If you feel that you have been harassed, illegally detained/arrested, profiled, or otherwise had your
Click here for the complaint form.
Thursday, June 21, 2018
Georgia ACLU Complaint Form
Hi all,
If you feel that you have been harassed, illegally detained/arrested, profiled, or otherwise had your
civil rights violated, please take them time to fill out a complaint form with the Georgia ACLU. It may not help your immediate problems, but creating a record of the number of civil rights and profiling violations will help us in the long run to get the forest service to back of.
Click here for the complaint form.
If you feel that you have been harassed, illegally detained/arrested, profiled, or otherwise had your
Click here for the complaint form.
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
What is... The Rainbow Gathering?
Click here for more information.
Monday, June 18, 2018
USFS, Local Sheriff, Arrests and Check Points
Updated July 7 9:00 p.m. eastern time
I'm hearing that there is a mandatory and probably illegal checkpoint on the roads going into the gathering. People are being searched and their belongings gone through. This is a tactic the USFS uses every year to deter people from coming to the gathering.
If you are caught up in this "checkpoint," please video tape everything that you can, do not consent to a search of your vehicle or your person, do not admit anything. DO NOT ADMIT TO ANYTHING!
Know your rights!
Read Rap 420.
Read my rap on getting into the gathering.
To find out when you can visit, call 706-864-0412.
The Appalachian Drug Task Force (ADTF) is a Multi-Agency Narcotics Unit that serves Lumpkin, Towns, Union and White Counties in Northeast Georgia and is very active in the area around the gathering. Click here for more information on the ADTF.
If you are ticketed by the FEDS (U.S. Forest Service), please go to your court date. For more information on how the federal citations work, click here.At the Missouri 1996 gathering, a summary judgement indicated that
Be aware of illegal police actions and DOCUMENT EVERYTHING.
I'm hearing that there is a mandatory and probably illegal checkpoint on the roads going into the gathering. People are being searched and their belongings gone through. This is a tactic the USFS uses every year to deter people from coming to the gathering.
If you are caught up in this "checkpoint," please video tape everything that you can, do not consent to a search of your vehicle or your person, do not admit anything. DO NOT ADMIT TO ANYTHING!
Know your rights!
Read Rap 420.
Read my rap on getting into the gathering.
Arrests by local sheriff or state police
Apparently, if you are stopped on state land, the local sheriff is taking a zero tolerance approach to any amount of drugs. Some people have been arrested and taken immediately to jail. The Lumpkin County Jail is supposed to have 120 beds. To see who is currently in the Lumpkin County Jail, click here. If you search in descending order by arrest date, you will see arrests that may be related to people heading to the gathering. I see five for June 18 as of 5 p.m. eastern time. Some of these people were arrested for less than an ounce of weed and minor vehicle issues.To find out when you can visit, call 706-864-0412.
To find the jail, 385 East Main Street, Dahlonega, GA 30533
The Appalachian Drug Task Force (ADTF) is a Multi-Agency Narcotics Unit that serves Lumpkin, Towns, Union and White Counties in Northeast Georgia and is very active in the area around the gathering. Click here for more information on the ADTF.
Arrests by Federal law enforcement aka United States Forest Service
If you are ticketed by the FEDS (U.S. Forest Service), please go to your court date. For more information on how the federal citations work, click here.At the Missouri 1996 gathering, a summary judgement indicated that
the Court finds that the government's interest in general deterrence is not substantial enough to outweigh the liberty interests of Park and other Rainbow Family attendees. While the Court finds that the Forest Service has a legitimate concern on how to handle such a great influx of people on national forest lands, the Fourth Amendment prevents the Forest Service from flexing its law enforcement muscle as a way to accomplish that goal. The Forest Service may not use the Rainbow Family gathering as an excuse to canvas the myriad of participants—most of whom are law abiding—in hopes of ferreting out a few lawbreakerFor all the documentation on this case, click here. Unfortunately, this case was heard by the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals and the gathering is in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals so the case law may not be binding, but I'll leave that up to the lawyers to argue.
Be aware of illegal police actions and DOCUMENT EVERYTHING.
Sunday, June 17, 2018
Saturday, June 16, 2018
Critical Care Camp (CCC) and Handicamp Needs and Support (Guest Post)
Updated on 6/24/18 at 1:45 a.m. Eastern Time
Karin's Note: Critical Care Camp is for people who need medical supervision as indicated below. Handicamp is for people with mobility issues who do not anticipate needing on-going medical supervision. If you have a handicapped placard, please show it to the parking crew and ask to be directed to Handicamp. If you have serious medical conditions and would like to be directed to Critical Care Camp, please explain your situation to the parking crew. Too many able bodied people try to use these spaces and we're trying very hard to keep them for those in need.
The situation is in flux and the later your arrive, the hardier it will be to get a space in Handicamp as parking always runs out. Please be patient and plan on arriving early in the day so people can get you where you need to be.
Handicamp/CCC (Critical Care Camp) report. I just talked to WSOTR by phone who is in town at the moment. They are set up about 6 to 8 miles from main circle and the Forest Service is preventing them from using the meadow that is closer that they preferred. There is a drop off point about 1/2 mile from main circle with a fairly level trail to hike in. Doesn't sound wheelchair friendly but there are plenty of sherpas available to help carry folks and their gear in if needed. In addition CALM (medical station) is between the drop off and main circle if folks want to stop and rest. It has been raining once or twice a day for short periods of time and it's muddy. The locals say it always rains some on July 4th.
Critical . Care . Camp /Handycamp Wishlist
This is only our 2nd year and because we are relatively new we are still trying to put it all together. We are the camp that provides support for our family with heavy-duty health-related needs... including dialysis trips in and out, C-PAP and other generator needs, oxygen, etc. This year we will probably be adjacent to HandyCamp and will coordinate with them to meet Family needs.
CREW NEEDS:
kitchen folk 🆘
construction folk🔧
healers ✨👐✨
📢 ShantiSena parking aides
general support folk (fire tenders 🔥 and wood gatherers etc)
massage therapists 🙌 we are bringing one massage table
sherpas- 💪need cart and cart-pushers to get people inside to their camp of preference and
to help bring everybody in on July 4th
jokesters 👾 music makers🎼 heartbreakers
😝
seed camp construction needs- we need seed camp constructors to help put up kitchen, create handwash and dishwash stations
make a built up common and kitchen firepits, dig shitters, create showers, put up tarps . . . . .
we need cart donations or help constructing carrying devices for people on the 4th and for those who want to camp inside
folks with good legal vehicles to make town runs & specifically 2 good “ambulance” type vehicles with keys to be left with our CCC focalizers for emergency evac needs🚨
CCC WISH LIST
just as for most ANY Rainbow kitchen/community camp
shovels, axes, bowsaws, hatchets, lanterns, flashlights
large tarps for shade/rain cover for camp and for prayer circle on the 4th and smaller tarps to cover woodpile and supplies etc
matches, lighters, propane tanks and fuel canisters
waterpipe PVC and fittings to connect with water crew stuff 💦
Medical supplies – we have a decent supply of first aid stuff but we always need as much as possible of the following: medicinal herbs, homeopathic remedies, rescue remedy, antibiotic ointment, calendula, sunblock, aloe plants, hydrogen Peroxide, rubbing alcohol and grain alcohol, bandaids, wrapping gauze, 1st aide tape...
