News Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: Beth Gorman (520) 740-3343
Tucson, Arizona (March 7, 2007) – Local agencies
and businesses concerned about air quality and traffic congestion
are joining forces to promote the use of alternative modes of
transportation during Clean Air Days. Area residents are being
encouraged to drive less and carpool, walk, bicycle, take the
bus, or drive a clean-fueled vehicle to improve air quality and
possibly win a prize. The seven Clean Air Days activities are
scheduled from Friday, March 30 through Sunday, April 1 at various
locations. In addition, a special Clean Air Contest kicks off
on March 31 and runs through April 30. If an individual takes
action to reduce air pollution, and a Clean Air Contest entry
form is completed and submitted, the participant will be entered
into a prize drawing for gifts donated by local businesses.
“With concerns about global warming, traffic congestion,
sustainability, and air quality being expressed by people locally,
this is a great community event designed to encourage actions
that will improve our quality of life,” said Beth Gorman,
Program Manager at Pima County Department of Environmental Quality
(PDEQ). “And it is free and lots of fun -- how can you
beat that?” she continued.
On Sunday, April 1st, the Clean
Air Fair will be held at Reid Park’s DeMeester Outdoor
Performance Center from noon to 4:00 p.m. with live music, a
clean-fueled car & truck show,
environmentally-related booths and information, face painters,
story tellers, science experiments for kids, puppet shows, and
more. Free live music will be provided by Jovert, Batucaxé,
Round the House, and Bad News Blues Band. The schedule of events
and contest entry forms are available at www.tucsonaz.gov/cleanairdays.
Entry forms received by PDEQ by May 7, 2007 will be entered into
a random drawing for great prizes including meals at local restaurants,
gift certificates, hotel stays, and more.
Clean Air Days event
sponsors include the City of Tucson and Pima County Departments
of Transportation, Pima Association of Governments, Pima County
Department of Environmental Quality, Sun Tran, Pima Community
College, and Southwest Gas. For more information call PDEQ at
740-3947.
Bike helmets are encouraged for all riders and are a must
for bike riders under 18 years of age
Bike to Work Day
Leave your car at
home and join hundreds of other Tucsonan's biking to work on
Friday, March 30. The annual Clean Air Days event kicks off
with a Bike to Work Fair in front of the Main Library downtown
from 7 to 9am. A continental breakfast,
bicycle registrations, bicycle demonstrations, and safety devices
will be provided if you bring your helmet. Contact the Tucson
Department of Transportation at 837-6691 for more information.
Not a downtowner? No worry, challenge your employer to join
Bike to Work and a free customized bike may be yours. Call 837-6693
for info.
A little rusty or a first-time bike commuter? Pima County Department
of Transportation is holding free bike safety classes for all
levels. Call 740-6403 for a class schedule.
Walk & Roll to School Day
Hey kids
and parents! Walk, skate, or ride your bike to school today and
do your share for healthy air. It is a terrific way to exercise
and meet other kids in the neighborhood. Remember to wear your
helmet when riding or skating. Ever heard of a walking school
bus? It’s the greatest and safest. Call
the Pima County Safe Routes to School Program at 205-8309 for
information.
Commute Another Way Day
Get to work a new way today. Try carpooling with a friend or
coworker, bicycling, walking, or riding Sun Tran to work. For
free carpool matching or a free 10-ride bus pass call Melissa
at Pima Association of Governments at 792-1093.
Clean
Air Contest
Take action for cleaner air and enter for
your chance to win a great prize. Carpool, take the bus, ride
your bike, walk, instead of driving from March 31 to April 30
and complete an entry form to enter the contest. View list of
prizes and enter at www.tucsonaz.gov/cleanairdays. Entries
must be received by May 7, 2007 to be eligible. We will all win
with healthier air to breathe.
Bike
to the Zoo – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Animals
need clean air too! Ride your bike to the Reid Park Zoo and
show your helmet to get FREE admission. Secured bicycle parking
provided inside the zoo. Then ride on over to
the “Clean Air Fair” in the afternoon.
Clean Air Fair – Noon
- 4 p.m.
Have
fun and enjoy FREE activities for all ages at Reid Park’s
Demeester Outdoor Performance Center. Tap your feet to great
live music including Jovert (TUSD Steel Drum Band) -- Batucaxé (Brazilian
percussion and dance), Round the House (traditional Irish
music), and Bad News Blues Band (award winning smoldering blues)!
See the Clean-Fueled Car and Truck Show featuring the ECOBUS
(hydrogen powered bus) to educate people about the importance
of renewable energy. Other clean-fueled vehicles will also be
on display.
Kids can get their face painted, enjoy puppet shows, story telling,
visit the Clean Air Bus with artwork and poems by local children
on display, and many other fun & free activities.
Environmentally-related information booths will be there to
help you do your share for the air, the environment, and to reduce
global warming. Of course, we offer free secured bike parking.
Food is available for purchase.
Sun Tran Free Ride Day
Get moving on
all Sun Tran routes at no charge today. And ride the bus to the
Fair at Reid Park for free (routes 7, 15, and 17 will get you
there)! Call Sun Tran’s Customer Service
Center at 792-9222 (628-1565 for persons with TDD equipment)
or visit the web site at
www.suntran.com for
route planning information.
Call 520.740.3947 or visit www.tucsonaz.gov/cleanairdays for more information on any of these activities.
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