Reflections on Receiving the 2016 FEMA Individual & Community Preparedness Award for Technological Innovation

Having just returned from being honored at a jam-packed, two-day awards ceremony at the White House Executive Office Building and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Headquarters, including roundtable and breakout discussions, and after five security checks, eleven highly-exciting Uber rides, hearing the word “preparedness” at least 3000 times, and great discussions with the high-level officials and the other 10 Individual and Community Preparedness (ICP) Awardees from the 160-applicant pool, FEMA’s annual event might be summarized with one basic question:

Why are so many Americans still so complacent in doing even the minimal effort required to lead to a better outcome in case of an emergency?

But that one question has many complex answers and FEMA is striving for two-way communication between itself, as a large government agency with resources, and the people it serves.  They recognized the achievements of SUNRNR and so many others, while wanting to learn from our successes and our barriers therein.  FEMA, the American Red Cross, Emergency Management Services, et al will be there to help, but there’s so much we can do to help ourselves before, during, or after a disaster, to save a life or lessen the damage or bounce back. 

Just as the threats can take many forms, from natural to man-made, so can preparedness … from the simple plan and kit to the one-year bunker.  Then there is also “resilience”, the second-most spoken word during those two days.  I went in thinking it just meant how fast a community could rebuild to business as usual.  I learned it went much deeper.  Resilience involves physical and emotional readiness to get through a bad situation.  It is greatly geared to the front-end and during although it also tends to indirectly, and positively, impact the speed of recovery.  Basically, be ready to take care of yourself and others until things return to some sense of normalcy.

In retrospect, six points stand out from the days in DC:

1)      Not only did they honor our small business’ technological innovation, they also wanted to learn from the stories and experiences of those being honored because they knew we were each “ambassadors” for their message and we were out there finding creative ways to get people to listen to it.  Zombies, horses, sporting events, teens, snowmobiles, hospice and much more were involved.

2)      Just writing our application helped us understand our own mission and potential more clearly and we have much to offer within our area of expertise.

3)      The messenger must walk and talk like the message in order to be seen and heard, e.g. a rancher will likely pay more attention to a boots-on-the-ground person over a “suit”.

4)      The time and money expended up front is usually a better investment than the time and money required to compensate for non-preparedness or great loss.

5)      The threat menu is growing and it is unrealistic to prep for every scenario.  We at SUNRNR get so deep in our world of backup power, it was refreshing to be reminded via the other awardees that preparedness is much bigger than electricity, although losing electricity does seem to be a common, and important, theme.

6)      As an optimist, I hope people choose to choose self- and social-responsibility.  We may, however, need to monetize, incentive, or gamify the objective, making the message more fun or more valuable – tax credits or point systems for Scouting, faith groups, seniors, college credit, etc.

Let’s make America’sPreparathon!Day every day.  Get to know your neighbors even more deeply than a nod and a wave.  Know their name, age, and background.  Maybe there’s a nurse next door or a guy with good tools across the street that you could call on during an emergency.

In conclusion, our customers-owners and their testimonials deserve credit for SUNRNR receiving this award.  You showed us your resilience and let us know how you persevered after hurricanes and derechos and how you use your systems sustainably during the months or years in between power outages.  The best part of this job is the people we meet!

SUNRNR Participates in White House Briefing on Climate Change, Energy Policy

A recent Business Forward Briefing at the White House. Photo credit Business Forward.

 Severe weather impacts, stimulating investment in new energy products on agenda.

SUNRNR of Virginia, Inc., a Shenandoah Valley based solar generator manufacturer will be joining the White House Business Council and Business Forward for a briefing at the White House with senior Administration officials on Wednesday, April 20, 2016. Attendees will discuss the President's agenda to curb climate change, ways to prepare for and mitigate the effects of increasingly frequent severe weather, and how to make the United States the world leader in sustainable energy production.

Participating businesses will brief Administration officials on how severe weather impacts their businesses and discuss how the government can help spur investments that will bring new energy products and solutions to market. Past briefings have included U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy, Special Assistant to the President for Energy & Climate Change Dan Utech, Managing Director of the President’s Council on Environmental Quality Christy Goldfuss, and other senior Administration officials from the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Energy, and Council on Environmental Quality. Participant experiences will be posted on social media at #BizAtTheWH.

