Western Washington University Western CEDAR

Klipsun Magazine Western Student Publications

9-1996

Klipsun Magazine, 1996, Volume 26, Issue 06 - September

Stephanie Thomson Western Washington University

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Recommended Citation Thomson, Stephanie, "Klipsun Magazine, 1996, Volume 26, Issue 06 - September" (1996). Klipsun Magazine. 174. https://cedar.wwu.edu/klipsun_magazine/174

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].

Editor’s Note Klipsun n the past few years, Klipsun has offered issues with assorted

themes, such as politics, consumerism, women’s issues and rela­ W Washington University tionships. When the other editors and I sat down to select which Iarticles we wanted to run in this issue, we realized three stories shared VOLUME 26, ISSUE 6 a common theme — they all related to the performing arts. EDITOR: Stephanie Thomson MANAGING EDITOR: Heather Wlslet Jeremy Stiles gives us a sample of an ordinary open mic night STORY EDITORS: Collin Coyne at a downtown Bellingham bar, where performers with visions of star­ Wendy Gross PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR: Tim Klein dom come together with performers who don’t have the same aspira­ LAYOUT COORDINATOR: Loc Nguyen tions but do share a love for music. illustrator: Kelly Jacksoii

Wendy Gross spent time at Seattle’s O.K. Hotel interviewing STAFF WRITERS several Northwest poets prior to writing her article on spoken word Shelby Benny Joanna Cerar performances. Her story, which begins on page 14, captures both the Kristin Connolly Brett Davis spirit of the spoken word scene and the passion these artists have for Quincy Hanson their craft. Jennifer Hayes Jason W Hickman Similarly, Collin Coyne spins a local angle with a detailed Suann Landis account of what happened when the spoken word scene came to Jody Lindstrom Stephanie Moore Western in May. Rachel Morrow Finally, on page 21, Brian Olson chronicles the evolution of Brian Olson Annie Pierce an Afro-Cuban percussionist named Matt McCarter. A Fairhaven gradu­ Karl Schweizer ate, McCarter was inspired by a Grateful Dead show in 1991. Since Craig Scott Jeremy Stiles then, he has been honing his natural talent for drumming and also adviser: Carolyn Dale been sharing his skills with students. BUSINESS manager: Teari Brown It’s hard not to be envious of these performers because they Klipsun is a student publication distributed have all found something in their lives that makes getting out of bed free of charge twice a quarter. each day worth it. Not only do they have an outlet to express them­ ‘'Klipsun^ is a Lummi word meaning selves, but they do so in a way others can enjoy. “beautiful sunset.” Klipsun Magazine is I’d like to say we should all be so lucky, but if everyone had printed on 50 percent recycled paper, 10 percent post-consumer waste. We as much talent as some of these performers do, who would be left to encourage you to share this magazine with appreciate it? a friend and then recycle it. Klipsun Magazine is located in College Hall 137, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225.

Thanks for reading, ©September 1996

Thanks to Laurie Rossman, Margaret Loudon, Ron Bailey and all the print plant staff

2 KLIPSUN ^ i!i«kui,)sun.*kliDsyn ^kl LUOS Lin. rn ^ khr Iff if Welcome to the soup kitchen 4 Volunteers dish out warm food and friendship. # V- hi By Shelby Benny l.bli!:

^ I • Kiiphun ^ iviiphun ^ KJiphun ^ Kiipsiui ^ Kiipsua ^ Kyp^^u.n ^ Kiifj ^ u i n' w ? I: ■•; ^ i s n ? Vvj n n ^ n i ^ kh!)s> ^ ® ^ khh?sh=-i ^ ^ '^^lir)s= mi ^ uUf rn )snrm ^ H’ ) : Search dogs — 7 I f Man’s best friend is an invaluable member of Bellingham’s Search and Rescue team.

By Joanna Cerar i i-i

* !\ ipsipsiin * kiipsun ^ klipsun ® kiipsuii ^ klipsim klipsi.ni ^ k 'iC S ’ *k ips 1.1; !> # % , ♦ kij|')\]in ♦ khiv.siin * Khnsi # Ir lir'KI -n •k i|')> * I," h..in * !\ 1 pt THE PERFORMING ARTS ♦k SliU. *k hi" Word association —14 :lin * u ..y -'S Seattle’s O.K. Hotel is a haven for spoken word performers and fans. 'sUll *k IDS A By Wendy Gross *k .Ips >iui * *k -ips Also — Spoken word comes to campus. ^ .Iv ’A By Collin Coyne '.UO® irv iim^ * k .ips No experience necessary — 19 >un ® The Beech House Pub welcomes locals to step into the spotlight on open mic nights. *k.J.ps ■^iin ^ •k U'S By Jeremy Stiles * k pv iim^ ii'v■ Finding the rhythm and following the beat 21 0./ i i i « *k. J.|)S Fairhaven graduate Matt McCarter emerges as a top-notch Afro-Cuban percussionist. ') y j *k JDSX. By Brian Olson * k ips klipsun * khiSiiM ^ klipsun ^ klipsun ^ k.iipsuo ^ klipsun ^ klipsun. ^ kiioson. * klipf msun* Kiipsun* klipsim« skpMm * klipsun *Idipsun ^ klipsim ^ kli.psim ^ klirjsim ^ klipsun ^ klipf i n # Ipf I ^ Ik i 1 s c.; \ 1 n ^ l< \ i r klipsun * k uHun * klipsun klipsun * klipsun ^ kli klipsun • ivlipsim • klipsim ^ klipsim * klipsun * kli Mission control — 11 klipsun*kimNun^^lipsllr^f 'p'U.,.*.J< Mormon missionaries spread the word in Bellingham. klipsim * Kdpsi P' v lipbun * L U * -slu 'rn;, ^: By Quincy Hanson klipsun *k ::'^un* Ahjmm * mij* <1:® ^l

klipsun * KiipMin * Alipsun * k UHim*ykpsm *yup“' n ~ iU-"y A A ' ' klipsun* kimsim * -\hpsui' * yii[^vin » l' l'=fK5 m*:m; ♦klipsim ♦klipsun *kiif)sun ♦k ubmi The vertically liberated — 26 Hang gliding may look like a breeze, but it’s not for everyone. * klipsuni. * klipsim ♦klipsun ♦kl'Dsrm By Jennifer Hayes 1 •kSUb. '1 # 11 • '.i,; 1 r ^ KllOSUn *f^ d ^':"Sm S ' '' S- ^ *k / n ♦ k -'' .iV.i insii! ^ 'S! < n ^ * ‘ Cover illustration by Kelly Jackson. Back cover photo by Tim Klein. SEPTEMBER 1996 3 JLA Jl,s the rain pelted my “Whatever. I think that face and the wind whipped I’ll start on the salad and we’d my hair skyward, I smiled better get some meat loaf thinking of the afternoon that in too,” Mary Johnston, lay ahead of me. No talk shows 44, responded. or time spent with friends. Vekved and Johnston Instead, I had chosen to stood in the spacious, immacu­ volunteer by serving food to lately clean kitchen where the the homeless. food preparation for The Inn I walked through the gate University Ministry’s Soup in the cyclone fencing that led Kitchen takes place. to a large parking lot and Johnston and Vekved tease found my way to a heavy-look­ each other as they begin to pre­ ing metal door. pare the meal to be served to A little bit nervous about approximately 60 people later the adventure ahead of me, I that afternoon. quietly pulled the door open, “I’ve always heard about hoping to check out what was the soup kitchen, but I didn’t inside before anyone spotted get involved until October of me. Stepping out of the rain ‘95. The only way I can and through the door, I was describe what it’s like to greeted by a sudden rush work here is addictive. It’s defi­ of warmth and the sound nitely addictive,” Vekved said. of laughter. “You know, seeing the “What should we serve same people over and over today? I’m thinking some then getting to know them kind of tomatoey-type soup and week after week. I mean, some kind of potatoes,” said really getting to know them — Western student Kristin Vekved. where they came from, why

4 KLIPSUN hey're here and where they're “People should know that “This is what I can’t figure out. going. It's definitely addictive,” there’s young people who care. We People will make or pay money for she said, as she emptied all need to realize that just because a birdhouse or a doghouse. They’ll a can of stewed tomatoes into a someone is homeless doesn’t make make shelters for animals, but they large pot. them less of a person - they’re won’t take the time to build shelters real people, too. They’re people, for humans. People are sticking up not throw-aways,” Rieck said for animals who don’t have voices, D very seriously. but they won’t stick up for people JL-^efmitely addictive, said From looking around the whose voices have been taken away Johnston with a laugh. She pushes room, it’s evident that the due to circumstances they may not her short blond hair behind an ear volunteers care about the people understand,” JC said. as she explains how she became they are serving. involved with the soup kitchen. Since the time of my arrival, “I used to think when I saw 11 other individuals have arrived in people on the street that they must the kitchen full of energy and have problems and that’s why they purpose, even though slightly were there, but now I realize that’s wind-blown and damp from the not always true. rain outside. “I got involved with the soup All of them are anxious to help kitchen through a friend who told and have begun work by refilling me about it. They were always bowls with coffee, cocoa and tea, short-staffed when the college stu­ setting the six long tables with dents left for vacations, so I was eight place settings per table and recruited and here I am.” placing dishes on trays to send The Inn’s soup kitchen is through the industrial dishwasher. located at 902 State Street and is Across the room, JC is folding open on Tuesdays and Fridays. baby-blue napkins and placing Food preparation and set-up begins them under the silverware already at noon and serving happens from in place at the tables. JC is a 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. 42- year-old homeless man, “with a Checking their watches and lot of rough miles,” who lives Klein

realizing that they still have an on the streets of Bellingham. Fie hour before people will be expect­ is also a volunteer at the Inn’s ing some warm food, Vekved and Soup Kitchen.

