*Erich Schuttauf, Executive Director*

*A Happy and Safe Halloween Holiday to All*

There is a quote circulating throughout much of the internet that “belonging to a nudist club must take all the fun out of Halloween.” But AANR members know better.  In fact, special contests and events make this occasion among the most popular celebrations of the year for nudists.  On behalf of the entire staff we wish you all a fun and safe weekend.

*Budget Process Continues*

Your AANR staff and committee chairs have been hard at work submitting initial drafts of what will be the 2010 association budget.  I want to personally thank Financial Supervisor Cindy Horton for the incredible effort that she has put into getting us to the point we are now in the budget process.  Within weeks, the volunteers of the AANR Budget Committee will convene to finalize details before presentation to the Board of Trustees in January.

*AANR Helping Members and Clubs*

Week-in and week-out our office takes calls from members and clubs who seek assistance in a variety of ways.  Issues on which we are currently offering help include:

License Plates – Members in a western state were informed by registry of motor vehicles officials that they were denied an application for license plates with an abbreviation of the word “nudist.” Ironically, the state allows some terms that seem much more incendiary, so we are writing to these officials to present our viewpoint and asking them to reconsider.

Hot tubs to require suits – AANR is also writing on behalf of members to the management of a hot springs and spa facility to ask that they reconsider plans to mandate swimwear abandoning a long tradition of allowing nude soaks.

Financing – A club facing difficulty with obtaining financing due to its nudist orientation has been working with Club and Member Liaison Terry Justice to respond with information showing that clothes-free businesses are no different from other providers in the mainstream travel industry.

Liquor Licensing – I am researching state liquor laws to provide information to a club facing resistance from a beverage control officer who claims nudity is incompatible with sales of any alcohol despite many years of operating without incident. This preliminary research is meant to provide resources that the club may discuss with its own attorneys.

*Bon Voyage to Bare Necessities Cruise*

The Bare Necessities FantaSea ship set sail from Florida this week with many, many happy clothes-free passengers aboard.  We at the AANR office were delighted to welcome members passing through from as far away as California and British Columbia, Canada, on their way to port.

Carolyn Hawkins of our staff is aboard to welcome guests and explain AANR to those who do not yet belong, so she will not be submitting a report this week.

*Linda Berry, Director of Publications*

*The E-Bulletin*

This week’s edition went to 13,452 subscribers. Clubs are encouraged to have their members sign up for this free, entertaining online publication. Visit www.aanr.com and put your e-mail address in the box on the home page. It’s as simple as that.

*The Alltogether*

Check out the polls on AANR’s blog at http://blog.aanr.com/2009/10/28/where-do-you-get-nudist-information/ and http://blog.aanr.com/2009/10/19/your-opinion-matters/ . _______________________________________________ eNews mailing list eNews@aanr-nw.org http://aanr-nw.org/mailman/listinfo/enews_aanr-nw.org

The AANR-NW eNews is an opt-in newsletter. You may view current and archived issues at http://www.aanr-nw.org .  See the sidebar for recent posts by date or category.

*Erich Schuttauf, Executive Director***

*Nudity, AANR, the Law, and Consequences*

Last week we let you know that AANR had assisted a prominent attorney with legal information.

Two weeks ago we discussed a couple’s lawsuit against Wal-Mart and the city of Peoria, Arizona, after their three daughters, aged between one and six, were removed from the family home over nude photos of the girls taken at bath time.  The children remained in state custody for over a *month* while authorities investigated the photos after a Wal-Mart photo clerk alerted authorities.  (A judge later ruled the pictures did not violate criminal laws.)

This week the latest news came from Virginia where accounts first reported that a “man faces jail for making coffee in his own home naked.” Those accounts proffered that the defendant woke up at 5:30 a.m., stumbled to the kitchen in his home, and proceeded to make coffee in the nude.  Hours later, police showed up at his door to cite him for indecent exposure after a mom and her seven-year-old son observed him in the window while taking a “short cut” that crossed his front yard on their way to school.

For those of us for whom nudity is a way of life, at times these reports can seem overwhelming.  If we face jail or steep legal fees for taking innocent snaps of our kids, or enjoying nudity within our own homes and backyards, we’re left wondering “What will be next???”

It prompts me to offer a few observations and make one promise to you.