SUNRNR has advocated for alternative energy solutions for severe weather and disaster preparedness for many years. They have been steadfast National Preparedness Month (NPM) Coalition members, promoting NPM and America’s PrepareAthon through social media, blogging, newsletters, and press releases. SUNRNR has also championed the easing of difficulties many companies face in bringing new energy products to market, and participated in a White House Small Business Exporters Roundtable and a U.S. Trade Mission to the Canary Islands in 2015.  Both of those events explored and encouraged the entry of new energy products into foreign markets.

About SUNRNR

The SUNRNR line of products facilitates collection and storage of several kiloWatts of solar, wind, or water energy that can be used for supplemental, remote, or off grid power in a wide-range of business and residential applications. The products’ durability, long life span, and low maintenance requirements make them particularly suitable for grid outages, disaster relief, rural electrification, and stand-alone power. Information about SUNRNR products can be found at www.sunrnr.com or by contacting Jenny French at jennyf@sunrnr.com or Scott French at scottf@sunrnr.com, 540.271.3403.

About Business Forward

With the help of more than 50 of the world's most respected companies, Business Forward is making it easier for tens of thousands of business leaders from across America to advise Washington on how to create jobs and accelerate the economy. Business Forward is active in over 100 cities and works with more than 450 senior Administration officials, Members of Congress, mayors, and governors.

Business leaders who have participated in their briefings have seen their suggestions implemented in the Affordable Care Act, the Jobs Act, three trade agreements, and every one of the President's budgets. Many have also shared their recommendations with their representatives in Congress and through op-eds and interviews with local media. Ninety-eight out of 100 business leaders who have participated in a Business Forward briefing would be interested in participating in another one.

Renewable Energy Education: The Best Energy Investment Yet

Renewable energy topics are trending in classrooms around the world, but especially in the U.S. given the current push to bring students real-world and hands-on training and experiences in rapidly expanding clean energy industries. As energy workforce needs are expected to blossom in coming years, how are schools encouraging and equipping students for the brave new world of energy?  By integrating STEM disciplines - Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics - primary and secondary schools are providing their students the foundation needed to pursue careers in these growing and highly paid occupations, but many schools are also introducing project-based opportunities to pique and sustain student interest.

Often the best educational projects start with a real-world challenge and offer benefits that stretch beyond the classroom. This was exactly the case at North Fork Middle School in Quicksburg, VA earlier this year. When Superintendent Jeremy Raley issued the energy challenge, “What would it take to have a net-zero science lab at North Fork Middle School?,” sixth grade science teacher John Woods and his students stepped up to take on the task.

Once the initial research was done, the findings presented, and recommendations proposed for the design and construction of a classroom with zero reliance on the existing electric grid, the middle school team went to work putting their ideas into action. Solutions ranged from wind turbines to passive solar collectors to an energy efficiency plan—concepts all developed by the students themselves. With financial support from the Moore Educational Trust, the North Fork Middle School students have transitioned to real-life problem solving and are putting applications of alternative energy to work in their own school environment. 

Clean Energy Leaders of the Future

With middle and secondary schools laying a solid foundation, higher education takes the task of developing clean energy leaders of the future to another level by sponsoring challenges like Michigan State University’s 2015 Energy Innovation Awardand Student Solar Design Competition. Students from across the state of Michigan were invited to design cost-effective, energy-efficient and design-centric solar installations that could be integrated into a campus landscape. Top submissions combined art and science, and included a multi-colored solar street lamp, a solar gem biodome, a solar kiosk, and a window solar charger. The competition not only promoted interdisciplinary collaboration, but also connected students with industry experts, creating valuable experience and networking.  

Dr. Richard Lunt from MSU conducts a final judging round.

Photo credit: MSU Be Spartan Green Facebook page

The Untapped Potential of Solar Schools

In addition to the educational benefits of projects like those showcased here, school districts are increasingly recognizing the concrete and immediate value of their schools going solar as well. According to an article from the Clean Energy Collective, a nationwide study reports solar installations among U.S. schools have grown 110% year-over-year from 2008 to 2012, with thousands cutting their utility bills and using the savings to pay for teacher salaries and textbooks.

