Minutes for the meeting of San Francisco Oil Awareness, March 8, 2006. This was also posted on the sfbayoil mailing list

Jennifer Bresee was to have been facilitator, but due to illness she could not attend the meeting. Michele McEntee was acting facilitator, called the meeting to order, Dennis Brumm was note taker.

In attendance: David F. (presenter), Suzanne G., Roger R., Jeff, Alice F. (presenter), Larry F., Sharon K. (presenter), John M., Michael P., Eugenia P., Ania M., Ray (Rainer) C., Dan N., Sam H., Davin W., Tori J., Chris, Ken, Richard K., Allyse H., Dennis B., Brian W., and possibly one or two others who came later after the sign-up page was returned. (New members on the sign up page will be added to the sfbayoil and sfoilawareness mailing lists.)

There were three excellent presentations, which took up much of the evening's meeting. Much thanks to those who did the research and work to give these educational talks:

Alice Friedemann gave a presentation (which included hands-on homemade goodies) of whole grains. Discussion included the use and purchase of grain mills and her recipes.

Sharon Kulz gave a presentation on Tidal/Ocean power and its present and future. Interest was shown regarding what is happening with the city's proposal for tidal power at SF's Golden Gate and along the coast.

David Fridley deconstructed biofuels with a specific focus on ethanol and the mythology promoting it as a reasonable alternative to our present fossil fuel society. The ending discussion included the politics surrounding ethanol, and the constraints which presently thwart scientists, educators, and others who interact with government and corporate America from conducting a rational discussion on the topic.

All three presentations were videotaped, and, with luck (and some work), will be available on DVD in coming months for the SFOA library.

In future business, Sharon offered to be facilitator next month, Michele, originally scheduled to be the note taker this month, signed on to do that job in April.

An update was given by Dennis on the supervisors' subcommittee meeting (more information about that is already posted through the sfbayoil mailing list that presently serves four bay area groups).

Dennis also discussed his findings on having a picnic. The city of San Francisco wants $300 up front ($50 fee, $250 returnable clean up fee) to fund such an event at Golden Gate Park or Stern Grove. If anybody has information about such events within a city context, please e-mail them to this list. Crissy Field was suggested (though one drawback is sometimes it is foggy even when other places in SF are sunny - it is a great place to see fireworks go up and disappear into the fog 'most every Fourth of July).

The potential art show at Art SF was discussed.  Sharon has experience as a curator for such events and she volunteered to help. Allyse reported on the burning man art at Art SF last Friday, which she, Gaylord Moore (of the East Bay group) and Dennis Brumm attended in order to discuss the art show with Nate Orman.

Rainier presented some information about his attendance to a Strawberry Hill meeting in Berkeley, and regarding a sustainability conference featuring Al Gore April 4-5. He also had several books.

Richard K. has acted as benefactor for web space which will act as an umbrella location for information for (hopefully) all local peak oil groups. Presently this would include SFOA, SF Post Carbon, East Bay Peak Oil, and San Mateo Post Carbon, pending their agreement to use this resource.

There was a discussion about the name and the use of the word "oil," the use of "carbon," and other related issues. Is it broad enough to explain who we are? Does changing it at this juncture interfere with the business already underway? What about the name "carbon" in other groups, how does that play out? Etc. Presently the name for the web site chosen and registered is sfbayoil.org, which mirrors the umbrella mailing list name at yahoo. Further discussion may be warranted as members consider these issues. John Mendoca offered to help in the design of the web site. Some early information will probably be on the site by this weekend (March 11/12).

The meeting was adjourned, and it was noted that passing the hat last month raised $60 for our host, AFSC. (Allyse's) hat was (literally) used this month, and we raised $30 as the SFOA chunk to offset cost of the new domain, and $37 for AFSC.

Agenda items for next month should be sent to Sharon Kulz.