Jrs V07 I35

JRS VOLUME #7; ISSUE #35

JRSV7:#35:06.13.03

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Friday the 13th or not, this has been a lucky week.

This Tuesday, post-Washoe County Commissioner’s meeting, a crowd of burners met at the Zephyr in Reno to decompress from the day’s long meeting and share a few moments before we headed off in our various directions to our homes. It was a great hour in Burning Man’s history, as staffers and burners shared stories about the day, and their plans for the year on the playa.

Then, Hagemon, proprietor of the Black Rock City International Burner Hostel in Reno, found an injured rock dove in the street, and brought it into the outdoor seating area to care for it. Possibly hit by a windshield, she was able eventually to open her eyes, but all her attempts to fly were wonky, and we weren’t sure how she’d survive city life until she got her brains about her again.

Rebecca, a volunteer who had hitched a ride to Reno with me, suggested taking her to an Animal Hospital, so we lingered a minute longer while she looked for a number to place a call. After we located a suitable clinic, we and bird piled into the car to leave, heading left on South Virginia street.

As we were about to turn, Rebecca spotted some money, just blowing down the sidewalk. It was as if Reno wanted to thank us for the assist — turned out to be a hundred-dollar bill.

I think, you see, c-notes and doves notwithstanding, that our day was just blessed with good karma. After the great burner showing at the Commissioner’s Office, it was hard not to feel that things were going our way. Read below for an update on the situation as it stands, plus a whole ‘nother mess of BRC news, events, and happenings. 72 days, folks.

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BLACK ROCK CITY NEWS:
– WASHOE COMMISSIONERS TO RECONSIDER PERMITS FOR BLACK ROCK STATION
– THE CASE SO FAR
– YESTERDAY’S JRS AND THE BLM: AN UPDATE
– FLAMBE LOUNGE IN SF, JUNE 28TH
– PLAYA SURFACE REPORT
– TICKET REANIMATION

PARTICIPATE: – RANGER TRAINING IN NEW YORK
– VOLUNTEER AT THE CENTER OF IT ALL
– CALL FOR BURNING AIRSTREAMERS
– EARTH GUARDIANS: BEYOND “LEAVE NO TRACE” TO “BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT”
– BM ARTISTS AND BM ART: PHOTOGRAPHY EDITION
– SHIPYARD ART RESIDENCIES IN BERKELEY
– GPS INFO FROM ON HIGH
– DRAGON IN THE DESERT

EVENTS AND HAPPENINGS:
– REMOTE BURN: JOHNSON ATOLL, 850 MILES SOUTHWEST OF HAWAII
– GARAGE MAHAL IN SF ON JUNE 14TH
– BOOMBOX VS BURNING MAN 2003 IN SF, JUNE 21ST
– CLAN DESTINO’S “PAVEMENT’S END” IN SOCAL, JULY 18TH AND 19TH

ON AND OFF THIS CRAZY LIST

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=======BLACK ROCK CITY NEWS======
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WASHOE COMMISSIONERS AGREE TO RECONSIDER PERMITS FOR BLACK ROCK STATION

We’ve been walking on air since the meeting on June 10 at the Washoe County Commissioners’ chambers. More than sixty Burners showed up and shared their heartfelt, articulate, passionate, and convincing thoughts for more than two hours on why the Commissioners should reconsider their decision to uphold the appeal that put a halt to our permitting plans for the work ranch.

In fact, everyone was so convincing that two of the Commissioners who voted against us at the May 13 meeting, Jim Shaw and Jim Galloway, both accepted our challenge and agreed to come and tour the Ranch. Now they can see for themselves what a nice little staging area we have. Then, we’re confident they’ll make an informed decision and agree to support our permits. And, they’ll have that chance on June 24, since the issue has been put back on their meeting agenda for that day. (more to come on meeting details and how you can participate…)

The crowd at the meeting ranged from a young woman who said that this was her first political action ever to a retired man who detoured from Denver to explain why Burning Man was important to him and his family. No stone was left unturned – comments covered the financial, artistic, spiritual, cultural, economic, community, political, and global effects of the Burning Man community. One of our favorite soundbytes from the day, “If Nevada is big enough to store nuclear waste, it’s big enough to store art.” Hallelujah.

