Just Awards
Mari Coates' review of Forbidden Broadway Strikes Back! ("New York, New York," Stage, Jan. 8) refers to Elaine Stritch as last year's Tony winner for A Delicate Balance. Actually, although she was deservedly nominated as best actress in a play, the award went to Zoe Caldwell for Master Class. Stritch's co-star, George Grizzard, won best actor. Also, the "controversial snub" of Victor/Victoria took place at last year's awards, rather than two years ago.
Coates' reviews of these off-Broadway treasures were otherwise right on.
Eileen Milton
Richmond
The editor replies: We apologize for the error, and particularly to Coates for the latter one, which was the result of an editorial insertion into her copy.
Bar-baric
Regarding "The Dovre's Coup de Grace" by Lisa Davis ("A Tale of Two Bars," Bay View, Jan. 8). Gosh, what a heart-rending social tragedy that was. Edge-of-your-chair journalism at its best. The eloquent sentimentalism was enough to jerk a tear to my eye. And to think, all of this drama is occurring just one block from my Mission home without my even knowing about it, and considering what a barfly I am, that is truly remarkable.
I can understand why SF Weekly and Davis would rather run this story than some other mundane social tragedy, well, like the segment of our society who happen to be drug-addicted and who do not have the capacity to defend themselves against the injustices brought upon them by the legalized drug dealers otherwise known as the methadone clinic.
Kim and Sarah have to find a new watering hole; compared to legalized drug dealing, extortion for money, creating addiction dependence for money, irresponsible and knowledgeable dispensing of an addictive substance -- the choice is obvious.
Although a little nagging voice in my head keeps saying that's what small business is all about, as can be said about drug-addiction recovery and any other social issue, I am assured that Davis and the other social gurus at SF Weekly will define for us the issues we need to be aware of so that we can be socially aware San Franciscans. I am just relieved that this is not happening to the Albion or Kilowatt; now that would be a tragedy.
Thomas Mudd
Mission
Housing by the Numbers
In reading the article in "The Grid" about loft development south of Market ("Arresting South Park Development," Jan. 1), I was distressed by the omission of my reason for being in support of these residential developments.
First, the area is zoned RSD, "R" referring to residential, which is therefore one of the permitted uses. Second, these units are selling in the low to mid-$200,000 range, which makes them affordable, non-subsidized housing, which is not being created elsewhere in the city. These units also lessen the demand placed on smaller residential buildings in the Mission and elsewhere that are being removed from the affordable rental housing by the same purchasers. Thirdly, these units are environmentally friendly by lessening the need for the use of automobiles.
I would appreciate your adding these facts into the debate.
Toby S. Levy, Architect
South Park
