It’s wintertime and it’s cold. Beat the cold temperature in a warm pool, hot tub or sauna or warm yourself playing racquetball or Volleyball at our next indoor nude recreation night on Sunday February 10 from 7 pm to 9 pm.

 

The cost for the event is still $10 per person for AANR/TNS members and $12 per person for non members when pre registering prior to February 7. I you elect to pay at the door, the prices are $15 per person for AANR/TNS members and $17 per person for non members.

 

For more detailed information e-mail Hidden springs at hsevents@verizon.net or leave a voice message at 503-841-1995. Looking forward to another fun filled unclad night.

 

Chris Brokke

Vice President Hidden Springs

 

Erich Schuttauf, Executive Director

The 23RD EDITION GUIDE just arrived

Congratulations are in order for Publications Director Linda Berry and
her team for getting another edition of the North American Guide to
Nude Recreation out ahead of schedule. (Special thanks also to
Shirley Heaton who prepared an introduction to this edition.)

This week 5,000 copies arrived from the printer and are available for
purchase. Interested clubs can buy the Guide at quantity discounts,
and even use their membership credits to exchange for free copies.
Call Carol DeAldana at 800/879-6833, ext. 233, for details and to
place your order.

Legislative and Regulatory Tracking Continues

Within Debra Stevens’ report below you will find an update on
government affairs developments, as well as a link to information on
bills and proposed regulations which the AANR team is currently
tracking. This week we looked at approximately 100 new measures, as
well as about 50 regulations. Totals appear within Debra ’s summary.

Pasco County , FLorida , Affirms Commitment to Protecting

AANR Clubs

On Tuesday the County Commission went out of its way, multiple,
multiple times to say that their proposed changes to an adult land use
ordinance would not affect nudist resorts in any way. From a legal
standpoint, what’s most significant is that the commission and the
county attorney reiterated that there had been NO change from the 2001
legislative finding by the county that nudist resorts “do not give
rise to adverse secondary effects and should be exempt” from the
zoning law.

I want to thank the many people who showed up from our Pasco resorts
to help monitor what was happening, including Darren Norris from
Caliente , Ed Moran from Paradise Lakes, Mark Ashcroft and Ken Cushman
of Lake Como club, plus “Dave” (Gulf Coast), “Don,” and several others
whose names escape me, but are appreciated. Ed proposed a slight
wording change to the commission which, while not adopted, “set the
ball rolling” and caused the commission to be very upfront about their
clear intent not to affect us. Darren had done a very thorough job of
talking to commissioners before hand as was evident from what occurred
also. Calls from Lake Como members to commissioners were specifically
mentioned during the hearing.

I submitted written material to bolster the record of positive
economic effects… including a Florida Trend article citing Pasco
Tourism Council figures that show more than 12% of visitors come to
the county to enjoy clothes free resorts.

Collectively the day went well for AANR. The reiteration of Pasco ’s
legislative findings that nudist resorts do not create adverse
secondary effects is extremely important. It can help us in other
Florida counties because, under case law from the U.S. Court of
Appeals for the 11th Circuit, when a community does research on
adverse effects (required as a prelude to passing adult entertainment
laws) it must consider studies more recent in time and closer in
geography as more probative than, say, a study of the blight caused by
an adult bookstore on the housing market in Enid, Oklahoma, in the
1970s. Since many of the so-called “Family Law” groups try to depend
on such outdated studies, the relatively new findings by Pasco , and
their reiteration of those findings yesterday, provides some helpful
ammunition to us.

A news story from the St. Pete Times appears in the link below: (
http://www.sptimes.com/2008/01/23/news_pf/Pasco/County_takes_aim_at_s.shtml

Representative David Weldon Announces He Will Not

Seek Re-election

Some who have been involved in government affairs and nude recreation
for many years will remember the infamous Weldon amendment banning the
National Park Service at the Canaveral National Seashore from using
any funds to create a clothing-optional area if doing so would be
inconsistent with county law. The Weldon amendment was to ostensibly
curtail any nude area on the Brevard County side of the seashore
although many travelers continue to shed clothes in the area north of
parking lot #13 in Brevard County to this day. Yet it did much to fan
the flames of discord between naturists and those who opposed naturism.

