Klipsun Magazine, 1988 - April/May

Western Washington University Western CEDAR

Klipsun Magazine Western Student Publications

4-1988

Klipsun Magazine, 1988 - April/May

David Einmo Western Washington University

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

Recommended Citation Einmo, David, "Klipsun Magazine, 1988 - April/May" (1988). Klipsun Magazine. 96. https://cedar.wwu.edu/klipsun_magazine/96

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 Cover photo by Jesse Tinsley Special thanks to Wolf Haven, The WWU Print Plant and is published Western Front/Klipsun Business Of twice-quarterly out of College Hall fice staff, the WWU Print Plant staff. 137, Western Washington University, Klipsun is a Lummi Indian word meaning “beautiful sunset.” Bellingham, WA 98225, (206) 676- 3737. Klipsun is supported by stu dent fees and is distributed free. Copyright March 1988 IN THIS ISSUE

SCULPTOR 4 Liberal art

Editor David Einmo

Associate Editors WOMEN PASTORS Jeffrey Pedersen 8 K. Washburn From pews to pulpits Photo Editor Jesse Tinsley

Production/Art Editor ALTERNATIVE K.L. Hansen Production Assistants DWELLINGS 12 Shanna Gowenlock There's no place like home? Lezlie Olson

Adviser R.E. Stannard Jr.

Typesetters CONTROVERSIAL David Cuillier Andy Perdue

HUNT 16 Staff Wolf killing: economics or biology? Wendy Bacon-Allex Tom Davis Becky Duce-Thompson Rich Ellis Eric C. Evarts Bill Gregersen-Morash MODEL RAILROADS 21 John Jay Tracking tiny trains Jeremy Meyer Wendy Staley Jerry Tegarden Kathy Tucker Dan Tyler Shari Walton NIGHTSHIRT 24 Juanita Wilson Working graveyard in the not-so-dead of night

BLIND 27 Without a cane and surely able

WATERFRONT 30 photographic interpretations Liberal Art

By Wendy Staley

hen Richard Beyer cuts wood with a chainsaw, the result isn’t a stack of logs. A salmon or a bear or a man appears in Wstead. Beyer, a Seattle-based sculptor, works out of his green and light blue garage-like studio, which resembles a child’s clubhouse. Grayish-blue painted wooden cutouts of a horse and a donkey are nailed to the outside walls. The gate on the right side of the building, which can be pulled open with a rope handle, leads to a yard filled with Styrofoam pieces, lumber scraps, pipes, tubes and chicken wire. Wood chips litter the ground. In one corner of the yard, Beyer stood in front of a wooden man and critically eyed his work. Clenching his blue pipe between his teeth in intense concentration, he revved up the chainsaw he held and made a few more dents In the honey-colored wood. Silver-gray hair stuck out of the edges of Beyer’s gray woolen cap, Most of Beyer’s sculptures are meaningful messages lie within the and his coverall jeans were tucked carved out of Styrofoam and then blocky images. into the tops of a pair of tan, rubber delivered to Idaho, where his son “There are a number of different Charlie casts them into aluminum. His fishing boots. kinds of knowledge. There is abstract, He turned to explain that the furnace isn’t large enough to cast an formalistic knowledge, and there are wooden man was a replica of an entire sculpture at once, so Charlie stories about how things are and 1870s surveyor, drawing his first map casts the sculpture In pieces, which were. Some of my sculptures are along the Columbia River. The sur are returned to Seattle and welded to humorous, but underneath them veyor, along with five wooden salmon gether. there’s a pragmatic statement. I like to and a coyote, will be part of a On the surface, Beyer’s wood, think of them as three-dimensional Wenatchee museum display on the stone and aluminum sculptures often political cartoons.’’ Columbia River. tell humorous stories. But more

4 KLIPSUN “The Fremont people supported the ‘Interurban’ statue, and the com munity in Seattle and elsewhere started supporting my work, so I es caped from the flux of bomb builders.” The public’s recognition of his work is important to Beyer, who said he doesn’t create a sculpture simply for the sake of art. “It’s a silly, romantic myth per petuated in art schools that artists are alienated and estranged from the world. It has no relevance, if you will,” “The Man Who Used to Hunt Beyer said. “Art is not political. It’s an Cougars for Bounty” expression of the community’s values. It makes the ‘Interurban’ relatively im dren, laughter and affection, if you portant socially, if not by artistic please.” criteria.” Back in his studio, Beyer strolled over to a table In the middle of the Many of Beyer’s sculptures are commissioned. Most of his Ideas for room. Just outside the doorway, a buzz sculptures come from talking with ing chainsaw operated by Beyer’s as clients, reading poetry and learning sistant provided sporadic background about local stories and myths. noise. “The Man Who Used to Hunt “The people (in the ‘Interurban’ Cougar for Bounty’’ on Western’s sculpture) are standing there waiting campus is based on a local, factual for the scum to blow away.” Beyer story Beyer said he read. He de looked up. The low rumble of his scribed the sculpture like a true laughter filled the room for an instant. storyteller. Then he focused his clear blue eyes “In the 1920s there was a cabin on the pipe he held in one hand and near campus. The man who lived in began to relate his past. there could run for miles hunting cougars on the hills up and around the campus. He ran with his dogs. “I like to think of People say they could hear his dogs. He made a good living until his lungs them as three- broke, his knees gave out, he started dimensional drinking whisky. The sculpture is the reconciliation of cougar and man. cartoons.” They’re singing ‘America.’” --Richard Beyer Beyer turned and gestured toward another wooden sculpture he was working on in his studio. The un In school, Beyer said he was inter finished piece featured a family sitting ested in history and writing, but after and watching television with a dog. World War II, he said there was noth He is creating the sculpture for KING- ing to do but make triggers for atom TV. He said the sculpture will be bombs. At the University of Washing placed In front of KING’S lobby to pre ton’s graduate school, he said he vent cars from driving through the studied economics to try to under glass windows there. stand the cause of all the tension In “They wanted a family watching the world. After graduate school, “It TV, but I put a can of beer in the “Waiting for the Interurban,” in was off, if you will, to make the mis man’s hand. I wanted it to look like a Fremont, is one of Beyer’s more siles at Boeing Company so they real American family watching a sit famous sculptures. It shows a group could shoot the goddamn bombs com, drinking beer. They told me ‘no of people with a human-faced dog off.” beer’ and that the dog’s ears couldn’t waiting for a bus, and “speaks to the After working at Boeing for a short be up because It would make him common endurance of humanity in time, Beyer was ready to perform what look frightened or something. I gave the face of exploitation by the pigs, he called his de-evolution out of the the family sweet expressions so I can swine, bastards, whatever you want to commercial world. Beyer smiled and get away with the beer can.” call them, who exploit and use us,’’ said, jokingly, that he got into sculpt He grinned and explained that Beyer said. “The human being some ing when he found he was otherwise some of his clients haven’t always how endures through families, chil- unemployable. been easy to get along with.

KLIPSUN 5

It’s a silly, romantic myth per- petuated in art schools that artists are alienated and estranged from the world. It has no relevance, if you will.” --Richard Beyer

“Some people think they can use your hands for their imagination. They have no moral integrity to learn to use their own hands. I realize that I pro Richard Beyer vide a service, so I try to find out what sort of value they’re up to. Some sculpted the figures clients there’s just no working with, if ‘Waiting for the Interurban” they want (a sculpture of) some self- in Seattle’s Fremont area. promoting message.’’ An artist’s personal expression is something Beyer finds worth defend ing. He currently is helping to \ guess I wind up as sort of the organize an artists’ equity group for most popular artist making a living (in this area). Some people envy me. that purpose. Some of the academics and critics “Supply exceeds demand (in the art world). Artists let others dictate to defend the enviers and put my stuff down. I don’t know. I know what I’m them what is to be done. Museum “I hope our time is moving toward doing and why I’m doing it. It’s sort of people, art committee people are a change of heart, when philosophers confusing what it’s about.” Beyer often the idle, rich, well-to-do who will be kings. The best we can hope paused and looked solemnly down at have nothing better to do but dabble for is people taking more responsibili his feet. In art, or work with artists,’’ Beyer said. ty for each other and this place we live “I’ve made a choice to deal with “Well, they tend to leave the art com in. These principles are really the plat the concrete and immediate In a world munity disorganized. Artists must form of the Aquarian Age.’’ that’s becoming more abstract and organize to defend their interests: Beyer said the adoption of these confusing. Sometimes the con quality and the expression of their principles can save our community troversy gets kind of amusing.’’ values. The others are parasitic. from Increased corruption. Beyer seems to care a lot about “What is it? Did you cut something “All this talk about a change of his community and the everyday off wrong?’’ Beyer asked calmly when heart is really the recognition that the people who live In it. He said he his assistant wandered into the studio world doesn’t need the damn bomb. doesn’t like to see politics and in and stood silently. Beyer walked out The Aquarian Age is a real alternative creased technology change the com side to provide direction, then came to the bomb. It’s the only alternative.’’ munity for the worse. back In, sat down, and relit his pipe. Beyer Is a man who doesn’t have He said his artwork Isn’t always much respect for political systems, received well by everyone. Awhile t i I gave the family which he said are based on hate. ago, he designed a sculpture of a bull ‘‘There Is nothing absolute in to be displayed in Ellensburg. Some sweet expressions political doctrines. There is something of the townspeople weren’t thrilled so I can get away absolute about being human beings with it. with the beer can.” with flesh on our bones, with our basic “One fella ran for city council on fears, our desires.’’ some moralistic campaign against the --Richard Beyer His artwork seems to reflect his bull. He was saying the bull love for humans, nature and the com represented the devil, with its horns “This technological pollution be munity, as well as his dislike for cor and all. I started out calling it comes a corrupt pollution. Cleaning rupt systems, which could explain ‘Cowboy’ but changed the name to up this mess is what it’s all about. This both the growing popularity and the ‘The Ellensburg Bull.’’’ filth is not necessary.’’ controversy that surround his work. The occasional controversy sur He looks forward to a time when rounding some of Beyer’s work is dif people will take better care of each /A ficult for him to understand. other and the place in which they live.

KLIPSUN 7 From Pews To Pulpits

by Kathy Tucker pastors. When members of more con “I can always tell (if) they resent servative Lutheran Churches visit Our the fact that they are talking to me,” Savior’s, they are occasionally Kirkpatrick said. shocked to see a woman presiding. Her cue Is the surprised tone of She said some have stayed for the the person’s voice. But Kirkpatrick everal gold and white candles sermon, but left before the service doesn’t believe in taking an offensive flicker slightly next to an alter. was over. stand in these situations. Choir members sit quietly Patty Kirkpatrick, an associate ‘‘I would never just get into a ver while the pastor gives the pastor at Glad Tidings non- bal argument with somebody (as to) sermon. Although the congregation denominational church in Bellingham why I should be a pastor versus why scarcely fills the wooden pews, the for the last 15 years, has been a they think I shouldn’t, just for the argu people are attentive. The church is pastor since 1960. ment’s sake.” fairly typical, with one exception -- its Kirkpatrick Is small and demure, Shortly after she and her husband pastor is a woman. but she speaks with conviction and moved to Bellingham, she attended a Margaret Hammer shares pastoral confidence. luncheon for ministers. She went duties with her husband at Our She said she sometimes comes alone because her husband was busy Savior’s Lutheran Church in Belling across people who don’t agree that and said she received what she called ham. They have been ordained since women should be ordained. People a “unique” reception. Fifteen years 1983, but the couple has only been at who don’t know her sometimes call ago a female pastor in a small town Our Savior’s since last spring. the church and ask to talk to the was pretty unusual. In her native Wisconsin accent. pastor. If her husband, who is the “When I looked around, I was the Hammer said that she occasionally senior pastor, happens to be away, only woman there, which made me a receives negative reactions from she’ll receive the call. She said the little uncomfortable.” people who aren’t familiar with women reaction Isn’t always a positive one. Kirkpatrick said she doesn’t try to

8 KLIPSUN assert her ministry on churches that tive to a husband-wife team than they into play when people want counsel aren’t receptive to women pastors. are to a single woman pastor. Before ing for personal problems. Some When she and her husband attend she was married, she met a lot more women would rather talk to a female or visit churches that don’t believe in opposition. pastor, while some men would rather ordaining women, she respects their She said a husband-wife team talk to a male pastor ~ or vice versa. opinions and doesn’t preach in their serves as a good example for the Women bring different insight, churches. congregation. It shows them a family compassion and understanding into Cindy Bauleke, associate pastor at who can work together serving and the ministry, Kirkpatrick said. the First Congregational Church in loving God. She and her husband have no Bellingham, said sexism in the church “I think for children to see a family problems working together, Kirk and in society is still a problem. that loves God and serves God to patrick said. She attributes It to the “For so many of us in the ‘70s, we gether is a very, very important thing. I fact that they enjoy each other’s com thought ‘Well, all we have to do is let think It shows them that (when) God pany so much. people see the problem and It will be has called you into ministry, whether Hammer said she agreed that solved.’ Well here we are in ‘88 and you are a boy or a girl Isn’t the factor male-female team leadership is bene the problem is not solved yet!” that counts.’’ ficial to the church because it presents Bauleke said, punctuating her state Most of the time the benefits of role models for both sexes. She said it ment with the comfortable, booming husband-wife team leadership come also shows children that both men laugh that frequently accompanies her speech. “I would never just get into a verbal argument with somebody (as to) why I should be a pastor versus why they think I shouldn’t just for argument’s sake.” --Patty Kirkpatrick

She said sexism comes in little doses all of the time. Once, when she was visiting a parishioner at the hospi tal, a nurse asked her, “Now you’re the pastor’s wife?’’ after she already had told the nurse she was the pastor. She also has received some sexist treatment from within her congrega tion. When her church recently experi enced budget problems, someone turned to her and suggested her hours be cut to save money. The per son reasoned that since Bauleke’s husband makes a good income, she could afford to take the cut in pay. But she doesn’t want to be seen as a “helper” to the senior pastor, Don McClellan. She wants to be treated and respected as a pastor in her own right. She said all women get subtle sexist remarks, but there are different ways of dealing with them. Kirkpatrick said her church is very Bill accepting of her as a pastor. Gregersen-Morash When her husband travels, Kirk patrick will often lead the worship ser vice. She joked that her congregation doesn’t stay home from church on those days. Margaret Hammer says she believes her parishoners accept her in her role She said people are more recep as associate pastor.

KLIPSUN 9 Bill

Gregersen-Morash

Cindy Bauleke is the associate pastor at the First Congrega Margaret Hammer is the associate pastor at Bellingham’s Our tional Church in Bellingham. Savior’s Lutheran Church.

and women can be leaders. “I wouldn’t want to read 20th “They all lived In a society where Hammer added that she and her century values into It,” he said. men had power and women did not husband have different perspectives Kirkpatrick has a more conserva have power,” she said. “They were and talents that are reflected in their tive view. very sexist people who translated the different sermons. “I don’t really believe the Bible is Bible. I don’t think I need to honor Bauleke said she and the male sexist,” she said. “When the roles be their world view of that time for us senior pastor also have a good work came hurtful in any sense, (it was) a now.” ing relationship. result of sin.” Bauleke said she and McClellan “We really complement each other She doesn’t think the Bible needs try to use Inclusive language in wor well. And the church really appreciates to be changed to read more inclusive ship. the gifts that I bring that are very dif ly* “When we really stress how ferent from Don’s (McClellan) gifts to “I believe God created languages, damaging It Is to only use masculine ministry in this congregation.” and whether It’s written In Hebrew, language In worship they (the con Woman have been ordained in Greek or whatever other (language), gregation) have a hard time under many churches for more than 20 God understands It. So I think where standing it because that is what they years. The basis for women not being they go through the Bible and try to have grown up with, and that Is what ordained before this time and their put a she on every he, they are being they are comfortable with,” Bauleke continuing opposition may lie within ridiculous. said. “When we try and point out how the Bible. “On the other hand, I do think that (is) negating little girl’s experi The Bible uses mostly male lan that in numerous places where It’s ences, It’s hard for them to under guage when describing images of talking about man. It Is really saying stand that because they grew up with God and people, said Steve Sails, mankind.” It and It didn’t negate them as far as minister of the Catholic Shalom Cen Bauleke said because the people they can see. ter. He said sexist language exists in who transcribed the Bible lived In “So one of our real underlying is the Bible, but the time frame In which such a patriarchal society. It’s a sues that we struggle with here a lot is it was written has to be taken into ac miracle feminine views of God and trying to help people see that God count. stories about women survived at all. Isn’t a man, God Isn’t a woman either.

