The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department is producing a site development plan for Rooster Rock State Park.

The purpose of these proposed developments will be improving the park entrance and facilities, while creating a riverfront scenic promenade. This proposed trail will provide park visitors with a dedicated walking path along the Columbia River and will be an exciting new universal access recreation option for the Gorge. Current park activities will continue to be offered at the park, while proposed improvements aim to increase opportunities for interpretation and ranger-led educational programs, highlighting the natural and cultural history of the Gorge.

These improvements were identified and prioritized in the 2015 OPRD Columbia River Gorge Management Units Plan (available at www.gorgeparksplan.com, pages 154-57) and this site planning effort reflects the need for a focused site plan as a next step in moving forward with these improvements, as well as identifying potential funding for development.

On March 18th, 2015 OPRD, will be hosting a public meeting to review design options for these developments at Rooster Rock State Park. This meeting will be held at the Corbett Fire Hall in Corbett, OR from 6:00-8:00 PM. Mike Parker, our GAT chair (gat@aanr-nw.org) will be at this meeting representing our needs.

The issues that Mike is most concerned about are from the section about Rooster Rock: Needs, Constraints and Opportunities
Extremes in park attendance: Low use in shoulder seasons and weekdays; high parking numbers on summer weekends.
Expansive paving; however, all parking spaces are eeded at peak times.
The main beach is no longer functional as a swimming area.
The boat ramp functions seasonally and is extremely expensive to constantly dredge.
The riverfront area of the park has no connected walking path or water access.
The entrance feels like you are arriving at a parking lot, not a park.
Need for additional universal access recreation options.
Limited draw for families, shoulder season hikers, school groups, or visitors from the views and falls loop on HWY 30.
Desire for children’s play areas, dog off-leash areas, more docks, and more group picnic shelter facilities.

An additional meeting will be held later this spring to review a preferred option.

Details concerning the Rooster Rock State Park Site Development Plan Public Meeting I:
Wednesday, March 18
6:00-8:00pm
Corbett Fire House
Multnomah County Rural Fire Protection District #14
36930 E. Historic Columbia River Highway
Corbett, Or 97019

Please visit www.gorgeparksplan.com and join the mailing list to stay updated on the process, or contact Ben Hedstrom at (503) 986-0745 or ben.hedstrom@orgeon.gov with any questions.

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The Spokane City Council has scheduled a hearing about the proposed Spokane Anti-Nudity Initiative at its next meeting on March 2. The legislative session is at 6pm at 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., Spokane WA 99201. The agenda can be downloaded at https://static.spokanecity.org/documents/city-council/current-agendas/2015/03/city-council-current-agenda-2015-03-02.pdf. At last Monday’s meeting, there were 10 nudists to support the opinion that nudity is wholesome — That it is not appropriate to to ban all nudity in order to prevent certain objectionable behavior (the bikini baristas).
While there was no opportunity to speak last Monday, supporters are needed this coming Monday. However, it is very important that we put on our most calm and reasonable faces. We need to show everyone that we are just like they are, but we like to be nude.

The petition filers want to have the city council take a vote to pass their proposed ordinance without validating the signatures and without putting it on the ballot.

The signatures are, as of yet, not validated.

It is extremely important that nudists and those who support nudism in Spokane attend the city council proceedings and speak against having the city council pass the measure without validation of the signatures or without the vote of the people.

If you want more information, please contact our GAT chair Mike Parker (gat@aanr-nw.org) or Karen Lahey (president@aanr-nw.org)

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Petitioners have submitted the Spokane Anti-Nudity Initiative to the city clerk in Spokane with 3,306 signatures on the last possible days (last Friday and this Monday). They had 365 days to gather these signatures. This initiative was reported last year in https://aanr-nw.org/?p=769894

The petition filers want to have the city council take a vote to pass their proposed ordinance without validating the signatures and without putting it on the ballot.

The issue is on the docket for next Monday, 2/23/2015, at 6pm (see attached).

The signatures are, as of yet, not validated.

It is extremely important that nudists and those who support nudism in Spokane attend the city council proceedings and speak against having the city council pass the measure without validation of the signatures or without the vote of the people.

If you want more information, please contact our GAT chair Mike Parker (gat@aanr-nw.org) or Karen Lahey (president@aanr-nw.org)

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A bill was introduced this past week in the Montana House that revises Montana’s nudity law making it more stringent. Simple nudity was not illegal in Montana, but this bill would make it illegal. It is in response to the “Bare as you Dare” bike ride in Missoula last August. House Bill 365 (https://legiscan.com/MT/text/HB365/id/1101945), if enacted, would be a disaster for almost any nude activity in Montana. Many bills affect nudism as an unintended consequence. However, this bill was proposed in response to a naked bike ride and was introduced to prevent mere nudity.

Luckily for nudists everywhere, the proposer of the bill went too far. He went on to suggest that even beige colored yoga pants should be banned because they are provocative. This has made the news world wide. The bill was tabled unanimously. So this is one fight that we don’t have to fight this time.

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Knock knock! Can you come and play with us! We call it ‘Winter Fest 2015’! We have many volunteers who are ready for you to come and play!

Saturday February 14th Jan will be helping us make some instruments for the ‘Rhythm Circle’. Sunday we will be decorating dark shirts with bleach gel pens. There will be a few shirts available for purchase from the Bun but, if you have a dark shirt to decorate (cotton works best) bring it with you. Supervised children are welcome to come to the crafts and Kym will have some craft activity available if the regular craft is not age appropriate for them to participate.

On Sunday the 15th from 7-9 pm we will be having a ‘Rhythm Circle’ in the Lodge. You know what a ‘Drum Circle’ is right? Well we are not limiting our circle to just drums! You can bring whatever rocks your rhythm child. Use your imagination and bring something to play! Don and Doug will be leading the circle to help us bring out our inner music abilities.

In the Lodge Jim, Tyler, Rick and Quentin will be here to lead our play groups on Saturday with the WII, ping-pong, 8-Ball, and pool volleyball. Judy and Roberta will be leading the cards and Sue and Everett are planning activities in the pool on Sunday.

Soul Restoration Project will be playing Saturday night in the Fireside. They are a high energy group that gets us out on the dance floor!

Make your plans now to come and play with us! Call the office at 541-933-2809 to reserve your rental or camp spot today!

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