The CO Digest Blog

NAC Update- San Onofre, California

2011-01-18T18:18:00.000-08:00

DATE : January 18, 2011
SUBJECT: San Onofre Update
TO : All naturists and other concerned citizens

Dear Naturist,

This is an update from the Naturist Action Committee (NAC) on the status of San Onofre State Beach in California and NAC's ongoing effort on behalf of naturists there.

SIX MORE CASES DISMISSED

NAC is once again pleased to announce dismissals of contested citations for nudity at San Onofre State Beach. Following the dismissals of the first two contested citations last month, SIX MORE citations were dismissed Friday at the request of the San Diego County Deputy District Attorney.

This brings the total to EIGHT DISMISSALS AND NO CONVICTIONS for the defendants represented by the Naturist Action Committee.

NAC is aware of other individuals who have received citations for nudity in the traditional clothing-optional area of San Onofre since the California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) rescinded the Cahill Policy and abruptly declared the beach to be mandatorily clothed. The tickets have been issued as misdemeanor violations of title 14, section 4322 of the California Code of Regulations. Two individuals, not represented by NAC, have chosen to accept plea bargain deals for convictions under lesser charges.

California defense attorney and NAC Board member Allen Baylis represented the six whose citations were dismissed on Friday. As with the first two defendants whose charges were dropped, Baylis vigorously asserted that the recent half dozen wished to have their day in court, before a jury of their peers.

The DA's office understands that we're not bluffing. The Naturist Action Committee has a list of willing defendants, and NAC has been preparing for this challenge. NAC has enlisted the advice of outside counsel and has set aside funds for the purpose.

TICKETING CONTINUES AT SAN ONOFRE

NAC advises naturists that ticketing continues at San Onofre State Beach. Another citation for nudity was given there just this past weekend.

Of the charges dismissed Friday, one was an early ticket written by a lifeguard who is also a peace officer. However, the lifeguards at San Onofre no longer appear to be active in the process of seeking to make criminals of naturists who are merely nude in the traditional clothing-optional area.

The purveyors of the recent citations have been DPR rangers, who are acting under the direction of local Superintendent Rich Haydon. After only a couple of weeks on the job, Haydon instigated (and wrote) the order that was signed by DPR Director Ruth Coleman, abruptly terminating the Cahill Policy. At the time he wrote the order, Haydon's familiarity with the Cahill Policy was such that, in the written order, he referred to former DPR Director Russell Cahill as "William Cahill."

WHAT IS NAC DOING?

NAC is defending those ticketed at San Onofre. NAC board member Allen Baylis has been tireless in the effort. And effective.

As detailed in other NAC Action Alerts, Advisories and Updates, the Naturist Action Committee is leading an effort to have areas in California state park units specifically designated for clothing-optional use. While NAC continues to oppose ticketing at the traditional clothing-optional area of San Onofre, we are simultaneously working WITH the California Department of Parks and Recreation, as well as with the California Park and Recreation Commission, to advance the opportunities for officially accepted clothing-optional recreation.

On December 10, 2010, naturists turned out in impressive numbers to support clothing-optional recreation in California State Parks and the petition NAC and its allies had sent to the Commission, asking for designation of clothing-optional areas within units of the California State Park system.

More recently, NAC Area Representative Donald Stanton, speaking on NAC's behalf, addressed the Commission at its meeting on January 4, 2011, in Santa Rosa. Stanton, a California attorney and former Naturist Action Committee board member, requested that the matter of designation for clothing-optional areas (and NAC's petition for such) be placed immediately on the Commission's agenda. Not unexpectedly, DPR Director Ruth Coleman, whose Department received the petition in June, 2010, told Commissioners that the Department of Parks and Recreation would need more time to study the document. NAC is pressing the issue with the Commission, while maintaining a relationship with the Department at the highest level.

MEANWHILE, WE MUST NOT ABANDON SAN ONOFRE BEACH

Friends of San Onofre Beach, the Naturist Action Committee and naturists everywhere need your assistance. First and foremost, we must not abandon our beach. If we do not maintain our presence at Trail 6, the Parks Department will have successfully imposed the intolerant will of a tiny handful of bureaucrats on the large numbers who enjoy responsible clothing-optional recreation on public land. We cannot let that happen. The naturist community is depending on us to stand our ground.

CAMP PENDLETON

The traditional clothing-optional area at Trail 6 of San Onofre State Beach is immediately adjacent to a portion of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Some who seek to escape the intolerance and harassment of the California DPR have relocated their clothing-optional activities across the fence to the Marine Base.

Although there has been no recent response from the Marines, any unauthorized presence on the military property is considered trespassing. The Naturist Action Committee does not endorse or encourage the use of Pendleton's beach for clothing-optional recreation. It's unlikely that NAC will be able to help those who find themselves facing a federal charge of trespass on a military facility.

WHOM TO NOTIFY OF TICKET INCIDENTS AT SAN ONOFRE BEACH

If you witness an incident at the State Beach (e.g., ticketing, harassment - official or personal -, user misbehavior, please contact Allen Baylis by phone at (714) 962-0915 or by e-mail at rab@baylislaw.com

Alternatively, you may contact NAC Executive Director Bob Morton by phone at (512) 282-6621 or by e-mail at execdir@naturistaction.org

LOCAL SUPPORT

Throughout the ongoing ordeal with the California DPR, the members of Friends of San Onofre Beach have done an extraordinary job of pulling their own weight for the beach they cherish. To donate to Friends of San Onofre Beach, you may send a check to:

Friends of San Onofre Beach
P. O. Box 6283
Huntington Beach, CA 92615

WATCH FOR INFORMATION FROM NAC

Watch for NAC Action Alerts, Advisories and Updates on this and other important issues affecting naturists.

You may also stay informed by checking the following web sites:

http://www.naturistaction.org/sanonofre

http://www.friendsofsanonofre.org

Get on the email list of Friends of San Onofre Beach by sending your request to: info@friendsofsanonofre.org

PLEASE HELP NAC TO CONTINUE HELPING NATURISTS!

The Naturist Action Committee remains committed to the vigorous defense of the clothing-optional use of public land. Activism on behalf of naturists can be expensive. NAC relies entirely on the voluntary financial support of people like YOU.

Won't you please send a generous donation to:

NAC
PO Box 132
Oshkosh, WI 54903

Or call toll free (800) 886-7230 (8AM-4PM, Central Time, weekdays) to donate by phone using your MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card. Or use your credit card to make a convenient online donation: http://www.naturistaction.org/donate/

Thank you for choosing to make a difference.

Naturally,
Bob Morton
Executive Director
Naturist Action Committee

---------------------------------------------------------------
Naturist Action Committee (NAC) - PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903
Executive Dir. Bob Morton - execdir@naturistaction.org
Board Member Allen Baylis - rab@baylislaw.com
Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - naturist@sunclad.com
---------------------------------------------------------------

NAC Action Alert - Bagby Hot Springs, Oregon

2011-01-13T12:35:00.001-08:00

**********************************************************************
NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE
ACTION ALERT
**********************************************************************
http://www.naturistaction.org
**********************************************************************
Copyright 2011 by the Naturist Action Committee, which is responsible
for its content. Permission is granted for the posting, forwarding or
redistribution of this message, provided that it is reproduced in its
entirety and without alteration.

DATE : January 13, 2011
SUBJECT: Oregon - Bagby Hot Springs
TO : Naturists and other concerned citizens

Dear Naturist,

The Naturist Action Committee is asking for your immediate involvement and action on behalf of Bagby Hot Springs in Oregon. Bagby is a popular and traditional clothing-optional site on public land in Mount Hood National Forest.

U.S. FOREST SERVICE IS PROPOSING PRIVATIZATION OF BAGBY HOT SPRINGS

The Forest Service managers at Mount Hood National Forest have already taken significant steps that have changed the traditional character of Bagby Hot Springs. Without advance public notice, Forest Service personnel have removed the historic wooden tubs from the bath house at Bagby and have destroyed the tub materials by chopping them up and burning them. New tubs have been installed. The new tubs lack the leaks of the old ones, but they also lack the character and history.

The Forest Service management at Mount Hood has also prohibited nudity in the large common area of the Bagby bath house. Nudity is allowed now only behind the closed doors of rooms with smaller tubs.

The action is part of the Forest Service's preparation for finding a private concessionaire to operate Bagby.

NAC ASKS FOR YOU TO TAKE ACTION

The Naturist Action Committee is requesting that you
1) attend an open house that's being presented by the Forest Service
AND
2) write to the Forest Service to express your concern

ACTION 1: ATTEND THE FOREST SERVICE 'OPEN HOUSE' ON JANUARY 18

If you're anywhere in the area of Mount Hood National Forest, NAC asks you to attend a public open house at Forest Service headquarters on January 18, 2011.

DATE: Tuesday, January 18, 2011
TIME: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
LOCATION:
Mount Hood Nat'l Forest Headquarters
16400 Champion Way
Sandy, OR 97055

If you're planning to attend the meeting, please contact:
NAC board member Don Zirbel
orcoba@live.com
(503) 970-6674

or NAC executive director Bob Morton
execdir@naturistaction.org
(512) 282-6621

ACTION 2: WRITE TO THE FOREST SERVICE

Whether or not you're able to attend the meeting, you can still help. NAC asks that you write to the Forest Supervisor at Mount Hood National Forest. Send your comments by e-mail, fax or surface mail. Those who will be at the open house on January 18 are also encouraged to write.

WHO SHOULD WRITE?

NAC is asking ALL NATURISTS and other concerned individuals to contact the Forest Service, regardless of your place of residence. National Forests belong to all citizens.

Send a letter, a fax or an e-mail. Phone calls will likely be ineffective in this specific context.

Acting Forest Supervisor Kathryn Silverman
Mount Hood Nat'l Forest
16400 Champion Way
Sandy, OR 97055
E-MAIL: ksilverman@fs.fed.us
FAX: (503) 668-1794

NAC encourages you to send copies of your faxes and paper mail to:

NAC, P.O. Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903.

Send copies of your e-mails to:

bagby@naturistaction.org

WHAT SHOULD YOU SAY?

When you write:

a) Be polite.

b) Be known. Give your name and address. If you are a frequent visitor to National Forests, be sure to point that out. Anonymous letters have very little impact.

c) Be focused. Keep your correspondence brief and on target.

d) Be productive. You may certainly express your indignation over the poor decisions made by the Forest Service concerning Bagby Hot Springs and the abrupt and destructive change to the tradition of benign nude use there. Who could blame you for being upset? However, you must do more than simply scold and complain. You must point out that the Forest Service has the opportunity and responsibility to manage FOR the historic and traditional clothing-optional use of Bagby Hot Springs.

e) Be part of the solution. Volunteers and activist groups, including the Naturist Action Committee, have expressed a strong interest in working WITH the Forest Service for the benefit of the public and the preservation of treasures like Bagby Hot Springs. When the Forest Service ignores help from volunteer groups and fails to keep them informed, it squanders a valuable resource. Emphasize the value of involving the public in the care of public land.

f) Be clear. Say that you OPPOSE the notion of privatizing Bagby.

Additional writing points:

a) The destruction of the historic tubs at Bagby Hot Springs is just the most visible indicator of the intent to change the traditional nature of Bagby without seeking public input. Despite specific requests to be included in considerations at Bagby, individual volunteers and interested parties like the Northwest Forest Conservancy and the Naturist Action Committee were ignored. That's simply NOT a proper way to manage a public resource.

b) The changes to the traditional configuration of the bath house and the nudity restrictions there are a slap in the face to naturists and others who understand that nude soaking is the historically authentic way of enjoying Bagby and many other natural hot springs.

c) Like most individuals and other government agencies, officials of the Forest Service are presently faced with funding shortfalls. Shedding areas and features and assigning them to private operators may seem like an attractive solution, but it creates a long term policy that shortchanges the public and is not likely to be undone when economic hard times abate.

d) Visitors to Bagby already pay for parking, and the reality is that the Forest Service is not likely to give up that revenue. A private operator will have to charge an additional fee to justify its own effort. A concessionaire will likely choose not to keep Bagby open during less profitable night time hours. Suddenly, a public treasure like Bagby becomes less affordable and less accessible.

e) The Forest Service has already sought private bidders to operate Bagby. One of those that was expected to bid has said that it's not interested AT THIS TIME. That changes very little about the concern over the lack of public notice and diminished opportunities for public involvement.

MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

Additional information and links are available, along with this NAC Action Alert on the web site of the Naturist Action Committee.

http:// www.naturistaction.org

Select "Alerts" and find this NAC Action Alert under Current Alerts.

PLEASE HELP NAC TO CONTINUE HELPING NATURISTS!

The Naturist Action Committee is the volunteer nonprofit political adjunct to The Naturist Society. NAC exists to advance and protect the rights and interests of naturists throughout North America. Fighting for the clothing-optional recreational use of public land is expensive. To do its job, NAC relies entirely on the voluntary generosity of supporters like you.

After you've contacted the officials on the list, please take a moment to send a donation to:

NAC
PO Box 132
Oshkosh, WI 54903

Or call toll free (800) 886-7230 to donate by phone using your MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card. Or use your credit card to make a convenient online donation: http://www.naturistaction.org/donate/

Thank you for choosing to make a difference!

Naturally,

Don Zirbel
Board Member
Naturist Action Committee

---------------------------------------------------------------
Naturist Action Committee (NAC) - PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903
Executive Dir. Bob Morton - execdir@naturistaction.org
Board Member Don Zirbel - orcoba@live.com
Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - naturist@sunclad.com
---------------------------------------------------------------

NAC Action Alert - Calfornia

2011-01-13T12:35:00.000-08:00

DATE : January 13, 2011
SUBJECT: Oregon - Bagby Hot Springs
TO : Naturists and other concerned citizens

Dear Naturist,

U.S. FOREST SERVICE IS PROPOSING PRIVATIZATION OF BAGBY HOT SPRINGS

The Forest Service management at Mount Hood has also prohibited nudity in the large common area of the Bagby bath house. Nudity is allowed now only behind the closed doors of rooms with smaller tubs.

The action is part of the Forest Service's preparation for finding a private concessionaire to operate Bagby.

NAC ASKS FOR YOU TO TAKE ACTION

The Naturist Action Committee is requesting that you
1) attend an open house that's being presented by the Forest Service
AND
2) write to the Forest Service to express your concern

ACTION 1: ATTEND THE FOREST SERVICE 'OPEN HOUSE' ON JANUARY 18

If you're anywhere in the area of Mount Hood National Forest, NAC asks you to attend a public open house at Forest Service headquarters on January 18, 2011.

DATE: Tuesday, January 18, 2011
TIME: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
LOCATION:
Mount Hood Nat'l Forest Headquarters
16400 Champion Way
Sandy, OR 97055

If you're planning to attend the meeting, please contact:
NAC board member Don Zirbel
orcoba@live.com
(503) 970-6674

or NAC executive director Bob Morton
execdir@naturistaction.org
(512) 282-6621

ACTION 2: WRITE TO THE FOREST SERVICE

WHO SHOULD WRITE?

NAC is asking ALL NATURISTS and other concerned individuals to contact the Forest Service, regardless of your place of residence. National Forests belong to all citizens.

Send a letter, a fax or an e-mail. Phone calls will likely be ineffective in this specific context.

Acting Forest Supervisor Kathryn Silverman
Mount Hood Nat'l Forest
16400 Champion Way
Sandy, OR 97055
E-MAIL: ksilverman@fs.fed.us
FAX: (503) 668-1794

NAC encourages you to send copies of your faxes and paper mail to:

NAC, P.O. Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903.

Send copies of your e-mails to:

bagby@naturistaction.org

WHAT SHOULD YOU SAY?

When you write:

a) Be polite.

b) Be known. Give your name and address. If you are a frequent visitor to National Forests, be sure to point that out. Anonymous letters have very little impact.

c) Be focused. Keep your correspondence brief and on target.

f) Be clear. Say that you OPPOSE the notion of privatizing Bagby.

Additional writing points:

MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

Additional information and links are available, along with this NAC Action Alert on the web site of the Naturist Action Committee.

http:// www.naturistaction.org

Select "Alerts" and find this NAC Action Alert under Current Alerts.

PLEASE HELP NAC TO CONTINUE HELPING NATURISTS!

After you've contacted the officials on the list, please take a moment to send a donation to:

NAC
PO Box 132
Oshkosh, WI 54903

Or call toll free (800) 886-7230 to donate by phone using your MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card. Or use your credit card to make a convenient online donation: http://www.naturistaction.org/donate/

Thank you for choosing to make a difference!

Naturally,

Don Zirbel
Board Member
Naturist Action Committee

---------------------------------------------------------------
Naturist Action Committee (NAC) - PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903
Executive Dir. Bob Morton - execdir@naturistaction.org
Board Member Don Zirbel - orcoba@live.com
Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - naturist@sunclad.com
---------------------------------------------------------------

NAC Update- San Onofre, California

2010-12-21T12:45:00.001-08:00

*******************************************************************
NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE
UPDATE
*******************************************************************
http://www.naturistaction.org
*******************************************************************
Copyright 2010 by the Naturist Action Committee, which is responsible for its content.
Permission is granted for the posting, forwarding or redistribution of this message, provided
that it is reproduced in its entirety and without alteration.

DATE : December 20, 2010
SUBJECT: San Onofre Update
TO : All naturists and other concerned citizens

Dear Naturist,

This is an update from the Naturist Action Committee (NAC) on the status of San Onofre State Beach in California and NAC's ongoing effort on behalf of naturists there.

CASES DISMISSED

NAC is pleased to announce that the first two contested citations for nudity at San Onofre State Beach have been dismissed by a Superior Court judge in San Diego County.

Beach regulars Greg and Barbara Young were ticketed by Ranger Mike Story on September 12, 2010. They are among as many as twenty individuals who have received citations for nudity in the traditional clothing-optional area of San Onofre since the California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) rescinded the Cahill Policy and abruptly declared the beach to be mandatorily clothed. The tickets have been issued as misdemeanor violations of title 14, section 4322 of the California Code of Regulations.

Although Monday’s action was the first involving contested charges, two other ticketed individuals had previously chosen not to contest their citations and had entered into plea bargains. The accepted deals in those cases had reduced each charge to an infraction, which has been compared to the severity of a parking ticket.

A similar deal was offered to Greg and Barbara Young in court on Monday. However, representing the Youngs, California defense attorney and NAC Board member Allen Baylis rejected the offer, saying that the naturist defendants were understandably upset and indignant about the charges, and they wished to have their day in court, before a jury of their peers.

It was no bluff. The Naturist Action Committee has a list of willing defendants, and NAC has been preparing for this challenge. NAC has enlisted the advice of outside counsel and has set aside funds for the purpose.

Faced with the rejection of her offer and the naturists’ insistence on a jury trial, Deputy District Attorney Chris Ryan moved for a dismissal of the charges. Superior Court Judge Richard E. Mills granted the motion and dismissed the charges.

TICKETING CONTINUES AT SAN ONOFRE

NAC advises naturists that ticketing continues at San Onofre State Beach.

The source of the citations in each of the recent instances has been Ranger Mike Story, a 2006 product of the state's park ranger academy. Story's modus operandi is to stalk his quarry through field glasses or through the viewfinder of a camera from the top of a cliff overlooking the beach.

After he sights his target, Ranger Story cites his target, hurrying down to make the confrontation by driving along the beach at speeds some have called unsafe. Although other rangers (and lifeguards) are authorized to give tickets for nudity, Mike Story is the only one presently doing so at San Onofre State Beach.

WHAT IS NAC DOING?

Citations for nudity at San Onofre are being issued under California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14, section 4322, a misdemeanor. In close coordination with Friends of San Onofre Beach, the local TNS-affiliated beach user group, the Naturist Action Committee is working to help with legal issues. It is our continuing intent to assist persons who are cited for nudity at Trail 6, while they are nude under appropriate circumstances. The specific nature of that assistance will likely vary from case to case.

The San Diego County prosecutor's office has offered plea bargains to defendants. NAC understands and respects the matter of an individual's personal choice in accepting or rejecting such a deal. Nevertheless, standing up to the charges is an important way to challenge their legitimacy. NAC stands ready to assist those who contest the charges.

As detailed in other NAC Action Alerts, Advisories and Updates, the Naturist Action Committee is leading an effort to have areas in California state park units specifically designated for clothing-optional use. While NAC continues to oppose ticketing at the traditional clothing-optional area of San Onofre, we are simultaneously working WITH the California Department of Parks and Recreation, as well as with the California Park and Recreation Commission, to advance the opportunities for officially accepted clothing-optional recreation.

