Western Washington University Western CEDAR

Klipsun Magazine Western Student Publications

11-1987

Klipsun Magazine, 1987, Volume 19, Issue 01 - November

William J. Freeberg Western Washington University

Follow this and additional works at: https://cedar.wwu.edu/klipsun_magazine

Part of the Higher Education Commons, and the Journalism Studies Commons

Recommended Citation Freeberg, William J., "Klipsun Magazine, 1987, Volume 19, Issue 01 - November" (1987). Klipsun Magazine. 95. https://cedar.wwu.edu/klipsun_magazine/95

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].

Klipsun magazine is printed by the Copyright, November 1987 Special thanks to Madge Gleeson, WWU Print Plant, published twice- Bob Urso, Nancy Chow, Gail Weir, quarterly out of College Hall 137, Front cover photo by Jeff Goertz Anne Mackie, John Sleeper, Monica Western Washington University, Bel­ White, the staff photo guys, the West- lingham, WA 98225, (206) 676-3737. Back cover photo by Pete Kendall ern Front/Klipsun Business Office, Klipsun is supported by student fees the WWU Printing Plant, U2 for mood and is distributed free. Klipsun is a Lummi Indian word mean­ and Heidi Mo Hawkins “fb da funk.” ing “beautiful sunset.” editor William J. Freeberg

managing editor IIPROVISATION 4 David Einmo Spontaneity enriches the drama of life story editor Jeffrey Pedersen

photo editor CAFES 8 Jesse Tinsley An alternative to bars? production/art editor Suzanne Whitish ROLE PLAYING 11 adviser Ted Stannard Fantasy games offer an escape typesetters Andy Perdue William J. Freeberg BASEBALL CARDS 14 Monica White Collectors keep baseball thrill alive with cards staff Wendy Staley Marisa Lencioni 16 Wendy Bacon-Allex ULTRALIGHTS Jerry Tegarden Local flyers take you up, up and away Daniel C. Webster K. Washburn MarC. Holstrom Matthew Brown STRIPPERS Erin Lafferty Canadian men take it all off Laura K. Gordon Julie McGalliard Pete Kendall Jeff Kuehn DIVER 23 Bill Gregersen-Morash Underwater photographer takes shots '"sun” by Suzanne Whitish MOUNTAIN BIKES 27 Trail riders hit the dirt 31 c The editor speaks I >H

k NOVEMBER It was a dark and stormy night -- the class will be almost totally accept­ to control It, but there are times when ing of audience suggestions. They will It makes life more exciting,’’ she or one cold and clear afternoon. Set­ fall in and out of characterizations at added. ting wasn’t important to the small the mention of a word, and their skits Turtle Robb, a student in Heid’s group gathered in Fairhaven’s will be believable without the help of current class, said she had never real­ auditorium. Instead, inspiration and props or backgrounds. spontaneity took center stage. “It’s a release - a helluva lot of ly been exposed to Improv before en­ Twelve performers in stockinged- fun,” said 22-year-old Drue Robinson, rolling in the course. She enrolled be­ feet stood in a circle Inside the dimly a former student of Heid’s. “You’re on cause she thought it would help her lit auditorium. Almost in unison, they the edge of your brain.” better understand a character in a raised their arms, then allowed gravity to lower them. In with the good air, Robinson’s clear blue eyes out with the bad. Fairhaven instructor scanned the view of Bellingham Bay ‘‘Shhh, rm a ski on Bill Held led his class in warmup ex­ from a window perch in the Viking ercises designed to loosen faces, Union Coffee Shop as she searched top of a car.” minds and bodies. for her most illustrative anecdotes. “Start out with a couple hundred today,” Held told his congregation of “I’ve always been a pretty I - Drue Robinson arm-raisers. “A little article I read said spontaneous person, but, urn, Improv 1,250 was a good number.” gives me an excuse,” Robinson said. It’s only a joke, but it quickly es­ She once climbed on top of the car novel she is writing. What she’s dis­ tablished the prominence of humor in while waiting for her friend to emerge covered, however, is a better under­ improvisatlonal theater. from a 7-Eleven. “Shhh, I’m a ski on standing of herself, she said. The drills are the first step toward top of a car,” she told a woman who Sitting on the floor in front of the performing actual Improvisatlonal looked at her questioningly. Fairhaven auditorium stage after skits. Toward the end of the quarter. “There are times when you’ve got class, Robb drew her knees up to her chest and elaborated.

K 5 definitely serious. It’s about enriching my life. “There is definitely something very satisfying about the level of sharing. You’re responding to people on a very subtle level.’’ Improvisers must learn to respond to nuances In meaning and play off one another’s verbal and physical cues, he explained, adding that participants are usually rewarded with a heightened awareness.

“it’s definitely serious. It’s about en­ riching my life.” I - Bill Held Improv Is essential training for ac­ tors of any genre because of Its effect upon perception, Robinson said. She said she finds that improv helps her, as an actress, discover un­ derlying Intentions, motivations and inspiration. She also found Improv “The major thing I’ve found out “He’s incredible,” she said of useful in giving her a feel for the from taking these classes is that I’m Heid. “He pulls things out of a hat characters she portrays. an uptight person,’’ she said. “I never that’re about five miles long, five miles Stretching his legs. Strong leaned knew that.’’ deep.’’ his back against the front of the stage She explained that in the past she Don Strong, a student in his first In Fairhaven. The overhead lights has always tried to plot out conversa­ quarter at Fairhaven, agreed that sparkled off the lenses of his glasses tions in her mind to feel prepared. Ad­ Heid’s exercises are well thought out. as he spoke. justing her glasses, Robb said “He definitely has a direction that Strong said he took the class be­ he wants to go In, that’s quite ob­ cause it seemed like it would be fun vious,’’ Strong said, “He has a great and affordable, and It also fit his “The major thing store of experience. He hems and schedule. He’d never done or even I’ve found from taking haws over directions and thinks out seen Improv before, but was immedi­ ately at home in the auditorium. these classes is that loud, which Is great.’’ Within his office on the third floor “It makes me more comfortable I’m an uptight per­ of Fairhaven College, Heid seemed being the center of attention within a son.” oblivious to the two scaled-down group of people without knowing what replicas of the Goodyear blimp and I’ll be doing,” Strong said. He de­ - Turtle Robb the rainbow-colored floral streamers scribed himself as a “corner- sitter,’’ circling the room. The walls are cov­ basically shy in front of groups of rehearsed conversations are not al­ ered with bookshelves and posters people. Speaking In front of large lowed in improv, a fact that has made publicizing art sharing activities, while groups has become less intimidating her more spontaneous. counter space is concealed with to him since he began the class. To learn how to manipulate im­ plants and note paper. Heid glossed The two-hour classes are like fam­ prov, Robinson has taken Heid’s Fair- over the amenities and directed the ily get-togethers twice a week. Strong haven improv courses. She said she conversation to Improv. Rocking In his said. Unlike other acting classes he enjoyed the classes with Held be­ chair, he balanced a cup of tea on his has taken, the Improv class is un­ cause his personality lends itself well knee and explained his Improv philos­ competitive, he said. Instead, the to improvisational theater. As the in­ ophy. class offers an opportunity to have fun structor, Heid is responsible for gener­ Heid wants his improvisers to while learning. ating many of the ideas for skits and have fun with their art, but he also But just because it’s fun doesn’t drills. He also is frequently responsible seeks to make them aware of im- necessarily mean it’s easy. for the bursts of laughter that Interrupt prov’s serious side. “It’s really intense,’’ he said. “I’m the exercises. Good communication between just totally wiped out at the end of the participants can turn even the simplest class. It takes a lot of energy.” suggestions Into serious social or political improv material, he said. “It’s 6 NOVEyBER MPROVISATION

Improv lacks scripts, but it has structure and requires practice if it is to be performed with ease, Heid ex­ plained. “We can’t really rehearse, but you need to do a lot of improv to reassure yourself you won’t fall apart in front of an audience,” he said. “When we rehearse, we always sort of imagine an audience.’’

