MSRRT Newsletter's alternative news, views, and resource listings were sent via snail mail to members of the Minnesota LibraryAssociation Social Responsibilities Round Table (MSRRT). Others subscribed by making a donation ($15 suggested) payable to MLA/MSRRT. Editors: >Chris Dodge and Jan DeSirey.
"According to Pink Noise, the original theme music for Mission: Impossible was 'in idiosyncratic 5/4 time--with eighth note subdivision int o 3+3+2+2. In the movie version, the theme has been reset in drab 4/4 dance floor time, lest rhythmically stunted 90s movie-goers panic whilst tapping toes.'" --Progressive Review On Line Report #30
In the library of the 90s, corporate culture rules. Big businesses purchase sponsorship of professional conferences. Shortsighted administrators believe contracting out to be a wise economic solution. "Empowerment" and "teamwork" are management buzzwords, but worker democracy is given lip service at the same time it is mightily quashed. Libraries are not simply encouraged, but required, to make money (as if public schools or fire departments ought to be self-supporting) while service suffers. The idea of appropriate technology has been ditched in favor of high technology (circulating CD-ROMs for the masses). Vendor-built public library collections feature shitloads of heavily hyped fiction, travel guides, and books on business success and interior decoration, but ignore The art and science of dumpster diving. Something is wrong. Library directors and upper level managers should emerge from their offices and meetings, and spend at least two days a week working reference desks, cataloging interactive multimedia, and checking out materials. Library boards should seek full funding for library service without resorting to the double taxation of fees and fines. Suggestion boxes ought to be standard issue so that library users can give feedback without potential embarrassment. Library partnerships must be forged, not just with chambers of commerce, but with grassroots community organizations working with gay youth, welfare recipients, and physically disabled people. Publications distributed in lobbies need to be a full-fledged part of library collections. Librarians have to expand their acquisitions scope by patronizing local independent and specialty book stores and record shops in search of material which will never be reviewed in Library Journal. (In the Twin Cities this means Amazon, A Brother's Touch, Uhuru, DreamHaven, Mayday, Hungry Mind, and Roadrunner Records, for starters). Finally, it's the responsibility of public librarians to encourage patrons to demand their rights as taxpayers instead of settling for "what you see is what you get." Enough of navel-gazing and "focus" groups for a while, let's get with it!
Convicted on obscenity charges in 1994 and forbidden by terms of his probation to draw anything "obscene" for personal use, comic book artist Mike Diana lost his appeal this spring. A ruling issued on May 31 by Florida Circuit Judge Douglas Baird again declared Diana's Boiled Angel #7 and #Ate obscene. Emphasizing throughout that he personally found Diana's comics "patently offensive," Baird played art critic, stating that if Diana's message was truly about victimization and horrible things happening in our society, the "the appellant should have created a vehicle to send his message that was not obscene." Diana has since appeared (in a beefcake photo) in Interview magazine, and his Worst of Boiled Angel is now available from Michael Hunt Publications. Diana's publisher is also compiling a benefit anthology to assist with the expense of court costs. The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund has estimated that over $56,000 has been spent on the case so far. For more information, contact Michael Hunt Publications, 360-23 W. Schick Road, Suite 116, Bloomingdale, IL 60108, 708-539-6660 or 708-894-5119.
Count the Walker Art Cent er as the latest to trot out the hopelessly tired conjunction of "zine" and "scene." Further, the focus of the Walker's September 5 "'Zine Scene" event--readings and performance--suggests they are confusing zines with chapbooks and little magazines. As Literary Rocket editor Darren Johnson posted to alt.zines in January, "I always called my magola a 'litmag' or mag, which differentiated it from 'literary magazine' just enough to scare off the Ph.D./M.F.A. crowd....Us litmags shouldn't be calling ourselves zines." Johnson takes exception to a New York Times piece which suggests the Beat generation is responsible for the modern zine, countering, "The Beats were...responsible for the modern litmag." Though we're not poetry-phobic, most of the zines we see and enjoy are like Sarah-Katherine's Pasty: "100% poetry-free". Looks to us like the Walker is just jumping on a crowded bandwagon. (For reviews of litmags and chapbooks, prime sources are U-Direct, Taproot Re views, and Small Magazine Review.)
During the American Booksellers Association convention in June, inaugural winners of the Firecracker Alternative Book (FAB) Awards were announced at a celebration featuring such "poster children of the underground" as Susie Bright and sex-positive activist Annie Sprinkle. FAB winners for 1996:
Fiction : A void, by Georges Perec, translated by Gilbert Adair (Harvill Press)
Nonfiction: Censored: the news that didn't make the news?nd why, by Carl Jensen and Project Censored (Seven Stories Press, 1996 edition; Four Walls Eight Windows , 1995 edition)
Poetry: In defense of Mumia, edited by S.E. Anderson and Tony Medina (Writers and Readers Publishing)
Politics: Race for Justice, by Leonard Weinglass (Common Courage Press)
Sex: Kitty Tsui's Breathless (Firebrand)
Drugs: Pharmako/Poeia, by Dale Pendell (Mercury House)
Music: Henry Rollins' Get in the van (2.13.61)
Graphic novel: The narrative corpse, edited by Art Spi egelman and R. Sikoryak (Gates of Heck)
Zine: Ben is Dead, edited and published by Darby Romeo
Outstanding Press of the Year: Serpent's Tail/High Risk Books (Ira Silverberg, publisher)
For more information: John Davis, Koen Book Distributors, 20 Waterside Dr., Guilford, CT 06437, phone/FAX: 1-800-254-8662, jdkbook@aol.com
The June/July issue of British magazine CARF (Campaign Against Racism & Fascism) includes an interesting critique of ad campaigns with anti-racist messages ("Winning hearts and minds," pp.8-9). Some of the attention-getting ads are clearly aimed at selling shoes and clothing, while those by the Committee for Racial Equality provoke viewers to think about simple ideas ("racists are not born but made," etc.). The bottom line, however: such advertising is not enough, but must be linked to a program of activi sm to be truly effective.
Swamped by commercial Olympics coverage on NBC? For a dose of reality, read about what many Atlantans think about the Games. Ron Chepesiuk's "Atlanta goes for the gold...and the poor get left in the dust" (Progressive, Augus t 1996, pp.34-35) focuses on residents of Atlanta's Techwood Homes public housing project forced out by Olympic "development." Similarly, the July/ August issue of Emerge reports on concerns that "the Olympics' golden glow will bypass [Atlanta's] Black a nd poor residents" ("An Olympic ideal," Sylvester Monroe, pp.48-56). Finally, pre-Olympics articles by Star Tribune staff writer Jay Weiner exhibit critical thinking too often absent from daily papers. Weiner has covered such topics as corporate contro l over the Games ("Atlanta has the feel of a big commercial," July 16, p.A1, A8) and equity for female athletes ("Road to Olympic Games still bypass some women," July 14, p.A1, A14).
The Summer 1996 issue of The Workbook focuses on reviews of "60 'oth er' magazines you should know about," by such alternative press editors as John Anner, Pat Arnow, Barbara Miner, Jason McQuinn, and Gar Smith. Also included is an obituary of sorts for Processed World. Highly recommended for periodicals librarians. (P.O. Box 4524, Albuquerque, NM 87106; $2.50/sin-gle copy back issue).
According to a July 23 Star Tribune report on possible serial murders in Minneapolis, "police say the public is not at risk because the killer is apparently targeting prostitutes on West Broadway." Huh? With an attitude like that, it's no wonder someone has gotten away with the killings. Prostitutes, along with homeless people, just aren't "the public" to officials in Minneapolis it seems, so what's the fuss.
Rolling Stone Senior Editor Jim DeRogatis was fired in June for daring to submit a critical review of Hootie and the Blowfish, and then for talking about it. After the review was replaced by a more favorable one in May, the insubordinate DeRogatis was quoted in a New York Observer piece about the incident. Rolling Stone Editor/ Publisher Jann Wenner, he said, might not necessarily be a Hootie fan, so much as a fan of bands that that sell that sell eight and a half million copies." City Pages ran the killed review in its June 19 issue, in which DeRogatis compares Ho otie to "the musical equivalent of Mom's chocolate chip cookies and a big glass of milk," commentary which might be considered praise in some circles.
ALTERNATIVE PRESS ON THE INTERNET, compiled by the Alternative Press Center.
BRILLOis a great feminist ezine with links to the Barbie Liberation Organization, progressive and ethnic pages, etc.
ELECTRONIC GREEN JOURNAL, Web version of the former Greaen Library Journal.
Nothing but the girl: the blatant lesbian image: a portfolio and exploration of lesbian erotic photography. Edited by Susie Bright and Jill Posener. Freedom Editions, 1996. 144p. Liberatory in spirit, this collection of photos by "sex-positive perverts and dykes" helps expand the definition of erotic literacy beyond that staked out by gay and heterosexual men. By turns tough, tender, exhibitionist, shocking, and even humorous, it is both about diversity and strong women who know what they like. Susie Bright's accom-panying essays are equally straightforward, whether examining butch/femme identity or deconstructing the visual language of lesbian desire. Additionally, the photographers the mselves are given space to talk about their artistic aims and struggles. Guaranteed to disturb cultural conservatives for including images of S/M, fisting, and dildo play, this courageous book affirms all lesbian love, no questions asked. An important c omplement to Stolen glances: lesbians take photographs (Pandora Press, 1991). (215 Park Ave. S., 10th Floor, New York, NY 10003; $29.95, cloth, 1-86047-0001-7).
