tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-50082331605088946592024-03-13T14:20:07.653-07:00East Coast 2010 Rainbow Gathering: Allegheny National Forest, PennsylvaniaKarin's Rainbow Gathering 2010 news and ideas for creating a safe, fun and healing gathering in the Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania, July 1 - 7, 2010. As with all things Rainbow, this is not an official source of information and represents my thoughts only. Other people will have different ideas.Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831465491190114255noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008233160508894659.post-22827795632987742982010-11-13T06:59:00.000-08:002010-11-13T06:59:06.338-08:00Forest Service Documents on 2010 GatheringA kind brother has put together a page of documents he FOIA'd from the USFS. On this page there are also links to other documents as well. Great reading if you're into the gathering/USFS relationship and legal issues.<br />
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<a href="http://www.buffalostate.edu/peopleoftherainbow/x536.xml%20">Click here</a> to visit his page.Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831465491190114255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008233160508894659.post-85115458810945877672010-09-08T20:18:00.000-07:002010-09-08T20:18:00.938-07:00A Friend's Photos from PennsylvaniaThere's a crazy bunch of rotating photos posted on the Key West Gallery from this year's gathering. Check it out by clicking <a href="http://www.keywestgallery.com/Pages/Performers/InSpiritpages/RainbowGatherings/2010Penn.html">here</a>.Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831465491190114255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008233160508894659.post-33943133130926896552010-08-13T19:29:00.000-07:002010-08-13T19:31:25.120-07:00Cleanup Letter from USFS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRBIseYz6xrmmOPsGfe3msmSbKPKgmWbR-MwifKdZy3LUjNLBAxYY8NsWwYuadJs3kcj2vS-VcWu99c_PTcRomT4DPJTDsH1vOHoWzSs03MC_huWocTcBSh78Pghc_0_w9JNQX53vhweG/s1600/cleanupltr.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMRBIseYz6xrmmOPsGfe3msmSbKPKgmWbR-MwifKdZy3LUjNLBAxYY8NsWwYuadJs3kcj2vS-VcWu99c_PTcRomT4DPJTDsH1vOHoWzSs03MC_huWocTcBSh78Pghc_0_w9JNQX53vhweG/s400/cleanupltr.GIF" width="400" /></a></div><a href="http://karinzirk.com/rainbow/pennsylvania2010/final_walkthrough_2010_rainbow.pdf">Click here</a> to see the original cleanup letter from which the above text was excerpted. To see the conditions and objectives as outline in the operation plan, <a href="http://karinzirk.com/rainbow/pennsylvania2010/2010_rainbow_ops_plan.pdf">click here.</a> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM35AOK4eRuOHKACk_Pvjr72Zqq_geEqzL7C33SdbMbFsZWlFWy_4nzD-CyMw4IwIu_ZTrhUrMBw5l9CDssD1-hDlmXSC5iA7vC1T3-1p5O2u8MKxVNPPrjthhcj_LqKAp8rH2oiEiPNSE/s1600/heartwings.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="83" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM35AOK4eRuOHKACk_Pvjr72Zqq_geEqzL7C33SdbMbFsZWlFWy_4nzD-CyMw4IwIu_ZTrhUrMBw5l9CDssD1-hDlmXSC5iA7vC1T3-1p5O2u8MKxVNPPrjthhcj_LqKAp8rH2oiEiPNSE/s200/heartwings.JPG" width="200" /></a>A big shout out to our awesome cleanup crew! <b><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;"> </span></b><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;">WE LOVE YOU!</span></b></div>Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831465491190114255noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008233160508894659.post-53372225629153264342010-08-12T20:10:00.001-07:002010-08-12T20:10:57.537-07:00Copies of DocumentsThe great folks at the Free Assembly project have put up a page with various documents including the operating plan, rehab plan and the incident plan showing org charts, etc. Good reading. <a href="http://www.free-assembly.org/gather/courtstorms/rbw2010-pa/anf-foi/">Click here</a>.Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831465491190114255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008233160508894659.post-80293662351958244612010-08-09T10:24:00.000-07:002010-08-09T10:26:28.125-07:00On WhyThis year at the gathering in Pennsylvania, I meet a brother who had been reading this blog. His feedback was that this blog provided lots of practical information but didn't explain why. I thought about that comment and he was right, I don't always get into the whys on this blog. So on the new <a href="http://washingtongathering.blogspot.com/">blog</a> for the 2011 gathering, I'm going to try to address the why. However, since there were a bunch of whys asked at this year's gathering that went unanswered, I'll try to do them here.<br />
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<b>Shanti Sena Council </b>- someone wanting to discuss Shanti Sena issues during Vision Council was told this wasn't the place or time. He asked where the Shanti Sena Council for issue de jur was and no one responded.<br />
