David Lee Csicsko is a Chicago artist who recently won the commission for the new public art installation at the rebuilt Belmont CTA station following a competitive public selection process. The station and artwork are expected to be completed by the end of this year (view work-in-progress on the right). His Belmont 2000 work, which was originally intended as a temporary installation, had been on display at the old station since 1999 and was removed for the station construction.

What's the name of your new Belmont CTA piece, and how does it relate to the transit experience and to Lakeview?

The Chicago Criterium Bike Race is this Sunday July 26, 2009 at Buckingham Fountain starting at 7am. If anyone needs to rent a road bike, Bike and Roll Chicago has them available to you, either call 312-729-1000 or go online at http://bikechicago.com to reserve one today!

As part of the second annual Low-Car Diet, Zipcar is challenging people in 13 cities to give up their cars for one month and learn what car-free living is all about. To help wean them off of their driving habit, Zipcar is of course offering them a car sharing membership, as well as transit passes and bikes in some of the participating cities. In Chicago, 30 residents are taking part in the challenge, ditching their cars from July 15 - Aug. 15.

Visit http://www.zipcar.com/lowcardiet and click on the '08 tab to read about the experiences of participants from last year. The results showed a 71% decrease in miles driven among the participants, which would support the claim that people who use car sharing end up driving less.

Join up to 10,000 bicyclists on Saturday night/Sunday morning July 11/12 for McDonald's L.A.T.E. Ride, hosted by and benefiting Friends of the Parks. Enjoy a 25-mile ride through Chicago's neighborhoods and along the lakefront. Cycle past skyscrapers, hear "Opaah!" in Greek Town, cruise through the North Side, wave to onlookers, and watch the sun rise over Lake Michigan. Plus, enjoy tons of snacks at the rest stop and breakfast back at Buckingham Fountain. Visit the website for more information: http://www.lateride.org

The Tour de Fat will once again be meandering and pandering to Chicago spreading the good word about the positive societal offerings of the bicycle and donating to a local non-profit. Along with our exceptional ability to roust a city's inner-cyclist, in 2009 we hope to drive our message even deeper by bringing you a show of one lucky Chicagoan who will trade their car for a gloriously hand built commuter bicycle.

The event is this Saturday, July 11 at Palmer Square from 9am-4pm. Don't miss it! Check out this video from last year: