** AFFORDABLE ENERGY ALTERNATIVES FOR THE YEAR 2000... AND BEYOND **

A ONE-DAY WORKSHOP WITH DANIEL DRASIN -- media producer, writer, former "Off the Grid!" columnist for Growing Community Newsletter, designer of small Renewable Energy systems and webmaster of www.y2kcentral.org.

AUGUST 1, 1999 - 9:30AM to 6:30PM, IN GREENBRAE (CENTRAL MARIN COUNTY)

This workshop explores the joy of energy independence and fun ways to make do without the grid. It introduces individuals, families and businesses to affordable options for maintaining at least minimal electric power, heat, and household or business functions through the kinds of outages that may occur in the wake of natural disasters, solar flares, accidents or Y2K-related failures of the power grid.

ADMISSION IS $50 PER PERSON, AND IS BY PRE-REGISTRATION ONLY. A $20 REGISTRATION DEPOSIT IS REQUIRED

To pre-register for the workshop: Please call the workshop voicemail at 415-339-7820 or email ddrasin@aol.com, and leave all of the following information:

- Your full name - Your address, including city and zipcode - Your area code, phone number and fax number - Your email address

We'll phone you back within 24 hours.

**DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO THEWORKSHOP ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT**

HERE'S A TYPICAL WORKSHOP DAY:

MORNING SESSION (9:30AM-1PM)

- The meaning of sustainability and the security of energy independence - How Y2K may impact the availability of electricity and fossil fuels - Introduction to Alternative Energy options - The electrical needs of children, the elderly and the disabled - Why not candles and flashlights? - Generators, pro and con - Wind and hydropower options - How to Choose inexpensive, safe, simple, off-the-shelf systems that can power small lights, communications, entertainment, small appliances and laptop computers. (Cost range: $50-500). - The best-kept secret of affordable emergency power backup

AFTERNOON SESSION (2:30PM-6:30PM)

- How to Choose packaged solar-electric and backup systems which can provide moderate amounts of power for a household or office (cost range $500 to $5,000): - Turning your car into a solar-boosted mini-powerplant - Backup water pumping - Non-electric options for heating, cooking, food preparation, laundry, etc. - Refrigeration: Affordable, low-power-use options - How to find an Alternative Energy dealer in your area - Electric Bikes: Affordable, solar-powered local transportation - Building a back-packable solar electric system - The ten worst Alternative-Energy mistakes, and how to avoid making them

WE HOPE YOU ENJOY THE WORKSHOP. HERE'S WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID ABOUT IT:

"I'm telling everyone I know about Dan Drasin's AFFORDABLE ENERGY ALTERNATIVES workshop. It's an all-day event, chock full of incredibly useful information for Y2K and other emergency situations, and a solid primer for those wanting to become more independent of the power grid. The workshop covers all ranges of budgets, and is itself a bargain."

-Ralph Metzner, Ph.D, Psychologist and author

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"Thanks for a great workshop - I'll be digesting it for some time. The clear definitions and little tips on the side were worth the price of the workshop alone!"

-Shan Kendall, teacher and craftsman

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"You gave a WONDERFUL workshop. We loved the quality of the content, the organization, and the obvious care with which you put it all together."

-Juanita Brown, President, Whole Systems Associates

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"It is a vitally important community service to enable people to make informed decisions on the massive challenges of off-grid living and preparation for uncertain power delivery. Nowhere in the major preparedness guides--from Utne Reader to the major on-line newsletters, the Berkana Institute, the Red Cross, or even Marin County (CA)'s exceptional Household Preparedness Guide (www.marin.org)--is there comprehensive, down-to-earth information on selecting, acquiring and using alternative-energy options efficiently, safely, and at minimal cost. Dan Drasin's Affordable Energy Alternatives workshop fills this essential void. My personal recommendation follows. I strongly suggest you consider making arrangements with him to host this workshop in your community."

Arthur Young Management and Marketing Consultant Public Member, Marin County, CA Y2K Task Force Former network news manager, Fortune 500 PR Director and Y2K Newsletter editor.

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And a final word for community organizers from Arthur Young:

"Dan Drasin presents, in one full day, a panoply of incredibly well-researched information, perceptive strategies and genuinely clever tactics for living off the grid by necessity or choice. His workshop is a fundamental "off-the-grid education" that would take the average person weeks if not months to assemble. In addition he demonstrates, or shows by photographs and diagrams, a virtual "what's what" in state-of-the-art, affordable alternative-energy equipment in the authoritative manner of Consumer Reports. I recommend Dan's workshop and consulting services without hesitancy or reservation. He's the quiet Ralph Nader of the community preparedness sphere, with tremendous heart and environmental consciousness."

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DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO AUGUST 1 WORKSHOP:

From the intersection of Hiway 101 and Sir Francis Drake Blvd (near Larkspur Landing) take SF Drake west, toward San Anselmo. You'll soon see the big Bon Air Shopping Center on your left.

One block past the end of the shopping center, turn left at El Portal and go up the hill.

At the top of the rise, make a hairpin turn to the right, which puts you onto Via Hidalgo. Continue until Via Hidalgo levels off, then park anywhere.

Continue walking in the direction you were driving. On the left you'll see the uphill driveway for the SPYGLASS HILL condos. Walk up the driveway and keep going straight, through the carports, and between the two buildings.

Shortly you will go down about eight steps into a small courtyard. At the foot of those steps, turn right immediately and go up the stairs to #906. If you get lost or are delayed, call 415-461-9730

PLEASE NOTE: THE BUILDINGS ARE IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING NEW SIDING PUT ON, SO THE CONDO COMPLEX IS SOMEWHAT OF A CONSTRUCTION ZONE. PLEASE PROCEED THROUGH THE AREA WITH CAUTION. THANK YOU.

-- Dan Drasin (ddrasin@aol.com), July 17, 1999