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Celebrating 8 Years of Sharing the Love!
Growing older never felt better. This month we are thrilled to celebrate City CarShare's 8th
Birthday. Thanks to our loyal members, friends and supporters, Bay Area community-based car
sharing is truly a success story. While we love to emphasize our positive environmental
impact, low prices and convenience, it is our community roots that truly make us one of the
most successful car sharing organizations in North America.
City CarShare was created in 2001 as a nonprofit so that the public good (rather than investors' pockets) would drive business decisions. What started with a few notable green VW Bugs - and a lot of dedication from passionate employees and volunteers - has now grown into a fleet of hundreds of cars serving thousands of members. Over the years we have continued to put our members and our community first, remembering that we exist to make the Bay Area a better place to live. Each time you use City CarShare you invest in our community. After all, City CarShare is more than a car share service provider. We support the Bay Area through our member-oriented car share service, providing a green, cost effective alternative to car ownership. For years, we have also provided unique programs and advocacy support for Bay Area residents and causes. And we've done this all with a sustainable business model that ensures we'll be around - contributing to the public good - for years to come. Below are some examples of things we do day in and day out. Access for All: Our service extends to even more Bay Area residents with the addition of the nation's first wheel-chair accessible van, the AccessMobile. 
Sharing Vans to Get Youth Outdoors: Together, CCS and the Bay Area Wilderness Training (BAWT)
are able to support fun and educational nature-bound field trips for
youth, while providing all members with access to the BAWTmobile minivans.
Discounted Low Income Plan: We believe that everyone in the Bay Area should have good transportation options without having to own a car. Through our CommunityShare program, we're working with partner organizations to make car sharing accessible to people of all incomes. Supporting other nonprofits: City CarShare has extended discounts to nonprofits for many years. We also offer driving credits for special events, donate gifts for fundraisers, and support community groups through advocacy, participation, and cash donations. We are also proud members of transportation and urban planning organizations that support efforts to build a smarter, greener Bay Area. 
Our members are the backbone of City CarShare, so these Happy Birthday wishes are for you,
our members, too. Of course, we still enjoy birthday gifts (who doesn't?). Please
pay our
Yelp page a visit and Share the Love about City CarShare. While we blow out the birthday
candles, we'll be wishing for more awesome members, just like you.
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ODC/Dance: A Lightning Force of Energy "a lightning force of energy ... smashing technique and a ton of fun. ODC has been jolting audiences out of its lethargy for years." — Contra Costa Times When is the last time you checked out an amazing professional dance performance? Kindle your cultural curiosity by joining a friend or a date for an evening with the talented performers and choreographers of ODC. ODC/Dance, the crown jewel of West Coast contemporary dance and the source of great civic pride for San Francisco, celebrates its 2009 season from March 12-29 at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. Artistic Director Brenda Way and Co-Artistic Director KT Nelson have drawn on their considerable artistic DNA to produce two new pieces teeming with emotional intelligence. Don't miss Brenda Way's In the Memory of the Forest, a multimedia work inspired by a young woman's flight from Warsaw, and KT Nelson's Grassland, a dynamic exploration of nature set to a commissioned score by Brazilian composer Marcelo Zarvos. City CarShare is thrilled to support local arts by partnering with ODC/Dance, another local nonprofit. ODC’s mission is to inspire audiences, cultivate artists, engage community, and foster diversity and inclusion through dance. Here are two great ways you can participate:
Join us on March 21 for ODC/Dance's 8:00 pm performance. City CarShare will be there to welcome you and give your friends a great way to sign up: no deposit and $50 in driving credit! Plus you'll get $20 in credits for the referral. photo credit: RJ Muna
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Plugging into the Next Generation
After a much-anticipated wait, we're proud to add our first Plug-in Hybrid Electric
Vehicle (PHEV) to our fleet. The new Prius hybrid plug-in was launched on February 18th as
a part of San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's Green Vehicle Showcase in front of City Hall.
City CarShare is thrilled to support the City's vision to make San Francisco a testing ground
for the innovative technology that allows these already "green" cars to go further with
less gas. Our PHEV can go up to 100 miles per gallon!
In partnership with 3Prong Power, a Berkeley company
that develops, integrates, and services plug-in hybrid electric vehicles; we are able to
provide this car to members. In support of the showcase, 3Prong generously donated a
percentage of conversion costs. "Using 3Prong Power's innovative technology, City CarShare
drivers can now drive primarily on the battery charge from an electrical socket for the
cleanest driving experience available on the market," said Daniel Sherwood, President of
3Prong Power.
