FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 

BLUE ISLAND, IL--June 7, 2011 (James Street Media Services)--On Saturday, June 11, 2011, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., three concurrent one-day "pop-ups" will take place at 12840 S. Western Ave. in Blue Island. Cal-Sag Cycles will emerge as a bicycle repair shop, the window displays of 12840 Gallery will be open to the public, and Bike-Craft will take young cyclists through the process of creating bike-art license plates--all in one day.
 
Pop-ups have become increasingly popular in the last 10 years. Echoing the "happenings" of the 1960s, pop-up stores, restaurants, and the spontaneous gathering of enthusiasts of all kinds appear seemingly out of nowhere and end just as quickly.
 
"What’s incredible about our triple pop-up is that it all started three weeks ago with a single phone call," said Steve Buchtel of Friends of the Cal Sag Trail (FOCST). "It's all a testament to the can’t quit / won’t stop attitude, which can make ANYTHING possible."
 
Cal-Sag Cycles, an Earn-a-Bike program, is helping area kids learn the skills to make them life long cyclists. As a part of a three-week program,15 children will be given a free Fuji bicycle and the training to ride it safely and maintain it properly. On Saturday only, the space will "pop-up" as a bike repair shop, open to the public. Everyone is encouraged to bring their bike.
 
The 12840 Gallery has been a window display since last December, but on Saturday only, it will open it's doors to the public. Organizer, Amanda Kaliski says, "Inviting our visitors to actually enter the space and enjoy the artwork 'up-close and personal' will be a magical experience. A crew of hard-working volunteers—including Jennie Malysa who donated the space—have been busy making this possible."
 
Kaliski is also supervising a one-day Bike-Craft project for anyone who wants to make a one-of-a-kind license plate for their bicycle.
 
Walk Score has named Blue Island the 6th most walkable community in Illinois, recognizing its easy connections to neighborhoods, shops and amenities, public parks, and transit.
 
Says Buchtel, "Blue Island has so much to offer and a bike shop is the logical next step to help put people on two wheels. Our team of volunteers have put in many, many hours to prove that there is a serious market for this resource."
 
For more information, contact FOCST at 708-365-9365 or friends@calsagtrail.org or visit www.CalSagCycles.com.
 
Event sponsors include:
Coca-Cola Foundation, Rails to Trails Conservancy, and Friends of the Cal-Sag Trail
 
Media Contact:

Martha Anderson

James Street Associates
708-371-0110 Ext. 2-#
manderson@jamesstreetassoc.com