“You can have fun without an audience, but an audience heightens the risk be­ cause you can’t stop and say, ‘oh, shit, I goofed’ and start over.” “ Drue Robinson

Heid said the prospect of perform­ In addition to taking Heid’s ing before an audience, a goal he sets energy-consuming classes, Robinson for his class each quarter, provides a has progressed through the acting “So many people can bring so reason to regularly practice detailed series of Western’s drama depart­ many different things Into Improv. It improvisations. The prospect of an ment. She compared the various brings out people’s personalities.’’ audience is a good way to keep per­ types of acting, and believes her ex­ Flexibility and an ability to work formers on their toes, he explained. posure to improv over the past three with others are crucial personality Robinson is aware of the live years has taught her to listen more at­ traits of improvisers, but not all are aspect of performing in front of an tentively, and to notice things she born with a spontaneous streak like audience, but said she usually isn’t would never have noticed before. Robinson’s. concerned about whether she’s per­ “In improv, the more things that Although it sounds like a con­ forming for one or not. you accept and say yes to, and go tradiction, the spontaneity of improv “You can have fun without an with whatever inspiration hits you - to can be practiced and learned. Held’s audience, but an audience heightens be open - that’s what’s really chal­ performing experience has left him the risk because you can’t stop and lenging,” Robinson said. “That’s with an accumulation of hundreds of say ‘oh, shit, I goofed’ and start over. where improv breaks down the bar­ exercises designed to build a better “It’s a new ball game. The riers.’’ improvisation. laughter determines the next play. The Accepting blind offers without In one warmup activity used early audience influences you, and if you’re questioning them is an important part in the quarter, each student in Heid’s good, you’re open to that.’’ of the improv philosophy, she said, improv class Is responsible for making By opening himself up to the because it allows performers to get a noise. The next person echoes it nuances of improv, Heid’s life past preconceptions and mental and then alters it while passing it on. changed. For him, Improv has be­ blocks. The ensuing sounds conjure up Im­ come more than just a method of ac­ Heid, who’s been experimenting ages of a haunted barnyard or ting. with improv for about five years, said cartoon voices on fast forward. Trying “It’s a philosophy about inspira­ learning from the physical and emo­ to decipher the nonsensical speech Is tion, of spontaneity, working together tional spontaneity of improv can be like trying to comprehend the gib­ and collaboration,’’ he said. applied to life outside of the berish of the native headhunters on “It’s mobility of the imagination. auditorium. Improv techniques can Gilligan’s Island without the aid of Take the audience on a voyage enhance creativity, flexibility, subtitles. through realities, and the audience spontaneity and can even expose new But audiences viewing improv forms a picture of what you’re doing problem-solving angles, he said, be­ typically won’t need translations be­ with very little info. cause improv usually Improves a per­ cause ideas for skits and sketches “I think of that as a dream-like son’s communication skills. often originate from them. state. When we’re dreaming, we think Robinson agreed that improv af­ “Usually, the skit or the sketch nothing of It ~ it’s only when we wake fects performers’ lives. starts out with some sort of audience up that It becomes strange.’’ suggestion,” Held said. “That demonstrates that the work Is not scripted.’’ ■•V.V.W.V.V."*<'.W,W.'.".V.V/!v.V.V.V.*AVAV.V.'.*rf^W.'.'.V.'.‘.'.‘.'.

/

/

tarP P ,.fF 4 % * ■ ,I|P,

■■ ■•*JV

«■>;■.•.■.•...... ■••' 41 Z m

mm/y

yyS^y"

R UISING TH E A F E S

ZZ' By Laura K. Gordon

S you approach “The Dance Club,” you notice that ail the women going into the place have already adorned their “I’m-too-good-for-you, but-if-you’re-cute-enough-l-might-do- you-a-favor-and-dance-with-you” atti­ h*i tudes. The guys all smell like they’ve just bathed in Polo. The combined smell of everyone’s cologne, sweat, and cigarette smoke is enough to «ss>- make you sick. And the pretentious­ ness of the scene doesn’t help you feel any better. Luckily, in spite of the droning, instant dance club hit, you ■4ZA manage to lip-read a friend’s plea, “Let’s leave NOW.” So where can a college student fyyf' go for good music, or conversation and the chance to meet “real ' t ^ ^ people?” Cafes offer an alternative to 'V the fakery, while also providing good JSfc r'Xjx*;-■%■ ...... ^ food and fair prices. % Bellingham is full of cafes, some that are famous and others that are well-kept secrets.

Bill Gregersen-Morash

...... Tony’s Coffees and Teas, in Fair- haven, is one of the best-known cof­ fee houses in Whatcom County. “Totally relaxed and great musicians -- I can’t think of any place else I’d rather be,” said Tina Dolph, a Western senior. ‘‘No one is there to impress anybody. If you wanted that you’d go to Blue Max.” One reason Tony’s is so well-liked is because of its relaxing atmosphere. Tony’s also is a favorite for local musicians who sign up for the chance to play there on weeknights. Weekends are reserved for the more well known performers. At Tony’s the aroma alone is enough to make one want to stay. The scent of tea wafts up the stairs from the coffee, cheese and spice shop located in the lower half of the

establishment. i The coffee is freshly roasted and Bill Gregersen-Morash sold to customers as well as other The Cookie Cafe staff cafes and restaurants. Cafe Ole is the most popular item on the menu, said Tony’s employee Ina O’Donnell. Tony’s may be most famous for Its Meagan Olsen says the Colophon One feature of the Colophon is its coffees, but O’Donnell said ‘‘the milk­ Cafe in Fairhaven has the best Coffee Mug Club. Customers can buy shakes here are the best In town.” shakes. She admitted to being a little a personalized mug for $12.50 and ei­ prejudiced because she works there, ther keep it on the display rack or take but said even if she didn’t, she’d still it home with them. Once a week a like Colophon’s the best. Shakes are number is drawn and the person just one of the many selections on the owning the mug with the correspond­ cafe’s menu. ing number wins one of five prizes. “Kids ages 12-and-under really One can win gift certificates from other like the Reese’s sandwich, which is businesses or a lunch at Colophon. peanut butter and chocolate chips on The variety of soup offered by white bread,” Olsen said. Colophon is virtually endless. The soup-of-the-day can range from Afri­ can peanut to curried banana or “Kids...really like cream of dill pickle. the Reese’s sand­ The Colophon Is adorned with all sorts of cow products: cow paintings, wich, which is peanut cow books, cow dinnerware, and butter and chocolate other assorted cow knickknacks. ‘‘I’m not really too sure about the chips on white cow business. I guess the owners bread.” (Steve and Taimi Dunn) just like them,” Olsen said. Cleo Kotsogeanis Gowenlock said after eating her I - Meagan Olsen Colophon sandwich she would choose The Cookie Cafe as a place “Totally relaxed for dessert. She added her favorite But kids of all ages seem to love kind of cookie Is the semi-sweet and great musicians the ice cream. The flavors often chocolate chip with walnuts. Cookies - I can’t think of any change, and all the berry flavored ice at the cafe are priced by the pound. creams are homemade with fresh fruit. The average cookie costs 65 cents place else I’d rather Colophon is attached to Village and is “worth every penny,” Gowen­ Books so ‘‘if the lines are long at the be.” lock said. counter you just go hang out in the “You don’t have to feel embar­ ~ Tina Dolph bookstore,’’ said Western senior rassed there, like when you buy a bag Shanna Gowenlock. She frequently visits Colophon and is a fan of their Just who has the best milkshakes cream cheese, tomato, lettuce and in Bellingham depends on who one mustard sandwich on honeywheat talks to. bread, ‘‘and it’s cut in half diagonally, of course.” of store-bought cookies,” she said. “You can either get sick eating store- bought cookies or you can be cool and buy some upscale, totally hip cookies.” Located downtown on Cornwall, the Cookie Cafe specializes in des­ sert. Brownies, croissants and coffee cake also are featured on the menu. Just around the corner on East Holly is the Around the Corner Cafe. Like many other cafe owners, Denise Ranney boasts about the quality of the food served at her restaurant. “We have the best sandwiches in town. We’re never skimpy with them,” she said. Unusual, homemade food can be had at Around the Corner, and it’s all under $4, Ranney added. “We have two things that are very popular. One is the all-in-one biscuit,” Ranney said. The biscuit comprises pieces of bacon, cheese and an egg, and makes a compact breakfast. Meat pies are the biggest seller at lunch “By that time people are coming time and the cafe can deliver meals to in for dessert and coffee mainly,” a three-block radius downtown. Huffman said. But meal items are “If enough people get together on available until closing at 6 p.m. an order, we could deliver to West­ weeknights and 5 p.m. on Saturdays. ern’s campus,” Ranney said. “We’re The Bagelry, on Railroad Avenue, very flexible.” sells exactly what its name implies. For those with a taste for the ex­ Eight varieties of bagels and at least otic, authentic Greek food is available at GJK Greek Restaurant, also on 15 kinds of toppings make a seeming­ Cornwall. George Kotsogeanis runs ly endless number of combinations. the restaurant with his wife Cleo, who Employee Margaret Gleason said the does much of the cooking. most unusual kind of topping In the Greek music plays softly and the cafe is the cinnamon, raisin and wal­ sweet and spicy smell of Grecian nut cream cheese spread. cuisine wafts through the restaurant. The Bagelry has a warm, relaxing atmosphere and plenty of soft drinks, making It Ideal for group study ses­ Making bagels at the Bagelry When asked what sions. The dark wood floors and com­ fortable furniture create a cozy feeling. souflaki is, Cleo said, When the studying is over, a ride down Chuckanut Drive leads to The Rhododendron Cafe in Bow, eight feel to the cafe. When weather is nice, I “It’s $3.99.’’ people lounge or dine outside the miles past Larabee Park. It’s another intimate spot with cafe. small tables and dimmed lights, per­ These cafes offer a variety of food, Souflaki and gyros (beef in pita drinks and atmosphere. Most of the bread) are the two most popular items fect for adding romance to a con­ versation. “The menu Is mostly cafes have customers who have been on the GJK menu. The restaurant also there loyally through the years. features Greek desserts, wine, and Mediterranean, but we thrive on vari­ ety,’’ said cafe manager Rhonda Cafe-goers are genuinely more candy. concerned with seeing and meeting When asked what souflaki is, Cleo Booth. Menus can change every day, she said. people than with being seen. They said, “It’s $3.99,” in her thick Greek don’t usually come home with an in­ accent. After further questioning, she Farms and gardens surround the tiny town and supply much of the pro­ delible smoke and sweat odor in their explained that the dish is a marinated clothes caused by their night out, or pork shishkebab. duce to the cafe. The Rhododendron uses local berries In its homemade have to spend the next day recover­ Anne Huffman, the only non- ing. Instead, they have memories of Greek employee at GJK, said the cafe pies and pastries. Umbrella-covered tables outside time and money well-spent in one of is completely full around lunch time, Bellingham’s cafes. but things get a bit quieter around 3 the Rhododendron lend a European p.m.

