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SGV Connect

SGV Connect is Streetsblog Los Angeles' podcast that explores the people, places, projects and events that make up the changing face of transportation in the San Gabriel Valley. SGV Connect is hosted by Damien Newton and Kris Fortin. This feed also hosts SGV Connect's predecessor podcast, #DamienTalks.
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Now displaying: June, 2016
Jun 23, 2016

Today, #DamienTalks with Jason Islas, the editor of Santa Monica Next. This podcast featured Islas a couple of months ago to discuss a proposal by Assemblymember Richard Bloom to make it easier to build more housing. 

 
The spirit of Bloom's proposal lives on in a rider to the California Budget by Governor Jerry Brown. Islas will discuss that rider and why, in his view, the legislation would help ease the affordable housing crisis in California, especially the overheated markets in Los Angeles and the Greater Bay Area.
 
The legislation is controversial, next week we'll have someone in opposition featured on the podcast. We're going to try and cover both sides of this issue, as there are a lot of good people on both sides of the conversation trying to protect communities and increase our state's housing stock.
 
This week's #DamienTalks is also the first interview given by Islas since Santa Monica Next was awarded the "Excellence in Communication" prize from the American Planning Association in Los Angeles. Just in time for our fundraising drive, "Next's excellence" is a credit to the work done by the entire Streetsblog California team. So if you support our efforts, please consider donating today!

We’re always looking for sponsors, show ideas, and feedback. You can contact me at damien@streetsblog.org, at twitter @damientypes, online at Streetsblog California or on Facebook at StreetsblogCA.

Jun 21, 2016

This week, #DamienTalks with Laura Cornejo, the sustainability officer for Metro who is one of the agency's leaders for Open Streets events. Metro has been funding a series of Open Streets events throughout L.A. County, ending with this weekend's 626, the amazing 18-mile multi-jurisdictional car-free party.

If you're just joining us, 626 Golden Streets will be this Sunday, June 26. Metro, Bike SGV, seven cities and a host of other organizations invite you to explore ​18+ miles of open streets linking 6 Foothill Gold Line stations and 7 San Gabriel Valley cities ​stretching from South Pasadena to Azusa.

For more information, visit 626GoldenStreets.com.

After the talk with Cornejo, we are replaying our #DamienTalks from April 7 with South Pasadena Mayor Pro-Tem Michael Cacciotti. Cacciotti has been a critical figure in the effort to create the 626 both as an elected official and an advocate. As a fun bonus, the interview takes place on the Gold Line itself as Michael is heading home from work.

#DamienTalks is supported by Foothill Transit, offering car-free travel throughout the San Gabriel Valley with connections to the new Gold Line Stations across the Foothills and Commuter Express lines traveling into the heart of Downtown L.A. To plan your trip, visit foothilltransit.org. “Foothill Transit. Going Good Places.”

Jun 8, 2016

This week, #DamienTalks with David Diaz (again), the Programs Director for Bike SGV about this weekend's two-city open streets event, Viva SGV!

The cities of El Monte and South El Monte have worked together to program a 5-mile open streets event that will run this Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. While the event is not as large as the groundbreaking 626 open streets event in two weeks, it will be the largest event of its kind in the SGV to date.

Bike SGV has been working with both cities to create fun programs for the event, and Diaz outlines some of their efforts. The event will be easy to access with or without a car, as both Metrolink and Metro have stations at the north end of the route and Bike SGV is planning feeder rides from Baldwin Hill and Pasadena the morning of the event.

For more information, visit the Viva SGV Website.

We’re always looking for more show ideas. If you have any thoughts on the podcast, good or bad, please let me know. You can email me atdamien@streetsblog.org or tweet @damientypes.

#DamienTalks is supported by Foothill Transit. Foothill Transit has been a leader in sustainable transportation for years. And now they’re committed to having a 100% electric bus fleet by 2030. To celebrate, Foothill Transit is giving away prizes and sharing facts about how their electric buses help clear the air. Visit Foothill Transit’s e-bus sweepstakes webpage to see how you can join in the eco-friendly fun!

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