Ocean of sound: aether talk, ambient sound and imaginary worlds. By David Toop. Serpent's Tail, 1995. 306p. In his essay "Slow Music" for the long-defunct improvised music journal Musics, Peter Riley cited David Toop's collaborative recording "Cholagogues" as a prime example of "slow music", music that wa s not merely slow in the hearing of it, but which evinced a distinct slowness of concept and of execution. Toop has spent the twenty years since that recording collecting material for what might be considered an encyclopedia of "slow music", an examinati on of the various histories and cultures that have contributed to what he calls "ambient sound". Whether birdsong and wind or factories and motor horns, ambient sound may be shaped by human artifice or simply attended to. Based on previously published interviews and reviews, this work encompasses such individuals as John Cage, Erik Satie, Brian Eno, Jon Hassell, La Monte Young, Kraftwerk, The Orb, Aphex Twin, Harry Partch, even Brian Wilson, King Tubby, Lee Perry, Debussy and Bartok. Toop seamlessly links these disparate artists and their idiosyncratic sound-worlds to produce a thesis that is both intellectually exciting and a good read for the music fan. (180 Varick St., 10th Floor, New York, NY 10014, 212-741-8500, FAX: 212-741-0424; U.S. distributor: Consortium, $16.99, paper, 1-85242-382-X. -Chris Atton
MUSICAGE: Cage muses on words, art, music. John Cage in conversation with Joan Retallack. Wesleyan University Press, 1996. 360p. Reading James Pritchett's The music of John Cage (Cambridge University Press, 1993), I was struck by the immense diversity of compositional methods Cage used, from his earliest works right up to the 'time bracket' and 'number' pieces of his final years. This collection of interviews takes us even further into Cage's compositional methods. It deals not simply with his music, but with his literary work and his visual art. The interviews are conducted with remarkable insight by Joan Retallack, a poet and essayist, with a sophisticated and careful understanding of Cage and his work. It is with his music that most readers will probably begin and here there are riches indeed. During the penultimate interview in the book, Cage and Retallack are joined by Michael Bach, the cellist. Bach is there to discuss ideas for the cello part for Cage's "Ryoanji." Quite unexpectedly, Cage begins to compose the piece during the interview. So much of Cage's music conjoins the ordinary with the extraordinary. The composer at work, taking advice from the piece's dedicatee, is also such a conjunction. This book is filled with such rare experiences. (The cello piece was never finished; Cage died a little more than a month later.) (23 Main St., Hanover, NH 03755-2048; $ 29.95, cloth, 0-8195-5285-2). -Chris Atton
Alternative library literature, 1994/1995. Edited by Sanford B erman and James P. Danky. McFarland, 1996. 333p. Why alternative library literature? Because in their seventh biennal anthology, as with those which have come before, Berman and Danky compile material you've never seen before. In this new edition tha t means--but is not limited to--a comic book story about a lesbian librarian ("Agent Street"), a previously unpublished article by Stephen Duncombe ("Notes from the underground: zines and the politics of underground culture"), essays from overseas on libr ary service in Africa and to Aboriginal people in Australia, profiles of alternative libraries, insider commentary on labor issues, and criticism of mainstream librarianship printed in outsider publications like The Match! Crucial for library school coll ections, this is recommended reading for all librarians. Thoroughly indexed, it also includes contact/subscription information for all source publications. (Box 611, Jefferson, NC 28640, 1-800-253-2187; $35, paper, 0-7864-0239-3).
Censored: the news that didn't make the news--and why: the 1996 Project Censored yearbook. By Carl Jensen & Project Censored. Introduction by Walter Cronkite. Cartoons by Tom Tomorrow. Seven Stories Press, 1996. 352p. When "mad cow dise ase" (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) hit the news in 1995, Carl Jensen experienced deja vu--he'd listed the topic as one of the top censored stories the previous year. This excellent combination of media critique and resource guide reports on important topics under-covered by the mainstream media, reviews significant books which haven't appeared on any bestseller lists (is Michael Parenti's Against empire in your library?), lambastes "junk food stories" which dominated front pages against all reasonable judgment, and examines "news" which finally came to light last year after longtime media neglect. In addition, valuable resource listings of organizations and media contacts, and an "alternative writer's market" section have been expanded from the previous edition. A quibble: the 14-page index needs expanding; where are entries for "Mad Cow Disease" and "Mount Graham," for example? (632 Broadway, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10012, 212-995-0908, FAX: 212-995-0720; $14.95, paper, 1-888363-01-0).
The enemy within: the high cost of living near nuclear reactors: breast cancer, AIDS, low birthweights, and other radiation-induced immune deficiency effects. By Jay M. Gould, with members of the Radiation and Public Health Project. Four Walls, Eight Windows, 1996. 346p. Though rarely reported in the media, class action lawsuits by victims of radiation releases are a growing phenomenon. According to Gould, about three hundred cases against the operators of Three Mile Isla nd have been quietly settled, about which The New York Times has said nothing. Including maps and breast cancer statistic rates for areas around sixty reactor sites, this startling work reports that just over a third of U.S. counties--those proximate to reactors--account for well over half of all breast cancer deaths. (39 W. 14th St., Suite 503, New York, NY 10011; $14.95, paper, 1-56858-066-5).