Johnston continue to tease one “I’ve been coming in ever Klipsun/Tim another as they continue preparing since it opened to help out any way the meal. I can,” said JC as he continues A few feet away is Leon. Leon Mary Johnston Molly Rieck, a 22-year-old folding the napkins. is a good friend of JC’s. Together became addicted Western senior and Soup Kitchen they have been on the streets for to helping volunteer for the past three and a the past five to six years. “We’ve at the Soup half years, strolls into the kitchen. kind of lost track of time,” Kitchen ajier Rieck, who is one of the few origi­ s JC adjusts his mirrored Leon comments as his long white a Jriend nal staff persons left still volunteer­ sunglasses on his nose and pulls his beard and mustache move with his recruited her to ing at the Soup Kitchen, takes a blue baseball cap further down on rosy smile. fill in for college few moments to explain the reason his forehead he explains, “The “There’s a lot of people on the students during for starting the soup kitchen. streets can be a dangerous place, streets for a lot of different reasons vacation times. “The Soup Kitchen is a min­ even in Bellingham, but the Soup and no one on this earth has the istry and the basis for this ministry Kitchen offers warmth and friend­ right to judge another human is Jesus Christ,” Reick said. “We ly words to people who call the unless they have lived the life of the count on God for provision. streets their home.” person they are judging,” said Leon

BY SHELBY BENNY

SEPTEMBER 1996 5 before going back to refilling a their stomach. I guess what I mean Howard puts his guitar away bowl of cocoa. by that is whatever it is that you and sits down at a table for a cup of As he scoops another spoonful lack, whether it be food or love or coffee with some friends who agree of the chalky powder into a bowl, nourishment or acceptance from with what he's just said. They all Leon finishes his thought by say­ your peers, whatever the one thing huddle around him and begin a ing, “People just don’t take the that you lack is that’s what’s going conversation on how to get off time to build meaningful relation­ to be the one thing on your mind the streets. ships in their lives anymore. the most. People aren’t used to building “Sometimes meaningful relationships with oth­ it seems like the ers, but they are used to judging people on the by appearances.” street have things figured out a lot better than the rest of the eople begin to pour world because through the doors of the Soup they know what’s Kitchen as the washing machine in important. They the corner of the dining room know what it’s like starts to whir. Glancing at the not to have mater­ clock, I realize that it’s a few min­ ial items or even utes after 2 p.m. and time for the the basic necessi­ serving to begin. ties. From many Klein Volunteer Justin Glessner, 20, conversations with leads the roomful of people in a people like Leon prayer before the meal which or JC, they seem results in a resounding “Amen.” to have a grip on Klipsun/Tim The tables are lined with what's important to them.” As volunteers continue to Volunteers men, women and children who In the far corner of the room, a serve food and carry on conversa­ prepare food have come out of the cold for a man sits perched on the back of a tions with the patrons of the Soup from noon until warm meal. couch strumming a guitar. Kitchen the clock creeps closer 2p.m. every Some people are dressed in to 4 p.m. The talk in the room Tuesday and worn-out, dirty clothing, while begins to shift from the wonderful Friday. The others are dressed in buttoned tasting food to where one will food is then down business shirts and slacks. oward is a 30-year-old camp later that night. People begin served from 2 One thing that every person man who has been on the streets of to pack up their belongings and p.m. to 4p.m. in the room has in common, Bellingham for the past three head to the rain and wind outside. though, is their need for a warm months. Originally, Howard is “Thank you. See you on hearty meal. from the east coast. He grew up Friday,” said Leon after he clears a Volunteers rush bowls of the with his family before turning to table and pulls on his ragged coat. piping hot soup created earlier by the streets soon after college. “I don’t know what to say Vekved. “I like to call it Tomato “I have a lot of dreams. I just when people leave. I don’t like Beanie soup,” she laughingly have to have the money or some­ knowing that it's going to be a cou­ explains to a man who praises one to help me in order to get ple days until I see them again. I the flavor. where I want to go. I have a college have to trust in the Lord and know Loaves of bread, plates of meat degree, but without someone who that He’s in control,” said loaf, bowls of spaghetti, baked cares about who you are it's hard to Glessner thoughtfully. potatoes, green salad and a rhubarb get anywhere," said Howard as he In the middle of the kitchen a crumble dessert accompanied the continues strumming his guitar sign is posted on the refrigerator that soup. The volunteers serve the food without looking up. sums up what the Soup Kitchen is restaurant style, in courses, and “If I could tell people how to all about. rush through the room removing act I would say, ‘sit down and con­ plates and empty bowls. verse with some of the people that Glessner is a recent volunteer disgust you. to the Soup Kitchen, having just “Then look beyond the scrag- ,t reads: LOVE GOD — joined the staff in the past couple gly hair, the dirty clothes and the with worship and prayer, LOVE of months. yellowed teeth and listen to their OTHERS — with kindness; no put- “I think that when people say heart.’ It’s a human being who downs!, HELP OTHERS LOVE they have a lot on their minds, they wants attention, who wants to be GOD - by listening when others actually mean they have a lot in understood,” Howard said. are speaking. ^

6 KLIPSUN PHOTOS BY TIM KLEIN BY JOANNA CERAR

“Every dog I’ve ever had knew that this was not a practice; this is the real thing. Your chemistry changes because the adrenaline hits your bloodstream and you go into search mode. The dogs just cue on it.” ••• There’s no question Laverdier, 50, has a special bond with dogs. She’s trained them for 30 years and handled search dogs for the last 20 years.“My mother swears my first word was ‘dog,’ not mommy or daddy,” Laverdier concedes. Greta, 4, is her fourth Giant Schnauzer, and the fourth dog she has worked in searching. For Laverdier, search dogs are more than a giant volunteer commitment — they’re a way of life. The front door of her Lynden-area home is adorned with a ceramic cut-out of a Giant Schnauzer standing on top of a red heart. Barking comes from behind the door. As it opens, Greta’s black nose pokes out. Laverdier appears, wearing a red turtle­ neck, a blue shirt and jeans. Below her short brown hair, her ears are adorned with small silver dog-footprint earrings. They’re a present from the search dog group she founded a decade ago in Fairbanks, Ala. She arrived in Whatcom County he pagers beeping cuts through the dark stillness in fall 1992 after two decades up north. of the night. Jeanne Laverdier jumps up from her Inside, two pairs of hiking boots sit ready next to the bed and staggers out to the phone. It’s 2 a.m., door. The pager rests under a spider plant on a doorside table. Tand she has no doubt what the page was for. Mechanically,An “I’d Rather be Tracking” bumper sticker is on the wall over she’s dialing a number: she’s done it so many times, it’s rou­ her desk. Near it is a charcoal drawing of Haida, her first real tine. Meanwhile, a jet black Giant Schnauzer is taking in the search dog. And Laverdier’s bedroom has a “dog wall,” with activity and growing increasingly excited. Greta is soon jump­ framed photos of all her dogs. ing on her hind legs because she knows she might get to go to This is all left behind when the pager goes off work as a search dog. Laverdier grabs the equipment bags she keeps ready at all As a member of the Bellingham Mountain Rescue times, then heads for her slate-blue Volvo station wagon. Council — a unit of Whatcom County Search and Rescue — When Laverdier opens the tailgate, Greta jumps onto the Laverdier may be summoned any time of the day or night. She faded blue paisley quilt that lines the floor. Once Greta and might be needed to run a base camp, or mantrack (search), or Laverdier reach the Search and Rescue Building, they’re ready she might be asked to use her special tool: Greta. Regardless to work. of what Laverdier is asked to do, Greta goes along “She can be a total goof-off and fruit cake under any for moral support. other circumstances, but when she’s working, she’s totally “By the time I’m off the phone, the dog is doing back focused,” Laverdier says in her firm voice, a voice flips: ‘Oh boy, we’re going to work!”’ Laverdier explains. dogs listen to.

SEPTEMBER 1996 7 Laverdier never knows quite what lost person wasn’t there. Two years ago, and their handlers are still almost exclu­ to expect until she’s at a search site. The Laverdier worked on back-to-back sively male, while search dogs and their mission could be wrapping up even as searches that turned up very little. “I handlers are split pretty evenly between they arrive — or it could be just the worked Greta ’til her feet were so raw males and females. And American she couldn’t move, and then I worked search dog trainers/handlers are in base camp.” volunteers — they are not reimbursed Even then, the dogs don’t stop for their work. Finally, search dogs working. They comfort the family of must be non-aggressive and able to the victim. work with other dogs and people. “They know somebody’s who’s “Aggression is not a highly desired upset. You will see, oftentimes, the trait in most search situations. It looks search dogs will just zero in on that bad when the victim is bitten,” person. That sensitivity has been cul­ Laverdier says with a deadpan look. tivated for years.” To demonstrate the training, Other times, a dog will catch the Laverdier agrees to a trip to a local park. trail and go for it. When she lived in As soon as she grabs a pair of green and Fairbanks, Laverdier and her dog red bags, Greta is up from her nap on went after a lost hiker. “We chased the floor. Her brown eyes watch eager­ him for four days, up and down a val­ ly from beneath bushy black eyebrows ley,” she says. “We kept finding where and her docked tail wags furiously. “She he was, and the chopper got him knows what this means,” Laverdier says right in front of us.” with a smile. Last fall, Laverdier was called At the park, Greta stays in the car beginning of two or three days of down to Pierce County to search for a while Laverdier places some items for searching. Laverdier’s employer allows lost mushroom picker. Greta and her to find. When Laverdier returns her to take the time away from work in another dog picked up the scent. “A and opens the back of the Volvo, Greta such cases. Canadian bloodhound was coming in shoots out. As Greta jumps with excite­ If Greta is needed, Laverdier from below and I was coming in from ment on her hind legs, she’s as tall as quickly assesses the situation. Greta is above. The body was found in between most humans. But as soon as Laverdier one of three dogs that may be called us,” Laverdier says. puts a fluorescent yellow and pink har- out, so Laverdier decides how the dogs Laverdier worked with BMRC will best work together. At this time, member Seth Brothers on that mis­ Laverdier may locate an article that sion. Brothers, a geology major at belonged to the victim. If she can’t get Western, says Laverdier is very skilled ‘At least a one, she turns Greta loose to frisk at her game. everyone in camp. “I’m really impressed by (Greta’s) “You’ll see the search dogs loose, obedience level and all she can quarter of the sniffing everybody. I don’t know how do,” he says. they catalog it. We’ve got 18 people Brothers’ observation hits on flailing around in base camp, and the Laverdier’s commitment to search dog dog knows, ‘OK, these aren’t the ones training. The relatively few hours searches we want.’ The standing joke is, if you’re spent searching each year are the result on a search with a dog, don’t get lost.” of thousands of hours of training. Laverdier takes a few minutes to A quality search dog comes from center herself before the search. Then the match of a good dog with an here end in she’s off Greta may work on or off a appropriate handler, followed by leash; she could be several yards away. extensive training. She trots along on the long legs that First, Laverdier looks at a puppy’s earned her a nickname in honor of pedigree. Does the dog’s family have I tragedy^ Greta Garbo. She is a mass of black fur good track records? She tests puppies with pointy ears, resembling a small for boldness, a sense of calm and accep­ ness on Greta, she calms down and bear from a distance. Laverdier follows, tance of humans. She also considers the keeps four feet on the ground. intent as she looks for clues. She doesn’t temperament of the person who will A long, bright pink leash is fas­ carry a radio or think about where she’s work the dog. The independence of tened to the harness, telling Greta she going, leaving that job to a partner. Giant Schnauzers works for Laverdier, will be tracking — following exactly “When I’m working, the only but other dogs work for other people. where a person walked, staying only thing I’m watching is the ground When a proper match is made, with that scent. Before tracking, and the dog. I haven’t got an idea where training starts immediately. As with Laverdier teaches her dogs obedience I ve gone. police dogs, search dogs have extensive and agility. “If the handler can’t build Some searches never turn up any­ training. But the similarities end there. rapport with dog doing obedience, thing. The dogs are helpful, though, Police dogs are trained to be aggressive, you’re dead in the water,” she says mat- because they “clear” areas, showing the to intimidate the public. Police dogs ter-of-factly.

