Through the Looking Glass

ASU wants REAL food.

2012-02-05T17:21:00.000-08:00

Crossing the dusty deserts of the Southwest, comes an organization caravanning their way to Tempe. Stopping at the ASU campus this weekend, on February 11th to the 13th, the grassroots organization, Real Food Challenge, plans on hosting a summit for college students and faculty to advocate for a change in the university food system.

Through the voices of local food producers and student leaders,Real Food Challenge builds support for their cause as they trek across thenation seeking to educate vegetarians, omnivores, and especially the carnivoresof this country about the processes and influences of corporate food. They demonstrate their belief in “real” food for students, byshowing universities how to shift their budgets away from large corporations andjunk food and instead implement locally farmed and wholesome goods to create a moresustainable and healthier food system for its students.

The upcomingRegional Southwest Sustainable Food Summit consists of speeches from themovement and youth leaders, interactive workshops, and an Opportunities Fair populated by Fair Trade and local food representatives. Three days will be spent talkingover healthier choices for eating, smarter ways to purchase food, and developing a morecohesive understanding of the companies who control the food served in universities and across thecountry. Feel like securing a spot? Click here to join in on the fun: http://realfoodchallenge.org/Southwest

Thank you to Clean Air Cabs for taking interest in theactions of ASU campus and helping to spread the word!

Story by: Sharyn Tom
Social Medial Intern
Beyond Green

Your Newest Green Team Intern--->

2012-02-05T16:29:00.000-08:00

Greetings Cab Riders and Drivers!

I’m Sharyn, a local ASU Business Sustainability student andI’m here as a personal blogger to help maintain the online community here atClean Air Cab. In addition to giving the website a youthful twist, I’ll also be reporting andphotographing the ways in which Clean Air Cabs is helping to solve andaddress the environmental issues affecting Tempe.

Be on the lookout for my follow-up story about the Sustainability Summit that's happening at ASU this upcoming weekend!

Also, feel free to leave me comments regarding story ideas orother issues you want to see publicized here on the blog!

Wait, did I just see Clean Air Cab?

2012-02-01T10:49:00.000-08:00

You probably did, we are the adorable little blue and green cabs (and sometimes other fun colors depending on the charity the cab was designed for) that are actually comfortable, clean, and environmentally friendly Prius state-of-the art vehicles.

Clean Air Cab will not only be seen on the road, but soon it will be featured on the tv show, Destination Arizona, which airs Saturdays at 2:30 pm.

if you have ever wondered what the on-set filming of an interview looks like...

Here it is, there is expensive film equipment and a hip setup.

Just to make the shot cooler, you should take a cab driver and dress him up like he is a Sheriff in a John Wayne movie. Everybody, meet Baldo~ cab driver and mechanic extraordinaire.

This is Lauren Burgoyne, the hostess of Destination Arizona, featured with Pablo, her talking pinata.

Back to the serious nature of filming. You have to drive a white van and have a few more expensive camera, along with reverse umbrellas to capture the best lighting. Don't we look professional?

Olivia, holding the baby, like a baby sitter; Brandy, making phone calls, like a boss.

We brought Lily because we thought this could be her first real break in the film industry, and she is our good luch charm, and the camera loves her.

This is Lily loving nature, something we really admire here at Clean Air Cab.

This is Clean Air Cab's multi-colored fleet;

not only are the causes behind each of these cabs beautiful, but this is the first time all of our specialty cabs have ever been in the same place, at the same time.

We just wanted to tell you all thankyou, for making this dream a reality.

You can't see it, but in this picture, all the cabs were in a single line and it was a beautiful sight.

This picture is symbolic in the fact that while our eyes our forward, we remember the past and the journey taken in order to get where we are today.

Arizona State University, Susan G. Komen, Mesa United Way, Make a Wish, and Phoenix Children's Hospital... along with our everyday cab just trying to make a difference.

We just wanted to remind you what a beautiful concept we have,

and how that concept can make a difference,

like sending someone to get a higher education, or fight a disease, or build a community.

Overall, we determined that the filming session was a success and we want you to be part of it, become part of the solution,

and that's a wrap.

photos by Kylie Johnson

Earth Trivia

2012-01-18T12:45:00.000-08:00

How much do you know about the planet you live on?

Earth is mostly iron, oxygen and silicon

Our planet is 32.1 % iron, 30.1% oxygen, 15.1% silicon, and 13.9% magnesium. Most of this iron is located at the core of the Earth, which is roughly 88% iron.

70% of Earth's surface is covered in water

The planet Earth doesn't actually take 24 hours to rotate on its axis.

( It’s roughly 23 hours, 56 minutes and 4 seconds. )

One year on Earth is NOT 365 days

A year on earth is really 365.2564 days. This extra .2564 days is why there was the creation of "leap year," the addition of one day, every 4 years, in the month of February.

The Earth has one moon and two additional asteroids locked into co-orbital orbits

These two asteroids are called 3753 Cruithne and 2002 AA₂₉. 3753 Cruithne is 5 km across, and referred to as Earth’s second moon. It doesn’t actually orbit the Earth, but has a synchronized orbit with our home planet.