Annotations: a directory of periodicals listed in the Alternative Press Index. Compiled by Marie Jones and the Alternative Press Center. Alternative Press Center, 1996. 181p. Useful especially for its email addresses and URLs, review citations, and information about previous incarnations of titles, this directory also i ncludes a listing of alternative press columns/columnists, as well as a broad subject index. The latter inaccurate-ly lists gay men's magazine RFD under "Lesbian." (P.O. Box 33109, Baltimore, MD 21218, 410-243-2471, altpress@igc.apc.org; $15, paper).
The following statement, drafted by MSRRT's Sanford Berman, was approved by ALA Council, July 10, 1996.
WHEREAS independent booksellers contribute directly to cultural and political diversity by keeping backlist titles in stock as well as handling experimental literature, materials by new authors, and works that deal with unconventional subjects and viewpoints; and
WHEREAS the vitality and even existence of independent bookstores are now endangered by unfair and frequently illegal discounts and other subsidies (including discriminatory "remaindering" practices and co -op advertising payments) afforded by major publishers solely to chain bookstores; and
WHEREAS the Robinson-Patman Act, which requires publishers to offer books to competing bookstores at the same prices and on the same terms, has not been energetically enforced by the Federal Trade Commission; and
WHEREAS the American Booksellers Association has undertaken an antitrust lawsuit against several mega-publishers, charging them with price discrimination, promotional allowance discrimination, and unlawfully favoring a limited number of large bookstore chains and discount outlets, including warehouse clubs; and
WHEREAS the decline or demise of independent booksellers concentrates undue power--for instance, decisions about what gets published and what doesn't--in the hands of four or five "superstore" chains, resulting in reduced choices for writers, publishers, and readers alike and constituting a form of "economic" or "market censorship" that can only shrink and narrow cultural and political diversity; and
WHEREAS the library profession is firmly and historically committed to promoting a broad and genuine variety of ideas and expression;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the American Library Association calls upon the Federal Trade Commission to vigorously and speedily enforce antitrust statutes relevant to bookselling; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the American Library Association expresses its support of the American Booksellers Association's efforts to gain fair treatment for independent bookstores.
Answers ("The Magazine for Adult Children of Aging Parents") is published bimonthly. The 34-page April 1996 issue features an article on hiring a home health care worker and an imaginary letter from a parent with Alzheimer's, as well as columns on emotions, living arrangements, legal affairs, drugs, and health insurance. The latter are regular features, along with resource listings, a question and answer page, and letters from readers. (P.O. Box 9889, Birmingham, AL 35220-0889, 800-750-2199; $21.95).
Radio Resistors Bulletin is a quarterly newsletter covering radical broadcasting and "airwave anarchy." The 12-page Winter 1996 issue con tains an article by David Ciaffardini about an unlicensed micro-watt station in Grover Beach, California ("Excellent Radio"), material on Pacifica Radio's history of "democratic tyranny," an excerpt from an interview with programmers from Amsterdam-based Radio Dood ("Radio Death"), and a report on the history and future of U.S. telecommunications law (reprinted from In These Times), as well as related international news briefs, contact data, and notes about publications. Also: coverage of the 25th Annive rsary Loyola Radio Conference, "Building Community Through Radio." (Post Office Box 3038, Bellingham, WA 98227-3038, $5; haulgren@well.com, http:// www.rootsworld.com/rw/feature/rrb.html).
Fighting Words is the "street journal" of Anti-Racist Action (ARA), "a youth-based...organization [that] confront[s] white supremacist activities in the Twin Cities ar ea." The 2-page Fall 1995 edition (#2) contains material on the Mumia Abu-Jamal case, a counterprotest at a Ku Klux Klan rally in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, and Native-police standoffs in British Columbia's Gustafson Lake area, as well as information about ARA' s Copwatch project and a list of upcoming events. The 12-page Summer 1996 issue (#3) reports on ARA member Kieran Knutson's acquittal on assault charges, the Minneapolis Police Department's Operation Safe Streets, and a lockdown at Oak Park Heights priso n. (P.O. Box 80239, Minneapolis, MN 55408, 612-649-4766).
Community Economics is published three times a year by the nonprofit Institute for Community Economics. The 16-page Winter 1995 issue contain s a cover story on community land trusts and crime ("Can CLTs take back their communities?"), as well as related news briefs, resource listings, and a review of Peter Medoff and Holly Sklar's Streets of hope. Also: "Key principles for federal support for community-based development." Union-printed on recycled paper. (57 School St., Springfield, MA 01105-1331, 413-746-8660; $15, ISSN: 1045-4322).