10 NOVEMBER By Julie McGalliard

ccw T OU are all sitting in the Inn of Incredible Coincidence.” “What are we doing?” “Oh, sitting around, drinking, tell­ ing bad jokes...” “How bad?” “It doesn’t matter. Now, you--” “What are we drinking?” “It doesn’t matter. You’re sitting In the Inn of Incredible Coincidence, and--” “It might matter. If we’re drinking something really strong we might be drunk and do something stupid.” “Okay, fine, you’re drinking dark ale in the Inn of Incredible Coin­ cidence, and a man wearing a hooded cloak approaches you and says, ‘I have a job for you.’” “What if we decide not to take it?” “It’ll be a very short adventure.” “Maybe we should just stay in the inn and get really wasted.” Erik Freske, referee of this game of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, sighs and slumps a little lower behind the open book concealing his notes from the players. It’s going to be a long afternoon. Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) Is a fantasy role-playing game, a complex type of game that even long-time players have difficulty describing. “It's part simulation and part al­ legory,’’ Freske said of the games. “You try to believe It’s real. The key to a good game is suspension of dis­ belief.”

Nancy Chow

KLIPSUN 11 Freske, a Western anthropology senior, has participated in role-playing games for six years and has refereed them for almost as long. Chad Harding, a senior in pre­ engineering, has played and refereed the games since seventh grade. He described them as “interactive fic­ tion.” All players have a fictional charac­ ter, whose abilities and traits are determined by dice rolls and the choices of the player. The characters can be any of a wide variety of hu­ mans, elves, dwarves, or other strange races. The character then op­ erates in a fictional world, created by the referee, according to the basic rules of the game. For instance, the referee might create a town, then decide which al­ leys have monsters at the end of them, and what kind of monsters they will be. In a role-playing game, the definition of monster is slightly dif­ ferent from the usual one. A monster can be anything from a homicidal four-horned goblin with a big axe to a kindly old wizard who wants to give Chad Harding and Erik Freske you a present. The players decide which alleys their characters will enter, and what “It doesn’t repeat itself like they do when they encounter the Monopoly, where you go around the monsters. Their choice of action same board all the time,” Freske said. ranges from propositioning the “There are as many different ways of monster to trying to lop off Its ill- playing these games as there are begotten head. The success of this referees.” action is determined by a combination “The possibilities are absolutely of dice rolls, the referee, the abilities of endless,” Harding said with a broad the player’s character and the abilities grin. He was known to be a D&D of the player. Fantasy role-playing games were player, and many speculated that he developed in the early 70s, with a might have been acting out a live D&D company called TSR. The company scenario in the steam tunnels under “It doesn’t repeat published a war-gaming system called the university. Egbert was found “Chainmail,” which contained a fan­ several weeks later, but refused to say itself like Monopoly, tasy supplement. if D&D had anything to do with his dis­ where you go around “The fantasy supplement ~ that’s appearance. the same board all what sold the book,” Freske said. The furor, Freske said, did two The result, designed by a man things. the time.” named Gary Gygax, was a game “One, It got D&D in the papers, - Erik Freske called Dungeons & Dragons. Freske and two. It got people against D&D. described the early version of the Conservative religious groups were game as “primitive.” It had a book, saying it got people involved with But that is only the sketchiest des­ which described characters, monsters demons, a few psychologists were cription of the game. The variety of and possible situations, and it had saying It drove people to suicide, all encounters possible is limited only by dice to determine the outcome of that kind of stuff.” the Imagination of the referee and each encounter. Ron Dirks, Western director of players. In Its early days, the game was Campus Crusade for Christ, has en­ played almost exclusively on college countered the religious objections campuses. It went largely unnoticed by the general public, until a 16-year- old college student and computer genius named James Dallas Egbert III vanished.

NOVEMBER ROLE PLAYING directly. About two years ago he Another aspect of role-playing Freske said. “There are 10 hardback played a game of D&D with some co- games is that they can be extremely AD&D rulebooks, plus monster workers, a game he eventually time-consuming. manuals, books on deities and refereed. ‘‘A lot of people I’ve heard of play demigods, survival guides - and I “I really emphasized team play. every night from five to midnight - have all of them, ha-ha-ha.” He chuck­ The whole philosophy...was to do that’s 35 to 40 hours a week,” Freske led evilly. something together for fun. In my said. ‘‘It can be addictive, but you Miniatures, though not required opinion there was nothing morally can’t really blame the game. If people for play, are another possible drain on wrong with what we were doing,” are using it as an escape, it’s because the finances of the serious player. The Dirks said. they just find D&D better than what’s inch-high statues represent heroes, going on around them.” monsters and most of the other A single session of gaming can strange creatures players might en­ ‘Mn my opinion, last an entire day, and a game can go counter in the game. They are made there was nothing on for years. For referees, gaming can of a lead/tIn alloy, cost about $1 Indi­ be more time-consuming. Harding vidually, and less in sets. They are morally wrong with estimated that for every hour spent “real bitches to paint.” what we were doing.” refereeing, he spends two hours in preparation. He described himself as a “You never stop - Ron Dirks “realist.” He designs land forms, lan­ spending on it. It’s guages, and other details that make a like buying stock or I complete world. However, he said, ‘The game can Freske also puts a lot of detail in something.” be abused just like anything can be his world, detail he said is not always - Erik Freske abused. I agree with the statement it appreciated by the players. can expose individuals to the “It’s pretty hard to get your players demonic and the occult.” interested. A lot of them are just pas­ Meanwhile, at the Inn of Incredible Negative publicity Increased sales sive receptors. It’s frustrating. Over a Coincidence... of the game, and as it caught on, five-year span I’ve created an entire “Okay guys, do we want to take other role-playing games appeared. world. It’s pretty complex, and I want this job or not?” Subjects ranged from fantasy and people to appreciate It,” he said. “He’s offering too much gold. It’s science fiction to mysteries and televi­ In spite of the frustration, being a probably dangerous.” sion shows. referee has Its rewards. “Of course it’s dangerous! If It Their popularity peaked, Freske “Why would anyone referee?” He weren’t dangerous It would be really said, in the early ’80s. Around that said with a laugh, a mischievous smile boring.” time, TSR developed a more complex curling behind a heavy beard. “The “Make him give us more gold.” variation on D&D called Advanced power! They want to be gods. There “Mysterious Stranger, we want Dungeons & Dragons (AD&D). was this company -- oh, what was that more gold to take on this perilous Harding has played D&D, but pre­ name? I can’t remember. They called mission of yours.” fers Rolemaster, a game put out by a the referee the ‘Games Operations “Okay, he offers you an extra bag company called Iron Crown Enter­ Designer,’ which you notice spells of gold.” prises (ICE). He started using ‘GOD.’ They got into trouble for that.” “Each?” Rolemaster ‘‘because D&D was so un­ Both Harding and Freske said “Each.” realistic, and had so many loose they prefer to design interesting game “I don’t know about the rest of you ends.” scenarios that require some intelligent idiots, but I’m taking the job.” ‘‘In Rolemaster combat is compli­ thought from the players. Freske es­ “So am I.” cated and simple,” Harding said. ‘‘It’s pecially expressed his disdain for “Might as well. What else am I more like real life.” “power-hungry-hack-and-slashers” going to do?” Freske said he has run into prob­ who “kill the dragon, take the treasure “Stay In the inn and get really lems with players who take the game and that’s it.” wasted.” too seriously. Harding warned against the “Fine, you can stay in the Inn and ‘‘I think what it is, is that fantasies dangers of the “Killer Referee get really wasted. The rest of us take are usually solitary activities, and with Syndrome,” in which the referee the job, oh Mysterious Stranger. Now D&D they’re not. People get really spends most of the game trying to kill what?” _ frustrated when somebody else has off the players while the players control over their fantasies. I’ve seen desperately try to survive, or the games disintegrate that way. People “Monty Hall Syndrome,” in which the get fed up with It. A character they referee is constantly giving away really like dies and they fall apart.” things. Harding agreed this can be a As a hobby, D&D is moderately problem, one he avoids by choosing expensive for the serious player, his players carefully. cheap for the casual player. “You never stop spending on it. It’s like buying stock or something,” themselves. They remember shoe boxes filled with baseball cards, meet­ ing their fate in the dumpster — childhood collections given away, be­ fore their value was realized. But enough cards were salvaged from past years to make their way into the display case at Nelson’s Market, and Into the hands of collectors who swap and shop nationwide. New York Yankee Don Mattingly’s rookie card is there - priced at $^. Cincinnati Red Johnny Bench sells for $50 and Brooklyn Dodger Jackie Robinson for $30. These collector’s items have been gathered together by local baseball