Only 3% of Earth's water is fresh, while the other 97% is salted

Of that 3%, over 2% is frozen in ice sheets and glaciers. Means less than 1% fresh water is found in lakes, rivers and underground.

The world's deadliest recorded earthquake occurred in 1557

It was located in central China, more than 830,000 people were killed.

Angel Falls in Venezuela is the worlds highest waterfall

The water of Falls drops 3,212 feet (979 meters).

...whoops, wrong Vulcan....

The origin of the word "volcano" is derives from Vulcan, the Roman god of fire.

there we go, there's that Roman god of fire

The Peshtigo fire was the worst recorded forest fire in North American history.

On the evening of October 8, 1871, it raged through Northeastern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, destroying millions of dollars worth of property and timberland, and taking between 1,200 and 2,400 lives. It is said to have been so hot, that it turned sand into glass.

There now you know 10 more facts about the planet your reside on. May you continue to learn more, in order to preserve the natural beauty all around us and become part of the solution.

The Resolutions

2012-01-09T15:12:00.000-08:00

So the New Year has come and gone, and so have the in-laws.... and if they haven't you can just call one of our cabs and we will whisk them away for you.

This new year marks the time of rebirth, revitalizations, and.... resolutions.

This year Clean Air Cab's goal isn't to lose weight, in fact, we wouldn't mind a little growth.

We want to become a larger part of the community.

We want to provide more jobs.

We want to plant more trees.

We want to give better service.

We want to be part of the solution, your solution for this next upcoming year.

Heralding in the New Year

2012-01-01T10:48:00.000-08:00

Another year has come and gone, and in commemoration of that we present this poem by Joanna Fuchs,

New Year’s Reflections

Looking back on the months gone by,
As a new year starts and an old one ends,
We contemplate what brought us joy,
And we think of our loved ones and our friends.

Recalling all the happy times,
Remembering how they enriched our lives,
We reflect upon who really counts,
As the fresh and bright new year arrives.

And when we ponder those who do,
we immediately think of you. ~Joanna Fuchswww.poemsource.com

From Clean Air Cab we would like to thank you for being one of the reasons we will have a Happy New Year!

We would like to thank you for being part of the solution, and for all the support you have shown our little local company.

We thank you for helping the children at the Phoenix Children's hospital,

those fighting Breast cancer,

your local community through Mesa United Way,

the sick children at Make-a-Wish foundation,

and the college students at Arizona State University.

We are grateful you helped us help the environment, and that we were able to plant large quantities of trees~ so we can not only make a difference today, but also tomorrow.

Let's talk trash (seriously!)

2011-12-16T09:01:00.001-08:00

Today, Clean Air Cab's blog has the pleasure of having a guest writer from Arizona State University. Danielle Barrs is a junior in Earth and Environmental Studies with a minor in Sustainability. She just transferred to ASU this past August from a University in Montreal, Canada. Danielle was born in the United States but grew up in Canada, and in so doing, was blessed with dual citizenship. Her most recent accomplishment was volunteering for the World Wildlife Fund of Canada doing business outreach for Sweater Day and Earth Hour. She did a blog post concerning her volunteering experience that you can read here. Currently She is working with Environmental Health and Safety at ASU on a project called Green Labs/Green Offices which encourages labs and offices across campus to become "green certified" and more sustainable, through a checklist of accomplishments and regulations. Without further ado, I give you Danielle's thoughts on the plastic Island, recycling, and our part in it all...

We all know that ocean currents are responsible for climate changephenomena like El Nino and La Nina (well if you didn’t before, you do now), butdid you know that it is also responsible for an island of floating debris inthe middle of the Pacific Ocean called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch? Ofcourse, the currents can’t shoulder allof the responsibility, now can they? In the United State alone, approximately65 lbs. of plastic per person is dumped into landfills every year, and only 5%of that ever gets recycled.

The ocean is especially vulnerable to plastic pollution for manyreasons. Because most plastic floats near the surface, it is often mistaken forfood by birds and fish. Oceanographer Charles J. Moore recently discovered afourth month old albatross chick (below) with a full stomach of cigarettelighters, bottle caps, and other trash on a Northwestern Hawaiian Island calledKure Atoll.

Also, plastic - like diamonds - are forever! Traditional plastics do notbiodegrade, meaning organisms cannot break them down. Sunlight breaks thematerial down as far as specs of plastic dust, but it still persists in theenvironment.

There are plenty of corporates that aren’t helping these types ofenvironmental tragedies either. Just last month, Coca Cola was blamed forhalting plans to ban the sale of plastic water bottles in the Grand Canyon,probably due to their role as a Dasani bottled water manufacturer anddistributor. Need I bring up the Exxon-Valdez and BP Oil Spills or The LoveCanal chemical waste dump?
Are these events unfortunate? Yes. Are they irreversible? Maybe. Arethey uncontrollable? No. The good news is, there are plenty of things that weas individuals can do on a daily basis to help control, regulate, and manageall kinds of environmental pollutants. Need some ideas? Well that’s what I’mhere for!

