Verdun forgets Fennario

There is in Verdun an honour—so called—given by the city, I do believe, to someone considered to be the Grand Verdunois each year. How they arrive at this decision, and who they are, I do not know. I do know that only twice has this honour gone to a non-Québécois. Why this is so I will leave to you. One year I made an application on behalf of David Fennario [see “Slow train running,” Where are they now?, Oct. 20, and “Back to Balconville,” Theatre, Oct. 13]. I recall when he established the Black Rock Café in Verdun. An English-speaking institution—we don’t have many—that went down the tube due to lack of funding. Strange the French don’t seem to have this problem.

Needless to say, I never heard a word from the powers that be at that time. Maybe they’ve never heard of David Fennario. He lives in Verdun.

There are no cultural events that could be considered for the English in Verdun. An election is coming up. Voting, me? What for? Both groups would prefer not having to deal with the issue of cultural events for les maudits anglais. I would like to see David Fennario as a director for English culture in Verdun. And why not? Is he not a citizen of Verdun? A well-known playwright, if not a Québécois?

He, in my estimation, would receive more respect in Outer Slobovia than he ever will receive in Verdun.

Go and see Condoville at the Centaur. Extended to November 5.

» John C. Underwood

Sasha sweet

Congratulations to Sasha on her “20 years on the streets.” She has had a greater, more positive impact than she thinks. She’s brought sex out in the open, and made it fun and accessible for the public. Personally, she has been an inspiration for me since I came to Montreal 10 years ago. I started out as a dancer (the reason I came to Montreal), but reading her columns opened my horizons, and it was one of the things I would look forward to every week. Her columns helped me break down barriers, challenge myself and inspired me to start up Joy Toyz. If it wasn’t for Sasha and her work, none of this would ever have come to fruition. I owe her a great debt of gratitude to being a ground-breaker, for being honest, for being humble and, most of all, for being human.

» Sebastian Yeung, Joy Toyz

What a sweet and sexy love letter Sasha wrote last week. Bravo, happy anniversary and I wish you many more!

» Tammy Spowart

Campus sex shop sound

What do I think about a sex shop on campus catering to student needs [“Shag shop Guru,” People, Oct. 13]? I think it’s about time. There are sex shops out there and students have the advantage of getting advice on the practices of safe sex while on campus. I wonder, though, how many students are actually going to ask for advice—I liken the situation to going to a pharmacy and buying condoms. Few guys, if any, actually ask the pharmacist for tips on avoiding herpes when buying condoms, I think. Anyway, it’s a novel idea and the few who are going to ask on campus will know what it is they might avoid spreading or how to avoid those same diseases.

» Martin Dansky

What about Zilon?

In reading your “Where are they now?” special feature [Oct. 20], I was very surprised not to see Zilon’s name mentioned. You know, Zilon, he’s that artist who’s only been working in the Montreal art scene since before your paper was a paper. He has even worked with some of the people on your list—yet no mention. How odd.

The famous art critic Leo Rosshandler calls Zilon “A full-fledged artist in every sense of the term.” He just did a fabulous show at the Jazz Festival with DJ Champion, he did a vernissage and live performance for this past Black and Blue, he’s working on a CD with Mark Anthony, he’s having a spectacular show Nov. 2 at the Yves Laroche Gallery called Zilonsonic 2—not to mention all the charitable work he does with La maison du Parc and the countless young artists he has inspired. Now how about a cover story on him?

» Robert W. Townsend, Hudson

More Resto Bizarro bites

So, Alain Lord has figured out how to fill out the hole in a Montreal bagel. I take off my tuque to anyone who can orgasm multiple times over the Mirror’s Resto Bizarro column [“Alice and Yanka: Canadian visionaries!” Letters, Oct. 20].

It’s hard to get something you don’t get. Are Alice and Yanka weaving their expressions or sowing their feelings in their monthly restaurant review? I mean, should I buy a loom or a plough to feel my sensations tickled like Lord does by their warm, manifest, rare treat of an art review?

» Ron Huza

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