RADIOS (walkie talkie type)
toilet paper, paper towels or clean rags
batteries: C, D, double and triple A
ropes of various lengths and gauges, lashing twine, tent stakes…
heavy duty trash/contractor bags
agricultural lime for shitter vector control plywood sheets to cover shitters
containers for lime and handwash
1 standup tent with screen porch area if possible for medical private interviewing/treatment and smaller tents for supplies
Grates for cooking- can use metal refrigerator shelf grating
cooking supplies such as:
pots, pans, knives 🔪mixing bowls, cooking utensils, eating bowls, eating utensils 🍴 cups
large tupperware type containers with lids for food storage, 5 gallon food grade buckets with lids approximately 15-20
sugar, salt and black pepper- we already are already bringing enough other culinary herbs
Teas, honey, coffee, powdered milk, hot chocolate
bulk foods such as: beans and whole grains, eggs, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, onions, whole garlic bulbs, , oats, cold cereals, peanut butter, jams/preserves, bread, olive oil
biodegradable dishsoap and handsoap
“The great spiritual Teachers who walked the Earthand taught the basics of the truths of the
Whirling Rainbow Prophecy will return and
walk amongst us once more, sharing their power and understanding with all. We will learn how to see and hear in a sacred manner. Men and women will be equals in the way Creator intended them to be; all children will be safe anywhere they want to go. Elders will be respected and valued for their contributions to life. Their wisdom will be sought out. The whole Human race will be called The People and there will be no more war, sickness or hunger forever.”
Navajo-Hopi Prophecy of the Whirling Rainbow
If you are able please help out . . it is incumbent upon Rainbow to care for the people who have been part of the Gatherings since the very beginning and who sacrificed so much to help create the Visions that we all share.
Karin's Note: Critical Care Camp is for people who need medical supervision as indicated below. Handicamp is for people with mobility issues who do not anticipate needing on-going medical supervision. If you have a handicapped placard, please show it to the parking crew and ask to be directed to Handicamp. If you have serious medical conditions and would like to be directed to Critical Care Camp, please explain your situation to the parking crew. Too many able bodied people try to use these spaces and we're trying very hard to keep them for those in need.
The situation is in flux and the later your arrive, the hardier it will be to get a space in Handicamp as parking always runs out. Please be patient and plan on arriving early in the day so people can get you where you need to be.
****** Handicamp/CCC update as of 6/24.18 1:45 a.m. *****************
Handicamp/CCC (Critical Care Camp) report. I just talked to WSOTR by phone who is in town at the moment. They are set up about 6 to 8 miles from main circle and the Forest Service is preventing them from using the meadow that is closer that they preferred. There is a drop off point about 1/2 mile from main circle with a fairly level trail to hike in. Doesn't sound wheelchair friendly but there are plenty of sherpas available to help carry folks and their gear in if needed. In addition CALM (medical station) is between the drop off and main circle if folks want to stop and rest. It has been raining once or twice a day for short periods of time and it's muddy. The locals say it always rains some on July 4th.
*************** Copied from Facebook ****************
This is only our 2nd year and because we are relatively new we are still trying to put it all together. We are the camp that provides support for our family with heavy-duty health-related needs... including dialysis trips in and out, C-PAP and other generator needs, oxygen, etc. This year we will probably be adjacent to HandyCamp and will coordinate with them to meet Family needs.
CREW NEEDS:
kitchen folk 🆘
construction folk🔧
healers ✨👐✨
📢 ShantiSena parking aides
general support folk (fire tenders 🔥 and wood gatherers etc)
massage therapists 🙌 we are bringing one massage table
sherpas- 💪need cart and cart-pushers to get people inside to their camp of preference and
to help bring everybody in on July 4th
jokesters 👾 music makers🎼 heartbreakers
😝
seed camp construction needs- we need seed camp constructors to help put up kitchen, create handwash and dishwash stations
make a built up common and kitchen firepits, dig shitters, create showers, put up tarps . . . . .
we need cart donations or help constructing carrying devices for people on the 4th and for those who want to camp inside
folks with good legal vehicles to make town runs & specifically 2 good “ambulance” type vehicles with keys to be left with our CCC focalizers for emergency evac needs🚨
CCC WISH LIST
just as for most ANY Rainbow kitchen/community camp
shovels, axes, bowsaws, hatchets, lanterns, flashlights
large tarps for shade/rain cover for camp and for prayer circle on the 4th and smaller tarps to cover woodpile and supplies etc
matches, lighters, propane tanks and fuel canisters
waterpipe PVC and fittings to connect with water crew stuff 💦
Medical supplies – we have a decent supply of first aid stuff but we always need as much as possible of the following: medicinal herbs, homeopathic remedies, rescue remedy, antibiotic ointment, calendula, sunblock, aloe plants, hydrogen Peroxide, rubbing alcohol and grain alcohol, bandaids, wrapping gauze, 1st aide tape...
RADIOS (walkie talkie type)
toilet paper, paper towels or clean rags
batteries: C, D, double and triple A
ropes of various lengths and gauges, lashing twine, tent stakes…
heavy duty trash/contractor bags
agricultural lime for shitter vector control plywood sheets to cover shitters
containers for lime and handwash
1 standup tent with screen porch area if possible for medical private interviewing/treatment and smaller tents for supplies
Grates for cooking- can use metal refrigerator shelf grating
cooking supplies such as:
pots, pans, knives 🔪mixing bowls, cooking utensils, eating bowls, eating utensils 🍴 cups
large tupperware type containers with lids for food storage, 5 gallon food grade buckets with lids approximately 15-20
sugar, salt and black pepper- we already are already bringing enough other culinary herbs
Teas, honey, coffee, powdered milk, hot chocolate
bulk foods such as: beans and whole grains, eggs, potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, onions, whole garlic bulbs, , oats, cold cereals, peanut butter, jams/preserves, bread, olive oil
biodegradable dishsoap and handsoap
“The great spiritual Teachers who walked the Earthand taught the basics of the truths of the
Whirling Rainbow Prophecy will return and
walk amongst us once more, sharing their power and understanding with all. We will learn how to see and hear in a sacred manner. Men and women will be equals in the way Creator intended them to be; all children will be safe anywhere they want to go. Elders will be respected and valued for their contributions to life. Their wisdom will be sought out. The whole Human race will be called The People and there will be no more war, sickness or hunger forever.”
Navajo-Hopi Prophecy of the Whirling Rainbow
If you are able please help out . . it is incumbent upon Rainbow to care for the people who have been part of the Gatherings since the very beginning and who sacrificed so much to help create the Visions that we all share.
Friday, June 15, 2018
Remember to Breathe
The first week at the gathering site is always full of chaos, rumors and confusion. Things generally work themselves out. Have faith in your family.
In the meantime, enjoy this video from Soaring Eagle that will remind you about why we gather. Thank you Soaring Eagle for making such a beautiful video.
In the meantime, enjoy this video from Soaring Eagle that will remind you about why we gather. Thank you Soaring Eagle for making such a beautiful video.
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
Howdy Folks (a.k.a. Directions to the Gathering)
Updated July 2 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time
47th Annual Rainbow Family Gathering of the Tribes
End of June (give or take) to July 7
Join us July 4 for the silent meditation/prayer for world peace from dawn until high noon
We, who are brothers & sisters, children of spirit, families of life on earth, friends of nature & of all people, children of humankind calling ourselves the rainbow gathering, humbly invite:
- All races, peoples, tribes, communes, men, women, children, individuals -- out of love.
- All nations & national leaders -- out of respect
- All religions & religious leaders -- out of faith
- All politicians -- out of charity
Feel free to arrive a few weeks early to create the gathering and/or stay a few weeks late to clean it all up. Please be respectful of the First Nations' land, culture, and spirituality.
We love you!
Where is the
gathering?
The
gathering is taking place in the Chattahoochee National Forest in northern
Georgia. Coordinates 34.586450, -84.124448
Main Circle is at N 34.60726 W -84.12053.
The Atlanta Lightline has very different directions than I do, I'm not sure which are correct. You can call them at 770-662-6112
Main Circle is at N 34.60726 W -84.12053.
