Daily Sitka Sentinel du lieu suivant : Sitka, Alaska • Page 7

Terminal Cancer Fails To Silence Radio Host Daily Sitka Sentinel, Sitka, Alaska, Wednesday, February 24,1993, Page 7 Peninsula Clarion An AP Member Exchange KENAI (AP) Ty Clark has never been one to hold back his feelings not even now, as he faces terminal illness. Clark, a much-heard voice on radio station.KSRM's "Sound Off' show for about two decades, was recently diagnosed with liver cancer. "I wasn't surprised, really," he said in a recent interview at his Soldotna apartment. "You can tell when you're sick." Despite his weakening condition, Clark hosted the station's annual sled dog championship races last weekend from.his car, where he was shielded from the cold. While doctors aren't sure exactly what, sparked the liver cancer, the 65-year-old Clark, who admits his love for a few "toddies" and cigarettes, believes it was smoking.

The cancer has since spread to other a lung, gallbladder, kidney and abdomen. He said his doctors told him that a few drinks and cigarettes won't hurt him now, so he enjoys his vices. The cancer is inoperable and Clark said decided not' to pursue chemotherapy. "If you've only got a certain time to live, why shorten that?" he said. "Right -now, all they are doing is keeping me out of pain.

Even the end will be painless." While some people diagnosed with a terminal illness may want to travel during their last days, Clark is staying put. He said he loves the radio business and his job as "Sound Off host and he wants to continue that as long as possible. "I've decided to stay right here until the end where my friends are," he said-. "I just want to do the things that has always done just be I still have my voice and my voice has been my bread and butter all these years." Clark voice has carried him through a memorable career that paired him with politicians and entertainers. In the early 1950s, after returning from the Korean War, Clark was sports editor of a newspaper in Longview, Wash.

He was sitting in the newsroom when Robert Atwood, publisher of The Anchorage Times, walked in for a tour. A week later, Clark wrote Atwood and was soon hired as a reporter for $100 a week, almost double what he had been making. He stayed at the Times until 1953, when he went to KENI radio. He stayed with that station until 1967 and was instrumental in pioneering television talk shows. Career highlights include conversations with presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon, comedian Bob Hope and a 45-minute chat with Elizabeth Taylor in the back of Anchorage's Fourth Avenue Theater.

"There just oodles of people," Clark said. In 1969, Clark moved south to the Kenai Peninsula and KSRM. He describes his show "Sound Off as an institution and "a big gossip show." He said it is the people who call in that make the show such a success. "It's the people themselves. It's a chance for them to express their feelings about things going on in their community.

Everybody's fair game on 'Sound Off," he said. Clark has been accused of editorializing on the show and he lives up to those accusations. "It's show business. It's entertainment. I've elected to be very vocal about my opinions," he said, adding that sometimes he will disagree with a caller just to keep the ball roiling.

The show has a public service purpose, he said, and Clark is happy to be a part of it. The show's popularity is gratifying. "It's a tool to get things fixed to get things right," he said. Denali Park Officials Push Plan to House Summer Help FAIRBANKS (AP) Summertime encampments of seasonal workers near the borders of Denali National Park would be banned under a plan hatched by state and federal park authorities, 5 rf-r lTlWa park, officials said they're happy with the three-point plan, which includes promises by two of the park's largest employers to provide 7 housing for their summer staffs. ARA the park's largest employer, announced it will require employees to live in employer-provided housing or'provide proof they are living in adequate private housing elsewhere.

And the'National Park Service said it will provide a.camping site on Park Service land for shuttle bus drivers. which holds the park shuttle bus. contract, asked the service to require employee housing in future contracts. "I'm positive enough to say this was the best meeting of this type I've ever been to," said Linda Franklin, a board member of the Denali Citizens Council. "I thought it would be a bunch of agencies talking and accomplishing nothing, but it looks much better than that." For years, Denali residents have complained about the camps that summertime employees of Denali Park businesses create because they've got no place else to live.

Last year about 150 workers were scattered around the Hornet Creek and McKinley Village areas. Anna Plager of the state Department of Natural Resources said the state will ask the Legislature to grant the Department of Natural Resources trespass enforcement authority. It now takes at-least 6Q days to evict sMe property; officials said. Under the plan the Department of Natural Resources also would create "special-use areas" on the east side of the Parks Highway between the Jpnesville and Moody bridges. Those sites would be used for temporary employees.

RESULTS Meeting set The local group of RESULTS, a citizens' lobby committed to creating the political will to end world hunger, will meet 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Centennial Building. Tyrolean Traverse Workshop Slated "Crossing a River on One Rope" is the title of a free hands-on workshop covering the tyro'Iean traverse 10 a.m. Saturday at the Hames P.E. Center on the Sheldon Jackson College campus.

