News Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: Beth Gorman (520) 740-3343
Tucson, Arizona (March 29, 2006) – Local agencies
and businesses concerned about air quality and traffic congestion
are joining forces to promote the use of alternative modes of
transportation during the Clean Air Fair. Area residents are
being encouraged to drive less and carpool, walk, bicycle, take
the bus, maintain vehicles, or drive a clean-fueled vehicle to
improve air quality and possibly win a prize. The fun and informational
Clean Air Fair activities are scheduled from Thursday, April
6 through Sunday, April 9 at various locations (see attached).
In addition to the Fair, a special contest kicks off on April
1 and runs through April 30. If an individual takes action to
reduce air pollution, and a “Blue Skies” contest
entry form is completed and submitted, the participant will be
entered into a prize drawing for gifts donated by local businesses.
“Air quality and traffic congestion are issues of growing
concern in our community,” said Beth Gorman, Program Manager
for Pima County Department of Environmental Quality. “Since
the majority of our air pollution is caused by motor vehicle
use, by driving less we can reduce both traffic congestion and
air pollution to improve our quality of life,” she continued.
Eleven free, fun-filled activities are planned during the Clean
Air Fair event to encourage people to drive less and walk, take
the bus, bicycle, carpool, test gas caps, or drive a clean fuel
vehicle.
On Sunday, April 9th, the Clean Air Jam 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,
a bike rodeo, environmentally-related booths and information,
face painters, balloon art, air-filled obstacle course and more.
Music will be provided by Bad News Blues Band, Round the House,
Sunday Afternoon, and Haley Jane. The schedule of events and
prize drawing entry forms are available at www.tucsonaz.gov/caf.
Entry forms received by PDEQ by May 8, 2006 will be entered in
a random drawing for great prizes including meals at local restaurants,
gift certificates, and more. For more information call Pima County
Department of Environmental Quality at 740-3947.
Clean Air Fair 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, BICAS, and Wild Oats Natural
Market.
###
Clean
Air Fair
April
6-9, 2006
Schedule
of Activities
Bike helmets are encouraged for all riders and are a must
for those under 18 years of age
Thursday, April 6
FREE Bike Registration
at the U of A Mall
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
All
Greater Tucson area residents welcome!
Register your bike now to make it easier to reclaim if it is ever
stolen. Join KRQ at the U of A Mall from 11 a.m. -1 p.m.!
Gas Cap
Testing
Got
Gas? Maybe your car's gas cap is leaking. Get a Free $10 gas cap voucher if
your car's cap fails the test. A leaking gas cap can waste 30 gallons of gas a
year! Testing is taking place at two locations:
Pima Community College
West Campus - 2202 W. Anklam Rd.
9 a.m. to noon - parking lot in front
of the Tucson Building off Anklam Rd.
Pima
Community College
Desert Vista Campus - 5901 S. Calle Santa Cruz
1 p.m. to 3 p.m. - northwest parking
lot near the Pueblo
Building
How Sweet it
is to Carpool!
Celebrate
carpooling in a delicious and rewarding way. Sign up for a free carpool
matchlist or for RideShare's Guaranteed RideHome program from April 6-30 and be
rewarded with FREE Krispy Kreme doughnuts. Register at www.pagnet.org or call RideShare at 884-RIDE
for info.
Friday, April
7
Bike to Work Day
On
your way to work, ride your bike over to the Bike to Work Day Fair at
Jacomé Plaza
near the Main Library in downtown Tucson
and get a free continental breakfast from 7 to 9 a.m.
The
Bike to Work Day Fair will also include bike demos, education, contests,
prizes, and info on bike commuting. Bicycling is great for reducing traffic
congestion, great for your health, and great for our air! Call 791-4371 for
info.
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. Call the
Safe Routes to School Program at 740-6941 for info.
Magical History Walking
Tour
Meet
at the Downtown Historic Train Depot (near Congress and Toole) at noon for an
enjoyable 45-minute guided walk. Snacks provided by Wild Oats Market at the
conclusion of the walk.
Saturday, April 8
Alley Cat Bike Scavenger
Hunt
Get ready for fun! Find the clues and learn more about downtown Tucson while riding your
bike. The ride starts at 9:00 a.m. at the
Historic Train Depot at 400 N. Toole and is designed by BICAS (Bike
Inter-Community Action & Salvage). Arrive early for a pre-ride snack and
plan on finishing by 11:00 a.m.
Magical History Walking
Tour (Family Style)
Meet
at the Downtown Historic Train Depot (near Congress and Toole) at 9 a.m. to
explore magical and mysterious places in Downtown Tucson and adjacent
neighborhoods. Arrive early to enjoy a free continental breakfast courtesy of
Hotel Congress. Wear walking shoes and bring water for your comfort.
Sunday, April 9
Bike to the Zoo - 9 a.m.
to 4 p.m.
Animals
need clean air too! Bike to the Reid Park Zoo and show your helmet to get FREE
admission. Secured bicycle parking provided. Ride over to the "Jam" in the afternoon.
Clean Air Jam - 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 Round the House, Bad News Blues
Band, Sunday Afternoon, and Haley Jane! See the Clean-fueled Car and Truck Show,
kids can jump in an air-filled obstacle course, or get their face painted while
being entertained by a balloon artist.
Food is available for purchase. Environmentally-related information
booths will be there to help you do your share for the air and the environment.
Sun Tran Free Ride Day
Get
moving on Sun Tran at no charge today. Ride the Bus to the Jam at Reid Park
for free! 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.
April 1-30
"Blue Skies"
Contest
Take
action for cleaner air and enter for your chance to win a great prize. View
list of prizes and enter at www.tucsonaz.gov/caf.
Entries must be received by May 8, 2006
to be eligible.
Call 520.740.3947 or
visit www.tucsonaz.gov/caf for more
information on any of these events.
