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Carts a help to handicapped I don’t...

Carts a help to handicapped

I don’t follow the papers daily but was told about the discussion

on shopping carts, and I just want to thank you for leaving the carts

where I can get them to help me get around.

You see, I have a problem walking very far because I have had two

knee replacements, and I find it very helpful to find an occasional

cart to lean on when I try to walk anyplace near my apartment.

There must be others who find this helpful too. I don’t think any

of you consider this as theft. I would think the store would be happy

to pay for cart pick-up. Look at all the money they spend on

promotion now. The reason they allow it to happen is because they

don’t want to lose your business.

I would urge those who complain to be more considerate of others

who can’t afford cars or taxis to shop with and consider not only the

seniors, but the handicapped who need their assistance. Since I have

been physically challenged, I have found there are many of us out

there, and so many of you are willing to help by opening doors, etc.

I’d like to thank you also.

JULIANNE SPILLMAN

Glendale

Cast isn’t made

up of heathens

I’m a senior at La Canada High School and a member of the Advanced

Theater Ensemble. Like other cast members, I am a good, mature

student, and not the immoral heathen certain parents are bringing

people to believe we are. I am a princess on the Tournament of Roses

Royal Court, an incoming freshman at Princeton University, and I’m

proud to be playing the role of Pan in “Bat Boy.”

KARA MURPHY

La Canada Flintridge

Time for performance protest is not now

Here are my thoughts regarding the play “Bat Boy.”

1. The time to have protested this musical was when the selection

was announced, back in September, not after roles were cast and

rehearsals had begun. I enjoyed watching a fairly polished scene at

the La Canada High School Open House on March 22.

2. Participation in the all-school musical is entirely optional.

3. It’s about art. Art is honest, thought-provoking, enlightening

and sometimes “out there.” It helps our children learn to make good

choices. In this case, I understand that “Bat Boy” is a

tongue-in-cheek spoof, and a funny one at that.

We are fortunate to have drama teacher Gale Caswell in our midst.

She is preparing her students for what will be expected of them

should they pursue a career in drama. If they choose other paths,

they will carry with them the confidence, public-speaking skills and

pearls of wisdom she has taught them. I feel blessed that both of our

sons have been enriched by her wealth of knowledge, her grace and her

inimitable style. I hope her replacement will not be conforming and

boring. Our students deserve better.

MARTY MOTIA

La Canada Flintridge

Throwing out one would toss them all

If “Bat Boy” is not suitable for high school students, then

neither are most of Shakespeare, Sophocles, Flaubert, Steinbeck,

Voltaire, the Bible, Greek mythology, Beowulf, Dante, Chaucer -- the

list goes on and on. Everything in “Bat Boy” that is supposedly

objectionable can be found in dozens of works of drama, literature

and even religious paintings -- all of which are readily taught and

available in high schools.

CHRISTOPHER GLASS

Glendale

‘Bat Boy’ an example of pop-culture trash

We are very much opposed to the planned performance of “Bat Boy”

by La Canada High School. We have neither seen nor read the play but

trust that your description of the contents of this play is correct.

It is with great astonishment that we have learned that such a

production would even be considered by our school system. There

already is enough such low-base content on TV and other media, let

alone that we as taxpayers would have to see our La Canada High

School District allow our money to be spent on such trash.

JOHN AND ANN OFFERMANS

La Canada Flintridge

Are we boarding

a rail to nowhere?

Dennis Miller would love this one. Now our City Council is

considering whether a trolley should be installed along Brand

Boulevard. Forever more!

But where would it go, and where would it come from? Would it

start at Colorado Street and end at Glenoaks Boulevard? Would it come

from Los Feliz Boulevard and run to, say, Milford Street? Or maybe it

could start at the train station and run up Brand Boulevard to

service the new Americana? Is that what this is all about? More

foreign aid to Americana developer Rick Caruso? Has any thought been

given to where the people who will ride this trolley are going to

park their cars? You know, most cities with inter-city trains and

trolleys have the good sense to have them connect to something.

Manhattan’s subways would be useless if they did not connect to

Amtrak and other railways.

We used to have a trolley on Brand Boulevard -- way back when.

When I was a lass, there was a big red electric trolley running

through downtown Glendale. They took it out because it caused traffic

jams. That’s right. With the relatively light traffic of the 1940s --

they caused traffic jams! Just imagine what would happen now with two

cars in every garage and at least two parked on the street.

Hey. Why not a monorail? It would rise up over the traffic and

probably wouldn’t cost more than $40 million or $50 million. But

who’s counting? That’s pocket change to our City Council. And

besides, they can just continue to cut cultural and social programs

in our city to pay for it. The monorail could come from the train

station and terminate at Americana. Since there probably won’t be any

businesses left on North Brand after Americana’s built anyway,

there’s no need to extend it farther than Colorado Street -- or what

used to be Harvard Street. That’ll save the taxpayers money.

As I type this letter, Brand Boulevard is being torn up and

repaved to the tune of some $8 million (“$7.92 million to make street

look brand new,” April 8, Glendale News-Press) Fortunately, it will

take time to put out bids, etc., to get the trolley going before

Brand Boulevard will have to be dug up again. We wouldn’t want the

gravy jobs to overlap. Will the welfare for contractors in this town

never cease?

So, I have an idea. Let’s bring back horse-drawn carriages.

Traffic is an abomination anyway, so who’s going to care -- and it

will be a really neat tourist attraction.

SHEILA FARRELL MURRAY

Glendale

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