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<b>Why? </b>- Most Shanti Sena Councils happen as the situation is happening. Sometimes they happen a bit later after people have had a chance to calm down. It usually depends on the issue. If the issue is someone trying to do something that is contentious, then the council happens then and there with who ever is there. There is no list of people who attend Shanti Sena Councils. All family who sees an issues unfolding can choose to take part (or not) in the scene or the council on the scene. July 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 there is Main Council which is a great place to bring up any issues of concern including things like sanitation, Shanti Sena issues, domestic issues, etc. Even if Main Council may not "resolve" the issue, talking about it helps educate everyone on the issue we as a family are facing. It also allows sharing of many ways of lovingly handling issues.<br />
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People keep wanting to <b>call the cops</b> and many of us keep saying no.<br />
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<b>Why? </b> - One of the purposes of the gathering in my opinion is for us to learn how to resolve our issues peacefully. We are responsible for our gathering. That doesn't mean that everyone at the gathering needs to deal with every issue, but that some bellies have to deal with everything that needs dealing with. It means we use creative imagination to finds ways to maintain "Peaceful Respect" which can including, but is certainly not limited to oming, bubbling blowing, drumming, playing sports, sharing food, teaching and learning, counciling, walking with people, and the list goes on and on. As far as I'm concerned, the only time we should involve the cops is a death of any kind, any crime where the victim wants to press charges, and rape (provided we have a victim or a victim's parents willing to press charges). When people pose a danger, we can tail them by keeping 3 or 4 kind gentle people following them around the gathering (at least 25 feet away). This will insure that no one gets hurt. It also tends to discourage people from staying at the gathering. <br />
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<b>No Soap in or Near the Creek</b> (including Dr. Bronners)<br />
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<b>Why?</b> - Biodegradable means that the substance in question will break down and biodegrade in the soil. There are organisims in the soil that make this happen. Nothing biodegrades in water, it just breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces and pollutes the water (Yes even Dr. Bronners). By the way, in most desert ecosystems the soil is too dry to support the organisims necessary to biodegrade anything including kitchen scraps. When gathering in the desert, please take out all biodegradable items and compost them in your own personal compost pile.<br />
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<b>Cops arresting brother at Main Circle</b><br />
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<b>Why?</b> - The cops write tons of BS tickets to people on their way into the gathering for things ranging from failure to use a turn signal to minor amounts of marijuana. Most of these tickets require a mandatory court appearance. If you do not show, the judge issues a federal bench warrant for your arrest - which means anywhere in the USA if a cop runs your ID, you're going to jail. My personal perspective is that if we keeps things mellow, liked happened at Dinner Circle on July 2 and 3, the cops either leave with no one or leave with someone (like happened on July 2). When things don't stay calm, other people end up getting arrested for interfering with an officer and that charge is generally far more serious than the failure to use turn signals. The goods news about July 2 was that the brother who they took out during Dinner Circle had gone to court and done everything he was supposed to do. Because this family stayed calm, the cops were able to stay calm and verify their warrant, which they did and then they let the brother go. If people had been all upset and in their faces, that brother would have spent the weekend in jail and missed the 4th.Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831465491190114255noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008233160508894659.post-32594757415603628152010-08-02T09:19:00.000-07:002010-08-09T10:30:39.700-07:00Reporter Versus GatheringWhat happens when you've been exiled from the Internet, society, and Walmarts nationwide? You end up here at The Rainbow Gathering. It is difficult to describe what actually goes on at these technology-adverse gatherings, or what this has to do with videogames. See what happens to Jon Carnage when he visits, the gathering in Pennsylvania.<br />
