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Presidential Inauguration with Automotive Rhythms & Saturn Hybrid Technology
The eyes of the world turned to Washington, D.C. for the historical inauguration of the nation’s first African-American President, Barack Obama. Several million people descended on the nation’s capital for the right to say three words: I was there. We were some of the lucky ones amid the throngs who convened for a whirlwind of events leading up to the Inauguration. For our journey, Saturn provided Automotive Rhythms with a fleet of ten VUE 2-Mode Hybrids. All were adorned with the message, “The road to change starts in your driveway,” which is where AR’s inauguration adventures began.
Saturday: My first stop was Ben’s Chili Bowl, a famous D.C. hotspot made even more so after then President-Elect Obama stopped in for lunch. I felt semi-famous from the double takes and looks of admiration my Saturn VUE incited as I pulled in front of Ben’s. While waiting for my turkey burgers, my friends and I stocked up on Obama memorabilia at a makeshift store set up by vendors in a corner of the restaurant. I had my choice of t-shirts, mugs and key chains, all bearing the name or likeness of 44th president.
The rest of the evening was spent cruising D.C., testing out the Saturn’s navigational skills since many roads were clogged with traffic due to the influx of revelers. The vehicle really shined in the stop and go traffic as we attempted to make our way towards the uber popular Adam’s Morgan neighborhood for some late night dancing. The VUE automatically shifts to electric power only at lower speeds and when at idle with a seamless shift back to full power when rapid acceleration is needed. Electric power comes from two 55 kilowatt electric motors integrated into the transmission. The “2 Mode” hybrid system also features regenerative braking, and efficient drive systems including electric power steering. I was able to watch the vehicle shift back and forth between electric and gas power via an indicator on dashboard which made me feel environmentally superior as I made my way home at the crack of dawn.
Sunday: The “Gospel Hill” movie premiere was the first celebrity sighting of the evening at the Uptown Theatre where Angela Bassett and Danny Glover who both star in the movie were in attendance, as well as Giancarlo Esposito, the movie’s director.
From there went attended the “Obama That One” event hosted by Lifestyle Communications. It was a monumental evening since Automotive Rhythms President & Publisher Kimatni Rawlins was one of five recipients honored for the 2009 “CHANGE” Award for his work in promoting “green” technology in the automotive industry. Also honored were Hill Harper, actor and Founder of Manifest Your Destiny Foundation; Beverly Bond, Founder, Black Girls Rock; John Rhea, a member of President Barack Obama’s National Finance Committee; and Davood Roostaei, an Iranian-born artist who painted some incredible images of the new President, and created special paintings of the Award recipients. Of course, celebrities were in attendance including HBO (one of the evening’s sponsors) stars Jamie Hector, Sonja Sohn and Wendell Pierce from the hit series “The Wire.” Alonzo Mourning was also in the house.
Monday: The excitement for the big day was building. I spent the day attending several receptions including the one year anniversary of The Daily Voice who honored 10 community leaders in the areas of politics, education, charity, government, the arts and entertainment. The honorees included the Reverend Joseph Lowery, actress Sheryl Lee Ralph and actor Isaiah Washington. My evening ended at the Hip Hop Ball, where legends new and old were honored including LL Cool J, T.I., Young Jeezy and MC Lyte and included performances by Mario and Busta Rhymes.
Tuesday: After all the excitement, my Inauguration morning had a bumpy start after parting with my VUE at Ben’s Next Door where Automotive Rhythms hosted an Inauguration viewing party. I hopped on the subway and headed to the U.S. Capitol. I didn’t get far, as many stations had been shut down and the closest exit available was in Chinatown. I exited with the masses and quickly learned life is very different without Onstar to navigate me through the road closures and human traffic now clogging the streets. As the hour struck 11 am I realized I had walked for several hours and still had no clue how I would get to my designated entry point through the wall of people that blocked my path. I was just about to throw an all out pity party when I realized I was standing in front of the Rayburn Building which was the entry point for green ticket holders. I had made it! I was quickly ushered through security out onto the grandstand where I ended up with a great view of the ceremony!
From that moment on I was on cloud nine. As I prepared that evening for my final event faces flashed in my mind -- the four generations of Johnson women who had come by bus. Senja who had come from South Africa, Kahlil and Jabar who had drove from New York. I carried my memories of all the friends old and new I had made over the weekend as I dragged my weary body to the BET Ball my final stop on the Inaugural train. There, Jay Z, Mary J Blige, Ashanti, Kirk Franklin, Wyclef Jean and Colin Powell…..yes, Colin Powell, partied in unity with revelers who represented a world stage of hope. I looked around the room and saw the realization of a dream, people from all walks of life coming together as one. President Obama had built a campaign built on faith and the hope for a change for a better world and convinced the world to believe in his vision. But was it just a lofty dream? Would change really come? Or would it be back to business as usual when the fanfare died down? Just then a thin elderly man wandered in with a bevy of beautiful blondes on each arm. It was Larry David, creator of Seinfeld at the BET Ball. He looked around, took a picture and stayed….that’s when I knew in my heart change had come.
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