The Des Moines Register from Des Moines, Iowa • Page 74

2N-W THE PES MOINES REGISTER December 24, 1986 I wn uhn nlov Wonfo LETTERS eager to renew their roles this holiday too By ANNETTE VAN CLEAVE Public concert I would like to thank The Register for being one of the supporters of the free public concert at the Kaleidoscope at the Hub downtown on Dec. 9. The Des Moines Symphony, directed by Dianne Pope, played beautifully for a crowd of adults and children. The only drawback was that there were not nearly enough seats for the hour-long concert. If this wonderful concert is repeated next year I would suggest that a larger facility be used with twice as many chairs.

John Cramer, 2703 54th Des Moines. School merger mitted to their children's futures enough to keep their kids out of school if this farce is put into effect? They must realize that forcing their kids into a poor situation will lead to poor education, even with Hoover's superb teaching staff. The Des Moines school board would be wise to listen this time around Michael S. Pryor, 25(4 Mansfield Drive, Des Moines. Pluralistic Stories that relate to race in The Register recently have been particularly prevalent.

One story reported that the primary issue in the coming mayoral election in Chicago will be NEIGHBOR OF THE WEEK As a senior at Hoover High School I was disturbed by the false impres has become all that we envisioned. Although the PAL program has consistently reflected strong community support, annually staffed with more than 50 dedicated volunteers, the program has not been without difficult moments. Fortunately, there have always been special people to help: people like Rudy Simms of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, and Colman Lane of IBM, both of whom serve as board members and coaches; City Manager Cy Carney and Assistant Police Chief Thomas Teale, who have provided outstanding leadership and managerial skills for the program. Police officers assigned to the Special Area Crime Unit have donated time and talent. Harold Austin and Jerry Jenkins of the Willkie House, along with Robert Eldridge and the staff of the Parks and Recreation Department, have offered sustaining support and encouragement to the program.

Without these people the Police Pit bulls sions of my school and our reasons for opposing the proposed Hoover-North merger. Many letters to the editor stated that Hoover's enrollment is virtually all white. The fact is that minority students compose 30 percent of it, a percentage surpassed only by North's 32.9 percent. Black students constitute 22 percent of our student population. At North they are 17 percent of the enrollment.

We are not a school of bigots and snobs LARRY STRICKLER JOSEPH HUEGEL The reasons behind our opposition to the proposed merger center more around simple school pride and unity, and the belief that a better solution does exist. Michelle Wallukait, 2S16 Boston, Des Moines. Being an alumni of Hoover (Class of 76) I am astonished that the Hoover High School parents have not progressed with the times. It appears to me that they do not want their children to attend a school with minority RMstar JIM Wrttar Joseph Huegel considers himself a rookie at the job, but Larry Strickler is definitely a "pro" at playing Santa Claus. And they both smile broadly in anticipation of putting on their red suits again this year.

Strickler, of 4325 Harwood Drive, has made the rounds as Santa Claus since he was a teen-ager. "My parents ran a restaurant, and while they were working Christmas Eve. I'd dress up and go to my classmates' homes," he said. His popularity as the jolly old man from the North Pole has grown over the years. Besides playing Santa at staff Christmas parties at two taverns he owns, Strickler delights a group of 30 mentally handicapped children every year.

The children, ages 3 to 6, attend preschool at Johnston High School, where Strickler teaches physical education and is track coach. "I like the kids a lot. I love to see the expressions on their faces. They have an automatic acceptance of me because they recognize me as Santa Claus," Strickler said. Although he has mostly fond memories of his role, Strickler remembers one potentially dangerous incident.

Dressed in his red suit and beard, Strickler left his car and began walking down the street. "A guy who was driving by got to watching me and ran into the back of another car. I try to be a little more cautious now about how I get from one place to another," he said, laughing. "Christmas is my favorite time of the year," Strickler said. "Not just because I get to play Santa Claus, but because of how people feel about each other." Joseph Huegel doesn't have a lot of experience playing Santa Claus.