Sherry Boschert, City CarShare member since 2005, is a journalist and author of the book Plug-in Hybrids: The Cars That Will Recharge America (New Society Publishers). She co-founded Plug In America and the San Francisco Electric Vehicle Association. Boschert is a frequent speaker on the topics of plug-in vehicles and renewable energy. Sherry generously donated 10 copies of her book for the first 10 members who reserve the plug-in starting on March 1. From all of us at City CarShare, thanks Sherry! While this is our first PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle), we will continue to explore additional options like this, as well as other efficient transportation options. This PHEV is the next step in the evolution of fuel-efficient automobiles and is our latest commitment to the environment. | ||
For the Road More Rugged
With all of this rain coming our way, we've heard you have been itching for a way to get to
the mountains. We're happy to announce that we just added three Subaru Outback vehicles to our fleet.
With Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and a ski/snowboard rack on top (holds 6 pairs
of skis or 4 snowboards), you'll be equipped for any California-style road trip adventure.
You'll tread lighter into the wild with the Subaru's PZEV-rating (partial zero emission vehicle), making
it one of the most emission efficient cars available.
Click here to find our Subaru pod locations.
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New Pods on the Block!Have you seen how many new vehicles we've been adding? Click here to see what ride works best for your trip.New Pods
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Who Let the Dogs (and Cats!) Out?
Many of you asked us to change our 'no pets' rule. So many in fact, that we just couldn't
say no. Starting March 1, we changed our policies to allow pets in locked carriers in our
cars. We understand that Fluffy and Fido need to go to the vet on occasion, and we know that
getting them there on public transit is cumbersome and sometimes difficult. Now you have the
freedom to transport your pet in the comfort of a City CarShare vehicle, as long as Fluffy
and Fido ride in locked pet carriers (separately of course!)
When chauffeuring your pet around town, please consider the following tips to keep all members comfortable (especially those with allergies):
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Getting Back on TimeDriving in the Bay Area can mean punctuality is problematic. More and more of you have let us know that other members are returning cars late, inconviencing you. In order to ensure we share - and share alike - with a minimum inconvenience, we want to remind you not to depend on a grace period. Please note that our recent policy change (announced in February's newsletter) does not provide you with a grace period. Arriving back on time means having the car back in the pod by the end of your reservation. Please consider adding an extra 15 minutes to your reservation. At our $5/hour rate, this costs just $1.25. To check out all of our recently modified credits and penalties, click here. | ||
Member Perks for Your Pet!
Now that we have amended our pet policy, we found a way to give you a break on carriers to
transport your pets. We are happy to partner with two local pet shops: Bow Wow Meow and
Holistic Hound, to bring you discounts on travel related pet products. As a City CarShare
member, you will receive 20% off any travel related products (pet carriers, car seats, car
seat covers, backpacks, collapsible dishes, non-spill dishes etc.). Visit our Member Perks page
to print your coupon and take advantage of these deals.
Bow Wow Meow located in San Francisco's Russian Hill offers a
unique shopping experience. By combining the product selection of a pet food store with the service
of a pet boutique their wide range of merchandise will keep your pet safe and comfortable.
Holistic Hound in North Berkeley is a natural pet store that
specializes in homeopathic remedies and supplies. Inside you'll find a myriad of holistic and
organic products ranging from ecological friendly toys to carsick remedies to calm your pet's
nerves while traveling.
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Driving Tip: Defend Yourself On the RoadAs we all have learned, driving on the highway during rush hour traffic is a pain. With stop-and-go traffic, it's pretty common for accidents to occur when drivers aren't paying attention. Far too often drivers bump into the car in front of them when that car suddenly slows down or stops on the highway.Remember you can be slow and cautious on the outside, and Fast & Furious on the inside. We are giving away guaranteed seat tickets to Fast & Furious on March 31. You can score the tickets if you are one of the first 5 members to email marketing@citycarshare.org your best defensive driving tip. Here are some defensive driving tips to keep you accident free on the freeway:
Use Your Tail Lights. When you encounter a sudden slowdown, tap your brakes or put your hazard lights on to avoid getting rear-ended. This is especially helpful if you see someone coming up behind you a little too quick for comfort. |
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THE FINE PRINT UNSUBSCRIBE FROM THIS NEWSLETTER If you are a former member, or have applied for City CarShare membership and wish to unsubscribe, go here: https://denali.citycarshare.org/signup/optout.action (this link only works for former members and applicants). Otherwise, you can unsubscribe by visiting http://www.citycarshare.net/cgi-bin/lists/email.php You will be sent a confirmation that you must reply to in order for the process to complete. |