Here's something you might be interested in.
Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed
Big Screen — Movie commentary
Blurt — Music's inside track
Booze News — San Diego spirits
Classical Music — Immortal beauty
Classifieds — Free and easy
Cover Stories — Front-page features
Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes
Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts
Feast! — Food & drink reviews
Feature Stories — Local news & stories
Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore
From the Archives — Spotlight on the past
Golden Dreams — Talk of the town
The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it
Letters — Our inbox
Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites
Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans
Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists
Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news
News Ticker — News & politics
Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated
Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna
Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated
Poetry — The old and the new
Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers
Reading — The hunt for intellectuals
Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails
San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds
SD on the QT — Almost factual news
Sheep and Goats — Places of worship
Special Issues — The best of
Street Style — San Diego streets have style
Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves
Theater — On stage in San Diego this week
Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative
Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work
Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego
Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads
Your Week — Daily event picks
Carefully crafted comments
Luthier Laud
I am happy to see my old friend Sam Radding on the cover (“Guitars, Banjos, and the American Dream”). He’s a one-of-kind guy, an important figure in San Diego’s musical history, and he makes some very nice little guitars.
I interviewed him myself a few years back, but never finished the article I was writing. So, I’m glad to see him featured in the Reader, along with San Diego’s esteemed and better-known instrument builders.
- Andy Robinson
- via email
Fine Folks at Taylor
Over 40 years ago, when my wife and I owned Lemon Grove Broadway Hardware, we were happy to have Taylor Guitars as customers. Small hardware stores were still around. We were really small. Taylor, Listug, and Radding would come across the street, in the back door, find that one small screw or nut or whatever, and we’d put it on the tab for them. End of month, I’d walk over, give the ticket to one of them. Never a problem; they paid on time.
One day I was over and Kurt gave me a walk-through. A small pile of “sawdust” under a table drew his attention. “That’s about $500 worth of wood there. We don’t like to waste anything.”
They only used the finest wood in the world then. Still do, I imagine. Sorry to leave Lemon Grove, but we did, and miss all the old customers, including the fine folks at Taylor.
Now that Kurt is 62, he’s catching up with us — we’re into our eighties and still having fun, just as “the boys” are.
Nice to see how well they are doing. Tell them Olin and Dortha said, “Hi.”
- Oln Thompson
- via email
Not True Today
Susan Vaughan’s article “Aye, Gates and Disney Once Plied These Waters” (Waterfront, June 25) states that the Harbor Island Yacht Club is “San Diego’s only rental yacht club.” This may have been correct when the article was written in 1999, but it is certainly not true today. Why are you printing such an old article in 2015?
Seaforth Boat Rentals and Sailing Club has four marina locations — three in San Diego Bay and one in Mission Bay. Their monthly rates are lower, their rental rates are lower, and membership includes basic sailing course ASA 101. How about an article about them?
- Terrance Sullivan
- San Marcos
Curiosity Killed the Cat
I am alarmed and dismayed by your article, “You Love Me Now, but Will You When I’m Four?” (April 23). I have been following the plight of the “pit bull” for years, and through these years have volunteered with and advocated for these dogs. Just last year I was lucky enough to be approved to adopt one.
I feel terrible that Bill Manson lost his cat. No one should have to lose a pet, and especially not in the manner that he did. When you remove the emotion from the situation, though, and take a giant step back, does the famously tense relationship between cats and dogs not come to mind for even just a moment? Does the phrase “curiosity killed the cat” in fact hold no water? It seems to me that a cat approaching any dog has made quite a poor decision. Again, removing the emotion, this situation was doomed from the start.
As other educated and enlightened readers have so correctly pointed out, the casually and incorrectly used term “pit bull” is not a breed of dog. The only breed of dog that can accurately be called a pit bull is the American pit bull terrier. These dogs weigh, by breed standard, around 60 lbs. Any dog you see that weighs 80-100 lbs is absolutely in no way an American pit bull terrier. Over the years and through the amazing power that is the media, pit bull has become an umbrella term for other, actual breeds of dogs.
American pit bull terriers were originally bred for bull and bear baiting. They are often now, unfortunately, used in dog fighting. Sure, one of the reasons is that they are muscular and strong. But a dog fighter was asked once why they pick the pit bull. His answer was something to the effect of, “Because they are so dumb, you can beat them half to death and they still come running back to you.” What he means is that they are loyal to a fault and, most of all, terribly forgiving. Their willingness to please is, in fact, the trait that has gotten them in so much trouble.
One thing we do need to take into consideration in our quest to become more educated about dogs, which I wish you had done before allowing this article to be printed in your B.S. magazine, is the term “terrier.” I could keep going, but I think you get the idea. Terriers were bred mostly for hunting, although some of the smaller breeds of terrier were bred to keep rodents at bay in factories and in the homes of the wealthy. In order to do either, one of the traits that must be kept alive in the terrier is prey drive.
Descended from wolves, being bred down as human companions has not eliminated the prey drive of most breeds of dog. Some, herding dogs for example, have been bred to be sure they are not injuring the animals they tend to. Terriers, though, had to keep theirs in order to do the “jobs” that humans wanted them to do.
