DOGSTOCK '08 Volume II's LINE UP TBA ... MANY SURPRISES TO COME ... KEEP CHECKING THE LISTINGS (what a party!)
SPONSORS, CARPENTERS, ELECTRICIANS, PRODUCTION AND VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED ASAP!!! ANYONE INTERESTED IN PUTTING HIS OR HER TIME OR EFFORTS TO GREATER USE, PLEASE CONTACT US AT: 785-214-1182 OR 785-746-5592. VOLUNTEERS ARE WELCOME AT OUR SANCTUARY! DONATIONS OF TIME, DOG GROOMING, DOG WALKING, REPAIR AND RENOVATIONS, TALENT, MONEY AND SUPPLIES ARE ALWAYS APPRECIATED AND NEEDED. PLEASE SEND ANY MONETARY DONATIONS TO:
AARF HUMANE SANCTUARY
6206 E. 317TH STREET
MELVERN, KANSAS 66510
You will receive a tax receipt for donations beyond the admission donation.
REMEMBER, ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE HOMELESS FURRY CRITTERS AND OUR FOUNDATION'S MISSION AT THE RESCUE SANCTUARY, SO DO A GOOD THING AND GET THE HUGE BONUS OF FOUR DAYS AND NIGHTS OF CAMPING, FUN AND GREAT MUSIC!!!
Rural property - enter at your own risk ... be sure to bring your OFF!
DIRECTIONS TO DOGSTOCK:
From KANSAS CITY
Take I-35 south on just over an hour's drive
(depending on where you start from in KC) past Olathe, Edgerton,
Gardner, Wellsville, Baldwin City, Ottawa and Homewood to the
Williamsburg / Pomona exit (170). At the end of the off ramp turn right
on John Brown Road . After the Sinclair it turns to gravel. Continue four
miles to S. Stanley Road . Just before the intersection you will see a
sideways "T" sign indicating you can't turn right or north on Stanley .
Ignoring this sign you turn right on Stanley and continue roughly a
quarter mile to the fourth gate on your right.
From TOPEKA
Take 75 south about forty miles to the Melvern Lake /
Melvern exit (31). Turn left toward Melvern at end of off ramp (4
miles). At stop sign continue east (forward), crossing railroad tracks
as road turns to gravel. Continue three miles to S. Shawnee Heights.
Turn south (right) on Shawnee Heights . Go one mile and turn east
(left) on 317th. Just before going a mile on 317th, you will see a
sideways "T" sign indicating you can't turn left or north at the Stanley
Road intersection. Ignoring that sign you will turn left or north and
proceed roughly a quarter mile to the fourth gate on your right.
From LAWRENCE
Take 59 south about twenty five miles to Ottawa . Turn
right on 68. Follow the signs and you will continue on 68 from Ottawa
through Pomona and into Osage County . One mile into the county 68 turns
south (left) to Quenemo. Continue forward when 68 turns back west
(right). DO NOT CONTINUE ON 68! Going forward (south) you will cross
the railroad tracks and the road turns to gravel. You are on Stubbs
Road . Continue about four miles to 317th. Turn west (right). In just
under a mile you will see a sideways "T" sign indicating you can't turn
right or north on Stanley . Ignoring this sign you turn right on Stanley
and continue roughly a quarter mile to the fourth gate on your right.
From EMPORIA (and Wichita)
Take I-35 N (actually east) about 35 miles to the
Williamsburg / Pomona exit (170). At the end of the off ramp turn left
going back under I-35, past the Sinclair. The road turns to gravel. You
are on John Brown Road which turns into 317th in two miles. You will go
four miles past the Sinclair to Stanley Road . Just before the
intersection you will see a sideways "T" sign indicating you can't turn
right or north on Stanley . Ignoring this sign you turn right on Stanley
and continue roughly a quarter mile to the fourth gate on your right.
From BURLINGTON
Take 75 north about 25 miles to the Melvern Lake /
Melvern exit (31). Turn left toward Melvern at end of off ramp (4
miles). At stop sign continue east (forward), crossing railroad tracks
as road turns to gravel. Continue three miles to S. Shawnee Heights.