In fact, his first attempt was last year. "My wife was trying to find someone to play Santa Claus for the people in the Foster Grandparent Program where she works," Huegel said. "The (and has been) race. Another story reported that the school desegregation plan in Chattanooga, has finally been accomplished after 26 years of litigation. The previous day's paper carried most of a page of letters regarding the possible merger of North and Hoover high schools with a decidedly racial undertone throughout the discussion.

Chicago is a large urban center with a large minority population and all of the concomitant difficulties that arise when large groups of people with differences live in close proximity. Chattanooga is a part of the "South" with a long history of racial "difficulties" as perceived by the rest of our country. Des Moines does not fit either of the criteria that people tend to use as a context in which they expect those kinds of issues to arise. Minorities in our country (and I expect most others) live with the specter of racism in their lives every day, so they tend not to be surprised when it crops up. On the other hand, I believe that most white folks in our state are surprised when the issue arises in a place other than where they "expect" it to be, much less in one of their own communities.

I guess that it is easy to lose track of a characteristic that seems far ones she contacted all wanted to be paid, so I told her I'd do it." Huegel, of rural Booneville, said members of his older audience were "as tickled as little kids." The Foster Grandparent Program, sponsored by United Way of Central Iowa, includes 75 to 100 senior citizens who work with problem children in the Des Moines area. The grandparents are "pretty special people," Huegel said. "It's like you've given them the world." "I was a little timid at first," Huegel said, "but now I get into acting. It's just very gratifying." Huegel, a salesman, also will get into the act for some of his clients this year. But even more exciting, he said, was the opportunity to play Santa Claus to his nieces, nephews and grandchildren.

"I may have to work on my 8-year-old nephew this year," Huegel said. "He's not sure there is a Santa. "It's a fun time of year." One th regular toaturet o) NMgriDors ttw NUgnbor of lha We, which It wrlllen bv our stiff writers, but at your bidding. If vou know somebody you Ihlnk should bo Ntlghbor of the Weak, Itt us know. Send letter Including the person's name, address and daytime telephone number, and led us why he or she Is being nominated.

Our address Is The Des Moines Regis members. This attitude is totally unrealistic and unfair to their children. When I attended Hoover, there was only a handful of minorities in attendance. I firmly believe my peers and I learned racism by not knowing many minority members and by not having the opportunity to interact with them. Ana Torjesen Carter, 4815 N.W.

Lovington, Des Moines. Five years ago another merger with North High was planned. Then I was a sophomore at Tech. In my se In regard to Des Moines' new anti-pit bull ordinance, I believe that pit bulls are not the problem, but rather, vicious dogs are. It is illogical to try to pre-emptively protect the public from only one breed of dog and not all dogs.

Although only pit bull attacks make the news, many children are severely hurt by many other types of dogs. Don't these victims deserve equal protection? Is it fair to punish the majority of responsible owners for the deeds of a few? The 1985 dog-bite statistics showed that out of 717 bites, 29 were pit bulls. Dobermans, German shepherds and mixed breeds had the highest percentage of bites. Linda Holmes, 123 Alpha, Bondurant. Special bowlers Recently a very special event took place.

Approximately 100 "Special Olympic" athletes gathered at Plaza Lanes in Des Moines for our first area bowling competition. Several area daytime leagues volunteered to keep score for the bowlers and provided cheering sections and encouragement to all who competed. The highlight of the event was that these league bowlers brought some of their own trophies so that they could be passed on to the Special Olympic athletes. Many thanks to all those people who made this event a great success. Cheryl Ana Sypniewski, area coordinator, West Central Special Olympics, 3200 34th Des Moines.

Police League It is a gratifying experience to see a program bloom into full color, producing its intended results. The Athletic League would not be the success it is today. In November, the league faced its most tenuous period. With 12 basketball teams on the courts at the Model Cities gym, the program was on the brink of financial collapse. At that point The Register and the Gannett Foundation came to the rescue, making available a $5,000 grant and pumping new life into the program.