Today news sources announced Representative Weldon’s intention not to
seek re-election for another term:
http://www.wftv.com/news/15136367/detail.html

YOUTH DVD

Nancy Tiemann and Judy Grisham ask that you take time to review the
Youth DVD that was sent to all clubs in December. Please support the
programs by recruiting youth from your club for youth camps, Nude U,
or Youth Ambassadors. Any financial assistance would also be appreciated.

Carolyn Hawkins, Public Relations Coordinator

POSITIVE PUBLICITY

The link below talks about Haulover Beach .

http://www.southbeach-usa.com/news/travel/2008/01/17/10-things-miami-2/

TRAINING CD

The training CD has been reviewed and is in the final stages. As soon
as we receive them we will send them to the clubs.

Linda Berry, Director of Publications

THE NORTH AMERICAN GUIDE

A complimentary copy of the Guide was mailed this week to all
advertisers and clubs who were listed in the book.

THE BULLETIN

March is in production, and it includes the name of the Mystery Guest,
the nudist from Angel Care, and a Frogmore Stew recipe from South
Carolina .

Terry Justice, Club/Member Liaison

Please welcome a new provisional club:

Nudist Clubhouse
(Nonlanded)
P.O. Box 502632
San Diego , CA. 92150

www.Nudistclubhouse.com
info@nudistclubhouse.com
858/945-8095

Debra Sue Stevens, Government Affairs

AANR Northwest GAT Leadership Forum

Sun Meadow Resort in Worley , Idaho , hosted the AANR-NW Government
Affairs Team Leadership Forum, January 18-20. Sun Meadow Resort, a
long time GAT supporter, provided an all-inclusive weekend for a
minimal fee that allowed for a larger number of participants. Look
for an article in your March Bulletin.

AANR Assateague Island Spring Cleanup 2008 – APRIL 26th

Advance registration is now open for volunteers to help at the AANR’S
Assateague State Park Beach Cleanup on Saturday, April 26, to show how
much nudists care about this wonderful beach area. Volunteers will
meet at the ranger station at 9:00 a.m. This is a clothed event and it
could be a little chilly.

To sign up and for additional information concerning this event,
contact Ray Simpson at raysimpson@verizon.net or phone 301/399-9338.
Please include your name, e-mail address, and phone number when
signing up. We will need to contact you in case of any last minute
updates or changes.

CapWiz Alert – “Wild Horses Couldn’t Keep Me Away!”

On Monday, an informational CapWiz alert was sent to AANR members
residing in the states of DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA and WV regarding the
Assateague Island cleanup. You must be subscribed through the AANR
Web site to receive alerts. The alert was delivered to 770 valid
e-mail addressees. Overall, 343 AANR members opened the alert. The
past has shown that these alerts have increased volunteerism at
Assateague Island .

Subscribe to Receive Important Capwiz Alerts
To sign-up for CapWiz Alerts, please visit
http://www.aanr.com/members.html, log in, then click Government
Affairs on the left. Half-way down the page will be the CapWiz link.
Fill out the registration form to receive the alerts. If you are an
existing member and would like to update your profile, scroll to the
bottom of the page for this option. Your participation in this
program is an added benefit of your AANR membership. Please feel free
to post this information in your club newsletter!

AANR-West Requests Club Brochures

Your club brochures are needed as AANR-West begins representing AANR
at various tradeshows this year. Please send 50-100 brochures to
AANR-West President Jeannette DeRosier , 25999 Glen Eden Road #247 ,
Corona , CA 92883 . AANR-West welcomes the opportunity to promote
your club, even if your club is located in another region.

