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Show V3 The Daily Herald Tuesday, October 3, 1995 Graffiti artists give up cans for brushes Publications may help kids learn By MARIA PANARITIS PHILADELPHIA fe It is 1989. Alfredo Ramos climbs furiously up a billboard overlooking Interstate 95, cans of stolen spray paint dangling from his pants. Veiled by night, he and a partner scurry to a narrow platform. In 10 minutes of frenzied activity, they scrawl the words, "On The Run." Ramos signs it with his tag, "Skill," for the graffiti world to see. They slip back into the darkness. Six years later, Ramos stands in the shadow of that same billboard, painting pictures along an underpass. This time, he has nothing to fear from police. At age 22, Ramos no longer scales billboard ladders, desecrates school walls and ventures into series of publications from the U.S. Department of Education offers dozens of activities to get kids interest-- ' ed in school. To receive these booklets, send your name, address, the appropriate item numbers and 50 cents for ' each publication to Con-- ; sumer Information Center, Pueblo, Colorado 81 009. Want your kids to pay attention in school? Helping Your Child Succeed in School (Item 315B, 50 cents) suggests that you participate in your children's education. Take part in school activities whenever you can, and meet with their teachers. Talk with your child about the teachers' comments, go over corrections on assignments every day, and be sure to reward and celebrate their successes. dangerous subway ljj AP Photo anti-graffi- ti Dietrich Adonis, left, Jane Golden, and Alfredo Ramos pose June 20 in front of their work on a wall under an Interstate 95 overpass in Philadelphia. forming 50 to 100 hours of community service sentences. Others attend art workshops or are employed through a summer program for youths. Of those who choose to perform their community service with the network. 80 percent decide they like it and complete their sentence there, said executive director Tim Spencer. But many are initially resistant to the notion of giving up their thougnt-pro-vokin- low-inco- Anti-Graffi- Helping Your Child Learn History (Item 31 IB, 50 cents) suggests making the most of everyday opportunivisties to relate to history its from grandparents, reading books, holidays, elections, the national anthem before sporting events, pictures in newspapers and magazines and visits to museums. Showing your interest in history encourages your child's own interest. Dear Ann Landers: Here we job. "Mural painting is similar to graffiti in that it's big. it's outdoors, it's bold." she said. "We're dealing with a population of kids who are without a voice, and that's what they're searching for. That's what we're able to do: put their tag name all over town." As many as 3.000 teen-ageparticipate in the network each year. Some are graffiti artists per- rs Horoscope maker, A friend shares a fascinating confidence. You will enjoy managing your own monev. A child nets a lesson in finance. SAGlTT iRll S (Nov. 22 Dec 21 1: Your scr ices are in great demand today. Eliminate the superfluous. Concentrate only on the absolutely necessary. Risky oi expensive ventures should he avoided even if your intentions are the best. Revive a foimer relationship. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 Jan. Il)i: Chang ing circumstances motivate you to eotisidei new ideas. Look lor attractive alternatives while avoiding difficult people and situations. Shoppers need to keep a close eye on their cash and belongings. Slay alert. ISt: A lull in AOl ARILS (Jan. 20-tcacliv ity gies y ou an opportunity to think and plan. Be aware that a conservative financial policy can pay big di idends. You make career steady progress towards a or business coal. PISCES i l eh. Is" March 2()l: You gel a chance to display your special abilities now. back on your training and experience. The decision to remain close to home is a wise one. Active minds alvvavs find thines to do. By JEANE DIXON For Oct. 4 I1)): You can he ARIKS (March u community leader now. respected lor your wit and wisdom. A calm discussion of creative differences could lead to new at wink. 20): A long-terTAl'Rl'S (April project moves ahead easily now. Admir-in- g allies make you feel respected and honesty with a lined one inspires nil. Promote joint ventures. .