Intercultural Language Review is published quarterly by Intercultural, a Washington, D.C.-based language and cross-cultural training institute. The 8-page Spring 1996 edition contains a round table discussion on film and language learning, an informal survey of bilingual dictionaries (focusing on English, Spanish, French, a nd Russian), and an interview with the director of Washington's Gala Hispanic Theater, as well as a brief profile of LE NEON, the city's French-American theater. Also: a review of the Longman dictionary of American English, recommended for those learning English as a foreign language. (1155 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 300, Washington, D.C. 20036, 202-429-6529, FAX: 202-429-0977; free).
Migrant Health Newsline is a newsletter published by the nonprofit Nation al Migrant Resource Program. The 8-page May/June issue (v.12 #3) contains a piece about media coverage of farmworkers (and how to write and place supportive newspaper editorials), information about a new clipping service which collects articles on migrant workers' health, and details about a report addressing health needs of child and teenage farmworkers, as well as a profile of the Salud Medical Center in Woodburn, Oregon. (1515 Capital of Texas Hwy. South, Suite 220, Austin, TX 78746, 512-328-7682).
Lifelines is a new quarterly newsletter of the nonprofit National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. The 6-page Spring 1996 initial issue reports on Illinois Governor Jim Edgar's granting of clemency to death row inmate Guinivere Garcia (in prison for killing an abusive husband), and includes statistics, information about new books (e.g., Don Cabana's Death at midnight: the confession of an executioner), and a column by NCADP Executive Di rector Steven W. Hawkins. (918 F St. NW, Washington, DC 20004, 202-347-2411).
Stealth is a new glossy hip-hop culture magazine focusing on graffiti. The 16-page initial issue consists mostly of photos--some in color- -of graffiti worldwide, from Amsterdam and Milan to New York City, Chicago, and even New Mexico. Also: brief record reviews and a short interview with DJ Daze. (Rt. 9, Box 86 Q, Santa Fe, NM 87505, helix@roadrunner.com).
Kick! ("Black, gay & fierce urban culture") is published monthly for the African American "gay/lesbian/bi-affectionate, and transgender community." The 32-page May 1996 edition (#16) contains material on HIV /AIDS cases in Illinois prisons, an interview with author E. Lynn Harris, an amusing comic strip by Belasco, and music reviews, as well as event information (focusing on the Detroit area), AIDS resource listings, and material on safe sex and breast self-e xams. Also: a directory of Michigan organizations for Black lesbians and gay men. (P.O. Box 2222, Detroit, MI 48231, 313-438-0704, FAX: 313-963-4627, kickpuyco@aol.com; $24).
Pink Noise is a graphic-free zine featuring "the latest in queer rant." The 3-page May 1996 edition (#3) includes the text of a letter to Ralph Nader concerning Nader's "not interested in gonadal politics" comment, a selection from Alexand er Cockburn and Ken Silverstein's CounterPunch on CEO salaries, and commentary on Bob Dole and Bill Clinton ("Hypocrisy or corruption?"), along with a sly note about the 1996 Olympics mascot and criticism of Bloomingdale's new poverty chic ad campaign bas ed on styles from the Broadway musical "Rent." Also: a report on two addresses by Urvashi Vaid at the University of Cincinnati, alternative reading recommendations, and an outraged action alert regarding the case of a Togolese woman who spent sixteen mon ths "behind bars in New Jersey and Pennsylvania" after fleeing her native country rather than undergo clitoridectomy. (P.O. Box 57370, 20th St. Station, Washington, D.C. 20036, 202-857-2208).
Gayrighter is the newsletter of the nonprofit Northland Gay Men's Center in Duluth. The 6-page June 1996 issue (v.2 #12) includes information about Gay Pride events, reflections on the AIDS Memorial Quilt, and an editorial criticizing Senator Paul Wellstone's po sition against same-sex marriage. (8 N. 2nd Ave. E., Suite 309, Duluth, MN 55802, 218-722-8585).
Open Arms of Minnesota Newsletter is a quarterly publication of a food delivery program for people with HIV/AIDS. The 1 2-page Autumn 1995 premiere issue contains profiles of board member Pam Noone and volunteer Pat Pfundstein, a column on diet and nutrition (with soup recipes), a brief history of Open Arms, and an interview with an individual the program serves. (P.O. Box 14578, Minneapolis, MN 55414, 612-827-2624, FAX: 612-331-3640).
CLCC News is a publication of City of Lakes Crossgender Community, a Minneapolis-based social group for "cross-gendered or transgendered...individuals." The 8-page June 1996 issue (v.10 #6) contains info about Twin Cities Pride activities, an events calendar, and ads for beauty consultants and related services. (P.O. Box 16265, Minneapolis, MN 55416, 612-229-3613, clcc@topcity.mn.org; $30 membership).
The Mautner Project newsletter is published bimonthly by the nonprofitMary-Helen Mautner Project for Lesbians with Cancer. The 8-page April 1996 issue contains the first installment of a series profiling a Mautner Project client ("One woman and cancer"), as well as material on relevant Internet discussion groups, information about a study of cancer in Jews, and a review of Grief's courageous journey: a workbook. (1707 L St. NW, Suite 1060, Washington, DC 20036, phone: 202-332-5536, mautner@aol.com).
