Independent Publishing Resource Center

We have much to learn from mushrooms, says the just-released zine, Radical Mycology.  Authored by the self-identified Spore Liberation Front, the primer states in its “call to sporulate:”

The complex life of mushrooms provides profound and novel examples of networking between different species and environs not exhibited by most other life forms.  These actions show a sentient concern for not just the mushroom involved but for the surrounding environment as well.  We believe that as one learns more about these habits, and the ways in which they can influence our own human behavior, one quickly begins to perceive the interconnectedness of life surrounding them all the more clearly.

Clearly, this is no standard field Guide.  Radical Mycology is a political and spiritual call to humanity to look down at the ground and learn from one of the most wondrous living organisms known. Most mushroom affectionados will have no difficulty comparing their mycological friends to human existence and sustainability, but this zine brings this concern more sharply into focus than most publications.

The “networking” that the SLF are referring to is one of the major forms and life stages of mushrooms: mycelium.  The mycelium is the “vast underground web-like structure” that is the hidden vegetative body that produces the mushroom “fruit.”  Many mushrooms you see above ground can be part of the same mycelium below.  In fact, one single mycelium network in Eastern Oregon has been identified as possibly the largest living organism in the world, stretching over 2,400 acres! Mycelium have recently been understood to act as kind of underground economy for their habitat, not only providing nutrients for surrounding organisms, but actually acting as a middleman between them!  Radical Mycology contains a “Mycorestoration” section that details the new science of using mushrooms to restore habitats.

The zine discusses species identification and culinary uses, but this is often where other written works end.  Radical Mycology goes further by offering cultivation tips and other interesting tidbits, like stories of hunters intentionally causing forest fires to produce a flush of Morel mushrooms.  It freely discuss the psychedelic properties of mushrooms, both for spiritual and medicinal use.  Along with using mushrooms to dye fabric and make paper, the zine reveals the often misunderstood fungi to have a history of use as old as civilization itself.



Yes, we’ve joined the craze.  Now you can keep up with the latest news at the IPRC by following our Twitter page.  We’ll be posting upcoming events, new zines and more!

Times are tough for “analog,” or non-digital, media these days.  Last year, Polaroid announced it was ending production of its namesake cameras and film.  As supplies run thin, many enthusiasts are racing to find the last caches of film, and paying hefty prices for them.

Photo: Gretchin Lair

As personal computers make a easier and cheaper tool for self-publishing, enthusiasts are saying goodbye to another lesser-known, but equally-cherished product: Gocco.  The Gocco is a tiny printing machine brought to us by the Japanese Riso company and a favorite of DIY printmakers.  To find out more about the device and its demise, I spoke with two master Gocco printers at Portland’s Independent Publishing Resource Center, Gretchin Lair and Shu-Ju Wang.

“It’s a very easy to use silkscreen printing system that uses flash bulbs to expose pre-coated screens,” says Wang.  “You can go from artwork, through exposure and inking, to print, in 5 minutes or less. It’s also very portable and suitable for small workspaces.”  “I say the Gocco is magic!” adds Lair. “Its many geniuses include using non-toxic materials to print & clean up and the ability to print with multiple colors on the same screen (which avoids registrations hassles). ” (more…)

For my first review, I am recommending Know Your Rights!: A Restaurant Worker’s Survival Guide.  This publication was recently published by the Portland Restaurant Workers Association (PRWA), which describes itself as “a community group of workers committed to promoting Solidarity, Support, & Education among food service workers in our city.”

The PRWA also recently teamed up with the Portland Central America Solidarity Committee to offer low-cost, highly interactive Spanish Language/Conversation classes, which you can learn more about here.

The small guide makes a handy resource to refer to, whether you’re unemployed, going through the hiring process, on the job, or getting fired.  At 1/4 page size, it’s also almost small enough to store in your back pocket.

Inside, the restaurant workers who wrote the zine present some resources for employment, legal services, and heath care, both local and national.  It also offers legal information that your employer is less likely to inform you of, such as your rights to be paid, and the terms for taking leave when you or a family member has a serious health condition or is the victim of a crime.  Of particular interest to restaurant workers is the issue of tips.  The guide points out that Oregon law does not address tips and even the U.S. Department of Labor fails to enforce federal regulations in the state.  The PRWA wants to hear more from restaurant workers about their experience with tips.  You can send your story to them at contact@pdxrwa.org.

Know Your Rights!: A Restaurant Worker’s Survival Guide is available to view at the Independent Publishing Resource Center.  You can also contact PRWA at contact@pdxrwa.org to get your own copy.  They plan to hold discussion forums this year to distribute, discuss, and receive feedback about the pamphlet.

We had a great time at this year’s Stumptown Comics Fest. We brought along one of our smaller clam shell letterpresses for people to try out and make their own IPRC card. We also exhibited a bunch of shirts that we screened using our new Yudu. Check out our Flickr photos below.

Until next year!

photoiprc’s Stumptown Comics 2009 photoset