Qin Tang
Woodbury Bulletin - 06/25/2008
I’ve just returned from a five-day trip as I sit down to write this column.
I was in Seattle, Wash. to attend a librarians’ conference. During the day I spent most of the time in the convention center for meetings and presentations. In the evenings I went to receptions and open houses for networking. I also managed to do a little sightseeing.
It was my first trip to the Emerald City. I learned some new things about it that are of great interest to me.
I would like to share a few things and thoughts from my trip here.
Continuing learning
Through attending meetings and presentations I was introduced to new things and new ideas. Our world is changing, and the technology is changing faster than ever before.
Take the social networking tools for example.
Even though I have personally used a few of them and most of us have probably heard about some of them — MySpace, Facebook, YouTube, Blog, Flickr, Del.icio.us, Second Life, Wikis and Meebo — I realized during the conference that what I know about these tools is just the tip of the iceberg.
Some of the words I encountered were like a foreign language for me: LinkedIn, Digg, Twitter, Ning, Jott, Dogster, Friendster, and Xing. I had no idea what they are.
Continuing life long learning is not an option. It is a must.
If we don’t keep up, we will be left behind and become like dinosaurs in the eyes of the younger generation. Sometimes I do feel like a dinosaur because there is so much I wish I know but I don’t.
Seattle Central Library
According to the America’s Most Literate Cities study at the Central Connecticut State University, Seattle and Minneapolis have been the top two most literate cities in America in the last few years.
The rankings compare the country's 69 biggest cities in terms of libraries, bookstores, educational levels, newspaper readership, locally published magazines and Internet resources.
I went to visit the Seattle Central Library in downtown. The 11-story, $165.5 million library, a glass and steel building, was opened in 2004. It has about 400 public computers with Internet access and about 250 employees working in that building.
The library has a big collection of world language materials located conveniently on the first floor.
The auditorium, designed for small performances, lectures, and speaking engagements, can seat 425. The children’s story room seats 100.
I was very impressed by this huge library.
Yard and food waste recycling
The city of Seattle and some other cities in the state of Washington have a yard and food waste recycling program.
I knew Seattle is a great place for sustainable lifestyle. Green living is hot there. I expected that a lot of gardeners do composting in their backyards.
What surprised and excited me was to hear that even non- gardeners living in single homes or apartments also recycle yard and food waste through the city. The city hauls yard and food waste to a local company for mass composting.
Composting yard and food waste is so much better for the environment than just throwing them all into a landfill.
I separate my food scraps and make them into enriching compost in my garden. By composting I think I have reduced the amount of normal garbage by about one-third.
I feel good that I can leave a smaller footprint on the planet.
I wish we could adopt this yard and food waste composting practice in Minnesota. Maybe the city of Woodbury or Washington County can start a similar program.
Longer school year
June 18, the day I left Seattle to return home, was the first day of the summer vacation for students in Seattle area schools. Their school year ends almost two weeks later than that in our school district.
I am all for longer school days and a longer school year.
I know Minnesota has been doing well in education. But if we don’t keep up with the change, we can be left behind other states.
Also more appreciation
Oftentimes, we tend to take things for granted or complain about things that we don’t like. When we travel, we get a chance to compare different places. It can make us more appreciative of what we have.
I have complained about the higher gas prices, the traffic congestion in Twin Cities or the wait at the airport check point.
After visiting Seattle, I have to think twice before complaining. The gas prices are higher there, the traffic is worse there, and my wait at the Seattle Airport was several times longer than at the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport.
There is only one security check line. I waited almost 40 minutes to get through the security check.
Travel really opens our eyes and mind. It allows us to experience new things and to see things from a different perspective. My trip was a great learning experience.
In summary, the conference presentations were interesting, the networking with colleagues around the country was great, the receptions and open houses were fun, and the sightseeing in Seattle was eye opening.
But in the end, I have to admit, it feels good to be back home, to see my own family, to sit in my own chair, to read my own local paper, to touch my familiar keyboards, to write this column, and to sleep in my own bed.
