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Event Announcement STEP IT UP ONEONTA environmental action and awareness events Saturday, April 14, 2007, Oneonta NY A citizen's group calling itself the Step It Up Oneonta Committee has applied for permits to conduct events on April 14, 2007 in downtown Oneonta aimed at raising awareness and encouraging action concerning global warming. The permits, which were submitted to City Clerk Jim Koury's office on March 5 & 6, would allow the group to conduct a bicycle parade through downtown Oneonta and an educational fair & rally on Muller Plaza. Other events, for which permits are not required, include movie showings, storefront window displays, and a workshop featuring Mayor Nader and a panel of local experts. The bicycle parade will begin at 1:00pm in the Dietz Street parking lot adjacent Wilber Mansion, at 11 Ford Avenue. All non-fossil fuel powered vehicles are welcome. Participants are encouraged to decorate their bikes. Prizes will be awarded. Participants are requested to wear safety helmets and to bring their own bicycle locks so they can participate in the events following the parade. The UCCCA will sponsor a bike decorating session before the parade. The educational fair & rally will feature displays and exhibits with information about the environment, climate change, local food production, etc. as well as live entertainment, locally produced refreshments, and a citizens' speak out. "This will be an event for Oneonta to remember. We are joining a national movement of almost 800 communities and counting. We want to tell our elected representatives to take notice that people are waking up to and caring about global warming. The events will be broadcast in the news and on the internet," said Karen Anderson, an event organizer. "The parade will be the first of its kind in Oneonta and we're very excited to have this opportunity to encourage cycling in and around the City while raising awareness about climate change," said Karl Seeley, who is organizing the bicycle parade. "We're looking to involve citizens of all ages in the rally, including school children, college students, business owners, and community action groups. This will be a fun and educational day for all, especially families," said Colleen Blacklock, who is an organizer of the rally and workshop. "There's a lot of interest in the window displays. We're expecting a beautiful and educational set of displays," said Cynthia Marsh, organizer of the storefront window displays. Step It Up Oneonta and rallies happening all over the country are being posted and can be followed on www.stepitup2007.org. For more information, or to volunteer to help, look up '13820' on www.stepitup 2007.org or call Ed Lentz at 263 5425. Step It Up Oneonta is co-sponsored by the Office of the Mayor of the City of Oneonta, the Environmental Board of the City of Oneonta, and the Coalition for Democracy of Central New York. |
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