1. Make smart consumer choices! Opt for a stainless steel canteen instead ofthe conventional plastic water bottle. For avid hikers, attach a carabiner tohook on to your bag for extra portability.

2. Join a great cause! Every September The World Wildlife Fundassembles The Great Shoreline Cleanup to encourage shoreline rehabilitation areasthrough annual litter cleanups.

3. Get involved with your school! Arizona State University has recently launcheda Green Labs/Green Offices program aimed at encouraging labs and offices acrosscampus to become "green certified" and more sustainable through achecklist of guidelines and accomplishments.

4. Give back! Treasures 4 Teachers is an organization that collects unwanted (but reusable) materials and makesthem available to teachers at little tono cost, relying on the generosity of the community to continue to do so.

5. Stay informed! Environmental blogs such as TreeHugger, Planet Forward,and EnviroLite provide great mediums to stay connected withenvironmental current events.

Become Part of the Solution.

Because We Love Youth, Books, and Christmas...

2011-12-08T15:24:00.001-08:00

It always seems that the last month of the year is also the hardest. Pennies are pinched and budgets are tight while the holidays seamingly sneak up on us. Yet somehow, we manage to scrape up just enough money to have a little Holiday celebration; perhaps children are the reason as they emanate untainted joy at this time of year.

However, inevitably this year, some child somewhere will be unable to experience Christmas. This may be due to economic hardship that so many of us find ourselves in, or perhaps these children are homeless, or unclaimed and belong to no family~ orphans we call them, abandoned by society and those who gave them life. The term 'orphanage' seems so obsolete these days.

When I think of the word "ophanage" this is the kind of image I get in my head.

something old, of the past, nonexistent in my universe.....

However, they do exist.

In Arizona, we just like to slap another name on it to make it sound a little less bleary, and dark.

We use the word "shelter."

Yet, regardless of what it is called, it is our community's duty to reach out to these institutions and give the children in them hope and the means for a better life.

This year, we want to make a difference for the girls and boys at the Lighthouse Shelter in Phoenix ran by seven loving co-workers (monica, Rosie, Blanca, Anna, Ana, Andrea, and Avis) as well as Sheri Wang, who owns a nonprofit organization dedicated to changing lives. Clean Air Cab plans to volunteer at this year's Christmas party and we were hoping we could share the experience of bring joy to children with you. If you would like to make a donation to bring Christmas to this makeshift family, just read the list below and drop off any donations to the Clean Air Cab main office located at 1600 W. Main Street in Mesa, Arizona.

The Girls

Arayah, age two, wears size (3 years) and desperately wants a Little Tikes Princess Cozy Coupe

Ynica, age three, wears size (4) and hopes to find a Little Tikes Bumble Bee Buggy under the Tree

Monique, age 11 months, wears size (18mo) and would love a V Tech care and learn Teddy

Toryanna, age six, wears size (7) and wishes for a Girl Scooter for Christmas

Joline, age fourteen, wears size (small in juniors) and hopes to jam out to Yule-tide carols on a new I-pod.

The Boys

Kayden, age one, wears size (2) and yearns for a Little Tikes Go & Grow Lil Rollin Giraffe (ride-on)

Aaron, age five, wears size (4) and hopes to find K'Nex Mario Kart Brewser's Castle (Mario and Luigi at the starting line)

Andrew, age three, wears size (4) and would love to find a Fisher Price Grow with me Trike on Christmas

Derrick, age five, wears size (6) and wishes for the Leap Frog Leapster 2

Joziah, age three, wears size (4) and hopes for a Hot Wheels Criss Cross Crash Set

Xavier, age seven, wears size (10) and longs for an Air Hogs Hyperactives Radio Control Vehicle

Sean, age eight, wears a size (10) and wants a Nerf Vertex Nitron

Devin, age five, wears a size (6) and would be delighted to get a Racio flyer Lights & Sound Racer

Harley, age five, wears a size (6) and would be grateful to receive a Lego Harry Potter- The Knight Bus

Rico, age seven, wear a size (8) and wishes for a Lazer Stunt Chaser Dragon Fire

Devin, age four, wears a size (5) and longs for a Bayblade Metal Fusion Spiral Blitz, 2pk Earth Virgo

In addition to this Christmas project, we would also like to collect donations of books for the Extreme Library Makeover project in San Carlos as the non-profit organization Learning Through Literacy works with tribal leaders and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. If you would like to find out more about Loving Through Literacy, click here... if you would like to read about the San Carlos Library project just click the link.

Every child in our community deserves access to the tools neccessary to receive the best of educations.

Be part of the Solution.

Feeding our Youth, at the Mesa Boys and Girls club

2011-11-24T15:23:00.000-08:00

On October 28th, the Mesa Boys and Girl's Club contacted Clean Air Cab to see if we could possibly donate 30 turkeys and our time to give them a Thanksgiving dinner on November 22nd.

Despite the time crunch and the large amount of turkeys that we needed to provide for, members of Clean Air Cab's very own Green Team found a way.

