Many folks from Mendocino County contributed energy to the success of this event. I would like to thank Lynda McClure along with many others at the Mendocino Environmental Center that helped to incubate and realize this idea. Russ Emal (Hungry Hollow Production - web design) created and maintained the Active-Fest website (www.saber.net/~rafa). Tamara Baxman scheduled speakers and musicians. Moon and many helpers worked tirelessly and lovingly to provide savory wholesome food. Jacob Bass and his friends constructed the stages. Jaki supervised the childcare. Mike Dalerio's skills as an E.M.T. and nurse assured first-aid. The incredible design of The Phoenix Rising which we adopted as the logo and poster for Active-fest was beautifully crafted by Ellen Witherite, Northcoast artist. Musicians and Poets generously donated their time: a special thanks to "Frida' Circus", "East Wind", "Bleed'n Blues Band", "Next Inversion", "THe Rachel Benson Band", Paris, Hawk, Antonia Lamb, Tamara Baxman, Rosalina Jewitt, "La Tigresa", Sophia(Songhealer), "the Trashette's", "Torch Lounge", Mitchell Holman, Danny and Sandy Zaffarano, Tara Sufiana, Pat Cuvielo, Rene Burnet, Sue Sisk, and the poet Zenith.
We are gratefull for the incredible array of dynamic interesting and informative speakers. We heard Marc Lapppe from Cetos, speak on genetically modified foods. Bob Cannard spoke on the danger of genetically modifies organisms. We had a Panel Discussion with DA Norm Vromann, Sheriff Tony Craver, Atty. Donald Lipmanson.and Beth Bosk, editor of New Settler, and Marie Brooks, Native American. Maria Gilardin of TUC Radio spoke on WTO, Cora Lee Simmons, Native American Activist, spoke. Kristen Gardner related the plight of Lori Berenson (held unjustly in Peruvian prison). Steel Workers addressed unfair labor practices of MaxxAm. Thanks to Medea Benjamin, California Green Party candidate for the U.S. Senate, for explaining her positions. Claude Pillar, worker's rights activist spoke on the anti-globalization movement. Dr. Andreas Toupadakis, Nuclear Chemist who ceased working in the development of weapons of mass destruction, led a discussion on "the Personal Responsibility of Scientists and World Citizens in the Nuclear Age". Millie Lehrman, Dr. of Pharmacy spoke on "Marijuana's future as medicine."
Some of the workshops included:
- Dora Ruhs, Coastal activist, and youth advocate, led a discussion group dealing with the effects of Proposition 21 on the civil rights of our young people, and other youth related issues.
- Bob Cannard conducted a workshop on Biodynamic gardening.
- Laurie Roth, Meditation Teacher, Lic. Therapist, and Clairevoyant energy healer lead a workshop in Sufi and Goddess Dancing, including meditation, channelling and toneing.
- Morris Kaplan, Practitioner of Natural and Traditional Chinese Medicine and legal researcher and activist, narrated a group including Byrel Zollo, legal scholar, working class hero and mentor of B.E. Smith; Tom Polanco, Cannabis and legal rights activist, attorney for B.E.Smith and for the Lakota on the Pine Ridge Reservation and author of the Colorado Bill relating to Industrial Hemp. The Workshop was "Know Your Rights: Learn how to defend yourself against a corrupt government."
- Chris Calder, Campaign to Restore Jackson State Forest, on the state-sponsored overcut now going on in Jackson State Forest, as well as the efforts underway to stop it. Jackson Forest covers 50,000 acres in the heart of Mendocino County, big enough to support a truly varied, thriving ecosystem and become a public treasure to be handed down.
- Don Brant, writer and investigator of unexplained phenomena, "The Government Conspiracy and Suppressed Tesla Technology"
- Sharon Clausen, Panel Discussion on "Mental Health Client Psychology: The Betrayal of Mental Health Patients by the Left". Clients discussed the ethics of treatment.
- Claude Piller is a union organizer and Labor Attorney with AFSCME, the American federation of State County and Municipal Employees, led a workshop: "Labor and the Fight Against Globalization"
- Elena Leyva, Coastal Activist; "Preventing Youth Dating Violence".
- Sally Werson, of Project Sanctuary conducted Assertiveness Training; basic instruction in self-defence was also offered.
- Arthur Firstenberg: Author of Microwaving Our Planet, and Bethany Audretsch, who has 12 years experience in marketing hi-tech electronics, conducted a workshop on "The Hazards of Electro Magnetic Radiation and Why Not Here".
- Kristen Gardner, Margaret Howe and Gary Pace from Emerald Acres conducted discussion on "Intentional Communities".
- Erik Marcus, the author of "Vegan: the New Ethics of Eating. He discussed "Vegetarianism and Animal Rights Activism"
- Hogie Wyckoff taught a workshop on "Cooperative Problem Solving", demonstrating practical skills for confllict resolution, giving and receiving constructiove criticism and facilitating meetings efficiently.
- The National Peace Action Group (John Lewellan), on "Stop National Missle Defence"
- Val Muchowski, Founder and host of KZYX's show "Women's Voices" and founding member of the National Women's Political Caucus.
- Dr. Andreas Toupadakis and Leuren Moret gave a workshop with the title: "Individual and Collective Actions Make a Difference".
- Carol Spooner, KPFA advocate, did a workshop entitled "Fight for Free Speech Radio".
- Jan Edwards, Point Arena Activist spoke on "Chalengeing the Absurdity of Corporate Personhood".
- Amanda Bellarby, Environmental Activist discussed the Indy Media, relating to WTO and IMF protests in Seattle and Washington DC.
- Alicia Littletree: Environmental Activist discussed "Earth First and the Judi Bari Bombing Case".
All of the audio from the main stage was streamed onto the internet, engineered by Govinda Dalton. Activist groups tabled and a fair number of vendors and healers shared their crafts and skill. Many in attendance felt that the event exceeded their expectations and should be annualized; we were encouraged to do it again. We therefore anticipate having Active-fest 2001 at the Boonville Fairgrounds, on that weekend proximate to Bastille Day (July14). Reservations have been requested. If you wish to contribute energy, ideas or resources then please check the Active-fest website, (www.saber.net/~rafa), in order to gain further insight into the activating principles of Active-fest, and then share your thoughts with me at (rafa@saber.net).
I also encourage you to subscribe. Please sign up for the list serve and tell your activist friends about the list. They too can join and share their ideas in an easy and simple method. To subscribe to the mailinglist, simply send a message with the word 'subscribe' in the subject field. To unsubscribe from the mailing list, simply send a message with the word 'unsubscribe' in the Subject field.
We have planned to have a meeting November 20, 2000 in Boonville to begin planning for Active-fest - 2001. If you are interested, please contact me for further information, and please share your ideas with me if you are unable to attend the meeting.
Thanks to all those that contributed their energy and love in making Active-fest 2000 happen.
(And a huge thanks to Rafa himself, who contributed mightily of his own time and resources to get this off the ground. Encore! -ed.)
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 2000
Permission granted to excerpt or use this article if source is cited