Andy Meisler

In "The Southern California Survival Guide" (by Andy Meisler, June 5), one topic was how to deal with supermarket express-line abusers. We are cautioned that we should "cool it" because, among other things, a butter-in-line might brandish a gun upon being challenged. The PR person from Albertson's says, "The most important thing is to make things easier for our customers. It doesn't help anyone to refuse them." I completely disagree with this approach to people who are rude and don't care.

I was just getting ready to put dragees on the star cookies my husband and I decorated for our son's engagement party when I read the dreadful news that they are not for human consumption ("A Tempest on a Tea Cart," by Andy Meisler, Style, Dec. 18). Well, I don't think four or five dragees once a year are going to kill anybody compared to the preservatives on apples, so we put them on anyway! But thanks for a fascinating article. Jo Ann Michetti Rancho Palos Verdes As a member of the California bar, I cringed as I read the article on dragees.

Former baseball star Steve Garvey says a provocative book by his former wife is part of a methodical campaign "to bring me down." Speaking in a television interview to be broadcast Friday, Garvey lashed at Cyndy Garvey for co-writing "The Secret Life of Cyndy Garvey" with Andy Meisler. The book paints an unflattering picture of the former first baseman for the Dodgers and Padres. The interview is to be shown on "A Current Affair" and was taped Wednesday in San Diego.

It's nice that Patrick McCabe has a lot of rich and famous friends, but if I were an alum, I wouldn't be encouraged by what I read ("The Education of Patrick McCabe," by Andy Meisler, Oct. 6). It looks like McCabe is interested in turning Santa Monica's Newbridge School into a low-rent former military school, such as his own alma mater. I would suggest that McCabe pick up a copy of "Summerhill School" or read a few books about Montessori education because his alternative education experience is certainly limited.

Former Dodger and Padre Steve Garvey charges that a book by his ex-wife is part of a methodical campaign to bring him down. In an interview for the television program, "A Current Affair," Garvey lashes out at Cyndy Garvey for writing, "The Secret Life of Cyndy Garvey," with Andy Meisler. The book paints an unflattering picture of the one-time first baseman. "She really does hate me," Garvey says of his former wife. "That is her sole goal in life . . .

Most public schools in this country stink. Just about everyone says so. And neither the California budget or the national economy suggest better times to come. It seems that everyone is chiming in now with a possible solution to the crisis. Lately, the most vocal critics of education come from the business community, which is nervous about the declining quality of the U.S. work force.

" Deborah's been talking until she's blue in the face," according to her personal publicist. And he's not exaggerating. The cases in point--her promotional activities for "Noble House"--included the following . --"The Tonight Show," aired on Jan. 18. --"Hour Magazine," Feb. 10. --"PM Magazine," a two-parter: Part 1 aired on Valentine's Day, Part 2 later last week. --"The Wil Shriner Show." --"The Entertainment Report," sent by satellite to stations all over the country.