Ift AMERICA's DEADLIEST and MOST POPULAR DRUG Iktaming the TIME MONSTER

CELEBRATING POSITIVE CHOICES

A, ift AMERICA'S DEADLIEST AND MOST POPULAR DRUG ikTAMING THE TIME MONSTER

;04 LISTEN is a monthly drug-prevention magazine for teens that teaches life skills, success tips, drug facts, and the advantages of a lifestyle free from alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.

America's Deadliest— and Most Popular—Drug by Andrea Harper 4 A drug so addicting that 10 million Americans are hooked on it. The health problems it brings cost $130 billion a year. A nightmare? No, it's real, and it's sold in stores all over the U.S. Where Excitement Runs Deep by Tim Lale 7 Whether you're crawling through a musty hole in a hill near your home or touring scenic Carlsbad Caverns, caving is an experience all its own. Hand-me-down Friends by Ann Herrick 10 Patterson High was a school of tight, focused groups. Since there was no Undecided group, I hung out with the Aspiring Poets. Abby was one of the few girls at school who fit in even less than I did. Bobby Bonilla: Clutch Hitter by Gary B. Swanson 14 Pittsburgh Pirate Bobby Bonilla has had to work hard to get where he is. Between his growing-up years in the South Bronx and his fourth visit to the All-Star Game, he's learned how to deal with pressure—and a lot more. Taming the Time Monster by Beverly Brown Newcomer 20 If you go into cardiac arrest whenever organization is mentioned, you need not resign from the human race. Here are some tips to help make time work for you.

Just Between Us "I See" . . . What? 3 Ask the Cannons My Parents Are Divorced 13 Poster Bobby Bonilla 16 The Prime Times Big Friends, Little Friends 23 And So Forth Lead Heads 25 Listening Closets 26 Listen Up! October—Food for Thought 28 Dear Becki I Feel Like an Outsider 30 25 Cartoon Brains Strikes Again 31

2 • LISTEN • October 1991 FRONT COVER PHOTO BY GARY S CHAPMAN; BOBBY BONILLA PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PITTSBURGH PIRATES

-r 4, 4 JUST BETWEEN U `4,trii; • ft- 4 •

Editor Lincoln E. Steed Associate Editor Glen Robinson "I See" • • • What? Designer Merwin Stewart I hope you're enjoying LISTEN as much as I am. Every time I look Design Assistant Robert Mason at the power-packed cover shot of Michael Chang on the June issue, Editorial Secretary Linda Andregg I get goose bumps. We LISTEN staff members had fun on that one. EDITORIAL CONSULTANTS Talk about a positively charged young man! Michael is a real Winton Beaven, Ph.D.; Galen Bosley, Dr.H.Sc., R.D.; Carolyn Burns; Paul and Carol Cannon; winner—choosing a drug-free way to international stardom. Don Cooper, M.D.; Hans Diehl, M.P.H.; Robert Actually the past few months have been nonstop action, and I DuPont, M.D.; Mary Eldershaw; Kevin think the covers show the energy everyone feels working on our Freeman; Dr. Winston Ferris; Zhennaa Gallagher; Patricia Mutch, Ph.D.; Thomas R. top stories. Neslund; G. L. Plubell, Ph.D.; Stoy Proctor, Did you notice the dunk-defying sailboard action in July! Wet M.P.H.; Gunter Reiss, Dr.H.Sc., M.P.H.; Francis A. Soper, Litt.D.; Elizabeth Sterndale, R. N., and wonderful action all the way. M.S.; Becki Trueblood; DeWitt Williams, Ph.D. August—roller-coaster vertigo was right up front with a "which way is down"-style shot. ART CONSULTANTS September—roller-blading action was center page, and you Ed Guthero, Lars Justinen could almost hear the hum of slick wheels on pavement. (A hot DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY picture, but no, our designer did not have to wear knee and elbow Cathy Cleveland, Russell Holt, Lars Justinen, Diane Lang, Rick Robinson pads just to lay out the page!) Editorial Office And I know you spent some time admiring the form of top P.O. Box 7000, Boise, ID 83707. baseballer Bobby Bonilla, this month's featured personality. I just Subscription Rates wish there were some way we could package the roar of the crowd In U.S.A., $24.95 for 12 issues. In all other and the smell of popcorn with the magazine. Just the same, pictures countries, $27.95. like this put you right in the action. To Order The action is all through LISTEN. Whether it's the personality In U.S.A. (except Alaska), call toll free 1-800- 545-2449. feature, the activity article, self-help tips, or information on In Alaska and Canada, call (208) 465-2500 drugs—it's all the action of real life. LISTEN deals with things as (not toll free). they are. And if they aren't so good, then we'll help you make them Or write to P.O. Box 7000, Boise, ID 83707. Payment coming from outside U.S.A. (including better—we'll give you the tools to make positive choices. Canada) must be in U.S. dollars by bank draft LISTEN has been around for over 40 years now. And it's just drawn on a U.S. bank or by international postal getting started. Almost as old as LISTEN but as young as today is money order. Second-class mail privileges authorized at an organization called in letter form ICPA: that's "ickpa," or "I see Boise, Idaho. Form 3579 requested. Litho in the pee ay!" Both are a whole lot easier to say than the full title: The United States of America. International Commission for the Prevention of Alcoholism and Copyright ©1991 by Pacific Press Publishing Association, P.O. Box 7000, Boise, ID 83707. Drug Abuse. Printed in U.S.A. Our readers are a perceptive breed, and I know that you must This publication is available in microfilm from have noticed the little ICPA logo on the editorial page since July. Xerox University Microfilms, 300 North Zeeb I've been putting it there for a special reason. You see, LISTEN Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. (313) 761-4700. magazine is now officially affiliated with the ICPA. Write publisher for complete information. The ICPA is an international advocacy organization working with government leaders, educators, and top professionals to ttAce dfif 0 4- strengthen the world battle against drugs. Honorary presidents of AMERICAN INSTITUTE FOR THE the ICPA have included President Daniel arap Moi of Kenya and PREVENT ION OF ADDICTION EDPRE88 former Prime Minister Moraj Desai of India. A vice-president of the organization until recently was Dr. Al-Awadi, the minister of state MNLEIES for Kuwait.

Naturally such a high-profile organization has the backing of the 0.4 big guys. The ICPA is an official nongovernmental organization of oik? both the United Nations and the World Health Organization. Oops . . . I see I'm running out of space. More on the ICPA later. AGAINST DRUGS In the meantime, enjoy this month's issue to the max. LISTEN (ISSN 0024-435X), October 1991, volume 44, number 10, is published monthly by Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1350 North Kings Road, Nampa, ID 83687, U.S.A. For the U.S.A.: one-year subscription $24.95 (U.S.). Second-class postage paid at Nampa, Idaho. POSTMASTER: Send address Lincoln Steed, Editor, LISTEN changes to LISTEN, P.O. Box 7000, Boise, ID 83707. October 1991 • LISTEN • 3

