Jrs V11 I18

JRS VOLUME #11; ISSUE #18

Jack Rabbit Speaks
Volume 11, Issue 18
August 12, 2007

Must…get…JRS…out….

You guys are prolific!!

There’s a lot of news this week so we’re sending it on the weekend – there was some list burping at the end of the week (those on regional lists might have noticed) so we wanted to make sure it was going to go out without wreaking havoc. The geeks seem to have worked their magic, so off we go.

We are going to try to do one or maybe even two more full JRS’s before the event. We get LOTS of mail this time of year and some emails will take us a while to respond to. Post requests go missing and the cycle usually takes more than a week to get into a JRS anyway…now is a time to use ALL your resources and not just us, because we’re one foot in the desert and communication is about to go bonkers.

Please also rely on the other means we have to share events, news, and playa happenings:

Playa Calendar: keep adding and keep checking right up until you leave for great BRC events from Monday to Monday! http://playacal.burningman.com/day.php

Regional lists: fundraisers, work parties, last minute requests for help, etc? Your local lists are the place: http://regionals.burningman.com

ePlaya: Use the BBS to tell the world about your playa project and invite them to participate, look for a stage on which to perform your puppet show, to talk about bike repair, or ask others for their input about your final days of preparation: http://eplaya.burningman.com

For now, couple random tips:

The JRS reminds you as you start to plan your drive that PASSING on the small 2 lane highways that lead to Burning Man can be a highly dangerous activity, as can swerving or attempting to drive on the shoulders, which are very soft. Please drive with extreme caution and obey the speed limits on your way to BRC. We always say this a few times on the way in…and we’re saying it now since we already know some of you are hitting the road soon to make your way across the country or the world…BE CAREFUL. Slow to a safe 25 (NOT 26, or 27, or 30 – you will be ticketed!) where required in local townships. Get to BRC in one piece!

Rich Labate also reminded us of this good tip: “I’ve been a burner since 1998 (every year). It is a great idea to take a new air (filter) for your car to replace the one full of playa dust as soon as you get off the playa and can stop somewhere safe. It could add lots of miles to your engine and probably lots of miles per gallon.”

MORE GOOD TIPS? Some hot reminders for you – breaking it down to some basics for newcomers and jaded old-timers alike! – are freshly posted on the new “Timmmii’s Tips” page, a guide to preparing for Burning Man 2007: http://burningman.com/preparation/event_survival/tips07.html

We invited longtime Burner Timmmii to come up with a few of the most basic things we wish someone had pointed out to us one last time on the way to our first Burning Man…we hope you all take a look at what he came up with. He’s also got a preparation blog for more: http://burningman.com/preparation/blog/

There’s SO MUCH MORE to say because there’s so much going on…the fence went in on Friday (woo hoo!). We haven’t heard whether they beat last year’s record, but beating last year’s record time seems to be a habit up there. Heard the crews are ready steady go right now, with tight pre-playa teams getting ‘er done already. Ladies and gentlemens, BRC has been spotted and it’s taking shape! We’re almost there! (Marnee is blogging about the building of BRC at http://traces.burningman.com/ if you’d like to hear more.)

It is not without a bit of a red face that I admit that mine was one of the late reports that has held up the processing of our MAMMOTH Afterburn report for 2006…with so many reports and so many incredible changes around here this year we have just about broken ourselves in half getting this one together. BUT having just spent two days helping the web team to hammer at some more of the final pieces, little birds are telling us you you will see it before we get to the event. Maybe seeing how much work 2006 took and what we learned from it will give you some idea what we’ve been eagerly throwing ourselves into for 2007 and help get you excited.

Another tip? How about this: “Bike Repair Camp”? What “Bike Repair Camp”? Most of the time unless you run into a playa saint with particular skills, you’re going to have to fix your OWN bike if it starts to have trouble. Bring at least a basic bike tool kit and an extra tube.

OK now read.

*/* T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S ================= BLACK ROCK CITY NEWS ===================

–ART BUZZ!
–BAY AREA AND POINTS SOUTH: BAY BRIDGE CLOSURE LABOR DAY WEEKEND
–BLOGGING OUR HEARTS OUT: ROLLING FOUR BLOGS DEEP ON BMAN.COM
–GO-PEDS SYYLE VEHICLES AND BLACK ROCK CITY
–SNOW KOAN: COMMUNITY SOLAR CHARGING STATION
–HELP RECYCLE BLACK ROCK CITY INTO NEW HOMES FOR NEEDY FAMILIES
–TRULY AMAZING NIGHT SKIES IN BRC ’07
–BM IN PRINT
–BM IN THE NEWS
–LABEL YOUR SORTING AREA: TRASH/RECYCLE SIGNS FOR YOUR CAMP
–INTERACTING WITH THE LAW AT BURNING MAN
–STAKE PULLER SUGGESTION FROM ANOTHER BURNER

ART BUZZ!

Every year we seem to get more art, and the art gets bigger! This year is no exception, with several large-scale installations the likes of which we’ve never seen on the playa before, as well as more registered art than ever before.

Want to see what’s going to be on the playa? We’ve compiled listings of all the different types of art in our website.

To see the honorarium projects, go to http://www.burningman.com/installations/07_art_fund.html . Feel free to contact artists if you want to help out, and do check out their websites!!

The theme art is listed here: http://www.burningman.com/installations/07_art_theme.html

And here’s the playa art: http://www.burningman.com/installations/07_art_playa.html

Our Green Man Pavilion features two kinds of art:

The Mangrove, with dozens of trees of all stripes: http://www.burningman.com/installations/07_mangrove.html

Pavilion Art, with a green theme: http://www.burningman.com/installations/07_art_manbase.html

Also featured are Exhibits demonstrating sustatinable technology or drawing attention to global ecological concerns….finalized at last, the list is being coded as we speak and will be posted shortly in the same section you see above.