WE MUST NOT ABANDON SAN ONOFRE BEACH

Friends of San Onofre Beach, the Naturist Action Committee and naturists everywhere need your assistance. First and foremost, we must not abandon our beach. If we do not maintain our presence at Trail 6, the Parks Department will have successfully imposed the intolerant will of a tiny handful of bureaucrats on the large numbers who enjoy responsible clothing-optional recreation on public land. We cannot let that happen. The naturist community is depending on us to stand our ground.

A citation for violating section 4322 of the CCR is a misdemeanor and is certainly a legal issue that must be addressed. However, a conviction under section 4322 DOES NOT require sex offender registration. Disturbing the peace may be charged as an infraction, similar to a minor traffic violation.

CAMP PENDLETON

The traditional clothing-optional area at Trail 6 of San Onofre State Beach is immediately adjacent to a portion of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Some who seek escape from the intolerance and harassment of the California Department of Parks and Recreation have relocated their clothing-optional activities across the fence to the Marine Base.

Although there has been no recent response from the Marines, any unauthorized presence on the military property is considered trespassing. The Naturist Action Committee does not endorse or encourage the use of Pendleton's beach for clothing-optional recreation. It's unlikely that NAC will be able to help those who find themselves facing a federal charge of trespass on a military facility.

WHOM TO NOTIFY OF TICKET INCIDENTS AT SAN ONOFRE BEACH

If you witness an incident at the State Beach (e.g., ticketing, harassment - official or personal -, user misbehavior, or shallow burial of a large marine mammal in a recreational area), please contact Allen Baylis by phone at (714) 962-0915 or by e-mail at: rab@baylislaw.com

Alternatively, you may contact NAC Executive Director Bob Morton by phone at (512) 282-6621 or by e-mail at: execdir@naturistaction.org

LOCAL SUPPORT

Throughout the ongoing ordeal with the California DPR, the members of Friends of San Onofre Beach have done an extraordinary job of pulling their own weight for the beach they cherish. To donate to Friends of San Onofre Beach, you may send a check to:

Friends of San Onofre Beach
P. O. Box 6283
Huntington Beach, CA 92615

WATCH FOR INFORMATION FROM NAC

Watch for NAC Action Alerts, Advisories and Updates on this and other important issues affecting naturists.

You may also stay informed by checking the following websites: http://www.friendsofsanonofre.org

Get on the e-mail list of Friends of San Onofre Beach by sending your request to: info@friendsofsanonofre.org

PLEASE HELP NAC TO CONTINUE HELPING NATURISTS!

The Naturist Action Committee remains committed to the vigorous defense of the clothing-optional use of public land. Activism on behalf of naturists can be expensive. NAC relies entirely on the voluntary financial support of people like YOU.

Won't you please send a generous donation to:

NAC
PO Box 132
Oshkosh, WI 54903

Or call toll free (800) 886-7230 (8AM-4PM, Central Time, weekdays) to donate by phone using your MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card. Or use your credit card to make a convenient online donation: www.naturistaction.org/donate/

Thank you for choosing to make a difference.

Naturally,
Bob Morton
Executive Director
Naturist Action Committee

---------------------------------------------------------------
Naturist Action Committee (NAC) - PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903
Executive Dir. Bob Morton - execdir@naturistaction.org
Board Member Allen Baylis - rab@baylislaw.com
Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - naturist@sunclad.com
---------------------------------------------------------------

NAC Update- State of California

2010-12-14T05:48:00.001-08:00

**********************************************************************
NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE
UPDATE
**********************************************************************
http://www.naturistaction.org
**********************************************************************
Copyright 2010 by the Naturist Action Committee, which is responsible
for its content. Permission is granted for the posting, forwarding or
redistribution of this message, provided that it is reproduced in its
entirety and without alteration.

DATE : December 13, 2010
SUBJECT: California
TO : Naturists and other concerned citizens

Dear Naturist,

This is an Update from the Naturist Action Committee on an important issue.

NATURISTS ADDRESS CALIFORNIA PARK AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Scores of concerned naturists have responded to the NAC Action Alert of November 23, 2010, by sending letters and e-mails to the California Park and Recreation Commission. Reflecting an originality and sense of genuine personal involvement that have come to typify messages from naturists, writers from California and across the continent have requested that the Commission set aside land for clothing-optional recreation in units of the State Park system.

NAC expresses its enthusiastic gratitude to the large numbers of you who have taken the time to make a difference by contacting the Commission. Your efforts are already having an important impact!

A REPORT ON THE COMMISSION'S PUBLIC MEETING OF DECEMBER 10

Since the presentation by the Naturist Action Committee to the Park and Rec Commission of a petition calling for designation of places set apart for clothing-optional recreation, NAC has been following up with letters to the Commission and personal appearances at meetings of the Commission.

In addition to issuing a call for correspondence, NAC asked for local naturists to attend a public meeting of the State Park and Recreation Commission that was held in San Diego on Friday, December 10, 2010.

FORTY naturists attended that meeting, making up an impressive two-thirds of the audience. Of those who attended, TWENTY-SIX addressed the Commission directly during the portion of the meeting reserved for public comment. For almost a solid hour, Park and Rec Commission members heard from naturists.

NAC executive director Bob Morton led off, and NAC board member Allen Baylis batted cleanup. In between, the gratifyingly diverse array of naturist speakers included women and men, young and old, straight and gay, NAC and NEF Area Representatives, lifelong Californians, immigrants from other countries, and even three naturists who have received recent citations for nudity at San Onofre State Beach, as a result of the arbitrary change of policy there.

NAC appreciates the impressive voluntary participation of those attended, those who brought their "Nude Beaches YES!" signs, and those who spoke to the Commission. When the supporters of designation for areas of clothing-optional recreation were asked to stand in the audience and be seen, the members of the Commission couldn't help but recognize the grass roots nature of the message.

The matter of designation was not a Commission agenda item, and was therefore not considered in a vote. That was intentional; NAC had not asked for an agenda item. Instead, NAC chose the "public comment" method of presentation as the most effective way to advance an issue that typically benefits from personalization and familiarization BEFORE official commitment.

NAC will, of course, be asking for the Commission's official commitment. The Commission has the authority to designate, and it has the responsibility to establish general policy and to recommend policy to the Department of Parks and Recreation. NAC seeks both designation and an accompanying policy for clothing-optional recreation.

OPPOSITION

The opposition to designation is NOT coming from the public. After all, the 2009 NEF California Poll showed that an impressive SIXTY-TWO PERCENT of California adults favor the designation of areas for clothing-optional recreation in State Parks. That California-specific opinion survey, which was commissioned just last year by the Naturist Education Foundation and was independently administered by Zogby International, shows that an overwhelming SEVENTY-NINE PERCENT of Californians agree that people should be able to enjoy nude sunbathing at a beach or other area that is designated for that purpose.

Further, the same poll reveals that SIXTY PERCENT of Californians are NOT offended by the non-sexual nudity of others.

Rather, the opposition to designation is coming from a few bureaucrats within the Department of Parks and Recreation. (Remember that the Department is different from the Commission.) Kathryn Tobias, the Department's Senior Staff Counsel, wrote in a memorandum dated December 10, 2010, that the Cahill Policy "no longer applies to any unit of the State Park System."

Simply put, those public servants who oppose designation for clothing-optional recreation are NOT being responsive the wishes, the preferences, the expressed opinions and the will of the people of California.

THE NEED FOR YOUR INVOLVEMENT CONTINUES

Whether or not you've written or attended the meeting in San Diego, you can still help. NAC asks that you write to the Commission. Send your comments by e-mail, fax or surface mail. If you haven't yet expressed yourself to the Commission, now is your chance. Those who have already written or have attended the meeting on December 10 are also encouraged to write again. We should be prepared to sing more than one verse of this song.

WHO SHOULD WRITE?

NAC is requesting ALL NATURISTS and other concerned individuals to contact California officials on this important matter, regardless of your place of residence. California understands the importance of out-of-state visitors who come to enjoy the state's beaches, lakes and streams. The opportunity to provide diverse recreational opportunities applies to those visitors, as well as to California residents. While all are encouraged to make their voices heard, the participation of Californians is, of course, particularly important.

Send a letter, a fax or an e-mail. Phone calls will likely be ineffective in this specific context.

California State Park & Recreation Commission
P.O. Box 942896
Sacramento, CA 94296
FAX: (916) 654-6374
Louis Nastro, Assistant to the Commission
E-MAIL: LNastro@parks.ca.gov

Send a copy to:

California Department of Natural Resources
Natural Resources Agency
1416 Ninth Street, Suite 1311
Sacramento, CA 95814
FAX: (916) 653-8102
E-MAIL: secretary@resources.ca.gov

NAC encourages you to send copies of your faxes and paper mail to:

NAC, P.O. Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903.

Send copies of your e-mails to:

CA@naturistaction.org

WHAT SHOULD YOU SAY?

When you write:

a) Be polite.

b) Be known. Give your name and address. If you are a California
resident or a frequent visitor to California, be sure to point
that out. Anonymous letters have very little impact.

c) Be focused. Keep your correspondence brief and on target.

d) Be positive. Remember that we're trying to ENCOURAGE the Park
and Recreation Commission to do something. Please do not take
a scolding tone.

e) Be clear. Say that you SUPPORT NAC's petition asking for
designation of clothing-optional areas in units of the State
Park System.

f) Be appreciative. Thank the Commission for its consideration
of the letters it has already received. Thank the Commission
for its attention to the naturists who spoke at the December 10
meeting in San Diego.

Additional writing points:

a) NAC and fifteen of its allies have submitted to the Commission a thoughtful petition that addresses the issues of designation and policy for clothing-optional recreation throughout the ENTIRE State of California.

This is NOT just about San Onofre State Beach. Although that beach was the first State Park unit at which DPR has killed its policy for managing clothing-optional recreation, it will not be the last. The present lack of a comprehensive statewide policy threatens ALL clothing-optional areas in California State Park units. Consider the implications for Black's (Torrey Pines), Gaviota, Bonny Doon and many others.

b) For thirty years, the Department's Cahill Policy allowed a means to manage for clothing-optional recreation in units of the State Park system. The nullification of the Cahill Policy has left the department with no statewide policy to address a form of recreation that's obviously popular with the public. The submitted petition proposes a specific way to address the management of clothing-optional recreation.

c) Using statistics that are misleading (and too often just plain wrong), officials of the California Parks and Rec Department have attempted to point to lewd behavior as a reason for prohibiting nudity. The public is not well served by such improperly supported allegations. The Naturist Action Committee has made the Department and the Commission aware of the misrepresentations and will be doing so even more specifically in the coming weeks.

WHAT'S NEXT

NAC is working with the California Park and Recreation Commission to determine the most appropriate way to proceed. Please watch for future Action Alerts, Advisories and Updates from the Naturist Action Committee.

MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

Additional information and links are available, along with this NAC Action Alert on the web site of the Naturist Action Committee.

http://www.naturistaction.org

Select "Alerts, Advisories and Updates," and find this NAC Update under Current Updates.

PLEASE HELP NAC TO CONTINUE HELPING NATURISTS!

The Naturist Action Committee is the volunteer nonprofit political adjunct to The Naturist Society. NAC exists to advance and protect the rights and interests of naturists throughout North America. Fighting for the clothing-optional recreational use of public land is expensive. To do its job, NAC relies entirely on the voluntary generosity of supporters like you.

Please take a moment to send a donation to:

NAC
PO Box 132
Oshkosh, WI 54903

Or call toll free (800) 886-7230 to donate by phone using your MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card. Or use your credit card to make a convenient online donation: www.naturistaction.org/donate/

Thank you for choosing to make a difference!

Naturally,

Bob Morton
Executive Director
Naturist Action Committee

---------------------------------------------------------------
Naturist Action Committee (NAC) - PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903
Executive Dir. Bob Morton - execdir@naturistaction.org
Board Member Allen Baylis - rab@baylislaw.com
Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - naturist@sunclad.com
---------------------------------------------------------------

NAC Update- San Onofre, California

2010-09-06T13:11:00.000-07:00

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NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE
UPDATE

**********************************************************************

http://www.naturistaction.org

**********************************************************************

Copyright 2010 by the Naturist Action Committee, which is responsible for its content. Permission is granted for the posting, forwarding or redistribution of this message, provided that it is reproduced in its entirety and without alteration.

DATE : September 6, 2010
SUBJECT: San Onofre Update
TO : All naturists and other concerned citizens

Dear Naturist,

This is an update from the Naturist Action Committee (NAC) on the status of San Onofre State Beach in California and NAC's ongoing effort on behalf of naturists there.

In March of this year, a citation for nudity was issued to an individual by a lifeguard at the far north end of the traditional clothing-optional area. Three additional tickets for nudity were issued shortly thereafter.

Throughout the late spring and much of the summer, no other citations for mere nudity were issued at the traditionally clothing-optional Trail 6 area of the beach. However, three tickets for nudity were dispensed last week, and one was given at the beach yesterday. The purveyor of the ticketing in each of the recent instances has been Ranger Mike Story, a 2006 product of the state's park ranger academy. Story's modus operandi is to stalk his quarry through field glasses or through the viewfinder of a camera from the top of a cliff overlooking the beach.

The ranger has told some beach users that he has taken nude videos of them. Meanwhile, the California Department of Parks and Recreation has denied that any such videos exist.

After he sights his target, Ranger Story cites his target, hurrying down to make the confrontation by driving along the beach at speeds some have called unsafe. Although other rangers (and lifeguards) are authorized to give tickets for nudity, Mike Story is the only one presently doing so at San Onofre State Beach.

WHAT HAS HAPPENED WITH THE EARLIER CITATIONS?

Citations for nudity at San Onofre are being issued under California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 14, section 4322, a misdemeanor. In close coordination with Friends of San Onofre Beach, the local TNS-affiliated beach user group, the Naturist Action Committee is working to help with legal issues. It is our continuing intent to assist persons who are cited for nudity at Trail 6, while they are nude under appropriate circumstances. The specific nature of that assistance will likely vary from case to case.

For each of the first four citations, the San Diego County prosecutor's office has offered a plea bargain to the lesser offense of "disturbing the peace," which is an infraction. NAC understands and respects the matter of an individual's personal choice in accepting or rejecting such a deal. Nevertheless, standing up to the charges is an important way to challenge their legitimacy. NAC has contacted each of those who have received tickets, and NAC stands ready to assist those who contest the charges.

WE MUST NOT ABANDON SAN ONOFRE BEACH

A citation for violating section 4322 of the CCR is a misdemeanor and is certainly a legal issue that must be addressed. However, a conviction under section 4322 DOES NOT require sex offender registration. Disturbing the peace is an infraction, similar to a minor traffic violation.

CAMP PENDLETON

The traditional clothing-optional area at Trail 6 of San Onofre State Beach is immediately adjacent to a portion of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. Some who seek escape from the intolerance and harassment of the California Department of Parks and Recreation have relocated their clothing-optional activities across the fence to the Marine Base.

WHOM TO NOTIFY OF TICKET INCIDENTS AT SAN ONOFRE BEACH

If you witness an incident at the State Beach (e.g., ticketing, harassment - official or personal -, user misbehavior, or shallow burial of a large marine mammal in a recreational area), please contact Allen Baylis by phone at (714) 962-0915 or by e-mail at rab@baylislaw.com

Alternatively, you may contact NAC Executive Director Bob Morton by phone at (512) 282-6621 or by e-mail at execdir@naturistaction.org

LOCAL SUPPORT

Friends of San Onofre Beach
P. O. Box 6283
Huntington Beach, CA 92615

WATCH FOR INFORMATION FROM NAC

Watch for NAC Action Alerts, Advisories and Updates on this and other important issues affecting naturists.

You may also stay informed by checking the following websites:

http://www.naturistaction.org/sanonofre
http://www.friendsofsanonofre.org

Get on the email list of Friends of San Onofre Beach by sending your request to: info@friendsofsanonofre.org

PLEASE HELP NAC TO CONTINUE HELPING NATURISTS!

Won't you please send a generous donation to:

NAC
PO Box 132
Oshkosh, WI 54903

Thank you for choosing to make a difference.

Naturally,
Allen Baylis
Board Member
Naturist Action Committee
---------------------------------------------------------------
Naturist Action Committee (NAC) - PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903
Executive Dir. Bob Morton - execdir@naturistaction.org
Board Member Allen Baylis - rab@baylislaw.com
Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - naturist@sunclad.com
---------------------------------------------------------------

NAC Action Alert - Calfornia

2010-07-21T19:54:00.001-07:00

Copyright 2010 by the Naturist Action Committee, which is responsible
for its content. Permission is granted for the posting, forwarding or
redistribution of this message, provided that it is reproduced in its
entirety and without alteration.

DATE : July 21, 2010
SUBJECT: California
TO : Naturists and other concerned citizens

Dear Naturist,

This is an Action Alert from the Naturist Action Committee. NAC is asking for your immediate help in an effort to have the State of California create official designations of areas for clothing-optional recreation in state parks.

Under existing regulations (California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 4322), the California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) already has the authority to designate clothing-optional areas in units of the State Parks system. Through a petition that has been delivered to the Parks Department, the Naturist Action Committee has formally and specifically requested the Parks Department to make the designations it is presently allowed, by law, to make.

WHO SIGNED THE PETITION?

NAC invited California naturist and nudist clubs, groups and organizations to sign. The following sixteen signatories appear on the petition:

Naturist Action Committee
Friends of San Onofre Beach
BeachFront U.S.A
Black's Beach Bares
Friends of Gaviota
San Diego Camping Bares
Bay Area Naturists
Clothes Free International
Southern California Naturist Association
Whales Cave Conservancy
Naturists in the OC
Laguna del Sol
Nude Beach Alliance
Living Waters Spa
Naked Volleyball
Central Coast Naturists

Responding here to an anticipated question, NAC points out that it asked both the American Association for Nude Recreation and AANR-West to sign the petition for designation of appropriate areas for clothing-optional recreation in California State Parks. AANR and AANR-West each declined to sign.

IMPORTANT NEXT STEP:
NAC ASKS YOU TO WRITE IN SUPPORT OF THE PETITION

NAC urgently requests that you contact the Director of CA Parks and other important California State officials to express your vigorous support for the petition they have in their hands.

So that your contacts will have the greatest effect, please first take a couple of moments to learn about this situation.

WHAT DOES THE PETITION SAY?

The petition reminds the California Department of Parks and Recreation of its existing authority to set aside areas in State Park units for nude recreation. Using the Department's own documents and publications to justify the request, NAC and its partners call attention to the fact that the published mission of the California Department of Parks and Recreation includes "creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation."

NAC augmented the submitted petition with exhibits, including a California-specific public opinion poll published just last year. The Naturist Education Foundation commissioned an independent polling organization to conduct the 2009 NEF California Poll. In that statistically significant survey:

79 percent of Californians AGREED that "people should be able to enjoy nude sunbathing on a beach or other location that is designated for that purpose"

70 percent AGREED that "areas should be set aside for people who enjoy clothing-optional recreation such as nude sunbathing and swimming"

62 percent AGREED that "the California Department of Parks and Recreation should exercise the legal authority it has to designate clothing-optional areas in state parks?"

For the complete text of the petition and details of the publications, documents and public opinion polls that make up the impressive list of exhibits, go to: http://www.naturistaction.org/ca.petition

WHAT IS NAC ASKING YOU TO DO?

The Naturist Action Committee is asking you to write to California officials, expressing your SUPPORT for the petition presented by the Naturist Action Committee and its partners. In this instance, we need WRITTEN contacts (paper letters, faxes, e-mails). See the contact list, below.

WHO SHOULD WRITE?

NAC is requesting ALL NATURISTS and other concerned individuals to contact California officials on this important matter, regardless of your place of residence. California understands the importance of out-of-state visitors who come to enjoy the state's beaches, lakes and streams. The opportunity to provide diverse recreational opportunities applies to those visitors, as well as to California residents. While all are encouraged to make their voices heard, the participation of Californians is, of course, particularly important.

Send a letter, a fax or an e-mail. Phone calls will likely be ineffective in this specific context.

