Archive of 2006 General Meetings

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Barry Hartglass, 5BBC Program Coordinator

December 2006

♦ ♦ ♦  H O L I D A Y   P A R T Y  ♦ ♦ ♦

Saturday, December 9, 7:30 PM

Location: Woolworth Tower Kitchen, 233 Broadway at Barclay Street, Manhattan (entrance on Barclay St.)

It's been a banner year. We've had new and innovative day rides, well-subscribed and much-enjoyed weekend trips, the biggest Montauk Century ever, and (ahem) an award-winning monthly General Meeting series. It's time for a well-deserved blowout.

Our year-end party, more than half subsidized by your club, will include:

• Full dinner buffet including vegetarian and non-vegetarian selections
• Beer, wine, soda, coffee & dessert
• D.J. for your dancing pleasure
• Optional cash bar and raffle

Advance registration is $25 per person until 12/6. At-the-door registration, if still available, will be $30.

• Register online with credit card
• Register by mail with check

This party is for club members and their guests only. If you're not a club member, you can fix that here. If you have questions, or have difficulty registering, or are bringing young children, or have economic hardship, please contact me at programs@5bbc.org

Indoor bike parking is available. The facility is handicapped-accessible.

November 2006 General Meeting

A big ride on small wheels. Tod Moore and friends tour France. Photo by Sharon Behnke.

Monday, November 20, 6:30 to 8:30 PM

Location: Hostelling International, 891 Amsterdam Avenue (at 103 St), Manhattan, Room 111 (Board Room). Subway: #1 to 103 & Broadway.

Tod Moore & Friends Report • Wine & Cheese & Randonneuring • Executive Board Election

We will start the evening with our traditional wine and cheese party and balloting for the 2007 5BBC Executive Board. Club member Leroy Varga will be available during this hour to talk about randonneuring. Then, cyclist extraordinaire Tod Moore (www.todmoore.net) and friends will entertain us with a multimedia presentation of their bicycling expedition from St. Etienne to Nice. (Yes, that's France.) Finally, election results will be announced.

As always, Tod will have valuable tips on how to travel with compact/folding bikes, maximize trip enjoyment, and minimize hassles. If you want to tour by bicycle, you owe it to yourself to hear what Tod has to say.

The evening's schedule will be:

6:30 - 7:15	Wine & Cheese & Randonneuring
7:00	Deadline for submission of ballots
7:15 - 8:15	Tod Moore & Friends
8:15 - 8:30	Election Results

Indoor bicycle parking is available. Enter the hostel via the lobby, park your bike at the 5BBC office (Room 002, lobby level), then walk one level up to the Board Room (111) for the meeting.

October 2006 General Meeting

Monday, October 16, 6:30 to 9:00 PM

Location: Lower Manhattan Business Improvement District, 104 Washington Street (near Rector Street), Manhattan. Subways: 1/R/W to Rector, or 4/5 to Wall Street.

The Weekend Trip Leaders' Show 'n' Tell Party

This year's weekend trip program was a great success, thanks to Weekend Trips Coordinator Steve Sakson and our weekend leaders. New trips this year were Montauk Weekend, Bash Bish Bash, and Lake Tahoe. A classic trip, Island Hopper, was updated. I have asked leaders of these trips to tell us about them, show their pictures, and sketch their plans for next year. This is also a fun reunion for those who have been on club trips, as well as the broader membership.

Clarence Eckerson of BikeTV (and a 5BBC member!) will be at the meeting to film a promotional video clip on the club. If you are a 5BBC member with a good story to tell - or a memorable photo to share - please contact me (Barry) at programs@5bbc.org. You could be a part of this production!

Refreshments will be served. I'll bring some goodies from the deli, more than just the usual chips and soda.

Following the presentations, nominations will be taken for the Club's 2007 Executive Board.

All are invited!

September 2006 General Meeting

Wednesday, September 27, 6:00PM

Location: Center for Architecture, 536 LaGuardia Place, New York, NY 10012, in their wonderful library. This is near Washington Square Park.

"For Lovers of Urban Design"

This meeting is an outgrowth of several other meetings we have had on civil engineering, advocacy, etc., and is by member request.

The topic for the evening will be alternative building design from an environmental, energy, and a conveyance access point of view. Yes! A bicycle is a conveyance as well as a wheelchair.

Our speaker for the evening is Jessica Strauss, the current Co-Chair of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) chapter's Committee on the Environment (COTE). She will give a general overview of the topical material in the format of a conversation with a question and answer discussion.