A lively coat of pumpkin orange paint and apple green trim highlight “It’s the middle the turn-of-the-century neighborhood store at the corner of Potter and Hum­ class’ own stock boldt streets. The corner store has market. You’re bet­ The Baseball Card been, as its sign says, “Serving the ting on one favorite York Street Neighborhood since 1895.’’ player to make it.” More recently, the little market has - Chuck Coggins been serving Its customers a bit of his­ tory along with their milk, bread and beer. card collector Chuck Coggins, who Joining the baseball pennants on keeps the store stocked with rare the walls Is market owner Jon Ostby’s cards and new card gumpacks. He, collection of old beverage signs, too, traded many cards to neighbor­ which recall childhood memories of hood kids who knew what to look for By Anne Mackie Dr. Swett’s Original Root Beer, before he knew what the cards were Grapette Soda and that ever-popular worth. “honey of a drink,’’ Honey Dew. Now, he has turned his hobby into But the signs are only a hint that a business. something more is happening here, “It’s the middle class’ own stock something radiating memorabilia. market,’’ Coggins said. “You’re bet­ Seattle Pilots’ red and white Next to the ice cream freezer filled ting on one favorite player to make It baseball team pennant hangs on the with popsicles and Eskimo Pies is a big.’’ wall alongside pennants of the Cali­ glass display case filled with baseball And when a player makes it big, fornia Angels, the San Francisco cards — old and new. Pictures of his rookie card makes it big among Giants and the Pittsburgh Pirates. The baseball’s greatest stars capture the collectors. pennants are part of the nostalgic history of America’s favorite sport. Time magazine reports the old baseball decor at Nelson’s Market, in And the cards have captured the fan­ and rare card market has risen to $45 Bellingham’s York Street neighbor­ cy of baseball’s fans. million, and new card sales have hood. Baseball card collecting is the kind doubled to about $100 million In the of craze that makes most men kick past two years. “A Mickey Mantle EBALL CARDS

“The sport Is healthy. Attendance at games is up, and people have more cash to spend today," he said. “I’ve been to some card shows and seen young kids with $100 to spend.” A collector since age 11, Diaz said Trade magazines ana publications he's lucky he didn’t throw ail his cards have grown up around the hobby, away. and it is here the novice collectors get their tips. Beckett's Baseball Card Monthly tells readers: ‘‘personal enjoyment rookie card has a market value of needs to be the first priority for begin­ $3,3CX),” Coggins said. ning collectors ~ not who will go up in The rarest card is the Honus Wag­ value more.” ner T-206. In 1981, the Wagner “King The magazine advises readers to of Baseball Cards” sold at a New York buy complete sets of favorite cards auction for $25,011. The card was and keep them in plastic album only one of 50 issued by the American sheets. A card’s value is judged by its Tobacco Company in 1910. Produc­ condition ~ from “mint” to “poor.” tion of the card was halted by an in­ ‘‘Today’s young collectors can junction when Wagner objected to his learn from the mistakes of previous picture being on the cigarette compa­ generations,” the magazine states. ny’s cards. The Pittsburgh Pirate “Don’t put an ‘86 Donruss Canseco in shortstop was a non-smoker. your bicycle spokes.” Tobacco companies started print­ One 13-year-old reader writes: ing baseball cards in the mid-1880s as “We buy cards of players we can see an advertising gimmick. At the turn-of- regularly like Gooden. Besides, what’s the-century, clothing companies, happening to the ‘50s and ‘60s cards candy and gum manufacturers, news­ right now will probably happen to the papers and periodicals began issuing ‘80s cards when my generation grows cards. Some rare cards were created up. ‘‘Baseball has al­ by manufacturing mishaps. Mark Bieda, a 14-year-old The 1910 Eddie Plank card is rare Sehome High School freshman who ways been an essen­ because only 25 were printed before shops for cards at Nelson’s Market tial part of my life. The the printing plate broke. They now about once a week, keeps them safely hot dogs, peanuts, trade for $3,000 to $6,000. The 1911 stored in plastic pages ~ all 5,000 of Sherry Magee card, produced with a them. Bieda’s favorite card in his own summer games - it’s misspelled “Magie,” sells for $1,000 collection is a Kirby Puckett rookie a warm, nurturing card worth $7.50. to $2,000. memory.” During the 1920s the strip card ap­ peared. The tear-apart cards were “ Rocky Diaz separated by dotted lines. By the “I never eat the 1940s a new gimmick was popular. gum. It’s six years Baseball stars’ faces were super­ old.” “When I got married I cleaned out imposed on cartoon bodies In a series my stuff at my parents’ home, and called the “Heads-Up” set. Joe there were the cards. I kept them as DIMaggio’s 1941 card of this make - Mark Bieda memorabilia, for nostalgia. Now, since sells for almost $300. I I’ve started dealing cards, it’s almost World War II interrupted baseball like buying stocks. It’s really a poor bubble gum card production because Sporting a Navy blue L.A. man’s stock market,” he said. of the paper and rubber shortage. Dodgers’ cap, the teenage baseball To him, the cards are reminders of Then in 1948, the cards started up fan admits he’s spent over $100 on days gone by. again. cards, and he’ll keep on doing It, he “When I was a kid, I could tell you Today’s three major card said, looking for the one or two that the color and pose of every card in manufacturers, Topps, Fleer and Don- mean something special to him. my collection,” Diaz said. “Baseball russ, battlea in court over the right to “But I never eat the gum,” he said. has always been an essential part of sell cards with an edible product. ‘‘It’s six years old.” His newly pur­ my life. The hot dogs, peanuts, sum­ Topps won, making it the only com­ chased pack of 1981 cards offered mer games - it’s a warm, nurturing pany allowed to sell bubble gum with two cards that made him happy, an memory. their cards. Fleer cards include a Andre Dawson and a Steve Garvey. “Looking at the cards today Is like team-logo sticker instead, and Don- “I don’t know why I collect them. I re-experiencing some of those child­ russ cards come with small puzzles. guess I just like sports,” he said. hood times.” Another collector Is Ferndale school teacher Rocky Diaz, who said he sees lots of young boys collecting cards today. KLIPSUN 15

