Letters

Send letters to the editor to: L.A. Weekly, P.O. Box 4315, L.A., CA 90078. Or fax us at (323) 465-3220. Or e-mail us at letters@laweekly.com. Letters, which must be typewritten and include a daytime telephone number for verification, may be edited for purposes of space or clarity.

SHOTS IN THE DARK

DEAR EDITOR:

Re: Alex James Hidell’s “Lights Out for SoCal Edison” [February 16–22]. My friends and I here at SoCal Edison’s headquarters have been unable to guess the identity of your
article’s pseudonymous author, Alex James Hidell. Nonetheless, we stand in awe and unabashed admiration of him or her. We would like to congratulate “Hidell” on a well-written, accurate and timely summary of the culture here at SCE. Those of us who have been here 20 or more years know that things were not always this Kafkaesque and unrealistic. We applaud the author for pointing out in a public forum the extent to which this once-great utility is now leaderless, directionless and clueless. It’s a true shame, and only bodes more ill to come for the employees, the shareholders, the customers and the region.

—K. Clark
La Crescenta

DEAR EDITOR:

I left my job at Edison almost five years ago with a “no confidence” vote for the company, in terms of dealing with issues it would be facing in the future. Managers were scrambling then, looking for places to hide in the corporate structure, protecting their own corporate asses, failing in leadership, vision and other managerial virtues that might have kept Edison afloat in a competitive world. It was with a bittersweet feeling that I read about a company I believed in for years becoming unraveled as it began to face the ultimate test: whether it could be dynamic enough, smart enough, to realize what it would take to survive.

—Barry Brown
Riverside

BANG HEAD, LIGHT GO ON

DEAR EDITOR:

Re: John Albert’s “The Kids Are All Right” [February 23–March 1]. I enjoyed the article. The Musicians Institute, so far, has served us well. Kyle, our son, somehow has developed traits rarely seen in the past — discipline, initiative and perfect attendance. His talents are being uncovered in the right atmosphere and are being reviewed by his peers. In May, he’s slated to leave and continue headbanging on his own. The chords played from his keyboard represent college funds well spent. As parents, we can share the credit with the Musicians Institute and, yeah, the kids are all right, our son included.

—Marjorie Thayne
Pasadena

DEAR EDITOR:

I just want to let you know I read John Albert’s article, “The Kids Are All Right.” Hostile Groove kicks butt, and I am a big fan. And I just wanted to let everyone know that all their Massachusetts fans miss them and hope they come home soon to do a show. Good luck, boys. We all hope you make your dreams come true.

—Sarah Gjeltema
Oxbridge, Massachusetts

SLOW BURN

DEAR EDITOR:

I am writing regarding Martin Hernandez’s review of Eve of Paradise [New Theater Reviews, February 16–22], in which he opines that Ms. Raelle Tucker’s direction was bland, with “no sparks flying . . . no fireworks,” and that the cast, led by Ms. Sera Gamble, produced scenes that were cartoonish. I enjoyed a play that dealt with issues of sex, relationships and suicide with subtle humor and cartoonish distance, rather than overemoted, overacted, frenetic angst. Sometimes a warm glow is better than a bonfire. I plan to see this play again and would encourage others to see it as well.

—Michael A. Cummings, M.D.
Los Angeles

LUNAR ANACHRONISM

DEAR EDITOR:

In your Scoring the Clubs blurb about Luna [February 23–March 1], Andrew Lentz said Penthouse followed Pup Tent in their discography, but it actually precedes it by two years.

—Bill Castillo
Hermosa Beach

BEWARE OF DOG

DEAR EDITOR:

I enjoy the L.A. Weekly’s crossword puzzle, but it sometimes has errors (as when, last year, it demoted Lucy “Xena” Lawless to “TV’s Warrior Princess”). One this week [February 16–22] is of such astronomical importance that I had to write. The clue for 103 down is “Canis Major star.” The answer is PROCYON. The problem is that Procyon is the brightest star in Canis Minor. I’m not that picky, but if the L.A.Weekly crossword can’t tell a major constellation from a minor one, how can I continue to trust its celestial pagemate, Rockie Horoscope?

—John Mann
Harbor City

CORRECTION

In last week’s Scoring the Clubs, an incorrect date was given for DJ Jesse Saunders’ appearance at More. The correct date is Friday, March 9. We apologize for the error.

THE SOUND OF ONE HORN TOOTING