Jessica holds degrees in Architecture from Cornell University and is the Senior Sustainability Consultant at Arup, an engineering firm located in New York (www.arup.com). She is a member of the AIA, ULI, and the USGBC.

As many of our members have more than an average interest in urban design and the environment, this should be a most fascinating meeting for all including those who want a basic introduction to the area. The building that houses the chapter is also the home of a very interesting museum of architectural design. Rick Bell (the chapter's Executive Director) recently remarked that he is particularly proud of the recently installed NYC DOT bike racks!

See you at what promises to be a most educational experience for all.

August 2006 General Meeting

Monday, August 21, 6:00-8:00PM

Location: Fidelity Investor Center, 61 Broadway, Manhattan.

"Retirement Planning"

Want more time to devote to recreational activities, like bicycling? Plan for retirement now, and you could accomplish this sooner than you thought. Learn how you (and the planet!) can profit from socially responsible investing. Strategies from conservative (smiley face) to aggressive (like climbing Bear Mountain) will be discussed.

Our host for this exclusive seminar is the Wall Street office of Fidelity Investments (www.fidelity.com). Refreshments will be provided by Fidelity. There is no charge for this seminar, and there is no product solicitation. There is a brief (and optionally anonymous) questionnaire at the end. Opinions expressed are those of the presenter and not necessarily those of the 5BBC.

The Wall Street office of Fidelity is a bicycle-friendly environment! Indoor bike parking is provided.

To gauge the level of interest, please e-mail Barry (programs@5bbc.org) if you think that you might be attending.

July 2006 General Meeting

Tuesday, July 18, 6:00-8:00PM

Location: Woolworth Tower Kitchen, 233 Broadway at Barclay Street, Manhattan.

This will be a social affair with good friends & conversation. A buffet will be served with soft drinks. To partially cover costs, we are asking members to contribute $10 at the door (with club subsidizing the balance). There will be a cash bar.

Our dinner speaker will be Joseph P. Basilice, DDS. Dr. Basilice is a specialist in cosmetic and reconstructive dentistry. He will talk briefly on the prevention of dental injury while riding (the club's Program Coordinator has given him a lot of experience in this area) and will relate a few anecdental stories (ever been whacked by a kayak oar?) Dr. Basilice is graduate of The NYU School of Dentistry and maintains offices in Greenwich Village and Dix Hills. He is a member of The Montauk Yacht Club (yes, he knows about Montauk) and his hobbies include sport fishing. He views his speciality as more of an art form. If you have noticed the Program Coordinator's beautiful smile you may find Dr. Basilice's suggestions helpful. He is a most unusual dentist and an entertaining speaker.

May 2006 General Meeting

Wednesday, May 31, 6:30-8:00PM

Location: Lower Manhattan Business Improvement District, 104 Washington Street (near Rector Street), Manhattan. Subways: 1/R/W to Rector, or 4/5 to Wall Street.

"Inter-City Bicycling Camaraderie"

Michael McGettigan is an independent bicycle dealer and bike advocate in central Philadelphia. His store, Trophy Bikes, carries road bikes, mountain bikes, cycle cross, fixed gear, city bikes, and a diverse stable of folding/compact bikes. Represented manufacturers include Jamis, Waterford, Independent Fabrication (IF), Surly, Brezzer, Dahon, Brompton, Bike Friday, Birdy Bike, and Xooter Swift.

Michael is a board member of the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, a founder of Neighborhood Bike Works (a non-profit organization that seeks to increase opportunities for urban youth through bicycling), and is the organizer of the Philadelphia Folding Bicycle Festival (June 9-11, 2006). He is also a century rider. Michael's pride and joy is his single speed Surly Cross-Check. His other interests include piano tuning, drumming, and journalism.

If you have an interest in cool equipment, or are interested in what the cycling community is doing in another city, I urge you to come and hear from our friend from The City of Brotherly Love. Light refreshments will be served.

April 2006 General Meeting

Tuesday, April 25, 6:00-9:00PM

Location: Lenox Hill Community Medical Group, 215 East 95th St (between 2nd & 3rd Ave.), Manhattan. Subway: #6 to 96th & Lexington.

We have another 5BBC exclusive! Gloria Cohen, M.D., specialist in sports medicine, team physician for the Columbia University varsity athletic teams and former team physician of The Canadian National Olympic Cycling Team (!), will speak to us on sports medicine, recovery from injuries, and her experiences as a team physician.