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<a href="http://www.destructoid.com/public-access-destructoid-a-rainbow-gathering-179991.phtml">Link to source</a>.Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831465491190114255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008233160508894659.post-84368896863941310062010-07-28T07:39:00.000-07:002010-07-28T07:39:35.680-07:00Clean UpSeems there are a bunch of folks who came to the gathering in Pennsylvania and got the wrong idea about cleanup. Some people didn't realize that they were not supposed to have personal campfires, not supposed to leave their are behind and were supposed to make their campsites look like no one had been there. For some before and after photos of the amazing family who stayed to clean up someone else's mess, visit http://gatheringupdates.blogspot.com and take a look at what was posted yesterday and today.Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831465491190114255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008233160508894659.post-84338746551621778842010-07-26T17:15:00.000-07:002010-07-26T17:15:09.398-07:00Cleanup is ContinuingThere are still people on site, and despite the lack of bankers and money to take trash to the dump, cleanup continues. Ignore rumors of cancellation and send rakes. there's likely only one trash run remaining, all the other trash runs were paid for out of an individual's pocket and arrangements are being made for reimbursement to be made at a later time. as stated, despite these facts, cleanup continues.Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831465491190114255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008233160508894659.post-43947381826908241262010-07-24T20:30:00.000-07:002010-07-24T20:30:07.849-07:00Thank you letter to local communities from the USFSBRAVO<br />
Forest Service offers thanks<br />
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<a href="http://www.timesobserver.com/page/content.detail/id/533471.html">POSTED: July 24, 2010 on Times Observer Website</a><br />
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An Open Letter of Thanks:<br />
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On behalf of the Allegheny National Forest and the National Incident Management Team, I would like to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to all local communities for your assistance during the 2010 National Rainbow Family gathering. Hosting such a gathering takes a lot of community involvement and quality partnerships to achieve a safe and successful event. With your assistance, we were able to meet that objective.<br />
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Your support was invaluable and made our management of this large gathering much easier. We recognize the impacts to businesses, public services and to local residents from the thousands of additional visitors to our area. It is our hope that the positive experiences with this gathering outweigh any negatives that may have occurred.<br />
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I would also like to extend my thanks to you for welcoming the employees from other National Forests across the country who came here to work with Allegheny National Forest employees during the event. Your hospitality was highly recognized and very much appreciated.<br />
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Sincerely,<br />
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Leanne M. Marten, Forest SupervisorKarinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831465491190114255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008233160508894659.post-21350952233229592862010-07-21T19:22:00.001-07:002010-07-21T19:22:11.496-07:00Looks like Cleanup is DoneGot a call from a friend at the site. He said people were going to be pulling out Thursday or Friday.Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831465491190114255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008233160508894659.post-4391473420356488942010-07-20T14:55:00.000-07:002010-07-20T14:55:34.871-07:00Need Video Of False Dog Hits on CarsUnless we have video proving that the supposed drug dogs at the gathering were "hitting" on vehicles that had nothing illegal in them, there's a good chance that a brother will be spending years in jail. If you or anyone you know has footage of this or were a victim of this and can make a stated, please email <a href="mailto:me@karinzirk.com">me</a>.Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831465491190114255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008233160508894659.post-6832221226499877622010-07-20T14:51:00.001-07:002010-07-20T15:55:21.320-07:00Cleanup Report July 20<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgVXKl0JbySCnrINunG4JqUqAg9MN7-5skG4RpQvcGDnosamxAsYzhgVfvWJe-F5CBDDyrFcBItvEiSp06NrK4C41-lxTeMXh1fBu157FacsG6MVFL4bcYSQI4a31M4jqnGkz_RHNKFg9/s1600/MainMeadow_July20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicgVXKl0JbySCnrINunG4JqUqAg9MN7-5skG4RpQvcGDnosamxAsYzhgVfvWJe-F5CBDDyrFcBItvEiSp06NrK4C41-lxTeMXh1fBu157FacsG6MVFL4bcYSQI4a31M4jqnGkz_RHNKFg9/s320/MainMeadow_July20.jpg" /></a><BR><br />
