“Dairy-Free Decadence,” Taste, 3/18
A Compassionate Article
Thank you so very much for writing this article. It is wonderful to
see your dedication to expose people to vegan alternatives! In fact, it
would be great to do a follow-up story featuring Compassionate Cooks
(www.compassionatecooks.com), a
group run by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau, whose mission it is to demystify
“vegan” cooking and baking — all while doing it healthfully and
affordably — and joyfully. Patrick-Goudreau authored a cookbook
titled, The Joy of Vegan Baking (www.joyofveganbaking.com), which
was awarded Cookbook of the Year by VegNews Magazine. This
cookbook is like HEAVEN in my kitchen and even my non-vegan friends
rave about the breads and desserts I bring to work and parties.
Kristine Williams, Oakland
How Many Letters Must We Write Before You
Stop the Slander?
The March 18 article, “Dairy-Free Decadence,” may mislead consumers
about high fructose corn syrup.
High fructose corn syrup may have a complicated-sounding name, but
it’s actually a simple sweetener, made from corn, that is nutritionally
the same as sugar.
High fructose corn syrup is not sweeter than sugar; and high
fructose corn syrup, sugar, and honey all contain the same number of
calories (four calories per gram).
The American Medical Association in June 2008 helped put to rest
misunderstandings about this sweetener and obesity, stating that “high
fructose syrup does not appear to contribute to obesity more than other
caloric sweeteners.”
Even former critics of high fructose corn syrup dispel long-held
myths and distance themselves from earlier speculation about
the sweetener’s link to obesity as the American Journal of
Clinical Nutrition releases its 2008 Vol. 88 supplement’s
comprehensive scientific review.
Many confuse pure “fructose” with “high fructose corn
syrup,” a sweetener that never contains fructose alone, but
always in combination with a roughly equivalent amount of a second
sugar (glucose). Recent studies that have examined pure fructose
— often at abnormally high levels — have been
inappropriately applied to high fructose corn syrup and have caused
significant consumer confusion.
High fructose corn syrup is made from corn, a natural grain
product. High fructose corn syrup contains no artificial or
synthetic ingredients or color additives and meets the US Food and Drug
Administration’s requirements for use of the term “natural.”
Consumers can see the latest research and learn more about high
fructose corn syrup at www.SweetSurprise.com.
Audrae Erickson, president, Corn Refiners
Association
“Desley Brooks Versus Chip Johnson,” Full Disclosure, 3/18
A Double Standard
While I don’t always agree with Councilwoman Desley Brooks, I do
admire her for standing up to false allegation let by San Francisco
Chronicle, Chip Johnson about the councilwoman involvement over the
actions by then city administrator. It is not surprising giving that
Johnson condemnation of Mayor Dellums over what he feel is not
accountable to the people of Oakland.
It’s funny, he never apply it when Attorney General Jerry Brown was
mayor for eight years and Brown was as corrupt as ever with some back
doors dealing and was very disrespectful toward the people of Oakland,
especially people of color. On the hand, Mayor Dellums, while not
perfect is trying his best to help Oakland like for example getting
green jobs in the city and trying to get more cops on the street to
fight crime that is questionable in my opinion.
Yet, Chip Johnson, along the Chronicle, the Tribune,
and you, the Express, are not getting the current mayor the
credit that he deserve but you praise former mayor, Jerry Brown but he
didn’t do anything but cause working-class people of color to leave
Oakland due to his policy. This shows a racial double standard.
Billy Trice Jr., Oakland
“Convergence of Robins: Broken Stairs,” Local Licks, 3/25
A Nice Portrait
Thanks for the kind words. Just wanted to say — I couldn’t
have written a better description of the music in two sentences if I
tried. You are a really talented writer. The painting reference is
right on (my other passion that I’ve neglected for the sake of this
music.)
Nate Toutjian, Oakland
“From Poet to PA,” Events, 3/11
A Lot of Cutters
Your article on James Schamus included the sentence: “Overnight, he
transformed himself from a scholarly Berkeley Ph.D candidate to the guy
who yells ‘cut’ on a film set and picks up everyone’s lunch.”
There are many people who yell “cut” on a movie set. First,
it’s the director, followed by the assistant director, followed by the
production assistants. Perhaps a more accurate description of a
PA would be “one of many people who yells ‘cut’ on a film
set.” (There are also female crew members as well.) I know
that wouldn’t have sounded as sexy though.
However, “picks up everyone’s lunch.” YOU BET!
Theresa Donahoe, Oakland