thing so deadly. AMERICA'S DEADLIEST AND MOST POPULAR Guess again. A drug that bad does exist. What's more, instead of it being sold illegally in back alleys or in closed rooms, it's sold in stores all over the country. And instead of it being frowned upon, the drug's producers spend about $2 billion a year promoting it on television and in magazines. Even though this drug has caused more devastation, deaths, and suffering than all the illegal drugs combined, it's legal, cheap, and just about anyone over a certain age can go just about anywhere and buy it. That drug, of course, is It's a drug so addicting that 10 million Ameri- alcohol, and though it is socially and legally accept- cans are hooked on it, and the health problems able, alcohol poses the biggest it brings cost $130 billion a year. A nightmare? drug threat to young people No, it's very real, and it's sold in stores all over today. Why? Because while marijuana, heroin, LSD, the U.S. cocaine, and other drugs are Imagine a drug so bad that it million Americans, including universally condemned, became America's number- 3.3 million teenagers, were alcohol is not. one health problem, worse hooked. "I am a 14-year-old avid than crack or even AIDS. Imagine a drug so danger- football fan who always gets a Imagine a drug so deadly ous that it had been impli- chance to see at least one that each year it was involved cated in thousands of cases of game each Sunday," wrote in the deaths of more than rape, wife-beating, and child John Zintak to his local news- 100,000 people between the abuse. paper. "I usually walk away ages of 15-25 (that's almost Imagine a drug so devastat- from the TV at the end some- twice as many Americans as ing that the health problems it what confused, but it is not were killed in the Vietnam brought cost about $130 about the football game." War). billion per year. Instead, it is about the Imagine a drug so perva- Of course, if a drug that bad commercials. sive that one out of every four really existed, there would be "Teenagers and young homes in America was nega- an all-out war against it, as adults are constantly being tively affected by it. there has been against heroin, warned about the dangers and Imagine a drug so powerful crack, and other substances. consequences of using alco- that 83 percent of prison Stiff penalties against its use hol," he continued, "yet every inmates claimed that this drug and sale would be fervently commercial break centers was involved in the crimes enforced. The President around drinking beer." that led them to jail. would issue stern warnings, As hypocritical as the "war Imagine a drug so bad that while the First Lady might against drugs" might it caused thousands of re- even come up with a slogan seem—especially when the tarded children to be born for young people to use when most devastating drug is each year because the mothers confronted by it. No doubt, constantly being used and took the drug while pregnant. Americans would do their promoted by the same people Imagine a drug best to stop the who rant and rave about the so addicting that Andrea Harper production, sale, evils of marijuana and an estimated 10 and use of some- cocaine—people still need to

4 • LISTEN • October 1991 PHOTO BY LARS JUSTINEN _4, 1 •

• 4111 • • be warned about how bad alcohol use can be. Indeed, The makers of Bacardi despite all the glamorous, won't place on big bill- sexy men and women used in the advertising or the endorse- 'iliMMINNI boards the mangled ments of athletes and movie faces, the severed limbs, stars, teenagers need to see the the scarred cheeks, the other side of alcohol use, the burned bodies of the side that the brewers want to tens of thousands of hide. people each year killed The makers of Bacardi won't place on big billboards or maimed in car acci- the mangled faces, the severed dents due to alcohol limbs, the scarred cheeks, the use. burned bodies of the tens of thousands of people each year killed or maimed in car acci- about alcohol use. In other the brewers are going to seek dents due to alcohol use. words, the youth get most of out young booze hounds. Gallo wine isn't going to their information about Despite all the ads in recent show the teenagers or young alcohol from the industry that years by the drug merchants adults who have choked to produces it, which is like about responsible drinking, death on their own vomit trying to get the facts about the brewers have a big stake while in a drunken stupor. the dangers of cigarettes from in turning young people into The Coors brewery isn't a tobacco company. heavy drinkers. going to display in magazines No wonder alcohol is the According to Robert the student in Long Island only drug in which know- Hammond, director of the who broke every bone in his ledge about it decreases rather Alcohol Research Information body after falling out a fifth- than increases with age. No Service, if the estimated 105 story window 90 minutes after wonder, too, that while use of million American drinkers of drinking as part of a fraternity cocaine, marijuana, and other legal age consumed the pledging ritual. illegal drugs are down, alco- official "moderate" amount of Budweiser isn't going to hol use continues to rise, alcohol—about two drinks a use its advertising money especially among college-age day—the industry would during the Super Bowl to students, where its use has suffer "a whopping 40 percent show you clips of the crossed skyrocketed in recent years. decrease in the sale of beer, eyes, thin upper lips, cleft "Alcohol is and always has wine, and distilled spirits." It palates, and other facial been the single largest prob- would do to the industry what deformities of babies born lem we confront in terms of its product can do to those with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. students' behavioral issues," who drink it. Clearly the Which brewer is going to said Ken Baumgarner, dean brewers, like illegal dope display pictures of the people for student services at George pushers, want and need heavy who have turned yellow Mason University in Virginia. users of their goods, and they because their livers were "There are other drugs there, are going to produce all the destroyed from drinking but the one that creates the advertisements that they can alcohol? most difficulties is alcohol." to get them. Instead, you are going to be Alcohol use isn't just a Indeed, imagine a drug so shown sexy, well-dressed men problem at college age or deceptive that millions of and women laughing, party- older. Children as young as 12 people, unaware of what it ing, enjoying the good life, years old are starting to drink, can really do, are yearly people like those whom we and the impact can be devas- bombarded with billions of often wish we ourselves could tating. The younger a person dollars of advertising that be like. But you can be like them, is when he starts drinking, the teaches that use of the drug is the ads imply. Just drink what greater the odds are that he safe, sexy, and a sign of they drink. will become an alcoholic. success. Alcohol advertising contin- Also, as the population of That would be the most ues to be the major source of the United States ages and dangerous drug of all. information to young people alcohol consumption declines, It is. A 6 • LISTEN • October 1991 It's a hidden, mysterious world in total blank darkness. Caves form because water sinking down toward the water table that time forgot. Whether you're contains carbonic acid, which very slowly crawling through a musty hole in a dissolves limestone and other carbonate rocks hill near your home or touring along structural weaknesses. The size of the cave depends on the size of the weak vein in scenic Carlsbad Caverns, caving the rock. Caves like Carlsbad in New Mexico is an experience all its own. now feature giant rooms below ground. The water table itself gradually sinks enough so y first cave was a little passage in a that the cave is left mostly dry. Stable, slow- hillside in Derbyshire, England, when I moving rivers and lakes may form later. was nine. My friend Gordon, who, at Caves enclose a bizarre environment. Be- 17, seemed old and intrepid to me, led cause they form by erosion, they slowly change my little brother and me into a dark, all the time. But, because they are cut off from winding corridor with the family flashlight. the changes we experience in the surface About a hundred feet inside, Gordon's wander- atmosphere (air pressure and temperature, ing beam found a small skull embedded in the precipitation, pollution), caves maintain almost rock just above our heads. I was choking on the completely stable conditions. The temperature excitement. And what else was it? Dread. inside remains at an average of the year-round Fifty feet farther on, the floor slid under an temperatures outside the cave. Humidity stays icy, six-inch-deep stream. Shoes, socks, and fairly constant at nearly 100 percent, and winds flashlight in hand, Gordon took three steps into huff through only if the other end of a cave is it and then retreated to the dry, cold rock. I was open to the outside. relieved. The darkness he left us in seemed The area where very little light penetrates is palpable, alive. appropriately named the twilight zone. Here, What's in a cave? It's a hidden, mysterious depending on the part of the country you're in, world that time forgot. Over hundreds of years, you may find salamanders, crickets, daddy rooms full of beautiful limestone statues and longlegs, and, in water, small crustaceans. It's a pillars and glistening strands of crystal evolve small zone compared with the inner chambers