If you had a mouse, would you think to yourself, Perhaps my mouse would make a good companion for my cat. If your cat killed the mouse, would you declare the pure evil and aggression of all orange tabby cats and insist they all be banned? Doubtful. The question I pose is, how is that any different?
From all of the responsible owners of any dog you consider to be a “pit bull,” we would certainly like an apology. We do not become pit bull owners just to be a part of a cause. We become owners because about 2,000 of them are killed every day for no reason but their physical appearance. Why? Because of articles like yours.
Please do the right thing and admit your heinous wrongdoing. Otherwise, unlike our dogs, we will not forgive nor forget the damage you have done and the lies you have propagated.
- Jennifer Taylor
- Rancho Peñasquitos
Put Them to Work
The last word on pit bulls: Make them the official breed of the U.S. Border Patrol. Rescue every pit bull in a shelter and put them to work. It would raise their public image by showing them protecting our national security. It would eliminate them as the breed-of-choice for drug dealers. It would increase their value so people will stop giving away pit bull puppies free to anybody who wants one. Show them helping to fight the war on drugs, and people will perceive them as good and useful.
- Jeff Brown
- Pacific Beach
Human Mistakes
I would like to complain about Bill Mason (April 23 cover, “You Love Me Now, but Will You When I’m Four?”). I understand he was hurt when he lost his cat by a pit bull, but the facts he states in the article are biased.
The dogsbite.com website only focuses on pit bulls. No other dog is focused on, or researched. I guarantee you there are a lot more types of breeds that have hurt or killed humans, and animals.
I have three pit bulls. They are the most loving dogs I have ever met. I’ve never been bit by my dogs, but have been bitten by my chihuahua. These dogs need a lot of time to be trained. They are big dogs who need exercise, love, and attention. The owners have to be responsible to train pit bulls to be social in public. Do not punish the breed for our human mistakes.
- Name Withheld
- via email
Sweet Dogs
I want you to be aware that writing an article like this only perpetuates the fear and uneducated hysteria that goes along with “pit bulls.” As a pit bull owner, I know for a fact that these type of dogs can be loyal, loving, family pets. This article was completely skewed in that it told gruesome, gorey stories about pit bull attacks with no validity.
Pit bulls have scored higher than a majority of breeds in temperament. What fuels the bias against them are stories like these, that focus on the breed of the dog instead of the owners who are not being responsible. I wish that the author of this article could spend a day with my pit bull, Lola, who loves her cat Oliver, would lick a child’s face until the cows came home, and runs away from any inanimate object you point at her. I am positive his bias would change.
Please consider posting an article which paints pit bulls in the positive light they deserve. I am sure millions of responsible pit bull owners around the United States would be more than willing to tell you the stories of love and loyalty they have experienced with these sweet dogs.
- Vanessa Green
- Portland, Oregon
Here's something you might be interested in.
Carefully crafted comments
Carefully crafted comments
Luthier Laud
I am happy to see my old friend Sam Radding on the cover (“Guitars, Banjos, and the American Dream”). He’s a one-of-kind guy, an important figure in San Diego’s musical history, and he makes some very nice little guitars.
I interviewed him myself a few years back, but never finished the article I was writing. So, I’m glad to see him featured in the Reader, along with San Diego’s esteemed and better-known instrument builders.
- Andy Robinson
- via email
Fine Folks at Taylor
Over 40 years ago, when my wife and I owned Lemon Grove Broadway Hardware, we were happy to have Taylor Guitars as customers. Small hardware stores were still around. We were really small. Taylor, Listug, and Radding would come across the street, in the back door, find that one small screw or nut or whatever, and we’d put it on the tab for them. End of month, I’d walk over, give the ticket to one of them. Never a problem; they paid on time.
One day I was over and Kurt gave me a walk-through. A small pile of “sawdust” under a table drew his attention. “That’s about $500 worth of wood there. We don’t like to waste anything.”
They only used the finest wood in the world then. Still do, I imagine. Sorry to leave Lemon Grove, but we did, and miss all the old customers, including the fine folks at Taylor.
Now that Kurt is 62, he’s catching up with us — we’re into our eighties and still having fun, just as “the boys” are.
Nice to see how well they are doing. Tell them Olin and Dortha said, “Hi.”
- Oln Thompson
- via email
Not True Today
Susan Vaughan’s article “Aye, Gates and Disney Once Plied These Waters” (Waterfront, June 25) states that the Harbor Island Yacht Club is “San Diego’s only rental yacht club.” This may have been correct when the article was written in 1999, but it is certainly not true today. Why are you printing such an old article in 2015?
Seaforth Boat Rentals and Sailing Club has four marina locations — three in San Diego Bay and one in Mission Bay. Their monthly rates are lower, their rental rates are lower, and membership includes basic sailing course ASA 101. How about an article about them?