First, there is little question that sensationalized news accounts have a marked impact on what nudists and non-nudists alike believe is unlawful.  In turn, that can have a demonstrable impact on their willingness to give nude recreation a try or other behavior.  For example, “Mr. Coffee” touched off several messages to our office opining that members feel forced to cover up.  It’s not surprising given that visitors who responded to a survey on our Web site’s Alltogether blog this week voted the “privacy of home” among the top places they enjoy nude recreation.  (See http://blog.aanr.com/2009/10/19/your-opinion-matters/ )

Remember the Arizona photo case? I’ll leave it to you to speculate on whether it had anything to do with a printing company’s recent refusal to publish the newsletter of an AANR club located in the Pacific Southwest.  It contained a cover picture depicting members of all ages in a line onstage during a club talent show. The club was a long-standing customer.

Next, I’ll acknowledge that with most such cases, AANR faces a significant obstacle that must be overcome to respond to the news story properly: like all “merely mortal” readers, viewers, and listeners, we often do not have first-hand knowledge of the facts.  Did the parents of the young girls take photos that came too close to the line?  Did Mr. Coffee simply stumble around the kitchen preparing brew, or did he stand spread eagle in open doorways and a large plate glass picture window at *8:40* in the morning—and were mother and son taking only a small shortcut between two very public sidewalks from which one could have just as easily seen a purposeful display as has also been alleged?

Responding too quickly, without knowing all the facts for certain, brings peril if initial reports and assumptions turn out untrue.  Yet the early innings of a story are usually the stage where our blood is boiling at its hottest.  DAMN IT. If AANR knows about this it should be DOING something.

The media likes to hear us say “damn it.” “Damn it” makes us buy newspapers.  “Damn it” keeps us listening over the commercial break.

I want all our members and clubs to be assured that AANR hears the frustration in your phone calls and e-mail messages.  I cannot promise you that we will be goaded into premature action because doing so can all-too-easily detract from a reputation of providing a credible voice of reason for nude recreation.

But I do promise you that AANR will continue to track events, to take the extra time that it takes to research the facts, or find out what the jury determined so that we can continue providing reliable guidance.  And that we WILL speak out in cases of clear injustice to nudists.

In closing, let me return to Peoria, Arizona, one more time.  This week, our office secured a copy of the written police reports prepared at the outset of the police investigation just hours after the call from Wal-Mart, plus subsequent interviews with the parents and a thorough search of their home.

The reports reveal what the judge ruled: These parents are probably not pornographers. They are (make that *were*) just very matter-of-fact about the nudity of their young kids and a cousin or two, and took a limited number of snapshots and home video of same. But the reports also reveal aspects of the photos that legitimately would have triggered alarm bells for the Wal-Mart clerk and the police.  They are the same aspects discussed in the “Legal Issues in Nude Photography” fact sheet available to clubs and members on www.aanr.com. It is fair to conclude that had the parents known and observed the same guidelines we provide, their case may have not gone as far as it did.

There are *lots* of laws and rules of thumb to keep track of and they constantly change.  Your dues and support make it possible.

*California** Supreme Court Speaks*

We share great disappointment with others in the nude recreation community over a decision by the California Supreme Court yesterday.  The Court refused to act to reverse or de-publish an appeals court’s ruling earlier this year that dispensed with the long-standing Cahill policy on nudity within the state parks system.  Nudity at San Onofre Beach is likely to end in the very near future as a direct consequence.  One of the more accurate news accounts of what occurred may be found here:

http://www.metnews.com/articles/2009/conf102309.htm

Please know that AANR is committed to diligently working to protect nudity on both public and private lands within the state.  We hope that bringing together and joining with all interested parties on this subject will yield long-term results that preserve traditions of nudity in some of the most beautiful settings.

*Sign Me Up!*

The AANR office has sent the new “Sign Me Up” DVDs to all AANR clubs. In the spirit of marketing AANR memberships and welcoming new guests to your clubs and resorts, we would appreciate all feedback on this effort. If you have not received yours, please contact Nanette Wickersham at execasst@aanr.comor call 800/879-6833, ext. 223. If you have received your copy, be sure to watch it with your front office team! Once you view the DVD, please fill out the form that was included with it and return it to the AANR office.

* *

*Terry Justice, Club/Member Liaison*

There is only one directory change for this week.

