Pas de Tout

I am currently studying theater arts at Monterey Peninsula College and have taken dance classes with Walter White, Janet Butler and Deanna Ross (“College presidents worry about ‘brain drain’ as lawmakers cut deeper into higher education,” March 31-April 6). My experienced teachers were accomplished in their art and provided excellent technical instruction. In addition, dance performance opportunities informed my other artistic endeavors. Dance is unique, in that it draws on both the body and the mind, providing an effective tool for creativity and communication. The benefits I experienced from dance classes included a healthier body; physical and emotional development; multi-cultural awareness and sensitivity; and arts networking opportunities. An Arts Division without dance would be unbalanced and incomplete. Without dance the students would be at a disadvantage when they transfer to four-year schools where basic skills are presumed to have been acquired. Due to the dedication and creativity of the staff, coupled with long hours of effort, the dance program is a jewel in the MPC crown. It would be tragic to remove it, even in these difficult economic times. Please continue the efforts to seek an alternate solution. Kira Gray | Monterey

Foolish Games

Wow. What an interesting and sad story (“Fake bad-ass pleads guilty,” March 24-29). Kudos to the writer for his summary of this long affair. I’d like to see the next story reference the fact that the FBI paid William Hillar starting in 2000, according to the plea bargain posted on Scribd.com. This seems like an interesting aspect of the story. He duped the FBI and Army before teaching in Oregon and Monterey. ctkicker17 | via Web

False Modesty

Like to see a story pointing out how Bill Hillar duped the FBI and the U.S. Army (“Fake bad-ass pleads guilty,” March 24-29). Also, it’s important to note that he never duped Army Special Forces soldiers. Many Special Forces veterans had a hand in uncovering this scumbag because they smelled the BS. It’s kind of easy to fool everyone if you’re claiming membership in an organization which, by necessity, is shrouded in secrecy. Since we all love heroes and we don’t ever meet any real live “operators” to tell us hero stories, let me give this general guideline: If your hero is eagerly spouting his stories about his “rough time in the bush” as a secret soldier, hard chargin’ Devildog, black ops sniper, super SEAL, covert commando, freedom fighter, or American hero worthy of praise, but he’s too “modest”… he was most likely none of the above. bear0352 | via Web

Limitless Living

It’s been many years since I had to move away from my beloved Monterey because I am “paralyzed,” and each of you are right (“Street Talk: What would be the hardest part of being paralyzed?” March 24-30). I miss all of those things mentioned. But the greatest thing of all that I miss is freedom. I am not free to be anywhere or go anywhere at whim. I am now far away and miss my beautiful ocean and wonder what it would be like today if I were not a quadriplegic, but there are no regrets. This topic is a great reminder to appreciate every moment and action… you never know exactly what you will miss until it’s gone. pinnistar | via Web

What a Dame

Kudos to the Monterey County Weekly for covering colorful characters, especially Herma Smith Curtis (“Carmel’s Herma Smith Curtis is a personality who rubbed elbows with history,” March 31-April 6). A pat on the head from Hitler, the loss of her father at Auschwitz, the death of her teenage son… any one of those things could have stopped a lot of people in their tracks. But Curtis persevered, continued living and became a very respected Peninsula businesswoman. As her former co-worker and then-busboy Burt Cutino put it, “We’re all proud of her accomplishments.” With all the good stories out there, it’s nice to flip open the paper and see this one in particular. Nancy-Allison Redding | San Jose