California Department of Parks and Recreation
attention: Director Ruth Coleman
1416 Ninth Street,
Sacramento, CA 95816
E-MAIL: director@parks.ca.gov

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
FAX: 916-558-3160 (new number)
WEB-BASED E-MAIL: http://gov.ca.gov/interact

California State Park & Recreation Commission
P.O. Box 942896
Sacramento, CA 94296-0001
Louis Nastro, Assistant to the Commission
E-MAIL: LNastro@parks.ca.gov

California Roundtable on Recreation, Parks and Tourism
P.O. Box 942896
Sacramento, CA 94296
Nina Gordon, Chair
E-MAIL: ngordon@parks.ca.gov

California State Parks Foundation
Northern California, Headquarters
50 Francisco Street, Suite 110
San Francisco, CA 94133
FAX: 415-772-8969
Elizabeth Goldstein, President
E-MAIL: elizabeth@calparks.org

California Department of Natural Resources
Natural Resources Agency
1416 Ninth Street, Suite 1311
Sacramento, CA 95814
FAX: (916) 653-8102
E-MAIL: secretary@resources.ca.gov

NAC encourages you to send copies of your faxes and paper mail to:
NAC, P.O. Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903.

Send copies of your e-mails to:
CA@naturistaction.org

When you write:

a) Be polite.

b) Be known. Give your name and address.
If you are a California resident or a frequent visitor
to California, be sure to point that out.
Anonymous letters have very little impact.

c) Be focused. Keep your correspondence brief and on target.

d) Be positive. Remember that we're trying to ENCOURAGE
the Parks Department to do something. Please do not
take a scolding tone.

e) Be clear. Say that you SUPPORT the petition asking
for designation of clothing-optional areas in units
of the State Park System.

A couple of additional writing points:

a) For thirty years, the Department's Cahill Policy allowed
a means to manage for clothing-optional recreation in
units of the State Park system.
The nullification of the Cahill Policy has left the
department with no statewide policy to address a form
of recreation that's obviously popular with the public.
The submitted petition proposes a specific way to address
the management of clothing-optional recreation.

b) Rangers and park managers must NOT confuse simple nudity
with lewd behavior.
Rangers presently have the authority to stop lewd activity,
and that authority is separate and different from the authority
the Parks Department has to establish areas for clothing-optional
recreation.

MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

Additional information and links are available, along with this NAC Action Alert on the web site of the Naturist Action Committee.

http://www.naturistaction.org

Select "Alerts" and find this NAC Action Alert under Current Alerts.

PLEASE HELP NAC TO CONTINUE HELPING NATURISTS!

After you've contacted the officials on the list, please take a moment to send a donation to:

NAC
PO Box 132
Oshkosh, WI 54903

Or call toll free (800) 886-7230 to donate by phone using your MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card. Or use your credit card to make a convenient online donation: http://www.naturistaction.org/donate/

Thank you for choosing to make a difference!

Naturally,

Bob Morton
Executive Director
Naturist Action Committee

---------------------------------------------------------------
Naturist Action Committee (NAC) - PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903
Executive Dir. Bob Morton - execdir@naturistaction.org
Board Member Allen Baylis - rab@baylislaw.com
Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - naturist@sunclad.com
---------------------------------------------------------------

Nudist camp designed for swingers

2010-03-21T09:47:00.000-07:00

It's been a trend for some time, for nudist camps who are seeing a drop in attendance to switch from a family-oriented style, to a swinger-friendly, or lifestyle camp.

I talked with an owner last year of a long-time family campground that was on the verge of going out of business. The families had quit coming, despite a clean area, nice pool, and plenty of activies for the families. This campground had just made the switch to a lifestyle-friendly club, and immediately tripled their membership.

Since that time, I've talked with a lot of people, some owners, some members about their nudist resorts all over the country, and the general consensus that I have is that membership is down. Families are no longer coming out to camps. I can't seem to get a consensus as to why, but it generally boils down to:
1. Money
2. Lack of activities/facilities for those under 18

I've seen this coming for many years. Older clubs just aren't interested in keeping up with what modern families are interested in. And modern families just aren't interested in the old ways of family naturism. Affluent families that can afford the camps already have everything they need at home, pool, privacy fence, kids activities.

Plus, we are becoming a society that is detached from personal contact. And yes, the internet, which brings us this blog, and many others, is partially to blame. Why go visit someone at a camp, when you can share with them on Facebook, or Twitter, or MySpace.

So, what will become of nudist camps? I don't really know, but I was invited out to visit a new clothing-optional campground a few weeks ago. Orchard Trails Resort is located near Wills Point, Texas, home of two traditional nudist clubs (BB's Hideaway and Ponderosa Resort). Orchard Trails is the brainchild of a couple who have lived East Texas for many years, and have been longtime nudists (so I'm told). They purchased a large number of acres of land outside of Wills Point, and started development, and created a plan. In fact, they have created what appears to be the perfect lifestyle, clothing optional resort, with a large area for permanent RV's, a large area for visiting RV's, Motel-style cabins, a nice cafe/restaurant, and a salt-water pool and hot tub that is in the middle of everything.

I was very impressed with how the owners planned out this resort, and catered it to the lifestyle community. Apparently it is working, because they are pulling in a lot of memberships, and selling out their RV spots.

So, what will it take for traditional nudist camps to succeed? Can they even succeed? Is there a game plan out there for a camp that can be successful?

I think there is. Lake Como in Florida is a great example. Lupin in California is another. But just throwing a camp together will not succeed, and resting on a plan built even 20 years ago is doomed to fail.

We are at a crossroads in the naturist/nudist lifestyle. Only time will tell what the future holds.

NAC Advisory - Blacks Beach

2010-01-09T07:43:00.001-08:00

**********************************************************************

Copyright 2010 by the Naturist Action Committee, which is responsible
for its content. Permission is granted for the posting, forwarding or
redistribution of this message, provided that it is reproduced in its
entirety and without alteration.

DATE : January 8, 2010
SUBJECT: Black's Beach Rumor is NOT TRUE
TO : All naturists

Dear Naturist,

This is an advisory from the Naturist Action Committee (NAC) concerning an INCORRECT RUMOR about Black's Beach in San Diego County, California.

Torrey Pines State Park, which is often referred to, informally, as "Black's Beach," is still clothing-optional. A rumor has been circulating recently that nudity is no longer permitted at Torrey Pines State Park. THE RUMOR IS NOT TRUE.

The unfounded "news" has been circulating by word of mouth and online via e-mails, social networking sites and message board postings, under titles like: "Blacks Beach Officially No Longer a Clothing optional Beach" and "Blacks Beach is No More." THE RUMOR IS NOT TRUE.

CALIFORNIA DPR WEB SITE

The rumor seems to have arisen from a flawed reading of the Web site of the California Department of Parks and Recreation. A portion of the text on that Web site describes a 10-mile hiking trip from Scripps Pier to Torrey Pines State Beach and back. The text says: "This beach hike begins at Scripps Pier, passes along Torrey Pines City Beach, known locally as Black's Beach, once swimsuit-optional, now enforced suits-only."

The text is correct, but please note that it refers to Torrey Pines CITY BEACH, and NOT to Torrey Pines State Park. The City Beach is located south of the State Park. Despite their respective official names, both the city beach and the state beach are popularly called "Black's Beach."

Some have asserted that the DPR Web site's reference to Black's Beach has changed recently. NAC's check of Internet archives reveals that the text at the center of the rumor has not been changed.

THE END, A DECADE AGO, OF NUDITY AT TORREY PINES CITY BEACH

After years of clothing-optional use, the City of San Diego declared in 1999 that nudity would no longer be accepted on the City portion of the beach. Lifeguards daily established the boundary between the City beach and the State beach by setting out orange traffic cones and (initially, at least) a amall sawhorse with a makeshift sign that said: "NUDITY LINE."

In 2002, City lifeguards stopped putting out the cones and the sign, because a concern had developed among some officials that the sign might be seen as endorsing or designating nudity on the other side of the line. The ban on nudity on the City Beach only, remains in effect.

Other boundary markers come and go. Reflecting the continuing official caution for avoiding inadvertent designation, some markers have simply been posts that say: "BOUNDARY" or cones that say: "LINE."

TORREY PINES STATE BEACH

Clothing-optional use remains the norm on a stretch of beach of Torrey Pines State Park about one mile in length. For details, see the Web site of Black's Beach Bares, local naturist stewards of the beach. http://blacksbeach.org

The Naturist Action Committee works closely with Black's Beach Bares, which is affiliated with The Naturist Society and publishes an informative newsletter.

THERE ARE THREATS TO TORREY PINES / BLACK'S BEACH

Despite the falsity of the recent rumor, naturists are justified in being wary of threats to the clothing-optional status of the traditional area at Torrey Pines State Park. For more than thirty years, the California Department of Parks and Recreation has managed for clothing-optional recreation through its Cahill Policy and the Harrison letter that affirmed it. However, recent DPR actions at nearby San Onofre State Beach, make it clear that DPR officials feel they can terminate the Cahill Policy without public input at any time and at any State Park unit of their choosing.

In fact, it's likely that the official heavy-handedness at San Onofre has made the untrue Black's Beach rumor easier to believe.

WATCH FOR INFORMATION FROM NAC

Watch for NAC Action Alerts, Advisories and Updates on this and other important issues affecting naturists.

PLEASE HELP NAC TO CONTINUE HELPING NATURISTS!

The Naturist Action Committee remains committed to the vigorous defense of the clothing-optional use of public land. Activism on behalf of naturists can be expensive, and NAC relies entirely on the voluntary financial support of people like YOU.

Won't you please send a generous donation to:

NAC
PO Box 132
Oshkosh, WI 54903

Thank you for choosing to make a difference.

Naturally,

Bob Morton
Executive Director
Naturist Action Committee

---------------------------------------------------------------
Naturist Action Committee (NAC) - PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903
Executive Dir. Bob Morton - execdir@naturistaction.org
Board Member Allen Baylis (CA) - rab@baylislaw.com
Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - naturist@sunclad.com
---------------------------------------------------------------

NAC Advisory - California

2009-11-30T13:24:00.000-08:00

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NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE

ADVISORY

**********************************************************************

http://www.naturistaction.org

**********************************************************************

for its content. Permission is granted for the posting, forwarding or

redistribution of this message, provided that it is reproduced in its

entirety and without alteration.

DATE : November 30, 2009

SUBJECT: NEF California Poll 2009

TO : All naturists and other concerned citizens

Dear Naturist,

This is an advisory from the Naturist Action Committee (NAC) concerning opinion polling conducted in the state of California, as commissioned by the Naturist Education Foundation.

NEF CALIFORNIA POLL 2009

The Naturist Education Foundation (NEF) announces the results of its NEF California Poll 2009. The poll is a public opinion survey commissioned by NEF and conducted by the independent polling firm of Zogby International.

The poll is a statistically valid sampling of California adults, focusing on the topics of body acceptance and the responsible use of public land for clothing-optional recreation.

Highlights of the poll:

• strong support for nude sunbathing.

• acceptance for the personal rights of those who

are nude in their own homes or on their own property

- even if they may occasionally be seen by others.

• significant rejection of the notion that the majority

of Californians are personally offended by the non-sexual

nudity of others.

• sixty-two percent agreement with those who are calling

for the California Dept. of Parks & Recreation to exercise

its legal authority to designate clothing-optional

areas in state parks.

----------

The Naturist Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that exists to provide informational and educational material from, to and about naturists throughout North America.

You may find details of the NEF California Poll 2009 on the Web site of the Naturist Education Foundation:

http://www.naturisteducation.org/nef.ca.poll.2009

Contact the Naturist Education Foundation:

NEF board member (CA): Allen Baylis (714) 962-0915 rab@baylislaw.com

NEF Chair: Bob Morton (512) 282-6621 nef@naturistaction.org

PLEASE HELP NAC TO CONTINUE HELPING NATURISTS!

The Naturist Action Committee contributed funding for the NEF California Poll 2009. NAC remains committed to the vigorous defense of the clothing-optional use of public land. Activism on behalf of naturists can be expensive, and NAC relies entirely on the voluntary financial support of people like YOU.

Won't you please send a generous donation to:

NAC

PO Box 132

Oshkosh, WI 54903

Thank you for choosing to make a difference.

Naturally,

Bob Morton

Executive Director

Naturist Action Committee

---------------------------------------------------------------

Naturist Action Committee (NAC) - PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903

Executive Dir. Bob Morton - execdir@naturistaction.org

Board Member Allen Baylis - rab@baylislaw.com

Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - naturist@sunclad.com

---------------------------------------------------------------

NAC Advisory - California

2009-10-23T07:53:00.001-07:00

**********************************************************************
Copyright 2009 by the Naturist Action Committee, which is responsible
for its content. Permission is granted for the posting, forwarding or
redistribution of this message, provided that it is reproduced in its
entirety and without alteration.

DATE : October 22, 2009
SUBJECT : San Onofre Update
TO : All naturists and other concerned citizens

Dear Naturist,

This is an update from the Naturist Action Committee (NAC) on the status of San Onofre State Beach and NAC's ongoing effort on behalf of naturists there.

In June of this year, a California state court of appeal ruled in favor of the California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) in its appeal of a Superior Court's ruling from 2008 that had favored naturists. The Naturist Action Committee and Friends of San Onofre Beach subsequently sought a ruling from the California Supreme Court. Today, the California Supreme Court declined to hear the case.

The appellate ruling was initially unpublished, but at the request of DPR, the appellate court later published the ruling. NAC requested that the ruling be de-published. However, as an adjunct to today's announcement, the California Supreme Court refused NAC's request to de-publish.

At issue in the lawsuit was whether DPR has followed proper procedure in abruptly ending the application of the Cahill/Harrison regulation at San Onofre State Beach. Cahill/Harrison is long-standing and well-known means for managing and regulating the clothing-optional use of portions of state parks.

TICKETS FOR NUDITY ARE POSSIBLE AT ALL CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS

The Supreme Court's refusal to hear the case allows the possibility that rangers may immediately begin issuing citations for nudity under Title 14, Section 4322 of the California Code of Regulations. Because the appeal ruling was published, this threat applies not only at San Onofre State Beach, but at ALL UNITS OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE PARK SYSTEM.

MORE INFORMATION

Details of this situation and specifics of the Cahill/Harrison Regulation and associated documents may be found on the NAC Web page: http://www.naturistaction.org/sanonofre

There, you will find background documents related to the Cahill Policy, the Harrison letter and NAC's lawsuit.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

This is a tremendous setback, but the battle has not ended. The Naturist Action Committee is carefully considering the details of each of its remaining options and the ramifications of each.

NAC will continue to issue Action Alerts, Advisories and Updates on this issue as circumstances require. Look for them.

PLEASE HELP NAC TO CONTINUE HELPING NATURISTS!

Won't you please send a generous donation to:

NAC
PO Box 132
Oshkosh, WI 54903

Thank you for choosing to make a difference.

Naturally,

Bob Morton
Executive Director
Naturist Action Committee

---------------------------------------------------------------
Naturist Action Committee (NAC) - PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903
Executive Dir. Bob Morton - execdir@naturistaction.org
Board Member Allen Baylis - rab@baylislaw.com
Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - naturist@sunclad.com
---------------------------------------------------------------

NAC Advisory - California

2009-09-05T19:42:00.001-07:00

Copyright 2009 by the Naturist Action Committee, which is responsible
for its content. Permission is granted for the posting, forwarding or
redistribution of this message, provided that it is reproduced in its
entirety and without alteration.

DATE : September 4, 2009
SUBJECT: San Onofre Advisory
TO : All naturists and other concerned citizens

Dear Naturist,

This is an advisory from the Naturist Action Committee (NAC) concerning an important situation in the state of California.

NAC has learned that the California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) intends to ignore the law and will begin issuing citations for nudity in the traditional clothing-optional area at San Onofre State Beach, beginning Tuesday, September 8, 2009.

According to DPR, the citations will be issued under Title 14, Section 4322 of the California Code of Regulations. That regulation allows an individual to be charged for nudity in a state park. Conviction under that section is NOT a sex offense.

Such ticketing, if it takes place, would be improper and illegal. The Naturist Action Committee and Friends of San Onofre Beach have petitioned the California Supreme Court to consider their lawsuit against DPR. Until the Supreme Court indicates whether it will hear the matter, the ruling of the Superior Court stands. Though DPR won a subsequent appeal, the ruling that's currently valid is the one that favored the naturists.

The court order that remains in effect until further notice was issued by Orange County Superior Court Judge Sheila Fell on August 27, 2008. It refers to the Department of Parks and Recreation as "Parks." The court order reads, in pertinent part, as follows:

"PARKS IS ORDERED TO MAINTAIN THE STATUS QUO, AND ENFORCE THE CAHILL POLICY."

CHOICES:

A number of naturists have indicated their willingness to be cited for nudity at San Onofre on Tuesday so that a court may decide the matter of citations that have been issued while an existing court order is in effect forbidding them.

NAC recognizes that the choice to participate in such civil disobedience must be left to each individual. If you'd like more information on the choices and their possible ramifications, you may contact NAC board member Allen Baylis by e-mail at rab@bayisaw.com or by phone at (714) 962-0915.

DISCUSSION:

The order mandating that the Parks Department continue to apply the Cahill/Harrison regulation which was issued by Orange County Superior Court Judge Sheila Fell has not been rescinded because the case is still under appeal. This order will remain in place until a higher court issues an order to Judge Fell to rescind her prior order. If that happens at all, it will be unlikely to take place before mid October. Therefore, if State Park Rangers issue citations for nudity without having first received a public complaint and allowing the nude person to get dressed to avoid a pubic nudity citation, they will be violating a court order. That is true in any traditional clothing optional area in a California State Park.

Over the past few days, Rangers have told people that trail 6 is no longer a nude beach and that they must get dressed. That is not accurate information. We expect that the rangers will continue the misinformation over Labor Day weekend.

As most of you know, the Parks Department has taken the battle statewide. In a blatant reversal of their position, the DPR chose to request publication of the Appellate Court opinion, which has the effect of abrogating the Cahill/Harrison regulation state wide. Their reason for doing this has been stated as: to avoid the significant cost of litigating the issue at other state parks, thereby giving them the ability to close other traditional clothing optional beaches at will. Clearly, what happens at San Onofre will certainly affect our right to be nude in other state parks.

We recognize that the level of resistance and the extent one will go to fight injustice is an individual decision. However, we must take a stand here and now to protect our nude beaches in California. There is nothing to be gained and much to be lost by acquiescing to government tyranny. It's a matter of LIBERTY! The founding fathers of our country would be proud of us for standing up against big government. Information about what happens if you get a citation is available here: http://www.friendsofsanonofre.org/whatif.htm

Friends of San Onofre Beach and the Naturist Action Committee intend to make sure that those who receive citations in this circumstance will not have to bear the full burden of dealing with the courts. First, it must be remembered that the original court order is still in place and enforceable. So, any citations issued should be easily dismissed. Also, if citations are issued, we will be back in court asserting our right to enforce the August 27, 2008 order.

Please continue to visit Trail 6 at San Onofre and continue to exercise your right to be nude there. If we simply walk away from San Onofre, we risk not only losing that beach, but all of the clothing-optional beaches in a Caifornia state parks.

Please report beach incidents to: NAC board member Allen Baylis 714-962-0915 - rab@baylislaw.com

MORE INFORMATION

NAC will continue to issue Action Alerts, Advisories and Updates on this issue as circumstances require. Look for them.

Details of this situation and specifics of the Cahill/Harrison Regulation and associated documents may be found on the NAC Web site: http://www.naturistaction.org/sanonofre/

There, you will find background documents related to the Cahill Policy, the Harrison letter and NAC's lawsuit. You will also find this NAC Advisory on the NAC Web site: http://www.naturistaction.org. Click on ALERTS, ADVISORIES & UPDATES, and look under Current Advisories.

PLEASE HELP NAC TO CONTINUE HELPING NATURISTS!

Won't you please send a generous donation to:

NAC
PO Box 132
Oshkosh, WI 54903

Or call toll free (800) 886-7230 (8AM-4PM, Central Time, weekdays) to donate by phone using your MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card.. Or use your credit card to make a convenient online donation: http://www.naturistaction.org/donate/

Thank you for choosing to make a difference.

Naturally,

Allen Baylis
Board Member
Naturist Action Committee

Go Topless Sunday

2009-08-21T07:45:00.000-07:00

According to the website, Go Topless, (http://www.gotopless.org/index.php), Sunday, August 23rd is Go Topless Day, in celebration of Womens Equality Day.

I'm not exactly sure who is behind the Go Topless website, although there is a link to Rael, a Frenchman who was a singer and race car driver before meeting an alien from another planet. Yeah, I'm a bit confused, too. You can see his website at http://rael.org/rael_content/index.php

So back to Go Topless day. Apparently, there are several celebrations/protests set for Sunday, in New York City, Miami Beach, Venice Beach, Portland, Oregon, Columbus Ohio and Chicago.

