texascavers Digest 17 Mar 2011 13:24:03 -0000 Issue 1267
Topics (messages 17378 through 17385):
Re: Off Topic - Where's the REAL OT List?
17378 by: Louise Power
Bluegrass Unerground performance in Cumberland Caverns to air on PBS :
17379 by: JerryAtkin.aol.com
Blue Harness, anyone?
17380 by: Mallory Mayeux
ON TOPIC - TSA Spring Convention
17381 by: Sheryl Rieck
17383 by: germanyj.aol.com
Re: TSA Spring convention 2011 Website
17382 by: Don Arburn
NCRC Weeklong 2011-Puerto Rico
17384 by: Lydia Hernandez
TSA Convention Bag O' Fun - Saturday, April 2nd at Fort Clark Springs,
Brackettville, TX
17385 by: Mark.Alman.L-3com.com
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--- Begin Message ---
For those of you who wanted it, the OT address is:
o...@texascavers.com
People used it for awhile after it was established, but sort of veered off
after a time.
List-Post: texascavers@texascavers.com
Date: Wed, 16 Mar 2011 02:26:13 -0500
From: rod.g...@earthlink.net
To: Texascavers@texascavers.com
Subject: Re: [Texascavers] Off Topic - Where's the REAL OT List?
R D asked,
"Is it that difficult to post other material in a separate place?"
Unfortunately, it is quite difficult for anyone who has no clue about how to do
it, and I suspect that most of the subscribers to Texascavers fall into this
category. During the last several years, I've seen a number of messages on this
list asking people to take various topics to the mysterious OT list, but I
don't think I've ever seen a message explaining how to do that. No wonder
nobody (or practically nobody) uses it!
If we want people to make use of a "REAL OT List" then we need to make sure
that there is an easy way for people to read it and to post messages there, and
we need to publicize the directions enough on Texascavers so that people will
actually know how to do it. Also, whenever a new discussion thread begins on
the OT list, it would be useful for someone to alert us with a brief message
posted to Texascavers. Otherwise, people interested in an OT topic are liable
to miss the discussion by not checking the OT list, in which case, writers will
be tempted to post everything to the regular Texascavers list, because they
think no one is reading the OT list.
Rod
----------------------
From: R D Milhollin
Sent: Mar 15, 2011 9:28 PM
To: Cave Texas
Subject: [Texascavers] Off Topic - Where's the REAL OT List?
There has been a lot of non-cave, non-caving, and non-caver posting here
lately. I remember (and subscribed to) a separate list that I understood was
expressly for that sort of stuff: cavers posting about non-cave-related topics.
Does anyone else remember this? Seems that my mailbox set to receive caving
stuff is getting filled up with other, unrelated material.
I expect to read about WNS, caving trips, convention and meeting announcements,
news about fellow cavers, cave cleanups, cave publications, and other
information I can't find anywhere else, or nearly anywhere else here on the
Texas Cavers list. Is it that difficult to post other material in a separate
place?
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--- Begin Message ---
Bluegrass Underground Brings Concerts to PBS this Fall
(http://www.cybergrass.com/modules.php?name=News&new_topic=10) _BMNN_
(http://www.cybergrass.com/modules.php?name=Your_Account&op=userinfo&username=BMN
N) wrote: on Mar. 16, 2011:
Nashville, TN -- Organizers of the acclaimed music event series Bluegrass
Underground today announced a partnership to bring this unique "musical
adventure" to PBS this fall. Bluegrass Underground is taped in the Volcano
Room, 333-feet deep within Cumberland Caverns near McMinnville, TN. The
12-part
concert series premieres on PBS in September, 2011.
Bluegrass Underground concerts have aired on country music's flagship
radio station, 650 WSM-AM since 2008, but now a partnership of Loblolly
Ventures, WCTE-DTV (PBS) in Cookeville, TN, and Emmy Award-winning producer
Todd
Jarrell have developed this unique series for distribution on PBS.