Fasten your seatbelts! Get ready to see more art on the playa than ever before!!!

SPEAKING OF ART…so many huge incredible thanks to those who have made donations of time, resource, and money (large and small!) to the projects we posted the other day. Looks like things are well on their way to getting back on track. We love this community for jumping in to help co-create this year’s ambitious Green Man art. Now if you’re not already going crazy with your own, go find a local project and help them load their truck!

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-BAY AREA AND POINTS SOUTH: BAY BRIDGE CLOSED BOTH WAYS LABOR DAY WEEKEND

Fine folks at several area agencies and public offices saw fit to let us know so we’d be sure to reach all of you who cross the Bay Bridge to San Francisco and points south on your way home from the playa.

When you leave the Playa for home, and start thinking about readjustment, you may think to yourself, “I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.” For Burners heading toward the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, that won’t be possible!

The San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge will be closed in both directions over Labor Day weekend, from 8:00 p.m. Friday, August 31, until 5:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 4.

Plan ahead and use alternate bridges: Golden Gate Bridge, Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, San Mateo-Hayward Bridge, Dumbarton Bridge. Expect congestion on these other Bay Area bridges.

BART will be running overnight service to select stations, and there will also be expanded ferry service on select routes. For traffic information and trip planning, call 511 within the Bay Area or visit 511.org.

The closure will allow crews to perform crucial seismic safety work on a section of the bridge east of the Yerba Buena Island Tunnel.

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-BLOGGING OUR HEARTS OUT: ROLLING FOUR BLOGS DEEP ON BMAN.COM

That’s right. As part of our effort to bring you MORE information from inside the Project and all around the community, not one not two not three but FOUR new blogs have appeared on Burningman.com this year, and now they’re all yours from one location:

http://burningman.com/news/blogs.html

What you’ll find:

Follow along with the day-to-day efforts of the DPW, working hard to build Black Rock City 2007. Building Black Rock City 2007: http://traces.burningman.com/

Think you know what it takes to prepare for the Burn? You’d be surprised what you’ll learn in our preparation blog. Soak up the advice! We’re counting down… Prepare to Burn!: http://burningman.com/preparation/blog/

Our environmental blog tracks the ongoing greening of Burning Man, and doles out tips on how to green your burn and beyond! The Enviroblog: http://burningman.com/environment/blog/

As we visit our far-flung community, we keep you up to date with the inspiring activities of our regional network. Regionals Blog: http://regionals.burningman.com/blog/

So much up to the minute blogtastic goodness for your final approach into BRC….

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GO-PED STYLE VEHICLES AND BLACK ROCK CITY

Odwally has the mic:

“You may have noticed that go-ped type vehicles are allowed at Burning Man and think, ‘That is a great way to get around Black Rock City!’ You may want to think more on that. There are lot of thoughts and feelings on this topic, so we thought we would address the issue.

Black Rock City is built as a pedestrian and bicycle oriented city. It is densely crowded, and motorized vehicles can cause hazards and difficulties for those traversing our terrain. By necessity, we limit the number of motorized vehicles moving around. This is for reasons of safety as well as to encourage interaction and immediacy within our civic-minded community. This year especially, and as we evolve as an event, we also encourage pedal and foot power as the ultimate Green alternatives to any motor powered or manufactured conveyance. And hey, exercise is good for you!

We have, thus far, allowed small, stand-up (no seat attached), two-wheeled, low-powered, single passenger, go-ped type “scooters” under the driving rules of Black Rock City, even though they are motorized and unlicensed by DMV. These vehicles, however, are generally frowned upon by the organization — as well as the masses. They are one of the least creative or aesthetically pleasing methods of transportation available in Black Rock City. They have historically been allowed mostly because, by a measure of mass, it is generally felt that they do not pose a physical hazard much beyond that of a bicycle. However, they do create a number of other issues.

DON’T SPEED

The first issue is speed. These scooters ARE expected to observe the same 5MPH speed limit as all other motorized vehicles for reasons of safety. Too often this is ignored, creating a hazard and a nuisance. It is much easier to go fast on a go-ped vehicle than it is on a bicycle, and go-ped drivers frequently get carried away. Be mindful of your speed and its effect on others, not to mention the population as a whole.

NOISE

The second issue is noise. Many of these little petroleum-powered laziness machines are basically two-stroke, non-muffled, “weed-eaters with wheels.” They are loud and annoying to others when they buzz by, and especially to those trying to sleep. For this reason, the electric, battery-powered versions are usually preferred over the gas-powered.

If you do have a gas-powered go-ped, *please* get one with a muffler or add a muffler to the one you have. Also, do your best to decorate your ride or mutate it to the point that you are actually adding to the quality of visual experience out there instead of detracting from it.

In a tightly packed community with tens of thousands of people, we all need to be individually responsible in how we behave, as it does impact the whole, especially when some are engaging in behavior that can negatively affect the whole community.

BRINGING THESE VEHICLES IN: AT THE GATE

The Gate crew will be helping out toward this goal as you enter Black Rock City. Any vehicle differing from the description above, or that appears to be more dangerous than the kind listed above, must either be taken off site or handed off at the gate outside Black Rock City until after the event. Once inside the city, the Rangers keep a close eye on the movement of vehicles, and will work to protect all of us by removing any vehicle that violates either the written, implied, or common sense rules of operating them.

Please take these thoughts into consideration when planning your trip to your city, your home for a week in the desert. We hope your freedom to use these will be balanced with your consideration for your fellow citizens and sense of responsibility. We’re confident that you can be more creative than just ‘buying a scooter’ anyway.

