To the editor: Great and thorough article about Grady Spears (ÒRare, Yet Overdone,Ó May 26, 2004). Jeff Prince wrote, ÒSomehow just sitting on a couch and talking with him can be exhausting.Ó I am exhausted after reading your article. You really captured, it seems, everything about him. I do not know Grady but feel as if I do now. I can relate (just a little). I own my own restaurant in Fort Worth with a business partner. I thought I had troubles, but not compared to Grady. I have eaten at the Reata and The Chisholm Club, and still think they are some of the best meals I have ever had. Even though he was not in the kitchen ... some very talented people are. It is very tough work to run a restaurant day in and day out. Chef Brian Olenjack nailed it when he said Òbe in the kitchen every day.Ó It is the only reason we have success at my restaurant -- we are there every day! I admire Grady for all he has done. You get nowhere sometimes without risking it all. He appears to do that quite often. He is a huge success, and I am sure he will come out on top. I will be there for that meal.

Holly Pils
Fort Worth

To the editor: Editor's note: The following three e-mail letters were received, in this order, from Donna Ritchie of Fort Worth:

1. Hmmm ... Jeff Prince wrote that Grady Spears has a wife, a new baby, his car repossessed, details of his ADD, and quotes from every backstabbing person you could find. You obviously gained his trust to get all these details, but I'm just wondering why you didn't take a gun out and shoot him after your interview.

This is the last time I will ever read this newspaper. And I will encourage others to do the same. By the way, you might want to apply for a job with the National Enquirer.

2. I have to agree that you didn't just write all negative comments. The article did have some balance. But when you get into writing about a man's car being repossessed, and that he's Òliving in his mother's house,Ó etc., etc., you are indulging in character assassination. That's mean-spirited, and not in line with a story on how a man's professional career is unfolding. Tell the stories of his detractors, his bad business failings, and his quirkiness. But don't speak of his baby's medical insurance problems, etc. How do you think that makes him and his family feel to know you have opened them up like that? If you can look him in the eye after that, then you need glasses, Mr. Prince. And maybe another heart would help, too.

3. I've cooled down a little, and would like to say I look forward to your next story on Grady when he is back on top. Everybody loves the underdog, and I certainly think he qualifies. Thanks for listening.

To the editor: Marjorie Owens, in her recent article on ticket scalping in the area (ÒBuyer Beware,Ó May 25, 2004), called Ticket Master a Òfair ticket brokerageÓ that adds only a dollar or two to the face value of a ticket. Where has she been living since the Beatles broke up? I recently turned down a Keb' Mo' concert at the Ridglea because Ticket Master wanted to add $12 to a $20 ticket. It's outrageous! That's what all the controversy with Pearl Jam a few years ago was about -- the band was fed up with TM's scalper-like service fees and monopoly in price-setting, but found it too hard to go it alone with selling their own tickets. There's a reason some folks refer to Ticket Master with a B where the M goes. Let's see an article on them.

Andrew Williams
Fort Worth

To the editor: I have been very disillusioned by the partisan bickering that has developed in this campaign year. President Bush has done a great job in our war against terrorism, and I believe we have a great deal more of the war to fight. I have heard many political opponents make negative statements against our president and to a large extent against my country. We are in a war, for the duration. There is no longer any need for discussion about what we are going to do (ÒIt's a Retro Kinda Thang,Ó May 19, 2004); we should only be focused on how we are going to do it.

I believe that Kerry has seen the handwriting on the wall and has begun to distance himself from the extremely vehement political statements that have been made.

I am proud to call George Bush my president.

Mike Voirin
Irving

To the editor: Just wanted to say thanks for the killer review of the locally made film Four Course Meal (ÒFeats of Clay,Ó May 12, 2004). Also thanks to the 95 or so folks who came out. But special thanks needs to go to Megan Harris, promotions manager. Without her, the film would not have made it to the big screen in Cowtown. Besides being assistant director for some of the film, Ms. Harris had to provide and pay out of her own pocket for printing of tickets, and staff to sell tickets and concessions, plus project and sound setup. Hell yeah!

W.B. Massey III
Aledo