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Phase out those farms

Editor:

Requiring our municipal power company to produce "100 percent carbon-free power" is unrealistic. So-called "renewable energy" derived from solar contraptions and wind machines is ineffi cient and unreliable. Energy from both is weak and diffuse.

When the sun goes down and the wind stops blowing that is the end of the power until the next day or the next stiff breeze.

These 1970s technologies have failed to deliver, despite government subsidies from 1977 to 1997. They now provide only 1 percent of our nation's electricity after 34 years of hype and investment.

Neither solar nor wind are actually "renewable." Apparatus for both is manufactured in factories fueled by coal, gas and nuclear energy. This apparatus is expensive and capital intensive. That usually means that China (or some other Third World country) with wages 10 percent of those paid in the U.S. would manufacture them.

Recent bankruptcies of Solyndra and other manufacturers occurred despite huge government and ratepayer subsidies of 20-30 percent, plus loan guarantees, plus a government-mandated market. Bankrupt economies in Europe are already curtailing their subsidies because people need the money to eat and pay rent.

So weak is the power generated that, without electricity from fossil fuels, solar panels and wind machines would not be manufactured. Solar panels can power up a factory that makes solar panels, but you would be making panels to power a factory to make more panels to power a factory to make more panels to power a factory, etc.

You would never get enough electricity from the panels to do anything else, like light your house or heat your house or run your computer. With fossil fuel plants, the power is so concentrated that you can burn the stuff and have plenty of power left over for everything else.

It's time to phase out ineffi cient solar and wind farms so we can continue to use electricity unfettered by carbon dioxide dreams.

— Steve Tabor

Plan now for Live @the Library 2012

Editor:

For the third year running the Live@theLibrary 2011 Concert Series was a huge success with three sold out performances. In September jazz saxophonist Anton Schwartz performed with Grant Levin, John Wiitala and Greg Wyser-Pratte.

Wesla Whitfi eld and Mike Greensill returned in October with John Wiitala for an evening of jazz and cabaret music. The season concluded in November with Amanda King performing American standards from the 1930s and '40s. Art Khu, Noah Schenker and Surya Patri accompanied her. Alameda's own Terrence Brewer also accompanied her on guitar.

Committee members included Ruth Belikove, Eileen Savel, Beth Sibley and Luzanne Engh. The committee is grateful to the all of the artists for sharing their time and talents.

We are also want to thank this year's series sponsors: Perforce Software, First Community Bank, Bank of Alameda and Wind River.

In addition we want to thank our in-kind donors: Books Inc, Cairdea Design & Marketing, Dewey's Friends Café, Encinal Nursery, Mona's Table, Sue Spiersch, R & B Cellars, Piedmont Piano, Temple Israel and the Alameda Sun.

The committee also appreciates Alameda community members who purchased tickets and attended the concerts. All proceeds from the series support short- and long-term needs of the library.

Tickets are now on sale for the Alameda Library Benefi t Concert presenting Frederica von Stade, with cellist Emil Miland and the Young Musicians Program, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2012, Alameda Historic Theatre & Cineplex.

This is sure to be a magical evening of music and song that you won't want to miss. Tickets at Alameda Theatre, Books Inc, Main Library Café, www.brownpapertickets.com.

— Live@theLibrary Committee Luzanne Engh

Opinions from the Web

These comments were posted on the Alameda Sun website:

Regarding "Tree to Be Lit Dec. 3," Dec. 1:

How about lighting a neighborhood that has the stigma of being "The Ghetto of Alameda?" The city installed some really nice classic street lamps in the early spring, but, alas, they didn't connect the electricity.

Over the six months there has been a lot of crime (from car burglaries, rape, to a mugging). I've called the city many times with no response. The editor of Alameda Sun has looked into the issue, and even promised to put the issue on the front page but that has not happened yet. Does anyone care any more about your fellow Alamedan and thy neighbor?

— Kevin Weaver

Editor's note: The Alameda Sun investigated and learned that the city is waiting for grant money currently tied up before lighting the new lamps. The Sun did not run a story because the area remains suffi ciently lit.

Regarding "Teachers and AUSD Deadlocked," Nov. 24:

Try and keep 25 kindergarten students all rowing in the same direction. What is so wrong about smaller class sizes? If we want our children to get a proper education, we need to have an environment that is conducive to giving them the individualized attention that they need. I hope that both the AUSD and AEA will come to do what is best for both the teachers and the students.

— Celine Green

Regarding the brief: "City lessens green power commitment," Nov. 24: I have been very proud of our city's Municipal Power's eco-friendly power mix. We live in a bay ecology that will be devastated by rising sea levels; our own tide marshes are in jeopardy. AMP was leading the way and setting a great example of doing our part to fi ght carbon pollution and global warming. Now it seems the Public Utilities Board has succumbed to the notion that "we are too broke to fi x the planet."

So, I am sad to see us lose a leadership position and take a step backwards toward dirtier fossil fuel usage. Please reconsider.

— Rand Wrobel

Workout for Midway

Editor:

A big thank you to those who participated in the post-Thanksgiving morning Workout for Others to Be Warm Class. What a blessed event, and fun had by all, a morning of sweat, laughing, and doing something great for our bodies while benefiting the women and kids at the Alameda Midway Shelter. After the class, we brought 45 coats to the Midway Shelter and have two more bags in addition to $160 to give them.

Thanks to Shay's Cafe for the delicious fruit, Peet's Coffee for the great coffee, Alameda Park & Recreation for the use of Veterans Hall and my little elves, Makenzie and Emerson Shirey, for helping make the healthy muffins.

— Erin Kreitz Shirey