Page 0: Page 1: WALLINGFORD CLUB HOUSE The World According to the Wallingford Clubhouse July 2010 Monthly Newsletter JULY BIRTHDAYS Richard Alberti Mason Avlonittis Lori Bassett Jade Beasle Donald Beesley Edin Bijavica Henry Cortez Alberta Duke Stanley Erwin Jerri Fredericks Richard Garza Suzanna Herndon Jasen Holbrook Felecia James Darryl Johnson Edwin Jolly Nathan Kalet Emanuel Kendrick Fredric King Raymond La Casse Cameron Lees Junejo Mahfooz Michael Marcoe Bruce Marriott Chuck McEdward Kristin McNeal Quinn O'Keefe Raymond Pettie Judy Plath Michael Powell Linda Satterfield Leonard Tao Canoe Teo Interview with Mark Ireland Today I got to interview an interesting fellow named Mark Ireland (age 52). He’s been coming to the club for about five or so months and currently works in the Hospitality Unit as a prep cook. We’re quite glad to have him in that capacity as he said he was Head Cook in the last clubhouse he was at. Mark tried the Business Unit and Snack Bar before settling in the kitchen as his place during the work ordered day. According to Mark, he was mostly self-educated in nutrition, herbalism and the power of crystals after studying Forestry at Green River Community College. One of the main defining facets of Mark is his religion…the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He converted and became a Mormon when he was ten. During the brief interview with Mark, it came out that he was currently attending Wallingford house as well as Emerald House on Capital Hill. Emerald House is a drop-in center with Sound Mental Health. It is a place where he likes to grow sweet peas in the garden that they have and it is right across from where he receives services. When he is not attending the clubhouses you can find him spending time with his girlfriend of eight years Cat, whom he loves a lot and with whom he enjoys going out to eat, to the movies and socializing. If Mark is not out there somewhere doing any of the above things, he is probably listening to the radio (KZOK classic rock is his favorite) or shopping. Mark is a very bright, articulate man who is a pleasure to talk to and an enjoyable conversationalist. I would recommend taking the time to get to know him a bit better. He loves people in general and is an asset to our clubhouse. -—Lee Roy Durden Bucket List I want to swoon from that perfect kiss. I want to adopt a puppy and train her. I want to stand in Gasworks Park at the sundial and roll down the grassy hill, all the way to the bottom until I’m dizzy. I want to learn how to sing (well). I want to see my granddaughter graduate from Yale. I want to get elevation sickness– but only because I’m standing at Machu Pichu like an Inca. I want to ride crosscountry as a passenger on a touring motorcycle, with my hands on the waist of the worlds safest driver. I want to revisit Sardinia and snorkel. I want a patch of soil in which to plant flowers. I want to see the world with my Mother. I want to learn how to dive without a nose plug. I want my son to know how much I love him. I want a family of my own. —Jacquelyn Willimon Page 2: July 2010 Page 2 My Manager, Scott Harrison Scott Harrison is the best darn manager I’ve had in all of the apartments in which I’ve lived, both Spokane and Seattle. That’s about a dozen places. Scott became the Laurel House Apartment manager in July 1992. I could tell, the first time I met him on November 13, 2000, that he was more than happy to help me and my brother move my stuff into my new apartment. He’s done a lot for me and doesn’t just collect my check each month. He’s done lots of taping for me, CD to cassette, defrosted my refrigerator, collected boxes which came in the mail when I wasn’t home, adjusted the stuck zippers on my coats, and even sent me greeting cards. Scott is also the best at returning my phone calls. He’s not just my apartment manager, but also a great maintenance man. He’s adjusted my smoke alarm, put various things together and tended middle school. He was back in California to begin High School in Danville but was moved to Bellevue, WA where he continued at New Port High School. Scott finished at Bellevue Community College where he got his High School diploma. Scottie has three brothers, two who are half-brothers who both spent time in Vietnam. His mother now lives in Bellevue and his father recently passed. Scott originally found out about the Wallingford House at the “45th Street Dinner Club” newsletter. He thoroughly enjoys the Creative Writing Class and really likes Cassie. As a matter of fact, he likes everyone. However, he misses the soft chairs that used to occupy this building when it was a drop-in center, before it became a Clubhouse. —Marc Kachel Marc Kachel unclogged my toilet when needs be! One other thing, Scott has a great sense of humor. He’s receptive to my corny jokes. Finally, he always has an even demeanor. The 51-year-old Harrison was born in San Jose, CA. Throughout his time as a young person in school, Scott was moved back and forth between Northern California and the Puget Sound Area, here in Washington. He started elementary school in Sacramento, CA but finished it in West Seattle, where he also at- Group On Mondays from 