[eNews] AANR Weekly Report 2/12/2010

[eNews for AANR-NW]

*Erich Schuttauf, Executive Director***

*Must-Share Story*

This week we heard from AANR Government Affairs Team volunteer Shirley
Gauthier with report of a story too important not to pass on.

It seems that Shirley and other volunteers from The Willamettans nudist club
in Marcola, Oregon, set up a table alongside other participating members of
the area chamber of commerce at an annual event held within a local shopping
mall.  Within minutes of putting up a tasteful “window shade” type display
banner they were asked to take the banner down.  Ever diplomatic and
cordial, Shirley complied but she did ask why. The reason? Its presence had
generated a complaint to mall management.

We do not typically affix pictures to weekly reports as doing so triggers
spam filters or other technical problems for some clubs.  So you’ll have to
wait until a story about this in a future issue of The Bulletin to see what
triggered the complaint but I’ll describe it here:  The words American
Association for Nude Recreation, as well as the AANR-Northwest logo appear
along with very discreet pictures. Think shots of couples pictured from
their shoulders up, plus a 40-something woman crouched behind her dog after
enjoying a stroll on a nude beach.

But the story doesn’t end there.  As she lowered the banner, Shirley looked
directly across the mall corridor from her location into a full-size window
promotion for a well-known chain that sells novelty items. The feature
items?  A corset “trio” complete with garter belt and skimpy bra--modeled on
a poster by a woman wearing the getup and little else while grasping the
metal pole on a touring bus. Delightfully surprised men look on, and a
girlfriend snaps pictures. Oh…plus a few adult “novelties” in a briefcase
are also on display.

Ironic, huh?

Admittedly the store is a rent paying tenant, and the chamber of commerce
conducting its trade show was a guest.  Hence Shirley’s tactful cooperation
(FYI: she did follow up the day’s events with a very well-stated letter to
the chamber president.)

But what does it say about current attitudes toward nudity in this country
when a banner in which 40-something adults appear where there’s little more
than implied simple nudity and it triggers a complaint within minutes?  Yet
crowds pass novelties, lingerie, or T-shirts bearing crass slogans, offered
for sale. And they don’t seem to bat an eye.

>From time to time, I am asked, “Why do we even need an AANR?” I hope this
story provides another answer.  We’ll continue to do what we have done since
1931: advocating for nudity within appropriate settings and educating the
public about the wholesome benefits that enjoying nudity offers.

For those who want something else, it appears they’ll have to visit the
local mall.



*9th Circuit Rules Indecent Exposure / Nudity Not a Crime of “Moral
Turpitude.”*

In a landmark decision a panel of the US Court of Appeals ruled this week
that a past conviction for indecent exposure in California did not
automatically bar a Mexican immigrant from seeking to remain in the country
on the grounds that his deportation would cause undue hardship for his wife
and children, who are U.S. citizens.

Writing for the panel in the case of *Nunez v. Holder*, Circuit Judge
Stephen Reinhardt explained that having two or more crimes of moral
turpitude on one’s record within a ten year period would trigger an
automatic denial of the request under immigration law (Nunez also had a
conviction for a shoplifting incident.)  However, Judge Reinhardt added that
the issue of whether an indecent exposure charge was sufficiently severe
less clear:

“We start by recognizing one point that does not appear to be in dispute.
Exposing oneself in a public place is not necessarily lewd, or base, vile
and depraved as traditionally required by our traditional definition of
moral turpitude.  For example, the Board of Immigration Appeals and the
California courts appear to agree, a sunbather who removes all his clothes
to tan on an unoccupied public beach and wakes to find himself surrounded by
offended beachgoers has done nothing either lewd or depraved and thus is
neither in violation… nor guilty of a morally turpitudinous act.”



Consistent with its role as advocate for nudity, AANR follows developments
such as the *Nunez *case closely.  Moreover, because we believe that
enjoyment of one’s own nudity within appropriate settings is a basic and
fundamental right, AANR occasionally become involved in such cases.  (We
once provided expert testimony in an asylum case before the immigration
courts when the petitioner convincingly argued that he would face serious
persecution in his home country where he had become a leading nudist figure
for which he was beaten and threatened with worse.)

Thank you for providing a credible voice for nudity to those who wouldn’t
have a voice without you.



*AANR Team “Bench” a bit Thin This Week*

We appreciate your patience if it has taken a bit longer this week to get
back to you with answers, or otherwise not provided the level of service
you’re accustomed to receiving from our staff.  A number of our employees
have been home sick with an equal number of tough flu and colds, leaving the
team’s “bench” a bit thin.  We look forward to having our full complement of
staff return soon.



*President’s Day Weekend Reminder*

In observance of the Presidents Day holiday, the AANR office will be closed
on Monday, February 15th.  We will resume regular office hours on Tuesday.



