Western Washington University Western CEDAR

Klipsun Magazine Western Student Publications

2-1982

Klipsun Magazine, 1982, Volume 12, Issue 03 - February

John L. Smith Western Washington University

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Recommended Citation Smith, John L., "Klipsun Magazine, 1982, Volume 12, Issue 03 - February" (1982). Klipsun Magazine. 63. https://cedar.wwu.edu/klipsun_magazine/63

This Issue is brought to you for free and open access by the Western Student Publications at Western CEDAR. It has been accepted for inclusion in Klipsun Magazine by an authorized administrator of Western CEDAR. For more information, please contact [email protected]. M 5' f P tXiWji f ■V

Inside: Transients * Old Folks * Fred Brown

\I i THE COW There's a white cow standing upon the hill, surely the whitest cow / shall ever see. As usual with cows she is eating grass. Nothing strange about that, except that the light, the white light of the sun increases her white until she seems like a moon reflecting the sun, a cow-shaped moon newly materialized to dazzle upon the rise of a grassy hill. Perhaps she is the cow that jumped over the moon, but how much grass can she nonchalantly bite with that white light breaking upon her body? O, now she raises her head and, striking a pose, commands the field with a curve of her delicate tail. And so I see that she has become a goddess exacting and appreciating the homage owed to a white spirit by darker creatures.

a

Those dull cows browsing in brown below her, mere cows, I see that they cannot comprehend how their appearance enhances the white goddess. And yet their heads are lowered in due respect. She is their deity as she is mine, although I see her only from my distance. I see her only through my grimy window. Suppose I left my papers and left my desk, walked through the garden, crossed the old stone wall, slogged through the swamp at the bottom of the hill, then with lowered eyes I could approach that whiteness. Would I be touched to some extent by the sunlight, and would my eyes be blinded with revelation? Or would I find the cowdung beneath mv feet, and would she and I eat grass for the rest of our lives? from A Close Sky Over Killaspuglonane Dolman Press ® 1975 by Knute Skinner I \^l February, 1982 I AL.ll ^wl I Vol. 12, Number 3 A maaazine of student interests

Editor: John L. Smith Editor Note Managing Editor: Jenny L. Blecha It’s time to re-evaluate American troop presence in Western Design Coordinator: Susan Parrish Europe, by John L. Smith Photo Editor: Richard Botz Proliferation Production Manager: Connie Compton We have the whole world in our hands. Analysis by Nancy Staff Artist: Masaru Fujimoto Walbeck. Business Manager: Loren Landerholm Adviser: Pete Steffens U2 Nightmare: Eraserhead It’s a cult classic you may want to miss. Movie review by Judy Staff: Redenbaugh. Becky Bolen-Rubey 8 Knute's Place Laurie Donaldson A poet finds jewels on the Emerald Isle. Article by Laurie Heidi Fedore Sturdevant and John L. Smith Marc Heberden Don Kirkpatrick 10 The Book on R. A. Mezoff A1 Minato He is a collector, seller and more. Article by Jenny L. Blecha. Seth Preston Judy Redenbaugh Bookstores in Bellingham Issac Sherman 12 Looking for a book? Look here first. Nori Shirouzu Mike Stoddard Tom Stone 13 Easy Travel: Flipper Grows Up Laurie Sturdevant This animal talks to humans. Book review by Don Kirkpatrick. Ben Verkerk 14 A rt and A rtists Klipsun is a Lummi Indian word A look at Western’s poets and their poetry. Photos by Becky meaning ‘‘beautiful sunset. ” Bolen- Rubey. Copyright Klipsun 1982 16 Not Quite Right Klipsun is a twice-quarterly publica­ Dealing with mentally unstable transients at Western. Article tion funded with student fees and dis­ by Ben Verkerk. tributed without charge. Address all manuscripts, photos and illustrations 19 Vino Etiquette: care of Klipsun, Western Washing­ What to do after pulling the cork ton University, Bellingham, Wash­ How to impress yourself and others when choosing the grape. ington 98225. 676-3737. Printed at Article by Mike Stoddard. WWU Print Plant. 20 Abiding in the Shadow A sad story of a lonely old woman made even sadder because it’s true. Article by Susan Parrish. 22 Live Long and Prosper Thomas Minato is 82 going on 30. Article by Alan Minato.

RSVP: Responding To A Need 24 Active seniors make a difference in the community. Article by Heidi Fedore. Credits: Becky Bolen-Rubey, pages 2, 8, 13, 14, 15, 27; Richard Botz, pages 11, 16, 22; Masaru Fujimoto, pages Downtown Seattle 6, 7, 19, 25, 28; Jeff Jones, page 20. 25 Fred Brown discusses the NBA and life after basketball, by John L. Smith Cover: Denver artist John Foley illustrates Art and Artist the shocking permanence of the neutron 26 Western English instructor Bill Freedman and his poem “The bomb. Frog. ’’ Photo by Becky Bolen-Rubey. Editor's Note The Boeing 727’s engines whined “No ... getting off in Vegas to visit ence is well below the poverty level. like great vacuum cleaners as the last my folks for the holidays,” I said, Recent reports indicate that the vast two passengers boarded Western returning to 35,000 feet. majority of American troops stati­ Flight 722, departing Sea-Tac for He was silent. It was, I guessed, my oned in Europe exist below the basic Houston with a stop-off in Las Vegas. turn to speak. I would rather have level of subsistence. Many are poorly One was a long-legged blonde in talked to the woman with the Mich- educated. Nearly all do not speak the designer jeans; the other, a pock­ ener novel than with some barely- native language. Most are viewed as faced army private. literate army boy; but she was en­ intruders who serve no other purpose Only two seats remained empty: grossed in her reading and it would than to burden society. 12Band 14E. Belted into 14F, reading be too rude to speak across him. If we must station American troops Flaubert’s Three Tales, I eyed the “So, where are you from?” I asked. where they are not wanted, then it is blonde and then glanced at the empty “San Diego.” our responsibility to care for them, to seat next to me. She sat in 12B. I got Silence. the army private. “That’s nice,” I thought. “You’re a He scooted past a chubby school real talkative one, aren’t you. ” Then I ‘It’s Hell over there, man. marm with a copy of The Source spoke. “So, why are you going to You know?’ attached to her face; he unbuttoned Houston?” his stiff army dress coat and sat. I “’Cause I got 10 days before I go educate them, to make certain they shifted closer to the window, at­ back there . . .” The private turned are viewed as allies and not the tempting to regain some of the vio­ toward the aisle, then set his head in enemy. lated space. I set Flaubert on one his hands. If we are not willing to care for our knee, straightened my tweed jacket “Come on, it’ll be all right,” I said, troops, then perhaps it is time we and watched Seattle disappear below knowing it probably would not. reevaluated our role in those coun­ cottony cumulus clouds. The private “I’m just tired, man,” he said. “Just tries and took them out of Western sat rigidly in his chair, his eyes on a tired.” Europeans’ backyards and brought brunette beehive hairdo in front of Only the rattle of the snack cart them home, where they can suffer for him. He ran his green dress cap broke the silence. all to see. through his fingers like an old woman “I hear the living conditions are He He He rubbing the blessings out of a rosary. pretty bad over there.” We began our descent into Vegas. I When the “Fasten Seatbelts” sign “You been over there?” looked at him closely for the first blinked off, the private put his head “Uh, no, I haven’t, but . . .” time in nearly two hours. His eyes in his hands. “You been in the army?” were wet and red from lack of sleep. I “Are you all right? Should I call a “No, but like I say, I saw this doubted if he was yet 21. stewardess?” I asked, thinking he was program on ‘60 Minutes’ and read a The captain’s nasal voice blurted airsick. Time article on it and I guess the final landing instructions like an irri­ “No, man. I’m just resting. That’s conditions are really terrible.” table telephone operator. Huerta all. I flown all the way from Copen- Huerta looked at me. I turned tightened his seatbelt. toward the window. “God, I don’t want to go back “Yeah,” he said, straightening there,” he cried. Then he leaned back When the ‘^Fasten Seatbelts^^ momentarily, “they are really ter­ and closed his eyes. He turned slightly sign blinked off, the private rible.” in my direction with his eyes closed. More silence. put his head in his hands. “It’s Hell over there, man. You “I read somewhere that some of know?” the troops are living in barns and I could do nothing to console him hagen today. Nine hours in the air,” shacks.” but lie. he said. His nameplate read “Huerta.” He was silent for a moment. Then “Yeah, man, I know.” “Ah, Copenhagen,” I thought, re­ he spoke, his voice quivering. When the plane came to a stop, I turning to the window. “Beautiful “I’m lucky. I’m in a better place grabbed Flaubert and my black Danish girls in frilly dreses and cold, than that . . . It’s just hell . . .” briefcase and stood to scoot to the clear glasses of beer.” The clouds He :|c :|c center aisle. His eyes were still closed. became the Alps; the plane, a tram Private Huerta is one of thousands “Good luck,” I said, tapping him car suspended by unseen wires. of American military personnel sta­ on the shoulder. “You going to Houston?” Huerta tioned in Western Europe. Though “Yeah, sure, man.” asked. his lot is better than some, his exist­ —John L. Smith

