Jill Zisumbo - April 2008

Jill is the R&T Receptionist. She uses a commute alternative every day, mostly carpooling, and sometimes riding the bus for her 11 mile commute. Jill has been using commute alternatives for the past 8 years and began carpooling with her husband because they are a 1-car family. "If and when I had to go to work early I would either take the bus or my husband would adjust his schedule to help. Now my husband is not working at his old job when we where carpooling together. So I have a neighbor gal that carpools with me and it is working out FANTASTIC!!! And she is even splitting the gas with me...YEA!"

Israel Nalley - March 2008

Israel is the Inventory Assistant at R&T. He uses commute alternatives 20-24 days per month for his 2.3 mile commute. Izzy started using commute alternatives in October of 2007 because, "Gas prices were up, my jeep was having some problems, and I wanted to get back in shape." He didn't have any challenges to overcome in his commute until the snowstorm in January. His solution to the giant snowdrifts was much more creative than taking the bus: "That day after work, I went and bought the snowshoes." Izzy walked to work with his snowshoes for almost a week during the worst part of our winter weather. He doesn't mind the cold and says it's cheaper and healthier than driving alone.

Dave Robertson - October 2007

Dave Robertson has been riding his bike to work everyday since he started working at Rings & Things. He averages 2.5 mile commute and isn’t at all fazed by inclement weather. Dave began using commute alternatives in 1984 and has only driven to work about 6 times in the past 23 years. After working at Rings & Things for four years, Dave took a few years off to pursue advanced degrees in Linguistics, then rejoined the company four months ago.
He loves the fresh air and “The exercise, the relaxation, the environmental benefits...the whole package works for me.” Dave recently reflected on his commuting experience, saying, “You discover the most amazing things when you slow down and bike or walk, like the couple of pocket "wetlands" near my workplace, or the one odd, loud, colorful goose in Riverfront Park.”

Jeffri Willet - September 2007

Jeffri began carpooling and riding the bus for his three mile commute this February. He overcomes timing issues to make commute alternatives work for him. Jeffri keeps riding the bus and carpooling to "save money and our air," and encourages other employess to give commute alternatives a try because they are "much more enjoyable than riding alone!"

Tracy Mahuiki - August 2007

Tracy has been using a variety of commute alternatives since she moved to Spokane almost 10 years ago. Every single work day, Tracy bikes, rides the bus, or carpools. She gave up driving completely in favor of greener options. "When I moved up here I saw what a great bus system was in place and how many beautiful parks and green spaces there were and stopped driving and let my licence expire," she said. Tracy picked out her apartment in a centrally-located downtown area so that she could take full advantage of the bus system and bike trails. She happily reflects on her lifestyle, "I haven't regretted giving up driving for a minute. If a bus ran to the ski mountain, I would never think of ever driving again!"

Will Hudson - July 2007

Will makes an effort to take the bus or ride a bike about 10 days out of each month. "Most of my life I have used commute alternatives because it is cheaper than gas and healthy for our environment," he said. "I just belive it is costly to my pockets and to the environment to drive a car every single day."

He recommends that others try to at least ride a bike, walk, or carpool once a week.

Amy Scalise - June 2007

Amy has been making her 3-mile commute to R&T for the past 3-and-a-half years. She braves the nasty winter weather and traffic, riding her bike to work almost every single day. Riding a bike saved her over $400 last year alone. She used the money she saved to buy a new bike this spring. Amy encourages others to use commute alternatives because her son has allergies that are aggravated by airborne particulate. She rides her bike for other reasons too, “It keeps me in shape & I love the energy that the workout gives me.”

Tawnia Crary - May 2007

Tawnia Crary has been using commute alternatives every day all of her 7 years at Rings & Things. She enjoys the convenience of riding the bus, and sometimes carpools with fellow employee, Carly Hall.

Flexible scheduling at R&T allows Tawnia to change her schedule throughout the year to accommodate school schedules. Discounted bus passes are also a big bonus. “Basically, I feel lucky to work for a company that is part of this whole commute thing.”

When asked if she encourages other employees to use commute alternatives, Tawnia replied, “Heck yes I do!”

Noryan Baker - Bus Rider - April 2007

Noryan works in the Purchasing/Recieving department at R&T. He sometimes carpools and walks in addition to riding the bus for his two mile commute. Noryan uses a commute alternative every day because it is easy and cheap.

Tricia Van Leuven - Carpooler - March 2007

Tricia VanLeuven has been an employee at Rings & Things for over six years. During that time, she has always used a commute alternative to get to work. At the old downtown location, Tricia would always ride the bus because it was cheaper, eliminated the parking hassle, and because Rings & Things provides discounted bus passes to all employees.

Shortly after Tricia moved to a new home, Rings & Things moved to a new building, making a timely bus route difficult to find. After riding the bus a few times and having to wait an hour and a half at the plaza each way, she decided to make a change. With the help of her mother, Tricia purchased a car and began driving to work for the first time. It was not long before she was sharing her 3.5 mile commute with others. Tricia offers a ride home to anyone who needs it, making other employees more likely to walk, bike, or ride the bus, knowing that they will not be stuck if they need to get home in a hurry.

She is always the first to fill out her commute calendar each month and routinely encourages others to enter the prize drawings and use commute alternatives. Tricia's devotion to carpooling and willingness to help others makes her an inspiration in our commute program.

Melissa R. - Walker - February 2007

Melissa Rhoades has been walking to work almost every day since she started at R&T. Before that, she walked to her classes at EWU's Spokane Center campus. Melissa's love of the outdoors and desire to keep walking is evident to anyone who talks to her. "I've always preferred walking or biking to driving whenever possible, and have done so for years. I always consider distance when looking for apartments or jobs."