Though a bit behind schedule, it looks like New Buffalo's new Amtrak station is finally slated to open on Oct. 26. This makes another great Michigan beach town even more accessible to carfree Chicagoans.

I thought it was time to revisit the Queen's Landing crosswalk following last month's approval of the updated Central Area Action Plan. You may recall that this crosswalk connecting Buckingham Fountain to Lake Michigan was closed back in July 2005. Well, slipped in among the costly major infrastructure projects outlined in the plan is a small item about a crosswalk with a $500,000 price tag. No massive overdone bridge over LSD as had been discussed following the crosswalk closing -- just a simple way to cross the street at Queen's Landing and restore a critical connection between the Lake and Grant Park. A bridge or an underpass would be an over-engineered and overpriced solution to getting people across the street.

Back in 2007, I was jealous of DC's Carfree Day celebrations. Well, World Carfree Day is coming up once again on Tuesday, Sept. 22, but this year Active Trans is kicking off our very own first annual Chicagoland Car-Free Day! Active Trans is celebrating with a car-free day pledge and a series of partner events. Visit http://www.activetrans.org/carfree to take the pledge and to check out the events. As a bonus, when you take the pledge you get a coupon for $1 off a large drink at Caribou Coffee on Sept. 22. Carfree Day is a great effort to raise the profile of our region's transportation options and create a more positive vibe around transit, biking and walking.

Those who love leisurely walks and riding the CTA will really appreciate one of the features in this week's issue of Time Out Chicago. It offers photos, maps and a guide for scenic strolls kicking offer from L stops on each of the CTA's eight train lines. From the Francisco stop on the Brown Line (home to some of my favorite transit art) to the Halsted stop on the Orange Line, this little guide is a good nudge to check out some of the L stops and neighborhoods you might not normally frequent.

Check it out: Time Out Chicago: Walk the lines

And if you really love one of these stations, buy yourself an L Stop Button!

Alderman Tunney's Annual Kids Bike Parade
Saturday, August 29, 2009
12:00 Noon
1000 Block of George

Children and Parents: come celebrate the dog days of summer and participate in Alderman Tunney’s Annual Kids Bike Parade! Please come to the 1000 Block of George at Noon with a decorated bike and a helmet. Mayor Daley’s Bike Ambassadors will be on-hand to present helpful safety tips. Children will receive a ribbon, a bike light and back-to-school supplies.

After the parade, please stay for the Central Lakeview Neighbors' Annual Block Party. There will be children’s games, a fire truck from the City, a jumping jack from 3:00 - 6:00pm and food will be served from 4:00 - 8:00pm.