Sherwood Forest in Maine has a new e-mail address: sherwoodforestclub@yahoo.com. _______________________________________________ eNews mailing list eNews@aanr-nw.org http://aanr-nw.org/mailman/listinfo/enews_aanr-nw.org

The AANR-NW eNews is an opt-in newsletter. You may view current and archived issues at http://www.aanr-nw.org .  See the sidebar for recent posts by date or category.

Erich Schuttauf, Executive Director

Call to Action

Thanks to everyone who sent e-mails to ASIS_GMP@nps.gov and regina_jones-brake@nps.gov          in support of a nude beach at Assateague. There is still time for you to respond. Read more at:

http://blog.aanr.com/2009/10/02/help-get-a-nude-beach/.

 

ESPN Discovers Nude Volleyball

The annual Volleyball Superbowl at White Thorn Lodge had plenty of press this year including a visit from ESPN The magazine. Watch the video at:

http://blog.aanr.com/2009/10/08/espn-discovers-nude-volleyball/  Read the entire story here: http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=4537381

 

Nudists Running for Office

Jeffrey Bowman and his wife Judith operate Living Waters Spa in Desert Hot Springs, California. Jeffrey is running for an elected position on the Mission Springs Water District board of directors.  He has been endorsed by the major Palm Springs newspaper, The Desert Sun.  Check it out:

http://www.mydesert.com/article/20091001/OPINION01/910010301/1004/opinion/Protecting-Desert-Hot-Springs-water-is-critical

 

Dan and Ginny Bookstein are owners of Berkshire Vista Resort in Hancock, Massachusetts. Dan has decided to run for Town Selectman. The election will take place in January 2010, and Dan believes he has a good chance of winning.

 

Changes on AANR-Florida Board

Hugh Williams has resigned as AANR-Florida president. Vice-President Walt Zadanoff has assumed the responsibilities. The board elected director René Niquette as vice-president to replace Zadanoff’s vacated position. Elections were held to fill the director positions vacated by Niquette and another director who recently resigned.  The new directors are Mike Anderson and “BG” Lyman. We wish them the best of luck.

 

To Tweet or Not to Tweet

Ypartnership has written an article titled, “How To (And Why) Use Twitter To Promote Your Club Business.” Twitter isn’t just a social phenomenon; it can be a marketing tool you can use to bring more people to your club. The article is available in the Library of Materials section of http://www.aanr.com/club_services.html. Contact Linda Berry at editor@aanr.com if you need the user name and password.

 

Linda Berry, Director of Publications

The Bulletin

The November issue of The Bulletin is in the final proofing stages. It will go to the printer first thing Monday morning.

 

To Spend or Not to Spend

The publications department has been working on its 2010 budget and will meet with Erich on Monday to finalize the figures.

 

Carolyn Hawkins, Public Relations Coordinator

Carolyn is working a booth at the Southern Women’s Show in Orlando.

 

Debra Sue Stevens, Government Affairs

Debra Sue is at the AANR-West Fall Festival at Shangri La Ranch in Arizona.

 

Terry Justice, Club/Member Liaison

Terry Justice is working an AANR booth at Cypress Cove Nudist Resort & Spa in Kissimmee, Florida, for Bare Buns Biker Weekend.

 

*October in the Northwest* from http://www.aanr-nw.org/webcal/

Sat 3 LB – OKTOBERFEST POT LUCK DINNER LB – OKTOBERFEST DANCE MSR – Work Party Sat & Sun SUMR – Pot Luck Patio Party Sun 4 6:30pm» SUMR – Pot Luck Dinner Sat 10 LARC Potluck Dinner and Dance RS Halloween Party SUMR – Pot Luck Patio Party Sun 11 6:30pm» SUMR – Pot Luck Dinner Sat 17 MSR – Meetings, Halloween Dinner & Party SUMR – Pot Luck Patio Party Sun 18 6:30pm» SUMR – Pot Luck Dinner Sat 24 FS – Halloween Party, 7pm SUMR – Pot Luck Patio Party Sun 25 6:30pm» SUMR – Pot Luck Dinner Sat 31 LB – HALLOWEEN POT LUCK DINNER LB – HALLOWEEN PARTY LARC Halloween Party SUMR – Pot Luck Patio Party

