Hopedance

Sustainable Wine Team?

The Central Coast Vineyard Team is a nonprofit winegrower group whose mission is ìto identify and promote the most environmentally safe, viticulturally and economically sustainable farming methods, while maintaining or improving quality and flavor of wine grapes. The Team will be a model for wine grape growers and will promote the public trust of stewardship for natural resources. Go to http://www.vineyardteam.org/, P.O. Box 840, Templeton, CA 93465-0840; (805) 431- 1076; (805) 434-4848.

Grace News

The U.S. government this week launched its Arabic language satellite TV news station for Muslim Iraq. It is being produced in a studio — Grace Digital Media — controlled by fundamentalist Christians who are rabidly pro-Israel. (c) Russell Mokhiber and Robert Weissman. Their articles are posted at: >http://lists.essential.org/pipermail/corp-focus/2003/000150.html

Free Speech TV

Free Speech TV is a progressive, noncommercial television network that works with activists and artists to cultivate an informed and active citizenry in order to advance social change. In this age of corporate-controlled media, we present alternative ways to interpret the world around us, empowering citizens to fight injustice and revitalize democracy. FSTV airs 24/7 on DISH Network, channel 9415 and part-time on over 70 cable affiliates across the country. Check out: www.freespeech.org/fsitv/html/affiliates.shtml to find out where FSTV broadcasts in your area. If your local provider doesn’t carry FSTV, contact your cable access station and ask them to pick us up! This from a HD subber who has it. “Freespeech TV is on DISH network, channel 9415. Just look up Satilite in the yellow pages and a number of dealers will install it. When you get it, get a “PVR”. This is a computer hard drive that records programs of the Dish. Also, watch Wisdom channel, channel 264. It’s all about healing the earth. A great channel. I truly believe these channels can quicken the increased awareness of people if we spread the word. James ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Boycott Brand America

You decide what brands and products stand as symbols of America’s new empire-building project, and you decide how you’ll make your statement. Above all else, this is a culture jam - personal, spontaneous, unpredictable. Some people are planning a total Made-in-America boycott. Some will boycott oil for the duration of the war and beyond. Others are planning public activism against the greatest symbols of the Brand America warriors: McDonald’s, Philip Morris, Exxon Mobil, Texaco, the major automakers, Tommy Hilfiger, Gap, Starbucks, Nike, Disneyland, the Hollywood cinemas. Media activists can launch TV Turnoff campaigns against Fox, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS and MTV. The limits to your participation are the limits of your imagination, and the brainstorming has already begun. Go to adbusters.org for more details of their new campaign. The originators of the TV Turn- Off Week, Buy Nothing Day and World Bike Day.

Resolutions against the War

Both the UCSB Faculty Senate and the City of Santa Barbara have passed resolutions against this war: http://www.senate.ucsb.edu/current/3-12-03.pdf and http://www.nion-sb.org/resolution.htm

Stop Operation Bush Empire

George W. Bush has taken the United States to war in contempt of the U.S. Constitution and in criminal defiance of the UN Charter. We believe Iraq is just the beginning of Bush’s War to create a US military empire, which will be a catastrophe for the American people and the entire world. We support our troops - and want to bring them home. Please forward widely, and help us stop “Operation Bush Empire.” http://democrats.com

Ecological Footprint Quiz

This Ecological Footprint Quiz estimates how much productive land and water you need to support what you use and what you discard. After answering 15 easy questions (takes about 2 minutes) you’ll be able to compare your Ecological Footprint to what other people use and to what is available on this planet. Check out http://myfootprint.org/2003

Environmental Award Winner Announced

The San Luis Obispo County Environmental Award announced the winner of its 2003 Environmental Award: The Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County. Second place honors went to the Environmental Center of San Luis Obispo County (ECOSLO). The Central Coast Vineyard Team received honorable mention recognition. (see the blurb about them on this page). The Environmental Award is funded through a donor endowment held at the San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation (http://www.sloccf.org/).

Ten Outrageous Facts about 9-11

Here are ten facts you want to know about the US government from the informative website www.wanttoknow.info. You can verify each statement by using the links provided direct to the original articles on major media websites like the NY Times.

1. Three times Clinton approved a direct hit on bin Laden, but the CIA director stopped him. [NY Times, 12/30/01]
2. In Oct 2000, a drill was carried out based on a hijacked plane crashing into the Pentagon. [Military District of Washington News Service, 11/3/00]
3. In spring 2001, an important government document advocated war with Iraq to control its oil. [Sunday Herald, 10/5/02]
4. From June to Aug 2001, Russia, Germany, and Israel all warned the US of suicide plane hijackings against US targets. [Fox News, 5/17/02] [LA Times, 9/20/01]
5. On Aug 27, 2001 an FBI supervisor told headquarters he was trying to keep a hijacker from “flying a plane into the World Trade Center.” He was chastised for notifying the CIA. [Senate Intelligence Report (Hill #2), 10/17/02] [Time, 5/21/02]
6. On Sep 10, 2001 top Pentagon officials canceled travel plans for the next day. [Newsweek, 9/24/01]
7. On Sep 11, 2001 at 9 AM, a large US intelligence agency had an exercise planned of an aircraft crashing into their building near Washington, DC. [AP, 8/22/02]
8. Five to seven of the 9-11 hijackers may have had training at US military installations. [Newsweek, 9/15/01, Washington Post, 9/16/01]
9. Members of Congress said that the FBI, CIA, and Justice Department were not cooperating with the 9-11 inquiry. Bush opposed an independent inquiry until outside pressure forced him to agree to it. [NY Times, 10/5/02]
10. Large American bases set up in Afghanistan are almost identical to the projected route of the oil pipeline to go through the country. [Chicago Tribune, 3/ 18/02]

As caring citizens, we have a responsibility to know what is going on in the world. For more eye-opening facts like these, go to the two-page 9/11 timeline at www.wanttoknow.info/911coverup.

Fireplace Candle

Fireplace Candle an entirely new innovation in world of candles. Now bring ambiance, mood and light into your home simply and elegantly without all the mess of firewood. The beautiful hand-made glass container has three wide wicks that flicker and burn brightly, lighting up the room with enchantment and peace. Relax, never needing to get up and add more wood to the fireplace since our candle will burn beautifully for hours and hours. Enjoy your fireplace more knowing your purchase supports America’s people, farms and forests. 100% soy and hemp based waxes, Petroleum-free, contains no paraffin or synthetic fragrances. Brighter, 90% cleaner burning, healthier and lasts 25% longer Kosher, biodegradable and non-toxic food grade wax Organic cotton or hemp wicks woven in the U.S. (310) 798 4919; www.fireplacecandle.com)

Beyond Pesticides

Landmark Report Documents Safer Schools That Protect Children From Unnecessary Pesticide Exposure... Contact: Kagan Owens at 202-543-5450 or go to www.beyondpesticides.org.. or contact local citizen Linda McElver at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to get on her posts of updates.

Gaviotas, Colombia retreat

Registration for the Gaviotas retreat with Paolo Lugari is now open at http://www.friendsofgaviotas.org/2003retreat.htm. Join Gaviotas founder Paolo Lugari and Friends of Gaviotas for an interactive weekend retreat based on the 30-year experience of Gaviotas, Colombia. We will inquire about the social context that has fostered an amazing spirit of innovation at Gaviotas. October 3 - 5, 2003 Sunrise Ranch, Colorado.

From Jim Merkel

Global Living Project (globallivingproject.org) Writing about dealing with despair in the current war, Jim gives us this list of websites that can potentially shift us away from delving deeper into despair

1. United for Peace and Justice - www.unitedforpeace.org - One of the most comprehensive websites on the issue of war in Iraq. Provides information and opportunities to make your voice heard.
2. Move On - www.moveon.org - A nationwide action network with the intention of bringing ordinary people into politics. They have been active on many issues and are now a strong presence in the peace movement.
3. Peace Action - www.peace-action.org - Offers practical, positive alternatives for peace. They’ve compiled a congressional voting record on peace issues that is very informative and useful.
4. Win Without War - www.winwithoutwarus.org - A coalition of national organizations voicing a patriotic objection to war. They often co-sponsor anti-war events with other organizations.
5. True Majority - www.truemajority.org - Combines the power of environmental, social justice, peace and equal justice advocates. Provides a method to send faxes to elected officials on key issues.
6. International ANSWER - www.internationalanswer.org - A coalition of national organizations very active in organizing large demonstrations and sponsors other anti-war campaigns.
7. Vote To Impeach - www.VoteToImpeach.org - Former Attorney General Ramsey Clark has put together a compelling case for the impeachment of Mr. Bush.

