Should we have a 'face-time' meeting to discuss BLM swap?

[cynthia23]

I am so impressed by amount of knowledge all the various posters have expressed, and feeling it would all be so much more powerful if at least some of us could all get together in a meeting to share our knowledge and brainstorm ideas about how to respond to this. There are a lot of interested parties here--the Desert Trails folks, the Desert Riders, mountain-bikers, and of course the folks from this board and the "Skylies"--and I feel we are, if not exactly working at cross-purposes, we might be duplicating efforts or not working as efficiently we could if we all just had a one hour face to face meet. A semi-anonymous message board is good for some things, but it has its limits.

I would be willing to host such a meeting at my house in Cathedral City, or, to help with organizing one at another location. We have some members in Palm Springs, which would probably be a good location for a meet as out of town people might be here for a hike anyway. With that in mind, I tend to think Saturday or Sunday, late afternoon, would be a good time. My house is rather small, but would work; better still would be someone who lives in a country club or complex that has a clubhouse or community room we could use.

Thoughts? Ideas? Jeers? BTW, what do you think abou this slogan for us: Stop the Swap! Hey, at least it rhymes and we can chant it on street corners!

What do people think? Would such a meeting be a good idea, and if so, when and where?

[cynthia23]

I'm bumping this to the front ....

[guest]

Hi Cynthia,
I think this is a good idea, and I'm willing to meet w/ in the next week or 2.
I believe we can focus on energies & pick peoples brains on the most effective way to move forward on Stop the Swap! (like it!).

Another possible location is Whitewater Cyn Preserve, they can many shaded picnic benches, restrooms, and it's somewhat easier for people living west of the desert, should we get any of them.

[cynthia23]

WhiteWater Preserve would be good, especially because they have an indoor 'public room' which we could use in the event of inclement weather (i.e. rain.) Also, people could combine it with a hike in the wonderful preserve! Another possibility is Victoria Park, in North Palm Springs off Raquet Club--I remember we (the folks on the board) had an informal bar-b-que there a few years ago, and that worked out well. I am willing to meet anywhere in the vicinity. I'm now thinking that my house (or anybody else's, unless it's huge) might not be that great, just because we don't know how many people might come. An open public venue is probably best. The coffeehouse Koffi, in downtown PS, might also work, because we could meet outside in the courtyard if the group was large (we'd have to check with the Koffi folks first though to make sure this would be okay. But I know they do host other groups.)

Other ideas? Right now, I'm liking Guest's idea the best ...

[bluerail]

Need to get a time figured out as soon as possible and let people know. Whitewater sounded like a good place.

or here : http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/newsro ... _move.html

[Ellen]

Howdy Cynthia (aka Desert WordSmith)

I am happy to meet. I'd like to get a hike in first due to the drive out from Riverside. Whitewater sounds great as does Victoria park

I will be in Boston for a dietitian's meeting on the weekend of Nov 6 and 7.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[cynthia23]

Thanks for joining us, Ellen. Your 'blithe spirit' always brings us up. I talked to Frasier, the manager at Whitewater Preserve. The next Saturday the 'lodge' is available for meeting is November 20. (other groups have booked it before then.) The preserve closes at five, but he said we could stay later if I promised to lock up. We don't have to pay anything; just clean up after ourselves.

What do people think? Unfortunately, November 20 is past the point when the public comment period expires, but it may not matter; we still need to discuss possible responses. Also, it would really be good to have some information or input from the Desert Trails people, the Desert Riders, etc, and this would probably be the soonest we could contact all these folks.

Additionally, as I mentioned in the 'shortcuts' post, it might be a good opportunity to (calmly) brainstorm some ideas about the shortcutting issue. And, finally, it's always fun to meet and chow down.

I'm not particularly 'locked into' the Whitewater venue if anybody has a better idea; I just like that it has a roof to shelter us if it rains!

Thoughts?

[Florian]

Nov 20 is good with me. But as you mentioned it is after the comment period ends.

-Florian

[Ellen]

Howdy friend Cynthia

It makes sense that the decision on when and where to meet should be determined by those who live in the desert.

Roof over head = good idea

We can also meet at a restaurant in Palm Springs. For example, we celebrated Cy's birthday at the original Las Consuelas.

I am happy to meet pretty much anytime except Nov 6-7 as I'll be out of town.

How about picking a day and time and we'll do a meeting roll call.

Miles of smiles,
Ellen

[bluerail]

You better check with Tina to see if you're allowed to be out of town on the 6th Ellen.

the 13th, I'll be in the middle of nowhere, so the 20th works for me, does seem better to do it before the date though.

We're not going to be getting mad at those people that take shortcuts are we ?