ASTOR PLAYA NEWS #1… June 8, 2007

*************************************
INTRO
FILL OUT THOSE SURVEYS
FEW (10)BUILDING SESSIONS
PROJECT GRANTS
FAQs
TIPS
SURVEY MONKEY RESPONDERS
**************************************

We are starting this newsletter to answer FAQ’s & keep you updated on our progress.

• We agreed to hold BM 07 gatheringson Wednesdays at 5PM at the West 12th St. office.
• List of things to bring is on the Wiki & UPDATED- please read & start gathering.

Here is our first missive sharing news, tips, ideas details and dates for our trip together to the Black Rock Desert -Burning Man 2007. There are lots of interesting nuggets of information here so please read the entire document.

We welcome your input! Please send us questions: astor@energyconnectingart.com


FILL OUT THOSE SURVEYS!! You and your guests must fill out the surveys as completely & soon as possible. www.Surveymonkey.com.
At the bottom of this communication you will find the list of people who have completed their survey… are you on it?

ONLY A FEW BUILDING SESSIONS (10) for the Cube, the Subway Station, the Stoops etc. are scheduled on Saturdays at Jackie & Peter’s place, beginning at 10:30am Saturday June 9th. (We’ll let you know of exceptions). Your participation will make this project.

Their address is:
257 23rd Street, Brooklyn….. Between 5th & 6th Ave
Take the R train to 25th street
You can map out a route from where you are to their place at:
http://www.hopstop.com/

PROJECT GRANTS
Some great ideas were put forth for art projects:
STREET LIGHTS,TEA STAND,BARBER SHOP,WALK/DON’T WALK LIGHT WITH ONLY WALK SIGNAL,BUS KIOSK MADE OF SEAT BELTS,GLASS GLOBE FOR SUBWAY STATION.

We do not have a lot of time left to build, but if you have an idea you would like to propose and take ownership of, we ask that you put together a brief proposal that includes a description of your project, the materials you need, a budget, and when/where you will build it – whether at Jackie’s or on your own – and if you need us to store it once it is complete. we have funds available for the materials you need for you (perhaps with the help of your friends) to pull off your vision, but we have to get started soon, so please get your proposals to Jackie ASAP. Ana will review your proposals to see if she can help find any of your materials for free or cheap, but no guarantees!

FAQs
WHAT KIND OF TENT STAKES ARE BEST? 9 inch long tent stake, that will not break or bend when hammered. Some of the ABS Plastic ones are great. Check out this ebay link:
<http://cgi.ebay.com/Coghlans-ABS-9-Tent-Pegs-Stakes-Unbreakable-1-or-100_W0QQitemZ300044935867QqcmdZViewItem>

WHERE WILL OUR CAMP BE PLACED?                                     
We will not know our placement until August, and we will notify you as soon as we hear back.

WHEN IS CONTAINER LOAD IN? We are shipping a container full of Astor Place, art, stoops, and camping equipment. Container load in is August 4th for those arriving to the event on August 27th, and load in on August 5th for Astor Place Cube and subway, stoops, infrastructure, setup team stuff, and other items.

WHAT IS EVENT ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE DATE? The arrival date is August 27th departure is Sept 4th. See Wiki for times of people’s flights arriving in RENO (and add yours). 

WHAT IS EARLY SET-UP ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE DATE? We are waiting to find out from Burning Man HQ what day and how many people we will be allowed to bring for pre-event set up. As soon as we know you will know.

TIPS:
TIP 1: Cover your tent stakes so that people don’t hurt themselves in the dark. Tennis balls work great! Or in a pinch-soft material duct taped, plastic bottles, stuffed animals…

TIP 2: Guide wires need to be flagged so that people don’t trip over them at night… any material tied to the strings helps or light them up with LEDs

TIP 3: You will need a bike box to ship your bike on the container … a bike box is a carboard box that bicycle stores throw out after selling their bikes. Go to any bike store and ask them for a Bike Box ASAP. We will have many bikes to put on the container, all need to be boxed so we can stack them & they don’t get damaged, & we don’t get damaged moving them around.

LEAVE NO TRACE:
• Please remember that EVERYTHING that we bring onto the Playa we must take back with us. Minimize packaging by removing your newly bought items from their plastic and cardboard cocoons!
• Use Ziploc bags to keep your things dust-minimal… dust is a promise we can keep. Having a clean set of clothes to fly home in is nice.
• All garbage will be sorted by plastic, glass, aluminum, paper, other metals and biodegradable foodstuffs, which will be dried to minimize stench and minimize the amount of garbage we will have to take off the playa. Please keep in mind that if you finish every thing on your plate, there is nothing to throw away.

SURVEY MONKEY RESPONDERS

1.    Lyndsey Beutin Wed, 6/6/07 9:15 AM
2.  Chris Holmes    Tue, 6/5/07 3:29 PM
3.    Vanessa hamer  Tue, 6/5/07 8:05 AM
4.  Ethan Jucovy    Wed, 5/30/07 12:11 PM
5.  Ian McAlpin   Tue, 5/29/07 7:02 PM
6.    Jessica L Schulz    Tue, 5/29/07 4:43 PM
7.  Brian Bucher    Tue, 5/29/07 3:53 PM
8.    Nicholas Whitaker    Tue, 5/29/07 3:26 PM
9.  eli Nelson           Mon, 5/28/07 12:16 PM
10.    Christina Sanders    Sun, 5/27/07 10:27 PM
11. Scott Kupferschmidt Thu, 5/24/07 1:02 PM
12. Josh Bronson      Wed, 5/23/07 6:00 PM
13. Ian McAlpin      Wed, 5/23/07 3:14 PM
14. David Turner        Wed, 5/23/07 11:20 AM
15. Jeff Hammel        Wed, 5/23/07 11:14 AM
16.    Rolando Penate     Wed, 5/23/07 11:01 AM
17. Nick Grossman      Wed, 5/23/07 10:30 AM
18. Ian Bicking           Wed, 5/23/07 10:17 AM