(iFMINl (May 2 June 20): New vistas open up. Travel and educational opportunities knoc k at your door. Inside information from a relative or friend could help you make a drchm come true. Keep all husiness dealings ulricllv ahovehoard. CANCER (June 2 July 22): (live serious thought to personal mailers and family isnties. It might he best to spend more hours at home and less time socializing. A trip to a new restaurant could turn into a mini-ad- 221: Cultural events LEO (July prove especially rewarding this week. Show appreciation for others' creativity. Review recent expenditures he fore reworking a hud-gel- . Advance planning is essential lor succors. 22l: Devote VIR(;) (At".'. some thought to your career: swifter progress is possible! Seek an expert's help w hen updating your resume. Someone who loves you will not lake "no" lor an answer. Give romance lime to matuie. LIBRA (Sept. 2.U)cl. 22): t illing in lor ait absent partner can be tiring. Plans lor the I'mutc occupy you day and night. Chances are older )i)u are considering a new alliance. An person provides the data sou need. SCORPIO (Oct. 2.VNov. 211: An unexpected windfall requires careful handling. Take advantage of the services of an image- ; Celebrates lJ STOREWIDE U ALE' K it ' l I L---- I (" "n'kek'candle r'j I ---- NEW LOCATION!! I BOU&HT WEAR NOT 1 CAR NEW A V V graffiti artists develop an unspoken respect for the murals. Orga-nier- s say 90 percent of the works are untouched by vandals. "When I was a graffiti artist, it was (all about! respect. But doing this, it's totally different." said Ramos, who attends community college and works full time with the network's staff. "This is less fun. but I feel better doing this. This is what I want." y & Dear Ann Landers: I was prised by your advice States, and you know so little about us. In a recent poll, only percent of Americans knew that our prime minister is Jean Chretien. A Honolulu new spaper had a photo of the recent summit captioned, "President Clinton with an unknown man." That "unknown man" was Jean Chretien, the host of the summit. And CNN reported that "Jean Chretien, the Canadian prime minister, is taking heat over his country's decision to proceed with nuclear testing." Canada doesn't have nuclear weapons. They meant President Chirac of France. know you're busy, but I had to Puled in get this off my chest. Ontario Dear Puzzled in Ontario: I am Embarrassed in Chicago and at a loss for a response. Perhaps your letter will be read in some son-in-la- Landers do not celebrate July Fourth. (Our national birthday is July s(.) Please. Ann. ask your readers to look at a map. They'll be surprised to see (hat southern Ontario, where millions of Canadians live, is further south than Maine. Montana. North Dakota and Washington state. We are your biggest trading i -' I THIS AND, THEREFORE, WILL BUWIN& WH NEIa) HU&E CIAL OBU&AT'Clvl, IT OFF IS OF PAW IN & AND DERAIL mE FROM W LOOK AT NtU) FINAN NEW n UTMOST AMD WW CONCERN. ONLN CHARLENE A HAVIE NOTHING A WW I SHOES. I SHOE'b? -- Connecticut Dear Connecticut: You are right. I didn't exactly cover myself with glory when I came up with that answer. Thanks for hauling me up short. Your comments made a lot more sense than mine. L V f --j rfTi r I " J jt(yM)'(i JTfc -.- I I I COmPUTER, FRESH OF LEATHER. (JOILL FRU&AL RESPONSIBILITY! OUT THE ST1ELL I COURSE flW U0IPIN& A iii I il t.y-C.r- ANOTHER WOMAN' 5 BRAIN. 4 ' to -- LIKE A PMER SUR&E (NEW sur- Lewisville. Texas, about giving a birthday cake to "Edna." an overI weight expected you to respond with your classic "MVOB." Instead, you suggested that they start a new tradition and serve low fat yogurt and fruit. Whether Edna makes an effort to trim down or not is HER problem, not her They should continue w ith the same tradition and not make changes in the mistaken notion that Edna will suddenly shape up. I see nothing wrong with Lewisville requesting low calorie treats on her own birthday if she wants them. Otherwise, she should just keep her mouth shut and not embarrass anyone. Chunky in American classrooms and the teachers will provide the appropriate answers. I hope so. partners. Canadians spend millions of dollars in the United ar BE W1M a "" H . ' 8 I I I Diet ' " ' Center 375-600- 0 6 years PM 'k' VL 7 -. - Oct. 4. 2 7 For -B if- Biionan- - s A Healthier Lifestyle 1774 Lindmg N Univtmly PKwy Pfovo I I sU I L r c .. a ftHMUMt TSiirM j CHILDREN'S OUTLET 0veralls of quality gifts " Shoes 0nesies Coveralls Rattles Socks Hats Bottles S 1 FLl rr 7 d m 5 n " r iSS' ArS Cfe rr i 'TheBljnVBaske'' I Christmas Show Nov8 "" . j RoldsCCKS f Monday, September 25th through Saturday, October 7th f m'anaohi 2wg j ijlW' fflfeffl 09ffiSIr WjMl.