The miracle came in the form of two women, Julie Renshaw and Tia Renshaw who are related to Glenn Thopsey, a hardworking man at Clean Air Cab.

They provided the funds that allowed Clean Air Cab to obtain 30 turkeys.

Steve Lopez, the owner of Clean Air Cab, along with the individuals at Mesa Boys and Girls club cannot even begin to express their gratitude.

Want to know what 30 turkeys looks like in a Prius?

so did we.... what do you think?

Because I think that much turkey is a beautiful sight, and not just because I am a conisour of fine foods, or a meatatarian; it is because that food was donated for a good cause, for our youth, your children.

I cannot forget to mention our mascot was there.

This was Lily's first time volunteering, and as you can see...

she was exactly in her element.

Why did we chose to volunteer at the Mesa Boys and Girls Club?

because great futures start here.

interested in finding out more about this club? you can start by clicking

here.

now to the story of our service....

this is the feasting hall.

If we were vikings I would compare it to Valhalla;

but since we are not...

I will call it gym-converted-into-place-of-feasting

we were punctual. too punctual. We set up, and then forced them to give us another task

that task?

slicing pie into 200+ pieces

I doubt mass produces conveyer belts could work with the speed

or precision that we managed that night.

This is Tina.... Tina did not want her picture to be taken.

so I made sure she had a solo shot.

Tina, you deserve to be appreciated.

LOOK. Brianna's hand's are moving so swiftly, not even my hiteck

iphone could capture her movement.

I guess you could say we were SUPER-volunteers.

finally, we began the assembly line of food to be delivered to the children and their families.

People from all over the valley had come together to make this event happen.

As the families arrived and the food was laid out, it began to feel like Thanksgiving.

of course we mostly slaved away in the food area, but that is what good volunteers do right?

The lovely woman in the black shirt is Brittany. She is kind of a superstar...

especially when she hands out the turkey.

our mascot, and her lovely mommy

(who also happens to be the general manager at Clean Air Cab).

At this event, we had Clean Air Cab employees and friends alike,

joining in a cause to help the community.

When I see the hands on this sign,

I know that the future requires friendship, trust in a better tomorrow, and help from those around us.

This Thanksgiving, at Clean Air Cab, we are thankful to be part of the solution.

what are you thankful for?

Treasures 4 Teachers

2011-11-17T12:18:00.001-08:00

Everyone talks about the problems with the education system in America, and on a more personal level, Arizona. Teachers are underpayed, budget cuts are a common occurance, and the lack of respect we have have for those who teach and inspire us is atrocious.

Here are some facts you might not have known about the education system:

On average, every year teachers in America spend $500 to $1,200 out of their own salaries on school supplies for their students, sometimes even as much as $4,000. How can students learn and become productive members of society without the basic essentials for learning like paper, pencils, and other extremely basic school supplies? In Arizona, over half of all K-8 students cannot afford lunch, much less basic educational tools and supplies.

Students cannot succeed when they lack the basic tools for learning.
Our school systems have shifted the burden of providing supplies to teachers.
On average, Arizona schools budget less than .5 cents per student daily for supplies.

This is why organizations such as Treasures 4 Teachers exists:

"To promote earth-friendly education and ensure that students and classrooms across Arizona have the tools for learning by transferring the community's surplus materials into the hands of educators and students, regardless of economic status."

Teachers are able to come here and get the supplies they need from donations by the community at an affordable price.

Teachers even had access to die-cuts and lamanation services.

the amount of goods is virtually unlimited.

If you would like to make a great find like we did, Treasures-4-Teachers is located at

1230 West Southern

suite 105

Tempe, Arizona 85282

This facility has the capacity to bring so much joy and learning to children aross Arizona.

There are knick-Knacks for projects, books, and various objects to be used for supplemental learning.

.... and there are those trinkets that are purely fun, like the make an estamation bottle.

However, this organization cannot supply itself. It is up to us to volunteer our resources and our time to put together items that teachers can use. Steve Lopez, the owner of Clean Air Cab, paired up with another member of the Green Team at Clean Air Cab to volunteer for this weeks project:

look Steve volunteering AND doing work, like a Boss- because... well.. he is the boss.

sorting bottle caps.

this bottle cap belongs to.... GRYFFINDOR!

just kidding. We sorted them by color and size; I just couldn't resist some Harry Potter humor.

Here is one of our fellow volunteerers; we would love to see more of you at opportunities like this.

interested? click here to learn how you can help with Treasures-4-Teachers.

The work was tedious....

but the end result was well worth it.

We may have even had a little bit too much fun with bottle-cap eyes, and such. I always wanted Green eyes.....

I'm not sure exactly what beverage these caps belong to.... but the green background with a footprint on it reminded me of Clean Air Cab. We have zero carbon footprint because of the cars we use in our service and the fact that we offset emissions and plant trees. I'm going to be a little biased and say there were my favorite caps.

This is the lovely team at Treasures-4-Teachers who made it possible for us to serve.

Thank you for the opportunity!

need a list for things you could donate? just click here.

