MUFON Northern California Case Briefs - No 02 - 1994

Magazine Overview

Title: CASE BRIEFS: EXPLORATIONS & REVIEW
Issue: #2
Date: September / October 1994
Publisher: Mutual UFO Network, Inc. Northern California Affiliate

This issue of Case Briefs, the second published by the Northern California Affiliate of MUFON, aims to continue the work of previous newsletters by providing readers with fascinating articles, interviews, and information on UFO investigations. While the main focus is on Northern California cases, the publication has initiated a newsletter exchange program with other MUFON chapters and UFO groups to bring readers a broader scope of information from around the globe. The editor, Laura Steiger, encourages comments and suggestions from readers.

Subscription Information

Issues are priced at $2.00 each and are typically available at bi-monthly Bay Area MUFON meetings. For those unable to attend, a six-issue subscription costs $16.00, including mailing. Subscriptions can be ordered by sending a check or money order to: Case Briefs Editor, Mutual U.F.O. Network, P. O. Box 26585, San Francisco, CA 94126.

Articles and Case Studies

The Mystery In Modoc, Part II: The 1970's, 1980's and 1990's

This section details several unexplained phenomena reported in Modoc County, California:

• May 1974: Two couples camping at Reservoir C in the Devil's Garden reported seeing a large, illuminated sphere hovering above the dam. The object changed hues and emitted beams of white light, illuminating the reservoir. One man described it as being as large as a two-story house and noted it moved outward across the lake before descending close to the water. He scared it away by lighting a campfire, and it disappeared upward at high velocity.
• Summer 1975: Three men traveling in the Devil's Garden area noticed a large light following their pickup. The object made no sound and changed direction with them. It illuminated the area beneath it. After following them for about an hour, it stopped and ascended at incredible speed.
• December 1987: Friends gathered at a ranch home on the west side of Goose Lake observed four deep red lights at the southern end of the lake. These lights zoomed across the lake to Oregon and back, traveling over a hundred miles in seconds at an elevation of about 15 feet. The object then moved along the shore, emitting a light beam, before rising and disappearing into the upper atmosphere.
• The Late 1980's: A group driving home from a basketball game in Cedarville noticed a bright light over a mountain. They watched what appeared to be a helicopter move down the mountain. Later, they found themselves directly underneath the object, which hovered about thirty feet above them. It was about fifty feet across with colored lights and a fan-like cover on the underside. It emitted a humming noise and a dim light downward. When a dim light hit one car, the object flew off quickly to the southeast.
• August 1992: A man camping in the Warner Mountains observed a huge circular craft, about 90 feet in diameter, drifting slowly above the pine trees. It was dark in color, with appendages similar to antennae, and made no sound. The object moved north and disappeared from view. The witness later learned that a bull had gone missing around the same time.
• October 6, 1993: A middle-aged woman observed a star-colored object resembling an inverted "Y" flying above the mountains in a remote area of Modoc County. The object was seen "dancing" in an unusual pattern for approximately 45 minutes. The woman did not feel threatened.

The magazine notes that future issues will delve further into incidents in Modoc County, including cattle mutilations and abductions.

Case 1: The Night Watchman Cometh

This case involves a nine-year-old boy named Aaron in Belen, New Mexico, who reported seeing a "Being" in his hallway in the spring of 1993. He described it as bi-pedal, barefoot, walking on tiptoes, and wearing a tight suit. The Being was about five feet tall, with an oval head, small eyes, and a short neck. It appeared to materialize and dematerialize in the doorway, glowing and moving with a slight hum. Aaron believed it was floating and not of material substance.

Case 2: The Sleep Watcher

About a month after Case 1, Aaron experienced another event where he saw a "purplish glowing one" standing by his sister Chris's bed. This figure was darker purple and two to three feet taller than the one seen previously, estimated at around six feet three inches. It was seen from the knees up and began to disappear from the feet upward.

Case 3: Guardian of the Night

Chris, Aaron's sister, born in 1982, reported an experience in the autumn of 1989. She saw a shadow figure between her closet and the ceiling. On the second night, she saw its entire body, describing it as about five feet one inch tall, pale and ashen, with vertically placed oval eyes and no nose, mouth, or hair. It wore a silver suit with horizontal wrinkles and appeared to be floating. She saw this figure for three consecutive nights. Chris felt protected by the Being and considered it a "guardian angel."

