MAILBAG - Dec. 30, 2008
Shopping trip may not be necessary
There has been previous commentary in the Glendale News-Press about shopping in Glendale (“Americana could use an amendment,” Mailbag, Dec. 24).
Whether it is the crowds, Black Friday or pre- and after-Christmas shopping, it is hectic to shop at the malls.
Some people are not finding what they are looking for and perhaps are not too happy with having to pay for parking after not finding the right products, such as when shopping at the Americana.
When I see all of the traffic coming and going to the malls in Glendale (bumper to bumper during the holidays), I wonder why more people are not shopping online.
There is no limit to what you can find online — almost all of the stores in Glendale have websites and offer more than is available in the stores. Additionally, there are discount stores that offer many very reduced prices on quality name brands. Grocery and drug store shopping is also available online from two of the largest grocery chains in Glendale.
One grocery chain offers same-day delivery even if you haven’t shopped until the wee hours of the morning. Many sites offer free shipping, and returns are easy. Shopping this way saves time, and you have the comfort of shopping in your home. So before you hop in your car, think about turning on your computer.
MARLENE WALKER
Glendale
Friedman is candidate for arts
I was thrilled to see Laura Friedman’s vision for a Glendale arts district (“Paradigm change needed to bolster arts,” Community Commentary, Dec. 19).
Her idea to focus on the San Fernando Road Corridor was a great idea whose time has come.
She is obviously a candidate who is taking a positive approach to thinking about what she would do on the City Council to revitalize this city.
What a breath of fresh air.
MARY BALDWIN
Glendale
Arts district: location, location
On Dec. 19, you had a Community Commentary by Laura Friedman, a member of the Glendale Design Review Board (“Paradigm change needed to bolster arts”). In this commentary, Friedman made the plea for an arts district where many art stores, studios and playhouses could be located together. She suggested the San Fernando Road Corridor.
I am assuming she thought of that area for its lower rents. However, I’m not sure how many people would go to that area, especially at night.
The logical place would be on or around Brand Boulevard, where restaurants and the Alex Theatre are located. And that brings me to your Thursday article about the FastFrame store closing (“Frame store closing doors”). You asked what should go in that space. My answer is: nothing. FastFrame should stay and be surrounded with other similar places.
If it weren’t for the absolutely high rents on Brand, Maryland Avenue and Orange Street, we could have this arts district right on Brand alongside the Alex Theatre, which makes a whole lot more sense than the Glendale police having to step up their presence in a gang area and hoping nothing “happens” to folks.
Perhaps then, the Glendale Symphony could be revitalized along with people actually learning that we have one of the best youth symphonies (the Glendale Youth Orchestra) in the whole area.
I realize that in these tough economic times, it isn’t feasible for the city to subsidize the rents to lower them for these types of stores, but I guess I can dream. If anyone else out there has an idea how this could work in the middle of our city instead of the outskirts, I hope they will write the News-Press too. I do appreciate Friedman for beginning the discussion, one that needed to be made for a long time now.
DIANE ROBERTS
Glendale