AANR Members are Encouraged to Assist in Bill Tracking

Ellyn Kern from Drakes Ridge Rustic Nudist Retreat, Inc. wrote me, “I
have been monitoring Indiana for the Indiana Campground Owners
Association and didn’t think there was anything to worry about on the
first round. And this is a short session and property tax relief is
on everyone’s mind. However, a couple bills turned up lately I wanted
to pass on that would be in the Watch Category. HB1042 Registering
intent to sell sexually explicit product. As written it shouldn’t end
up affecting us at all in my opinion. HB 1189 This is a tax item that
could affect Indiana nudist clubs. I continue to watch the bills in
my roles in both associations.” Thank you Ellyn!

StateNet Training – Refresher Course for AANR GAT

Members of the AANR GA Team attended a virtual StateNet training
session with our StateNet representative this week. This training
refreshed their skills in monitoring, tracking and managing bill that
are of interest to AANR.

Legislature Watch Report – StateNet.com

Your Government Affairs Team and AANR Office continue their efforts to
review and monitor upcoming bills through our StateNet software.

This Week in Session:

Today there are 36 States, DC and US House in Regular Session.
There are 4 states in Special Session.

Statistics for This Week:

Today 786 bills have been reviewed personally by Erich and me.

Today 105 bills have been reviewed in full text by Erich and me.

Today 56 bills are on the Government Affairs Team “Legislative
Tracking List.”

AANR StateNet Tracking List:

At this time, AANR is NOT asking for member assistance on any of the
bills we are tracking. If you have information or feedback pertaining
to these bills, please contact me or the AANR office. To view the
AANR GA Legislative Tracking List, visit
http://www.aanr.com/members.html, log in, then click Government
Affairs on the left. Scroll down to the downloads at the bottom of the
page and click on StateNet Jan. 25, 2008.

Each of the bills has been assigned to one of the following categories:

* HIGH – These are serious bills that we are actively tracking
because, as written, they present a direct or high probable threat to
nude recreation.

o WATCH – These are bills which are less
threatening, as written, but could become a problem with an
amendment/s that add/delete just a few phrases. In some cases a bill
on the Watch List may be neither good nor bad but AANR would want to
notify members and/or clubs upon passage so that they could comply
with the law.

o RESEARCH – These bills require additional
research in order to evaluate properly. They may, for example, refer
to unexplained statue numbers which must be reviewed or the bill is
very lengthy and must be printed out to examine carefully for their
affect.

o GOOD – These are bills which present an
opportunity to help members and/or clubs.

The eNews and the regional web site are being combined.

ACTION REQUIRED

To continue to receive the AANR-NW eNews by email you will need to opt-in.

If you have not yet opted-in you may click here:

Subscribe now .

You will be directed to a form on the AANR-NW.org web site. It will ask for your first name and email address. Then click “submit.”

We will continue to publish the enews by Yahoo!’s system for a awhile, so don’t unsubscribe to Yahoo! just yet.

The eNews (and archives) are accessible from the regional web site side bars.
Look for eNews near the bottom and click on the month from the drop-down list.

So, click here now: Subscribe here

Thanks,

Paul, Karen and Mel
the Digital Communications Committee

P.S. Thanks to Karen for setting up ou r regional web hosting system.
We can now offer to host your AANR-NW club’s web site on
our regional servers. Email for details.

P.P.S. As Shirley would say, this is yet another benefit brought to
you by dues paying AANR-NW members. Thanks to them also!

Glassbar State Park – Bring Beach

Submitted by:  Shirley Gauthier AANR-NW GAT Chair

 

A little known Glassbar State Park located near Springfield, Oregon was cause for alarm January 16.  An observant Rick Pierides from Seattle, Washington notified me January 16 at 5:12 p.m. that large posts had been set in cement at the access area parking lot located on Lane County property.  It appeared that the intent was to restrict access to a nude beach located in the area.

 

January 17 after driving to the area to verify and take a few photos of the posts I made a few phone calls and I was directed to Jeff Bishop who is the Lane County Waste Management Superintendent.  Jeff in turn introduced me to Carolyn Young the Nuisance Abatement Specialist who is assigned that area.  Jeff and Carolyn were very generous with their time and provided a wealth of information. 

