From KUSI to Balboa Park

A diagram showing Irwin Jacobs' bypass

Correction

In last week’s “City Week” blurb recommending the 15th Annual Latin Music Festival, featuring, among others, Chunky y Los Alacranes, we erroneously translated “Los Alacranes” as “The Cockroaches.” Boy, did we get that wrong. It actually means “The Scorpions,” which is a way cooler name than “The Cockroaches.” We apologize to Chunky Sanchez, his band and scorpions everywhere.

Change for the better

There are many more in the KPBS demographic than are hitting the 5-o’clock early-bird specials and then the proverbial hay by the 7-o’clock hour [“7 p.m. is in play,” Editorial, May 18].

“This is what I fall asleep to!” is really an excuse for being angry about the time changes? Plop in a medley CD from Bach, Beethoven, Shostakovich and the rest, and you’re all set for la-la land. Easy. Isn’t it bad enough we get stuck with Lawrence Welk on the telly for so many hours and days?

Plus, I’m not sure what Q is about yet, but anytime the BBC and a broader view of the world can be shared with the delusional, “I’m an American, so I already know everything” crowd—well, then, I’d say that’s probably a good thing. Carry on.

Aaron Buckley,
Ocean Beach

A fourth approach

I share SOHO’s concern about placing a sharp right-turamp on Balboa Park’s west entrance [“A view from the bridge,” Presently Tense,” May 18], although I recognize the value of removing private vehicle traffic from the Plaza. (Presumably, trams and perhaps vehicles transporting persons with disabilities would still need access.) Not only is such a ramp an eyesore; it would also make pedestrian traffic on the south sidewalk dangerous (needing to cross traffic), if not impossible.

While closing the bridge to vehicles has its advantages, it would likely eliminate the half-hourly tram service to westside parking spaces, undo the efforts of SOHO to incorporate the Marston House into the park’s features and make emergency-vehicle access slower. In addition, there is no easy way for vehicles traveling west of the park to get across to the eastside entrances.

I have offered a different (fourth?) approach (no pun intended) via emails to various parties but received no reaction. If engineering allows, couldn’t the roadbed slope downward soon after passing the metal “no-jumpers” railing and get low enough to turn to the south (as Irwin Jacobs’ plan intends) but pass under the existing sidewalk? The “ramp” roadway would be essentially out of sight, no change to existing walls of the bridge super structure would be needed, pedestrians could walk safely and tram / emergency-vehicle / etc. access would be preserved.
 
David Cohen,
Hillcrest

KUSI and its B.S.

About your May 25 editorial, “Judgment day”: It use to be that if you wanted the very best local news coverage here in San Diego, you watched KUSI in the morning. The day of Stan Miller and Laura Buxton. Long gone days.
Now, a large percentage of the KUSI staff have no clue as to the past history of our city. The idea of checking facts before opening a mouth escapes them. The fourth estate is supposed to be neutral, but the constant issuing of one’s own personal opinion on nearly every subject is sickening. The fear mongering is rampant on any number of issues. A weatherman who reads the temperatures and believes that is weather. The morning anchor who’s the greatest gift to man or woman and a legend in his own mind surrounded by all the airheads one station can employ.

I just hope most people are smart enough to know the total B.S. KUSI pushes at them and calls it news.

Howard Gillins,
San Carlos