Fat Girl ("A zine for fat dykes and the women who want them") is published by an eight-woman San Francisco-based collective. The professional looking 69-page April 1996 issue (#5) contains a roundtable discussion about fat women's sexuality, answers to survey questions about body image and sexuality, erotic photos and fiction, a report on sleep apnea, letters from readers, and a sassy "word find" puzzle. Also: poetry, zine reviews, and networking info. (2215-R Market St., #197, San Francisco, CA 94114, $20/4; selene@siri us.com; http://www.fatgirl.com/fatgirl).
Bitch ("Feminist response to pop culture") is a zine devoted to straight talk and irreverent commentary on women, mass media, and sexism. The nicely designed and illustrated Spring 1996 issue (v.1 #2) contains analysis of two daytime talk shows featuring promiscuous teenage girls ("Distort-o-rama"), comparison of six mainstream women's magazines (and material on the changes at Sassy), and roundup s of media affronts and "cockle-warming tidbits" (e.g., a recommendation of Betty Dodson's Sex for one on "Cybill"), as well as reviews of films ("Feminism in the most unlikely places, like action movies...") and books (for example, Nadine Strossen's Defe nding pornography). Also: "Backlash in action: the supposedly feminist "Murphy Brown." (Lisa Jervis, 3778 Ruby St., Oakland, CA 94609, $12/4; beeword@aol.com; related Web site: http://www.subvox.com/bitch).
Rockrgrl is a magazine dispensing "information and inspiration for women in the music business." The 18-page May/June 1996 edition (#9) contains interviews with Genya Raven, Lesley Rankine, Holly Vincent, and BOMP! Records co-founder Suzy Shaw, as well as a profile of I.C.U. founder Pee Wee, a legal column ("The other A & R: advancement and recoupment"), product reviews (e.g., a drumstick rosin called "Gorilla Snot"), news notes ("Rockrgrl round-up"), concert dates, and a list of "top ten multi-instrumentalist women." Previous issues have included material on "Protecting your band name," "Men in rock who would make great women," riot grrrls, and "Where are the women in the Hall of Fame?" (7683 SE 27th St., #317, Mercer Island, WA 98040-2826, 206-230-4280, FAX: 206-230-4288, rockrgrl@aol.com; http://www.indieweb.com/ rockrgrl).
Blue Jean Magazine is a new bimonthly "multiracial, multicultural, advertising-free" publication by and for "teen girls who dare." The 32-page premiere issue (March/April 1996) includes a profile of a woman who started an ice hockey camp for girls, an interview with stock car driver Taunya Hance ("Queen of the racetrack"), and an article about top teenage girl chess players, as well as reviews, a health column (on depression), poetry, and an editorial about Earth Day. Als o: a piece by the 18-year-old founder of the I Am Corporation, information about nonprofit Girls Incorporated, a report on Los Angeles-based "Food from the 'Hood" program, and a women's history calendar. (20 Suellen Dr., Rochester, NY 14609, 716 -654-5070; $39).
Pasty is a zine which proudly proclaims itself "poetry-free since 1994." Issue #6 reports in detail about Sarah-Katherine's participation in a study on "male-female social behavior under the influence of alco hol," and also includes an informal survey of people's opinions about sardines, a scatological account titled "Double doody," and a list of condom store clerk's pet peeves. Previous editions have included "a list of pink things", visits to a sex party an d the King County Jail, "Xmas hell," and a "mail order clothing resource list for fat vixens." (Sarah-Katherine, 6201 15th Ave. NW, #P-549, Seattle, WA 98107).
Dicks in Disguise is a refreshingly frank zine published by Isabel Chang, a student at Cornell University. In the first four issues, Isabel writes about campus life and her predilection for S & M, rants about annoying male sexual behavior, describes a racist incident involving her father, criticizes Cosmopolitan magazine, and discusses experiences with sex toys (e.g., "so-called Asian Love Beads"). Humor abounds, with a case in point being "The penis hierarchy," brought to you by the "American Sexual Stereotype Perpetuation Institute." (Isabel Chang , 103 McGraw Place, Ithaca, NY 14850; after August 10: 219 Risley Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, iclb@cornell.edu or vinyl@cornell.edu).
The ADPS R National Newsletter is a publication of the nonprofit Architects, Designers, and Planners for Social Responsibility. The 8-page Spring 1995 edition features a call to action on "the never-ending anti-nuke project," militarism, environmental concerns, and social services, as well as an essay on sustainability and a report on preparations for the Habitat Two global meeting on housing and community development. Also: a list of chapter addresses and info about a sustainable design resource guide compiled by members of ADPSR Colorado. Union-printed on recycled paper. (1807 W. Sunnyside, Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60640, 312-275-2498, FAX: 312-275-1858; $30).
