Archives

Hello Milwaukee Hybrid Group members and friends,

It’s meet time again. As fall is upon us and our mileage will be dropping like the leaves, we need to gather for warmth, knowledge and camaraderie that will help uplift us. We have summer successes to share, things to learn, we need to welcome and offer training to our newest members and enjoy a meal together. What a nice way to spend a Saturday.

We’re over 120 members now and our group has been active in many events around the area. We’ll learn about this groups participation in Hybrid’s Now, Odyssey Day and WCATY. We’ll get the inside info on Wayne Gerdes’ and Justin Fons’ efforts to set the world record single tank distance record in Oklahoma a couple of weeks ago. Chris Schneider, the Hybrid Guru, will be joining us from La Crosse and will be speaking at the meeting. We also hope some of our Illinois members will be coming up for meet again. There is so much we’re anxious to share with you.

Bobb and Jane Cherney will be organizing our pot luck meal again. Please bring an entree dish or dessert to share, if you can. The Cherney’s will supply plates, cups, drinks etc. We’ll meet in the parking lot again about 9:30am for our informal gathering before the meeting. We will once again have personalized driver training after the meet for our newest hybrid owners and for others that want some advanced training.

Milwaukee Hybrid Group Meeting Agenda, No. 7
Saturday, October 28, 2006
10am to 2pm

Oak Creek Public Library (see link below)
8620 South Howell Avenue
Oak Creek, WI. 53154
414-764-4400

9:30 – 10:00 (30min) Outdoor gathering, discussion and vehicle checks
10:00 – 10:30 (30min) Check in, setup and informal discussion
10:30 – 10:45 (15min) Introductions, driving updates and summer successes
10:45 – 10:55 (10min) the 2006 Insight Marathon, World Record
10:55 – 11:15 (20min) ScanGauge 2 particulars, Rees Roberts
11:15 – 11:30 (15min) Engine block heaters, + or -
11:30 – 11:40 (10min) Break
11:40 – 12:10 (30min) What’s in the future at Honda, Chris Schneider
12:10 – 12:20 (10 min) MHG recent outreach events
12:20 – 12: 30 (10min) Non-profit status?
12:30 – 12:35 (5min) Wrap-up, door prizes
12:35 – 1:30 (60min) Lunch and cleanup
1:00 – 1:30 (30min) Driver training

We encourage you to bring a spouse or a friend interested in hybrid vehicles to learn and share. This meet will be the best opportunity for all drivers to pick up tips on cold weather preparation as well as learning about basic and advanced eco-driving tips.

Each of you should be very proud for what this group has become. Your involvement, questions, comments and skills are what makes us successful and will make us grow.

We look forward to seeing you all again. Keep workn’ it.

Bradlee and Justin Fons

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?latlongtype=internal&addtohistory=&latitude=Jb2SdT9xYkG0Qdn0XyUPWA%3d%3d&longitude=OdDgezXZFp1BlCz2UblwYA%3d%3d&name=Oak%20Creek%20Library&country=US&address=8620%20S%20Howell%20Ave&city=Oak%20Creek&state=WI&zipcode=53154&phone=414%2d764%2d4400&spurl=0&&q=oak%20creek%20library&qc=Libraries

I added it to the calendar. I might make this one.

I would love to come and hear about the Insight marathon but I'm not sure that I can. For me, it's an ~3.5 hour 190-200 mile trip(hypermilers-add at least 45 min:p ). I'm supposed to go to a breakfast with a bunch the family and I don't know how hard it will be to get out of it. I'll see what i can do.

Yay! I can actually make this month's meeting!:) :) :) I'm looking forward to it!

I'll bring a dessert for the potluck.

(And Wayne, I will have a DVD of the Hybridfest interview for you. Sorry I haven't gotten it to you sooner, but making a copy of the videotape involved disconnecting the VCR from our upstairs TV & temporarily connecting it the the downstairs TV's VCR, then putting it back - a major pain, but we just got a DVDR/VCR combo, so I can copy the tape directly to a DVD. Do you need a particular format?)

Great news Debbie it'll be nice to see you again.

Tom, I hope you can make it and if Larry from Elkhart IN. can work it out with his family maybe he could car pool with you the rest of the way up to Oak Creek.

We have a chance that Darren (Flash) out of Pittsburgh, PA. ( go Bucco's ) may be driving in with his 2 month old HCH with 13,000 miles on it. That's about 550 miles for a meet! Talk about dedication.

Any other enthusiasts out there, come on up, over, or down to experience some great Wisconsin hospitality with a great hybrid group. We had 39 members at our last formal meet with owners of just about every hybrid make present. We look forward to seeing you.

Bradlee

Next year you will have to rent a stadium to hold your meetings if you guys generate this much enthusiasm in people ;)

I'll be there. Now if the weather holds out.