Dr. Cohen is a graduate of The University of Ottawa School of Medicine and has lived in Montreal and British Columbia. Prior to becoming a physician, she was trained as a physical therapist. She is a recognized authority in sports medicine in the U.S. and Canada. She was team physician of The Canadian National Cycling Team for 14 Years and accompanied the team to the Seoul, Atlanta, and Sydney Olympics. She is currently team physician to the Columbia University varsity athletic teams (the Lions) and travels on the road with their football team. Dr Cohen is an off-road as well as a road cyclist. She has run in the NYC Marathon. She is in private practice with ONS - Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists, P.C. in Greenwich CT, which takes an integrative approach to medical management. Dr Cohen's interests are in bio-mechanics, cardio-vascular, and pulmonary function as it relates to athletic performance.

The 5BBC wishes to thank Elizabeth A. Streich (Columbia University-External Communications) and Dr. William N. Levine (Columbia University-Orthopaedic Surgery) for their assistance in setting up this program.

A bonus! Immediately before Dr. Cohen's presentation, weekend trips coordinator Steve Sakson will preview this year's 5BBC weekend trips.

March 2006 General Meeting

Tuesday, March 21, 6:30-8:00PM

Location: Hostelling International, 891 Amsterdam Avenue (at 103 St), Manhattan, Room 111 (Board Room). Subway: #1 to 103 & Broadway.

Our guest speaker will be Joshua Poppel, Executive Director of the New York Bicycling Coalition (www.nybc.net).

NYBC, based in Albany, is one of the preeminent transportation advocacy organizations focusing on statewide issues. It is the recipient of a Governors’ Traffic Safety Committee (GTSC) grant to bring Share the Road Materials to driver's education teachers, and works with AAA on Share the Road programs. The NYBC also is working with MTA and the Thruway Authority on replacement designs for the Tappan Zee Bridge that include bicycle and pedestrian access and connectors to Westchester greenways.

Joshua is a dedicated bicycle commuter and rides a Trek 4300 and a custom titanium bike from Seven Cycles. He also worked as a guide for Vermont Bicycle Tours (VBT) and as an assistant to the Vermont Bicycle & Pedestrian Coordinator.

We wish to thank Joshua as he will making a “Trek” from Albany to address us. You can contact him for additional information on NYBC programs at Joshua@nybc.net or 518-436-0889.

February 2006 General Meeting

Tuesday, February 21, 6:30-8:00PM

Location: Lower Manhattan Business Improvement District, 104 Washington Street (near Rector Street), Manhattan. Subways: 1/R/W to Rector, or 4/5 to Wall Street.

"Legal 101 for Cyclists"

Our speaker will be Adam D. White, a Manhattan attorney who practices personal injury litigation. Well known to the cycling community, he specializes in representing injured bicyclists. Adam will talk to us on traffic laws that affect cyclists, required equipment for your bike, and what to do if you are involved in an accident, plus he will discuss his work in bicycle advocacy.

Adam is a graduate of Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. He rides a bright green Fuji Club and a Trek 7300FX with a Kletter child seat on the back. He can relate to our trials and tribulations (especially trials!) as he has had bikes stolen and "totaled".

Adam can be contacted at his office, 305 Broadway, Suite 200, New York, NY 10007, 212-577-9710, or by e-mail at adamwlaw@adamwlaw.com

Light refreshments will be served.

January 2006 General Meeting

Wednesday, January 18, 6:30-9:00PM

Location: The Wollman Auditorium, 51 Astor Place, Manhattan (#6 subway to Astor Place).

Our January Meeting will be held at Cooper Union, where we will hear from Carl Selinger (www.carlselinger.com), Professor of Civil Engineering and a fellow cyclist. Carl holds degrees from Cooper Union, Yale, and Polytechnic, and has 30 years in academia, teaching urban and alternative transportation and aviation planning. He has acted as a consultant to public and private organizations including The Port Authority. Carl is also author of the book "Stuff You Don’t Learn in Engineering School" (Wiley-IEEE Press), which teaches the "soft" people skills necessary for a successful career. (See his website for a preview.)

The theme for the evening is "Transportation Issues in New York City: Past, Present, and Future". Professor Selinger is interested in getting ideas from users of transportation systems (like us). We can look forward to a meeting that is pragmatic, informative, and interactive, and also entertaining, interesting, and humorous. Topics will include "Can we ever solve cross town traffic?" and "Why do buses bunch up?"

The 5BBC wishes to thank Jolene Resnick, Media Relations Dept of Cooper Union, Magdalena DiChiara, Assistant to the Director of Continuing Education and Public Programs, and Eleanor Baum, Dean of Engineering, for helping to set up this program.