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Bar Brawl With North Park Rages On
Well, it seems that despite my email to the editor and author regarding the previous article on this topic, Dorian has written another one-sided piece for the Reader regarding the sensitive Bluefoot Bar issue. Regarding the last line of this article, I have checked with the bar owners Adam and Cuong—they DID receive a message on the bar answering machine from Dorian. The message was left yesterday, the SAME DAY Dorian published this article! This doesn’t seem quite right, especially considering Adam and I both wrote emails to the author after his first article, that both included the owners personal contact information. I received a response from Dorian on November 19th, so I can assure you he did receive my email. Please, take “Founder’s” advice and visit the previous article. I have posted my letter to the Editor and author in the comments in case anyone would like to consider ways in which the article could have been more balanced. Finally, please note that The Reader staff could not even be bothered to request or find a real logo from the establishment. The image that they are using that “Founder” commented on is in no way associated with the Bluefoot Bar and Lounge. Not only did they get the name wrong, but it’s obvious that since the bar is only open until midnight five nights a week they would most likely NOT put “Open Late!” on their logo. Perhaps we should all consider getting our news from a more reliable source. As an aside, Dorian, I really appreciated your article “Broken Skull, Broken Heart,” especially considering my helmet saved my head last year when I was doored by a car. You’ll have to forgive my public critiquing of your two Bluefoot articles. After contacting you and seeing no adjustment in the balance of your “informative” articles, I feel the community has a right to both sides of this issue.— December 8, 2010 4:42 p.m.
Last Call Too Loud and Too Late for Neighbors of Bluefoot Bar in North Park
Perhaps you should take a look at the "incriminating" video the neighbors provided to Channel 8. Contrary to their intentions, the Bluefoot appears to be one of the quietest popular bars I've ever seen. I only live a block away, so I don't need their video to prove what I already know--this bar is not a problem. As the police said in their statement to the Board--"this bar isn't even on our radar." And remember, this bar DID used to be on their radar. These angry neighbors bought their homes next to a drive-thru and a bar that has been in existence for 75 years. The fact that they are attempting to place sanctions on such a long-established location based on gross exaggerations is appalling. The fact that your staff chose to portray this issue with such a slant is even more appalling. The bias of this article left a bad taste in my mouth, and I will keep it in mind every time I consider picking up a Reader." See the "follow-up" article Dorian wrote: http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2010/dec/07/ba…— December 8, 2010 4:38 p.m.
Last Call Too Loud and Too Late for Neighbors of Bluefoot Bar in North Park
I wrote the author and editor after this article appeared. Despite my request, the second article Dorian wrote does not seem to have made any effort to be balanced either. So perhaps the public should have access to an opposing opinion--since this is quite obviously an opinion piece that has no business being in the “Neighborhood News” section. "I was disappointed upon reading your coverage of the Bluefoot Bar issue. Did you speak to any of the bar's many supporters, or the owners themselves? Considering your statement that "dozens" of supporters were at the meeting for Bluefoot, I find it impossible to understand how the only quotes you've included are those of the opposition. I noticed that you managed to include "nearly 150 residents" of NP signed the opposition’s petition, but didn't note the overwhelming neighborhood support that Bluefoot received. It also would have been more informative if you had included the fact that no more than five close neighbors have spent the last few weeks canvassing all of North Park with their petition. I’ve actually spoken to people who had no idea that what they signed stated a desire to restrict the hours of Bluefoot until midnight, and others who did not even have the knowledge of the bar or area to know that they do not serve food at the establishment. Many seemed equally uninformed of how long the location has been a bar, and the previously conforming rights that exist to operate as such. You neglected to mention anything about how many glowing remarks were made by the members of the Committee (who ended up denying the requested extensions in a stunning display of hypocrisy). The fact that the owners of the Bluefoot Bar have been instrumental in cleaning up the neighborhood was confirmed by members of the Committee and public comments many times that night, and deserved mention in your article. The fact that the owners are both residents of North Park and neighbors of the bar themselves also could have given perspective to your story. To top everything off, you printed a quote that was a blatant lie ("the owners don't hire security and keep people quiet"). A very simple peek at their staff's schedule would prove this to be untrue. The bar actually employs MORE security that they are legally required to. (continued)— December 8, 2010 4:37 p.m.
The Greek Apprentice
Happy birthday Tony! And by the way Chad, I would like a crack a your job ; ) To clarify a couple things in the comments here: The reason that “poem guy” is acting kindof “crazy” is because Bluefoot’s permit is up for renewal. This is an example of someone living over 5 blocks away, close to University, who likes to make blanket statements indicating that every person who walks by his home late at night was overserved at Bluefoot and just peed on his tulips. If he gets his way, they will shut Bluefoot down, and he’ll just move on to complaining about the next bar with a permit renewal coming up. Seems to me these are high-class problems coming from a neighborhood that 10 years ago was crawling with prostitutes and drug dealers. Credibility for his argument against Bluefoot might be further eroded if I let you know that the Bluefoot’s location has been a bar since 1935 and 9 successful restaurants and other businesses have set up shop in a 1-block radius since it opened. @IndieGirl, it appears you are unaware that Soda Bar is owned by the same people that own Bluefoot. They are both “unique” and “independent” bars that cater to different groups of people, so it’s not surprising you appreciate one over the other! In regard to who they cater to, in my opinion BF does a much better job of keeping out the binge drinking riffraff on the weekends than some of the other bars in North Park…but bars will always exist. It is the people who don’t know how to celebrate the weekend responsibly that create these issues. @Founder, calling the owners of a neighborhood bar “enablers” who “make money off of” their customers seems a bit odd to me. What about the restaurants next door that enable people to eat a delicious meal out and make money off of their customers? I could continue ad nauseam, but I think people have already got the point. Dare I say that you sound like someone with an agenda, and it doesn’t take me pointing it out for it to be obvious. To say I'm tired of your tirades against local businesses in North Park would be putting it lightly. @Origami_Astronaught, fantastic take of Swift’s Modest Proposal. May I suggest we set up the barbecue pits at once? I hear acrimonious curmudgeons are also delicious.— October 21, 2010 7:18 p.m.