Hetch Hetchy Valley, in Yosemite National Park, is an area of remarkable natural beauty. One of only four glacially-carved valleys in California, it features granite bluffs, tall waterfalls and grand vistas. Hetch Hetchy was often compared to Yosemite Valley itself, that is, until 1923, when O'Shaughnessy Dam was completed along the western end of the valley, creating Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. This 1,900-acre lake in the middle of the National Park now supplies the City of San Francisco with over 85% of its drinking water, along with a modest amount of electrical power. The dam was built over the strenuous objections of legendary conservationist John Muir, and environmentalists have deplored its existence ever since.

The National Park Service (NPS) is currently developing the scope of a new management plan for the Tuolumne River under the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. This law compels the NPS to preserve selective rivers possessing outstandingly remarkable scenic, recreational, geological, fish and wildlife, historical, cultural, or other similar values in free-flowing condition and to protect these rivers and their immediate environments for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.

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March Against Global Warming with Rock the Earth

As polar ice caps continue to melt at unprecedented rates, and scientific findings provide even more conclusive evidence against global warming, it's time we all begin to take a more serious stand. Rock the Earth has decided to join our friends at StopGlobalWarming.org.

Rock the Earth whole-heartedly supports the Stop Global Warming Virtual March. The global climate-change crisis is the single largest environmental condition in the history of modern civilization, and will impact nearly every living organism on this planet. All other environmental issues pale in comparison. It impacts not only those special places, species and natural resources that Rock the Earth works to protect, but will exacerbate conditions for those communities already impacted.

As the country with the single largest contribution to this problem, leadership is sorely needed. It is for these reasons that Rock the Earth is honored to join with so many luminaries from the environmental, scientific, political and entertainment communities, to call on this country¹s leaders to take affirmative steps to stem this threat of global proportions.

Help Rock the Earth become one of the leaders in the Global March! It's easy. Take 5 minutes to register here, and help Rock the Earth Defend the Planet One March at a Time.

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Rockin' the San Francisco Bay
Photos by Susan J. Weiand

Zoo Station

On a beautiful, sunny day on Sunday, September 17, Gone Global Productions held a festival to benefit Rock the Earth. The line-up was action-packed, starting with the bluegrass sounds of Yosemite Valley's Trespassers. This was followed by the popular Bay Area U2 cover band, Zoo Station, who treated us to a surreal U2 experience, complete with a plea for no more pollution during Sunday Bloody Sunday.

Martin Fierro, Mark Karan and Adam Perry

Mark Karan's Buds took the stage next. Featuring Ratdog lead guitarist Mark Karan, this talented ensemble, consisting of Pete Sears (Flying Other Brothers), Robin Sylvester and Jay Lane (Ratdog), Adam Perry (The Love X Nowhere) and guest sax player Martin Fierro, Buds played a fun set of cover tunes and original songs. Next, Tahoe's rising stars, Blue Turtle Seduction, played their blend of "High-Altitude Bohemian Tribal Funk Grass" for the enthusiastic crowd.

The full-filled day finished up with an All-Star Band, Rubber Souldiers, playing a mix of Beatles and Grateful Dead tunes. The Rubber Souldiers featured RtE Advisory Board Member David Gans, Robin Sylvester, David Nelson (New Riders of the Purple Sage, David Nelson Band), Barry Sless (Phil Lesh & Friends), Chris and Lorin Rowan (the Rowan Brothers) and Adam Perry. Martin Fierro also sat in during this set, as did B3 organist Jordan Feinstein. Solo artist Joe Rutt entertained the masses in the mini-vending village between sets.

Poster artist Howard Krouk created a wonderful poster commemorating the event. These are now available on our website at the $25 level of membership in Rock the Earth. View photos of the event and listen to audio from the Rubber Souldiers set here. Also, view a photo gallery by Alan Hess as well as a gallery by Bob Minkin.

RtE volunteer Chris Bramble, RtE Staffers Tree Plant and Steve Tighe and RtE Summer Intern Raphael Schiffman.

Special thanks to Mike Presto at Gone Global Productions, to Neil Glazer, Shaun Dolan, Jenny Vyskocil, Steve Block, Dan Braun, Chez Ray, Fritz Frisbee, Howard Krouk and Clif Bar, and to all of the artists and their management, the vendors, and all the rest of the folks who volunteered their time, attended and/or made contributions to make this festival the success that it was.

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Federal Judge Rocks Bush Administration's Forest Plan

On September 20, a U.S. District Court judge in San Francisco reinstated President Clinton's Roadless Rule that sharply curtails development in nearly 60 million acres of national forests, setting aside a decision by the Bush administration last year to replace that measure by one considerably less stringent.