The Atlanta Lightline has very different directions than I do, I'm not sure which are correct. You can call them at 770-662-6112
 |
 Map 1 as of 6/30 (click to enlarge) |
 |
| Map 2 (click to enlarge) |
DIRECTIONS: From Interstate 75
south east of Chattanooga, Tennessee, take highway 76 east approximately 68 miles towards East Ellijay,
Georgia. From East Ellijay, take Highway 52 east
towards Dahlonega.
From Atlanta, Georgia take Interstate 75 North to Interstate 575 North to Hwy 15 north to Hwy 136. Turn right on 136 go approximately 19 miles toward Talking Rock Mountain ~ 19 miles until you hit a "T" intersection at Hwy 183. Turn left on Hwy 183. Go 4 miles until you hit another "T" intersection and then turn right on Hwy 52. Go approximately 8 miles. Turn left on Nimblewill Church Road.
From Greenville, South Carolina, take Interstate 85 south. From I-85, take exit 22 for US-129 North toward Gainesville/Jefferson. From Gainsville, take GA-60 North approximately 22 miles to Dahlonega. From Dahlonega, take Highway 52/9 west towards East Ellijay approximately 5 miles from where Hwy 52 and 9 split. Turn right on Nimblewill Church Road.
TIP: Nimblewill Church Road is an upside "U" shape so if you come from the west you enter one end of the road and if you come from the left you enter another end.
There are rolling and intermittent mandatory check points that people are going through. Please read Rap 420 and make sure you know your rights.
**** Be prepared for rain and thunderstorms! ****
Only motorized vehicles that are licensed and legal for use on public highways in the state of Georgia may be operated on Forest Service roads. Motorized vehicles are NOT allowed on trails or closed roads unless posted. Some trails are restricted for a certain type of use. Motorcycles, bicycles, equestrians and others should be sure they remain on designated trails marked specifically for their use.
USFS Parking Rules as of 3:45 PM on Sunday, June 17:
Several temporary closures and restrictions are in place at Bull Mountain in the Nimblewill area of Lumpkin County for public safety related to the 2018 national gathering of the Rainbow Family of Living Light. This is an update to the road closure plan shared on June 15.
Several temporary closures and restrictions are in place in the Nimblewill area of Lumpkin County for public safety related to the 2018 national gathering of the Rainbow Family. This is an update to the road closures announced on June 15.
CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC:
FS77 from 28A to FS42 (now closed at the intersection of FSR 77A)
FS77A (except to private landowners)
FS877
FS141
FS141A
FS142
OPEN TO ALL TRAFFIC, NO PARKING ALLOWED:
FS28-1 from Nimblewill Church Road (126) to FS80
FS83 (Bull Mountain parking lot is open)
FS28B
FS77 from FS28-1 to FSR 77A
OPEN TO ALL TRAFFIC, PARKING ALLOWED ON RIGHT SIDE ONLY:
FS Road 42 near FS Road 77-- south side only.
Roadside parking on designated routes must allow adequate access for through traffic. Road shoulders may be narrow or soft. Do not block gates. Access for emergency response is paramount.Roadside parking along the right side of these designated parking routes must allow adequate access for through traffic. Access for emergency response is paramount. Be cautious as road shoulders may be narrow or soft. Do not block any gates. Violators will be towed.
We appreciate your understanding as this situation evolves and we determine the best methods for keeping visitors, neighbors, partners and our employees safe. Please see signs posted in the area for more information, and stay tuned for further updates.
Visitors to the area should also be aware of the possibility they may encounter Army training activities authorized through a long-standing permit between Camp Frank D. Merrill and the U.S. Forest Service. These activities are conducted under a joint operating plan that intends to reduce conflicts between Army training activities and public visitors. However, interaction on roads and visibility of Army activities on the national forest should be expected. These regularly recurring activities are not related to the 2018 national gathering.
From Atlanta, Georgia take Interstate 75 North to Interstate 575 North to Hwy 15 north to Hwy 136. Turn right on 136 go approximately 19 miles toward Talking Rock Mountain ~ 19 miles until you hit a "T" intersection at Hwy 183. Turn left on Hwy 183. Go 4 miles until you hit another "T" intersection and then turn right on Hwy 52. Go approximately 8 miles. Turn left on Nimblewill Church Road.
From Greenville, South Carolina, take Interstate 85 south. From I-85, take exit 22 for US-129 North toward Gainesville/Jefferson. From Gainsville, take GA-60 North approximately 22 miles to Dahlonega. From Dahlonega, take Highway 52/9 west towards East Ellijay approximately 5 miles from where Hwy 52 and 9 split. Turn right on Nimblewill Church Road.
TIP: Nimblewill Church Road is an upside "U" shape so if you come from the west you enter one end of the road and if you come from the left you enter another end.
From all directions: Go north on Forest Service Road 28-1 to Winding Stair Gap Road and turn left. Parking is on one side of the road only. Park as close as you can to the next car while leaving room for them to get out. Make sure you are not blocking the road to the extent that emergency vehicles such as fire trucks are denied access. Look for family to tell you what to do next.
KITCHENS: For kitchen unloading only from 28-1 turn left on Road 83/Bull Mountain Parking Road. Go 1.5 miles. No parking is allowed on Road 83 and I've heard the turn around is tough.
PARKING/SHUTTLE: There are supposed to be shuttles set up to get you from parking to the Front Gate. From there I've heard 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile hike in.
EVERYONE: Rumor has it that Front Gate is 3/4 of a mile from the main part of the gathering. While parking may be a couple of miles away, you MAY be able to drop gear and passengers, go park, and then only one person has to do the long hike on the road. I say MAY because sometimes the USFS stops us from allowing things like this and the situation may change. Ask the people at Front Gate if you can pull over, unload people and gear, and then go park. If they say no or wave you on, don't argue, just keep driving as there is a reason they have given you those instructions.
For a PDF version of the directions, click here.
There are rolling and intermittent mandatory check points that people are going through. Please read Rap 420 and make sure you know your rights.
**** Be prepared for rain and thunderstorms! ****
Only motorized vehicles that are licensed and legal for use on public highways in the state of Georgia may be operated on Forest Service roads. Motorized vehicles are NOT allowed on trails or closed roads unless posted. Some trails are restricted for a certain type of use. Motorcycles, bicycles, equestrians and others should be sure they remain on designated trails marked specifically for their use.
USFS Parking Rules as of 3:45 PM on Sunday, June 17:
Several temporary closures and restrictions are in place at Bull Mountain in the Nimblewill area of Lumpkin County for public safety related to the 2018 national gathering of the Rainbow Family of Living Light. This is an update to the road closure plan shared on June 15.
Several temporary closures and restrictions are in place in the Nimblewill area of Lumpkin County for public safety related to the 2018 national gathering of the Rainbow Family. This is an update to the road closures announced on June 15.
CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC:
FS77 from 28A to FS42 (now closed at the intersection of FSR 77A)
FS77A (except to private landowners)
FS877
FS141
FS141A
FS142
OPEN TO ALL TRAFFIC, NO PARKING ALLOWED:
FS28-1 from Nimblewill Church Road (126) to FS80
FS83 (Bull Mountain parking lot is open)
FS28B
FS77 from FS28-1 to FSR 77A
OPEN TO ALL TRAFFIC, PARKING ALLOWED ON RIGHT SIDE ONLY:
FS Road 42 near FS Road 77-- south side only.
 |
| Parking allowed in yellow on south side only (click to enlarge) |
Roadside parking on designated routes must allow adequate access for through traffic. Road shoulders may be narrow or soft. Do not block gates. Access for emergency response is paramount.Roadside parking along the right side of these designated parking routes must allow adequate access for through traffic. Access for emergency response is paramount. Be cautious as road shoulders may be narrow or soft. Do not block any gates. Violators will be towed.