Campaign Against Arms Trade News is a London-based bimonthly. The 12-page May 1996 issue contains material on the call for a ban on land mines, describes upcoming protests and shareholder actions, covers the campaign against British Aerospace, and lists recent international weapons contract s. Also included is an action alert regarding South African arms exports. (11 Goodwin Street, Finsbury Park, London N4 3HQ, caat@gn.apc.org).
Viva Chiapas! is a quarterly publica tion of the ecumenical organization Conversion for Reclaiming Earth in the Americas (CREA). The 12-page Spring 1996 issue (v.2 #1) contains analysis of the Zapatista-Mexican government accord signed in February, commentary on the Mexican economy, an interview with EZLN advisor Ricardo Robles ("Government tactics & Indian strategy: turning put-down into solidarity"), and selections from a New Year's Day statement by Subcomandante Marcos, as well as a chronology of key events during the fi rst three months of 1996. Also: news of government harassment of internationals in Chiapas, "What you can do towards bringing justice...to Chiapas," and a four-page Spanish-language supplement. (7211 Spruce Ave., Takoma Park, MD 20912, 301-270-6 122, FAX: 301-270-3406; $20).
Border Brief is the newsletter of the Rio Grande Border Witness Program. The 4-page December 1995 edition includes an action alert in support of South Texas Immigration Council Executive Director Benigno Pena, statistics on poverty and social conditions in South Texas colonias, news about political asylum for Ana Maria Guillen (member of the Matamoros Committee of Mexico's Democratic Revolutionary Party), and news about a maquila dora (Trico Technologies Corporation) that has agreed to pay more than $2.4 million in penalties and unpaid tariffs. (P.O. Box 3382, Harlingen, TX 78551, 210-428-8418).
The U.S. Hands off the Haitian People Newsletter is a voice "for building an organized solidarity movement to support the people's struggles in Haiti (workers, peasants, students)." The 8-page November 1995 special edition reports on abuses and illegal practices by garment industry contractors in Port -au-Prince, and also includes short news items about demonstrations, marches, and grassroots efforts around Haiti. (P.O. Box 371702, Miami, FL 33137, 305-573-5687).
El Planeta Platica ("Eco travels in Latin America") is a quarterly newsletter "linking environmental news with travel information for anyone with an interest in Latin America." The 10-page November 1995 issue (#8) contains material on "exploitation of the eco-tourism label" in Costa Rica and Venezuela (e. g., "Costa Rica: ecotourism or Eco Disney?"), commentary on media coverage of Latin America, and extensive book reviews (e.g., Indigenous peoples and the future of Amazonia), as well as excellent resource listings, information about conservation efforts i n the Bay Islands of Honduras, and a selection of Latin American environmental Web sites. (P.O. Box 1044, Austin, TX 78767, ron@versa.com; http://www.planeta.com).
Achoo Service! (MSRRT Newsletter, Nov 93) and Patch Adams' Gesundheit Institute have a new address: 6877 Washi ngton Blvd., Arlington, VA 22213.
Democratic Left (MSRRT Newsletter, Mar 89) has a new address: 180 Varick St., New York, NY 10014, 212-727-8610.
Living Large (MSRRT Newsletter, May/Jun 95 ) has new contact data: Kathleen Madigan, 160 S. Bolingbrook Dr., #159, Bolingbrook, IL 60440, 708-739-3178, cadyem@aol.com.
MIST Rising (MSRRT Newsletter, Mar 92) has new contact da ta: 2615 Park Ave., #404, Minneapolis, MN 55407, 612-874-7715.
New Art Examiner (MSRRT Newsletter, Jun 89) has new contact data: 314 W. Institute Pl., Chicago, IL 60610, 312-649-9900, FAX: 312-649-9335 , examiner@cnaa.tezcat.com.
off our backs (MSRRT Newsletter, Sep 88) has new contact data since last we noticed: 2337B 18th St. NW, Washington, DC 20009; 73613.1256@compuserve.com.
RaceFile (MSRRT Newsletter, Nov 94) and the Applied Research Center have new contact data: 1322 Webster St., Suite 402, Oakland, CA 94612, 510-465-9577, FAX: 510-465-4824 .
The nonprofit International Foundation for Gender Education catalog features books and tapes on cross-dressing and tr anssexuality. (P.O. Box 229, Waltham, MA 02254-0229, FAX: 617-899-5703, ifge@world.std.com; http://www.tiac.net/ users/dba/ifge/books.htm).
Irresistible Rhythms distributes African pop, Latin, Cajun, zydeco, and other international music on CD, cassette, and video. Its catalog features hundreds of titles, each annotated and illustrated with album cover art. (R t.1, Box 1320, Buckingham, VA 23921, 1-800-969-5269, http://www.voxnet.com/ 0004/ve.html).