4 Klipsun AMALY5I5

by Nancy Walbeck

They marched in Bonn, masses of Europe, you are aware of the fact the chiatrist and president of the Wash­ them. They advocated a nuclear-free Soviet Union is right there over the ington chapter of the Union of Con­ zone in Scandanavia. They belea- border.” cerned Scientists and Physicians for gured the governments of the Low David Ziegler, a nuclear expert Social Responsibility, travelled Countries, causing an electoral upset and political scientist at Western, throughout Europe last fall under the in Holland. said he recognized a similar pattern sponsorship of the American Friends It is the European realization, per­ from the European protests of 20 Service Committee. What she found ceived by a broad-based and diversi­ years ago. encouraged her. fied coalition, that the nuclear trigger “It’s not communist-dominated, “In Europe, the commitment is is now in their own backyard. but it isn’t 100 percent innocent total. They have a very clear memory And what has begun and spread in either,” he said. “It really started in of the right of 40 years ago,” Lifton Europe over the past two years, now 1974 with (then Secretary of Defense said. “It’s a movement for survival, a has a voice in the United States. James) Schlesinger’s scenario for a populist movement with workers, Whether the neutron bomb an­ limited nuclear exchange and has unions, the military. It’s not politi­ nouncement, or the scheduled 1983 escalated since Reagan’s election.” cal.” deployment of the Pershing II and Western professor Paul Roley, The coalition is leftist-organized, cruise middle-range missiles, or the whose field is Soviet history, takes “with major left-wing, non-aligned rhetoric of the Carter and Reagan more of a hardline approach to recent elements,” Lifton admitted, pointing administrations is the root cause for events. out the broader political spectrum the European outburst, is irrelevant. “I don’t think there is any doubt evident in European culture. What matters is the outrage engen­ the Soviets have launched a peace Ziegler said one consequence of dered by a nuclear strategy that would offensive,” he said. “It doesn’t mean the movement could be a new-isola­ reduce European nations to smoking all or most are working at the request tionist backlash with a possible re­ rubble should the Russian bear or the duction in NATO (read American) American eagle get itchy. influence on the continent. Experts are divided on whether the ‘Europe and Central Europe “It (protest) can effect change. European protests are truly grass­ are extremely sensitive to Goodness yes, absolutely,” Ziegler roots or merely leftist-dominated. whatever tack our govern­ said. “It could lead to some kind of They agree that the overseas move­ ment takes. They will suffer disarmament in Europe. People are ment and its resurgent American beginning to say, gee, resurrect the counterpart are separate and distinct for what we do.’ Mansfield Amendment — get the approaches to nuclear disarmament. American troops out of Europe.” “Europe and Central Europe are of the Soviets, but the Soviets are The morality of the nuclear build­ extremely sensitive to whatever tack knee-deep in it. There are a lot of up has triggered a strong response our government takes,” said Western honest, idealistic people out there on from religious leaders, especially Washington University history pro­ their own, and the Soviets are encou­ Roman Catholics, he said. fessor Harry Ritter. “They will suffer raging them in every way.” Sister Mary Grondan, current for what we do. Where Roley views this as disas­ chairperson of the Peace and Disar­ “Europeans know a lot more about trous, others see it as a chance for mament Task Force of the Archdio­ our military and policy positions rapproachement with the Russians cese of Seattle, echoed Ziegler’s sen­ than Americans,” he continued. “If and a warming of the Cold War. timents. A member of the order that you go to Europe and travel in Dr. Judy Lifton, a Bellevue psy­ recently refused a Department of

5 February Defense directive to prepare hospi­ to face the issue and understand the Concerned Educators. Along with 23 tals for a nuclear emergency, Gron- nuclear arguments.” So says Vera other founders spread throughout dan said the old theory of a “just war” Steiner, national organizational co­ universities and high schools locally, is now moribund. ordinator. Steiner further said the the union has strong ties with Lif- “There is a new awakening within group will not take a position on the ton’s more-established group and now the church of war as a distinct moral morality of nuclear weaponry, but is organizing a speaker’s bureau and issue,” Grondan said. “The nuclear instead will act as an informational defining its goals. war (scare) has brought it to the fore. society. Chiang’s concern is educating “to We are seriously questioning the in­ “People are not well educated on prevent a nuclear war. We must teach formation given to us over the years this issue. The technical jargon is not the people about the present danger” (about the necessity for nuclear understood,” Steiner went on. To and how to prevent nuclear war. buildup).” that end. Ground Zero will publish a Concerned Educators advocates a The task force, formed four years book. Nuclear War — What's In It four-part plan starting with a nuclear ago out of a concern for nuclear des­ For You?, which Steiner said would freeze, then disarmament, followed truction, schedules education pro­ explain nuclear issues in “easy to by a diminution of nuclear weapons and finally abolition altogether. To finance the union, membership fees at $10 apiece are available and, ac­ cording to Chiang, the response has been overwhelming. The diversity of the European and Disarm American movements and the size of their constituents is encouraging, and depressing. Is it a matter of realists i Now! vs. idealists? Or are the lines that 3/ clearly delineated? How to meld the unilateral position taken by some ^ j n----- European groups with the bilateral elements elsewhere? What of the fear that possible secret negotiations will be rendered moot by massive demon­ strations and public pressure? Is Roley right when he accuses idealists of playing into Soviet hands? Is the final morality to survive at any cost? “I think popular demonstrations of this massive size to influence those in power, but (in the end) are inclined to be counterproductive,” said David Clarke, political theorist at Western. “Pacifists are part of the old model, grams, study and prayer groups understand” prose. the old syndrome. throughout the archdiocese as well as Ground Zero, endorsed by 27 na­ “I look for a move away from war. linking occasionally with similar anti­ tional organizations such as the Na­ The old lines of cleavage don’t work nuclear organizations to effect dis­ tional Council of Churches and the anymore,” Clarke continued. “Tm armament. American Association of University looking for quite different things The American movement has Women, plans a task force week emerging in the world.” spread from the advocacy wing of the April 18 to 25 whereby local and But just when Clarke got wound Catholic Church to coalitions among regional groups will set up debates up on his Utopian ideal, he conceded educators, physicians and scientists and symposiums. the danger inherent in relying on the with national and local chapters. The “We would like a range of perspec­ power brokers. focus appears to be educational rather tives, not just one point of view,” “Policymakers are suicidal in the than partisan, although some organ­ Steiner said. end. They are wedded to the old izations advocate a more militant As the rallying cry sounds, new establishment, the one that nails the stance. “peace” organizations appear daily. colors to the mast and goes down Ground Zero, with headquarters Some are recycled relics from the ’50s with the ship. in Washington, D.C., and headed by and ’60s; others are brand new to the “But,” he continued quickly, “if Roger Molander, a former high-level game of speaking out. the grassroots movement is big staffer on the National Security Jesse Chiang, a Seattle Pacific enough, they’ll have to pay attention. Council, has raised S150,000 in gran University political scientist, is a “It could just be a new ball game money “to get the American people founding member of the Union of now.” ^ t'^LlP5Uft 6 Klipsun FILMS