Nowhere is better than home.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
The power of the written word
Qin Tang
Woodbury Bulletin - 06/18/2008
Words have power. Words can be good or bad, positive or negative, constructive or destructive. Words can heal or hurt, uplift or tear down.
The right words can encourage, uplift and inspire others. They can bring comfort and healing in difficult situations. They can restore relationships and create joy and love in our lives.
On the other hand, the wrong words can discourage and hurt. When words cause deep hurt, they can be intense, long-lasting and destructive.
As someone who enjoys reading and writing, I understand the power of the written word. I like to write personal notes.
In a previous column more than a year ago titled “You’ve got mail!” I talked about the fun I had from writing almost a daily note to my kids.
It was really through my daughter that I first experienced and realized the tremendous power of the written word.
One evening in January 2007, I was having a hard time with my seven-year-old daughter, Amy. Because she didn’t eat her vegetables for dinner, I didn’t let her have the snack she wanted.
That caused a power struggle between mother and daughter. She acted negatively. She refused to do things or deliberately did things in the wrong way.
Finally, Amy did what was asked of her to do, very reluctantly. But lots of precious time was wasted because of her bad behavior. It was very frustrating for me.
It was already past 10:30 p.m. when I went to her room to tuck her in and say good night. I still felt frustrated and angry in my heart.
Then Amy handed me a note she just scribbled on a piece of paper. It said:
“Dear Mom, I am sorry. I was not good today. I love you. Love, Amy.”
The moment I read the note, all my negative feelings toward her were gone. This very simple note softened my heart and melted away my frustration and anger. Instantly, I felt compassion and love for her, as if nothing had happened.
I was struck by the power of the written word, to forgive, to heal and to transform.
I remember another instance when a written note impacted someone else’s life.
Once I wrote a thank-you note to a couple in the church for all the work they did, some I knew and could see, some behind the scene that I didn’t even know.
Soon, I got an e-mail response from the couple.
It read: “I have to thank you for the encouraging and sweet note you sent us. Thank you! It meant so much to us, and we saved it to pull out and reread when we're feeling tired.”
I was very touched by their note. As I look back, I realize that this has been a learning process for me.
A few years ago, for the first time, I went to a big conference in San Antonio. And for the first time in my life I did a PowerPoint presentation.
Needless to say, I was nervous. After the presentation I wished I could do better.
Several days later, I got a surprising thank-you card in the mail from a total stranger.
She was in the audience during the presentation and told me that I did a good job.
I was glad to receive such encouraging words. But I have to admit that at that time I found it puzzled that someone would take the time to write to a stranger.
Another time, a stranger wrote to me after reading an article about me. It was nice to receive the feedback.
Nowadays, I am not longer puzzled by mail from strangers. I got some e-mails from strangers as the result of writing this column.
It was through people like these I have learned to take the time to write thank-you notes to others and to be an encouragement and blessing for others.
Over the last couple of years, not only have I sent thank-you notes to people I know who are nice to me or have done something for me, I have also sent thank-you notes to people who don’t even know me.
I wrote a Christmas card to a farmer from whom I had bought vegetables many times.
I wrote a thank-you card to the manager of a grocery store to compliment about the helpful employees there.
Once I even wrote to someone I happened to come across on the Internet whom I found very inspiring.
He is a fellow Chinese immigrant from my home town and is now the head of the English Department at a big university in the South. After browsing his website, I felt so compelled to send him my congratulations and admiration for what he has achieved.
Then it turned out we are not only from the same city in China, he also knows my English teacher, who was his tutor.
I was glad that I took the time to write to him.
I wrote to columnists whose columns I enjoy reading. My favorite columnist from Wall Street Journal responded with “Thanks for the extraordinarily kind e-mail” and continued with some advice on column writing.
I have learned that when I write thank-you notes, it not only shows my appreciation and brings encouragement to other people, it also lifts myself up and brings gratitude and good feelings to myself.