“Solar is enabling many Massachusetts schools to save money, enrich learning and keep teachers in the classroom – all while providing local jobs and generating emissions-free electricity,” said Andrea Luecke, President and Executive Director of The Solar Foundation.

At Drury High School in North Adams, Massachusetts for example, the school’s solar installation offset almost 140,000 of CO2 emissions in the first two years alone and saved the school enough money from reduced electricity costs to maintain all of its teachers and academic programs. The Solar Foundation has determined that there are 72,000 schools in the country that could go solar in a cost-efficient manner and therefore similarly benefit.

Challenges and competitions in the examples of North Fork Middle School and Michigan State University show that supporting projects within the educational system may be the most important investment in clean energy we can ever make. By putting the problems of building and integrating real-world energy solutions directly in the hands of students of all ages, we are not only stimulating valuable learning and shaping the career choices of the students involved, we are also contributing to the advancement of renewable energy innovation and facilitating clean energy transitions in the educational institutions themselves. What better way to bring a sustainable energy future into being that with our youth?

Solar as Economic Stimulus: Building a Green Workforce

The clean energy industry became a focal point of economic development initiatives during 2015, and the trend towards investing resources in building a green workforce to support renewable energy product development, manufacturing, and system installation gathered steam as statistics and funding rolled out throughout the year. With renewable energy installations accounting for 70 percent of new electrical power in the first half of 2015, and the Energy Department announcing an allocation of $12 million in May 2015 to create a “diverse, well-trained solar support workforce, including professionals in the insurance, real estate and utility industries,” the push to enhance solar capacity in the US doesn’t look to slow down in 2016.

Photo Credit:  Dennis Schroeder/National Renewable Energy Laboratory

As the search for more electrical power options increases, so will the economic impact on regions that provide incentives for renewable energy companies to set up operations. For several communities confronted with the loss of large employers, the erosion of a manufacturing base, and high unemployment, the surge in demand for a green workforce has led to several initiatives that target specific workforce populations. Here are just a few examples of the innovative partnerships and programs happening all over the country:

Sacramento’s Green Capital Alliance: Diversifying Economy Through Workforce Collaboration

Following the steep decline of government and construction industry jobs in the Sacramento region, Los Rios Community College District and a broad group of leaders in education, business, community development, infrastructure, technology and labor created the Green Capital Alliance to improve the health and sustainability of the region’s economy. The colleges work closely with the Green Capital Alliance to ensure that the programs and the curricula offered meet the needs of the region and the needs of businesses.

Community College of Philadelphia: Creating a Job-Ready Workforce

In another example of academic-business partnership in action, the Community College of Philadelphia has created “pathways to rapid employment by recruiting, training and placing qualified veterans, unemployed workers, ex-offenders and local residents in entry-level jobs in the green manufacturing, and construction and weatherization industries.” Students become highly-trained, credentialed professionals who are then assisted with job placement by both industry partners and the college.

“Employers save a lot of time and money by not having to advertise and screen applicants, plus they know what they are getting,” says Project Director Wendy Ardagna. “Philadelphians get employed and companies avoid high turnover costs. We are fighting poverty and all its social and physical consequences to program participants, while doing rapid response training and placement, while also making everything as green as possible!”

Photo Credit Matt Paolelli

Solar Instructor Training Network: Nationwide Access to Professional Development

Created by The U.S. Department of Energy SunShot Initiative and comprised of nine training hubs and over 400 community colleges around the country, the Solar Instructor Training Network provides future solar workers access to high-quality, local training in solar system design, installation, sales, and inspection. At the NC Clean Energy Technology Center, one of the nine training hubs, participants can gain professional development through the Renewable Energy Technologies Diploma Series or Certificate in Renewable Energy Management.

Solar Ready Vets:  Training Military Personnel for Solar Careers

A joint effort between the Department of Energy and Department of Defense, the Solar Ready Vets program trains active military personnel who will be leaving military service and becoming a veteran, and it prepares them to be strong candidates for positions in the solar industry.

Photo Credit:  U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Matthew R. Cole/Released

When communities support partnerships and workforce training programs like those above, they gain access to a rapidly growing industry that offers an expanding source of employment and a stronger, more diversified economy.