Noticeably absent from the list is Austin, Texas, where topfree sunbathing used to be the norm at Barton Springs, and is still technically legal, if not practiced.

Personally, I think its a good idea, but we've seen this type of promotion before, and it has been a bitter failure, mainly due to lack of participation, or too many people who are there for sexual reasons.

But anyway, happy Go Topless Sunday.

NAC Advisory - California

2009-07-21T11:20:00.000-07:00

***********************************************************************
                    NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE
                            ADVISORY
**********************************************************************
                  **http://www.naturistaction.org*
**********************************************************************
Copyright 2009 by the Naturist Action Committee, which is responsible
for its content. Permission is granted for the posting, forwarding or
redistribution of this message, provided that it is reproduced in its
entirety and without alteration.

DATE   : July 21, 2009
SUBJECT: California Advisory
TO     : All naturists and other concerned citizens

Dear Naturist,

This is an advisory from the Naturist Action Committee (NAC) concerning an
important situation in the state of California.

Responding to a request from legal counsel for the California Department of
Parks & Recreation (DPR), the California Court of Appeal for the 4th
District has published the previously unpublished ruling it rendered last
month in the San Onofre State Beach case. The recent appellate ruling
overturned a 2008 Superior Court victory by the Naturist Action Committee
and Friends of San Onofre Beach, a local naturist group.

At issue is whether DPR has followed proper procedure in abruptly ending the
application of the Cahill/Harrison regulation at San Onofre State Beach.
Cahill/Harrison is long-standing and well-known means for managing and
regulating the clothing-optional use of portions of state parks.

The unpublished ruling applied only to San Onofre State Beach. However,
publication gives the ruling greater precedential effect and allows the
possibility that rangers may ignore the Cahill policy and may begin issuing
citations for nudity at other state parks under Title 14, Section 4322 of
the California Code of Regulations.

CAHILL

It has been suggested by some that the Cahill Policy has remained in effect
throughout the years entirely through the good will of the California Parks
Department. If that has been so, then the good will ended in May, 2008, when
Parks Director Ruth Coleman singled out San Onofre State Beach and said,
"Cahill does not apply there."

>From that moment, the Cahill Policy became badly damaged goods. If it could
be terminated abruptly and without appropriate process or public involvement
at one state park, then it could happen at any state park, at any time. So
much for good will.

Trusting the good will of public officials for something as important as
protection from arrest for benign behavior has never been an intelligent
choice. Relying on that same promise of good will after the trust has been
publicly and intentionally broken is simply folly.

CHOICES

Confronted with the crippling damage dealt to the Cahill Policy at San
Onofre, the Naturist Action Committee faced a basic choice. It could accept
the loss of San Onofre, it could negotiate, or it could fight.

When the Parks Department refused to negotiate, NAC chose to fight.

NAC did not, and does not, look on the Cahill/Harrison regulation as a
matter of good will. It's a regulation, and it has been used exactly as
regulation by each successive administration of the California Parks
Department for THIRTY YEARS.

The Superior Court accepted NAC's contention that Cahill/Harrison is a
regulation. The Court of Appeal recognized it as a regulation, too, though
its different view concerning quality and extent were what allowed the
reversal of the Superior Court's procedural requirements for undoing the
regulation.

NAC's legal challenge to DPR's arbitrary destruction of Cahill at San Onofre
did not cripple Cahill. That damage quite clearly had already been
inflicted. Trusting "good will" while waiting for the next shoe to drop will
NOT restore the damaged Cahill Policy. And at NO point has it EVER been true
that accepting the loss of San Onofre will somehow inoculate naturists
against the similar loss of another California beach or another California
state park.

TICKETS?

DPR spokespersons have given conflicting information. One predicted that the
Department would "tread lightly" on the matter of citations for nudity in
state parks. Referring to San Onofre, another has said that no action was
planned until at least after Labor Day. The truth is that there's really no
way to know for sure.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Later this week, the Naturist Action Committee will file its petition to
have the case heard by the California Supreme Court.

NAC will continue to issue Action Alerts, Advisories and Updates on this
issue as circumstances require. Look for them.

MORE INFORMATION

Details of this situation and specifics of the Cahill/Harrison Regulation
and associated documents may be found on the NAC Web site:
http://www.naturistaction.org/sanonofre

There, you will find background documents related to the Cahill Policy, the
Harrison letter and NAC's lawsuit. You will also find this NAC Advisory on
the NAC Web site: http://www.naturistaction.org . Click on ALERTS,
ADVISORIES & UPDATES, and look under Current Advisories.

PLEASE HELP NAC TO CONTINUE HELPING NATURISTS!

The Naturist Action Committee remains committed to the vigorous defense of
the clothing-optional use of public land. Activism on behalf of naturists
can be expensive. NAC relies entirely on the voluntary financial support of
people like YOU.

Won't you please send a generous donation to:

 NAC
 PO Box 132
 Oshkosh, WI 54903

Or call toll free (800) 886-7230 (8AM-4PM, Central Time, weekdays) to donate
by phone using your MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card. Or use your credit
card to make a convenient online donation:
http://www.naturistaction.org/donate/

Thank you for choosing to make a difference.

Naturally,

Bob Morton
Executive Director
Naturist Action Committee

---------------------------------------------------------------
Naturist Action Committee (NAC) - PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903
Executive Dir. Bob Morton       - execdir@naturistaction.org
Board Member Allen Baylis       - rab@baylislaw.com
Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick  - naturist@sunclad.com
---------------------------------------------------------------

NAC Alert - Florida

2009-07-19T20:14:00.000-07:00

**********************************************************************
NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE
ACTION ALERT
**********************************************************************
http://www.naturistaction.org
**********************************************************************
Copyright 2009 by the Naturist Action Committee, which is responsible
for its content. Permission is granted for the posting, forwarding or
redistribution of this message, provided that it is reproduced in its
entirety and without alteration.

DATE : July 19, 2009
SUBJECT: Florida: Key West
TO : Naturists and other concerned citizens

Dear Naturist,

Together with local naturist groups, the Naturist Action Committee is asking for your immediate action on an important matter in Florida. With permission and by request, this NAC Action Alert follows (and is largely taken from) a similar alert released by South Florida Free Beaches/Florida Naturist Association, B.E.A.C.H.E.S. Foundation Institute and the Florida Keys Free Beaches Committee.

NAC asks that you email and/or fax a letter immediately to Key West city officials, requesting designation of a clothing-optional beach in the City of Key West. Details follow.

BRIEF BACKGROUND

South Florida Free Beaches (SFFB)/Florida Naturist Association (FNA), B.E.A.C.H.E.S. Foundation Institute and the Florida Keys Free Beaches Committee have been working to establish a designated clothing-optional naturist family beach in Key West, a European-style facility in the tradition of Haulover Beach. The selected section of beach is located at the east end of Smather's Beach.

For the past several months, the local naturist team has met with members of the county and city commissions, the city manager, and other community leaders, providing them with information required to make an educated and informed decision. Comparative information shows an economic impact of about $900 million annually with 2008 parking revenues of $1,770,834 from Haulover's clothing-optional beach.

On Tuesday, July 7th, naturist leaders spoke before the Key West City Commission, presenting the economic impact that would be the projected
result of a designated naturist beach.

CURRENT STATUS

The Key West City Commission is composed of six commissioners and a mayor. The mayor votes when there is a tie vote of the commission. Naturists have three firm votes in favor of a designated clothing-optional beach. The mayor has stated he would vote against a designated beach if there is a tie vote, even though recent local Florida Keys polls have been favorable to a designated naturist beach.

This coming Tuesday, July 21, City Commissioner Bill Verge intends to offer a resolution that would place the issue of a designated naturist beach on the ballot for an October referendum vote, in which the citizens of Key West would cast their ballots directly on the issue. An unfavorable referendum vote would have serious delaying consequences. The strategy of Commissioner Verge is to preempt the City Commission with a vote of the people, forestalling the Commission's future consideration of a designated beach.

Some Commissioners are already concerned that a Commission vote in favor of a designated beach will result in a church-sponsored backlash among registered voters. However, there are other ways to facilitate a clothing-optional beach without requiring Commissioners to vote directly for the issue. One alternate path includes a carefully crafted revision of the City's existing anti-nudity code.

NATURIST POSITION

This issue does not require a voter referendum. Commissioners are elected to make the tough decisions, and this decision is not as difficult as many others. The establishment of a clothing-optional beach would not even require the expenditure of city money.

Naturists have the support of the Lodging Association, the Hotel Association, the Business Guild and most members of the Chamber of Commerce, as well as the support of local media.

Key West greatly values visitors and the city relies on the tourist trade. Naturists who send their E-mailed comments immediately to the City Commissioners will create additional awareness and help affirm the idea that naturists and others will spend money in Key West if they have a designated naturist beach to visit.

WHAT IS NAC ASKING YOU TO DO?

The Naturist Action Committee is asking you to do just ONE thing:

1) Immediately send your comments by e-mail, supporting a
clothing-optional beach in Key West. Send your E-mail
to Key West's mayor and city manager, to members of
the Key West City Commission and to two important
local agencies.

WHO SHOULD WRITE?

NAC is asking ALL NATURISTS and other concerned individuals to write, regardless of your residence. Key West recognizes the value of attention (and dollars) from tourists and other visitors.

WHOM TO CONTACT

Time is short. Please e-mail your comments immediately to:

Mayor Morgan McPherson - mayor@keywestcity.com
Fax: 305-809-3886

Commissioner Bill Verge - Bverge@keywestcity.com
Fax: 305-809-3886

Commissioner Mark Rossi mrossi@keywestcity.com
Fax: 305-809-3886

Commissioner Barry Gibson - bfgibson@keywestcity.com
Fax: 305-809-3886

Commissioner Teri Johnston - johnston@keywestcity.com
Fax: 305-809-3886

Commissioner Clayton Lopez - clopez@keywestcity.com
Fax: 305-809-3886

Commissioner Joe Pais - jpais@keywestcity.com
Fax: 305-809-3886

City Mgr. Jim Scholl - jscholl@keywestcity.com
Fax: 305-809-3771

Tourist Development Council (TDC) - research@fla-keys.com
Fax: 305-296-0788

Keys Tourism Agency - webeditor@fla-keys.com

NAC would enjoy the opportunity to read your notes. Please send a copy to:

NAC
P.O. Box 132
Oshkosh, WI 54903
flkeys@naturistaction.org

WHAT TO SAY?

Here are some suggested points you may wish to make:

1. Identify yourself. Anonymous correspondence is often
disregarded. If you are a past or prospective visitor
to Key West, please say so prominently.

2. Be brief and polite.

3. Request that the commissioners themselves vote on the
issue and NOT refer it to a ballot referendum.

4. Remind the Commissioners that you would visit Key West
if it had a naturist beach. Skinny-dipping and nude
sunbathing are valid recreational choices.

5. Your vacation dollars are primarily (or exclusively)
spent in cities or countries where there are naturist
facilities.

6. You visit South Florida because of Haulover Beach's
legal clothing optional status.

MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

Additional information and links are available, along with this NAC Action Alert on the Web site of the Naturist Action Committee.

http://www.naturistaction.org

Select "Alerts" and find this NAC Action Alert under Current Alerts. There you will find the agenda for the July 21 meeting of the City Commission, as well as the complete text of the proposed anti-naturist ordinance.

You will also find valuable information at the Web site of South Florida
Free Beaches: http://www.sffb.com .

PLEASE HELP NAC TO CONTINUE HELPING NATURISTS!

Of course, local naturists are accepting donations to support this effort. Additionally, however, South Florida Free Beaches has indicated that it may have to call on NAC for help as this issue moves forward. Richard Mason, President of SFFB has suggested that you consider a contribution to NAC to assure that NAC will be able to help.

The Naturist Action Committee is a volunteer nonprofit organization that exists to advance and protect the rights of naturists throughout North America. To do its job, NAC relies entirely on the voluntary generosity of supporters like you. To donate to NAC, use the address below

NAC
PO Box 132
Oshkosh, WI 54903

Or call toll free (800) 886-7230 to donate by phone using your MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card. Or use your credit card to make a convenient online donation: http://www.naturistaction.org/donate/

Thank you for choosing to make a difference.

Naturally,

Michael Kush
Morley Schloss
Board Members
Naturist Action Committee

---------------------------------------------------------------
Naturist Action Committee (NAC) - PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903
Executive Dir. Bob Morton - execdir@naturistaction.org
Board Member Michael Kush - michael@gatorlake.net
Board Member Morley Schloss - morleynaturist@hotmail.com
Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - naturist@sunclad.com
---------------------------------------------------------------
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D. Kirkpatrick......|
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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NAC Update - Texas

2009-07-10T06:58:00.000-07:00

**********************************************************************
NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE
ADVISORY
**********************************************************************
http://www.naturistaction.org
**********************************************************************
Copyright 2009 by the Naturist Action Committee, which is responsible
for its content. Permission is granted for the posting, forwarding or
redistribution of this message, provided that it is reproduced in its
entirety and without alteration.

DATE : July 9, 2009
SUBJECT: Success in Texas! Dangerous legislation modified, derailed
TO : All naturists

Dear Naturist:

The Naturist Action Committee (NAC) announces significant successes in the Texas legislature.

Working behind the scenes with a professional legislative lobbyist, NAC has been instrumental in derailing four Texas legislative measures that threatened the interests of naturists. NAC quietly offered substitute language for two of the bills and then worked to see that the bills were not adopted.

None of the four bills was passed into law.

SUMMARIES OF THE LEGISLATIVE BILLS:

House Bill 123 - Sponsor: Rep. Jim Jackson (R-Carrollton) - This legislation would have added "employment harmful to children" to the state's list of "common nuisances." Although the proposed new law was touted as "an additional tool to prevent children from being employed in sexually oriented businesses," it would have applied more generally to "the employment, authorization, or inducement of a child to work in a place of business permitting, requesting, or requiring a child to work nude or topless." Certain restrictions already apply in such instances. However, a naturist or nudist resort that might consider providing part time work (like sweeping the clubhouse or mowing the grass) for the nude sons and daughters of members, could additionally find itself at risk of being declared a nuisance.

Senate Bill 1307 - Sponsor: Sen. John Carona (R-Dallas) - Senate companion to HB 123 - Essentially identical in language and intent, this measure would also have added "employment harmful to children" to the state's list of "common nuisances."

House Bill 124 - Sponsor: Rep. Jim Jackson (R-Carrollton) - This bill sought to escalate to felony status the penalty for second or subsequent convictions for "employment harmful to children." Regardless of the intent, the proposed law would have increased the threat to naturist or nudist resorts.

House Bill 736 - Sponsor: Rep. Chente Quintanilla (D-El Paso) - Texas counties do not have general ordinance-making power, and the ability of counties to make regulations is limited. As introduced, HB 736 proposed to grant counties the authorization to adopt and enforce regulations having to do with nuisances and disorderly conduct. Each of the 254 counties in the state would have been allowed to create its own regulations.

BRIEF DISCUSSION:

Nuisance: Notwithstanding the existing state law addressing "employment harmful to children," naturist and nudist resorts do not wish to be characterized additionally as nuisances. From New York and Tennessee to Colorado and Oregon, laws dealing with the issue of "nuisance" have been at the center of various attempts to shut down naturist venues and activities. The Naturist Action Committee has consistently and successfully opposed the creation of laws that sought to declare nudity to be a nuisance (e.g., Tennessee 1998 HB 3203, Kansas 2000 HB 2726, Michigan 2000 SB 1293 et al.).

Disorderly Conduct: The state's existing disorderly conduct law includes the section that's most frequently used to charge individuals for simple public nudity. The state law requires "recklessness" as an element for conviction, but county regulations, if allowed, would not necessarily follow identically.

WHAT HAS NAC BEEN DOING ABOUT THIS LEGISLATION?

It was clear that this potentially damaging legislation had a chance of passage this session. The Naturist Action Committee took action quickly, hiring a professional legislative lobbyist and offering alternate language for HB 123 and SB 1307, which were companion bills.

Substitute language for HB 123 was endorsed by the legislative committee to which it had been assigned, but it was not language that was acceptable to NAC. Consequently, NAC turned its effort to seeing that none of the bills would pass into law.

OUTCOME:

None of the four bills passed into law.

HB 123 was reported favorably from the Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee after having been substituted, but the bill did not receive a floor vote in the House.

SB 1307 never made it out of committee.

HB 124 was passed by the House and was assigned to a Senate committee, but was not considered in the Senate. HB 736 was reported favorably from the House County Affairs Committee. A committee substitute changed the bill so that it would apply only to counties that have a population of 650,000 or more and are located within 100 miles of an international border. In Texas, that description fits only El Paso County, home of the bill's original sponsor. Regardless, the legislation did not make it to a vote on the floor of the House.

These are favorable and important outcomes for naturists, and especially for naturist and nudist resorts, camps and parks in the state of Texas.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND THANKS:

Throughout this entire effort, NAC has had the cooperation of AANR-Southwest, a regional division of the American Association for Nude Recreation. NAC thanks AANR-SW!

WHAT IS NAC ASKING YOU TO DO?

This is an Advisory and an announcement of a specific success. The Naturist Action Committee is NOT asking you to take action at this time. The threats from HB 123, HB 124, HB 736 and SB 1307 have been disarmed. Please watch for NAC Action Alerts, Advisories and Updates on other topics of vital interest to naturists.

MORE INFORMATION:

You can access additional information on the Web site of the Naturist Action Committee.

http://www.naturistaction.org

Select "Alerts, Advisories and Updates." Under Current Advisories, you'll find the text of this NAC Advisory. The web version includes links to the texts of the various bills

PLEASE HELP NAC HELP NATURISTS:

As the nonprofit volunteer political adjunct to The Naturist Society, the Naturist Action Committee is an important first line of defense against threats to naturists and their interests. Many times, NAC identifies and deals with frightening legislation that others simply miss.

NAC stands up for private naturist and nudist resorts, parks and camps, just as it champions the clothing-optional use of public lands. Both are important, and for both responsibilities, NAC relies entirely on your voluntary support. Hiring lobbyists to defend the rights and interests of naturists is expensive. Please donate generously with a check to:

NAC
PO Box 132
Oshkosh, WI 54903

Or use your credit card to make a direct donation online through NAC's Web site: http://www.naturistaction.org/donate/

Thank you once again for choosing to make a difference!

Naturally,

Bob Morton
Executive Director
Naturist Action Committee

---------------------------------------------------------------
Naturist Action Committee (NAC) - PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903
Executive Dir. Bob Morton - execdir@naturistaction.org
Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - naturist@sunclad.com
---------------------------------------------------------------
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
D. Kirkpatrick......|
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Setback at San Onofre (NAC Advisory)

2009-06-27T07:12:00.000-07:00

*********************************************************************
              NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE UPDATE
*********************************************************************
               http://www.naturistaction.org
*********************************************************************
Copyright 2009 by the Naturist Action Committee, which is responsible
for its content. Permission is granted for the posting, forwarding or
redistribution of this message, provided that it is reproduced in its
entirety and without alteration.

DATE    : June 26, 2009
SUBJECT : San Onofre Update
TO      : All naturists and other concerned citizens

Dear Naturist,

This is an update from the Naturist Action Committee on the status of San Onofre State Beach and NAC's ongoing effort on behalf of naturists there.

In an unpublished ruling issued yesterday, a California state court of appeals has ruled in favor of the California Department of Parks and Recreation in its appeal of a Superior Court¹s ruling from 2008 that had favored naturists.

At issue is whether DPR has followed proper procedure in abruptly ending the application of the Cahill/Harrison regulation at San Onofre State Beach. Cahill/Harrison is long-standing and well-known means for managing and regulating the clothing-optional use of portions of state parks.

The ruling allows the possibility that rangers may immediately begin issuing citations for nudity at San Onofre State Beach under Title 14, Section 4322 of the California Code of Regulations. That is exactly the same threat that DPR had originally scheduled to take effect on June 1, 2008.

MORE INFORMATION

Details of this situation and specifics of the Cahill/Harrison Regulation and associated documents may be found on the NAC Web page:  http://www.naturistaction.org/sanonofre

There, you will find background documents related to the Cahill Policy, the Harrison letter and NAC's lawsuit.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

This is a setback, but the battle is not ended. The Naturist Action Committee has fourteen days to file a further appeal. NAC is carefully considering the details of each of its options and the ramifications of each.

