Preservation

A passion for film PATRICK Goldstein's attack on American Film Institute director Jean Firstenberg ("AFI's Declining 'Best of' Moments," June 17) -- someone willing to dedicate her life to the preservation of film art, develop passion in the hearts of new filmmakers and inspire associations with benefactors -- is unfair. The path she has chosen to make it happen is just that -- her choice. You want to do it differently? Have the courage to quit your job and apply for hers. Deborahm Pratt Los Angeles

Congratulations on a thoroughly engrossing portrait of a national treasure, Miles Kreuger and his astonishing Institute of the American Musical ("One-Man Show," by Rachel Shteir, Feb. 13). Now let's hear from the music industry, patrons of musical theater and other potential donors to help him manifest his dream: a stand-alone building with a small auditorium and exhibition room, and an endowment that will ensure the institute's preservation. Harold G. Schick Jr. Los Angeles

Thank you so much for your editorial comments Aug. 3, "Old Towne Gets New Hope." Old Towne Orange is a very special place, and this has not been by chance. There are many groups and individuals dedicated not only to the preservation but also the success of Old Towne. Leason Pomeroy heads a group of architects and illustrators called the Design Collaborative that developed a Downtown Vision Plan. Their efforts began over five years ago and they are now just on the brink of materializing.

It was a rare setback for Pasadena Heritage last week when voters decided to permit demolition of the historic main building of the Huntington Sheraton hotel. Trying to save the building was the latest cause of the private, nonprofit preservationist group. In the 10 years since its founding, Pasadena Heritage has gained a nationwide reputation for effectiveness and political clout in a city known for a strong interest in its heritage.

Among other things under discussion at the Dana Point City Council meeting regarding land-use was the ecology of the "headlands." All of us realize this is a crucial piece of property, but I couldn't believe what I was hearing! In speaking of the preservation of the ecology, under discussion was the preservation of an endangered species, the kangaroo rat. As a child growing up in Hollywood, we lived on a street that was lined with palm trees--the kind with thick trunks. Every summer we moved to Balboa Island the day after school was out and didn't return until the week before school opened in September.

I have been working with various groups in the north San Fernando Valley who oppose expansion of this landfill into Sunshine Canyon, part of a significant ecological area adjacent to O'Melveny Park, a 700-acre wilderness park. I oppose the landfill for three reasons: 1. Health and safety concerns that are being ignored. 2. Preservation of over 8,600 oaks. 3. Preservation of the significant ecological area. The preservation of a forest of more than 8,600 mature oak trees in a city as crowded and polluted as ours is very important.

Re "Sprucing up without selling out," March 20 On any given weekend, Playa del Rey welcomes thousands of visitors to one of the few beach parks in Southern California not overrun by visionless development. The fear for many here is not change, but rather not having a say in what our community becomes. As for the preservation of Egret Park, after decades of trying to preserve the lagoon, it is most certainly not our intent to compromise. So many of California's wetlands have been destroyed.