Have you entered TALC's photo contest? Only one week left!
Are you an amateur or professional photographer? Do you have photos of scenery, sites, and streetscapes in the Bay Area? How about bicyclists, buses, or bridges? TALC is looking for images that capture our vision for the Bay Area: a region with world-class public transportation connecting communities that are great places to walk, bike, live, work, and play.

The grand prize for the photo contest is a lifetime free SmugMug Pro account (a professional-quality, online photo storage and sharing service worth $150 per year) and $250 cash. Six other winners will win prizes from Patagonia, Photoworks, A1 Photo & Video Labs, and others. Entries are due August 15 and will be on display at TALC's ten-year anniversary event on October 18, 2007 at the Oakland Museum of California.

Enter today: www.talcphotocontest.smugmug.com

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Short-term research assistant/intern needed
What are the real costs of our travel habits in the Bay Area? Too often, the true costs of transportation choices are difficult to ascertain, leaving the public and transportation decision-makers with incomplete information. TALC seeks a short-term research associate who will examine the full cost of transportation on our wallets, our health and our environment.

Learn more: www.transcoalition.org/about/about_jobs.html#job

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Reviewing MTC's compliance
As part of their review of MTC's compliance with federal laws related to the Clean Air Act, Environmental Justice and Public Participation in Regional Planning, the Federal Transportation Administration and Federal Highway Administration will be accepting public comments through August 17th. Written comments can be sent via e-mail to cert.review@fhwa.dot.gov or by regular mail to: Jean Mazur, FHWA California Division, 650 Capitol Mall, Suite 4-100, Sacramento, CA 95814 or Ted Matley, FTA Region IX, 201 Mission Street, Suite 1650, San Francisco, CA 94105.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

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Preview of TALC's Regional Transportation Plan Platform -- Wednesday, August 8
TALC's Executive Director, Stuart Cohen, discusses TALC's upcoming platform at SPUR. The Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) is the Metropolitan Transportation Commission's 25-year, $100+ billion blueprint for how transportation funding will be spent in the Bay Area -- and a huge opportunity to shape how the Bay Area grows. Five TALC working groups helped develop the platform, with input from almost all of our members and affiliates. This update of the RTP is especially exciting because MTC has stated their interest in prioritizing climate change and land use in decision making. At this event Stuart will give an overview of the RTP process, which will take place over the next 18 months, give an overview of TALC's platform, and have an interactive discussion about priorities and strategies. The lunchtime forum will be held at SPUR, 312 Sutter St. (at Grant), fifth floor, from 12:30 - 1:30 p.m., located close to the Powell Street BART station and several Muni lines. Feel free to bring a lunch. SPUR Forums are open to the public, free for members and $5 for non-members.

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Shape the Bay Area's rail future -- August 15-27
After 18 months of analysis and stakeholder involvement, MTC is unveiling a blueprint for expanding the region's network of rail lines. The Draft Regional Rail Plan will identify potential passenger and freight rail improvements for the next 50 years. Come to one of the public meetings to see and comment on what's proposed for rail service and learn how the regional rail network would be enhanced with proposed California high-speed rail. There will be workshops offered in Oakland, San Jose, Suisun City, Livermore, and San Carlos between August 15-27. If you are not able to attend the workshops, you can visit the website where interactive maps will soon be available that describe the proposed alternatives. You can also submit a comment about the plan until August 29 by clicking "contact us" on the website.

Learn more: www.bayarearailplan.info

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Planning San Pablo Avenue's future -- Saturday, August 18
As part of the Specific Plan Process for San Pablo Avenue, the cities of El Cerrito and Richmond will be holding their first Community Outreach Meeting. The meeting will provide residents with an opportunity to participate in the initial vision stage of the planning process and provide input on their priorities for development along the San Pablo Avenue corridor. The meeting will take place on Saturday, August 18, from 9:00 a.m. - noon at the Fairmont Elementary School, 724 Kearney Street, El Cerrito. Contact Bob Allen of Urban Habitat at 510-839-3716 or bob@urbanhabitat.org for more information.

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Hearings on High Speed Rail -- August 23-30
The High-Speed Rail Authority recently released the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the Bay Area to Central Valley portion of the proposed high-speed rail network. The DEIR examines potential alignments to connect the Bay Area with the Central Valley. Input about the DEIR will lead to a preferred alignment alternative. The Authority will hold public hearings about the DEIR in San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, Livermore, and Gilroy, and the Central Valley from August 23-30 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. For more details visit the webpage below.

Learn more: www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/public_notice

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Thunderhead Alliance training, Los Angeles -- August 24-26
Thunderhead Alliance will be offering its "Winning Campaigns" training in Los Angeles from August 24-26. Join your fellow bicycle, pedestrian, and transit advocacy leaders to learn from expert coaches and each other. Thunderhead's proven curriculum covers choosing, directing, and winning campaigns to promote complete streets, where walking and bicycling are safe and commonplace. Registration is $300, and discounts are available for additional representatives from the same organization.

Learn more: www.thunderheadalliance.org/trainings.htm

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Mark your calendar for TALC's next regional meeting -- Wednesday, September 19
You're invited to TALC's next regional meeting, on Wednesday, September 19 from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. in downtown San Francisco -- location to be announced. The meeting is free and open to the public. Burritos and beverages will be served. New to TALC? Come at 5:00 p.m. for an optional orientation about TALC and regional issues. Please RSVP so we can have enough seating and food to Karla Pérez-Cordero at karla@transcoalition.org or call 510-740-3150 x319.

View the calendar of events: www.transcoalition.org/calendar.html

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Join the multi-modal urban adventure race -- Sunday, October 14
TALC will be the official charity this year for the San Francisco Oyster, a scavenger hunt-style race that switches between running, bicycling, transit, and more during its course. By joining or putting together a team, you'll not only have a blast, you'll support TALC! Sign up your family, corporate, or other team at the webpage below. We also need volunteers to help out during the race day. Contact Marta at 510-740-3150 x321 or marta@transcoalition.org to volunteer, connect with a team, or with questions.

Learn more: www.oysterracingseries.com/San-Francisco-Home/home.aspx

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