September = Commute Solutions Month

Next month, in greater Austin area, residents are encouraged to try alternative methods of commuting that are less environmentally-damaging such as carpooling, walking, biking, working from home, or using public transportations. To help promote this cause, there will be a Commuter Challenge (including the Weirdest Commute Contest with 3-day ACL pass as the prize!). River Cities Rideshare has a helpful site for keeping a daily log of your commutes. On top of reducing the carbon footprint and saving gas money, you could also win a prize and each alternative commute you log will increase your chance. Even if you can't participate in the contest, let's use this initiative to reconsider the impact of our daily commute and how we can reduce the amount of unnecessary driving. Don't forget it includes driving during lunch hours as well!

Commuter Challenge Resources:

Commuter Challenge Entry & diary log
Capital Metro schedules & maps

September Events:
Commuter Solutions Month Kickoff
Fri, 9/5
Republic Square, 4th & Guadalupe

Festivities include music from Austin Home Grown, food, information booths on commuting options, the UT cheerleaders, Austin Energy's Cody the Clean Air Car, and more. The fun begins at 11:00 AM and goes until 1:00 PM.

The Weirdest Commute Contest will be held at the Kickoff. Commuters with great imaginations and a tremendous sense of fun are encouraged to participate. Contest rules are on the River Cities Rideshare homepage. Judging will begin at noon and the winner will receive a pair of 3 day passes to ACL.

Press Conference
Friday, September 26
Austin City Hall Atrium, 11:30 AM

Mayor Wynn will summarize Commute Solutions participation and benefits (number of participants in the Challenge, miles saved and emissions reduced). Joe Cantalupo, Executive Director of CAMPO, will present the Commuter Challenge Employer Awards. Commute Solutions Partners will be there with information on commuting options.

9th Annual Renewable Energy Roundup & Green Living Fair
September 26-28, 2008
Fredericksburg Market Square on Main Street, between S. Crockett and S. Adams, Fredericksburg, Texas.

This three-day weekend family fair focuses on renewable energy, green building, water use and reuse, energy efficiency, alternative fuel vehicles, and other related matters. For more information visit www.theroundup.org.