What Would a Random Power Outage Cost You? You Might Be Surprised

Guest post by Stephanie Gross

What would a random power outage cost you?  Think about all of the important things in your house that require energy to run. Whether it is your hairdryer, television, microwave, or air conditioner, we know you’re dependent on energy for day-to-day tasks and you can’t afford to do without it.

As our reliance on household energy gradually increases, so does the risk of losing power at any given moment. And, on top of that, the U.S. suffers more blackouts than any other developed nation. According to Eaton’s Blackout Tracker Report that was just released, 14.2 million people were affected by power outages throughout 2014. The report includes 3,634 outages that occurred across the country, a 12% increase from that of last year. These are just the reported outages.

The report highlights top significant outages that were unusual and had the most lasting effect.

• In Georgia a parking attendant gave the keys to an Audi A7 to the wrong customer accidentally and instead of pointing out the mistake the person took the car and crashed into a power pole.
  

Result: 4,800 residents without power.

• In Hawaii, a chicken got into some co-op equipment at a switchyard and tripped the circuit breakers.
  

Result: Half the island without power.

• In Florida, a fire truck ladder got hooked on power lines and pulled them down causing an outage.
  

Result: 400 residents without power

2015 is no different. So far, the longest reported blackout was on April 18^th in Richmond, Virginia, when squirrels caused a three-day power outage after snacking on some power lines.

The day before that, April 17^th in Houston, Texas, 78,000 residents were out of power after a thunderstorm knocked down trees that resulted in major outages. On April 6^th, 79,000 lost energy for four hours when an insulator failed in a substation.

These are not rare. Eaton’s blackout tracker shows reported blackouts as they happen. In the past weekend alone, here’s what happened: 

• 45 people were affected for an hour for unknown reasons in Indianapolis, IN.
• 3,600 were affected by a garbage truck crashing into a power line in Lauderhill, FL.
• 2,800 were affected for 2.5 hours by a fire in Marinette, WI.
• 991 were affected by a fire in Scranton, PA.
• 1,500 were affected for 9 hours by a fallen wire in Lincoln City, OR.
• 2,000 were affected for unknown reasons in Kansas City, MO.
• 12,404 were affected by storms that hit Oklahoma City, OK
• 1,000 were affected when heavy rainfall cut power in Harrison Country, TX.
• An unreported number of people were affected 4 hours for planned emergency work in Dallastown, PA.
• 14,000 were affected when a man crashed into a power pole in Tampa, FL.

Do these places sound familiar to you? Are they near your house? Or maybe you’re one of the 38,340 people who were affected this past weekend by a variety of different causes.

Whether it’s the weather or a freak accident, when a black out hits, it will leave you and your loved ones in the dark. Who knows what you’ll lose. It’s important to be prepared and have a plan for when it does.

Are You Prepared for a Natural Disaster?

Guest post by Jenna Clarke

Living in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, the thought of being prepared for a natural disaster rarely crossed my mind three years ago. Although we have snowstorms and occasional flooding, we are not in a tornado alley and have only experienced the most minor earthquakes. Natural disasters can sometimes seem more of an inconvenience than a serious threat.

But last week, while I was visiting a local farmer’s market, I noticed dark clouds gathering across distant hills and I was reminded of a weather event that hit the east coast unexpectedly on a beautiful June day in 2012. On that particular afternoon, I was driving through the rolling hills of Southwest Virginia to visit family and friends at a picnic. It was a bright and calm day – I had the windows down and was taking my time along the windy country roads.

I had barely registered the dark clouds lining the horizon when I noticed the wind picking up and felt a faint chill in the air. I rolled up my windows as the first raindrops fell. Suddenly, the sky turned ink black and the wind blew the trees so hard that they bent sideways. Branches snapped; I heard a loud pop and saw a bright flash as a tree fell 10 yards ahead of me across the road, taking down a power line with it.  I pulled into the closest driveway and spent the next five minutes in terror waiting out what I thought was a freak tornado, but was actually the derecho of 2012.

Photo Attribution: "6-29-2012 Derecho" by NWS/Storm Prediction Center - NWS/Storm Prediction Center. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:6-29-2012_Derecho.jpg#/media/File:6-29-2012_Derecho.jpg

 After the storm, millions of Virginians were left without power or running water for almost a week. We lost everything in our refrigerator and hundreds of dollars worth of frozen meat and vegetables. Worst of all, the storm came amidst a heat wave and our vegetable gardens withered and died without water. And similar outages happen every year following ice storms, heavy snows, hurricanes, floods and other forces of nature that are difficult to prepare for because we have not experienced them.

