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Best
Wishes
To
the Editor:
I
read the recent Metroland Best Of issue [June 19, 2007],
and saw a category of Best Mixed Martial Arts School. Interested
in how this category was determined, I visited your Web site
and saw a notation that Best Of issue was compiled by Metroland
staff. Did your staff visit and train at, or in some way familiarize
themselves with the area’s other schools that train MMA, be
fore awarding a Best Of in this category? If not, it is very
disappointing that a limited and overly subjective selection
process could be used to determine a Best Of anything that
amounts to great exposure for the selected winner.
Although the Best Of issue is now history, I invite your staff
to visit the Bruno Tostes Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy located
in Latham. Bruno’s Academy is the Capital District affiliate
of Team Renzo Gracie, and offers incredible instruction and
training opportunities. Bruno himself is a nationally recognized
competitor in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu and submission grappling,
and is feverishly training for the Brazilian Jiu-jitsu World
Championships to be held in late August. Bruno regularly brings
the best instructors/fighters in the world to teach right
here in Latham, including Rolles Gracie, Gregor Gracie, Fabio
Leopoldo, and Romulo Barral. Bruno (24 years old) relocated
to the U.S. from Brazil to train with the legendary Renzo
Gracie in New York City, and to pursue his dream of opening
his own academy (here in the Capital District). Not only should
Bruno’s Academy have been considered for the Best Of issue,
but his personal journey is a great human interest story as
well.
Gary Govel, Guiilderland
To
the Editor:
I
just wanted to say thanks for a fabulous publication. I’m
visiting from out of state and your Best Of issue really helped
a stranger-girl out. One cringe though: what’s up with the
“Jesus Overload” on the radio comment? Sure, I hail from below
the Bible Belt, but if there’s five Christian-rock stations
in this area, there’s obviously a market for it. And besides,
have you given this genre a chance? Don’t knock it ’til you
try it. It’s not fair to say there’s nothing good there because
you don’t like the subject matter. That’s like saying “pop
music sucks because it’s nothing but bubblegum fluff.” Let’s
be a little more open minded, shall we? The yelling radio-preacher
thing—yeah, you got me there. That’s freaking annoying.
Kimberly
Hines, Greensboro, N.C.
To
the Editor:
I
enjoyed reading your 2007 Best Of issue. Over the years, I’ve
been tipped off by Metroland to a number of cool local
bands, great restaurants, venues, etc.—some that I may never
have encountered otherwise. Your reporters have great awareness
of all the hidden gems for dozens of miles around. I’m amazed
this year, for example, to see the Felice Brothers (Best Americana
Band) listed. I happened upon them last fall when I stopped
for a late dinner at Mexican Radio (Best Mexican), where,
along with a couple of women who seemed to be the band members’
girlfriends, I comprised the entire audience! But I’ve been
listening to their (great) CD since—thanks for pointing them
out to your readers.
I do, however, have a criticism this year. As you know, your
Best Of nod is taken as quite an honor by the recipients.
And nearly every one of your 2007 write-ups was highly complimentary
of the winner. In fact, other than the hilarious annual nod
to a certain mayor’s tan, only one category was negative in
tone: the Best Play Journalist (Kristi Gustafson). Unless
I entirely missed the joke or the sarcasm, the article was
just plain mean-spirited and out of place. Whether or not
your comments were apt, I was surprised you chose this method
to express them.
So perhaps you might extend an apology to Ms. Gustafson, but
otherwise keep up the great work. I’ve looked forward to Metroland
on Thursdays for more than 15 years now. Many thanks!
Stephen
J. Rutkey, Ballston Spa
To
the Editor:
I
know that many businesses like to brag about their selection
as the Best Of. However, it’s hard to take such accolades
seriously if the categories seem arbitrary rather than comprehensive.
I feel that’s the case with the Metroland staff’s recent
music picks. I’ve got nothing against freak folk, old-school
metal, and Nuggets-style garage rock, but how about jazz,
for cryin’ out loud? The Capital Region is teeming with artists
who explore a wide range of jazz styles, and Metroland’s
own calendar pages advertise concerts and club dates throughout
the area. It almost seems like the categories were built around
the bands, rather than vice-versa. Imagine if the Food &
Drink selections ignored Italian cuisine in favor of Best
Diner in Gloversville Where I Work as a Busboy. If Metroland
wants the general public to respect its Best Of rankings,
then Metroland should respect the artists it purports
to evaluate.
Tim
Olsen, Schenectady
Correction
In “Tragedy Into Action” [Newsfront, June 28, 2007] recently
deceased area business owner Diva de Loayza’s last name was
referred to repeatedly as Loayza. The correct spelling of
her last name is de Loayza.
Metroland
welcomes typed, double-spaced letters addressed to the editor.
Metroland reserves the right to edit letters for length
or clarity; 300 words is the preferred maximum. You must include
your name, address and day and evening telephone numbers.
We will not publish letters that cannot be verified, nor those
that are anonymous, illegible, irresponsible or factually
inaccurate.
Send
to:
Letters, Metroland
419 Madison Ave., Albany, NY 12210
e-mail:
metroland@metroland.net
fax:
463-3726
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