PHOTOGRAPHY BY GARY S. CHAPMAN October 1991 • LISTEN • 7 of the cave, where the hard-core "troglodytes," the permanent cave residents, live. In the earth's most hostile environment, blind, deaf, colorless fish and crayfish hover in underground rivers connected with some surface water supply. Blind, white salamanders live quiet lives with half-formed, useless eyes. No food supply exists except what is imported by air and water. Cave explorers are mostly drawn to cave sights, not creepy-crawlies. You can opt for one of two types of exploration. Many public and private caves are open for guided tours that require nothing more than a walk. Some developed caves offer guided expeditions for begin- ner and advanced cavers. The big draw of the national park caves is extravagant natural beauty without any dirty discomfort, and no equipment or preparation needed. You pay the entrance fee, follow a guide along walkways, and see awesome formations illuminated by electric light. the United States at 1,565 feet deep. It is the Wild caves are the last unmapped wilderness superstar of "wild" caves. frontier in the United States. No one knows National Geographic's report in March 1991 how much of the underground world remains updated what was known of Lechuguilla up to undiscovered; the end is not in sight. A classic the end of 1990. Lechuguilla received much case is Lechuguilla Cave near Carlsbad Caverns wider publicity in March 1991, when an experi- in New Mexico. In May 1986, experienced enced caver, Emily Davis Mobley, broke her leg cavers found a way through a difficult entrance 1,000 feet down and nearly a mile and a half already named Misery Hole to discover the first into the megacave. While she explored a pit in a passage of a "new" cave. Since then, more than passage off the Reason Room, an 80-pound 50 miles of passageways have been reached boulder came loose and fell on her shin bone. and mapped. Articles written on the cave each One of her four companions, a doctor named year since 1986 have quickly become outdated. Stephen Mosberg, administered first aid, while Lechuguilla ranks as the deepest known cave in another team member immediately set off for the entrance to find help. In considerable pain, Mobley hobbled when she could and was carried when she couldn't, giving instructions at every step to avoid damaging the fragile formations the group passed as they inched their way out. On April 1, 1991, four days after the accident, Mobley was hauled up out of the last 70-foot pit to an ambulance waiting on the surface. No one can have any idea of the astounding difficulty of the rescue without hearing the descriptions made by experienced cavers of the traverses in Lechuguilla. Writes Tim Cahill in National Geographic, "A typical move (in the first four-hour stretch) is like getting up onto a table, crawling across it, then climbing down. Easy, unless you have to do it 50 times in a row, in the dark, with a 50-foot drop-off beneath you." After Emily Mobley was rescued, the expedi- tion she had accompanied resumed its work on April 4 and "pushed" another two-and-a-half 8 • LISTEN • October 1991 miles of rooms and passages. Lechuguilla now ranks eighth longest in the world at 56.9 miles. Ten more miles of cave may still lie waiting for expert cavers to find, a Carlsbad National Park Here's what national park ranger estimates. Lechuguilla Cave remains the territory of • caves have to offer: experts. Caves with less challenge but no less • • beauty and adventure may be near you. If these Carlsbad Caverns, Carlsbad, New Mexico. pictures and facts prompt you to dash out and Awesome, well-lighted caverns that can hold explore a nearby cave, you'll want to start by 14 football fields show you how vast a cave finding the local chapter or "grotto" of cavers system can grow. There are Indian paintings in your area. The National Speleological Asso- and bats inside too. ciation (phone number (205) 852-1300) can Mammoth Cave, Kentucky. hook you up with the nearest grotto. Forty In what's perhaps the most famous cave in the states and the District of Columbia have them. world, you'll find almost every feature other Grotto members show you how to treat a cave caves can boast of. You can boat down Echo as you explore and how to avoid injuries down River, an underground creek containing blind there. All you need to get started are: a reliable cave fish, or try your luck at squeezing through lighted hard hat, strong old clothes or coveralls, the slim Fat Man's Misery crack. gloves, and a guide. Lehman Caves, Baker, Nevada. What about the rules? They make plenty of Lehman is speleothem (cave formation) city. sense. The NSA motto sums them up. "Take The spectacular variety of formations includes nothing but pictures, leave nothing but foot- some rare bacon and fried eggs, draperies, flow- stone, and extensive shield formations—new prints, kill nothing but time." With hundreds of walls created by adjoining limestone pillars. years of geological history in your care, it's right to leave no marks, take no souvenirs, Russell Cave, Bridgeport, Alabama. If you fancy seeing 8,000 years of life summed leave no waste, and remain vigilantly careful at up in one place, go see the impressive archeo- every moment. logical finds in this rich cave. What draws people to caves—to darkness, Wind Cave, Hot Springs, South Dakota. dripping rock, sticky mud, and claustrophobia? With 37 miles of passageways to explore, you Like cats at an open door, we all want to know could spend your vacation here. Find many what's in there. If you've never seen inside a intricate formations of frostwork, boxwork, cave, you've missed the mysterious pull of dark and others in rooms like the Garden of Eden depths, whether they be an easily entered and the Dungeon. grand show like Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico or a musty hole in a hill near your _ - - home. A Some other national parks have • caves in their territory, including:

U..

Buffalo National River Harrison, Arkansas; Craters of the Moon Arco, Idaho; Great Smoky Mountains Gatlinburg, Tennessee; Oregon Caves Cave Junction, Oregon; Ozark National Scenic Riverways Van Buren, Missouri; Sequoia-Kings Canyon Three Rivers, California. Next time your family is near one of these sites, drag them over there for an underground odyssey. Caves may become one addiction you'll be glad you fell into!

October 1991 • LISTEN • 9 Chevro4

Ann Herrick Patterson High was a school of tight, focused groups. Since there was no Undecided group, I hung out with the Aspiring Poets. Abby was one of the few girls at school who fit in even less than I did. urry, Dinah!" Tiffany gave "I'd like some herbal tea," said me a quick shove. "Grab Ashley, pulling out the exact that table for four." change from her coat pocket. I shook the water off my A long line stood at the counter. umbrella and hurled myself I scanned the posted menu for a into a chair. I set my um- hot drink that didn't cost more brella on the floor, then than fifty cents. Regular tea was it. rubbed my fingers to warm Not very trendy. But maybe I could IIthem. Without any gloves hide the tag of the tea bag. they'd practically turned numb. When I did bring the tea, I Ashley and Monica sat across carefully kept my hand over the from me. But Tiffany tapped me on tag on my tea bag. Then I made the shoulder. "Would you move sure the bag covered the tag when I over? I like to have a good view of set it on the saucer after brewing the whole room." the tea. Finally I was able to take a I fumbled around for my um- sip to warm my insides. brella, then slopped over to the "Oh, dear," said Tiffany. "I next chair. The view from there meant to tell you to get one of seemed just as good to me. But I those little jelly packs for me. didn't say anything. Would you mind?" Tiffany pulled out a muffin from "Um . . ." I gulped. "I think those her oversized tote bag. "Some hot are just for people who've ordered chocolate would be good with this. some—" You're getting something, aren't "Oh, don't worry about it," you, Dinah?" She handed me a Tiffany insisted. "Just go to the end dollar. "Get me a hot chocolate of the counter and grab a couple. while you're there, will you?" We come here all the time. They "Me too," said Monica, rummag- won't mind." ing in her bottomless handbag for I couldn't argue, really. Hanging money. out seemed to be a major pastime

