[please refer to the print issue for page references]

The new issue on Energy is chock full of material: analyses, options, practical solutions, humor, personal stories, nuclear energy, suggestions, policy changes, energy cooperatives that deal with solar, biomass, biodiesel, wind. We also include some options that one would not normally think about: conserving energy by being idle or slowing down, and our personal energies: our bodies, our health and how that all deals with the energy solution as well.

We were inundated with submissions and had to be diligent in determining what would go in. Again we have a fine group of writers expressing themselves in a medium that means much to them. I’d like to add that we can now pay writers. Also, remember that hundreds of hours go into creating one issue. And I might remind first-time readers: this publication is not like the other throw-away freebies. It is bulky so that it will last an entire two months. One ought to read it like it is going to last for two months, or longer. I suggest that people first browse all the pages and dog-ear those you want to return to. When you return, have a notebook and pen to jot down people’s names and phone numbers and emails so you can connect with them. Jot down or cut out the film schedule and place it on the refrigerator, so you are reminded of certain events. The only way we are going to change the situation here in this country is to get involved and take action. What a better way it is to take action by hanging out and getting involved with people of like mind or similar interests, especially since burn-out often happens doing something out of a sense of obligation. Obligation and duty are not conducive to keeping our energies alive and aligned with our goals of a sustainable future. We need to cultivate passion and love.

I’m excited about this issue on Energy since it deals specifically with the war(s) we are and will be fighting for the last reserves. We are addicted. Either we are going to change now or be compelled to change when the oil reserves run out. It’s interesting that we did an issue on Energy half the lifetime of HopeDance ago. It was issue #27; we are now up to #54.

Please take our survey online. Please come to our films, a diverse offering of films both dramatic and documentary. We will be showing films in different places these coming months, so please go to the main page and type in your email address in the films-announcement-only box [ lower right side, "Get FiLM Announcements" ]. This will insure your receiving timely announcements of the films we screen, and they may not all be listed in the paper. Get involved by downloading a PDF flyer from our website and post the flyer at your workplace [ see flyer links under "Films & Events" on the main page ]. The more diverse people who come, the better for understanding and compassion and knowledge. We will be showing films in Sonoma and Mendocino the second week of January. Tell your friends. We are going to be showing films in January and February in Santa Barbara and are preparing for a possible film festival in Ventura. On January 21, we are premiering our Film Library in Caffe Luna, in SLO. See details in this issue.

We are looking at the money issue more carefully. We need $250 per thousand copies delivered to each county. Hopefully that comes from advertisements. If not, then it can come in the form of fundraisers, patrons, subscribers. For a publication to speak about sustainability, we must become sustainable. The immediate remedy is to have the counties be prepared to pay at least that minimal amount (which is basically the printing cost of 1,000 copies). This of course does not imply that the social capital HopeDance hopefully is creating is not important. Of course it is; we simply desire that social capital move into the financial arena.

With the new year, we are starting a $10-a-year subscription drive, for new subscriptions. Tell all your friends. Go to page 46 for the order form [ or subscribe on-line here ].

Thanks for supporting HopeDance. If you like what you read, share the wealth.

Bob Banner, Publisher


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