Surious Stuff


I’m wondering what exactly Tricia McEntee has done to bring Esalen “into compliance with labor laws.” (“One half-century at Esalen Institute,” Oct. 4-10). Although there are new systems in place for accurately recording things like hours worked, true compliance with respect to wages and benefits have yet to be addressed on her watch. Also, if one simply looks at the figures used in this article, the “one-to-eight salary ratio” is more like one-to-10 (based upon a 32-hour week for “interns,” who are actually employees, if U.S. Dept. of Labor standards were followed). And, this ratio would be even higher if other direct cash compensation items were factored in. - c0man123 | via Web


Thank you for a well thought out and researched article. Having had direct experience, I am impressed that the Weekly, as a local independent paper, has demonstrated better real journalism than the New York Times or San Francisco Chronicle on the same material. The article captures the scope, history and significance of Esalen very well while also describing the current stresses as objectively as I’ve yet seen in print.


A minor clarification; on my point about “karma yoga,” I was speaking about the ’60s-’80s. This was phased out not long after my father’s death and roughly in conjunction with the first attempts at limited “upscaling” and remodeling in the late 1980s. - David Price | via Web


(Editor’s note: Mr. Price is the former general manager of Esalen Institute and son of Esalen co-founder Dick Price.)


Locked and Loaded


I don’t quite like the use of the word “good” being used to describe this Samaritan, because after all, he killed a 17-year old boy. (“Salinas resident shoots two armed robbery suspects, killing one: What are your thoughts on the ‘Good Samaritan’ involved in the shooting?” posted to Facebook Oct. 5.) Is there some way to find out if the friend he was coincidentally picking up told him about the teens robbing the place? - Sheena Demayo | via Facebook


It’s unfortunate, the families of these young men now have to deal with the aftermath. People are just so fed up with the crime and the feeling of helplessness, this was bound to happen. I hope that the victims get counseling and do not let this dictate how they live their lives or where they work. - Tia Rachel Ortiz | via Facebook


I’m sorry – the rules are, if you pull a gun on someone, you should be planning on shooting to kill, whether you’re the good guy or the bad guy, so at that point you’ve moved beyond a robbery. The moment you pull a gun it’s now a potential homicide, whether you get shot by someone saving your victims or you shoot someone to get your way. - Holly Davis | via Facebook


Critiquing the Critic


I’m sorry, but you must have seen a different show than I did (“September Shoes and its wimpy character development trip up Western Stage,” Sept. 27-Oct. 3). Gail’s discontent did not come “out of nowhere.” Alberto’s disconnect might not have been explained as a matter of fact, but its nature was clear by the end. Many of these things were set up as mysteries first and revealed at the end as the connections became clear.


This was a moving, tragic, expressive show, and deserved a more attentive review than this. Sorry. - AnthonyToohey | via Web


GMOhhhhhh


The simple truth is that there is no such thing as a non-GMO, and that includes you, dear readers (“Anti-Prop. 37 has deep pockets, but consumers are savvy,” Oct. 4-10). Everything that we are and eat is a result of genetic modification, whether random (a.k.a evolution), hybridization or in the lab. Are you ready for your GMO tattoo?


Because of this small inconvenience, the editor was forced to make some amazing leaps, for example, comparing the ingredients of two recipes, one of which, shockingly, contains high-fructose corn syrup. Where’s the the GM? Oops, it’s the tomatoes in both recipes. Her attorney friend, while making a good point, demonstrates the same lack of understanding with, “The answer can’t be a formula list of obscure chemicals.” The subject is genetically modified organisms, not chemicals (which are already required by law to be listed).


The sheer inanity of the proposition is illustrated by the exemption of food from animals which have been fed or injected with genetically modified material but not genetically engineered themselves. If feeding an animal genetically modified material doesn’t do anything to the animal, why do you suppose it’s being done? - Andrew Allison | via Web


Booze Cruise


Nice article (“If sommeliers directed diplomacy, a good time would be had by all, feuding countries too,” Oct. 4-10). However while the article describes the conflict between Jew and Muslim, it suggests to pair Lebanese Wine with an Israeli Lamb dish.


This makes me feel good inside but misses the mark. Chateau Musar, like all Lebanese wine, is produced by Christians. If all of Lebanon followed the Lebanese Christians, there would be peace between Israel and Lebanon.


Chateau Musar wine is one of the few nice things coming out of the Bekaa Valley today. The Bekaa Valley is more well known as an exporter of Hezbollah Terrorism, opium and hashish.


Years ago I attended a wine tasting by George Reidel, Austrian manufacturer of perhaps the best wine glasses in the world. He said, “Wine brings people together and water keeps them apart.” My thoughts were, “How sad! Our Muslim neighbors will never sit down with us over a glass of wine.” - David Perlmutter | via Web


You’re Welcome


We would like to thank the Monterey community for their work in ocean conservation and everyone who supported and attended the recent screening of our film, Ocean Frontiers: The Dawn of a New Era in Ocean Stewardship, at the Golden State Theatre. 


The event was a success in so many ways – highlighting Monterey Bay’s collective support for ocean stewardship. Over 20 local and regional organizations representing communities, business, education, agriculture, conservation and recreation hosted this special event – helping to bring together the more than 350 individuals who attended. - Karen Meyer | via Web


(Editor’s Note: Ms. Meyer is a producer of the film Ocean Frontiers.)


Correction: A story (“One county employee is dying as mold-related illness case heads to trial,” Oct. 4-10) stated that a plaintiff in a lawsuit, Beverly Forest, currently has cancer. She is now cancer-free, but her attorneys say she is dying from complications related to radiation treatment.