Glaring Omission

There was a glaring omission in Ernesto Lechner's excellent articles dealing with salsa in the Southland (July 1). One of the most popular salsa venues is the Whittier Hilton. In its sixth year there is the extremely popular Susie Hansen band. Whittier Hilton, Fridays, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Check it out! LARRY FRANK, Arcadia

At the outset, let it be noted that this book is for the faithful, those who bleed blue, who stay at the game until the last out (whatever the inning) and who don't think the day is complete at home until Uncle Vinny signs off with a cheery "good-night everybody. " "Dodgers From Coast to Coast: The Official Visual History of the Dodgers" is not an all-encompassing history, however, and the tone is far from objective. It has some wonderful bits of history and some glaring omissions.

I was very surprised by the absence of David Shapira from the recent Calendar article on agents. I have worked with some of the "most powerful agents in town," and I have never found an agent as honest, caring and, as far as my work is concerned, as powerful. In my opinion, it was a most glaring omission. CYBILL SHEPHERD

IN my opinion, there was one glaring omission in Carina Chocano's "54 That Get It Right" [Nov. 13] about realistic portrayals of women in film. The most beloved film in this genre of most all the women I know is "Shirley Valentine." For women who are over 40, have been married, had kids or just felt they've lost something of themselves in the day-to-day grind, this film is a must-see for its honest portrayal of women's truest feelings and longings, not to mention a good laugh. It hits the nail on the head in a way a "Clueless" or a "Lost in Translation" never could.

There was a glaring omission in Aaron Betsky's otherwise throughtful article on the Village Green (Times, June 20). Credit for its design must also be given to Robert E. Alexander, who now lives in Berkeley. Mr. Alexander was present last year to participate in the project's anniversary celebration. BERNARD ALTMAN Los Angeles

A glaring omission in the journalist's analysis of why there are so many spoiled brats and troubled children is the fact that giving up the draft has hurt our country. The Armed Forces draft made men out of selfish, spoiled, unruly children in less than two years. If we had the draft again, many of these problems described in the article would be mitigated. EDWARD M. HEPNER Newport Beach

A glaring omission was made in the category of "cream of the next generation of character performers." Benson left out Dabney Coleman, one of the best actors, character or otherwise, today. He is easily recognized, yet always disappears into each role whether it be comedy or dramatic. He is, in a word, a chameleon--the highest accolade given to a character actor. ROSEMARY ESKEN Upland

" 'Mother of All Bombs' Is Successfully Tested" (March 12) was anything but illuminating. Who makes this nightmarish weapon? (Or, asking this another way, who lobbied to have this manufactured in his or her congressional district?) How much does it cost? (A glaring omission.) How much damage does it do? From the tone and content of your article, one would think it was lifted from a Pentagon public relations magazine. Bob Lentz Sylmar

Oops! You made a glaring omission regarding Fred Willard. He has a delightful recurring role on "Everybody Loves Raymond" as Amy's father. We're thrilled that he'll be starring in his own show ("A Minute With Stan Hooper"), because we've loved Mr. Willard ever since he and Martin Mull teamed in "Fernwood 2-Nite." Hollace Brown and Sonny Wallensky Los Angeles

I must say I have been surprised by one glaring omission when it has come to Oscar talk: Anton Glanzelius, the little boy in "My Life as a Dog." He's Swedish, and his name is hard to remember, but isn't it the best performance a child has ever given in a movie? By contrast, the youngsters in "Hope and Glory," "Empire of the Sun" and "Au Revoir Les Enfants" seem like ciphers. RICK SANDFORD Los Angeles

Oops! You made a glaring omission regarding Fred Willard. He has a delightful recurring role on "Everybody Loves Raymond" as Amy's father. We're thrilled that he'll be starring in his own show ("A Minute With Stan Hooper"), because we've loved Mr. Willard ever since he and Martin Mull teamed in "Fernwood 2-Nite." Hollace Brown and Sonny Wallensky Los Angeles

There is a glaring omission in "Freedom's Test, or Just a Pest?" (Sept. 24). As our population has grown, law and regulation have grown -- exponentially, not arithmetically. This has created a demand on decision-makers far exceeding their individual or group capacity at all levels of government. So, when the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors cuts off a speaker, the reason might be less the irritation than making the best use of scarce time to attend to the people's business. For those boards that permit speakers to speak at length, the question must be asked as to when, if at all, there is time to do the people's business.

