UFO Newsclipping Service - 2002 11 - no 400

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO Newsclipping Service, dated November 2002, Number 400, is published by the UFO NEWSCLIPPING SERVICE and edited by Lucius Farish. It features a cover headline about the "UFO AWARENESS GROUP: DISCUSSING THE PARANORMAL" and includes articles on UFO sightings, crop circles, and related phenomena from various sources.

UFO Awareness Group in Arroyo Grande

The article "Is there more out there?" by Freddie Yap, from The Tribune, introduces the UFO Awareness Group, which meets twice a month at a Round Table Pizza in Arroyo Grande, California. Members like Michael Heiberger and John Maloney share their beliefs and experiences concerning aliens and UFOs. The group, founded in 1991 by Larry Jamison, serves as a forum for those who believe "there's more out there than what CNN is willing to tell us." While many members haven't personally encountered UFOs, they believe humanity is not alone in the universe. Some members suggest aliens have visited Earth for years, basing their beliefs on information from websites and books. The article notes that mainstream science has found no credible proof of alien life, though evidence of water and ice on Mars has been found. Al Lane points to numerous reported UFO sightings and alien abductions as proof, while acknowledging skepticism within the group. Michael Heiberger recounts an experience where he sensed an invisible Venusian spaceship near Lake Mead, Nevada, and claims to have visited it multiple times. John Maloney shares a childhood memory of seeing a glowing, unidentified object after which he lost track of time. The article also touches on conspiracy theories and the paranormal, with members like Homer Hoyt emphasizing the need to "enlarge our vision."

Crop Circles: Precursors to a close encounter with ET or merely catering to the public's appetite for 'occult metaphors'?

This article by Rick DelVecchio from the Chronicle discusses the phenomenon of crop circles, questioning whether they are genuine signs of extraterrestrial contact or simply "occult metaphors" catering to public demand. Joe Nickell, an investigator for the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal, views crop circles as a persistent hoax. The article highlights the visual appeal of crop circles, comparing their symmetry to mandalas and noting their use in New Age culture. It mentions Dutch physicist Eltjo Haselhoff's research into scientific oddities related to crop circles and the upcoming release of three films, including Disney's "Signs," which features a crop circle as a landing site for hostile aliens. The article notes that the crop circle season peaks in August and mentions a recent elaborate formation near Stonehenge. Devotees, known as cerealogists, believe these formations signify life-affirming forces, with theories ranging from natural phenomena to extraterrestrial or interdimensional origins. Joshua Shapiro suggests they are a form of communication using universal mathematics. Skeptics, like Dennis Stacy, view them as human creations catering to a demand for "occult metaphors." The article also touches on the practicalities of creating crop circles in English fields and the historical context, including "saucer nests" from the 1960s.

MUFON Seeks Truth Behind Close Encounters

This series of articles from various publications details the work of the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) and its members in investigating UFO sightings and related phenomena. Bruce Widaman, Missouri state director for MUFON, shares his personal journey into UFO investigation, stemming from a childhood phobia and a hypnotic regression that revealed a "close encounter of the fourth kind" (alien abduction). The articles highlight MUFON's origins in 1969, founded by John Schuessler and Walt Andrus, to provide a credible platform for UFO research, free from the infighting of earlier organizations. MUFON is described as the world's largest and oldest UFO research organization, with thousands of volunteers and a reputation for credibility. The articles also touch upon the stigma associated with UFO sightings, the government's alleged secrecy, and the ongoing efforts to pressure Congress for information. Members like Robert Davis express frustration with public apathy towards UFOs, while others, like Carole Schoenholtz, share personal sightings and suspect government knowledge. Stan Gordon, a researcher of over 40 years, is featured discussing his investigations into UFOs and Bigfoot, emphasizing that while most reports have natural explanations, some remain unexplained. He highlights the Kecksburg incident and his belief that unexplained phenomena do exist. The articles also include reports from Canada and England, discussing crop circle discoveries and ongoing investigations into their origins and potential meanings.

