Since early August 2000, I have been reading messages posted to this club, but never posted anything myself.<br><br>This is about to change!<br><br>There was a very nice feature story about hybrid vehicles on our local CBS TV affliate (WCCO) today at 5 and 6 p.m. The focus was on the Prius. A local reporter did a good job of encapsulating the pertinent info. As a result, I predict a surge of interest at dealers around town this week.<br><br>Oh yeah - here is a belated thanks to everyone who takes the time to share their insights, knowledge and experience via this club. Whether it is prius_man, john1701a, or many others out there, your contributions are greatly appreciated.<br><br>What I learned here tipped the scales. I put $500 down on Aug. 24, 2000 for the first Prius with cruise control to arrive at a particular dealer in the Twin Cities.<br><br>From what I read here, I held out hope cruise control might be available in the latter part of the 2001 model year. But I also knew the chance was small.<br> <br>Okay, my wife lost her patience about this several times, and I nearly lost mine. In the bigger picture, cruise is really peripheral to the great hybrid technology, so I probably should have bought the 2001. Instead, we waited ...<br><br>We got the order in for a 2002 Prius on June 6, 2001 and also included the navigation system, side airbags and the 6 CD player. <br><br>We picked up the car around Thanksgiving. WOW!!! It is hard to put in words how happy we are with the Prius! Of course, features that are friendly to the pocketbook _and_ our atmosphere put a big smile on our faces. But when the navigation system is added to the mix, this becomes a mind-blowing vehicle!!! A true vehicle of the new century.<br><br>John1701a - any idea whether there will be another gathering of Prius/Insight/hybrid owners in the Twin Cities? <br><br>Thanks again to everyone!<br><br>Bob

&gt; There was a very nice feature story about hybrid vehicles <br>&gt; on our local CBS TV affliate (WCCO) today at 5 and 6 p.m. <br><br>I missed it, and there wasn't a rerun on this morning's news. (Bob, did ya tape it?)<br><br><br>&gt; any idea whether there will be another gathering of <br>&gt; Prius/Insight/hybrid owners in the Twin Cities? <br><br>Of course there will be one, but when? Any suggestions?<br><br>It was painfully hot last time, yet a bunch still attended. This time I'd like the weather to be a bit less hostile. That probably puts us into the late March timeframe, which coincidentally is exactly when the Civic Hybrid comes out. So... instead of missing the next news story, should we be one? It wouldn't be that hard to drop them a note about my website point out the gathering we had last time (page #21 of my photo album).<br><br>JOHN<br><a href=http://john1701a.com target=new>http://john1701a.com</a>

&gt;&gt; There was a very nice feature story about hybrid vehicles on our local CBS TV affiliate (WCCO) today at 5 and 6 p.m.<br> <br>&gt;I missed it, and there wasn't a rerun on this morning's news. (Bob, did ya tape it?)<br><br>Apologies, but no I didn't. Hovever, I sent email to the reporter (Dennis Douda) requesting he ensure it is put on their web site soon (<a href=http://www.channel4000.com target=new>http://www.channel4000.com</a>). I also suggested he send me the story as an email attachment. If I hear anything, I will pass it on.<br><br>I also pointed Douda to your web site, mentioned you played a key role in organizing a local gathering of hybrid owners last year, and may organize one in late March this year. So, the bug has been planted in his ear, and might lead to a story.! <br><br>Bob

Hi John,<br><br>Just heard from Mr. Douda, and he wrote:<br><br>&gt; Thanks for the kind note. And thanks for being one of the environmentally friendly people <br>&gt; leaping out there to the front of new technology! <br>&gt;<br>&gt; I have forwarded your message along to the webmaster in hopes they'll load up that story<br>&gt; at our site. If you don't see it by the end of the day, perhaps send an e-mail reminder to the<br>&gt; Channel-4000 manager (anon). <br>&gt;<br>&gt; Let us know when your March "Hybrid Get-together" is. <br>&gt; That might make a great story. <br>&gt;<br>&gt;Sincerely,<br>&gt;Dennis Douda, WCCO-TV <br><br>So, the seed has been planted and may have sprouted! <br><br>Hhmmm ... looking at your photos of the gathering held in the Twin Cities on Aug. 4, 2001, I don't noticed any Insights, so perhaps I was amiss to suggest a March gathering here would be an agnostic/generic hybrid auto owners gathering?! If so, apologies ...<br><br>Let me know if you need any help organizing it.<br><br>Bob

&gt; looking at your photos of the gathering held in the Twin Cities <br>&gt; on Aug. 4, 2001, I don't noticed any Insights...<br><br>There were 2. It's surprising how much they blending into that row (from the front). Look closely, 1 in from each edge.<br><br><br>&gt; Let us know when your March "Hybrid Get-together" is. <br>&gt; That might make a great story. <br><br>Wow! That's for planting the seed.<br><br><br>&gt; Let me know if you need any help organizing it.<br><br>We need a location. I'll start by republishing the original gathering pre-photos (which helped determine the location) and work out a revised plan based on what was successful last time. Then if people still think that's a good idea, I'll ask permission again.<br><br>We need a date too. Is late March warm enough?<br><br>JOHN<br><a href=http://john1701a.com target=new>http://john1701a.com</a>

Hi John,<br><br>The story hasn't been posted to the web site yet, so I asked Douda today, and he responded with:<br><br>&gt; "Sorry you haven't been able to pull up the Prius story yet. Jim's direct web address is<br> &gt; jcraven@... <br>&gt; <br>&gt; They respond to persistence. Maybe get a couple of other folks to e-mail him too. <br><br>I will send a message to Craven ... could you and/or others?<br><br>Thanks!<br><br>Bob

Haven't seen the video posted to the website yet. John - your original goal was obtain a copy, so might you have tried to email Craven to ask him to send a copy directly to you?