-odwally Dept. of Mutant Vehicles Manager”

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SNOW KOAN: COMMUNITY SOLAR CHARGING STATION

Matthew writes; “Snow Koan Solar Camp, (located on D near 7:30) will have a solar powered charging station available for use.

The solar electric charging station is a place where community members can recharge their electric vehicles, scooters, batteries and small electronics. The point is to eliminate carbon footprints by providing power from the sun and encouraging participants to use modes of transportation that are electric, which in conjunction with the solar charging station, can be operated with zero emissions for the duration of the festival. At the charging station you will find 120 vac standard ‘Edison’ plugs like the ones in your house, as well as 12 vdc car power ports. BYO chargers for specific devices and batteries.

Participants will be able to charge day and night… however we would love to see daytime charging taking place because of the direct connection to the sun. Hopefully the community can take this experiment into their everyday world and realize that electric vehicles can be a viable and rewarding way to get around.

And if you stop by in late afternoon… join us for a snow cone cocktail.”

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HELP RECYCLE BLACK ROCK CITY INTO NEW HOMES FOR NEEDY FAMILIES

Last year Burners Without Borders organized the first ever playa-wide lumber-recycling project, and it was a HUGE success! 42 units of lumber, filling SIX semi trucks and worth upwards of $50,000, were saved from the burn pyre and delivered to Habitat For Humanity in Reno, the single largest donation they’ve ever received. Then, in February, BWB volunteers showed up on Super Bowl Sunday to help turn all that wood into new homes for needy families. Talk about gifting!

Naturally, we’re doing it again! We’ll be accepting usable lumber (full 2x4s, 4x4s, sheets of plywood and the like ) and hand tools at recycling stations on the playa, starting 8am Sunday morning, through Monday. They’ll be at 3, 6, and 9 on the Esplanade-just look for the “lumber lifeguard” towers.

And we need your help. We need dozens of people to help direct participants on where to drop their lumber and building supplies. We’ll need help sorting and banding. We’ll also need help with set-up and clean up. If you’d like to get involved please send us an email and we’ll fill you in on the details: woodrecyclingvolunteers (at) gmail (dot) com

Thanks for reading and we look forward to seeing you all in the desert!

Burners Without Borders

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LUNAR ECLIPSE IN BRC

2 cool astronomical events for you at Black Rock City this year. Bring binoculars!

Full moon: Monday night- Tuesday morn August 28 at 2:35 a.m. So the sky will be bright in Black Rock City, except for the therefore even more spectacular… http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/phase/phase2001pst.html

Monday night- Tuesday, August 28, 2007: TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE in Black Rock City. 1:51 am-5:24 am PDT, with 3:37 am = mid-eclipse. BRC just makes it into the ‘All Eclipse Visible’ zone… http://sunearthgsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/lunar.html http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/LEmono/TLE2007Aug28/TLE2007Aug28.html August’s lunar eclipse is well-placed for North and South America as well as the Pacific, eastern Asia and Australia. All of North America will witness some portion of the eclipse, but western observers are favored. The early umbral phases will be in progress at moonset for observers in Maritime Canada. From the eastern USA, the Great Lakes region and Ontario, the Moon sets in total eclipse. Only observers to the west of the Rockies (including Alaska) will be treated to the entire event. All phases of the eclipse are also visible from islands of the Pacific Ocean, New Zealand and eastern Australia.

Late Friday night-Early Sat morning Aug 31- Sep. 1: Aurigids, a rare and spectacular meteor shower will be peaking at 4:36 a.m. in the east- north eastern skies. Visible from Nevada. It will last about 1.5 hours. Best to watch between 4 and 5 am, with up to 160 Aurigids meteors per hour. http://aurigids.seti.org/ This very rare shower will occur again on 1 September 2007. A brief shower of tens of meteors will radiate from the constellation of Auriga, many as bright as the brighter stars in the sky. The Earth will be in the thick of it during the one hour centered on 04:36 a.m. PDT. The shower will be visible by the naked eye from locations in the western United States. Best viewing: Keep Moon out of field of view (best to block behind obstruction such as telephone pole, then watch whole sky), avoid city haze that scatters moonlight Best direction: East and Northeast Best time: Start one hour before peak, then see the rate of meteors increase and decrease while Earth travels through the shower

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BM IN PRINT – BURNING BOOK

“Burning Book: A Visual History of Burning Man,” is a narrative non-fiction, photo-illustrated, [sunburned and somewhat] delirious account of the annual migration to Black Rock City. Portland-based journalist Jessica Bruder weaves together interviews with scores of participants — from desert virgins to Cacophony Society veterans; from La Contessa’s sailors to the Gerlach fuel guy; from the Flaming Lotus Girls to Larry Harvey, and many more — to tell the tale. Brimming with images dozens of festival artifacts by more than 30 photographers, Burning Book brings a fresh look at BRC to newbies and playa-crusted oldsters alike.

“Burning Book” Readings:

8/13: Seattle, WA / Elliot Bay Book Co. / 101 South Main Street / 7:30 p.m. 8/17: New York City, NY / Barnes & Noble / 4 Astor Place / 7 p.m.

“Burning Book” hits bookstores in early August. It will soon be available in our Marketplace: http://tinyurl.com/2495zx

Updates are available at: http://www.burningbook.net

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BM IN THE NEWS: A FEW RECENT HITS!

Bill Kozitsky: “Don’t know if you have already put the word out but The current issue of Nevada Magazine has a nice cover story featuring the Man and the event with a lot of great photos. Check it out at http://www.nevadamagazine.com/”

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The Burning Man Art Department in collaboration with Leonardo is happy to announce the release of a special section of Leonardo titled “The Fire Arts of Burning Man.” The section contains an introduction by co-guest editor Louis M. Brill, a historic overview of Burning Man Fire Art by co-guest editor and art curator LadyBee and a series of Fire Art essays by participating Burning Man fire artists.

