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Wondering what the Rainbow Family is? (Mon, 17 Jun 2013 23:50:00 +0000)
Origins and PracticesThe Rainbow Family was created out of the Vortex Gathering in Oregon in 1970, an event that had been inspired in large part by the first Woodstock Festival. Two attendees at Vortex, Barry "Plunker" Adams and Garrick Beck are both considered among the elders ("high holies") of the Rainbow Family. Adams emerged from the Haight-Ashbury scene in San Francisco and wrote a book, Where Have All the Flower Children Gone? Beck is the son of Julian Beck, founder of The Living Theatre, whose production Paradise Now! was similar to much of the Rainbow Family spirit. The first official Rainbow Family Gathering was held in Strawberry Lake, Colorado, on the Continental Divide, in 1972. This site was selected by Adams, who was featured in an extensive Rolling Stone interview that covered the event.Regional Rainbow Gatherings are also held throughout the year in the United States, as are national and regional gatherings in dozens of other countries. These Gatherings are non-commercial, and all who wish to attend peacefully are welcome to participate. There are no leaders, and traditionally the Gatherings last for a week in length, with the primary focus being on the Fourth of July in the U.S., when attendees pray, meditate, and/or observe silence in a group effort to focus on World Peace. Thus, the name Rainbow Family of Living Light... Rainbow Gatherings emphasize welcoming people of all races, religions, ethnicities, and social status, with the common thread being a spiritual focus towards peace, love, and unity. Those who attend Rainbow Gatherings come from all walks of life, and work together on a variety of goals, among which are intentional communities, ecology, spirituality, and an expanded tolerance for others. Attendees refer to one another as "Rainbows", or often as "Brother" or "Sister" to help reinforce the emphasis upon their belief system that all people are not only related as part of the human race, but as members of a family, and should thus be given the respect deserved in such a relationship. Group Councils, the only form of government, are held regularly, with attendance being open to all interested parties and decisions being reached through consensus... GatheringsAll Rainbow Gatherings are held with an open invitation to people of all walks of life, and of all beliefs, to share experiences, love, dance, music, food, and learning. The Rainbow Family is most widely known for its large annual American Gatherings (i.e. U.S. "Nationals" or "Annuals") which are held on U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (or B.L.M.) land. These U.S. Annual Gatherings usually attract between 10,000 and 25,000 participants.In addition to these larger U.S. Annuals, the Rainbow Family also holds Gatherings throughout the year in dozens of other countries. "World Gatherings" are also held from time to time in various countries. Other Rainbow Family activities include regional Gatherings (or Regionals) and retreats. There are also small, local activities such as local drum circles, potlucks, music related events, and campouts. Money is not used (or not encouraged), camps set up kitchens to feed people, and there is a circle on the Fourth of July to pray for peace... References:Firestorm: Multimedia presentation of Tasmanian family during wildfire (Wed, 12 Jun 2013 23:30:00 +0000)
 This is a great account of the Holmes family during a 2013 wildfire in Tasmania. It takes a little while to go through, but is very well done. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/interactive/2013/may/26/firestorm-bushfire-dunalley-holmes-family Gallatin County Firefighters training with DNRC Helitack on 6/1/13 (Sat, 01 Jun 2013 21:01:00 +0000)
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