<i>Main Meadow July 20 - Note Plants Growing</i><br />
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<P>Record time clean up nearly done. One more trash load then micro trash the 2 pile areas. Rehab 95% done thanks to many as well as the Fat Kids. We are under 30 people and 10 or so cars. The F.S. Are very very happy and want the totem pole for their main office bldg. But its first come first serve on that.. We could duff more trails and kitchens but it is sooo humid here we may be out soon. A few people will need stay till the 27th for a ride. But we beat last years record and last year beat Wyo. And Wyo at the time was the fastest GOOD clean up that I remember since 91. Main meadow is green. And now time for the final clean sweep and re duff the supply trail. Main trail was completed yesterday.Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831465491190114255noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008233160508894659.post-82538066184421450862010-07-18T11:24:00.000-07:002010-07-18T11:24:54.196-07:00Cleanup Report from July 10This report came from Allegheny Outdoor Adventures: <i>We are a group of environmentally conscious "explorers" interested in trips that might include, but not limited to: caving, hiking, backpacking, camping, mountain biking, canoing, kayaking, rafting, tubing, rock exploring, rock climbing, rappelling, swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, winter camping, orienteering, bird watching, X-Country skiing and Geocaching in the Allegheny National Forest & Allegany State Park Areas. </i><br />
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Check out their report <a href="http://www.angelfire.com/pa2/STONEMANGUITARS/rainbow2.html">here</a>.Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831465491190114255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008233160508894659.post-38825451236010903332010-07-11T19:12:00.000-07:002010-07-11T19:12:04.340-07:00Vision Council ConsensusConsensus reached on July 7:<br />
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"The Vision Council of the Rainbow Family of Living Light on the land in Pennsylvania consent that the 2011 Annual National Rainbow Gathering be in Washington State."<br />
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For information on the 2011 gathering, <a href="http://washingtongathering.blogspot.com">click here</a>.Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831465491190114255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008233160508894659.post-77949262462967011702010-07-06T11:30:00.000-07:002010-07-18T11:30:21.801-07:00Local Visits Gathering on July 5From the article:<br />
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"On July 5th, some friends and I went to the "Rainbow Gathering" to check it out. Here are some photos and some random thoughts of the whole thing!" Read the rest of the story <a href="http://www.angelfire.com/pa2/STONEMANGUITARS/rainbow.html">here</a>.Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831465491190114255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008233160508894659.post-22630052027853210382010-06-29T11:43:00.000-07:002010-06-29T13:44:08.763-07:00New Parking Information!!Please refer to <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Pleasant+Dr&daddr=Pleasant+Rd%2FS+R+3005+to:41.653579,-79.295669+to:41.646018,-79.28936&geocode=Fe35fQIdKoxH-yndFO8M_kXNiTEaKfMYL9hRCg%3BFV10fQIdh9xG-ynfJICI_EnNiTE1cy1H5PMSzw%3B%3BFcJ3ewId8CNG-w&hl=en&mra=dpe&mrcr=1&mrsp=2&sz=16&via=2&ie=UTF8&msa=0&ll=41.663679,-79.293137&spn=0.146451,0.363579&t=h&z=12&msid=107930220143732356012.00048a2fb254c1f14fe36">THIS MAP</a> while reading the following information.<br /><br />An email has gone out to a lot of people saying that parking on FS552 is full up, and that folks should go park on the back road, near Back Gate/Supply.<br /><br />I just spoke with someone on site (June 29, 1pm) who says that they do not know if FS552 parking is full, but that parking along 119 still has quite a lot of parking. This means you can still come in the front way, but that you will have to walk a bit further (or catch a ride) to get to the trail head. 119 is the long Forest Service Road in toward the Gathering, and 552 juts off of 119 like a little cul-de-sac and the trail head is there. So, if you choose to park on 119, you will need to park and then walk down 119, and turn onto 552 to get to the trail head.<br /><br />The other option is the Back Gate/Main Supply road which is FS209. People have been asked in the past not to use this road unless they were with a kitchen, but it is now open to all, now that parking at the front gate is tight. This is a narrow road and turn-around is tight, so it was the opinion of my informant that if you have a bus or a trailer, you would prefer to park on 119 and walk to the front gate.