The special issue is profusely illustrated, showing off many of the amazing Burning Man fire art creations that have appeared on the playa.

An electronic version with the Brill introduction, LadyBee’s Fire Art overview and 18 essays is also available on the Leonardo website:

http://www.leonardo.info/gallery/

Copies of this issue of Leonardo are available for sale at the Burning Man Marketplace. This issue is also included in the 2007 annual subscription to Leonardo subscribers.

http://www.leonardo.info/isast/journal/toc404.html

in Marketplace: http://tinyurl.com/2ars4v

and…

This one was a fun “a little light reading before bed” discovery at our house: Detail in a New Yorker story last week, on what a bonobo ape researcher brought into the jungle: :…his equipment included a fur hat, a leather-bound photo album, an inflatable sofa, and goggles decorated with glitter. Matthews is a devotee of the annual Burning Man festival, in the Nevada desert, and this, apparently, had informed his African preparations.”

and then

Here’s a funny one: two participants got together and created a presentation (complete with power point slides) and presented it to their co-workers during the “Tech Talks” series at their work. Check out “Cooking for Burning Man 101” by these two chefs from the Google campus that we heard about through the Regional list – a full on how-to video for cooking on the playa! http://tinyurl.com/34ps73

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LABEL YOUR TRASH SORTING AREA: TRASH/RECYCLE SIGNS FOR YOUR CAMP

Sunshine sent us these awesome graphic Trash Center Sorting Signs for you to print and use in your camp! Good lookin’ and ready to use!

http://WickedSunshine.com/BurningMan/BurningMan2006TrashSigns.html

He also reminds us that “wise burners would use battery devices rather than glowsticks which can’t be recycled. I’m guessing you’ve already punched in the paper cups over plastic.” We’ve said our piece about glow sticks a time or two, we hope.

See what you can do to generate the least junk this year!

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INTERACTING WITH THE LAW AT BURNING MAN

Our Survival Guide reminds you that Burning Man’s remoteness doesn’t give us a free pass to live outside the law. Burning Man supports all local and federal laws, and expects you to uphold them during your time in Black Rock City. There are representatives from five Law Enforcement agencies in our fair town, and you should be aware of their presence and how to interact with them when you meet.

We consider Black Rock City a peaceful community…and we love to see it stay that way.

Here’s the Survival Guide page on the matter: http://www.burningman.com/preparation/event_survival/law_enforcement.html

A participant shared this video with us to share with you. It’s called: “Busted: the Citizen’s Guide to Surviving a Police Encounter (US)”. The former head of the ACLU narrates.

http://tinyurl.com/2w7hjd

A brief sample:

“In the scene you just watched, Darrell and his friends waived their rights repeatedly, without even knowing it.”

It gives practical strategies for handling three typical situations (1) if you’re pulled over while driving; (2) if you’re approached on the street; (3) if you’re at home — (or, presumably, in your tent or RV). Knowing your rights is smart no matter where you go.

We hope you have a safe and happy experience at the event.

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STAKE PULLER SUGGESTION FROM ANOTHER BURNER

Gar writes: “I’ve had this stake puller http://www.tolmantool.com/stake.htm for several years. I bought mine at Amazon. It’s been an awesome playa friend. We were using concrete form stakes to hold down the Costco carports at Gate Camp, and trying to get those things out with vice-grips was back breaking. With the stake puller, it’s a 30 second job, and no strain at all. And it does pull out rebar too. It will bend the really thin stuff, but it will still pull it out of the playa. ”

**/**/**/**/**/**/**/***/**/**/**/** ================================================================================= GETTING TO BRC ===================================================================================

REMINDER: RENO TO PLAYA RIDE SHARE RENDEZVOUS

Twin City Surplus (1675 E. 4th St., Reno, http://www.twincitysurplus.com) is again allowing us to use their facility as the Reno to Playa ride share rendezvous location. If you need a ride to the playa during the week of the event, Twin City is the place to go. Or if you’re traveling to the playa and have extra room, please swing by to pick up somebody who may be in need of a lift. It is easy freeway access between the Wells Ave. and 4th Street exits on I-80. And who knows? You may make a new friend.

Remember, please don’t call Twin City Surplus to inquire about rides. They don’t know anything about the ride share program other than it brings in business to their Burner friendly establishment.

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CORRECTION: UPDATED PRICE

Burn Clean Project is proud to present…

BIOBUS (space) SHUTTLE 2007 with your lovely pilot Peter, The German Guy

Meet new lifelong friends on the BIOBUS (space) SHUTTLE to Black Rock City. You will be scooped up at Reno International Airport, whisked to Wild Oats for a quick grocery run and then on to the playa! This is the first in a pilot program to lessen our cumulative impact of travel to the greatest city on Mama Earth. If you still haven’t bought your BM ticket and plan to ride the BIOBUS, then please get your tickets shipped to you and carry them by hand, to help the BIOBUS avoid long waits at Will Call.

A $55-$65 donation to Burn Clean Project will reserve a One Way ride to or from the playa, helping you to avoid burning petroleum, the cost of a car rental, and the worst part of all — scrubbing the rental car thoroughly enough so they don’t charge you a playa-sized cleaning fee!

Check out http://www.burncleanproject.org for further details and availability.