In our fast-paced world, more and more people use phone, e-mail or instant message to communicate with each other.
Handwritten letters are becoming rare and a lost art. We no longer send handwritten letters or cards, except for special occasions such as birthdays or Christmas.
I, too, found myself using e-mails more and more than pen and paper.
I want to challenge myself and also encourage you to take the time to write a thank-you note to someone you know or don’t know.
A handwritten letter really stands out in the mail that has nothing but junk and bills.
Who is excited about getting junk mail or bills every day?
With a handwritten note, you will definitely brighten someone’s day.
And in today’s high-tech, low-touch world, you will certainly touch someone’s heart.
Woodbury Bulletin - 06/18/2008
Words have power. Words can be good or bad, positive or negative, constructive or destructive. Words can heal or hurt, uplift or tear down.
The right words can encourage, uplift and inspire others. They can bring comfort and healing in difficult situations. They can restore relationships and create joy and love in our lives.
On the other hand, the wrong words can discourage and hurt. When words cause deep hurt, they can be intense, long-lasting and destructive.
As someone who enjoys reading and writing, I understand the power of the written word. I like to write personal notes.
In a previous column more than a year ago titled “You’ve got mail!” I talked about the fun I had from writing almost a daily note to my kids.
It was really through my daughter that I first experienced and realized the tremendous power of the written word.
One evening in January 2007, I was having a hard time with my seven-year-old daughter, Amy. Because she didn’t eat her vegetables for dinner, I didn’t let her have the snack she wanted.
That caused a power struggle between mother and daughter. She acted negatively. She refused to do things or deliberately did things in the wrong way.
Finally, Amy did what was asked of her to do, very reluctantly. But lots of precious time was wasted because of her bad behavior. It was very frustrating for me.
It was already past 10:30 p.m. when I went to her room to tuck her in and say good night. I still felt frustrated and angry in my heart.
Then Amy handed me a note she just scribbled on a piece of paper. It said:
“Dear Mom, I am sorry. I was not good today. I love you. Love, Amy.”
The moment I read the note, all my negative feelings toward her were gone. This very simple note softened my heart and melted away my frustration and anger. Instantly, I felt compassion and love for her, as if nothing had happened.
I was struck by the power of the written word, to forgive, to heal and to transform.
I remember another instance when a written note impacted someone else’s life.
Once I wrote a thank-you note to a couple in the church for all the work they did, some I knew and could see, some behind the scene that I didn’t even know.
Soon, I got an e-mail response from the couple.
It read: “I have to thank you for the encouraging and sweet note you sent us. Thank you! It meant so much to us, and we saved it to pull out and reread when we're feeling tired.”
I was very touched by their note. As I look back, I realize that this has been a learning process for me.
A few years ago, for the first time, I went to a big conference in San Antonio. And for the first time in my life I did a PowerPoint presentation.
Needless to say, I was nervous. After the presentation I wished I could do better.
Several days later, I got a surprising thank-you card in the mail from a total stranger.
She was in the audience during the presentation and told me that I did a good job.
I was glad to receive such encouraging words. But I have to admit that at that time I found it puzzled that someone would take the time to write to a stranger.
Another time, a stranger wrote to me after reading an article about me. It was nice to receive the feedback.
Nowadays, I am not longer puzzled by mail from strangers. I got some e-mails from strangers as the result of writing this column.
It was through people like these I have learned to take the time to write thank-you notes to others and to be an encouragement and blessing for others.
Over the last couple of years, not only have I sent thank-you notes to people I know who are nice to me or have done something for me, I have also sent thank-you notes to people who don’t even know me.
I wrote a Christmas card to a farmer from whom I had bought vegetables many times.
I wrote a thank-you card to the manager of a grocery store to compliment about the helpful employees there.
Once I even wrote to someone I happened to come across on the Internet whom I found very inspiring.
He is a fellow Chinese immigrant from my home town and is now the head of the English Department at a big university in the South. After browsing his website, I felt so compelled to send him my congratulations and admiration for what he has achieved.
