Brother Can You Spare a Dime?

Every town needs a gathering spot. Without one there is no heart. In Santa Margarita, it tends to be the Post Office where the community gets their mail. The daily ritual gives us an opportunity to see neighbors and maybe share a sandwich, coffee and conversation. The sad fact is that our little public space is in need and has very little curb appeal except to the town drunk and an occasional bicycle nomad. As an official Adopt-a-Highway Tall Bike Posse Team Leader, I spend approximately 20 minutes in this area picking up strewn cigarette butts, big gulps and faded fliers.
In a visual presentation on my Flickr site, I outlined my proposal. I took site photos, painted a concept sketch and proposed a future solution to the town's public art. Please have a look and give me your comments.
We are fortunate to have civic minded people in this town who care for community. Please visit Santa Margarita Beautiful and participate on 2011 Cleanup Day - May 7th.
Question: What have you done for your community lately?

Road ride to Avila Beach...

Today I woke up melancholy. Slow to motivate, just want to sleep in. It's been happening more often than not. The morning air was crisp and the breeze picked up earlier than usual. It's Fall on the central coast with frost on the rooftop and clear, sharp colors in the sky. After gathering my gear I headed into San Luis Obispo to Mitchell Park for SLO Bike Kitchen. There I watched people clean, ask questions and help each other and fix their own bikes. I see and feel the communion between like minded regular people. I feel connected. I miss that.
These are not track bike posers, nor are they the carbon fiber wankers. They want to understand their bikes; what makes them work, or not work and FIX them with their own two hands. I think that's all very good and empowering. This small boost to my spirit was enough to get me on with the ride. I suited up and sprinted through town to the south end and down the frontage road to Avila in good spirits.

California Coastal Cleanup Day

Saturday September 19th is California Coastal Cleanup Day. Go to your favorite beach and help with the effort. It's a great way to take ownership, and feel good about doing something positive for your community.
I will be performing community service highway cleanup in the morning with the Tall Bike Posse. Our group participates in the Cal Trans Adopt-a-Highway program on a volunteer basis, and not because I'm trying to work off a ticket!

Read about it at the Tall Bike Posse site.