Our own Will Roger was the go-to-guy for the media, who just loved his DPW style. All three local news channels covered the meeting and the Reno Gazette Journal ran a story on the front page of their local section, which was picked up in cities as far-flung as Las Vegas, San Jose, and even Miami. New local celebrity couple Will Roger and Crimson Rose were then interviewed on KTVN’s half-hour news program “Face the State,” which will air this weekend. Links to some of the coverage is below.

Speaking of media, thanks to the more than 250 of you who sent an unprecedented number of letters to the Editors of the Reno Gazette Journal supporting Burning Man’s rights to use our property. NO MORE LETTERS are needed – they have heard our message loud and clear!

Most of all, thanks to everyone who was there with us in person and in spirit on Tuesday- you could feel the playa vibe all through that courtroom! Although we still have a way to go, we’re further down the road thanks to all of your support.

We’d love to see you again at the meeting on the 24th in Reno. We’ll post more information next week about how you can help with another great show of support on that day, but if you can, pencil in the meeting at 2 PM. It was a good time this week, and a great way to get involved.

Stay tuned for the next installment…

Reno Gazette Journal:
rgj.com…Local+News

Reno Gazette Journal Editorial:
rgj.com…Opinion

RGJ Letters to the editor:
rgj.com…Opinion

KOLO TV channel 8: kolotv.com…375201.html

KRNV TV channel 4: krnv.com…1316830

KTVN TV channel 2:
ktvn.com…223

The link to the R G-J story on the meeting is below, and below that is a first-person account of the meeting from Burning Man Media Team member Brother John.

rgj.com…44341.php

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THE CASE SO FAR

In Jack Rabbit Speaks vol 7 #33, the Call for Help, we linked in the general direction of the County’s paperwork on the case to date. Now we have the link to the exact PDF. It is a BIG file, so it might take a while : 296 pp, 10 MB file, very comprehensive. Find it at 207.228.25.168…26h.pdf

Enjoy.

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ABOUT YESTERDAY’S JRS AND THE BLM – AN UPDATE

First thing today, we must offer an important bit of information about yesterday’s JRS.

We reported on a letter from The Wilderness Society that seemed to indicate that TWS was opposed to events like Burning Man being held on the northern part of the playa. We asked you to write letters of support to the BLM.

Mere minutes after the JRS went out, the phone started ringing. Apparently, there was an error, and The Wilderness Society’s letter did not reflect their official opinion on the issue. Our contacts there said that they did not object to Burning Man staying right where it is!

We agree with The Wilderness Society that large-scale permitted events in their current location are an appropriate use of the National Conservation Area — so long as they continue to use the land in a responsible way.

Below is a letter from The Wilderness Society to the BLM that, we hope, clarifies the issue. (Reprinted with permission):

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“David C. Cooper
NCA Draft Plan
Bureau of Land Management
Winnemucca Field Office
5100 E. Winnemucca Blvd.
Winnemucca, NV 89445

Re: Comments on Draft Resource Management Plan for Black Rock Desert-High Rock Canyon Emigrant Trails National Conservation Area

Dear Mr. Cooper,

The Wilderness Society recently sent an alert to our members which resulted in over 3,000 e-mail comments on the Black Rock -High Rock Resource Management Plan / EIS.

There has been confusion over the meaning of the sentence dealing with large scale public events. The comments stated to keep those events to the far south playa. The wording was vague.

The boundary we support is the Alternative boundary identified on Map 2-24 in Volume Two: Maps and Appendices of the draft plan / EIS.

We do not object to the Burning Man event continuing in the location where it has occurred in recent years.

Sincerely,
Daniel A. Smuts
Assistant Regional Director”
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What does this mean? Well, you SHOULD STILL MAKE COMMENTS to the BLM that we are supportive of the Preferred Alternative and it’s management of Large Scale Events, just like we asked you to do yesterday.

Submit your comments at the BLM’s website:

blackrockhighrock.org/commentEmail.asp

Or just send them to the BLM’s email:

brhrcomments

In your own words, describe your support of our position on the Preferred Alternative and the definition of the boundaries – in other words, state that we support the plan for the Preferred Alternative, and that the definition of boundaries for the Front Country and playa for Type 3 and 4 events should stand as stated within it.

Form letters are not advised, so please put it in your own words.

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!

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FLAMBE LOUNGE IN SF, JUNE 28TH

Back to the good stuff!