UFOs, Bigfoot, and Strange Harvests

Stan Gordon, a researcher with over 40 years of experience, is featured in a Daily News article, "UFOs, Bigfoot," detailing his investigations into unusual phenomena. Gordon validates reports from responsible people but notes that most turn out to be natural or man-made. He discusses theories about Bigfoot, suggesting it might have a non-physical aspect, and recounts a case where a creature described as a "big, hairy ape" was seemingly unharmed by gunshots and disappeared into thin air. Gordon also investigates UFO sightings, including the Kecksburg incident, and has produced a documentary on the subject. He mentions that reports of potential extraterrestrial activities have increased recently. The "Strange Harvest" articles from the SUN (Vancouver, B.C.) and other publications focus on crop circles, particularly in Canada and the UK. The articles discuss the discovery of crop circles in British Columbia and Quebec, with experts like Paul Anderson of the Canadian Crop Circle Research Network investigating. Anderson expresses a belief in a purposeful, non-random origin for crop circles, leaning away from simple alien explanations due to the complexity of the patterns. He notes experiences within circles, such as electronics malfunctioning and premonitions, that suggest more than just flattened crops. Chad Deetken, a crop circle investigator, shares his experiences, including feeling a paralysis within a circle and hearing footsteps. He believes crop circles are deliberately created to energize observers. The articles also mention the influence of films like "Signs" on public interest in crop circles and the ongoing debate about their origins, with some scientists like Dr. W.C. Levengood confirming genuine formations.

Mystery in the Sky and Reader Sightings

The Central Somerset Gazette features a letter from "Skywatcher" describing a metallic blue object with a bulbous center and four arm-like appendages witnessed near Croscombe, England. The object approached, lowered, and then rapidly ascended. The Whitby Gazette reports on a massive reader response to a story about "strange lights" seen in Sleights, England. While some suggest the lights were from a searchlight, others recall similar unexplained sightings. Russell Barber described "perfect little balls of cloud with a blue tinge" and a "phenomenal gale." April Holloway and David Illingworth also reported seeing unusual lights. Roger Storey believes the lights might have been from a powerful searchlight, but acknowledges the strangeness of the descriptions. The article concludes by noting that as nights grow longer, people pay more attention to the sky, and the possibility of "something out there" remains.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This collection of articles consistently explores the unexplained, with a strong focus on UFO sightings, crop circles, and related paranormal phenomena. The editorial stance, as inferred from the content, is one of open investigation and a willingness to consider possibilities beyond conventional explanations, while also acknowledging the role of skepticism and the need for credible evidence. There's a recurring theme of government secrecy and a desire for transparency regarding UFO information. The articles highlight the efforts of individuals and organizations like MUFON to gather data and educate the public, often in the face of ridicule or disbelief. The phenomenon of crop circles is presented as a complex issue with various interpretations, from hoaxes to potential extraterrestrial communication. The overall tone suggests a fascination with the unknown and a persistent search for answers to profound questions about our place in the universe.

Title: FORTEANA NEWS
Issue Date: November 1, 2002
Publisher: USA TODAY
Country: USA
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Main Cover Story: Some scientists give Bigfoot a second look

The cover story, "Some scientists give Bigfoot a second look," by Marco R. della Cava, explores the evolving perspective on the legendary Bigfoot, also known as Sasquatch. While skepticism still reigns in the scientific community, a few experts are becoming more 'receptive' to the possibility of its existence. The article highlights the dedication of Bigfoot hunters who spend countless weekends prowling forests, collecting evidence such as alleged footprints and hair samples. These efforts have led some animal experts, like Robert Benson, director of the Center for Bioacoustics at Texas A&M, to move from skepticism to a state of curiosity.

The piece traces the legend of Bigfoot back to Native American folklore and the pioneers, but it gained significant public attention with the 1967 amateur film shot by Roger Patterson and Bob Gimlin, which allegedly captured the creature on film. The legend has since permeated popular culture through movies and television shows.

