Dire Forecast

Dire Forecast

Help wanted now: Everything in this article makes a lot of sense [“Damage Control,” by Brian Wallstin, December 13]. However, the immediate future was not addressed. What is going to be done to prevent next year’s rains from flooding our houses?

We need some guidance now to be proactive and start doing something to prevent our emotional and physical suffering with another flood. Flooding can be very detrimental to relationships, finances and mental health. HELP!

Name withheld by request
Houston

Ailing Isle

Earn respect: I live in Houston and commute daily to work near Galveston Island. I do my part to promote the island and its activities and to support Strand merchants. My take on the economics of Galveston is that so much opportunity is wasted. In large part that is because of the seedy side that we all surely feel as we make our way into “paradise” [“Gangstas in Paradise,” by Margaret Downing, December 6]. Drugs, namely, prevent me from wanting to be there after the sun goes down.

If the residents choose to stay and reside on the island, that is their choice. If they can make a living there, that is wonderful. Fact is, there will be no new jobs on the island, the properties will remain basically in the same state of shambles, and this cycle will last indefinitely, while these thugs make those of us who would love to invest in the revitalization of such a historic place choose to travel elsewhere.

I would hope that calm and rational input from all kinds of people could bring about positive change for every troubled person in Galveston. But to some degree, that individual has to make the choice to take the bulk of the responsibility himself.

If the boys living their delinquent lives down there in “paradise” want respect, they need to earn it. Selling dope, fighting or shooting another person does not get it done. Make a choice to improve your lot in life.

Nobody owes these guys anything. As long as they see that someone else should fix their problems, they won’t be fixed.

Name withheld by request
Houston

Enron Angles

Fleck’s flavor: What an absolute delight it is to open the pages of the Houston Press and see Tim Fleck back in his element, giving the facts and just the facts with that Fleck flavor [The Insider, December 13]. With his story of corporate greed, this time called Enron, Tim takes a backdoor look at lawyers and their new passion: rooting out the wrongdoers who cost the citizens millions.

Vintage Fleck is what I look for, and now that elections are over, I hope to see him bore in on the Enron story, a story that reaches to the very top of Houston and Texas and national financial centers, law firms and power brokers.

Carl Whitmarsh
Houston

Rules and Drools

Fabio’s no felon: Just a pedantic note on Robb Walsh’s review of Fabio’s [“Pasta Perfect,” December 6]. Robb seems convinced, along with his Italian friend, that osso buco is “traditionally” served atop risotto and that Fabio is somehow breaking a “rule” by serving it with angel-hair pasta. He’s right. And he’s wrong.

Osso buco Milanese (the version with risotto) is the trendiest, but it’s hardly “traditional.” And as for rules, here’s one, courtesy of food writer Giuliano Bugialli: Both risotto and pasta are primi; osso buco is a secondo. Pairing a primo with a secondo is rule-breaking, as defiant as Tony’s offering pasta as an antipasto. So Robb is right that Fabio is breaking a rule, he just has the rule wrong. Anyway, I agree that Fabio’s osso buco is delicious.

Al Wilhelm
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Stage Right

La Cage aux fine: I was slightly aghast at critic Lee Williams for the cruel and vivid imagery of the hard work that I personally know the performers went through to put on the production of La Cage aux Folles [“Plucked Feathers,” September 20]. I have an avid disdain for critics in the first place, since they are paid to criticize and take away an enjoyable performance.

The Cage was a delightful performance, and its characters and performers were top-of-the-line. Williams probably didn’t have enough to drink that night or probably didn’t have glasses on. Mr. DeVries has a wonderful venue for Houston. Houston should embrace the Bienvenue Theatre and its efforts, not downgrade and belittle the hard work and stamina of its producers, directors and talented performers.

I personally love Mikel Adair, whose hard work and wit, personality and charm always bring a smile to my face when I visit Houston to enjoy good entertainment.

Cary Williams
Cincinnati, Ohio