Otherwise, what would you do with the birdcage? Reading "Finding Gary" (Bob Norman, August 4) was quite intense. I feel deep sympathy for the poor wife and children of this murdered father. Fortunately for her, New Times wrote it. Again, a perfect example of why we need a paper like this.
Raelene Mercer
Miami Beach
A Gallery of Clarity
So get over there: Thank you so much for your time to give Gallery of the Unknown Artists a write-up ("Hang Time," Deirdra Funcheon, July 28). We appreciate it.
I wanted to clarify a few things: Sergio Medina and Gino Paino were the ones who started the gallery 13 years ago. Also, my hours for summer are noon to 10 p.m., and we are closed on Mondays.
Ceci Weaver, Owner
Gallery of the Unknown Artists
Hollywood
Haiti, Ho!
Merci, Aaron: Thank you for Eric Alan Barton's great July 21 article ("Saint Aaron") on Aaron Jackson's work in Haiti. It cannot have been an easy task following him around and getting all the details. Most Floridians don't seem to understand or really be interested in the Haitian difficulties and politics. So it is especially nice to find out that a Floridian is making a difference to kids in this destitute area.
I will thank the International Center for Journalists for funding your trip to Haiti. It really is important, and I will try to spread the information around.
Cynthia Plockelman
West Palm Beach
A Crotchety Discussion
Run 'em over: Concerning Jeff Stratton's July 7 article, "Crotch Rocketeers": As a professional driver, I'm on the highways all day. I will not stop if I see one of these guys wreck, nor will I slow down or do something erratic that endangers me or other motorists to miss these jerkoffs.
Anyone caught doing something stupid during rush hour or holding up motorists in backups should be fined $10,000. This includes idiots that tailgate.
Fred Kirsch
Cleveland, Ohio
Then head for the author: As a responsible sport bike rider, I was shocked and appalled by Jeff Stratton's crassly underresearched article and its hysteria-generating focus on a few idiots who give the whole sport a bad name.
How does this article solve any of the problems facing sport bikers, motorists, or law enforcement agencies today? How, in fact, does it do anything other than promote a farcical image of motorcycling in general that not only reinforces the generally bad attitude but also implicitly approves of the general public's disturbing lack of interest in the safety of motorcyclists? Every single motorcyclist I know has had many more inattentive automobile drivers pull out in front of him than 100-plus-mph dashes down the freeway.
Please consider not only researching the facts before you write another derogatory article but also your social responsibilities as a journalist.
Ian Schmitt
Melbourne
Head Case
He needs an honest woman: I just finished reading "Head Games" (Courtney Hambright, July 7) and wanted to say what a great piece of work. I have been in all the situations that those gentlemen have been in.
I don't have a problem with keeping a girlfriend; I just cannot find the one for me. For some reason, I attract only bitches and ghetto girls. Enough of that; great work, and keep on writing. Can't wait for the next article you write.
John Crabtree
Davie
One for Two
One good cop, one bad one: I read Trevor Aaronson's June 30 story about cops in Hollywood ("Hollywood's Finest") and would like to give you a little more information about the incident at Hollywood's Ginger Bay Café. I was the bartender involved -- let me clear it up for you, as I've had to do in the numerous times I have been called for depositions.
Donovan Gordon started a tab with me at Ginger Bay that evening. As the night went on, he appeared to be intoxicated, his eyes got glassy, he slurred his speech, and then he knocked over a drink. I nicely asked him to close out his tab, which he did. No problem.
Later, Gordon was joined by some friends and ordered two Red Stripe beers. I told him I could not serve him any more, but I opened the beers and handed them to Gordon, who handed them to his friends. I then told Gordon that he owed me $10, to which he answered, "Just put it on my tab." I told him his tab had been closed out. Gordon then grabbed my arm. I jumped over the bar to get Officer Dwayne Chung, who was working that night, to come in and deal with it. The two went outside because it is loud inside.
I was not outside to see what happened, but people say Gordon was arrested when he tried to go back inside. The criminal charges were dropped after Chung and I appeared in court twice only to have the case postponed. Two years later, I get a summons for a civil lawsuit. If the City of Hollywood settles with this guy, they are all on crack.
Gordon should thank me for not filing assault charges. I declined to press charges that night and regret it today. He should apologize to Chung for his behavior that night. Chung was only doing his job.
But I have had trouble with the Hollywood Police force. I was arrested by now-ex-Officer Joe Wheeler and charged with assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest for having my three-pound teacup Yorkie in a basket on my bike on Hollywood Beach. Officer Wheeler was recently dismissed from the force. Can you say anger management?
Suzanne Kaye
Hollywood