Case 4: Please Don't Let Them Take My Baby

Dana, a mother of four in Belen, New Mexico, recounted an experience from November 1984. While hospitalized for premature labor, she experienced a feeling of fear in her room and saw a figure standing in the doorway, described as a man about six and a half feet tall, with a hat or hood and an implement in his hand. The feeling dissipated when she closed her eyes and prayed. Dana has since experienced similar "dreams" with a feeling of peace and affection from the figure. More recently, she experienced skipped menses and a bloated feeling. Her daughter Chris also reported seeing someone peeking at the door, and their Chihuahua, Lacey, barked at unseen presences, suggesting the Being was present but did not want to be seen.

Annette, another daughter, wishes to see her "angel," and her youngest son, Lowell, connected the sightings to Aaron's experiences.

ARTICLES

THE COAST WEEKLY, Part IV

This is the fourth installment of a series taken from a feature article originally published in the Coast Weekly, Monterey County's largest circulation newspaper. The article focuses on local UFO activity and acknowledges the efforts of independent researchers and grassroots groups like MUFON in gathering information due to government denial and a lack of university research.

ON THE UFO TRAIL

This article, reprinted from the Australian U.F.O. Bulletin, discusses events during 1973, including Dr. J. Allen Hynek's visit to Australia to meet with UFO researchers and witnesses. It highlights the case of Tom Drury, who observed an elongated object emerge from a cloud. The article also mentions the case of Frederick Valentich, who disappeared after reporting a UFO encounter. The author, Paul Norman, notes that the Drury film was sent to the U.S. Air Force and classified as unknown. Roy Russell, former President of the Queensland UFO Research Group, facilitated a meeting between Dr. Hynek and Tom Drury.

The article also touches upon the attitude of some scientists who may not give adequate credit to ufologists, referencing the book "Forbidden Science" by Jacques Vallee. It contrasts this with the efforts of independent researchers and scientific community members who are actively investigating the UFO phenomenon.

INTERVIEWS

A CONVERSATION WITH PAUL NORMAN

Conducted by Laura Steiger, Case Briefs Editor.

Paul Norman, an Australian UFO researcher with over 41 years of experience, discusses his interest in UFOs, which began in 1953 when he witnessed an unknown object hovering over a power station in Tennessee. He describes the object as approaching at helicopter speed and then speeding away like a jet, with no sound.

Norman identifies the disappearance of Frederick Valentich on October 21, 1978, as the most interesting and challenging case he has investigated. He notes that the "Unsolved Mysteries" program partially reflected the case but omitted important details, including the full conversation between Valentich and flight service.

He mentions that the day of Valentich's disappearance saw more reported sightings, including daytime sightings, than any other period he has investigated.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around unexplained aerial phenomena, close encounters, and the detailed testimonies of witnesses, including children. The magazine emphasizes the importance of independent research and grassroots efforts in investigating UFOs, particularly in the face of government denial and a lack of mainstream scientific interest. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry into UFO phenomena, presenting cases and witness accounts without immediate dismissal, while acknowledging the complexities and mysteries involved. There's a clear appreciation for the work of ufologists and a critical view of some scientific attitudes that may overlook or devalue their contributions. The magazine aims to be a platform for sharing these accounts and fostering further investigation.

Title: CASE BRIEFS: EXPLORATIONS & REVIEW
Issue: SEPTEMBER / OCTOBER 1994
Publisher: MUFON Northern California
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of Case Briefs, published by MUFON Northern California, delves into various aspects of UFO research and related phenomena. It features an interview with an investigator, an update on the Roswell incident, and information about the International UFO Museum in Roswell, New Mexico, alongside community news and upcoming events.

Interview with Investigator PN

The issue begins with an interview featuring an investigator identified as PN, speaking with LS. PN recounts a significant UFO sighting in Australia involving two cigar-shaped craft lashed together, witnessed by 35 people and resulting in approximately 50 good sightings. These sightings occurred around Victoria, Melbourne, and the Bass Strait areas, some spanning 100-150 miles apart.