We appreciate your understanding as this situation evolves and we determine the best methods for keeping visitors, neighbors, partners and our employees safe. Please see signs posted in the area for more information, and stay tuned for further updates.
Visitors to the area should also be aware of the possibility they may encounter Army training activities authorized through a long-standing permit between Camp Frank D. Merrill and the U.S. Forest Service. These activities are conducted under a joint operating plan that intends to reduce conflicts between Army training activities and public visitors. However, interaction on roads and visibility of Army activities on the national forest should be expected. These regularly recurring activities are not related to the 2018 national gathering.
 |
| Photo of parking map taken June 30 @ 6:12 PM. |
Ignore all rumors of cancellation or organization!
Live lightly with the Land and People!
Be the peaceful and loving person you want to see more of in this world.
Please copy and distribute this information widely
Please copy and distribute this information widely
KEEP READING:
Roads and parking situations will be in flux for the next week. When you make it home, please listen to the people on the land and park where they tell you. Then in a few days touch base with INFO to see if the parking rules have changed so your car doesn't get towed. YES, the USFS does that. They tell people they can park in an area, then USFS changes their mind and puts a 72 hour notice on your car to move it.Folks on the land are working with the USFS to open up new parking areas. Please go home and follow the parking instructions given by the parking crew. Please park tight as parking will be hard this year. Please save Handicamp for those with mobility issues.
Misc. Additional Information
Dahlonega is supposed to be a university town with a health food store.Main circle is 1700', Most of the site is 1500-1800' It will cool down a decent amount at night due to elevation but not that much. Expect 80s day and 60s night. It is very wet and rainy lately so it will be humid.
Due to rain, Mosquitoes are very bad this year. Yes to ticks (also worse than normal). Yes there is Lyme in this area but not huge. Chiggers likely.
It is a tad far north for most venomous snakes, there could be but not likely. Don't know site specific but yes poison ivy is common in this area.
Apparently this area is not used for cattle grazing.
If you are interested in the USFS information on critters, floods, etc., including weather reports for the forest, click here.
Public Transportation Options:
Greyhound has a bus station at the Atlanta airport which can take you from the airport to Gainesville, Georgia that is about 20 miles from Dahlonega for just over $20. The buses leave the airport for the connection at the downtown station at about 5:40 am and about 2:30 pm, so if you get there in time for either of those, take the bus. Someone has commented that they think the bus leaves at 4 PM but when I checked Greyhound it indicates it leaves the downtown at 6:40 p.m. and from at airport at 2:30 pm. If you check for yourself, in the from location for the airport select "Atlanta Arpt, GA"Amtrak's "Crescent" leaves Atlanta's Brookwood Station at 8:21 pm and arrives in Gainesville, Georgia at 9:16 pm. Not much schedule flexibility though. Only the one train daily. Base fare is about $14.
Gainsville, Georgia is about 60 miles North East of Atlanta. Gainsville, Georgia is about 20 miles south of Dahlonega.
There is a bus network called MATS in Gilmer County that operates on a non-fixed route, taking passengers to their requested destinations. They work to accommodate all passengers and their vehicles are equipped to aid individuals with disabilities. They do request advance notice, so call them at (706) 276.6287 for details. Pretty cheap $2 or $3.
You can also take Greyhound from Chattanooga, Tennessee to Dalton, Georgia. From there you can try MATS or hitchhike the route listed above.
For more info on the gathering, visit Welcome Home or Karin's Blog. If you FaceBook, try Group 1 or Group 2 or use an old fashioned telephone and call the Atlanta Lightline 770-662-6112.
For a printable, downloadable PDF flyer with directions, click here.
Sunday, June 10, 2018
On Showing Up
Lately I've been pondering the importance of showing up if you want your voice to be heard. I am part of a community group working to save a local and urban creek and we always need more people to plug in. As I talk to people, they are always willing to complain about the trash along the creek or some such, but when you invite them to a work party, ask them to find volunteers for our periodic cleanups, or invite them to a community workshop on proposed changes for the area, they are no where to be found.
Now different people can plug in in different ways based on their interests and abilities and the commitment required for plugging in could be a few hours a month to a few hours a week. Saving our creek does not prevent anyone from holding a job, caring for their families, or what ever it is they do with their time. All of it doesn't even need to be done in person.
All of this brings me to the gathering. What is unique about the gathering is that our decision make process works face to face for the most part. Sometimes conference calls are arranged to discuss where we can meet face to face. Other phone calls help people connect with each other when they are out and about and are trying to find a place to meet face to face. Sense a pattern?
As a long time activist, who shares my birthday, once said "just show up." If you want to get involved with the world, show up. Sure the Internet is useful. I use it all the time to make information available to people, to informally connect with others, and to quickly gather information, but it's not that same as being present with people who are committed to making change.
Now the creek work is much more conducive to disembodied things like making formal comments on environmental impact reports and lobbying our elected officials, but much like the gathering, the important work gets done in councils (rainbow speak for meetings), on the land (rainbow speak for at the creek), or in community (rainbow speak for the core group of folks saving the creek).
Every year the Internet (and most especially FaceBook) fills up with ideas, opinions, perspectives, and dictates that are shared and discussed by people on-line --- many of whom don't regularly attend the annual gathering for world peace and the positive evolution of the planet. But what needs to be realized is that if you want to impact how things unfold, then you need to "show up" on the land, participate in formal or informal councils, and be part of the process.
The great thing about gatherings is that we need everyone's perspective from the person who just showed up and asked "what's council?" to the person who's been gathering since the 1970s. This gathering thing we do is an embodied sort of experience where people gain the full benefit of the many ways humans communicate: words, facial expressions, body positions, auras, and what ever telepathic ways we communicate with each other.
As many of my friends point out, gathering and all the related things done in the name of gathering are verbs, not nouns. Please join us in verbing.
Now different people can plug in in different ways based on their interests and abilities and the commitment required for plugging in could be a few hours a month to a few hours a week. Saving our creek does not prevent anyone from holding a job, caring for their families, or what ever it is they do with their time. All of it doesn't even need to be done in person.
All of this brings me to the gathering. What is unique about the gathering is that our decision make process works face to face for the most part. Sometimes conference calls are arranged to discuss where we can meet face to face. Other phone calls help people connect with each other when they are out and about and are trying to find a place to meet face to face. Sense a pattern?
As a long time activist, who shares my birthday, once said "just show up." If you want to get involved with the world, show up. Sure the Internet is useful. I use it all the time to make information available to people, to informally connect with others, and to quickly gather information, but it's not that same as being present with people who are committed to making change.
Now the creek work is much more conducive to disembodied things like making formal comments on environmental impact reports and lobbying our elected officials, but much like the gathering, the important work gets done in councils (rainbow speak for meetings), on the land (rainbow speak for at the creek), or in community (rainbow speak for the core group of folks saving the creek).
Every year the Internet (and most especially FaceBook) fills up with ideas, opinions, perspectives, and dictates that are shared and discussed by people on-line --- many of whom don't regularly attend the annual gathering for world peace and the positive evolution of the planet. But what needs to be realized is that if you want to impact how things unfold, then you need to "show up" on the land, participate in formal or informal councils, and be part of the process.
As many of my friends point out, gathering and all the related things done in the name of gathering are verbs, not nouns. Please join us in verbing.
Friday, June 8, 2018
Musings on getting fed at the gathering
If you've never been to a gathering (or even if you have), getting fed may seem like a mysterious process that sporadically leaves you hungry or amazed at the wonderful food you just ate. Well it's not really as mysterious as it seems. So here are the basics.
First off, no one should ever ask you for money or trade for food (excepting small things like candy bars at trade circle). Everyone eats for free. We share food with each other in many different ways.
