects have released an impressive compendium of maps and research showing how expansion of that city's transit system could bring major opportunity to traditionally underserved populations IF local agencies take the necessary steps to prepare and coordinate. Called the Denver Regional Equity Atlas, the data-rich report is among the more sophisticated uses of GIS mapping that I have seen. READ MORE...
Blogs.DenverPost.com
Food Deserts Still Erode Colorado Health, Despite Flashy Contrarian Study
By Micheal Booth, May 02, 2012
"Any suggestion that food deserts don't exist in low-income neighborhoods is inaccurate and ignores serious food access issues that confront Colorado and the nation,"
LiveWellColorado.org
Puzzled about Food Deserts? By Maren Stewart, May 03, 2012 From concerned citizens to healthcare professionals, individuals across Colorado and throughout our country are reacting to the article Studies Question the Pairing of Food Deserts and Obesity that was recently published in The New York Times.
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National
| DC.StreetsBlog.org
Political Jockeying Over Gas Prices Is Divorced From Reality
By Tanya Snyder, May 04, 2012
Though many transportation reformers, economists and environmentalists would say that gas prices aren't nearly high enough gas to disincentivize single-occupancy-vehicle use and to pay for the external harms...
DC.Streetsblog.org
FHWA: Small Investments in Bike/Ped Infrastructure Can Pay Off in a Big Way
By Tanya Snyder, May 01, 2012 If you ever doubted whether a small investment in biking and walking could have a large impact, here is your proof.
READ MORE...
TheAtlanticCities.com
Do Honor Systems on Mass Transit Work Better in Smaller Cities?
By Nate Berg, May 02, 2012
Later this month, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority board is expected to vote on whether to make sure people are paying to ride its growing network of light rail and subway lines.
TheAltanticCities.com
Road Traffic 'Single Biggest Source of Fatality' for Young People Worldwide
By Sarah Goodyear, May 03, 2012
When you think of how to achieve public-health progress in the developing world, you might think of engineering clean water sources and sanitation to prevent water-borne diseases. You might think of implementing measures to stop the spread of malaria, like mosquito nets...What you probably wouldn't think of is figuring out how to keep people safe from traffic.
READ MORE...
DC.StreetsBlog.org
Mileage-Based Fees or Bust: New Report Says "No More Excuses"
By Noel Popwell, May 03, 2012
The shortcomings of the current gas tax are well-known. The federal rate (18.4 cents/gallon) has not been raised in nearly twenty years and is not tied to inflation, yet it remains the primary source of funds for federal transportation spending.
READ MORE...TheAtlanticCities.com
How the Internet Redefined Urban Space
By Nate Berg, May 09, 2012 As the internet spreads beyond our computer screens and into the physical world, how can we define and distinguish between public and private spaces?
READ MORE... |
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International (when available)
| TheNewRepublic.com/blog
Vienna Offers a Glimpse of the 'Next Metropolis'
By Adie Tomer, May 03, 2012
"Smart cities" is the urban buzz phrase of the last few years, and fans often turn to European cities for inspiration. From Amsterdam's bike lanes to Copenhagen's wind power, from Barcelona's 22@ innovation district to Berlin's dramatic redevelopment, European examples abound.
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Sunday's Film (when available)
| Vimeo.com
The Holstee Manifesto is a call to action to live a life full of intention, creativity, passion, and community. The LifeCycle Film came about as a desire to bring the energy and passion behind the Manifesto to life through something we love--biking.
 | The Holstee Manifesto Lifecycle Video
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Things you need to know along the West Corridor
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>Lakewood, Tuesday, May 08, 2012, 6:30am to 8pm Two Creeks Park: Public Planning Workshop, Clements Community Center, 1580 Yarrow St. Lakewood, Co. 80214 The City of Lakewood is hosting a workshop for residents to share their ideas on the future vision for the park space just east of Wadsworth Blvd between 10th and 12th Avenues.
>Golden, Tuesday, May 08, 2012 , 6:30pm to 8:30pm Hunter Lovins, expert in sustainable practices for companies and communities will speak in Golden at a free public event sponsored by The Jefferson County League of Women Voters. American Mountaineering Center, 710 10th St. Golden, 80401 Time Magazine named Lovins "Hero for the Planet" in 2000 and Newsweek named her "Green Business Icon" in 2009. She has authored and co-authored numerous books and has done consulting work for governments and the private sector. For more information call Ellen at 303-526-7446, visit www.lwvjeffco.org or email jeffcolwv@netzero.net.