Some things you can do on your own include:

1. Vote. Dennis Kucinich (www.thespiritoffreedom.com) and Howard Dean (www.deanforamerica.com) are both promising Democratic presidential candidates who support peace.
2. War Tax Resistance. If you don’t support the military, don’t pay for it. The War Resisters League www.warresisters.org offers complete information on the subject. If you are not comfortable with this step, you can avoid paying for the military by earning less than the taxable income. This has the added benefit of reducing consumption and placing you in a global economic context.
3. Conversation. Dialog with people on all sides of the issue. Question the headlines. Listen to your heart.
4. Prayer. Studies have shown that people who are ill benefit from prayer being directed at them. Perhaps it holds true for larger entities as well. At the very least, it connects us to our own source of strength. Watch out for Jim’s book this autumn.

Iran Sues U.S.

http://www.counterpunch.org/boles1010.html “Iran Sues U.S. for Providing Chemical and Biological Weapons to Saddam” Here is a story you’ll certainly never see in the US media. According to Germany’s Der Spiegel, “As the USA prepares for a war against Iraq, it is being sued by Iran for its previous close relationship to Saddam Hussein. At the International Court of Justice, Teheran is accusing the United States of delivering dangerous chemicals and deadly viruses to Baghdad during the eighties.”

Kirin deploys fuel cells

Kirin deploys fuel cell to help power brewery : Fuel Cell Article

CoHousing Under Construction

New Neighborhood Offers Community and Environmental Awareness PASO ROBLES, CA; April 8, 2003 Oak Creek Commons, the first cohousing neighborhood in Paso Robles, held its Ground Breaking Ceremony and Community Celebration on Saturday, March 15. Almost 100 people attended the festive event, including over 75 future neighbors from the Central Coast, Central California, Los Angeles and the Bay Area. In addition,Tiffani Morrones from the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce, and representatives from the professional development team were part of the celebration, plus over two dozen supportive members of the Tierra Nueva Cohousing community in Oceano, California.

The community welcomes new families and member households. Free Site Tours and Orientations to Cohousing are given on Sunday mornings at 10 a.m. For additional information, interested people may visit the Oak Creek Commons website at www.OakCreekCommons.org or call 800-489-8715. (See their ad in this issue as well.)

Car-Free Information

The first-ever Special Issue of Carfree Times is now available at: http://www.carfree.com/cft/i030.html This issue focuses on the impending war for oil and the role sustainable economics can play averting such wars.

SEEDING CHANGE: Afghanistan Re-Greening Project

Food Gardens for Afghan Families Onefamily at a time Afghanistan has been in a continuous state of crisis for the last 30 years. Its people and culture have been devastated, it’s environment destroyed, and it’s basic infrastructure greatly incapacitated. Now there is an opening in the Afghan political and social climate, making it possible to effect positive change in the systems which support the lives of Afghan people. This project aims to reach out on a person-to-person basis, and assist one family at a time through:

• Establishing small family subsistence gardens using Permaculture (permanent agriculture), and Biointensive methods for food production
• Distributing seeds, and fruit trees
• Generating water through solar powered water pumps
• Providing gardening tools, supplies, and equipment
• Exploring establishment of incomegenerating projects to further disseminate skills, products and principles of subsistence food generation.

CommonWell Institute International a non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO) is supporting this project. Please send tax-deductible contributions for this project to:

Dr. Elise Collins-Shields CommonWell Institute International, Inc. 4228 N. Placita De Sandra Tucson, Arizona, 85718. Please make checks out CommonWell Institute International and Note Afghan Project. For information, please contact Sultana Parvanta Ph.D. (805-646-6349) This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Green Academy

Santa Barbara High School, Santa Barbara City College and Growing Solutions Restoration Education Institute are excited to announce the award of a Congressional Appropriation for the first year implementation of the Green Academy program located at Santa Barbara High School. The Green Academy is a science-based program focused on integrating agricultural, watershed, and resource management curriculum into an area of study emphasis for high school students. Students enrolled in the Green Academy will study a wide variety of real world issues including agriculture, water quality, biodiversity and greenhouse techniques. Fall 2003 is the target start date for the Green Academy. For more information please call Principal JR Richards at Santa Barbara High School at 966-9101 or Growing Solutions Restoration Education Institute at 452-7561.