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SHOP LOCAL ON THE WAY IN – EXTENDED HOURS

Wherein we share with you a little local intel about the small towns on the way to the burn…

Cedarville, California:

Cedarville Station: Stop by and say hi to Marianne & Dan Warner on the corner of Main Street and Hwy 299. Cedarville Station will be open 24 hours a day from August 24 through September 5 for all your gas and repair needs. They are also serving up BBQ chicken, prime rib and Mexican food, as well as a special menu for vegetarians. There will be a supply of cold drinks and drinking water on hand. For a small donation you can fill up on water. Showers available for exodus.

The Corner Store: At Hwy. 299 and Main Street, The Corner Store is open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m daily. During exodus on Sunday, September 2 and Monday, September 3, The Corner Store is open until 10 p.m. and will be selling BBQ Tri Tips.

Page’s Market: On Main Street, Page’s is a full service market with a vast selection of goods. Page’s will maintain its normal store hours from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sundays.

Eagleville, Calif.

Jack’s General Store & Cafe: Located at 13705 Main St. in Eagleville, Jack’s General Store & Cafe offers up burgers, snacks and authentic Mexican food on alternate Saturdays. Hours are 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., extended hours on Sunday.

Gerlach:

VFW Ladies Auxiliary On August 25-26, the VFW Ladies Auxiliary will be holding its Annual Yard Sale at the Gerlach Community Center, 401 Cottonwood. There will also be a raffle and bake sale. Hours are Saturday, August 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, August 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Come pick up some great costumes and homemade goodies.

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SCRAP EDEN ON THE PLAYA

Participate! Help the BLACK ROCK ARTS FOUNDATION populate its garden on the playa

Scrap: n. Discarded waste material, often metal suitable for reprocessing. Eden: n. A delightful place, a garden, a paradise.

ScrapEden: n.

1. A delightful garden made of re-claimed discarded waste material, primarily plastic containers, or other plastic objects typically discarded or recycled 2. The 2nd playa incarnation of Scrap Eden- A Participant-Based Community Garden, created by the community for the community 3. A project of the Black Rock Arts Foundation For the Playa, reclaim those detergent, shampoo, food containers and soda bottles, etc., and transform them into organisms from any of the five kingdoms of life (or into any chimera or creature of your imagination that suits your fertile fancy).

For the second year in a row, we are inviting participants to create sculptures from salvaged (inorganic) materials (again, not living plants) for temporary installation in ScRap Eden during the Burning Man 2007 event. We’ll provide both peripheral lighting, and a centrally located garden (at Evolution and Esplanade, just off the Promenade).

Sculptures can be installed from 10 am – 6pm beginning the first day of the event, Monday, August 27th. All artworks must be removed from the site by 4 pm on Sunday, September 2nd. Artists are required to take full responsibility for their project, including transportation and installation – though we’ll always have a few hands on deck to help out!

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CLASSICAL COFFEE CAFE: WE WANT YOU!

We are looking for you, my fine classical musician friend, to join us at Automatic Subconscious to let your music sing and soar while coffee is served up hot, and the sun is beginning to peek across the Playa.

contact: clara.lafrance (at) gmail (dot) com

Who: Hosted By Automatic Subconscious, Enjoyed By You! What: Classical Coffee Cafe Where: [TBD!] and Esplanade When: Early Morning ‘Til Late Morning, (8 a.m.-11 p.m.) Wed.-Sat.

“Imagine waking up to the soothing sounds of classical music and the aromatic whisper of freshly brewed coffee, served with love by a beautiful barista as you watch the playa come to life on the Esplanade. This is no mirage, come to Automatic Subconscious every morning at 8 to awaken your senses and soothe your mind.

There will be much caffeination, and much love.”

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“LEOPARDY!”, THE OFFICIAL GAME SHOW OF BLACK ROCK CITY, SEEKS PRIZE CONTRIBUTIONS

Glitz. Cheese. Kitsch. Schwag. It’s “Leopardy!” Everything a quiz show should be — only much, much better! Even the prizes. The television version, which shall go unnamed here (hint: rhymes with “Leopardy”) awards mere money. Our show means to do way better. And that’s where YOU come in …

Donate a prize and experience the thrill as some lucky “Leopardy!” participant wins it! “Leopardy!” rewards both luck and skill, and all will receive prizes — even the audience. Anything we give away comes from fellow burners, so the more you give, the more to win!

All contributions are welcome — anything gifty but not overtly commercial in nature. Some suggestions:

– Services: massage; body/face painting; tarot reading; airplane playa tour; portraiture; pedicure; sponge bath; rickshaw/pedicab ride; houseboy/maid duty; tea ceremony.

– One-on-one instruction, e.g.: hula hoop; poi spinning; fire eating; stilt walking; yoga; drumming; glassblowing; origami; acrobatics; juggling; unicycle riding; rope bondage.

– Homemade & hand-made items (especially edibles, potables and wearables).

– ANY item with a leopard or leopard-esque print.

– Other ideas encouraged! Contact the e-mail address below if you have questions.

Even if you can’t attend Burning Man in person this year, you can participate in this project! Contact me via e-mail and I will send you an address where prize donations of a material nature can be mailed.

And don’t forget the folks at Strip “Jeopardy!” — they, too, need your love (and more!).

See you (and your schwag) on the Playa!!

— your humble “Leopardy!” host, Red Otterpop: proctorlogical (at) gmail (dot) com

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CENTER CAMP CAFE 2007 SPEAKER SERIES CALL FOR PARTICIPATION:

Are you an expert on a subject and want to share your BRAIN? We still have a few speaker slots left if interested.

We have reserved two one-hour spots daily for speakers in the Cafe this year for our “Brain Buffet Speaker Series.” Time slots are 11 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m.-3 p.m. daily, except for Monday [which Monday?]. It is also possible to do a half hour or share the hour with one or more speakers.