Burning Man Flambe Lounge presents: BEYOND BELIEF Sat 6/28/03 at The Crucible, 1260 7th Street, Oakland, CA, 94607 8pm-2am $12 costume finery; $17 not. (Dress 4 indoor and out) Directions: thecrucible.org…7th_union.html Crucible demonstrations; report from organizers; theme camps; artists; performers; and hourly processions, games and events pertaining to the Beyond Belief theme: all night!

We still have room inside and out for Beyond Belief ART and THEME CAMPS, but don’t wait until the last minute!

If you are a theme camp, contact holly
All else and to volunteer: e-mail flambelounge

Confirmed: Extra Action Marching Band, Flam Chen, The Funnies, The Mutaytor, Ultra Gypsy, Sintillation, The Mad Piper, d6, Rroland, the Fire Cauldron, Thought, The Black Rock Rangers, Voice of Fire, Eyes of Gawd, The Rube, Lotus Girl’s Agave, Pyrocussion, The Hand of God, Black Rock Gazette writing stations, Lamplighters, Dreamcatcher Camp…more coming in each day!!!

Invite at: earthlink.net…beyondflambe.htm

Text version:
burningman.com…flambe2003.html

Also, the Crucible’s wish list.
thecrucible.org…wishlist.html
Contact them directly if you can help with anything on their list.

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PLAYA SURFACE REPORT

Metric, on the scene, with good news of few words:

“Freezing of late spring rains is what causes the super flaky, dusty playa. That didn’t happen this year, and the playa surface is in very good shape.”

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TICKET REANIMATION

We are happy to announce that CEIBA Records has negotiated with their landlord and will NOT be closing after all. YAY!

This means that tickets are still available at this Bay Area location below.

LOWER HAIGHT
Ceiba Records
463 Haight Street
San Francisco

Don’t have a ticket yet? Get yours today! Visit www.burningman.com to learn how!

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RANGER TRAINING IN NEW YORK

Splinter say: Yes, you heard it right. The Black Rock Rangers are sending the Director of Training, Dirtwitch, out to NYC to give the defacto Black Rock Ranger training. This is the one day session that is mandatory for all returning rangers and those who have already been to the playa once and wish to volunteer at Burning Man as a Black Rock Ranger.

The training goes from 10 am to 6pm this Saturday the 14th of June. It is being held in NYC at the loft of the most gracious burner, Andreas. I attended a training session last weekend at the Integratron in California and the training is really good this year. Much to learn and a good time.

If you are interested and wish to attend, fill out the volunteer questionnaire at www.burningman.com/participate/questionnaire.html , and put a check mark under Rangers. You will get an automated response from the Rangers that you should then fill out. (If you don’t fill all of that stuff out ahead of time, come anyway, and you can fill it out later)

Please send an RSVP or ask questions to mark.harder.
Looking forward to seeing you.

splinter

PS I know there is one big event that is going on Saturday. We are working on it. Nuff Said!!!
PSS In order to be a Ranger at Burning Man YOU HAVE TO HAVE BEEN TO BURNINGMAN AT LEAST ONCE ALREADY
PSSS If this sounds like REALLY late notice, blame me, I’ll explain it to you in person.

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VOLUNTEER AT THE CENTER OF IT ALL

Beyond the shifting sands of BRC appears Cafe Mirage, this year’s Center Camp oasis where all of Burning Man’s mysteries mix together in an acre of shade that’s part Elemental Temple, and part Sideshow Salon.

The biggest news for Cafe ’03 is our Theme Art installations! This year, the entrance to Cafe Mirage will be through an intricately mechanized metal Front Portal designed by Michael Christian (Flock, ’01; Orbit, 00; Nebulous Entity, ’98). At night, Radiant Atmospheres’ “The Illuminomicon” will float in the open-air center of The Cafe. In this installation, massive beams of light (think of RA’s Leviathan, ’02; The Afterlife, ’01) will pass through the oculus and pierce the night sky. Glowing colors and patterns will also appear on the roof, shifting with the winds. In addition, this year’s expanded Cafe will feature 12 new Altar Rooms, including a Zip-Tie Altar, as well as Panty-Prayer flags — all by volunteer artists.

It’s going to be a wonderful place — and we know you want to be there. So, For all you rokstars out there who want to volunteer to help out this year in the Café, WE LOVE YOU!!! We are always in need of capable folks who are willing to get down and dirty behind the coolest coffee shop counters on the planet. If you want to help out go to burningman.com…cafe_coffee_shop.html or email café-volunteers

Thanks so much to the volunteers who have already signed up to help in the Café, and if you haven’t yet, you still have time!!