 

Bring Recycling located next to the access parking area recently relocated to another location, which provides the opportunity for some transitions and work to be completed by the county in that area.  Jeff and Carolyn assured me it is not the intent to restrict access to the nude beach or Glassbar State Park.  Jeff pointed out that it is their intent to have a greater presence in the area and ask me to relay the message that if you see them to please approach them and introduce yourself.  Carolyn drives a truck with the County logo on it with a bar of lights across the top of the cab.  You can’t miss their lime green yellowish vests!  When I asked when the posts had been installed they smiled and said “yesterday.”  I did not have an appointment and yet both Jeff and Carolyn created time to address my concerns and questions.

 

My next call was to Park Ranger Paul Tollenaar- Willamette Management Unit, Willamette River Greenway.  Paul works with user groups at Glassbar Park and we discussed many of the same challenges that we find at Rooster Rock State Park.  I mentioned to Paul that AANR-NW would be most interested in networking with other user groups.  Paul asked a couple questions I could not provide answers to and I assured him I would do some research and get back to him.  Paul has a history at Glassbar Park and was most willing to share information that I appreciated and value.

 

Thanks to Rick Pierides an alert nudist my day was enjoyable and I was able to meet and network with some wonderful public officials.

 

Greetings GAT fans and wannabees:

And those of you who are just peeking at your email because you are beginning to wonder what the fuss is all about!

The first big Northwest event of the New Year is finally here. It’s happening this weekend, January 18-20, 2008. Sun Meadow Resort will be hosting the fun training that AANR calls GAT Training. [GAT stands for Government Affairs Team]

Remember, the theme for this workshop is Nudity In The Community….not the pushy kind. We’re more into attracting . . .

Friday evening will include an interactive get-to-know-us social. So arrive expecting to have a good time.

Then on Saturday morning you can join Chas ‘N Margie for a little yoga or just go straight for the scrumptious breakfast. After that, at 9-11:30 AM, Washington State GAT Chair and AANR liaison to public lands will conduct a workshop on Grass Roots Activism and why our success depends on it.

Following lunch AANR-NW GAT Chair Shirley Gauthier will spend time discussing Capwiz and how we can better utilize our AANR benefits. Then Montana and Idaho GAT Chairs Craig George and Terri Capshaw will have an engaging open forum on “Nudity In Your Community.”

“We don’t want to be a target of the community but a member of the community and this workshop will share ways in which to accomplish it,” said Shirley.

For dinner on Saturday we’re having: Mixed Greens Salad packed with fun! Yummy Pork Roast, Crunchy topped Potatoes, Zucchini Mushroom Saute with homemade apple pie as one choice for dessert.

Immediately after dinner the State GAT Chairs will sequester themselves for an extended period of time to set some regional goals and focus areas for the team.

Sunday morning will be a goal setting re-cap…

There’s play time too with a Nude Casino Night. After you’ve won every Sun Meadow Naked Buck, you can win during the Casino Games, you will move on to part two of the evening… We’re going to spend them at the White Elephant Auction.

Note: If you’d like to bring a white elephant auction item, (hint: this is a place where re-gifting is perfect!) please wrap it to attract attention so we will really want to use our Sun Meadow Casino Naked Buck winnings to bid on it at the end of the evening. The
bidding will be fun, but opening those spectacularly wrapped gifts will be a hoot!

Don’t forget, Sun Meadow is offering a reduced rate package for participants of the workshop. You can get a room, grounds fees and meals for $100. That’s two nights and 6 meals beginning on Friday the 18th. Two people sharing a room are $150.

To reserve your participation space contact Linda by emailing sunmeadow@starband.net or calling (208) 686-8686. For information about how AANR-NW might pay for your meals and room at this event contact Shirley Gauthier quickly by emailing sherbog@msn.com. There is a limited amount of help available! www.sunmeadow.org

January 11, 2008

Erich Schuttauf, Executive Director

Roger Bishop, who founded the Potomac Rambling Bares along with his wife Zoia, died January 4, 2008 of a heart attack brought on by Legionnaire’s Disease. Those who remember him, will recall his passionate devotion to nudism, his pleasure in welcoming people to their home in Triangle, Virginia, and the many happy hours spent there. Zoia (Zee) was a talented actress and a brilliant, ascerbic personality who supported Roger in his nudist activities. She died several years ago of Parkinson’s Disease.