Turn south (right) on Shawnee Heights . Go one mile and turn east
(left) on 317th. Just before going a mile on 317th, you will see a
sideways "T" sign indicating you can't turn left or north at the Stanley
Road intersection. Ignoring that sign you will turn left or north and
proceed roughly a quarter mile to the fourth gate on your right.
WHY WE DO THIS EVENT
We do this for the Akita Adoption and Rescue Foundation, a 501C-3 non profit and a Kansas licensed shelter, though we look at it a bit more as a sanctuary, not only for the dogs, but the wildlife on our 81 acres as well. Sadly, we are the only licensed SHELTER in Osage County. You don't want to know what they call animal control.
Our event is an eclectic four day music and camping celebration of the dogs that is scheduled for August 14 - 17, 2008 benefiting the AARF Sanctuary which is located on the 81 acre farm that is home to all the rescued animals and their friends and caretakers, Randy Long, Suzie Long and Kendra Olson at the Akita Adoption and Rescue Foundation. This is a multi-faceted, pet-friendly all ages event designed to raise awareness of crucial animal welfare issues as well as, hopefully raising much needed funds for the dogs. Dogstock has become an exciting and much anticipated community event each festival.
Everyone comments on the peaceful, happy vibe. One of the main goals of AARF is to raise community awareness of this and other rescue groups' efforts and to highlight the availability of healthy animals looking for good homes that are in shelters and rescues. Saving a life is a pretty cool thing to do.
Far more animals can be saved through education than all the hands on work put together though and the universal language of music is what we put our faith in to uplift hearts and minds. Animal lovers are invited to bring their lucky dog to the festival, however all pets must be spayed/neutered and have a current vaccination record and all children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
As an aside I would note we feed 800 lbs of premium kibble per week along with 10 gallons of freshly cooked jambalaya each day. We are currently caring for close to 80 dogs, a pony and a rescued abused parrot along with the most unique "pride" of feral kitties you've ever seen.
Though we rescue more Akitas than not, we have many mixes as well as some horribly neglected and abused dogs dropped off in the middle of the night. It warms our hearts to see how these dogs blossom under our care as we work on their rehabilitation and resocialization.
We also specialize in special needs dogs and older dogs. These are some of the most rewarding relationships we develop. We have stories that are so wonderful including an elderly Akita we adopted to a family with a seriously epileptic child. The dog started predicting his seizures and getting help! Before he succumbed to old age Jake had "cured" the boy of his seizures.
Other stories include folks who adopted a dog one day and the next were protected from intruders. Dogs give us unconditional love and when we allow 8 to ten million to be killed yearly because they were inconvenient that is unforgivable. Endless puppymill breeding in the midwest along with some real lunatic backyard breeders are perpetuating this situation along with owners who don't take their responsibilities seriously. Because we are rural, we have few volunteers and fewer donors, so Dogstock will hopefully become a major source of fundraising. It sure has helped provide a voice for the voiceless as music is the universal language; even with dogs!
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Influences
Rock, folk, blues, jam, bluegrass, progressive rock, jazz ...
Sounds Like
ANYONE WHO WAS HERE LAST JULY FOR THE FOUR STAGE FIVE DAY EXTRAVAGANZA WITH EVERYONE FROM PAT TRAVERS TO SUPERGROUPS BANYAN AND THE WILLIE WALDMAN PROJECT TO GARAJ MAHAL, TO PAPA MALI TO NEW RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE TO JEFF SCHEETZ TO MOZELY ROSE TO KERRY LIVGREN'S PROTO-KAW (ORIGINAL KANSAS) TO JAMES McMURTRY TO THE CODETALKERS TO GREEN LEMON TO REVEREND PEYTON AND ON AND ON ...
IF YOU WERE HERE FOR THE FIVE DAYS, IF YOU SAW THE CAMPING AREAS, IF YOU SAW THE CROWDS AT THE STAGES, IF YOU NOTICED ANY FUNNY BUSINESS BY THE SO CALLED CO PROMOTER AND HIS PEOPLE WHO WERE RUNNING THE GATES WITH THE SECURITY GUYS, RUNNING THE THREE TENT STAGES, AND CONSTANTLY TOOLING ABOUT IN GOLF CARTS THEY WRECKED WITH ABANDON AND WORSE ... WHETHER YOU HAVE PHOTOS TAPE OR JUST EYE WITNESS ACCOUNTS, WE NEED THEM TO DEFEND US AND OUR SANCTUARY AGAINST CHARGES WHICH SHOULD BE DIRECTED AT THE FOR PROFIT "CO-PROMOTERS" WHO STOLE MONEY ON EVERY END IMAGINABLE BY THE THOUSANDS! PLEASE E-MAIL US THROUGH MYSPACE AND WE WILL BE GRATEFUL IF YOU GIVE US A NAME AND PHONE NUMBER WE CAN CALL AND REACH YOU AT.