The practical skill is used for recreation and resue. Topless Dancers Due Back Pay FAIRBANKS (AP) The state Department of Labor has filed a lawsuit against a bar that features topless dancers, claiming it owes five former dancers more than $30,000 in back wages. The lawsuit was filed Friday in Fairbanks Superior Court on behalf of Julia A. Kemp-Robinson, Tereasa Brewer, Barbara Cagley, Teri J. Dolliver and Christina Martina, who worked at Reflections in 1990 and 1991.

According to the court documents, the club failed to pay regular hourly wages and overtime to the women. The lawsuit alleges the club has continually violated state labor laws and asked the court to order the owner to stop the practice. Reflections is owned by Lighthouse a corporation that was headed by the late Bryan West West died last year and his estate remains in probate. Bill Satterberg, attorney for Reflections, said Monday that he has not received notice of the lawsuit. "This lawsuit is part of a continuing pattern by the Department of Labor against such establishments," Satterberg said.

He accused state investigators of being "rabid" about prosecuting club owners that employ topless dancers. Satterberg said Reflections has been sued in the past by the department on the same matter, but that most of the lawsuits were settled out of court. He said the club won one case, but the verdict was overturned on appeal. Satterberg said the dancers are employed as private contractors and club owners don't consider mem employees under state labor laws. 'Spirit Warrior 9 Filming to Start ANCHORAGE (AP) The Alaska Film Office and Warner Brothers said Tuesday filming will begin in Alaska March 15 for "Spirit Warrior," an action picture starring and directed by Steven Seagal.

Seagal, best know for martial arts films such as "Marked For Death," has already begun scouting filming locations in Nome and Valdez. Film office officials say Fairbanks and Anchorage locations are also being considered. Warner Brothers officials have described the films as an "eco-themed, action adventure" about an oil worker who's rescued by a tribe of Natives. The Natives regard character as Spirit War- Heard about RAPID REFUND? Tax Relief from America's Tax Team Terrl Stefanovic 747-5678 407 HPR next to State Farm Better rates. Better service.

Better ALPS Federal Credit Union All of Sitka is eligible to join us at 1541 Sawmill Creek Rd. Machetanz Turns 85; No Plans to Slow Down By DEBRA McGHAN The Frontiersman An AP Member Exchange WASBLLA (AP) Standing before the easel, his brush loaded with paint, his hand shakes perceptibly. But as the brush moves toward the painting, the quiver becomes controlled and rhythmic. Fred Machetanz has the touch of a master as he embarks on his 85th year. Machetanz has been capturing the people, animals and landscape of Alaska in his paintings for more than five decades.

His art hangs in museums and private collections across the country and around the world. Machetanz was 11 years old, living in Ohio, when he picked up a pencil and began drawing. Today, he lives in his Palmer home of 43 years and still is busy drawing and painting. It was 1935 when Machetanz received an invitation from his uncle Charles Traeger, a trader in Unalakleet, for a free, six-week trip to Alaska. "When I came up, life was so good there I stayed for two years," Machetanz said.

During the time Machetanz lived in the tiny fishing village, he compiled a portfolio of sketches that captured the local Eskimos, sled dogs and landscape. He finally returned home intent oh getting his drawings into print. Charles Scribner's Sons published two books illustrated by Machetanz, entitled "Panuck, Eskimo Sled Dog," and 'On Arctic Ice." Several years later, after serving in the during World War II, Machetanz headed back to continue drawing and writing about Alaska. was on this trip, while in. Skagway, that Machetanz young writer from Tennessee named Sara.

She became his wife. thinks meeting Sara was pne of the best things to happen to him in his 85 years. "Darned few girls would have been Willing to put up with the hardships Sara did," he said. "She's pretty spe- The state's film office said the movie will be the 12ih shot in Alaska. Filming this summer is expected'to inject $5 million into the state's economy.

More lhan 100 Alaskans are to be hired to work on the film, the film office said. Library Gets WWH Photos JUNEAU (AP) About 700 photographs that document the World War II military campaign on.the Aleutian Islands have been donated to the state library. The photos were taken by the late Hervey Thornton, an aerial photographer for the Navy who was stationed at Dutch Harbor from 1942 to 1945. Many of the photos show bombing raids and logistical operations. But the most interesting' are of camp activities, such as social gatherings, inspections and ceremonies, said India Spartz, photographs librarian.

Thornton's son Hilary of Groton, donated the collection. "I thought they had some historical interest, so I went to a local library for help," Thornton said. He eventually was put in touch with the state library in Juneau. The collection has been catalogued and a guide has been prepared for researchers and the public, Spartz said in a recent news release. Objections to Mine Removed JUNEAU (AP) The Juneau Assembly has rejected the final appeal to the city permit that would allow reopening of Kensington gold mine.