thoughtful man who finds harmony and contentment in the sky. “You’re completely alone, leaving the rest of the world behind,” Herrick By Matthew Brown explained. “It’s a time out when I can just enjoy myself and the world. You get a really different outlook from Want to go up for a 1,000 feet in the air. It gives you time flight?” Steve Herrick asked with a to look around and see how beautiful grin. “You’ll love it.” the world really is.” He stood beside a winged con­ Occasionally, Herrick flies his traption made of aluminum pipes, ultralight to work, where the Western steel nuts and bolts, and tissue-thin music graduate directs the Lynden fabric. Constructed in three weeks, it High School marching band. weighed 250 pounds, including the Herrick fondly remembers how he engine. It flies at 80 mph and reaches first got involved in the unusual sport altitudes of 12,000 feet. Anyone can of ultralight aviation. “I loved airplanes since I was a fly it without license or registration. Herrick crawled into the tiny cock­ kid, but the cost factor was out of reach so I didn’t pursue it,” he said. pit of the ultralight and simply said, “I’m going to start it up now.” The “Then one day I was sitting in my engine roared and the plane jumped back yard and I heard this ‘bionic ahead through the grass and onto the mosquito’ flying over my house...l runway. Almost instantly it shot up into looked up and saw an ultralight, and the sky. There was no long take-off Immediately thought, ‘I want to do run. Houses shrank in seconds as the that.’” Earth rushed away beneath the Two years later he attended a Show at Arlington Ultralight Airpark ultralight. The wind rushed around Herrick and decided to begin flying. as he leaned out of the cockpit. In the “I’ve been hooked ever since,” empty space far below, a hawk drifted Herrick said. “Suddenly there was a lazily past. The horizon stretched out way for me to afford to fly. I could live like a painting, and Mount Baker out my dream.” loomed in the distance. It is a dream anyone can experi­ The plane is like an extension of ence. The kit planes cost between one’s body. This became especially $1,500 and $12,000. But pilots can convincing when it suddenly lurched pay less by joining a club where mem- and plummeted. The swaying and bers have equal shares in an surging ultralight would have left any­ ultralight. one’s stomach hopelessly confused. The average person learns to fly “That’s just a stall,” Herrick said, after eight hours of instruction, Herrick casually. “Nothing to worry about.” said, although he has trained students The air kept rushing by. “Ultralights have put aviation within the grasp of the common per­ “You’re complete­ son’s income,” Herrick said. “They ly alone, leaving the provide a means to enjoy flying without an ‘arm and leg’ investment. rest of the world be­ You can’t find less expensive flying.” hind.” Herrick, 36, is the founder and co­ owner of Change of Pace Sport Avia­ tion In Lynden, located at the Lynden - Steve Herrick Airport. The five year old business he I shares with his father constructs, sells and services ultralights. They also to fly solo in half that time. train pilots. No pilot’s license or aircraft With his rugged face, cool, blue registration Is required to fly eyes, thick beard and shoulder-length ultralights. But the Aircraft Owners and hair, Herrick fits the image of a free- Pilots Association, the Experimental spirited adventurer, a la Grizzly Aircraft Association, and the National Adams. But he is a soft-spoken. Transportation Safety Board want more regulations and restrictions on ultralights. m\M Eben Atwater, operations super­ “To date, there has never been a visor at Bellingham International Air­ people treat ultralights like motor­ collision of an ultralight with a conven­ cycles, but they forget that one extra port, said he supports the existing tional aircraft,” he said, adding many ultralight regulations, but sees a need dimension, up and down.” ultralight pilots already have private li­ Atwater added, “Ultralights really for more restrictions in the future. censes and registrations for other “Ultralights are getting so much are the airborne equivalent of a motor­ planes. cycle. They can be perfectly safe as more popular, it’s my gut feeling Jantzen emphasized that ultralight they’re going to have to regulate them long as they are handled responsib­ flying demands maturity and responsi­ ly.” more to handle the increased traffic,” bility. Atwater said. “(Bellingham Interna­ tional) already has 28 to 30 commer­ cial flights a day, and the smallest of them is considerably faster than an ultralight. To mix In ultralights makes for a pretty unsafe traffic pattern.” Atwater described other hazards of flying ultralights In the Bellingham area. “It’s difficult for us, except In spe­ cial cases, to allow ultralights Into Bel­ lingham because they are slow and have no radio,” he said. “When you’re directing an ultralight, which lands at 20 mph, and a DC-9 Series 80 jet, which lands at 140 mph, you’ve got some real tight maneuvering to do.” Although some organizations con­ sider the regulations too lenient, Her­ rick is satisfied by the rules. “The FAA wants ultralight pilots to regulate themselves, and that’s pretty much the way It’s been,” Herrick said. “The people wanting more regula­ tions don’t understand the situation. They’re all hollering about untrained people flying around and colliding Steve Herrick examines an ultralight plane with regular aircraft, or crashing into “Remember, you are In an aircraft, schools.” and yes, you can kill yourself,” Jant­ ‘The only pilot that Dave Jantzen, 27, a pilot from zen said. “Accidents happen when hasn’t had an engine Langley, British Columbia, said people do stupid things that an failure is the one ultralight policy differs In Canada. ultralight wasn’t meant to do.” Stringent regulations are enforced on Some ultralight manufacturers ad­ that’s going to.” airspace. Pilots must be licensed and dress this point. In Its training manual, - Dave Jantzen planes must be registered. EIpper Aircraft of California warns Some organizations are con­ fliers: “Performing acrobatics In an In addition to flying sensibly, Jant­ cerned about the ultralights’ history of ultralight compares directly to such zen said, a pilot must constantly accidents since their Introduction in other activities as walking down the prepare for the unexpected. 1975. In an 18-month study from center of a freeway blindfolded during “The only pilot that hasn’t had an March 1983 to September 1984, the rush hour.” engine failure Is the one that’s going National Transportation Safety Board Herrick agrees with this philoso­ to,” he said, nodding his head. “You investigated 177 ultralight accidents, phy. have to be conditioned to react in­ 93 of them fatal. “It doesn’t matter what it is, there stantly. You have to be expecting It al­ Herrick said he feels negative will always be people who don’t want most, to be ready to find the safest press has given ultralights an Image to play by the rules,” he said. “Some field or open space (to land).” as an unsafe, dangerous sport. The burly Canadian explained “About three years ago (ABC’s) engine failure can result from bad ‘20/20’ did a show that totally '‘Remember, you weather or poor maintenance. It Is im­ destroyed the ultralight industry. It was are in an aircraft, and portant to always run a pre-flight very biased, very anti-ultralight, and yes, you can kill your­ check of the ultralight, Jantzen said, not very truthful,” Herrick said, shak­ and to examine the flying conditions. ing his head. He recalled the show’s self.” “Some ultralight designs don’t televised coverage of a newsman who - Dave Jantzen handle wind very well, or they have fell to his death from an ultralight that trouble with turbulence, while others collapsed in flight.

NOVEMBER do fine,” Herrick said. “We have to be by Jack Cunningham, 31, a Belling­ “It’s just building a big model air­ more concerned and watchful of ham marine construction worker and plane. Most people enjoy it. I can weather. Most pilots fly In the morning ultralight flyer, who is a member of build a plane, paint It, and have it fly­ or evening when the weather is Lynden’s Challenger 1-A Flight Club. ing within a week.” calm...it’s the same as boating.” He “I had an engine quit on me once He said a dealer may provide a added 15 mph winds are too strong and I just landed In a farmer’s field, shop for the customer to work In, or for flying. fixed it, and took off again, no prob­ the dealer may build an ultralight for a Atwater has reservations about the lem,” Cunningham said with a chuck­ fee. durability of ultralights. le. “If you were In a bigger plane, a Most ultralights are built in 40 to “Their framework is so light,” he forced landing In a farmer’s field 60 hours, Herrick said. More sophisti­ said. “They are subject to some pretty would be a real problem.” cated models take 100 to 200 hours to violent claps in a crash.” Cunningham, who trained at build. However, Jantzen said he believes Change of Pace Flight School, said The frame of the airplane is made ultralights are more stable than ever, the Instruction fully prepared him for of T6 aircraft aluminum and Chromoly and at least as safe as conventional flying. steel. Herrick noted the parts are the aircraft. “I wasn’t scared, because Steve same aviation-grade material used to “Structural failures are a rarity (Herrick) has a real good learning pro­ build 747s. The frame is covered ei­ now,” he said, as he tinkered with the gram,” he said. “You’re taken out and ther with Dacron fabric or sailboat sail­ engine of his ultralight. “If you’ve built put through everything that could hap­ cloth. it and maintained It properly, you pen.” don’t have to worry about anything Training, which includes airtime in coming apart.” a two-seat trainer, costs $35 per hour. “You want to go New technology is making Herrick uses the trainer to take aspir­ out and enjoy life, the ultralights even safer. An effective ing students for a ‘demo flight’ to see safety system has been developed for If they still want to learn. After 300 world and the sky.” demonstrations, Herrick hasn’t found ultralights. Attached above the wing is -- Steve Herrick a ballistic parachute, which uses an anyone who didn’t enjoy the ride. Any­ one, that is, except for his wife, who explosive charge to burst open a silk refuses to go near an ultralight. “Ultralights are a lot more sophisti­ In what Herrick calls a ‘mini­ cated now. They are really nothing but little airplanes, with the same controls and handling characteristics as any c I other conventional plane,” Herrick m said. “The only thing ultralight about $ SI them is their definition.” IB The sport has gained credibility now, he said, thanks to improved ultralight designs and training schools emphasizing safety. “Ultralights are being recognized as a viable and safe sport,” Herrick said. “The industry is starting to stabi­ lize and actually beginning to grow.” Change of Pace has sold ultralights to customers in California, Idaho, Oregon and Canada. For Herrick, however, ultralight fly­ ing is not so much a meal ticket as a ticket to paradise. He smiled as he spoke, and his face wrinkled up, canopy 50 feet above the airplane. giving him the appearance of a young condensed private pilot When deployed, the entire ultralight Santa Claus. course,’students learn theories of floats under the parachute. Insurance Herrick had to speak up to be aerodynamics, flight, aircraft per­ like this costs $1,000, but Herrick said heard. Another ultralight was roaring formance, micrometeorology, and he doesn’t mind. down the runway. “I don’t know about you, but I’m Federal regulations. “Ultralight flying is pure fun, seat- Although anyone can build an worth a thousand,’’ he said with a of-the-pants flying. You don’t fly ultralight bought from Change of ultralights because you want to fly smirk. Pace, Herrick usually withholds a part Jantzen pointed out, however, from here to Spokane, (or) because such as the propeller, until he can In­ even without a parachute a pilot in you want to go from point A to point spect the completed kit and verify the B,” he said. “You want to go out and trouble Is not helpless. pilot’s understanding of flight, weather “You can even make a forced enjoy life, the world and the sky.” landing in trees with an ultralight and and air traffic rules. While sorting through tools and walk out of It,” he said. “You could never do that In a regular plane.” parts, Herrick described the construc­ Jantzen’s sentiments were echoed tion of ultralights. KLIPSUN 19 s‘P»’ 1 r ro"--'''' "T. I 0'*rd S«MM-**''

stripper at ^^^,ee V tripP®^ ®

gveniHQi ' ..aet

across the cross* 9 ^j^queot jnternaho*'®'® me ?•".>"•" terrr student « S'" m ♦^^''JcTTneedeVS iJ^JgWS,” ®®''‘

«?id voung®^ ^‘J^e cro>wd.

.'Nee««'S“ """3;on«e> ^C’el. ,o «»• **”"

adtnW®'*® ^ .nch o1 tf'®' occasion- t a drink |

20 NOVEMBER he could perform better without much practice. For his first scheduled per­ formance, he showed up “too drunk to even go on,” so the bar was forced to cancel his act. The stripper, who sports a shaggy, blond mane, must have made an impression. The man­ ager asked him to return, but told him “next time, come straight.” It’s fun to get a Now White makes $600 to $800 bunch of friends to­ Canadian for the three or four nights he works each week. He also receives gether to come up many letters and flowers from women here, drink and watch who have seen his act. naked guys.” Once a woman handed him a dol­ lar bill with a note on it saying, “We - Jennifer Evans were wondering if your moves are as good offstage as on stage.” He talked also twins a flaming baton. White believes he could always to the group of women after the show In some ways, stripping is similar get a job as a bartender or waiter at and they all laughed It off. to acting. White said. Once he per­ one of the clubs where he’s stripped. “People think male strippers are formed after attending a good friend’s His family asked him why he doesn’t all sluts,” White said. “But the truth Is funeral. He was surprised that he was quit stripping and work as a that most of us meet so many girls able to appear happy on stage. An­ bartender. that we get picky.” other night, after fighting with his “You can do that kind of work any He admitted going through what girlfriend, he was amazed by the time,” he said. he called a “fuck stage,” when he height of his kicks during his act. Those who want to be good at would take a different girl home every Sometimes, White’s girlfriend stripping need guts and presence on night. The stripper said some girls watches him strip. He said he doesn’t stage. White said. To him, a lot of the would like him just because he was a think she gets jealous of all the female waiters where he works don’t have stripper. attention. In fact. White said his strip­ both. “Some girls have told me, ‘Wow, ping has been good for their rela­ you look like you came off a TV tionship because she sees that other “You don’t see show!’ They think they’re watching a women find him sexually attractive. video or something,” White added. The dancer said he can see him­ many strippers at Sea On stage. White wears black self stripping for another two to five Galley or Blue Max.” pants, boots, a cape with “Red Hot years. After a certain age, he said, “ Lori Carison Chad” lettered in gold on the back, nightclub managers start saying ‘“he’s and a black, rhinestoned cowboy hat. getting old’ or ‘he’s getting kind of fat.’ When dancing for an audience, he They don’t want you anymore.” K 21 White added he enjoys stripping because it allows him the chance to meet a lot of different people. He also likes the popularity and benefits: like a Edwards said he tries to make his free cover charge at bars he works for act fun for an audience. He doesn’t and the freedom to be selfish. get nervous before a show anymore “If I want to take two weeks off, I and if something does go wrong dur­ can, right?” White said with a distinct ing the act, like a stuck zipper, he at­ Before a competition, “when Canadian accent and a smile. tempts to combine the mistake Into some strippers say ‘break a leg,’ they One of the worst parts of the job, his strip. mean It,” he said. according to the dancer, is “tying off.” The dancer began stripping be­ Barry said he thinks all strip con­ White and the other strippers at Nite cause he was unemployed and nearly tests should be judged by experts be­ Shift must wear elastic rings around on welfare. One of his friends was a cause when an audience votes on a the base of their penises to maintain stripper and suggested he should try rigidity and to prevent them from it. Edwards watched his friend perform ejaculating during a performance. several times. Stripping interested him “A girl grabbed my “Most of us pump (our penises) enough that he interviewed with an up and then put the elastic around it,” agent and later was hired. member and White said. Edwards, like White, has per­ wouldn’t let go.” Dean Edwards, a lean, lanky 25- formed across Western Canada. year-old with long black hair, oc­ “It’s more fun to work with a -- "Barry” casionally strips at Nite Shift also. Ed­ couple of other guys,” he said, “but wards, known as “Dillon” on stage, I it’s less competitive if you’re working a enjoys dressing up In costumes for place alone.” character acts. He is known for contest, it can be very unfair. If the He said he recently survived an contest is held in one of the stripper’s masquerading as Charlie Chaplin, the experience with a woman in the Tin Man, Miss Piggy and a hound home towns, he can invite every audience who was slightly over- dog. woman he knows to come and cheer enthusiastic. She deposited money The first time he stripped was for him. Barry added that It’s easier to Into his g-string and pulled his penis. about five years ago. He was un­ be one of the last dancers in a contest “It was like, ‘Hey, you can’t take trained and unsure of what he was because many of the women have that home with you!”’ Edwards said, doing. He also was drunk by the time had a lot to drink and will “cheer for laughing. he got on stage. Edwards’ costume anything on stage.” for his first strip was only a pair of That doesn’t happen to Edwards In Barry’s opinion, only a jeans and a T-shirt. A year later, he very often, especially at Nite Shift, costume-design expert, a dance ex­ since strippers aren’t allowed to leave started doing theme songs. pert and a personality expert should the stage during a performance. evaluate the performers. Edwards rollerskates and bikes to Apparently, sometimes the women “It’s a real high keep himself in shape for his act. But get so excited, they want to do more he said he only can see himself strip­ when you’re out than just see the dancers. ping for another couple of years. Barry described a bad experience there performing and “You have to really want to be with a woman from the audience. “A the women are number one in this business. I’m get­ girl grabbed my member and wouldn’t ting kind of tired of it now.” let go. I ended up breaking a blood screaming.” “Taurus,” another male stripper vessel.” “ Dean Edwards who can be seen at Nite Shift, prefers Another time, a girl tipped him so to be known only by his first name, he would kiss her. Little did he know Barry. He treats the women to a very that the girl’s boyfriend also was in the “It’s a real high when you’re out energetic, acrobatic show full of hand­ audience and wasn’t too pleased with there performing and the women are stands and skips around the floor. At the scene. The boyfriend ran up and 28, he considers himself a veteran of screaming,” Edwards said. “You feel punched Barry. the business. He began stripping six- Invincible, like you can do anything. “Generally, the crowd is excellent and-a-half years ago. Recently, he At that moment, ail they want is you.” though,” Barry said. was voted runner-up in the Mr. Nude He said he doesn’t have a hard By this time, the strip show is over. British Columbia contest. time getting psyched for a per­ The doors to Nite Shift are opened, Barry enjoys stripping and said he formance. men are entering the club and the will continue to do It “as long as the “As soon as the music starts. It women’s attention turns to the new ar­ audience responds to me. The fans comes easily. The crowd gets as rivals. The strippers, moments ago are the biggest thrill.” rowdy as you want them to. It’s up to celebrities, blend Into the ever- me to get the crowd going.” What he dislikes are the politics of increasing crowd. Another “Ladies’ the stripping business. According to Night” at Nite Shift has ended. Barry, strippers are very competitive, especially when they perform at con­ tests. He has heard of other dancers starting rumors that a stripper has AIDS or herpes so that stripper won’t be hired at a club. 22 NOVEMBER By Wendy Bacon-Allex

toothy wolf eel bit into a sea urchin. As the eel leisurely munched on its prickly prey, the doomed ur­ chin’s spines poked through its as­ sailant’s rubbery lips. Watching a snakelike fish devour its bristly meal is not uncommon for Jeff Goertz, a scuba diver and un­ derwater photographer. To him, watching a wolf eel dine is one of the most gratifying experiences of scuba diving. “It looks like he’s eating a pin cushion,’’ Goertz said with a laugh. “A wolf eel looks like a moray eel with its face pushed in, kind of like my bulldog, Buford. It has bulbous bumper lips and a head the size of a Jeff Goertz in Bellingham Bay volleyball.’’ Along the coast where Canada’s Powell River spills into the Pacific, a wolf eel local divers dubbed “Popeye” has swam playfully through Goertz’ LOOKING arms and has eaten shucked oysters from his hands. He said it felt strange to “see at the world through a something that looked like it would sooner kill you than look at you’’ act like a pet instead. Goertz, a stocky, bearded man FISH-EYE LENS with thinning hair, began diving in 1978. He said he never tires of pho­ tographing wolf eels. “They’re very photogenic. You can always Im­ prove.’’ He decided to try diving because he had “some personal things that needed to be worked out. I needed to get my mind off (those things). Diving was perfect for that.’’ The following summer, he decided to combine his Interest in photog­ raphy with his new found hobby - diving. Goertz discovered it would be ex­ pensive to have his camera housed with a waterproof coating, so he scanned the ads for a used un­ derwater camera. He found an ad for such a camera that cost $900. On a whim, Goertz asked the seller what he planned to do with the money. Nancy Chow “He wanted to buy a Nikon (35- mm camera), which I had. We traded straight across.’’ KLIPSUN 23 Goertz took his first underwater photographs in the Bahamas, and Bellingham Bay, however, isn’t a had excellent results. But he said he good choice for divers, Goertz said. prefers to shoot off the San Juan Is­ “We get run-off from the Nook- lands and Canada. sack, Skagit and Fraser rivers. The “Canada’s the best place for un­ best diving (here) Is on the outer rim derwater photography, along the of the San Juan Islands.” mainland coast. Canada has It all: When he has time, Goertz will sponges, fish, wolf eels and sea head north. anenomes. The colors are great, “Once you cross over the border, bright scarlets and blues.” the diving Is just great. Right across that Imaginary line. I think it’s mostly “A wolf eel looks due to the current ~ you see fish you like a moray eel with don’t see around the San Juans.” is face pushed in, Goertz looks for color when he shoots, or ways to improve his pho­ kinda like my bulldog, tographs. He said he utilizes lights to Buford.” make a subject appear more mysterious, or employs different - Jeff Goertz angles. A year ago, he acquired a twin nikonos camera, which Is actually two cameras connected by brackets. The top camera has a wide-angle, fish-eye lens, and the bottom camera lens Is used for shooting close-up photos. With his camera, he can photog­ raph a friend and an octopus from two feet away, capturing the entire scene with the top lens. With the bottom lens he can shoot a close-up of the crea­ ture’s eye. A full-time production job at In- talco Aluminum Refinery doesn’t leave much time to sell photographs, but a friend had sold them at local arts and crafts shows for Goertz. He also gives photographs as A recent diving trip earned Goertz Christmas presents, and last year he and his partner, Denis Delahoyde, two sold 100 slides to a Western marine ling cod, five sea bass, two kelp biology professor. greenlings and a roll of film. Goertz shoots with more than a During the trip, their boat easily cut camera -- he also dives with a spear through the inky, shimmering water gun. But he never combines photog­ on a brilliant October day. raphy with seafood harvesting be­ “This is too rough. We gotta go cause It’s too difficult to carry both a back! ” Goertz’ laugh rose in pitch gun and camera. and tempo to a hearty crescendo. Cormorants and seagulls floated on the glassy water as the boat zipped by. The two divers stopped to check directions. Delahoyde pulled a chart out of a cupboard. “I’ve got my map, so we won’t get Denis Delahoyde lost,” Delahoyde said, as he waved a plastic place-mat depicting the San Juan Islands. “Better wipe the chili off that!” Goertz shouted.