Counting Days,
The Café Crew

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CALL TO BURNING AIRSTREAMERS

In 2002, four Airstreams and their entourages parked together at a site informally dubbed Camp Burnstream, near 225 and Fantail…perhaps you saw us? We had a great time together, and some of us have aspirations to do it again in 2003 with more Airstreams, and perhaps even to register as a theme camp (although we know it is late). If the idea of cocktail parties with campy trailer house tours sounds like fun to you, come join us in the suburbs of Black Rock City at Burnstream Court!

Whether you have an Airstream or just want to know what we are up to and where we plan to camp, please visit batmo.com/burnstream or send the text “subscribe burnstream” to requests.

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EARTH GUARDIANS: BEYOND “LEAVE NO TRACE” TO “BETTER THAN YOU FOUND IT”

The Earth Guardians are gearing up for their ecological restoration of Frog Farm, the springs near the playa where Burning Man gets its water. This year we will begin enhancing the spring’s wildlife habitat by fencing, planting trees and removing weeds around the warm spring.

The final planning/initial work field trip has been set for Saturday, July 12th. If you want to help with this community environmental improvement project, come to the desert with us for a weekend of stewardship and pre-burn camping.

The Earth Guardians will sponsor many activities during Burning Man 2003, including field trips and restoration work. We’ll have all kinds of volunteer opportunities for participants who care about our desert home. Stay tuned and check out the Earth Guardians section of burningman.com.

For more info about the restoration project, E-mail Andy at restorefrogfarm. To join the restoration list server, e-mail restorationproject-list-subscribe.

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BM ARTISTS AND BM ART: PHOTOGRAPHY EDITION

Burner and NYC photographer Spencer Tunick is still working with 2000’s theme, “The Body,” but it seems to be going well for him:

NYT: Barcelona Journal
He Called, and Naked Came 7,000 Strangers
nytimes.com…09BARC.html

Artist gathers more than 7,000 for nude installation
cnn.com…index.html

Charles Evans, Seattle-based photog, gets some nice coverage in a magazine devoted to 360 degree photography. Several of his digital panoramic photos of the event are in the article, and more are on Charles’ website at digitalpanos.com

VR Mag Article:
vrm.vrway.com…_ONE_MAN_S_EXPERIENCE.html

Four years of Gabe Kirchenheimer’s Burning Man photos (which have appeared in the London Times, Rolling Stone, and art journals around the world) have just appeared online for the first time at Gabe’s new website, gabekphoto.com – check ’em out!

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SHIPYARD ART RESIDENCIES IN BERKELEY

The Shipyard has started a rocket-scientist-in-residence program which offers free fabrication space and dubiously helpful consulting to those with compelling ideas but lacking the space to realize them. We invite proposals of all types from all types of people. Projects can be art-science, or science-art, or on some other continuum completely.

Selected applicants will receive 3 months of free rent on a shipping container shop plus use of our 6,000 sq ft shared outdoor workspace and our indoor welding and machine shop, filled with most every fabrication device one could ever want.

This summer we chose Nate Smith for our first residency through a rigorous review process by all shipyard residents. Nate is creating a machine that can produce fire vortexes. His project is the Pillar of Fire:

“Did god really speak from a pillar of fire? Does human consciousness travel through vortexes in interdimensional space? Is it possible to communicate through these vortexes? Is it possible to interact directly with nature by capturing the bases of dust devils? By night, 200′ fire vortexes will roam across the playa, and groups of people massed around smaller, faster vortexes will draw in their combined and individual human energy and send it, via the vortex, into the cosmos. By day, the bases of naturally occurring dust devils will be captured and moved independently to their tops, their speed, form, and color altered – a breakthrough in art and science. www.fire-arts.com”

And now we invite you to put you and your ideas though this same grueling gauntlet of judgment for our Fall residency opportunity. We’d love to hear what you want to do and have you join us for awhile to build it. And we’ll even foot the bill (for the space and utilities at least).

For more information on The Shipyard, see theshipyard.org. If interested in the residency, contact jim or charlie at charlie.