>Denver Union Station Historic Summer Tours Starting Thursday, May 10, 2012 at 4:30pm - 5:30pm
The Denver Union Station Project Authority (DUSPA) will be conducting free guided tours of the Denver Union Station redevelopment site this summer. This guided tour will emphasis the early station history and famous travelers who visited Denver by Train. The tour will also tell visitors about all the exciting new features that will soon be part of, and surround, the historic station. The tours will be held at 4:30 p.m., starting on Thursday, May 10, 2012, and continuing on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month through July. The one-hour tour will start inside the Great Train Hall at the historic station, 1701 Wynkoop Street. Participation is limited to 35 people per tour. To reserve your spot, visit. RSVP here [Scroll down on left]
[Editor's note to below: TBF received no promotional fee for this posting. This is part of our overall effort to get more cyclists on our city streets. It is a well established fact that if females feel "safe" on our roads, then more will follow and that means fewer automobiles]. Source: Scientific American
 > Lakewood, Thursday, May 10, 2012, 7 -9pm. Ladies Night at Campus Cycles, 7310 West Colfax Ave, Co. 80214. One of the West Corridor's newest neighbors will be hosing an "after hours" catered event designed to present information about bikes, accessories and riding apparel for the lady cyclist. Liv/Giant will be present as well as a few local event directors. The evening will include a raffle, entertainment, gift bags, fashion show and many in-store discounts. RSVP via e-mail at eventRSVP@campuscycles.com, or call 303 237-1115.
>Lakewood, Thursday, May 10, 2010, 6-7:30pm. Eiber Elementary School, 1385 Independence Street, Lakewood, Co. 80215 The City of Lakewood will host a Sustainable Neighborhood Program focused on the Eiber Neighborhood and encourages citizen participation for this workshop to share ideas and interests. The West Rail Line runs east & west along the northern portion of this particular neighborhood. >Denver, Tuesday, May 15, 2012 5:30 - 7pm Public Transit Workshop The City and County of Denver and the Denver Livability Partnership will host a Public Transit Workshop. The workshop will provide attendees with an opportunity to hear information from the recent West Side Transit Enhancement Study and details on service changes anticipated with the opening of the new West Corridor Light Rail line in 2013. Westridge/Mulroy Community Rm, 3550 West 13th Ave, Denver, Co. 80204.
>Lakewood, Saturday, May 19, 2012 9am - 1030am
Lakewood City Council Ward 1 members Karen Kellen & Ramey Johnson will meet with residents and considerate guests for their monthly outreach. The future light rail line will traverse the northern section of their Ward. Lakewood West Colfax Business Improvement District Office, 7125 West Colfax Ave.
>Lakewood, starting Friday, June 08, 2012, 5-9pm Lakewood's celebration of the Arts week - Inspire -- starts with a Ribbon-cutting, Arts Exhibit & Community Art Project June 8-9-10. Mark your calendars for the INSPIRE week programs at 40 West Arts! Lakewood's celebration of its arts with a ribbion-cutting and preview of the new 40 West Studios at 7175 West 16th Avenue, Lakewood, Colorado 80214 starts June 08, 2012. The new art studio is located just 0.6 miles - an 11 minute walk, or a 6 minute bike ride from the future Wadsworth Light Rail Station. >Lakewood, Wednesday, June 13, 4-6pm. Grand Opening party of A+E Fine Woodworking, woodworking studio, 7175 W. 16th Ave. A&E Woodworking will become a future art collaborative where artists will share a common location to create their artwork. The location is located 0.6 miles - 3 minutes via bicycle - from the future light rail stop at Wadsworth Station.
The very popular RTD West Corridor bus tours are back!! All tours will be from 9am to 11am on the 3rd Friday of the month (May thru Sept). Each reservation that is made is for one seat only; please sign-up all attendees individually. You will receive e-mail confirmation within one week of your registration. Click here to register
MAY 19 - 20TH, 2012 
JUNE 9-15th, 2012 
AUGUST 20-26th, 2012
SEPTEMBER 21-23RD, 2012
Denver Union Station
Construction Cam
Golden Jeffco Station
Construction Cam
Wish You Could Find an Apartment/Condo near a Light Rail Station? As part of TBF's continuing efforts to bring TOD's to the West Corridor & elsewhere, this link from Walk Score.com will now be a permanent feature. Thanks. |
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Please Note: Begining today, May 06, 2012, TBF will use the Sunday Editions of THE BACK FENCE to provide links to Real Estate agents who "get the big picture" of Transit Oriented real estate and walkability.
Stay tuned.
Residential Real Estate
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Please note: TBF receives no promotional fees for the placement of links to the various agents.
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* * * RTD West Rail Line video flyover (entire line from Union Station to the Golden Jeffco Station. West Corridor Vision |
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Things You Need to Know Around the Region
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 >What is the Better Block?
The "Better Block" project is a community revitalization effort that temporarily demonstrates how to improve a street with pedestrian and public infrastructure mixed with art, culture, pop-up businesses and street life. For one day, the project will fill vacant storefronts, create pedestrian seating areas, provide landscaping and street furniture, redraw the street, provide live music, and more. Better Block aims to create quick, inexpensive, high-impact changes that lead to permanent solutions for areas in Denver. |
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| The opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of William A. Spriggs and no one else. |
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