An appeal of the permit was filed by a coalition of environmental, Native, fishing and citizens groups. The coalition says ii is considering legal action in the wake of Monday's decision. An agreement between the city and Kensington Venture, the mine's developers, requires the group to pay $400,000 a year for 10 years if mine- related population increases force ihe city to build a new school. Attorney Doug Mertz said the agreement lets Kensington Venture off top easily. He cited a clause that says if the city receives unexpected slate or federal money, the venture won't have to pay for the new school.

But the assembly rejected that argument and others raised by the mine's opponents. Despite the assembly's denial of the appeal, development of the Kensington is far off. The developers still must obtain several state and federal permits. 1950, Fred and Sara came to the Valley searching for the perfect place to settle and raise a family. With little more than a compass and plat of available government land, the two chose a spot near the current site of the Alaska State Fairgrounds, about awo miles off the Glenn Highway.

"There were no roads, so we had to in," ijhey scenic.spQt ta JMiikLtSeir which they, Ridge." was: a tiny log cabin where Fred and Sara lived for years and raised their only son, Traeger. thanks to Machetanz' success as an artist, the house has been expanded and includes a large studio with expansive windows that lets the couple enjoy the view of the mountains. In one end of the spacious room, Machetanz spends his day painting, while Sara has set up her writing desk at the opposite end. Although best known and loved for his art, Fred and Sara were familiar faces in the Valley at sporting events during the 70s, when their son attended Palmer High School. Her husband was the biggest fan around, Sara said.

"He used to run up and down the field cheering on those kids. He even got a 'No. 1 fan' jacket," she said. 'He's really proud of that jacket." Once, when he was in a big hurry to get to a game, Fred said he noticed his feet were bothering him as he ran up and down the field. "I thought something felt funny, and when I looked down, I realized I'd put my shoes on the wrong feet." It is his art that keeps Machetanz going these days.

He estimates that he has produced about 600 paintings since 1962. "That's really not very many," he said. "But the method I use takes a very long time." Each Machetanz painting starts out as a plain slab of Masonite. Each board is coated with three layers of white paint on the front and two on the back. Then the coated boards are left to age for a year.

Machetanz uses a method of transparent oil that he learned from his favorite contemporary artist, Maxfield Parrish. "It takes a lot of time," said Machetanz, "but you get a color with transparent oil that you can never duplicate with opaque. I get purer colors in my paintings." Today, Machetanz produces 10 to 12 paintings a year and says they sell for 51,200 to $20,000 each. He no longer accepts commission work. "There just isn't time." Although Machetanz was 85 on Saturday, he has no intention of putting away his brushes.

He exercises every day to keep fit and said he hopes that's the key to longevity. "The only problem I really have is a poor sense of he said. A stockpile of coated, aged boards waiting to be painted are signs the artist intends to continue his work. "When Fred turned 80 he had 80 curing," said Sara. "Now, I haven't counted lately, but he has plenty of boards to paint," Assembly Rejects Shorter Hours For Juneau Bars JUNEAU (AP) The Juneau Assembly has rejected a proposal to reduce the operating hours of bars and liquor stores.

Liquor store and bar owners objected to the proposals, and most mem: bers of the assembly found rib clear evidence that reducing the 1 'hours would save the city law-enforcement costs as Assemblyman Errol Champion had suggested. "Our problem, it appears, is what to do about the Police Department," Assemblywoman Rosalee Walker said Monday. "They need money and they need men. They don't need a gimmick." Champion said the number of alcohol-related police calls is close to a third of the total and that the alcohol industry is responsible. Juneau's bars and liquor stores are allowed to stay open from 8 a.m.

to 1 a.m. weekdays and until 3 a.m. Saturdays, Sundays and'holidays. CJiarnpi- on suggested closing bars at midnight Sunday through Thursday a.m. Saturdays and Sundays, and closing liquor stores an hour before bars.

State law allows bars and liquor stores to open at 8 a.m. and close at 5 a.m. Juneau's drinking hours were shortened in 1983. Since has been less criminal activity downtown, Police Chief Mike Gelstorrsaid. Workshops Set The University of Alaska Fairbanks Cooperative Extension Service will offer two free workshops Feb.

24-25. "Kitchen Design and Organization" will be offered from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 24 and "Stress Management" is set from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb.

25. Both workshops will be held in the Extension Service office, 1297 Seward Ave. (the former ML Edgecumbe High School administration building) and be taught by Sally Pate, Extension home enonomist frorn Juneau of the University df Alaska Cooperative Extension Service. Both workshops are free, but registration is encouraged because of limited seating. To register and for more information call the Extension Office at 747-6065.

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