Jeff Meldrum, an associate professor of anatomy and anthropology at Idaho State University, recounts his own shift from skepticism to belief after seeing dozens of footprints in Washington state in 1996. He now oversees an extensive collection of footprint casts amassed by the late Grover Krantz, an anthropology professor. Meldrum's analysis suggests the footprints are variations on a human theme, and he notes that his university presentations on Bigfoot are no longer treated as sideshows.

Matthew Johnson, a clinical psychologist and leader of the Southern Oregon Bigfoot Society, shares his personal encounter with a large, hairy creature while hiking. He describes the primal allure of the possibility of an elusive ape-like creature, noting that hundreds of reports are filed annually with the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization. The article also mentions the 'Skookum Cast,' a plaster impression taken in 2000 from a muddy Mount St. Helens meadow, which purports to capture a Bigfoot sitting.

Scientists like Russ Tuttle, professor of evolutionary morphology at the University of Chicago, remain unconvinced, stating, "I could be interested, but first get me a skeleton or maybe a Bigfoot trapped in my basement." This highlights the persistent demand for concrete physical proof.

Related Phenomena and Regional Focus

The issue also touches upon related phenomena and regional investigations:

Texas Bigfoot Conference

An article from Dallas, Texas, discusses the Second Annual Texas Bigfoot Conference, where speakers like wildlife journalist Chester Moore Jr. and research center assistant director Craig Woolheater presented their findings. Moore advocates for a scientific basis for Bigfoot's existence, viewing it as a hidden primate species rather than a paranormal entity. Woolheater highlights the potential for Bigfoot to thrive in East Texas due to its climate, resources, and lack of natural predators. The Texas Bigfoot Research Center, founded by Woolheater and Luke Gross, investigates reports and looks for signs like tree breaks and twists, which they believe require more than just an animal leaning against a tree.

Bigfoot and UFOs

Stan Gordon, a researcher from Pennsylvania, notes a possible correlation between Bigfoot and UFO sightings, citing cases where both phenomena were reported together. He also discusses the use of advanced technology, such as thermal imaging systems, in investigations. The Pennsylvania Bigfoot Society is holding its fourth annual East Coast Bigfoot Conference and Expo, which is open to the public for the first time.

Animal Mutilations and Other Sightings

Several articles detail reports of animal mutilations and other unexplained events:

• Wild Horses Found Dead, Mutilated Near Sundre, Alberta, Canada: Two wild horses were found dead, one cut in half, prompting an investigation by provincial authorities and the SPCA.
• UFO Sighting in Villarrica, Chile: Videographer Alberto Sandoval captured footage of an unidentified flying object, described as a luminous object with red lights that moved swiftly.
• Mothman Legend: The article discusses the perplexing legend of Mothman from Point Pleasant, West Virginia, in the 1960s, questioning whether it was an alien, an angel, or a product of group hysteria. The movie 'The Mothman Prophecies' is mentioned, along with the theories of investigator John A. Keel.
• Cattle Mutilations in Argentina: Multiple reports from Argentina detail cases of mutilated cattle, with investigations exploring various explanations, including predators like the red-muzzled mouse, but often concluding with unexplained findings and precise incisions.
• UFO Sighting in Patagones, Argentina: Local residents reported seeing a luminous, color-changing object moving in a zig-zag pattern.
• Mutilated Dog Found in Catamarca, Argentina: A dog was found dead with missing parts and signs of being sheared off by a sharp object.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the enduring nature of unexplained phenomena, the ongoing debate between skepticism and belief, and the efforts of dedicated researchers and enthusiasts to find evidence and explanations. The editorial stance appears to be one of open-minded investigation, acknowledging that while many sightings may have mundane explanations, a portion remains genuinely mysterious and warrants further study. The magazine highlights the human fascination with the unknown and the desire to find meaning in extraordinary events, even in the absence of definitive proof.