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Show PAGE 8 THE ZEPHYR APRIL 1994 I with a different style, a also want another voice, an alternate voice a paper frame - monthly instead of different stance, a different focus, even a different time weekly. All too often alternate newspapers are at best noisy fun radical, irreverent, of opinions other than and cynical often irresponsible in their journalism, - denigrating their own. Alternate newspapers come and go they don't last long because of their ultimate superficiality. Some alternate newspapers fail because they are so deadly their reader base cannot support them. None of solemn and so this is true of the Zephyr. When I read the first issue of the Zephyr I recognized a newspaper with best sense - seriously concerned with the possibilities of lasting. It was political in the in the advertising was balanced by public affairs of the people of Moab. The satire the long, thoughtful and useful interviews with government officials on important matters. I learned something - not just a reporters opinion - but what real people had to say for themselves. And I felt urged to get involved and stay involved in the The opinion columns were lively and political process as an active citizen. with had sweat and blood in I provocative - even the ones wholeheartedly disagreed them - they weren't oatmeal. I subscribed. And I met the editor. When I learned how economically marginal an operation the paper was - how hard Jim had to work to make a go of it, I offered to give whatever skills and resources I have to make it work. If adding my name to the masthead would help, then so be it I want to see the Zephyr last and thrive, and to change. I don't want it to change any more than I want the loss Moab. to be a net would the two Merging I From the National Desk of the Zephyr single-issue-mind- ed Times-Independe- nt Yesterday I looked through my back copies of the Zephyr. Whatever may be said of it, the Zephyr is never dull and never slick. Its mood is always warts-and-a- ll It holds up a mirror to this community to give us a unique view of ourselves. It has a sense of history and a clear purpose, but is comfortably foolish and weird. The wiggy drawings and rare photographs add savor to the stew, as does the willingness to try a fresh approach to almost any subject By Robert Fulghum Last month I signed a contract to write a nationally syndicated newspaper column. Beginning in November, the column will appear in two hundred newspapers once a week. Next month I'll begin by practicing in the Zephyr. Zephyr readers may find the new format a little dull because there are some prescriptive limits on what one can say in big-denewspapers without fear of censure or lawsuit. Let me tell you about my encounter with several people involved in the syndication of newspaper columns. They had read my books, but wanted to know if I had any newspaper experience. "Of course," I said, "I already write a column." Could they see some samples? Sure. So I shared with them copies of the Zephyr with my columns on urine, shit, suicide, politics, bastards, and the Star Strangled Banner, just to see how they'd react. And I was pleased with their response. They weren't shocked. They liked the columns well enough, though, of course, it wasn't what they had in mind for the national press. Even more, they liked the Zephyr itself. I hadn't expected it, but they were drawn into reading through the rest of the paper and were impressed with its vitality, the combination of mischief with seriousness-of-purposthe cartoons, the variety of of and the freedom the These are people who see almost opinion, unambiguous press. every newspaper printed in the United States. They really admired the Zephyr, saying it was fresh, unique and worthy of praise. It's easy to take the Zephyr for granted. Seeing it through the eyes of experienced newspaper professionals gave me fresh insight on its relevance to Moab and to me. don't always agree with Jim Stiles nor he with me. But he always hears me out and has never altered a word I've written. It's the freest forum I have. Editor Stiles has his blind sides 1 am suspicious of man who thinks watching David Letterman every night is a high point in American culture, but I have confidence in the same man who deeply cares about the quality of life in his community and whose commitment to both truth in journalism and provocation in opinion are I al -- uncompromised. So, to answer the question I began with: write for the Zephyr because it's a damned good newspaper. Happy Birthday, Zephyr. I Congratulations, Jim Stiles - write on! e, DDDB Coming next As you know by now, this is the fifth anniversary edition of the Zephyr. I take this opportunity to speak to the occasion. Editor Stiles neither asked nor paid me to do this. Editor Stiles does not ask or pay me to do much of anything, actually. month in the Zephyr Centerpiece: AN EXHIBIT BY So why do I write for the Zephyr? Let me give you the long view. Part of the requirement for a free and open society is that many voices be heard and considered. Every town worth its salt ought to have at least two newspapers with divergent styles and views. Given the diversity of Moab's culture, it's even more important that the broad interests and life styles of the community be recognized and addressed. I subscribe to and respect our senior I read it cover paper, the to cover every week. The Taylors give me a view of Moab I cannot get anywhere else. The T-- I is a reliable, conservative, respectable, traditional small town newspaper with a long and useful history. I want to know what it has to report about our town. And I want it to stay just the way it is. photography Times-Independe- nt. 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