We're also hoping to make this place a resource for experienced local burners and anyone who might be thinking of getting involved for the first time. Things like classes in fire spinning or working with EL wire. Alternately, if you're looking to hook up with a theme camp or you're in need of volunteers for your project, let us know.

Include yourself. Please. Contact us with your ideas.

: in the news

~ Burning Man on "Buffy"
[posted 12.23.01]
The following dialog took place on a re-run episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer that aired earlier today:
Stuffy librarian: How was you summer?
Young teacher: Stirring, I did Burning Man in Black Rock City. Uh, such a great festival, you should have been there. They had drum rituals, mobile sculptures, raves, naked mud dances; you would have just...hated it with a fiery passion.
Librarian: I can't imagine finding any redeeming, uh...naked?

~ BM looking for ticket designs for 2002 [posted 12.18.01] FROM THE DESK OF ANDIE "ACTIONGRL" KOPP: We are pleased to announce that Burning Man will be working with a new vendor for our ticket process this year. As a result, we have more creative options for the ticket design. We would like to give the opportunity to all interested Burning designers to submit a ticket design idea. For more information, contact Andie Kopp at 415.550.3080, ext. 108.

~ Feeling Burned: SFGate article on BLM fees charged to Burning Man
[posted 12.16.01]
Burning Man organizers grow hot under the collar over rising federal fees to use Black Rock Desert for festival. "The organizers of the counterculture extravaganza contend they are being fleeced by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management... 'Burning Man can't exist without the playa,' Larry Harvey said. 'We just need to make BLM understand we can't sustain these fees. They're crippling us.' "

: events

~ 100 turn out for Santa Cruz showing of "BURNBABYBURN" Thank you to everyone who turned out for the local showing of BurnBabyBurn, a documentary on Burning Man 2001. We had just about 100 folks in attendance, including some who came from as far away as San Francisco, Sacramento and Gilroy. Thanks to everyone who helped get the word out and make this happen.

: plug in to the local burn community

Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties are home to some of the most creative folks anywhere, many of whom find their way out to the Burning Man event in the Nevada desert each week leading up to Labor Day. Some local groups include the Costco Soulmate Trading Outlet, Spiral Oasis, Emerald City, Cybertribe, fire performers and art car creators. Here are some options for keeping plugged in to local events: (Spacebug photo by Tomek Walas).

~ Burning Man Santa Cruz regional coordinator
Got a question about the Burning Man event? Interested in hooking up with local burners? Want to know why it's not a good idea to use newspaper as a dropcloth when you're soldering EL wire on the dining room table? Roxanne knows all this and more! Drop her a note. Email: santacruz@burningman.com

~ local discussion list
This is the newest of the Burning Man discussion lists, so, like the event, it will be what you make of it. This list is unmoderated and is open to all who can handle the traffic, which, at least for a while, probably won't be unbearable. Subscribe by sending a blank email to santacruz-list-subscribe@burningman.com. Once you've subscribed, you can post messages by sending email to santacruz-list@burningman.com.

~ local announce list (for alerts on local Burner-type events)
Subscribe by sending an email to santacruz-announce-subscribe@burningman.com. Once you've subscribed, you can submit an announcement by sending email to santacruz-announce@burningman.com. This list is moderated to ensure that everything that comes through in some way relates to the list zeitgeist.