The University Area Enrichment Association

UAEA is actively working to improve quality of life in the neighborhoods surrounding Ohio State! They advocate for a walkable, bikeable community and ongoing audits of sidewalks, fast traffic, potholes, graffiti and litter. They organize weekly litter and graffiti cleanups, offer free valet bike parking for OSU home football games, and participate in development and maintenance of community gardens. UAEA is partnering with the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio to develop a solid waste management plan, including improved access to recycling for residents and businesses. They partner with City of Columbus reforestation projects and programs, the Central Ohio Bicycle Advocacy Coalition, the Greater Columbus Arts Council, and University Area Crimestoppers.

UAEA assisted in the establishment of FreeGeek Columbus, an organization that provides computers and training for limited-resource populations in Central Ohio. FreeGeek recycles and redistributes used equipment from their new location in the basement of the Summit United Methodist Church, 82 E. 16th Ave. (Enter from the parking lot.) They invite people to donate used computer equipment or earn a free computer and classes by working at their facility. Visit http://freegeekcolumbus.org for hours of operation.

UAEA has a new office at the Summit United Methodist Church, 82 E. 16th Ave. Visit www.uaea.org and sign up to be an agent for change in your street, your block, your neighborhood.

Two Green Travel Options

MEGABUS is a company with bus service to major cities in the Midwest, East Coast, and California. Ohio cities served are Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Toledo. Megabus eliminates major overhead by having no bus station. You can meet your bus at 2 stops in Columbus: OSU or downtown. Travel to Chicago on Megabus for as little as $8.00!

ZIPCAR shows that car-sharing can be a cost-saving, environmentally-friendly alternative to car ownership! Zipcar provides members with easy access to vehicles located near where you live, work or play.  Reserve a vehicle online or by phone, use a smartcard to open the doors, take your trip, and return the car at the end of the reservation. An hourly or daily fee covers gas, insurance, maintenance, parking and 24-7 emergency service. Drive from $9/hr and $66/day with a $50 annual fee and a $25 one-time application fee.

Third Hand Bike Co-Op

Check out the new location for the Third Hand Bicycle Co-op at 174 E. Fifth Ave! Current Open Shop hours are Wednesdays from 6:30-9:30 pm and Saturdays from noon to 6 pm.

This non-profit organization offers the community facilities that are well equipped for complete bicycle maintenance. Tools include a professional quality bicycle workstand, a wheel truing stand, a complete set of metric wrenches, cone wrenches, and adjustable wrenches, as well as other specialized tools for bicycle maintenance. Shop/Stand time is available to the public at $7 per hour. In addition to tools and shop materials, the Co-op maintains a collection of good quality used parts and complete bicycles for sale to the public, with discounted rates for Co-op members. Biannual Co-op membership is $25, which includes 1 hour of personal shop time per month. An additional $7 in co-op credit can be earned per hour volunteered.

Bicycle maintenance assistance is available from the volunteer staff and members during Open Shop hours. Volunteers will walk you through a bicycle check-up and assist with necessary repairs. Either for technical advice, to share project ideas, or volunteer, Open Shop time is a large part of the Co-op. You are invited to come in and work with bicycle enthusiasts of all skill levels.

Co-op members and volunteer staff are currently developing a curriculum covering a variety of bicycle maintenance and safety topics. They are in need of skilled mechanics and workshop leaders to plan, develop, and lead these workshops. In addition to this they plan organized community rides.

Donations provide the Third Hand Bicycle Co-op with the materials and finances necessary to provide the community with great cycling programs. They depend on donations in the form of tools and shop supplies, bicycles and bicycle parts, and money for expenses. Currently the Co-op is in need of tools, semi-operational to operational bikes, locks, lights, tubes, rags, tires, bicycle maintenance stands, and grease.

If you are interested in any of these interesting and fun activities, contact .

Join the Hilliard EverGreen Team!

The Leadership Hilliard Class of 2007-2008 is searching for a group of caring citizens to join the Hilliard EverGreen Team. The Team will be an organized network of residents who share a passion for making a difference on environmental issues. Our plan is to continually engage and enable citizens to improve our community so that it may be preserved for the enjoyment of future generations. Members will benefit from meeting new people, sharing experiences, serving the community and learning how to live a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle. For more details or to get involved contact volunteer coordinator