8 KLIPSUN Obedience is second nature to Trailing takes an incredible nose, American search dog handlers didn’t Greta, as demonstrated on the way to Laverdier says. know how their dogs would react to the search area. Greta is several yards in “The dog may be 20 yards dead victims. When handlers were ner­ front, heading straight for a large metal from the track, but hair drifted over vous about finding a corpse, the dogs tank. “Left turn!” Laverdier shouts. there,” she says. “How they do it is knew it. Greta hangs a 90-degree left turn with beyond me.” her next step. Finally, air scenting is Tracking instruction may start taught. Greta wears a collar i Finding a lost person after a few weeks of obedience work with a bell for this activity. and continue for a year. Today, Greta is Basically, she finds a mol­ doing a simple tracking exercise where ecule in the air and follows it is a very enjoyable she finds a series of articles Laverdier to a source. She works a u » left along her trail. Greta trots through cone. finding molecules and the course, head down and sniffing. narrowing down where they experience. (The She pauses when she locates an article, came from. Laverdier teaches turning to Laverdier for affirmation. At air scenting last. dog) gets fed, his the end of the trail, Greta is rewarded “The way I train, it’s a with some cheese. Laverdier usually cumulative use of all the skills uses meat, but is out today. the dog has been taught. By ego is boosted, he To Greta, the training is fun. then, you should be able to “There’s a point at which when you read your dog like a book.” start doing it, it’s all a game. The dost’ Many search and rescue gets played with. The person always has food; their toy; dogs use air scenting because preferably both,” Laverdier explains. it’s the easiest and most quick­ dog feels very Finding a lost person has ly taught skill. to become extremely important to Air scenting can lead a the dog. dog back to a track. important when he “You start out with this absolutely “Then they’ll immediately glorious game, and it just becomes kind throw the air scenting out and go to tracking mode because finds people 1 they know tracking will always get them there,” Laverdier says. “They only clue you might have Air scenting can also save time was that the dog wouldn’t go anywhere when the dog picks up another, newer near the area. The Pseudo Corpse has leg of the track. made it possible that at least a handler “They’ll be working on a track, can see what their dog will do,” and suddenly you’ll see the head pop Laverdier says. “When you go out there up and the dog will pivot off the and you know that you’re looking for a track, and you’ll see the head in the body ... it’s awful. I’ve done it. Believe air. You can hear their whole breath­ me, it’s awful. You’re just gritting your ing pattern change. And that’s when I teeth. You want to find it, but oh God, just walk up and pop ’em loose (to you don’t want to find it.” find the new area). They’ve got it.” Laverdier also uses Pseudo Laverdier teaches her dogs how to Drowned Victim to train Greta for, find dead bodies — a small, but inter- well, finding drowned victims. And esting part of training. She uses a she’s interested in a new product. chemical called Pseudo Corpse, which Pseudo Distressed Victim, which is available only to a small group of mimics the smell people give off when dog handlers. they panic. of a conditioned thing,” Laverdier says. “Everything biologically decom­ “I’m very curious to see what it “Finding a lost person is an very enjoy­ poses. As (a body) breaks down, (it) IS how the dogs work it,” able experience. (The dog) gets fed, his gives off certain scents. And those Laverdier says. ego is boosted, he gets played with. The smells are what the Sigma Chemical It may take a few times out, but dog feels very important when company in St. Louis has spent years Laverdier’s dogs realize the seriousness he finds people.” perfecting — what a job!” of the situation when they smell Along with teaching the tracking However, the product is needed. the stress. “game,” Laverdier watches for the “At least a quarter of the searches “The game goes out the window. ability to trail. Trailing allows the dogs here end in tragedy,” Laverdier says. “If This is where the female factor, I think, to work within the vicinity of the track your dog has not been trained on that comes in,” Laverdier says, referring to and may be used when the-track starts smell, and avoids the body, the search her preference for female search dogs. to disappear. Greta is trailing when she goes on for days.” “It’s the mother defending the young wears the harness without the leash. Before Pseudo Corpse, most mode, especially if the first time they

SEPTEMBER 1996 9 Sunday session, training continues on a daily basis. Laverdier and Greta walk a couple of miles each morning. ^ They’re warm, they’re fiizzy ■ the “Everything we do is aimed at increas­ ing Greta’s vocabulary ... so that she’s confident no matter what situation she goes into. There’s certain things I know noble she doesn’t like, so we do those a lot,” Laverdier says. With their calm demeanors and dog with impeccable manners, search dogs are attractive to casual observers. They, too, would like such a well-trained dog. “And then they come out and see the monotonous hours and hours and hours it takes to get that I hitunconditional that scent it’s a lost kid they’re work love­ “She’ doesn’t get frazzled on search­ dog,” Laverdier says. “I bet I’ve had 50 ing on. The dogs just become driven. es; she’s always calm,” says Rory folks contact me in the three years When Laverdier’s dogs locate a Scribner, who trains with Laverdier. I’ve been down here. Only one victim, they usually circle back to her, Scribner and her husband, Trent, have followed through.” often without the victim even knowing worked with Laverdier since May, Lor instance, Greta was well- the dog was there. Each dog has its own 1995. They are training their German received at the Lynden Youth Fair. way of signaling a find. Shepherd, Tesa, for search work. Trent “They’re warm, they’re fuzzy — “When Greta comes back, you agreed with Rory, describing Laverdier the noble dog with unconditional hear castanets (as she clicks her teeth), as serious, analytical and steady. love,” Laverdier says. and she jumps in the air in front of me, “She has a real keen mind for But the public doesn’t often see the and then she just bows down into what search operations,” he says. responsibility that goes with the dogs, among dog people is called play posi­ It takes constant practice to stay she says. Search dogs have to be kept tion one: front end down, butt in the prepared for search work. Laverdier safe from injury and mistreatment. air. She’ll skid toward me with her eyes works Greta twice a drilled into mine. And then she just week with four other does a 180 and takes off And that’s her search dog teams, command to me of‘Mother follow.’” including the However, the dogs don’t always Scribners and Tesa. find the victim. “I know that it’s really Wednesday hard on dogs not to get in at the end, nights are spent at to get in to the victim,” Laverdier says. the Abottsford air­ In those cases, she’ll end the search by port, where the asking another searcher to hide, then dogs have to track sending her dog after that person. But through the scents the dogs know they’re not finding the of hundreds of real victim, and they don’t forget. people. On Sundays, Sometimes, a rescued person will the teams go to dif­ come to a Search and Rescue meeting. ferent locations “I’ve seen several times where the together, including dog has gone into the crowd and many state parks. pounced on the person that we looked The locations change for, and frisked ’em up and down,” so the dogs don’t Laverdier says. become area-wise. Other handlers say the same about A year of these Laverdier with Greta their dogs. “And those are the dogs training sessions, in money doesn’t buy,” Laverdier says. addition to other training, prepared “It’s being careful that some kid Of course, searching also takes a Tesa for her first search last doesn’t clobber the dog and undo two toll on human participants. “I get mad May. Rory Scribner says Laverdier years of work,” Laverdier says. “There’s a sometimes because it gets really frus­ taught them “just about everything lot of responsibility to see that this dog trating,” Laverdier admits. After espe­ we know” through her examples stay in a cocoon where everything cially rough searches, critical incident and encouragement. is good.” stress debriefing is available, though “She doesn’t put herself above After an afternoon of playing, Laverdier rarely uses it: “I take you,” Trent Scribner says. “She Greta returns to the cocoon and my therapy with me.” asserts her information in a really retreats to her bed. Time for a nap. Those who have seen Laverdier in positive way.” Who knows when she’ll be called to action describe her as a pro. In addition to the Wednesday and duty again? R

10 KLIPSUN ^ * m iiiiiiliiisi::.

'■ (f MISSION IHI

ister Fisher saunters casually up to the closed door with her companion Sister Morgan trailing excitedly. They whisper to each other, deciding “whose door” it s going to be. They ring the doorbell and stand restlessl}^ waiting * for signs of life. The door suddenly opens, and Fisher doesn't miss a beat. “Hi, were missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” she begins. “WeVe been in your neighborhood sharing a message.”

