Classic 1956 Thunderbird

I still remember the day on my block when a neighbor drove down the street in his shiny new T-bird. My pals and I were just itching to get a ride in that baby. And we did soon after. I don’t remember much from those early years – but that day is fixed in my memory.

Growing up on the outskirts of Detroit, the “Motor City”, tagged me once and forever a car guy. My friends and I competed to see who would be the first on the block to know all the stats of the next year’s models from the only car companies we knew existed – GM, Ford, and Chrysler – the big three.

My first car was a used powder blue VW Beetle – I think I paid something like $600 for it. But the car I really pined for was a 1985 735i. It took a few years and a lot more miles before I had one parked in the garage (with a case of motor oil in the trunk – a small price to pay I thought at the time)

Three more Bimmers followed but the question that really bugged me over the years was why BMW was so late to the “green” game – where was the clean fuel technology that I expected from what I considered to be a leader in the automotive industry – and where were the cars we Prius owners could actually get our driving mitts on?

Enter the MINI E. Last fall’s online application was that “eureka” moment that I had been waiting years for – and the beginning of what I like to call my MINI Life Crisis Adventure.

Today, as a writer in the marketing and communications space – a tactical practical leap from my days on the stage – I am excited to be on this yearlong journey of discovery. Opening eyes and ears to the amazing things that are happening in our own backyards – the people, passions and projects that are making a difference in the health of our fragile environment.

Join me. Share your stories. Let’s pump up the volume and each do something to make a difference.