#2 Nightmare: ERASERHEAD by Judy Redenbaugh alleys and mdustnai areas. His time the curious, the brave and the ‘This is really strange, let me tell home is squandered by staring strong-of-stomach. you,” said a voice in the audience as intently at the inhabited radiator or The baby gets sick and develops the screen showed a man with an tending a pile of dirt on his bureau. ulcerated sores on its face. electro-shock hairdo, his body At one point Henry is invited to “Oh, I can’t take this, this is twisted and a strange organic blob the home of his paranoid girlfriend getting bad,” moans one viewer. rising from his tongue. Mary X (Charlotte Stewart), where “This is getting out of hand,” says The man is Henry Spencer (John he is convinced to marry her for the another. Nance), the main character in sake of their premature “baby.” The Out of hand, well maybe. Out of David Lynch’s film “Eraserhead.” baby scenes bring mutterings and head — yes. Henry loses his in one The evening began normally of the surrealistic dream sequences enough. The theater was your that punctuate this strange tale. average theater. The audience, ‘Stick with me. I’ll take This particular sequence involves a comprised mostly of students, you to all the classics. ’ business deal where Henry’s appeared like your average movie­ unattached head is used to make goers. But in the first 30 seconds eraser-topped pencils. the audience learned this was one lots of uncomfortable laughter from Although the film has little film that hardly could be called the grim-humored audience. The dialogue, it is not quiet. The sound average. baby resembles a grotesque, effects are grating; the audience’s Spencer is a meek fellow. His premature monster with reptilian ears are assaulted by deafening pudgy face expresses a kind of head and triangular body swathed roars, hisses and metallic clangs. helpless anxiety — the kind of man in adhesive bandages. The climactic ending of this who wears skinny neckties and “Stick with me. I’ll take you to all bizarre movie occurs when Henry frumpy suits with pockets stuffed the classics,” said someone in the attempts to finish off the premature with pens and pencils. Apparently theater to a friend, laughing. infant. It was a moving scene — so on a permanent vacation from his One of the midnight movie much so that a couple in the factory printing job, he spends his horror classics, released in 1977, audience headed right for the days wandering through deserted this black and white film attracts theater exit.

7 February 8 Klipsun countrymen and countryside. he merely had dropped a grain of “My second book was a turning sand on the beach. He has sprinkled point. It signaled for me a change in his poetic sand from Ireland to Aus­ In the misty Irish countryside, a style, a development. My poetry tralia, London to Portland. white, stone cottage stands nestled moved toward people and landscapes, As poetry in general has moved amongst rolling green hills. During though not exclusively,” said Skinner, from the confines of meter and rhyme, the summer vegetables abundantly who currently has two more collec­ so has Skinner’s work. grow in the garden and cows graze on tions submitted for publication. “I haven’t written a sonnet since I the grassy hill beyond. A Close Sky dealt with the “imme­ was 30,” he said. “I still write in meter On the horizon the ocean sparkles diate present,” Skinner said, explain­ occasionally. I have no idea what the in the sunlight, the waves crash upon ing that he drew on readily available exact style will be when I start the the rugged coastline. Alongside the images and settings for his poetry poem. It develops.” house an old three-walled fuel shed instead of dealing with “topic- Skinner said he writes what is has been converted into a study. A oriented” themes as his first collec­ called organic poetry. “I believe very fourth wall has been added with a tion, Stranger With A Watch (Quil much in organic poetry. It is the the­ window overlooking the countryside. Press, 1965), did. ory whereby form and content... all Inside the study, poet and English Though Killaspuglonane is his elements ... are interwoven and can’t professor Knute Skinner sat silently writing refuge, he spends most of the be separated.” at a table built of chip board and pop year teaching poetry, creative writing According to the organic style, one bottle crates. He spends many hours and other English courses to Western cannot sit with a specific form set in contemplating Ireland and its peo­ students. his/her mind. “You can’t just say, T ple, and creates poems from his ob­ The university is a number of things think I’ll write a sonnet.’” servations. to Skinner, 52. Far beyond being a As poetic styles have changed, so “The first day in my cottage, Easter place to earn a living, Skinner said has the public’s view of the muse. of 1964, I was awoken by a small Western is a comfortable, congenial They no longer are the rare creatures child knocking at my door telling me atmosphere for poets. Western poets they once were, Skinner said. Much I was wanted on the hill. So I went up are free to think and write, when time of the public is indifferent to poets. the hill to find my neighbor, whom I permits. No longer mystical men and women, had not met, trying to deliver his “During the year we go without a poets are seen just like others with cow’s calf. He had a rope tied to the number of things to have time off in special skills. calf’s hooves and was trying to pull it the summer. I do most of my writing Ordinary or not, few humans have from the cow. So he pulled and I when I can find the time,” he said. made art out of something as insipid pulled and we got the calf out,” So, when time permits, Knute as blackheads. Yet, Skinner’s poem, Skinner said. Skinner escapes to another, infinitely “Blackheads,” does just that. Such experiences are the things more ordinary nook than his Ireland poems are made of, and Skinner has isle. It is an upstairs bedroom in Bell­ had many since he began his serious ingham with two desks and a table. Now in after play writing career in the early 1950s. I press my fingers against “Writing is a personal and lonely these blemishes on your His nest in Killaspuglonane, Ire­ occupation. Often you find yourself land, remains a special hideaway for warm and beautiful back sitting in a blank room. While a poet — these little, worm-like fatty the likable poet. He has returned is writing a poem he usually is very masses in your follicles — there nearly every summer since buy­ happy. But the lag between poems where I have just held your flesh ing the place in 1963. His love for the may cause a poet to become panicky. in the grip of passion. Irish people and countryside shows Many poets feel at loose ends if they in his work. In fact, if a turning point don’t have a poem in process. What are they made of? They leap “If I don’t have a good excuse for forth, the black tips followed not writing it is very uncomfortable. by the sinuous tails like ^Writing is a personal and miniature streams of toothpaste Once I start a poem, I know it will get but a sickly white. lonely occupation. Often you finished. It is no great deal if it takes a find yourself sitting in a while because I enjoy the process of Can dirt be so white? Are they made blank room. ’ working with it.” of soap? Who would dare Skinner published his first poem, analyze them for taste? “Underground Notes,” in January of Though I have run my tongue in his life can be isolated, he said it 1956. Though he has published five lovingly over your body, came with the compilation and pub­ collections of poetry and has placed I would lack such courage. lication of his second collection of his work in more than 200 journals, poetry, A Close Sky Over Killaspu­ small magazines and anthologies, his Some are so deep they take seconds to empty, if glonane. The book, printed in Dub­ first placement remains the most ex­ indeed they do empty. lin in 1968 and again by Burton citing moment. Has no one squeezed them before me? International in 1975, is filled with “It felt great!” he said, recalling the Were they there all the time, freely-wrought portraits of Irish words of a fellow poet who told him gathering, deepening.

