In this
issue

by
Bob
Banner

 

Energy is certainly in the news. The major questions seem to be: Is there a real crisis or a manufactured one? And if the short-term crisis is a manufactured one in order to profit the corporations, does that mean we simply lie back and do nothing? The long-term crisis is real and there are many people who have been preparing either to get off the grid or sell power back to the grid by learning about the myriad of ways to create electricity (solar, ocean waves, wind, biomass, hydrogen fuel cells, etc.). This special issue explores many of the vital topics. Dan Rademacher explores why the citizenry ought to take over from the ineptitude of the corporations and gives us an excellent overview of our situation (especially regarding moving away from our archaic wasteful and polluting technologies... see p. 7).  Local reporters Don Boatman and Jack McCurdy summarize the current mainstream media myths/untruths as well as vociferously expose our local Duke Energy plant in Morro Bay (see page 18). John Perlin, a local Santa Barbaran author and solar guru, poignantly unveils the myths surrounding solar to allow the light to shine down upon us (see p.15). Local talent Bill Seavey charms us with how he turned his RV into an off-the-grid powerhouse along with other how-to’s (see p.16). And the Ruterbusch’s report their detailed story of creating a small wind-solar system for less than $1500 (see p.12). A study of the energy crisis would be incomplete without an analysis of how powerful corporations have become within the past hundred years. Richard Grossman, a pioneer in the battle to revoke corporate charters when they no longer serve the public, turns his acute insight in the direction of the powerful energy corporations in California (see p.37).

      As for the plethora of alternative energy devices, tools, methods and practices, please go to page 24 for summaries along with websites for further research (for info on hydrogen fuel cells, see the story about EcoSoul on p. 39). Local renewable energy business owner Judy Ledford includes some honest tips about buying a solar-electric system (see p.45). Also Dennis Keim answers how we can get off the grid (see p.31). A recent copy of a Real Goods newsletter provides some hints into how simple it can be to stave off the critical aspects of the crisis (see p.59). Gil Garcia shows what a city councilmember can do during these times of reevaluating our energy technologies by planning an ongoing action committee of alternative energy experts for Santa Barbara (see p. 42).  We have an 11-page spread of Book Reviews starting on p.46 [where if you buy a book reviewed in this issue from any of the participating local bookstores, HopeDance will receive a percentage (see p.47)].

      We also have included a piece about George W (the new Resident at the White House), that spells out his and his family’s (as well as his cabinet) links to the Nazis, the CIA, Big Oil, Pharmaceuticals... with websites and a bibliography (see p.26)... along with an exciting “Alternative Cabinet”... (see p.29).

           HopeDance will once again have its potluck parties after each issue (see the back page and p.14 for details). HopeDance is partnering with EcoSlo and Cal Poly’s Sustainable and Agricultural Resource Center (SARC) to present the Third Annual Growing Food Forum (see p.58). We are also bringing Gene Knudsen Hoffman to SLO to speak about “Compassionate Listening” (Ms. Hoffman was the co-editor of the last issue on “Working With Conflict” as well as being at the forefront of the burgeoning movement of compassionate listeners throughout the country (see p. 35 for details).

      Free copies of HopeDance will become rarer in SLO County, so be wise and subscribe! (see p.60) We are also celebrating HopeDance being picked up by a southwest zine distributor (in Nebraska, Wyoming, Colorado and Arizona)!

      And special thanks to all who contributed to this special issue. We hope the issue will answer some of your vital questions and concerns.

Bob Banner