First of all, check this out: <b>BNB </b>VOTED <b>BEST LOCAL CAUSE IN THE BOSTON PHOENIX<br><a href="http://thephoenix.com/theBest/Boston/Life/LocalCause/#TOPCONTENT"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">http://thephoenix.com/theBest/Boston/Life/LocalCause/#TOPCONTENT</span></a><br>
</b><br>We owe it to you: Bike-A-Thon riders, donors, and volunteers!<br><br>Now, please join us in our BIGGEST BOSTON BLAST OF THE YEAR! THE 22ND ANNUAL BNB BIKE-A-THON & GREEN ROOTS FESTIVAL!!!<br><br><font size="4"><b>SUNDAY JUNE 7! We encourage you to register NOW, so we can send you your rider packet and invite you to all the great gatherings we have planned, leading up to the ride… INCLUDING a party THIS THURS (see below)! </b></font><br>
<br><b>ASAP:<br><br><a href="http://www.bikesnotbombs.org/bat09">www.bikesnotbombs.org/bat09</a> (also find ride and prize info there)<br></b><br>Or call us at 617-522-0222<br><br>Or stop by the <a href="http://www.bikesnotbombs.org/bikeshop">BNB Bike Shop</a> in Jamaica Plain!<br>
<br>There’s a small REGISTRATION FEE of $20 and $10 for under 18. (You can “win” it back in gift certificate prizes.)<br>and the fundraising minimum is $150.00, made even easier to reach and surpass with our great new personal online fundraising tools.<br>
<br><b>The first EXCLUSIVE PARTY for registered Bike-A-Thon riders will be this Thursday</b>, April 23. (See, register NOW!) Come down to the HUB (The Brewery Complex, 284 Amory St, Jamaica Plain) 6:30-8:30 for jovial mixing with other riders and BNB staff PLUS a wicked amusing and inspiring presentation on fundraising tips by leading superstar Jon McCurdy. We hope to see you!<br>
<br>Speaking of party…<br>As most of you know,<br>the after-party is the <b>SECOND ANNUAL GREEN ROOTS FESTIVAL</b>- an outdoor festival with live music, info tables, food, massage for riders, open to the public. There’ll be amazing street-bands:<br>
<br>- SAMBA PERCUSSION by Marcus Santos & BLOCO AfroBrazil<br>- CLASSICAL STRINGS by A Far Cry<br>- STEEL DRUMS by Pan Xpressions (ok, they’re not totally confirmed)<br>- NEW ORLEANS BRASS by Second Line Pleasure and Aid Society<br>
- KLEZMER by Emperor Norton’s Stationary Marching Band<br>- BODY & SPIRIT MOVING by Incus<br><br>…and there will be stilts, the famous cardboard slides, and way more, including many environmental groups with info tables and at least one performance about climate change involving sailing ships and a battle of seasons. Hooray for <a href="http://www.spontaneouscelebrations.org">SPONTANEOUS CELEBRATIONS</a>!<br>
<br>ANNNDDDD<br>- The free Training Rides series are underway… and awesome!<br><br>They’re every weekend! It’s a great way to get in shape - especially if you are coming out for that ambitious 62-mile ride - and it is a good way to get to know your fellow riders… and have weekend FUN.<br>
<br>There are two sets of training rides, one designed to prepare for the 62 mile course, and one to prepare for the 25er.<br><br>25 mile training:<br>Sunday, April 26th at 11 am – 20 miles<br>Sunday, May 3rd at 11 am – 10 miles<br>
Saturday, May 11th at 11 am – 15 miles<br>Saturday, May 23rd at 11 am – 20 miles<br><br>62 mile training:<br>Sunday, April 26th at 9 am – 45 miles<br>Sunday, May 3rd at 9 am – 50 miles<br>Saturday, May 9th at 9 am – 55 miles<br>
Saturday, May 23rd at 9 am – 55 miles<br>Saturday, May 30th at 9 am – 62 miles!<br><br>Details and <a href="http://www.bikesnotbombs.org/bat09rides">www.bikesnotbombs.org/bat09rides</a>.<br><br><br><b>And grab your buddies, your sister, your kids and start a TEAM.</b> We’ll post team names on the website. And please consider trying to get your workplace to match your team’s fundraising, because we’ll post them up there too!<br>
<br><br>- In other BNB news…<br><br>This month’s shipment to Tanzania’s Vijana Center is loaded and ready to go- that’s about 500 donated bicycles to be sold at a shop which covers over 90% of the costs of a school for orphans in Arusha. Thanks to all our volunteers and donors!<br>
<br>Spring Earn-A-Bike is rolling along. The record number of Youth Instructors are working with 16 students to build up some great bicycles, go on great group rides, and have fun with the environmental justice curriculum.<br>
<br>New helmets, panniers, spring everything for you in at the BNB Bike Shop !!!<br><a href="http://www.bikesnotbombs.org/bikeshop">www.bikesnotbombs.org/bikeshop</a><br><br><br>Hoping to see you on a training ride, at the BNB Bike Shop, or at one of our great parties! We hope you are having as much fun as we are.<br>
<br>Ride Smiling,<br><br>Jasmine Laietmark<br>Director of Grassroots Fundraising and Events<br><br><a href="http://www.bikesnotbombs.org">www.bikesnotbombs.org</a><br>617-522-0222 x106<br><br><br>---------------------<br>
<br>Bikes Not Bombs promotes bicycle technology as a concrete alternative to war and environmental destruction. For 25 years, BNB has been a nexus of bike recycling and community empowerment both in lower income neighborhoods of Boston and in the nations of the Global South. BNB's programs involve young people and adults in mutually respectful leadership development and environmental stewardship, while recycling 6,000 bicycles annually.<br>
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