9 February waiting for the touch of my fingers, secret imperfections kept virginal for a lover? from In Dinosaur Country Pierian Press © 1969 The One of a collection entitled In Dinosaur Country, copyright 1969, the poem elevates the process of popping a lover’s skin abrasion to the By Jenny L. Blecha level of post-intercourse preening. Rows of unpainted, wooden bookshelves dissect the The poem describes the pimple and store and cover the white walls from floor to ceiling. the popping process while raising Down one neon-lit aisle a dark-haired, young man natural questions that might arise crouched on threadbare, moss-green carpeting, when comtemplating such a thing. methodically searching for a rare or special used book. “Blackheads” easily might be Through the din of opera music, he directed Skinner’s favorite poem, he said, occasional queries to the front of the store where adding that another choice, a piece Richard Mezoff, owner of R. A. Mezoff, Bookseller, taken from A Close Sky called “The sat wedged behind his small, anachronistic desk. Cow,” also is special. Surrounded by rumpled, brown paper bags, piles of “I have a number of poems about magazines and stacks of books, Mezoff said he was life in Ireland. I have favorites of dif­ born in the wrong century. ferent kinds. The Cow’ is a kind of “I seem to like older things better than new,” he said, his clear, brown eyes reflecting the neon glare. ‘My second book was a turn­ “Especially books.” The 35-year-old Mezoff, with his rusty-red, receding ing point. It signaled for me hair that hangs in wiry clumps below his ears and a change in style, a devel­ coarse, shaggy beard, has sold used and rare books in opment. My poetry moved Bellingham for the past two-and-a-half years. Having hit an “academic disgruntlement” after six toward people and land­ years of teaching sociology in White Rock, B.C..^ scapes, though not exclu­ Mezoff said he wanted to try to find a way to make a sively. ’ living that was part of his life. “I’ve spent at least one-third of my life in bookstores,” he smiled, interlocking his ringed fingers and placing his hands behind his head. “So books pastoral poem,” he said. “My favor­ became my life.” ites change a little depending on what Dedicated to his trade, the soft-spoken bookseller day you ask me.” peruses newspapers, garage sales, flea markets, estate Poetry generally becomes better as sales and book auctions locating the “good stuff.” And the language and subject become the towering shelves filled with everything from Mad more intense. Concurrently, many poets write about what they* feel deeply about. “Often-times you’ll see recurring themes in a poet’s work . . . some­ ‘A town of 40-50,000 people with a thing that haunts him. In my first university should be able to support four three books I wrote many poems or five used bookstores,’ he said, casually about aging and death. I no longer resting his hiking boots on one knee and have a fear of death, so I don’t write about it.” His fourth book was The leaning back in his shabby, green- Sorcerers: A Laotion Tale, published upholstered chair. ‘But it doesn’t — in 1972. Bellingham does not support me.’ He no longer fears death, and his poetry seems dedicated to life and the living. Hearing of the Hard Times, magazines to classical literature to technical books on published in 1981 by Northwoods myriad topics attest to his patience and success. Press, is filled with more impressions Although Mezoff sells mostly classical literature and that the Irish people and countryside historical books, he said customer preference is make on a man, especially a man Hke cyclical. “We do have runs. Movies and television spur Knute Skinner. a lot of interest on one subject or another. For

10 Klipsun on R.A. MeroH example, I don’t have a book left in the store on Although Mezoff does receive some business from Russian history because of the popularity of the film university students searching for cheap texts, he said it ‘Reds,’” is not as much as he would like. “My biggest Only 30 percent of Mezoff’s customers, however, are disappointment, however, is lack of faculty customers,” from Bell ingham. The other two-thirds come from Seattle and Vancouver. Consequently, Mezoff said, he does almost no local advertising. Surrounded by rumpled, brown paper “A town of 40-50,000 people with a university should bags, piles of magazines and stacks of be able to support four or five used bookstores,” he books, Mezoff said he was born in the said, casually resting his hiking boots on one knee and leaning back in his shabby, green-upholstered chair. wrong century. “But it doesn’t — Bellingham does not support me.” Mezoff said most of his customers are people who he said, shrugging his shoulders for lack of an can least afford the puchase of a book. “People with explanation. good incomes only find their way down here when they In general, used-book dealers do very well, Mezoff want to sell something.” said. But the retail aspect of his business to the public

11 February Dedicated to his trade, the soft-spoken sales, flea markets, estate sales and book bookseller peruses newspapers, garage auctions locating the ‘good stuff.’

may decline in the future. Mezoff, who has a passion I go to the University of Washington Bookstore in for travel, said, “A lot of my business may eventually Seattle.” be geared towards mail-order, allowing me more free time.” Mezoff said he wouldn’t mind selling books for “a And where does R. A. Mezoff go to buy a book, good long time. I enjoy being around books.” adding to his home library of approximately 2,000 Empty handed, silently moving toward the exit of books? ‘‘I don’t buy a lot of new books,” he said. “But the Bay Street Village Store, the dark-haired young when I do, I scatter my trade around Bellingham as a man exchanged a sagacious smile with Mezoff. “I’ll be goodwill thing. And, if I can’t find it anywhere in town. back,” he whispered.

Bookstores in Bellingham

Aardvark Books & Records The Paperback Place 1222 N. State 511 Wilson “. . .large paperback selection of classical “... over 15,000 titles of used paperbacks.” lit./science fiction.” Bristol Antiques Akasha Metaphysical Center & Book 310 W. Holly Store .. cheapest paperbacks in town ... over 1300 Bay 650 titles of new books about antiques “. . . classes, readings, records, incense, and collectibles.” posters and books.” King Arthur’s Book Shoppe 2336 James Fairhaven Books . . new and used comic books, science fiction and fantasies.” 1215 Cornwall . . large selection of general and child­ Northern Lights Bookstore ren’s books.” 112 Grand ”. . . going out of business — inventory The Book Works sell off month of February.” 120 N. Commercial . . used/rare books specializing in Quest Book Store Northwest American Indians and mil­ 115 Unity itary history and techniques.” ”. . . church-related books, cards and posters.” R. A. Mezoff, Bookseller 1302 Bay Village Books ”. . . used and rare books and collectors’ 1206 11th comics.” . . little bit of everything.”

12 Klipsun BOOKS EASY TRAVEL: Flipper Grows Up

EASY TRAVEL TO OTHER through anecdotes, believable dialo­ happy; Nicole, who is pregnant again PLANETS gue and descriptions of appearances after having had five abortions; Kirk, and actions. Some of the minor Jeffrey’s twin brother, a photojour­ By Ted Mooney characters are stereotyped: Diego, nalist who blows his big break; and 278 pp. New York the Cuban with a mercurial temper, Nona, Melissa’s mother, who is dying Straus and Giroux, $11.95 and Knolly, the Reggae-loving native of cancer and cannot bring herself to caretaker, complete with dreadlocks tell her new suitor. In his first novel, Easy Travel to and plenty of “dems” and “dats.” They all have one thing in common: Other Planets, Ted Mooney presents For the most part, the characters they seem to be awed by the lack of a remarkably clear, distinct reflection come across as real people. They control they have over their own of friends, relatives and lovers and lives. Even if their own lives were their intertwined lives. manageable, they still are faced with Also, the author includes the an international crisis in Antarctica character “Peter,” a dolphin, and that could result in World War Three. raises the mammal to a virtuous Confusing? Try reading the book. position. From an omniscient, third- Mooney does make a num.ber of person viewpoint, Mooney intro­ keen observations, sometimes duces the reader to Peter’s complex through his characters and some­ thought patterns. times, disturbingly, as the intruding At the center of Easy Travel is writer. Melissa, a 29-year-old marine bio­ When it is suggested to Nona that logist who conducts communication she take a vacation to get her mind experiments on Peter. In a flooded off her illness, she replies, “I don’t Virgin Islands house, she teaches him want my mind taken off it. Children to speak some English and to identify have their minds taken off things.” certain objects in the course of the Despite its easy reading style, the three-week project. novel is bound to lose the inattentive She soon finds out Peter does not reader as Mooney jumps from past to consider saying “onetwothreefour- present, from place to place while fivesixseveneightnineten” and being adding a few seemingly unrelated given a bucket of fresh fish the core of sequences. Yet, it appears the author a meaningful relationship. He seduces is justified in his schizophrenia; he her and they make love in the shallow merely appears to be charting the waters of the training pool. Mooney characters’ thoughts and actions as writes in straight forward langauge they struggle to save their lives and that would do a steamy southern relationships. plantation novel proud. don’t always say the right things or Some of the characters’ lives reach Unsure if she is really in love with say what they really think. momentary stability, but Peter the Peter, Melissa returns to her human The cast indues: Jeffrey, a dolphin’s final scene with Melissa companions in New York City. promising architect who switches to leaves the reader gasping for air. The human characters are defined teaching fifth-graders and still isn’t —Don Kirkpatrick

13 February Art and Artists

ALL THE DOGS IN OXFORD All the dogs in Oxford look like they’re going somewhere. In America they just lie around or bite you. But take that pug. He trots right along: doesn’t bat an eye. Further, he keeps on his side. Or that west highlands terrier. Remember when we ran in shorts down Little Clarendon? It didn’t care. “It had somewhere to get to and sailed calmly on. ” That’s it!