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MAN • a F R !ENDS

ILLUSTRATIONS BY LARS JUSTINEN October 1991 • LISTEN • 11 here, and I guess we did qualify as regulars. I to school in the morning I'd seen Abby coming went up to the counter and grabbed three out of the restroom of a gas station. She'd jellies. One of each flavor, just to be safe. stopped and looked around, as if she wanted to As I walked back to the table, I saw Monica be sure no one saw her. So I'd pretended not to nudging Ashley. Tiffany had her hand over her notice. mouth, but I could tell she was snickering. I One time she caught up with me just as I was turned to see what they were looking at. crossing the street. Her face was pink and glow- Emerging from the shadows of the restroom ing, and slightly damp. As if it'd just been was a girl I'd seen around school. Abby some- washed. thing-or-other. In fact, she'd been in my PE "Oh, look," said Monica. "The manager." class for about a week. I remembered her As he walked up to Abby's table, I heard him ragged underpants and a bra held together say, "I'm sorry. This is a restaurant. You can't with safety pins. just hang out here." I sat down at our table and handed the jellies "B-but, my tea," said Abby. "I haven't fin- to Tiffany. ished—" "Would you look at her shoes?" said Tiffany, "I've been watching," said the manager. pointing to Abby. "Can you believe that?" "You'll have to leave." I checked Abby's feet. She was wearing "B-but my bus doesn't come for half an hour," men's shoes. Those heavy ones with designs Abby protested feebly. "It's still pouring. My made of tiny holes. Wingtips, I think they're sweater. My shoes!" called. They were about two inches too long for "I'm sorry, but you're not a customer. You'll her feet, and she wore baggy argyle socks with have to leave." them. The shine, however, indicated her shoes Abby nodded and slowly pushed back her had been carefully polished. Her sweater and chair. When she got to the door, she paused and skirt didn't fit right either and were obviously looked out. Then she pulled her sweater tighter mended. But they were clean and a nice color and stepped out into the rain. combination. "Maybe I'll have a muffin too, now that I Patterson High was a school of tight, focused think about it," said Monica. groups. Most kids decided on a subject of "Me too," said Ashley. interest early and put all their energy into it. Obviously they were indifferent to Abby's Friendships were forged within those groups. plight. I stood up suddenly and almost sent my No mixing Computer Nuts with Musicians or chair crashing to the floor. Musicians with Future "Oh, good!" said Pro Athletes, etc. Monica. I didn't really know yet "As long as you're up, what my favorite subject how about getting me a was. But since there was muffin?" no Undecided group, I "Me too," said Ashley. hung out with the Aspir- "Oh," said Tiffany, "and ing Poets. Sometimes I I'd like some—" suspected I was the only "Sorry," I said. "I'm one in the group who leaving." I grabbed my actually wrote any poetry. umbrella. "I've got some- Abby was one of the thing I have to do." few girls at school who fit I left them with their in even less than I did. mouths open, probably "Oh, gross," said wondering who was going Monica. "Did you see to fetch for them now that I that? She's drinking a cup was taking off. of tea someone left on the I dashed outside and table!" • A quickly caught up with "Oh, yuck!" Ashley Abby. I positioned my held her hand to her umbrella so it covered both throat and stuck out her of us. "Hi," I said, looking tongue. HANFIE-11 into Abby's startled eyes. I tried not to react. A "Is it OK if I walk to the couple times on the way F R I 111 D S bus stop with you?" E 12 • LISTEN • October 1991 Paul and Carol Cannon are the founders of "The Bridge," a 90-acre campus-style retreat in Bowling Green, Kentucky. If you have heavy-duty ques- depends on it. tions about drugs, alcohol, or every- You need the example, the day social problems, they are pro- encouragement, and the guidance of each of fessional full-time listeners ready to help. your parents to help you develop socially Write them at "Ask the Cannons," LISTEN during adolescence. magazine, P.O. Box 7000, Boise, ID 83707. Before you even think about where you want to live, we suggest you talk to the friend of the court, a social worker, or a family I'm 13 years old. My parents are getting a counselor to discuss your problems with your divorce. I love both my parents, but my mom mom and figure out how you can have the best and I don't get along. Currently I'm living possible relationship with her and with your with her, but I want to live with my dad. The dad even though they're not married to each problem is I don't know how to tell my mom. other anymore. This needs to happen, no She's a very emotional person. I could wait matter where you live. Don't settle for less. and tell the judge, but I don't know if I can stand to live with her for five more months! My parents have been divorced since I was She yells at me for everything I do. How can I three. I am now 14 and in the eighth grade. tell her I don't want to live with her anymore? This last summer I went to see my father for —Tanya the first time since the divorce. We got really close—almost like we were never apart. You're in a tough spot. Before you drop the When I got back home, my mother didn't bomb on your mom, there are some prelimi- like me calling him Dad when I talked about nary steps you need to take, both for her sake him, so I called him Chuck around her. Then and yours. my grandmother (his mother) came over. She You and your mom and dad are all going expected me to call him Dad. I got so frus- through a rough transition. Your relationship to trated. I ended up just saying he or him when each other is changing, which means your I was talking about him. Why won't my mom whole life is changing. Changes like this are not let me call him dad? Is she jealous? easy. —Confused In your own way, each of you may be feeling sad, hurt, angry, and rejected. Don't try to Trying to please so many people can be frus- avoid or outrun the pain. It's there. Things are trating. When you have to bend yourself in going to be messed up for a while. That's just several different directions to keep everybody the way it is. You can't possibly feel wonderful happy, you start feeling like a pretzel! We think while the two most important people in your you need to stop worrying about pleasing life are freaked out. It's OK to feel sad and everyone and just take care of yourself. angry and to tell both your mom and your dad You have a right to call your father whatever how you feel. you want to call him. If that bothers your Don't be afraid to express yourself just mother, that's her problem. She is responsible because you don't want to upset them. They're for her feelings and needs. You aren't respon- the parents. You're the kid. If they can't handle sible for how she feels. You don't have to take your feelings, then they need to get profes- care of her emotionally. sional support from a counselor. Of course, you Just as you have a right to relate to your dad can't make them go to a counselor. But you can as you choose to and call him whatever you know that it's not your job to make them feel feel comfortable calling him, your mother has a better. right to feel a little sad or hurt about it. She is For your own sake, you need to have a solid, an adult, and she can deal with it. You do not healthy relationship with both your mother and have to worry about her problems or protect your father. Your ability to like yourself and to her feelings. You don't have to be her caretaker. relate to the opposite sex in healthy ways Just be yourself and let her take care of herself. October 1991 • LISTEN • 13 rl

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Pittsburgh Pirate Bobby Bonilla has had to work hard to get where he is. Between his growing-up years in the South Bronx and his fourth visit to the All-Star Game, he's learned how to deal with pressure—and a lot more.

atting practice has turned into a good-natured, three-way battle. Pittsburgh Pirate outfielders Barry Bonds, Andy Van Slyke, and Bobby Bonilla are taking turns, seeing who can hit the ball farthest out of Ed Smith Stadium, the Sarasota, Florida, spring-training home of the Chicago White Sox. The Pirates have traveled by bus the 15 miles Bfrom Bradenton for a 7:30 Grapefruit League game with the White Sox. Opening day of the 1991 baseball season is still more than five weeks away. For these three, the season seems to have already begun. Van Slyke slices a high line drive that sails over the right centerfield fence. He shoots a glance at Bonds, who steps into the box for his turn—all business. Bonds pounces on the first pitch and strokes a homer in almost the same spot as Van Slyke's. "All right," Bonilla says, "get out of the way and let me show you something." .., A switch-hitter, Bonilla s ipto the batting cage to bat left-

Gary B. Swanson

14 • LISTEN • October 1991 PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF THE PITTSBURGH PIRATES