PN discusses the changes in media coverage of UFOs since 1953, noting a significant decrease in ridicule and an increase in public acceptance, with current polls showing over 50% of the public acknowledging the phenomena, up from 15% in the 1950s.

When asked about the focus of current investigations, PN emphasizes a 'nuts and bolts' approach, seeking tangible evidence, while acknowledging other accounts. He advises investigators to be scrupulously scientific and to gather facts, even if they don't immediately align with current scientific understanding. PN states he has not personally encountered direct interference or attempts to hamper his investigations, though he notes that cases themselves are often subjected to ridicule.

PN addresses the common misconception of 'little green men,' offering a witty retort: "Well the only little green men we know of are humans who are so green that they don't know what's going on." This response is effective in stopping debunkers, especially with newsmen.

Regarding indigenous beliefs, PN confirms that Aboriginal people in Australia have a long-standing mythology of 'spirit lights,' which share similarities in description with beliefs found in African tribes. He notes that he has not investigated American Indian cases.

Finally, PN mentions a recent investigation stemming from the 'Unsolved Mysteries' program, involving a case in Northern California. A former Air Force pilot who flew in Australia during the time of the Valentich disappearance contacted the program and is willing to speak with an investigator. Virgil Staff is reportedly following up on this lead.

Pilot Sightings and MUFON

LS shares an anecdote about a flight attendant who mentioned MUFON to her captain. The captain revealed he had seen a UFO 16-18 years prior during a flight and had reported it to J. Allen Hynek. This is notable because airlines often discourage or penalize pilots for reporting such sightings. PN confirms that many pilots have had sightings and that he has often engaged pilots in conversations about their experiences, particularly when flying out of Australia. He used to wear a VUFORS button to encourage these discussions.

Roswell Investigation Update

This section details the audit initiated by Congressman Steven Schiff into government agencies concerning the alleged cover-up of the 1947 Roswell, New Mexico UFO crash. The General Accounting Office (GAO) conducted an investigation, with the Air Force searching its records. The USAF investigation concluded on September 8th, with Major Dave Thurston announcing at a Pentagon press conference that no information was found to indicate the 'Roswell Incident' was a UFO event or that a cover-up occurred. The findings pointed to a crashed balloon device used in the classified 'Project Mogul.'

UFO researchers had long anticipated this explanation. Congressman Schiff expressed support for the GAO's ongoing investigation but voiced concern that the Air Force's search focused on UFOs and extraterrestrials rather than the broader request for all relevant records. He emphasized the GAO's goal is a comprehensive audit, regardless of the nature of the incidents.

The GAO's investigation is titled "Records Management Procedures Dealing With Weather Balloon, Unknown Aircraft, and Similar Crash Incidents" and is currently ongoing.

International UFO Museum in Roswell, NM

Written by Laura Steiger, Case Briefs Editor, this piece describes a visit to the International UFO Museum and Research Center in Roswell, New Mexico. After attending the MUFON Symposium in Austin and visiting the McDonald Observatory, Steiger found the museum to be a serious presentation of information with ample research materials.

The museum was founded two years prior and is staffed by twenty volunteers. As of mid-July, over 30,200 people had visited. Facilities include two research rooms, two video viewing rooms, an art gallery, and a gift store, along with a large hall displaying UFO photographs and news articles. The museum offers a wide array of UFO-related videos, books, periodicals, and audio tapes, including a documentary on the Roswell incident.

A significant highlight was meeting Walter G. Haut, a participant in the 1947 Roswell incident and the museum's President. The museum's Board of Directors also includes Glenn Dennis (Vice President) and Max Littell (Secretary and Treasurer). Admission is free, with donations gratefully accepted to support its operations. The museum is located at 400 North Main Street and is open daily from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m., except on Christmas. Steiger highly recommends a visit.

OPUS Group Forming

Authored by Kathi Hennesey, Cast Briefs Assistant Editor, this section announces the upcoming launch of the Organization for Paranormal Understanding and Support (OPUS) in the East Bay. OPUS is a non-profit organization aimed at assisting experiencers of unusual phenomena and fostering information exchange among experiencers, researchers, and the public. Its primary functions will be operating a referral support network and a database. Several local MUFON members and other Northern California UFO and parapsychological community members have contributed to its development. OPUS has received not-for-profit approval from the California Franchise Tax Board and is awaiting IRS approval before opening.

