OCR Text |
Show nrn&MJ. Je 5. 1997 The Dally Utah Cfcroaicie Gaog Tattoos Aire We IRemmindeirs Pa-raff- y. - It can PROVO, Utah (AP) be pretty tough to keep the past at arms lengin wncn lauoos serve as constant reminders of your days as a skinhead. It's also hard to erase the past when the spider web and the bulldog scare away potential friends. Just ask Anthony Alba, a former Los Angeles gang member and recendy returned Mormon missionary, who turned to the Utah County Tattoo Removal program to rid himself of the reminders on his forearm. He's been undergoing treatments for more than a year, and has about six more months to go. Maybe then he can don, a short sleeve shirt without telling the world hes been to "a place he's not proud of. "It's been a miserable reminder every day of my past," Alba said. "It's been several years, and I can still only stay away from it by being totally involved in positive activity." Alba believes it will be easier to live his new life without the tattoos that include the bulldog, the spider web, his name and a gang moniker in Old English script, the American Eagle and a skinhead carrying an American flag across his shoulders, chest and lower arms. He left his gang behind when joined The Church of Jesus Saints in Los Angeles and later went on a mission himself to Michigan. Rut he had to be careful on the mostly black streets of Detroit not to expose his tattoos. People from rival gangs would read them as comc-on- s and insults. Girls he's dated since he returned to Provo worry about whether their families can accept him with the tattoos. And he hates reliving the past each time he looks in the mirror. So Alba goes once a month to the University of Utah plastic surgery clinic and undergoes Ci Switch laser surgery performed he Christ of Latter-da- by Dr. Sergio y want you Yes, the Chrony needs news, editorial, sports, entertainment, and feature writers; illustrators; comfortable. The U. machine is one of only two such devices in tnc state. However, few gang members' tattoos are done by professionals, so the dyes used and the depth of needle penetration vary widely. Zamora cannot guarantee complete or simple removal. The average tattoo requires between .. three and five treatments. His clients who come in Fridays between 7 and 10 as many females as males. y Clients coming from the Utah ' County Gang Project have to first meet Long's strict criteria for qualification. Rich Montancz, a Salt Lake police officer who heads a similar program in that county, is looking at adopting her criteria. - a.m.-incl- ude Long's program participants may not have any active gang involvement and in fact must be "clean" for a minimum of six months. Students must attain and maintain a B grade average. Adults be must gainfully ' or employed learning a job skill. Everyone has to "pay" for his or her tattoo removal with a minimum number of community service hours. Long wants to make sure the tattoo removal represents a complete change in lifestyle for gang leavers, something she knows is not easy. "It takes a big commitment to have them removed," she said. The tattoos represent a final break, and sometimes they can't do it, even after they've done all of their service hours. Some bolt" lab boys; backshop girls; and typesetters. Please, bring your body to 240 Union and show us your stuff. Fill out an application. Say hi. wiggidy-wac- k Volunteer Opportunities at the Reunion Center CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) volunteers ore needed. CASAj are people appointed by a judge to speak up for abused and neglected children in court. You will be trained to help children in on overburdened court and social services system not become 'victims a to help. second time by participating in (his program. Contact Susan McNuhy at 578-395- 7 5i The Annual UofU Research Park Neighbor Fair wil be held on Wednesday, jury 23rd (1 1 30 am to 1 30 pm) at Red Butte Gardens. Volunteers are needed to help with various aspects of the Fair, including o SUhm RunWaft, picnic, and informational displays. Cod Wendy ' 1 to Zundel at 584-20get involved in this fun summer event tf you like hiking, the mountains and outdoors, working wdtt omen, and helping to mar a stable environment, you should volunteer at me Forest Service's Silver lake Information Center in Big Cottonwood Canyon. The commitment is six hours per week during jury and August. For more information, call Karen lechner at or me Salt take Ranger District of 943-- 1 794. ..... ,.x 943-276- ' - Volunteers ore needed tor Saturdays a month for 2 for more information. , , . ' t - x5 w , , Program of Support Groups for children and oduks mot have