"Don't ever give up on dreams in yourself, because thats who to take you re you rat to go." Bobby Bo °_; handed because Bonds and Van Slyke are left-handed batters. The first pitch isn't hitable—too far outside the strike zone. But the second is just what he's looking for. With a solid crack, his bat connects solidly, and the ball skies to straightaway right field, clearing the fence at three times the height and landing in the graveled park- ing lot by the White Sox clubhouse. A smattering of applause filters down from the early birds in the stands. Whether it's batting practice, the All-Star Game, or the National League Champion- ship Series, Bobbie Bonilla takes his game very seriously. Part of the reason for that is that he has had to work pretty hard to get to where he is—a National League all-star for four consecutive years and runner-up to teammate Barry Bonds as Most Valuable Player for the National League last year. Although Bonilla was an outfielder when he first came to the Pirates, the manager, Jim Leyland, put him in at third base—a position that he had little experience for. "We threw him to the wolves," Leyland says, "and he's done a great job." In fact, Bobby has become well-known for how he handles pressure. "This isn't pressure," he laughs. "Pres- sure is growing up in the South Bronx." ther pro players are as familiar with Bobby's happy Roberto Martin Antonio disposition as they are with his reputation as a batter. Bonilla was born in New York to Puerto Rican parents. "I'm with his mother, younger twin grocer for a carton of milk. He a real New York 'Rican,' " he sisters Milagros and Sorocco, and his friends often heard says with pride, "but don't and brother Javier from that the gunfire of drug dealers in ask me why I have four time on. He remembers their neighborhood. names. My mom did it. Maybe peering through a hole in the Thinking that the medical she was supposed to have front door of his apartment field might be Bobby's way triplets." and seeing neighbors stick out of the Bronx, his mother Bobby's parents divorced needles in their arms. He was encouraged him to take when he was eight, and he always frightened when his nursing. His father, an electri- lived in a scary neighborhood mother sent him to the corner cian, kept in close touch with 18 • LISTEN • October 1991 the family and made sure Bobby was home by a certain time at night. Bobby often worked with him during the summers too. "We'd go into buildings that were 70, 80 years old, and all the wires looked alike," Bobby remembers. "My dad would get blown off the ladder with a burst of electricity." Bobby soon developed a dream of his own to be something other than a nurse or an electrician. At Lehman High School he enjoyed social studies classes and excelled at baseball and our months on the disabled list gave Bobby time to bowling. When professional appreciate where his own hard work had brought him. baseball scouts overlooked him, however, he joined an Following that season, he 230 lb., you know LaValliere exhibition team touring worked at perfecting his game has a point. Scandinavia in 1981. In that and strengthening his injured But for all of his physical unlikely place, Bobby im- leg in winter ball in Puerto abilities, his favorite off-field pressed a member of the Rico. While he was there, he pastime is his home computer. Pirate coaching staff, who made a long-distance call to He manages his money with it was conducting clinics on the his high-school sweetheart and spends an hour to an tour, and he signed as a Millie Quinones back in New hour and a half a day playing nondraft free agent. York, and asked her to marry Nintendo. "I'm just addicted Then, after five years in the him. "I gave her $22 to buy a to it," he sighs. He loves minor leagues, he suffered a dress and shoes," he says with Spanish food—especially badly broken ankle during a smile, "and we sort of Millie's cooking—lounging at spring training. It threatened eloped." home, and watching to end his baseball career Bobby's smile and happy movies—action stuff, like Star almost before it had started. disposition are well-known Wars and Raiders of the Lost He spent four months on the around the Major Leagues. At Ark. In music his tastes run all disabled list. It gave him a lot a game back in 1988 he did the way from Billy Joel to of time to think about himself something unusual—for him. M.C. Hammer. He dislikes and his life. "That's when I He objected to a called third flying and watching the news realized how easy it is to take strike, even raising his voice. on television. "The news," he things for granted," he says. But the next day he did some- says, "is depressing." "An injury stops you and thing even more unusual—for If anything depresses him makes you say, 'Hey, you'd a major leaguer. He apolo- at all, however, it doesn't better wake up.' " gized to the umpire. "I saw show on the ball field. With He decided that if he the replay," he said. "The the start of the spring-training wanted to get anywhere, he'd pitch was right down the game with the White Sox only have to rely on himself. It middle." an hour and a half away, he helped him to get his life into "It sure is nice," says Pirate mingles with players from focus. "Don't ever give up on catcher Mike LaValliere about both teams. Leaning on the dreams," he says. "There are Bobby, "to come to the ball- batting cages, he chats for a a lot of people who can tell park every day and see a while in Spanish with a you what you can't do, but smiling face. It's a good thing couple of White Sox players. very few who can tell you Bobby's that way, because And then he heads over for what you can do. Believe in he's so strong, it's scary. I'd three kids in oversized base- yourself, because that's who's hate to see him lose his tem- ball caps standing near the going to take you where you per." When you realize Bobby dugout with baseballs and want to go." stands 6' 3" and weighs a solid pens in their hands. Fl October 1991 • LISTEN • 19 TAMING THE •

If you go into cardiac arrest whenever organization is mentioned, you need not resign from the human race. Here are some tips to help make time work for you.

It's Tuesday, second-period English. The year's attempt to keep a list, it inevitably gets lost major term paper is due. Tom sits calmly in the somewhere between breakfast and 10:00 a.m. front row, a 64-page neatly typed paper in one Wall calendars are quickly covered with post- hand, a Daytimer in the other. ers, and they think Daytimers is a new TV soap In contrast, Jenny sneaks quietly into the opera. room, trying to look inconspicuous. She chews "Oh, well," you may sigh, "since I'm one of her lip anxiously as she slips five handwritten the losers who fall into the R-B group, I guess pages onto the teacher's table and makes a I'm destined to be a failure and always get poor hasty retreat to the protection of her desk. She grades." slides down in her seat and lets out a low moan Not so! Perhaps all you need to go from a D as she sees Tom walk confidently to the table to an A is a desire to do well and a little creativ- and place his hefty report next to hers. ity (definitely an R-B's strong suit). Here are Poor Jenny. She had the same amount of some suggestions to help you compete with time to complete the assignment as Tom did. your L-B friends by making time work for you. What made the difference between her five pages and Tom's 64? Believe it or not, it could 1. Get Rid of Guilt be something as simple as which side of the The first thing to do if you are R-B is to stop brain influences her life. feeling guilty because you can't organize your In 1981 a psychologist named Roger Sperry life the "right" way. Guilt will only make you received the Nobel Prize for his studies in right- feel like a failure. Failure in turn decreases your brain, left-brain dominance. His studies productivity level because it drains you of the showed that left-brain (L-B) people are natu- necessary energy to get the job done. Accept rally geared toward organization. They love your individuality and find the time- order. Lists offer them an exciting challenge, management tools that work best for you. calendars are their favorite wall cover, and they read Daytimers as if they were on the bestseller 2. Use Energizers list. Color, variety, novelty, and people are However, there is another group—right- necessary energy items that you need to be brain (R-B)—that goes into cardiac arrest when productive. Splashes of red, yellow, and green the "0" word—organize is mentioned. If they can take the drabness out of organization and Beverly Brown Newcomer 20 • LISTEN • October 1991 ILLUSTRATION BY RANDY VEROUGSTRAETE 14, J J -30

• V far Li add excitement to your study area. Even the Like most R-Bs, you've probably noticed that most common desk items now come in the you work best when you are bouncing ideas off colors of the rainbow. File folders, Post-it note another person. If you can't set up study times pads, lined paper, pens, highlighters, even with others in your class, anytime you start to paper clips come to life when they are pack- feel fuzzy, call a friend and get some fresh aged in living color. input for your project. Ideas have a way of Since most R-Bs thrive on variety, always building on each other when two R-B minds have a change of pace ready when you feel get together. your attention wandering. Walk around the block, phone a friend, make some popcorn, but 3. Avoid the Time Monster beware of choosing something that is going to The Time Monster may only be the figment tie you up too long (an R-B weakness). When of a disorganized mind, but it has chewed up the droopies are gone, get back to the task at many an R-B student in its day. Planning out hand. Remember, the sooner it's completed, the major projects, step by step, is the only way to sooner you can play. avoid the creature. Try these easy suggestions: 1. As soon as a project is assigned, set up a calendar that appeals to your R-B creativity. Bright-colored pens distinctively block out specific time frames, and pictures or designs can be effectively used to designate progress- check points. 2. Check your calendar each week to make sure you are on schedule. If you start to fall behind, or find that too many other interests are starting to crowd your time, it's time to eliminate, alter, or simplify some of your plans. Perhaps you may even decide to trade a movie at the mall for a trip to the library in order to catch up on your paper. Above all, don't think of a schedule as a "ball and chain," locking you into an irreversible set of dates that you must either meet or be doomed to failure. Instead, look at it as a method of evaluating where you are at any point in time. This type of planning can keep you from becoming overcommitted by giving you a realistic view of the project, and, best of all, allow you to stay in control instead of being eaten alive by it. 4. Try It, You'll Like It So, come on, you creative, right-brained geniuses. Show the stuffy old organized world what you can do! Discover the energizers that work best for you—red and yellow file folders, posters of Einstein on the wall, or maybe a Garfield pencil holder. Whatever they are, use them and feel the adrenalin flow when you sit Add novelty to your study habits. Don't down with your assignments. keep just one list, keep several, and get note Remember, you are in control of any situa- pads that are brightly colored or have a unique tion. Don't have a stress fit when the big term cover (such as a cartoon of a bunch of turkeys paper is assigned. Instead, pull out your col- with the caption, "Don't let the turkeys get you ored markers and use your newly acquired down"). Personalize your desk by decorating it planning skills to create a scheduling master- with novel items such as baskets, cups or cans, piece that will rival even Picasso. And, above pictures, or special mementos. This creates a all, enjoy the feeling of power that taming the comfortably familiar area in which to study. Time Monster can bring to your life. E 22 • LISTEN • October 1991