New from nonprofit Printed Matter ("Artists' books since 1976"): Danica Phelps' the lit tle itty bitty sex mag, Lise Melhorn-Boe's Bad girls good (a mix-and-match book), Bing Lee's Pictodiary, and Chris Kenny's Pocket book of phallic symbols. (77 Wooster St., New York, NY 10012, 212-925-0325, FAX: 212-925-0464).
Inner Traditions and Healing Arts Press new titles include Mother and child: visions of parenting from indigenous cultures, The estrogen alternative, and Hemp for health , while backlist includes Sacred mirrors: the visionary art of Alex Grey. (One Park St., Rochester, VT 05767, 802-767-3174, FAX: 802-767-3726).
New and recent titles from Odonian Press include Mark Zepezauer's Take the rich off welfare: the real story, Judy Ford's Wonderful ways to love a teen (...even when it seems impossible), Alternative medicine: what works, and East Timor: genocide in paradise. (2500 N. Pantano Rd., Tucson, AZ 85715-3717, 520-296-4056).
Daedalus Publishing new and recent titles include Leather and latex care: how to keep your leather and latex looking great, My private life: real experiences of a dominant woman, and Beneath the skins: the new spirit and politics of the kink community. (584 Castro St., Suit e 518, San Francisco, CA 94114, 415-626-1867, FAX: 415-487-1137, dpcbooks@aol.com, http://www. bookfair.com/publishers/daedalus/lthd).
Clear Light Publishers' new titles include Power of a Navajo (a biography of Carl Gorman) and Debating democracy: the Iroquois legacy of freedom. (823 Don Diego, Santa Fe, NM, 87501, 1-800-253-2747, clpublish@aol.com).
New from Volcano Press: Walking on eggshells: practical counsel for women in or leaving a violent relationship and a revised edition of Sadja Greenwood's Menopause, naturally. (P.O. Box 270, Volca no, CA 95689-0270, 1-800-879-9636, http://www.volcanopress.com)
African American Images is a publisher and distributor of books, tapes, and curricula, most dealing with Black self-image, relationships, education, and history. Recent titles include a new edition of Countering the conspiracy to destroy Black boys and Omar Shaheed's Hip hop land. (1919 W. 95th St., Chicago, IL 60643, 312-445-0322).
Africa World Press recent titles include The all white world of children's books and African American children's literature; Sisterhood, feminisms and power in Africa; and Betty LaDuke's Africa: women's art, women's lives. (P.O. Box 1892, Trenton, NJ 08607, 609-844-9583, FAX: 609-844-0198).
A New York City Labor History Map prepared for the 21st AFL-CIO Constitutiona l Convention features 150 entries representing "places where workers made history." (New York Labor History Association, Attn. Map Committee, c/o Wagner Labor Archives, New York University Libraries, 70 Washingto n Square S., New York, NY 10012; $2).
Reproductive choices: a teacher's guide to abortion in the United States today includes chronology, court decisions, religious views, and material on contraceptive methods and abortion saf ety, as well as bibliography and classroom exercises. (Pro-Choice Resources, 3255 Hennepin Ave. S., #255, Minneapolis, MN 55408, 612-825-2000; $7, $5 each for additional copies).
Hillary Clinton's pen pal: a guide to life and lingo in federal prison. By Reinhold Aman. Maledicta Press, 1996. 96. (P.O. 14123, Santa Rosa, CA 95402-6123, 707-523-4761; $9.9 5, paper, 0-916500-14-4).
Switch hitters: lesbians write gay male erotica and gay men write lesbian erotica. Edited by Carol Queen and Lawrence Schimel. Cleis Press, 1996. 194p. (P.O. Box 8933, Pittsburgh, PA 15221 ; $12.95, paper, 1-57344-021-3).
Through the media looking glass: decoding bias and blather in the news. By Jeff Cohen and Norman Solomon. Common Courage Press, 1995. 275p. (Box 702, Monroe, ME 04951, 207-525-0900, FAX: 207-525-3068; $11.95, paper, 1-56751-048-5).
Uprooting racism: how white people can work for racial justice. By Paul Kivel. New Society Press, 1996. 243p. Includes "Fighting institutional racism." (4527 Spring field Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19143; $16.95, paper, 0-86571-338-3).
Hey cabby! A New York cab driver's million miles behind the wheel. As told by Arthur Ginzburg. Editing, introduction and postscript by Evan Ginzburg. E. Ginzburg, 1996. 39p. Straight-from-the-heart oral history from somone who survived five robberies yet loved New York City nonetheless. (P.O. Box 640471, Oakland Gardens Station, Flushing, NY 11364; $4.95 each, plus $1 shipping, paper).
Fertile betrayal. By Becky Bohan. Madwoman Press, 1995. "A Nedra Wells, D.V.M., novel." Lesbian love story set in small town Minnesota. (P.O. Box 690, Northboro, MA 01532-0690, 508-393-3447, FAX: 508-393-8305; $10.95, paper, 1- 886231).