Save our symphony

My name is Ken Schoon, and I am a Detroit-area native who is passionate about seeing Detroit turn itself around. Four years ago, my interest in urban issues led me to Cincinnati, a city that has made great strides to reinvent itself after the race riots of 2001. I graduated last spring from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in urban studies.

Thank you and reporter Larry Gabriel for sharing your perspective on the DSO strike in "Sounds of disharmony" (Feb. 2). It seems that DSO management, the board, as well as the mainstream media are creating a self-fulfilling prophecy that Detroit can no longer support a major symphony orchestra. This is so far from the truth!

Cleveland and Pittsburgh, also shrinking Rust Belt cities, have committed themselves to keeping Top 10 orchestras. They understand the arts as key to their revitalization strategies. Detroit is the size of Cleveland and Pittsburgh combined. I think it needs to be heard over and over again: Detroit can support a destination symphony orchestra! —Kenneth Schoon, Troy

Bones to pick

I read, with great interest, your reviews of three of Detroit's "real" bar-B-Q joints ("Fire it up," Feb. 2). You did a fairly decent job. I'm sure Nate, Dennis and I appreciate your spreading the word about our locations.

I want to correct several of your misconceptions about Parks Old-Style Bar-B-Q. First, the building was never a diner. It was built, from the ground up, in 1963-1964, as a single-purpose building — a bar-B-Q joint! It was not re-purposed.

Second, the dining area "behind the glass" is functional and in use daily. The "glass" is a sign of the times and provides a margin of safety for the staff and patrons.

Third, the sauce is a vinegar-based product and perhaps an acquired taste. It has, however, delighted the multitudes since 1964. Parks also features a "sweet" sauce for the sensitive palate and an extremely hot sauce for the more venturesome.

Stop by one day and let me really "hook you up." I'll put my ribs, chicken and sauce up against anyone, anytime. —Roderick I. Parks Sr., proprietor, Parks Old-Style Bar-B-Q, 7444 Beaubien St., Detroit

A conflict of Biblical proportions

In her letter, Karen Mulhern ("Bible Study Time," Feb. 2) would like readers to believe I have my facts wrong in pointing out God indicates he created all the seed-bearing plants, saying they are all good, on the first page of the Bible ("Holy Roll-Your-Own," Dec. 22, 2011). Those are not my words but the words of my master. Mulhern's dispute isn't with me but rather God, who sent me. And note: He says all the plants are good, not just "cinnamon, chicory, cooking herbs and so on."

Christ Jesus requests us to love one another repeatedly in John 14-16. You cannot love someone and cage them for using what God says is good at the same time. Cannabis prohibition is luciferous; it's the devil law.

Does Mulhern even realize she is admitting desires to cage humans for using what God says is good? —Stan White, Dillon, Colo.

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