Peace and Good Karma to Those Who Have Toiled to Deserve it ...
Randy Long
Director, AARF Humane Sanctuary
Co-Host of DOGSTOCK
About THE MUSICAL CELEBRATION OF THE DOGS 08/14-17/08
$60 DONATION AT GATE PER NORMAL VEHICLE COVERS CAMPING, PARKING AND AMAZING ENTERTAINMENT FROM THE TOP UP AND COMING NATIONAL AND REGIONAL ACTS PLUS A SURPRISE OR TWO ... FOR ALL FOUR DAYS AND NIGHTS TO BENEFIT A GREAT CAUSE! SLIGHTLY HIGHER DONATION SUGGESTED FOR CAMPERS AND RVs.FRIENDLY VENDORS FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE ... VENDOR INQUIRIES WELCOME.
GATES OPEN EARLY WEDNESDAY AND DON'T CLOSE UNTIL MONDAY AFTERNOON!!!
THIS WILL BE SUCH A JAMMIN' OPEN HOUSE/PARTY!!! BEAUTIFUL SECLUDED CAMPING ON 81 ACRES OF RUSTIC PRIVATE PROPERTY, GREAT ENTERTAINMENT AND THE DOGGIES! ALL PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE ANIMALS AT OUR NO KILL SANCTUARY AND THE MISSION OF OUR FOUNDATION.
NO ALCOHOL ON SALE ONSITE THIS YEAR AT OUR EVENTS! YOU ARE ALSO ENCOURAGED TO COOK OUT IN FIRE CIRCLES AND GRILLS APPROPRIATE TO THE SEASON AND THE POTENTIAL FOR LESS MOISTURE AND MORE HEAT!!! COME PREPARED WITH YOUR FAVORITE BEVERAGES AND WHATEVER FOOD YOU LIKE, HAVE THE TAILGATE PARTY OF A LIFETIME AND SAVE $$$!!! GREAT FOOD AND NONALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AVAILABLE TOO!!! BEAUTIFUL RUSTIC AND SECLUDED CAMPING! RVs AND GENERATORS ALLOWED!
THE WEATHER IS BEAUTIFUL DOWN HERE IN MID AUGUST IF A BIT WARM; THE BANDS WILL BE JAMMIN', THE VIBE IS RADIANT! COME JOIN US FOR FOUR WONDEROUS DAYS AUGUST 14 - 17 THIS YEAR ON 81 BEAUTIFUL PRIVATE ACRES -- EVERY DOLLAR OF YOUR DONATION GOES DIRECTLY TO THE CAUSE! AND REMEMBER TO SUPPORT OUR LOCAL OSAGE COUNTY MERCHANTS!
ALL TALENT IS DONATED. SPECIAL THANKS TO LARRY MILLER AND HIS AMAZING SOUND AND LIGHT CREW WHO DONATE THEIR GEAR, EXPERTISE AND VALUABLE TIME ALONG WITH EVERYONE FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! REMEMBER -- IT'S ALL ABOUT THE DOGS!
Things got a little soggy during our May Dogstock Celebration of the Dogs, but those who made it out and stayed got an unbelievable line up of amazing musicians.
AS A NON PROFIT FOUNDATION YOUR DONATIONS TO THE DOGS (beyond the admission donation) MAY BE TAX DEDUCTIBLE. ASK YOUR TAX ADVISER FOR DETAILS. MANY THANKS FROM THE DOGGIES!!!
AN OPEN LETTER FROM RANDY LONG DATED JUNE 7, 2008 ...
My wife Suzie and I are a couple of disabled old children of the sixties and early seventies trying to do the right thing by the animals and the music, despite being persecuted, prosecuted and in my case jailed for our trouble. Our Dogstock Festies have been hits with most everyone here and merchants in the surrounding area for years. Our need is greater than ever, particularly in view of some "co-promoters" and a jackleg agent or two who robbed the animals and us blind leading up to and during the July show last year.