During seed camp, you better come prepared with food to share. Some of the early kitchens may be serving "off the rails" (@ the kitchen counter) but you never know who will be there and how much food they have to share.
Bring whatever you can and share as best as you can with others. Some of the kitchens may come with food supplies they have purchased, but you never know.
Once the gathering gets going (usually a few days after the Summer Solstice), dinner will be served in the main meadow. Commonly called "Main Circle" or "Dinner Circle," kitchens bring food to the meadow, we circle up, om, and then are served food from a bucket or cooler. THANK YOU KITCHENS! After we eat, many folks hang out to play music, visit with friends or participate in activities like the "Angel Walk." This is my favorite time of the gathering. It's when those who wish take the time to hang out with old and new friends.
Many kitchens will continue to serve off the rails but normally do so earlier in the day or later in the evening. Each kitchen decides for itself when and what to serve so finding a kitchen that is serving "off the rails" is catch as catch can unless you get plugged into a specific kitchen. One easy way to get plugged in is to approach a kitchen and offer to dig a shitter, chop wood, haul water, or chop veggies for some meal or another.
As I mentioned earlier, many kitchens come with their own food supply purchased by the core crew. Other kitchens come with gear but not much else. No matter how things start out, more food needs to be purchased as the gathering progresses and more wonderful people come home.
Generally a group of people come together to facilitate supplies. After all, purchasing large quantities in bulk is usually less expensive. Some kitchens do their own supply runs with either their own funds or funds from a collection can stationed in their kitchen, others participate in large scale supply runs usually involving a lot of food and funds from the "Magic Hat."
The Magic Hat can be found at Dinner Circle and INFO when Dinner Circle is not happening. Sometimes the Magic Hat goes on a Magic Hat parade around the gathering soliciting funds. Magic Hat funds are managed by the Banking Council some or most of whom are usually at Dinner Circle. Folks who become part of this council track income and expenses, count the money and insure the integrity of the process. Most of the magic hat funds go to buy food that is distributed to the kitchens serving Dinner Circle. There is a Kitchen Council that meets a few times a week sporadically (usually by INFO) that plans supply runs, meals and works out all these issues.
Basically the process goes like this, you put cash money (no checks, credit cards, food stamps, etc) in the Magic Hat. Money is collected and counted. After a few days of this, a supply run is organized. Once that has happened the supply run goes out, purchases the agreed upon supplies (or as close as possible) and then comes back with the food. A supply run can take two days or even three. Once the food comes back, it is distributed to the kitchens - a process that can take another day or two.
After the food is distributed to the kitchens, it gets cooked and served - a process that can take another day or two depending on when the supplies arrive at the kitchen and what else the kitchen is involved in at present.
Now we come to the most important part, if you have $50 to donate to the Magic Hat, do it the day you arrive at the gathering. Don't put $5 a day in for ten days. Every year we have a food shortage for a few days somewhere between June 23 and July 2 because people start arriving in mass after the Summer Solstice and we have a lag between donations coming in and food being served.
Look at it this way, if one hundred people arrive on June 23 and donate $50 dollars each, we will have $5,000 to feed not only these one hundred people but the additional two thousand people who have subsequently arrived on June 28 when the purchased food is served. If on June 25, two hundred and fifty people arrive and donate $50 dollars each, we will have over ten thousand dollars to feed the 5-10 thousand people on site by June 30. However, if people donate one or five dollars a day, then by the time we have enough money to feed fifteen thousand people, it's July 5 and most people are leaving.
If you do not have or do not wish to donate cash money, food supplies are always welcomed. The good news is that the food you bring with you will make it into your belly tomorrow. While brown rice, beans and quinoa are always welcomed, hardy fruits and veggies are very important as well. Bring apples and oranges by the caseload. Cabbage, carrots and zucchini transport well and as much as you can bring will be eaten. Onions and garlic are always needed. Leave the fancy lettuce and peaches behind unless you know how to transport them so they don't get ruined and how to store them on site.
If you bring pasta, try to bring vegan pasta so everyone can partake. Save the egg noodles for another occasion. Peanut butter and bread (vegan if you can find it) go a long way to providing healthy fuel and whole wheat flour is always needed for kitchens that bake bread and pizza! If you decide to go shopping after you've been at the gathering, check in with Kitchen Council to get plugged into any special deals folks may have worked out with local suppliers. After all, if you can get it for 30% off, then you can buy more food to feed more bellies for the same amount of money.
First off, no one should ever ask you for money or trade for food (excepting small things like candy bars at trade circle). Everyone eats for free. We share food with each other in many different ways.
During seed camp, you better come prepared with food to share. Some of the early kitchens may be serving "off the rails" (@ the kitchen counter) but you never know who will be there and how much food they have to share.
 |
Once the gathering gets going (usually a few days after the Summer Solstice), dinner will be served in the main meadow. Commonly called "Main Circle" or "Dinner Circle," kitchens bring food to the meadow, we circle up, om, and then are served food from a bucket or cooler. THANK YOU KITCHENS! After we eat, many folks hang out to play music, visit with friends or participate in activities like the "Angel Walk." This is my favorite time of the gathering. It's when those who wish take the time to hang out with old and new friends.
As I mentioned earlier, many kitchens come with their own food supply purchased by the core crew. Other kitchens come with gear but not much else. No matter how things start out, more food needs to be purchased as the gathering progresses and more wonderful people come home.
Generally a group of people come together to facilitate supplies. After all, purchasing large quantities in bulk is usually less expensive. Some kitchens do their own supply runs with either their own funds or funds from a collection can stationed in their kitchen, others participate in large scale supply runs usually involving a lot of food and funds from the "Magic Hat."
The Magic Hat can be found at Dinner Circle and INFO when Dinner Circle is not happening. Sometimes the Magic Hat goes on a Magic Hat parade around the gathering soliciting funds. Magic Hat funds are managed by the Banking Council some or most of whom are usually at Dinner Circle. Folks who become part of this council track income and expenses, count the money and insure the integrity of the process. Most of the magic hat funds go to buy food that is distributed to the kitchens serving Dinner Circle. There is a Kitchen Council that meets a few times a week sporadically (usually by INFO) that plans supply runs, meals and works out all these issues.Basically the process goes like this, you put cash money (no checks, credit cards, food stamps, etc) in the Magic Hat. Money is collected and counted. After a few days of this, a supply run is organized. Once that has happened the supply run goes out, purchases the agreed upon supplies (or as close as possible) and then comes back with the food. A supply run can take two days or even three. Once the food comes back, it is distributed to the kitchens - a process that can take another day or two.
After the food is distributed to the kitchens, it gets cooked and served - a process that can take another day or two depending on when the supplies arrive at the kitchen and what else the kitchen is involved in at present.
Now we come to the most important part, if you have $50 to donate to the Magic Hat, do it the day you arrive at the gathering. Don't put $5 a day in for ten days. Every year we have a food shortage for a few days somewhere between June 23 and July 2 because people start arriving in mass after the Summer Solstice and we have a lag between donations coming in and food being served. Look at it this way, if one hundred people arrive on June 23 and donate $50 dollars each, we will have $5,000 to feed not only these one hundred people but the additional two thousand people who have subsequently arrived on June 28 when the purchased food is served. If on June 25, two hundred and fifty people arrive and donate $50 dollars each, we will have over ten thousand dollars to feed the 5-10 thousand people on site by June 30. However, if people donate one or five dollars a day, then by the time we have enough money to feed fifteen thousand people, it's July 5 and most people are leaving.
