Tallmer is a treasure
To The Editor:
Re “A streetcar named Pearl Harbor: Getting onboard” (notebook, by Jerry Tallmer, Dec. 16):
I am in awe of the treasure you possess by the name of Jerry Tallmer. I have been reading his work since I first found the Village Voice 50 years ago, when it was in its heyday. I read Jerry’s (may I call him that?) most recent column with astonishment. Even in his hoary old age he can really write, and what a subject he chooses, the days of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, almost 70 years past.
I was on that day being circumcised, so that what Jerry writes is all that more important to me. I am part of a twin and was born in October of that year and I was too small for the eighth day, and found myself under the mohel’s knife on Sun., Dec. 7, and here is a wonderful account of Jerry and his Ford and of college days. The best writing to appear in your pages in a very long time and I doubt anyone will be able to top it.
Jerry, to 120 years and more wonderful writing.
Bert Zackim
‘Carding’ at dog runs
To The Editor:
Re “Pit bull panic grips Tompkins Square Park dog run” (news article, Dec. 16):
This is the primary reason that I have been advising Parks Department people to put up an electronic card reader at the entrance to dog parks. When problem owners with problem dogs know they can escape the consequences by simply running off without identifying themselves after serious incidents, there is no compelling reason to rein in their dogs. But every time you tell people in New York City this, they have a million excuses why this can’t be done.
Metro Detroit and Indianapolis are the only two places doing dog parks in a way that makes sense, and everyone else is exposing women, old people and owners of small dogs (which are always the most likely victims) to much greater risk than they should be.
Bill Zardus
Jack would have hated it
To The Editor:
Re “Jack Levine, 95, an artist who always kept it real” (obituary, Dec. 16):
I talked, briefly, with Jack a few years ago when he was suffering from emphysema. He said he deserved it, after a life of smoking. This suited him, as little as I knew him, since when I did some research I found this one among his famous quotes: “As far as I’m concerned, I want to remain the mean little man I always was.” I talked to another painter who knew him much better, who said, “Jack was a great hater.” Just look at his work.
Reading this Villager piece is like a trip to a candy store compared to the real life of Jack. I suppose no one should complain about a sweet and superficial survey that pretends to be a nice way of saying goodbye to someone with that kind of talent and courage. But I’m confident, even comforted, by the conviction that he would hate it, fearlessly, just as he did so many other deserving things.
Ed Lynch
Article in supporting role
To The Editor:
Re “Stoppard’s spy thriller: Who’s got the briefcase?” (arts article, Dec. 2):
A big thanks for the article and photo on Stoppard’s “Hapgood.” We had extra copies of the article at the box office for our audience. It was very well received, and the political overtones of “Hapgood” played very well with The Villager’s readers.
Craig Smith
Smith is founder and co-artistic director, Phoenix Theatre Ensemble
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