OUR READERS WRITE: Letters from May 5 issue

Time to ‘Make Art, Not War!’

“Without fine art civilization will die” is the core of Nasser Pirasteh’s art. He creates and shares his love of art for our community to see and experience. Residents of all ages have passed by the corner of Nautilus Street and Avenida Manana and felt the whimsy, delight and joy from his work. Having art alive in the community has created some of the most intriguing cites in the world — Barcelona, Paris and Rome, to name a few.

Art is here to inspire and create wonder for all ages. It is expressed from the soul of the artist and flows out to affect the viewer in numerous magical ways.

It is time for art to play an important role in our community and all communities so its transformational qualities can be expressed.

It interesting that numerous McMansions in our Village and Bird Rock have been approved by the city, yet a simple Gaudi-like sculpture is threatened to be destroyed, one that a child would love to play in all day.

The awe-inspiring Watts Tower Sculpture in Los Angeles was almost demolished, yet because community members loved it and fought for it, it’s now a place-maker for the area and an art center for the community, as well as a catalyst for change and gentrification.

We should be grateful to have a fine artist like Nasser in our Village and embrace his art alive in our neighborhood. Please support him by signing the petition to save his sculpture, write him a letter, or sign your name and a message on his wall. To sign the online petition, visit bit.ly/artpetition

Jane Wheeler

Founder, Bird Rock Artist Guild

More support for artwork

My name is Lily Gover and I’m in the fourth grade at the Gillispie School. On April 21 you wrote that Nasser Pirasteh has to tear down his structure at 6706 Avenida Manana or pay a $250,000 fee. Will you please write just one sentence in your next newspaper about how silly that is? I drive past it everyday on my way to school and think how pretty it is. Without it, that road would not be the same.

P.S. I really enjoy reading your newspaper. It is so interesting!

Lily Gover

One’s joy is another’s not-joy

It is difficult to understand why anyone would object to Nasser Pirasteh’s work of art. It is always a joy to see what he has done to entertain us on our trips up and down Nautilus Street. I do hope there will be a solution in his favor.

As for the complaint last week about the dogs in Vons, I am in the store at least once every week and I have never encountered an unruly dog blocking the aisle or making any kind of disturbance. Like Mr. Pirasteh’s artwork, the dogs always bring a smile to my face and a happier experience grocery shopping.

There are many more important things to grouse about, for instance, those two monstrosities on Neptune, the ruination of the “living room” in La Valencia Hotel, and other large buildings destroying the Village atmosphere we cherish.

Dorothy Andersen

Re: Dogs and art — The law is the law

I agree that we in La Jolla have a “dog problem.” You can’t blame the dogs; it’s really about the owners. The owners, unfortunately, have become rather presumptuous and inconsiderate. So many of them allow their dogs to foul lawns, yards, etc. They also allow them to run unleashed on our beaches. And we all know that bringing dogs inside Vons (and many other stores) is against all health codes. Laws are laws; why do dog owners consider themselves exempt?

With regard to the “art” at the Pirasteh house, it is obvious that this is a structure. This particular house is so out of character with the neighborhood that it doesn’t surprise me that Pirasteh would presume to place a monstrosity in his front yard for all to see, like it or not. The art we see around the Village is in a public place; Pirasteh’s is most definitely not. This is a residential area, not an art exhibit. Allowing an exception here will only encourage others to do the same, and this slippery slope is why the city should enforce its rules and regulations.

Dog owners and homeowners are — surprise! — subject to the reach of the law. If they would only accept this, our neighborhood would be much improved.

Bill Smith

Dogs have rights, too

The majority of people who take their dogs into stores are people who care about their pets. They pick up after them, keep them clean and groomed, and train them to behave in public. On a hot day they don’t want to leave them in a car or tied up where they can be frightened or stolen. A toddler with a runny nose or dirty diaper can spread more germs on a grocery store cart than a leashed dog can by walking down a store isle. I hope store managers will welcome all customers, four-legged or two.

Alicia Quackenbush

Discrimination doesn’t belong in stores

As a five-year resident of La Jolla and an individual living with an invisible disability, I’m compelled to share my perspective regarding comments about dogs in Vons. I am sadly not surprised by the harsh judgments of the general public who tend to discriminate against people who bring dogs into stores. What gives people the right to judge someone based upon how they look as to whether or not they are legitimately disabled?

Do you know the struggles some people endure on a daily basis? Surely not. How could you possibly know if someone is “feigning a disability?” This prolific ignorance is a problem in society. Instead of complaining about ADA laws that allow disabled people autonomy, why don’t you practice compassion?