-sV As a result, even unchastened by Cathy Gulsewite FALL CLOTHES au c'ay0ct Wl A 1 snuggles, cathjr J ikotoyhme ji Wednesday phia." triumphs and tragedies of urban life. In one violence-plague- d section words of the citv. the blood-re- d "STOP THE VIOLENCE" are painted above a list of names of slain youngsters. In West Philadelphia, few can ignore a passers-breproduction of artist Sidney Goodman's "Boy with Raised Arm." a black boy with his fist raised. And motorists on the Schuvlkill I " f two-doll- .. lV?u)j h daih She was told. "It's the queen, and no. she does not rule Canada." Another woman wanted to know if the Canadian flag came in any other color. Even my new American asked vvhv Canadians go again. For the third time within a few months, an American professional singer has botched the singing of the Canadian national anthem at a major sporting event. This follows the Canadian flag being carried upside down at the baseball championships a couple of years back. We Canadians are trying to maintain our sense of humor, but it has gone beyond a joke. Can you explain this ignorance? I can't. After all. we speak the same language. We're accustomed to seeing Americans show up at the border in July with skis, asking. "Where is the nearest snow ?" I once had to reassure a woman from New Jersey that it isn't freein here in July. A shop assistant I met in the states thought Canada was near France. One tourist asked. "Who's the broad on the bill?" Golden, who spent several at home, the grocery store and in the car or bus. Helping Your Child Learn Math (Item 3I2B, 50 cents) shows how to recognize math in your world all the time. Anti-Graffi- ti Canadian vents anger on American ignorance years doing community mural projects in Los Angeles after graduation, seemed a perfect fit for the Math is everywhere in your kid's life, and yet neither of you may recognize it. Through everyday activities well-to-d- Ramos used cans of spray paint to deface billboards. His artistry is now showcased as a member of the city's Network. cans for brushes, said Golden. They consider it the "ultimate sellout" to embrace an entity that seeks to eradicate their graffiti culture. More than 1.200 murals have been painted in the past decade, some of which are towering tributes to such Philadelphia icons as former basketball star Julius "Dr. J." Erving and the late Mayor Frank Rio. Some of the most moving murals are those that speak to the court-mandat- 1 g Asking kids or (not just "yes no") questions encourages the curiosity needed to create enthusiastic readers. property. Dresher noted that art commissions tend to impose their own aesthetic views: "You can't have meetings in boardrooms of the 30th floor of downtown buildings o of relatively and privileged people about what should go mi the walls in North Philadel- tunnels. Instead, he paints murals with the official sanction of the city. He and thousands of other youngsters are examples of how one of the most innovative campaigns in the country has brightened up walls, neighborhoods and the futures of some of the city's most troubled youth. "Once I hit 20. said to myself. 'You've got to do something or you'll be out here forever.'" Ramos said during a break from a mural project. The brainchild of former Mayor VV. Wilson Goode, the ti city's Network was launched in 1984 under the artistic direction of Stanford University art graduate Jane Golden. Its early focus was to whitewash graffiti-scrawle- d walls. But before long, the network blossomed into a mural arts program designed to go beyond merely erasing graffiii to reforming wayward youngsters, breathing new life into blighted neighborhoods. The ability to read well is crucial in most subjects. Helping Your Child Learn to Read (Item 314B, 50 cents) says good readers have parents who read to them often and talk about experiences and ideas. . Expressway in South Philadelphia are flanked by oil refineries on one side of the highway and larger-than-lipaintings of families and placid settings on decaying facades on the other side. "Our murals are very political." said Golden, who draws her inspiration from Mexican mural painters. "It creates a different world, and through that illusion, it provides a sense of hope." One reason for the network's success is that its only reliance on city bureaucracy is for the administration of federal and local grants, said Tim Dresher, a professor at San Francisco State University who has studied community murals for two decades. I he network draws other funds from businesses that pay the organization to erect a mural on their Associated Press Writer A ' : ) 3 VV 1 I Everything for Infants f yY 24 iJivt & Toddlers (Discount on regular price items only) J, l Coveralls td tvTt UiS IOTvT Prams Pajamas Salt Lake City Cottonwood Mall Provo-1- 77 Beddmi) Toys Shirts 561 8 So RedwcxxiRd 4835 So H.ghland Dr. West CWSt Pants CW Bibs . Ww&?M5 |