IN THE SHADOW OF JAMES BROWN
I really enjoyed the story "Soul Brother No. 2" [September 15, 2010], sad as it was. R.J. Johnson was connected with one of the biggest names in music, and with all the local talent in Cleveland, it seems someone should be able to connect him with something better.
There is so much talent in Cleveland! I really enjoy live music and know there are a lot of others who do also. I hope this article helps Johnson get some recognition.
Donna Stines
Cleveland
AIRING LAUNDRY
This was an excellent article on a terrible company to work for ["Dirty Laundry," September 22, 2010]. Sodexo's executives should be forced to work under the same conditions for one month, so we can see how they would do. I believe the next ten years will be about exposing corporate thuggery in this town, and hopefully Scene will continue to expose it. We know The Plain Dealer will not.
Rob Roth
Shaker Heights
GRAPES OF WRATH
I wanted to express my disappointment in the recent Eat column by Douglas Trattner about Karen Small's Market at the Fig ["The Marriage of Fig," October 4, 2010].
I would not have taken the time to write unless I thought that the Market Avenue Wine Bar was erroneously characterized as having fewer hours of operation and less of a wine display. I would like to point out that our hours of operation are more extensive than the Fig, and we are open 365 days a year — for retail. Furthermore, our wine list is quite extensive, and the fact that we cannot display all 600-plus wines should not warrant a negative comment.
Your article was fine otherwise, but it did not have to tarnish the hard work we have put forth to market our retail selection.
Greg Bodnar
Market Avenue Wine Bar
Cleveland
CYCLING THROUGH THE EMOTIONS
I liked your article "The Bicyclist's Guide to Cleveland" [August 4, 2010]. I have always questioned why the Cleveland Metroparks can't get more rangers to ticket autos that are speeding or taunting bikers — especially in the Rocky River Reservation.
I've also noticed that drivers on the West Side always pass bikers at all costs, even when going uphill with no visibility. This doesn't seem to occur out East. Maybe fear of litigation has something to do with it?
Heather Johnston
Rocky River
