Monthly Archives: April 2011
Environmentally Friendly Automotive Tips For Earth Day
Every year around Earth Day, the Expired Meter posts tips to help drivers decrease their environmental footprint–as much as you can while driving an internal combustion engine burning fossil fuels.
But remember, many of the vital components in automobiles are not very environmentally friendly. But there are ways to handle these issues in a proper and responsible way.
So, here’s a list of tips for car owners and how to be a vehicle owner and still celebrate a guilt-free Earth Day.
The Geek’s 15 Tips For Maxing Out Your MPG
The price of gasoline is still on the rise.
With some help from AAA and the U.S. Department of Energy’s website, here’s the Geek’s favorite 15 tips for squeezing a few extra miles out of a gallon of gas and reducing your pain at the pump.
Drive Like A Grandmother
Grandma had it right according to the AAA and the U.S. Dept. of Energy. Speeding, rapid acceleration, and excessive braking are all wasteful driving behaviors. Break out your blue haired wig and do your best Granny impersonation while behind the wheel and you can save you up to 33% on your gas usage.
Local Currency Exchanges Give Drivers Convenient Parking Ticket Payment Alternative
Chicagoans already have a multitude of ways to pay their parking and red light camera tickets.
You can pay online, travel to one of a handful of city revenue payment centers, hit up one of those fancy new EZ Pay payment kiosks located around the city or go the old fashion route of slapping a stamp on an envelope and dropping it in the mail.
But many Chicago drivers are starting to take advantage of the relatively recent payment option of paying tickets at a local Currency Exchange.
Local Currency Exchanges, amongst the litany of financial services they offer, already assist drivers with license plate registration and renewal as well as city sticker purchases.
But over the past year Currency Exchanges have adopted a system through Electronic License Service, LLC, (ELS) to help drivers make fast, convenient payments for parking and RLC tickets at their locations.
City Changes Mind: NO Enforcement Tonight For Night Game Parking Restrictions
UPDATE: The city has reversed course and now both spokespersons for Chicago Police Department and 44th Ward Alderman Tom Tunney’s office are saying there will NOT be any enforcement of Wrigley Field night game parking restrictions for tonight’s game.
Earlier today, we reported that enforcement would be taking place tonight based on statements from OEMC.
“Since tonight’s night game was not previously publicized to the community, the City will not be enforcing LV-2 or Cubs Night Game restrictions,” explained Max Bever, Community Outreach Director for the 44th Ward.
Bever said that this decision came about after talks with OEMC and the 19th & 23rd police districts.
Where In The World Is Waldo The Geek?
The answer is beautiful Boulder, CO.
Visiting a few friends and relatives for a short visit.
Guess what? Even Colorado has parking meters.
Still had to pay $1.25 per hour in downtown Boulder.
Be back in a few days.
ALERT!: Night Game Parking Restrictions Tonight In Wrigleyville
UPDATE: Game got rained out and is re-scheduled for Wednesday evening as part of a twi-night double-header. Assume night game parking restrictions will be in place as of 5 PM.
It’s two for Tuesday.
Tuesday evening Wrigleyville sees the second Cubs night game of the season.
The Cubs try to make it two games in a row after their 1-0 win against the San Diego Padres at last night’s game.
Remember, parking restrictions kick in at 5 PM and last until 10 PM.
Ask The Parking Ticket Geek
Hi Geek,
Do you know if you can contest a parking ticket via email or online?
I have the supporting documentation to show they ticketed me while I was parked legally. I have the ticket showing the issue time of 3:08PM and I have the ticket from the meter showing that it did not expire until 3:41PM.
I also have the transaction from my bank debit card showing the fee paid to LAZ. I’d like to email something right to Bea as well to complain…got her email address?
Best regards,
Angry
Maybe in the future, but currently tickets cannot be contested online Mr. Angry.
Cubs Kick Off Night Game Schedule With Two Games
Tips, Info, Advice On Avoiding Being Towed In Wrigleyville
The Chicago Cub’s bring parking and traffic chaos back to Wrigleyville tonight with the kickoff of their 2011 night game schedule.
In fact, Monday night is the first of a pair of night games versus the San Diego Padres which bring heavy parking restrictions to the northside Lakeview neighborhood.
Enforcement begins at 5 PM and runs through 10 PM.
City ticket writers and tow trucks will be out in full force this evening ticketing and towing cars parked on area residential streets not displaying the proper residential parking permits or RPP guest passes.
Make sure your vehicle is not one of them.
Here’s The Expired Meter’s reference guide to making sure you don’t get caught unaware.
Geek Does OTL Radio Thursday Morning
You always know when Mike Stephen is desperate.
Stephen is the host of Outside the Loop Radio, one of the best news and public affairs radio shows in Chicago. This guy is always ahead of the curve with his weekly lineup of high quality, intelligent and entertaining guests and he’s always covering news and topics the traditional media won’t get to for weeks or months.
It’s a half hour show, but really needs to be a full hour.
So, when Stephen calls up the Parking Ticket Geek to be on OTL, you know, for whatever reason, he’s having an off week and has resorted to scraping the bottom of the bottom of the barrel for a guest.
The Geek lowers the collective IQ of OTL Radio Thursday morning at 10 AM on WLUW 88.7 FM.