BB – Bare Backers Nudist Club (L) http://www.bareidaho.com/ BS – Bare Spirits (NL) http://www.barespirits.com/ COT – Central Oregon Tumbleweeds (NL) FM – Forest Murmurs (NL) FS – Fraternity Snolqualmie (L) http://www.fraternitysnoqualmie.com/ *(L) = Landed (NL) = Non Landed* GINBV – Glassbar Island Nude Beach Volunteers (NL) http://www.glassbarisland.org/ HS – Hidden Springs Nudist Club (NL) http://www.hiddenspringsnudist.org/ KR – Kaniksu Ranch (L) http://www.kaniksufamily.com/ LARC – The Lake Associate’s Recreation Club (L) http://www.larcnudists.com/ LB – Lake Bronson (L) http://www.lakebronson.com/ MNO – Montana Naturist Organization (NL) http://www.montananaturist.org/ MSR – Mountaindale Sun Resort (L) http://www.mountaindalesun.com/ RS – The Rogue Suncatchers (NL) http://www.theroguesuncatchers.com/ RSV – Rooster-Sauvie Volunteers (NL) SLUGS – Sun Lovers Under Gray Skies (NL) http://www.slimetrail.org/ SMR – Squaw Mountain Ranch (L) http://www.squawmt.com/ SUMR – Sun Meadow Resort (L) http://www.sunmeadow.org/ SR – Sun Rovers (NL) SUN – Socially United Nudist Club (NL) TN – The Naturals Club of Spokane (NL) http://www.naturalsnudistclub.com/ WCB – Wine Country Bares (NL) WIL – Willamettans (L) http://www.willamettans.com/ _______________________________________________ eNews mailing list eNews@aanr-nw.org http://aanr-nw.org/mailman/listinfo/enews_aanr-nw.org

The AANR-NW eNews is an opt-in newsletter. You may view current and archived issues at http://www.aanr-nw.org .  See the sidebar for recent posts by date or category.

***Erich Schuttauf, Executive Director*

*Help Get a Nude Beach*

Years ago, there was a nude zone on the Maryland portion of the Assateague National Seashore. AANR and AANR-East have been working to restore it. Now is the time that you can help most.

The seashore is revising its General Management Plan and is taking comments from the public. If enough people write an e-mail requesting a nude beach, officials will consider it in the plan.

Please send a polite message right now to ASIS_GMP@nps.gov. Tell them who you are and why nudity is important to you. If you’re from Virginia or Maryland, be sure to include that information in your e-mail, but all are invited to write because we all pay federal taxes.

Let’s really pour on the messages so that AANR’s credible voice of reason for nude recreation can be heard.

*Note:* From time to time today, we have received some messages indicating that we have filled up the park service e-mail box beyond capacity! If you send a message and it is returned as undeliverable, please try sending it again at a later time or send it to the following alternative e-mail address: regina_jones-brake@nps.gov . We are truly and impressed and grateful with the strong turnout from AANR members, clubs, and friends to this call to action.

* *

*AANR Helping Members*

This week, AANR club/member liaison Terry Justice and I were deluged with requests for legal assistance and information. A member from the upper Midwest contacted us after a relative reported his visits to www.aanr.comand The Naturist Society web sites to authorities. We are already scheduled to talk with this person’s legal counsel.

In the Deep South, a husband and wife have seen their 16-year-old son temporarily placed with his grandparents and they have been suspended from their jobs without pay arising from incidents of nudity in the home.

We fielded additional calls from the Midwest (nude pictures triggered problems), from the Southwest (perspective buyer of a nudist resort needed financial and trade information demonstrating that nudism is a legitimate business), as well as the West Coast (custody dispute).

Please know that your AANR membership dues and support make it possible for us to provide a calm, friendly and counseling voice to the frantic callers to whom we respond week in and week out. Thank you.

*Linda Berry, Director of Publications*

*Holiday** Photos Wanted From Clubs/Members*

The Bulletin is looking for the perfect holiday photo for the cover of the December 2009 issue. If chosen as the winner, you will receive a check for $50. Photos must be four-color, at least 4×5 inches, 300 dpi. Photo releases must accompany the photo before it will be considered. Please send photos and releases to me at editor@aanr.com no later than October 20, 2009. Questions: Call me at 800/879-6833, ext. 235.

