Recently in My inbox, your two cents Category

Sometimes, readers call to complain about matters not related to the newspaper. They want to complain to somebody and our phone numbers are always listed in the paper.

This weekend, a man named Henry was upset after seeing a television commercial featuring the San Manuel Band of Indian chairman talking about contributions to the Inland Empire.
 

"They didn't help me worth a darn and I deserve property just like they do. I also read an article not too long ago that the Indians were going to be getting some money. By God I want some money and if you know of anyone who has free money, I'm going to give you my number in case somebody has a stack of money. That's what I wanted to say. I felt like complaining today."

Ok. So if anybody has "free money" kicking around, leave your information for Henry here.

For this occasional feature on comments to my articles, I bring to you today this voicemail from an anonymous caller who read my story last week marking the 50th anniversary of the Nixon/Kennedy election:

"Let me remind you of something, JFK stole the election. I was around then. His dad bought the election. Kennedy's father bought the election 'cause he was a bootlegger in the 20s, he was one of those kinds of guys. ... Kennedy was the most overrated president they've ever had. Really overrated, really overrated. He's like this thing that we got in office now. God! And I'm not a Republican either. Write about Harry Truman if you want to write about a good president. He stopped that war."

Today is World Pasta Day, according to food blogger John Plessel, which is as good a time as any to 1. go home and cook a big pot of pasta and 2. ponder the etiquette of pasta eating.

You might have seen my Sunday article about Maura Graber, who teaches etiquette classes in our area. One of her 11-year-old students in the class told me the proper way of eating spaghetti is with fork and knife. There was a collective gasp from all the Italian Americans who read that article.

"Spaghetti is NEVER cut with a knife. Very poor manners," e-mailed a "True Italian." "Italians everywhere are screaming!"
 
Apparently, the student I interviewed had forgotten that the proper way is to twirl the spaghetti against a spoon. I didn't know either since I was taught to eat spaghetti with chopsticks.

Come Tuesday, when the etiquette class reconvenes, Graber will no doubt bring spaghetti back for a little review.

 

A letter came in snail mail this week addressed to Wendy from Inland Paper. It had a sideways Archie stamp and a return address from Las Vegas.

"In prophacy, Coran is evil and the Hamass is evil would be against the U.S.A in a conflict," wrote the reader on the inside of a Krispy Kreme bag. "They don't respect the USA."

I believe this letter is in reference to the front page story on Sept. 11 about Los Osos High School students forming the word Peace on the quad in memory of the terrorist attacks. In the article, I quoted one student who did not support the Florida pastor's initial plans of burning the Quran.

The letter continued, "I feel bad for USA that we do not support this pastor a minor in voice of America. If I am wrong, let me know Thank you"

                

This from an anonymous caller, most likely in response to the article about Councilman Rex Gutierrez's Vineyard Press.

"Wendy, you are a great writer but do me a favor and quit writing about Gutierrez ... giving him so much publicity. He's a mess. Thank you."

Readers (and haters) have the opportunity to leave their opinions in the RC Now comments section. They can also call me (909-483-9376), write me (2041 E. Fourth St., Ontario 91764) or e-mail me.

In today's Your Two Cents, an occasional feature, we have a note from "Carol," who wondered how I got my job after writing about Robert Rizzo.

"Your artical was crap... Their was'nt even a proper ending.... How did you even get your job? You must have known someone who worked there cause your writing is worse than mine... I'm a 5th grade student at a halfass school and was in awe with your tragic piece... but thanks 4 the entertainment... sincerly a critic in the making...p.s.... this is my sisters email so feel free to express a responce"

You might have seen or met Guillermo Reyes before. He goes by "March" or sometimes "Marc" and is often seen in the Terra Vista community with his shopping cart full of recyclables.

Reyes is the 78 year old man featured in today's paper. The longtime resident was evicted after years of exhibiting pack-rat behavior. The story led to a series of phone calls to me starting at 6:30 a.m. this morning. Many wanted to know how a longtime homeowner can now be homeless. One caller said Reyes didn't slip through the cracks, he was sucked through the cracks.