🚨 Please note that BikePortland slows down during this time of year as I have family in town and just need a break! Please don't expect typical volume of news stories and content. I'll be back in regular form after the new year. Thanks. - Jonathan 🙏

How was your wet and windy commute?

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Rain rider.
(Photo © J. Maus)

It’s been raining cats and dogs pretty much all day and night here in Portland. Add to that some very gusty winds, impatient road users stuck in traffic and wanting to get home, and the mini-floods and street rivers from drain gutters clogged with leaves and you’ve got the recipe for some pretty intense bike riding.

Judging from various sources, some readers have had a pretty challenging time out there. Here’s how my friend Hau put it:

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BTA embarks on plan to strengthen brand identity, communications

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Current BTA logo. Don’t get too used to it.

Publisher’s Note: Before I get into this story, I want to share some quick thoughts about the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA). I’ve been beating around the bush about it ever since Rob Sadowsky came to town, but here it is as blunt as I can say it: By late spring of 2011, I suspect the BTA will be but a shadow of their current/former self. And I mean that in a good way. Given the new focus, vibe and internal practices Mr. Sadowsky has brought to the once-struggling organization and the strategic planning process they have just embarked on, I’m pretty convinced that the BTA will emerge next spring stronger and more on target than we’ve ever seen them. I say this based on the many different channels of chatter that I am attuned to and I say it with a high level of confidence. O.K., on with the (related) story at hand…

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Weekend Event Guide

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Kruger's Crossing Cyclocross Race

A ‘cross course marked by pumpkins?
Yes, it might happen again at the
Kruger’s Crossing race on Sunday
(Photo © J. Maus)

The weekend is right around the corner! Don’t let the weather forecast (snow!), get you down or keep you off your bike. Start the weekend early (as in tomorrow) with a little food and freak, then check out some great community resources on Saturday and wrap it up with an all out cyclocross mess-fest.

Thursday, November 18th

5:00pm: Cartopia Book Release Ride
Local bike guide experts Portland Bicycle Tours are leading a free tour of Portland’s famous food cart pods to celebrate the release of the new book, Cartopia, Portland’s Food Cart Revolution.  Join Evan and the gang at 345 NW Everett and wind your way through downtown, ending at a reception at the Art Department gallery.

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Report: U.S. lags way behind other countries in reducing traffic deaths

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Study says U.S. traffic officials are too
willing to accept the carnage.
(Photo: Oregon State Police)

A landmark, 186-page special report by the Transportation Research Board (TRB) published this week delivers a critique of U.S. traffic safety efforts and says that we have fallen way behind in saving lives relative to other nations. The report, Achieving Traffic Safety Goals in the United States: Lessons from Other Nations, was published by the National Academies Press and is available as a free PDF download.

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Brown SE Lager 2008

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Year: 2008
Brand: SE
Model: Lager
Color:Brown
Size:56″
Stolen in Portland, OR 97211
Stolen:2010-11-15
Stolen From: NE 40th and Skidmore
Neighborhood: Beaumont
Owner: Matt Mylet
OwnerEmail: mfmylet@hotmail.com
Reward: $100
Description: Brown SE Lager, no decals, 56 inch frame, silver fenders, bullhorn style bars, black handlebar tape, New Belgium bell, Portland Design Works front and rear flashers, rear hub is a bit loose.
Police record with: Portland PD
This registrant does not have proof of ownership of this bike

Red Schwinn MESA GSX 1998

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Year: 1998
Brand: Schwinn
Model: MESA GSX
Color:Red
Size:Black
Serial: M7KI51383
Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/69599252@N00/
Stolen in Austin, TX, OR 78702
Stolen:2010-11-13
Stolen From: Shed behind my house 8th & Waller Austin, TX
Neighborhood: East Austin
Owner: Karen Conlon
OwnerEmail: smile0@swbell.net
Description: Red, Black, and Silver Schwinn MESA mountain bike w/ black bmx handlebars
If they keep the accessories on it, it has a torn-up Tailbones seat, black water bottle holder, black metal rack on the back, Fat Tire bell, black seat bag, Kryptonite Keeper bike lock, silver removable seat post, and lights. The handlebars have a sticker on them that’s a big barcode w/ a number on it. The number is something like T34413L31. The bike is old, but it means a lot to me.
Police record with: Austin PD
Police reference#: 105060564