Some of you may be wondering... what exactly happens to all those bottle caps?

Well, some of them make beautiful murals reflecting the work of great artists, like Van Gogh.

Others become charming outdoor crafts.

Or refridgerator magnets for Mother's Day...

Some, but not all, are used to teach students how to count, and how to recognize color. However, as you can see, they can also teach how to be artistic and use ingenuity. They teach our students to live responsibly, to recycle, and to respect our planet.

Why did we choose to help Treasures-4-Teachers?

Because a better Life begins with a better Education.

Clean Air Cab will be there every step of the way in order to become

Part of the Solution.

Clean Air Cab's First Food "Drive"

2011-11-15T14:11:00.001-08:00

Clean Air Cab is hosting its 1st food drive through St. Mary's Food bank Alliance.
St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance is the recipient of donated food which is dispersed across the state with over 500 partner agencies at roughly 750 sites such as domestic violence shelters, dining halls, schools, churches, children's shelters, halfway houses, and senior centers.

DID YOU KNOW:

currently, 1 in every 4 children, 1 in every 7 adults, and 1 in every 12 seniors in Arizona live in poverty.

338,000 Arizona children live in poverty; 37% are under the age of 5

2 million Arizonans are considered working poor, living at or below the Federal Poverty guideline.

We are currently in the Thanksgiving season, and we have much to be thankful for. However, there are those who are less fortunate than us. While we sit at our tables, enjoying our Thanksgiving feast there will inevitably be someone who does not have food, who is going hungry, who is losing hope. The sad thing, is that the person who is going hungry is not seperated by hundreds of miles or an ocean... that someone is in our very community.

The current trend in an increased demand for Food Banks' help across the nation have left many of them depleted and unable to meet all the requests for meals. We have been given the opportunity to help those individuals with their basic right, the right to live. There is nothing more disheartening then hearing that there are individuals starving in America: the land of opportunity and dreams.

Let us come together, as a community, and give thanks. Let us help our neighbors. Let us give others a reason for this season.

Clean Air Cab will be hosting a food drive from November 15th until we have filled our donation boxes and feed those who are hungry. Feel free to come to our main office and drop off whatever items you wish to donate.

Clean Air Cab is located at 1600 W. Main Street in Mesa

items that are most wanted are:

Beans (canned or dried)

Canned fruit and vegetables

Canned soups, stews, chili, and pasta

Cereal (low sugar, whole grain)

Diapers (children's and adults)

Juice (canned, plastic, or boxed)

Tuna (vacuum packed or canned)

Peanut butter

Rice

but all donations would be greatly appreciated.

Because we are Clean Air Cab, a CAB company, we thought it would be darling if we literally did a "drive." So when you call us, we would love it if you would consider donating a few cans to the cause to feed a family when you use our service. Thank you so much for becoming part of the solution.

In Honor of Veteran's Day

2011-11-11T11:27:00.001-08:00

"The willingness of American veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude."

~Jeff Miller

"How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!"

~Maya Angelou

"It doesn't take a hero to order men into battle. It takes a hero to be one of those men who goes into battle."

~Norman Schwarzkopf

"True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost."

~Arthur Ashe

"On this Veterans Day, let us remember the service of our veterans and their families who have sacrificed so much so that we can live free."

~Dan Lipinski

"Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die."

~G.K. Chesterton

"A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself."

~Joseph Campbell

"I think there is one higher office than president, and I would call that patriot."

~Gary Hart

Clean Air Cab would like to thank all of our military personal, whether you are in the service or a hero that has long been home. We would like to offer you a free cab ride with your military ID card, and we wish you a Happy Veteran's Day. Thank you again, for your service, for your friendship, for being our silent guardian angel. May God watch over you, as you have watched over us. May you come home safely.

Family Friendly... to the next level.

2011-11-09T11:38:00.000-08:00

In the great words of Emeril Lagasse, "Lets kick it up another notch." While Emeril may have been talking about spices, Clean Air Cab took his words to heart and we have "kicked it up another notch" in regards to most of the things that we do here. Our end result? BAM. It's just that good.

What exactly did we raise to the next level? our service. our product. our drivers. our training.

We also became family friendly×10²⁷which is a ridiculously large, albeit true, figure.

In order to celebrate this, our company mascot is a six month old baby, who you had the pleasure of meeting in out last post. If you didn't read it, shame on you. Read it after this so you know about our recent cab developments with Make-A-Wish Foundation. Her name is Lily, and even by scientific means, she is perfect (this is based on the fact that she is exactly in the 50 percentile of where babies should be at her age, hence, she is perfect.... not to mention she has those lovely cherubic cheeks).

Lily is one of those children who will probably skip the crawling stage and go straight to walking.

That's why she is our mascot. Lily means business.

At our last event Clean Air Cab gave away magnets, pens, and babies.

just kidding. We still have Lily.

Though to be quite honest, she was the best at giving things away.

She jut doesn't take no for an answer.

Of course, all that work was exhasting.

