Prevention the true cure
The letter by Steve Roberts directed at the volunteers and supporters of the seal issue at the La Jolla Children’s Pool in the Sept. 7 issue was offensive and appalling (“Red herrings are not an endangered species,” page 8). His repetitive, condescending ramblings and pontifications about their wasted efforts on what he deems to be unimportant issues reek of ignorance and judgment.
Most, if not all of these dedicated volunteers and donors are also involved in other environmental issues, many of them donating and working tirelessly for other organizations, including the ones he mentions in his letter. For Mr. Roberts to insinuate that they are lazy and so pompously urge them to “get to work” on other environmental issues, when he knows nothing about them or how they live their lives, is reprehensible.
It is my belief that prevention is the true cure for environmental problems, not a last-minute scramble to correct damage after it’s been done. There are countless creatures, including harbor seals, that may not be endangered now, but certainly will be if they are continually “inconvenienced,” as Mr. Roberts puts it.
Natasha Starkovsky, La Jolla

Need information on old La Jolla
Don’t know if you can help me or have the time, but here goes.
From mid 1950-1952 we lived on Playa Del Sur, when there was just a big gully between us and Playa Del Norte.
On the street behind us lived a man and his wife, the Dentons; I believe their street was Gravilla.
They had the most incredible butterfly collection I had ever seen, and to this day ” even after traveling the world over ” it is still unequaled. At least in memory of a 9- to 10-year-old child.
For several years I have been wondering where the butterfly collection went.
I have told my children and grandchildren about them many times because the collection was not available for many to see then, and particularly any young boy or girl.
Having searched the Web to no avail, it dawned on me maybe the paper knew/knows where the Dentons went and we could once again see that beautiful collection from all over the world.
Back then they were held in stack after stack of map trays and I don’t remember a single pin holding them.
We lived in houses that were a development that I thought had been bought and destroyed with new construction, but I have since learned one or more were possibly declared historical monuments, in the next block up from the beach.
I found a picture of one of the houses as the image for Historical Sites on http://lajolla.com.
Any help would be appreciated.

Pastor Tom Weathers, Sonora, Calif.
” Anyone with information on the location of the Dentons and/or their butterfly collection may contact the paper ([email protected]) and the information will be forwarded to Pastor Tom Weathers.

Disturbing display
A presentation was scheduled for the University City Planning Group and the public this evening (Sept. 12), with speakers from the County Regional Airport Authority and the U.S.M.C. In a disturbing display of uncivil behavior, the Airport Authority Chairman cancelled with only 26-hour notice. The one-sided presentation went on as scheduled and was much appreciated.
By the time all the disappointed attendees tell the story to friends, co-workers, family and acquaintances, those 110-115 attendees will probably create 300-500 new votes against the proposition at the November 7 election. A “no” vote is the right vote for Prop A. I recommend it, and I hope you urge people in your sphere of activity to vote “no” as well.
Residents, taxpayers and voters deserved a first-class presentation from the Airport Authority. As a taxpayer and county resident I’m ashamed to say they didn’t get one this evening.
In view of the excuses the Airport Authority’s chairman and its outreach consultant gave for canceling, it remains unclear whether the Airport Authority will ever participate in any side-by-side presentation on its ballot measure.
It should. We deserve no less.
“No on Prop A.”
Jim Varnadore, City Heights