Who invested dogs like these with such a sense of purpose?

You’ve almost forgotten the pleasure of carrying ammonia guns in the blue backpack in Denver, whistles in your bra in Boston, and rocks in Ithaca in your red jacket pockets.

Here, if in the morning you say “beat it!” on your painful way to Bodley you’d be talking to yourself. —M. Deborah Larsen World Copyright, The Poetry Society, London December 1980 FARMER’S DAUGHTER There’s always unseasonable weather. Remember the flood that killed father: when the water went down the chickens lay muddy and drowned. Oh we watch the weather here on earth; we don’t forget the winter days when girls wear cotton dresses, the Aprils when the bushes sag with snow. We were cutting the apple trees back when he said, “look, it’s snowing;” but I’d seen a winter of snow and knew that more were coming. Still, what do we know of a season? Only father could say when the rain would stop at the mountain or ruin the hay. I’d try to watch the hawks or lick a finger, and the crops were still a failure; there was frost all over the valley, south as far as Twin Falls. He kissed me when shadows were long on the path to the orchard; he promised to meet me again when the apples were in; now when the wind parts the curtains, now in the city when the cat won’t come, I sleep with only one eye shut, keeping a weather eye out. ® 1981 by Annie Dillard

AN EASTER CARD FOR TENNESSEE / have a peacock named Pierre Whose feathers alter light and air. Green is one color that they hum. And there is cotton on his bum.

He wears his being with the ease Of antique ballads, bloom and breeze And puts a blessing on the dim. Shadowy grass which honors him.

Pierre is such that when his feet Tamper with seeds he likes to eat The amber on his nether wings Fidgets until the purple sings.

It does so out of simple grace Because his plumage knows its place And treats him with substantial care. Also, he feeds its changing there.

Why he is mine and I am his Is something like a sloe gin fizz. It goes beyond the spoken word So that the heart contains the bird

In rainbows bending everywhere. And I become his passing fair Companion bodying the air Around my peacock called Pierre. —from The Ventriloquist by Robert Huff ® 1977 by University Press of Virginia

hot Quite Right

Dealing with mentally unstable transients at Western

by Ben Verkerk

TRESPASS WARNING unstable and could “go off the deep end” at any time. I am a university police officer and an “The potential (for violence) is there,” he said. One of the eight mentally unstable transients is suspected of authorized agent of Western Washington Uni­ arson in Olympia, he said. versity. I am giving you notice that you are not Page added that some of the transients take medication licensed or privileged to remain on WWU to control their mental illnesses and can become danger­ ous if they stop taking it. property. Every person knowing that he is not Michael Redmon took medication but had stopped licensed to remain, who defies an order to leave, taking it at the time he killed Schlewitz, he said. will be arrested for criminal trespass. Most campus transients create few problems or distur­ On April 19, 1980, Michael Redmon, a transient bances, however. “There are some strange persons walk­ staying on campus, murdered SAGA coffee shop manager ing around, no doubt about it,” he said. “But we’ve talked Robert Schlewitz. to them and they’re not dangerous.” During his trial he was diagnosed as psychotic, schizo­ Page explained that the university’s transient popula­ phrenic and manic-depressive and was committed indefi­ tion is comprised mostly of former Western students and nitely to Western State Hospital in Steilacoom, Wash. of persons who were turned back when trying to cross the Lt. Chuck Page, of Western Washington University’s border into Canada and Alaska. Students often house public safety department, said eight of approximately 10 them temporarily, he said. transients on campus from time to time are mentally They become “hanger-ons” and that is when they

17 February become a problem. “After a while they’ve worn out their threw a brick through the bookstore window. He was welcome,” so they stay on campus, using facilities and armed with a large industrial staple with the prongs food services meant for students. Sometimes they steal protruding from his fist. But Page said such cases are food, clothes or other things from the dorms, he added. rare, stressing most of the transients are not violent. Other times the transients end up at the Viking Union After taking into custody a mentally unstable transient, lounge or TV room. Jim Schuster, associate director of who has endangered his life or the lives of others, he is the Viking Union, said VU officials encounter two or taken to St. Luke’s to be examined. If he refuses three mentally unstable people each quarter. “Incidents” voluntary treatment, he can be legally detained until his have ranged from someone simply watching another condition can be evaluated by an involuntary commit­ ment officer at the Mental Health Unit. The involuntary commitment officer decides whether Eight of the approximately 10 transients on the transient is “in violation of the Mental Health Act” campus from time to time are mentally and should be committed for observation and treatment, Whatcom County Designated Mental Health Profes­ unstable and could ‘go off the deep end’ at sional A1 Needier said. any time. Needier explained that a person violates the Mental Health Act — and therefore breaks the law — if he is dangerous to himself, dangerous to others or “gravely person for a long time to a person yelling profanity in the disabled.” A person is gravely disabled if, as a result of his lounge, he said. mental disorder, he cannot care for himself or demon­ VU officials try dealing with such persons themselves strates severe deterioration in his behavior, he said. before calling in campus security, he said. Sometimes The involuntary commitment officer evaluates the they can calm the person and refer him to an agency, such transient, which includes advising him of his legal rights as the Whatcom Counseling and Psychiatric Clinic, that and observing his mood, appearance and behavior. If any can provide help. of the criteria for being in violation of the Mental Health Page said campus police officers also have referred Act apply to the transient he can be involuntarily mentally unstable transients to halfway houses or to the committed to the hospital for treatment for a maximum Whatcom Crisis Center for help, and even have given of 72 hours. Needier said. them rides there. During his stay the transient will receive counseling, The Department of Public Safety “keeps tabs” on physical care, planning and medication if he needs it. campus transients, he said. “A lot of times when we get a If the transient needs further treatment, either as an complaint (about a person behaving strangely or bother­ inpatient or an outpatient, the involuntary commitment ing others) we know who it is by the description we get of him.” Page explained that if the department believes a They become ‘hanger-ons’ and that is when transient is a nuisance or a danger, a campus police officer will read him the trespass warning. The officer they become a problem. then tells the transient he must leave Western or be arrested for criminal trespass. A Field Interrogation Card filled out at the time of the interview provides a officer must prove in court that he still is a danger to record of it. If the transient stays or returns to Western, himself, to others or is gravely disabled. Needier said. he can be arrested. If, after the evaluation, the officer believes the transient Page said arresting the mentally unstable transient for is not in violation of the Mental Health Act, he said, he trespassing sometimes is the best way of ensuring he will must be released. receive help for his illness. Although officials try to offer the transient “some sort Campus police can ask the county prosecutor to of service” through other agencies, he may not take recommend counseling and medication, if needed, for the advantage of it. “Some go back to the street,” Needier transient at the Mental Health Unit in St. Luke’s General said. Hospital, he said. Some also return to Western. The only other condition by which campus police can —A heavy-set woman in her late 50s who pesters take into custody a mentally unstable transient is if he has students to buy her dinner at SAGA and then offends demonstrated he is a danger to himself or others, he said. people sitting around her with her gross eating habits. For example, he told of a young woman, “a real space —A man who claims to be involved with the CIA and case,” he tried to talk with as she walked down High exclaims, “God, I just got zapped by a vertol,” when Street. Suddenly she bolted out into the street, hitting the people pass him on the sidewalk. side of a maintenance truck. Uninjured, she was taken —A young man who writes love letters and notes to into custody for her own protection, he said. women living in dorms. Dealing with mentally unstable transients can be Some Western students, faculty and staff members dangerous. Some have fought with police officers when have encountered people on campus like those listed being arrested. Page said, while others have carried above. They are mentally unstable transients who behav e weapons. Campus police apprehended one man after he strangely but hurt or endanger no one. Usually. |^!!^