PRB and nudism owe a great deal to Roger and Zee, who helped draw together D.C. area nudists at the time of the Assateague (Virginia) court battle that closed the beach to nudists. Contributions in his name may be made to the AANR Robert Page Memorial Legal Defense Fund.

AANR Weekly Clubs Weekly Report
January 11, 2008

Erich Schuttauf, Executive Director

OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS

Laguna del Sol took quite a hit during the storm last week, according to Debra Sue Stevens. There was no major damage, and everyone is OK. AANR Trustee Theresa “T” Price had a close call when a tornado touched down within blocks of her home in Vancouver, Washington.

Flying the Friendly Skies Just Got More Friendly

Numerous members have sent in clippings from newspapers of cartoons which satire airport security efforts by depicting nude passengers walking through metal detectors. Last week’s E-Bulletin contained a link to a BlueFly clothing company commercial wherein a woman boards au naturel because she “hasn’t a thing to wear.” And you may remember the popular Naked Air charter trip organized by Castaways travel several years ago.

While we can’t say that fully “taking off” when you “take off” is a common reality yet, we are DELIGHTED to announce that AANR was recently invited to be part of American Trans Airline’s in-flight magazine, GO. ATA serves over 60 destinations, many within the West, including Hawaii. Beginning in the spring of 2008 we will run an advertisement over a three- month period. We are also hoping to build on the relationship and grow air travel benefits for AANR members.

It has taken several years of work to establish a relationship and Carolyn Hawkins has made many phone calls with many carriers to make something happen. We believe it is a major step towards mainstreaming nude recreation in the travel market.

E-Bulletin enjoys warm response

This week editor Lynn von Hagel compiled stats from the latest distribution of the E-Bulletin newsletter. The numbers are very promising and demonstrate some of the greatest interest yet. Of more than 8,400 recipients, over 50% opened their issues. Moreover, approximately 45% clicked through to one or more stories. “Human interest” stories where media or celebrities cross paths with nude recreation appear to be most popular, while the aanr.com website also receives strong return traffic with each issue.

AANR Helping Clubs and Members

This week a number of newspapers carried stories about Pasco County, Florida’s plans to make changes to its adult business / land use law, including definitions related to anatomical areas. I have had discussions with the Assistant County attorney assigned to this project and have prepared and distributed a detailed memorandum for AANR’s Pasco clubs, as well as AANR Florida leadership and legal counsel. In addition, plans are already underway to attend an upcoming hearing on the matter scheduled for January 22.

Stepping up State Net Monitoring

Did you know that AANR pays for electronic legislation monitoring services–in addition to the attorneys, lobbyists, and volunteers working for you–to watch for legislation at the state and federal level that could affect members’ enjoyment of nudity, our right to publish, and regulation of clubs? Actually, we employ three such services including State Net (primarily for state legislation and regulation), Net Scan (federal) and CapWiz (to quickly alert members when something is happening.)

Debra Sue Stevens of our Government Affairs staff (and AANR-West) recently began working with me reviewing prefiled bills and bills introduced this week in the many state legislatures which have convened. Beginning next Friday, we will provide reports on the number of bills monitored and note especially problematical bills.

Y Partnership Changes

This week we received news that Marie Kephart, one of our account reps with our PR firm

Y Partnership, is leaving to start her own consulting business. Marie was recently married and will be working closely with her new husband in the business, which will remain in the Orlando area. We wish Marie every success!

AANR will continue to receive service from Vice President Mary Jane Kolassa, who has assisted us for a number of years.

Carolyn Hawkins, Public Relations Coordinator

POSITIVE PUBLICITY

The article ran in The Sunday Indian, “No bluff in the buff” It is a newspaper in India. The story is about nude recreation in general.