*Convention Reservations: Coeur D’Alene Casino*

A block of 30 rooms have been reserved at the Casino for the AANR Convention
hosted by Sun Meadow Resort.  For those wishing to stay at the Casino,
please call 1-800-523-2464, ask for hotel reservations, and advise them you
are part of the “Sun Meadow Resort” block.  The rates at Coeur D’Alene
Casino are $89.95/night.  You can begin making reservations now as the block
has been set up.



The Web site for the Casino is www.cdacasino.com; however, you *cannot* make
these reservations online.



Questions: Contact Nanette Wickersham at execasst at aanr.com.

* *

*Linda Berry, Director of Publications***

*Congratulations Lynn Von Hagel*

Lynn Von Hagel has been named the Director of Electronic Communications for
AANR. She will be responsible for the AANR Web site redesign, E-Bulletin,
the Alltogether, and much, much more.



*Angie Priore Takes Over As Club Happenings Coordinator*

Since Lynn Von Hagel has a new position, Angie Priore will take over as Club
Happenings coordinator. Beginning with the April issue (deadline February
22), the new* *e-mail address for Club Happenings submissions is
clubnews at aanr.com. Questions? Contact Linda Berry at 800/879-6833, ext. 235.




*Carolyn Hawkins, Public Relations Coordinator*

*Public Relations*

The PR team had their conference call this week and it was terrific.  A lot
of ideas were shared by all.  We are starting our planning for various press
releases to be sent out.  We will be sending out a club template press
release where you can insert the club information.  The Earth Day template
will go out around April 1, 2010.



*Earth Day, April 22, 2010*

We are starting our pitch stories for Earth Day.  If your club is planning
an event please let me know as soon as possible.  This is not only planting
a tree or plant, it can be anything green.   Examples are recycling, solar
pools, and highway cleanups.  Anything green.  You can, however, encourage
folks to plant trees and plants as well.

We discussed several angles of the CTV Canadian news having to do with nude
recreation and the Olympics.



*World Record Skinny-Dip day, July 10, 3pm Eastern Time*

We have started our planning for the World Record Skinny-Dip day.  Once we
have finalized the tools for the clubs, we will get them out to you.  We
would like this year’s dip to be bigger and better than 2009.  If you have
ideas that worked for you, or a suggestion that might work better as well as
things that did not work for your club, please let me know.



*Publicity*

Our PR firm, Ypartnership sent out pitch ideas and as a result we received a
call from Time magazine.  We are working with Time for a very nice story.
No print date as of now.**

* *

*Cruise to Hawaii*

The cruise is set to sail March 13, about a month away.  If you would like
your club brochures displayed on board please get them to me at the AANR
office as soon as possible.  You will only need to send about 30 or so.  We
will be happy to promote your club.  If you plan to be on board the ship,
feel free to carry them along with you and look for the AANR table on the
sea days.



*Terry Justice, Club/Member Liaison*

I have a new address and phone number for Kyana Naturists which is:

P.O. Box 12045
Lexington, KY 40580-2045
Phone: 859-255-0922



Natura of Hudson, Florid,a has changed its name and region.

It has moved to AANR-Midwest and the information is as follows:

Naturist Christians
2564 N. Squirrel Road
Auburn Hills, MI 48326
877-476-2674 voice
267-544-6759 fax
www.naturist-christians.org
mike at naturist-christians.org <mike at naturist-christians.org>



Help me welcome back Cherokee Lodge Resort in Tennessee their information is
as follows:

Cherokee Lodge Resort
324 Trails End Road
Crossville, TN 38571
931-277-5140 voice and fax
www.cherokee-lodge.com
cherokeelodge at frontiernet.net <cherokeelodge at frontiernet.net>



I wish everyone a wonderful weekend.

* *

*DEBRA SUE STEVENS AND NANETTE WICKERSHAM, GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS*

*REQUEST: Print the following in your Club Newsletter or send to your
members in your E-News, when timely and appropriate.  We want the members to
know what GAT does for them!*

* *





*AANR Legislative Tracking*

* *

* *

*Statistics for 2010:*

**

*In Session: *There are 37 states, DC and US in Regular Session. There are 4
states in Special Session.  There are 4 states currently prefiling/filing
legislation for upcoming sessions.

*States in Regular Session:* AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, GA, HI, IA, ID,
IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NE, NH, NJ, NM, OH, OK, RI, SD,
TN, US, UT, VA, VT, WA, WV, WY

*AANR Statistics:  *

o    *1095* bills have been reviewed personally by AANR in 2010.
o    *104 *bills have been reviewed in full text by AANR in 2010.
o    *191 *bills are being monitored for movement/amendments.  This figure
includes some carryovers from 2009.
o    *16 *bills have been moved to the “Archived 2009 List”

 AANR encourages our membership and like-minded nudists and naturists to
assist in the process of tracking bills and news impacting nude recreation.
*Always contact the AANR Office before taking action.*  This ensures that
your actions are aligned with the strategy underway for any particular bill
or advocacy effort.  Remember, AANR GAT works for you!