MAILBAG: All kitties ought to have collars

As a student at Loyola University in “the old days,” I and thousands of others loved our football team, the Lions. After a very successful (9-1) 1951 season, and with good prospects for 1952, the university decided to go “big time” and abandon the friendly, homey confines of Gilmore Field and move into the Rose Bowl. A couple of big-time opponents were scheduled (you could do that in those days) to open the season. The big boys trampled us, and the fans, most of whom opposed the move, stayed away in droves. Faced with a deficit, Loyola moved swiftly, changing the administration and canceling the football program, killing the joy and spirit of thousands of followers.

I believe the same fate lies in store for the Pasadena Pops. My wife and I are longtime members; we were there for the June 19 opening (A Night in The Tropics), which was fantastic, and will be there on Sept. 11 (Genius Loves Company).

The setting is fabulous, the acoustics are superb, parking is incredibly easy, and the beauty of the garden makes it impossible not to have a wonderful evening, being a momentary insulation from the problems of our world. You can bring your own food, purchase food there or patronize one of many great restaurants in the Montrose-Foothill Boulevard area, as we do, and bring a dessert, and an aperitief to enjoy during the concert.

A few quick phone calls reveal that none of the people we know who are patrons will renew for next year. The type of concerts Rachael Worby puts on do not lend themselves to that concrete monster; you will have to have a tenfold increase in attendance to keep the event from looking ridiculous. Noise from the surrounding area will be a constant distraction, and the lack of cooling greenery will be a real turn-off.

This move has every ingredient for a total disaster, which is also spelled Zdunek.

JIM WELING

Glendale