NAC will continue to issue Action Alerts, Advisories and Updates on this issue as circumstances require. Look for them.

PLEASE HELP NAC TO CONTINUE HELPING NATURISTS!

The Naturist Action Committee remains committed to the vigorous defense of the clothing-optional use of public land. Activism on behalf of naturists can be expensive. NAC relies entirely on the voluntary financial support of people like YOU.

Won't you please send a generous donation to:

NAC
PO Box 132
Oshkosh, WI 54903

Or call toll free (800) 886-7230 (8 AM-4 PM, Central Time, weekdays) to donate by phone using your MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card. Or use your credit card to make a convenient online donation: http://www.naturistaction.org/donate/

Thank you for choosing to make a difference.

Naturally,

Bob Morton
Executive Director
Naturist Action Committee

-----------------------------------------------------
Naturist Action Committee (NAC) - PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903
Executive Dir. Bob Morton       - execdir@naturistaction.org
Board Member Allen Baylis       - rab@baylislaw.com
Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick  - naturist@sunclad.com
-----------------------------------------------------
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
D. Kirkpatrick......| 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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NAC Update - San Onofre, California

2009-06-22T06:53:00.001-07:00

DATE : June 21, 2009
SUBJECT : San Onofre Update
TO : All naturists and other concerned citizens

Dear Naturist,

This is an update from the Naturist Action Committee on the status of San Onofre State Beach and NAC's ongoing effort to assure that it remains open for clothing-optional recreation.

The beach at Trail 6 of San Onofre remains clothing-optional, despite the effort begun by the California Department of Parks & Recreation (DPR) more than a year ago to prohibit nudity at the popular and traditional clothing-optional site. Joined by Friends of San Onofre Beach, the local naturist group, NAC filed a lawsuit against DPR last July.

At issue was whether DPR had followed proper procedure in abrogating the Cahill Policy, a long-standing and well-known means for managing and regulating the clothing-optional use of portions of state parks. The policy was named for former DPR Director Russell Cahill, who issued it in 1979. The Cahill Policy has figured prominently in the successful appeal of a criminal conviction for nudity in a state park (People v. Bost, 1989). The policy was affirmed and interpreted by DPR's Deputy Director for Operations, Jack Harrison, in a 1988 letter. Together, the Cahill Policy and the Harrison letter form a state regulation dealing with clothing-optional recreation in California state parks.

In August of 2008, a California Superior Court ruled in favor of NAC, affirming that Cahill/Harrison is indeed a regulation, and further declaring: "Dept of Parks must comply with the provisions of the California Administrative Procedures Act before it makes any changes in its enforcement." Further, the Court said, "until the administrative process is completed, Parks shall maintain the status quo, and enforce the Cahill Policy as it has done since its issuance and subsequent interpretation by the Harrison letter, at Trail 6 in San Onofre State Beach."

The State has appealed the ruling. The Court of Appeals has not yet ruled. That ruling may come at any time.

OTHER FACETS

Meanwhile, the American Association for Nude Recreation chose to contact and meet with the California Department of Parks & Recreation. However improvident such a meeting may have been, let it not be said that AANR fails to care about public lands or that it hadn't a right to the meeting.

A month prior to the actual meeting, AANR Government Affairs Chair Alonzo Stevens published (in the September issue of The Bulletin, AANR's house organ) the "facts" concerning the numbers of criminal arrests at San Onofre. Those numbers led Stevens to conclude in print that there certainly seemed to be a problem with criminal behavior at San Onofre. The truth is that Stevens simply used the numbers supplied to him by DPR, and those numbers were fabrications.

DPR was happy for the distribution, and no one at AANR had bothered to check the veracity of the figures. NAC had obtained the actual numbers through multiple and persistent Public Records Acts requests. The real numbers are far different from those supplied by the DPR and passed along by AANR, and they confirm neither DPR's fiction nor Stevens' agreement to it.

AANR's October meeting with DPR would hardly be worthy of comment, except for two factors associated with it.

1) AANR solicited and subsequently received a letter from Tony Perez, Acting Deputy Director for Park Operations. That letter, now widely circulated by AANR, allowed Perez to declare that the Cahill/Harrison regulation applies only in "remote" areas. The truth of the matter is that neither the Cahill Policy nor the interpretation of it in the Harrison letter ever mentioned anything about remoteness. In fact, the detailed DPR study that led to the Cahill Policy recommended that designated clothing-optional beaches be located near population centers to accommodate the obvious demand.

The notion that a clothing-optional site must be "remote" to be considered under Cahill/Harrison is another fabrication by DPR, contrived only relatively recently to justify DPR's ill-conceived attempt to close San Onofre State Beach to nude use. Despite the court order to "maintain the status quo," DPR has attempted to interject a new condition. DPR's argument is faulty, it's dangerous, and it simply deals in bad faith with the ruling of the California Superior Court that decided the case. AANR's eager acceptance of that deceitful posture shows little understanding of what's at stake.

2) The second factor that causes AANR's October meeting to become worthy of mention is AANR's own trumpeting of its meeting with DPR's Tony Perez and the letter that followed from Perez as a "Major Public Lands Victory" (AANR Bulletin, June 2009).

It was not a victory for naturists or nudists. Referring, in the June issue of AANR's Bulletin, to the Perez letter that attempts to append "remoteness" as a condition of the Cahill/Harrison regulation, AANR's Executive Director Erich Schuttauf wrote: "there is a big difference in 'getting it in writing.'" Indeed.

Mr. Schuttauf wrote that "[w]ritten reaffirmation of the Cahill Policy is a huge victory for nude recreation." Unfortunately, the "huge victory" offers very little to celebrate. It has been delivered with the recently invented and completely unacceptable "remoteness" condition attached to it, something AANR appears willing to accept and eager to celebrate, even if it means that DPR has thrown San Onofre under the bus in the process.

In his June article, Mr. Schuttauf complained that AANR's "ongoing discussions about modification of the San Onofre policy" had been "derailed" by NAC's lawsuit against DPR. The truth is that NAC had been involved with DPR and the proposed San Onofre closure for more than a month before AANR engaged. The further truth is that without NAC's prompt action and its lawsuit, there would be no nudity today at San Onofre State Beach.

WHAT ELSE IS NEW?

As she was being lobbied from within the DPR to close San Onofre to nudity, a big concern for DPR Director Ruth Coleman became the specter of a sexual harassment lawsuit. She had been led to believe that such a suit could be filed by an employee whose job was to deal with nude beachgoers. It was of little consequence to Director Coleman that employment law simply doesn't work that way.

Within the last year, however, there has been a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against the Department over alleged activity at its San Onofre unit. The suit, which is ongoing, alleges improper behavior by male rangers toward a female ranger. It does not involve naturists or nudity on the beach.

NAC THANKS YOU!

When the Naturist Action Committee asked for your help last year in contacting the Director of DPR, you responded magnificently. Many of you are demonstrating through your generous contributions to NAC that you understand the significant expense associated with the Naturist Action Committee's important defense of naturism on public lands. NAC continues to rely on your support.

Friends of San Onofre Beach, NAC's co-plaintiff in the lawsuit, continues to do meaningful local fund raising. Also worthy of special mention yet again is the gracious contribution made to NAC last summer by the members of AANR-West.

NAC thanks all those who are choosing to make a difference!

MORE INFORMATION

Details of this situation and specifics of the Cahill/Harrison Regulation and associated documents may be found on the NAC Web page: http://www.naturistaction.org/sanonofre

There, you will find background documents and important files related to NAC's lawsuit.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The Naturist Action Committee is in this for the long haul. Our successes have been significant, but the battle is not ended.

NAC will continue to issue Action Alerts, Advisories and Updates on this issue as circumstances require. Look for them.

PLEASE HELP NAC TO CONTINUE HELPING NATURISTS!

NAC is committed to the defense of clothing-optional use of public land. NAC does not hesitate to hire lawyers and lobbyists, and it has done exactly that in the San Onofre situation. That can be very expensive. NAC does not have a membership roster on which it can simply assess dues. NAC relies entirely on the voluntary support of people like YOU.

Won't you please send a generous donation to:

NAC
PO Box 132
Oshkosh, WI 54903

Thank you for choosing to make a difference.

Naturally,

Bob Morton
Executive Director
Naturist Action Committee

NAC Action Alert - Auburn, California

2009-05-22T07:24:00.000-07:00

DATE : May 26, 2009
SUBJECT: CA: American River updated e-address
TO : Naturists and other concerned citizens

Dear Naturist,

This is an Update from the Naturist Action Committee (NAC) concerning an opportunity at Auburn State Recreation Area (SRA) in California.

NAC recently asked for your help in thanking a couple of State Park superintendents for their steady responses in the wake of a local city council resolution. City council members in Auburn, California, had requested that citations be issued to those who are merely nude along portions of the American River in the Auburn SRA, where clothing-optional use is traditional.

California Parks personnel have reaffirmed the existing protocol for managing clothing-optional recreation at Auburn SRA. That protocol does not include the issuance of a citation for simple nudity in the absence of a specific complaint.

Naturists have an opportunity to say, "Thank You," and NAC has asked for your immediate action in the form of your letters and e-mails of encouragement and appreciation to key California Parks personnel. The NAC Action Alert asking for your help was distributed on May 21, 2009.

Here's a convenient link to the NAC Action Alert:

http://tinyurl.com/q5l22c

UPDATE

Your response to NAC's Action Alert has been gratifying and effective. NAC appreciates you!

We've learned that e-mail sent to one of the e-addresses has bounced, so we're printing a corrected contact list. We've also taken the opportunity to update a recently changed ZIP code.

The corrected e-mail address is the one for Acting Sector Superintendent Mike Lynch. The revised ZIP code is for the CA Parks office in Sacramento.

WHOM TO CONTACT (corrected)

It's not too late to write and say "Thank You."

You may send letters of appreciation that are written on paper or e-mailed. We want tangible evidence of our participation, so NAC is not asking for phone calls in this instance. Please write to both of the following key individuals.

Scott Nakaji
Gold Fields District Superintendent
California State Parks
7806 Folsom Auburn Road
Folsom, CA 95630
snakaji@parks.ca.gov

Mike Lynch
Auburn Acting Sector Superintendent
California State Parks
501 El Dorado
Auburn, CA 95604
mjlynch@parks.ca.gov

Please send a copy of your correspondence to:

Ruth Coleman
Director
Dept. of Parks and Recreation
1416 Ninth Street,
Sacramento, CA 95814
director@parks.ca.gov

NAC would enjoy the opportunity to read your thank you notes. Please
send a copy to:

NAC
P.O. Box 132
Oshkosh, WI 54903
auburn@naturistaction.org

MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

Additional information and links are available, along with this NAC Update on the Web site of the Naturist Action Committee.

http://www.naturistaction.org

Select "Alerts" and find this NAC Update under Current Updates.

There you will find the complete text of the Auburn City Council's resolution, as well as NAC's response to the City.

Naturally,

Bob Morton
Executive Director
Naturist Action Committee

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Naturist Action Committee (NAC) - PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903
Executive Dir. Bob Morton - execdir@naturistaction.org
Board Member Allen Baylis - rab@baylislaw.com
Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - naturist@sunclad.com
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NAC Update - Vermont

2009-05-12T07:02:00.000-07:00

From the Naturist Action Committee:

DATE : May 8, 2009
SUBJECT: Vermont: Lake Willoughby, Westmore
TO : All Naturists

Dear Naturist,

This is an Update from the Naturist Action Committee concerning Lake Willoughby, which is located in the town of Westmore, Vermont, and lies within the Willoughby State Forest.

Recently, NAC proactively approached the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) and the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation with a proposal that will allow naturists to work more closely and effectively with the State for the proper stewardship of Lake Willoughby. Both the Agency and the Department have responded favorably.

BRIEF HISTORY AND DISCUSSION

During 2008, a traditional clothing-optional site on the southwest cove of Lake Willoughby was threatened by a petition to ban nudity in the tiny town of Westmore. The Naturist Action Committee issued a NAC Advisory on this matter on April 28, 2008

http://www.naturistaction.org/AlertsAdvisoriesUpdates/ADVISORIES/VT_Lake_Willoughby_04-28-08/vt_lake_willoughby_04-28-08.html

http://tinyurl.com/lakewilloughby

A proposed anti-nudity ordinance for the town (including the lake) subsequently failed.

Since the earliest word of a threat to skinny-dipping at Lake Willoughby, NAC has been working continuously with a local naturist group, helping it organize more formally and assisting it in its opposition to the anti-nudity ordinance. The group, which calls itself Friends of Willoughby - Southwest Cove (FOW-SWC), is affiliated with The Naturist Society.

UPDATE ON THE PROPOSED ANTI-NUDITY ORDINANCE

The effort to pass an anti-nudity ordinance in Westmore was revived briefly in early 2009 by the same handful of individuals who had proposed the ban originally. A fiscal appropriation considered necessary for enacting such an ordinance failed to receive the necessary votes at a Westmore town meeting in March 2009. Although the adoption of an anti-nudity ordinance in Westmore seems unlikely this year, NAC continues its close monitoring of the situation there on behalf of naturists.

ENVIRONMENTAL QUESTIONS RAISED BY NUDITY OPPONENTS

As the unit of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources that manages and maintains many state-owned properties, the Department of Forest, Parks and Recreation (FPR) is responsible for Lake Willoughby. At the end of August 2008, FPR sent letters to the president of Friends of Willoughby SWC and another member, demanding their presence at a meeting to discuss alleged environmental damage at the southwest cove.

Although the meeting was not characterized as a direct threat to clothing-optional use of the beach, NAC learned that the complaint behind the investigation had come from among the familiar handful of nudity opponents in Westmore. Those individuals had somehow learned of the meeting and had arranged to be present. NAC suspected that the meeting could easily be retribution, targeting those who had helped defeat Westmore's anti-nudity ordinance. NAC quickly and carefully selected, interviewed and retained a highly qualified local attorney to represent the two naturists. See the NAC Advisory dated November 12, 2008

http://www.naturistaction.org/AlertsAdvisoriesUpdates/ADVISORIES/VT_Willoughby_11-12-08/vt_willoughby_11-12-08.html

http://tinyurl.com/willoughbyadvisory

NAC's hiring of legal counsel changed the dynamic of the situation. Upon hearing that the targets would be represented by a lawyer at the meeting, FPR postponed the meeting. Eventually, no such meeting was ever conducted.

PROACTIVE OPPORTUNITY

After several months, the questionable environmental charges had not been proved and were no longer being pursued. Nevertheless, NAC moved to resolve the matter more directly with ANR and FPR, so that the lingering attention to the issue might be redirected in a positive manner for the State and for naturists.

In a teleconference that included NAC board member Virginia Schnee, NAC Executive Director Bob Morton, the Secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources and the Commissioner of Forests, Parks and Recreation. NAC offered to be a resource to the State and to advocate for the proper usage of the Lake Willoughby southwest cove. That proposal was received graciously and enthusiastically.

NAC requested a memorandum that could be used to guide FOW members, as well as to educate the general public about the proper stewardship of Lake Willoughby and its shoreline. In early spring of 2009, NAC received those guidelines from the Vermont ANR. It is this memorandum that has become the basis for recent news reports concerning Lake Willoughby and Friends of Willoughby SWC.

A RELATED VERMONT ISSUE

Meanwhile, an individual who has been a vocal proponent of the Westmore anti-nudity ordinance approached a Vermont state representative with a request for special interest legislation. As a result, Rep John Rodgers (D-Glover) introduced a bill entitled "Prohibiting Public Nudity on Public Lands" in the current session of the Vermont legislature.

NAC has worked behind the scenes to oppose the bill. In a NAC Action Alert distributed March 27, 2009

http://www.naturistaction.org/AlertsAdvisoriesUpdates/ALERTS/VT_2009_H_154_03-27-09/vt_2009_h_154_03-27-09.html

http://tinyurl.com/vtbill

the Naturist Action Committee asked naturists to take action by writing to members of the Vermont legislative committee considering the anti-nudity bill. Your response was tremendous and effective.

NAC thanks you!

Having failed to make it out of the legislative committee to which it was assigned, H.154 will not be considered further this year.

Of significance is the comment of Rep. Helen Head, Chair of the Committee on General, Housing and Military Affairs. Rep. Head wrote:

"H.154 has not been considered by the committee. This year's
deadline for bill passage out of Vermont House committees
was March 20. While the bill could be considered next year,
it should be noted that there appears to be little time or
interest in passing this bill.

I was recently reminded of an opinion issued to police
departments in 1971 by Vermont's distinguished senior
U.S. Senator, Patrick Leahy, when he served as Chittenden
County State's Attorney. In that opinion, he commented on
the time-honored practice of unclothed swimming known as
skinny-dipping. He concluded that nude bathing in secluded
areas sometimes publicly used should be permitted when no
one present is offended and no disorderly conduct has
taken place.

I agree. A great many Vermonters have engaged in this
practice and are tolerant of discreet skinny-dipping."

Regards,

Rep. Helen Head, Chair
Committee on General, Housing & Military Affairs
Vermont House of Representatives

WHAT IS NAC DOING?

The Naturist Action Committee is taking an active role in the Lake Willoughby / Westmore situation, both through the local naturist group and through direct interface with Vermont state agencies.

NAC board member Virginia Schnee has been the primary NAC contact for Friends of Willoughby SWC. Virginia has provided guidance at FOW-SWC's monthly meetings. She has taken part in their meetings with the legal counsel NAC retained, and she has attended public meetings in Westmore.

NAC continues working closely with Friends of Willoughby SWC, which is spearheading the local effort to oppose any future anti-nudity ordinance in the town of Westmore. With NAC's encouragement, FOW-SWC is making itself an even more valuable part of the local community. An example is scheduled for this coming weekend, when FOW-SWC conducts a cleanup of Westmore's town beach on the north end of Lake Willoughby. It's not a traditional clothing-optional area, but it's an excellent place for naturists to demonstrate their local involvement.

WHAT IS NAC ASKING YOU TO DO?

This is an update. NAC is not requesting your specific action at this
time.

MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

Additional information and links are available, along with this NAC Update on the web site of the Naturist Action Committee. Go to: http://www.naturistaction.org and then select "Alerts, Advisories & Updates" to find this NAC Update under Current Updates.

PLEASE HELP NAC TO CONTINUE HELPING NATURISTS!

The Naturist Action Committee is a volunteer nonprofit organization that exists to advance and protect the rights and interests of naturists throughout North America. NAC's legislative monitoring and action are important and continuing operations. When legal representation becomes necessary, NAC acts swiftly and effectively. Both of those essential functions are reflected in this NAC Update, and both are expensive.

NAC needs your help. To do its job, NAC relies entirely on the voluntary help of supporters like you. Please support NAC by sending your generous donation to:

NAC
PO Box 132
Oshkosh, WI 54903

Or call toll free (800) 886-7230 to donate by phone using your MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card. Or use your credit card to make a convenient online donation: http://www.naturistaction.org/donate/

Thank you for choosing to make a difference.

Naturally,

Virginia Schnee
Board Member
Naturist Action Committee

---------------------------------------------------------------
Naturist Action Committee (NAC) - PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903
Executive Director Bob Morton - execdir@naturistaction.org
Board Member Virginia Schnee - virginia@schnee.com
Online Rep Dennis Kirkpatrick - naturist@sunclad.com
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D. Kirkpatrick......|
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NAC Advisory - Colorado

2009-04-28T17:11:00.000-07:00

From the Naturist Action Committee:

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NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE ADVISORY

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http://www.naturistaction.org

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for its content. Permission is granted for the posting, forwarding or

redistribution of this message, provided that it is reproduced in its

entirety and without alteration.

DATE : April 28, 2009

SUBJECT: Colorado anti-nudity law

TO : All Naturists

Dear Naturist,

This is an Advisory from the Naturist Action Committee (NAC) concerning the existing public nudity law in the state of Colorado. The Boulder chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union has announced a public forum to discuss and consider possible revisions to the law, and NAC encourages interested naturists and others to attend.

A primary focus of the forum will be the consideration of whether sex offender registration should be a consequence for acts of simple public nudity.

WHERE AND WHEN?

