Do you have a few hours to spare here and there for a cool web project? Carfree Chicago needs a few volunteers to help complete a new interactive Train Stop Guide application to be launched this spring. The guide will include a searchable map of all train stations in the region, helping users to easily find stations surrounded by walkable neighborhoods and allowing users to rate and share comments about each station.

I need a few web-savvy volunteers to dedicate a few hours to entering Metra stations into the database. The data entry is through the website and involves entering station addresses and verifying map accuracy. You can do the data entry in your own time on your own computer. Sign up for just a couple hours, or do more if you have the time. If you're up for the task and want to help make this happen, please contact Lee Crandell at lee@carfreechicago.com!

Studio Murmur is a product design firm based in Chicago. We currently seek to engage individuals, organizations and city /state transportation officials in launching a bike parking initiative to design the next generation of bicycle racks in Chicago. Similar efforts have been successful in Toronto and New York City and smaller initiatives are underway in other cities. Secure and easy-to-use parking for a wide range of bicycles is a non-trivial problem that is not sufficiently addressed by many current rack designs. If you are someone, or know someone, who can help, please contact us at info@studiomurmur.net Thanks!

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.