ATA Airlines Ad

We managed to get an ad in ATA Airlines quarterly magazine. We have tried for about two years to get affiliated with an airline in some way, so this is a start.

Cruising in the Nude Also Popular

http://www.travelmole.com/stories/1125429.php?mpnlog=1&m_id=_r_r~AY

BOARD MEETING UPDATE

Regarding grounds fees:

Mira Vista will waive day fees to those who will be attending the meeting and this will include their immediate families.

If you cannot get into the club, below is a list of hotels in the area:

Best Western 520 579-1099
Holiday Inn Express 520 572-4777
Super 8 520 572-0300
Red Roof Inn 520 744-8199
Days Inn 520 744-6677
Motel 6 520 744-9300
Comfort Inn 520 579-7202
Travelodge 520 744-3382

I am waiting to hear back from Mira Vista regarding shuttle service to and from the hotels as well as airport shuttle. I will let you know on that.

We are making plans to work with the “Beyond 50″ during the board meeting in March.

Thanks to Mike Parker for referring this to us.

Linda Berry, Director of Publications

THE CYBER-BULLETIN

Dear Abby defends nude teen. Read more about it at
http://www.aanr.com/cyber_bulletin.html .

THE BULLETIN

February is in the final proofing stages.

AANR.COM AD SPACE IS AVAILABLE

Advertising space is available on the AANR Web site starting as low as $100 per month. For details, contact Martha Young at 800/879-6833, Ext. 228, or BulletinAds@aanr.com.

Terry Justice, Club/Member Liaison

There are no directory changes this week.

Debra Sue Stevens, Government Affairs

ClothesFree.com – AANR Office Makes Headlines

Though it’s not directly related to Government Affairs, the AANR staff represented our program well. YouTube is reaching a different audience of potential members and advocates. Thank you ClothesFree.com and AANR-West advocate Brian Spence for the visit to Kissimmee, Florida. And cheers to the AANR office staff! The following speaks volumes to our mission: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WeP-e6-CJ0

CapWiz Training – Assessing/Perfecting Your Online Advocacy Strategy

I participated in this valuable session on Thursday, January 10, 2008. This session walked through a 12-month period, creating a monthly calendar that helps you set priorities, and keeps you on track to being more successful at using the CapWiz software to disseminate advocacy communications. Much of the information will be helpful in building our advocacy roadmap for 2008.

StateNet.com – Legislature Prefiling. Let the Sessions Begin This coming week, the AANR office will ramp-up their efforts to review and monitor upcoming bills through our StateNet software. Plans are to keep you abreast through this publication and our CapWiz communication/ legislative tool.

CAT $500 Club Challenge

AANR-West Laguna del Sol Community Awareness Team (LdS CAT) has contributed $500 to AANR GAT for the purpose of supporting our mission. LdS CAT President Rusty Dalton challenges all clubs to match or exceed their 2008 donation to support this crucial program. Donations were raised through one event – 2007 CAT Dance and Auction. Thank You Laguna del Sol members!

Oregon Elect Vicki Walker Secretary of State “A report recently released on the website Blue Oregon ( http://www.blueoregon.com ) showed over the last three months of the campaign, I’m the candidate of small donors. I’ve never been the candidate favored by the special interests, but instead, I get elected because of people like you. Please consider lending your financial support.”

Checks should be made out to Elect Vicki Walker Sec. of State and mailed to Shirley Gauthier, 538 West M St. Springfield, Oregon 97477. Shirley collects the checks and presents them to Vicki’s campaign office so that the campaign is aware the checks are nudist money!

With the holiday season being over it is time to focus on the nudist activities again and Hidden Springs has bare bowling lined up for January 26, 2008 and an indoor nude recreation night for February 10, 2008.

You must pre-register for these events.

Pre-register by January 23 for Bare Bowling.

Pre-register by February 6 for Indoor Nude Recreation Night.

