Bagasse to the Rescue!

By Kristine Edwards

When I first visited the Crystal Mine site (part of the Basin Mining Area Superfund Site in Jefferson County, Montana) back in 2006, I was so shocked by how bad it looked that I vowed to myself to get it cleaned up before I retired.

Acid mine drainage from old mines is a big problem in historic mining districts across the U.S. The pH of mine water at the Crystal Mine is around 2.7, which is pretty acidic (on a scale of 1-14, with 7 being neutral pH and what we like to see in uncontaminated water), and carries significant concentrations of heavy metals. In order to treat the drainage, we're working with our contractor on a treatment system.

An environmental contractor was working on mine sites in Peru when they came across a locally grown material that showed a lot of promise for treating acid mine drainage. It's called sugar cane bagasse, a byproduct of sugar cane. The bagasse is a light weight fibrous material. Additional research at the University of Colorado (Boulder) using sugar cane bagasse showed promise even at low pH levels and low temperatures. Since the Crystal Mine site is at 8,000 ft elevation, it can get very cold there in the winter.

 

Sugar cane bagasse sample

 

The bagasse is permeable and promotes biological activity by sulfate-reducing bacteria. This converts sulfate in the drainage to sulfide. Dissolved heavy metals like cadmium, copper, iron, lead, nickel, zinc combine with these sulfides to adhere to the fibers, leaving the water much cleaner.

We're running a treatability study at the Crystal Mine to see if the sugar cane bagasse works better at treating the drainage from this site than the typical methods. The manure and hay, a step in the process, are coming from a nearby barn and the aged wood chips and saw dust are from a local post and pole operation. So, even though the sugar cane bagasse is coming from Louisiana, we'll be using some local materials as well.

This will be a test that, if successful, could simplify treatment of acid mine drainage at other remote mine sites in this region. It would also lower maintenance costs, if it works the way we hope it will. The study will run from mid-June to October, and then it will take us about a month to interpret the results.

I hope to have a make a decision on how to clean up the site and the design plan in place by June 2015. The Superfund cleanup process can be long and it's taken several years to complete the investigation of the site. This treatability study with the sugar cane bagasse will help us design the final treatment system and could be something EPA or the state could use at other mine sites with acid mine drainage. I could then retire with a feeling of having accomplished my goal of cleaning up this site, and perhaps help clean up other sites as well!

 

Kristine Edwards at the Crystal Mine Adit Portal

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Renowned scientist/conservationist Patricia Wright campaigns to save severely endangered lemurs

Patricia Wright describes her passion for lemurs in a video interview

Patricia Wright--shouldering a lemur--rang the New York Stock Exchange Closing Bell on May 15, 2014. Credit and Larger Version

August 27, 2014
A serendipitous encounter between Patricia Wright, then a social worker, and an owl monkey in a New York City pet store in 1968 ultimately inspired Wright to reinvent herself--eventually becoming an award-winning Ph.D. scientist and conservationist devoted to saving lemurs, which comprise a group of primates. Lemurs are only found naturally in Madagascar, which is the world's fourth largest island, located about 250 miles off the coast of southern Africa.
One of the world's most endangered primates
In 2012, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature described ninety one percent of the 103 known species and subspecies of lemurs as threatened with extinction; this is one of the highest levels of threat ever recorded for a group of mammals.
Because of Madagascar's island isolation, most of its plant and animal species are found nowhere else in the world. Nevertheless, 79 percent of Madagascar's original rain forest habitat has already been cleared by humans. 
Multifaceted approaches
A professor at Stony Brook University, Wright's approaches to saving Madagascar's lemurs and their forest habitat involves combining science and conservation. "You can't save what you don't understand," she says. 
Wright's many scientific/conservation achievements include working with the Madagascar government to createRanomafana National Park in Madagascar in 1991. The Park protects 43,500 hectares of forest, including rain forest habitats and 12 lemur species. In addition, Wright is the founder of the Centre ValBio Research Station, which is located on the edge of the Park. Centre ValBio, which is partially funded by the National Science Foundation, is a pivotal hub for researching rain forest biodiversity and conservation and for conducting outreach to the community and policy makers.
In addition, Wright partners with Malagasy villagers to develop conservation strategies that are scientifically sound and give villagers a stake in the sustainability of Madagascar's rain forests. With more than 75 percent of Madagascar's population surviving on or below $1.25 per day, these solutions include promoting ecotourism.
An award-winning career
Throughout Wright's career, she has been honored by many awards, including the MacArthur "Genius Award"in 1989. And on May 12, 2014, Wright was named the 2014 winner of the Indianapolis Prize, the world's leading award for animal conservation. Then, three days later, Wright--accompanied by several lemurs--rang the New York Stock Exchange's Closing Bell.
In addition, Wright--along with gaggles of jumping and leaping lemurs--is featured in the new IMAX film, Island of Lemurs: Madagascar, which is currently playing throughout the U.S. Also, Wright recently described her earlier research on owl monkeys and adventures in South American rain forests in High Moon Over the Amazon: My Quest to Understand the Monkeys of the Night (Latern Books: 2013).  Her next book "For the Love of Lemurs: My Life in the Wilds of Madagascar" will be released in fall 2014 by Lantern Books.