ItpstmTTtm SEPTEMBER 1996 I I You may have opened the door to In the Mormon church, female mis­ quickly. But they keep a positive attitude find missionaries on your own doorstep. sionaries go when they are 21-years-old, despite the many doors slammed in There are three pairs of Mormon mis­ and males go when they are 19. Fisher their faces. sionaries in Bellingham, and five more only has five months left of her 18- ’’There’s good things about it I pairs between the Canadian border and month mission, but Morgan is just fin­ mean. I’ve learned to love everybody I Lake Samish. There is no magic number ishing her third month on the job. come in contact with,” says Morgan seri­ - the greater the interest the more They explain that the title “Sister” is ously. They explain how hard it is when missionaries are sent to the area, said earned when a woman goes on a mission. people try to battle with them over details Brent A. Youngberg, Director of the It is a title of respect that helps keep in the Bible. They strive not to argue Bellingham Washington Institute of themselves and those around them with people when they nit-pick. “If you Religion, an LDS educational facility focused on their work. The women have don’t want to hear (about the church), on campus. to follow a dress code that includes wear­ have a good day,” says Fisher matter-of- For Bellingham missionaries Sister ing dresses that come below the knee, factly. “It’s not like ‘Hi, we’re here to Morgan and Sister Fisher, the personal nylons and dress shoes at all times. They baptize you.’” benefits of missionary work are innumer­ are only supposed to have five outfits, but The missionaries adhere to a rigor­ able. “It’s like a big life lesson,” says the women grin sheepishly at each other, ous predetermined schedule. Fisher Fisher, as she tries to describe what and Fisher says “Well, you have to have describes their daily routine. “We get up she has gained from being a variety in your life.” She explains that the at 6:30 in the morning, and we have what missionary abroad. we call personal study, which is reading “Every day for us is different” says our scriptures for an hour. We have to be Morgan. Fisher laughs and says there are out of the apartment by 9:30 on a daily surprises on the other sides of the doors i Yeah, we basis.” The day is usually spent finding for her too sometimes. receptive people to teach about the She tries to be serious, but her eyes just said a prayec church, and meeting with people who give her away. “I had to pray for a cat have already expressed an interest. They before,” she says in disbelief. She often have dinner with members of the describes a woman during the beginning you know, congregation to save money, but have to of her mission who asked her to bless a be home by 9:30, and in bed at sick cat. “Yeah, we just said a prayer, you 10:30 p.m. know, please bless your cat that it will feel please bless Morgan cuts in, explaining that this better, you know,” Fisher says in embar­ schedule is valid Tuesday through rassment. “You get funny little things all Sunday, and they have Mondays off the time like that,” she says giggling. cat that it will “That’s when we are normal people like The 22-year-old and her companion you,” she says. Fisher explains that even are missionaries from The Church of on Mondays they still get up at 6:30 a.m. Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who feel better, you and have personal study until 9:30 a.m. cover Western’s campus and part of and then have until 6:00 in the evening Bellingham. Except for their dresses and free. They are usually gone from 9:30 badges, it would be easy to mistake the know ? a.m. to 9:30 p.m. outgoing women for students. They both A mission is not a whim decision for seem relaxed and easy going, but it’s their male missionaries have to wear slacks, these women. Both were raised in strong warm, friendly personalities that set white shirts and ties every day. “We are Mormon households. Morgan remem­ them apart. very distinguished, I mean you see us and bers wanting to go on a mission at the age Twenty-one-year-old Morgan ani­ you know exactly who we are,” of seven. “I always wanted to come (on a matedly explains that it is actually easier says Fisher. mission) to Seattle,” she recalls. Fisher and more fun to do missionary work on a Fisher and Morgan knock on peo­ decided she wanted to go on a mission college campus because the students can ple’s doors 12 hours per week. “We call it when she was 17-years-old. “It just kind relate to people their own age. The tracting. We go to people’s doors and talk of clicked, like, ‘Yeah, that’s what I women have yet to go door-to-door to them about the church,” Fisher should do,’ so ever since then I was pret­ inside the dorms. explains. “It was hard in the beginning, ty much firm in my decision.” She Fisher says some dorms have restric­ but now it’s nothing, I can pretty much laughs, “I guess, before I didn’t think that tions, and she hasn’t checked the walk up to anybody and say ‘Hi, How are it was me. But now it’s like, how could I guidelines for them. “We haven’t yet, but you doing?”’ not? It’s so me now.” that doesn’t mean we won’t!” she Rejection comes with the territory, There is much financial and emo­ says positively. and the women say they got used to it tional preparation that takes place before 12 KLIPSUN missionaries go out in the field. All appli­ cants must attend the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah. This houses all missionaries in training from the United States and Canada. There they spend three to eight weeks role playing situations, practicing communication skills and if necessary, learning foreign languages with other trainees. Fisher explains that they don’t get paid to serve the 18-month to two-year missions, and they don’t work outside jobs during the missions. “The church pays for it, your family pays for it, or you work all your life and you save for it. I’m paying for my own mission,” Morgan says somewhat proudly. “We live on a really small budget.” “It’s a totally different lifestyle, because I mean, we don’t date, or watch TV. or listen to the radio,” says Fisher sion president is there to help them get then submitted papers to the church pres­ with a smile. Fisher explains that when back on track. It hurts those who are ident who chose the locations for them. you go on a mission, you sign an agree­ learning if the missionaries are not living Fisher says that serving a mission on ment not to do these things. “It’s by by the principles they are teaching. The a college campus has not really affected choice, you know, we can do what we other end of the spectrum is a “moral her attitude towards school. “I’ve always want, but it keeps us focused on what we infraction,” said Youngberg. The liked school. I like being with people,” are doing.” missionary guilty of premarital sex is sent she says. She plans to follow up her asso­ All missionaries carry a guidebook, home, and risks losing his or her ciate’s degree with a bachelor’s when she called “The White Handbook,” contain­ church membership. is released from her mission. “I have five ing rules and regulations on how to carry Part of the reason the missionaries months (left), so I’m kind of like, okay, I out their work. The handbook has mis­ have such strict rules is to keep them know I want to go to school, but where sion rules for the missionaries’ safety away from temptation. For example, do I live, and do I want to go and protection, said Youngberg. It also Youngberg said that the male missionaries back home?” has guidelines on are not allowed to be “I have a year left, so I have no idea health, an economic alone with young what I am going to do when I get home,” code that dictates women. “They are Morgan says quietly. “It’s too far down how money should be We have to committed to be ded- the road to think about it. If I think i *1 • « spent, how their icated to serving that about it I get homesick, and its not worth living spaces should work together two-year period, and getting homesick.” be maintained, and to be worthy.” The missionaries are allowed to write how they should con­ Far away their families once a week, and they can duct themselves in 24 hours a day /| from family and talk to them three times a year: Father’s specific situations. ^ 1 friends, missionaries Day, Mother’s Day and Christmas. The Youngberg said rely on the same-sex only communication is by letter and that the handbook seven days a companions who are phone, and they are not allowed to travel strictly advises the chosen for them by outside of their assigned area. missionaries not to their area mission “It’s hard if you are brand-new like argue with other presidents. “We have me, because I am used to being around Christians. “We are week J to work together 24 the family all the time and this is my first never going to bless hours a day, seven time being away from home,” Morgan anybody’s life by arguing,” he said. “We days a week,” says Morgan emphatically. says, looking down at her hands. “You are very concerned about other people’s They even live in the same apartment. learn how to be away from your family beliefs and do everything we can to honor Morgan and Fisher have been together and lean on other people. You get new them, even though we may not believe for three weeks, but they seem like close friends and family while you are out here. them ourselves.” friends. “If you don’t get along, the work We have four other elders (male mission­ The missionaries must account for doesn’t get done,” says Morgan. aries) in this area, and I think we are a their time in reports submitted to their Both women are far from home. family. We can turn to each other to help mission president. The mission president Morgan is from Hartford, Conn., and through the rough times and the happy is there to support and encourage the Fisher is from Sacramento, Calif. times. We are such a family out here, I missionaries through the hard times. “Actually we didn’t pick Bellingham,” like it.” Youngberg explained the hierarchy of Morgan admits. She explains that they She looks to Fisher, who agrees rules that exists for the missionaries. If a each went through a lengthy interview softly. “We are working for a common missionary starts to lose focus, the mis- process with their church leaders, and goal, to help people out and share this.” ^ SEPTEMBER 1996 13

rp and a musical interlude, the com­ £ he O.K. Hotel crowd is sparse petition begins. Selected writers tonight; a few patrons sit at the bar take turns onstage, reading what cradling their pints of microbrews, they believe to be their best pieces. one of the two pool tables in the In a series of rounds, competitors | adjoining room boasts shooters, are judged and eliminated | and only two of the wooden booths by several randomly selected in the dining area are occupied. In audience members. The victor is ' the booth nearest the kitchen, rewarded with a fat wad of cash. Patrick Lincoln sits flipping This evening, the tiny crowd ' through the pages of a favojite that s gathered to watch the Slam is anthology of poems. He chooses a composed mainly of other poets, piece by Ferlinghetti titled “The which isn’t typical. Most often, at Love Nut” and begins to read, his least three-fourths of the candlelit ' leathery voice polished with a sub­ tables are occupied by cigarette­ tle Texas drawl. smoking, beer-swilling, wine-sip- ; “I go into the mens room in ping spectators. the Springfield bus station on the As a matter of fact, on any way back to Mulinberg county and given night, at least a handful of see this nut in the mirror. Who let people can be found at a club or this weirdo in? Who let in this coffee shop whose evening enter- | freak? Hes the kind that writes 1 tainment is spoken word perfor­ love you on toilet walls and wants mance. Places such as The Lux to embrace everybody in the lobby. Cafe, The Globe Cafe, The Blue '

4 At the poetry slam, man, PEOPLE SIT AROUND AND DRINK BEER, AND THEY SMOKE CIGARETTES AND THEY SHOUT OBSCENE EPITHETS ABOUT YOUR MOTHER IF THEY LIKE YOUR STUFF. / -Patrick Lincoln

