"I'm Oxy Gene. And I Am the Defender of Truth, Justice and Really Clean Air."

The year was 1999 and Community Transit needed a hero. Not just any hero. A clean air-avenging superhero who would inspire the citizens of Snohomish County to fight pollution, one bus at a time. In flew Oxy Gene to the rescue, with a big purple cape and an even bigger smile.

Oxy Gene made his debut at the grand opening of the Ash Way Park & Ride. A bus wrapped with Oxy Gene's image on the side was covered with a tarp for a dramatic unveiling to various dignitaries. And what an impression he made! Oxy's first superhero costume didn't have the recognizable physique we've come to expect (those strapping muscles were modeled after Arnold Schwarzenegger and came a few years later), but the energy and enthusiasm behind his "Hello, good people!" greeting was there from the start. "I got the inspiration for my signature greeting from the 1975 Robert Redford movie, The Great Waldo Pepper, where Redford pulls up in an airplane, raises his goggles and says that line. It was perfectly delivered. I wanted to bring that fun, theatrical persona to my work as Oxy Gene."

Oxy Gene replaced Community Transit's "Rabbit" rapid transit mascot from the mid-1980s through the late 1990s. We realized we needed more than just a mascot to address the serious problem of pollution. We needed a superhero. "Oxy Gene is rare because I'm one of the only mascots that talks. I get to spread the word to kids of all ages on how taking transit really makes a difference in keeping our air clean. This works especially well at parades because we bring a bus with us. In the staging area, people can see the bus up close and ask questions. If the character didn't speak, the experience wouldn't be nearly as fun for them."

Did you know originally Oxy Gene was going to have an alter-ego? When we were brainstorming names for a new mascot, the name Oxy Gene was a play on the words oxygen and clean air. Originally Oxy Gene was going to have an alter-ego called Gene Green. Kind of like a mild-mannered Clark Kent type before he turns into Superman. Luckily it was decided the Oxy Gene name should stand alone. Because really, in the end it's all about that cape, those muscles, and pulverizing pollution with humor and heart.

Look for Oxy Gene spreading his mission to defend truth, justice and really clean air at parades and festivals throughout Snohomish County. And the next time you take a bus, you can feel good about being a clean air-avenger, like Oxy Gene. As he says, "There is only one thing that all of us share... it nourishes, it refreshes, please love it... IT'S AIR!"

"Be A Clean Air Superhero" Contest Winners, Agest 9+

Congratulations to our final "Be A Clean Air Superhero" winners! These kids know that having a great imagination and a sense of humor are important when you're battling pollution. Our fifth grade winner drew a detailed plan for a machine where dirty air comes in and clean air comes out, while our fourth grade winner fights pollution with a smile (and a perfectly coordinated outfit, of course). We'll be sharing these pictures on Oxy Gene's web page and on social media.

Thank you to everyone who participated in the contest. Oxy Gene is thrilled so many of you really care about keeping our air clean.

Marshall Elementary, Fifth Grade

Hilltop Elementary, Fourth Grade

"Be A Clean Air Superhero" Contest Winners, Ages 6-8

When you ask a bunch of second and third graders how they would help clean our air, you end up with wonderfully imaginative solutions! There's "Seed Man" who plants seeds that will never get weeds, "Clean Air Man" whose super power is blowing out clean air, "Energy Man" who turns off all unattended lights, "Water Woman" who rains down clean water on our crops, and a kitty that blows bubbles that capture pollution.

Thanks, kids, for sharing your creative ideas. Oxy Gene appreciates how much you care about our environment. We're sharing your pictures on Oxy Gene's web page and social media. Check it out!

Join us later this month for winners from our 9-11 age group category!

Serene Lake Elementary, Third Grade

Serene Lake Elementary, Third Grade

Serene Lake Elementary, Third Grade

Marshall Elementary, Second Grade

Serene Lake Elementary, Third Grade

"Be A Clean Air Superhero" Contest Winners, Ages 1-5

We asked kids all over Snohomish County to show us how they would help our favorite pollution-fighting superhero, Oxy Gene, clean the air we breathe. Thanks, kids, for entering our "Be A Clean Air Superhero" contest! There were so many great ideas that we chose multiple winners for each age category.