"PBS is constantly seeking fresh ways to engage our audience through
nature, culture and the arts," says John F. Wilson, PBS Senior Vice President
and
Chief TV Programming Executive, "and Bluegrass Underground combines all of
these in every extraordinary show."
"We're pleased that PBS is as excited about Bluegrass Underground as we
are," says Todd Mayo, the series creator and Loblolly Ventures president.
"This series represents Tennessee's two finest exports: our rich, musical
culture and our state's abiding natural beauty. The majestic acoustic
properties
and visual beauty of the cave and the authenticity of the musicians who
comprise Season One make this a truly immersive musical adventure."
The series is, as Mayo puts it, "A little bit bluegrass, a little bit
underground," with performing artists covering the spectrum of
Bluegrass-Jazzgrass-Americana-Gospel-Roots music. Season One acts include:
Ricky Skaggs &
Kentucky Thunder, Darrell Scott, 18 South, Mike Farris and the McCrary
Sisters, Cherryholmes, Justin Townes Earle, Mountain Heart, Will Hoge, John
Cowan, Monte Montgomery and the Farewell Drivters.
Taped in High Definition with 5.1 Surround Sound, the combination of a
studio quality acoustic cavern and top creative talent promises viewers "an
eye-popping presentation of one of the most visually amazing and acoustically
true venues there is on-or under-the earth," says television producer
Jarrell.
"We are so proud to be presenting Bluegrass Underground on PBS," says WCTE
CEO Becky Magura. "This program will be a tremendous asset for WCTE and a
unique addition to PBS' stable of musical and cultural offerings."
Underwriters of the television series will include the Tennessee Department
of Tourist Development, Nissan and The City of McMinnville. "Our partners
believe in the series, and for their support we are truly grateful," says
producer Jarrell.
"Bluegrass Underground is the marriage of two of Tennessee's best assets -
our world-class music and our stunning natural beauty," said Commissioner
Susan Whitaker, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. "Now, thanks to
PBS, all of America will discover this truly unique American treasure."
Discovered in 1810, the 32-mile long Cumberland Caverns system is a
registered U.S. National Natural Landmark, attracting thousands of visitors
from
around the world each year. The subterranean descent to the Volcano Room
takes visitors past an underground pool and waterfall to the 500-seat natural
amphitheatre carved by water over 3.5 million years.
"Bluegrass Underground has allowed us to showcase our caverns to a new and
much larger demographic. We are seeing visitors who have never visited a
cave before, come back again to see more." says Teddy Jones, General Manager
of Cumberland Caverns
Upcoming shows of Bluegrass Underground, performed in front of a studio
audience, feature Emmitt-Nershi Band on April 23 and Alecia Nugent on May 14
_http://www.cybergrass.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=8599_
(http://www.cybergrass.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=8599)
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Apparently after the huge Honey Creek trip(s) last month, I came home with
the wrong seat harness. (I just discovered this last night at the grotto
vertical practice.) Did anyone come home with a blue GGG Ultralight Harness,
instead of blue regular seat harness? Also, mine should have a gold locking
carabiner attached to it.
I'm thinking the mixup occurred because I left my harness lying around by
the shaft entrance, and someone else grabbed it by mistake (or I grabbed
yours first). Please shoot me an email to mmay...@gmail.com to arrange a
swap. :) Thanks!
-Mallory
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--- Begin Message ---
I am sure it is posted somewhere, but I can't seem to find it. Can someone
tell me where to find details about the spring convention? You know, like
where it is specifically? :-)
Thanks.
Sheryl
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--- Begin Message ---
http://www.cavetexas.org/events/TSASC/tsasc2011.html
2011 TSA Spring Convention
April 1st - 3rd, 2011
Fort Clark Springs Brackettville, TX
-----Original Message-----
From: Sheryl Rieck <sheryl.ri...@gmail.com>
To: TexasCavers <texascavers@texascavers.com>
Sent: Wed, Mar 16, 2011 4:15 pm
Subject: [Texascavers] ON TOPIC - TSA Spring Convention
I am sure it is posted somewhere, but I can't seem to find it. Can someone tell
me where to find details about the spring convention? You know, like where it
is specifically? :-)
Thanks.