If you do not have or do not wish to donate cash money, food supplies are always welcomed. The good news is that the food you bring with you will make it into your belly tomorrow. While brown rice, beans and quinoa are always welcomed, hardy fruits and veggies are very important as well. Bring apples and oranges by the caseload. Cabbage, carrots and zucchini transport well and as much as you can bring will be eaten. Onions and garlic are always needed. Leave the fancy lettuce and peaches behind unless you know how to transport them so they don't get ruined and how to store them on site. If you bring pasta, try to bring vegan pasta so everyone can partake. Save the egg noodles for another occasion. Peanut butter and bread (vegan if you can find it) go a long way to providing healthy fuel and whole wheat flour is always needed for kitchens that bake bread and pizza! If you decide to go shopping after you've been at the gathering, check in with Kitchen Council to get plugged into any special deals folks may have worked out with local suppliers. After all, if you can get it for 30% off, then you can buy more food to feed more bellies for the same amount of money.
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
Race, Racism and the Gathering
As many long time gatherers know, the gathering has always had a small percentage of participants who are people of color. I've sat in many a circle where this has been discussed and you may have as well. The basic premise of the rainbow is to be inclusive of all peaceful people. Yet we are falling short of what I believe most gatherers would like to see (Just an aside, I don't speak for anyone but myself).
A few years ago, I've participated in a series of conversations on race and racism at San Diego's Peace Resource Center on some Saturday mornings. We've watched films such as Women Talk About Race in America, Mirrors of Privilege: Making Whiteness Visible, and Cracking the Codes: the System of Racial Inequality. We've had small and larger group discussions on the film, various talking points, and even how how the format of these get together have fostered or subverted racial inequality. If you haven't seen these films, I encourage you to watch them, get the study guides and work towards building a just society for all humans and this beautiful planet we call home.
As I participated in these sessions where we tackled hard issues, I tried to examine the gathering for racism and racist behavior by gathering participants. We all know the gathering is comprised of individuals with diverse backgrounds and differing beliefs and we sometimes see less conscious behavior than many people would like to have present at a gathering. That being said, there are some situations built into the intrinsic nature of the gathering that can be very challenging for people of color and I am hoping we can all gain consciousness on how to mitigate these issues.
One of the big challenges I see is the need to run the gauntlet on the way in. As a middle aged, currently middle-class, woman of European ancestry, I'm one of the least likely people to get hassled by the cops on the way into the gathering or once on site. I try to us my position of privilege to protect those more likely to get hassled, like my younger family and my family of color by keeping my body between the cops and my family. But I am only one body. Given that cops are more likely to shoot and/or arrest people of color trying to come home, how to we create a safe space for people to get from the outside world into the gathering?
I've also been thinking that my ability to live outside of mainstream culture and to exit and enter as I wish is a privilege of the color of my skin. Even when I have been living far outside of mainstream culture, I have the ability to take a shower, put on appropriate clothes, and enter places of power like court rooms, city council chambers, and banks and be treated with respect. This is the white privilege of being able to openly defy mainstream culture.
How do we address our relative impunity at sharing herb and the very differing rules the powers that be apply to those of color?
How do we create a space that feels safe to people of color without treating people differently? How do we address the way the outside culture responds to the gathering in an often negative fashion? This negativity impacts individuals differently depending on age, gender, race, and abilities. In other words, when we gather, we create a situation of open rebellion to the society around us. Rebellion has consequences, but individually, we do not experience those consequences equally. During the time of intense conflict between the Forest Service and the gathering, we had to navigate who was willing to go to what lengths to stand up to the Forest Service -- there were no easy answers then and there still aren't any easy ways to address a system in which the gathering is embedded.
Since I don't have any answers, I'll leave you with the voices of some powerful women who can speak to the issue far better than I can..
A few years ago, I've participated in a series of conversations on race and racism at San Diego's Peace Resource Center on some Saturday mornings. We've watched films such as Women Talk About Race in America, Mirrors of Privilege: Making Whiteness Visible, and Cracking the Codes: the System of Racial Inequality. We've had small and larger group discussions on the film, various talking points, and even how how the format of these get together have fostered or subverted racial inequality. If you haven't seen these films, I encourage you to watch them, get the study guides and work towards building a just society for all humans and this beautiful planet we call home.
One of the big challenges I see is the need to run the gauntlet on the way in. As a middle aged, currently middle-class, woman of European ancestry, I'm one of the least likely people to get hassled by the cops on the way into the gathering or once on site. I try to us my position of privilege to protect those more likely to get hassled, like my younger family and my family of color by keeping my body between the cops and my family. But I am only one body. Given that cops are more likely to shoot and/or arrest people of color trying to come home, how to we create a safe space for people to get from the outside world into the gathering?
I've also been thinking that my ability to live outside of mainstream culture and to exit and enter as I wish is a privilege of the color of my skin. Even when I have been living far outside of mainstream culture, I have the ability to take a shower, put on appropriate clothes, and enter places of power like court rooms, city council chambers, and banks and be treated with respect. This is the white privilege of being able to openly defy mainstream culture.
How do we address our relative impunity at sharing herb and the very differing rules the powers that be apply to those of color?
How do we create a space that feels safe to people of color without treating people differently? How do we address the way the outside culture responds to the gathering in an often negative fashion? This negativity impacts individuals differently depending on age, gender, race, and abilities. In other words, when we gather, we create a situation of open rebellion to the society around us. Rebellion has consequences, but individually, we do not experience those consequences equally. During the time of intense conflict between the Forest Service and the gathering, we had to navigate who was willing to go to what lengths to stand up to the Forest Service -- there were no easy answers then and there still aren't any easy ways to address a system in which the gathering is embedded.
Since I don't have any answers, I'll leave you with the voices of some powerful women who can speak to the issue far better than I can..
Tuesday, June 5, 2018
Getting into the gathering without getting a mandatory court appearance ticket
Every year the United States Forest Service Law Enforcement (USFS) Incident Management Team (the cops) attempts to write as many tickets to family coming home as they possibly can to justify their presence. They give out tickets for broken tail lights, failure to use a turn signal in a deserted parking lot at 2 AM, lack of seat belts, controlled substances (even just a trace amount), beads hanging from your rear view mirrors, prescription medications if the label doesn't clearly have your name on it and you can't prove who you are, dogs off leash, a vehicle missing a front license plate even if you live in a state that does not issue a front license plate and a lot more violations of the letter of the law.
However, these tickets are not the type of citation you would probably receive for any of these issues in your hometown. These are mandatory court appearance tickets. There will be special court dates set up just for us, so we can go to the local courthouse, fire station or visitors center and go before a magistrate. In the past, charges have been reduced, fines were often minimal and the court has allowed people to make payment plans ranging from 90 days to pay $75 to 18 months to pay $25 depending on the hardship cases people have expressed.
If you do not show up for your mandatory court appearance on the date indicated on your ticket, a Federal Bench Warrant will be issued for your arrest. Then the USFS LEOs will come into the gathering looking for you. If they find you they will arrest you and put you in jail until the next court date. If this happens on a Friday afternoon, you will be in jail until Monday. If they do not find you at the gathering, the next time a law enforcement officer for any reason stops you, your ID will be run through the database and you will go directly to jail.
Of course, everyone is free to manage this situation as they wish but I strongly recommend you go to your court date. I have seen people charged with crimes that could potentially result in a six years sentence walk out with a $500 fine and three years’ probation. Keep in mind that every year the dynamic is different and these results may not always be available. There are lawyers and other experienced family at the gathering (I am not a legal expert) who attend the court dates and will assist as best they can although I recommend you catch up with them before your court date to gain a better understanding of your specific charges and strategies to get the charges dropped or reduced. If you do not know these people personally, go to INFO and let them know you received one of the magic tickets and you need legal assistance.
 |
| You do not want to go to Kangaroo Court |
However, these tickets are not the type of citation you would probably receive for any of these issues in your hometown. These are mandatory court appearance tickets. There will be special court dates set up just for us, so we can go to the local courthouse, fire station or visitors center and go before a magistrate. In the past, charges have been reduced, fines were often minimal and the court has allowed people to make payment plans ranging from 90 days to pay $75 to 18 months to pay $25 depending on the hardship cases people have expressed.