18 Klipsun WIME

Etiquette

What to do after pulling the cork

By Mike Stoddard

Your part-time job as a checker at When the waiter brings the wine to likely will bring you another bottle at K mart doesn’t pay much, but you have your table he will display the bottle so once. saved enough throughout the winter to you may examine the label. You’ll want If the waiter is satisfied that the cork is finally be able to afford one legitimately to insure that you are being served the good he will hand it to you or set it next to classy meal at an expensive restaurant. wine you ordered and that the vintage is you on the table. You now have the Mother has washed and pressed your correct. option of examining the cork yourself, polyester leisure suit and you’re “looking After you have checked to see that but this practice is widely regarded as good” as you glance in the rearview mir­ everything is in order, tell the waiter he improper. You should assume the waiter ror on your way over to Betty Sue’s place. has made the correct judgement and tell She’ll be real impressed. Sure. him to pour. Most of your anxieties have been solved The first thing to keep in The waiter should then pour about one with a couple of feet of dental floss and a mind about testing the wine ounce of wine into your glass. First check few stinging splashes of Hai Karate. Born for color and clarity. In other words, is a and raised in the “eat it or wear it” school is that you’re not approving rose pink or dark red? Does the wine of dining etiquette, you have evolved into character, but quality. reflect light well or is it clouded by someone who eats mostly with the proper sediment? utensils but still has one major failing — Next, swirl the wine around in the glass ordering wine correctly. may open the bottle. As he does this for a moment and sniff it. A wine that has According to Playboy’s Book of Wines, watch him to see if the neck and cork soured will smell like vinegar or worse. prior knowledge of the time-honored rit­ contain cellar deposits or other matter. You may even choose to taste the wine, ual could save you from quiet embar­ If it does, make a mental note. The but once again this is rarely done unless rassment, and mastery undoubtedly will presence of this matter does not necessar­ you want to confirm that your nose has score you big points. If not with your ily mean something is wrong with the discovered a defect. date, then at least with the waiter. wine, as even a moldy cork top is com­ If you don’t detect any problems be­ The first thing to keep in mind about mon with wines a few years old. In fact, it cause of oxidation, acescance or lack of testing the wine is that you’re not approv­ might just indicate that care was taken in clarity, tell the waiter he may serve the ing character, but quality. The fact that the storage of the wine. wine. If you detect a flaw, don’t hesitate the wine fails to inspire your enthusiasm Once the waiter has uncorked the bot­ rejecting the bottle and ask the waiter for is of little concern. The assumption is tle he will feel the cork for dryness and a different vintage or another wine. made that you already are familiar with sniff the cork for mustiness or odor of It’s far more embarrassing to approve the wine and that your well-trained nose, acetic acid. All are indications that the a bad wine that to reject a questionable eye and palate are checking for defects wine has been spoiled by air seepage. If one. Besides, Betty Sue will be impressed. due to mishandling. the waiter believes this is the case he most Sure. (^LIP5urt

19 February 20 Klipsun (Editor's note: This is a true story about a lonely elderly woman. The names have been changed to protect those involved.) The wall clock struck one. Gertie Gertie’s strong Christian background number and called her. rocked slowly in her rocking chair, stop­ does not prevent her from reading her “I don’t remember exactly what I said ping now and then to point to one of the horoscope. to Faith because I was out of my head. numerous photographs around the room Gertie said, “I believe a little bit in But Joe said he heard me tell her, ‘I don’t and to tell a story about the subjects in astrology, but I didn’t when I was young.” want you ever to come home again.’ And the particular photo. She said for years she has studied hor­ I heard Faith wail over the phone, ‘Oh, “Faith always said, ‘Mother, when you oscopes to see which men make the best Mother!’ Then I hung up. Joe and I both can’t take care of yourself anymore, I husbands. cried.” want you to live with me.’” “To me, Sagittarius boys and Leo boys Then Joe became very ill with Parkin­ Gertie stopped rocking and folded her make the best husbands. They’re very son’s disease. Gertie cared for him, but 82-year-old hands neatly in her lap. She is her two daughters wanted to put him into a widow and lives alone. a rest home. “I’m so lonely! My life hasn’t been very She stroked her silvery hair “He would get out of bed in the middle happy,” she said, fingering the cloth of with her hand and continued, of the night and fall on the floor,” she her blue housedress. said. “I couldn’t lift him myself, so I’d put Gertie was born in 1899 in a small New ‘If I were young. I’d go all a pillow under his head and cover him England town. Because her mother died around the world to find a with a blanket. In the morning, a neigh­ when Gertie was 16, she lived with an Leo or a Sagittarius man.’ bor would come and move Joe. aunt until she quit high school and moved “I was ready to take Joe to a rest home in with her sister to work in a Seattle because he would get better care there. confectionery. But when I told him, he cried and said, When she was 20, Gertie married Joe thoughtful. Joe wasn’t a Leo or a Sagitta­ ‘Mama, 1 want you to take care of me. No Stone. Six years later, they moved to Bell­ rius,” she said. one will take better care of me than you.’ ingham, where she has lived for the past She stroked her silvery hair with her So I promised him he would never go to a 56 years. Gertie said their three children hand and continued, “If I were young. I’d rest home.” were baptized in a local church and raised go all around the world to find a Leo or a Joe died three years ago. with strong Christian beliefs. Sagittarius man.” Gertie said she was heartbroken when Now the “kids,” Tom, 59, Faith, 56, Gertie said the fun she has with horo­ two of her three children did not turn up and Harriet, 52, are scattered from scopes does not conflict with her Chris­ Auburn, Wash, to Arizona to New York, tian beliefs. so Gertie rarely sees them or her five “I don’t think it’s a good thing, but I grandchildren and two great-grandchil­ don’t think it’s the work of the devil ‘I pray every night that my dren, she said. either. To me, it’s a little bit of sin, but Faith will come back. Faith Her husband, Joe, retired in 1957. He there’s a lot of other sins, too,” she said. often worked nights, and Gertie, who was A piano and an organ are the major wrote the other day and furnishings in Gertie’s living room. Ger­ asked if she could have my tie has been playing the piano since she was four, and now plays for her church in rocking chair.’ Gertie’s daughter, Faith, has Bellingham, and for friends. spoken to her rarely since “I know Chopin, Tchaikovsky ... I 1973, when they had an really get compliments about my music.” for their father’s funeral. Gertie’s daughter. Faith, has spoken to But Faith, who Gertie had not seen argument that Gertie said her rarely since 1973, when they had an since their argument in 1973, came to the was caused by demons. argument that Gertie said was caused by funeral, although she refused to speak to demons. Gertie was at home with her or sit near her mother. husband when she was frightened by a Gertie ran her finger along the armrest afraid of being alone, stayed up to wait worm-like object that flashed by her face. of her rocking chair. Tears ran down her for Joe to come home from work. She believes it was a demon taking pos­ pink cheeks. She sobbed openly. She still is afraid of being alone. session of her body. “I pray every night that my Faith will “One night, a man came pounding at She said she told her husband to hide come back. Faith wrote the other day and my door at 2 a.m.,” she said. She dared Faith’s phone number because the demon asked if she could have my rocking chair. not go to the door, but stayed in her made her angry with Faith. She knew it “I don’t know what to tell her. I don’t bedroom and cried and prayed Psalm 91. would be a mistake to call her daughter, have much time left, and I want to see her “That’s the Psalm of protection ... He she said. again. I want to tell her she can have the who dwells in the shelter of the Most “I asked Joe if we could go for a ride. chair if we can spend some time together.” High will abide in the shadow of the He said no. I told him if I stayed in the Gertie stopped rocking and wiped the Almighty . . .,” Gertie recited the verses, house I would call Faith and be sorry. tears from her cheeks with her sleeve. the words coming so fast they were But he said he didn’t want to go out in the “I guess we’ll be together in heaven, hardly recognizable. snow. So we stayed home. I found Faith’s won’t we?” ^