Sheryl
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--- Begin Message ---
Don's iPhone.
Begin forwarded message:
> From: "ellie :)" <ellie.tho...@gmail.com>
> Date: February 22, 2011 12:00:10 PM CST
> To: Butch Fralia <bfra...@maverickgrotto.org>
> Cc: Don Arburn <donarb...@mac.com>
> Subject: TSA Spring convention 2011 Website
>
> Butch,
>
> Could you update the photo section of the website to say:
>
> Categories:
>
> Print (Black & White, Color)
>
> Digital (Black & White, Color)
>
> Each photographer is limited to 2 entries per category.
>
> and all the rest of the stuff can stay the same. I will get an edited entry
> form to you later.
>
> THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
>
> Ellie
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--- Begin Message ---
I'm wondering if anyone is going to the Cave Rescue Operations and Management
Seminar in Puerto Rico on April 16-23 and would be interested in stay there a
couple of more days to vacation??
Peace2u.
Lydia
UTgrotto
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--- Begin Message ---
Well, Kiss My Blarney Stone! It's only two weeks until the best spring
caving convention in Texas!
Just a few reminders and updates from the caving bag o' fun to run by
y'all:
1.) One new item has been added to the agenda for the riveting and
always exciting TSA Spring Business Meeting (immediately after the talks
Saturday at ~4:40:
2011 Spring Business Meeting, Spring Convention at Fort Clark Springs,
TX, Saturday, April 2nd, 2011, Texas Speleological Association
Agenda
* Welcome and Introductions
* Chairman's Report
* Vice Chairman's Report
* Secretary's Report - Minutes of 2011 Winter Business Meeting
held at the TSS Offices on the UT Campus, Sunday, January 23rd, 2011
* Treasurers Report
* TSA Projects - Jim Kennedy
* Gov't Canyon - Marvin Miller
* Colorado Bend State Park - Crash
* Longhorn Cavern Project (On hold - TPWD
Approval) - Mark Alman
* Inner Space Caverns Project (Starting in
September) - Gerry Geletzke & Mark Alman
* Hill Country State Natural Area & Devils River -
Rob Bissett and Joe Ranzau
* Future Project Ideas
* Standing Committee Reports
* TSA Website - Butch Fralia
* Membership Chair - Ryan Monjaras
* Conservation Committee - Open and Jim Kennedy (WNS
Update)
* Safety and Techniques - David Ochel
* Publications - Mark Alman
* The TEXAS CAVER and status of online access to
back issues.
* TSA Store - Lee Jay Graves
* Old Business
* The 100th trip of the Government Canyon Karst Survey
Celebration, Saturday, March 5th
* New Business
o TSA Brochure
o Membership Drive
o Membership Directory Constitution Change (New Item)
o The Constitution states:
The Treasurer prepares a budget for the fiscal year, maintains the
membership database, and insures the database is available
electronically to the membership.
The key word is "electronically". And it later states:
The Membership Committee shall consist of the Database Manager, the TSA
Secretary,
the TSA Treasurer, a representative of the Publications Committee, and
other appointed members.
b. The committee will develop data to be made available to TSA officers,
committees, member
organizations, affiliated organizations, and members for conducting
caving business.
The committee insures the membership database is published annually and
is not made available to the general public.
These two statements seem conflicting and publishing a Members Directory
is a small expense in the large scheme of things but, nevertheless,
still a waste of money.
The TSA Board of Officers is recommending that the red line above be
deleted from the Constitution and the Members Directory be made
available electronically in the Members Area of the TSA webpage.
* Announcements?
* End of Meeting (Let's go home!)
2.) The Kickapoo Caverns trips will be Sunday, April 3rd.
Please meet at the gate to Kickapoo State Park at 10 AM and, after the
TCMA meeting, at 11 AM.
Cost is the standard TPWD entry fee of $3 per adult (12 YO and older).
Kids can cave for free. Fee will be waived if you have a Gold Passport.
Must furnish #.