We and our other foundation members and volunteers have been responsible for many hundreds; well over a thousand of adoptions the thirteen + years we've been involved doing animal rescue full time. We are currently caring for over sixty rescued dogs, many feral cats, an elderly pony and a rescued parrot along with our personal assortment of dogs and cats. Much more info on our mission is available on our shelter Petfinder site: www.petfinder.com/shelters/KS16.html.
However, we can never save hands on what simple knowledge of this situation and a bit of pet owner education can accomplish. We are NOT speaking against responsible breeders, but in the big picture and with "commercial breeders" and "backyard breeders" thrown in with the responsible ones the ratio of good to bad is weighted heavily to the bad.
This places innocent, often sick and always unsocialized pets in that pet store window for the children to fantasize and harangue their parents about. Then when problems develop usually the dog is abused, passed around, dumped or killed (they like to call it euthenized but killing is what it is).
Let's not forget that Kansas is the number one or two producer of dogs for pet stores, laboratories, and Greyhound racing year in and year out. This with the attendant "lobbying" of legislators and administrators, to blatant encouragement of dog farming by the state livestock commission which "regulates" read that encourages and facilitates this "business" with maximum profit for the producers and brokers and minimum care for the innocent victims who never asked to be born into such a hell.
These state employed shills for the pet (and laboratory) biz also "regulate" and inspect animal shelters and rescuers with a far different attitude and outcome. Needless to say we speak out against such corporate welfare including huge grants by state and federal government to dog farmers and brokers already making astronomical profits along with similar mortality and illness rates of their victims.
All this plus legislated immunity from clear criminal abuse and neglect as well as very questionable vet care, breeding, weaning and transportation issues regarding their voiceless, suffering "crop" of living sentient beings. Our attitude that we are voices for the voiceless makes us less than popular with some, but loved by those we can save.
Dogstock '08 Volume II will be held at our animal sanctuary and campground Aug. 14-17 this year. Sound and lights are being donated as well as all the talent. Line up and schedule should be set within a few weeks. About the only perks these talented folks who come from everywhere amid rising gas prices on their own dimes for a good cause get are beautiful if rustic shaded camping, good grub plus a tax receipt from our nationally recognized non profit foundation for expenses and talent fees. These receipts for donated talent and expenses are tax deductible in many cases just as any charitable donations are, but we understand in this day and age cash talks a lot louder.
We are very different from any for profit festie as we have no money for the frills many bands and concert goers sometimes expect. Just 81 acres of beautiful shady Osage County Kansas rolling land with a small stream and pond and a happy, peaceful vibe along of course with the animals themselves and their as well as our deep and undying appreciation.
Of course we will have tours of the dogs as always plus some vendors, but we encourage folks to camp out in all ways including grilling their own grub in a safe manner and saving a fortune while adding to their experience. As at the May event we will not have any alcohol for sale though it is allowed in folks' coolers and safe containers.
Another big savings for the public along with the fact the admission donation is always far lower than one would pay for an ordinary fund raising dinner for their favorite shelter or cause lasting no more than a few hours at most, and probably with some old tired boring politician as the "entertainment", yet it also includes camping for four or five days, parking, and the diverse but always superb entertainment. Most music festies aren't even pet friendly. After all as I always say music is the universal language, even with critters.
The eclectic group of national and regional up and coming talent along with the occasional surprise is the big attraction. The quality of our talent tends to be second to none, often superior to many "big stars", but that gets into another discussion entirely of the ultimate oxymoron: monolithic, monopolized corporate creativity. We'll save that for another time. Thank you for your consideration and your support of this worthy cause.
Peace,
Randy Long
AARF Humane Sanctuary
Akita Adoption and Rescue Foundation
Dogstock - A Celebration of the DOGS!
6206 E. 317th ST
Melvern, KS 66510
randog@wildblue.net
785-746-5592
785-214-1182
www.petfinder.com/shelters/KS16.html
www.myspace.com/dogstockmusicfest
You know, Dogstock is such a good deal. It's so organic and genuine. I came last summer and it was the best five days of my life. It was just wonderful. I can't wait to come back!
