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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 5, 2015)
August 5, 2015 Page 5 The first MAX train travels over the Tilikum Crossing during testing earlier this year. On Sunday, Aug. 9, the bridge will open for the annual Providence Bridge pedal. Tilikum Opens for Bridge Pedal Portlanders will have the opportunity to be among the first to cross Portland’s newest bridge, Tilikum Crossing, as it becomes part of Providence’s 20th annual Bridge Pedal, tak- ing place Sunday, Aug. 9. Tilikum is a native word for “Bridge of The People,” and the new downtown span is a unique car-free bridge that will accom- modate light rail transit, pedes- trians and cyclists when it offi- cially opens to the public during a grand celebration on Sept. 12. The Providence Bridge Pedal has ride options for everyone, with routes from 14 to 37 miles. All of the routes will take cycles over the upper decks of the Fre- mont and Marquam bridges as well as the new Tilikum Cross- ing. There will also be a three- mile Kids Pedal and Providence end of Tilikum Crossing, where participants can pick up their ride and walk packets prior to Bridge Stride, a six-mile route Sunday’s event. which crosses the Marquam Following the Providence Bridge and Tilikum Crossing. All events culminate at Southwest Naito Parkway, where there will be secure plac- es to park bicycles for cyclists and all participants will be of- fered free entry into the annual local food festival, Bite of Ore- gon. There will also be a Health and Wellness Expo on the east Women of Color Reading Unchaste Readers, a womanist and feminist reading group that seeks to feature women writers in Portland and the Pacific North- west, is hosting a woman of color reading to celebrate their accom- plishments and contributions. Seattle-based writer Ijeoma Oluo, who has published essays on race and identity in NY Mag- azine and Jezebel, joins Portland Observer contributors Tessara Gabrielle Dudley, Jamondria Marnice Harris, and Olivia Oliv- ia; alongside beloved local Afri- can-American artist and poet S. Renee Mitchell, Seattle-based ac- tivist and blogger Shannon Barber, and other Oregon-based writers including Sidony O’neal, Mariah Talicuran, Anna Doogan, Melanie Alldritt, Nadia Martinez Chantry, and Monet Patrice Thomas. The reading will be hosted by In Other Words Bookstore, 14 N.E. Killingsworth St. on Wednesday, Aug. 12 at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Learn more about the collective by visit- ing unchastereaders.com. Critical Summer Blood Drive The American Red Cross urg- es blood donors to give in the final weeks of summer to help prevent a blood shortage. Blood donations often de- cline in August as summer vaca- tions are in full swing and back- to-school activities ramp up. Donations are needed now to help ensure blood is available for patients in need. Donors with types AB, O negative, B negative and A negative blood are especially encouraged to donate. To make an appointment to give blood, visit redcrossblood. org or call 1-800-733-2767. Advertise with diversity in The Portland Observer Call 503-288-0033 or email ads@portlandobserver.com Bridge Pedal, Tilikum Crossing will be open to the general pub- lic from 1:30 p.m. to- 4:30 p.m. For more information, visit providencebridgepedal.org.