The main room and Wishing Well areas will be open for visitation. The
Helectite Room and Graffiti Room are off limits, as is Stuart Bat Cave.
We will be collecting the fee at Registration and you must sign a waiver
form for you and yours there, as well.
Do not miss this opportunity to visit one of the state's largest and
most impressive caves (one of my favorites!) and behold the grandest and
most photographed set of columns in the state!
This is very easily accessible cave and is an excellent one for cavers,
young, old, new, and armchair!
3.) From Ellie:
TSA Spring Convention is almost here! You are invited to join the Texas
Speleological Society and fellow Texas cavers for a relaxing weekend in
the unique oasis and National Register Historic District of Fort Clark
Springs. The TSA, founded in 1956, has been bringing Texas cavers
together for over 50 years. Meet fellow cavers and project leaders from
around the state. This is a great chance to get involved with ongoing
projects and create future caving opportunities for all.
Registration has increased slightly to $15 per person plus $5 per person
per night camping (kids camp free). Family rate is $45.
On Saturday, April 2nd, you can fill your day with informative
presentations from cavers about developments in cave sciences, project
updates, national and international exploration, and much more. Roger
Moore and Mallory Mayeux have done an amazing job at lining up
presenters that will delight all audiences. The presentations will be
held at the Service Center which accommodates 300 people and has AC,
bathrooms, and a kitchen. Participate in the Photo & Map Salon by
entering your latest and greatest works for all to enjoy.
Stay for the evening group meal provided by Stefan and the Caver Cooking
Crew. After the meal, Map and Photo Salon winners and prizes will be
announced and then everyone will have a chance to participate in the
TCMA auction. Shiner will be providing adult beverages.
And just for the kids.... an Easter Egg Hunt first thing on Sunday
morning!
Spend the weekend lazing with friends in the lush Rendezvous Park
campground right next to the crystal clear, on million gallon spring-fed
pool. The campground is shaded, private, hugs the creek and is just a
few steps from the pool, Service Center, and motels. The pool area has
bathrooms, showers, and potable water Well behaved pets are welcome at
the campground. There is a motel on site. Please make your own
reservations at the Fort Clark Springs website-
http://99.139.198.182:1069/ <http://99.139.198.182:1069/>
Hope to see you there!
Ellie Watson
TSA Vice Chair
ellie.tho...@gmail.com <mailto:ellie.tho...@gmail.com>
TSA Spring Convention site:
http://cavetexas.org/events/TSASC/tsasc2010.html
<http://cavetexas.org/events/TSASC/tsasc2010.html>
Fort Clark Springs site: http://99.139.198.182:1069/
<http://99.139.198.182:1069/>
For Facebook users: www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=118366598218649
<http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=118366598218649>
Info at: http://www.cavetexas.org/events/TSASC/tsasc2011.html
<http://www.cavetexas.org/events/TSASC/tsasc2011.html>
4.) Gear adjustment and safety workshop
Howdy all you Texas vertical cavers,
Becky Jones and David Ochel will be hosting this excellent workshop at
the Spring Convention.
Saturday, 5 - 7 pm
This is for everybody who owns vertical gear.
Do you feel you are lacking efficiency when climbing on rope? Do you
have basic knowledge on how to get up and down a rope, but you never
learned (or have forgotten) about basic safety protocols and
precautions? Do you have particular questions about aspects of single
rope technique or pieces of your vertical kit?
This will be a loosely structured workshop, based on participants' needs
and interest. The objective is to review whatever questions you might
have, with the goal of improving the overall safety awareness and
competency of Texas' vertical caving community. Bring your own gear - we
will aim to have ropes set up for gear adjustment and review of
techniques, but this is *not* an introduction to vertical caving for
those who have never been on rope. (Ask your local Grotto for such
training opportunities.)
Thanks for your patience and understanding formy long-winded
announcements. There's a pot of gold and a mug of green beer for you for
enduring these! Hit me up in two weeks and I'll see what I can do.
The TSA hopes to see you there in two weeks!
Top o' the morning to ya!
Mark
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