* *

*The E-Bulletin*

In today’s edition, 13,384 subscribers read about nude beaches, nude statues, and nude adventures. Not a subscriber? Sign up now at www.aanr.com. **

* *

*Debra Sue Stevens, Government Affairs*

*Breaking News at Bagby Hot Springs, Oregon*

* *

*September 25, 2009 Update:*

* *

This afternoon we were delighted to receive good news from your AANR-Northwest GAT Team. An agreement has been reached with officials of the United States Forest Service overseeing Bagby Hot Springs that restores the long-accepted policy allowing nudity.

According to the team, Bagby officials acknowledge that, in the long term, there are some details which need to be worked out clarifying conditions where nudity is permitted. In the interim, however, they have agreed to return matters to “status quo.” Put another way, nudity may be enjoyed under the same conditions as it has been for the past 18 years.

We have received assurances that verbiage confirming this decision will soon appear on the official Bagby Hot Springs site which may be accessed by clicking here: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mthood/recreation/bagby-hot-springs.shtml

For now, please join me in thanking the Forest Service for its assistance and your AANR-Northwest Government Affairs Team for their hard work!

*September 30, 2009 Update:*

* *

Rather than paraphrase the Forest Service position we are posting the following messages from Acting District Ranger Alison Nelson.  It seems the clearest way to get the information out to our membership and the nudist community.

Steve, it is fine to share or post my recent message so others can have a common understanding.  Looking forward to the information you collect. -Alison

Hello Steve Hubbard and Don Zirbel,

I hope you are each doing well.  I appreciate your suggestions and interest in Bagby Hot Springs and our occupancy & use order (MH-215-20-92) prohibiting being publicly nude at developed recreation sites within the Mt. Hood National Forest.  Since Steve raised this topic several weeks ago, we are hearing again from family users of Bagby Hot Springs also concerned with nudity at Bagby.

Earlier this week Steve and I jotted down some suggested wording which, upon further review with Gary Larsen, forest staff and Law Enforcement, conflicts with our forest order in place, so can’t be posted.  As I relayed to each of you by phone message today, I decided to re-post the original notice at Bagby Hot Springs, stating “3. Clothing is optional only in the Bath House. Please be respectful to those around you.” – the exact wording Steve questioned about 3 weeks ago, and which is not consistent with our standing forest order.  We posted this at Bagby and removed other conflicting information.

I need more information to proceed, and this may involve reconsidering our standing forest order.  It would help me immensely if either or both of you could find and provide examples of other public hot springs facilities on national forests and their corresponding forest regulations, so we can compare.

I appreciate the dialog and further conversation on how we can best provide service to the public.  Don, sorry we have not yet connected directly by phone.  The district has been extremely busy.  This week we are also dealing with a tragic fatality in our staff family, so working with staff and arranging grief sessions has taken some additional time.

Alison S. Nelson

Acting District Ranger

Clackamas Ranger District

* *

*AANR-Northwest News: October 3 – Rooster Rock Beach Card Day*

*Regretfully this event has been cancelled and will be re-scheduled at a later date.*

* * _______________________________________________ eNews mailing list eNews@aanr-nw.org http://aanr-nw.org/mailman/listinfo/enews_aanr-nw.org

The AANR-NW eNews is an opt-in newsletter. You may view current and archived issues at http://www.aanr-nw.org .  See the sidebar for recent posts by date or category.

*Erich Schuttauf, Executive Director*

*Your Executive Director Goes “Back to School”*

No, I haven’t been demoted back to the third grade to make amends for that gum-chewing incident.  But I have been catching up on my Continuing Legal Education credits with the Florida Bar Association by enrolling in some online seminars.

While seminar topics cover the legal spectrum, there is a common element: the increasing role that technology is playing in the legal process.  For example, during lawsuits it is no longer a matter of exchanging pieces of paper between the parties. Instead, computer files—including the “meta data” or hidden information attached to those files—are just as important.  New federal rules of civil procedure regulating the process are taking effect.

Another seminar consisted of a panel convened between a half dozen trial judges.  They have observed generational differences between those who serve on juries. “You must constantly admonish jurors not to conduct their own research into things like the engineering of components, or facts in a case, because they will use Google and their Blackberries to test what they are told if you don’t,” remarked one judge who has served on the bench for years.

All panelists agreed with what’s become known as the “CSI effect,” the assumption that claims should be able to be proven with conclusive, forensic, scientific data if it is to be trusted.

