Letters to the Editor
Eagerly awaiting
the release of
‘Bottle Shock’
Editor: I am looking forward to the film and Alan Rickman’s portrayal of Stephen Spurrier, the founder of l’Académie du Vin in Paris. I was there at the opening with Jon Winroth, the American journalist who wrote the wine column in the Herald Tribune, Elle, and Lui (the French equivalent of Playboy), who gave the Académie and American wines a big boost. The French were quite complacent, convinced that nothing could shake their position of best winemakers and connoisseurs. The mere idea of an Englishman and an American opening an establishment of the sort raised eyebrows, but to have an American wine scoring best was a major shock. Stephen was very diplomatic about it, but Jon crowed in triumph and it was a miracle nobody slugged him.
On one memorable occasion Julia Child was there, enjoying the wines and a lively conversation with Stephen, Jon, and his wife Doreen. On the spur of the moment she decided to dedicate a recipe to the Académie des Vins. It involved chicken, naturally cooked in wine. Doreen and I were taking notes. After every ingredient she announced, Julia would take a generous sip of wine. When Doreen prompted, and then? she gracefully waved her glass and said “add two tablespoons of butter”. A great time was had by all. We were going to have the recipe printed on cards with Julia Child’s signature to give to guests of l’Académie. The next day Doreen was typing up the notes and there was this endless string of tablespoons of butter, sort of like punctuation. When I counted them up, I gasped, it came to almost 1 kg of butter for 1 kg of chicken! Doreen got it down to more reasonable proportions and the chicken turned out to be quite delicious. But after all this time, I still remember Julia’s voice: “add two tablespoons…”
Chris von Rosen
Sonoma
More park space
just for kids
Editor: My letter is in regards to Sue Holman’s and Bob Edwards’ letters debating the dog parks. First off, certain people should have dogs; those certain people have the following things: a large yard (preferably fenced), not a lot of attachments (dogs can be destructive), and plenty of free time to spend with their dogs. Now if you have these things you should be able to keep a dog happy.
Some people however force it; they keep a dog in their apartments who bark constantly because they are meant to be outdoors. These people force the community to build “Dog Parks.”
Secondly, when did we start this mindless sacrifice? When did we come up with the genius plan to take open space set aside for our children, the future of this world, and give it to a giant fenced circle for dogs to get social? I mean seriously, people; the dog park on Craig Street is in the middle of the park. I would like to meet the person who designed that! Plus have you seen how many cars take up the parking lot in the afternoon? Any person who wants to go play basketball or bring their kids to the “kid park” is forced to park on the street. If you want to take your dog to the dog park take a walk and get yourself some exercise as well.
I have written to this paper once or twice, for those of you who don’t know me, I am Rex Harigon from New Zealand. And in my native land the locals have no need for “Dog Parks.” Tourists bring their dogs places that are designated for them; we have never sacrificed a square meter of land from our children to satisfy our beasts.
People, you need to know when it is a good time to own something. You need not to act on impulse and buy up a dog because you think it will be “cute.” Don’t get me wrong, I love dogs, but some people shouldn’t have them. Maybe you should send your dog to summer camp or daycare to socialize with other dogs.
The large part of my motivation to write this letter is that Sonoma is becoming more and more tourist-oriented and less and less kid-oriented. The kids have Train Town, the tourists have the square. The kids have schools, the tourists have square miles upon miles of vineyards. The kids have very few parks but the dogs owners are pushing kids away from their parks and ultimately from Sonoma.
From Sonoma with Love,
Rex Xavier Harigon
Rave review for Channel 27 SVTV
I really appreciate being able to watch the Sonoma City Council meetings televised on Channel 27 SVTV.
This is a great opportunity to observe council members debating their positions on issues and making decisions.
I feel better informed. Thanks.
Loretta Carr
U.S. marijuana guidelines ignore research
Editor:
Headline from the Associated Press, 7-27-2007. “Study: Pot may lead to psychosis.” Nonsense! Sonoma Sun, readers deserve the right to know the following: The US government has maintained an incessant barrage of flat-out lies against marijuana, from “the most violence-causing drug in the history of mankind” in the ’30s, to “more addictive than alcohol, cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, Ecstasy, and all other illegal drugs combined” today. Pot, a gateway to other drugs, was disproved years ago! Yet, the article about marijuana users, fallaciously states… “like their tendency to use other drugs…that could be causing the psychoses.”
For 60 years I have researched why the federal government has “educated” other countries, and ours, that marijuana is a dangerous drug with no medical value. Both charges have been scientifically disproved. (One of my two books, Marijuana: Not Guilty As Charged, is in hundreds of libraries, and thousands of homes. Profits go to organizations working for the national legalization of medical marijuana.) Why the government lies? Cannabis, AKA, marijuana, is competition to alcohol, tobacco, and primarily pharmaceutical companies. They pay billions in taxes. Uncle Sam is their protector.
The DEA’s own judge, Francis Young, after two years of research, stated: “Marijuana, in its natural form, is one of the safest therapeutically active substances known to man.”
David R. Ford
Sonoma
