LETTERS

To the Editor:

Josh Bell's article protesting TV-Turnoff Week misinterpreted the intent of the national event. TV-Turnoff week encourages children and adults to watch less TV for a week in order to promote healthier activities. It is not a condemnation of TV programming, but rather an attempt to encourage people to enjoy alternative activities such as sports, playing games and reading.

At a time when an ever-increasing number of adolescents are being classified as overweight or obese it is important to call attention to behaviors that contribute to inactivity and to promote programs that encourage parents and children to lead healthier, more active lifestyles.

TV-Turnoff week is supported by educational and medical associations for its emphasis on positive behavioral changes that lead to better health. More programs such as this are needed in order to raise the public's awareness of healthy alternatives and the long-term benefits of an active lifestyle.

Sincerely,

Dear Editor,

In several ways Major League Baseball is undeniably minor league.

1) Instead of dividing the 30 teams into six divisions, they could really step it up by realigning into 10 divisions of three teams each. Five division winners in each league could allow a "bye" for the team with the best overall record in each league.

2) Each MLB team could play all 29 other teams five times each (29 x 5 =145) in a season and still have 17 more same-division games (145 + 17 = 162). Four-game sets, alternately home and away, would allow for expansion to 42 teams, extending the number of games to just 164. Seven divisions in each league allows one "bye" as above.

3) Splitting each week of the season into a three-game homestand and a three-game road trip against different teams, with no return appearances; except for postponements, each MLB (team) could play 54 different teams each season. Nine divisions in each league with one "bye." Surviving team from the first round with the poorest season record faces the "bye" winner. "Bye" rotates similarly for second and third rounds.

Historically, the Yankees didn't become the winners we all know and love to hate until the greater New York area had three teams, the New York Giants, Brooklyn Dodgers and Yankees. Likewise, when the Giants and Dodgers departed for San Francisco and Los Angeles, respectively, the Yankees lost much of their competitiveness. Likewise, it is Chicago and Seattle that share the record for most wins in a season at 116, although one has to go all they way back to the 1869 Reds to find a truly dominant team, going 64-0-1.

Apart from professional sports, New York is the very worst model for urban mis-development.

Thank you,

To the Editor,

Regarding the May 12-18 edition's Gray Matter "Penny (Two Million of 'Em, To Be Exact) For Your Slots, or, Some Folks Have All the Luck," what's not mentioned is that with ANY Aristocrat penny game (Millioni$er or not), to get the MAXIMUM payout, you have to bet MAXIMUM credits, which is 200 credits, or $2 a pull on a penny machine. I know this because I work for Aristocrat.

So, a lot of people think that by betting one penny they can win $1 million ... false. Like any slot machine with an LAN (local area network) or WAN (wide area network) jackpot setup, you have to bet the maximum credits on that machine to get the maximum payout. Ask anyone who has thought they won MegaBucks when they only bet one quarter on a three- quarter maximum game.

Dear Editor,

I mainly pick up the LV Weekly to find out what's going on in the Vegas club scene. I'm not fortunate to be able to work in the entertainment industry, but want to keep up with the latest before it hits the mainstream. I use to read Digital Tony's articles religiously to find out what's happening or going to happen. I'm not into Xania's column, because I really don't care about her drunken nights on the town. She goes to the same places I do and I can have the same experiences. I don't need to hear about the VIP treatment she gets, because it's a common thing here in Vegas. I want to know who the latest DJs are, where they are playing and what they are playing. I want to know how each club is going to compete with one another and what their special events are going to be. I want to hear about a new club just days after its grand opening. Digital Tony wrote about those things, along with the music scene in Vegas. I look out for these things because I have many friends who come from the Bay Area or LA and come to me for the hottest scene. I felt like an insider reading his columns. I really appreciated Richard Abowitz's article on April 21, "Showmen-ship." I follow the hip-hop and house music culture, being from the Bay, and it's interesting to see how music in Vegas is evolving. I'd like to see LV Weekly write more on the club scene, especially since most of their advertisers are the venues.

Dear Greg Blake Miller,

Just wanted to drop you a note and thank you for your column (May 12-18). Of course we monorailists like the fact that someone is finally sticking up for the monorail, but I want to say that I really enjoy the creative way you did it.

I had a really good laugh! The Las Vegas Monorail has had a lot more problems than the average monorail, and I find that very annoying. However, if it's given a chance to grow, it'll be a smash hit and become a source of great pride amongst LV citizens, just like many major urban transit systems are around the world. Thanks again!

Dear Editor,

In Josh Bell's article on Zia Records moving into town (May 5-11), you forgot to mention Wax Trax Records, Rich Rosen, owner. With three stories of 45s, 78s, CDs and over a half million 45s, 78s. Rich Rosen is the premiere authority of anything recorded on vinyl, especially 1960s and 1970s soul music.