The winners from our 1-5 age group are super fun! Whether with wings, a cape, or a huge smile, these five year olds know that planting trees and flowers is an important part of keeping our air clean. We'll be sharing their cheerful drawings on Oxy Gene's web page and on social media all week long.

Join us next week for winners from our 6-8 age group category!

Northshore Christian Academy, Age 5

Preschool Pals, Age 5

Heatherwood Pre-K, Age 5

Show Us How You Would "Be a Clean Air Superhero!"

 

There is only one thing that all of us share...
It nourishes, it refreshes, please love it...it's air!

Did you know that each year cars spew 1.5 tons of pollution into the air around Puget Sound? Our favorite Clean Air Avenger, Oxy Gene, is asking kids of all ages how they would use their super powers to help clean our air!

Kids, be creative! We'll pick a winner from each of four age groups (1-5, 6-8, 9-11, and 12+) to feature here on our blog, on Oxy Gene's web page, on Facebook, and on Twitter. Your picture will help make a difference, inspiring others to keep our air clean!

In conjunction with Earth Week, Oxy Gene will be at the Mill Creek Block Party this Saturday, April 23rd! Come say hello and fill out a flyer during the festivities! Also, keep an eye open for the contest flyers at other Community Transit outreach events in May. In the meantime, we welcome you to download and print the flyer at home and mail it to us at the address on the back. All submissions must be received by May 27, 2016. Winning pictures will be shared weekly during the month of June.

We can't wait to share your winning ideas with the good people of Puget Sound! Good luck!

Community Transit’s Day in the Life: Oxy Gene

Our spotlight this month is on a man who needs little introduction, Community Transit’s very own Superhero, Oxy Gene! He’s been spreading the word about his personal motto of truth, justice and really clean air for 15 years. Watch for Oxy Gene at fairs and festivals all across Snohomish County. I think you’ll agree with me that he’s definitely earned his title of Superhero!
 

 

Hello Good People!

  

I know you’ve probably seen me around the Puget Sound area and are wondering, “Who is this Oxy Gene character anyway”? Well fellow citizens, I can’t give out all of my secrets, but let me tell you a little bit about myself.

 

I live in the small town of Airisclear, WA near the slopes of Mt. Rainier. I love waking up in the morning and seeing that beautiful mountain! But when air quality standards begin to fall, the mountain becomes a little hazy. That’s when I dash from my home to rid the air of pollution. I HATE POLLUTION! I hate everything about it! I hate the vile concoction of filth, exhaust, and other oxygen killing particulates that invade our air everyday. What is one of the main causes of air pollution? You guessed it…CARS! But by taking public transportation you are doing your part to keep our air clean.

 

When Community Transit called I was happy to help out. I spend my days visiting the good people of Snohomish County showing them how to ride the bus, and all the benefits of using public transportation including making our community a better and healthier place to live, and how to save time and money by sharing the ride with family and friends. Now that summer is here, look for me at various parades around beautiful Snohomish County. Enjoy the summer everyone! 

Want a chance to meet Oxy Gene? Visit him this summer at the following events:

• July 19 – Snohomish Kla Ha Ya Days Parade
• August 2 – Stanwood Camano Fair Parade
• August 5 – Mukilteo National Night Out
• August 5 – Snohomish County National Night Out
• August 9 – Mill Creek Kids Fun Run
• September 6 – Mukilteo Lighthouse Parade
• September 13 – Marysville Touch a Truck

For more information on Oxy Gene please visit www.commtrans.org/oxygene.

Employees Host Picnic for Foster Children

By Nancy Lamus, Customer Relations Marketing Assistant

This year, as part of our United Way employee fundraising campaign, Community Transit “adopted” an organization for the first time. This meant that employees were given the opportunity to do additional fundraising and participate in additional events with this particular group.

The organization we chose was Hand in Hand. Hand in Hand is a volunteer organization whose sole mission is to help children who are removed from dangerous or unhealthy homes during a crisis. Children are brought to Safe Place, a shelter where they are cared for until a more permanent placement can be found. They provide food, clothing, health care and a safe, loving environment for these children in need.

After learning more about the group, I personally started to volunteer with Hand in Hand. It has been one of the most rewarding “jobs” of my life. I find I look forward to each and every shift, to care for these children and to spend time with the wonderful people who run this organization.

