b'BASS FAMILY CHIROPRACTICTreatment and Rehabilitation forHeadachesNeck PainBack PainSports/Gym-Related InjuriesDisc ProblemsPinched NervesAuto InjuriesPregnancy-Related AchesMost Insurance Plans AcceptedOur hours are Mon - Fri 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.DR. WAYNE BASS Joe Gonzalez "throws the switch" in 2024 to turn on his house\'ssolar panels for the first time.491B Valley Street, Maplewood973-378-BASS (2277)BassFamilyChiro.compractical questions: How old is youringwineandtryingmyinduction furnace? When might your roof needstove, she says. Thats when curios-replacing?Together,theyexploredity turns into action.rebates and tax credits that fit theirElectrifySOMAsvolunteers timeline.Attendeesleftwithanin- knowtheobstaclesresidentsface. formed roadmap and, in some cases,Time,moneyandknowledge, specificnextsteps.GonzalezrecallsGonzalez says. Those are the three two attendees who were especially en- barriers. But none of them are im-gaged: one exploring electric vehiclespossible if you have someone walk-and another considering heat pumps. ing with you.ThepersoninterestedinheatGonzalez has spent weekends at pumps had a forced-air system withlocalfairs,greenmarketsandcar an aging gas furnace, Gonzalez says.shows,answeringquestionsfrom We talked about starting with homepeople who assume electric vehicles weatherization to reduce drafts, thenareluxuryproducts.Iletthem gettingestimatesfromcontractorsdrive mine, he says. Then we talk experienced in designing hybrid sys- abouttotalcost,maintenanceand Join Us for Your Next Meal tems,combiningagasfurnaceandresalevalue.Oncepeopleseethe heat pumps. I helped her understandmath, they start to get it.BreakfastLunchDinner that because heat pumps are so effi- Thegroup,whichnumbers10 cient and dont output as much heatvolunteers, is adding online resourc-as gas furnaces, the house itself has toesandvirtualofficehourssoresi-hold the warmth as much as possible. dents can book time to speak with From Pancakes to Burgers The other attendee wanted infor- volunteerssuchasGonzalez.We mation about installing an EV char- dont want perfect participants, he 10% off all online orders ger, he says. I walked her throughsays. We want curious ones.Code: SPOTDINER* the incentives available from ChargeThegroupalsorecognizesthat UpNewJerseyandPSE&G,andelectrificationhastobeequitable. Hours DINE INcautionedhertodouble-checkeli- Although higher-income households MON - SAT:7 AM - 9 PM DELIVERYgibility online since the process canmay see solar panels or EVs as up-SUN:7 AM - 8 PM TAKE OUT be slow. We also talked about electricgrades,thebiggestbenefitsoften panel capacity and the most conve- come to families with tighter bud-nient spot for the charger based ongets.Lowermonthlybills,state-proximity to the main panel. levelrebatesandcommunitysolar Grantsaystheselocalconversa- programs can make a real difference, tions are where real progress begins.but only if people know they exist, Wishing You Well always have events at librariessays Grant.and town halls, she says, But theElectrify SOMA is working with Happy Holidaysfuture of Electrify SOMA is aroundcommunityleadersandneighbor-kitchen tables. She envisions homehood groups to reach as many people From Our Spot to Yours toursandneighbor-to-neighboras possible. In the Hilton neighbor-The Ramos Family workshops in which people can see,hood, volunteers have hosted meet-touch and experience new technol- ingstoexplainincentivesavailable Follow us @TheSpotDiner.NJ ogy in a low-pressure way. Id rathertorentersandapartmentdwellers. 165 Maplewood Avenue|Maplewood| thespotdiner.com have 10 people in my kitchen, pour- Gonzalez says one of the most im-18/ matters magazine / holiday 2025'