ReaderWire ReaderWire (March 19, 2004)

Removal nonsense

Wednesday's (Weekly, March 17) convoluted editorial suggests that removing the traffic-diversion barriers in Downtown North would somehow eliminate the dissention. What nonsense.

What removal of the barriers would achieve is to fulfill the agendas of the vociferous Unblock group, and their fellow travelers and prime spokesmen, The Daily and The Weekly.

What it would also do is draw back the cut-through commuter traffic that was destroying the residential character of this unique neighborhood. Walter Sedriks Waverley Street, Palo Alto
'Cheesecake' credibility

I am a regular reader of the Palo Alto Weekly restaurant reviews, and am always impressed by their accuracy. However, Dale Bentson's review (Weekly, March 5) of the new Cheesecake Factory in downtown Palo Alto was so one-sided that it lacks credibility.

He did not like even one thing about the restaurant -- not the food, not the decor, not the service, not even the cheesecake! It makes me wonder if I can ever trust Bentson's restaurant reviews in the future.

What exactly was he expecting -- The French Laundry? Rupak Biswas Stockton Place, Palo Alto
Observations on Antonio's

This letter is in regard to the article in Friday's Weekly (March 12) about the Planning Commission's hearing on Antonio's Nut House on California Avenue.

I felt this article by Don Kazak was accurate on the whole and covered important points. I would like to add a couple of my own observations of the hearing.

The owner of the bar told the commission that he had so little business, including alcohol, on Sundays that it wasn't worthwhile serving food after breakfast. I can't help but wonder then why he needs to stay open on Sunday until 2 a.m. Monday morning.

Lisa Habershaw's comment was that, despite the earplugs, the ambient noise machine, and the closed windows, she is still disturbed by late-night noise and that her neighbors in the Birch Street condominium complex who have triple-paned windows are similarly disturbed.

The noise comes from the parking lot behind Antonio's, which faces the residents. The commission had no solution for this problem.

The neighbors made it clear that the only effective solution open to them and to the city is to shorten the hours of the bar, which is open 9 a.m.-2 a.m. every day of the week. Natalie Fisher Ellsworth Place, Palo Alto
Great American Meatout?

Last week, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Julie L. Gerberding warned Americans that obesity is catching up to tobacco as the leading cause of death in America.

Obesity is a precursor to diabetes, heart disease and cancer. At the current rate, the annual obesity death toll is expected to surpass 500,000 deaths annually, rivaling cancer deaths.

Thus it seems only fitting that the Great American Meatout observance should surpass the Great American Smokeout in the number of local events and media coverage. Indeed, the current Meatout Web site (www.meatout.org) lists nearly a thousand educational events in 50 states and 20 other countries.

At each event, volunteers are asking their neighbors to kick the meat habit on March 20 (first day of spring) and explore a plant-based diet. Ten cities are hosting hundreds of billboards and bus cards carrying the Meatout message.

Thirty governors and mayors are issuing special proclamations encouraging their citizens to explore a wholesome diet of whole grains, vegetables and fresh fruits.

The times they're a changing. Are state lawsuits to recover Medicaid costs from meat companies next? Andrew Kagan San Antonio Road, Palo Alto
Closed 'Liberty'?

I think it is ironic that President Bush still feels the Statue of Liberty needs to be closed to the public.

While the grounds of Liberty Island re-opened to visitors in December 2001, the Bush administration feels that significant steps still must be taken to improve safety and security systems in and around the statue before we can go back inside.

Bush spends $70 million to study mad-cow disease and billions to "secure" Iraq. I thought homeland security was a priority? Maybe someone should tell Karl Rove it would be a great photo op. David Rapaport Maddux Drive, Palo Alto

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