If you do not show up for your mandatory court appearance on the date indicated on your ticket, a Federal Bench Warrant will be issued for your arrest. Then the USFS LEOs will come into the gathering looking for you. If they find you they will arrest you and put you in jail until the next court date. If this happens on a Friday afternoon, you will be in jail until Monday. If they do not find you at the gathering, the next time a law enforcement officer for any reason stops you, your ID will be run through the database and you will go directly to jail.
Of course, everyone is free to manage this situation as they wish but I strongly recommend you go to your court date. I have seen people charged with crimes that could potentially result in a six years sentence walk out with a $500 fine and three years’ probation. Keep in mind that every year the dynamic is different and these results may not always be available. There are lawyers and other experienced family at the gathering (I am not a legal expert) who attend the court dates and will assist as best they can although I recommend you catch up with them before your court date to gain a better understanding of your specific charges and strategies to get the charges dropped or reduced. If you do not know these people personally, go to INFO and let them know you received one of the magic tickets and you need legal assistance.
Monday, June 4, 2018
Teaching Our Strengths
In my humble opinion, the gathering is good at many things, but what we are best at is creating communities made up of diverse people. One of my fondest memories is of the Utah gathering in 2003. Just across the dirt road from INFO and CALM was a small meadow that held three small camps sharing one bliss pit: Krishna Camp, Jesus Camp, and a punk/anarchist camp.
Evenings when I stopped by the bliss pit, people were discussing and sharing ideas, perspectives, and yes sometimes arguing a bit. Communication and community were being created. When we gather in rural towns, many gatherers connect with many of the locals in sometimes strange but usually positive ways. Many locals plug into the gathering and give deeply despite disagreeing with some of our behaviors.
On the surface, I feel this is what our entire country needs to do. Have those conversations around a bliss pit or coffee table, online, or via the phone. Talk about what we can agree on. Encourage those who do not want a dictator-in-chief to unite and stand up for quality education for our children, health care for those in need, social justice for all, aggressively address climate change, care for our seniors and special needs family, love and protect our water, air, trees, small creatures, owls, bears, wolves, moose, bees, etc. etc. We can do this if we realize that "we" are the change that is needed.
Take the time to listen to people, especially people who perhaps are socially more conservative than you are and see where you might make a personal connection.
Some people want a return to a more faith based world, but many of us have beliefs that are less than traditional and equally important but are coming from a faith in something, be it Gaia, Buddha, Krishna, or Ifa. So let's share our beliefs.
Many of us are full of love for the world. Let us take this blissed out, hippy love into the small towns and cities, and infect everyone. Let's build relationships with those we do not know and find areas of commonality. Let's hug and love everyone. We do it at the gathering and it works magic. Let's take this to every street in the USA and show the world how we create peace through love, compassion, and amazing food.
Evenings when I stopped by the bliss pit, people were discussing and sharing ideas, perspectives, and yes sometimes arguing a bit. Communication and community were being created. When we gather in rural towns, many gatherers connect with many of the locals in sometimes strange but usually positive ways. Many locals plug into the gathering and give deeply despite disagreeing with some of our behaviors.
On the surface, I feel this is what our entire country needs to do. Have those conversations around a bliss pit or coffee table, online, or via the phone. Talk about what we can agree on. Encourage those who do not want a dictator-in-chief to unite and stand up for quality education for our children, health care for those in need, social justice for all, aggressively address climate change, care for our seniors and special needs family, love and protect our water, air, trees, small creatures, owls, bears, wolves, moose, bees, etc. etc. We can do this if we realize that "we" are the change that is needed.
Take the time to listen to people, especially people who perhaps are socially more conservative than you are and see where you might make a personal connection.
Some people want a return to a more faith based world, but many of us have beliefs that are less than traditional and equally important but are coming from a faith in something, be it Gaia, Buddha, Krishna, or Ifa. So let's share our beliefs.
Many of us are full of love for the world. Let us take this blissed out, hippy love into the small towns and cities, and infect everyone. Let's build relationships with those we do not know and find areas of commonality. Let's hug and love everyone. We do it at the gathering and it works magic. Let's take this to every street in the USA and show the world how we create peace through love, compassion, and amazing food.
Sunday, June 3, 2018
Main Supply 101 by Overboard (Guest Post)
Thanks to Overboard for writing this great rap based on his years of experience in Main Supply.
Here's a piece that I wrote up about the workings of Main Supply. Some things here are not SET IN STONE, just the way that we've chosen to do it in recent years:
Main Supply is our communal food collection and distribution system, open to any kitchen that maintains basic sanitation (appropriate hand wash, dish station, toilet facilities, compost and grey water and food storage and preparation techniques), serves their food openly and freely to any that ask (at their chosen meal times), and is willing to communicate reasonably and civically with the Main Supply focalizers and other kitchens. Kitchens should plan to provide the bulk of their own supplies but through cooperative economics, we can supplement that very efficiently. Sending someone knowledgeable with your kitchen's supply/meal plans to our biweekly Kitchen Councils (rarely more than 20 minutes) and serving Dinner Circle each night are highly recommended but not required.
As kitchens get set up and come within a day or two of being ready to serve, they will be added to the list of kitchens receiving shares of the next biweekly shopping trip. By mutual agreement, kitchens are assigned 1, 2 or 3 shares of food, based on their capacity and production. That number can, and often does, change from one shopping trip to the next. At the peak of the gathering we're usually shopping for 24-30 kitchens totaling 40-60 shares. With each shopping trip we also shop for 2-5 shares more than what we are expecting, to allow some overages and providing for 1-2 new kitchens that pop up on the shopping day.
Of the total purchases, approximately 2/3 is spent on fresh wholesale produce. We always find at least two different produce distributors in the area and check both price lists every day, buying some items from one and some from the other. Some years we even have access to a regional terminal market where 8-30 different companies have walk in refrigerated warehouses. We can competitively shop all of them, for each type of vegetable. We also contact these distributors before the gathering to arrange for them to order some items that are a more economical grade of vegetable, though maybe not as pretty. Also we have them set aside all of their seconds and products that are too old to sell but still edible. Most are happy to do that for us.
The other 1/3 is spent on other foods like dry goods and perishable products. We buy these from a variety of sources, including wholesale restaurant supply stores, occasionally, grocery stores running extremely good sales, large ethnic food markets and salvage food stores. These are stores that buy up and resell foods from stores that went out of business, mislabeled products, overstocks, dented or damaged products or occasionally good food that has passed an arbitrary sell by date. These often supply us with unbelievable deals, sometimes selling us full pallets of food for $100 or less. I spend the whole year leading up to the gathering hunting for the best possible prices in the state or region where we are gathering.
When things go smoothly, we try to have kitchen councils on Sundays and Wednesdays, do the shopping on Mondays and Thursdays and then distribute food on Tuesday and Friday mornings.
With each supply run we spend approximately 3/4 of the money on 20-25 staple items that almost every kitchen uses, like cabbage, potatoes, carrots, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, etc. For dry goods we usually buy lots of flour, rice, pasta, baking mixes and beans and let kitchens choose, say, 3 of those per share (20-50lb bags). This keeps kitchens from getting overloaded with things they don't need or use.
When we buy staples that a certain kitchen doesn't use, like garlic and onions, eggs or dairy, we always allow them to take a little more of something else, to make up for it. Kitchens are also encouraged to trade supplies with each other, to fit their needs and wants.
