My husband and I recently took a few minutes to take a close look at the Whiteside Theater. The so-called "blank" wall is not blank at all. It has double doors at street level, two small windows at two different levels further up and an old-fashioned fire escape.

I see nothing historic in these things, and would much prefer active shops and businesses. The committee that nixed a reasonable proposal needs to rethink this whole thing. But, as Voltaire said sometime between 1694 and 1778, "Common sense is not so common."

Angela Carlson

Corvallis

Confusion ruled over school closure

Tuesday morning, I awoke to what I thought would be a regular school day. I had tests to take and homework to turn in.

Being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I attend a scripture study class in the morning. After looking outside and seeing everything coated in ice, I received a call canceling our scripture class. Mom and I checked to see if school would be delayed.

At 6:30 a.m., it said a regular schedule was in effect. We did not believe they would hold school under such conditions and kept checking online, TV and radio. We then called the district number and found that school was delayed.

I went back to sleep while my parents kept an eye on things. I got up at 8:30 a.m. By then, Philomath and surrounding areas had closed school. There was still ice and snow was starting to fall. But Corvallis said it was still open.

My parents decided to drive me in, due to the hazardous conditions. We encountered five accidents. At 9:30 a.m., we again checked the district number to find that school was still open. As we arrived at school at 9:37 a.m. - just 3 minutes before class was to begin, we encountered the "No School" sign in front of the school and the district number finally indicated that school was indeed canceled.

Why did it take so long for the district to make a decision? Why put so many through such hazardous conditions before closing schools?

Josh Glasmann

Philomath

'Checkbook' enviros also help save Earth

In his Jan. 17 letter, Wil D. Hormann labeled someone like me as a "checkbook" enviro who is "despicable," useless.

I sent a small check to TerraPass and received a bumper sticker that says our car's carbon emissions have been balanced. It means that my check will go to support development of non-CO2 emitting sources of energy. The check was small because our Toyota Corolla, which gets 30 miles per gallon on the highway, is in a class with the Prius hybrid car.

It is what I normally drive when - because of inclement weather or a heavy load - I'm not using my bicycle. Furthermore, I don't see people who still seem oblivious to global warming as "despicable." All who are already concerned can promote greater awareness in others by example and with friendly persuasion.

Robert L. Stebbins

Corvallis

Leave riverfront a natural area

It was with a heavy heart that I read recently about the proposal to develop another magical bit of the riverfront.

I live across the street, and almost every day I walk along there on my way into town. That dirt path from the parking lot to the beginnings of the concrete path on Tyler Street is my favorite place to stroll. We northside locals who do not have cars very much appreciate having a relatively undeveloped area within walking distance.

My grandchildren adore their visits to this little park. It is because it is undeveloped for the most part that they are free to use their wonderful imaginations - they come up with all sorts of delightful games that don't require anything other than sheer ingenuity and a simple area in which to play.

The old mill foundation provides opportunities for both climbing and fantasizing about manning the ramparts and who knows what else.

I often pause to observe the intended path of the Oregon Department of Transportation overpass … not a pleasant thought, that overpass. It would drastically alter the nature of that special place.

As I continue on my frequent walks down the riverfront, I also pause under the overpasses at the south end and think about what it will be like when the north part of the riverfront looks that way.

I have been so grateful to have this little bit of heaven so close at hand. Bless it; bless us all.

Cynthia Cutting

Corvallis

Everyone but Bush knows war is lost

We don't hear a lot anymore of "stay the course" which has metastasized into the "curse of staying."

The War Room strategists (and we use that term in the loosest meaning of the word) seem to think that the problem of having 130,000 clueless people in a place where they are not wanted can be solved by sending in 20,000 more people.

Oh, how the breathless drama of "Shock and Awe" has turned to the ashes of "Aw Shucks; What now?" The Dems, with the power of the purse strings, should firmly say "Enough is enough; not one lousy billion more, you hear?"

Leo de Vogel

Corvallis

Sheehan callous to Cubans' plight

Cindy Sheehan's denial of support for prisoners of conscience in Castro's jails (who suffer far more than any accused terrorist in Guantanamo) despite appeals to do by Las Damas en Blanco (e.g. www.nysun.com/article/46377) attracts attention. This circumstance may be readily taken to indicate ideological blinkers on the part of Ms. Sheehan. Such also inevitably reflects badly on any who support her and her cause.

Larry Daley

Corvallis