"Mucha Lucha," Adam Cayton-Holland, January 10
Thanks so much for the great article on lucha libre. I am a huge fan, and was unaware that any local scene existed at all. It would have been nice to get a little more information on the sport itself, like the females and the minis. This form of entertainment is going to be huge, as it already is in cities like Los Angeles and Chicago. I do have one question: The picture on page 18 shows an extremely popular luchador, Octagon, or possibly his mini-counterpart, Octagoncito. Was he in Colorado? Was the picture taken in Mexico?
Anyway, great work! If you are really interested in lucha libre, most of the official websites are in Spanish, but there is one site that is excellent for all things lucha: thecubsfan.com/cmll.
James C. Dudzik
Denver
Adam Cayton-Holland responds: Thanks for the alert on "the minis," which I will definitely check out. The Octagon/Octagoncito pic was taken in Denver; to witness more lucha libre action in the Mile High City, go to www.iwfpromotions.com.
"Live Hard," Michael Paglia, January 10
Thank you, Michael Paglia, for a very nice article on my friend, Mark Travis. I agree that too much of the art world is slanted toward pleasing the wealthy donors. I understand it, but don't like it. And I continue to hope that the media could fill in the gap, championing talented, starving artists like Mark, who give so much to our local, cultural community. Yet no one covered Mark's last show at the Space Gallery. This was very depressing for Mark, and partially served as a tipping point for his recent downward spiral. Ultimately, Mark is responsible for Mark, but perhaps his death can be an event that inspires us all to do what we can for the arts by helping these barely-on-the-radar artists through whatever means we have at our disposal. Let's not just write about these souls post-mortem.
Scott Perlman
Denver
I want to take a moment to thank you for such an excellent article on my younger and only brother. Mark lived and breathed art throughout his brief but productive lifetime. I have personally gathered and stored many of his artifacts and art pieces, and I am encouraged to hear that there is growing interest in doing something to memorialize his works. I would be very interested in pursuing this arena, although my limited expertise in the workings of the art world is obvious. I hope to be as receptive to suggestions and/or proposals regarding Mark's art.
James F. Travis Jr.
Cleveland Heights, Ohio
"New York Minute," Jason Sheehan, January 4
David Hahn's letter in the January 11 issue is simply illogical in his criticism of what Jason Sheehan didn't do while on vacation in New York City. Did not do. I can't believe it.
Mr. Hahn castigates Sheehan for not dining at the three-starred restaurant Le Bernardin, choosing instead to eat at the Brooklyn Diner on that particular evening. Hahn makes some strained and snobbish analogies to characterize Sheehan as an incompetent food critic with "bad taste." (Pun intended, I assume.) Hahn's rationale for judging Sheehan makes no sense. What in the world does Sheehan's choosing to eat at a diner instead of a fine restaurant have anything to do with his ability to critique a restaurant he didn't attend? How can not eating at a restaurant show "bad taste"? It might be an unfortunate choice in that he missed a lovely dining experience, but it doesn't relate to his gastronomic judgment.
Hahn even says that if Le Bernardin's Eric Ripert hears about Sheehan's choice that evening, he should "blackball Mr. Sheehan from his glorious restaurant forever. "This is idiotic. Why on earth would Ripert have any reason to do so? Sheehan's choice of a dining place is his business, and Ripert could care less about him. His reputed successful restaurant is keeping him busy without Sheehan's presence.
Sheehan's responsibility is in the Denver area, not in any other city — regardless of the elegance and worthiness of its restaurants. He is a fascinating and talented writer with rare and open-minded good taste. He goes everywhere and covers the restaurants as no other Denver critic does.
I wonder if David Hahn ever ate at the Brooklyn Diner. If not, can he judge it?
Tom Jenkins
Centennial