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Weekly Ethanol Production for 8/22/2014

Here is the weekly ethanol production data for the week ending 8/22/2014.

According to EIA data, ethanol production averaged 913,000 barrels per day (b/d)—or 38.35 million gallons daily. That is down 24,000 b/d from the week before. The four-week average for ethanol production stood at 921,000 b/d for an annualized rate of 14.12 billion gallons.

Stocks of ethanol stood at 17.3 million barrels. That is a 5.1% decrease from last week and a 14-week low. It also represented the largest week-to-week percent change in stocks since a 5.6% build during the week ending 1/17/2014. Stocks were under the 20-day supply mark for the first time since late May.

Imports of ethanol were zero b/d for the fourth straight week.

Gasoline demand for the week averaged 382.2 million gallons daily.

Expressed as a percentage of daily gasoline demand, daily ethanol production was 10.03%.

On the co-products side, ethanol producers were using 13.843 million bushels of corn to produce ethanol and 101,279 metric tons of livestock feed, 90,224 metric tons of which were distillers grains. The rest is comprised of corn gluten feed and corn gluten meal. Additionally, ethanol producers were providing 5.37 million pounds of corn distillers oil daily.

If you have any questions, please let us know.

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Campbell Takes ISAF Command in Afghanistan

By Navy Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer Cragg

DoD News, Defense Media Activity
KABUL, Afghanistan, Aug. 26, 2014 - Army Gen. John F. Campbell assumed command of the NATO International Security Assistance Force from Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., during a change of command ceremony held here today.
The ceremony was attended by senior Afghan, NATO and U.S. officials, including Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Gen. Hans-Lothar Domröse, Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum Commanding General; Air Force Gen. Philip M. Breedlove, Supreme Allied Commander Europe; Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III, commander of U.S. Central Command; Minister of National Defense of Afghanistan Gen. Besmillah Mohammadi, and many others.
Senior leaders' praise
"As General John Campbell assumes command of ISAF -- John's third tour of duty in Afghanistan -- I want to thank him and his wife Ann for their service as well," Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel said in a statement. "John's leadership comes at a defining moment, as Afghanistan undertakes a historic political transition, and the United States and our coalition partners' transition from combat to training and support for Afghan forces. President Obama and I have the highest confidence in John, and we look forward to working closely with him in the months ahead."
Dempsey spoke during the ceremony and recognized Dunford for his commitment and service to ISAF.
"You served with great courage, great commitment, tirelessly giving every ounce of your being to this mission," Dempsey said of Dunford's service as ISAF's commander. The chairman also praised Campbell, describing him as "another man who is deeply committed to this mission, and has the best amount of experience and who will be a good partner to Afghanistan."
ISAF's mission will continue
Dunford reflected on his time spent in Afghanistan, but reminded guests that the ISAF mission will continue tomorrow.
"Tomorrow is going to begin just like today with the men and women of ISAF focused on training, advising and assisting the Afghan Security Forces as they secure the Afghan people," Dunford said. "Tomorrow will begin just like today, coalition and Afghan forces taking the fight to the common enemy."
During Dunford's 19-month assignment he has seen the transformation of not only Afghanistan, but also the nation's security forces. He departs Afghanistan to assume the roles and responsibilities as 36th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps.
When Dunford assumed command in February 2013, there were 100,000 coalition members supporting ISAF. About 35,000 remain as of August 2014.
Afghan Gen. Mohammadi, who attended and spoke during the change of command, praised Dunford for his service to Afghanistan.
"On behalf of the government and Afghan National Security Forces, I would like to express my deepest gratitude and respect for General Dunford for his selfless and sincere services to Afghanistan," Mohammadi said.
