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September 12-19, 2007

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Letters to the Editor


Nutzle Mystery Solved

THANKS, STEPHEN KESSLER, for your recent and informative article on my old friend Futzie Nutzle ("The Nutzle Enigma," Cover Story, Sept. 5).

I lived in Santa Cruz from 1974 to 1986, and in 1971 and 1973 I had seen some of "Nutty's" art, and when I moved to Santa Cruz, we hooked up. We both had some memorable times ("The Honest John brothers, Frank and Ernest!") and a lot of art projects, exhibitions, and other antics were shared.

I had also assisted henry humble a bit during the early 1980s, prior to his untimely death in the late '80s.

Thanks, too, Stephen, for the great chronology of Nutzle's life and times ... (Interestingly enough, after 20 years and via the internet, I had just coincidentally found his phone number and telephoned Nutty—a day before finding and reading this article, which he mentioned!)

Phillip Hefferton was also a good friend for all of those years, and we two/too, did many art projects together during the 1980s.

So, a lot of good memories, good art and good times. Muchos gracias!

Freeman Zygote (a.k.a. Douglas Scott Treado), Newfield, N.Y.

A Waste of Celluloid

RE: "ZUBEIDAA," ("Song of India," Film, Sept. 5), this film is horrible. I think it can best be described by the phrase "crossback." This film did not cross over and should be sent back in a bottle. Why this film was shown as an example of the fine work in the contemporary Indian film community is a mystery. All traces of the beauty of Indian music have been removed. The female leads singing was more like a reed instrument than a voice and became increasingly annoying. It also was able to corrupt Bollywood, quite an accomplishment. I think a disservice was dealt to people interested in learning about Indian Film. I am glad Ray wasn't burdened by seeing this film. It is an artistic travesty.

Arline Ganzler, Santa Cruz

Model Remodel Behavior

WE ENJOYED your article about Maggie and Jess ("Love Nesting," Cover Story, Aug. 15). If you could have been there at the time of the actual construction it would have blown your mind. Most couples in this situation would have called it quits after walking the plank, but Maggie and Jess are truly a unique couple with hearts as big as the sky.

Thanks again for the article.

David Reser, Scottsdale, Ariz.

A Cool Idea

I WAS VERY impressed with Leonardo DiCaprio's powerful documentary The 11th Hour. The film depicts the devastating impacts of global warming, including droughts, hurricanes, and flooding of coastal areas. It features interviews with the brightest minds on our planet about the causes of this man-made environmental crisis and possible solutions.

A powerful solution was suggested last November in a report by the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization. The report found that meat production accounts for 18 percent of greenhouse gas emissions that cause global warming. That's more than automobiles!

Carbon dioxide, the chief greenhouse gas, is emitted by burning forests to create animal pastures and combustion of fossil fuels to operate farm machinery, trucks, refrigeration equipment, factory farms, and slaughterhouses. Much more damaging methane and nitrous oxide are released from digestive tracts of cattle and from animal waste cesspools, respectively.

The good news is that each of us can do our part to reduce global warming on our next trip to the supermarket. More details are available at www.CoolYourDiet.org.

Steven Alderson, Santa Rosa

Correction: In last week's Dish (page 45) we misprinted the URL for TomatoFest. The correct website is www.tomatofest.com. We regret the error.


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