by Bob Banner
Because I have seen (and screened) a number of documentaries that are critical to the US occupation in Iraq, most notably NO END IN SIGHT (which bombed in SLO), I have felt compelled to do more than what little I have done to end this asinine war. As I was walking out of the theater, impeachment was on my mind and tongue. So that’s why the front cover by Mark Bryan and why the number of articles about Impeachment in this issue. Also, starting with this issue we are altering our focus. Rather than prepare special themed issues, we will focus on what is timely, especially since I sense we have covered (for these past 11 years) almost all there is to know about sustainability.
It’s time to move on, in a way. We need to stretch into other areas that delve into the roots of our peculiar predicament and to learn more about this TRANSITION from a death-obsessed culture to a life-affirming one — to stretch our comfort zones to newer areas. One example is the essay by Sarah Edwards and Linda Buzzell about what’s happening to more and more people when they wake up to the urgency surrounding us.
Even though we have focused on Water in back issues, something spectacular is happening in our midst: groups of concerned people are doing something about the water crisis; basically uncovering what Gov. Brown established 30+ years ago. It’s called Appropriate Technology: water catchment, grey water systems, compost toilets, etc., which might be moving more toward mainstream (excuse the pun). Check out K. J. Johnston’s article, “When Water is Not Waste”, and make sure you attend a presentation by John Todd who will be coming here in SLO (and maybe Santa Barbara) TBA in early February!.
We have four columns starting this year: (1) Ask Eco-Girl is a column about finding green solutions; (2) Post Carbon Institute will feature the very cool things that cities are doing to reduce their carbon footprint; (3) The Integral School is about integration, in all spheres of our life, including outdoor education; and (4) Connecting the Dots at CalPoly will give us insights as to how students are evolving and implementing on campus their new knowledge of sustainability. Our next issue will feature Larry Santoyo and Daniel Pinchbeck as columnists.
Shawna Galassi interviews the filmmakers of MEETING RESISTANCE and 2 ANGRY MOMS. Rosemary Wilvert reports on a ferrocement water tank workshop in Santa Ynez. Arielle Ford writes about an outstanding spiritual-sustainable community in Italy, Damanhur. Anne R. Allen reports on the incredible healing and community-building events at the Red Barn in Los Osos. And because of a locavores’ listserv posting about an exciting new cafe, Cathe Olson reports on the two dynamic ladies who recently purchased the Honeymoon Cafe and their eagerness to have it as sustainable and local as possible with local organic foods and grass fed beef and fair-trade and organic coffee and chocolate. Let’s support these vibrant women with their lofty goals so they become a solid model for other restaurateurs. We will start screening films there, so keep in touch.
Speaking of films, we will be screening films in Templeton two times a month so folks in North County don’t have to drive the grade to see these superb films. We are trying to cut back on carbon emissions as much as is possible in these transitory times.
We also published our first book, an anthology of the Best Of HopeDance; see the review of it in this issue by Shawna Galassi and see other reviews that are logged onto our website. Please ask your bookstores to order copies and/or have your college professors require it as a text book (as is already happening). See the ads in this issue.
May 2008 be full of collaboration toward strengthening the progressive sustainability movement... and for cities and counties to start implementing truly green policies in all sectors of our life. I smell it happening all over the place. These are wild times for sure!
Bob Banner, Publisher
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