Critical time in Afghanistan
Campbell is assuming his new post at an important time in the ISAF mission and for Afghanistan in general. The Afghan security forces are in the lead for all security operations and by the end of 2014, they will assume full security responsibility to protect the Afghan population.
"Today, General John F. Campbell assumed command of ISAF from General Joseph F. Dunford. I wish him every success and I look forward to working closely with him," NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said in an official statement. "I am confident that General Campbell will lead ISAF through an orderly completion at the end of this year and guide our efforts to continue to support the Afghan security forces, once the required legal framework is in place."
Mohammadi also welcomed Campbell back to Afghanistan, recognizing his previous two tours spent building the Afghan National Security Forces.
"Looking forward to working with you and we remain committed to achieve our common goals," Mohammadi said.
Experienced senior leader
Prior to assuming command of ISAF, Campbell served as the 34th U.S. Army Vice Chief of Staff. During more than 33 years of service, he has commanded units at every echelon from platoon to division, with duty in Germany, Haiti, Iraq, Afghanistan and the United States.
"I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to be back in Afghanistan," Campbell said. "It is a truly distinct honor and privilege for me to have the opportunity to return to Afghanistan and lead the International Security Assistance Force and United States Forces-Afghanistan."
This assignment marks Campbell's third command tour in Afghanistan, with previous brigade command experience in Kandahar and as the RC-East Commander in Bagram in 2010-2011.
Campbell recognized Dunford's enormous contributions and highlighted his "vision, energy and leadership," citing how his friend of more than 15 years, "has clearly set the standard."
Campbell also recognized the commitment of the coalition and the accomplishments of the ANSF.
Giving thanks
During his speech, Dunford thanked his Afghan counterparts, NATO leaders, coalition partners, U.S. military leadership, and the men of women of ISAF. He also recognized Campbell for his dedication.
"Finally, let me recognize General John Campbell, a personal friend for over 15 years, a longtime friend of Afghanistan, an extraordinary leader," Dunford said. "The campaign and the men and women of ISAF -- you're in great hands."


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Humane Cosmetics Act Highlights the Cost of Beauty – Paid By Animals

4 Unnecessary Tests that Harm or Kill Animals

More and more, we are living in an age of information, the substance of which is increasingly difficult to ignore, says animal rights advocate Santosh Krinsky.
Are our coffee and chocolate products fair trade? Were poor workers in developing countries brutalized in the process of making our clothes? How was the food sourced in the groceries we buy, and what exactly is in it, anyway?
Increasingly, the answers to these questions matter to more consumers, Krinsky says.
In the same vein, Rep. Jim Moran is sponsoring the Humane Cosmetics Act, which would phase out animal testing for U.S.-made cosmetics within a year and imported cosmetics within three years.
"Consumers value cosmetics and manufacturers want them to be safe for daily use, but we do not have to blind, maim and kill scores of animals to ensure our beauty-enhancing products won't hurt us," says Krinsky, head of the international personal-care brand Beauty Without Cruelty (www.beautywithoutcruelty.com) -- the first to ban animal-testing for its products in 1963. BWC's products are all produced with no animal testing and contain no animal ingredients.
"In the past, testing was done on dogs, but now it's done on rabbits, guinea pigs, mice and rats. These are conscious creatures with the capacity for immense suffering. Think about it: Tests are done on these animals because they are biologically similar to us. Doesn't that also mean we should be especially empathetic to their suffering?"
Krinsky, who recently partnered with the Humane Society of the United States' "Be Cruelty-Free" campaign, urges voters to call their U.S. representative and ask for him or her to vote in favor of H.R. 4148. Follow up with a personalized mail or email asking reiterating your request.
He reviews some of the tests that mainstream cosmetic companies still commonly conduct on animals.