tost a loved one. This includes two hourv Please cal ICosey. me ArterCore Specialist at Voley View Mmmohd Pork ond Funeral Home (969 1 08 1 ) a Grief Recovery v s .r . . .x Two elderly people in me volley need your help: A volunteer is needed to'care tor and k top conpony wrfK on elderly woman. Two hoursday; twee daysweek flexible hours) Van Baldwin (her husband) in ToyiorsviDe, 2683592. This is a great opportunity for a health corenursing student. ; ; C Another semor needs movrng help (people and a sruck). Col low Sundberg Ot 485-730- time is Sob lake County Aging Services needs two vdunteers: one to lead! O simple exercise doss twice a week (typical around II om Sines a week (you 00111 need to speak Russian). Call Dixie negotiable); and one person to teach English to several Russianv speakers " ' to help. ot , ,- vI Kvo-mr- X 468-277- 4 at Soft Lake Voley Detention (3450 S. 9th Wj oho office work, and arts & crofts activities. An orientation is held me second Wednesday of each month at 7 pm. For more information, col Nowata Kara, volunteer coordinator at 26 Tutors are needed Whither Elementary School continues to seek speech and language U. students to volunteer wim Kvo4our youngsters on school days. You may d school, so you con ofso help during me summer. Training receive ocodemic credit for your observation and volunteer time. This is o Whither is located at 1 568 So. 300 East m Soft lake. is provided. Contact jeanne Warts ot 48 yeor-roun- norvki! animal rescue organization. They rescue dogs ond cots from animal shelters ond odopt mem to good Wasatch Humane is a homes through PefSmort stores. You con help at the Redwood Rood or layton Pet Smarts one or two times per month; Sunday mornings or afternoons. Or,. you con serve as a Foster "parent," keeping rescued onimds in your home until mey are adopted through the Wasatch or 295-- 936 to help on animal friend m need. HumanePetSmart program. Cal non-profi-t, 299-850- 8 1 The National Society to Prevent Blindness is looking for some help. Responsibilities include recruitment ond training of volunteers to conduct specific programs; planning me schedule, record keeping, including folowup on reports. May also be asked to staff subcommittee dealing with Vision Screening ond Glaucoma detection ond education; EYEWATCH and Eye Safety. For more details, cal 524-202- ' ; The Lowell Bennion Community Services Center seeks to involve University volunteers In meaningful service to the community, helping the elderly, youth, people with disabilities, the homeless, and many more. In serving others, you acquire skSIs and knowledge that 1 will benefit you personally. Stop by the Center at 101 Union Building, or caR 581-48- 1 to get involved Zamora. bennion Community Service Center Zamora, along with the University Medical Center, donated $98,000 in time and services last year to help people like Alba. "It costs about $100 to get a tattoo," said Patty Long, commufor Utah nity coordinator County and the force behind the tattoo removal program. She is seeking permanent funding this year through a state grant. "It can cost up to $2,000, about $500 an inch, to remove one," Long said. "We actually have one kid who is covered up to his neck in tattoos. His removal could be as high as $200,000." The removal is actually a e process rather than a Because we recognize Because building takes Because a (ap between our society's values and your current reality. participation... volunteering is worth it... Because your time Is valuable... one-tim- deal. The Q;Switch laser lights, attracted by the pigments in the particular tattoo, vaporize the tattoo with pulse-lik- e bursts. . , "It feels similar to bacon very grease popping on your skin' Alba said. "My arms swell up afterward, and I get pinpoint bleeding that has to be dressed with bandages and a burn cream. Nut then, it hurts to get them, too" r. Patients arc given free samples f an expensive anesthetic cream that should be applied two hours prior to a treatment, Zamora "id. "If that doesn't work well 'Kmgh, we will use a local Because the community Is under construction... 199798 You can still apply to be a Student Leader at the dermlon Center! Positions available working in schools, mentoring, serving To learn more, call 101 Itob IXiolSOXi Student e-m- ail Union, or stop by the BOXinion 561-461- 1. . - " - Zamora said the laser surgery csn't leave a scar like excision and is generally regarded as more the elderly - and more!! Center ; v . .. mielse$ssb1.saff.utah.edu Visit our web site: ancs-thctic- ." ; Coil " v http7vvwvv.saff.utah.edubennion lofind solutions to our communities 'problems, narrow the gap v 1 sihnx 7 |