Then it turned out we are not only from the same city in China, he also knows my English teacher, who was his tutor.
I was glad that I took the time to write to him.
I wrote to columnists whose columns I enjoy reading. My favorite columnist from Wall Street Journal responded with “Thanks for the extraordinarily kind e-mail” and continued with some advice on column writing.
I have learned that when I write thank-you notes, it not only shows my appreciation and brings encouragement to other people, it also lifts myself up and brings gratitude and good feelings to myself.
In our fast-paced world, more and more people use phone, e-mail or instant message to communicate with each other.
Handwritten letters are becoming rare and a lost art. We no longer send handwritten letters or cards, except for special occasions such as birthdays or Christmas.
I, too, found myself using e-mails more and more than pen and paper.
I want to challenge myself and also encourage you to take the time to write a thank-you note to someone you know or don’t know.
A handwritten letter really stands out in the mail that has nothing but junk and bills.
Who is excited about getting junk mail or bills every day?
With a handwritten note, you will definitely brighten someone’s day.
And in today’s high-tech, low-touch world, you will certainly touch someone’s heart.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Meet the new MnDOT commish
Qin Tang
Woodbury Bulletin - 06/11/2008
As a MnDOT employee, I followed the April 21 news about Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s appointment of Tom Sorel to head the Department of Transportation with great interest.
I was not familiar with the name. Nevertheless, I was happy about the leadership change in the department.
While reading news articles about the new commissioner, something familiar caught my attention — the fact that Sorel lives in Woodbury.
As it turns out we actually live close to each other and our kids go to the same school at Liberty Ridge.
As a columnist for Woodbury Bulletin, I have a special interest in the local community and its people.
I write about people in Woodbury whom I meet and whose stories I find interesting.
I was interested in getting to know a little more about the real person who is now my big boss and introducing his family to the community.
So, the idea to meet Sorel, his son Matthew and his wife Laurie LaCavera was born once I realized that we have something in common.
On an early Friday evening we met in the Central Park in Woodbury, one month after Sorel took over the commissioner job April 28.
Tom Sorel, 51, was born in Plattsburgh, N.Y., a rural community near the Canadian border.
He has the same name as the Canadian footwear company that makes the Sorel boots, but he is not related.
“I wish I was,” Sorel said.
Loving to have fun and a good laugh, he does not mind being called “Tom Boots” or “Commissioner Boots.”
One of Sorel’s passions is baseball. He loves the sport.
“I had a life-changing experience when I joined a ‘Baseball for Peace’ tour to Nicaragua in 1989,” Sorel recalled. “We played baseball with local teams and distributed baseball equipment wherever we went.”
As a member of an upstate New York men’s baseball team, Sorel came to the Metrodome for a tournament in 1989.
“That was my first exposure to Minnesota and I fell in love with the state,” he said.
Sorel returned to Minnesota in 2005. This time, he came with his wife and their toddler son.
His 30-year career in transportation has taken him on a journey through seven states. He moved more than ten times between his jobs for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) since 1978.
“Having a child made us want to settle down. Minnesota feels like home to us,” Sorel added.
In 2005, Sorel took the job to lead the FHWA Division office in St. Paul.
“We chose Woodbury because this is a growing, dynamic community with lots of activities for kids,” said Laurie LaCavera. “There is a strong sense of community and we feel comfortable here.
“We like our neighborhood in Stonemill Farms. People are nice. We can count on our neighbors if we need help for things like picking up our child from school when we are late.”
Having lived in several states on the east coast, Sorel has good reasons to say that his daily commuting between Woodbury and St. Paul is quite nice.
He is glad he does not have to spend one to two hours on a 10-mile trip any more.
LaCavera, a project manager at Thomson Reuters in Eagan, adds, “My commuting is not bad either. I am interested in carpool, but haven’t found a match yet.”
I applaud her willingness to carpool. As I mentioned in my last column, I recently started carpool. I love it.
I hope more people will make the effort to do so. The more people carpool, the easier to find a partner.
Sorel has a civil engineering background with 30 years of transportation experience.
Sorel is the first engineer to head MnDOT in 22 years. His engineering background was an important fact in governor’s selection for the new leader at MnDOT whose image was shaken after the I-35W bridge collapse last August.
People inside and outside of MnDOT welcomed Sorel’s appointment. It received bipartisan praise, from U.S. House Transportation Committee Chairman Jim Oberstar to State Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Steve Murphy and Sen. Kathy Saltzman (DFL-Woodbury.)
Sorel earned a civil engineering degree from the State University of New York in Buffalo and a Master's of Business Administration from Thomas College in Maine.
He also has a certificate of conflict management from Cornell School of Industrial/ Labor Relations and an associate certificate in project management from George Washington University.
Some of Sorel’s accomplishments include receiving a presidential honor for coordinating the federal transportation response to the I-35W bridge collapse and serving as the USDOT liaison for federal transportation issues during the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
He was involved in the effort to build infrastructure, including a light-rail line, for the Games.
It was a big jump for Sorel from running the FHWA Minnesota Division office with 22 employees to lead a 4,400-employee state agency.
“I believe it was somewhat of a calling to make this jump and serve the citizens of Minnesota in a different capacity,” Sorel said.
As a servant-leader, Sorel wants to put his own self-interest aside to serve the greater good of the community.
“Rebuilding public trust and confidence in MnDOT and in the transportation system as a whole is my top priority as the new commissioner.”
Sorel put his conflict management skills to use when he volunteered as an ombudsman for an agency for aging seniors where he trained others and helped resolve disputes between staff and residents.
“Then, you are good at resolving conflict in your marriage,” I commented.
His wife joked, “He is definitely not clueless about conflict in marriage. But he needs to put his knowledge into more practice at home, too.”
LaCavera is also from upstate New York, from the Albany area. Sorel met her while working for FHWA in Albany.
“Well, at least he is ahead of most guys in this aspect,” I had to say.
I asked Sorel how his life has changed since becoming the commissioner.
“Not much so far. Balancing work and life is important to my family and me. My wife and son keep me very grounded,” he replied.
“As a believer in servant leadership, I trust people around me to do good jobs. My job is to serve, inspire and empower others, not to micromanage them.”
Sorel keeps involved in his young son’s life. He serves as a coach for his son's baseball team.
Through their child’s activities, their attendance at Five Oaks Community Church and their interactions with others in their neighborhood, Sorels have made new friends in the community.
He credits his success to the support of his family and many professional mentors through the years.
“Every day I wake up grateful for the people who are in my life and come into my life,” Sorel said. “Building strong relationships and partnerships is how I measure my success.”
I feel confident that Sorel will be a good commissioner for MnDOT. I wish the Sorels the best as they face new challenges and opportunities in their lives.
Woodbury Bulletin - 06/11/2008
As a MnDOT employee, I followed the April 21 news about Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s appointment of Tom Sorel to head the Department of Transportation with great interest.
I was not familiar with the name. Nevertheless, I was happy about the leadership change in the department.
While reading news articles about the new commissioner, something familiar caught my attention — the fact that Sorel lives in Woodbury.
As it turns out we actually live close to each other and our kids go to the same school at Liberty Ridge.
As a columnist for Woodbury Bulletin, I have a special interest in the local community and its people.
I write about people in Woodbury whom I meet and whose stories I find interesting.
I was interested in getting to know a little more about the real person who is now my big boss and introducing his family to the community.
So, the idea to meet Sorel, his son Matthew and his wife Laurie LaCavera was born once I realized that we have something in common.
On an early Friday evening we met in the Central Park in Woodbury, one month after Sorel took over the commissioner job April 28.
Tom Sorel, 51, was born in Plattsburgh, N.Y., a rural community near the Canadian border.
He has the same name as the Canadian footwear company that makes the Sorel boots, but he is not related.
“I wish I was,” Sorel said.
Loving to have fun and a good laugh, he does not mind being called “Tom Boots” or “Commissioner Boots.”
One of Sorel’s passions is baseball. He loves the sport.
“I had a life-changing experience when I joined a ‘Baseball for Peace’ tour to Nicaragua in 1989,” Sorel recalled. “We played baseball with local teams and distributed baseball equipment wherever we went.”
As a member of an upstate New York men’s baseball team, Sorel came to the Metrodome for a tournament in 1989.
“That was my first exposure to Minnesota and I fell in love with the state,” he said.
Sorel returned to Minnesota in 2005. This time, he came with his wife and their toddler son.
His 30-year career in transportation has taken him on a journey through seven states. He moved more than ten times between his jobs for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) since 1978.
“Having a child made us want to settle down. Minnesota feels like home to us,” Sorel added.
In 2005, Sorel took the job to lead the FHWA Division office in St. Paul.
“We chose Woodbury because this is a growing, dynamic community with lots of activities for kids,” said Laurie LaCavera. “There is a strong sense of community and we feel comfortable here.
“We like our neighborhood in Stonemill Farms. People are nice. We can count on our neighbors if we need help for things like picking up our child from school when we are late.”
Having lived in several states on the east coast, Sorel has good reasons to say that his daily commuting between Woodbury and St. Paul is quite nice.
He is glad he does not have to spend one to two hours on a 10-mile trip any more.
LaCavera, a project manager at Thomson Reuters in Eagan, adds, “My commuting is not bad either. I am interested in carpool, but haven’t found a match yet.”
I applaud her willingness to carpool. As I mentioned in my last column, I recently started carpool. I love it.
I hope more people will make the effort to do so. The more people carpool, the easier to find a partner.
Sorel has a civil engineering background with 30 years of transportation experience.
Sorel is the first engineer to head MnDOT in 22 years. His engineering background was an important fact in governor’s selection for the new leader at MnDOT whose image was shaken after the I-35W bridge collapse last August.
People inside and outside of MnDOT welcomed Sorel’s appointment. It received bipartisan praise, from U.S. House Transportation Committee Chairman Jim Oberstar to State Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Steve Murphy and Sen. Kathy Saltzman (DFL-Woodbury.)
Sorel earned a civil engineering degree from the State University of New York in Buffalo and a Master's of Business Administration from Thomas College in Maine.
He also has a certificate of conflict management from Cornell School of Industrial/ Labor Relations and an associate certificate in project management from George Washington University.
Some of Sorel’s accomplishments include receiving a presidential honor for coordinating the federal transportation response to the I-35W bridge collapse and serving as the USDOT liaison for federal transportation issues during the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
He was involved in the effort to build infrastructure, including a light-rail line, for the Games.
It was a big jump for Sorel from running the FHWA Minnesota Division office with 22 employees to lead a 4,400-employee state agency.
“I believe it was somewhat of a calling to make this jump and serve the citizens of Minnesota in a different capacity,” Sorel said.
As a servant-leader, Sorel wants to put his own self-interest aside to serve the greater good of the community.
“Rebuilding public trust and confidence in MnDOT and in the transportation system as a whole is my top priority as the new commissioner.”
Sorel put his conflict management skills to use when he volunteered as an ombudsman for an agency for aging seniors where he trained others and helped resolve disputes between staff and residents.
“Then, you are good at resolving conflict in your marriage,” I commented.
His wife joked, “He is definitely not clueless about conflict in marriage. But he needs to put his knowledge into more practice at home, too.”
LaCavera is also from upstate New York, from the Albany area. Sorel met her while working for FHWA in Albany.
“Well, at least he is ahead of most guys in this aspect,” I had to say.
I asked Sorel how his life has changed since becoming the commissioner.
“Not much so far. Balancing work and life is important to my family and me. My wife and son keep me very grounded,” he replied.
“As a believer in servant leadership, I trust people around me to do good jobs. My job is to serve, inspire and empower others, not to micromanage them.”
Sorel keeps involved in his young son’s life. He serves as a coach for his son's baseball team.
Through their child’s activities, their attendance at Five Oaks Community Church and their interactions with others in their neighborhood, Sorels have made new friends in the community.
He credits his success to the support of his family and many professional mentors through the years.
“Every day I wake up grateful for the people who are in my life and come into my life,” Sorel said. “Building strong relationships and partnerships is how I measure my success.”
I feel confident that Sorel will be a good commissioner for MnDOT. I wish the Sorels the best as they face new challenges and opportunities in their lives.
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Fighting high gas prices
Woodbury Bulletin - 06/04/2008
Recently a friend asked me, “Would you like to consider carpooling with me? Gas prices are so high now.”
Without hesitation, I said, “Yes, let’s do that.”
A few days later, on May 22, we started carpooling to work.
We both live in the same subdivision in Woodbury and work in St. Paul. Our office buildings are within walking distance. Carpooling makes perfect sense to me.
Carpooling is not new to me. I have done that before. I am interested in carpooling no matter what the gas price is, because it’s good for my pocket and for the environment. I wish I didn’t have to drive at all and could take a bus to work without too much hassle.
In case you are concerned about emergencies, there is a free reward program by Metro Transit for commuters who ride the bus or train, carpool, vanpool, bicycle or walk at least three days a week to work or school called “Guaranteed Ride Home.”
Once you register, you will get two coupons every six months. You can use the coupons for cab fare reimbursement, up to $25, or for emergency bus or train fare.
For more information or to register, visit www.metrotransit.org/riderPrograms/grh.asp
Reducing driving by carpooling is one of the best ways to save gas. But if you can’t do that, there are still plenty of other little things you can do to reduce your gas expenses.
The important thing to remember is being mindful of little things that you can achieve without any efforts once they become habits.
Here are a few things I do or don’t do in regard to driving which I think have an impact on gas expenses.
A little-known secret
Every workday when I get off I-94 at Woodbury Drive, the first thing I usually pay a little attention to is the gas price billboards on both sides of the streets.
If the gas price goes up and my tank is half empty, I turn right to Sam’s Club gas station to fill it up. If gas price goes down, I will wait a day or two to fill my tank.
The gas price change at Sam’s Club is always behind other gas stations in the area. If you know how to time the market, you can sometimes save a quarter a gallon.
Obviously I am not the only one who knows this little secret. Every time there is a big jump in gas price, Sam’s Club gas stations is busier than usual.
Within the limit
I stay within the speed limit and don’t drive fast. That’s why I have never received a speeding ticket in my life. Driving too fast is not only dangerous, it also consumes more fuel.
Within the range of normal highway speeds, each 10 miles per hour faster will reduce your fuel economy by 15 to 20 percent.
Slow/calm down
I can never understand those aggressive drivers who race toward the red light only to stop abruptly and then accelerate rapidly once red changes to green.
I avoid hard braking and excessive acceleration. Rapid braking and rapid acceleration can reduce gasoline mileage by as much as 33 percent at highway speeds, according to published reports.
Because I flow with the traffic with fewer complete stops, I sometimes end up ahead of those aggressive drivers who have passed me earlier.
I think slow and steady wins the race. I am not only ahead, but also I don’t do a lot of damage to my car by being gentle with it and I don’t waste a great amount of fuel due to aggressive driving.
Time the light
I try to time the traffic lights and my driving so that I can avoid a lot of stop-and-go driving and can flow with the traffic.
I take my foot off of the pedal early when I see a red light or traffic backup ahead and need to stop or slow down. I try timing it so that I can slow down or come to the stop without having to use the brakes.
Avoid getting stuck in traffic
If possible, go to work either really early or late to avoid rush hour. Idling and slow driving wastes a lot of gas and precious time.
Pack light
Don’t carry extra, unnecessary weight in your car. All unnecessary items that add weight should be removed. The heavier the load, the more gas it takes to drive the car.
Other good practices include keeping oil changed and the filters clean so the engine runs well, keeping tires at the proper air pressure, using air conditioning and heating as little as possible, using cruise control, etc.
In the last few months, gas prices kept climbing up. To cope with the slow economy and high inflation, many people have had to cut back on their living expenses. More are trying to find ways to make their dollar stretch.
I hope these ideas will inspire you to make big or little changes in your driving habits.
Recently a friend asked me, “Would you like to consider carpooling with me? Gas prices are so high now.”
Without hesitation, I said, “Yes, let’s do that.”
A few days later, on May 22, we started carpooling to work.
We both live in the same subdivision in Woodbury and work in St. Paul. Our office buildings are within walking distance. Carpooling makes perfect sense to me.
Carpooling is not new to me. I have done that before. I am interested in carpooling no matter what the gas price is, because it’s good for my pocket and for the environment. I wish I didn’t have to drive at all and could take a bus to work without too much hassle.
In case you are concerned about emergencies, there is a free reward program by Metro Transit for commuters who ride the bus or train, carpool, vanpool, bicycle or walk at least three days a week to work or school called “Guaranteed Ride Home.”
Once you register, you will get two coupons every six months. You can use the coupons for cab fare reimbursement, up to $25, or for emergency bus or train fare.
For more information or to register, visit www.metrotransit.org/riderPrograms/grh.asp
Reducing driving by carpooling is one of the best ways to save gas. But if you can’t do that, there are still plenty of other little things you can do to reduce your gas expenses.
The important thing to remember is being mindful of little things that you can achieve without any efforts once they become habits.
Here are a few things I do or don’t do in regard to driving which I think have an impact on gas expenses.
A little-known secret
Every workday when I get off I-94 at Woodbury Drive, the first thing I usually pay a little attention to is the gas price billboards on both sides of the streets.
If the gas price goes up and my tank is half empty, I turn right to Sam’s Club gas station to fill it up. If gas price goes down, I will wait a day or two to fill my tank.
The gas price change at Sam’s Club is always behind other gas stations in the area. If you know how to time the market, you can sometimes save a quarter a gallon.
Obviously I am not the only one who knows this little secret. Every time there is a big jump in gas price, Sam’s Club gas stations is busier than usual.
Within the limit
I stay within the speed limit and don’t drive fast. That’s why I have never received a speeding ticket in my life. Driving too fast is not only dangerous, it also consumes more fuel.
Within the range of normal highway speeds, each 10 miles per hour faster will reduce your fuel economy by 15 to 20 percent.
Slow/calm down
I can never understand those aggressive drivers who race toward the red light only to stop abruptly and then accelerate rapidly once red changes to green.
I avoid hard braking and excessive acceleration. Rapid braking and rapid acceleration can reduce gasoline mileage by as much as 33 percent at highway speeds, according to published reports.
Because I flow with the traffic with fewer complete stops, I sometimes end up ahead of those aggressive drivers who have passed me earlier.
I think slow and steady wins the race. I am not only ahead, but also I don’t do a lot of damage to my car by being gentle with it and I don’t waste a great amount of fuel due to aggressive driving.
Time the light
I try to time the traffic lights and my driving so that I can avoid a lot of stop-and-go driving and can flow with the traffic.
I take my foot off of the pedal early when I see a red light or traffic backup ahead and need to stop or slow down. I try timing it so that I can slow down or come to the stop without having to use the brakes.
Avoid getting stuck in traffic
If possible, go to work either really early or late to avoid rush hour. Idling and slow driving wastes a lot of gas and precious time.
Pack light
Don’t carry extra, unnecessary weight in your car. All unnecessary items that add weight should be removed. The heavier the load, the more gas it takes to drive the car.
Other good practices include keeping oil changed and the filters clean so the engine runs well, keeping tires at the proper air pressure, using air conditioning and heating as little as possible, using cruise control, etc.
In the last few months, gas prices kept climbing up. To cope with the slow economy and high inflation, many people have had to cut back on their living expenses. More are trying to find ways to make their dollar stretch.
I hope these ideas will inspire you to make big or little changes in your driving habits.
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