LET YOURSELF BE KNOWN AIDS AWARENESS MONTH Let your commu- Positive lifestyle nity know of your goes beyond re- activities and fraining from your group's drugs. Your availability for PRIME group needs to service during know and share October, Consumer Informa- information about premari- tion Month. Contact your lo- M E tal sex and the risk of AIDS. cal city council or chamber of Contact your local health de- commerce. partment. IDEAS FOR YOUR DRUG-FREE GROUP A LISTEN SPECIAL OCTOBER 1991 Big Friends, Little Friends Learning is fun time as high- Tichter. "I would hate to give it "I like being able to teach strat- school students share with up; I love my classes." egy and skills but especially team- younger students after-hours. "I just love the class," says work," he says. "There is so little High-school students across seventeen-year-old Jennifer Dyer. the country are volunteering after "The girls in the class have school to teach their favorite become my adopted little sisters. hobby or sport to elementary- And it only takes two hours each school students. week." Jennifer teaches flower High-school volunteers choose arranging to a class of six to eight sixth-grade girls twice a week. Some teachers stay after school to provide classes in reading skills or math. Often high-school students pitch in to help the one- on-one tutoring elementary students can't get in their crowded to teach kids to work together." classrooms. And as a bonus, the Many high schools require high-school students also get to community-service hours for review their favorite topic. graduation, and volunteer Schoolwork and art are not the teaching is a great way for only activities. On the fields and students to earn them doing how long classes will run (one to courts you'll find some of the best something they really love to do. two hours is typical). They also high-school athletes volunteering And the school pays for it! decide on days for their classes, "The elementary kids just love so they can be one day a week or it," says Jason Seigal, director of a all five. With school administra- program in California called tion providing place and materi- Project Courage. "Faced with als, the high-school students pro- budget cuts, we asked the kids vide the activity, free of charge. what they really wanted to keep. There is no limit to the number of Their first response was, keep students in each class. Or to the Project Courage." number of classes a counselor can Ten-year-old Alyssia Stewart teach. The basic rule of thumb is and her mom Pat agree. "I love six students to every high-school my class and my counselor," counselor, and all involved agree Alyssia says. Twice a week this is a reasonable number. their time. Varsity soccer captain Alyssia stays an hour after school "I teach art twice a week for an Aaron Strean volunteers three to take a watercolor class. hour a day. I'm able to schedule times a week to help junior-high "And I love not having to my classes around work and students get ready to make the worry about where she is and school," says senior Michelle high-school team. what she's doing," says her mom. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF MELISSA COHEN October 1991 • LISTEN • 23 T H E PRIME TIMES

Some students find it a bit high rates of gang crimes and intimidating to face an entire drugs. class alone. So local parents often "Of course we don't put volunteer their time to assist the convicted gang members in first-time teachers. Cara Walther, charge of classes," states Leonard a junior in high school, put it this Chu, principal of a California way, "I didn't feel like I could elementary school using the handle a class by myself the first program. "But for those on the time, and working with a co- outside edges, who may be counselor has worked out fine for thinking about that kind of me. And this way if something association, the program helps comes up and one of us can't grams than just activities for give them self-esteem and pride. make it, we don't have to cancel elementary-school students, It encourages them to live on the kids. Maybe next year I'll however. They also provide a positively and become role take on a class of my own." safe place for high-school stu- models themselves." There is more to these pro- dents, especially in areas with —Melissa Cohen Clean and Sober Fun The gymnasium at a central Todd grins as he faces the setting, and each tells his or her Florida high school vibrates with audience again. "See, you had own story. The next screen shows the sounds of Madonna, Bon Jovi, fun, and every one of you is other Friday Night Live groups in and M.C. Hammer. The more sober! I used to be just like some action. than 300 students clap and dance of you. I didn't think it was Friday Night Live is a nation- in their seats, as the music roars possible to have fun without wide nonprofit organization with on. All at once the music stops, alcohol. When I was a freshman I membership chapters in many and the lights come on full force. wanted to be cool, so I drank. high schools. The presentation An energetic young man runs out Beer! J.D! It didn't matter. I drank we've described is typical of the from behind the screen and faces to be cool. A freshman partying upbeat activities each of the the crowd. with seniors—I was cool!" chapters arranges in its own "I'm Todd," he says. "Were "By my junior year there school. you guys having fun?" The wasn't a day I didn't come to After the slide show narrated answering cheer is almost as loud school drunk. I couldn't face the by a member of the chapter, as the music had been. day without my liquid courage. students in the audience are "Good, 'cause I'm from Friday Then one night on the way home asked to share their stories and Night Live. And I'm here to show from a party, I found myself goin' ideas about drugs and drinking. you that partying and having a the wrong way on a freeway on- Surprisingly, there are several good time don't have to include ramp. Big mistake!" students who are willing to share drinking and getting high. Now I The crowd groans; they have some very painful stories. The need six volunteers!" A chorus of heard it all before. other students listen carefully, groans is accompanied by several "Don't drink and drive. Call and the end of each speech is raised hands. your parents for a safe ride. greeted with applause and calls Within five minutes, four girls Please!" of encouragement. and two boys are selected to be "Now I want you to watch After the presentation is over led through the first verses of the this, and then tell me if it's cool to and the students are excused to old camp song "I Know an Old get drunk and high!" class, Todd is surrounded by Lady Who Swallowed a Fly." The lights go out, and the huge students wanting to tell him their There is plenty of laughter and screen lights up with pictures of own personal stories and hear shouts from the crowd. Todd teenagers drinking at a party. A more about his job. And for his claps his hands as he acts out the loud cheer comes from the back part he urges each of them to join words to the song. The end of the of the gym. the club and stay sober. song is met with lots of applause. The musicians featured in the "Because after all," he reminds The six volunteers are each show's opening suddenly appear them, "didn't I tell you? You can handed a T-shirt with the Friday on the huge screens. Each of the have fun and be sober." Night Live logo. artists appears in a relaxed —Melissa Cohen 24 • LISTEN • October 1991 includes tiny particles of an iron mineral called magnetite that are sensitive to the earth's magnetic field. The birds can calibrate their built-in compass by the stars for the direction they need to go. Then, on cloudy nights, the information, already pro- grammed in their heads, steers them on the right path. With nothing comparable known in humans, maybe the phrase "bird brain" isn't so insulting after all. Fast-food revenue hit $69.8 billion in 1990. McDonald's is still the leader in revenue, with an income of $17.3 billion in 1989. —Restaurants & Institutions

