Chevy Chase and the not-so-amazing race Few...

Chevy Chase and the not-so-amazing race

Few people understand the Chevy Chase Race, even those who are in

it. So, as a daily jogger up and down Chevy Chase and a regular

observer of the race, I thought I should explain it as best I

understand it.

There seem to be two teams: The Uphill Racers and the Downhill

Racers. The Uphill team’s starting line is at Harvey Drive. I’m not

sure where the starting line is for the Downhill team, but I think

it’s Emerald Isle. The object of the race is for the Downhill Racers

to reach Harvey Drive before the Uphill Racers get to Emerald Isle.

Like the Tour de France, they seem to like to race in pelotons (if

that’s what you call it when they all bunch together). But in the

Chevy Chase Race, the pelotons consist of only four or five cars who

press each other to go faster.

The lead car may not really feel that much like racing and would

prefer a safe and leisurely drive up or down the canyon. But the No.

2 car, and this position is critical, gets as close to the back of

the lead car as possible and tries to keep only a few feet between

them.

With the No. 2 car on his tail, the lead car nervously

accelerates. Now all the cars in the peloton accelerate to keep up,

and the race is on.

And here’s where it gets tricky. Sometimes the peloton comes up on

a slower moving car that isn’t familiar with the Chevy Chase Race.

But as the peloton closes in on him or her, the anxiety swirls in the

belly and goes straight to the accelerator. Then, they have a new

lead car. Of course, a lot of single cars, which evidently got a late

start, screech around the curves trying to catch, or to break away

from, the peloton.

I’ve never figured out who wins this race. I have seen a few

losers when the Glendale Police interfere. But that isn’t too often

because of the secret code between the Uphill Racers and the Downhill

Racers.

When a member of either team sees an officer-in-waiting, they

flash their headlights at the oncoming team so both teams slow down

under the caution flag. This way, neither team has the advantage.

Maybe the Chevy Chase Race is just another example of the human

race to get everywhere as fast as we can. But where do we all end up?

Personally, I’m not in any hurry to get to the finish line of my

time in the human race. So, I, along with all my fellow joggers,

walkers, runners, cyclists, dogwalkers and young parents pushing

strollers, who appreciate the vigilance of the patient Glendale

Police officers, will just keep going up and down the hill, dodging

the peloton, trying to stay alive as spectators of the Chevy Chase

Race.

JOHN A. MARSHALL

Glendale

U.S. needs to see Turkey for what it really is

This is in to response to Mr. Donald Mazen’s remarks in the

News-Press (“This country’s best interests lie in relationship with

Turkey,” Aug. 2).

With our respect to Mr. Mazen, he is a little confused in his

remarks.

1. Turkey is not the most important ally of the United States of

America

2. Turkey is getting paid millions and millions of dollars from

the United States for the use of these bases.

3. In many previous occasions, Turkey did not cooperate with the

United States for the use of these bases when asked for.

4. Until today Turkey is still occupying part of Cyprus, in spite

of the world objection for their occupation.

5. Most of the world countries and more than half of our states

have accepted and recognized the Armenian Genocide -- and more on

their way to accepting it.

Lots more to write, but we think this much is enough.

ZAVEN CHAKMAKIAN

MIRAN BEDROS

Glendale

Opposing the Town Center project from the shadows

I was looking forward to [the Glendale Homeowner Coordinating

Council] debate on the Glendale Town Center. That is until I read

that no one from General Growth will participate. General Growth

continues to hide behind political hacks and PR flacks who claim to

be dismayed that anyone should question who should speak for the

opposition.

The opposition is General Growth. Its money got this thing on the

ballot and put this city in this miserable position. Its issues about

access to its property and concerns about competition to its shopping

mall are motivating its spending.

So where is General Growth in all of this?

Apparently, it is sitting in Chicago, pulling the strings on

similar attacks on other projects in the United States. Do you

remember Josh Kleinbaum’s story about General Growth employing these

same tactics to try to stop what it viewed as a competing new project

in Connecticut? Everyone should take a minute to reflect on that and

think about the true motivation here.

General Growth is not interested in what is best for Glendale.

General Growth only cares about General Growth.

MICHAEL KLEM

Glendale

No matter which side he backs, chief’s opinion matters

We support Police Chief Randy Adams for voicing his positive

remarks concerning the Town Center.

If the chief had endorsed General Growth, we really would have had

to rethink our position.

All those naysayers are just upset he didn’t endorse their

platform.

BOBBY AND DON MEEKER

Glendale