Special priority given to subjects relating to this year’s Green Man theme and to subjects of particular interest to a broad spectrum of Burning Man participants.

If you’d like to speak or lead a workshop, contact cafe-performers (at) burningman (dot) com.

Note: these talks should be educational without endorsing a product or specific group. Whether you speak or not, stop by and FEED YOUR BRAIN!

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THE PADDY MIRAGE RIDES AGAIN

The Paddy Mirage will again cross the Atlantic to find its way home. With tales and songs from the Old Country (Ireland), we invite you all to come visit and share a toast. You bring the whiskey and we’ll bring the Guinness. If there are any musicians out there who would like to share some music with us, please do not hesitate to contact us at thepaddymirage (at) gmail (dot) com or check out www.myspace.com/paddymirage. Feel free to bring some trinkets for the bar! The green men are coming home. Until then..

(The JRS fondly remembers a particular evening at the Paddy Mirage in ’03, and two fellas named Liam and Fiachna whose voices I can still hear in my ears…. Swoon. Welcome back, Paddy Mirage!)

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INSECT SURFERS NEED MORE INSECT SURFERS

“For the past few years, the psychedelic surf band Insect Surfers has performed at various places around the playa. For 2007, Insect Surfer Dave is looking for drummers and bass players, as well as guitarists, to strengthen its sound. We’ve got the stage space and we just need you to fill it. Contact Dave at: davidarnson (at) sbcglobal (dot) net Thanks!!

-Insect Surfer Dave”

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WDYDWYD?

Why do you do what you do?

100 B&W portraits from the playa in 2006 are now posted on the web, along with galleries from 2004 & 2005 featuring more than 400 burners.

http://www.wdydwyd.com

What is the wdydwyd? It’s a project started at Burning Man that has inspired people around world to upload their own images answering this simple, yet challenging question. Answers include: “Because otherwise I’d be punished;” “To be stirred awake;” “Because everyone has aspirations;” “For sex and for chocolate;” and “To save us all.”

Get your portrait made this year too – look out for Tony Deifell and Mardie Oakes roaming the playa with their old-fashioned camera.

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BLACK ROCK CENSUS 2007

The Black Rock Census team will have data to share and research to conduct. This year at Burning Man the Census team is going mobile. Each afternoon around 4 p.m. at Media Mecca, when the tea party winds down, the Census Mobile revs up. Hop on board as we explore the playa and display Black Rock Census 2006 results for all to see. Feel free to join us on these data-sharing, data-foraging expeditions. Census forms and drop-boxes will be available at: Playa Info, Center Camp Cafe and Ranger Stations (3 and 9 plazas). The following camps are also hosting Census Kiosks: Astral Headwash, Borrachos y Bicicletas, Camp Hookup, Costco Soul Trading, Fig Mint, Heebeegeebee Healers, Kidsville, Pickled Eggs and Venus Eye Trap. For more info about the Census 2007 email census (at) burningman (dot) com .

During Burning Man, the Census will be hosting daily tea parties with different themes, Monday through Friday at 2 p.m. in the Confidentiality Room behind Media Mecca. Bring your mug and check out the statistics from the 2006 Census. On Monday, come to the Tea-Punch-In, a gathering for our volunteers. Tuesday is our annual AcadeMixer, a tea party for all you mad social scientists and data junkies. On Wednesday, we’re hosting a special green event, an Open Space discussion on “Integrating the Arts Across the Sustainability Movement” (more information below). Thursday is Lipstick Barb’s 70th Birthday Bonanza, in honor of the tea mistress herself. Friday is the Tea-Punch-Out, a celebration for all of the keypunchers who helped make the 2006 Black Rock Census project a great success. If you’re interested in helping with the tea parties — which can include providing music or entertainment, bringing snacks or serving tea — please contact Gwendelyn (aurorasparks (at) gmail (dot) com).

A special project hosted by the Black Rock Census seeks participants…

BLACK ROCK JOURNEYS: The Early Years Is this your first, second or third time attending Burning Man? We’re looking for participants willing to share their experiences with us for our research on Burning Man by keeping a journal during this year’s event. Come find out about our project in the Confidentiality Room behind Media Mecca between 9 a.m. and noon on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. For more info, email census (at) burningman (dot) com

A special event hosted by the Black Rock Census… CENSUS TEA PARTY: AcadeMixer Come to another Mad Social Scientist Tea Party, our annual networking event for researchers and those with an interest in quantitative and qualitative data. Ethnographers, demographers, anthropologists, sociologists, neurobiologists, psychologists and other people people. Exhilarating conversation and FUN FUN. Come join us during this year’s event on Tuesday 2 p.m.- 4 p.m. For more info, email census (at) burningman (dot) com

A special discussion hosted by the Black Rock Census and Arts at the Heart … OPEN SPACE TEA PARTY: Integrating the Arts Across the Sustainability Movement

People worldwide are now using a new problem solving and discussion format called Open Space Technology (OST) that results in action steps for a particular issue. Come to the Census Project behind Media Mecca to participate in this exciting discussion group. We will use the standard Open Space workshop format to develop ways to integrate the arts across the sustainability movement. This event is brought to you by Arts at the Heart of a Sustainable World – an initiative that promotes the idea that creativity sustains the spirit, and therefore better sustains the community and the world as a whole. Arts at the Heart loves you! Bring your mug to the Confidentiality Room, behind Media Mecca on Wednesday 2 p.m.-6 p.m. For more info, contact Gwendelyn at aurorasparks (at) gmail (dot) com

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HOW TO SURVIVE THE APOCALYPSE: A BURNING ROADSHOW

“Have you ever left Black Rock City with a hankering to bring back more than leathery feet, jpgs, and that infernal dust?

