Letters for August 26, 2010

Too soon to say

Re “Brew masters” (Foodfinds, Aug. 12):

Are there not enough restaurants in Reno that this critic feels it necessary to slam Great Basin for its service before they have even had their grand opening? It is very unfair to review a new place before they have had a chance to work out the kinks. He went on the eighth day of service. That means some of the staff have probably not even worked a full week with the public. A new restaurant should have one month to run before it’s fair game. It’s called a soft opening, and most food critics respect it and give the staff time to get used to the new place. I feel that review was very unprofessional. Thankfully, Great Basin has a reputation to fall back on. Had it been a new restaurant with a new name, his carelessness could have buried them and their chances for success.

Haley Wood
Reno

Editor’s note: Thank you for your perspective. To clarify, it’s our policy that if a restaurant is charging the public full price for meals, they are subject to review, but we mention their newness. Many professional restaurateurs open with full training of staff. We feel, in these days of pop-up restaurants, www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129286253, yelp.com, zagat.com, chowhound.com, and a broken economy, delay of reviews is a disservice to our readers.

First impressions count

Re “Reno needs to support West Street Market” (East of Eden, Aug. 19):

About a year ago, my husband and I were excited about attending a bluegrass night at the West Street Market. We were looking forward to exploring the market, restaurants, and hearing the local bluegrass musicians perform. The information we had read about the event said that we could have our parking passes validated for a part of the evening. We arrived and parked in a nearby garage and walked over to the Market. We asked about having the passes validated at three different vendors’ shops. No one knew anything about that. Nor did they know anything about the bluegrass evening. Outside on the patio about 20 minutes before the show was supposed to start, the stage was dominated by some very drunk young adults singing loud, vulgar renditions of “She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain When She Comes.” There were very few chairs outside, and all were taken.

Between the vendors’ lack of information and the annoying onstage antics, we were disgusted and left. We haven’t been back since. First impressions do count, and the Market put a poor foot forward.

Michelle Noel
Reno

More to the story

Re “Sticky subject” (Green space, Aug. 19):

The article omits important facts on nonstick cookware and PFOA, the processing aide used in the manufacture of nonstick coatings. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and other authoritative bodies have stated that they do not consider nonstick cookware to present consumers with any serious potential for PFOA exposure. EPA states on its PFOA website, “The information that EPA has available does not indicate that the routine use of consumer products poses a concern. At present, there are no steps that EPA recommends that consumers take to reduce exposures to PFOA.”

Nonstick coatings have been, and continue to be, approved for use by the US Food and Drug Administration, the European Food Safety Authority and other public health agencies worldwide.

Proper use of nonstick cookware, cooking at normal temperatures (less than 500 degrees Fahrenheit), can contribute to healthier cooking. Nonstick cookware is recommended by the American Heart Association because it allows for cooking with little or no oil.

The article also has misinformation on pet birds. It is known that cooking and cleaning fumes of any type, including fumes from overheated nonstick cookware, may be harmful to birds because they have extremely sensitive respiratory systems. All sources of smoke and fumes have the potential to harm pet birds, especially smoke from burning foods. Cookware manufacturers recommend that pet birds not be kept in the kitchen.

Hugh Rushing
Cookware Manufacturers Association

Where’s Gino?

Re “Gone but not forgotten” (East of Eden, Aug. 5):

Jen Huntley, in her thoughtful tribute to Kenny Guinn, enumerates some of the qualities of leadership that would be desirable in our new governor, and she closes with “Rory and Brian, please take note.”

May I call the attention of RN&R readers and writers to a third candidate, Gino DiSimone.

Gino is fast becoming a serious gubernatorial contender. He was in the lead yesterday in the ongoing results for governor’s seat in the Nevada Politics General Election Poll: 42.9 percent, Brian Sandoval 38.1 percent and Reid 9.5 percent.

We don’t know if Gino will qualify for the televised gubernatorial debates Aug. 29 because we are unable, at this time, to show the minimum of $50,000 in campaign receipts for him to qualify for that debate, but, at some point and soon, we do anticipate and look forward to some lively, inspiring, productive interaction among these three candidates for governor.

Nevadans deserve a chance to see what Gino has to offer. He is an engineer, inventor, businessman and happily married grandfather, not a career politician. As an independent, Gino “does not take marching orders from his party,” one of the qualities Huntley enumerates and a critical one.

Gino has no obligations other than to the people. Gino’s only agenda is to restore prosperity and government back to the people, and I, as a native Nevadan, think he would be a fine governor and a fine legacy for Kenny Guinn. I hope and pray he gets the chance to play on an even playing field.

Stephanie Gabler
Carson City

No Nevadan picked

Re “Choose a Nevadan” (Editorial, Aug. 12):

It is beyond reason that any fiscally responsible leader would condone such an expense in the first place. Is there some law or requirement that the governor has to have a hand-painted portrait? How about a nice photo shot framed by a local artisan?

Dana Bratcher
Reno

Editor’s note: For decades, governors’ portraits were provided for in new legislation after they left office. In 1981, Nevada Revised Statute 223.121 was enacted to provide for portraits for all future governors.

Grimm’s insensitive

Re “Eat, Pray, Love” (Short takes, Aug. 19):

I just finished reading Mr. Grimm’s review of the movie Eat, Pray, Love and was disgusted and angry. I have loved reading his reviews because whether or not I agree with his assessments, he always says interesting things. In the case of Eat, Pray, Love, I read a misogynistic diatribe and personal attack. It is appallingly presumptuous of a man to intellectually dissect a female’s experience, and insensitive of any person to dismiss another’s subjective internal experience. Apparently, Mr. Grimm believes that trying to be happier and live with integrity is only valid if you are a black, obese, second-generation meth-addict, with too many children from different fathers. The rest of us should suck it up and count our blessings. Calling Ms. Gilbert an asshole was just beyond the pale. Mr. Grimm, you are the asshole. And, if you aren’t single, you should probably check your sweetie’s computer for all the many travel sites he or she may be visiting.

Please leave the social commentary to people with soul, and the name calling to third-graders and Tea Baggers.

Sieglinde G. McTigue
Spanish Springs