- Terrance Sullivan
- San Marcos
Curiosity Killed the Cat
I am alarmed and dismayed by your article, “You Love Me Now, but Will You When I’m Four?” (April 23). I have been following the plight of the “pit bull” for years, and through these years have volunteered with and advocated for these dogs. Just last year I was lucky enough to be approved to adopt one.
I feel terrible that Bill Manson lost his cat. No one should have to lose a pet, and especially not in the manner that he did. When you remove the emotion from the situation, though, and take a giant step back, does the famously tense relationship between cats and dogs not come to mind for even just a moment? Does the phrase “curiosity killed the cat” in fact hold no water? It seems to me that a cat approaching any dog has made quite a poor decision. Again, removing the emotion, this situation was doomed from the start.
As other educated and enlightened readers have so correctly pointed out, the casually and incorrectly used term “pit bull” is not a breed of dog. The only breed of dog that can accurately be called a pit bull is the American pit bull terrier. These dogs weigh, by breed standard, around 60 lbs. Any dog you see that weighs 80-100 lbs is absolutely in no way an American pit bull terrier. Over the years and through the amazing power that is the media, pit bull has become an umbrella term for other, actual breeds of dogs.
American pit bull terriers were originally bred for bull and bear baiting. They are often now, unfortunately, used in dog fighting. Sure, one of the reasons is that they are muscular and strong. But a dog fighter was asked once why they pick the pit bull. His answer was something to the effect of, “Because they are so dumb, you can beat them half to death and they still come running back to you.” What he means is that they are loyal to a fault and, most of all, terribly forgiving. Their willingness to please is, in fact, the trait that has gotten them in so much trouble.
One thing we do need to take into consideration in our quest to become more educated about dogs, which I wish you had done before allowing this article to be printed in your B.S. magazine, is the term “terrier.” I could keep going, but I think you get the idea. Terriers were bred mostly for hunting, although some of the smaller breeds of terrier were bred to keep rodents at bay in factories and in the homes of the wealthy. In order to do either, one of the traits that must be kept alive in the terrier is prey drive.
Descended from wolves, being bred down as human companions has not eliminated the prey drive of most breeds of dog. Some, herding dogs for example, have been bred to be sure they are not injuring the animals they tend to. Terriers, though, had to keep theirs in order to do the “jobs” that humans wanted them to do.
If you had a mouse, would you think to yourself, Perhaps my mouse would make a good companion for my cat. If your cat killed the mouse, would you declare the pure evil and aggression of all orange tabby cats and insist they all be banned? Doubtful. The question I pose is, how is that any different?
From all of the responsible owners of any dog you consider to be a “pit bull,” we would certainly like an apology. We do not become pit bull owners just to be a part of a cause. We become owners because about 2,000 of them are killed every day for no reason but their physical appearance. Why? Because of articles like yours.
Please do the right thing and admit your heinous wrongdoing. Otherwise, unlike our dogs, we will not forgive nor forget the damage you have done and the lies you have propagated.
- Jennifer Taylor
- Rancho Peñasquitos
Put Them to Work
The last word on pit bulls: Make them the official breed of the U.S. Border Patrol. Rescue every pit bull in a shelter and put them to work. It would raise their public image by showing them protecting our national security. It would eliminate them as the breed-of-choice for drug dealers. It would increase their value so people will stop giving away pit bull puppies free to anybody who wants one. Show them helping to fight the war on drugs, and people will perceive them as good and useful.
- Jeff Brown
- Pacific Beach
Human Mistakes
I would like to complain about Bill Mason (April 23 cover, “You Love Me Now, but Will You When I’m Four?”). I understand he was hurt when he lost his cat by a pit bull, but the facts he states in the article are biased.
The dogsbite.com website only focuses on pit bulls. No other dog is focused on, or researched. I guarantee you there are a lot more types of breeds that have hurt or killed humans, and animals.
I have three pit bulls. They are the most loving dogs I have ever met. I’ve never been bit by my dogs, but have been bitten by my chihuahua. These dogs need a lot of time to be trained. They are big dogs who need exercise, love, and attention. The owners have to be responsible to train pit bulls to be social in public. Do not punish the breed for our human mistakes.
- Name Withheld
- via email
Sweet Dogs
I want you to be aware that writing an article like this only perpetuates the fear and uneducated hysteria that goes along with “pit bulls.” As a pit bull owner, I know for a fact that these type of dogs can be loyal, loving, family pets. This article was completely skewed in that it told gruesome, gorey stories about pit bull attacks with no validity.
Pit bulls have scored higher than a majority of breeds in temperament. What fuels the bias against them are stories like these, that focus on the breed of the dog instead of the owners who are not being responsible. I wish that the author of this article could spend a day with my pit bull, Lola, who loves her cat Oliver, would lick a child’s face until the cows came home, and runs away from any inanimate object you point at her. I am positive his bias would change.
Please consider posting an article which paints pit bulls in the positive light they deserve. I am sure millions of responsible pit bull owners around the United States would be more than willing to tell you the stories of love and loyalty they have experienced with these sweet dogs.
- Vanessa Green
- Portland, Oregon
bavejik
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
Feb. 6, 2020