3PM-4:15PM! key and very fun! with engaging in some brainThis group is low Creative Writing Come Join the We start the group storming exercises and usually some basic education more creative writer. several prompts to After, we have about how to be a The Hero Is You You go through your everyday routine. Maybe it’s waking up in spite of the relentless night of worry and sleepless hours, minutes, seconds, only to find yourself in motion. In motion to gravitate towards Wallingford House by taking the same bus or walking the same blocks away from where you habitate, with the familiar surroundings and comforts of home, and to be the subject of the peering eyes of onlookers Don Dias and the appearing subject of opinion, the appearing spectacle of the world. In spite of it all you are in motion; in motion to go to where it is safe, secure, and familiar. The road is long from which there is no return. While we are here: “he ain’t heavy, he’s my brother.” —Don Dias choose from. You are always free to use your own prompts; we even writing music. So come in and join the fun! have members Page 3: July 2010 Page 3 Selections Culled from the Creative Writing Group Blisters By Ed Davis We have feet so that we get blisters. The best type of music is the blues. I believe that animals exist to walk around the block. Likely my Friend you’ll probably find me playing pool in a tavern. Volcano by Jacquelyn Willimon It’s not good for burnt toast By Tim Jezik When its raining I like praying and will stay indoors. Although I was literally scared too, I went to the bank and felt better. I would like to either move or live in a rambler or speck house, find a job, and have a family. It’s sometimes hard to say about smiling, but it couldn’t hurt. My feet grinding into pumice I am burning—smoky hot breaths evaporate into mist Turning to run, I trip onto the rocks Eyes are black, gold, grey—ancient. Nose burning with the smell of sulfur, Scorched heart bleeding molten lava Kenny’s Creativity By Kenny Ladies and Gentlemen of CPC Look at what my parents did to me I am a man who is disabled Crazy, retarded as I’ve been labeled By my parents, I’ve been abused Slave to their work as I have been used I’ve longed to fight this mental pain The very thing that makes me insane Then along came a mentor who was very wise Who fought my depression with exercise When I was young I was destroyed by love And it can cure me from up above I see the hope as I see the light And that is why I still fight YAY!!!!!!! Getting a Bit Creative For the past 5 months many members have been participating in our clubhouse’s creative writing class. We have an average of about 12 people coming regularly. It has been a really great way to learn more about each other and having a blast doing it. We are currently learning to write poems in a Steamy fog burns my less traditional fashion by creating descriptive sentences, writing each one on a strip of paper then mixing them all up at random to create a poem. Some of the poems members are coming up with are just amazing. We have many talented writers and many people who are just starting out that are a part of the group and I am so proud of all of them. It can also be a great way to get your work published in the newsletter or a way to start a journal. I encourage you all to come check it out Monday from 3:00-4:15PM! --Cassie Brophy throat Blinded by ashes in my eyelashes Sight of an alien, timeless, crumbling ruin Blistered earth is like my skin. Page 4: July 2010 Page 4 Time: Weekend June 4 2010 Place: Lake Limerick – Birds’ lake house Event: Mom’s 70th birthday bash The Players: Jackie & sister Laura, My son Roger, Eric & family (wife and two boys), Bailey (the dog), a mini-van Laura and I arrived separately but both on Friday night. The Lake House was beautiful, and Eric was to arrive early on Saturday. Laura and Eric are technically my stepsister and stepbrother, but I don’t see it that way. We are very close and have lots of laughs together. Laura , her husband of 26 years Curt, and I got up early to go kayaking. I forgot to mention that I had never been in a kayak in my life. That would have been good information for them to have. Laura and Curt have really nice inflatable kayaks (see photo) that are super stable. Not knowing the difference, I plop myself into a small fiberglass number and ventured – rudderless – into the lake. Uh oh. No rudder means I have to rely on my flawless stroke – cough A page from...Jackie’s Notebook 6/10 cough. I did donuts all the way across the lake, and finally had to pull away from Laura, Curt, and my son Roger because I kept running into them. My brother, Hank stood on the deck of the house watching me as if he thought he might have to jump in and fetch me. I thought he might, too. Luckily for me, Laura and Curt’s boats are completely idiot-proof. I took them out four more times over the course of the day and loved being out on the lake. But I digress. This is about the process of arriving there as experienced via the miracle of text messaging: Laura to Eric (postkayaking) : It’s gorgeous out here. Can’t wait to see you. Eric to Laura: I want to leave by nine a.m., but I’ll let you know if that works