He writes his phone number inside Moon Tavern and Sit n’ Spin in 1 a heart on the wall...he’s some kind Seattle set aside at least one night a of a pervert, Mr. Eros, the great month for a spoken word show­ lover who wants to run up to every- case. In Bellingham, Parker’s hosts body in the waiting room and kiss an open mic every Thursday, and them on the spot and say “Why KUGS-FM, Western’s campus S aren’t we friends and lovers? Can I radio station, broadcasts Voicebox, go home with you?...” a two-hour spoken word show, After finishing the poem, every Wednesday. Lincoln marks its page with a slip The increasing popularity of of paper, lifts his mocha to his lips spoken word isn’t unique to this and pecks at the mound of area. Every year, more cities send whipped cream on top. Slam finalists to the national com­ In a few minutes it will be petition, music stores stock more 8:30, and Lincoln will retreat to the spoken word recordings, and major dark lounge in the rear of the O.K. tours like Lollapalooza include spo­ and wait for his slot in ken word performers on their bills. the open mic portion of Scott Castle, a Western stu­ tonight’s Original Poetry Slam dent studying English, proposed Competition. After the open mic the idea of Voicebox to the core H ■ SEPTEMBER 1996 15 staff at KUGS FM in Fall of 1995. Soon after, Castle’s show was because they know where the inflec­ Over the past several years, he’s fre­ given a time slot: Wednesdays from tions are supposed to go, and they can quented spoken word readings and 12-2 a.m. read it with a feeling that you can’t become a collector of spoken “It started really slow, and when get otherwise.” word recordings. it first began I’d get calls like, ‘Could The depth oral performance adds That made him the perfect mis­ you play some...uh...music? Why are to written prose is obvious when com­ sionary to evangelize KUGS. you talking?”’ Castle said. “But now, paring poets’ printed poetry with their “I’d been working at the station from what I understand, there are a lot live readings. Who better to adminis­ for three weeks, and I knew of people who regularly listen to ter Bukowski to a reader than (Voicebox) was what I wanted to do,” the show.” Bukowski? Wouldn’t any fan of Castle said, holding a cigarette In May, Castle recruited several Shakespeare kill for a chance to hear between his lips and letting out puffs of the Seattle Slam poets and spoken his recorded voice reciting Hamlet? of smoke between his words. word artists from Bellingham and “I don’t have the skill to convey “But when I first came to them Vancouver for a live Voicebox show in everything in the written form of my and said this is what I want to do,’ Western’s Viking Addition. poetry that I can, say, when I’m doing they were like, ‘Uh...okay...well, we “The live show was an extension an oral performance of it,” Lincoln don’t have any spoken word stuff’ I of the radio show,” Castle said. “Live, says. “The oral form gives me another said, ‘That’s okay, I have some.’” it’s just much more palpable when you dimension to play with, to use it to see the person enhance the poem.” that wrote it As one of the Slam’s regular com­ deliver it. It’s petitors, Lincoln has become a famil­ fascinating to me iar name within the Northwest poetry

above: Jack Gould; right: Patrick Lincoln

merits Talented writers were preparing to share their views on tK ^/Vdclit^ion everything that goes with live birth, turning into an adult, struggling to maintain existence, growing old and facing death. A live poetry reading was about to begin. BY COLLIN COYN] Scott Castle, the event’s anxious organizer, paced around the rear of the crowded room. The clock read 8:35 p.m. as Castle, host of KUGS spoken word radio show, n a cloud-laden evening, the sun dropped between the Voicebox, headed for the microphone. sky’s grey ceiling and the open ocean, saturating the Viking Castle introduced his first guest. A tall, muscular fel­ Addition Coffeeshop with an array of orange and purple low in a white and red flannel shirt consumed the space light. A stage was erected with the lucid view as a backdrop. directly in front of the stage. Bald, with a trim beard and a The room was fdled to its capacity with members of a spec­ sternness in his eyes, he’s striking and even intimidating on ified audience: one with a taste for cultural events. Red the surface. His bold figure was silhouetted against the bril­ glass orbs with lit candles in them cast a glow on faces from liant sunset as he lifted his hands in the air to physically the centers of tables. Voices mingled in a low murmur as the enunciate the words of a poem called “Masquerade spectators became comfortable with their surroundings. of Truth

16 KLIPSUN community. Though he’s 48, Lincoln of gifts. He’s quick to belly-laugh or poetry readings you go into some is relatively new to the art. Still, his giggle, quick to wax cynical when dis­ place with hard wooden floors and natural talent for poetic storytelling cussing Politics or the South, yet uncomfortable wooden chairs; people took him to the finals of this year’s quick to applaud heartily after a poet are wearing their designer jeans and Slam, and he’s had the opportunity to friend has braved the open mic. As he they’ve got their makeup on and the read with some greats of prose. chronicles his relationship with the whole nine yards. At the end of it, “About a month ago, I got to be Slam, he begins to fidget like an anx­ everybody goes, ‘Oh, we will clap 3.4 one of the several poets who read with ious Little Leaguer talking about a times for cull-tchal’ Tom Robbins and Dan Savage. It was trophy-winning season. “What I see the Slam getting erotic poetry night,’ and they were “One day I wrote a poem, and it back to is an immediate response of an turning people away at the door.” wasn’t very good, but I got a little audience who has come to be enter­ Physically, Lincoln resembles a encouragement, so I tried another one tained,” Lincoln says. ’’Like back in younger Santa Claus; his thick mane and I tried another one, and then the old days, when the poets and trou­ of greying hair is resistantly bound in about that time, when I’d just started badours came through town, they’d a long ponytail, his roundish face getting into decent poetry, I heard come through town in their fool’s is bordered by full mustache and about this poetry Slam thing. So I caps, beating drums and blowing beard, and his eyes reflect an came down, started hanging around... bugles, and everybody would go, animated gleam. “It was wonderful, man!” Lincoln ‘Goddamn sumbitch, they’re here!’ Lincoln’s similarities to Father exclaims, laugh­ Christmas end on the surface; he’s ing with the more likely to tell a child an off-color memory of it. “I joke than to give it a stocking full mean, like, most

shouldered gentleman with a voice and disposition near that of Tommy Lee Jones. In his poem, “Nail,” Unaided by the microphone for “Masquerade,” his Hubbard told the attentive audience about hard work and clear, deep voice and skillful projection carried his words to limited skill in the Ozark Mountains. Hubbard, sacrificing the corners of the room. Todd Steven Davis, a finalist in his thumb to a construction job, lets his boss call him this year’s Original Poetry Slam at the O.K. Hotel, is one of “Chief” even though he’s Native American. the Seattle poets who made the trip for the evening’s show. “I wished he’d stop callin’ me that, but he didn’t mean His confidence created a sturdy believability as his charac­ any harm,” Hubbard read. ter poured out in his words. Bellingham poet Alyssa Burrows, dressed in a blue but- “Myself?” he read, “I’m looking for some kind of anar- ton-up shirt and black jeans, next thrilled the crowd with cho hedonistic revolutionary existentialist animistic space­ her dark wit. Her poem about trucks in Bellingham, the ship mysticism.” product of her reaction to an ex-boyfriend driving by while Davis took the stage and microphone to read his sec­ she was sitting at a table overlooking a busy street, filled the ond poem. His words about his father and a favorite poet, room with laughter. Dylan Thomas, came across in his mimic of a rural- Burrows’ views on domestic gender roles, not being Virginia dialect. Comparing Thomas to a professional car petite and figuratively being sodomized make her poetry racing champion, Davis relayed to listeners how come across like a really bad day described by someone who people who love the simple life find meaning in poetry refuses to be brought down. Next on stage was Thomas Hubbard, a tall, broad |>||| i is

SEPTEMBER 1996 17 “They’d go out and hear em, Howling and recognizing the inspired and what is insipid? and if they liked them, they’d hoist opportunity to sling a barb, Lincoln “There is a sense of rhythm and them up on their shoulders and replies, “Oh, that. Well, that was just meter, ’’Lincoln says, struggling to declare a three-day holiday. because I never did like you!” describe the critical process. “That “If they didn’t like them, they The two leave, and Lincoln con­ can either come out in a very formal, would pelt them with rotten food tinues to discusses the effect oral per­ academic way, or you can just and whatever pigshit was lying formance can bring to the written have an ear for the rhythm of around on the ground. Poets have word. Lincoln sets his cigarette in an everyday speech. not had enough shit thrown at them ashtray and leans forward. “Being honest...and...I don’t from real folks for a long time. “I heard a recording of Sylvia know, that’s a tough one,” he says, “At the poetry slam, man, peo­ Plath doing “Daddy,” and I’d read shaking his head, brow furrowed. ple sit around and drink beer, and that poem before, but when I lis­ Cole’s standards are more they smoke cigarettes and they shout tened to her do it I was like WOW,” conceptual. obscene epithets about your mother he says, eyes bulging and mouth gap­ “What makes a poet a poet is a if they like your stujf ing as he recalls the experience. “Her compulsory need to write and to The clock reads 9:00, yet the voice lends it a flavor that no one explain yourself in certain situa­ open mic still hasn’t begun. else can.” tions,” he says, in a quietly assertive Organizer and emcee Jack D.R. Cole, another regular Slam tone. “I don’t think poets know any Gould has delayed the show, hoping performer and author of some 600 more than anyone else, they’re just more people will show up. Gould stops mostly romantic poems agrees that impassioned and that makes them by Lincoln’s table to let him know the spoken word can communicate write it down.” things will be kicking off soon. Just feeling where ink on paper can’t. then, Gould and Lincoln are spotted “I like to think that I’m under­ Standing outside of the VA, by a fellow local spoken word artist. stood when I’m read, but I’ve been Castle sucks one last drag from his “You didn’t even say good-bye to read by people who ask me later what cigarette and tosses the butt into a me, you rude motherfucker,” hollers it means,” Cole admits. “I know, ver­ nearby ashtray. the short, obnoxious guy in a bally, I can get that across. There’s a He’s silent for a few moments as pseudo-comical manner and Lincoln performance element involved he searches for a phrase to describe seems taken aback. with it. the simplistic yet powerful quality “Oh, at the Grand Slam?” he “With my own personal stuff I unique to spoken word. clarifies, then attempts to excuse have to betray the passion, desire, the “It’s like a musical performance himself “I was so fuckin’ weird. No, wanting — that has to come out in without the music,” he says. “Instead I got really strange man. I memorized my material or it’s flat.” of writing lyrics and running around my shit for four days, drank coffee As the forum for spoken word to bands going, ‘Can I be your and smoked cigarettes...” performance expands, isn’t it singer?’, with spoken word, you don’t Short Obnoxious Guy inter­ inevitable that weak-talent wannabes need a band. You can just write your rupts Lincoln, “No,” he challenges, will begin to flood the medium? lyrics, and go out and perform them. “not at the Grand Slam, at the one With such an interpretable art “It’s so simple,” he concludes. following that.” form, how can one judge what is “All it takes is a voice.” m

slacks, D.R. Cole delivered placating lines like a true lover’s comparisons of his likeness to that of Walt Whitman or poet. He stood motionless behind the microphone, reciting Jerry Garcia had already been covered. Lincoln’s sharp, live­ his rhyme and romance in a low, breathy voice. Call it a ly sense of humor was the foundation for the lighter poems tough room, but folks were getting anxious during Cole’s he started the crowd off with. “Oh Oh, Seventeen Hours” last two poems. He might have exceeded the time limit, but is Lincoln’s verbal recreation of the perceptions of a dog. it’s more likely he exceeded the polite cynic’s tolerance for The poem’s rhythm is set to the excitement of a small, tur­ sappy love poems. bocharged canine who understands, among other things, Melody Jordan brought her demons with her to the that his master can’t pet him all the time. microphone. She dove into a tormented character to deliv­ Lincoln’s “American Dream” was a sort of parody- er her words, looking as though she was riding the edge of turned-freedom- story based on a 4 a.m. episode of Cops in schizophrenia. which a large family of illegal immigrants packed into a van Self-consciousness and insecurity were the central are challenged at the border. Lincoln’s piece ends in solace theme for a poem Jordan began by casting an obsessed stare with the California State Patrol coming up short of facili­ into the crowd and repeatedly chirping, “Like me?!” She ties to arrest the entire family, hence their passage to freedom. noted ominously in one line that she is not the first poet in Reading poetry out loud to an audience isn’t some­ her family, as though she were alluding to some higher thing everyone can do without becoming dizzy and throw­ order of things. ing up on their shdes. These poets were able to take home As Patrick Lincoln stepped into the orange light that some money and a feeling of being appreciated after a night flooded the stage, he announced to the audience that any of reading poems. i/

18 KLIPSUN Necessary free beer and open minds welcome local performers to the JBeech House Pub’s open mic night

BY TEREMY STILES

T he Northwest is teeming with musical talent. From Jimi Hendrix to The Presidents of the United States of America, the area has spawned some of the most well-known acts in the music business. But for every musician who headlines Lollapalooza or plays “MTV: Unplugged” and gets paid tens of thousands of dollars for one show, hundreds are happy to per­ form for free beer and the simple joy of playing music. ■ Undiscovered talent comes to life in 11 the corner bars and cafes of restless cities and sleepy towns. Anything can happen on an open mic night. On Tuesday nights at The Beech House Pub on Magnolia Avenue, sharing the musician within is as simple as finding the organizer of the pubs weekly open mic, Marcia Guderian. “Sign up; do what you want. Anyone can come sign up to play,” Guderian says. “1 bring the PA. I set it up and play the first set. I make em sound good; I make em feel good. I get em free beer and talk them into coming again next week.” Far from New Yorks Carnegie Hall or the arena- rock shows in Seattle and 'lacorna, people fill the seats along the bar and at the tables in this little tavern sandwiched between The Newstand International and Cellophane Square. As the music and the din of conversation fills the room, guitar-wielding locals trickle into the bar, make their way Open toward Guderian and add their names to the list. '0i mic “Its a bread-and-butter thing if you’re a musician. It helps host pay the bills and its fun. I meet a lot of people; I meet new musi­ Marcia cians constantly. Its great,” Guderian said. 1^8 Guderian Guderian has hosted The Beech Houses Open Mic Night belts it out Klipsun/Jeremy Stiles

SEPTEMBER 1996 I9 for seven years. A former visual artist who hails from "Bruce asked us to join him one time, and we picked Portland, she made her Bellingham debut at Jimbos — up everybody we needed,” he recalled. "We got our start now The Grandstand — in Songwriters Showcase. here, and all of a sudden it blossomed. They finally let us Guderian said she got burned our on playing there, have our own night, ^pSs and thats when she started Bellingham’s longest-running "Marcia — she’s awesome. She makes it all possible. existing open mic. Everybody can get on. It’s pretty neat.” "Its still going strong, as you can tell,"’ she said with a As Wicklund walks back inside, Shaw and Guderian grin as people milled around waiting for stage time. "You join another musician in a rendition of "Ventura Highway.” never know what s gonna happen.” The list of people who want to perform is often "Open mics make a music scene,” Scott Browning, a long, so Open Mic Night becomes an opportunity for 24-year-old guitarist from Bellingham, said. “They’re prov­ experienced acts to check out new talent. ing grounds. Refined musicians go to perfect their acts. As open-mic regulars gain exposure, spend more time "There’s a wide range of skilled and novice musicians,” playing their own gigs and spend less time at open-mics, a Browning said, new crowd takes the stage. Browning estimated the scene A variety of musical styles can also be heard by sam­ changes every six months. pling this city’s open-mic nights. The musicians at The “Not too many people stay year after year,” he Beech House play electric and acoustic music — more explained. "That’s part of what keeps it interesting. acoustic acts usually show up than bands that choose to "Another thing about open mics: you can get drunk without shame,” Browning says between swigs of The styles range from low-down blues and roots rock Rainier Dark. to airy pop and As the other folk music. musicians take Browning, k their turns and a with his light empty pitchers red hair pulled • Open mics fhake a music accumulate back in a at his table. ponytail and a scene. They re proving grounds. Browning guitar in his swells with left hand, Refined musicians go to perfect courage in signs up to anticipation of their acts. ^ his stage call. accompany a >■■=•1 blues singer. "I’m gonna He then sits '4iSlf;;,.ji. -Scott Browning have fun, down with he said, "I’m some friends 6-foot-5, and a pitcher 200 pounds and of beer. a former U.S. Heavyweight Tae Kwon Do champion. Browning, who graduated from Western in 1994 with Nobody gives me shit,” the tall, usually soft-spoken gui­ a bachelors degree in history, is a regular at Bellingham’s tarist says with a benign chuckle. open mics. Meanwhile, a bearded man in a white t-shirt strums On Monday nights Browning plays at The Royal vigorously on a guitar as he sings Tom Petty’s "Free Failin’”. Room, on Tuesdays he plays at The Beech House and on "You guys gotta help me out,” J,T Thorsen says as he Thursdays he plays at Pogos Pub and Grubs open-mic approaches the chorus. blues jam. A few brave souls answer his call before the songs end. "I do em all,” he said. After Thorsen sings "Free Failin’,” he launches into "T Usually, open-mic night is a time to see old friends and for Texas.” The refrain, simple as it is, reveals a place and a make new ones. person that are dear to him. "Bruce, the mandolin player, is a friend of mine,” Give me a T for Texas/Give me a T for Tennessee/Give Browning says as he looks toward the stage, where Bruce me a T for Thelma/Give me a T for Texas/You made a fool Shaw plucks a mandolin and Ryan Wicklund strums his outta me. guitar and smgs a cowboy song. "My mom’s name is Thelma. I love Texas; I love my "I hadn’t been down for a long time; since October,” mom,” he explained after his set. Shaw says after his set, "This is a great thing to have. It’s a "It’s good to see Bruce here. We don’t get to jam that great way for people like us to play; a great way to let music much,” he says, nodding toward Shaw. be in the city without it being a big deal,” Shaw and Guderian join Thorsen onstage. Shaw and Wicklund formed Blue Honey, a local band "This song’s called "Pure and Simple,”’ Thorsen says, "I known for playing Bob Dylan and Grateful Dead covers, at want you to pay attention, because that’s the way life a Beech House open-mic session. should be. On the sidewalk in front of the bar, Wicklund "This is what it’s all about — after hours — friends, explained Blue Honey’s beginnings. music and pickin’ my 12-string,” he declares, Q