10KLIPSUN but God is above sex.” Women are given high positions of “He was real supportive and I The Catholic church currently or leadership, although they are not ac never could have done It without him, dains only men, which Hammer said tually ordained yet, he said. but at the same time it’s real annoying is unfortunate. She said she thinks Bauleke said there still is a double that he has gotten so much credit for part of the reason is that they rely on standard at work in society and In the his move to go with me, when I’ve tradition. church. moved several times for him. That’s “Jesus was a male, and in that just expected. It’s life,’’ she said, sense a priest is in Jesus’ shoes. That, “(The Catholic laughing. in my mind, is a little bit weak because Churches are slowly responding to Jesus was also a Jew and they don’t Church) goes back society’s changing sex roles. Bauleke make that a requirement.” to tradition saying said that at the national level churches Salis agreed that the strongest Jesus didn’t or are more liberal than at the local level. reason is tradition. “The rhetoric that comes out of He pointed out that there is noth dain women. I the national United Church of Christ ing based in scripture that says a don’t think Jesus and the national Presbyterian gather woman can’t be ordained, but nor ings is much more inclusive. They does it say women can be. ordained men ei really do have a vision for how God “That simply isn’t an issue in the ther.” uses each one of us, no matter what scriptures. But they (Catholic Church) our sex happens to be.” go back to tradition saying, ‘Jesus — Steve Salis But, Bauleke said, the church still didn’t ordain women.’ I don’t think has a long way to go. Jesus ordained men either.” “I firmly believe, because it’s so Salis said he believes the Catholic For example, when her husband entrenched in us culturally, that it will Church is realizing that the roles of moved down to San Francisco with be generations (before it is solved).” men and women have changed in our her while she went through seminary, society. That realization has already he received a lot of admiration for affected the structure of the church. being so understanding. Brennan

Linsley

Margaret Hammer and other women pastors in Bellingham said they believe their roles serve as positive examples for their congregations.

KLIPSUN 11 There’s No Place Like Home? by K.L. Hansen

O most, living in a boat, bus, or home-made structure seems eccentric. But to the people who call them ‘home,’ and Tothers who enjoy such self- expression, it is a form of individu alism. For sculptor Bob Koons, what be gan as a piece of art soon became his home. Starting in October, Koons in

vested three months and $75 for Jesse plastic, nails and wood to build his

domed dwelling in Bellingham’s Tinsley Happy Valley. Almost all the construc tion materials he used are recycled, or secondhand items he salvaged. Bob Koons built and lives in this unusual home, which is located in Belling- “I bet you thought it was a cabin? ham’s Happy Valley. Well, it’s really a boat,” he said coyly, as if it were a closely guarded secret. The roof Is made of gill netting His aquiline features and waist- He plans on floating his home, secured over clear plastic, which is length, sun-streaked hair give Koons a which resembles a child’s overgrown laid onto curved wooden beams. It’s native appearance. tree house gone berserk, this sum supported by rounded and flat walls, mer. His goal Is to sail it while growing causing an odd tangling of angles mussels on columns suspended in and curves. The sturdy floor and rear “I bet you thought the water. deck are made of long parallel boards, it was a cabin? A biologist by training, Koons which rest on a bed of old tires Koons Weli it’s really a worked for the State Department of converted into a foundation. Fisheries for three years as a resear Standing about 14-feet tall, the boat.” cher, then attended Western to living space is the size of a small —Bob Koons receive his science and art teaching studio apartment. Koons relaxed on certificates. his bed in the upper loft, while The basic elements of Koons’ downstairs, a large wood stove In late-spring he plans to complete creation are large, wooden, half-ovals pumped out enough heat to make a concentric circular house out of about six feet tall. Western’s Art De being Indoors on a cold winter wooden forms recycled from the partment made the forms to build a afternoon almost unbearable. Koons campus sculpture project. Koons cement sculpture and gave the un wore only gray sweatpants and a pair said, it too will be cone-shaped and used ones to Koons. of clogs. quite livable.

12KLIPSUN Across town, in Squalicum Har bor, Western senior David Hastenstab squeezed his tall, slim, frame onto the bench of the kitchen table in his small home. He began intently pouring over molecular and cellular biology textbooks. It’s a typical scene for most col lege students, except Hastenstab makes his home on a 30-foot power boat moored In the harbor. He has lived there since September. “I like the privacy, the freedom that it gives you,” Hastenstab said, his hazel eyes looking toward the bay. ‘‘It’s sort of a frame of mind. You can leave anytime. It is something I’ve al ways wanted to do. “I got tired of paying rent,” Hastenstab explained. ‘‘I take the rent, and put It into the boat.” Bob Koons inside the home he crafted from recyclables and remnants from one When he bought the boat 15 of Western’s outdoor sculptures. months ago. It was only a hull with a basic cabin. It took nine months of in tensive labor and sweat to make the A good way to see America is by their strong stance against the federal craft liveable. bus, but one Bellingham couple government. They try to keep a low- Hastenstab recently finished in believes a way to change America profile to remain unnoticed by federal, stalling a shower on board. Before, he and the world is to live on one. state and local authorities. had to share the marina’s facilities ‘‘It Is mainly to live simply, so that The couple is involved in Com with transients from nearby shelters. others may simply live,” said Steve, mittee In Solidarity for the People of El Hastenstab enjoys the indepen 27, who lives in a converted school Salvador (CISPES), (which was under dence boat-life offers. He sometimes bus. FBI investigation for its efforts to stop hoists anchor and cruises to the San This philosophy pervades the Juan Islands and other areas to scuba couple’s entire existence, Steve said, “I got tired of dive. pushing the sleeves of his blueberry- paying rent. I take ‘‘I’m pretty self-sufficient with the colored sweatshirt up to his sturdy boat,” he said. forearms. the rent, and put it Steve and Patricia, who are left- Hastenstab’s boat is outfitted with into the boat.” wing activists, asked that their shore power and water, a phone and surnames be excluded because of -- David Hastenstab diesel heat, which warms the main cabin and triangular bedroom where he sleeps. Hastenstab said he didn’t get much sleep during storms when he first moved into the boat, but the con stant rocking and ocean winds don’t bother him now.

David Hastenstab calls his boat moored in Squalicum Harbor home.

