Prince Praise

I beg to differ regarding your article on Prince ("Nothing Compares 2 Sue," Dec. 5). Yes, he's eccentric, but aren't all geniuses and artists a bit left of center? You never mentioned his sheer perfection of music in any form or how he has reinvented himself over the last 26 years. I defend Prince and all of his idiosyncrasies. He's always been amazing in his live performances. I don't want to know his political or religious beliefs. I think this article perpetuates the "weird" Prince you would like us to believe in.

Karyn Lobley

Santa Rosa

Guided by Folly

Mr. President: The concept of a prolonged war with another nation seems ill-fated. The financial outlook of this war appears to be guided by folly.

Dante Negrete

Rohnert Park

Thinks we're a Resto Trade Mag

I was impressed to see this type of article ("Fork Votes" by Dan Imhoff, Nov. 21). Not only was it politically astute, it was geared toward environmental and local farmer awareness. Even greater, it stressed the benefit of people contacting senators to address the issues.

That the restaurant industry is moving in this direction is a positive thing. If only the grocers' association be equally concerned with something other than their profit bottom line. The only reason that industry is getting into the organic act is the great deal of money to be made (the same reason as corporate America). Of course, they will try to weaken the standards as has already happened, defeating the whole purpose of the organic alternative.

Due to rising consumer awareness of the dangers of mainstream American food (which corporate America and the grocers' association have been pushing on us for years) and the burgeoning organic market, one would think these jackals would get the message: Informed Americans understand the difference between safe, quality food and typical supermarket fare.

It's nice to know some in the restaurant world realize that serving quality food and listening to consumer preferences really does pay off. Everyone wins—and isn't that nice for a change?

Robbin Rogers

Smithville, Ohio

Two-fer: Memory & Self-promo

I recently read your follow-up article on forgotten or lost tapes from local bands ("Dolby Days," Nov. 21). I was the first lead vocalist for Insanity Puppets, and was also a member of local bands Transmission and Test Monkey, as well as doing vocals for a techno project known as Universal Black, which is the creation of keyboardist/composer Serene Voltage.

All of the above bands were local Santa Rosa–based bands, spanning almost 10 years (1985–1993). Some of us still keep in touch, but I do not have any copies of old demos, T-shirts, pictures or even video of live performances. There are people somewhere with these old recordings and pictures, along with bootleg tapes and fliers. I was never the type to hang on to such items, and so they have been lost over the years.

It was a real pleasure to read about the "old days" when we had all those good times. If you would like to know more about these bands or the "real" history of the Insanity Puppets (Guthrie and Adolfo were not original members), I could tell you an accurate account on how the band started and who were the original members as well as the creators of the first songs. Keep a lookout for my first CD on the indie label Lost City Records, locally produced. Name of project? Steamfitter.

Dan Schram

Santa Rosa

Come on up!

Great story ("Homeward Bound," Nov. 28). It's important to hear positive things people are doing in response to the fallout of the Iraq War. Veteran's Village seems like something our political leaders would have pioneered many years ago if their leadership was truly in line with the needs of returning soldiers. What a great story. And VeteransVillage.org is a great website. Very poignant. May many Santas land on the rooftop of Veteran's Village.

Every time I read the Bohemian I start thinking I should move North!

Johanna Harman

Mill Valley

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