Sizzling Temps Move Minto Bridge Dedication; Open Streets Needs Volunteers

Though it's hot now, remember the rain and gloom:
About 4pm, December 19th, 2015

It's hard to believe the two-year construction project on the Minto Bridge is finally coming to an end.

Sun, glorious sun: Last night just before sunset

Because it's gonna be hotter than Hades for the formal opening ceremonies Wednesday the 2nd, the City's wisely decided to move things to earlier in the morning:

Due to the Extreme Heat Advisory August 2, the celebration has been moved to 9 a.m....

The Wed, Aug. 2 celebration begins with a community parade that starts in Wallace Marine Park​ at 9 a.m. The parade route crosses the Union Street Railroad Bridge and continues through Riverfront Park. The parade will be led by the Willamette Humane Society Rescue Dog contest winner and include a bagpiper, honor guard, government and community leaders, and community groups. The community parade will end at the Riverfront Park​ Amphitheater.​

At 9:30 a.m., a formal dedication ceremony in Riverfront Park Amphitheater will feature presentations by Mayor Chuck Bennett, Senator Peter Courtney, and Friends of Two Bridges. A ribbon cutting at the Bridge will follow to complete the ceremony.

The First Wednesday event has been canceled​ due to the weather.

Open Streets Salem

Map and schedule via Facebook

Earlier in July, Open Streets Salem posted the route and preliminary schedule for Sunday Streets v2.0. This time on a Saturday, and renamed Open Streets Salem, it features the proposed Winter-Maple bikeway, runs through the Grant and Highland neighborhoods - where people actually live! - and is anchored strongly by hubs at the Saturday Market, Broadway Commons, and two schools, Grant and Highland.

In every way this is an improvement on the the emptiness and low-energy of the Capitol Mall area in the prior versions of Sunday Streets!

I still wish it were longer - the route will be short for meaningful bicycling - and it will be nice when we can close busier streets with businesses on them to cars. Most of the route is already low-traffic, and the difference won't be as much of a car-free revelation as it could be. Though it is a solid move that the Broadway Coffeehouse will be adjacent to one of the hubs. Maybe if they get a substantial jolt of new business word of mouth will incent other businesses to want to join in the fun on future events.

But organizers need volunteers in order to pull this off.

Here are the details and main opportunities:

Open Streets Salem is a community-oriented event that thrives with the help of engaged volunteers. We are looking for people that are excited to connect with their neighbors and want to help establish more fun, connected, and liveable Salem neighborhoods. There are many opportunities to help including before, during, and after the event. All volunteers will receive a unique Open Streets Salem t-shirt, snacks, and bragging rights, knowing you helped make this event a success! Find out about more opportunities below and sign up today!

Volunteers must be 18 years or older (or accompanied by an adult) and are required to attend one short volunteer training session on September 20th or 21st from 6PM-7:30PM.

Frequent Flyers
We want to let everyone along the Open Streets Salem route know about our event and invite them to participate. In order to do that, we need volunteers to walk a stretch of the route and place flyers in each homes mailbox. No need to ring doorbells, but if people ask, we’d love for you to share your excitement about OSS and invite them to join!

Frequent Flyer Shifts: Saturday, August 26th 9:00AM-10:30AM AND Saturday, September 9th 9:00AM-10:30AM

Intersection Superheros
This is one of the most important roles throughout the event. Since we are temporarily closing streets to car traffic, we need Intersection Heros to help redirect neighborhood traffic, cheer on participants, answer questions, and in some cases, track participation. As an intersection hero, you’ll receive smiles and thank you’s as you wave on participants. Feel free to express your creativity with chalk art, music, or other talents!

Intersection Superhero Shifts: Saturday September 23rd 10:30AM-1:00PM AND 12:50PM-3:30PM

Community Intersection Superheros
Are you a business or non-profit looking to give back to the community? Grab your staff and adopt-an-intersection! This is one of the most important roles throughout the event. Since we are temporarily closing streets to car traffic, we need Intersection & Community Superheros to help redirect neighborhood traffic, cheer on participants, answer questions, and in some cases, track participation. As a Community Superhero, you’ll receive smiles, thank you’s as you wave on participants, and you also have the chance to advertise for your organization. Feel free to express your creativity with chalk art, music, or other talents!

Community Intersection Superhero Shifts: Saturday September 23rd 10:30AM-3:30PM

Setup/Cleanup Teams
Want to be an essential part of the success of Open Streets Salem without cutting into the event time? Join the setup or cleanup team! There will be many street signs and activity booths that need to be set up before the event and removed immediately after, so we can use your help to do so.

Setup Shifts: Friday, September 22nd Setup 5:45PM-6:45PM (Flip “No Parking” signs) AND Saturday September 23rd 8:00AM-11:00AM
Cleanup Shift: Saturday September 23rd 3:00PM-6:00PM

Hydrators
(Requires bike with trailer) Your job is simple–make sure everyone stays hydrated. You will cruise the route to make sure all water jugs are filled and stop by each Intersection Hero to fill up their water bottles. We will provide the water if you bring your bike with a trailer to haul it!

Hydrator Shifts: Saturday September 23rd 11:00AM-1:00PM AND 1:00PM-3:00PM

Complete details and links to sign-up for volunteering here.