Gordon Clay here. You may have "heard" about Burning Man. What you heard probably came from news articles or gossip from people who haven't been there. You'd probably get a very different story from someone who has.

Well, here's your chance. Last year was my 10th visit Burning Man. Over the years, I have purchased virtually every book and DVD that has been shown on the burningman.com web site - that's 11 DVDs and 8 books with incredible pictures. During this Saturday's Art Walk, I will be showing the videos and have the books available to thumb through in the small conference room off the lobby at the Chetco Library from 4-7pm.

True, books, films and photographs don't get anywhere near the actual experiencing things up close and personal. It will give you a sense of what this event, which attracts people from around the world, is like.

Burning Man is about coming together in a beautiful yet unforgiving environment to celebrate radical self-expression. It offers a fully participatory creative experience. It works because of the strong sense of community, inclusion and personal freedom that each Black Rock City citizen practices. It's a unique mix rarely found in modern society. It has several maxims. It's a "gifting society". No selling (except ice and non-alcoholic drinks) and bartering is strongly discouraged. "No spectators" - it's all about individual participation. And "Leave it clearner than you found it." With 50,000 people spread over thirty-six square miles, when BLM comes to check after everyone has cleared out, there isn't any MOOP to be found. (That's Material Out Of Place.) Not a feather, a piece of glitter, a nail, staple, or cirgarette butt anywhere. We're gone and it's gone. Come check things out this Saturday afternoon.