<br /><br />Driving from one gate to the other is estimated to be about 40 miles.<br /><br />A-Camp is located at Front Gate also, and those wanting to avoid that are advised to park on FS209. There is a sort of Bus Village at Front Gate, but my informant was guessing it was mostly full.<br /><br />Back Gate has some meadow parking but it is hilly and those sleeping in their vehicles would not find level ground. Best parking is along the side of the road.<br /><br />Be advised that both roads have soft loamy shoulders, and all drivers are advised to get out of their vehicles and check the hardness of the shoulder before parking. Folks are finding that their wheels are sinking a couple hours after parking in some places and need a tow out of their spot.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;">Directions to Both Gates Here:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;">Front Gate (FS119 and 552):</span><br /></span></span></span><span><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">(Borrowed from Welcomehere.org)</span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-family:georgia;">From the North via Warren, PA: I86 East to US62 South, follow to Warren PA. Continue on Market St 0.3 miles, Turn right at Pennsylvania Ave (US6, Business Route, West), travel 0.2 miles Turn left at Hickory St Bridge, proceed 0.1 mile, slight left at Crescent Rd, 0.4 mi, Continue very briefly (150feet) on Mohawk ave, continue onto Pleasant Drive(SR3005). Follow signs toward "Hearts Content Recreation Area" Follow Pleasant Drive for 11.1 miles. Make a left on SR2002. Keep following signs for "Hearts Content". Drive 5.8 miles, passing "Hearts Content". Make a right onto FS 116, make an immediate right onto FS119, follow for exactly 5.8 miles to FS552. Follow FS552 to designated parking areas. Welcome Home! This is the recommended way in from the north, obviously there are alternates. Here's the </span><a style="font-family: georgia;" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Pleasant+Dr&daddr=Pleasant+Rd%2FS+R+3005+to:41.646018,-79.28936&geocode=FRxKfgId8s9H-w%3BFZIbfQIdeaBG-w%3BFcJ3ewId8CNG-w&hl=en&mra=mr&mrcr=0&via=1&sll=41.778993,-79.157867&sspn=0.155405,0.240326&ie=UTF8&z=12" target="_blank">google map</a><span style="font-family:georgia;"> version </span><p style="font-family: georgia;">From the East, via Sheffield PA: Go to Sheffield PA, One tenth of a mile from the end of Route 666 (where it meets Route 6) there is a Uni-mart gas station.Turn onto this road and cross over the bridge. Continue onto High St (State Road, SR2002)and follow for 11.2 Miles. Make a left onto FS116. Make an immediate right onto FS119, follow for exactly 5.8 miles to FS552. Follow FS552 to designated parking areas. Welcome Home! </p><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 102, 0);"><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Back Gate (FS209)</span><br /></span></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><span style="font-family:georgia;">From the town of EAST HICKORY, take HIGHWAY 62 to Route 666 East.</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Turn LEFT of Yellowhammer Road, also called State Route 4006</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">That will become BRECHT RD. also called T330</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">That will soon become Forest Service Road 209</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Stay on FS209 to HOME.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">From Sheffield, PA Take 666West</span><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;">Turn right on Yellowhammer Road and continue as above to HOME.</span><br /><br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008233160508894659.post-21438721771049341092010-06-28T23:43:00.001-07:002010-06-28T23:45:08.877-07:00The Effects of Rainbow Gatherings on Local Residents - Part TwoThis video includes interviews with townsfolk and merchants of stores and lodges near past Rainbow Gatherings. They were asked for their honest opinion of how the event went, the effects it had on their business, and what advice they would give to people in towns near future Gatherings.<br /><br /><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5VwVjvSSn5I&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5VwVjvSSn5I&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008233160508894659.post-24975107855078603272010-06-28T23:40:00.000-07:002010-06-28T23:42:45.132-07:00The Effects of Rainbow Gatherings on Local Residents - Part OneWhat exactly <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">IS</span> the Rainbow Gathering?