Thanks to The Register, the vision continues. Three years ago, a vision was proposed to offer recreational activities sponsored by officers of the Des Moines Police Department for the young people of our city. Special emphasis was given to the Model Cit-iesWoodland-Willkie neighborhoods. The intent was not only to offer recreation but to foster better relations between the various minority communities of these neighborhoods, the Des Moines Police Department and the city in general. The program is everything we had hoped for.

In addition to basketball, PAL provides soccer and softball leagues and has open recreation on Friday evenings. The combined activities annually serve more than 1,000 kids. Besides providing first-rate recreational activities in a positive environment, we have seen real fellowship and friendship develop. The minority groups and the officers have an increased understanding of one another the result being that when genuine communication takes place, respect grows and we become a strong community and a better place to live. William H.

Moulder, chief of police, City of Des Moines, E. First and Court, Des Moines. ter weignoors, ra. box ill, Dei Moines, 50304. Music used foT therapy nior year I transferred to Hoover.

I know from firsthand experience that a merger with North would be detrimental to both schools. Five years ago the school board magnanimously offered to listen to our alternatives to the North-Tech merger. Our comments fell on deaf ears. The school board then went against what the people wanted, and it appears that they will do it again. Hoover and North can learn from history.

North-Tech proved that they could get along without killing each other, even if morale was the pits. The board will only listen if the students and parents of both schools show them that they mean business this time. Last time the students of Tech said, away or is seldom observed even if it is an evil that one abhors and, given the choice, would not tolerate in a community. One of the characteristics of being a majority is, most times, the power to effect change. People of all races should be aware that the local issue of how our schools are populated and districted has given us an opportunity to take a positive strep toward affirming a pluralistic community where we can set an example for those children that we are all concerned about.

The point is that we do have a choice. I would hope that we have a commitment to get involved in the process of making it. James M. Clausen, 1150 Chautauqua, Des Moines. in Mercy drug program By SARAH BARNES Police Athletic League is a perfect example of such a success.

The league has become a model of policecommunity cooperation. It "We cannot get angry or the board will not listen." It is time to get angry. Are the parents com-- REGISTER PHOTO BY CHARLES SCHLOSSER Radio station faces problems with money VA hospital feeling cuts in U.S. budget drug addiction. Nearly every addict he has seen has had some family history of drug addiction, he said.

"It's passed through family trees. That's why it crosses all ranges of people," McManus says. He said that the combinations of drugs available today make drug addiction more deadly than it has been. He said drug habits such as glue and paint sniffing are affordable and accessible. McManus said many addicts are uncomfortable in public while sober.

"I would call my mom. She would take me to the grocery store to be around people," McManus recalls. Now, McManus said, he'll have to decide whether to pursue his music or stay at Mercy. "If the music goes, it goes. I'm a counselor first.

If that is supposed to change, outside indicators will tell me," he said. McManus said he has always been surrounded by music because his brothers and friends had informal bands. He recalls watching his friends practice in their Urbandale ftvvfstw Staff Wrtttr Nearly six years ago, Pat McMan-us started playing the guitar to help himself recover from drugs. Today he's helping dozens of youths at Mercy Hospital Medical Center use music to do the same thing. McManus of 3014 44th St.

joined the hospital staff more than three years ago when Mercy began Our Primary Purpose drug treatment program. He since has formed the Pat McManus Band and says that his first record album is selling well, but his principal use of music is in therapy. McManus, 28, meets with about 15 youths from 13 to 20 years of age PHOTO: Page One every day. The meetings start with singing and then talking about what the songs mean. "We're allowed to be as creative as we want to be within reason," McManus said.

