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	Vol.7, No 17, September 28, 1999
	L.B. buses brought to life through poetry By Christine Rhee Daily Forty-Niner A tiresome bus trip for commuting students may now be more interesting and educational thanks to Poetry in Transit, founded by Cal State Long Beach English professor Elliot Fried. "Unless you're attending school, not many people experience poetry," Fried said.  "I thought it would be very refreshing to be able to see an art form in an entirely new context." "By visiting other cities, I've learned that cities like Portland, London, New York, Athens and more already offer this public service," he said. The Long Beach Transit Authority has donated the space to post poetry on the buses, including Passport vehicles. The program launched Sept. 1 with 100 buses posting poetry, and the transit authority hopes to have poetry posted on all 200 of the cityís buses by October.  "When Professor Fried contacted us with his idea, I thought it was great, and weíre happy to make the spaces available for something so worthwhile," said Rhea Mealey, public relations representative for the transit authority.  The poetry will offer works by traditional and contemporary poets from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries selected by Friedís committee. The poems are kept a maximum of six lines long and are to be changed every two months on a rotating basis. "Many of the poems will be presented in languages that reflect the wide culturally diverse population of our community," Fried said.  "It is now mostly in English and in Spanish, but later on there will be more in other languages such as Korean, Taiwanese and more." "Sometimes I go on the buses myself to observe people's reaction to the poems, and the responses are very positive," he said.  "I see them interpreting the poems and talking to others about the poems because no one expects to find them on the buses." Many local businesses and individuals have contributed financial support for Poetry in Transit.  Initial sponsors include Aeroplex, Airflite, Pollyís Gourmet Coffee, Borders Books and Music, R.K. Properties, Eco-Link, S & W Garage and Auto Dismantlers Association.  But Fried also seeks help from the community to help poetry exist in  Long Beach. "If we don't have enough sponsors later on, we would eventually have to stop and shut it down, so we welcome any contributions from local businesses and individuals who are willing to sponsor and support us financially," he said.  For more information on contributions, one may contact Fried at efried@csulb.edu.		Jason Steinberg/ Daily Forty-Niner Transit rider Ayanna Foster finds the "Poetry in Motion" campaign a "great distraction" while riding the bus. The program covers half the Long Beach buses, full coverage is expected by October.                                                                                         New bill protects gays L.B. buses brought to life through poetry GOP aims to get women, minorities Area code change halted Growing women's center aching for volunteers Fear, hatred back Students, retailers need more spirit President takes stand on credit cards 'Romeo and Juliet' well worth one's time 'Three Kings' action packed Men drown opposition over weekend 49ers open conference play with mixed results Another disappointing weekend for soccer Fall 99 ISSUES DAILY 49ER HOMEPAGE
Forty-Niner Publications, Department of Journalism, California State University, Long Beach ©1999 All rights reserved.