KLIPSUN 13 U.S. aid to the Contras), The Christie Institute and other activist groups. Steve organizes fund raisers and edu cational events at Western and in the community on a regular basis. Patricia, 28, says their reasons for living on the bus are philosophical, emotional, political, ethical and eco nomical in nature. “It is mainly to live simply, so that others may simply live.” - Steve

“It’s shedding attachment to be more exposed to the realities of life.” She tugged a strand of her light- brown hair, then brushed it away from her piercing gray eyes. A warm smile Jesse lit up her face as she talked openly

about her philosophies. Tinsley “People get close-minded when they are too comfortable,’’ she said assertively. The couple’s lifestyle al Steve and Patricia, CISPES members, have chosen to live in a bus to avoid lows them to realize the simplicity of complacency. just being alive, she said. ‘‘It’S Shedding at tachment to be “As a child, I had a fascination for The converted people-carrier Is living in a bus, but it was suppressed equipped with an iron-bodied wood more exposed to until adulthood.” She and Steve soon stove, a bed in the rear, a convertible the realities of discovered they shared the same couch-bed, one leftover, green vinyl life/’ dream of living on a bus and being bus bench and a kitchen. It has 250- self-sufficient. square-feet of living space. -Patricia “We went to see the bus on a They plan to transform the bus’ Other, less-philosophical reasons whim,” Patricia said. Neither had the exterior from its current hippie- Steve and Patricia opt for bus life are money to meet the $2,000 price tag. generation appearance to a more the mobility and low rent. Steve, however, sold some property subtle, contemporary look. In addi “It is a lifetime journey,’’ Steve which enabled the couple to buy the tion, skylights, shelves, new flooring said. “It’s a small step toward self- used, rolling home. and another window will be installed sufficiency. It’s just a way to live “It was the miraculous realization soon, using society’s waste products cheaply.” of our dreams,” Patricia said, a smile and recycled materials. Looking out the bus window, lighting up her eyes. Patricia reminisced. After buying the 1957 GMC school bus in Olympia, the couple, their black cat. Raven, and Bo, Patricia’s 7-year- old son, drove the ‘60s-style, house- “People get close- on-wheels to Bellingham. Passers-by minded when they stared, or gave the two-fingered are too comfort “peace” sign. Steve said It made him feel like a hippie of 20 years ago, able.” when the bus first was converted. “Patricia “People generally think it’s great or It’s crazy,” he said. From the renters’ front yard in The couple enjoys living in the Happy Valley, the bus looks as if It Bellingham community because of was driven through the old house it the beautiful, lush scenery and open- sits next to, then brought to a violent minded people they have found here. stop. Both structures share the same Except for a lack of abundant solar basic body colors and the bus sports energy available In cloudy Belling The converted school bus owned a brown, wooden, pitched roof ham, Patricia said the area is ideal for by Steve and Patricia. perched atop its rusty hull. living in a bus.

14KLIPSUN Another local bus dweller is Turtle Robb, a Fairhaven student who in habits “CUSS,” a 1963 CMC Bluebird school bus aptly named because of what her mechanic did while repairing it. Her lifestyle Is a bit like a turtle’s -- she carries her house on her back. “It’s the Cadillac of buses,” she laughed, “Some bus-people are really into It. I’m not as gung-ho about my bus. I let it get rusty.” Robb, 33, has lived in CUSS for a year and a half. She “sort of Inherited” the bus in Fall of 1981, and has resided in It on-and-off ever since.

“It’s the Cadillac of buses. Some bus- people are really into it. I’m not as Although Turtle Robb, a Fairhaven student, lives in a bus, she has all the comforts of an gung-ho about my ordinary home. bus. I let it get “That was my advertising to find She legally changed her name to work while traveling in 1982, all over Turtle from Linda; then began collect rusty.’’ Washington. I did the whole ing the more than 50 drawn, sculpted, —Turtle Robb Steinbeck-fruit-migrant-thing with my ceramic, crystal and toy turtles which dog, Sheridan,” she said. cohabitate with her. She stopped her life on the road “I feel so much stronger and “The Story of how I got my bus is because “I got burnt out on breaking healthier now that I have my own rather complicated,” Robb said. “It all down. I won’t travel alone in it again. It name,” Robb said. started when a friend of mine tried to wastes gas, for only one person, plus “People think that I’m a hippie -- commit suicide.” It’s a little bit scary. I met good people. I’m really not,” Robb admitted, “I Robb’s boss and a friend tried to I had good luck. wasn’t old enough to be a flower help her sort out the problem. Then, “There’s a real sense of survival,” child.” Robb said her parents wouldn’t her boss’ friend said she had a bus she said, “I can go anywhere (In the allow her to burn incense and go to Robb could have if she could tow or bus).” rallies until she was out on her own. drive it away. “If my friend hadn’t tried to kill her t c When I was self, I wouldn’t have the bus,” she said. “That’s the really bizarre part. young...l used to “I grew up with a dream of living In sit on the bus, a bus. When I was young, about dreaming about seven, I wasn’t too socially adept, so I used to sit on the bus, dreaming how you couid live about how you could live In a in a school bus. schoolbus,” Robb explained, “That That was in the was in the ‘60s. People used to think like that then. ‘60s. People used “Buses are a big theme in my life,” to think like that she added. then.” “I want to be a school bus driver,” —Turtle Robb she said. “That’s my ambition.” The nose of her old bus Is a blood red color, while much of the body’s The bus’ interior is cluttered with Turtle Robb’s alternative dwelling. dirty white exterior has peeled off to books, art and possessions that give it reveal a bright turquoise underneath, a homey feeling. Dividing the which complements the black trim bedroom from the office-living room The sign on Robb’s home sums down the sides. entryway area Is a Navajo-style rug up her philosophy this way, “Respect Along one side, a neatly painted hung across the bus from a smooth, for the dignity and privacy of an indi sign reads, “The bindlestiff (hobo) oc wooden pole. vidual seeking happiness.” cupant of this bus is willing and able Robb, an adamant feminist, is to work, and Is in search of life studying “The Art of Communication: sustaining labors.” This is followed by Writing, Talking, and Laughing” at “lists of acceptable jobs & pay.” Fairhaven College.

KLIPSUN 15 WOLF KILUNG: Economics or Biology ?

by David Einmo

helicopter carrying hunters firing semiautomatic weapons flies over a pack of gray wolves in a remote forest in northeast British Columbia. The hunter’s piercing shots echo through the snow-covered Awoodland. For most of the wolves, It Is the last sound they will hear. Since 1982, more than 1,000 wolves have been killed by aerial hunters in an attempt to control the wolf population, which the province’s government says has grown to num bers that threaten moose, elk and deer. Government offi cials contend that if game animals are killed by wolves, they will be unavailable for hunters. The wolves, they say, damage a hunting industry that earns the province more than $25 million annually. As many as 600 more wolves are expected to be either shot or trapped in the province this year. But the aerial hunting, which involves luring wolf packs with moose carcasses to clearings where they are shot from aircraft, has elicited intense opposition. Many biologists and environmental activists attack the government’s objective to reduce the wolf population In Muskwa Valley by 80 percent, calling the program biologically unjustifiable and damaging to the wolf s viability. A 13-page report prepared by the Biology Section of the Wildlife Society of Canadian Biologists concluded,“There is no biological basis or biological justification for the wolf control program currently being conducted In northeastern Charles Krebs, a University of British Columbia zoology British Columbia.” professor, also criticized the program’s biological rationale. David Lavigne, a University of Guelph (Ontario) zoology “I don’t think the program Is biologically sound. I think professor, helped write the group’s report. In a telephone in it’s a response by a government which has to be seen as terview, he said the wolf control program’s evidence is not doing something,” he said. “From a purely scientific point of biologically convincing. view, given the objectives they claim they want to achieve, “The data supplied by the B.C. government does not this is not a program that is going to achieve them. It Is all provide any evidence to suggest that a kill is either neces badly designed.” sary or that it would achieve certain objectives,” he said. Krebs disputes the original studies written by John Elliot, “And I haven’t seen any data from them that would suggest a government biologist who designed the program. that anything has changed in the last three to four years “If our students came in with a project designed in this (since writing the report).” way, we would turn them away. We would not accept it.

16KLIPSUN They’re using a ruler made of elastic instead of wood.” Many environmental groups agree. Referring to news Jack Laufer, a Wolf Haven biologist, said the B.C. Minis reports and scientific documents, they explain that moose try of Environment is ignoring the opinions of professional populations are plentiful, making wolf control unnecessary. scientists like Krebs and Lavigne. Instead, he said, provin In December 1986, the Fort Nelson News, a newspaper cial officials are relying only on their own data, which Is near the Muskwa Valley, reported, “A word of warning to skewed. those traveling the Alaska Highway: An unusual number of “They are ignoring data when It conflicts with what they moose seem to be appearing, generally just after have,” Laufer said. “What we have up there is wildlife dark...Motorlsts would be advised to watch their speed and biologists being judge, jury and executioner. There are very keep their eyes open. It’s no fun hitting a moose.” few comments from the outside world.” The Canadian government, however, insists wolf control Laufer said wolf control is unnecessary, except in rare, is essential and that it is reviving game animal populations. specific cases where an individual wolf is killing livestock.

