I am thrilled to announce that I have been accepted into the peak oil leadership training workshop in Stelle, Illinois. Hosted by the communitysolution.org, the weekend of December 2-4 promises to be brimming with encouragement, networking, and tools galore to face the new era. Originally it was intended for Chicago-land area peeps but they got so many apps from all over the country that inclusion was broadened to accomodate ppl from NY, GA, more. I will be deeply glad, and frankly relieved, to meet like-minded folks. We can form a base of mutual support -- as I'm sure many of you have done. In writing to Janaia recently I told her, I feel like we're just 2 allies in hostile territory in a war, and we are so so in the minority, finding one another almost by chance via secret radio, or something like that. But there are more of us. I know it.

The Alliance for Post-Petroleum Local Economy (APPLE) of Nevada County, CA, has given us their blessing to use the same acronym for our outpost here in Elgin, Illinois. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! Janaia has been a tremendous help and time-saver as she shared what brainstorming her group already went through: many people don't know what is meant by "post-carbon;" and many other monikers carry vibes of despair. APPLE is pleasant image. It suggests wellness, wholeness, and the feminine. An apple a day keeps the doctor away. All-American as apple pie. Also, regardless of politics or religion (the 2 major wedge issues), pretty much everybody can agree that a robust local economy is a Good Thing.

Friend M.A. and I have agreed to start an Outpost in Elgin, IL. This will be an action-oriented group. As soon as our calendars collide, we'll be exploring when & where to host a screaming of the EOS DVD. I think most local people have enough to deal with in their own lives right now, and don't have any more energy to give. Yes, in fairness, that's highly likely.

But I can no longer sit on the sidelines. I must be party to building a lifeboat. We must keep our eye on the ball: food, water, shelter -- for our families and our communities.

More to follow.