The employees of Community Transit partnered with Hand in Hand for two events this year -- a Christmas party and an old-fashioned family picnic. The picnic was held last Saturday (July 27). It was amazing! With the money raised from an employee waffle feed, we were able to have games, prizes and even a bouncy house for the kids at the picnic. They were all sent home with a personalized frisbee commemorating the event.

Several Community Transit employees volunteered at the picnic. Games sponsored by Community Transit included a duck pond, a bubble pool, a fishing game, potato sack race, a bean bag toss and many more. Every try won a prize! The joy on the faces of the children when they walked on to the field was priceless.

Community Transit’s own Oxy Gene, Defender of Truth Justice and Really Clean Air, made a special appearance. The kids love Oxy and enjoyed his superhero stories.

I am always amazed by the generosity of the employees from Community Transit. Thanks to our CEO Joyce Eleanor, our work with Hand in Hand has created many memorable moments for all of us here at Community Transit. We have managers, directors, office workers, dispatchers, bus drivers and mechanics all sharing in the work to bring joy to these kids. I guess I would ask: Who had more fun? The kids or those of us who were able to participate.

Thanks to the employees of Community Transit who gave this wonderful gift to the children of Snohomish County!

Oxy Gene: Two local schools STEP up for Community Transit Coloring Contest

Hello Good People!

Oxy Gene here, defender of truth, justice, and really clean air! I hope you’re all having a fabulous spring, and guess what…..summer is just about here(my favorite time of year to fly the gorgeous skies of Puget Sound!).  I’ve had a terrific year travelling across Snohomish County sharing information about Community Transit.

As you know, my good friend Steve Peters, runs a very entertaining School Transit Education Program (STEP), where he travels to schools within Snohomish County telling kids how much fun it is to ride their local transit system.  The program talks about safety, how to read a route number and how important Community Transit is for reducing traffic snarls in the community. Steve visits nearly 10,000 kids per year!



In fact, just recently I helped Steve choose two schools to participate in a poster coloring contest, Quil Ceda/Tulalip Elementary in Marysville and St. Mary Magdalen in Everett.  First and third graders were given blank sheets of paper and asked to show their creativity.  Using as many colors as possible and including a Community Transit bus, the kids used their imaginations to show how they can help yours truly be their own clean air superhero.



Quil Ceda/Tulalip Elementary First Grade Winners



St. Mary Magdalen First Grade Winners

St. Mary Magdalen Third Grade Winners

The pictures were amazing! Many kids also showed where they’d like to travel on a bus. Winners from each grade level were chosen and each school held an ice cream party this week to award the winners. Even superheroes can’t pass up ice cream! Their drawings will be posted on the interiors of our buses for all to see. An awesome job by all!!



Once the school year is done, well that’s where I give Steve a break and I, Oxy Gene.., “Clean Air Defender”, take to the skies and do my part to pulverize pollution.  You’ll see me in parades, at fairs, and other public events throughout the summer.

Remember…there’s only one thing that all of us share; it nourishes, refreshes, please love it…..IT’S AIR!

2013 Bike to Work Day Wrap-up

Last Friday, Community Transit was out at the Lynnwood Transit Center, McCollum Park Park and Ride and Boeing to celebrate Bike to Work Day!  We had 327 bike riders join us for food, coffee and fun!



Thanks to all the bikers that joined us at one of the Community Transit commute stations.



Oxy Gene stopped by the Lynnwood Transit Center commute station to thank

these bike riders for their commitment to cleaner air.

Community Transit and Boeing staffs were out bright and early Friday morning to greet bikers.

A special thanks to our bike mechanics from Bicycle Centres, Harvy’s Bike Shop and

Gregg’s Cycle that were on hand to help riders with minor repairs and maintenance advice!

Thank you to everyone that made Bike to Work Day in Snohomish County a success this year!

Oxy Gene: Earth Day is Every Day for Me!

Greetings Good Citizens of Snohomish County!

Let me take a moment to introduce myself. I am Oxy Gene — Defender of Truth, Justice and Really Clean Air! Every day, I patrol the beautiful skies of Snohomish County (rain or shine) and educate good citizens like you about alternative ways to commute and to help keep the air we breathe, well, really clean!