Nancy Chow When a person is first certified to dive, Goertz said, “You think you’re the biggest thing down there.’’ For example, Goertz recalled once hearing strange sounds just as he en­ tered the water, as if someone very large was breathing. Approaching him were 20 fully mature killer whales about 25 feet long. He then realized how small he was in comparison.

“Down there, any­ thing that big looks as big as a Grey­ hound bus with teeth.” I - Jeff Goertz No known documented attacks of killer whales exist, Goertz added, ex­ cept for one man in Oregon who was bruised by a whale “mouthing him.’’ Initially, diving requires substantial funds and time. Before air tanks can After consulting the chart, the Goertz wanted to try to catch a be rented, divers must take a ten- divers headed for Shaw Island in the large ling cod he had seen on the last week course in diving skills to be­ dive, so he dove again, with fresh San Juan Islands. After arriving, they come certified. tanks and his spear gun. Although he used depth sounders to locate a “To get certified now can eat up rocky area suitable for diving. never found the ling cod, he was able the better chunk of a $500 bill. You The divers donned their dry suits to spear three other fish. learn to do something you’re not born and pulled rubber hoods over their Goertz has searched for more to do - training to go 70 feet under than just fish since he began diving. heads. Goertz’ lips bulged out, dis­ water.’’ torted by the tight hood. His cheeks One of his first diving trips, to Saanich “You can go Volkswagen or Cadil­ pushed toward his nose, making his Inlet off of Vancouver Island, resulted lac,’’ Goertz said with a grin. “Me, I go face wrinkle. in a search for a lost diver. Rolls-Royce. I want gear I can throw in The bulky double-camera was The group he was diving with was the corner for seven years and pick it lowered over the side and attached to commandeered by a local search and up and it still works. You can get the boat with a cord. rescue team, and asked to join the geared out the way I am for $5,000 for Goertz filled his regulator and suit search. the diving gear alone, and $1,000 for with air. After checking various dials Goertz’ group went down and the suit alone. It depends what you and pulling on flippers, he heaved the came up with the body of a 23-year- want to spend your money on.’’ heavy tanks and regulator over his old man. There was no clear story on Goertz wears a dry suit when he back. He sat on the edge of the boat what happened. Twenty-five pounds dives, and can bundle on clothes un­ and plopped into the water backward. of air was left in the diver’s tank. derneath it. “You’re not limited by a He retrieved his camera and slow­ Finding the dead man was a winter day,’’ he said. ly paddled out of sight. He was a sobering event for Goertz’ group, he A dry suit is a shell of tough nylon. black figure with two large air tanks said. But the experience also brought The air used to inflate the suit and the and hoses that protruded from his the group closer together. diver’s clothing form the insulation. back. “Everyone got drunk that night, Goertz compared himself and his Forty minutes later, the divers sitting around and thinking about it,’’ friends to sea otters. Sometimes after rose. Goertz had photographed Goertz said solemnly, his eyes wide. they’ve surfaced, Goertz and his Delahoyde as he sat on a ledge and Goertz said it was the closest he friends will continue to float near their shot his spear gun into a school of had come to an equipment-related ac­ boat and drink beer. bass. The hunter had speared five cident. He feels age and experience “We’re like a bunch of sea otters. fish. are safeguards against such mishaps. Instead of floating around with clams “When you’re older, you tend to on our chests trying to break them stay out of those situations and use your head more. When you’re young and dumb, you can get into hairy situations. It’s a maturing process.’’ 25 open, we’re floating around with cans “The reef just drops. It goes on “If I ever had the feeling of ice of beer on our chests.” forever like a big cliff. When you’re water in my veins, I did then. He went Goertz doesn’t advocate drinking wall diving, you’re smack against the deep and then he went in front of us. and diving, but he considers the beer wall - nothing above or below. He crossed from right to left. Fish that at the end of a dive his own There’s more life on a wall.” fed on his scraps came with him. He ‘‘decompression formula.” Some places, however, give him a circled around and came at us,’’ Though the weather might not be “creepy feeling. Goertz said. conducive to Goertz’ “formula,” winter “I’ve felt like a set of eyes were on is the best season for divers, he said. me. I’d look around, but there was (( If I ever had the “There’s seasons underwater the nothing there. I just get this feeling.” same as on dry land. In summer Goertz recalled one such chilling feeling of water in my there’s more light, more plankton, experience. He was in Barkley Sound veins, I did then. He kelp and seaweed growth to cover on the west coast of Vancouver Island scallops and abalone,” he said. in the winter of 1979. He and a diving went deep and then “Pictures are better in the winter. buddy were 80 feet down. His partner he went in front of us. The water is clearer, there’s not as grabbed him and pointed to the tall of He crossed from right much trash in it. The visibility is bet­ 12-foot-long shark. Goertz said it had ter.” come to “check them out.” to left. He circled Goertz described the stark en­ around and came at vironmental contrasts diving offers. “It can be dark and foreboding “I’ve felt like a set us.” along rock walls. In some places, life " Jeff Goertz is so thick it’s like an abstract painting of eyes were on me. - like someone threw a bucket of I’d look around, but paint at a wall. Life has run amok. there was nothing The shark stopped 10 feet away Around the corner, it might be as bar­ from the petrified divers and slowly ren as the Sahara Desert.” there. I’d just get this opened and closed its mouth. Reefs are sought by divers for the feeling.” His buddy crouched behind him abundance of life on them, Goertz - Jeff Goertz and clung to his life support system. said. The divers and the shark stared at each other before the divers floated slowly and cautiously to the surface. “There’s no use panicking. He’s down there and if he wants to pick you off, he will. Down there, anything that big looks as big as a Greyhound bus with teeth.” Goertz sees diving as “not a death wish where you’ve cheated mother nature - but as ‘I did something today, and I’ve got something to show for it. Either seafood or several rolls of film. In a technical sport, you’ve got to know what you’re doing. I wasn’t a couch potato today.”

NOVEIBER and aiming the bike’s fat, knobby tires toward one of many trails on Sehome By David Einmo Hill. As he neared the path’s entrance, he lowered his head to avoid a tree /\s Brendan Wahl saddled his branch and accelerated like a sprinter thick-franned mountain bicycle, a approaching a finish line. But Wahl toothy smile spread across his face. was far from finished -- his fun had “Let’s go,’’ he said, furiously peddling just begun. After reaching the top of Sehome, The concept of mountain biking he paused long enough to release a was developed in the early 70s on heavy sigh and then briskly peddled Mount Tamalpais, near San Francis­ his bike toward a steep trail descend­ co. Enthusiastic bikers used to race ing into the thick forest. After turning down the hills on one-gear “old to avoid a cement post, he leaned for­ clunkers’’ left over from the 1940s. In ward and sped down the thin path the early 80s, after many-a-frame had bordered by tall trees. Jumping roots been broken, a lighter, more durable and rocks In the trail, his head, pro­ bike was introduced. tected by a red plastic helmet, bounced freely like a fish bobber float­ ing on a rough river. “There’s not a Before skidding to a stop near the (paved) hill in Belling­ bottom of the trail, Wahl’s digital speedometer read 28 mph. If he ham anyone in rea­ hadn’t stopped, he could have sped sonable shape can’t up to 35 mph, he said, smiling modestly. go up in a granny “There’s something to be said gear.” about sweating up a hill. But downhill - Rick Ives ~ that’s were it’s really at,’’ he said with a grin. “You can get some amaz­ ing speeds. On wide-open trails like Relaxing after a ride, Ives put his logging roads, you can go as fast as legs up on his couch and explained you want, which is up to 50 mph.’’ trail riding’s attraction. “There (are) a lot of handling skills involved - trying to master going up