•  Acute dermal toxicity …uses 20 rabbits, guinea pigs or rats to determine how much substance causes half of the tested animals to die within two weeks of exposure. A chemical is applied to their shaved skin for 24 hours, and a patch is used to cover the area so they do not lick or clear off the tested area.
•  Eye irritation or corrosion … tests one to three rabbits; a chemical is applied to their eyes to determine how severe the resulting irritation or damage. The exposure tests for signs of redness, ulcers, bleeding, blindness and other forms of damage.
•  Developmental toxicity …examines either 480 rabbits – 100 adult females and 480 kittens (babies) – or 1,300 rats – 100 adult females and 1,200 pups – to test for birth defects. Usually by force-feeding, a pregnant female is exposed at the beginning of an implemented pregnancy; exposure persists throughout the term. She is then killed on the day before she is expected to give birth, which is about 22 days for rats, or 31 days for rabbits. Her young are extracted and evaluated for signs of developmental abnormalities.
•  Acute oral toxicity …subjects seven rats to determine how much of a chemical causes half of the exposed animals to die within 14 days of exposure, when the substance is swallowed. The rats are force-fed the substance, causing them to experience convulsions, diarrhea, bleeding from the mouth, seizures, paralysis and sometimes death.

"The European Union has already banned cosmetics that use these practices, and I think Rep. Moran's efforts are a sign of things to come here in the U.S.," Krinsky says. "In fact, many consumers prefer lipstick, mascara, shampoo, lotion and other products consisting of material that's so safe that they don't require animal testing."

About Santosh Krinsky

Santosh Krinsky has been in the natural products industry since 1974. He has founded and built a number of companies that offer positive alternatives to the toxins and environmentally unfriendly ingredients found in many products, while focusing his attention on developing awareness about the issue of animal testing of cosmetics, which he opposes. Beauty Without Cruelty (BWC) products brandwww.beautywithoutcruelty.comwas founded in England in 1963 by BWC Charitable Trust, an animal welfare organization. Lotus Brands obtained the American rights to the BWC brand in 2010. BWC Features a complete line of hair, skin and facial/body care products and an extensive range of color cosmetics.

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GENERALS MEETING

08/27/2014 09:18 AM CDT

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, right, talks with U.S. Army Gen. Lloyd J. Austin III; U.S. Air Force Gen. Philip M. Breedlove; U.S. Army Gen. John F. Campbell; and U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Joseph H. Dunford Jr. before the International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces-Afghanistan change-of-command ceremony in Kabul, Afghanistan, Aug. 26, 2014. Campbell assumed command from Dunford.

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Military Conducts Airstrikes Against ISIL Near Irbil

From a U.S. Central Command News Release

WASHINGTON, Aug. 27, 2014 - U.S. military forces continued to attack ISIL terrorists in support of Iraqi security force operations, using attack aircraft to conduct two airstrikes in the vicinity of Irbil yesterday.

The two strikes destroyed two ISIL armed vehicles and damaged another near Irbil. All aircraft exited the strike area safely.

This strike was conducted under authority to support Iraqi security force and Kurdish defense force operations, as well as to protect critical infrastructure, U.S. personnel and facilities, and support humanitarian efforts.

Since Aug. 8, U.S. Central Command has conducted a total of 98 airstrikes across Iraq.

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New Padding, Perhaps?

New Army studies of the padding inside combat helmets are expected to reveal new insights on ways to prevent shock waves from a detonated improvised explosive device, for example, from damaging soldiers' brains.

Army scientists say not enough information exists to determine the degree to which shock waves move past combat helmets' outer shells and padding, and through the human skull. So while research is underway to understand that, ARL is also investigating the relationship between blast waves and traumatic brain injuries.

Dr. Thomas Plaisted, a mechanical engineer at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory is leading research efforts to develop new materials and pad geometries to best use the space within the helmet for optimal protection.

He said the current Army Combat Helmet and its padding are designed to protect against impact velocities up to 10 feet per second.

A jump master with the XVIII Airborne Corps Special Troops Battalion readjusts the pads of a Corps' Soldier's Advanced Combat Helmet during manifest call for the Corps' final pre-deployment jump at Fort Bragg, N.C. (Photo by Army Staff Sgt. Jeremy D. Crisp/Released)

"Battlefield threats are constantly evolving and the Army is seeking to push the level of protection higher, perhaps even to a level double that of the current impact velocity specifications, but while retaining as much of the current dimensions – like pad thickness – as possible," Plaisted said.