So how to avoid losing so much during an emergency?

Gas generators are an option and certainly one that can fulfill your emergency needs. But how about considering a long-lasting, sustainable solution like a solar powered generator? The SUNRNR is an off-grid solar backup that provides electricity from stored energy in a rechargeable battery so you can use it day or night, in sunshine or in rain. It can run your well pump (SUN240) or appliances (SUN110) during power outages. Even better it can be used safely and cleanly beyond emergencies, to power your cabin, outbuilding, or greenhouse without noise, emissions, or gas storage.

Find out more about the SUNRNR and how to be prepared for natural disasters with back-up solar power here: http://www.sunrnr.com

5 Considerations for Using Solar to Power a Water Pump

Interested in using solar to power a water pump for your home, farm or cabin? Here are 5 things to consider:

In our first blog post of the year we mentioned the incredible potential for using a SUNRNR solar generator to power water pumps, especially in remote locations around the world where access to electrical utilities is costly or impossible. But you can also start right in your own back yard - solar energy is an economic and environmentally friendly option for providing power to pump water for irrigation, livestock, and your home. In fact, according to Colorado State University, solar powered water pumps have been used in the United States for more than 20 years and the number of systems continues to increase as the price of photovoltaic (PV) cells and solar panels drops. The average solar panel now costs around 75% less than it did just five years ago.

Here are a few things to keep in mind as you consider your solar-powered water pump options:

• Water Storage/Consumption: how much water will you need? The average person uses between 80 – 100 gallons of water per day. Milking cows can require up to 25 gallons of water per day and up to 40 gallons in hot weather. Be sure to factor the requirements for water flow and water storage into your overall system design.
• Pumps may be powered by standard alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC). DC appliances are typically more efficient than their AC counterparts, using one-third to one-half the energy, but some designs may be powered directly from solar panels, requiring sunshine during use. SUNRNRs store the sunshine for use later and provide either type of current.
• The SUNRNR system is portable – making it a great option to carry in a pickup truck or mount on a trailer and move with livestock at multiple water sources.
• A SUN240 HYPERLINK "http://www.sunrnr.com/Products-Pricing.html"“Well Pump” model comes with two 140 W solar panels and stores 2000 W of useable energy. There are many variables to consider including duty cycle and amp draw at pump start, but SUN240s are typically used to power 240VAC well pumps up to 3/4 HP and to a depth of 300'. Check out our detailed well pump fact sheet here and be sure to contact us with your pump’s specifications and your water usage so we can help you determine your daily power requirements and options.
• Solar generators are also fantastic to use as back up power in your home in the event of an outage – in the words customer Bill G, “ The SUNRNR I purchased from you last year worked like a charm, keeping our freezer cold and running the well pump for water when we needed it.”

Are you using your SUNRNR to power a well pump? Let us know in the comments below. What else will a SUNRNR run? Check out more examples here.

Content contribution by Jenna Clarke

New Year’s Resolution: Save Energy (and Money!)

The new year is a great time for starting fresh and creating healthy new habits. But while temperatures  are dropping and rich, hearty meals are calling, maybe it is best to delay that jogging and salad regimen for warmer days, and focus instead on a positive change for both the earth and your wallet - saving energy.

Here are a few ways you can save energy and create a healthier future for yourself, your family, and the environment.

1.     Make an investment in alternative energy. 2015 is the time to invest in alternative energy: the price of solar energy has been steadily and steeply dropping over the last forty years (the cost in dollars per watt is now 100 times less expensive than it was 20 years ago). If you have been considering investing in solar for years, but have been afraid of the up front cost, consider a small, portable system like the SUNRNR portable solar generator. Much less expensive than a full set of solar panels, this versatile system can expand over time as you slowly reduce dependence on the grid. (As a bonus, you will be the envy of the neighborhood when the winter storms hit and you are able to run your appliances using the SUNRNR solar generator).