" 'Mother of All Bombs' Is Successfully Tested" (March 12) was anything but illuminating. Who makes this nightmarish weapon? (Or, asking this another way, who lobbied to have this manufactured in his or her congressional district?) How much does it cost? (A glaring omission.) How much damage does it do? From the tone and content of your article, one would think it was lifted from a Pentagon public relations magazine. Bob Lentz Sylmar

Re "A Glaring Omission From Legacy of the Riots--Apologies," May 1: May I be the first to agree that Steve Lopez is naive. I am even more so, in that I would expect two guys to be charged with responsibility [for the 1992 riots]: Tom Bradley and Daryl Gates. It's called accountability. There is no doubt that the event and actions were insane, self-defeating and directed at innocent parties; nonetheless, they were understandable. The glaring omission is not apologies; it is the lack of civic awareness of root causes and of changes to the system that brought forth the chaos.

Call me naive, but I'm still waiting for one person to fess up. Just one guy to walk into a store and say, you know what? I looted this TV 10 years ago when the streets were wild, and I don't want my kids watching this stolen property one more night. Here's the money I owe you. No. I am not holding my breath. In coverage of the 10-year anniversary of the Rodney King verdict and the senseless destruction that followed, I've seen explanations and recollections. I've seen claims of progress and complaints about the lack thereof.

The most startling aspect of this year's jazz Grammy nominations is not who is included but who is not. Amazingly, Diana Krall's "The Look of Love" is nowhere to be found in the best jazz vocal album category. This, despite its enormous popularity and breakout sales--usually two of the most basic gauges for nomination. Nor was Jane Monheit, one of the most visible up-and-coming jazz vocalists, included. Are we experiencing some sort of backlash here?

Re "A Glaring Omission From Legacy of the Riots--Apologies," May 1: May I be the first to agree that Steve Lopez is naive. I am even more so, in that I would expect two guys to be charged with responsibility [for the 1992 riots]: Tom Bradley and Daryl Gates. It's called accountability. There is no doubt that the event and actions were insane, self-defeating and directed at innocent parties; nonetheless, they were understandable. The glaring omission is not apologies; it is the lack of civic awareness of root causes and of changes to the system that brought forth the chaos.

There is a glaring omission in "Freedom's Test, or Just a Pest?" (Sept. 24). As our population has grown, law and regulation have grown -- exponentially, not arithmetically. This has created a demand on decision-makers far exceeding their individual or group capacity at all levels of government. So, when the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors cuts off a speaker, the reason might be less the irritation than making the best use of scarce time to attend to the people's business. For those boards that permit speakers to speak at length, the question must be asked as to when, if at all, there is time to do the people's business.

Re "Genome Research: Out of the Frying Pan or Into the Fire?" by Craig Venter and Daniel Cohen, Commentary, June 26: There is one glaring omission: In their comments on coping with the increased millions (billions?) of people who will live because of all the progress, not one word about one of the simplest, quickest and intelligent solution to this problem. It is birth control, which should have worldwide advocacy. ARTHUR A. FLEISHER II Northridge News reports say that the DNA strands in the human body are about six feet long when uncoiled.

There was a glaring omission in Ernesto Lechner's excellent articles dealing with salsa in the Southland (July 1). One of the most popular salsa venues is the Whittier Hilton. In its sixth year there is the extremely popular Susie Hansen band. Whittier Hilton, Fridays, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Check it out! LARRY FRANK, Arcadia