Nude Bowling:

We have two hours of bare bowling planned from 7 pm until 9 pm on January 26 for the cost of $13 per person for AANR/TNS members and $15 per person for non members. If you elect to pay at the door, then the prices are $18 per person for AANR/TNS members and $20 per person for non members. Shoe rental is included with the bowling event and you are asked to wear socks when using rental shoes. A small snack bar is available at the bowling alley with drinks and snacks.

Indoor Nude Recreation Night:

At the indoor nude recreation night we have the availability of a pool, two hot tubs (each at different temperature) and two saunas (also each at a different temperature).

Racquetball and a volleyball court are available to give you muscles some exercise.

The event runs from 7 pm to 9 pm on February 10 for the cost of $10 per person for AANR/TNS members and $12 per person for non members. If you elect to pay at the door, then the prices are $15 per person for AANR/TNS members and $17 per person for non members.

For those who are regulars at the event and have sent checks to me in the past, please contact me prior to sending a check as I am in the waiting process for someone to buy my house and an address change is possible during the next few months.

Best regards

Chris Brokke

And SO MUCH MORE!

Newspaper headlines read “Artic Storm Blasts The West” on January 5, the morning of the sixth annual AANR-NW GAT Rooster Rock Polar Dip. Fifteen polar dippers were not discouraged by sleet, rain, ice, snow or wind and kept the annual tradition alive!

One of the first arrivals Gene King says, “it was snowing when I left” and Tom Wright shares “my truck thermometer read a consistent 37 degrees on my drive to the park.” Tom tells the group that he has brought a thermometer to measure the water temperature. The group takes a vote to do so after the dip so as not to discourage anyone from participating. Mary a newcomer described herself as a newcomer and was quickly told that we would think of her as a potential nudist. A new arrival quickly volunteered to scout out a good hiking path and location for the dip while the rest of the group visit and introduce new participants. Marvin Bragdon brought the AANR-NW GAT Polar Bear mascot donated by Mountaindale Sun Resort several years ago.

“T” Price a local regular beach volunteer arrived with her mom Bev Price who is much more familiar with sunscreen than wool mittens, long underwear and boots. “T” and Bev quickly volunteered to be photographers and cheerlead the group. I am not sure the group would have had the time to wait for them to take off all their layers of clothing to do the dip. The polar dip was Bev’s second Oregon beach event and AANR-NW GAT appreciates Bev’s commitment to nudity on public lands.

Three AANR-NW nudists now hold the record for being the only attendees that have participated in all six AANR-NW GAT polar dips at Rooster Rock. Sharon Parker a first timer this year tried to make up for missing past polar dips by successfully entering the Columbia River six times this year.

A couple drove down from Castle Rock, Washington meeting up with their cousins who drove from Richland, Washington for their second dip. Last year at the dip they accepted an invitation to attend the AANR convention and shared that they look forward to future visits at resorts.

This event was “so much more than a polar dip” when you think of the wonderful memories created by the group to start the New Year off at Rooster Rock nude beach. Just in case you are curious the water temperature was 43 degrees.

The SOLV sponsored “Down by the Riverside” Beach cleanup hosted by AANR-NW GAT will be on May 17 starting at 10 am at the East end of the parking area. Contact Shirley Gauthier for further details. A hotdog barbecue will follow the cleanup.

Erich Schuttauf, Executive Director

AANR OFFICE REOPENS AFTER THE HOLIDAYS

Hope you all had a pleasant and safe holiday. It is good to be back. Since this is a short week, we will have more to report next week.

Carolyn Hawkins, Public Relations Coordinator
POSITIVE PUBLICITY

Check out the link “How to Look Good Naked”. This is scheduled to air tonight at 9 p.m. Eastern Time on the Lifetime channel.

Check out this link for Dear Abby

BOARD MEETING UPDATE

Regarding ground fees:

Mira Vista will waive day fees to those who will be attending the meeting and this will include their immediate families.