KLIPSUN 17 According to a memo written in December 1986 by Stephen Rogers, Former Minister of Environment and Parks, the cost of killing one wolf from a helicopter is $140. Archibald said wolves are only hunted in areas where they have been proven to have an impact on prey, and that by killing them, the number of game animals can be increased. These areas include the Muskwa Val ley and Vancouver Island, where Brit ish Columbia officials plan to reduce the wolves by 80 percent, and the Caribou Region, where 12 of the area’s 15 wolves will be killed. Jim Peek, a University of Idaho wildlife management professor, agrees with Archibald. He said the program is necessary because the competition between hunters and wolves threatens game animals. ‘“What It boils down to is that if they want to harvest black-tail deer up there, and have a population that is harvestable, they have to have some kind of wolf management. “Those people have a good strong rationale for what they are doing and they’re under pressure to maintain deer. They cannot do that without managing wolves,’’ Peek said, referring to Vancouver Island, where the government relies on year-round trapping rather than aerial hunting to control the wolves. Last year more than 200 wolves were trapped in Brit ish Columbia. But Peek said the excessive predation of wolves has been ag gravated by the island’s heavy timber harvest. “They’ve cut so many trees on Ralph Archibald, a wildlife animals) so that they will be available northern Vancouver Island, that the biologist and carnivore specialist in for the hunting public.’’ black-tail deer have been reduced to the Wildlife Branch of the province’s small amounts, which are more vul Ministry of Environment, defends the “The data supplied nerable to the wolves.’’ program, saying that critics are poorly Many critics agree the problem informed. He said wolves threaten by the B.C. govern has been escalated by the clearing of large game animals sought by ment does not pro forests. Some even believe the wolf is hunters. By killing wolves, he said, vide any evidence not responsible for the decreased game animal populations can be in game animal populations. Instead creased and made available for to suggest that a they blame habitat destruction, harsh hunters. Archibald said the govern kill is either neces- winters, poachers and over-hunting. ment has an obligation to protect the sary or that it When asked about the impact of Industry’s interests. Many hunters these events, Archibald refused to travel from around the world, paying would achieve comment, but he admitted, “On Van as much as $25,000, to bag a Cana certain objec couver Island, the poachers un dian moose or elk. questionably have had an impact.’’ “Hunting generates a tremendous tives.” Laufer also said hunters are caus amount of revenue in remote or rural -David Lavigne ing the decrease in game animals. areas where there aren’t other options “What’s really amazing is if you for employment opportunities,’’ he Many critics question if it’s worth start looking at the number of trophies said. “It’s true, for example, that In the the cost. that are taken. In the northeast region, Northeast, our primary objective there Archibald refused to say how they’ve been hunting several thou Is to control wolves to increase the much British Columbia’s government sand game animals per year, and yet number of ungulates (hooved is paying to reduce wolf populations. they scream that the animals are

18KLIPSUN Jesse

Tinsley

declining,” he said. “It just doesn’t jive Although provincial officials are Jakubal said media coverage can at all.” uncertain if they will resume the help their cause. Still, proponents insist the pro Muskwa hunt next winter, they are “A 20-second news clip flashed gram is necessary. Mike Jakubal and continuing the other regional hunts. around the world of them In helicop Val Wade, the Northwest coordinators Before leaving to Canada, Jakubal ters blowing away wolves will proba of Friends of the Wolf, strongly dis and Wade said the Muskwa trip was bly be the most effective tool we could agree. They are so opposed to the have to stop the kill because it is such government-sponsored wolf kill, that a gory sort of thing,” Jakubal said. in mid-February they traveled to “Most of us will “It’s so brutal.” Muskwa Valley to intervene with the never see wolves Wade said she wanted to go to late-winter aerial hunting. Canada because she fears the gray As part of “Wolf Rendezvous,” in the wild. We wolf may be hunted into extinction. Jakubal and Wade joined 20 want that to be be “Most of us will never see wolves protesters to camp in the snowy, cause they are shy in the wild,” she said. “We want that to remote Muskwa Valley forest for two of humans, not be be because they are shy of humans, to three weeks where they planned to not because there aren’t any wolves confront the wolf hunters. Three lead cause there aren’t left.” ers parachuted from aircraft, while the rest trekked into the wilderness on any wolves left.” Forty-eight percent of British cross-country skis. ~ Val Wade Columbia’s wolf population lives in the The protesters never faced the Muskwa region, she said. If 80 per hunters, however. Province officials designed to attract attention to wolf cent are killed, almost half of the delayed the Muskwa wolf hunt, and killing and to put pressure on the gov wolves in the entire province would be later called it off due to lack of snow in ernment to stop the program in all exterminated. the valley. Deep snow slows the regions. It appears they may attain Although the gray wolf is an wolves when they are trying to es their goal. Journalists joined them on endangered species In the United cape, enabling the hunters to easily their trip, and articles prompted com States and has been placed on the shoot them. Without the snov\/, the panies and individuals to donate “threatened” list in Canada by the In wolves are too difficult to kill. money and supplies. ternational Union for Conservation of

KLIPSUN 19 recovery of the wolf in Glacier Park by about two years,’’ he said, referring to the hunts in the bordering Flathead region. In October, British Columbia agreed to end the Flathead wolf hunt because of concerns such as Mech’s. The wolf hunts in Muskwa and Vancouver Island continue, however. But they will not have an impact on the United States, Archibald said, be cause they are too far away from the border. “Neither of our control programs Is near the Canada-U.S. border,’’ he said. “How could it affect the U.S.? Are you going to have wolves from Vancouver Island swimming across the Strait of Georgia and jumping into the states?’’ he asked, laughing. John Almac, a project biologist for the Washington state Department of Wildlife, said It is unlikely Canada’s program will have much of an impact on wolves entering Washington state. “I would think that it would have very little impact on our specific area because of the distance,’’ he said. “Certainly It could have an effect on some wolves actually ending up down here. But I would think that because of the distance Involved, the Impact would be rather minor.’’ Almac, however, does not support the wolf control program. He accused Jack Laufer, Wolf Haven biologist, demonstrates a wolf trap like the ones the program’s biologists of acting used by hunters on Vancouver Island. without first performing studies. “It’s difficult to base any evidence on it because there haven’t been any Nature and Natural Resources, are capable of rebounding rapidly. As studies performed. The whole thing is proponents of the program insist the their population decreases, wolves based on theory,’’ he said. gray wolf is not endangered. Ar reproduce more frequently and bear Archibald admitted wolf manage chibald estimates there are more than more pups. Furthermore, wolf killing ment is poorly understood. He said 6,000 wolves living in British Colum disrupts individual packs and often one reason they are conducting the bia, and said populations are expand leads to the formation of two or three program Is to learn more about such ing both In numbers and in distribu additional smaller packs. projects, and collect Information with tion. As a result, many wolf control criti which they can use to base future de But Laufer said the number of cs say that if the Canadian govern cisions. wolves living in the province has ment wants to increase game animal “The only way you can learn how decreased from 23,000 in 1975 to its populations, they will have to kill all to do things is to go out there and do present number. He said Canadian of the wolves because wolves reproduce things and see what the results are of ficials ignore what happened to the so rapidly. what you’ve done,’’ he said. United States. Americans used to The problem is different south of But Almac said Canadian officials think U.S. wolves were not the border. Instead of being hunted, should spend more time studying the endangered. Now, very few states wolves are being reintroduced into effects before they perform the wolf have the animals, he said. areas like Montana’s Glacier National kills. “As a biologist, I see a definite Park by U.S. Wildlife officials. David “Right now they are looking at it possibility that in 10 or 15 years down Mech, a wildlife research biologist for politically, which is wrong. The the road, British Columbia isn’t going the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has hunters are mad, so they’re succumb to have any more wolves than Wash researched wolves for almost 20 ing to the pressure,’’ he said. “They ington state, which Is zero. People years. He said the Canadian wolf con should be dealing with it on a biologi say, ‘Oh no, that’s not possible,’’’ trol program has hurt the United cal basis. Obviously the politics come Laufer said. “But who would have States’ efforts because wolves that to bear. But if they’re going to look at thought 15 years ago that we would would have migrated into Montana It properly, they should be looking at it ever get down to the point of having were killed by Canadian hunters. from biology first and then figure out only 6,000 wolves in B.C.” “The British Columbia wolf hunt how they can deal with the politics - Archibald, however, said wolves ing season has probably set back the after they’ve understood biology.’’

