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At getDowntown, we are constantly looking for ways to help you love your commute. Think of us as the Valentine's Cupid of Commuting. Or . . . don't.
No matter how you see us, you'll find some great ideas and inspiring words in this month's issue of the Commuter Connection. Happy reading.
Questions or Suggestions? Please email me at nancy@annarborchamber.org.
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Commuter Friendly Business Award:
Inner Circle Media
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Here's a typical downtown
scenario: you are a business paying hundreds (perhaps thousands) of
dollars a month for parking spaces for your employees.
You are concerned that the employees who
walk, bike, and bus to work think this is unfair because they aren't getting
the same benefit.
And to top it all off,
you'd like to encourage more of your employees to use alternative
transportation.
What do you do?
Well, the management at Inner Circle Media found a great
solution that saves them money and encourages their employees to use
alternative transportation.
Read about their parking stipend
idea and its success on the getDowntown Blog: Inner Circle Media: Creative Idea Wins Them a Commuter-Friendly Business Award.
getDowntown is proud to present
Inner Circle Media with a Commuter-Friendly Business Award for coming up with a
creative way to encourage their employees to walk, bike, bus and carpool to
work. It should also be noted that Inner Circle is very active in the Ann Arbor Chamber.
Do you want to be recognized as a
Commuter-Friendly Business? Email nancy@annarborchamber.org and tell
us what you are doing to encourage employees to use alternative transportation
and you just might be our next awardee.
Past Commuter-Friendly Business Award Winners
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Pure Visibility
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| Volunteer for Curb Your Car Month |
Do you already walk, bike, bus, or carpool to work?
Would you like to encourage others to use public transportation?
If you answered yes to either of these questions, here's your chance to shine:
Volunteer to be a Walk, Bike, Bus, or Carpool Ambassador during Curb Your Car Month in May!
Responsibilities include:
- Identifying yourself as an Ambassador at your office so others can ask you about your alternative transportation experience.
- Offering to help others new to that mode of transportation by meeting them at a bus stop, biking to work with them, etc.
- Encouraging employees to participate in the Commuter Challenge: a month-long contest to where organizations compete to win prizes for using alternative transportation.
Time commitment:
- One orientation meeting lasting no more than an hour.
- 5-10 minute check-ins and conversation over email and/or in person during May.
- Perhaps another meeting or event lasting no longer than 2 hours
How you will be thanked:
- All Ambassadors will receive some sort of item they can wear to let others know they are an Ambassador.
- Ambassadors can be recognized on the getDowntown Website and Blog and possibly in a print publication.
- Ambassadors will receive a thank you gift at the end of Curb Your Car Month.
To Volunteer to be an Ambassador, please email Nancy at nancy@annarborchamber.org.
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Poetry on the Bus
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"Her eyes gaze restlessly out
the window.
They see a city scene,
bright lights
and dark streets.
But what does she really see?"
--Francesca L., 11, Greenhills School
From January 14 until March 14, expect to see poetry in an unexpected place: on AATA buses.
826 Michigan, an
Ann Arbor nonprofit dedicated to helping students improve their creative and
expository writing skills has partnered with the Ann Arbor Transportation
Authority (AATA) to provide local students a unique opportunity. Seven Ann
Arbor young people, ages 11-14 (like Francesca,) will have their
original creative writing published in an exhibition installed on the interiors
of buses.
You can read these little poetic gems on the getDowntown website by clicking here:
www.getdowntown.org/downloads/826buspoetry.pdf
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| Looking for a great Valentine's Gift? Think go!pass discount
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Show your go!pass to receive these discounts:
- Valentine's Cards
- get a 10% discount on greeting cards at 16 Hands when you show your go!pass.
- Jewelry
- get 10% off in stock items or $100 off custom jewelry at Abracadabra when you show your go!pass.
- get 10% off non-sale merchandise at Heavenly Metal when you show your go!pass.
- get 10% off non-sale merchandise at Selo/Shevel Gallery when you show your go!pass.
- More jewelry discounts on our discount page
- A Meal Out
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Bandito's
Mexican Restaurant:10% off after 4:00pm -
Back Alley Gourmet (611 S. Main Street, 734-662-1175): 10%
off all orders Bar Louie:
10% off all orders when you show your go!pass
Parthenon Restaurant (226 S. Main Street, 734-994-1012): 10%
off a purchase of $10 or more
- Pampering
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Ann Arbor
Healing Arts: $10 off your first 1-hour massage -
Bellanina Day Spa, 201 N. 4th Ave, 10%
off services. -
Encore
Studio,(In the Kerrytown Shops): 10% off all nail and facial services &
10% off hair services with participating stylists -
RelaxStation: $5 off full body table massages before noon
M-Sat., $10 off first visit for chair or table massage. -
Vie:
Fitness & Spa: 20% of drop-in fitness classes (packages not included)
as well as 10% off manicures Vicki's
Wash & Wear Haircuts, 207 E. Ann, 734-663-4247, 10% off your first
haircut
- Entertainment
There are many more go!pass discounts. Check them out here: www.getdowntown.org/bus/gopass/gopass_discounts.html
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| Upcoming Events
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Don't forget to check the getDowntown Calendar for these upcoming events:
Commute Chat: Today! Tuesday, February 5, 12-1pm, Ann Arbor Chamber of Commerce.
Washtenaw Walking and Biking Coalition Monthly Meeting: Thursday, February 7, 7pm, Ecology Center.
Ride Around Town (RAT): Friday, February 15, 6pm, Liberty Plaza.
Sustainability in the Transportation System: Thursday, February 21,7:30pm Crazy Wisdom Bookstore and Tea House. Part of the Crazy Wisdom Salon Series.
http://www.getdowntown.org/programs/events/
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Thanks and Final Thoughts
Trying to start up a carpool program? Want to know more about
biking downtown? Still confused by all those buses? Let getDowntown
ease your burden!
The getDowntown Program is your Commuter Choice Consultant. We are more than
happy to meet with you, give a presentation, or answer your questions.
If you want to contribute to Commuter Connection, please let me know.
Please feel free to contact me so I can serve you better.
Sincerely,
Nancy Shore
getDowntown Program
www.getdowntown.org
nancy@annarborchamberorg | | |