One 12-ounce wine cooler contains the same amount of alcohol as a 12-ounce beer, a glass of wine, or a shot of hard liquor. —Youth '90 Montana Broke Jeans For $65, retailers in New York City and San Francisco are selling secondhand jeans guaranteed to have been "worn by bronco riders, ropers, ranchers, and hands residing in the state of Montana." A brochure accompa- nying the jeans explains what the wear and tear on each individual pair of jeans could mean. For example, a well-worn seat indicates that "this individual probably spent a lot of time riding horses." Worn area on the upper leg is explained: "Stacking and carrying baled hay puts lots of wear on the knees and fronts of pants." Holes in knees: "From ranch work to rodeos, breaking horses to mending fences, these jeans have seen them all!" And though the brochure doesn't say, if the pants smell a bit funky, that too is a proof of authenticity. A nationwide survey of 1,875 college students by Tucson State University showed that nearly two-thirds of those who commit Lead Heads campus crimes are using alcohol Ever wonder how birds know generally set their course by the or some form of drugs. Nearly which direction to migrate? Well, stars. If, however, the night is half said their crime—a sex scientists have too, and after cloudy, our feathered friends offense, other violence, vandal- numerous experiments, they have have a backup system. A mag- ism—was alcohol-related. some answers. Like sailors, birds netic compass built in their brain —USA Today ILLUSTRATION BY JAY SCHEUERLE October 1991 • LISTEN • 25 After picking up the ruins from what seemed like every room in the house, I tucked them (parts of the car) into a drawer, underneath some old clothes, and quickly attended to my younger brother, who by this time had shed gallons of tears. I slowly convinced him not to ever tell mom and begged him not to bring it up at dinner. Seeing that my begging and pleading were not working, I told him he could have my remote Welcome back to Listening. Yes, we are—Listening, that is. control car, which was 10 times And what we're hearing is that you want to get more involved better in every way. In an instant, - with the magazine. Which makes perfect sense because after as soon as the words left my all, it's your paper. mouth, his tears stopped, and a So—time to introduce THE CARD. We want you to join our LISTEN smile was apparent on his damp team in a very real and fully accredited way. And what better way face. than to issue you the official LISTEN team member card! Right up Till this day I cannot recall front by accepting this card you are committing yourself to the goal of exactly why I dropped his car, but positive, drug-free living. That, of course, is the heart of our LISTEN I do remember I was mad about message. something. Maybe this whole Other uses for the card: Use it to flash around to friends and im- incident was a plot by my younger press them with your official capacity. Pull this card on "friends" who brother, just so he could get my might offer you drugs. They'll think you're FBI or something, and boy, superior car. Anyway, today, will they panic! nearly a decade after the accident, Seriously, though, this card is going to come in real useful. When we pieces of his car sit in a drawer issue you the card, we'll register you as an official I ISTFN team underneath some very old clothes member—someone entitled to the privileges of the team. Those —Mihir Kanabar privileges will include the right to sell LISTEN subscriptions to earn Houston, Texas scholarship money. The right to form your very own LISTEN Action Team and plan some high-profile activities. The right/the opportunity to cash in on some of the incentives we will offer (big-time things like When Love Poems T-shirt prizes, personalized watches for top team leaders, and perhaps even an overseas trip for a grand-prize top team member). Don't Work So you can see there's plenty of action up ahead for you as an There is a time ACTION TEAM MEMBER. All you have to do is send us a note When love ceases requesting your personalized card. Include your name, address, age, To be a record and telephone number. As soon as we possibly can we'll issue your Of redundant love card, laminate it so it'll last and last; then we'll rush it off to you. Songs, Next month we'll start you off on some team activities. Stay with us And blossoms into for some great times. Friendship Oh, don't forget to order the vivid, out-of-sight bright LISTEN Deeper and more T-shirt we offered last month. Let everyone know you are a LISTEN Fluent booster and that you are all for positive choices. Than any Till next month. Sad love poem. —Meghan Fiddes )1.4044•_.0"./ Mesa, Arizona Untitled Closets Did I or did I not drop my brother's remote control car from the bal- As a little girl, nothing instilled cony that overlooked the den? Maybe it slipped or fell by accident. This more terror in me than the closet was probably the first time I made my brother cry. of my bedroom. During the He was at the ripe old age of four, and I was a mature six. Boy, did daytime, it appeared outwardly he cry as parts of his car were scattered over five continents, a moment harmless, but by night it seemed after impact with the tile floor. The best part of this incident was not full of danger. I knew that watching him cry, but rather trying to stop him from crying, gather up threatening villains and monsters debris, hide them somewhere, and somehow bribe my brother not to resided in the closet and awoke ever tell my parents what had happened. The latter was the hardest. from their slumber when the 26 • LISTEN • October 1991 twilight hours became prominent. never took the chance. People can do wonderful things if they take I would lie awake for hours on some chances and venture onto some unexplored grounds. It's always end, afraid to move lest the better to open your closet doors and explore what's beyond their monsters should hear and come thresholds. into the room to get me. I never —Reena Patni once dared to open the door and Houston, Texas venture beyond the threshold of the closet and find out what existed there in actuality. I had placed a belief in my mind that menacing monsters hid within the depths of the closet, and that belief shrouded my mind so completely that I refused to believe otherwise. Had I ever summoned up courage and actually examined my closet to verify my fears, I would have found no evidence of my monsters' existence and from then on viewed my fear as invalid. As with many of my fears and the fears of others, my monsters did not exist; they were merely a figment of my imagination. Mark Twain put fear in a proper light when he said, "I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened." The monsters that so worried me never existed. They were just created in my mind and built up until they overpowered me, and they became a trouble that never happened. Many older people seem to share a fear similar to my fear of monsters. They don't fear actual monsters, but something very much like the monsters puts THE CARD: Treat yourself to a LISTEN team membership card. Give us the terror in them. Adults are afraid info and it'll be in the mail. Sorry, no hand delivery, though. of exploring new ideas and trails and fear venturing onto unchartered territory. Just as I Dear Editor: was afraid of opening my closet I really enjoy reading my LISTEN magazine. The articles are very door because I didn't know what interesting, and they give people advice. I would find behind it, adults fear In the March 1991 issue that I was reading, a very interesting topic opening the doors to new ideas caught my eye about drugs. I think it is very encouraging of what you and searching in the closets of try to get across to young teens about drug addiction. their minds. The unexplored Thank you for making such a great magazine. thoughts that lurk behind those —Shelly Saunders doors are nothing to tremble at when confronted with them, but Your comments are appreciated, Shelly. Give us a shout whenever one's imagination builds them up you find something you like or dislike about LISTEN. until one can't handle them. By the way, a tip that will put all those letters on the right track. What we fear is usually LISTEN magazine's editorial office is now at P.O. Box 7000, Boise, ID nothing at all, but when our 83707. So put that idea, that word of wisdom in the mailbox, and minds build our fears up, they before you can say "Pony Express," it will be here in Idaho and can become too much to handle. I begging for our full attention. could have saved myself a lot of Keep the comments coming. pain had I confronted those Your friend and LISTEN editor, monsters from the start, but I Lincoln Steed

PHOTO BY BETTY BLUE AND ROBERT MASON October 1991 • LISTEN • 27 Thumbs up Hats off to John M.D. Slade, and Alan on M.D., who are Blum, taking turerPhilip Morris, the of Atiller-Lite, manufac- Miller Iturrabs &vox to a genuine Draft, and Marlboro. zeport flora Nusttalia The two physicians were clai:10 that beer responsible for moving and seconding a which resolution is att effective cute tot baldtless Morris's shareholder's at Philip (heat that, Lisvcolullseetas that on April 25. meeting au Austsaliao raatt,ialovrti for for Philip • The resolution called years as "Baidy " passeda vuddleout oue o report Morris to develop a 111 , investigating ties be- oisht with his head tween the marketing beet .1-le uoticed sorae hair of tegowth the ttext taorulus and products for Halloween andMiller through racing events and sales, beOrtyetiestcrus uishtly a zegovuth applicatios, of his o hair . v: -re loolcitts iot a cute tion by minors. Though the resolution received o only 3.1 percent of fozBut abalditts if y ftieud, velative, or according to FCC votes cast, editoz lraaI(e that hrai, number of rules, the Giett. --VA), bettez iceey looldos. positive votes Vuoush veyorted ra Alcoholistrt substantial enough that thewere GlenN Os , a Tevutable I.3 5. publica- resolution can be resubmitted next year in a tiott, the Masa,111e Waras that the similar form. ortslual. Austvaliatt uestsispapez aAnother encouraging ccording sign, hich. carried the stotsj also percent of stocto Slade, was that veyotted thebitth of a baby with kholder 20 abstained shares LISTEN ()ode-ale& applauds a •st.1 Slade and the efforts regr Blum, thou of etfully believe gh we recomme that their nded changes come easily. Keep will not ‘t! responsible fightingfor advertising, Slade and Blum. LISTEN, and the millions of teens it behind you. represents ,are

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ed October 2, 1950. J rs a ppear