20 KLIPSUN Tiny warehouses, cafes and other buildings all have been carefully placed on corkboard-covered plywood. Even tiny trees, grass and railroad hoboes are present in the realistic layouts. The members seemed proud of their creations. Wenatchee’s saw mill, Mt. Index, Skykomish, Snohomish and Everett’s train depots have all by Wendy Bacon-Allex been re-created in the low-cellinged 30-by-30-foot room. Intricately painted cars are stretched along the hand-laid ive different miniature train yers’ office on Eldridge Avenue by the track, complete with match stick-sized depots, complete with cars, Whatcom Railroad Association. railroad ties. engines, buildings and back The 24-member club has met “There’s a lot of work and thought drops, are laid out in a once a week for the past five years. In these clubs,’’ said Eugene Warwick, Fcramped basement. Members work at areas in which a model railroader who runs a After train rails the width of pencil they are most interested or skilled. specialty shop for advanced hob lead were cleaned, the tiny engines They may paint train cars or scenery, byists. and cars began to move. A plant adjust the thousands of wires that Warwick, a large man with a mister, filled with brown paint and protrude from the main control panel, friendly, broad face, began railroading aimed at an artificial mountain, looked assemble buildings, or lay down track. as a hobby five years ago. He repairs oddly oversized as the little locomo Backdrops made of hydro-cal, a small appliances at M & M appliance tives rolled by. hard-shell plaster, line the walls. repair. In the same building that This fantasy world of lllliputian rail They’ve been painted to resemble houses his four-year-old hobby busi roads was created beneath a law scenery typical of each depot. ness on the Guide Meridian.

KLIPSUN 21 In the shop, beaters for electric mixers share wall space with railroad ing magazines. Antique engines and cars are displayed on counters and new brass engines gleam from their boxes. Warwick, dressed in dark green work pants and a hat advertising ‘M & M Depot,’ has found model railroad ing to be a “fascinating hobby.” “It’s a good hobby, it takes up time,” Warwick said, leaning against a glass counter. “You can spend a lot of money on it if you want. You can spend as much as your pocketbook will allow. But you don’t have to do that, you can build your own. You’re not sitting in a beer parlor, or spending money foolishly like that. It’s kind of satisfying to see something you put together yourself,” he said. “If you’re real busy, you can go into a train room and get relaxation.” In Warwick’s case, a “train room” is his living room. Although the 10-by- 15-foot layout takes up most of his front room, he said his wife doesn’t mind. She even paints some of the cars, he added. Cars can be purchased painted or plain. Most hobbyists buy unpainted cars and decorate them themselves. They often choose a railroad they can relate to, such as one that ran where they grew up. “They try to follow the same car colors,” Warwick said. His cars are mostly replicas of Great Northern trains. “It covers a lot of territory,” he said about his chosen railroad. Warwick had always liked trains, but his job as a truck driver left little time for hobbies. Now he has more than $5,000 in vested in his train set, which includes a 12-inch brass engine valued at $500. Warwick recommended begin ners decide how much they’d like to spend before they delve into model- railroad building. He estimated the cost of a modest layout to be close to $100. Bob Lovelace, another railroad shop owner, agreed. He said a begin ner could spend between $75 and $100 to get started, although he sells cheaper starter sets for as low as $52. Lovelace, a gray-haired, bes pectacled man sporting a train belt buckle on his jeans, began model rail roading a few years ago, after a back injury forced him to choose a relaxing hobby. “It’s a hobby for those who enjoy sitting down and getting Involved in Bob Lovelace, a railroad hobbyist, details one of his model trains. something for awhile.”

22 KLIPSUN Lovelace said model railroading is “It’s actually a lot of little hobbies Intricate drawings of layouts, color a good hobby for retired people be within a hobby,” Lovelace said of photographs of a two-tone foliage tree cause It requires little physical effort. model railroading. “There’s decorat being made, and detailed instructions “Everyone needs something to ing, spray-painting cars, making the for wiring control panels were in relax with, and model railroading fits buildings or the electrical aspect. You cluded in one Issue of “Model Rail the bill,” he said. can hook trains up to computers. You roading.’’ can buy locomotives and put different But the books are no substitute for motors in them to try to make them the actual layouts, which can be seen run better. It’s a hobby you can work twice a year at the Whatcom Railroad on anytime of year.’’ Association’s open houses. Some model railroaders feel “Everyone needs there’s a stigma attached to the hobby, Lovelace said, because they something to relax consider modeling to be a kids’ with, and model pastime and are a little ashamed. “You’re not sitting “Men buying trains consider them railroading fits the toys. They get a funny look on their in a beer parlor, or bill.’’ face,’’ Lovelace said. spending money --Bob Lovelace Parker Graham, owner of the foolishly like that.’’ Hobby Hive, said fathers buying kits for their kids are often closet modelers - Eugene Warwick and “actually buy for themselves. It’s fun getting fathers In here.’’ Books reveal every step required In his small store on Holly Street, to successfully build a “colorful West At one association meeting, more coffee mugs decorated with various ern layout’’ or take readers on a “New than 20 people crowded the small railroad Insignias crowd a shelf above England coastline layout tour.’’ basement room. Parents admonished the counter. Calendars and date Graham orders model train pro children not to touch anything, and books bearing train motifs are stacked ducts from a thick catalog that carries kids begged to be lifted high enough next to railroading books and maga such items as hand-painted circus to see the tiny trains inching along the zines. personnel, women hurdlers and wed tracks. A spectrum of paints, brushes, ding guests, as well as decals, every Club members wearing headsets miniature building imaginable, painted cars, engines, tiny plastic churches called out the progress of different and miniature train crews adorn the scenery and tools. engines, but without need. The spec walls. A train layout containing a For those who find modeling a tators filling the room hailed each train snow-covered farm and a town, com pleasurable diversion, a plethora of as it came into view. plete with a 7-Eleven store, stands In magazines and books on the subject exist. one corner.

