Letters to the Editor

Just short of assault:Thanks so much for printing the story about the campaign to stop the Muni noise alarm ["Streetcar Symphony," Jan 17]. This seems like one of the more minor problems in the city, but I bet it annoys more people more often than almost anything but the most serious crimes.

You have my eternal thanks.

Tim Brace San Francisco

Blessed be the fact-checkers: I'd like to thank Nirmala Nataraj for the very gracious coverage of Beth Sholom in "The Spirit Is Willing" [Jan. 17].

The text does not reflect a couple of important recent changes, including the retirement of our rabbi and the demolition of our buildings, which are being rebuilt.

Eric Stone

Assistant to the Clergy, Beth Sholom

San Francisco

Wait 'til you hear what we think of "Kind of Blue":Any particular reason why Garrett Kamps chose to review this [The Band: Live at Watkins Glen, reviewed Jan. 10] now? It was released in 1995. (Just check Amazon.com if you doubt that). What's next — reviews of other hot new releases like Pet Sounds and Nevermind?

Kevin Walsh Emeryville

Matt's long-lost relatives: [Matt Smith] writes so well, we must be related ["Porkmistress Pelosi," Jan. 3]. In the midst of the orgy of delight over Ms. Pelosi, his article calls attention to an important characteristic of all politicians: They live to be re-elected. While I am pleased about the end of Republican rule of the country, what I am most pleased about is the fact that we once again have a divided government like we had during the Clinton years.

When I first heard about the Central Subway project years ago, I noted that not a lot of Chinese go to Giants games. This truly makes Ted Stevens look like a piker.

Keep up the great writing.

Bill [Last name withheld]

San Francisco

It's where babies come from: In "Santa's Exotic Helpers" [Jan. 5], Mary Spicuzza wrote, "The event sparked some criticism on the Web, like the barb from one woman named Julie who wrote that 'getting naked and kids should have two different categories.'"

Apparently, she forgot that getting naked leads to kids, and that kids come out naked; indeed most prefer to run around naked until they are taught shame by their culture.

N. Botto

Via e-mail

In the Jan. 10 story "Prying Eyes," by Scot Bishop, we misidentified the name of an organization that has met with the city about the issue of surveillance cameras. It is the Center for Information Technology Research in the Interest of Society. SF Weeklyregrets the error.