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A D V E R T I S E M E N T
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T
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Pistols O’er the Patio
To the editor: Just wanted to clarify something regarding the Jan. 2 Last Call column: We at Houston Street Bar and Patio don’t hate Mr. Mariani. That would require an investment of emotional energy that none of us have been willing to make. We merely find him to be silly and pretentious.
If, perhaps, Mr. Mariani would like to start a feud, however, may we suggest a few things such as trying to swindle us on a land deal, sleeping with one of our wives or girlfriends, or, in the style of the Hatfields and McCoys, killing one of our pigs? Any one (or a combination) would provide the necessary bad blood for at least 10 to 20 years of conflict. We could also take a shorter route and resolve the whole situation with pistols at dawn on the banks of the Trinity. (This is the South, after all ... .)
We do apologize for not being able to fulfill Mr. Mariani’s “D” list sense of entitlement, and we await word from his second.
Jack McNally
Bartender/Assistant Manager
Houston Street Bar and Patio
Fort Worth
Baaaad Service
To the editor: I had to chuckle when I read of Dan McGraw’s irritation with clueless restaurant staff (“Five Measly Pieces,” Jan. 2, 2008). It’s nothing new.
In the late ’80s several of us went into a sit-down chain restaurant and patiently waited to be seated. The high school-age maitre d’ apologized with a stammer that we could not be seated because the computer was down. We looked at each other with amusement and found our own table. The young man looked horrified, as though he would be sacked for our obvious violation of protocol. In the end, the server found us with our orders, and we left after paying with real money.
Hopefully, the poor guy figured out the silliness of blindly following orders and learned to think for himself. We sure don’t need any more sheep in our fair city.
Jim Duncan
Fort Worth
Play Safe with Asbestos
To the editor: Weekly editor Gayle Reaves has produced an interesting Metropolis article on the controversy over asbestos demolition practices (“Still in the Air,” Dec. 19, 2007). It was informational and gave both sides of the argument. Fort Worth still ought to be cautious about this “wet” demolition method for asbestos, which was used at the Oak Hollow Apartments. The technology may be cost-efficient for demolition crews, but the serious medical ramifications of potential asbestos contamination should take precedence over saving some bucks.
There’s no guarantee that contractors will follow EPA guidelines if this “wet” procedure is allowed to become standard. The foam itself isn’t cheap, and unscrupulous contractors will cut corners — not to mention the fact that asbestos can’t be seen, smelled, or tasted, and contamination can take decades to manifest itself in incurable diseases. Fort Worth needs to stay within the current, EPA-approved methods of asbestos removal to protect its citizens, young and old.
Cheryl Payne
Fort Worth
A Break for the Bank
To the editor: Jeff Prince’s story on the Metroplex Food Bank (“Charity at the Edge,” Jan. 2, 2008), brought to light the food bank’s ongoing hardships. With the ouster of Sharon Hogan, it will rise from the ashes.
Eighty-one-year-old Opal Lee is the knight in shining armor in this story, for her perseverance and refusal to capitulate to the doom-and-gloom scenario that was painted for the food bank. The IRS could offer a compromise so that the delinquent taxes can be satisfied.
The combined experience of Ms. Lee and Regena Taylor, former president of the Tarrant Area Community of Churches, will take root and get the food bank back on track.
Any organization that feeds hundreds of families on a weekly basis deserves recognition for its contribution to society’s less fortunate. Give them a break!!
Betty Chamberlain
Fort Worth
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