The decision Tuesday by Judge Elizabeth Laporte came in a case filed by several environmental groups and four states, after the U.S. Forest Service last year replaced the Clinton roadless plan with one requiring states to petition for protection of roadless forests. Judge Laporte concluded the Forest Service failed to follow proper environmental procedures when it issued the rule allowing states to file petitions. Critics of the new plan said it would open pristine forests to logging, mining and other activities. The Bush administration has argued its plan would still protect the forests, without locking up vast tracts of forests from industrial and recreational uses.

Rock the Earth, while not a party to the litigation, has been working on this issue for over a year. Last summer, RtE began a public education campaign, followed by a fall petition drive asking the Department of Agriculture (DOA) to reinstate the Roadless Rule. While action by the DOA has not yet been taken, RtE celebrates the District Court decision, noting that increased public pressure with regard to this issue has surely led many in the legal community to question the Administration's actions and procedures imposed by the Bush rule.

For more information, reference last October's newsletter or visit our website.

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Turn Your Search Into Dollars for RtE

Rock the Earth is excited to partner with internet search engine Good Search for a new way to help Defend the Planet One Search at a Time. Good Search works just like any other search engine, with the exception that each search you conduct will directly benefit Rock the Earth. At one cent per search, it's remarkable how quickly the dollars add up.

To get started, visit www.GoodSearch.com and type in "Rock the Earth" under the "I'm Supporting" button. With that, every search you conduct will directly benefit Rock the Earth. You can even check the progress being made by Rock the Earth members. If only 1000 friends of Rock the Earth utilize the Good Search engine, we would raise nearly $8,000 in a year.

Remember to set your home page or search engine to www.GoodSearch.com and raise money for Rock the Earth more easily than ever!

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Rockin' the Earth Has Its Perks!

Become a member of Rock the Earth and take advantage of some great membership benefits! RtE Members receive discounts on concerts and festivals, special members-only merchandise offers, 10% off EcoExpress gift baskets and 20% off SCIGear and Bamboosa products. For a limited time only, RtE Members receive 20% off Bonnie Raitt's merchandise at www.bonnieraitt.com.

Email us at Membership@RockTheEarth.org to find out how to take advantage of these special benefits!

Send your friends (or yourself!) great gift baskets of bath & beauty products, music from around the world, scrumptious organic treats or games and gardening kits from EcoExpress! Visit their website, www.ecoexpress.com to see their wide selection!

Support sustainability and enjoy breathable, durable clothing that is as soft as silk with Bamboosa's 100% bamboo clothing. Bamboo is nature's most sustainable resource, grown without pesticides and 100% biodegradable. Bamboosa is a member of 1% for the Planet and all products are made in America. Go to www.bamboosa.com to read more about their great products.

Join Rock the Earth today!

Want to Give Something Back? Volunteer with Rock the Earth!
You see us all across the country at concerts and festivals, but did you know that RtE is run almost entirely by volunteers? That's right, most of our work is accomplished through the dedication of our board of directors, Volunteer Staff members, interns and volunteers around the country.

There's a lot of work to be done and we need your help through generous membership donations and volunteer efforts to keep our projects and tour schedule going strong! If you're interested in volunteering at concerts and festivals, or with one of our committees, please email us at Volunteer@RockTheEarth.org to find out how you can help Rock the Earth!

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Summer Tour: The End of the Road

Keb Mo, RtE Executive Director Marc Ross, Bonnie Raitt, RtE Summer Outreach Intern Raphael Schiffman.

Since our last edition, Rock the Earth's Summer Education and Outreach Tour rejoined the Bela Fleck & the Flecktones' Acoustic Planet Tour, which traveled from the northeast to the southeast with RtE in tow. In Raleigh, when the tour ended, we commenced our work with the legendary Allman Brothers Band (and Gov't Mule). This tour took us back up the coast with stops in New Jersey, New Hampshire, Massachusets and Pennsylvania, before heading west to our hometown of Denver. While in Denver, we experienced our most successful single night. On a cold and rainy evening at historic Red Rocks Amphitheatre, RtE gained 44 new members! It was a busy and exhausting night, crushing all previous records. Thanks to the ABB fans, band and management for their support on our maiden tour with y'all!

After heading back to the west coast, we rejoined the Dave Matthews Band for the remainder of their tour, while also rejoining Bonnie Raitt and Keb' Mo' for their western swing through California, Arizona and New Mexico.

As this issue of Rock the Earth Notes goes to press, our third Summer Education and Outreach Tour is nearing its end. This summer, Rock the Earth had a presence on eight major tours (Dave Matthews Band, Bonnie Raitt, String Cheese Incident/Ratdog, Guster/Ray LaMontange, Bon Jovi/Nickelback, Bela Fleck & the Flecktones' Acoustic Planet Tour and the Allman Brothers/Gov't Mule tours). We crisscrossed the country twice, utilized seven hard-working interns, were present at over 75 events and over 100 concert dates, and gained over 500 members, bringing our total membership to over 1,300 members. This was all due to the help of our growing band of volunteers which numbered over 30 this summer. Thanks to interns Chandra Ruff, Kathryn Blau, Bridget Carey, Jenny Schumacher, Sarah Tell, Raphael Schiffman and Liz Pattison. Special thanks to all who helped out at concerts and festivals this summer, to the bands who invited us along, and to the hundreds of you who signed up for membership this summer! Our grassroots movement continues to grow exponentially, and this is entirely due to your commitment to create a better planet for us all.