But I must say, that I am personally grateful to work for a company that places such a heavy emphasis on Family. Steve Lopez, the owner and CEO of Beyond Green and Clean Air Cab, is also a family man with 3 children under the age of 6. While he does run a business, he sets aside time to be with his family. There are a total of five children who frequent the Clean Air Cab office with their parents. It is a wonderful institution to be able to have family so close and make your work force function as a team. We all work, care, and dream together as a family. The Clean Air Cab family.

LOOK. We even made Lily a badge.

so presh.

as you can see, Lily is "The Boss."

Don't upset her, or you might be at risk for getting "fired."

Lily practicing her business deal handshake with a fellow future management member

At Clean air Cab, we pride ourselves not only on the exceptional cab service we provide, which is a different kind of taxi cab experience than any other you've probably experienced~ but we pride ourselves on reaching out to the next generation, to teach them the skills they need for the future, and give them opportunities that they might not have had anywhere else.

We thank all of our patrons who have allowed us to help with the Phoenix Children's Hospital, Mesa United Way, Susan G. Komen, and now, Make-A-Wish foundation in addition to our two ASU scholarship cabs.

Make a Wish & The AZ Urban Race

2011-11-07T09:44:00.000-08:00

Clean Air Cab is proud to announce our newest charity cab. This new cab was unveiled at the AZ Urban Race in honor of the charity it was for, Make-A-Wish foundation. Mountainside Fitness and Clean Air Cab have come together for a unique relationship. Local companies "Giving Big" is a way for others in our community to give to their favorite chosen charity in the area. This year "Miles for Smiles" is Mountainside fitness's charity cab effort.

The cab is a deep blue with a new shimmer tone added to it, which really enhances the "sparkle" effect of the stars, a trademark emblem for Make-A-Wish.

Make-A-Wish foundation has the mission to "grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy."

The Make-A-Wish Foundation began with one boy’s wish. In 1980, 7-year-old Chris Greicius was being treated for leukemia.This little boy dreamed of becoming a police officer and with the help of U.S. Customs Officer Tommy Austin, that dream became a reality.

On April 29, 1980, Austin and a caring group of DPS personnel started Chris’ day with a tour of the city in a department helicopter. He was then flown into headquarters where three cruisers and a motorcycle officer greeted him before his meeting with the DPS command staff. Chris was sworn in as the first honorary DPS patrolman in state history. Ron Cox had also contacted John’s Uniforms, which made a custom-tailored DPS uniform for Chris. The officers presented the official uniform to Chris on May 1 and arranged a motorcycle proficiency test so he could earn wings to pin on his uniform, which he passedwith flying colors on his battery-operated motorcycle.
On May 3rd, Chris passed away; however, this boy was able to live out his dreams and see his wishes come true.

for a more in depth account of this story, please click here

214,247 wishes have since been granted, with a wish being granted nearly every 40 minutes

The real question, is whose life is being touched the most?

The child who sees their dream come true?

Or the volunteers, supportors, families, and friends who are truly inspired?

our newest cab enables our local Arizona chapter of the Make-A-Wish foundation to touch the lives of so many people, by granting the wishes of these ill children.

In the 2011 Fiscal year, the Arizona Chapter has granted 251 wishes

There are so many dreams to save, and lives to bless.

Be part of the solution.

The BIG DAY of the AZ URBAN RACE

We arrived at the AZ Urban Race in the early morning. It was cold and the ground was still drenched from the previous night's rain~ yet there were hundreds of people in attendance and overall the sight was beautiful to behold.

We even brought Clean Air Cab's mascott, Lily, with us to enjoy this ground-breaking occasion as well.

Our Make-A-Wish cab had only just been finished the day before, yet it was perfectly placed in position. Despite the fact that the overcast hid it's sparkly sheen, it kept drawing admirers over to it.

Mountainside Fitness gave us a table and we were excited to tell people about our new cab and how this cab will be different from any of our other charity cabs.

Meanwhile, as the Race continued... we saw many four legged friends and we just wanted to let you know that Clean Air Cab does not discriminate against Man's Best Friend. We are more than happy to take you and your furry pal wherever you need to go.

We also saw some groups of runners who went all out in various themes and costume. They really added to the flavor of the event.

The race had an insanely large crowd and with the white tents flanking both ends of the feild, the event appeared to be a modern day Renaissance Fair.

Now, this is the part that gets more interesting, because here is where I tell you WHY this cab will be different. It is ironic that the Make-A-Wish foundation cab should be unveiled at a race, because the cab itself will be a "runner." The concept was designed by Clean Air Cab. This means, that the cab will have several sponsors (3), such as Mountainside Fitness, which has already agreed to be the main sponsor. These sponsors will pay a certain amount of money per a mile($x per mile), and at the end of the year, the donations will be matched to the yearly mile amount, and a check will be written to the charity. All year long, our Make-A-Wish foundation cab will be on the road, taking YOU where you need to go, and at the end of the year the amount of miles it traveled on trips will be calculated and the proceeds will have been sent to the Make-A-Wish foundation to facilitate the bringing about of children's dreams.