If you cannot get into the club, below is a list of hotels in the area

Best Western 520 579-1099
Holiday Inn Express 520 572-4777
Super 8 520 572-0300
Red Roof Inn 520 744-8199
Days Inn 520 744-6677
Motel 6 520 744-9300
Comfort Inn 520 579-7202
Travelodge 520 744-3382

I am waiting to hear back from Mira Vista regarding shuttle service to and from the hotels as well as airport shuttle. I will let you know on that.

We are making plans to work with the “Beyond 50″ during the board meeting in March.

Thanks to Mike Parker for referring this to us.

Linda Berry, Director of Publications
E-BULLETIN

The first issue of 2008 went out yesterday. Subscribers read about Bluefly, the leading online fashion retailer that released new television spots that contain nudity. If you would like to receive the E-Bulletin, sign up on the home page at aanr.com . It’s absolutely free.

THE BULLETIN

The February issue will take you from Miami, Fla., to Edinburg, Texas, in the U.S., all the way to France and Australia. It’s in production now.

COUPON SPACE HAS BEEN SOLD

All coupons spaces have been sold. If your club would like to get on a waiting list for the next available slot, please contact Martha Young at 800/879-6833, Ext. 228, or
BulletinAds@aanr.com.

Debra Sue Stevens, Government Affairs Volunteers Making a Difference – Friends of Assateague

State Beach

Ray Simpson, AANR Government Affairs Maryland State Coordinator and Assateague Beach Liaison, has dedicated six years to our work on this prestigious beach to secure a clothing-optional section. Ray has been recreating on this beach since the late 1960s. In December 2007, this devoted volunteer felt compelled to donate a new state-of-the-
art AED Cardiac Defibrillator for Christmas on behalf of AANR and himself. The old one was out of date and on recall. This is just one more example how a volunteer can make a difference in the name of nude recreation. Thank you, Ray!

Polar Bare Plunge at Crescent Rock BeachSURREY– On January 1, 2008, sixteen brave souls steeled themselves against the two-degree Celsius waters for the second annual clothing-optional Polar Bear Swim at Crescent Rock Beach. One swimmer came all the way from Thompson, Manitoba. The event was also a fundraiser for the War Amps “Champ” Program. A record of the swim will be sent to the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest clothing-optional polar bear swim.

Partners Outdoors: January 13 – 16, 2008, Snowbird, UT Reprinted from the January 2008 Newsletter

Partners Outdoors 2008 will continue our focus on ways to unlock the fun and benefits of the outdoors to all Americans, and especially youth, extending discussions and action from Partners Outdoors 2007 and the 2007 Recreation Forums. This year’s program will offer general sessions highlighting private/public partnerships, the changing ways of communication, and success stories from the field. Participants will have the opportunity to provide immediate feedback to the speakers as well as engage in team efforts to structure real solutions and recommendations to address the important environmental, social, and health related concerns and reverse the decline in outdoor recreation. Partners Outdoors 2008 will meet at Snowbird near Salt Lake City and highlight how near-urban locations are especially critical to getting youth outdoors. We’ll meet indoors and outdoors, with on-the-ground learning sessions incorporating skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoeing. 2007 Coleman Award recipient Dick Bass, Chairman and CEO of Snowbird, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Lyle Laverty, USFWS Director Dale Hall and a host of others will address this year’s conference attendees.

Read more at:

http://www.funoutdoors.com/files/2008%20Overview%209-25-07_0.pdf

Get Outdoors USA!
Reprinted from the January 2008 Newsletter

The Get Outdoors USA! campaign is gaining great momentum. With
childhood obesity on the rise and a decrease in active outdoor
recreation, the urgent message to get outdoors, get fit and take
advantage of our public lands is timely and significant. ARC is
working to ensure maximum reach and impact of the Get Outdoors USA!
initiative. From a Presidential proclamation for Great Outdoors Month
in June of 2008, including National Get Outdoors Day on June 14, to
an Outdoor Recreation Village in conjunction with the Big Game on
February 3 near Phoenix, AZ. Get Outdoors USA! is making great
progress in spreading the word about why and how to get more kids
outdoors, active and enjoying our public lands.

Read more at:

http://www.funoutdoors.com/node/view/1969