ACLU has announced the forum with short notice. The event will take place:

Tuesday, April 28, 2009 - 7:00 PM MDT

Law School of the University of Colorado at Boulder (southwest corner of the CU campus. Take Regent Drive off Broadway or Colorado Avenue, south on Kittredge Loop) Room 204

BRIEF HISTORY AND DISCUSSION

Participants in a yearly event called the Naked Pumpkin Run run through a mall area in Boulder, Colorado, a traditional site for the event. Of the hundreds who run, many wear nothing but hollowed-out pumpkins on their heads. The run is an anticipated yearly tradition. Spectators and participants alike are drawn to the event, expecting frivolity and nudity.

In previous years, the benign presence of law enforcement has simply been a precaution against possible crowd management issues. It never has been a problem. Although Colorado has an indecent exposure law, local police did not apply it to the participants in the Naked Pumpkin Run.

During the 2008 event, however, authorities arrested 12 participants and charged them with indecent exposure. If an individual is found guilty or pleads no contest to such charges in Colorado, the penalty includes registration as a sex offender.

Of those who were charged in 2008, some successfully pled to lesser charges. Others had all the charges against them dropped. The various resolutions came only after extensive (and expensive) legal maneuvering. The outcome is that none of the participants has been required to resister as a sex offender. However, several of the twelve have had their names published in the context of possible sex offender status, as a part of official records and in local media reporting.

WHAT IS NAC DOING?

Shortly after the arrests were made in 2008, the Naturist Action Committee began hearing from those who had been charged. NAC immediately began working as a resource to a local attorney representing five of those who had been charged.

NAC remains in contact with the Boulder County chapter of the ACLU, which is sponsoring the local forum. Ultimate action on this issue will involve ACLU and NAC.

WHAT IS NAC ASKING YOU TO DO?

This is an advisory. NAC is NOT asking for you to contact state or local officials. However, if you live in the Boulder area and can attend the ACLU forum on extremely short notice, NAC urges you to do so.

MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

Additional information and links are available, along with this NAC Advisory on the web site of the Naturist Action Committee.

http://www.naturistaction.org

Select "Alerts" and find this NAC Advisory under Current Advisories. You will find useful links, including the text of the existing Colorado law addressing indecent exposure.

PLEASE HELP NAC TO CONTINUE HELPING NATURISTS!

The Naturist Action Committee is a volunteer nonprofit organization that exists to advance and protect the rights of naturists throughout North America. Fighting for the rights of local naturists is necessary, but it's expensive. To do its job, NAC relies entirely on the voluntary generosity of supporters like you. To donate to NAC, use the address below:

NAC

PO Box 132

Oshkosh, WI 54903

Or call toll free (800) 886-7230 to donate by phone using your MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card. Or use your credit card to make a convenient online donation:http://www.naturistaction.org/donate/

Thank you for choosing to make a difference.

Naturally,

Kath Rooney

Board Member

Naturist Action Committee

---------------------------------------------------------------

Naturist Action Committee (NAC) - PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903

Executive Director Bob Morton - execdir@naturistaction.org

Board Member Kath Rooney - nakedvet@gmail.com

Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - naturist@sunclad.com

---------------------------------------------------------------

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

D. Kirkpatrick......|

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Topfree in Pensacola????

2009-02-02T13:40:00.000-08:00

I received a link to some photos on the photosharing service Flickr the other day, and they were photos of topfree women on the beach in Pensacola, Florida.

Now I found this very interesting, and am trying to find out if this is the norm, or if topfree is actually now acceptable in the Florida panhandle beach town. I've always thought of Pensacola as a sleepy little town where churches take their youth groups to summer camp, and bikinis were considered risque. I mean, after all, the unofficial nickname of Pensacola is "The Redneck Riviera".

Now the only thing I can find about Pensacola is that it hosts a huge gay pride rally/meeting over Memorial Day weekend, which tends to fill the hotels.

We'll keep looking at this story. In the meantime... is it summer yet?

My memories of Lee Baxandall

2008-12-30T12:12:00.000-08:00

We lost one of the great leaders in naturism a few weeks ago, when Lee Baxandall passed away.

I had only met Lee one time in person, but we have corresponded over the last 16 or so years that I ran the CO Digest newsletter. We didn't always agree on things, but I respected Lee's opinions, and I think he respected mine.

Lee Baxandall never shied away from controversial topics, and some of those topics probably cost him in the long run (an expose on Mardi Gras and sex in New Orleans, an ill-fated Naturist Gathering, ultimately canceled at the Reverend Moon's retreat are some examples). But Lee Baxandall was a shining star in bringing naturism to the forefront in the United States, at the same time that AANR was continuing to lag in the past. I truly think that if we had not had Lee Baxandall on our side, there would be no nude hotels in Palm Springs, or topfree and nude beaches in South Florida. For that matter, there might not be any nude recreation of any kind in the US.

Lee Baxandall was a pioneer, and his legacy will be one for the ages. I will miss him.

Another nudist camp lost

2008-12-26T20:08:00.000-08:00

We recently received word (through the special interest nudist group of the Escapee's travel club) that another nudist club is going swinger.

Riverside Resort, near San Antonio, Texas, will switch from a family nudist camp to a clothing-optional lifestyle (swinger) friendly park. Riverside is a 22 acre camp, located about 15 miles south of San Antonio, and is the only nudist area in the San Antonio area, which makes this announcement all the more surprising.

We understood that Riverside was making good money as a nudist resort, but yet they have decided to make the jump. We found this news hard to believe, but an email from the owners confirmed that Riverside Resort would be a lifestyle club as of January 1, 2009.

It makes one wonder... is the family naturist/nudist club a thing of the past? We continue to hear reports of nudist clubs that are seeing fewer and fewer visitors. Nudists seem to want to only go to the beach, or to destinations, such as Jamaica, Bonaire, or even Europe. We now have a proliferation of luxury locations to get naked, and while these new locales are a positive, I think that the clubs have not kept up with what the modern nudist wants.

We did a survey many years ago and discovered that around 1/3 of nudist were swingers, and about 1/3 of swingers were nudists. So, there is definitely a market for the clothing-optional lifestyle resort. Hedonism resorts in Jamaica have made a fortune attracting this genre. The Desire resorts in Mexico have hopped on the bandwagon, as have other resorts in Texas, California, and Michigan.

So I ask the question.... are today's nudist camps a thing of the past? Is there a future for nudist camps in the US?

I think the answer is no. So what do you think?

2008-11-28T16:52:00.001-08:00

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NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE

ADVISORY

************************************************************

http://www.naturistaction.org

************************************************************

responsible for its content. Permission is granted for the

posting, forwarding or redistribution of this message,

provided that it is reproduced in its entirety and without

alteration.

DATE : November 28, 2008

SUBJECT: Lee Baxandall (1935-2008)

TO : All naturists

Dear Naturist,

The Naturist Society has announced with profound sadness that its founder, Lee Baxandall, has died in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Baxandall, who had suffered from Parkinson's Disease, was 73 years old at the time of his death on November 27, 2008.

Baxandall began his work as a naturist activist more than 30 years ago. With a background in writing and publishing, Lee's naturist passion led him in 1976 to form the Free Beaches Documentation Center, which he located in his hometown of Oshkosh. By 1980, Lee had founded The Naturist Society (TNS), and TNS had presented its first Gathering for naturists. 'Clothed with the Sun,' the flagship publication of TNS in its early years, was renamed 'Nude & Natural,' or more simply, 'N' magazine in 1989. Today, the magazine has a staff of professional and volunteer writers, but in the early days, much of the content of the magazine was pure Baxandall.

Lee was also the initiating force behind other familiar naturist organizations. In 1983, it was a Baxandall idea (and $70 in seed money that Lee pulled from his own pocket and gave to Murray Kaufman) that led to the TNS special interest group that would become Gay Naturists International. In 1990, Baxandall jump-started the Naturist Action Committee as an adjunct to TNS. The Naturist Education Foundation followed in 1993.

For the decades of the 1980s and 1990s, 'Lee Baxandall's World Guide to Nude Beaches and Resorts' was the standard companion for those seeking information on naturist destinations throughout the world. Each edition of the World Guide reflected Lee's naturist philosophy, not only for growing numbers of naturists, but also for the benefit of an expanding mainstream audience. Baxandall's World Guide is the inspiration for 'The World's Best Nude Beaches and Resorts,' a recent TNS publication that carries on the tradition.

In 2002, recognizing the inevitable effect of his declining health, Baxandall transferred ownership of The Naturist Society to a carefully selected handful of longtime associates. TNS is necessarily a dynamic organization that responds to the changing needs of its members. Nevertheless, owners Nicky Hoffman Lee and Margaret Thornton have remained remarkably faithful to the vision of Lee Baxandall.

DETAILS AND ARRANGMENTS

Arrangements are pending. Lee's family has not yet announced details. More complete obituaries will, of course, appear in N magazine and in The Newsletter. The Naturist Action Committee will distribute further information in the form of NAC Updates, as details become available.

The directors of the Naturist Action Committee and the Naturist Education Foundation join with the ownership and staff of The Naturist Society in marking, with respect and appreciation, the passing of an exceptional individual.

"Body acceptance is the idea. Nude recreation is the way."

- Lee R. Baxandall (1935-2008)

Naturally,

Bob Morton

Executive Director

Naturist Action Committee

---------------------------------------------------------------

Naturist Action Committee (NAC) - PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903

Executive Director Bob Morton - execdir@naturistaction.org

Naturist Society: Nicky Hoffman Lee nickyh@naturistsociety.com

Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - naturist@sunclad.com

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Great news from Seattle

2008-11-14T09:07:00.001-08:00

Got this note from NAC today. Certainly good news for us all.

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NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE

UPDATE

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http://www.naturistaction.org

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for its content. Permission is granted for the posting, forwarding or

redistribution of this message, provided that it is reproduced in its

entirety and without alteration.

DATE : November 14, 2008

SUBJECT: Seattle, WA

TO : All naturists

Dear Naturist,

Very good news! The Naturist Action Committee offers this Update concerning a proposed ban on nudity in the public parks of Seattle, Washington. The Board of Parks Commissioners received the proposal at its regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, November 13.

The Board has rejected the anti-nudity proposal. The matter has been removed from the Board's agenda for future meetings.

NAC board member Mark Storey attended the meeting, and he addressed the Commissioners on behalf of naturists and others who oppose the proposed prohibiting of nudity.

MARK STOREY'S REPORT

Mark has filed this narrative report:

The Seattle Parks Board of Commissioners met Thursday evening in Seattle's Park Headquarters, in part, to receive a staff-generated proposal for a ban on nudity in Seattle parks. Approximately 20 nudity-friendly men and women attended the meeting, hoping to express their disfavor with the ban proposed by Seattle Parks. After preliminary discussion by Parks Superintendent Tim Gallagher, board Vice Chair Jackie Ramels informed the audience that no public input would be accepted that evening on the topic of the proposed ban, and that everyone would have an opportunity to speak his or her mind on January 8 when the board had scheduled a public hearing for the ban.

Naturists in the audience were disappointed, but I had heard about this policy shortly before the meeting, and signed up to speak anyway. When Ramels asked if I was hoping to speak about nudity, I said, "No, I had no wish to address the proposed ban. I instead wished to praise the board for the Seattle Parks Strategic Action Plan Summary of Public Feedback that I had received that day. Gallagher laughed, and waved me up to the podium, saying, "Bring him up here!"

The only person to speak from the audience, I thanked the Parks Department for organizing such an efficient means of receiving public input a couple of months ago, when they wanted to hear what users of Seattle parks wanted done in the upcoming five years. I said that my wife and I had attended two of the meetings, and were impressed with how well they were run. I was also impressed with the detail of the report, and how among those expressing interest in off-leash dog areas, swimming pools, green spaces, and other public uses, the one item of interest that outranked all of them was the amazing outpouring of interest in developing a clothing-optional beach at a Seattle Park. Where other requests came in batches of two or a half dozen, the number of comments favoring clothing-optional beaches stretched across 22 pages! I did not remind them that NAC had sent out an Action Alert six months ago, and that many of the comments may have been inspired by NAC. I wanted the board to have clear in their minds in the minutes to come that there were many, many people in Seattle who liked the idea of at least some toleration for nudity in public parks.

I concluded my two-minute address by saying that NAC and local groups looked forward to conferring with Seattle Parks in determining how best to accommodate this broad-ranging user group. I could not tell if the board was amused or not, but Ramels asked the next couple of potential speakers if they too planned on talking about "the Strategic Plan." All seemed ready to let the board hear from Seattle Parks, and changing the agenda to account for the audience's clear interest in nudity issues, move directly to the proposal.

Seattle Parks Strategic Advisor Karen Tsao presented the proposal for the ban, sounding a little nervous, but graciously sympathetic to those naturists sitting around her. The board immediately, though calmly, questioned the need for such a ban. Were there really so many complaints about nudity? And what about all those people who seem to enjoy it? Couldn't Seattle Parks accommodate skinny-dippers by providing a designated portion of beach with signs alerting passersby to the clothing-optional policy there?

Some on the board wished to hear from the public in coming weeks, to hear why so many people clearly wanted a clothing-optional beach. They also wanted to hear why some felt offended. Ramels moved, however, that the board reject the ban for now, to urge Seattle Parks to continue to give use permits as they have in the past (e.g., to naturist groups or for naked bike rides), and to limit future permits to groups who allowed problems to arise or who generated too many complaints. She-and most of the board-felt that a case by case approach to specific groups was better than an overarching ban on nudity in city parks.

Board member Terry Holme made the point that there is a clear distinction between the evening's proposed ban and the loud call for a clothing-optional beach. While he agreed that the ban was ill-advised at the moment, Seattle Parks should also be open to discussion about accommodating those who wish to sunbathe or skinny-dip in Seattle.

This was outstanding! NAC and its body-accepting friends entered this meeting fearing Seattle Parks would ban nudity, and we walked out with the Parks Board saying "no" to the ban and charging Seattle Parks to enter into discussion about creating the state's first officially sanctioned nude beach!

Be assured that NAC and its local allies will be presenting naturist-friendly alternatives to Seattle Parks in the days and weeks to come. In a follow-up NAC Advisory we'll let people know how they can send emails or letters to Seattle Parks to support this effort, even with the cancellation of the now no longer needed January 8 public hearing. For tonight, know that your amazing response to NAC Alerts calling for comments on Seattle Parks' Strategic Plan and for attendance at tonight's meeting has paid off better than in any single project I've

been involved with.

MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

Additional information and links are available, along with this NAC informational update on the web site of the Naturist Action Committee. Go to: http://www.naturistaction.org and then select "Updates" to find this NAC Update under Current Updates. NAC will distribute new information on this important situation as it develops.

PLEASE HELP NAC TO CONTINUE HELPING NATURISTS!

NAC

PO Box 132

Oshkosh, WI 54903

Or call toll free (800) 886-7230 to donate by phone using your MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card. Or use your credit card to make a convenient online donation: http://www.naturistaction.org/donate/

Thank you for choosing to make a difference.

Naturally,

Bob Morton

Executive Director

Naturist Action Committee

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Naturist Action Committee (NAC) - PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903

Executive Director Bob Morton - execdir@naturistaction.org

Board Member Mark Storey - storey98@aol.com

Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - naturist@sunclad.com

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NAC Alert - Vermont

2008-11-13T07:12:00.001-08:00

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NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE ADVISORY

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DATE : November 12, 2008

SUBJECT: Lake Willoughby, Westmore, VT

TO : All Naturists

Dear Naturist,

This is an Advisory from the Naturist Action Committee concerning Lake Willoughby, which is located in the town of Westmore, Vermont, and lies within the Willoughby State Forest.

BRIEF HISTORY AND DISCUSSION

During this past year, a clothing-optional beach on Lake Willoughby in Westmore, VT, was threatened by a petition to ban nudity in that town. The Westmore Selectboard held two moderated public hearings on the issue before choosing to table the issue indefinitely.

After the matter appeared to be settled, one of the three members of the Selectboard resigned due to health reasons. The Westmore resident who had petitioned the Selectboard in January to ban nudity in the town began a campaign for election to the vacant seat, but he was defeated by a substantial margin at a town meeting on September 4.

Members of the local naturist group, Friends of Willoughby Southwest Cove (FOW), were vigorous opponents of the proposal to ban nudity. Several of the Westmore residents who had initiated and supported the petition to ban nudity subsequently targeted a particularly visible member of Friends of Willoughby by lodging a complaint in July with the Vermont Department of Forest and Parks (FPR) and claiming environmental damage to the clothing-optional beach area. At the end of August, FPR sent letters to the FOW President and another member ordering them to appear at a meeting with FPR officials on September 18, 2008, to discuss the alleged environmental "crime."

Although the meeting was not portrayed as a direct threat to the beach, NAC has determined that it may be retribution for opposition to the anti-nudity ordinance, and/or an attempt to intimidate FOW members, detering them from taking part in grassroots activism to protect the clothing-optional status of the beach. To represent the two FOW members, as well as the interests of naturists, NAC carefully identified, interviewed and retained a well qualified local attorney.

The attorney contacted FPR and requested information concerning the case. FPR suddenly postponed the meeting, saying that it required more time to compile the necessary information. FPR has since sent documentation to the attorney and has rescheduled the meeting for mid-November.

WHAT IS NAC DOING?

NAC board member Virginia Schnee has supported Friends of Willoughby SWC by providing guidance at their monthly meetings and taking part in their meetings with legal counsel. Since March 2008, NAC has been working closely with Friends of Willoughby SWC, who will continue to spearhead the local effort to oppose any future anti-nudity ordinance in the town of Westmore, VT.

The Naturist Action Committee has retained an attorney to protect the rights of Friends of Willoughby SWC members for the matter involving the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation.

WHAT IS NAC ASKING YOU TO DO?

This is an advisory. NAC is asking that you DO NOT take action at this time. Participation from naturists outside of Westmore and the surrounding Vermont towns, no matter how well intentioned, could possibly jeopardize the carefully organized local efforts of NAC and Friends of Willoughby.

MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

Additional information and links are available, along with this NAC Action Alert on the web site of the Naturist Action Committee. Go to: http://www.naturistaction.org and then select "Alerts" to find this NAC Action Alert under Current Alerts.

PLEASE HELP NAC TO CONTINUE HELPING NATURISTS!

The Naturist Action Committee is a volunteer nonprofit organization that exists to advance and protect the rights of naturists throughout North America. Legal representation is sometimes necessary, but it's expensive. To do its job, NAC relies entirely on the voluntary generosity of supporters like you. Please donate generously to NAC.

NAC

PO Box 132

Oshkosh, WI 54903

Or call toll free (800) 886-7230 to donate by phone using your MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card. Or use your credit card to make a convenient online donation: http://www.naturistaction.org/donate/

Thank you for choosing to make a difference.

Naturally,

Virginia Schnee

Board Member

Naturist Action Committee

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Naturist Action Committee (NAC) - PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903

Executive Director Bob Morton - execdir@naturistaction.org

Board Member Virginia Schnee - virginia@schnee.com

Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - naturist@sunclad.com

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NAC Alert - Seattle Washington

2008-11-13T07:11:00.001-08:00

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NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE

ACTION ALERT

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http://www.naturistaction.org

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for its content. Permission is granted for the posting, forwarding or

redistribution of this message, provided that it is reproduced in its

entirety and without alteration.

DATE : November 12, 2008

SUBJECT: Seattle, WA

TO : Seattle area naturists

Dear Naturist,

The Naturist Action Committee wishes to make you aware of an important situation in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Parks and Recreation Department's Board of Park Commissioners will be presented on Thursday evening with a staff-prepared proposal that would prohibit nudity in any public park or park facility open to the public. Seattle presently has no such rule, and a rich tradition of clothing-optional use has quietly developed at parks in the city.

WHEN

November 13, 2008

7:00 PM PST

WHERE

Board of Park Commissioners

100 Dexter Avenue N

Seattle, WA 98109

WHAT IS NAC DOING?

NAC board member Mark Storey will be at the meeting, along with others from the Seattle area who oppose the proposed park rule. The Naturist Action Committee has already given a number of local media interviews on this issue.

WHAT IS NAC ASKING YOU TO DO NOW?

If you live in the Seattle area, NAC is asking you to attend the meeting on Thursday evening. Each of those who attend will have an opportunity to speak briefly (2 minutes). This is very short notice, but the information was made available to the public only late Wednesday.

If you speak, NAC suggests that you focus on Parks & Rec's own Strategic Action Plan. Comments solicited from citizens during the recent development of that Plan overwhelmingly asked for the inclusion of clothing-optional areas in public parks. The proposed rule simply ignores the voices of those citizens.

YOU WILL HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE TO ACT

A formal public hearing for the proposed ban on nudity has been scheduled for January 8, 2009. You will have another chance to act. Please watch for additional NAC Action Alerts, Advisories and Updates on this important topic.

MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

Additional information and links are available, along with this NAC Action Alert on the web site of the Naturist Action Committee. Go to: http://www.naturistaction.org/ and then select "Alerts" to find this NAC Action Alert under Current Alerts.

PLEASE HELP NAC TO CONTINUE HELPING NATURISTS!

NAC

PO Box 132

Oshkosh, WI 54903

Or call toll free (800) 886-7230 to donate by phone using your MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card. Or use your credit card to make a convenient online donation: http://www.naturistaction.org/donate/

Thank you for choosing to make a difference.

Naturally,

Mark Storey

Board Member

Naturist Action Committee

---------------------------------------------------------------

Naturist Action Committee (NAC) - PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903

Executive Director Bob Morton - execdir@naturistaction.org

Board Member Mark Storey - storey98@aol.com

Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - naturist@sunclad.com

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NAC Update on San Onofre, California

2008-08-28T07:28:00.000-07:00

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NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE

UPDATE

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http://www.naturistaction.org

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responsible for its content. Permission is granted for the

posting, forwarding or redistribution of this message,

provided that it is reproduced in its entirety and without

alteration.

DATE : August 27, 2008

SUBJECT: NAC wins San Onofre lawsuit!

TO : Naturists and other concerned citizens

Dear Naturist,

The Naturist Action Committee is pleased to make you aware of an important new development in the battle to preserve a portion of San Onofre State Beach for clothing-optional use.

A California Superior Court has ruled today in favor of the Naturist Action Committee (NAC) in its lawsuit against the California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). DPR had attempted earlier this year to bypass state law regarding changes to public regulations, as it moved precipitously to end the traditional clothing-optional use of a small portion of San Onofre State Beach in San Diego County.

In May, DPR announced its intent to begin citing beachgoers for nudity at San Onofre, a site that has been used by skinny-dippers and nude sunbathers for decades. DPR's most recent timetable called for citations to be issued after Labor Day. However, in today's ruling, the court declared, "Dept of Parks must comply with the provisions of the California Administrative Procedures Act before it makes any changes in its enforcement."

Further, the Court said, "until the administrative process is completed, Parks shall maintain the status quo, and enforce the Cahill Policy as it has done since its issuance and subsequent interpretation by the Harrison letter, at Trail 6 in San Onofre State Beach."

NAC filed the lawsuit in July as a result of the Department's recent attempt to put an abrupt end to traditional clothing-optional use at San Onofre State Beach. Specifically, DPR had attempted local recision of its own long-standing policy of managing clothing-optional usage in State Parks. That policy, issued in 1979 by then-DPR Director Russell Cahill, set out a procedure for management of clothing-optional portions of State Parks. The regulation not only addresses nudity in State Parks, but also allows for designation for clothing-optional areas.

The Cahill Policy, as it became known, was cited as Park Department policy in a California Superior Court case (People v. Bost, 1988) and was affirmed in 1988 as the operational administrative procedure for California State Parks in a letter written by then-DPR Deputy Director Jack Harrison.

The California Department of Parks and Recreation had argued recently that the Cahill Policy does not constitute a public regulation, and that DPR's sudden attempt to change public policy without public input was immune from the requirements of the State's Administrative Procedures Act.

The ruling in NAC's lawsuit was issued today, Wednesday, August 27, 2008, by Judge Sheila Fell of the California Superior Court for Orange County. The Court declared that "the Cahill Policy, as interpreted by the Harrison letter, is a regulation."

Represented by attorney Elva Kopacz, the Naturist Action Committee maintained in its lawsuit that in abrogating the Cahill Policy, the Department of Parks and Recreation had violated the state's Administrative Procedures Act. The APA requires state agencies to go through prescribed procedures, including public hearings, before making changes to regulations or public policies that have the force of regulations. The DPR did none of those things and had claimed to be immune from the requirement.

Joining NAC as petitioners are Friends of San Onofre Beach (the local TNS-affiliated naturist group), as well as individual beach users Allen Baylis and Gerda Hayes.

MORE INFORMATION

Details of this situation and specifics of the Cahill Policy and associated documents may be found on the Web page: www.naturistaction.org/sanonofre

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The Naturist Action Committee is in this for the long haul. Today's win is gratifying, but no one should imagine that California's Department of Park and Recreation will simply go away. NAC filed its lawsuit only after its attempts to negotiate with DPR had been rebuffed. Looking forward, NAC will renew, in good faith, its offer to negotiate.

DPR may choose to proceed with its attempt to ban nudity at San Onofre. If the Department follows the law, there will be public hearings on the matter and other opportunities for the public to be heard. You can count on NAC to make you aware of those developments.

Meanwhile, the Court has said that DPR must operate the Trail 6 area at San Onofre State Beach as it did before it attempted to ban clothing-optional use there.

NAC says: Enjoy the beach!

WHAT IS NAC ASKING YOU TO DO?

This is a NAC Update. No additional letters to DPR Director Coleman are being sought at this time. However, NAC does request that you:

1) Stay informed. NAC will continue to issue Action Alerts,

Advisories and Updates on this issue as circumstances

require. Look for them.

2) Keep going to the beach at San Onofre, and keep using

it in the traditional clothing-optional manner.

CA Parks is attempting to intimidate beachgoers into

simply evaporating. We must NOT allow that to happen!

3) Respect the beach. DPR has attempted to characterize

the beach at San Onofre as place that accommodates

illicit sex. Please stand up for proper clothing-optional

beach etiquette!

4) If you are approached by a ranger on the beach or in the

parking area at San Onofre, make a detailed note of the

encounter, including the date, the time, the ranger's

name and what was said. E-mail your account to:

sanonofre@naturistaction.org

Do not be combative or confrontational, but you may make it quite clear that you are taking notes.

MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

Additional information and links are available, along with this NAC Update on the web site of the Naturist Action Committee.

http://www.naturistaction.org/sanonofre

PLEASE HELP NAC TO CONTINUE HELPING NATURISTS!

NAC is committed to the defense of traditional clothing-optional use of public land. NAC does not hesitate to hire lawyers and lobbyists when it's necessary, but that can be very expensive. NAC does not have a membership roster on which it can simply assess dues. NAC relies entirely on the voluntary support of people like YOU.

Won't you please send a generous donation to:

NAC

PO Box 132

Oshkosh, WI 54903

Thank you for choosing to make a difference.

Naturally,

Allen Baylis

Board Member

Naturist Action Committee

---------------------------------------------------------------

Naturist Action Committee (NAC) - PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903

Executive Dir. Bob Morton - execdir@naturistaction.org

Board Member Allen Baylis - rab@baylislaw.com

Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - naturist@sunclad.com

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NAC Advisory for 20 August 2008

2008-08-20T15:16:00.000-07:00

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NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE

UPDATE

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http://www.naturistaction.org

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for its content. Permission is granted for the posting, forwarding or

redistribution of this message, provided that it is reproduced in its

entirety and without alteration.

DATE : August 20, 2008

SUBJECT : Judge postpones ruling in NAC's San Onofre lawsuit

TO : Naturists and other concerned citizens

Dear Naturist,

The Naturist Action Committee wishes to update you briefly concerning an intermediate step in the battle to preserve a portion of San Onofre State Beach for clothing-optional use.

As many of you are aware, today is the day a California Superior Court had designated for issuing a ruling in the lawsuit the Naturist Action Committee (NAC) has filed against the California Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR). Earlier this year, DPR had attempted to bypass state law regarding changes to public regulations, as it moved to end the traditional clothing-optional use of a small portion of San Onofre State Beach in San Diego County.

NAC sued, seeking to force DPR to follow state law.

A tentative ruling by the Court favored NAC, but following the presentation of oral arguments, Judge Sheila Fell said she would withhold a final ruling while she considers the issue further.

Joining NAC as petitioners are Friends of San Onofre Beach (the local TNS-affiliated naturist group), as well as individual beach users Allen Baylis and Gerda Hayes.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The Naturist Action Committee expects a final ruling within a matter of a few days. This delay must not be taken as an indication that we won't ultimately win. It's a reflection of the seriousness with which the judge views this matter.

WHAT IS NAC ASKING YOU TO DO?

This is a NAC Update. NAC is not asking for your action at this time.

MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

Additional information and links are available, along with this NAC

Update on the web site of the Naturist Action Committee.

http://www.naturistaction.org/sanonofre

PLEASE HELP NAC TO CONTINUE HELPING NATURISTS!

Won't you please send a generous donation to:

NAC

PO Box 132

Oshkosh, WI 54903

Thank you for choosing to make a difference.

Naturally,

Bob Morton

Executive Director

Naturist Action Committee

---------------------------------------------------------------

Naturist Action Committee (NAC) - PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903

Executive Dir. Bob Morton - execdir@naturistaction.org

Board Member Allen Baylis - rab@baylislaw.com

Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - naturist@sunclad.com

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Sorry, been very busy

2008-08-12T14:43:00.000-07:00

Well, I apologize for this blog being a bit bare (pardon the pun), but its been a busy time. I've had some personal issues that have taken just about all of my spare time, and have not had time to update this blog.

On a personal note, I've been able to go to more nude functions in the last few months. I belong to a group called "The Sunbirds" www.sunbirds.org, a group based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. We have parties every week or so at members homes, and enjoy swimming, eating, and visiting... all sans clothing, of course.

There are many great places and groups all over the US, Canada, and even Mexico where you can experience naturist opportunities. Visit our links page to find out more: www.codigest.org/links

John

NAC Update on San Onofre, California

2008-06-03T09:36:00.001-07:00

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NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE

UPDATE

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for its content. Permission is granted for the posting, forwarding or

redistribution of this message, provided that it is reproduced in its

entirety and without alteration.

DATE : June 1, 2008

SUBJECT: California: San Onofre State Beach

TO : Naturists and other concerned citizens

Dear Naturist,

This is an Update from the Naturist Action Committee. NAC is making you aware of recent developments, favorable and unfavorable, that are part of a serious threat in the state of California.

A VERY BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE SITUATION

As detailed in the NAC Action Alert of May 21, 2008, Ruth Coleman, Director of California's Department of Parks and Recreation, has abruptly terminated the Department's application of the Cahill Policy to clothing-optional portions of San Onofre State Beach in San Diego County. The Cahill Policy has been used successfully for decades as a management tool for clothing-optional areas within California State Parks.

The specious justification being given by CA Parks for the selective revocation of Cahill at San Onofre State Beach is that doing so will eliminate illicit sexual activity that occurs primarily on an adjacent military beach. The recision of the Cahill Policy would pave the way for park rangers to issue citations for simple nudity on the State Beach under Title 14, Section 4322 of the California Code of Regulations.

For a more detailed history of the situation and specifics of the Cahill Policy, please refer to the NAC Action Alert of May 21. You will find it on NAC's Web page: www.naturistaction.org Look under "ALERTS."

NAC THANKS YOU FOR WHAT YOU'VE BEEN DOING!!

In its NAC Action Alert of May 21, the Naturist Action Committee asked for your specific action in sending correspondence to CA Parks Director Ruth Coleman, opposing the revocation of the Cahill Policy at San Onofre. Your response has been overwhelming. Thank you!

Many hundreds of you have copied NAC on your correspondence. The quality and thoughtfulness of what you've written is gratifying. And the volume has been impressive. Director Coleman's office in Sacramento reports a significantly "increased work load" as a direct result of your letters, faxes and e-mails.

IMPORTANT: CONTINUE CONTACTING THE CA PARKS DIRECTOR

If you have not yet contacted the CA Parks Director, it's not too late. We won't repeat the full details here, but you can find information on contacting the Director (and suggestions for what to say) in the NAC Action Alert of May 21, 2008. You will find the Alert on NAC's Web page: www.naturistaction.org. Look under "ALERTS."

WHAT HAS NAC BEEN DOING?

The Naturist Action Committee took swift action at the onset of this situation and is continuing that action.

1) NAC has submitted to CA Parks a formal request for an

administrative stay on implementation of this abrupt change

in policy.

2) NAC has made multiple Public Records requests for documents

pertaining to this situation and the administrative action

surrounding it.

3) NAC has retained a specialized lobbyist to assist and advise

in the area of regulatory procedure.

4) NAC has retained an attorney specifically for this matter

and has begun the process that will ultimately result in

civil action against the State of California and the

Department of Parks and Recreation.

5) NAC continues working closely with Friends of San Onofre

Beach, the local user group. Together, NAC and FOSOB

staged a rally at the beach on May 24. Together, NAC

and FOSOB met face-to-face with CA Parks officials on

May 29.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Rangers had been told to begin "educating" beachgoers, starting June 1. The initiation of that exercise has been delayed by the insignificant period of a day. The issuing of citations for nudity in the traditional clothing-optional area was initially set to follow after 30 days. Now, CA Parks has delayed that action to commence after Labor Day.

Of course, neither of these is a meaningful or acceptable response to the concerns of naturists.

WHAT IS NAC ASKING YOU TO DO?

1) Stay informed. NAC will continue to issue Action Alerts,

Advisories and Updates on this issue as circumstances

require. Look for them.

2) If you haven't already done so, write to the Director of

the California Department of Parks & Recreation.

It's not too late.

3) *THIS IS IMPORTANT!* Keep going to the beach at San Onofre,

and keep using it in the traditional clothing-optional

manner. CA Parks is attempting to intimidate beachgoers

into simply evaporating. We must NOT allow that to happen!

4) If you are approached by a ranger on the beach or in the

parking area, make a detailed note of the encounter,

including the date, the time, the ranger's name and what

was said. E-mail your account to:

sanonofre@naturistaction.org

Do not be combative or confrontational, but you may make

it quite clear that you are taking notes.

MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

Additional information and links are available, along with this NAC Update on the web site of the Naturist Action Committee.

http://www.naturistaction.org

Select "Alerts" and find this NAC Update under Current Updates.

PLEASE HELP NAC TO CONTINUE HELPING NATURISTS!

NAC is committed to the defense of traditional clothing-optional use of public land. Not surprisingly, hiring lawyers and lobbyists is a very expensive part of such a necessary defense. NAC does not have a membership roster on which it can assess dues. NAC relies entirely on the voluntary support of people like YOU.

Won't you please send a generous donation to:

NAC

PO Box 132

Oshkosh, WI 54903

Or call toll free (800) 886-7230 (8AM-5PM weekdays) to donate by phone using your MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card. Or use your credit card to make a convenient online donation: http://www.naturistaction.org/donate/

Thank you for choosing to make a difference.

Naturally,

Allen Baylis

Board Member

Naturist Action Committee

---------------------------------------------------------------

Naturist Action Committee (NAC) - PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903

Executive Dir. Bob Morton - execdir@naturistaction.org

Board Member Allen Baylis - rab@baylislaw.com

Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - naturist@sunclad.com

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NAC Action Alert for Michigan

2008-05-23T09:36:00.000-07:00

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NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE

ACTION ALERT

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http://www.naturistaction.org

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for its content. Permission is granted for the posting, forwarding or

redistribution of this message, provided that it is reproduced in its

entirety and without alteration.

DATE : May 22, 2008

SUBJECT: Michigan: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

TO : Naturists and other concerned citizens

Dear Naturist,

This is an Action Alert from the Naturist Action Committee. NAC is encouraging your participation in a proactive opportunity at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore in northern Michigan.

The National Park Service (NPS) is considering the future of Sleeping Bear Dunes and is presently developing a revised General Management Plan, Wilderness Study and Environmental Impact Statement that will guide the unit for the next 20 years. There is a long history of responsible clothing-optional recreation within the 71,000+ acres of the National Lakeshore at traditional locations like Otter Creek. The interests of naturists deserve to be reflected in whatever long-term planning is adopted.

NAC URGES YOU TO COMMENT ON THE DRAFT MANAGEMENT PLAN

The Park Service is requesting comments on the five alternative plans it is considering. NAC is asking you to read the proposals and submit a comment to NPS.

You will find convenient clickable links to these documents under the ALERTS tab on the NAC Web page: www.naturistaction.org

The entire document is available online. As you might expect for a 20-year plan, it's somewhat detailed and large. It's divided into multiple parts in PDF format.

For a quick, condensed and less detailed comparison of the proposed alternatives, a summary with charts is available.

The electronic comment form is available online. Or you may send your comments on paper to:

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

9922 Front Street

Empire, MI 49630

The deadline for submitting comments in any format is 11:59 PM MST on June 13, 2008.

WHO SHOULD SEND COMMENTS?

NAC encourages ALL NATURISTS to submit comments, regardless of your geographical residence. As a unit of the National Park Service, Sleeping Bear Dunes is a federal facility that relies on the support of U.S. taxpayers.

WHICH ALTERNATIVE DOES NAC RECOMMEND?

Naturist Action Committee board member Kath Rooney recently visited Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and met with Assistant Superintendent Tom Ulrich. Park management recommends the "Preferred Alternative." That's also the choice that Kath recommends.

The Preferred Alternative includes modest parking improvements for Esch Beach. The traditional clothing-optional area is accessed from this beach.

THINGS TO INCLUDE IN YOUR COMMENTS

Regardless of the specific alternative you may favor, it is very important that naturists make their recreational preferences known in their comments. The Naturist Action Committee offers these suggestions:

1) Be polite and positive. Let's make good use of this

proactive opportunity.

2) Identify yourself. Give your name and address. Anonymous

comments are not accepted. You may ask NPS to keep your

identity confidential, but they cannot assure their compliance.

3) Stay focused. Keep your comments brief and pertinent.

This is not the proper forum for trying to convert Park

Service personnel to the joys of nude recreation or body

acceptance. This is an opportunity to make the point that

those who enjoy clothing-optional recreation are legitimate

users who deserve to have their recreational preferences

reflected and accommodated in any long-term plan.

4) Be clear. In your comments, say that you wish

clothing-optional recreation to be included in the General

Management Plan.

Additional talking / writing points:

a) Proper informational signage is an important tool in

managing FOR clothing-optional recreation. Signs help avoid

"user conflict," which is a term Park Service managers

recognize clearly.

b) Those who prefer clothing-optional areas are typically

low-impact users. They are respectful of the natural

environment because of their inherent close relationship

to it.

c) A recent public opinion poll shows that a majority of

Americans favor the setting aside of public lands for

clothing-optional recreation. (Source: 2006 NEF/Roper Poll,

commissioned by the Naturist Education Foundation and conducted

by the Roper polling organization.)

d) In that same poll, 74 percent of Americans believe that people

who enjoy nude sunbathing should be able to do so without

interference from local officials as long as they do so at a

beach that is accepted for that purpose.

2. ATTEND A PUBLIC MEETING

A series of three public meetings have been scheduled for presentation and discussion of the Draft Management Plan. If you can attend one of these meetings, you will make a significant additional impact on behalf of naturists. The points listed as sugestions for written comments are appropriate for delivery at these meetings, too.

Tuesday, June 3, 2008:

Platte River Elementary, 11434 Main, Honor, MI 49640

Wednesday, June 4, 2008:

Hagerty Center, NMC, 715 E. Front St., Traverse City, MI 49686

Thursday, June 5, 2008:

Glen Arbor Township Hall, 6394 W. Western Ave, Glen Arbor, MI 49636

The meeting formats and times (5:30-8:30 p.m.) for each meeting are

identical:

5:30-6:00 p.m. Open House

6:00-6:30 p.m. Formal Presentation

6:30-7:00 p.m. Question and Answer Period

7:00-8:30 p.m. Public Comments/Hearing

Naturist Action Committee board member Bill Schroer will be in attendance at the meeting on Tuesday, June 3, in Honor, Michigan. NAC Area Represntative Mart Groesser will be at the meeting on Wednesday, June 4, in Traverse City, Michigan. Join Bill or Mart - or choose the remaining meeting. The important thing is that naturists participate in this process.

MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

Additional information and links are available, along with this NAC Action Alert on the web site of the Naturist Action Committee.

http://www.naturistaction.org

Select "Alerts" and find this NAC Action Alert under Current Alerts.

PLEASE HELP NAC TO CONTINUE HELPING NATURISTS!

The Naturist Action Committee is the volunteer nonprofit political adjunct to The Naturist Society. NAC exists to advance and protect the rights and interests of naturists throughout North America. The Sleeping Bear Dunes project is an excellent example of positive, proactive activism.

Working for clothing-optional recreational use of public land is expensive. To do its job, NAC relies entirely on the voluntary generosity of supporters like you.