Perhaps when we come near to that finish line next year, we will be able to see what we have accomplished and stand on our obstables with a smile playing upon our lips and a warmth in our heart because we know that we made a difference that no one else could.

because what is this life without joy?

and how can true happiness be attained without selflessness?

or the spirit of giving?

You cannot look at a child, and not see an untainted love for the human experience, no matter how bad the cards are that life may have dealt them.

It may just be another wrapped car, but it stands for an idea, of an organization, which is a group of people united under a single cause, which can make a difference to not only a child, but a family, a community, and ultimately humanity as a whole.

I bet you didn't know....

2011-11-03T15:51:00.000-07:00

1. The saguaro cactus blossom is the official state flower. The white flower blooms on the tips of the saguaro cactus during May and June. The saguaro is the largest American cactus.

2. Arizona leads the nation in copper production.

3. Petrified wood is the official state fossil. Most petrified wood comes from the Petrified Forest in northeastern Arizona.

4. The bola tie is the official state neckwear.

5. The Palo verde is the official state tree. Its name means green stick and it blooms a brilliant yellow-gold in April or May.

6. Turquoise is the official state gemstone. The blue-green stone has a somewhat waxy surface and can be found throughout the state.

7. The ringtail is the official state mammal. The ringtail is a small fox-like animal about two and one-half feet long and is a shy, nocturnal creature.

8. The amount of copper on the roof of the Capitol building is equivalent to 4,800,000 pennies.

9. The Castilian and Burgundian flags of Spain, the Mexican flag, the Confederate flag, and the flag of the United States have all flown over the land area that has become Arizona.

10. The original London Bridge was shipped stone-by-stone and reconstructed in Lake Havasu City.

11. The Arizona ridge-nosed rattlesnake is perhaps the most beautiful of all eleven species of rattlesnakes found in Arizona. (what do you think?)

12. Located in Fountain Hills is a fountain believed to be the tallest in the world.

13. The Hopi Indians of Arizona are noted for growing their multicolored corn.

14. Oraibi is the oldest Indian settlement in the United States. The Hopis Indians founded it.

15. At one time camels were used to transport goods across Arizona.

In addition to these useless, albeit extremely interesting facts, there are some important dates you should be aware of.

On the 11th of November is Veteran's Day and later on this month, is Thanksgiving. TODAY, Friday, November 4th is Use Your Common Sense Day; and we aren't making that up.

In commemoration of Use Your Common Sense Day, we thought of a few things you could do to take that special someone of your's out for a night around the town for FREE. This Friday is November 4th, which also happens to be the first friday of the month. This is wonderful for several reasons:

1.) admittance to the Arizona Science Center is free from 5:30 to 9:00 pm~ want more information? click here.

2.) First Fridays in Phoenix is a street event where various vendors gather and there is always an adventure to be had, wether you are enjoying the art or the eclectic crowd. curious? you have but to click this button.

3.) Have a need for art? there is a free gallery featuring artwork from the students at Arizona State University at Tempe Marketplace. Read more at the Herberger Institute

Interested in going to any of these places, showing off your newfound knowledge about the State of Arizona, but don't want to deal with the hassel of driving a car in the Phoenix area?

well..... use your common sense, and call us, Clean Air Cab, at 480-777-9777 or make an online reservation.

Yours Truly, Clean Air Cab

2011-10-31T14:22:00.000-07:00

First off, we appreciate all the feedback that we received. We don't just want to provide service, we want to provide service to our community and more specifically, you. In the next upcoming month we have several amazing service opportunities.

In the Phoenix area, there is a hidden oasis. The Japanese Friendship Garden (formally named Ro Ho En) is a beautiful jewl in this desert region, combining both culture, and exotic greenery. It is the product of a non-profit organization that is in constant need of volunteers to maintain and share this treasure. Clean Air Cab is proud to announce that members of its Green Team will be volunteering as gardeners on Saturdays. This garden consists of more than 1,500 tons of hand picked rock, stone bridges, a 5/8 acre Koi pond with over 300 fish, a waterfall, and over 50 varieties of plants. If you would like to volunteer for this, or are interested in learning more, click the above link to be taken to the Friendship garden's homepage.

Additionally, Clean Air Cab is going to be an active supporter in the organization known as Treasures 4 Teachers. This organization's mission is to ensure that students and classrooms across the state of Arizona have the tools for learning; which is one that Clean Air Cab firmly stands by. On Thursday, November 17th, Clean Air Cab's Green Team will be dedicating their time to this cause. If you would like more information about this organization just click on the above link; to RSVP for this service project, or to learn about other causes you can become part of the solution to, click here.

We also look forward to donating our time to the Mesa Boys and Girls club. This year they are conducting a turkey drive for their Thanksgiving dinner on November 22nd, that will feed 300 families. If you would like to donate or have questions on how you can help, you can leave us a comment and we will get right back to you.

More opportunites are awaiting to be unfolded, and as always, we would love to hear your feedback. Let us know of any service opportunites that you are aware of, because Clean Air Cab is always willing to lend a helping hand, to become part of your solution.

