Many Americans, even the hardest car-culture warrior, have fond memories of riding a bicycle growing up.  My family had a nice tradition of long Saturday or Sunday morning bike rides to a gigantic Central Pennsylvania park where we would have breakfast and play amongst the trees.  It was nice.  So how better to celebrate Mother’s Day than by showing Mom you remember those fun days by donating to the Eco-Village?  If you grew up in a household that wasn’t as bike-friendly, you can celebrate by giving her another gift that keeps on giving: a tax deduction.

And if you’re looking for that perfect place to take Mom, consider the Los Angeles Eco-Village!  Why, it just so happens that Streetsblog is holding our 3rd Annual Fundraiser at 116 Bimini Place the Friday before Mom’s Big Day starting at 6:00 P.M.  on May 11.  What a happy coincidence.

Tickets are $30 per head on a sliding scale.  As a special nod to Mom and the weekend that was, any mother that shows up with her child, regardless of her child’s age, gets in for half-price and gets a free raffle ticket.  You can reserve tickets through our donation page or send a payment via paypal to damien@streetsblog.org.  Make sure to select “Los Angeles” from the drop down bar to “direct your donation” and put “Eco-Village” in the “why you support” text bar.  Or, you can just pay at the door.  There is no entrance fee for any “subscribers.”  You can also RSVP on Facebook.

For more information on the event itself, read on after the jump.

We’re still putting together some of the details on the catering and auction, but we can already announce some highlights.  New Belgium Brewing is back as both a raffle sponsor and as donating 120 bottles of New Belgium’s finest.  We will have news on food sponsors and catering in the next week.  However, we already have lots of good prizes in our raffle.

Weekend at Eco-Village – The winner wins a weekend for two at the Eco-Village.  Included in the weekend is a full featured apartment unit with kitchen and bathroom, a 2-1/2 hour tour of L.A. Eco-Village, a vegetarian dinner on Sunday night and use of Eco-Village bicycles during the weekend.

Bike Tour for Six – Bikes and Hikes L.A. offers a bike tour for six people through some of L.A.’s premier sites.  Get all the details on this flyer they helpfully provided

CicLAvia and Streetsblog Grab Bags – You have to win to find out what’s inside

New Belgium Brewing Prize Pack – T-shirts, chalices, hats, bells and more

Livable Streets Library – We get a lot of books donated and sent to us over the year.

Raffle tickets are $5 each and can be bought on May 11.

The Host Committee for the event includes, Joe Anthony, Lois Arkin, Alfredo Hernandez, Herbie Huff, Elson Trinidad, Stephen Villavaso, and Don “Roadblock” Ward.  Of course, the Streetsblog Board will also be pitching in: Joel Epstein, Joe Linton, Deborah Murphy, James Rojas, Carter Rubin, Juan Matute, Sirinya Matute and Jocelyn Vivar.

Thanks to our sponsors and see you on 5/11.