Two quick announcements, mostly just to get us past that naked picture of Mario Cipollini in the last post.

Regarding 18th Avenue

First, if you care about 18th Avenue, there’s a neighborhood open house tonight, Tuesday, Sept. 25, to discuss the repaving of West 18th Avenue from Washington to Chambers.

That is supposed to happen next summer. The city says: “Please join us for a presentation and discussion on design options for this street. Options may include removal of on-street parking, adding a center turn lane, widening bike lanes, or other changes as a result of public input.”

If you’re lucky, you’ll get to help by being a “facilitator” and will be able to use one of those big pads and a fat marker.

This meeting will surely address The Narrows between Friendly and Polk (photo above). An awful door zone. Very narrow bike lane.

The meeting is from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Cesar E. Chavez Elementary School cafeteria, 1510 W. 14th Ave.

Volunteer to teach kids

Shane MacRhodes is out there helping teach kids to ride safely — so they won’t grow up to run red lights and ride the wrong way in the bike lane.

But he needs some help. Shane says:

A very important part of that curriculum is the Neighborhood Ride that we take the kids on at the end of the course. We need volunteers from the community to help make these rides possible! Please sign-up to volunteer your time teaching the next generation of cyclists:

There is a need for volunteers:

• Thursday and Friday at Hamlin Middle School
• Oct. 9-15th at Kelly Middle School
• Oct. 31st at Prairie Mountain

More times coming at Cal Young and Spencer Butte in the coming weeks.

Go here to sign up: http://www.volunteerspot.com/login/entry/692345634888400094