MAILBAG: Steak reviewer missed the mark

With all due respect to Donna Huffaker Evans, her comparison of the two steak houses, Taylor’s and Smoke House, was, frankly, undercooked (“An ache for a good steak,” July 18).

As a frequent diner to both establishments, I can truthfully say that Taylor’s is the finer steak house, reasonably priced, high quality and great drinks. Only occasionally does one get all these ingredients at Smoke House, which appears to have seen its better days.

Now, if you want a truly interesting future “Food Fight” installment of steak houses, compare Taylor’s and Damon’s. I would be happy to volunteer for such an important assignment, since I would do anything to advance the cause of local culinary excellence.

The Glendale News-Press gets a “well done” for covering such important news!

MIKE VELAZQUEZ

Glendale  

Stop blaming others for problems

Regarding the letter from Sona Kanayan about her cousin who missed the bus (“Getting around by bus should be easier,” July 17), yes, I agree it would be better if the buses ran more often, but in these days of belt tightening, that’s not going to happen.

However, we need to take responsibility for our own actions and stop blaming others for our problems. It is not the fault of our transportation system that she missed her test. She knew that they ran only every 30 minutes, and a prudent person would be at the bus stop 10 minutes ahead of time.

By the way, it’s not the teacher’s fault either, as I am sure the teacher told the class from the beginning that there are no makeups. If we recognize that we are responsible for many of our own problems, we are more inclined to take charge to fix our own faults and stop playing the victim of circumstance.

MARY ANN FELL

Glendale

GCC should seek other solutions

In the July 14 article titled “GCC is antsy about budget,” it was mentioned that budget cuts in California are a growing problem; however, it becomes even more serious when educational funding is also affected.

Cutting into the Cal Grant Scholarship program is an unconstructive strategy. It will create a sense of discouragement among Glendale Community College students, many of whom come from low-income families and cannot continue their education without receiving grants.

Although administrators are positive that there will be a budget solution for the state’s revenue shortfall within the next two weeks, it would be more advantageous, if instead of cutting educational funding, even though temporarily, the administrators would begin a long-term project of cutting extravagant expenses such as extracurricular programs.

SELINA YAGHOOBI MASSIHI

Glendale

City should look in conservation mirror

I just received my letter from Glendale Water & Power telling me about the updated water conservation ordinance approved by the City Council. This updated policy declares mandatory water conservation for the city effective Aug. 4.

Included with the letter was a whole list of things that I can do to reduce water usage. The one thing missing from the list was something the city of Glendale can do to reduce overall water usage — declare a moratorium on construction of new multifamily buildings being built where one or two single-family homes existed before, or on any construction that will use more water than the structure it is replacing.

How hypocritical for the city to mandate that we use less water and then allow developers to put 15 or 20 toilets where three or four were before, or 10 showers where two were before. How about a hotel on a parking lot where there was no water usage?

How about the Americana at Brand, with that beautiful fountain and who knows how many showers, sinks and toilets? The list goes on and on.

It has been explained to me in great detail how it is virtually impossible to change zoning, but it seems to me that a moratorium was declared before when building got out of hand.

If we are all being forced to make sacrifices, why should the developers be allowed to add additional water usage and we, the longtime residents of Glendale, be forced to cut back our water usage?

If the city wants us all to cooperate with mandatory water conservation, what better way to get us all to sign on to the program than to lead by example and declare a moratorium on any new building construction that adds to existing water use until the crisis is abated?

JIM KUSSMAN

Glendale

Moved by Boy Scout’s actions

After reading your July 18 story, “Memorial for soldier restored,” I had to go to Verdugo Hills Hospital to meet this wonderful young man Adam Fletcher. It meant so very much to me because I wore staff Sgt. David Demmon’s POW/MIA bracelet for many, many years.

When I got up to the hospital I couldn’t believe what I saw. Along with Adam were many other young men, working in the intense heat, to bring back the honor Demmon, who was 25 years old when he was shot down over South Vietnam, so richly deserves. The restored memorial is absolutely beautiful. The pathway in front of it will give all of us a reason to pause, look and forever remember the millions who fought for us during the Vietnam War and the tens of thousands who died.

This restored memorial will be dedicated in September. I certainly hope that the Glendale News-Press runs the day and time so that Glendale citizens can turn out (hopefully en masse) to honor Demmon and all who fought in Vietnam. And we can take that opportunity to thank Adam, an Eagle Scout with Boy Scout Troop No. 288, who is responsible for this memorial that had become overgrown and forgotten.

I also urge the News-Press to have a reporter and photographer at the dedication ceremony in September. This is definitely a newsworthy story.

LINDSAY SODERLUND

Glendale