Operation Right to Know Local Update

Operation Right to Know (ORTK) is preparing for its week-long Right to Know Campaign next July by selling pins and armbands. Mike Jamieson is the contact person for more information. While no major local activities are planned for the remainder of 1994, the next issue will provide an update on ORTK's plans for 1995, focusing on cultivating congressional interest and journalistic awareness.

Media Corner: Television & Radio

This section provides updates on UFO-related programming:

• "Encounters" is on hiatus.
• The Fox network show "Sightings," previously canceled, will return on CBS stations in the Bay Area on KPIX Channel 5. It will air in a new hour-long format, debuting Saturday, September 17th at 3:30 p.m., then moving to its regular slot of 3:00 p.m. every Sunday afternoon starting September 25th.
• A new syndicated show, "The Extraordinary," will air on KTVU Channel 2 in the Bay Area on Saturdays at midnight.
• "Forces Beyond" is a new show scheduled for The Learning Channel this fall.
• "Larry King Live" will feature a 2-hour special on UFOs on October 1st on TNT.
• "Unsolved Mysteries" will present "Mysteries of Alien Beings" on Sunday, September 18th, featuring Ray Fowler's Allagash Abduction case and an interview with Dr. John Mack. It will air on KRON Channel 4 in the Bay Area at 8:00 p.m.

Events and Meetings

• Art Bell's "Dreamland" is airing Sundays from 7-10 p.m. and has expanded to 75 stations nationwide, with new California stations including Pasa Robles and Yucca Valley.
• Ralph Steiner of KPFA reports that the UFO show during a recent pledge drive was highly successful, attracting new members and revenue. A 12-hour "UFO Marathon" is planned for February.
• Benjamin Dean Astronomy Lectures are scheduled for October 18th ("The Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence") and November 15th ("The Big Splash: Impacts of Comets with Jupiter and Earth") at the Morrison Planetarium in Golden Gate Park, SF.
• MUFON Bi-Monthly Bay Area Meeting is typically held on the third Sunday of odd-numbered months. The next meeting is tentatively set for November 20th at 1:00 p.m. at the Church of Divine Science, 1540 Hicks, San Jose.
• UFO Expo West will take place on November 5th and 6th at the Dunfey Hotel in San Mateo, CA.
• The 4th Annual International UFO Congress Convention is scheduled from November 27th through December 4th at the Peppermill Oasis Resort in Mesquite, Nevada.

Northern California Case Briefs Submission Guidelines

The Northern California Case Briefs: Explorations and Review is a forum for exchanging ideas. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of MUFON or its staff. Articles, news items, reviews, and event information can be submitted to the Case Briefs Editor, MUFON Northern California, P. O. Box 26585, San Francisco, CA 94126. Submissions should include name, mailing address, and phone number. Diskette submissions (Microsoft Word for Windows or compatible) are accepted upon request, and diskettes will be returned to authors.

BE THERE FOR THE ENCOUNTER!

An event titled "BE THERE FOR THE ENCOUNTER!" is scheduled for November 5th & 6th, 1994, at the San Mateo Dunfey Hotel in San Francisco. It will feature 20 Speakers and 30 Exhibits, including notable figures such as Richard Hoagland, Budd Hopkins, Colin Andrews, Chuck deCaro, James Harder, Bob Dean, Dan Drasin, Steve Neill, Sean Morton, Michael Lindemann, Guido Moosbrugger, and Vladimir Terziski. A program guide can be obtained by calling (415)905-8874 or writing to Box 1011, Pac Pal, CA 90272.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the ongoing investigation and reporting of UFO phenomena, the challenges of public perception and media portrayal, and the historical context of sightings and alleged cover-ups. The editorial stance, as reflected in the content, appears to be one of open inquiry and a commitment to presenting information from various perspectives, while also emphasizing scientific rigor in investigation. The publication serves as a platform for sharing experiences, research findings, and community news within the UFO field, encouraging dialogue and further exploration.