Hi All:

___I doubt I will be able to make this one unfortunately as I am on 12’s (night shift and have just enough time to get 4 - 5 hours of sleep :(

___Debbie, great to hear that you will make it. Did you get the next oil change completed yet and how is your FEH holding up on this first real cold temp tank?

___Larry, Justin posted a great idea. I am sure you and Tom could hook up in the Chicago area and he could drive the rest of the way up?

___Flash, I wanted to meet you too!

___Frisch, weather holding out in the Chicago/Milwaukee area?

Long range forecast for Milwaukee on Saturday the 28th: 40% chance of Rain / Snow Showers – 44 high/35 degree low.

___Expect sunny and a high of 57 degrees then :D

___Good Luck

___Wayne

___Debbie, great to hear that you will make it. Did you get the next oil change completed yet and how is your FEH holding up on this first real cold temp tank?


Hi Wayne --

I had my oil/filter (& the HV battery AC filter) changed last week.

When I made the appointment, I asked to speak to the technician before the work was done. Instead, when the work order was given to the dispatcher, she came & talked to me, & I told her it had been over-filled the last time. I asked that they put in no more than 3.5 qts., "because it makes a difference in my fuel economy" - she made a note on the work order & asked if there was anything else, so I told her about my tire pressure being at 44psi. When she asked me if that wasn't a little high, I told her it's the maximum sidewall pressure, & that it also helps my FE, so she made a note of that as well. Hopefully, I came off as a reasonable person who knows what she's talking about (even thought I'm "just a *girl*"), rather than someone who's going to be a problem customer, just being picky for the heck of it.

I haven't check either yet, but judging by the ride, they didn't let any air out of my tires. I just have to remember to check the oil some night after I get home from work (I never think of it until I'm leaving in the AM:rolleyes: ).

The drop in temps is definitely affecting my FE. I think I've posted my last 40+mpg tank until spring. Right now, my FEH is parked ~62miles into the new tank with 36.8mpg - there was a time I would have been very pleased with that, but now...:( However, as I continue to post tanks here, I'll be giving a more honest picture of my lifetime MPG - I only found this site & started posting here last April. Thank you, by the way, for officially elevating me to Hypermiler status!:) :) :)

One thing that should help this winter - it turns out that I've had an engine block heater all the while! :o Looking over my sticker, I found it listed, but couldn't find a cord for it. So when I was at the dealership last week, I asked about it, & the tech found the plug for me - it comes out from behind the license plate, has a cap to cover the plug when it's not in use, & it tucks back up behind the plate while I'm driving, so hopefully it won't get too gunked up when the real winter weather arrives.

Sorry we're not going to see you next Saturday! If you send me your address, I can put that DVD in the mail to you.

___Larry, Justin posted a great idea. I am sure you and Tom could hook up in the Chicago area and he could drive the rest of the way up?
___Wayne

Tom, If that sounds like an idea, PM me with your address and I'll look up directions on Mapquest. I'm still not sure if I can go yet but I might as well get some details together in case I can. Maybe you could "bribe" me with driving an HCH?;) :D

Hi to all,

I'm sorry that you may not be able to attend Wayne, we'll miss you Big Time. Justin and I will do our best to fill everyone in with some specifics on the Insight Marathon. Thanks for everything that you've done for our group and you certainly deserve some down time.

I hope that Larry and Tom can connect and I think the enducement of driving a HCH may do the trick.

Flash from the Steel City is still workn' it on coming up. Go Bucs!

Frisch the weather is always fine when we have a group meet. I look forward to seeing you again.

Debbie, wonderful news on having a block heater already installed. We'll be having a discussion about that very thing on Saturday so I'm sure you'll find it very interresting.

This meet is coming together and we're anticipating another wonderful gathering, even if the weather will be cool. It's fall people, we're used to it.

Bradlee

I figured I would give this thread a bump by saying that, unless something out of the ordinary happens, I will be able to make it to the meeting Saturday. I hope I don't screw up the mileage too bad in Tom's HCH on the way up from his house. ;) Bradlee, Wayne suggested that a drive in your Prius may be a good thing. What do you think? :) See you Saturday.

Larry, I think you will do better than me. I seriously think you are more skilled than I.

Tom and Larry, you're both wonderful drivers and one of you will have to take charge and drive up here. You choose. We're glad your coming up.

Justin will be bringing Marie's Prius to the meet.

Bradlee

Larry will definitely be be at the wheel.

I won't be able to make this one.

Hope you all have fun.

Tony we'll miss you and your hybrid analogies. Keep workn 'it.

Hello to all,

I just got confirmation that Flash and Mrs. Flash will be rolling in from Pittsburgh PA. to attend our meet in Oak Creek. That's over 550 road miles from the hills of Bucco City to the plains of Oak Creek. This will be their first meet since they've had their HCH.

Darren, I'm pretty sure that you'll be getting our "most distance travel" prize.

We all look forward to meeting you and your wife. Drive safe and we'll have some great Wisconsin hospitality here when you both arrive. Just look for the green signs on the road that say "HYBRID CAR INFO".