2.     Drive less. Fuel costs will not drop forever - the best way to reduce dependence on gas and oil is to drive less and focus on increasing healthy transportation alternatives like biking and walking. Another great way to reduce your driving time is to batch all trips that require a car into one outing. It requires a bit of planning, but it sure beats spending a beautiful Saturday criss-crossing all over town in a car. Do you live in a city and need your car to commute? Look for car-sharing options.

3.     Waste less at home. Over time, little reductions in energy use can translate into BIG savings. Zero Waste Home is an excellent resource for ideas on how to save energy throughout the home. Especially helpful is the “store” page with links to gadgets like this $7 faucet attachment that reduces water flow by 77% and this electricity usage monitor  that lets you know how much power appliances are drawing even when they are idle.

Cheers to a great new year! 

Blog contributor Jenna Clarke

SUNRNR Celebrates 10 Years--Part 2 "Introducing a New Energy Product to the Public"

As SUNRNR celebrates its 10-year anniversary providing high-quality, portable solar generators throughout the United States and around the world, we talked to their team about what has kept them in business all these years and their exciting plans for the future. (See Part 1 of the story HERE.)

Scott and Jenny demonstrate a SUNRNR

After nearly five years of research, development, and field-testing, it was time to bring the SUNRNR original portable solar generator to the public. For Phase 2 of the project, Alan would need a team. In 2008, Jenny and Scott French joined SUNRNR. With backgrounds in engineering (Jenny) and business (Scott), the duo began the challenging process of marketing, selling, and distributing a brand-new product from an industry still not well understood by the general public.

What about SUNRNR inspired you to get involved?

Jenny: We believed in the product and trusted Alan – he is a genius in the world of power.

Explain the manufacturing process:

Scott: The learning curve was huge - we were a little naïve in the beginning. Jenny and I spent much time getting a better understanding of the product and all its applications and we participated in assembly while buying and documenting the parts involved. I talk to every customer and/or their dealer and we have had our ears to the ground as to further development of the product according to what customers are looking for.

Why has the SUNRNR been around for 10 years?

Jenny: We have seen other products come and go over the last five years. Many entered, but few are getting past "shake-out" or they are not in the same class as SUNRNR. Our product is an investment - the best of class available and a level above the competition in quality, reliability, design, and system specifications. Scott:  Simply put, the SUNRNR is the best watts per dollar product available.

Jenny:  We also spend a lot of time on customer support - many of our recent sales have been repeat customers adding on to their systems. We’ve never had a customer return a SUNRNR.  We would rather not make a sale than have an unsatisfied or over-expectant customer.

How can SUNRNR act as an “entry level solar system” for homeowners?

Scott: The SUNRNR is a generation/storage/output system for electricity. It gathers solar (or wind) energy and stores it to be used at any time – even at night. Because it is small-scale and transportable, it is a convenient and affordable way to add renewable energy to your home and begin reducing energy costs and reliance on the grid. The versatility and expandability of the system make a SUNRNR an excellent way for homeowners to get started without the expense of a major installation. 

What are some of the unique uses SUNRNR customers have discovered?

Jenny:  The majority use them to offset daily grid usage while awaiting a backup power role, but people use them on farms, in greenhouses, for well pumps, cabins, and on construction sites. We’ve had customers from colleges, music festivals, camps and many, many more. James Madison University Wind Center is currently using a small prototype as an electric bike charging station.

Explain why SUNRNR is called the “Cadillac of portable solar generators”

Scott: I think of it more as the “pickup truck of solar generators.” It’s made for anybody. Yes, high-line in quality and some might say cost, but Audi in construction, Tesla in eco-friendliness, Subaru in durability, Jeep in capability, and Model T in simplicity yet effectiveness.

What has been the best part about being involved with SUNRNR?

Jenny: The people we meet. They are diverse – capable, educated either in life or in school, and sometimes wonderfully wacky. Always interesting.

What is in the future for SUNRNR?

Jenny: Now that SUNRNRs are proven, we are in our next phase - we understand more about the market and will incorporate what we’ve learned. Certain related technologies such as battery storage are changing quickly.  We also feel the product has great potential internationally and are looking to increase sales in countries where residents could benefit from a system like this.  A useful yellow box in every house, garage, pickup truck, or outbuilding!

Interview by Jenna Clarke