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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 26, 1999)
** j-HNTERTAINMENT Author aims works toward troubled youth By Diane Broderick Staff writer For most people, a drug-mduced trip off of a bridge is the end of what could have been a promising life. But for author Tom Frye, knowing someone who survived such a harrow ing experience is what jump-started his WTiting'career. In the mid-'80s, Frye began work ing with four adolescents on probation. One of the boys, after taking several kinds of drugs, jumped from a bridge in Lincoln's Havelock area in the early 80s. The youth survived, and when Frye was sent to talk with him he heard for the First time the teen-ager’s visions of a seven-headed dragon. The boy said he was going to hell when he died, but he was OK w ith that - all lus friends would be there. He said it would be like a great party. i ne experience nad a tremendous impact on Frye, and it inspired him to write a book about at-risk children called “Scratchin’ on the Eight Ball.” “That’s when I started writing - when I got home that morning,” Frye said. “I thought ‘Somebody’s got to tell this kid you don’t have to do what your fnends do.’” Frye has been writing ever since - for more than 15 years. He balances his time between working with children and writing bo«s for them. “Scratchin”’ explores a 14-year old’s exploits with drugs and alcohol, and it examines the steps the character takes to cope with his problems. Frye’s impetus for writing it was more or less to reach children with a message - one carved out of experi ences Frye himself has been through, he said. Frye ran into trouble, including drug Lane Hickenbottom/DN TOM FRYE writes books to send anti-drug messages to at-risk youth. His first book, “Scratchin’ on the Eight Ball” was inspired by the attempted suicide of a youth he worked with as a youth worker. use, as an adolescent. In fact, it was his own probation officer who put him into contact with the youth who jumped from the bridge. This first-hand knowledge makes Frye’s message mean more to children, a colleague said. “His own personal experience growing up - some of the things he went through as a youth - have taught him how to relate well, especially with youth,” said probation officer Roy Nifoussi, who works with the Juvenile Probation Office. “I’ve had many youths who have been to his programs, and all have just raved about (Frye),” Nifoussi said. The programs that Frye works w ith include daily classes with gifted stu dents at Lincoln Public Schools, various storytelling activities he does around the community and work he does with at nsk youths through Family Solutions, a domestic support group in Lincoln. But in addition to this work, Frye has made time to publish six books since “Scratchin’ on the Eight Ball.” His follow-up book, “The Kid, the Cop and the Con,” continued the adven tures of the boy introduced in Resident Writers A semesterlong look at Nebraska literary culture and the people who create it. “Scratchin.”' After experiencing some problems with the publisher of his first book, Frye decided to raise money himself to pub lish his second. Please see FRYE on 10 Soviet propaganda on display .~.... Courtesy of Western Heritage Museum CREATED BY SOVIET ARTIST E. Arzrunyan in 1986, this pro paganda poster reads “After work - to the stadium.” By Danell McCoy Staff writer The faces of Lenin and Stalin jump out from every comer while the color red hangs from the walls like the drip ping blood of revolu tionaries past and pre sent. For those people who lived through the Cold War, the artifacts bring history into focus. Gallery Preview The Facts What: “Darker Shade of Red” Where: Western Heritage Museum, 801 S. 10th St., Omaha When: Through April 25, Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 1-5 p.m. Cost: $3 The Skinny: Soviet Propaganda paints Omaha red The display includes paintings, posters, flags and uniforms starting directly after the revolu tion of 1917 and continu ing through the dissolu tion of the Soviet state in 1991. “Most of the artifacts were commissioned by the government,” said Deborah O’Donnell, director of education at the museum. “They were used as a way to preserve the ideas of the govern ror those who know little of the Soviet Union, the exhibition serves as an experiential history lesson. Through April 25, the Western Heritage Museum, 801 S. 10th St. in Omaha, is showing artifacts of 20th-century Soviet society and government in the exhibition “Darker Shade of Red.” The exhibition is dedicated to the various forms of Soviet propaganda art that evolved behind the iron curtain as a result of the world s first national-scale communist experi ment. A “1 think the exhibition gives a bit of a win dow into Soviet life,” said Terry Keane, curator for the museum. “It is the difference between reading a book and actually seeing the things that affected the society and culture of the country.” ment.” Many of the artifacts sport the looming faces of Lenin and Stalin: the two most infa mous leaders in Soviet history. The paintings are mostly socialist realistic works showing the everyday lives of Soviet cit izens. Topics include factory workers going to work, portraits of Lenin and Stalin and chil dren involved in youth organizations. The posters show the breadth of influence the government had over the people of the USSR. Some promote good citizenry, while others teach the people how to work with the government in a positive way. Anti-West posters that came out during the Cold War broadcast detest toward political enemies, including the United States. Please see SOVIETS on 10 WeckKin Preview The following is a brief guide to weekend events. Please call venues for more information. CONCERTS: Duffy's, 1412 O. St Sunday: Wally Pleasant Duggan V Pub, 440 S. 1 l‘h St Friday and Saturday: Grateful Dudes Knickerbockers, 901 O St Friday: Black Light Sunshine. Clever, Lower Case i Saturday: The Case Wicked. Flusking April Mo Java Cafe, Suite D, 2649 V 48th St Friday: The McNeelees The Royal Grove, 340 W. Cornhusker Hwy\ Friday and Saturday: The Confidentials Zoo Bar, 136 N. 14th St Friday: Who’s the Boss Saturday: Mark Sailings and the Famous Unknowns THEATER: Mary Riepma Ross Film Theater, l?" and R streets Friday and Saturday: “Slam” Sunday: “Life is Beautiful” Museum of Nebraska History, 15 th and P streets Sunday: “Band Wagon” starring Fred Astaire and Cyd Chansse Lied Center for Performing Arts, 12th andR streets Friday: “African Sanctus” Lincoln Community Playhouse, 2500 S. 56th St. Friday and Saturday: “Oleanna” Kimball Recital Hall, 12th and R streets. All weekend: “Cosi fan tutte” University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Studio Theatre, Temple Building, 12th and R streets Friday and Saturday: “Childe Byron” GALLERIES: Burkholder Project, 719 P St Friday and Saturday: “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues,” “Places in Europe” Gallery; 9,124 S. Ninth St All weekend: § “Fruits of Passion” Hay don Gallery, 335 N. Eighth St, Suite A Friday and Saturday: “The Art of Jazz Photography” Noyes Art Gallery, 119 S. Ninth St Friday and Saturday: recent works by Amy Sadie, Carol Sexton, Steve Settles, John Gillett, Olive Bishop, Bonnie Goochey Sheldon Memorial Art Gallery, 12th and R streets All weekend: “New York School Installation”