Wouldn’t it be amazing if you could beam some of that playa magic directly to the folks back home, especially those who want to make the trek but can’t?

Ever wanted to take Burning Man on the road?

If your answer to any and all of these questions is something like ‘F**K YEAH!!!’ — or even a cool ‘you bet; — then we want to introduce ourselves. We are a group of devoted and experienced Burners who want to take the survival skills and strategies we have honed in the desert to the next level. And that next level is a traveling performance event called ‘How to Survive the Apocalypse: A Burning Roadshow’.

“The Burning Roadshow” is a combination of an old-time populist rally, a post-rock opera, a carnival midway, and a freaky cult ritual. The heart of the Roadshow will be a ferociously entertaining stage show — a mutant musical called “How to Survive the Apocalypse.” It’s about some friends and lovers who visit an art festival in the desert for the first time, crash and burn, and then rise from the ashes transformed. Imagine a “Hair” for burners, with an electronically damaged live brass band and major audience interaction, and you’ve got a sense of the beast we’ve got in our sights.

The show will take place in a circus-like environment we’ll create on the edge of the towns and cities across the country. We call it the TAZ, and it will envelop visitors in an esplanade-like carnival seething with Tantalizing groups and individuals, including artbus creators, Burners Without Borders, green-solution gurus, and other artists, performers and sexy maniacs.

Following the performance, we will offer a “curtain call to action,” an invitation to join us in a community-based Burners Without Borders project on the last day we are in the area. This senseless act of collective kindness will give audience members a taste of Burner-style participatory community in their own town, and will give the Roadshow participants something other to do than travel, perform, and party like barbarians at the gates of Rome.

Look for us on the playa this year at the Burning Roadshow camp, co-located with Burners Without Borders. We want to meet musicians, performers, artists, artbuses, and folks who want the Roadshow to come to their towns and who have ideas for local projects. Check the What/Where/When for timing and details about our daily meet-and-greets, cocktail auditions, and opportunities to record stories of your peak playa moments for possible use in the project. So keep an eye out for the Burning Roadshow in BRC, and come visit us and share your tales, energy, and ideas.

We also hope to be showered with the donations we need to allow us to move forward on this ambitious and timely project. The Burning Roadshow is a fiscally sponsored project of the Black Rock Arts Foundation, so all donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Checks may be made out to BRAF with ‘Burning Roadshow’ noted in the Memo line, and mailed to: Burning Roadshow c/o Black Rock Arts Foundation, 1900 3rd Street, SF, CA 94158.

For more information, or if you have specific questions that just CANNOT wait ’til Black Rock City, email us at info (at) burningroadshow (dot) com”

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THE MISS BLACK ROCK CITY PROJECT

Taking beauty out of the hands of corporate America

MISSBRC is proud to announce two playa events for 2007

MISS BLACK ROCK CITY TIARA MAKING WORKSHOP

Wednesday, 3:30 p.m.-5:30pm

Disorient (8:30 + esplanade)

If you are thinking of participating in the Miss Black Rock City Pageant on Thursday afternoon, or if you just want a funky tiara/headpiece/crown to match that special costume, stop by and make something super fancy from fuzzy chenille stems. Like all our events, all men and women (and any combination thereof!) are welcome – even the little misses and misters can do it! You’ll be amazed at what you can create. StacycatS of the MBRC Project will also be on hand to answer any questions about the pageant, so come say hello! Look for us at the Hut of the Glam Tech Warrior within Disorient.

MISS BLACK ROCK CITY 2007: PAGEANT OF SELF-PROCLAIMED BEAUTIES Thursday, 5 p.m.-6 p.m. Boogie Universal ARTS Collective (9 + esplanade)

Represent your village, your camp, your art, your tent, or just yourself!

Participants (open to all men + women) will reveal their unique inner beauty in these three categories: 1) Style
2) Two-Minute Talent Competition: No rules! Everyone has a talent, be it a stupid party trick or a fine art!
3) Interview: Do participants do it for world peace, the children, or for the puppies?

All finalists are beautiful and everyone wins by participating. Fabulous gifts include custom handmade tiaras and the Miss Black Rock City sash.

Hosted by StacycatS.

NOTE: No Beauty pageant is fair. Bribes are encouraged. Participate for fun rather than playing to win!

::stacycats http://www.missblackrockcity.com

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GREEN ARCHITECTURE STORIES FOR BRC SOUGHT BY RENO NEWSPAPER

Kris writes, “Greetings from Reno,

I’m looking for anyone who’s experimenting with eco-friendly architecture on the playa this year, especially if you are hoping to learn something about how your architectural design can apply to real-life, off-playa housing or building solutions.

I’m an arts and culture writer for the Reno News & Review, and if you’re planning to experiment with your eco-friendly building design on the playa, I’d like to talk with you about it. Please contact me by Mon., Aug 13, at (775) 830-4682 or kris (at) vagner (dot) net.

BTW, does anyone know who made those great cardboard yurts last year? I would like to talk with them too.

Thanks and cheers,
Kris Vagner”

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speaking of Reno… SHADE STRUCTURE ENGINEER SOUGHT IN RENO:

OK, not directly BRC relatred, but we figure you are Burners and one of you might actually be interested to help this one on your way through town to leave your mark on Reno.

From Mama Marie: “Shade the children – and those adults playing with them!

Do you have an expertise in the long term viability of large scale wind/sun shade structures? If so, and you’re traveling through Reno this year, would you consider gifting about 4 hours of your time to our wonderful little park across the street?

We need is someone to stand at the site and deduce the best design/materials option for this specific location. The playground equipment is being replaced next month and IF its at all possible to provide a couple of options for a low cost, easy maintenance long term shade structures the Parks guy is open to going the political distance to put it in.