October— Food for Thought If the month of Oc you think of food (wheyoudn'makes it?), perhaps this is the y year to t join the observation of Vegetarian Day World on October 1. Sponsored by the North Ameri- Clifton Davis, born October 4, 1945. can Vegetarian Society, the 108 up special day is a "celebration of Thumbs vegetarianism's benefits to s. up to humans, animals, and our sery the two planet." ea st Seattleunidentified waiters in who pregnant woman If you're not quite up to that, Birthdays rawberry werefused to a to how about observing October as Theysubsequently Instantly fired andfor rudeness. were National Pizza Month? for October ing to Pizza Today Accord- former U.S. became /oca/ flat food is not onlymagazine, America's the jimmy Carter, heroes for standing up for their number-on president, born Oct. 1, 1924, columnistprinciples apply 4 local al newspaper e Snoopy, dog in nutritiou fun food, it is Plains, Georgia; s as well. comic strip, first ap- caring, which is inore than 90 Peanuts Clifton Percent of us ever do" the two for Speaking of nutrition, take the peared Oct. 2,1950; week of October 6-12 to tell your actor, singer, composer, Davis, school cafeteria workers how you born Oct. 4, 1945, Chicago,automobile really feel about their fare during Illinois; Lee Iacocca, National School Lunch Week. executive, born Oct. 15, 1924,Mike And if you're not vegetarian, Allentown, Pennsylvania; don't like pizza, and don't eat in football coach, born Oct. Ditka, the cafeteria, maybe you'll be 18, 1939, Carnegie, Pennsylvania; interested in the festivities on the editor, LISTEN Lincoln Steed, Boardwalk at Santa Cruz, Califor- magazine, born Oct. 21, 1950, Bruce jenner, nia, on October 12 and 13. That's Perth, Australia; when they serve up those tender, track athlete, sportscaster, born juicy, succulent Brussels sprouts Oct. 28, 1949, Mount Kisco, New as part of their annual comedian, Sprouts Brussels York; john Candy, Festival. Take a tip from actor, born Oct. 31, 1950, me: smother it in mayo. Newmarket, Ontario, Canada.

October 1991 • LISTEN • 29 A recording artist and former Miss America con— dating scene. They need to feel their children are testant, Becki Trueblood is interested in helping able to handle the situations that come up on dates, you find answers to your day-to-day problems. If My parents did not set an age limit, but they had you've got a question, comment, or gripe for Becki, stipulations about my personality that had to show let her hear it! Send it to Dear Becki, LISTEN before they gave their OK. I will do the same with magazine, P.O. Box 7000, Boise, ID 83707. my children. My best advice is to let your parents know how you feel and show them a maturity that will help them to feel comfortable allowing you to I overheard my parents talking about how sick my date before 16. Here are some suggestions (that grandfather was and that he has cancer. My might change their minds): (1) You will only go out parents feel they have to keep negative informa- on double dates; (2) you will only go to church tion about family members to themselves. They activities or activities with a group of people; (3) you _ must not trust me enough to let me know the truth. wiltbe home before your curfew; (4) you will ask the I feel very hurt that they can't confide in me. What girl/boy home for dinner before your first date. should I do? There are many alternatives. Use your imagination. Your parents are trying to protect you from being But remember, you are under your parents until hurt. They understand that traumatic sickness such you're 18, and they have the last say. as cancer may be hard for you to deal with, and they don't want to cause you pain. They may not realize I am terribly confused about sex. My friends talk they are causing you a different kind of pain by not about things I don't understand. I laugh with them confiding in you. Parents want the best for their and go along with what they say so I don't look children, and that means sheltering them from stupid, but I am rather shy and have a lot of everything they see as negative. Approach your unanswered questions. I suppose I should ask my parents. Let them know you overheard them talking, parents, but shouldn't they have told me before and it hurt you that they had not told you first. Tell now? Is it my place to ask them? What should I do? them it seemed to you as if they didn't trust you, Don't be embarrassed about questions on sex. and although it hurts to know your grandfather has Everyone has to learn somehow, and you are a step cancer, you want to be a part of what goes on within ahead of many of your friends by asking for advice. your family. Allow them to explain. Get everything Your friends are probably not as knowledgeable as out in the open, and don't let this ball up inside of they are acting either. They may have as many you any longer. I'm sure this is a misunderstanding questions as you do. Talk with your parents. It that can be cleared up with communication. I'm would have been easier for you had they ap- sorry about your grandfather. proached you earlier, but since they didn't, you need to take the initiative. If you still have unanswered My parents won't allow me to date until I am 16 questions after talking with them or maybe feel just years old. I am now 14, and all my friends are too uncomfortable to talk with them at all, you have dating. I feel embarrassed and left out that I am many other options. Your city or school library will not. I feel I am old enough. How do I convince my have books giving information on sex that can be parents of this? located very easily through the card files or com- I don't know if there's a way to convince your puter files. Your school counselor can give you parents that you should date at 14. Many parents set information as well as pamphlets, etc., answering the age limit at 16 and don't budge. It is not my your questions. Maybe you have a family member place to say if this is right or wrong. I do believe that you feel comfortable talking with. Just make sure parents need to see a certain maturity in their whoever is giving you advice knows what they are children before allowing them to be involved in the talking about. 30 • LISTEN • October 1991

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A Whale of a Puzzle Juliana Lewis Did you know that there are more than a dozen 7. "Abe, lug a load of firewood from the shed," kinds of whales coming under the two main said Mr. Lincoln. categories of toothed whales and whalebone 8. Omar's camel, nicknamed "The Hump," whales? The name of one is hidden in each sen- backed up when he tried to mount him. tence below (spelled with consecutive letters). 9. Floating downstream, the empty bottle nose How many of them can you bring to the surface? dived over the waterfall. 10. A big ray of sunshine lighted up the room. 1.Jim's mom baked a great blueberry pie. 11. Bob piloted the plane solo for the first time. 2. Jeff, in back of Charlie, was trying to keep out 12. Before venturing into their tropical Africa of sight. territory, the explorer asked for the head 3. Mary's permanent press dress never needed pygmy's permission. ironing. 4. Bonar W. Hale was the new owner of the bookstore. Answers to "A Whale of a Puzzle." 5. Do you think Moscow fishermen ever catch .u.uads fish in the Volga? Aul2Ad .zi 'wild • t 'AeiV -0t 'pasou-aoloci .6 6. The big beak Eddy drew on the eagle in his Vecicluing .g 'Ortiaci •L 'pavaci .9 lisumoD picture seemed too large. Tetinueu 'uuads •E 'veciug 7 'argil •I

r 1 MOVING? Please send us your old address label (or a photocopy) and your new address. If your label is unavailable, please print both your old and new addresses clearly, including zip codes. OLD ADDRESS: NEW ADDRESS: Name Name Address Address City State Zip City State Zip L

Mail to LISTEN, P.O. Box 7000, Boise, ID 83707 October 1991 • LISTEN • 31

"If your image of reality is skewed from being intoxicated by alcohol or some pharmaceutical, you can't participate fully in life." Mae Jemison, astronaut Listen, March 1990

"A few years ago, when I tried to talk about drugs, I'd get a few boos, but it didn't stop me. I'd tell them, 'You don't have to listen to me, you'll see it someday.' I've seen what drugs have done to some people I've known." Henry Lee Sumner, singer Listen, August 1990

"When you're a teenager, it's hard to realize what a precious commodity time is. With drugs you lose so much time; you're losing time getting on with reality." Amy Grant, singer Listen, May 1991

The Listen personality features are just one part of a fast-paced, totally relevant magazine that celebrates positive alternatives fo r today's teen. There's a whole year of features, news, stories and just good times ahead for you in a %we subscription to Listen. Why not treat yourself with for a .•••• \ want e eliget or a friend to one of \ life's natural highs! gsnutnisseciitir51 in ere'

check/money order (outside the U.SPk s3end. psS$20.95 I is guaranteed through December1 ,199-1 Price MAIL THIS COUPON AND YOUR PAYMENT TO LISTEN' IIVIAGAZIINE7 P.O. BOX 7000, BOISE, ID 8370 I 2C 2C Name 2C I Address Zip 2C State 2C City sos 2C Phone(_ 001110a © 1991 Pacific Press Publishing Association