out. Yeah right (that was just me editorializing) Eric to Laura: Well, we got a late start but we’re on our way. See you soon. (Laura and I had put on swimsuits by this point and were setting the cooler and chairs out by the dock. A rare sunny day in this spring of gloomy weather, it was as if it had been ordered spe- cial for us.) Eric to Laura: We’re on the road now, but Bailey just threw up. Had to stop and clean it up. The boys are hungry. Stopping for lunch along the way. See you soon. Eric to Laura: There’s a huge accident on the freeway and we’re poking along. The boys have to pee. (By this time, Laura and I were having a wine cooler, and the messages were getting funnier and funnier) Laura to Eric: Curt makes me pee in my mountain dew cup. Tell the boys to suck it up. Eric to Laura: Boys won’t pee in cup. Have to stop. Think we took a wrong turn somewhere. Eric to Laura: Missed the damn ferry. Not driving around. MY GOD it smells bad in here. Make me a rum and coke; I’ll be there somehow. Eric to Laura: Bailey hurled again. It sure stinks.in here. Have to stop and ask for directions. Hoping to be there by TODAY. -Jacquelyn Willimon Jackie in a kayak. Wallingford House Groups: Creative Writing Group Mondays from 3:00-4:15 Crocheting Class for All Levels Thursdays from 2:30-3:00 Art Class Thursdays from 3:00-5:00 Social Activities Committee 3rd Friday of the Month from 1:30-2:15 “Basic Living Skills” Class Coming Soon! In a couple of weeks, there will be an afternoon class that is open to all club members and will be taught by Malinda, Cassie, and Steve. The class is called “Basic Living Skills” and its purpose is to help members become more autonomous in their home life. Some of the topics which might be covered include: proper use of a kitchen, shopping for groceries, acquiring green habits such as recycling and gardening, practical advice on nutrition, and how to keep yourself, your clothes, and your living space clean! -David La May David La May Page 5: July 2010 July 2010 Tue Wed Thu Fri Page 5 “Title: No. 43 About: No. 400” By Ron Kariya Mon 1 Mediterranean Shrimp Pasta Salad 2 Broccoli Cheese Rice Bake Number forty three Petty cash at Arlington Tow On July 4th or July 3rd Driver of a car-Ron Needing a cola On the side in Pit Row Petty cash’s KyleNeeds a 400 thousand tire at the T.V Tube 5 Sausages, Salad & Chicken White Watermelon Bean Chile 6 7 Kathleen’s Maca- Cassie’s Chicken Mark W’s Rice roni & Cheese Gorganzola and Beans 8 9 The Lonesome Rider by Michael Marcoe It felt like a roller coaster. It threw me higher than the hills. The wind was at my back, it felt like a hurricane. 12 Pasta and Meat Balls 13 Tuna Melts, Salad 14 Scrambled Eggs, Muffins, Fruit 15 Jon’s Chicken Noodle Soup 16 Baked Potatoes July Birthday Lunch There was dust from the horse hoof. I rode with one hand on the rope. My spurs dug into the horse, Which made him buck up and down. I kept holding on tight with one hand The other hand on my hat. I am the lonesome rider. 19 Clam Chowder, Cole Slaw 20 Meat Loaf, Roasted Potatoes 21 Salad Trio 22 Frittata 23 Chicken Curry 26 Burritos, Spanish Rueben SandRice wich 27 28 Kathleen’s Tuna Noodle Bake 29 Shepherd’s Pie 30 Grilled Cheese Sandwich, Tomato Soup Page 6: WALLINGFORD CLUB HOUSE Opening up to a new life 4122 Stone Way N. Seattle, WA 98103 Phone: 206-461-3773 Fax: 206-545-8641 Email: wallingfordhouse@hotmail.com If you wish to receive an electronic copy of this newsletter via email, please send us an email with your full name in the subject line. Seeing built out of long river bends A hypercube bursting out of being Embracing charred reflections Burned from red and blue impressions A child accidentally realizing a butterflies’ mortality Adults hands of stretched and torn repeated mirroring …an assembly of mysterious yellow rejections Built from faulty traditions…beheading rotten Statues of times without honor Canceling credit for seven generations Smashing crystal balls into feathered headbands Rowing a rocket into a random and senseless universe, God doesn’t make the world this way— We do. Can we all have spent time as whores In weird and golden lives? Did we look into microscopes of our old photographs Of stardust after their anticlimactic reports? Finding a muse with prism x-ray visions Perceiving time’s loving abstractions; Don’t let her slip away, My sweet I promise you emeralds in May, “A Tesseract’s Wings” by Aaron Crosetto Keep the love seat a warming testimonial, A caress of your neck in honest prayer— I’ll be there in 5… …trodden and bleeding blindness stigmata to stamp a dreamer to death unless he becomes a butterfly fast without rest. There is only a danger of false reflections, Pools governed by Pilate’s secret police~ Pretending without listening, their cruelest punchline… Does it feel lonely? We can only defy lethargic laws of entropy, Jumping off a cliff to save our lives; Society’s velvet fool with a most benevolent smile Garnering hopeful release …dancing to “Indian Summer Sky” Visit our web page at: www.wallingfordhouse.org “With Us” by Ron Kariya Blow dollars with the wind. When/Does the Hamburger feed the thousands with the Hot Dogs! Aaron Crosetto 2009 Page 7: