View online at http://www.citycarshare.org/newsletters/2008-08/

City CarShare Newsletter

In Fond Memory of Dona Spring

On July 13, our friend and community leader Dona Spring passed away. She was a City of Berkeley Councilmember and both an advocate and spokesperson for City CarShare's Access program.

Throughout her life, Dona championed environmental issues, the elderly, at-risk youth, animals, the poor and the disabled. This past April the City of Berkeley and City CarShare, with the support of the Berkeley Disability Commission, launched the nation's first wheelchair-accessible car share van (called the AccessMobile). Dona was our spokeswomen and "test pilot" for this program. She also gave up her City parking space so the AccessMobile could reside in the Berkeley City Hall parking lot.

To commemorate her courage and commitment, City CarShare is dedicating the AccessMobile in memory of Dona. When you see the dedication on the van, please remember Dona Spring as one of those generous people who did the heavy lifting for social causes so that we all can have a better quality of life.

For information on Dona's memorial service this Sunday click here.

Dona was an inspiration to us and we will miss her greatly.

More Perks for You!

This month, we are launching a Member Perks program as an extra benefit to our dedicated and environmentally conscious members. Our Member Perks program is not like others you may have seen. We will feature local nonprofits, community-based services and socially responsible eateries, stores and programs. Our Member Perks program is a wonderful way for businesses to reach City CarShare's fast-growing, diverse members. It's also a great way for you to save money while supporting local businesses!

As a Bay Area nonprofit, we partner with and support local groups and businesses. If you are interested in partnering with us to offer other City CarShare members an exclusive discount on your product or service, please email marketing@citycarshare.org for more information.

Visit our new Member Perks page to see what rewards we already have in store for you. Be sure to check back frequently, since new perks will be added as the programs grows.

The Cure for the Common Drug Store — Elephant Pharm

Have you upgraded your drugstore experience yet? Elephant Pharm will take you to the next level with one-on-one consultations with wellness practitioners, free customer education programs, free in-store classes and a variety of eco-friendly products. Oh... and did we mention how they make living a healthy lifestyle fun?

On August 28th from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm City CarShare will be hosting a Living Car-Free in the Bay Area class in the Berkeley store with the East Bay Bike Coalition. Come join us to learn transit tips and tap into cost-saving opportunities for getting around without owning a car (or two... or three...). Learn safety pointers and insider tips from the Executive Director of the East Bay Bike Coalition on Berkeley bike routes. Click here to learn more about our class on the 28th and to find out what other wellness classes are offered. We will be raffling off a 3 month free ShareLocal membership + $50 in driving credits, so be sure to bring a friend.

Also, as one of our new Member Perks partners, Elephant Pharm is giving City CarShare members 25% off any item in their store when you flash your fob and sign up to be an Elephant Pharm loyalty member. During the month of August, you can also get $5 off of your City CarShare bill when you send us your recipet (over $5) from Elephant Pharm. (Mail your receipt along with your member number to 1182 Market Street, Suite 300, San Francisco, CA, 94102)

New Cars on the Block!

Adding cars to our network in order to reduce the number of cars driving around your neighborhood? What a concept! City CarShare is doing it every day. Even though we've already added over 50 cars this year, we still get excited over each new addition. We especially enjoy adding new areas, like Albany, a city that joined our East Bay locations in July.

New Pods:
  • Albany: University Village: Jackson & Monroe
  • Berkeley: North Berkeley: Rose & Shattuck (Gordon Commercial Real Estate)
  • Daly City: Daly City BART station
  • Oakland: Temescal: 49th & Telegraph
  • San Francisco: SOMA: 1st & Harrison (One Rincon Hill)
  • San Francisco: SOMA: Lapu Lapu & Harrison (766 Harrison)
  • San Francisco: Mission: South Van Ness & Cesar Chavez
More Cars!
  • Berkeley: Downtown: Allston & Jefferson
  • Oakland: Piedmont: Piedmont & Yosemite
  • San Francisco: Panhandle: Broderick & Fell
  • San Francisco: Castro: Market & Sanchez
  • San Francisco: Castro: Market & 15th (Union 76)
  • San Francisco: Upper Haight: Waller & Belvedere
  • San Francisco: Russian Hill: Pacific & Polk

Cinema Under the Stars

Last summer we opened our first pod in Bernal Heights and with the neighborhood's support, we have grown to five pods and ten cars. Thanks to all Bernal Heights members who are doing your part to keep privately owned cars from flooding the beautiful hills of Bernal Heights.