21 February by A Ian Minato

Searching for new challenges, the man with neatly combed silver hair. ‘T did everything; baseball, tennis, kind of challenges he had pursued all His brownish face, though lined gymnastics, judo, sumo (wrestling), his life, Thomas Tomio Minato re­ and weathered, maintains a certain cliff diving and long-distance swim­ surrected some Japanese university tautness around the jaw and cheek­ ming,” he said, crinkling his brow education from years past and taught bones like that of the younger man in while recollecting memories. '‘When himself to read and write Chinese the 1927 wedding portrait. Brown I swam, I would swim for up to 25 to poetry. eyes flash through the lenses of his 30 miles. I did just about everything, The 82-year-old Thomas sat in a gold-framed, metal glasses as he told but I got my certificate in judo.” black leatherette lounge chair in the his story. den of his Burnaby, British Colum­ Growing up in a small coastal He earned a first-degree blackbelt bia, home. In a photo on one wall, town south of Osaka, Japan, Tho­ at 17 and his success became almost a pro golfers Jerry Pate and Tom Wat­ mas developed a passion for sports as lifelong fascination. Because of his son stand beside Minato, a small a schoolboy. natural ability at judo, he came to

22 Klipsun love the sport. It fueled his competi­ try and I like doing my own business.” began painting a Japanese style called tive spirit. Thomas began teaching judo at the Sumie. Each Sumie is distinguished '‘I am a small man,” he said, laugh­ Vancouver Judo Club. At the same by the seal the artist carves, inks and ing, “and I like to beat somebody.” time he juggled a number of busi­ presses in the corner of the drawing. In Japan at the time, fighters were nesses including a grocery store, an The small intricate pattern carved on not segregated into weight classes import/export business and an ap­ the wooden stamp is an artistic and at 120 pounds, he often had to pliance store. Business failed during achievement in itself. fight bigger and stronger opponents. the Depression and after war was Walking to the living room, he “In the old days I went against 200- declared on Japan, the Minato fam­ pointed to a work of Sumie that is pounders. If you were fast, you used ily was forced to endure a govern­ just one of the many paintings that their strength against them,” he said, ment-sponsored evacuation to Lil- adorn the walls. His drawing depicts growing more animated with each looet, B.C. a white stork, resting in a pond with word. Seeking a life free from war-time one leg delicately lifted out of the From 1917 to 1919, Thomas’s in­ oppression, the Minatos moved to water. An orange stamp, surrounded terests took him to three universities, Vernon, B.C., in 1943. Starting from with black Japanese letters, is inked including Kyoto University as a pre- scratch once again, Thomas opened a in two of the corners. med student and Ritsuimeikan and grocery store, which he operated until Chuo universities, where he studied 1961. In his spare moments he taught math, English and commerce. After judo at the Vernon Judo Club and Smokey-gray mountains two-and-a-half years, however, his single-handedly increased the number loom large in the back­ education was interrupted by com­ of students from five to more than 60. ground, their great bulk pulsory military service. He returned to Vancouver in 1965 Emerging as a corporal, he dashed and began teaching women self- split by a winding river his chances for further promotion by defense. He taught for five more valley. “monkeying around.” He laughed, years and received numerous com­ relating a funny story. mendations from the judo associa­ “Corporal Minatogawa, take five tion. On every wall, oils, inks and soldiers to spy on the other army,” he Moving forward from his black watercolors depict people, animals, said, gruffly mimicking his captain. lounge chair, he proudly displayed a scenes and fishing boats. “1 take five soldiers, but I don’t know bronze plaque that read: To T. “Scenery very good,” he said, “but directions. Even now, south, east, Minato for Outstanding Support of horses and people not very good.” west, my directions aren’t very good.” Judo. B.C. Judo Association 1978. His latest effort, an oil, sits on the What was supposed to be a two-day In 1970, at the age of 71, he topped stereo for lack of space. The painting mission ended up lasting four days. off his career in judo with the award depicts a scene from Japan during “I should have been an officer but I of blackbelt, second degree. the last century. Smokey-gray moun­ have kind of a short temper,” he said. That same year, arthritis forced tains loom large in the background, Thomas to give up active participa­ their great bulk split by a winding tion in judo. Stripped of his beloved river valley. Two thatched-roof judo by arthritis-wracked hands, he houses sit in a clearing. On the hut On every wall, oils, inks was advised by his doctor to take up nearest the river a water wheel turns. and watercolors depict golf instead. Evergreens tower over maple trees people, animals, scenes As a golf club senior, he said, “I am turned orange-red and yellow by the the smallest and second oldest and I changing season. and fishing boats. am the only Japanese.” He won the Thomas has tried oils, waterco­ ‘Scenery very good, ’ he 1980 Burnaby Senior Golf Memorial lors, pottery, ink and pastels, but said, ‘but horses and peo­ trophy. Last year he missed winning prefers to work with acrylics. it by one stroke. “Acrylic is best because it dries so ple not very good. ’ In 1972 he immersed himself in art fast. It is very hard to work with. Oil after the loss of his eldest and favorite takes time to dry, and I am impa­ daughter to cancer. The death of his tient,” he said. He grimaced when “1 didn’t listen to the officer’s orders child left Thomas with one son and mentioning pastels. and 1 didn’t go to the lectures. They one daughter. But the trauma of the Although he is only an amateur don’t like me.” event helped create a cathartic outlet artist, he is an accredited artist in two After his stint in the army, Thomas for his pain. other disciplines. In 1941 he received worked as a bookkeeper and was sent Showing no aptitude for art before his teacher’s certificate in Shakuha- to Vancouver, B.C., to reorganize this time, Thomas said, “I was so chi, the Japanese bamboo flute. business operations. There he met his upset that I took up painting. I am He also is certified to teach Shigin, future wife and, wishing to remain in self-taught. I studied very hard,” he which is the reciting of Chinese and Canada, he quit his job. said, emphasizing “studied.” He’d Japanese poems through singing. A “I like the scenery, I like the coun­ had some training in calligraphy, and singer of Shigin tries to understand

23 February and express the composer’s feelings try through correspondence. He and at the same time strengthen the Every month he composes translated a birthday poem sent by body and heart. his instructor: “I am sending best From this interest and from uni­ a poem and places it in the wishes for your birthday. You are versity study of Chinese literature, bulletin of the Japanese interested in poetry, Shigin and put­ Thomas has gone on to translate Canadian Citizens As­ ting all your heart into it. You have Chinese poetry. Every month he so many hobbies; that is the secret to composes a poem and places it in the sociation. your good health. I pray that you will bulletin of the Japanese Canadian live to be 100.” Citizens Association. sing-song tonal qualities of Chinese The poet has honored Thomas ‘T write poems Chinese style,” he speech. Tomio Minato by precisely summar­ said, laughing and mimicking the Thomas also studies Japanese poe­ izing his life.