Help us help you

2011-10-28T12:38:00.000-07:00

Congratulations, Rebekah Layton! You won two free tickets to the ASU homecoming football game this weekend!

Steve Lopez, the owner of Clean Air Cab, with Rebekah Layton

We absolutely loved your picture. Rebekah managed to snag an upclose and personal shot of the Maroon & Gold ASU cab.

Isn't this cab beautiful? I know beautiful is an odd adjective to tie to a cab, but the infusion of color and purpose behind this vehicle make it an absolute gem.

Speaking of beautiful... Do any of you have a service project to beautify or better our community or a worthy organization? Clean Air Cab is here for the job, and the Green Team has stepped up to the plate to accept any challenges that any one needs help with. Community garden? Repainting a school? Volunteering time at a fundraiser or a hospital? We want to be part of YOUR solution; so please, tell us what we can do to help.

Additionally, if any of you have comments on our service or how we can more efficiently serve you, please let us know. We would love to hear what you have to say; just leave a comment below or like our Facebook page and start a discussion there.

Our Partnership with ASU

2011-10-25T14:19:00.000-07:00

Did you know that Clean Air Cab is the proud partner of the ASU Sun Devil Athletic team?

you may have seen our spiffy Arizona State University designated cabs.... and probably did not even realize that they were cabs. These rides are so suave, that many people think they are just specialty ASU vehicles. Well...they are not, they exist to take YOU places while similtaneously creating scholarships for the university, because we care for this community.

During the ASU homecoming game this Saturday, October 29th, we would be more than happy to take you to and from the game so you don't have to deal with the parking, the mass exodus from the lightrail, or the chaos of getting to your next destination to celebrate the victory. You may even get to ride in one of our ASU cabs, it would be kind of like winning a cab lottery.

pictured above is our glorious black ASU cab~ designed with your sports team in mind

Give 'em Hell, Devils!

Here is our second magnificent ASU themed cab

Maroon & Gold For the Win!

BUT WAIT, to thank you for choosing to be part of the solution, we are offering 2 free tickets to the ASU homecoming game. How do you get these two tickets? like us on Facebook and submit the best photo you have taken yourself of one of our cabs by 5pm on Thursday. Winners will be announced on Friday morning, so you can come by and pick up your tickets.

Good luck and may the best cab win!

From You, to Me, to You

2011-10-24T14:39:00.000-07:00

With most people, the word "cab" has a negative connotation. "Cab" often triggers words such as "dirty," "theft," and "murder." For this very reason, one of the members of the Green Team did not tell her mother that she was working for one of those cab companies, until she had already been employed for nearly two months.

It is actually a very comical story. Her mother does not live in the valley, and on one vacation she visited her daughter and happened to see a Clean Air Cab car while at a red light. She turned to her daughter and said, "That cab is the most darling cab I have ever seen." Her daughter then spent the next 30 minutes explaining to her mother that she worked for that company…..

I’m going to use this story as an analogy. While one does not think of a cab company as having any sort of real impact on society, perhaps we too need to be at a red light, and observe our surroundings to gain a new perspective and see the good one small, local company can bring to a community. Clean Air Cab has what we call charity cabs. One dollar from every ride in one of these charity cabs goes towards the charity sponsored on the cab. We do not place ads on our cars; people do not pay Clean air Cab money to have their business posted on the side. Our company is different, because we like to give money. We have a Susan G. Komen cab that runs year round, because we feel that the fight for breast cancer is every day, not just one recognized month. We have five Mesa United Way cabs, whose funding goes towards this community to make a difference HERE. It supports wonderful organizations such as Helen’s Hope Chest, to help clothe foster children because of budget cuts. We also have a cab that is for the Phoenix Children's Hospital, so we can give children a second chance at life.

In addition to these cabs, we have two new cabs that generate money for scholarships at Arizona State University. Do you know of any other cab company that can provide a future for your children and give them a chance at an education that they may have never achieved otherwise? Probably not~ because Clean Air is not your typical cab company. You give to us, and in return we give back to you.

The reason why we are not your typical cab company is entirely dependent on YOU. We offer a product, and you chose to use it. Because you chose us, instead another company, YOU planted over 5000 trees in Brazil, YOU brought jobs and opportunity to our community, YOU helped thousands of children battle childhood disease, YOU consumed less fuel than the year before, YOU raised $5,458 for breast cancer since 2009, YOU raised over $2,000 for the children’s hospital since April 2011, YOU are providing education opportunities, YOU are benefitting your community, YOU are actually being “green” and helping the environment instead of paying for a concept because of the vehicles we use and the fact that we have zero carbon footprint.

Ghandi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

You can be that change.

Be part of the solution.

The Beginning

2011-10-21T14:45:00.001-07:00

Hello on behalf of Beyond Green, the mother company to Clean Air Cab. We have made an executive decision to make a blog to allow you to explore the inner workings of our company and our intentions to better our community. We will have several writers on this blog, and as a result, our voice will change with each post; but regardless of the different nature of the writing styles, each post will be rich in community efforts and service. These writers will be known as 'The Green Team' and we want to join you in being part of the solution.