“There’s some­ Brown and down the hills,’’ Ives said. “On a thing to be said about mountain bike, its kind of like skiing. You see who can go downhill sweating up a hill. But smoother, maybe faster or with more Matthew downhill -- that’s finesse.’’ Tim Wahl where it’s really at.” But finesse is not a trait most mountain bike riders immediately de­ - Brendan Wahl velop. Poor traction, tight corners with low visibility and trallside rocks and trees present potential hazards when “Definitely wear a Riding a bike down a steep, dirt trail riding, he said. trail at speeds that would warrant traf­ “You got to be on top of things hard shell helmet. fic tickets on most roads may not because if you’re going fast and you The thin plastic hel­ sound like the most stable form of make a mistake, you might go flying mets, all they do is transportation. But a two-wheeler like through the air. Off-road riding has the Wahl’s isn’t just any bike. potential of a serious, self-inflicted In­ make it easier for Known as all-terrain or mountain jury,’’ Wahl said. “You can be bomb­ them to clean up your bikes, these vehicles are built for more ing down and hit a rock, and that’s all brains.” durability than traditional 10-speed she wrote.’’ road bikes. With thicker frames, fatter As a result, both Ives and Wahl - Rick Ives tires and raised handlebars, these strongly emphasize safety. To prevent bikes allow riders to negotiate dirt a serious injury, they recommend No one has to ride alone. Ives trails with stability. In addition, most riders wear a helmet. organizes rides through his biking new mountain bikes come equipped “Only a complete idiot would ride club. Wahl, a Kulshan Cycles employ­ with 18 speeds, making steep-hill a mountain bike on trails without a ee, leads group rides from the store climbing easy. helmet,’’ Ives said. “Definitely wear a twice a week. Western students also “There’s not a (paved) hill in Bel­ hard shell helmet. The thin plastic hel­ meet for group rides periodically at lingham anyone In reasonable shape mets, all they do is make It easier for Valhalla, the outdoor rental shop in can’t go up In a granny gear,’’ said them to clean up your brains.’’ the Viking Union. Anyone Interested Rick Ives, president of the Mount Wearing a helmet is not always can contact the shops or clubs for Baker Cycling Club. enough to prevent an Injury. As a schedules. result, Ives discourages bikers from riding alone because if an injury oc­ curred, there wouldn’t be anyone to help the victim. mwm At Kulshan, Wahl helps match customers with the “right” bike. When shopping for a mountain bike, it is im­ portant to find one that is comfortable and durable. Wahl recommended buying a steel Chromoly-framed bike bikes are gaining popularity because because they are light and strong. they’re more comfortable than racing For those who want to spend bikes and can be ridden on almost more money, aluminum bikes are any terrain. Since 1979, mountain bike even lighter. Also, check for good sales have risen from zero to 65 per­ brakes, wheels and shifters. Wahl said cent of the store’s new bike sales, he the most important thing is to test ride said. as many models as possible because The growing popularity has each bike rides a little differently. benefited bike shoppers. Competition John Hauter, manager of Fair- among bike manufacturers has haven Bicycle Shop, said mountain brought the cost of mountain bikes down to as low as $300. But Increasing popularity also has attracted more problems on trails that riders must share with hikers and horses. T7?, Bikers himself. mountain table can flict riders. cyclists damage. collision NOVEMBER and said. explained difficult point he been mountain park riding Bellingham

said.

Tim “

“ be on

The

boulders getting at the

The B planner. ’ ’ is

terrain

bad

Tony

as hikers Wahl, has

“

with

not whole potential Trying

bikes, But

bikers that problem fast

accidents ’ together

’ s caused

compatible s things

the

~

Park and Coffees Brendan ’

as —

Sitting Increased ’ to idea

on

said

on major that

danger they you

get

hills,

horse

like

before and

some of hiking

Tim, is

with

from whole can

and

at

’

riding problem hikers. jumping s speed, with

Recreation

trail

a riders, a brother,

hikers the

is minor Teas,

trail point trails wooden

a hikers,

kind fast

can use race

There

direct

rider

A logs with and Tim Tim not trail

has

on in by to of is ’ ­ ’

skateboards, mountain people Lake. populated it need restrictions. park ior and thing traffic, pen. mountain hikers

to

“ and Ives

He As If the develop their

to departments bikes. speed, Tim

people

like there a suggested

regulate

to

police

hiking agrees. biking result --

“

does trails, bikes the

regulate The Tim

has go ”

themselves.

kids of

public

a themselves it

not not

gonzo from such bad ’ been Wahl

Increased own “ s problem riders

Mountain

do need want going

trails

name. mountain to

code them as downtown

pressure

and stay get

to

Fragrance to

They

before

two-wheel

” of

and to

terrorize -

see together

impose off

bikers behav some give

is very owe from hap ban

on the

­ ­

­

the the appeared ground. handlebars, occasionally thing ing dust the his into down there brakes, trails Mountain, hikers. lingham ation. liability to popularity bankrupt parks, Tim prove “ exclusively fully suggestions boring

handlebars,

Washington Releasing trail, trail

over Ives

But

the Tim

said.

into

hills, Brendan

on are would

on mountaingoing bad s k a t e b ogo a r d s , gonzo

people

to

It with

problems.

Brendan which ground. isolated ’ said

Leaning

he

’ said ’ bumps

trails. the s after around

that He

- plenty to his be “

and during

just

for tightened

name.

downtown

increasing Rick

such

If exclusive

daily to air compared

also

left most an

Wahl

bike

a

and trail

as

aren

finding

enjoyed

Still,

a

his build couple

in and as trails the He into of

people pushed economic the

like

the matter his state

’

riders. present riders,

ives the Besides, bikers s enjoys

as

trails his

’ his

to ” hand

corner. leaned

t there

the bike pedal,

comfort off-road

70s,

his

biking would

populated

them mountain terrorize path, speed.

years the back Chuckanut

such

figure skateboard

of

final around short-lived his grip

ride sped

doing. and

only give

have from

exploring potential

closer

~ disaster, sending he

tire his

a left of kids become

turn it facilities respect on

Jump

of some

would go facility on

down

to

oper­

said,

’ dis tires

been dug foot bike

Bel a the s the

the

go by

of to

­ ­ ­ ­

­

walking the WIL^ SID

understanding - a magic man with of euphoria, as if I had experienced By William J. Freeberg psychic powers. an intense spiritual conversion. Rick, a Rick was wigging, or was he totally man sincere to his spirit, would be sane? I decided to ride the cosmic thought mad by those who limit their ”Hey baby, take a walk on the wave with him. I had no reason not to “creator.” Somewhere, Rick em­ wild side. Hey honey, take a walk on trust him. We had met during a braced the imagination and spirit of the wild side. And the oolored girls “morning madness” drinking ex­ the cosmos and leapt to a higher go, ‘do do do..."’ travaganza at Sonya’s Tavern, where knowledge. Whether eternal or not. Lou Reed a number of my friends bared their It’s this spirit of Imagination and souls. Rick was safe then, so I had no soul searching that has been lost by reason to fear him now. Ride the wave most people. Cultural and mental con­ ~ trust him. formity are preached to us from child­ The hot night. The ripe moon. He told me mystics from across hood, and anyone who buys into this the world had converged in Seattle, later in life may be mind-fucked Was it ripe, or had I imagined it full? In raising the consciousness of the area, forever. Children have a communion any case, a lunar spirit adorned and I was one of those who had with creation. Yet, children are consid­ beams of madness, or genius, upon latched on to higher awareness in an­ ered normal while someone like Rick, those who cruised Seattle’s Capitol other life. Rick said that I announced who is soul searching, is thought in­ Hill one evening last August. my psychic spirit to others that wild sane. A trickle of people shuffled home morning at Sonya’s through sub­ Some of us have lost the capacity as the bars and dance clubs littering liminal communication and Seattle’s to Imagine, allowing ourselves to be­ East Pike closed. I stood on the psychic community knew I would be come machines operated by others. corner of Boylston and East Pike as living and writing In the Queen City Some have even prostituted their hookers swaggered their hips a few (Seattle) during the summer. souls to careers, lifestyles or rela­ blocks down the street. Potential tricks That’s when / wigged. They knew I tionships, so they don’t have to be drove by the corner, looking too far was there. Rick said so. Still, I rode responsible for their own lives. Some up East Pike for sex. the wave, even though I was nearly have created comfortable lives so they I was absorbed with the milieu of engulfed by Its cosmic juices. don’t have to question the safe and street folk and their silent, late-night We entered his apartment and had sacred dogma they have been told to vigils. The scene was distant, strange a lengthy discussion about who had believe in. Anything challenging the and empty. Although the moon was psychic power. The apartment had core of our brainwashed being Is inspiring, I felt some walking the street many Oriental decorations. A large enigmatic or evil. were uninspired - empty of spirit, sword rested on a velvet platform. He Imagination Is sacred. When we empty of soul. indicated It was used for worship. Rick lose touch with Its creativity, we are as One of my friends, Rick, hap­ suddenly lapsed. good as dead - another number on pened to walk by during that moment. “What’s going on?’’ the cosmic adding machine that totals He was tanked, and like most drunks, “I’m communicating,” he said, a whopping zero. philosophized about the state of the “with my roommate T.K.’’ He returned As I left Rick’s apartment, he world, the state of the human spirit. from his psychic trance and said T.K. stopped me with a stare. “Don’t be Rick, a tall, bulky man with jet- wouldn’t be home until the morning afraid of who you are. Don’t rush it,’’ black hair, told me he was an un­ because he was spending the night he said. “Believe in who you are, and dercover agent for Seattle Police and with someone. in time you will come to know your made occasional rounds through the “You will meet a guide,” Rick strengths. I have a feeling it will be a First Hill ghetto, uncovering drug claimed. He said a guide trains people long time before we talk again.’’ dealers for city cops. Due to his condi­ in the psychic arts. But we will... tion, my belief in his ramblings were “He will teach you.’’ tainted with skepticism. The rest of the conversation We walked to his apartment, and drowned in cosmic goo, as I flipped before we arrived he stopped me In my wig into convulsions of curiosity the middle of a street. Rick said he and wonder. was on some higher order or plane of I left the apartment with a feeling KLIPSUN 31