KLIPSUN 23 Working Graveyard in the

by Jeremy Meyer

* Out of an say, Whem’s the medicine, mom?’ other speaker, playing at a softer And ni point and say, ‘right behind volume, Sting pleaded for the still you.’” ness of his beating heart. Sande |he bogeyman at A small radio sat on the counter turned a knob and Sting’s voice be next to the cash register playing came louder. “This is the FM sta tacks at night, pop music at a low volume. Duffey tion,” he said. Count Dracula picked up the radio and turned the Sande’s blond hair, which cov T channel. ered his ears, was neatly combed. sinks his famous fangs “I like this Canadian country He spoke with a classic radio voice into necks during the station,” she said as the radio be - deep and smooth. gan playing the sounds of southern He monitored the two stations, night, and the impas harmonies and slide-guitars. making sure the tapes didn’t end or In most graveyard shifts, the shut off. He spends his nights sioned - sometimes an- radio is the worker’s only com making commercials, local news noying -- moans of panion throughout the night. tapes and occasionally speaking People who work at night tune in to on the air from a small production neighbors can be heard hear another person’s voice, or just booth next to the tape machines. at night. to listen to music. Many of the late- “The hardest part isn’t staying night workers listen to Al Sande, awake, it’s going to sleep,” Sande But night for some the 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. disc-jockey at said. “I can get to sleep in two-to- people is just another KISM FM and KGMI AM, which three minutes, but the noise during share the same building. the day can be very irritating. Dogs day at the office. Inside the Bellingham station, can be a real pain in the butt.” Sande sat at a small desk next to a Going to sleep in the winter Claudia Duffey is the graveyard wall filled with computers and reel- isn’t difficult, he said as he looked worker at the AM-PM mini-market to-reel tape machines. The tapes at the clock next to him, which read on Samish Way. She knows what switched on automatically to play midnight. But sleeping during the it’s like to be awake during the pop songs, commercials and even summer can be tough. night, but she has never seen a Sande’s voice. “You can eliminate the light. bogeyman. The nationally syndicated talk I’ve got blackout curtains. But “Once in awhile the college kids show “Talk Net” played out of one sometimes when I come home it’s get hairy,” she said, referring to speaker. so beautiful out. It’s too bad I have problems with customers.“But I “That’s the AM station,” Sande to go to sleep in this artificial think because of the sharpness of said, pointing at the speaker night.” my voice, and that I’m older, they mounted In the wall. The talk-show Summertime also is noisier, he say, ‘Oh no, it’s someone older talk host, Bruce Williams, could be said. School’s not in session, and ing.’ They’re neat kids. They call heard informing a listener about people are outside enjoying the warm weather. One summer, he called the police on the neighbor kids for being too loud. “The kids across the street Sande said each night people would be playing the radio on our call and ask for requests or ask station, and I’d be woken up by my him about the news. Sometimes, own voice blasting commercials.” he said, he gets extremely unusual Suddenly, a high pitched bell phone calls. rang. The FM station was silent, “Gals want to tell me how much Inside Bellingham City Hall, leaving only the talk show host’s they love their dildos, and a lot of Green, dressed in his dark-blue po voice on the AM station explaining people call about UFOs, saying lice uniform, sat In a room crowded to a bewildered listener how to*^ they saw something strange in the with wooden tables. A large mortgage a house. Sande rushed sky. Once, a gal camped out in window looked over a traffic to the wall of electronics and front and wanted to marry anyone violators nightmare: a parking lot punched a few buttons. He ex who was from the station. But full of police cars. plained the computer had run out generally it’s pretty quiet.” Green will be going back on the of information because he had not The quietness of Mark Green’s graveyard shift soon, and he said reprogrammed it at midnight. After late-night job is broken up by a he is looking forward to it. five seconds of dead air, the tape radio too. It squawks and talks to ‘The shift Is enjoyable. I like it,- began rolling, and the opening him about what is happening In Bel Green said. “It’s more exciting. The strains of John Lennon’s “Woman” lingham. Green is a Bellingham po- calls are more interesting. It’s a dif came out of the speaker. Punching lice officer. The department ferent group of people at night. You a few buttons, Sande programmed switches each officer’s schedule have the people who frequent the the computer’s song list. every few months, so he has bars. You run across people who Another bell rang. This time it patrolled during the graveyard shift sleep on the street. It’s not a bad was the telephone. Sande picked many times. group. It’s just different. The up the receiver. “After three it dies out a bit, but people you do run across are more “Hi. Kiss’em FM. No, I’m sorry not always. Sometimes it goes frightened, because people are we’re not taking requests. No. I’m right through. We can get up to 50 afraid of the dark or the unknown.” Like Sande, the radio announc sorry.” He hung up the phone. “If I or 60 calls a night. Friday and Sat er, Green also receives unusual take requests. I’ll never get any^ urday night are usually busier,” he thing done.” said. phone calls at night. Across the street from Cattlemen’s is another 24-hour business -- Kinko’s Copies. Inside Kinko’s, Shawn Kidwell, wearing a blue apron, stood before a machine running off copies. A radio played pop music over the loud whirring-noises of the machine. A clock on the wall announced 3 a.m. In the brightly lit store, Kidwell explained why this was his last night of working graveyard. “I hate it. This is the worst. It messes up my whole metabolism ~ eating, sleeping. It messes up my whole schedule. I basically don’t have a social life, because most people Al Sande, late night DJ at KISM FM and KGMI AM, programs the don’t have this schedule. computers that program the music. “The worst thing about It Is you lose a day. It seems like no matter how long you sleep, you’re still tired. One call, he remembered, was “I go to bed about seven, and I’m The days just blend into each other. from a frightened woman who called up before noon. Graveyard is for I’ve been working this shift since the police when she heard a noise in people with high energy levels, and June. You’d think I’d adjust, but I’m her basement. When the officers ar the reason they have high energy really a zombie when I get out at rived, they found the woman’s pet levels is because they’re slightly seven o’clock. Sometimes it really rabbit had escaped and had plunged crazy,’’ she said, laughing. gets to me. It’s a real drag being by Into the toilet. The toilet lid had An older man got up out of his yourself, listening to yourself think. closed, trapping the animal. The corner booth, and weaved his way Thinking about stuff over and over. I thumping noise was the rabbit hitting toward the table. When he passed try to keep doing something, you Its head on the lid, trying to jump to Bosscher, he smiled and slurred, can’t just sit here spacing. You’d get safety. “Just give me some fries,’’ and con- too bummed.’’ The biggest difference In working tinued toward the bathroom. Kidwell said Kinko’s serves nights is the amount of alcohol-related Bosscher walked around the table into customers throughout the night, but incidents the police encounter, a small passageway leading to the business slows down after two. whether it be a party, a bar-fight, or a kitchen, and placed the order with the “You tend to think everyone’s drunk driver. cook. wacko who’s up at this hour, but the Bernice Bosscher, the night The customer returned, swaying clientele are people that put this off waitress at Cattlemen’s restaurant, as he walked back to his seat. A few and are glad we’re here. You don’t get agreed that nights, especially Fridays minutes later, Bosscher carried a bas people coming in here wasted. Once and Saturdays, can be different be ket of fries from the kitchen. The cook. a guy came In and asked me for a cause of the Inebriated customers. Bill Burgess, followed ^er out. chicken sandwich. I sent him over to But she said most of the time working Burgess wore a sailors cap and a Cattlemen’s. And I’ve had a few graveyard is enjoyable. stained, white T-shirt. He sat at transients I had to ask to leave, but Bosscher’s table, pulled a package of “You can have a lot of fun, be the people who usually come in here cigarettes out of his shirt pocket, and cause (the customer’s are) not in a are pretty mellow.’’ hurry, and they like to joke. There’s an lit a cigarette. A woman came In through the attitude of ‘anything goes’ on “You never get used to graveyard. glass doors with several small papers graveyard. You really never get as much sleep,’’ in her hand and headed for the copy “Most people wouldn’t like Burgess said. “People don’t realize you work that shift, so you get phone machines. graveyard. I like it. It’s a lot more “You’ll need a counter,’’ Kidwell calls in the morning and people relaxed. It’s not as mad a rush as a said, referring to the device that knocking on your door. day job would be. If you forget to get counts the number of copies a person “I’ve worked graveyard for at least someone their milk, they don’t get as makes. The woman came to the desk 12 years. I can’t sleep past one upset, because they don’t have to be and grabbed one. o’clock. I can’t go back to sleep. I feel somewhere in 15 minutes.’’ Outside, a light rain fell. The wet She picked up a catsup bottle and like I’m losing time. parking lot reflected the blue and red noticed it was nearly empty. “It’s been in magazines, your life neon lights of the sign hanging in the “There’s always something to do. window that read, “COPIES 5 I’ll have to fill all these up before the span,’’ he said, taking a long drag on his cigarette. “If you work graveyard, CENTS.’’ night’s through. When you work A police car drove down Holly graveyard, you really don’t want to sit you don’t live as long. It doesn’t bother me. You get paid more.’’ Street, past Kinko’s and Cattlemen’s, around. You do all the clean up that into the dead of night - otherwise After finishing off his fries, the the other shifts didn’t get around to.’’ known as graveyard. Bosscher considers herself lucky customer paid his bill. His body because she doesn’t need eight hours rocked from side-to-side as he of sleep every night. waddled out the restaurant’s doors.