Any day/time before Aug. 27th is acceptable. If the timing throws off your lodging plans, you are welcome to stay our place http://themonsterfamily.org/burn2007.jpg.

Many thanks from small children across the land. Mama Marie – mama (at) themonsterfamily (dot) org or call 775-337-8564″

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SIGN ON TO ECHELON

Echelon is looking for skilled folks to help out. We take care of the Rangers, so they can take care of Black Rock City. We keep track of Rangers’ shifts in a computer database and make sure they receive laminates, radios, uniforms, and anything else they need to do their jobs. It’s low-key and fun, and you get to hang out with Rangers. Your time commitment on playa doesn’t have to be huge — a two-hour radio runner shift is a great way to try it out and see if you like it. If this sounds like fun, or you have questions, email: feline (at) rangers (dot) org

Echelon Field Support is also seeking energetic volunteers to help with the logistics behind Ranger operations. We provide background support and facilitation to Rangers throughout Black Rock City. Our primary task is to pick up and deliver supplies including water, ice, and fuel on a scheduled basis. We also provide on-call transport for materials and people as needed for Ranger Dept. activities. Additionally, we use our skills and creativity as called upon to enhance the Rangers’ service to our city. As a volunteer in the field, you will have an opportunity to perform varied support tasks and interact with other departments. Volunteers should be prepared to work a mentored training shift. Those that are driving will need to provide documentation of a valid drivers license and demonstrate safe driving skills. If you are interested in working with Echelon Field Support or if you have questions about it please email Boiler at: brcboiler (at) gmail (dot) com

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ILLUMINATI PARADE

All you burners working on your illuminated outfits finally have a place to meet and socialize the night of the burn.

Illuminated People Unite! Join us for the First Annual Illuminati Parade around the Man on burn night. All people in lit costumes and their enlightened friends are invited to meet at Mohammeds Mini Martini and Erotica Camp at 8 o’clock [time or location? we’re not sure – you’ll have to find them and ask them] for glowing cocktails before parading out to the Man. Once we arrive at the Man, we’ll make the paseo between the crowd and the mutant vehicles, basking in the glow. After the Man burns, the Illuminati are invited to continue the party with a lit dance party at the Shiva Vista stage.

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JOIN THIS GOSPEL CHOIR IN BRC

Madi writes: “Ever wanted to sing in a choir in the most amazing place in the world~Burning Man? Here is your chance!

I’m Madi, I am a singer and choir director, you may have seen and heard me in Acaplaya if we came and sang for you sometime over the last 4 years. Anyway, I have been putting together a choir for the last 3 years. On Sunday morning, we give that music in a non-denominational service for our friends, guests, passer-bys. this year, we are blessed to have our sunday service at the Philly Experiment at 7:30 and Esplanade!

If this interests you, here is what you need to do: come to camp Acaplaya at around 7:30 and Desert on Wednesday at 4pm. We’ll meet, greet and sing. For thurs, fri and saturday, we’ll prepare the gift of music (rehearse) at 10:30 am (playa time), same place

Singing is the beginning of music, it’s been around as long as humans have been alive, it’s a form of communication, spirituality, healing, love, and joy…I’ll bet it’s older than the playa…(this is debatable, I am sure…) The spirit is always present for this experience, so bring your voice to be a conduit!

No reading necessary, although I will provide music if you are a total choir dork like me and need the notes. If you can learn by ear, you will be fine. There are some solo opportunities as well, and as always, if you play an instrument, we REALLY welcome you! (drums, tabla, bass, guitar, whatever..)

You can email me for more information…this is surely going to be a lovely musical experience and send out the vibe for all you voices to come and sing with me. AND you can bet the theme will permeate the songs and lyrics of our music!

more about me at: http://www.clockworksingers.com http://www.myspace.com/kathleenhollingsworth

reach me at: kathleen (at) clockworksingers (dot) com or madis_service@yahoo.com”

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YOUR STORIES ABOUT PLAYA SERENDIPITY REQUESTED

The lovely Amani writes: “please send me email to playadipity at gmail.com – I’m compiling a book, and already we have some really amazing moments of playadipity recorded!

You know Playadipity, aka Playa Magic- e.g.. when you think ‘hey it would be nice to have some bacon with this bailey’s and coffee’ and someone comes strolling down the street with a platter of bacon and a half-full cup of coffee wishing for bailey’s. There’s a lot more magic out there, and it rocks my world on a regular basis.

send them along with any instructions (change name, year, whatever you want included, permission to publish) please! It’s going to be a really amazing tome of work when it’s finished.

thank you so much!”

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SOME CORRECTIONS

2007 Newsletter errata:

On page 2 of our newsletter is a photo of the Temple of Hope, without an artist’s credit. Apologies to Mark Grieve and the Temple crew for the omission, and many thanks to them for their hard work and beautiful installation.

Also, we heard from Ben regarding RC frequencies at Burning Man:

“hi andie. i have a slight correction to the section about high powered radios. that section states that the RC (remote control) spectrum is not coordinated, but it is, by me. i am an RC hobbist, and i have been coordinating RC spectrum usage at BM for the last several years. this is important for public safety, since frequency conflicts can result in accidents and injuries. it is usually published in the survival guide that RC hobbyists can contact me at rchobbyist (at) burningman (dot) com to coordinate frequency usage.

cheers, ben”

AND

From the Environment JRS:

The REAL Alternative Energy Zone address is http://www.ae-zone.org

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{Soundtrack to the JRS: Lakme: Act I: Recit Et Strophes: ‘Les Fleurs Me Paraissent Plus Belles’ (Lakme)}

{=============================================================} ==================ADMIN ON AND OFF THE JRS==================={=============================================================}

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