to a Need

by Heidi Fedore

On the corner of State and Holly, outside a stark volunteers answer riders’ questions and assist in many cement office, bold red letters decorate the top of the ways. windows. RSVP. Volunteer Francis Bates devotes hours coordinating Curiosity may drive passers-by to sneak a peak through bus station watchpersons. Ruth Ecklund, director of the vanilla-colored blinds, but few clues can be gathered RSVP for five years, said she no longer concerns herself from the workers’ activities. with the responsibility of City Transit volunteers because RSVP stands for Retired Senior Volunteer Program, of Bates’s help. which was implemented under a federal law for the aged. Other seniors contribute their time and talents, also. John Warden donates 10 hours each week to music Many services for the community are running smoothly students at Shuksan Middle School. because of the added assistance of talented senior citizens. “I can do a little bit of everything, but not a lot of one Spokesman for the police department. Sergeant Lee thing,” Warden said. “If the students are really talented, I Fullner, said that the police department has become advise them to seek private lessons.” dependent on the senior citizens for their participation in RSVP works with youngsters outside of school as well the Vacation House Check program, which has saved as inside. A recent service called the Community Grand­ approximately 18 police work-hours a week. parent Program provides extra grandparents for children “At first,” Fullner explained, “RSVP was helping from one-parent families. officers with the house check detail. They have taken over The six-month program serves as an opportunity to the program completely and are doing a better, more expose the child to another adult. efficient job.” Warden and his wife, Helen, are foster grandparents. The Vacation House Check program is one where They spend about four hours a week with their foster volunteers keep records of home owners who are out of grandchildren. town and make routine checks of the unattended homes. Volunteers throughout Bellingham contribute talents In 1980, volunteers donated 2,606 hours — 1.3 full­ from Internal Revenue advice to musical instrument time officers — to the program. RSVP not only saved the instruction. The volunteers can be recognized by the city a lot of money, it also has contributed to the safety Transit and Police uniforms. These people are recognized and comfort of the citizens of Bellingham. by the community for their gift of time and talent. Vandalism brought a need for watchpersons at the City Many community services are touched by RSVP’s Transit Building (bus station), so RSVP installed “hosts” generosity. Even the curious passers-by can take advaiv there. While watching the City Transit property, the tage of the services with the help of senior volunteers. ^5^

24 Klipsun IMTERVIEW Downtown Seattle Ten questions for the Sonics' Fred Brown

Seattle SuperSonics guard Fred­ yes, we are performers. do I do in general. I’m the answer die Brown has been a fixture around 3. figure for them, so I try to steer them the National Basketball Association Klipsun: Fred Brown’s role in this in the right direction. I try to project for a long time. Brown has been con­ play, then, is that of sixth man. Ypu an image to them that. . . “Hey, you verting his high-arching jump shot appear to have made the adjustment know, whatever happens, you know, for the past 11 seasons, all in a Seattle from starter to reserve well. it isn’t all that bad or you wouldn’t be uniform. Brown: It’s a role I have undertaken, here in the first place.” A graduate of the University of and I play to it. You know, I play to 6. Iowa in 1971, ''Downtown” is Seat­ that, and I make adjustments when Klipsun: Was there a point early in tle *s fourth leading scorer this season, they occur. And when it comes time your career that you realized you averaging more than 11 points per for me to start, I start. And I make would play in the NBA a long time? game. His 91 percent free-throw the adjustment there. It’s just that I’m Brown: No. My energies weren’t fo­ average is among the best in the very flexible with what I do, and 1 cused on the NBA. I was focused on NBA. keep an open mind about it and try to getting an education and leading a The 33-year-old captain of the work within the framework — the full life. Sonics took time after a recent vic­ realm of what we’re trying to do col­ tory over the Dallas Mavericks to 7. lectively as a team. Klipsun: You have a lucrative con- talk to Klipsun editor John L. Smith about the season, his career and his 4. plans after retiring. Klipsun: In a league filled with big egos, the Seattle club seems surpris­ ingly level-headed. Is this, perhaps, 1. because of the maturity people such Klipsun: After 11 years in the league, as Fred Brown and coach Wilkens basketball has to be a job for you. bring? But does the game still hold the Brown: You’ve got to have some excitement for you that it did when mature ballplayers on your side, and you were a rookie? Lenny has that now. But any team Brown: I still have the excitement, needs a good coordinator, and Lenny and it is my job. Whenever I lose the does all the coordinating. He needs excitement or I feel that I’m lacking some people to lead, and I am one of in one area or another, then it’s time them. So are Jack (Sikma) and Gus for me to hang it up. (Williams), because we know exactly 2. what he wants. We took care of it Klipsun: Coach Lenny Wilkens might that way. easily be compared to the director of 5. a Broadway play, with the Sonics Klipsun: What is your role as captain players as actors. (Brown laughs.) of the Sonics, other than meeting Do you consider yourself an enter­ with the officials before the game? tainer? Brown: I’m like the father image for a Brown: Oh yes. Oh definitely. You lot of the guys. They come to me and know, most guys have to realize this want to know what do they do with is entertainment. You have to enter­ this particular play; what do they do tain night in and night out. It’s a as far as guarding a certain ballplayer stage. We’re on stage and we’re out on the opponent’s team; what happens there performing. Some nights we do in the city; what do I do as far as good, some nights we don’t. Basically talking to the management. Just what

25 February tract with the Soncis, but no one can play professional basketball forever. What are your plans after retiring? ART AMD ARTIST Brown: I have a couple of things planned. A couple of business ven­ tures with friends and, I work for an investment company, and write a small article for a paper in the inner city. I shouldn’t say small. I write a column. I work for a travel agent here, and I have other business ven­ tures. I haven’t made up my mind exactly what 1 really want to do. I’m just trying to keep the doors open and venture off into any number of I see no color things. And whatever I feel comfor­ variations only table with at the end of my career, of the fundamental dark that’s probably what I’ll end up doing. and know this to be true 8. Klipsun: You are definitely a com­ municator on the court. Do you have That is the royalty in me any plans to coach after retirement? crowned heir Brown: Well, 1 don’t really know if I in this inflatable squat want to get off into coaching. I’ll you read and dream of weigh that over the next couple of years or so. There’s a possibility that Bite pocked my body seems I could do that, but I’ll Just have to food lam in multiple weigh that situation. eloquence of surprise 9. the becoming that cannot Klipsun: You have won many awards if there is reason be in your professional career. Where do accolades rank on your list of priori­ I am a slayer of dragon­ ties? flies my tongue my weapon Brown: Not very high (laughs). You stillness my condition know, when 1 was younger, it was the Waiting top thing, but I sort of grew out of that. Everybody wants all the tro- ph ies, all the watches, all the rings brings them usually at evening and all that. You want that, but those on the tray of sun things are immaterial. Accomplish­ leaving sun behind and calling back ments and everything, what your peers feel about you and how you feel Indigestible those wings unsating about yourself, are the most impor­ I taste repeatedly my meals tant things; and that’s the only thing go always in my patience that I need. 1 don’t need the other hungry things anymore. They were material things that weren’t really anything. And thus do I 10. kissed once on this green edge Klipsun: How do the Sonics catch inherit kingdoms the Los Angeles Lakers? Brown: How do we catch them? ® 1982 by Bill Freedman We’re not out to catch the Lakers. We’re out to win all the games we can win and play as fine as we can. Every­ thing else will take care of itself. We’re not out to catch the Lakers; we’re not out to catch Portland, Pho­ enix or anybody. We have to pla} well, and if we play well, we will hav.' eood fortune.

26 Klipsun 27 February .. fVe have to learn to think in a new way. We have to learn to ask ourselves, not what steps can be taken to give military to whatever group we prefer, for there no longer are such steps; the question we have to ask ourselves is: What steps can be taken to prevent a military contest of which the issue must be disastrous to all parties. "A Ibert Einstein. Bertrand Russell et. al. from a declaration opposing nuclear war — 1955.

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