Arundhati Roy

Go to the internet and read “Mesopotamia. Babylon. The Tigris and Euphrates” by Arundhati Roy and anything else by this remarkable woman!. Read the Article

Sustainable Landscape Certificate

The Santa Barbara Botanic Garden in partnership with the City of Santa Barbara City Public Works Department and Santa Barbara County Water Agency is offering a 10-week program leading to a certificate in Sustainable Landscaping. Program cost is a $150 with a $50 refundable fee upon program completion. Individual classes may be taken for $20 each. Contact the Registrar for space availability or for more information contact Barry Tanowitz, Director of Science Education, at 805-682-4726 ext 109.

Get educated with Robert Fisk

Read the shocking interview by Amy Goodman with Robert Fisk, Guardian (UK) journalist reporting on Iraq and the Middle East. Go to the article “An Anti-Colonial War Against The Americans May Have Already Begun: An Interview With Robert Fisk On Democracy Now” Go to http://victoria.indymedia.org/news/2003/04/13894.php

Visions For Prisons

It’s no secret that prison overcrowding forces officials to release prisoners before they are rehabilitated, before they possess the skills needed to live productive lives. Prison life causes many offenders to feel more isolated and angry upon their release than when they began their sentences.

But Dan Millstein’s program, Visions for Prisons, reduces the likelihood they will return to a life of crime. Millstein’s program teaches stress and anger management tools along with meditation and Attitudinal Healing to help change a prisoner’s way of thinking about themselves and others.

The 7-week course was designed to eclipse a prisoner’s negative thoughts with new, positive ones. Since 1988, Millstein’s voluteer staff has been creating support groups that generate a sense of spirituality and societal connectedness among prisoners. While the concepts of Attitudinal Healing and meditation may sound suspiciously ‘touchy-feely’, the results speak for themselves: 80% of the prisoners who attend Millstein’s seminars, and continue the practices he teaches, do not return to prison. Many of Millstein’s students have become model inmates, working in hospices and tutoring illiterate prisoners.

“We attempt to teach prisoners ways they can make healthy choices that help them love themselves and others,” said Millstein, “and we attempt to follow-up after their release to encourage them to continue with their newly discovered practices.”

“I have no delusions about prison reform.” Millstein explained. “But inexpensive and practical rehabilitation is possible.” Statistics show that almost two million men and women are imprisoned in the US, the highest rate per capita in the world, and incarceration costs taxpayers more than if they had sent each prisoner to Harvard — between $20,000 and $100,000 annually. The nonprofit Visions for Prisons performs hands-on prison workshops that really help at a cost of about $27 per prisoner. (For more information: http://www.visionsforprisons.com P.O. Box 1631, Costa Mesa CA 92628; (714) 556-8000

Worm Juice / Compost Tea

What is Compost Tea? Compost tea is simply an extract of compost in water. Compost is the main ingredient although additional ingredients such as rock dust and molasses are sometimes added to the tea. What are the benefits of Compost Tea? Compost tea inoculates microorganisms into the soil or onto leaf surfaces, which in turn increases the retention of nutrients, increase the cycling of nutrients into plant-available forms, and accelerates decomposition of plant material and toxins.

• Compost tea provides nutrients for plants and food resources for microorganisms.
• Water retention is improved because the microbes manufacture protective mucus that acts as glue to stick together soil particles.
• Compost tea helps to fight and defeat many fungal diseases such as black spot, powdery mildew, early and late blight and botrytis.

For additional information contact Worm Juice at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Dirt houses

http://www.calearth.org/earth1.htm Check this out folks... if you can fill a sandbag, you can build a home, a real nobrainer. The idea can be adopted to recycle used sandbags, flour bags, etc. And, this baby can withstand 300 mph winds, bullets, and small children.

Carving Up The New Iraq

Special Investigative Report into the Real Winners of the Bush-Blair-Howard War Against the Innocent People of Iraq. http://www.sundayherald.com/print33021 http://www.sundayherald.com/print33079 http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article3117.htm

ART for PEACE

Exhibition & Silent Auction POETS & PROPHETS: Writers, Puppets, Performance Artists & Political Activists Speak about War & Peace 4 to 7 pm, Monday, May 12, East Wing of the Chumash Auditorium, Cal Poly Campus, a fundraiser for the Central Coast Peace & Environment Council. The Progressive Student Alliance of Cal Poly will be hosting “Concert for Peace and Justice” on May 12th,, 7:30PM at Chumash Auditorium. The goal of the concert is to embrace and promote peace and justice through music.