The story about Dr. Robyn Barbiers caring for the wildlife at Lincoln Park Zoo (“Her Office is a Zoo,” Nov. 30) was touching. How wonderful that we, as a society, should show such concern for animals, and that the Tribune should give an accolade to this woman who cares for the voiceless creatures among us.
But wait–what’s that? I also see an advertisement for cow and lambskin coats lined with opossum fur on the inside cover of the magazine, as well as a recipe for cooking animal flesh on Page 31. What gives? Is the Tribune (dare I say it?) hypocritical in its stance toward our relationship with animals?
The message sent to readers is that compassion is fine as long as it doesn’t interfere with the pursuit of pleasure and profit. It is sickening to see a company entrusted with reporting the news and educating the public pandering to the common, ignorant attitude that loving animals is compatible with exploiting them!
Jennifer Christiano, Oak Park
How many casual viewers will write to question the “cigarette” in Dr. Robyn’s mouth as she checks the snake with a “runny nose”? In the text just below the photo, it explains that she’s using a flashlight to look into the snake’s mouth. But how many picture viewers read the text when a picture is available?
Paul J. Quaiver, Chicago
CLEAN UP THE LANGUAGE
I was dismayed by the use of the word “dough” in the article by Rick Kogan about the Sky Chapel of the First United Methodist Church (For Starters, Nov. 30). It would seem that in an article about a chapel, a word such as “money” or “funds” would have been more appropriate than a slang term.
Daniel M. O’Keefe, Mount Prospect
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Every Sunday I look at the Food page and I can’t help noticing how lonesome the food placed on the large dish looks. What happened to the old-fashioned meat, potatoes and vegetable that occupied the entire plate?
Some decorations are so fancy you don’t know whether they are just adornments or food. It seems everything is made to look like something else.
Dorothy Farnsworth, Chicago
PRETTY AS A PICTURE
Who says there’s no beauty in the “big city”? The recent pictorial statement of Ron Dahlborg in Midwest Portrait (“Pane of winter,” Nov. 30) certainly should put that debate to rest.
I hope you will continue to treat us to the peaceful beauty of his work.
C.T. Hallgren, Norway, Mich.
WHAT’S ITS NAME?
Re: “Where’s What?” (Nov. 23), another interesting and unusual place name is Carol Stream, a village just north of Wheaton. It was named after the daughter of the developer, Jay Stream.
Allen F. Mead, St. Charles
HIS WAY WITH WORDS
I thoroughly enjoyed “Reflections on a Photograph” by Harry Mark Petrakis (Nov. 23).
How fortunate we are that he survived the illness that caused him to fall a class behind. He can continue to delight us with his flair for language and vivid imagination.
Cindy Brashler, Chicago
SHEDDING LIGHT ON ART
I had not been aware of Valparaiso University’s major artistic coup in securing the “Old Masters Brought to Light” exhibit until I saw your article (For Starters, Sept. 21).
The exhibit brochure mentions the vitality, new awareness and inspiration of these 27 sacred paintings; however, this description only hints at the edification that viewing the images brought us. Thank you for a spectacular day.
Suzanne Hassert, Wheaton
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