CLINTON ST. QUARTERLY River feV iew Our summer retreat one year was a house in Kulu — that Himalayan valley paradise of glacier-fed rivers, mountain trout, wild honey and hot springs. We rented a newly built house closest to the river at the foot of a village. Behind us the houses rose like stepping stones up the hill. The view was classic. A boy brought us water in two brass pots suspended by ropes from a yoke over his shoulders. That saved me from standing in line at the village spigot. We were left to ourselves and cherished the privacy to practice the sitar, master oriental scripts, perfect bread making using a single-burner kerosene stove, or whatever. I found mica on a nearby path and brought some home. Not knowing any embroidery stitches, I sewed the flat mirror-like stones onto cotton with a cobweb effect: stitches zig-zagged around each little disk, securing it in place. Things changed after the first cow died that summer. We then found out that our little cottage with the river view was actually bordering the burial grounds on the banks of the river. No wonder the village houses rose up the hill. The first few days after a carcass was put out, only flies buzzed. But once the smell permeated the area, vultures would get wind of the putrid flesh. Our river breeze carried the stench of death. A huge boulder in front of our house became the resting place of satiated scavengers. The birds literally ate so much they couldn’t move except to perform some crazy wing-spread dance, shifting from one leg to another. Only after they digested the stuff and eliminated could they fly off — but that might take days. So we welcomed the vultures, praised their function in the environment. The sooner they cleaned the bones, the better. We even incorporated the rotting flesh into our tantric meditations. After all, “ life is impermanent,” we’d remind ourselves each morning, lighting fresh incense sticks and checking the windows to see that they were tightly shut. by Marilyn Stablein A WOMAN’S CHOICE- ABORTION Abortion is safe and legal when provided in a clinic setting. The Portland Women’s Health Center is a non-profit, women-controlled clinic providing gynecological health care screenings, birth control, pregnancy screening, abortion, and referral information. Fees are on a sliding scale. Welfare, insurance, and credit cards are accepted. For further information call: Portland Women’s Health Center Women’s Choice Clinic WE HAVE MOVED TO: 6510 SE Foster Portland, Oregon 97206 (503) 777-7044 New Hours: 9:00am-5:00pm Some evening clinics AN ELECTION ON FEBRUARY 17?? A SPECIAL ELECTION - FOR PORTLAND CITY COUNCIL Stephen Kafoury Supports: • Economic development while preserving Portland's heritage and liveability • Neighborhood participation in city planning • Community self-help to offset decreased government funding • City government cooperation in planning the future of Portland's schools • Increased use of mass transit, more bike lanes and paths Senator Kafoury’s Legislative Voting Record is Rated: 1OO% by Oregon Environmental Council 1OO% by American Civil Liberties Union 1OO% by Willamette Week 95% by the Oregon AFL-CIO And, Kafoury is endorsed by both Oregon Senate and House minority leaders because of his ability to work with his political opponents. STEPHEN KAFOURY FOR A BALANCED CITY COUNCIL Paid for by Kafoury Campaign Committee, 519 S.W. 3rd, Judy Kafoury, Treasurer 223-0088. \1>6
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