The energy crisis is no joke. Even for those of you who never drive.

Which has me thinking about alternative fuels. Even though I don’t really mean gas.

I mean Sorelle Paradiso, a California company that has struck oil — the extra virgin, dipping, and cooking kind. Made solely from Sevillano olives grown on their ranch in California's Central Valley, this particular oil won "Best of Show" at the International Las Vegas Restaurant Show 2008 (and deservedly so). NO IMPORTS HERE — just primo California olive oil.

Also taking credit -- for such honors -- is Frantoio Ristorante & Olive Oil Company in Mill Valley where the oil was pressed. Frantoio Ristorante is the only restaurant in the U.S. with an in-house state of the art Certified Organic olive oil production facility, which is visible from the restaurant's dining room.

It seems that the Sorelle Paradiso and Frantoio Ristorante partnership (so-to-speak) is a good one. It enables them to practice sound farming, support local agriculture, compensate workers fairly, provide the best quality around, and keep oil prices reasonable.

Making it the latest news in sustainable resources.