See all of you tomorrow.

Bradlee

Hi Bradlee:

___Flash is already a decent driver but if one of the two woman I had a HCH-II clinic with at the last meet could take him and his wife out, maybe they can learn something from one another? Also, when he arrives, maybe he can take Larry out in his HCH-II? I am sure Larry would get a huge kick out of driving 4 of the premiere hybrids we know and love all on the same day!

___I sure wish I could come :(

___Good Luck

___Wayne

I am sure Larry would get a huge kick out of driving 4 of the premiere hybrids we know and love all on the same day!



:D :D :D :D

Thank you to all who attended our meet in Oak Creek yesterday. Although the temps were in the 30’s with a strong NW wind, we had members starting to gather outside at 9am for a 10am meeting inside. As we shared informal discussion and while Justin checked tire pressures on the vehicles, we soon forgot about the cold. Before we knew it we had 20 hybrid vehicles in the lot.

We had 31 members in attendance with owners coming from as far away 550 miles. Darren and Corie pull in from Pittsburgh, PA, Larry from Elkhart, IN., Dan from Mundelein, IL, Wayne and Tom from Chicago and Chris from La Crosse, WI, all come in for the meeting. We had 10 new members attending for the first time and sent out as many owners on personal driver training sessions at the close of the meet. Bob and Jane Cherney and Corie Schilberg help serve the pot luck lunch that was enjoyed by all.

Our meeting was to last from 10am to 2pm, however we ended up leaving at about 3:30pm. We learned about the ScanGauge 2 from Rees Roberts, engine block heaters by me and Wayne Mitchell and about the new cars that Honda will be bringing out by Chris Schneider. Justin Fons was presented with a framed award for his driving excellence in the Insight Marathon. In addition we talked about oil dependency, global warming, and cold weather driving tips and how the Milwaukee Hybrid Group has been making an impact in the area.

All in all it was another great meet. Our next and final meet of the year will be in mid December at this Oak Creek location. We’ll give you more details as they develop. Minutes of this meet will be coming soon.

Thank you for our members and friends who have supported the development of this group. We hope to continue to grow and support all vehicle owners and to educate the public on hybrids, oil dependency and global warming with your help.

Bradlee

Hi All:

___I phoned Bradlee last night to see if he or Justin had any pics. They did and were gracious enough to send them to me. If you want the originals in their original 500 x 333 size, just let Justin know as he has them stored online at MSN Photos.

___Although I could not attend due to my work schedule, I sure wish I could have. Without further fanfare, here are some of the pics with captions as I understood them …

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/511/Resize_of_1.jpg http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/511/Resize_of_2.jpg http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/511/Resize_of_6.jpg
One Prius I and Two Prius II’s next to one another --------- Nice group of Prius’ ------- 2 Citrus Insight’s. Probably never see that again!

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/511/15.jpg
Darren and Corie came all the way from Pittsburgh, PA.!

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/511/Resize_of_16.jpg http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/511/Resize_of_20.jpg http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/511/Resize_of_24.jpg
Oct. 28, 2006 - MHG Meet Attendees! - Justin receiving an award for his part in the Insight Marathon – Rees and Chris at the presenters table.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Wow, you folks are incredibly organized. Why the heck can't we
do this in the Beantown area, which has Priuses everywhere
and several other hybrids and largely intelligent owners who are
also interested in energy stuff??
.
[I know what the question-in-response will be, and the answer to
is "I'm not a manager"...]
.
_H*

Hi Hobbit:

___Although there are many geo-political overtones to the following, you need to live near Wisconsin. Not all mind you but many Wisconsin residents are not only hard working, they have a different outlook with things related to the environment that a big city group may never fully comprehend. Not to say an organization like that of the Milwaukee and Madison Hybrid groups could not be put together in lets say Chicago (Tony P. is trying to do that now), New York, Boston, L.A. etc., it is just that the large city populace is so tied up in the Go - Go - Go world they do not appear to have time to see let alone understand what is right in front of them even with their eyes wide open. Add in a promoter like Eric (HF 2006) and Bradlee (MHG) w/ a long list of successful hybrid group meets to their credit and it adds up to something really special. I do not know how else to explain it other then you would have to participate in one of these local meets and feel both the energy and commitment of the many members who show. It is a humbling experience to me at each and every meet I have attended in the past. This is also why I look forward to future meets as they are announced.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

We've actually got committed people and a reasonable amount of
energy over here, witness Altwheels and the Ipswich show and the
"solar/efficient open house tours" and Solectria, but as much as
I try encouraging hybrid owner meetups of various sorts, people
seem to clam up whenever the idea of an in-person event is floated.
Almost like they're afraid to. There was an NE gathering two
summers ago [when Priuses were still more rare] which was great,
but it and/or any sort of regular occurrence haven't continued
since other than the more major events. Dunno, maybe those are
enough for most people here who are otherwise busy doing their
incessant Go-Go-Go.
.
_H*