Job: Office Manager (Alta Planning + Design)

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Job Title: Office Manager
Company/Organization: Alta Planning + Design
Job Description:
Alta Planning + Design is a 75-person consulting firm with a mission to provide green infrastructure and program solutions that help people have active daily lives. We specialize in bicycle, pedestrian, trail, park, and greenway planning, design, and implementation, in addition to outreach and education programs. For more information, see our website at www.altaplanning.com.

Alta Planning + Design’s Portland office is seeking to hire an office manager. The ideal candidate will be experienced in handling a wide range of administrative and executive support related tasks and will be able to work independently with little supervision. The ability to interact with staff at all levels in a fast paced environment, sometimes under pressure, remaining flexible, proactive, resourceful and efficient, with a high level of professionalism and confidentiality is crucial to this role. Expert written and verbal communication skills, strong decision making ability and attention to detail are equally important. Must be able to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously, and follow through on issues in a timely manner.

The Office Manager’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• General office management and support
• Contracts and insurance administration
• HR related tasks, including new hire set up and benefits administration
• Reception/phones
• Office supplies ordering, miscellaneous purchasing, and vendor management
• Building management, including all maintenance coordination
• Arranging travel reservations for many staff
• Heavy calendar management, requiring interaction with both internal and external executives and assistants, as well as consultants, to coordinate a variety of complex executive meetings
• Inter-office communication

Must have:
• A Bachelors degree
• Minimum three years professional work experience, particularly in general office management and support, office supply ordering, contract administration, building management and filing and office organization
• Experience setting up meetings, conference calls, and video conferences both internally and with clients using shared calendar systems
• Experience assisting with the creation of PowerPoint presentations, memos, and reports
• Amazing organization skills, high energy, and calm under pressure
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office Suite
• Experience scheduling travel arrangements
• Positive attitude, energy, ability to adapt quickly
• Superior customer service skills
• A genuine desire to work in the bicycle/pedestrian planning field

Strongly Prefer:
• Experience in or knowledge of the bicycle/pedestrian/advocacy field

This job requires ability to run errands, be highly mobile, and lift up to 30 pounds.

Salary: $30,000 – $35,000. Alta offers excellent benefits, flexible work schedules, and a fun, collaborative work environment with an extremely dedicated and skilled group of planners and designers.

How to Apply:
Please send cover letter, resume, and three references to resumes+pom(at)altaplanning(dot)com by December 1st. Please, no phone calls.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer:
Racial/Ethnic Minorities, Women, People with Disabilities, and Veterans are encouraged to apply.

Black Jamis Coda 2009?

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Year: 2009?
Brand: Jamis
Model: Coda
Color:Black
Size:17.5″
Serial: U87U19980
Stolen in Portland, OR 97219
Stolen:2010-11-15
Stolen From: Bike shed in driveway at 11640 SW Boones Ferry Rd
Neighborhood: Arnold Creek/Tryon Creek
Owner: Jennifer Leis
OwnerEmail: jennyleis@gmail.com
Reward: love and cookies
Description: Black Jamis Coda bike with big pink panniers, fenders, pump, black bag under seat with tire gear, full rain gear in panniers
Police record with: Portland PD
Police reference#: T10007800 temp
This registrant has documented proof of ownership of this bike

Who’s coming to BikeCraft? (Vendor list so far)

Inner tube necklace by Barbi Touron.

If you’re not excited for BikeCraft yet, you should be! This is going to be a monumental gathering of bicycle-inspired artisans that you will not want to miss. We just announced sign-ups last week and we already have about 30 or so vendors. (Note: We are still accepting registrations!).

Below is a list of who has signed up so far (along with their description of their products):

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