Janet Ritz's Photo Page

Janet Ritz's Press and Photo Page

Photo by Steve Gladstone www.stevegladstone.com

Photos by Steve Gladstone www.stevegladstone.com


		April 7, 2004


		FIRST STOP: LOS ANGELES

Click here to view the IHD2004 route map.

Update From Dennis

Hi Folks,

Welcome to the first Dennis Weaver‘s International Hydrogen Drive 2004 Newsletter! We‘re gearing up for an amazing journey this summer, June 28 to July 12, and we‘ve just launched our new Web site at www.HydrogenDrive.com - your online resource for the Drive and lots of other exciting global developments in alternative fuel transportation.

On the site you‘ll find tour updates and opportunities to get involved to make a difference. You can even sign up to Sponsor A Mile and make a valuable contribution to the Drive. You can view a route map and watch as details of our 26 exciting media and educational stops from Mexico to Canada unfold over the next several weeks. You‘ll learn more about our sponsors who are fueling the alternative energy revolution. You‘ll also have access to informative, timely news articles highlighting global developments in alternative fuels.

Nothing makes a road trip like great music, and this year's Drive is doubly lucky. We are thrilled to have a special theme song for IHD2004 - "Drive On" - by recording artists Janet Ritz and Jonathan Hayes. The song is intended as an anthem for the alternative fuel movement and the drive for energy independence. You'll find a link to the song at www.HydrogenDrive.com.

We‘ve also just learned that recording artists the Cathy Richardson band will accompany the tour in a biodiesel bus and perform songs from their GRAMMY®-nominated new release, "The Road to Bliss," at media stops along the way.

With hydrogen increasingly prominent on the international energy stage, this year‘s Drive promises to be our best ever. But we need your help. I urge you to consider getting involved as we make history on the Hydrogen Highway this summer. Visit our site often and tell a friend - and together we‘ll Drive Hydrogen Home in 2004.

Sincerely,

Dennis Weaver
Dennis Weaver‘s International Hydrogen Drive 2004

Wednesday, April 14, 2004

Vancouver is final destination for international hydrogen drive

Actor Dennis Weaver is famous for galloping on horseback through the streets as fictional Marshal Sam McCloud -- and now the actor-turned environmentalist plans to use another form of alternative transportation to come to Vancouver.

Weaver is launching a celebrity road show for the alternative energy movement and has chosen Vancouver as the final destination of his International Hydrogen Drive 2004 to raise awareness of alternative fuels.

The 15-day tour, which involves a caravan of hydrogen fuel cell, hydrogen internal combustion, hybrid, biodiesel, electric, propane, and ethanol vehicles, will drive 2,900 kilometres along the west coast of North America. It's slated to arrive in Vancouver July 12.

"Replacing fossil fuels as a principal energy source of our economy with clean, inexhaustible hydrogen is vital for a healthy, promising future," said Weaver, who is remembered for his roles in the Gunsmoke and McCloud TV series.

Weaver, who turns 80 June 4, is a tireless hydrogen crusader and has founded Ecolonomics, a Colorado-based nonprofit institute that helps identify, research, demonstrate and promote environmentally sound technologies and products.

"It's inevitable," Weaver told the Washington Post of a prophesied hydrogen economy. "This is going to happen. Oil is going to run out. Everyone knows this. They know that we are going to need another source of energy. All it takes is people with vision to get there."

Weaver drives a Toyota Prius hybrid and lives in a solar-powered house he calls "Earthship."

Weaver is asking for help from several celebrities on his tour, which includes stops in Mexico, California, Oregon, Washington, Victoria and Vancouver.

He's also using a theme song written for the tour, by recording artists Janet Ritz and Jonathan Hayes. Weaver hopes the song will become an anthem for the alternative fuel movement and the drive for energy independence.

Ed Begley Jr., Valerie Bertinelli, Blythe Danner, Ted Danson, Linda Gray, Larry Hagman, Tom Hanks and others supported a similar tour organized by Weaver last year.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Paul Martin pledged $1.1 million in federal funding for a network of hydrogen refuelling stations along the Sea to Sky Highway, which are to be in place in time for the 2010 Winter Games.

Actor-turned-environmentalist Dennis Weaver will lead a caravan of alternative-energy vehicles from Los Angeles to Vancouver this summer. Weaver said Tuesday he will take 15 days including a stop in Mexico before arriving here via Victoria on July 12. Vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cell, hydrogen internal combustion, gas-electric, biodiesel, electric, propane, CNG and ethanol are slated to make the journey.