›› LETTERS Carnal nodule This is based on a true story and I was trying to find some humor in it. Not sure if Jory John and Avery Monsen [of the Pacific Sun’s “Open Letters” cartoon, see below] would like to take a week off... when I met Charles Schulz in the ’70s, he said he was always happy when he thought of five or six ideas at a time for “Peanuts,” so he could kick back for a week. Here’s my Open Letter: Dear Speed Bump, You almost annihilated my mother-inlaw who, one night on foot, didn’t notice your sexy curves, like my dad did. Your scantily striped top was worn away. Night vision isn’t as swift for some to detect your mound. I think you and yours need a “bump reduction” and “flashing lights”—then we’ll notice you, rather than slipping around on top of you! Sincerely, Bumped Off Shirlee Newman, Novato
Someone needs an absentee ballot... I remember changing my return flight from Tokyo to allow me to vote for both the SMART train and the high-speed rail, both on the same ballot that year. In Tokyo, I took the efficient subway to the JR Line to Narita, then the jet, then BART, then the ferry to Sausalito, where I ran to the polling place, just in time. I love the relaxation of commuting in Tokyo, Paris, London... no foolish maintaining a car. It will be so nice to hop on
the SMART train and visit my old friends in Cloverdale. Thank you everyone who keeps fighting for the SMART train. We’re on the right track! Neil Hammari, Sausalito
The fajita is on Too bad about the criticism over the car impounding by San Rafael Police, who do protect and serve us all. What’s next from some of these groups? Maybe a taco served with the ticket? Why are they catering too them? Illegal is illegal period. Walter Schivo, Novato
Marin supports the ‘make a shush’ foundation The annual Susan B. Komen breast cancer “walk for the cure” was earlier this month; volunteer fundraisers walked 20 miles each, three days in a row, in San Francisco, Berkeley and Marin. In S.F. and Berkeley, they were met by cheers, signs of support and baked goods. In Tiburon and Mill Valley, there were mostly only signs set out warning: “QUIET ZONE.” Plus a few scowls. “It was the only place we did not feel welcome,” said one walker. Way to go Marin—that’s the spirit! Steve Heilig, San Francisco
Hey, at least he didn’t bust the elders for loitering... On Tuesday, Sept. 6, at approximately 3:30pm, I was picking up a group of eight elderly people outside of San Rafael Joe’s Restaurant on Fourth Street—they had been attending my mother-in-law Reidun Young’s 95th birthday party there. Most are residents of Drake Terrace retirement home. My van was stopped in the red-curbed bus
›› TOWNSQUARE
TOP POSTINGS THIS WEEK Upfront: Alto Tunnel pedaling for support When Marin supervisors allocated $8.8 million in federal funds for a number of alternative transportation projects in the county, they had an inkling Republicans in Congress w... Anti-SMART signature drive steams ahead The signature drive to ground the SMART train officially left the station yesterday, as the anti-Measure Q group Repeal SMART began circulating petitions to put the Marin-Sono... A friend in the fight; California State Senator Mark Leno I have good news! California Third District State Senator Mark Leno has responded to my sending him a copy of my paper Chemtrails Exposed. He has recognized chemtrails!
Your soapbox is waiting at ›› pacificsun.com zone in front of the restaurant because there were no open parking spaces nearby, and all of these old people are infirm and barely able to walk. Four of them, in fact cannot move around at all without walkers. Apparently absolute parking Traffic was light and power corrupts absolutely. there were no buses and, along with my wife Norma and her sister Linda Novy, we had quickly loaded the walkers into my Aerostar van. While we were rushing to help the passengers into my van and my wife’s car, a parking enforcement officer pulled up behind me, parked his scooter and walked toward me. At first I was grateful that he had stopped to help, but he immediately told us that if we did not move instantly we would be fined. We explained that we only had a few more of these elders to load into the van, which would take only a few seconds. The officer again said that if we did not move the van instantly, he would give me a $250 fine. He also said that there was a disabled parking space behind the restaurant for that purpose. So I had to leave these people standing there without their walkers. I drove around to the back of the restaurant and parked. To come from the rear of the restaurant, they would have had to negotiate a set of stairs which most of them could not manage. Therefore, we had to walk them down the block to a long ramp, down the ramp and through the parking lot—an extraordinary and dangerous effort for most of these people, who hobbled down the ramp in tiny steps trying not to fall. When we see a uniformed officer in those circumstances, it would be nice to see him as a caring source of help rather than a heartless martinet ready to wield his authority to intimidate and upset a group of elders who deserve much better. Hank Levin, San Rafael
The tire-anny of the majority In regards to last week’s Upfront story on the Camino Alto-area residents who don’t want the Alto Tunnel opened [“Alto Tunnel Pedaling for Support,” Sept. 23], I’ve thought a lot about Peter
Seidman’s last sentence: “Does the good of the many outweigh the good of the few?” With population increasing, and the planet not expanding, we’re living in evermore crowded conditions. And the globe is warming. All of which means that much of what we’ve taken for granted for many, many years has to change. For every homeowner who wants Alto to remain closed, I must have talked with hundreds of cyclists and pedestrians who want it open. I urge those homeowners to consider that their imaginations may be painting a picture unrealistically dire, and to take some comfort in nationwide statistics that show that when a bike path goes in, neighboring real estate values go up. Cindy Winter, Greenbrae
So this is what Serling meant by ‘pit of man’s fears, summit of his knowledge’ Thanks for screwing up my Rod Serling tribute [Submitted For Your Approval,” Sept. 16]. The quote for Rod was supposed to read, “In the universe there are people who are more shadow than substance; they have things but not This is what we have to ideas.” You had substiwork with, folks. tuted a comma for the “s” in “things”! It couldn’t have been a typo, because an “s” is typed with the fourth finger of the left hand, while a comma is typed with the third finger of the right hand. Come to think of it, in this case, the third finger of the right hand would be appropriate for you here! Craig Whatley, San Rafael
Battle hymn of the Republicans A lowly poet Deserves a Half-million Dollar grant Like a fish Needs a Bicycle. Kimberly Clark, Greenbrae
Put your stamp on the letters to the editor at ›› pacificsun.com SEPTEMBER 30 - OCTOBER 6, 2011 PACIFIC SUN 7