Man To Man
Re: Scene & Herd, "Shower Power," by Scott Harrell (April 27-May 3)

Nicely done… Behind your article's wit is a much-needed message to us confused and belittled Renaissance men – namely, we don't have to do everything women do in order to be acceptable to women (or other men for that reason). Our pop culture has devalued all things traditionally "male" to the point that ejaculation will soon be seen as a non-politically correct bodily function. Men will have to find secretive places to fulfill this psycho-biological need (like farting only the bathroom).

As the father of a 6-year-old boy, I want him to respect and appreciate women as equals (well, more realistically as slightly superior beings to men). But I also want him to feel OK about burping, electronics, boxer shorts, mathematics and space flight. And by the way – if his future wife asks him to attend a baby shower with her, I want my son to feel justified in saying, "No thanks, I'd rather stay home to watch football, drink lousy beer and be secretly proud of my burping prowess." To be safe, he'll need to add, "But I respect the tradition of the baby shower and appreciate you attending on our behalf. Oh, and honey, you look particularly smart, strong, capable and beautiful today!"

Thanks for speaking up.

Steve Bloom
Via e-mail

Grand Hotel
Re: "Consider the Possibilities," by Mary Mulhern (April 20-26)

I read Mary Mulhern's article about the Biltmore and found brand new information about Gaspar Properties, so the article was MOST helpful. Also I loved the ending: "Be ready to swing at the bulldozers."!! Many thanks – great reporting on the new information.

Diane Hein
Via e-mail

Equal Time
Re: "The Other Bedside," by Allyson Gonzalez (April 6-12)

I just wanted to thank you for your interesting article. I spent the last few months, like everyone else in the Tampa Bay area and the country, watching the Schiavo case and its surrounding circumstances played out through the news media. I made several comments to my friends about how Michael Schiavo's situation would have been completely different if he were involved in a gay relationship. Not once did I see any comments or articles from the news media about the implications for gay marriage regarding this topic. Thank you for finally addressing this perspective. As a gay former military member, I long to have the same rights, in the military and in the institution of marriage, that heterosexual citizens take for granted.

Josh Sahler

St. Petersburg
Lights On
Re: "Back in the Band," by Scott Harrell (April 27-May 3)

I always enjoy your articles, but you hit home with this week's coverage of The Headlights. The April 30 show again proved what solid lyricists they are – mentions of the Pope, trouble in the Middle East … in the news then and today. It's amazing how well they work together. I finally think I found the best way to describe it: If Paul McCartney had gotten together with Gram Parsons when the Beatles broke up, it may have sounded like some of the Steve Robinson lead vocals matching perfectly with Steve C's country-rock licks.

Kudos to Mr. Connelly. I have seen Clapton, SRV, Jimmie Vaughan, BB King, Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter … and he is still the best guitarist I've ever seen. Let's hope The Headlights someday get the proper notice and acclaim they deserve.

Tim Scheuermann
Safety Harbor

CLARIFICATION An item in the April 13 Southeastern Music Issue ("Road Trippin': She looked like she'd been trampled by horses," by Scott Harrell) recounted how Patti Smith injured herself during a 1977 show in Tampa. The venue was not named, although we did suggest that it might've been Tampa Stadium. Thanks to readers who called to inform us that the Smith incident occurred at now-defunct Curtis Hixon Hall in Tampa.

This article appears in May 4-10, 2005.