20 KLIPSUN Afto-Cuban percussion in the hands of a natural BRIAN OLSON BY Fairhaven College, to see a Dead show. Accompanying Matt on the trip were Taylor, two other friends, and what would The first time I ever stroked a drum head was the spring later become Matt’s favorite companion, Taylor’s set of bon­ of 1995, and Matt McCarter was by my side smiling. gos. During the whole ride down, Matt’s mind was antsy Unfortunately, the rest of my Dance and World Cultures with anticipation of what was in store for him at the show. classmates were holding their sides, rolling on the hardwood The bongos sat neglected and unused, but only for the time dance floor in fits from being. After arriving my lack of rhythm. Matt \You dont know where these people are from in Oakland, Matt was visiting our class to was overwhelmed teach us about Afro- or what they’re about, but you’re all together by the atmosphere Cuban percussion, and I making this music and the people dancing are surrounding the had agreed to accompany Dead scene. him on the congas for a “At the show simple beat display. I was having a great time ...It was pretty powerful. / a lot of people were on the brink of visiting — Matt McCarter on a Dead show drum circle playing (drums) embarrassment after real­ together in groups izing, a little too late, that this was not so simple. “Hey,” Matt and circles, having a lot of fun and there was a lot of danc­ said with a sly tone, interrupting the class’ chuckles, “Who ing and it really caught my attention right away. From far else wants to try this?” Of course, there was a taker, and of away I could hear it and I just walked right to it and stayed course, she had rhythm, but in the short silence that followed where the drumming was for a lot of the night,” Matt recol­ Matt’s question, 1 not only gained more self-confidence, I lects, his brown eyes shining like polished Milk Duds. “I also gained a new interest — playing percussion. This inter­ thought it was a lot of fun to play in this big group of peo­ est is still with me today and to Matt I ple, people I didn’t even know, but you get smiles from am grateful Matt, on the other hand, is grateful for the them, and everybody was having a good time. You don’t Grateful Dead. know where these people are from or what they’re about but you’re all together making this music and the people danc­ The Beat Begins- ing are having a great time, and there’s a lot of mutual ener­ gy going back and forth between the dancers and the drum­ In 1991, at the urging of his friend Taylor, Matt traveled mers. It was pretty powerful.” down to Oakland from Bellingham, where he was attending On the way back from Oakland the powers that be took SEPTEMBER 1996 21 over. The car Matt was riding in mysteriously broke The workshop was sponsored by John Butorac, a down, leaving the four road-weary travelers stranded in an friend Matt had made through their mutual love of per­ unknown conservative northern California town. With cussion music. Matt jumped at the chance and he attend­ time on their hands while their car was being worked on, ed the workshop with an open mind waiting to be filled. Matt and Taylor put their hands to work on the bongos. “It was really different than what I was used to, because at All day long they hung out in a park, revisiting the previ­ a Grateful Dead concert everybody was drumming to ous day of drumming. “We explored a lot of different have fun and there was nothing you could really do ideas, and a lot of different things that came across to me wrong, but ...... playing the night before. That was fun, it was kind of the this was a day after retrospect,” Matt says, slipping back to his per­ specific cussion beginnings. style this Basically, this experience was the beginning of Matt’s guy was interest in playing music. Before tapping on the bongos. teaching. I Matt had only taken a few piano lessons as a kid. “The wasn’t used only thing I played was my stereo,” Matt joked, a wide smile spreading across his ► 1 half-shaven face. When Matt returned to Bellingham, playing percussion suddenly found itself high on his list of priorities. After finishing schoolwork. Matt and Taylor would wait for darkness and head out to drum on the steps of Old Main. “It sounded neat, because it echoed since there’s a lit­ tle cave,” Matt says, try­ ing to hide a grin, that hinted there was more to this story. “A lot of times we would wake angry people trying to get some sleep,” he added, exposing the reason for the expression. Eventually Matt bought his own drum, an African style Ashiko, from a local drum maker. With his newly purchased pal. Matt would roam around beating the drum to his own beat. “I’d walk around at night on cam­ pus with the drum strapped over my shoulder and play to It at things, play to the rhythm of my walking and play first, but it in the triangle outside Arntzen, listening to the intrigued different echo sounds.” me and the Matt’s interest in percussion had quickly become a challenge part of his everyday life, but something was intrigued missing—other people. An interest in drumming can take me, and I you only so far, people push your percussion skill on fur­ wanted to learn more and expand,” Matt says. ther. “I felt like I was doing neat stuff,” Matt says “but by Matt kept on taking lessons from Rodriguez, devel­ myself I could only go so far.” As Matt’s luck would have oping his skill at an incredibly rapid pace. He joined a it, that person was soon found—on a flyer. group of twelve people who had been taking lessons with Arturo Rodriguez, an Afro-Cuban percussionist, was Rodriguez every Sunday for about a year. Matt learned all coming to Bellingham to give a free drumming workshop. they had learned in a couple of weeks. 22 KLIPSUN These were not easy lessons, either. Rodriguez is The Afro-Cuban percussive tradition is a combina­ very serious about training career percussionists. He’s tion of mostly African percussive tradition and Spanish known for his intense and pressure-filled style of teach­ influence from Cuba. During the 17th century the slave ing. “It wasn’t ‘I’ll set my plant on my drum for the trade brought over a lot of percussive traditions from the week, but on Sundays I’ll take my plant off and go to Yoruba peoples of Nigeria. The many groups of Yorubas lessons’,” Matt says. Where some lessons move along at had different traditions, and all of them blended togeth­ a slow pace, Rodriguez expected quick learning and a er with the slave trade. Along with the Spanish influ­ quicker ence, these made up Afro-Cuban music. memory. “At the beginning it is hard because you’ve got to Matt fit learn how to do it. There are patterns and concepts of in well. melody, measure and clave. There are a lot of concepts “ M y you’ve got to take in, but it is though that formality that interest makes the level for improvisation even higher,” says just grew Matt. “So, once I got the tools I needed to work within the framework of this Afro-Cuban music the door just opened wide. All of a sudden, when you learn certain aspects of it, it is limitless.” The limitations Matt had run into in developing his interest in percussion began to fall as he extended his knowl­ edge, becoming more involved with percus­ sion in Bellingham. After noticing his tal­ ent during workshops with Rodriguez, Matt was asked to fill in a newly vacated spot for a group called Bellingham Rhythm and Dance Ensemble. Matt stayed on after this group disbanded. He and John and a group of friends began to form a nucleus cen­ tering around the rich Afro-Cuban tradition. This group would study together, talking about certain parts of rhythms, investigating styles, reading books and grew and listening to music. They would meet once or twice with this a week to talk about what they had discovered. It was in more this manner that the group Akimbo began to form. formal Drums are beautiful instruments to behold, and study, beauty does have a price. As all students know, engaging because in extensive research on a subject is very time consum­ ■wwwwMwwiiiMiiiB 1.1 II ii■i■■■l■i■■»■■ll■ll it’s a con­ ing. With a subject requiring hands-on practice, such as trast with drumming you might hear at the park, where percussion, it can become very cash consuming as well. people get together with their kitchen pots and anything Matt and the members of the group found a way to you can think of,” says Matt. dodge this downside to drumming - they built the “That’s great because that’s the way I got into the drums themselves. Matt says Lui Ladere, a member of music, but it was really refreshing to find a more Akimbo, is a great woodsman and carpenter. Ladere formal structure.” came up with an idea of how to make bata drums, a SEPTEMBER 1996 23 familial style drum central to kind of play it our own way. ety, and how it plays a signif­ past and asked him for Afro-Cuban music, and the Although, we are trying to icant role in any event in lessons, but he had always group built them together as emanate the style, obviously, life—birth, marriage, death, concentrated on his own a team. The final product it is a little bent or askew. It’s suppertime. The events of the playing and studying. turned out beautiful, and very appropriate.” day are expressed through But as he looked around, cost effective, and to this day music, and a lot of the times he noticed there really wasn’t the group Akimbo still uses The Beat Crosses Barriers that’s drumming. I thought it that much out there for peo­ them for performance. was a healthy way to look at ple interested in beginning to Through the process of mak­ During the summer of life and a great way for people play. People who mirrored ing their own drums the 1994, three years after his to come together and express his past position. group became much tighter, original beginnings. Matt was themselves. To see some of “I wasn’t quite sure I was and the roles fell into them­ able to stretch the limits of these people who are up to it, but as I explore more selves. Through his ability his knowledge of the Afro- literally the carriers of of the percussive scene in and knowledge Matt settled Cuban tradition by attending the flame in Cuba, to Bellingham I realized that into the lead drum position, the Afro-Cubanismal festival work with these people not much was happening. and began to take the leader­ in Banff, Alberta. In Banff, he and see how they taught There weren’t that many ship role. was exposed to premier play­ and treated their music, people that knew that “I learned all the drum ers from Cuba, who had was very inspiring. It got me much about traditional per­ parts at once because nobody come to the festival to study thinking about teaching.” cussion. So, I figured, ‘OK else knew them. I learned and teach. The experience of After returning from the I’ll start teaching.’” them all and then taught playing with these people had festival Matt began to incor­ Matt had been develop­ everybody the parts, and then a great effect on Matt, but porate teaching percussion ing his major through played the lead part,” Matt watching them teach was into his Fairhaven College Fairhaven College around said, his brown curls bounc­ even more tremendous. curriculum. He conducted many different aspects of ing on top of his head as his teaching. His hands swat at imaginary favorite areas of drums in the air. study included “It took a lot of manage­ alternative educa­ ment skills, and communica­ tion, conflict medi­ tion skills, as far as teaching, ation and experien­ because when your dealing tial education, or with friends you need to keep hands-on learning. that friendly rapport. And All of these interests when your not dealing with applied directly to your own music it is really his teaching, and hard to do. There were defi­ Matt tried to form a nitely some stressful times, style that fused the and it was questionable formality of his first whether or not everybody teacher with his would stick to with it.” own charisma. The group did stick Drawing from his together, forming a unity own experience. through their interpretation Matt wanted to of the Afro-Cuban music. show how percus­ With everyone’s skills devel­ sion can initiate oping, giving the players a communication and strong cohesion, the main cooperation. These problem that arose was decid­ aspects had been a ing on a name. “We later had big challenge for much turmoil over the name “What caught my inter­ independent study work­ Matt in his own playing, but of the group,” Matt says, est was the way the Cubans shops, and worked with his biggest challenge was laughing at this problem taught, the way they looked gradeschoolers from Custer yet to come. compared to their initial dif­ at the music, the way they Elementary School in In the summer of 1995, ficulties. “It ended up being taught themselves and the Ferndale. During his work­ only four years since his Akimbo, because Akimbo way they treated the music,” shops with the younger kids hands first slapped a drum. might sound like it is an eth­ Matt says. “I thought a lot Matt tried to show ways they Matt lived out an Afro- nic word but it’s English and about how Western ideas of could relate to each other Cuban percussionist’s dream. it means bent or askew. And teaching and music are much musically, and instill ideas of He traveled to Havana, Cuba since we’re not Cuban, it’s more drastic than Cuban. I support within them. to study with master players. kind of our take on the read a lot about the music At first Matt was hesi­ Through the Caribbean music. We can’t play it exact­ and how it is taught, and how tant about teaching. People Music and Dance Program, ly like anybody else, but we it is treated within the soci­ had approached him in the out of San Francisco, Matt

24 KLIPSUN was able to secure a spot at getting used to Cuba he had sion tradition. Matt was torn Arturo came up here and the National School of the to come home. However, about the move, finding it planted a seed and it's grown Arts in Havana. To put this returning was not a let down difficult to balance the strong a lot, and by the same token experience into perspective, for Matt, because now he was ties he has to people and his seed in me I planted in imagine a Political Science able to take firsthand experi­ percussion around town my students. major traveling to the ence and relate it to his play­ with the excitement of a “So, it would be great to White House. ing with AJcimbo. “I identi­ new adventure. see two years from now, when Matt studied through fied for myself what musi­ 'Tve done a lot of work I come back up, there's a the program for three weeks, cianship is when I went to helping people out here, and group of students that my and then was housed for an Cuba,” says Matt. teaching them what I know, students have been teaching. extra week by the family of Matt also identified which is limited in So, hopefully it will just friend he had met. It was more with the people and the Bellingham, but now I'm mushroom from there." with this friend that Matt got street corner players, than going to go to Seattle and Matt's own interest in a real taste of Cuban life. “It solely with his teachers. He expand on my knowledge percussion mushroomed was really depressing there,” realized that people place too and get taught and be the from his first Grateful Dead Matt says, his eyes reflecting much importance on teach­ student as well," says Matt. experience, and grew and his serious tone, “because ers, and dodge their own "It's (Bellingham) not a grew to leave a strong mark they don’t have hardly any­ responsibility in developing hotbed for percussion, but on Bellingham and the peo­ thing. But by virtue of what their skills. “People think it's grown a lot since I've ple who crossed his path. little they have, when they they need to get lessons, but been interested in it, and "When I'm gone there decide to play it’s just phe­ break it down and learn how that's been good to see. You will still be the core people nomenal, because the best you can make the drum don't* know something is in Akimbo, and various thing about life in Cuba is sound different by yourself there until you turn over the people around town the music and that’s a given You don’t need a teacher to rock and look at it. So, before and up at Western that and everybody knows it and get your foot in the door, you I was into percussion I was know and have an idea has accepted it.” can do it by yourself, but oblivious to it, I didn't about the structure of The Cuban music has people don’t have enough even pay attention to the music, but it is going to many different forms to trust in themselves.” advises it. You don't know until take someone to say, 'hey express ideas of sexuality, reli­ Matt. “A big attitude is you become involved." we're getting together, and gion, social strife and other that people expect a Matt's involvement in this is how we're doing it.'” problems its people teacher to make them good, the Bellingham percussion I don't know if anyone is encounter. As an outsider in a but nobody can make scene has touched many going to rise to that occasion new environment. Matt did­ you good but yourself” people, from the author real soon, and that's n’t encounter any hostility, Matt should know this if to the local group Bongo okay because I've seen it only love. anyone should. In a five-year Booya, who at one time go in phases. The bottom “People were really excit­ span, he had gone from no were his students. line is that you gotta' ed and wanted to talk to me,” knowledge of percussion to "A really satisfying thing have people, you can't Matt says. “I was invited to teaching and directing to see is this group Bongo do it by yourself, you drum quite a bit, and I ensemble. Akimbo practiced Booya playing, because gotta' have people." played about half the time, enough and grew so well because some of the time I together that they were soon would much rather watch performing for audiences. and learn.” The ensemble has played On his first day at the locally a number of times, school Matt thought he had including performances for found the perfect person to classes at Western, the Beech learn from. A group was giv­ House Pub, Boundary Bay ing the students a perfor­ Brewing Company and Earth mance and Matt immediately Day festivals held in picked out his teacher. “The Fairhaven. This past April, lead player was this phenom­ they traveled to Seattle to be enal guy and I thought, that’s one of the groups featured in the guy. That’s the guy I want the World Rhythm Festival. to learn from,’ and then later that afternoon we saw anoth­ The Beat Progresses er performance and I went, no, no, no, that’s the guy,’ Matt enjoyed the per­ because although they’re playing cussion scene in Seattle so the same style, there is so much much he recently moved room for your own feeling.” there. This move means As is the case for most Bellingham will be missing a travelers, just when Matt was strong leader in the percus­

