For years, Jerry Wennstrom lived the life of a promising New York-based studio painter, toiling long hours over canvases. Then, in 1979, at the age of 29, Wennstrom abandoned what he knew and embarked on a journey of personal transformation. He destroyed all his art, gave away all his possessions and money, and began a life of what he calls "unconditional trust." He drifted around for 10 years, trusting in his own abilities and the Earth’s bounty to provide for his basic needs.

In response to growing demand for environmentally friendly energy sources, Honda Motor Company announced last week that it plans to start mass-producing solar cells in 2007. The company plans to build a thin-film solar cell factory on the site of one of its existing auto plants in southwestern Japan.

Fearing a filibuster from Democrats, Senate Republicans last week pulled a contentious provision calling for opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling from an otherwise agreeable defense spending bill. NecadaMinus the ANWR drilling rider, the $453 billion bill calling for money for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan and for Hurricane Katrina relief and avian flu protection passed uncontested by a vote of 93-0.

It’s that time of year again, when New York City department stores boast lavish themed window displays, tots line up across the country to sit on the laps of hundreds of mall Santas, co-workers mingle nervously at stiff office parties, and people jockey for position in shopping centers and deck their abodes in festive extravagance.