<br /><br /><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vLj8qsXt0ZE&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vLj8qsXt0ZE&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008233160508894659.post-69356487843504767392010-06-27T18:36:00.000-07:002010-06-28T11:23:31.845-07:00Cell Service on the Site & What To Do in an Emergency<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7ih0PLOSnOlTTCaUyp8OTVsbQU2zomLBlI76coBlqJuBVy6DALCNE-v4hAy-9CI8JtwpcwOz5GfSGQjr_ARK_f7Mb0dUQ5THBJn3BWtOKx5rkdP2EWX3iGXxxwK-hlVbDGR0chi-0GY/s1600/camp+view.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7ih0PLOSnOlTTCaUyp8OTVsbQU2zomLBlI76coBlqJuBVy6DALCNE-v4hAy-9CI8JtwpcwOz5GfSGQjr_ARK_f7Mb0dUQ5THBJn3BWtOKx5rkdP2EWX3iGXxxwK-hlVbDGR0chi-0GY/s320/camp+view.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487891874710566914" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Cell Phones</span><br /><br />Many folks have been asking about whether there is cell phone service from the site.<br /><br />Without speaking to the finer points of whether we should USE cell phones at the site, let me just report that folks whose phones use the CDMA network (including Verizon, US Cellular, etc) are finding that they get good reception up on the road, and sporadic service down in the site.<br /><br />People on the GSM network (ATT, Sprint, TMobile, etc) have spotty reception on the road, <span style="font-style: italic;">some</span> texting capabilities, and not much at all down in the site.<br /><br />Anyone on one of the Tier 3 networks are going to find no service past the last good size city.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">********************<br /></div><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">What To Do In An Emergency</span><br /><br />The CALM/Shanti Sena folks are a little concerned about the ability of any person on site being able to call 911 and have an ambulance or even a life-flight helicopter come out on an emergency call, without doctors who are already on site being able to arrive on scene first to determine if such measures are necessary.<br /><br />Remember that calling 911 is <span style="font-style: italic;">only</span> to be used in an immediately life threatening emergency. If you find yourself in a medical emergency, (or threatened in any way), please <span style="font-style: italic;">call out loudly</span> for help from Shanti Sena, and someone with a radio will be at your side quickly to bring assistance. They will asses and determine the best course of action, if evacuation is necessary and if so, which method to use.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008233160508894659.post-54567347142691160592010-06-27T18:03:00.000-07:002010-06-27T18:32:50.173-07:00Parking at the Gathering & The Hike In!I received a call yesterday from a friend on site with some good advice about arriving at the Gathering.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.starsrainbowrideboard.org/welcomehome_mirror/rainbow/">directions to the Gathering</a> will land you on Forest Service Road 119 taking you to Parking on FS 552.<br /><br />Most parking is along the side of the road. The Parking Crew (and the Forest Service) is asking all vehicles (who do not park in a lot) to park on the west side of the road, which is the LEFT side of the road as you drive in. Yes, this will involve crossing over the center line and parking on the opposite side of the road, going in the wrong direction.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">ADVISORY!!!</span> It is <span style="font-weight: bold;">strongly</span> advised, before parking, that you get out of your vehicle and <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">check the softness</span> of the side of the road. make sure the ground where you wish to park is <span style="font-weight: bold;">HARD</span>. There have been a lot of people who pull over the proper distance off the road, everything looks great, they park and walk away, and return a couple hours later to find two wheels have sunk into the ground, requiring chains and a bigger vehicle to pull the car out. The issue is NOT so much mud, but just soft, spongy ground. However, more rains may exacerbate this problem.<br /><br />Please make sure your vehicle is legal, remove all hanging things from your rear-view mirror (the latest reason to pull you over) and that your tags are current and your brake lights and turn signals work. Please drive the speed limit for everyone's safety!<br /><br />Supply is located on FS209, and people are being asked not to drive on this road unless they are a kitchen bringing in their equipment. Kitchen vehicles may park at the closest spot above their kitchen and hike stuff down through the trees. The same issues with soft shoulders apply here. I've also been told that no large vehicles should attempt to drive up FS 209 to the supply camp, as they'll get stuck.<br /><br />The hike in from the parking area is a "long but refreshingly easy" walk in.