"Stand and Deliver," Adam Cayton-Holland, March 6
What a wonderfully concerned, caring, loving, strong, giving man who's chosen to be a part of the solution! Run that through your PageMaker Platitude Checker, for me, will ya? Just once I'd like to see a story of the depth of Adam Cayton-Holland's article on Justice High in which a journalist addresses the primary problem facing the majority of kids in our schools, rather than the usual pusillanimous drip of pandering pap.
There are "at risk" schools in tough neighborhoods? There are "at risk" kids with rough home lives? There are tough but caring characters right out of Central Casting who give their all to expensive, quixotic programs hoping to "reach" that tiny group of hard-core fuckups of which perhaps one in a hundred will make enough of him- or herself to be truly worthy of all the attention and expense? Who knew? My favorites are always the old guys from the 'hood who "speak the kids' language." Word! I always expect one of the tough but lovable urchins in the story to spontaneously belt out a poignant song full of hope — over the swelling classroom orchestra.
What I've given up expecting is that anyone in the "news" business will grow a set and address the real problem facing the majority of kids in the public schools. And I sure as hell won't be sending any gift packs of Enzyte to Westword.
JM Schell
Arvada
Thank you for such a great article on our wonderful Magistrate T.J. Cole. As you learned, he is pretty amazing, and we are so proud to have him with us. He is truly the best and cares so much about the kids at Justice High and the kids in his courtroom.
Magistrate Kristina Hansson
Boulder
"Pregnant Pause," Adam Cayton-Holland, February 28
What's so funny is that your boy Adam Cayton-Holland is pissed off he got taken by a hustler. To make himself feel better, perhaps he should dig up his "Panhandle With Care" from March 1, 2007, where he posed as a panhandler so he could make fun of Castle Rock drivers who didn't give him any money and were offended by his sign that referred to Ted Haggard. Later in the piece, he went on to champion panhandlers in Denver. While Cayton-Holland sends out his APB on his neighborhood scam artist, he might want to ponder the difference between somebody who waves a sign on a street corner and somebody who approaches people to spin a yarn of woe: A scam is a scam, and a chump is a chump.
Liam Walsh
Denver
I consider myself a fairly faithful reader of Westword, and while there are some features I think are unnecessary at best and completely revolting at worst (Savage Love), many of your stories about social concerns ensure that I will usually grab a copy. This said, I'm writing about a concern that's been growing over the past few months: Adam Cayton-Holland is a gifted and amusing writer — but, gee, does he have to use so many expletives?!
True, Westword is an uninhibited paper wherein writers can write what they please using whatever vocabulary they choose, and true, an occasional expletive can add humor or an edgy zap to a story. But when a piece is laced with these words, the result is just...yuck. As I was reading Adam's story about the scam, I was thinking, "Adam...come on! I know you are more intelligent than this!"
Carolyn Chambers
Denver
4 Questions, Noah Van Sciver
Bring back Derf! That 4 Questions cartoon you got to replace it sucks ass.
Steve Davis
Denver
I am a sophomore at the University of Denver, and every week I read your publication. It's nice to be able to find local news, shows and strippers in one convenient place! I especially get a kick out of your comic strip 4 Questions. I think it's great to get some good coverage and representation of local bands instead of the same ol' same ol' mainstream. Keep up the good work.
Naomi Everett
Denver