Rockin' in the Free World,
Marc Ross
Executive Director

For stories from the road, show reviews, pictures and set lists, check out our Tour Blog. For the latest news and tour dates, see the RtE website.

Win Tickets to See Michael Franti & Spearhead and Kan'Nal - For Members Only!
If you are a paid member of Rock the Earth (and your membership is up to date), you can win a pair of tickets to see RtE Advisory Board Member Michael Franti & Spearhead at the Denver Fillmore for FREE! We're giving away three (3) pairs of tickets for their historic run (Oct. 20th and 21st). If you would like to be entered into the contest, write to info@rocktheearth.org with a subject line being: Spearhead Tix. Deadline to enter is October 10th. Winners will be contacted by email on October 15th.

Kan'Nal Halloween: Win free tickets to the Journey to the Underworld Masquerade Ball!
Primal rhythm, swirling dancers, ancient instruments and futuristic technologies blend with mythic archetypes and alternative rock to create a musical, visual and sensual experience. Kan'Nal and Rock the Earth are teaming up to offer winning members a pair of free tickets to their choice of the following Kan'Nal Journey to the Underworld Masquerade Ball shows this October:

Oct 20: Boulder Theater Boulder, CO
Oct 27: Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom, Denver, CO
Oct 31: Suede, Salt Lake City, UT

Journey to the Underworld with Kan'Nal this Halloween! If you would like to be entered into the contest, write to info@rocktheearth.org with the subject line: Kan'Nal Tix. Deadline to enter is October 10th. Winners will be contacted by email on October 15th.

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Kathy Kane Rocks the Earth: Interview

Kathy Kane resides in Los Angeles. She is Bonnie Raitt's Manager, Founder and Ex. Director of the ARIA Foundation, co-creator of the Green Highway touring festival, and mother of a three-year-old daughter.

1. What environmental issue(s) do you consider to be the most critical at this time?

Fair elections and accurate, reliable voting machines are so critical. Alternative Energy and reducing our dependence on oil ranks up really high for me personally. My nonprofit called the ARIA Foundation (Artist Resources In Action) has two awesome projects: GreenHighway.net, which is a touring festival that Bonnie Raitt and I started in 2002 where we work to reduce her tours' impact on the environment. We wind offset her concerts and use BioDiesel in her tour trucks and buses, and we invite local nonprofit organizations working on alternative energy, no nukes, etc. to come out and talk with concertgoers at the shows. We were just able to upgrade to B100 in Bonnie's buses and trucks this tour and are very excited as four years ago, putting BioD in trucks and buses was not an easy task at all! The truck that experimented with us first was the truck that Honda sent out on our 2002 summer tour to carry two hybrid cars we put out on display at each show.

There's another project in ARIA called REVERB which was started by a member of the band GUSTER (Adam Gardner) and his wife Lauren. They are totally awesome. Reverb is coordinating Green Highway on Bonnie's tour, integrating activism into more and more concert tours, doing a great job lessening bands' touring impact through BioD, wind offsetting shows, and doing lots of awesome greening of the music industry. You know this though, that's how we connected with Rock the Earth!

2. What has inspired you to combine environmental activism with your music?

I studied International Economic Relations of Developing Countries in college but took a job when I graduated as the Environmental Director of a nightclub called WETLANDS in Manhattan. That was my introduction to working in the music industry, running merchandise programs AND nonprofit working groups, coordinating benefits AND helping bands reach their fans, so it was balancing music and activism-- and that's what got me started. A few bands created a festival and asked if I wanted to come help "green" the festival so I ended up out on the HORDE Tour with Blues Traveler, Phish, Widespread Panic, Dave Matthews and lots of great bands, coordinating nonprofit's tabling, and the second year I also coordinated all the concourse "festival" activities like vendors and games, etc. I left the HORDE after the second year to become the Music Industry Liaison at Greenpeace, coordinating canvassers out on concert tours, lining up talent for demos, coordinating entertainment for the rallies and press conferences, etc. After about five years of doing that I decided to move to California, started the ARIA Foundation and then hooked up with Bonnie Raitt, and have been working with her ever since. She's a true inspiration of how to combine environmental activism with a music career.

3. Where is your favorite place in nature to go to find solace or inspiration?

The New England coastline.

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Rockin the Earth On Tour: Photo

RtE Summer Education and Outreach Tour interns Sarah Tell and Raphael Schiffman.