He said until researchers understand how the brain is injured in blast events and how the padding influences the injury, "it is difficult to confidently engineer an improved pad for blast protection."

The current ACH pads were introduced to replace the sling suspension system used in the Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops, or PASGT helmet, which was first issued in the mid 1980s and was fielded en masse to Warfighters until the mid-2000s.

A 2007 study conducted by the National Center for Biotechnology Information concluded that the most frequently reported problems for the PASGT involved discomfort. Their analysis indicated that there was a strong soldier preference for the ACH over the PASGT, which could enhance its already superior protective qualities.

"When the (current) padding system was introduced, it received favorable feedback from the soldier's in terms of improved comfort. In addition the padding system protected the soldier to a higher level impact than the sling system," Plaisted said.

The current helmet pad is approximately three quarters of an inch thick at all locations inside the helmet. Plaisted said the shape of the pads vary by location within the helmet.  For example, the crown region of the helmet has a circular pad geometry, and all other locations have a rectangular or trapezoidal geometry that interfaces with the forehead, sides, or back of the head.

Padding Geometries: "The crown region of the helmet has a circular pad geometry, and all other locations have a rectangular or trapezoidal geometry that interfaces with the forehead, sides, or back of the head," explained Dr. Thomas Plaisted, ARL. (U.S. Army photo/Released)

The pad material composition consists of two layers of polyurethane foam, each layer approximately 0.375 inch thick. The layer that is closest to the head is a lower density, more compliant foam, with the function of providing a comfortable interface and fit.

"The layer closest to the helmet shell is a higher density foam with a stiffer response that is more tuned to absorb energy during impact. The foam is encased in an airtight polymer film to keep out moisture and that assembly is in turn encased in a thin fabric with moisture wicking properties," Plaisted explained.

He said padding inside the helmet limits the amount of force and "level of acceleration imparted to the skull when a helmet is impacted."

"Excessive acceleration of the head can lead to concussion and potentially mild traumatic brain injury. Generally, the thicker the padding the lower the head acceleration, however we can only devote so much space to the pads while making the helmet comfortable and minimizing its affect on soldier performance like mobility, visual awareness and aiming weapons," he said.

ARL researchers are using computer modeling of various impact conditions to determine the optimal properties and go to the lab to engineer those properties into materials and pad geometries.

Plaisted is also leading a research effort to create synthetic cranial bones to capture material and architecture response, specific to the human skull. He said the skull simulant ARL researchers are developing is made of synthetic materials with the goal of creating a uniform response that is representative of the soldier population to use in tests to understand how to best protect the head during exposure to blast waves and blunt impact.

"In the future, when the final skull surrogate is developed, it will be tested with new helmet padding materials in simulated blast and impact conditions to determine how the pads and helmet shell materials protect the head from injury. Right now there is not a direct back and forth between these two programs but that is the intent in the future."

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Letter from Betsey at the White House

Hi, everyone --

In 1776, Abigail Adams wrote to John Adams, then serving on the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, and reminded him to "not put such unlimited power into the hands of the husbands."

Seventy-two years later, in 1848, women across the country gathered together for the first women's rights convention in Seneca Falls, New York. And it wasn't until 72 years after that, in 1920, that women in the United States officially gained the right to vote.

Let's be honest: Change hasn't ever exactly come quickly for women in this country. And 94 years later -- while it's undeniable that women have made leaps and bounds in every facet of American life, from the classroom to the boardroom -- it's not enough.

Today, on the anniversary of the 19th Amendment, we celebrate Women's Equality Day. And today, the day-to-day operations of too many businesses and institutions still don't reflect true gender equality. We've got the data to prove it.

Throughout the day, I've posted charts that tell the story of the progress we've made -- and the challenges women still face in the workforce.

Take a look -- and then share these with someone you think needs to see them.

In 2014, inequality and discrimination live on. Women, on average, continue to earn less than their male counterparts (and that's 51 years after the Equal Pay Act passed), and the gap is even greater for women of color. Our workplace policies, on the whole, force many working parents to choose between their job and their family -- and that's wrong.

This Administration has a long history of shattering our remaining glass ceilings and upholding the rights of women -- but real gender equality is going to take more than the President acting alone.