What helpful things can this tell those of us in the nude recreation business?  It means that things are changing, too.

The AANR E-Bulletin now reaches approximately 13,300 e-mail boxes every two weeks. Because it links directly to advertisers, news stories, and other ways to take immediate action, it often generates very strong response.

More than 60 people wrote in to the Alltogether Blog http://blog.aanr.com/ to comment on President John Kinman’s remarks on the question, “Has AANR become outdated?” I do not believe we ever received 60 letters to the editor of The Bulletin within one week on any topic.

With technology comes the ability to quickly search for information comparing prices, travelers’ reports, and more to verify the claims that AANR, its clubs, and indeed anyone in the travel business makes.

About one year ago, President Kinman formed a committee to address ongoing technology and his wisdom in doing so is made more evident every day.

*Assateague News*

Please be sure to read Carolyn Hawkins’ report on her week in Maryland working with many dedicated volunteers to help clean a section of the beach at Assateague seashore and, later, attend open house sessions discussing its future.

Next week, we will be asking your help in contacting officials with the National Park Service to request that a clothing-optional zone be included in the next version of the seashore’s General Management Plan (GMP).  Plan re-writes are currently under consideration.

*Wal-Mart Photo Story*

Thank you to the many clubs and members who took time to let us know about the emerging story of two parents who are suing Wal-Mart, the Peoria, Arizona, police and a child protective service agency.

The couple’s three daughters, aged 1 1/2 to 5 years, were removed from their home after the family took vacation photos on a computer memory stick into their neighborhood Wal-Mart for printing.  Eight such photos showed the girls in the nude after bath time.  The parents insist the pictures were innocent snaps. Some officials have vaguely hinted that there was more to the photos, but no charges were ever filed.

The story is a sobering reminder that there are very, very strong differences of opinion between members of the public when the subject of nudity and children comes up.  For its part, AANR has prepared guidelines for helping parents and club event photographers avoid common complications.  These guidelines are available in the library of materials at http://www.aanr.com/club_services.html. (Contact Linda Berry at editor@aanr.com if you need the password.)

We will also closely monitor the Wal-Mart case and bring you more information as it develops.

*Carolyn Hawkins, Public Relations Coordinator*

*Positive Publicity*

*Nudism liberates, turns banker to entrepreneur*

Check out the link below about Nancy Tiemann and Bare Necessities:

http://www.thedailycougar.com/nudism-liberates-turns-banker-to-entreprenuer-1.1906112

*Survey bares all*

A recent survey asked 1,882 U.S. adults what attribute they would consider extremely or very desirable in a leisure travel experience. Ten percent of them answered: a resort offering a “nude recreation experience.”* *Read the entire story reported in the San José Mercury News at: http://www.mercurynews.com/travel/ci_13344763**

*ASSATEAGUE BEACH CLEANUP*

I had a positive radio interview on Friday before the cleanup on Ocean 98.1 in Ocean City, Maryland.

We had approximately 25 members and visitors who turned out to help with the Assateague Beach cleanup.  We had a lot of fun and were busy picking up trash along the shore. Thanks are extended to Ray Simpson for organizing this successful event again this year.

Community meetings were held in the surrounding communities near Assateague to discuss development of a new General Management Plan (GMP) by the National Park Service. This plan will guide the management of Assateague Island National Seashore for the next 20 years.

Superintendent Trish Kicklighter invited the public to attend for input on setting the framework to guide decisions for activities and development over the next several years.  I attended the meeting on Monday, September 21, with a prepared packet of information to present during the forum.  I had a one-on-one conversation with Ms. Kicklighter where I presented her my packet of information. I was told that I should come back in the summer of 2010 to discuss it.  On Tuesday, September 22, Ray Simpson attended, and on September 23, Susan Weaver and Steven Stoller attended.  Both had a better reception from Ms. Kicklighter and she took the packets from them.

*MEDIA *

I am working on a story for ESPN Magazine titled, “So You Want To Play…Naked.” I am looking for clubs that are having sports tournaments which do not have to be competitive— just slightly competitive.  Some of the categories are: volleyball, running, tennis, cycling, and bowling.  If your club is planning an event that I can pitch to ESPN, please let me know by Monday, September 28, at 3 p.m. This could be good publicity for your club. Also let me know if your events have grown over the past years.

