The Illinois Renewable Energy Association's mission is to be a network for sharing ideas, resources and information with individuals, businesses, and communities to promote a resilient future through renewable energy, energy efficiency, and earth friendly technology.  The Chicago Prius Group has been invited to the fair for several years.  It is always our pleasure to help the IREA promote good ideas and great technology.

The 2010 Prius was released for sale in the United States in June of 2009.  We held a meeting at Grossinger Toyota of Lincolwood to showcase the Gen III.  Grossinger had a few new Prii sitting in the lot and a few members who already had theirs let us poke around in them and take test drives.  Wayne gave a very good presentation of all the new features and all the technology that has gone into the 2010.

The Downtown Neighborhood Association of Elgin held their first annual Car Alternative Vehicle Show Show.  There were hot rods and hybrids, old-timers and new tech.  You couldn't have picked a more beautiful day for a car show.  The public was out and very interested in all the cars.  A special thanks to the CPG members who brought their cars and interacted with the public.  We certainly sold more than a few Prius that day.

The College of DuPage held the annual "Sustainable Living in the Suburbs" expo in June and we were there.  Unfortunately, we were a little removed from the main events - mostly because we weren't allowed to drive our cars on the grass.  All the same, we had a good showing of Prius and some foot traffic.  We even had a brand new Ford Escape Hybrid show up.  And when I say "new" I mean two days old.  The fair was a good time and the sun-baked bread and cookies were delicious!

Grossinger Toyota hosted our first formal meeting.  In all, more than 50 people showed up to hear Tony kick things off with a talk about why we've started the ChicagoPriusGroup, why we drive hybrids and why it's important that we work to get the word out.  Wayne delivered a presentation with his Classic battery, explaining its make-up and functionality.  Additionally, a Grossinger service technician stepped us through the owners maintenance that we could all do ourselves to ensure that our Prius is functioning correctly.  A few media folk showed up and a blip about the meeting was on Fox News that night.

The first meet-up of the summer is always a good one.  It's good to see everyone in the sunlight and not all bundled up.  This day, it was unusually warm and sunny.  The weatherman called for rain but by mid afternoon we were calling for sun block.  We met in the Streets of Woodfield where Wayne showed off the battery pack from a Classic Prius that he had recently acquired.  Lunch was served in Chipoltle and we retreated to a forest preserve for some pictures and nature.  All in all, a good time.

The only reason we get together in the winter is to maintain contact and share some good stories.  It's surely not for the weather!  This meet-up was organized by our friends at Greenhybrid.  We had a handful of Prii, an Insight, a Ford Escape Hybrid, and a Hybrid Camry.  Todd showed up with his converted plug-in Prius.

This meet-up was a combination of Priuschat members and GreenHybrid members.  For this reason, we had a mix of Insights, Civics, Prii, and even a hybrid Camry.  We met on the Streets of Woodfield in Schaumburg and ate dinner in Magiano's Italian Restaurant.  We had a great time looking at each others' cars and comparing notes.  For many Prius drivers, this was the first time they'd ever seen a Honda Insight up close.

After founding, owning, and administrating Priuschat.com for almost two years, Danny finally caved in and purchased his very own Prius.  Grossinger Toyota in Lincolnwood, IL offered to host a meet-up in addition to hooking up Danny with his New loaded Prius. 

We met in the parking lot of Soldier Field.  At least, we tried; no one knew that the parking lot was blocked off.  So we moved on to the parking lot of the Field Museum until we were shooed away.  Finally, we ended up at the bird sanctuary facing back towards the city.  This spectacular picture was taken that fine afternoon.

Things had certainly warmed up since January.  That included interest in meet-ups in the Chicagoland Area.  We met in the Streets of Schaumburg parking lot and moved on to Chipotle.  Mmmm, Chipotle.

After some lively conversation and Prius talk, we moved on to a natural reserve for some pictures.  While jockeying the cars into position, a DNR officer came rolling by.  After we explained that we are hybrid owners just enjoying the day and taking some pictures, he rolled up his window and quietly rolled away.  I don't think he took his eyes off us for quite some time.

It was a cold day when we got together.  There were five of us in total.  One was a friend from Mississippi who brought his Classis Prius.  Another wasn't yet a Prius owner (in fact, he still doesn't have one: he got a Hybrid Camry).