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008233160508894659.post-60331429310664936962010-06-26T23:30:00.000-07:002010-06-27T00:05:35.096-07:00News Articles About Pennsylvania GatheringThought you might be interested in reading some of the local news about the Rainbow Gathering out of Warren, PA, a town very close to this year's National Gathering. There are comment sections full of debate after each article.<br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><a href="http://www.timesobserver.com/page/content.detail/id/532295.html">They’re Baaack! - By KARA WHITE - Posted: June 23, 2010</a></span><span style="font-family: arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.timesobserver.com/page/content.detail/id/532298.html">No Cause for Alarm: Rainbows tell Residents, 'Don't Be Scared' by Brian Ferry - Posted June 23 2010</a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2010306259956">Rainbow Family Crowds Erie's Federal Courthouse to Answer Infractions - by LISA THOMPSON - June 25, 2010</a></span><br /><br /><br />Feel free to post more links as you find them in the comment section below this post.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="float: left;"> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008233160508894659.post-74662501917101802382010-06-25T10:07:00.000-07:002010-06-25T10:16:03.786-07:00Shitting in the WoodsIf you're not clear on the concept, don't just shit randomly in the woods. There are <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">shitters</span> in the vicinity of all the major camps/kitchens. Mostly we have slit trenches. Make sure to cover your shit after using the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">shitter</span> - break the <span style="font-weight: bold;">shit - fly - food </span>connection. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Shitters</span> should have a can of ashes or lime at them. If they don't, it's your job to fix it. Go to the nearest kitchen and see what they have available.<br /><br />Don't pee in the shitter unless you're pooping as well. Pee in the bushes, under a tree where people aren't likely to walk or sit. DO NOT DROP TOILET PAPER ON THE GROUND. Sisters - bring some wash clothes. They make great reusable wipes for peeing. Rinse it out at the end of the day and when it's dry you can use it again. Our cleanup crew hates having to pick up little pieces of toilet paper left under bushes. We are all the cleanup crew and it's easier to not litter in the first palce.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtB_0g4EdLxCMtvrjk_LFWHVQocDpHmhdU7H8SWh2Yswy0n4X6K7o48GyRtjLdvgnNjt_UTHBWwwu5W4uf1jIhqoKXL6YheKTEbwV-1YcIle8Rrg8HuPARFezd_O8iliPV_lFJ5N0MFwuX/s1600/outhous.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 235px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtB_0g4EdLxCMtvrjk_LFWHVQocDpHmhdU7H8SWh2Yswy0n4X6K7o48GyRtjLdvgnNjt_UTHBWwwu5W4uf1jIhqoKXL6YheKTEbwV-1YcIle8Rrg8HuPARFezd_O8iliPV_lFJ5N0MFwuX/s320/outhous.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486759974528130178" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">All dog shit needs to get into the </span><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">shitter</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> and get covered up.</span> If you brought a dog, you are responsible for your dog and make suring other dog parents are being responsible for their dogs.<br /><br />Make sure to wash your hands <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">thoroughly</span> after using a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">shitter</span>. <span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">COVER YOUR SHIT. </span></span>Your ability to successfully shit in the woods is necessary to keep us all safe and healthy.<br /><br />Just an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">fyi</span>, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">shitter</span> shown in this photo is an example of a very high tech <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">shitter</span> for the gathering. Be prepared to straddle and squat. Toilet paper is not always provided at a shitter. Many people bring their own.Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831465491190114255noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008233160508894659.post-73015168146082882732010-06-25T08:30:00.000-07:002010-06-25T08:36:40.514-07:00Seed Camp Versus GatheringWhile the dates of the gathering are announced as July 1-7 or July 1-4, the reality is that you can't put a date on when the transition from Seed Camp to Gathering takes place. Many years I'm sitting at Dinner Circle with a friend and we look at each other and said, today is the first day of the gathering. That day can take place on June 25 or July 1 or .... It varies year to year.