Congratulating us
Re:"Measuring the Rouge," (Dec. 10). Although I do not cotton to headlines with an "ing" in them, you are probably not responsible. So — I congratulate you on not just an excellent job of reporting but also policy analysis.
Your article has it all, from the history of the case to whether the selection of sometimes-dodgy performance standards undercuts evaluation. You also show how short baselines of data or the elimination of data collection can unmake wise public policy. There are numbers! "Rouge" should be included in prescriptive policy studies reading (minus storytelling), and certain cognoscenti in western Michigan will be receiving your piece.
I like a man who does not mind getting wet, and note your education on the Flat River, in which I have occasionally dipped a paddle. Moreover, I did biotic sampling at the confluence of the Grand and Flat Rivers in 2001-02, albeit from a couple of bridges. —G.M. Ross, Lowell
Red alert
If the picture of the Rouge River depositing into the Detroit River was supposed to be indicative of its pollution content, that would be a red herring. The effluence of the river in 1,700 probably didn't look much different, hence the name Rouge River. —John Bruno, Detroit
Heart of glass
Thanks to Jane Slaughter for writing about Toast ("Uptown spin-off" Dec. 10), and especially for mentioning my business, Shabby Joe Glass Garden Art. I was pleased to work with Regan and Tom as they prepared to open their new location. They're both great people.
From the installation on the lobby wall, I've had numerous people contact me. Peggy Kerr from the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center invited me to display my glass art for their Holiday show, which runs through Dec. 20. The gallery is at 1516 S. Cranbrook (at 14 Mile Road) in Birmingham.
Anyone interested in my products can also see them displayed at Just 4 Us at 911 W. Nine Mile Rd. in Ferndale. Our window display features a vintage 1960s aluminum Christmas tree decorated in Victorian style to match Shabby Joe's Victorian Collection! —Joe Martoia, Westland, shabbyjoe.com
Loaded message?
I was just reading a story on the News and Views page when a banner ad popped up at the bottom of the screen for "Front Sight Firearms Training" — self-defense firearms training for law enforcement and private citizens alike.
While I understand there is likely an arm's-length policy between your newspaper's editorial department and your paid advertisers, I have to wonder about the optics of handgun friendly ads appearing in a progressive paper — particularly one in a city that once owned the unfortunate moniker "Murder City." —Michael McNamara, Toronto
Erratum: This week's insert, You Are Here, did not list the authors. Except for the piece on Ann Arbor, which was written by Megan O'Neil, all pieces were written by Michael Jackman.