26 KLIPSUN Dan Tyler Without a Cane and Surely Able

by Tom Davis

avid Means and his companion, Dee, are in separable. Side-by-side they travel the mile to and from Western’s campus daily. They take the same classes, they study together and they even share the same apartment. But the »most important thing these two share is Dee’s eyesight.

KLIPSUN 27 ii«

iiiiiiiiii^W^ Another important element of the rehabilitation program was a confidence-building course in wood shop. Before he lost his eyesight. Means had worked in construction, so he already knew how to use a variety of power tools. “I made a coffee table and I had sanded that thing and used my sense of touch so that I think I did a better job than I would have If I could see,’’ he said. “And talk about smooth, it’s smoother than a baby’s bottom. And that’s pretty smooth.’’ After completing the first half of his education at a community college in Yakima, Means moved to Bellingham to attend Western. Here he became involved with the Volunteer Readers Program, which assists blind and learning-disabled students. Since he and other blind students cannot visually read their textbooks, mandatory class readings must be transferred by a sighted person onto cassette tape by the Volunteer Readers Program. Dee, David Means’ dog, helps him avoid obstacles, such as streets, “The teachers don’t think you stairs and other people. have enough to do,’’ Means said, shrugging his shoulders. “There’s so Means, a 27-year-old business roundings. Her tail wags jubilantly much reading and It’s impossible for major, has been blind for five years. when she spies a familiar face. me to keep up with everything.’’ While Means Is open to discussing his Means’ easygoing mannerisms The volunteer readers’ tapes are life since his blindness, he doesn’t and soothing voice mask the strong an essential element of Mean’s study wish to talk about the actual cause of drive and determination that has ing process. This requires him to plan his sight loss. motivated him to achieve the goals he ahead so the readers have ample time Not all blind people choose to use has set for himself. to record each week’s assignments In a seeing eye dog. Means said. Some “I’ve got this thing In my mind that advance. The volunteers come from prefer to rely on their cane and sense a disabled person has to be that Western and the surrounding com of hearing. Until last September, much better than the average sighted munity. Senior citizens make up a Means walked with the use of a cane. person to make it in the working large part of this group. But now Dee makes foot travel for him world,’’ he said. “They put their whole heart and quicker, safer and easier. soul into it,’’ said Cynthia Richardson, “When I used a cane I couldn’t “I’ve had to dig coordinator of the reading service, in travel out in the wind,’’ he said. “The down way deep in reference to the volunteers. “It wind would blow the cane and lift the wouldn’t work without them. It just cane up and I couldn’t hear the traf side and find some wouldn’t.’’ fic.’’ inner strength By recruiting a few volunteer The heavy foot traffic and wide readers of his own. Means has added open space of Red Square posed sometimes just to speed and flexibility to his tape quite a challenge before. Cane carry on.” availability. Also at his disposal are a walkers usually rely on objects around --David Means limited number of textbooks on tape them as a guide. Means said he often offered by Recordings For The Blind would find himself off-course after In 1982, after coming to grips with in New Jersey and at the Washington crossing the square. Because of his blindness. Means enrolled in an In Regional Library For the Blind In Dee’s ability to walk a straight line, he tensive rehabilitation program for the Seattle. now can find the doorway of a build blind In Seattle. In nine months he A tape recorder, provided by the ing with no problem. completed the program, which Resource Center for the Blind, Is the Dee, a year-and-a-half old, normally requires a year to finish. center of Mean’s study program. One purebred German shepherd, ac Through the program he gained extremely useful function of his tape companies Means to all his classes mobility by walking with a cane and recorder is a device that speeds up and is trained to sit or lie still under his learning to use the city’s transit sys his tapes without distorting the sound, chair. Most of the time, she lies curled tem. He also learned braille and re enabling Means to listen to more tape up with her head resting on her front learned skills, such as cooking and in less time. He equates it to speed paws. Occasionally she’ll lift up her shopping, that allowed him to reading. The machine also has a head to yawn or to examine her sur maintain an Independent lifestyle. pause button that enables him to

28 KLIPSUN save tape by stopping the recording specific situations. For Instance, the Last September he, along with 18 when an instructor wanders off the dogs are trained to disobey a master’s other blind individuals, traveled to subject. command to move forward if the dog New Jersey to begin a 27-day training Since he is unable to take notes in detects oncoming traffic or an ob program with their new dogs. Dee was class, he simply records each day’s struction in their path. paired with Means after being careful lectures and then sifts through them There are other operations similar ly matched with his personality, walk later, transferring the important in to Seeing Eye across the country, ing speed, job needs and life style. formation onto another tape. But this such as one in San Rafael, Calif., but “I’m sure some people can ap is only as effective as the instructor’s Means said he chose to get his dog preciate what I must have to deal with, ability to communicate. When an in through Seeing Eye because it was but it’s been hard and extremely frus structor points to something on a the program he knew the most about. trating,” he said. “But It’s shown me chalk board and refers to It as “this” something about myself. I’ve had to or “that,” Means can only guess what dig down way deep inside and find the instructor is talking about. In these some inner strength sometimes to just cases, he usually asks for clarification, continue on...It would be so easy for which he believes helps everyone in me to quit and find something easy.” the class. This fight for success has not “They’re glad that I have that come without costs, however. In striv need,” he said of the other students. ing to find good ways to handle the “They wouldn’t be speaking up them work requirements of his classes, he selves, I don’t think, because they admits he has sacrificed his social life. might look like Idiots.” Means said he thinks his social life will Tests also require a different ap return to normal after he graduates in proach and the volunteer readers June and no longer will be struggling again play a vital role. One of Means’ to complete a mountain of homework. volunteer readers, George Steer, as Before hitting the job market he also sists him by reading the test questions plans to use his time off to do some out loud. The multiple choice tests traveling. take the most time since Steer must After feeling the braille numerals often read each possibility several on his wrist watch to check the time, times before Means decides on an he zipped up his backpack and answer. prepared to head to his next class. The Instructors have been under Means ritually strapped Dee’s short standing about the additional time he leather harness onto her powerful sometimes needs to complete the ex shoulders. The harness, shaped like ams, but he added he doesn’t like to the handle on a baby stroller, is what use it unless it’s absolutely necessary. he holds onto when Dee guides him. Often, as Means sits in class or in They walked down the hall and the lounge in Parks Hall, he’ll reach rounded a corner to head up a stair down and lovingly rub the top of way In Parks Hall. Dee walked slightly Dee’s head. ahead and came to an abrupt stop “People ask me when she’s going when she came muzzle-to-muzzle to grow into her ears,” he said, chuck with two people sitting on the stairs. ling. Means stopped when he felt Dee’s Dee’s training is impressive and hesitation and waited for her costly. Means said, estimating the response. For an awkward instant the value of the dog’s education to be ap participants in this surprise encounter proximately $20,000. She was bred in remained motionless and silent, not New Jersey at Seeing Eye, Inc., which knowing what to do. It was difficult to raises the animals exclusively for the determine if they were just startled by purpose of assisting the blind. When “I’ve got this thing the sudden appearance of a dog, or the dogs are six weeks old, they are in my mind that a were simply embarrassed for being an taken from their mothers and are obstacle to a blind person. Finally the placed In a 4-H Club family’s home for disabied person blockaders jumped up and out of the a year. The 4-H Club, a “learning by has to be that way and Dee guided Means up the doing” youth organization, is an In much better than stairs. tegral part of the dogs early develop This chance encounter revealed ment. The families are responsible for the average the wonder and usefulness of a guide socializing the dogs to people, stores sighted person to dog and the mlnute-to-minute chal and traffic. make it in the lenges that Means faces every day. The dogs return to the kennels at But his determination to succeed also Seeing Eye when they are one year working worid.” displays that, with or without Dee’s old for an intensive three-month train eyesight, he will see his way to ac ing program. Obedience to voice --David Means complishing his goals In life. commands is a large part of the pro gram, but so is disobedience in

KLIPSUN 29 Photographic Interpretations: FRONT” » &