Doors

The Pitcher House was a line in the sand. If you drove north on Pacific Coast Highway, it was one of the first businesses in Hermosa Beach, located in an old, slightly run-down bank building, making the place seem historic and mysterious at the same time. It was a reminder that Hermosa used to be a working-class town and a warning that you had only a few more miles until you hit the tonier Manhattan Beach. In the late 1990s, the Pitcher House was full of middle-aged surfers who'd push through the bar's swinging doors and drink a few Buds while keeping their distance from the just-out-of-college crowd doing upside-down margaritas on the Strand, Hermosa's bright, main drag that was starting to look more and more like Manhattan.

Unlocking a child's mind should be worth as much as unlocking the classroom doors. GLORIA LASH Los Angeles

So New Kids on the Block is "the best thing that ever happened to our generation"? (Letters, Calendar, July 1.) Gee, no wonder I like the Doors so much. LAURA EGENDORF Tustin

Dirty Projectors with Wye Oak Where: The Wiltern When: Sat., doors open 8 p.m. Tickets: $26.50 to $34 Info: http://www.livenation.com

'One-Two Punch' When: Saturday, doors open at 8 p.m., show at 8:30 p.m. Price: $3 suggested donation Info and RSPV: onetwopunchshow@gmail.com

In response to the Sept. 2 article "Rethinking 'Nixon in China' " by John Henken: Even though Richard Nixon's visit to China opened diplomatic doors, it's unlikely that "Nixon in China" will open many cultural doors, as it will hardly make people forget Mozart or Puccini. But still, just to hear "Nixon" sing a few bars would be worth the price of admission. KENNETH L. ZIMMERMAN Cypress

Although they're huddled close, the tens of thousands of cattle are remarkably quiet. The cowboys traversing the blocks-long boardwalk above hear only the occasional bellow below. In familiar hats, jeans and boots, the men ? and some women ? make their way toward the bustling auction arena. Some come to the Oklahoma National Stock Yards just to watch the bustle of cattle, but most come, checkbook in hand, to bid and to buy. This has been going on in Oklahoma City for 100 years, since cattlemen began bringing their critters to market here.

We came by on Sunday night to see the theremin show, after seeing the article in the Thursday Times ("Theremins: Looking for Players, Gaining Fans," Sept. 25). The info box said Sunday, 8 p.m. What we didn't expect was that 8 p.m. was the time that the club first opened its doors. When the doorman finally appeared, he told the waiting crowd not to expect the music to start until 9 or 9:30. We, along with many others, left. Randy Gold Sherman Oaks Editors note: Doors commonly open well before the music begins at most area clubs.