Most information is free; and if it is, it is usually mainstream media. And with the growing conglomeration of media ownership, the plethora of corporate media and its mainstream ideology is almost as free as the air we breathe.

To locate information that questions and often times counters this mainstream deluge of information madness is not free. Magazines cost money, Internet providers cost, in order to access the growing alternative/independent media websites. And satellite television, where more and more independent programs are being shown, is not free. Granted, the public library (created by the commons for the commons) is still free to individuals, but most libraries are hurting with their ongoing cutbacks. As Michael Moore has sarcastically chided, "Why go to libraries, when we have Barnes and Noble."

Some alternative publications which used to be free are now selling their tabloids for $1 to $1.50. They print less copies so the ones who do purchase it value it rather than having the thousands being either tossed, read for the cartoons only or used for worm bin composting. HopeDance has opted to stay free perhaps due to its financial unsophistication or because it believes that its message needs simply to get out there no matter if some people use it for worm composting. Even though it’s free to the public, nothing really is free. The numerous volunteers of HopeDance give their energy and time. It was estimated five years ago that it took some 200 hours to produce and distribute one issue of HopeDance. I would not hesitate to say that now it might take twice that amount, when you add up the time for writing, book reviews, advertisers designs, phone callers, ad reps, proofreaders, distributors, direct mailing, etc.

My point is that genuine alternative information is not free, nor should it be. People work hard. We all work hard to produce things that society deems necessary for survival, growth and progress. Why not pay for things that matter to the heart, soul and knowledge. Reading HopeDance might not help you get that job to create more stuff that we don’t need — but it does offer different paradigms and oftentimes networking opportunities in order to strengthen campaigns and actions.

If you are reading this, please consider asking: how much would you pay for the insights, hopeful feelings, inspiration and knowledge that you find in these pages? How much? Is two hours of reading HopeDance equivalent to a $7.50 movie? Worth a vegetarian burger? A pork chop? A decaf mocha float? How much?

Surprisingly, some people subscribe to HopeDance. Nearly 700 people. From SLO, 175 have subscribed; Ventura County, 20 people; Santa Barbara, 40 people. The remaining are outside of the area.

Of course, much of our necessary capital to run this operation comes from ads as well as subscriptions. But we need more ads and more subs to continue. We started to show the documentaries in SLO County not only to educate people but to support HopeDance. Granted, people don’t subscribe when they know the magazine it is freely available at over 300 places throughout the tri-county area; even though I always hear stories from people who cannot locate copies. We have considered reducing our print run of 12,000 to 2,000 and sell them for $1, but my intuition (or paranoia) says it will die. I don’t trust that 2,000 people would put up $1 for it. I want to keep it free so 36,000 (the alleged number of its circulation figure) will read it rather than maybe 2,000.

So, help us out. If you value HopeDance as a publication that not only gives you alternative voices, humor, profound altercations in our present paradigm consciousness, networking opportunities, numerous book reviews, cool websites, wildly important documentaries, and ads that reflect a new culture, please speak up — contribute something, give back to what you believe you have received, especially so I can stop writing Introductions like this.

This issue has some great news about a new type of "developer" who combines caring for the earth (sustainable building) and making it affordable (p4). We have a wildly funny story about a new car that unveils the reality of our auto addiction (p8). More info on our dreaded homeless situation (p12). On page 20 we have an excellent project to help our dire need for health care. Films in both Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo are advertised and listed here. And events galore that will lift your spirit in times of our deadly Bush empire. Speaking of Bush, check out his resume on page 28, a hilarious yet true account of his and his administration’s policies.