The other 25% of the budget is spent on smaller quantities of a larger variety of ingredients. Things like ginger, string beans, sugar, pancake mix, oatmeal, peanut butter or even a little bit of economical donut filling on occasion! These items are then made into piles of roughly equal worth (not necessarily what we PAID) of around $10-20. Then when kitchens come to pick up supply, they are allowed to pick a certain number of piles based on their size. This allows kitchens to have more choice in their food, brings more variety to the woods and encourages kitchens to come early and send someone who knows the needs and wants of their kitchen.
Along with the Magic Hat money, some Main Supply focalizers (including myself) welcome kitchens to send along additional funds, to purchase things above and beyond what Main Supply can provide. Receipts will always be provided. Sorry, but we cannot handle EBT/Food Stamp cards. No more than one credit or debit card per kitchen, per run, please. We ask that lists are kept to no more than a few special items that we wouldn't normally buy, per trip. We also need to receive the money and list by the close of dinner circle, on the day before we shop. If kitchens pay for extra supplies, they can *usually* pick them up as soon as the bus returns instead of waiting until the next morning. Unlike with Magic Hat money, with private funds, I personally (though not every focalizer) will honor requests for meat, coffee, tobacco or papers. I will not shop for your alcohol though.
In total we usually do between 5 and 8 total supply runs, starting 2-4 days after we first arrive on site (immediately following Spring Council).
Kitchens are also welcome to come up to Main Supply at any time, to see if other supplies are available. Generally any foods dropped by anyone at Main Supply, between supply runs, is considered first come, first serve. Main Supply will also be regularly stocked with an assortment of spices and baking ingredients. Please do not take more for your kitchen then you expect to use up in a few days. It is highly encouraged that kitchens regularly check their supplies and send any clean foods, that they will not use, back to Main Supply for redistribution.
Please do not drop supplies at Main Supply, expecting them to be delivered to a specific kitchen. They will likely be given to the first kitchen that asks. If you are bringing food that needs to go to a specific kitchen, you will need to bring them there yourself, find someone to carry them, or have someone wait with the supplies while you find someone to carry them. We CAN NOT be responsible for delivering your supplies OR guarding them indefinitely. Anyone sitting at Main Supply should not be assumed to be an "official worker." Involved Main Supply workers will likely only be at Main Supply on the standard distribution days.
We'd love to hear from kitchen focalizers *before* the gathering.
Here's a piece that I wrote up about the workings of Main Supply. Some things here are not SET IN STONE, just the way that we've chosen to do it in recent years:
Main Supply is our communal food collection and distribution system, open to any kitchen that maintains basic sanitation (appropriate hand wash, dish station, toilet facilities, compost and grey water and food storage and preparation techniques), serves their food openly and freely to any that ask (at their chosen meal times), and is willing to communicate reasonably and civically with the Main Supply focalizers and other kitchens. Kitchens should plan to provide the bulk of their own supplies but through cooperative economics, we can supplement that very efficiently. Sending someone knowledgeable with your kitchen's supply/meal plans to our biweekly Kitchen Councils (rarely more than 20 minutes) and serving Dinner Circle each night are highly recommended but not required.
As kitchens get set up and come within a day or two of being ready to serve, they will be added to the list of kitchens receiving shares of the next biweekly shopping trip. By mutual agreement, kitchens are assigned 1, 2 or 3 shares of food, based on their capacity and production. That number can, and often does, change from one shopping trip to the next. At the peak of the gathering we're usually shopping for 24-30 kitchens totaling 40-60 shares. With each shopping trip we also shop for 2-5 shares more than what we are expecting, to allow some overages and providing for 1-2 new kitchens that pop up on the shopping day.
Of the total purchases, approximately 2/3 is spent on fresh wholesale produce. We always find at least two different produce distributors in the area and check both price lists every day, buying some items from one and some from the other. Some years we even have access to a regional terminal market where 8-30 different companies have walk in refrigerated warehouses. We can competitively shop all of them, for each type of vegetable. We also contact these distributors before the gathering to arrange for them to order some items that are a more economical grade of vegetable, though maybe not as pretty. Also we have them set aside all of their seconds and products that are too old to sell but still edible. Most are happy to do that for us.
The other 1/3 is spent on other foods like dry goods and perishable products. We buy these from a variety of sources, including wholesale restaurant supply stores, occasionally, grocery stores running extremely good sales, large ethnic food markets and salvage food stores. These are stores that buy up and resell foods from stores that went out of business, mislabeled products, overstocks, dented or damaged products or occasionally good food that has passed an arbitrary sell by date. These often supply us with unbelievable deals, sometimes selling us full pallets of food for $100 or less. I spend the whole year leading up to the gathering hunting for the best possible prices in the state or region where we are gathering.
When things go smoothly, we try to have kitchen councils on Sundays and Wednesdays, do the shopping on Mondays and Thursdays and then distribute food on Tuesday and Friday mornings.
With each supply run we spend approximately 3/4 of the money on 20-25 staple items that almost every kitchen uses, like cabbage, potatoes, carrots, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, etc. For dry goods we usually buy lots of flour, rice, pasta, baking mixes and beans and let kitchens choose, say, 3 of those per share (20-50lb bags). This keeps kitchens from getting overloaded with things they don't need or use.
When we buy staples that a certain kitchen doesn't use, like garlic and onions, eggs or dairy, we always allow them to take a little more of something else, to make up for it. Kitchens are also encouraged to trade supplies with each other, to fit their needs and wants.
The other 25% of the budget is spent on smaller quantities of a larger variety of ingredients. Things like ginger, string beans, sugar, pancake mix, oatmeal, peanut butter or even a little bit of economical donut filling on occasion! These items are then made into piles of roughly equal worth (not necessarily what we PAID) of around $10-20. Then when kitchens come to pick up supply, they are allowed to pick a certain number of piles based on their size. This allows kitchens to have more choice in their food, brings more variety to the woods and encourages kitchens to come early and send someone who knows the needs and wants of their kitchen.
Along with the Magic Hat money, some Main Supply focalizers (including myself) welcome kitchens to send along additional funds, to purchase things above and beyond what Main Supply can provide. Receipts will always be provided. Sorry, but we cannot handle EBT/Food Stamp cards. No more than one credit or debit card per kitchen, per run, please. We ask that lists are kept to no more than a few special items that we wouldn't normally buy, per trip. We also need to receive the money and list by the close of dinner circle, on the day before we shop. If kitchens pay for extra supplies, they can *usually* pick them up as soon as the bus returns instead of waiting until the next morning. Unlike with Magic Hat money, with private funds, I personally (though not every focalizer) will honor requests for meat, coffee, tobacco or papers. I will not shop for your alcohol though.
In total we usually do between 5 and 8 total supply runs, starting 2-4 days after we first arrive on site (immediately following Spring Council).
Kitchens are also welcome to come up to Main Supply at any time, to see if other supplies are available. Generally any foods dropped by anyone at Main Supply, between supply runs, is considered first come, first serve. Main Supply will also be regularly stocked with an assortment of spices and baking ingredients. Please do not take more for your kitchen then you expect to use up in a few days. It is highly encouraged that kitchens regularly check their supplies and send any clean foods, that they will not use, back to Main Supply for redistribution.
Please do not drop supplies at Main Supply, expecting them to be delivered to a specific kitchen. They will likely be given to the first kitchen that asks. If you are bringing food that needs to go to a specific kitchen, you will need to bring them there yourself, find someone to carry them, or have someone wait with the supplies while you find someone to carry them. We CAN NOT be responsible for delivering your supplies OR guarding them indefinitely. Anyone sitting at Main Supply should not be assumed to be an "official worker." Involved Main Supply workers will likely only be at Main Supply on the standard distribution days.
We'd love to hear from kitchen focalizers *before* the gathering.
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