January 6-12, 2005

mailbag

Letters to the Editor

by the Readers

Block Party

I don't know when you guys started doing the "The Block — Every Street Has a Story" theme in Cityspace, but keep doing it! ["6300 Frankford Ave.," Dec. 9, 2004; "1700 S. Dorrance St.," Dec. 23, 2004, Mike Newall] were engaging, inspiring and full of life.

Most importantly, they told great little positive stories about parts of this city that might not get much good press.
Neil Desai
via e-mail

Defending the Young and the Restless

Before one of the city's most valuable new resources is twisted, folded and reclassified as a racist and anti-Philadelphia [Loose Canon, "Class Warfare," Bruce Schimmel, Dec. 16, 2004], let's take a look at the real goals of the Young and the Restless report. Innovation Philadelphia commissioned the study to help guide the region in attracting and retaining young, talented workers and ultimately to improve the economic well-being of Philadelphia and its suburbs.

The conclusion that this is a meaningless — or racist — report could only be drawn from reading the captions rather than the text. The charts illustrating "excesses" in population are a means to understand where in the region young people most often choose to live — broken down demographically for further insight. Granted, "excess" is a poor choice of words to describe the most appealing neighborhoods for young Philadelphians, but a quick read through the report explains the value of this information to help attract youth and diversity to Philadelphia. "Class Warfare" only serves to undercut a nationally recognized effort to improve the region's economy and encourage young leadership.
Matt Joyce
Director, Philly Fellows

Barnes Storm

Christine M. Flowers seems to suggest that somehow, by moving the Barnes collection, we are undermining the very letter of Dr. Barnes' will [Slant, "Bad Move," Dec. 23, 2004]. In fact, and far more importantly, we are adhering to the spirit of the document. By most accounts, Barnes was a strange and cantankerous fellow with a remarkable and perspicacious sense of what was truly valuable in this emerging world. But it was exactly the kind of elitist attitude that Flowers exudes so perfectly that incensed Barnes to no end. In fact, I am quite sure that if Barnes could be brought back to witness this current fracas, he would undoubtedly strike his most ardent supporters severely and repeatedly about the head with a walking stick.

Aaron Levinson
via e-mail

The Offer Stands

I just read your "amateur art-class invitation" gift suggestion for me [Cover Story, "Oh, You Shouldn't Have," Dec. 23, 2004]. Thanks! But I'll have to get approval first from my managers at Channel 6 first. You guys crack me up.

Cecily Tynan
Action News weather babe

Correction

Last week, ["Days of Wine and Exposés," Maxine Keyser, Dec. 30, 2004] incorrectly reported that Inn Philadelphia had closed. It is still open for business. City Paper regrets the error.