SEPTEMBER 1996 25 JENNIFER HAYES “Instructors will “I’ve always wanted to Nigren readily recalls his notice the response of aviate. I’d been in gliders and greatest fulfillment in flying ne imagines an indi­ (trainees). They won’t let airplanes, but I didn’t like so far. “I got to cloudbase vidual who chal­ someone solo until (a trainee) having to use a motor—too and above cloudbase. It lenges the elements shows presence and the expensive and not much free­ had 3-D dimension. The Oand defies gravity. Physically,right skills.” dom. Hang gliding is very cloud was solid. That was only thin fabric stretched But Nigren knew he had accessible. I can be out of really something.” across aluminum and stain­ the presence to fly as soon as work at two and flying Cloudbase is a hang glid­ less steel bones of a glider he strapped on the hang at three.” ing term for the bottom por­ keeps a pilot from plunging glider harness. So, how is flying a hang tion of cloud cover. to the ground. Mentally, only After two days of train­ glider different from flying an Nigren tries to fly as attitude, experience and ing on the training hill, he airplane? What drives a hang many times in a week as the “presence” keeps a pilot aloft. took his first solo flight as a gliding pilot to fly? Is it the weather will allow. He says Ifs a sport one imagines hang glider pilot. Nigren’s adrenaline surge one gets every flight is different, even adventure-seekers and adren­ when he launches from aline-junkies indulging in. Ifs the same spot several times a sport in which one imagines in a day. madness to be a prerequisite Pilots look for “thermals” for participation. (How else and “ridge lift” to get as high would you explain why some­ in the air as they can for as one would jump off thick, long as they can. That, after solid earth into thin air?) But all, is every pilot’s goal, indi­ is it really only a sport for cates Nigren. the fearless? Created by changes in Hang gliding is definite­ the landscape such as freshly ly not for everyone, says Pete tilled soil, clearcuts and other Nigren, a hang glider pilot natural changes, thermals are with four years experience, heated columns of air that but it is more peaceful, and rise from the ground and drift less physical, than many with the prevailing wind. As might imagine. they rise, thermals cool and “Ifs flying without the A hang glider pilot finishes assembly before a flight at Blanchard Hill. form cumulous clouds. anxiety and the fear,” says As pilots fly, they look Nigren, 39, landscaper and experience is unusual. Most from flying 1,000 feet or for the clouds that will help former owner of Washington hang gliding training takes at more above the earth or is it them find the thermals. Windsports, a sailboarding least two months. This something else? Nigren says In some places, pilots can shop he ran for 16 years. “Ifs includes tandem flights and the experience goes beyond an find thermals that push much mellower and easier lessons on the training hill. adrenaline rush. “It’s more of them upwards at 1,000 feet than windsurfing,” he says. On tandem flights, trainees an element of peacefulness.” per minute. However, Nigren explains are accompanied by a trained Watching a hang gliding The strength of a ther­ why some people shouldn’t instructor. The training hill pilot, one would say it’s the mal is determined by temper­ hang glide. “Some people is used to train future pilots. challenge of harnessing the ature differences between the don’t have presence. They ground and the freezing level don’t have the ability to be You only get one approach in hang The difference is called the here now and keep from gliding. Launching and landing are the lapse rate. A higher lapse rate being distracted.” Presence, means powerful thermals. Nigren notes, is the ability to Pilots also use ridge lift ^ost critical because of the obstructions. / focus on what’s going on Pete as another type of wind to at all times around a pilot — Ten help them fly. Wind blows watching weather conditions against a hill and is deflected and anticipating obstacles. while their feet are still on the wind and defeating the pull upwards. The wind pushes Presence is critical for avoid­ ground, to catch the wind of gravity in order to reach the glider up. Most ridge lift ing mistakes. with the gliders. the clouds. winds are “predictable,” IPSUN Nigren says. A hill is needed After checking the sky­ Fieser says hang gliding looked an eagle straight in to create ridge lift conditions, line for cumulous clouds, gives a pilot a feeling of free­ the eye.” but thermals are stronger. Fieser decides to go hang dom. The pilot can forget But, Fieser explains that Thermals challenge pilots: gliding from Blanchard Hill, about the world below. although hang gliding is rela­ they can take a glider a 1,300 foot cliff that over­ “Once you’re in the air, tively safe, hang gliding isn’t higher and move it a greater looks the tide flats of everything else goes away,” for everybody. People who distance than ridge lift Bellingham Bay. Fieser says. are fearful, overactive, or because thermals change with Nigren says pilots enjoy Fieser does a preflight unfocused shouldn’t be hang prevailing winds. flying at Blanchard because check—he walks around the gliding, Fieser says. But, for “Sink,” or falling air, also they can experience a variety glider and checks the equip­ those who want to fly and are challenges the expertise of a of wind conditions in a day. ment—and then gets into his a little fearful of flying with­ pilot. Sink exists along with Fieser, 30, wearing a tee- harness, which is attached to out a motor, Fieser notes that rising air and can unexpected­ shirt and torn jeans, unfurls the inside of the glider, and hang gliding is one of the ly catch even the most experi­ the “sail” of his yellow dayglo does a “hang check” (this pro­ safest forms of flying. enced pilot unaware. glider from its bundle. He cedure checks that the har­ Fieser explains that a When pilots get caught puts the battens into the ness is attached to the glider Cessna airplane weighs one in sinking air, they can small sleeves sewn into the and that the flight harness ton. If the engine stops, the descend at a rate of 200 feet sail, which tightens the fabric lines are properly connected). plane will fall like a stone to per min., which can end a on the glider’s frame. Other After the safety checks, he the ground. People rarely sur­ flight shortly after vive a plane crash. But, take-off. But sink is if a hang glider ■i,, < valuable to a pilot: It breaks (an unlikely helps a pilot find ris­ occurrence, notes ing air. Pilots sink fi Fieser), a pilot can and rise constantly deploy the parachute during a flight. attatched to the har­ Changing wind ness and land safely. conditions in the lii “The survival rate for a air do not concern hang glider pilot experienced pilots Mfrif*- ' SBSBmEsSNk': is extremely high,” such as Nigren says Fieser. as much as launch­ Many people ing and landing remember the early the glider. days of hang gliding “You only get when gliders were C one approach (for a unsafe and think landing) in hang ■Ii L hang gliding is still gliding,” Nigren as dangerous, says says. “Launching Fieser. But glider tech­ Pilots conduct an equipment test before take off. and landing are the nology has advanced. most critical because of the pilots—some who have many carries the 50-pound glider to “You can hook one ton obstructions.” More acci­ years of flying experience and the launch area. He watches to a hang glider and it won’t dents happen because some who have taken only a the tree tops, trying to “read” break,” says Fieser. of pilot error on launching few flights—quickly set up the wind that will give him Fieser agrees with Nigren and landing. their gliders on the old log­ the best flying conditions. that pilot error is the “They don’t exercise ging road along the cliff. The next moment, he most dangerous aspect of good judgement,” he says. Hurriedly, Fieser assembles runs as fast as he can down flying. Panic is a pilot’s Accidents can be avoided if his aircraft, hoping to get the the cliff face and down greatest enemy. pilots know their own limita­ glider together before the the wooden deck extended “Ninety-nine percent of tions. A good pilot knows wind dies or picks up speed. from the cliff, which was flying is aviation (skill) and when to avoid flying as well as Fieser knows conditions built to add distance one percent is sheer terror, when to fly. can change quickly. One to increase running speed Fieser notes. The key to suc­ “When I didn’t feel right minute, a pilot can have per­ for take-off. The glider cessful flying is learning not (at a site), I took my glider fect soaring weather: condi­ and Fieser effortlessly enter to panic, which comes with apart and went home. It’s tions in which a pilot can fly, the air. experience, says Fieser. important to learn your limi­ and increase altitude, for an Later, Fieser explains The only way to gain tations and know your capa­ extended period of time. The that hang gliding is not so experience is to fly often, bilities,” Nigren says. next minute, a pilot can have much an adrenaline sport as a about four or five times a James Fieser, a hang glid­ a “sled ride” in which a pilot way to experience nature month, indicates Fieser. ing instructor and pilot for doesn’t have enough wind to from above. “The most important eight years, loves to fly. “I’m soar and can only fly directly “I’ve been so close to an thing is to be relaxed terminal. I have the disease. from the launch site to the eagle in the air I’ve heard the and do what you know,” It’s very addicting.” landing site. wind in its feathers. I’ve Fieser says

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