Chances are you know someone who is struggling with simple tasks that you take for granted, i.e., going to the grocery store. If a dog helps them achieve independence, why be so quick to judge?

The Vons in La Jolla should be celebrated for its consideration in allowing dogs of all kinds. It is the only store I’ve been to where I’ve not been assaulted by ignorance when I bring my small service dog with me, and it is a respite from the publics’ judging stares.

As for writing your Congressman to “insist on regulations regarding qualifications for service animals,” I say that unless you suffer from some serious dog-related affliction, you do something better with your time like educating yourself about invisible disabilities. Who knows? You might become part of the solution rather than the problem. More at invisibledisabilities.org, fmaware.org and ehlers-danlos.com

Name withheld by request

New La Jolla mural clashes with Village

In tenor with the letter printed in the April 28 La Jolla Light issue, the mural outside the Galaxy Taco building at La Jolla Shores should be moved inside where it would harmonize and blend with the decor of the establishment. Outside, facing the seashore, it appears as a glaring affront to the tranquil ambience of our Village.

John S. Armstrong

Cruelty to sea lions is inhumane

A baby sea lion was born on the beach at La Jolla Cove Friday, April 29. What I witnessed after that both broke my heart and enraged me. A mob of tourists pushed in to take photos and selfies with a clearly distressed mother sea lion. The lifeguards and Parks & Rec representative did nothing to intervene as dozens of people crowded in. One civilian gentleman begged the throng to back away but to no avail. At some point the mother seemed to reject the pup, no doubt, in part due to the human interference.

I was later told that the lifeguards and Parks & Rec have been told to stand down and not intervene as humans harass the marine mammals because the powers that be want them gone. I have even witnessed a family petting a sick and starving sea lion too weak to even lift its head in protest. I rushed over to tell the lifeguards at The Cove and they simply shrugged.

Surely the good people of La Jolla do not support this level of animal cruelty.

Janet St. Aubin

Webster, New York

Sea lions are not the problem

I’m a 28-year resident and business owner in La Jolla, and yes, I could do without the stench, but not at the expense of having the sea lions driven away. I’m a believer that the stench comes mainly from the aviary friends that populate the north side of The Cove, where we feel it the most. The sea lions have made The Cove their home and they are a main attraction for tourists in the Village.

I propose an experiment be done: Limit the birds from occupying the area north of The Cove to see what the results will be. Open that area to the public and place picnic tables there so people would be attracted to it. Of course it would have to go through some real cleaning first! This would perhaps drive the birds away further north. The sea lions are not the problem!

Norma K.

Shorts sought for Vikings film fest

I’m Jacob Ohara, a sophomore at La Jolla High School. This year I am taking over the 5th Annual La Jolla Film Festival from a few LJHS grads. This film festival is open to all high school students in the San Diego area and we are hoping to spread the word about entering through the La Jolla Light.

The rules are simple: the films must be under 8-minutes-long and include a balloon of any kind. Submissions are due online by May 20 at lajollafilmfestival.com

Winners will be selected and notified by May 27. The show will take place 7:30-9:30 p.m., Saturday, June 4 at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 700 Prospect St. All details are on the website.

Jacob Ohara

Any handball players in town?

I’m new in La Jolla and looking to find some handball players to play at La Jolla Athletic Club, 1200 Prospect St. I was told by the manager that the courts are hardly used. There must be some players here! Please advise how I might reach out to prospective players.

Jerry Allen

(858) 274-4060, uwshooter@aol.com

Time to curb events in La Jolla

It seems to me that La Jolla hosts a disproportionate amount of so-called “special events” that disrupt traffic, not only to and from La Jolla, but also inside La Jolla itself. It is not only aggravating for La Jolla residents, but also for the people who are trying to enter La Jolla and for those trying to get around once in La Jolla.

It’s time for other places in San Diego to do their share of hosting so-called “special events” and to bear some of the disruptions that these events cause. I’m sure their merchants would also like a share of this pie!

IB

CORRECTION

The April 28 story “Cheetah Charity Runners seek others to help kids with cancer,” should have had the spelling of the founders’ names as James and Cheryl Sheremeta. Also, the organization website address is: cheetahcharityrunners.org

What’s on YOUR mind?

Letters to the Editor for publication in La Jolla Light should be 250 words or less, and e-mailed to editor@lajollalight.com and must include the full name of the sender, city of residence and phone number for verification. Note: The content of letters are not the opinions of La Jolla Light.