He said he started his brand of therapy when he found that patients seemed to need to let off steam on weekends after five days of drug treatment. Sharing his experience with drugs through his music has been helpful to the patients during their 60-day stay in the hospital, be says. "They love it. We don't preach anything. We give them suggestions and offer our expe 3 Continued from Page 1 vanced procedures offered at private hospitals.

He added, however, that veterans can receive some of the same services at the VA center, but may not be aware their physician is on the staff. The facility averaged 80,500 outpatient visits during fiscal 1986, which ran from October 1985 through Continued from Page 1 but usually are replaced within a year by permanent licenses. Moffitt said he didn't know why it has taken five years for the station to obtain a permanent license. Before it can be licensed, the station must correct violations found in the FCC's last inspection in October, Moffitt said. The station also owes $6,700 in fines, he said.

Moffitt said the inspection showed the station lacked emergency broadcasting system facilities, a transmitter remote control and a chief engineer. A "wandering" signal reported previously had been corrected, he said. Dave Knippel, chief engineer of WOI-FM, is working with the station to repair the remote control that caused the station to be heard on other frequencies, often WOI's. "It should be repaired by the end of January," he said. Ward said the station is repairing the remote control, which connects the station office with its transmitter located at Ninth Street and Forest garages.

"I think he's got an immense amount of ambition," said Steve Cass, a lead guitarist for the band and childhood friend of McManus. "He's showing himself that there's a better way for life. $10 fines for not using seat belts imposed Jan. 1 Motorists and passengers on Iowa highways will have to buckle up or face a $10 fine and court costs beginning Jan 1. Although the law went into effect July 1, only warning tickets are being issued.

The law states that drivers and front seat passengers of 1966 or newer vehicles must use safety belts. rience, strength and hope," McManus said. Some of his songs, such as "He's a Loner," focus on the depression associated with substance abuse, but many stress that a person can have a good time without drugs. McManus said he feels his music is especially successful with adolescents, although the success rate is hard to measure. McManus said he believes that addicts are genetically disposed to October 1986.

But Warner said this was not enough to significantly affect financing, which is based on the number of patients and kind of treatment received during a fiscal year. Warner said 1989's financing will be based on 1987's services. In addition to technological competition, Warner said, the center is battling federal budget cuts, which have forced the facility to change the way it operates. In past years, the facility was reimbursed for all services rendered to veterans during their stay, Warner said. But more recently, the facility has been reimbursed only for a certain amount of days assigned to a patient depending on treatment received.

In past years, the VA hospital established a reputation for keeping patients a long time, but that has changed, Warner said. "It behooves each facility to keep a hospital as full as you can. All VA facilities have become very cost efficient," Warner said. Avenue, as well as the emergency broadcast system, which, she said, had been struck by lightning. HAVE A BLESSED liUtb, a non-profit station prohib ited from broadcasting commercials, has been plagued by money problems.

In September, it held a fund-raisine effort to meet its $3,000 per month expenses, but it fell far short of its goal. Technologist Charles Didio demonstrates the operation of a new CAT scanner. The "patient" Is Warren Weathers, an X-ray file clerk at the hospital. Ward said that segments of air time are underwritten bv businesses. 7- but the announcements are not commercials because they don't quote prices.

'YMCA patronage in the past year and hope We will start saying a portion is to be of service to PLAY VOLLEYBALL AT THE YMCA Five nights to play at three YMCA's sponsored by a certain business so they aren't confused with commer May the joy and contentment of the yule-tide season continue with you for the coming year. Better business group seeks seven ex-chiefs The Des Moines Better Business Bureau is searching for seven former presidents. The Bureau is organizing a photo exhibit of former presidents and wants to find Russ Lundy, Eli Shapiro, Phil Briggs, Tom Glidden, A.W. Macdonald, W.W. Woods and Carroll O.

Switzer. you in the future -providing the best insur cials," she said. Register by January 9 I know we didn't have a li ance coverage available at We have valued your competitive prices. cense until I took over as station manager in April, but we are working to make sure we get one," she said. 3rd Building Now Going Up Il centraiv.

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