Letters for June 7, 2012

Kings of the world

Re “When we were Kings” by Joe Martin (SN&R Feature Story, May 24):

Our May 2005, flight into Charles de Gaulle Airport [in Paris] was delayed, baggage delivery was slow and our taxi downtown had encountered much circulation. We arrived at Gare d’Austerlitz at 3:30 p.m., 30 minutes before the departure of the day’s last train south. Our bike tour of the Dordogne—highly recommended—was scheduled to begin the next day.

The clock was ticking. We had receipts for the tickets we’d purchased online, and so we decided to go straight to the boarding area. After waiting a bit, we were firmly informed that we could not board without tickets. We asked to speak to the head of station security. He arrived, my schoolboy French kicked in and I stated our case with all the syrupy Francophilia and solidarity I could muster. The only thing missing was a chorus singing “La Marseillaise.”

Monsieur Security Chief smiled but did not budge, and he was soon distracted by other matters. The clock now read 3:58. A bit of panic crept in: That train was not going to wait for us.

Then a bearded junior staffer who had overhead my pleadings looked our way. His features were less Gallic than those of the other station personnel. In fact, had I guessed, I might have even said he appeared to be Serbian.

“Vare are you from een America?”

“California. Sacramento.”

“Sacramento?! KEEENGS!!”

“Vlade! Peja!” This native Hoosier enthusiastically responded while posing à la Stojakovic in 3-pointer mode.

He smiled. We all smiled.

He glanced over toward the still-distracted security chief.

“Thees way.” He opened a side gate. I didn’t even have time to kiss him.

We sprinted and jumped aboard as the train pulled away. Our bike trip was saved.

To Vlade and Peja (and all the Kings): Thanks for the memories. We shall never forget!

Chris Morfas
Sacramento

Hands off Joe

Re “Rebel Miner” by Paul Koberstein and John Williams (SN&R Feature Story, May 31):

What I don’t understand is how the news can lie and get away with it. The Placerville mine is above Weber Creek and through pissed-off people who can’t leave others alone, a lie has spread that Joe Hardesty is polluting the creek. But if he is really polluting the creek, don’t you think there would be pictures of it? I have walked the entire creek that connects to the property, and there is absolutely no sign of run off from the mine or any other kind of pollution.

Andrew Stegall
Placerville

Center cycling

Re “Bike friendly?” by Christopher Arns (SN&R Frontlines, May 31):

I wish this article had mentioned that bicyclists do not in fact “have to stay close to curbs” and “weave into traffic” in most situations in Midtown. Bicyclists are allowed to “take the lane” i.e., ride in the center of the lane for safety in many circumstances. For instance: 1. When the lane isn’t wide enough to share (e.g., on most streets that have on-street parking but no bike lane). 2. When we’re approaching a place where we can make a right turn (e.g., pretty much every intersection). 3. When we’re going at a similar speed to surrounding traffic … and in a variety of other situations. Riding in the center of the lane generally makes you more visible, more predictable and less likely to be involved in a collision. See the Vehicle Code, Section 21202 (www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc21202.htm). Seminars and courses in traffic cycling are available locally through www.smart-cycling.org.

Owen Howlett
Sacramento

Tolerance for Texas

Re “A Texas state of mind” by Rachel Leibrock (SN&R Popsmart, May 31):

Although I am not from Texas, I still find this article insulting. How can you criticize the shortcomings of another culture and way of life in such a condescending and condemning way, and in the same breath boast of your open-mindedness and tolerance?

Evan Shorter
Stockton

Kings were on to something

Re “When we were Kings” by Joe Martin (SN&R Feature Story, May 24):

I, too, am writing about that “first-round sweep” by the [Los Angeles] Lakers in 2000 that never happened.

When I read that, I went, “No way!” Because I remember being proud of the guys for taking it to five games against the best in the league. It was only a five-game opening series then, so they almost won the series. It was when we knew the Kings were really on to something.

James Israel
Sacramento

He’ll debate

Re “Let K.J. debate” by Cosmo Garvin (SN&R Bites, May 17):

If the mayor does not want to debate, that is his prerogative. He has no real opposition for the mayor’s seat.

It does seem a bit arrogant of him. I, myself, would like to debate with Mayor [Kevin] Johnson about why there is still no Safe Ground camp for homeless folks in Sacramento, but that’s another story.

Peter S. Lopez
Sacramento

Plastic abyss

Re “Plastic island grows” by Susanne Rust (SN&R Green Days, May 10):

Thank you for publishing this article in SN&R. I feel everyone needs to be aware of how much plastic people consume on a daily basis. If you think about it, we live in a plastic world, and as pessimistic as this may seem, there is nothing anyone can do to rectify the situation. Even if every person stopped using plastic right now, it takes more than our lifetimes to decompose.

This situation basically tells me that we’ve got to deal with it.

Lily DiMaro
Sacramento