I'm not hooked up here in Ohio. Friends in rural SW Michigan are doing an alt currency (Bangor Bucks) in their town, showing a lot of films, doing some public ed/outreach work, pot lucks, skill sharing, etc. They have a fabulous off the grid home and organic farm neighborhood and just had a fun solstice bon fire event. Their passive solar house is also heated with a marvelous masonry wood heater with circulating water tubes. Their power comes from two turbines and some solar collectors. Thanks for the update on BP Tampa Bay. Hope to be down there this winter. If I am, you can put me to work at your garden. Best.

How are things progressing, lynda? Also, have you noticed any effects of the BP catastrophe on local beaches or birds?

Hi Lynda - thanks for commenting on Emergent's comment wall. It sounds like you are off to a great start! Unfortunately our work is focused in the northeast right now so I can't help you specifically with Florida, but I would look into some energy projects for key municipal and community buildings, such as a school or hospital. Solar costs have come way down in the past year, and may be viable in Dunedin. I would get in contact with the Florida Solar Energy Center (http://www.fsec.ucf.edu/en/) - they can probably get you started!