A correction, a clarification, comments on the homeless, and tributes to Jason Hanna and Susan Luzarro

Correction

Last week's installment of Golden Dreams identified volunteers working at The Vault medical marijuana dispensary as employees, which they are not. We regret the error. — Editor

Typoglycemia

This is an honest-to-god question from a reader. Whose ungodly idea was it to use a Wikipedia excuse for being too lazy to proofread and screw up the crossword puzzle this week (May 18)? The Wikipedia clue was one of the few I was able to decipher.

Come on, folks! Quit being lazy. You’re supposed to be a magazine. Act like one!

• Jolene LaSalle
• Chula Vista

Each crossword puzzle is titled by the puzzlemaker. There hasn’t been a need to include the titles until publishing this one, which was named “Typoglycemia” — the typo-riddled clues were intentional. — Editor

Brass Attack

Call 911. I just saw Jason Hanna and the Bullfighters kick North Park to pieces! The last I saw, the whole neighborhood was burning. Man, oh man, I never saw anything like that — one guy in the back was flat on the pavement getting CPR from EMTs, dancers were crashing into the first row of seats and, yet, that brass attack was relentless!

Some lady kept running up to the stage with her hand gesturing across her neck. But the bandleader surveyed the chaos below, raised the trumpet to his lips, and it was balls on the table. They killed it!

Can’t wait to bring my friends to the next show!

• J-head
• Normal Heights

Susan Luzarro Lived with Purpose

It was some years ago (2009-2010) that I contacted Susan Luzarro, investigative reporter for the Reader, about what I thought might be corruption related to the Southwestern Community College’s 2008 $392 million bond measure and how suspect contracts were potentially being awarded out by the Southwestern College administrative leadership at that time.

Without going into great detail, Susan Luzarro took what information I gave her and began to investigate that matter with such great voracity and purpose! It is something I will never forget. It was her, more than anyone, who brought the truth forward and made the public aware of how lost the Southwestern College was in that dark era.

Because of her reporting, the college’s superintendent was forced to resign, and several officials were prosecuted. Because of her reporting, eventually Norma Hernandez and Tim Nader were able to be elected (against well financed opponents) to Southwestern’s board in 2010, which allowed our wonderful Southwestern College to begin to rebuild its credibility and stature, which had been so terribly shaken.

Susan, I will always wear your nickname for me, “Deep Throat” — à la Watergate, with the greatest of pride! So many of us loved you for the leadership and courage you showed at that time when our community truly needed you. You are a true hero! You made us proud! You will posthumously stand tall as you did in life. You lived with purpose.

Oh great one, RIP!

• Mitch Thompson
• South Bay

A Spiritual Problem

In response to “What About People Who Live in Their Cars?," I heard recently on the radio that Columbus, Ohio has no homeless problem because they will not tolerate it. Also, I had a neighbor who told me he had spoken with a psychotherapist from Australia who said Australia has no homeless problem — they have forced rehabilitation for the homeless to get them off the streets. He said, “For those who will not cooperate, we have a place for them.”

Maybe a staff visit to both these two places would give the city some ideas or input.

I see homelessness as an indication of a spiritual problem for all those involved at all levels, from politicians on down to individuals.

• Name withheld
• via voicemail

Alleviate Suffering

Regarding your recent article about the homeless people in Normal Heights, “Curfews to Roust Homeless," it is not possible to solve this problem! People have been trying forever.

Here’s what’s possible today, right now: Alleviate the suffering as much as you can as one person. Give someone a pair of socks, a bottle of water, a bagel and a coffee, an energy bar. But most of all, give them some eye contact, a smile, and a few kind of words. Trust me, you will not regret responding with kindness.

By the way, Juan Ortiz, all homeless people are not thieves. Some thieves live in apartments and beautiful homes, perhaps even on your own street. I hope for your sake that you are never homeless.

• Phyllis Hordin
• Normal Heights