Jarred
As a club owner and a New Times advertiser for 16 years, I know that one bad apple doesn't spoil the entire basket. However, I feel that the column written by David Holthouse was unfair toward the Mason Jar and me (Coda, February 8). First off, I received no phone call from the Plimsouls' record label about putting Holthouse on the guest list. Had I been notified, there would have been no problem. Second, my refusal to let Holthouse into the club at no charge came from my frustration that he did not write an article covering the Dickies show this past November as he had promised. A man who does not keep his word truly does "bitethebiggyone!" Third, I do not use drugs, endorse the use of drugs or even like to associate myself with individuals who use drugs.
Finally, I work very hard to bring talented bands to the Mason Jar. As most of these bands are just starting their careers, it is not fair to compare them with more experienced bands. Perhaps Holthouse should consider their efforts before making blanketed smear comments as he did in his column. Holthouse may be a great guy, but the music community would be better served if he were to focus more on the bands and less on tearing down those who support them.
Franco Gagliano, owner/operator
Mason Jar
Phoenix
Editor's note: We stand behind the story, which was more than fair to you, Mr. Gagliano, and, if anything, understated.
House Improvement
It's really a shame that Lisa Davis' article ("This Old $811,000 House," February 8) managed to pass muster at the editorial level at New Times. After all, isn't the New Times Building a large, historically correct piece of urban history in the Valley? New Times seems to have forgotten its place, so to speak.
The Manistee Ranch house is a treasure that has been rightfully saved as a valuable testament to local heritage, and history has no price tag. This area is filled with small-thinking, narrow-minded, money-grubbing, cheesy carpetbaggers who would sooner blade the desert, level historic buildings, ruin the views and cover the floor of the Valley in mauve stucco--all because it is cheaper to develop. The preservation of history will always have a price, but it is nothing compared to the loss of our identity.
Davis slanted her article to make it seem that the residents of Glendale have been made to pay outrageous amounts of money for acreage. This is a great disservice to those who have so much more wisdom than she to truly understand the meaning of community.
If the City of Glendale thinks that the area needs this effort, who is the writer defending? Is she a champion for some kind of group? Did she ever stop to think that more people in this area love the Manistee Ranch house, not just those in Glendale?
Nancy E. Wagner
Phoenix