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GPS INFO FROM ON HIGH

Zhahai Stewart, working with the Burning Man planning department team, has been making “GPS based” maps of the city which are almost ready for public release. (That’s those handheld “where am I” thingies that use satellites). A demo is available for you to download and play with at home.attbi.com/~brcmap (Note that the current demo uses 2001 data and has moved Black Rock City from the desert to San Francisco, for testing and amusement. It’ll be back in Nevada by August, promise!). If you might like to play with a GPS at Burning Man, please check it out and help us get the process working smoothly before Playa Time!

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DRAGON IN THE DESERT

Lisa writes: “I’m planning a Draka Procession for BM and it would be wonderful if you could announce that I need performers (fire and other), people in costume and enthusiastic types in general for this dramatic playa production. Draka will not only be blowing fire, she’ll be chasing the magic pearl ~ AND… her just-layed eggs will be cracking and hatching lil’ fire-breathing dragon babies! We’re still in the planning stages of choreography, so, any fresh ideas on costuming, creating dragon drama, etc. will be welcome. Several folks from Europe, some with costuming and theatrical backgrounds, have already shown an interest in participating. This is something I’ve dreamed about doing since I first brought Draka onto the playa four years ago! It would be amazing to finally see this dream manifest for Beyond Belief.” Contact her at lisa.

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=====EVENTS AND HAPPENINGS======
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OUR REMOTEST BURN: JOHNSON ATOLL, 850 MILES SOUTHWEST OF HAWAII

Sumo writes: “I would like to submit a request for announcement in the JRS of a somewhat unique regional Burn. My name is Sumo, and I was a first time Burner in 2002, and am now a lifetime Burner. I work on an isolated atoll in the Pacific Ocean about 850 miles southwest of Hawaii, in the closing days of a government project to destroy the US stocks of chemical weapons. Much to my surprise I have identified 11 past or current Burners here on the island.

We have decided to have a Burn of our own. We are the JOHNSTON ATOLL GAS BURNERS, and our man is scheduled to rise, and fall (gas mask, and all) on Saturday June 21 on Pluto Beach, Johnston Island, Johnston Atoll, Micronesia. (Pluto is short for plutonium, they used to launch nuclear missile tests from here.)

We invite one and all to the burn, however you do need DoD contract orders, and a background clearance prior to traveling to JI. We thought this would be a fun post, because while we may not be the most distant Burners, we must be some of the most remote. Thank you for helping me see a bigger, and better world.

Paul B. Luongo AKA Sumo”

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GARAGE MAHAL FUNDRAISER IN SF JUNE 14TH

Shiva needs new Pirellis…
Actually – our Floating Temple Art Car needs some work on the suspension, transmission, and the sound system…so join us for our one fund raising party to help us get our sled up to the playa (and help you get your groove on). Saturday, June 14th 2003, Gingerbread Warehouse (Connecticut at Cesar Chavez) 10pm-4am $15 pre-sale available online. Click down GarageMahal.org to buy tickets and find out more.

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BOOMBOX VS BURNING MAN 2003 FUNDRAISER IN SF
JUNE 21ST

Join us Saturday, 6/21/03, for Boombox vs Burning Man 2003, a fundraiser to help us bring the Boom back to the Playa.

Underground, SOMA Location (exact address will be posted week of event); DJs: Ernie Trevino, Fred Funk, Goldilox, Laird, Loosebeats, Sound:boy, Tung. 10pm – 5am, $15 at the door, $10 limited quantity tickets available at BPM Records (573 Hayes St).
More info at brasstax.samo.org/news.htm#

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CLAN DESTINO’S “PAVEMENT’S END” FUNDIE IN SOCAL
JULY 18TH AND 19TH

Please join us on July 18-19 for two days of music, art, and revelry in the California hills. Centrally located two hours from Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo, this event will be held on 500 acres of private land out where the pavement turns to sand. We will be hosting 36 hours of non-stop music on three stages. This is a private event and you must pre-register or RSVP to attend; a $20.00 donation per adult is requested at the gate. More information at theclandestino.com

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[Soundtrack for this JRS: The Rhythm Machine, “The Kick”; The Go, ‘Whatcha Doin”; The Muffs, “I Don’t Like You”. It’s a funk and rock and roll showdown in my office!]

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Email us or questions any time with questions. Email jackrabbitspeaks by 2 PM PST on Tuesday for post requests. (We don’t post all requests, however.)

For questions: questions

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Andie Grace, Actiongrl
Burning Man Communications Department
(415) 865-3800 x102