<br /><br />During seed camp, the ratio of law enforcement to gatherers is very high and many people who come to seed camp become victims of overzealous law enforcment activity. Once the gathering starts, and especially closer to July 1, the number of people on the roads coming in increases significantly. During the early days of seed camp, you may have one car every couple of hours. Then all those cops with nothing better to do jump all over that unfortunate person and her/his traveling companions. Closer to July 1 you may have multiple cars an hour or even a minute coming in with the same amount of law enforcement staffing. Now of course, someone is going to fall victim to law enforment insanity, but the odds of any one car getting caught up in the madness are dramatically less.<br /><br />Food for thought.Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831465491190114255noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008233160508894659.post-7488320631541503732010-06-24T08:05:00.000-07:002010-06-24T08:24:19.610-07:00Serving as Witness<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4SJC12P8OIUVkskE9SKNURfgdbupyoeOUYsWJXTDPf5Py-byFVt4Z_0RfqbeeFinsZsR1dJgQd5LsLfHeYoLyoz4cqZzltm65LauZvfA15lS3XQBJFPErKgf-L0Cxxl6Xla7hpFXy7XD/s1600/IMG_5516.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4SJC12P8OIUVkskE9SKNURfgdbupyoeOUYsWJXTDPf5Py-byFVt4Z_0RfqbeeFinsZsR1dJgQd5LsLfHeYoLyoz4cqZzltm65LauZvfA15lS3XQBJFPErKgf-L0Cxxl6Xla7hpFXy7XD/s320/IMG_5516.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486361261257616466" border="0" /></a>The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">USFS</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">LEOs</span> are doing their best to arrest as many people as possible to justify the almost <span style="font-weight: bold;">one million dollars a year they spend on coming to the gathering to arrest people.</span> If this sounds like circular logic, it is. Most year's the arrests are for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">marijuana</span> possession (mostly very minor amounts), <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">interfering</span> with an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">officer</span> (i.e. talking to an officer), or the very dangerous broken turn signal.<br /><br />Many times, the only evidence that keeps someone out of prison is the evidence collected by other gathering participants via still camera photos or video footage. Time and time again, charges on our family have been dismissed because someone cared enough to video the incident. Now before you go all <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">gung</span> ho on video taping, I'm hearing rumors that video taping officers in the line of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">harassment</span> (or duty as they call it) is illegal. I'm trying to sort through the rumors as best I can on this fact.<br /><br />That being said, please bear witness to your brothers and sisters. Obtain as much information as you can and write it down as it's happening. If you don't know the person, bring everything you collected to INFO. Write down their name, license plate number, their camp, the names of the officers involved, as much detail of what happened as you can - all this will be helpful.<br /><br />It is terrifying to be arrested in a place you don't live, but even worse if your friends and family don't know what happened to you. Let's make sure we are there with love, legal assistance and proof of what really happened for every belly the cops drag out of our gathering. The courts usually believe the word of cops over hippies and punks, so we need the evidence to prove our side of the story.<br /><br />To gain a better idea of the costs and staffing associated with this year's gathering, it can be helpful to look at costs and staffing for the 2008 gathering. Thanks to a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">FOIA</span> request, that information is available <a href="http://karinzirk.com/rainbow/wyoming2008/Rainbow_NIMT_WY_2008.pdf">here</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">By the way, the photo shown above was from this year's gathering.</span>Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831465491190114255noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5008233160508894659.post-82346966923661138242010-06-20T19:44:00.000-07:002010-06-20T19:46:26.060-07:00Words of Wisdom<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwnc7d5YPYqWuV2HKoW5qPQaqrifL95ELWZ-cwMllFsDrLeYc4_aDeCgZ31IP4z0JnGRuOTBXNQxR-_oJ9mQeKqnKnf57AP3RRosMokjY0eNZVhneNl2o9766X53asOp5ySZG-tNrV17s8/s1600/Rainbow+signs.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwnc7d5YPYqWuV2HKoW5qPQaqrifL95ELWZ-cwMllFsDrLeYc4_aDeCgZ31IP4z0JnGRuOTBXNQxR-_oJ9mQeKqnKnf57AP3RRosMokjY0eNZVhneNl2o9766X53asOp5ySZG-tNrV17s8/s400/Rainbow+signs.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485052651933864210" border="0" /></a><br />Courtesy some good brothers and sisters.Karinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07831465491190114255noreply@blogger.com1