*Linda Berry, Director of Publications*

Work is underway on the November issue.

*Opportunity to be Featured on Cover of The Bulletin*

What page of The Bulletin do you normally read first? Most members would say, “The front cover.” So, if you had a chance for an advertisement on the front cover, wouldn’t you jump at the offer? The banner ad on the front cover is available on a first-come, first-served basis. This is a PRIME location at a *very reasonable cost*. Contact Martha Young at 800/879-6833, ext. 228 for details.

*Debra Sue Stevens, Government Affairs*

*AANR on Public Lands: Assateague Island National Seashore*

A CapWiz alert was sent out to the AANR CapWiz subscribers last week to alert them of the community meetings held in the surrounding communities near the prestigious national park on September 21-23. The meetings were designed to discuss development of a new General Management Plan (GMP) by the National Park Service. This plan will guide the management of Assateague Island National Seashore for the next 20 years. There was a good turnout and AANR made its presence known. Thank you to those who contributed their time and thoughtful testimonies.

To keep informed about the progress at this famous National Seashore where the horses run free, visit the National Park Service website .

*Other Public Lands with AANR GAT Focus This week:*

* *

San Onofre, CA http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=647

http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mthood/recreation/bagby-hot-springs.shtml

Lighthouse Beach, NY

* *

*AANR-Northwest News*

*October 2 – The Century Project Exhibition in Portland, OR*

The Century Project photography exhibit is being hosted on the West Coast by Bamboo Grove, aka Zhu Lin, at 134 SE Taylor (Between Salmon and Taylor on 2nd) in Portland, Oregon. The reception on October 2 at 6 p.m. is open to the public, and guests will have the opportunity to meet the photographer Frank Cordelle. The exhibit runs October 2–29. Check out The Century Project Web site http://www.thecenturyproject.com/newsite/main.html.

*October 3 – Rooster Rock Beach Card Day*

Join AANR-NW Public Lands Liaison Shirley Gauthier, Rooster Sauvie Volunteers, and others at Rooster Rock State Park clothing-optional beach entrance at 11 a.m. for an afternoon of fun. We will be handing out the AANR/state park beach cards that include information empowering visitors to report public indecency incidents and inappropriate behaviors. Bring your own snacks and water. The cards have been a huge success, and we want to keep the momentum going. Contact Shirley at SherboG@msn.com

*California State Parks Foundation (CSPF) Update as of September 21*

For more information: www.calparks.org

* *

*Earlier this month, the state legislature successfully passed two critical park protection bills—a major victory for state park advocates!*

* *

Senate Bill 679 by Senator Lois Wolk (D-Linden) and Senate Bill 372 by Senator Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) are now awaiting signatures from the Governor before they can officially become law. Together, these two bills establish a new policy in state law—that there shall be no net loss of state park lands in California.

The Governor has until October 11 to sign or veto the bills, and is actively considering these among hundreds of other pieces of legislation sent to him in the last days of the legislative session. *It is important that thousands of park advocates take the time to urge the Governor to sign these bills. * Given all the budget actions this year that are undermining the state park system, these bills offer a critical opportunity to maintain the integrity of our world-class state park system.

*Please take a moment TODAY to contact the Governor and urge him to sign SB 372 and SB 679. http://ga3.org/ct/qdbqX5n1NTzp/***

*American Recreation Coalition*—Attended by John Hunter, AANR GA, Washington, D.C.

To read the full story, visit www.funoutdoors.com.

*Gina McCarthy Connects Clean Air, Children and Outdoor Recreation at September Recreation Exchange*

Gina McCarthy, Assistant Administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), was the guest speaker at the September 2009 Recreation Exchange hosted by the American Recreation Coalition. In her role at EPA, Ms. McCarthy is a leading national advocate for win-win strategies to confront climate change and strengthen the nation’s green economy, and she plays an instrumental role in ensuring that EPA leads the way in addressing the nation’s most urgent environmental priorities.

Ms. McCarthy expressed a commitment to infusing her love of the great outdoors into her new post at EPA. She credits her passion for environmental protection to long hours spent playing outdoors, both as a child and as an adult. “I’ve never stopped playing and I never will!” she proudly proclaimed. _______________________________________________ eNews mailing list eNews@aanr-nw.org http://aanr-nw.org/mailman/listinfo/enews_aanr-nw.org

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