Who in their right mind would partner with Jerry Kleiner? Your article “Street Smart,” (Dec. 19) delineates a history of broken partnerships. His partners accused him of mismanagement, infighting, overcharging, excessive management fees and breach of fiduciary duties. Evidently, this pattern started at an early age for Kleiner: hustling kids for $100 in the schoolyard. Sounds to me like he’s hustling his partners now.
R.W. HAWKINSON / Frankfort
Shining example
My father would have been in total agreement with Rick Kogan’s “Stopsigns” item (Dec. 5) on shoeshine parlors. He always said, “If a man’s shoes don’t shine, he doesn’t.” Also, “If a man’s heels are run down, so is he.” I’m certain our three sons grew tired of hearing these wise words over and over as they grew up!
MARY HILDEBRAND / Rhinelander, Wis.
A festive mayor
Kudos to [former] Mayor Jane Byrne (“Jane Byrne, revisited,” Dec. 12) for initiating Chicagofest, with headliner Frank Sinatra, no less. Where else could I have seen “Ol’ Blue Eyes” perform for over an hour at an admission fee of a mere $6? Thank you Mayor Byrne!
ELAINE ANDERSON / Grayslake
Negative image
Please explain why, in the photo of the 3 men who delivered Christmas trees (Flashback, Dec. 12), their names are written backwards at the top of the picture. (EDITORS NOTE: The names were written on the back of a glass-plate negative in use at the time. The writing showed through when printed.) All three seem deserving of whatever joy and compensation they received for their efforts.
JOAN ALBANO / Elmwood Park
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A blast from the past
In our Feb. 20 issue, the Magazine will travel back 50 years and revisit the people and events of 1955. If you have a favorite memory from that year-perhaps a new car, a meaningful song, an unforgettable movie-and want to share it with other readers, please send a brief letter to the e-mail or street address above. Don’t wait too long; the deadline is Jan. 24, a week from tomorrow.
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Write us
Send mail to The Editor, Chicago Tribune Magazine, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611, or to tribmag@tribune.com.