After you've submitted your comments to the Parks Service, please take a moment to send a donation to:

NAC

PO Box 132

Oshkosh, WI 54903

Or call toll free (800) 886-7230 to donate by phone using your MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card. Or use your credit card to make a convenient online donation:

http://www.naturistaction.org/donate/

Thank you for choosing to make a difference.

Naturally,

Bill Schroer

Kath Rooney

Board Members

Naturist Action Committee

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Naturist Action Committee (NAC)- PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903

Executive Dir. Bob Morton - execdir@naturistaction.org

Board Member Bill Schroer - naturist18a@gmail.com

Board Member Kath Rooney - nakedvet@gmail.com

Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - naturist@sunclad.com

-----------------------------------------------------------------

NAC Alert for San Onofre, California

2008-05-21T11:36:00.000-07:00

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NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE

ACTION ALERT

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http://www.naturistaction.org

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responsible for its content. Permission is granted for the

posting, forwarding or redistribution of this message, provided

that it is reproduced in its entirety and without alteration.

DATE : May 21, 2008

SUBJECT: California: San Onofre State Beach

TO : Naturists and other concerned citizens

Dear Naturist,

This is an Action Alert from the Naturist Action Committee. NAC is asking for your immediate help in responding to a serious threat in the state of California.

NAC has learned that Ruth Coleman, Director of California's Department of Parks and Recreation, has abruptly revoked the application of the Department's Cahill Policy, as it applies to clothing-optional portions of San Onofre State Beach in San Diego County. Rangers have been told to begin "educating" beachgoers, starting June 1. The issuing of citations for nudity in the traditional clothing-optional area is to follow after 30 days.

IMPORTANT: NAC ASKS YOU TO CONTACT THE CA PARKS DIRECTOR

NAC urgently requests that you contact the Director of CA Parks to express your vigorous opposition to this disastrous change in policy. Detailed contact information is included below. However, so that your contact with the Director's office will have the greatest impact, please first take a couple of moments to learn about this situation.

THE CAHILL POLICY

Since 1979, the California Department of Parks and Recreation has operated under a policy put in place by then-DPR Director Russ Cahill. The policy came in the form of a memo issued to senior staff, explaining Cahill's decision not to designate clothing-optional areas in state parks. It also directed that citations for nudity in state parks would only be issued following a complaint and a failure to comply after a subsequent warning.

The policy has been in continuous effect since it was issued. It figured prominently in an important court case (California v. Bost) and was reaffirmed by CA Parks Deputy Director Jack Harrison in 1988.

Details of the Cahill memo, the Bost case and the Harrison letter are included on the NAC Web site, along with the text of California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Section 4322, which is the authority under which the Director proposes citing those who are nude at San Onofre.

WHY THE CHANGE NOW?

Naturists are always alert to the negative effect that illicit sexual activity can have on clothing-optional beaches. The regulars at many clothing-optional areas are quite effective at educating and discouraging those who would endanger the beach through sexual activities. At San Onofre, the problem has been diminished greatly in recent years, due in large part to those who really care about continued clothing-optional use of the beach.

The traditional clothing-optional beach at San Onofre is adjacent to Camp Pendleton, a Marine Corps training base. Although those who wander onto the military base are subject to arrest for trespass, the area is lightly patrolled. For those who seek sex in the open, the military beach has become the site of choice, and the razor wire field fencing at the property line has proved to be no obstacle. Naturists have shown reluctance to pursue the scofflaws onto the military base, and State Park Rangers have no authority there.

Recent retirements among those in the CA Parks management team responsible for San Onofre have brought replacements who are intolerant of clothing-optional recreation. Instead of encouraging and allowing the cooperation of naturists in policing illicit activity, Rich Haydon, the new manager who took over at the beginning of this month, has featured the nearby sexual activity in his reports, using it as an excuse to request permission to put an end to recreational nudity at the beach. Haydon has reportedly represented to his superiors that a majority of those who come to enjoy the clothing-optional beach are participants in illicit sex there.

The response from CA Parks headquarters in Sacramento was the revocation of the Cahill Policy as it applies to San Onofre. The Department is reportedly seeking to insulate itself from sexual harassment claims by park employees who have complained recently of a "sexually-charged atmosphere." That sort of complaint is customarily reserved for employer-employee or co-employee interaction, and it inappropriately ignores the fact that State Park rangers are peace officers with a duty to arrest those who engage in illicit activities.

IS IT ONLY SAN ONOFRE?

At the present time, only San Onofre State Beach is affected by this change in policy. The real possibility that the same thing may happen at other California state parks is, of course, an ominous specter.

WHAT IS NAC DOING?

The Naturist Action Committee recognizes the severity of this situation and has taken quick action.

1) NAC has submitted to CA Parks a formal request for an

administrative stay on implementation of this abrupt

change in policy.

2) NAC has made Public Records requests for documents pertaining

to this situation and the administrative action surrounding it.

3) NAC is retaining a lobbyist to assist and advise it in the

often-difficult area of regulatory procedure.

4) NAC has retained legal representation and has begun the process

that may ultimately result in civil action against the State of

California and the Department of Parks and Recreation.

5) From the onset of this situation, NAC has been working closely

with Friends of San Onofre Beach, the local user group. NAC and

FOSOB will be meeting with CA Parks officials this week on

this matter.

WHAT IS NAC ASKING YOU TO DO?

The Naturist Action Committee is asking you to contact the Director of CA Parks to express your concern and outrage over this turn of events. NAC is also asking you to attend a rally at San Onofre this coming Saturday.

1. CONTACT THE DIRECTOR

NAC is requesting ALL NATURISTS and other concerned individuals to contact the Director of Parks and Recreation, regardless of your place of residence. California understands the importance of out-of-state visitors who come to enjoy the state's beaches, lakes and streams. The change in policy applies to those visitors, as well as to California residents. While all are encouraged to make their voices heard, the participation of Californians is, of course, particularly important.

Send a letter, a fax or an e-mail, or make a phone call.

Director Ruth Coleman

Dept. of Parks and Recreation

1416 Ninth Street,

Sacramento, CA 95816

E-MAIL: director@parks.ca.gov

DIRECTOR'S OFFICE TELEPHONE: (916) 653-8380

DIRECTOR'S OFFICE FAX: (916) 657-3903

NAC encourages you to send copies of your faxes and paper mail to:

NAC, P.O. Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903.

Send copies of your e-mails to:

sanonofre@naturistaction.org

When you write or call:

a) Be polite. You have a right to be outraged, but you will

achieve nothing positive by name-calling or rudeness.

b) Be known. Give your name and address. If you are a California

resident or a frequent visitor to California, point that out.

c) Be focused. Keep your call or your correspondence brief

and on target.

d) Be clear. Say that you OPPOSE the revocation of the Cahill

Policy at San Onofre State Beach in San Diego County.

Additional talking / writing points:

a) The precipitous change to public policy was done without

public input. That's not an acceptable way to administer

public resources.

b) The so-called "solution" does not address the real problem.

c) A recent public opinion poll (the 2006 NEF/Roper Poll,

commissioned by the Naturist Education Foundation and conducted

by the Roper polling organization) shows that a majority of

Americans favor the setting aside of public lands for

clothing-optional recreation.

d) In that same poll, an impressive 74 percent of Americans

believe that people who enjoy nude sunbathing should be able

to do so without interference from local officials as long as

they do so at a beach that is accepted for that purpose.

e) Rangers and park managers must NOT confuse simple nudity with

lewd behavior. Rangers presently have the authority to stop lewd

activity, and that authority does not require the abrupt

discontinuation of a long-standing policy that has worked well

for years and years.

2. ATTEND A RALLY AT SAN ONOFRE BEACH ON SATURDAY, MAY 24

In close cooperation with Friends of San Onofre, NAC urges you to attend a rally at the beach on Saturday, May 24, 2008. Bring your own handmade signs to carry, if you wish. NAC will be providing a number of "Nude Beaches YES!" signs for participants.

This is an important event for those who are outraged at the Director's action and who believe San Onofre Beach is worth saving! If you're close enough to make it, please show up around 10 AM. Parking is limited.

MORE INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

Additional information and links are available, along with this NAC Action Alert on the web site of the Naturist Action Committee.

http://www.naturistaction.org

Select "Alerts" and find this NAC Action Alert under Current Alerts.

PLEASE HELP NAC TO CONTINUE HELPING NATURISTS!

After you've contacted the Director of CA Parks, please take a moment to send a donation to:

NAC

PO Box 132

Oshkosh, WI 54903

Or call toll free (800) 886-7230 to donate by phone using your MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card. Or use your credit card to make a convenient online donation: http://www.naturistaction.org/donate/

Thank you for choosing to make a difference.

Naturally,

Bob Morton

Executive Director

Naturist Action Committee

-----------------------------------------------------------

Naturist Action Committee (NAC)

- PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903

Executive Dir. Bob Morton - execdir@naturistaction.org

Board Member Allen Baylis - rab@baylislaw.com

Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - naturist@sunclad.com

-----------------------------------------------------------

The Aging of Naturism - Part 2

2008-03-09T19:42:00.001-07:00

So maybe I was wrong about my last post. We went to a roller skating party sponsored by our local naturist club, and there was a fairly young couple there. Now, the rest of us were 40+ and up, but at least there was one youthful couple there. It's a start.

We'll keep looking.

The Aging of Naturism

2008-02-29T13:53:00.000-08:00

Is there nobody young involved in naturism any more?

I just got the latest copy of "N" magazine, and on the cover is an older lady, greying hair. Inside are stories, and photos, mostly people in their upper 40s and up.

I remember the first copy of "N" I got, when it was "Clothed With the Sun". There was a 20-something woman on the front cover. Well, that was over 20 years ago, and it seems that the people we knew as naturists when we were in our 20s and 30s are the same ones still involved today.

There aren't any 20s and 30s involved. Or are there? We belong to a social group in our part of the country that meets at peoples homes (okay, a travel club). The group is in our age group. There are some upper 30's in the group, but most are, you guessed it, upper 40s and up.

We visited a few landed clubs last summer. No young couples there, just middle to upper ages.

Is it just our part of the world (we live in Texas)? Are there younger couples/singles going to Haulover? Blacks Beach? Wreck Beach? Sandy Hook?

What about places like Playa del Carmen in Mexico? Sorobon Beach in Bonaire, Orient in Sint Maarten?

Actually, I think I just answered my question. The 40s and up have money, and they don't want to sit at a rustic park anymore. They are willing to spend big bucks to go to resorts where they are able to relax in style.

So that means that the clubs we went to as younger couples are not our cup of tea anymore, and guess what, they are going out of business, or changing their tune.

Two landed clubs in our area closed. One has rebranded itself as an adult alternative camp. Another is going through some controversial growing pains, and one more is not sure what it is going to be. Crowds are down. The clubs have not kept up with the times.

Our generation is not content to just sit and sun. We want to have activities, whether its visiting with friends, having something to drink (we're talking adult beverages here), or even flirting.

We want fine dining. We want people in our social circles.

Are the days gone where a CEO and a grunt can sit naked in a hot tub as equals? (Something I witnessed back in the late 80s).

What bodes the future of Naturism?

Breast of Canada

2007-12-27T09:50:00.000-08:00

We are on the final days of 2007, and that means only a few more days of use of our Breast of Canada calendar that hangs on our wall.

Sue Richards, the artistic visionary of the Breast of Canada calendars has been recovering from a health issue, and therefore had to cancel the 2008 calendar. You can read more about that on her website at http://www.breastofcanada.com

We hope there will be a 2009 calendar. We have traditionally bought two every year, one for us, and one for a friend.

The artwork is exquisite, and very tasteful. In fact, I was so enamored by one photo that I purchased a copy from the artist. It hangs on my bedroom wall.

We wish Sue the best in her recovering, and hope that her health will allow the Breast of Canada calendar to continue.

Happy Nude Year, everyone.

NAC Advisory

2007-12-19T07:21:00.000-08:00

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NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE

ADVISORY

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http://www.naturistaction.org

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responsible for its content. Permission is granted for the posting,

forwarding or redistribution of this message, provided that it is

reproduced in its entirety and without alteration.

DATE : December 18, 2007

SUBJECT: NAC files as amicus in Ohio topfree appeal

TO : All Naturists and other interested individuals

Dear Naturist,

The Naturist Action Committee has filed a legal memorandum with the Ohio Supreme Court in an appeal by a woman who was arrested and convicted for being topfree in a city park. NAC is acting as an amicus curiae, or "friend of the court," and its document supports the Court's acceptance of jurisdiction.

The woman, Lorien D. Bourne, is represented in her appeal by the Ohio chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union, which has filed a separate memorandum in support of jurisdiction. The Ohio Supreme Court is not obligated to accept the case, so the documents at this stage are intended to persuade the Court to recognize the importance of the case, and to take it under review.

WHAT IS NAC ASKING YOU TO DO?

This is a NAC Advisory. You are not being asked to take any action.

Please watch for further Advisories and Updates from NAC on this issue.

MORE INFORMATION

For more information, including details of the case and the complete texts of the briefs of NAC and the ACLU, visit the Web site of the Naturist Action Committee: http://www.naturistaction.org/. Click on "Alerts, Advisories & Updates" to find this NAC Advisory and links to additional information. The NAC Web site presents an expanded discussion of the Bourne appeal, including the further information on its importance to naturists.

NAC BECOMES INVOLVED WHEN ISSUES AFFECT NATURISTS. PLEASE HELP NAC!

NAC

PO Box 132

Oshkosh, WI 54903

Or call toll free (800) 886-7230 to donate by phone using your MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card. Or use your credit card to make a convenient online donation: http://www.naturistaction.org/donate/.

Thank you for choosing to make a difference.

Naturally,

Bob Morton

Executive Director

Naturist Action Committee

---------------------------------------------------------------

Naturist Action Committee (NAC) - PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903

Executive Dir. Bob Morton - execdir@naturistaction.org

Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - naturist@sunclad.com

---------------------------------------------------------------

NAC Advisory

2007-10-12T07:28:00.001-07:00

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NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE

UPDATE

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http://www.naturistaction.org

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for its content. Permission is granted for the posting, forwarding or

redistribution of this message, provided that it is reproduced in its

entirety and without alteration.

DATE : October 11, 2007

SUBJECT : NAC Huntington Beach Swim .. NEW DATE ..

TO : All Naturists and other interested individuals

Dear Naturist,

Because of a scheduling conflict, the Naturist Action Committee announces that the date of the NAC Huntington Beach Swim has been changed to Saturday, November 3, 2007.

The nude event in the municipally owned Huntington Beach City Gym had originally been scheduled for a week earlier on October 27. The new date should allow a greater number of naturists to participate. Responding to popular demand, we've also extended the event for an additional hour.

Essential information is repeated below, along with the date revision and a few clarifications.

YES, IT'S A LEGAL NUDE SWIM

NAC has rented the Huntington Beach City Gym from the City for this activity. NAC made the application and paid the fee, making certain at each step of the way that City bureaucrats understand this will be a nude swim.

WHEN : Saturday, November 3, 2007. 5:00 PM TO 8:00 PM

WHERE: Huntington Beach City Gym,

1600 Palm Avenue, Huntington Beach, CA

WHO : This is a family friendly nude swim, open to naturists of all

ages. Naturists and their guests are welcome.

FEE : $10 each, at the door.

ADMITTANCE: This is a private use of a public facility. The event is intended for naturists and is not open to the general public. There is no specific club or organization membership prerequisite, but if you are attending as an unaffiliated naturist, you may be asked for a naturist reference who can vouch for you.

Please bring a driver's license or other appropriate photo ID.

POLICIES: This is a nude event. Please use standard naturist etiquette. No cameras allowed. An official photographer will be taking a few photographs for NAC and for The Naturist Society's N magazine, but you may ask to be excluded from the pictures, if you wish.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO HELP

NAC is looking for volunteers to help prepare the facility and take a shift at the door on the day of the event. If you'd like to help, please contact NAC board member Allen Baylis by phone: (714) 962-0915 or by e-mail: rab@baylislaw.com

MORE INFORMATION

NAC is not typically in the business of conducting recreational activities, but this event is not only a couple of hours of fun. It's important as a "proof of concept." As a demonstration of what naturists can do when they work with local governments, it follows in the pattern of the successful NAC Seattle Swims, a series of six monthly swims in municipal pools that began in Seattle a year ago.

Although NAC vigorously opposed the recent Huntington Beach anti-nudity ordinance and greatly regrets its adoption by the City Council, this event is NOT a protest. It's a nude swim. Come out and enjoy it!

For more information about the facility itself, visit the Huntington Beach web site.

http://www.ci.huntington-beach.ca.us/Residents/parks_facilities/facility_show.cfm?id=1

PLEASE HELP NAC TO CONTINUE HELPING NATURISTS!

NAC

PO Box 132

Oshkosh, WI 54903

Or call toll free (800) 886-7230 to donate by phone using your MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card. Or use your credit card to make a convenient online donation:

http://www.naturistaction.org/donate/

Thank you for choosing to make a difference.

Naturally,

Bob Morton

Executive Director

Naturist Action Committee

---------------------------------------------------------------

Naturist Action Committee (NAC) - PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903

Executive Dir. Bob Morton - execdir@naturistaction.org

Board Member Allen Baylis - rab@baylislaw.com

Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - naturist@sunclad.com

---------------------------------------------------------------

Is Naturism getting older?

2007-10-11T14:16:00.001-07:00

I just received the latest issues of "N" Magazine from the Naturist Society, and "Going Natural", the magazine of the Federation of Canadian Nudists (FCN).

I truly enjoy reading both magazines (although I just can't read the French articles in "Going Natural", but...

There are no pictures of people under 45.

Both magazines had news articles on the World Nude Bike Ride, which featured mostly college students riding nude in a protest ride, but none of them were nudists or naturist.

The only photos were of people my age... old.

I'm not trying to promote age discrimination here, but if naturism is going to attract a new crowd, then we have to show that the new crowd is out there enjoying being naked.

Am I wrong here? You tell me.

NAC Advisory

2007-10-05T07:38:00.000-07:00

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NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE

ACTION ALERT

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http://www.naturistaction.org

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for its content. Permission is granted for the posting, forwarding or

redistribution of this message, provided that it is reproduced in its

entirety and without alteration.

DATE : October 4, 2007

SUBJECT: NAC Huntington Beach Swim!

TO : All Naturists and other interested individuals

Dear Naturist,

The Naturist Action Committee announces the NAC Huntington Beach Swim! This is a nude event scheduled for October 27, 2007, in the municipally owned Huntington Beach City Gym.

IT'S A LEGAL NUDE SWIM

WHEN: Saturday, October 27, 2007. 5:00 PM TO 7:00 PM

WHERE: Huntington Beach City Gym,

1600 Palm Avenue, Huntington Beach, CA

WHO: This is a family friendly nude swim. All are welcome.

FEE: $10 each, at the door.

ADMITTANCE: This is a private use of a public facility. NAC reserves the right to refuse entry to anyone. There is no club or organization membership prerequisite. Your $10 gets you in the door. Your good behavior keeps you inside. Please use standard naturist etiquette.

POLICIES: As few as possible. This is a nude event. No cameras allowed. An official photographer will be taking a few photographs for NAC and for The Naturist Society's N magazine, but you may ask to be excluded from the pictures, if you wish.

IF YOU'D LIKE TO HELP

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about the facility itself, visit the Huntington Beach web site.

http://www.ci.huntington-beach.ca.us/Residents/parks_facilities/facility_show.cfm?id=1

PLEASE HELP NAC TO CONTINUE HELPING NATURISTS!

NAC

PO Box 132

Oshkosh, WI 54903

Or call toll free (800) 886-7230 to donate by phone using your MasterCard, Visa or Discover Card. Or use your credit card to make a convenient online donation:

http://www.naturistaction.org/donate/

Thank you for choosing to make a difference.

Naturally,

Bob Morton

Executive Director

Naturist Action Committee

---------------------------------------------------------------

Naturist Action Committee (NAC) - PO Box 132, Oshkosh, WI 54903

Executive Dir. Bob Morton - execdir@naturistaction.org

Board Member Allen Baylis - rab@baylislaw.com

Online Rep. Dennis Kirkpatrick - naturist@sunclad.com

---------------------------------------------------------------

Welcome to the CO Digest Blog

2007-10-04T17:31:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the CO Digest Blog. Although we ceased publication of the CO Digest nearly a year ago, there seems to be a void in the naturist community.

So, we are going to use this blog to disseminate naturist information to you.

Thanks for your support over these many years.

John
Editor
The CO Digest
www.codigest.org