To treat them right: As a Brit member of the U.S.-based fat acceptance site, Big Fat Blog, I just had to write and say how much I enjoyed reading Patrice E.G. Yursik's refreshingly unbiased and celebratory piece "Big-Girl Sunday" (March 16). Given the subject matter of the story, it could so easily have been couched in the alarmist, patronizing, or bitchy language I've come to expect from the press over the years. Congratulations for having the courage to go against the grain instead of reinforcing all the tired, largely erroneous stereotyping fat people are all too often forced to endure. You rock!
Fig Taylor
London, England
She lives large: This letter is for Patrice E.G. Yursik, regarding her article "Big-Girl Sunday." You have about 1500 new readers over at www.bigfatblog.com. We appreciated your coverage of the casting call for Mo'Nique's F.A.T. Chance. Too many journalists turn events like this into a demeaning sideshow. It was wonderful to read a respectful, well-written article about women of size. The world can learn much from you. Keep 'em coming. Viva la vida!
Marsha Coupé
Westerham, Kent, United Kingdom
Not Exactly Montezuma
But he's striking back: Abel Folgar's "Whose Revenge?" (March 16) tried to criticize an innovative, young, talented band using opinions unrelated to music. He failed to write a good article. Avenged Sevenfold is praised all over the globe for its powerful and energetic performances.
The group has been extolled by metal gods such as James Hetfield, Lars Ulrich, Vinnie Paul, Robert Trujillo, and Rex Brown, letting Avenged Sevenfold know they are passing the torch to the band.
I don't know why Mr. Folgar has given a bad image of A7X to the South Florida music community. He should at least correct his wrong information.
Michael Hernandez
Miami Lakes
Sweet Story
We got soul: In November 1997 my wife and I met through mutual ads in New Times. We got married in 1999, and our daughter was born in 2000. Yesterday we celebrated our seventh wedding anniversary, and I would like to thank Miami New Times for helping me find my soul mate.
Hector D. Morales
Miami
Carlos and Ruben
Sitting in a tree: Carlos Suarez De Jesus's article about Ruben Torres Llorca's current exhibition at the Frost Museum, "Immaculate Deception" (March 9), was very insightful and interesting. I almost wondered if Torres Llorca wrote it himself. I am very much looking forward to seeing this intriguing exhibition. Thank you for such an objective article. Writers like Suarez and artists like Ruben Torres Llorca are very rare indeed.
Tina Cornely
Miami
Gimme That Old-Time
Cumbia: Thanks for "Reinventing Calle Ocho" (March 9) by José Davila. You saved me a lot of gas and money. I've been living in Miami since '87 and have attended only once, probably that same year. It sounds like the festival has been taken over by that sorry excuse for music called reggaeton. I was looking forward to hearing salsa and other good Latin music, but I'll have to wait, at least until this annoying reggaeton thing blows over, and I can feel proud of my people's music again.
Earl Nas
North Miami Beach
Empanada: Regarding José Davila's "Reinventing Calle Ocho": I went to the festival two years ago. It had plenty of food, and I walked and walked while eating and listening to good music. One appetizer I'm not going to forget was the best empanada in the world for two dollars. Calle Ocho rules in empanadas; it had ground beef, green Spanish olives, onions, mozzarella, and spices. Since that day, I haven't had an empanada as good.
It is sad that no restaurant in Miami-Dade or even Florida can make or cook empanadas like Calle Ocho. The restaurant industry should be ashamed of itself. Maybe restaurant owners should take the day off and attend the fest — not only for the entertainment but also for the recipes.
Vincent La Manna
North Miami Beach
Yoo-Hoo, IRS!
Check this out: I enjoyed Mariah Blake's "A Beastly Background" (March 2). It brought back memories of Classic Motor Carriages' prominent location on the Palmetto at 27th Avenue.
The article mentions Street Beasts sells 40 cars a month and has sales of six million dollars. Later on, it says prices range from $14,500 to $18,500. Somehow nearly a million to close to three million dollars has vanished. Considering the company's rather tainted past, perhaps six million dollars is the figure it shows the IRS. If I were an IRS agent reading this, I think I would be looking for the missing millions.
Charles R. Jones
Miami
Insult Will Get You
Everywhere! Bring it on, baby! Regarding The Bitch column's item about Luna Star Café, "One Dead Groove" (January 26): Geez, why am I so disinterested in the stench of another liar from that most notoriously mendacious and congenitally corrupt contingent of the literary community? What vocation could possibly be even less dignified than a politician? "Journalists" (pronounced with a pachuco J, as in urnalists) have been winning Pulitzers by writing fiction for a long time. I'd like to take this opportunity to invite you to "smut night" at Luna Star, although I don't think you'll find it as fascinating as the surgically enhanced and choreographed bimbos and retards of hip-hoppin' South Beach, to whom you're so blithely accustomed.
Yes, why don't you come on down from behind your bullshit byline? Perhaps you're a big fat Versace pig, or maybe a skinny little Tommy dweeb. Unlike you, I don't need to hide. Come on down, and ask someone to point me out to you; I'll be reading something special. My name is Ricky Smith; remember it, hack, if I ever end up on your reviewer's plate, next time you have to sing for your supper.
Come over and introduce yourself; I'll be playing the part of the junkie in the gaudy ersatz-Hawaiian shirt. Sometime you might have to review my writing or musicianship, which would make sense, since you people — for all your urnalistic integrity — wouldn't know poetry from pottery, music from mustard (I've read the good reviews of bad material), or literature from the ligature I'd use to hang you by your literary genitals. As a reporter, you belong at the bottom of the bird cage. Why doesn't anyone at New Times ever know the difference between art and fashion?
Ricky Smith
Dania
Son of a Beach
The former mayor, that is: Francisco Alvarado's article "Tow and Sell" (February 9) confirms my frustration with Beach Towing after Hurricane Katrina. When the majority of the Beach was struggling to return to some sense of normalcy after the onslaught, Beach Towing was immediately open for business. Cars everywhere were being towed by Beach and Tremont.
It is disappointing to learn that an ex-city mayor, Harold Rosen, could have any involvement with such a company. How far does the rot of this industry channel through existing city officials?
It is obvious from the level of corruption reported in this city, through networks and print media, that Miami leaders don't value their own people. Towing is a dog-eat-dog mentality, no different from that of a protection racket at the lowest ebb of organized crime.
As a long-time resident of Miami Beach, I am often disgusted to witness the depravity of this once beautiful city. Companies such as Beach and Tremont need to be held accountable for their actions. However, given their close relationship with the city, I doubt this will ever be the case. What happened to the persons responsible for the beating of Naseer Idrissi? I would certainly hope they were arrested and charged for grievous assault.
With the money the city yields from these companies, officials should address problems in traffic flow, congestion, and parking. As an example, city planners could implement front-in parking along Euclid!
Thank you for a great article. You have certainly lifted a veil on an industry open for debate.
Ian Lawrence
Miami Beach
Music Editor
Miami New Times has an opening for a music editor. This full-time position entails planning and editing the weekly music section, writing feature stories and a weekly column, and working with freelancers. Qualified candidates must have strong writing and organizational skills and be well versed in Latin, hip-hop, DJ/dance, and indie rock. Applicants should send a cover letter, resumé, and five clips to Jean Carey, managing editor, 2800 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33137. No e-mails please.
