THE CAPITAL OF HIP

So Rebecca Marder donates leftovers to the homeless and has a “hard time with elitism . . . and the poor being excluded.” It takes more than liberal guilt and giving away day-old radicchio to tackle problems like affordable housing in Santa Monica. Believe me, I know. As an unhip, middle-class Santa Monica landlord, I provide such housing to dozens of this city’s poorer citizens.

If you really want to make a difference, Rebecca, here is a suggestion: Sell one of your noisy, overpriced restaurants and use the money to build affordable apartments for low-income tenants. With the money they save on rent, they might be able to afford to eat at places like Rebecca’s.

KURT BOWERMAN

Los Angeles