I am taking a break from my regularly scheduled superhero duties to talk to you about a day that is near and dear to my superhero heart (deep breath) —Earth Day. The first Earth Day started out 43 years ago as a nationwide demonstration for a healthier, sustainable, environment by 20 million Americans (I was just a wee lad in superhero absorbent diapers then, but it made me the man I am today. I know, too much info).

Anyway, this year, more than one billion of your fellow planet dwellers are celebrating Earth Day in events held in communities, college campuses and neighborhoods worldwide. For those good citizens on smart phones and social media, I would suggest you check out the Earth Day Network for a complete history of Earth Day and to learn more about this year’s theme, “The Face of Climate Change.” In fact, they are asking folks to contribute to a global mosaic by uploading pictures of how climate change is personally affecting you.

As a defender of truth, justice and really clean air, Earth Day is every day for me. It’s also “every day” for Community Transit. In addition to providing 36,000 transit ride each weekday, Community Transit has established processes and programs to ensure that their buses, vans, and operations make as little impact on the environment as possible.

Good citizens of Snohomish County, you can be defenders of clean air, too—no cape required! Here are some Community Transit services that can help you reduce your carbon footprint.
• Take a Community Transit bus!
• Ride in a vanpool!
• Participate in the Curb the Congestion program, log your travel online and earn monthly rewards! (Eligibility required)

Thank you for taking the time to learn about Earth Day and considering how you can help make our world a cleaner, healthier place to live. I must take to the skies and resume my patrol, now. I wish you a very Happy Earth Day! And remember, there’s only one thing all of us share. It nourishes, refreshes, please love it . . . . IT’S AIR!

When he’s not flying the friendly skies of Snohomish County, Oxy Gene, can be found at various Community Transit and county events, parades, and festivals to spread the word about the importance of defending clean air. Visit Oxy Gene’s webpage for a listing of upcoming events and to download activity books and coloring pages for future clean air defenders.

What Is STEP?

The School Transit Education Program (STEP) is a free educational experience offered to all public and private schools throughout Snohomish County. Its main objective is to teach students K-12 the benefits of public transportation.

Education Coordinator Steve Peters uses his background in theater to bring a 30-minute classroom presentation to life! Steve uses stories, imitations and funny characters to introduce public transportation to thousands of children each year. Kids learn how to read a route number, bus etiquette, bus safety and much much more!

Once the classroom presentation is complete, all children board a Community Transit bus for a half-hour ride around the community. These buses are driven by some of Community Transit's best drivers! For more information about the program, call (425) 348-7148 or email steve.peters@commtrans.org.

Bus Supervisors Know Routes, Roads and Hills

Dana Osborn knows every road, every hill, every bus stop in Snohomish County.

You think I am exaggerating.

Dana has worked for Community Transit for 19 years. In his current job as transportation supervisor in charge of construction, he devises the reroutes and rider alerts needed when buses must avoid road work or special events.

When snow falls, a whole team of people come up with the reroutes needed to keep the buses moving. But it is Dana who recently wrote down the entire list of all the regular reroutes used during snow to avoid the known hills and hazards of Snohomish County. Hopefully we won't be needing that list for awhile.

Where's Oxy Gene?

By Kristin Kinnamon

Community Transit’s super hero Oxy Gene has been a fixture at summer parades and festivals for the past decade. With his trademark greeting of “Hello, good people,” he’s been an ambassador for “truth, justice and really clean air.”

However, no Sunday service also means no Sunday or holiday parades or events for Oxy Gene. On other days of the week, Oxy will still represent Community Transit, but there will be no buses in his entourage due to the expense.

There is a silver lining for Oxy Gene, who usually marches in at least two parades on the Fourth of July. “Isn’t that the first time in 10 years you’ve had a hot dog without your suit on? “ his supermom asked.

Oxy Gene will manage to keep busy this summer teaching day camp kids how to ride the bus, participating in a Mill Creek kids fun run to raise money for Haitian relief (Aug. 14) and, of course, being a judge at the Taste of Edmonds. “It’s glove-lickin’ good,” he said of the food there.

Where else might you find Oxy this summer?

July 27 – Edmonds Night Out Against Crime

August 3 – National Night Out Against Crime, Mukilteo YMCA and McCollum Park

August 13 – Taste of Edmonds (noon tasting)

August 28 - Monroe Fair Days Parade

September 11– Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival Parade