Right now, there's legislation before Congress that would make it better -- that would make it easier for women to discuss what they're being paid, and to do something about it.

So if you're ready to see broader, meaningful action on these issues, then get the facts and help spread the word.

No major achievement for women's rights in this country has come easily. It's always taken a determined group of women and men alike, doing everything they could to organize, protest, and agitate the system they aimed to change.

The year 2014 is no different. So if you're ready for real equality for women, then make sure everyone you know has the facts.

Betsey Stevenson

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FILM FESTIVAL HONORS TWO INDUSTRY GEMS

Director Lucy Walker and Composer Heitor Pereira to Receive

Achievement Awards at 15^thAnnual Big Bear Lake Film Festival  

BIG BEAR LAKE, Calif./ September 26, 2014– The Big Bear Lake International Film Festival is pleased to announce director Lucy Walker and composer Heitor Pereira as recipients for the festival's 2014 Achievement Awards.  The Achievement in Directing Award will be presented to Ms. Walker and the Achievement in Film Music Award will be presented to Mr. Pereira at the 15^th Annual Big Bear Lake International Film Festival (BBLIFF) during the Opening Night Party & Honoree Awards on Friday, September 19, 2014.

"We choose our honorees based on significant contributions to the films they've been involved with, and we look at the impact of their work," said Big Bear Lake International Film Festival Executive Director Erica Tennyson. "Both of our recipients have impressive film resumes, and we're truly honored to have them as our award recipients."

Academy Award Nominee Director Lucy Walker has garnered high praise for her films, which includes feature documentaries "The Crash Reel" (2013), "Waste Land" (2010), "Countdown to Zero" (2010), and "Blindside"(2006). She has produced a number of short films, most recently "The Lion's Mouth Opens" (2014), as well as "The Tsunami andCherry Blossom" (2011), and has also directed over a dozen episodes of Nickelodeon's Blue's Clues. She has been nominated for seven Emmys, an Independent Spirit Award, a DGA award, and a Gotham Award, and has won over eighty other awards for her body of work. A native of London, England, Walker graduated from Oxford University and later went on to receive a Fulbright scholarship to attend the Graduate Film Program at New York University.

Brazilian-born composer Heitor Pereira has contributed his unique sensibilities in music to a vast array of critically acclaimed and commercially successful motion pictures. One of his earliest breaks, being a songwriter for the Oscar-winning film "As Good as it Gets"(1997), led to Pereira becoming a co-composer for 'Riding in Cars with Boys"(2001). Since then, Pereira has collaborated with veteran composer Hans Zimmer on a number of films, and has composed memorable scores for films that include "The Smurfs" (2011), "Despicable Me" (2010), "It's Complicated" (2009), "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" (2008), and more recently "If I Stay" (2014). Pereira is recipient of three ASCAP awards, and he won a Grammy in 2005 for "Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist" for his collaboration with Sting and Chris Bottie.

The awards ceremonies are just a fragment of what takes place at The Big Bear Lake International Film Festival September 19-21.The festival showcases over 100 films, which include independent feature-length films, student films, short films, documentaries, family films, animation films, and digital films. There is a screenwriting competition with cash prizes. Also, workshops and seminars for filmmakers including the craft of storytelling, film development and current industry trends.    

The screenings take place at the Village Theater North, located at 602 Pine Knot Ave.and Northwoods Resort, located at 40650 Village Dr. A full day individual movie pass good for both venues is $35 on Friday and Saturday and $15 on Sunday. An unlimited weekend movie pass for Friday through Sunday is $70. Both passes give viewers admission to unlimited films, and includes panels and seminars for that day. General film screening admission is $7 per screening, which can be purchased at the door. An all-events weekend pass, with admission to all films and all events including the Opening Night Party & Honorees Awards, Centerpiece Film & Desert Reception, and Sunday's Wrap Party & Filmmaker Awards ceremony, are $135. Friday night's Opening Night Party, which includes the honorary awards ceremony and reception, is $35. The Centerpiece Film & Desert Reception is $35. A Wrap Party Luncheon & Filmmaker Awards Ceremony on Sunday, which includes filmmaker and screenwriting competition awards ceremony, is $25. For more details about the film festival or to download an events schedule visitwww.bigbearlakefilmfestival.com. To purchase advance tickets visitwww.bigbear.com or call 800-424-4232. 

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