Be sure to mark you calendar for the 5th Annual Bernal Heights Outdoor Cinema festival, running from August 23 - September 7. Come mingle with filmmakers at the pre-screening receptions and enjoy a lineup of local independent films, shown under the stars.

Once again, City CarShare is partnering with the Bernal Heights Outdoor Cinema event. We are donating a one year ShareLocal membership plus $50 in driving credits for the opening night raffle on August 23rd. Bring friends so they can try their luck at winning!

To view the full screening and event schedule, click here.

Inspired by Architecture

Once again, September has officially been proclaimed "Architecture and the City" month by Mayor Gavin Newsom. The fifth annual Architecture and the City festival put on by American Institute of Architects SF and the Center for Architecture + Design is the largest architectural event in the nation. Celebrating San Francisco's unique built environment and design community, this year's festival features architectural tours, film screenings, exhibits, dining by design, family programs and more. Once again, City CarShare is honored to be a community sponsor for AIA SF.

The month-long celebration engages design enthusiasts, architects and people with an appreciation for San Francisco's rich architecture. Whether you hope to become more involved with the local architecture and design community, are looking for an architect, or want to learn more about San Francisco's remarkable architectural past, present, or future, Architecture and the City will offer you the opportunity to experience our city in a whole new way.

Visit the Architecture and the City website to check out the events calendar and learn more about the month's programs.

Driving Tip: Reservations on the Go from your Cell



Looking for another way to show off your new iPhone?

For years, we've provided specialized phone access to our reservation system. Did you know that with our Mobile Access Log-in page you can make a reservation or extend a trip from your cell phone? When you log-in at citycarshare.org/m, you are directed to a quick loading page that allows you to extend your current reservation, make a new reservation and view all of your current reservations. (If you are not able to extend your reservation and another member has already reserved your car, please call the emergency line so we can notify the next member you're running late.) Also, while you're surfing, check out the handy short cuts like clicking a button to dial our office or emergency line.

If you don't have web access on your phone you can also extend and make a reservation by calling our automated reservation line at 877-363-0710.

Remember it is now illegal to talk on your cell phone while driving, so don't forget to pull over before using these services!

Events Around the Bay

Here's a glance at the events where we will be Sharing the Love this month:
  • Alamo Square Flea Market on August 16th
  • UC Berkeley New Student Orientation on August 19th
  • UC Berkeley's Caltopia on August 24th & 25th
  • UC Berkeley Orientation for New Graduate Students on August 26th
  • Art & Soul Festival, August 30th, 31st and Sept 1st (Labor Day Weekend)
  • Power to the Peaceful on September 6th
If you would like to share the word about City CarShare, contact marketing@citycarshare.org to sign-up for specific events, or email us at volunteers@citycarshare.org to get ongoing volunteer announcements.

Thanks for sharing!
City CarShare Member Directory:
Reservations:
www.citycarshare.org
877-363-0710 or 415-227-0712

Questions (membership issues):
memberservices@citycarshare.org
415-995-8588 and press 0

Accounts (update credit card info):
accounts@citycarshare.org
415-995-8588 x6203

Emergency (report urgent car issues):
415-786-7468
Volunteer:
Sign-up for regular emails about volunteering:
volunteers@citycarshare.org

Donate:
Support your favorite nonprofit carsharing organization: www.citycarshare.org/supportus.do

Our Office:
1182 Market Street, Suite 300
San Francisco, CA 94102-4919
Tel: 415-995-8588 Fax: 415-995-8589