I am a former employee of the Varsity Theatre (CHN June 29) and feel as though a lot of the reasons for its financial demise have been overlooked.

There are some simple reasons why people did not attend movies there more often. I don't think it is really an issue of arthouse vs. non arthouse.

I went plenty of times as a student and didn't receive the discount because I wasn't cutthroat enough to ask for it. Also, the theater never accepted cards as a legitimate form of payment; I am sure this is why more concessions weren't bought. Employees there were not adequately compensated for the work they did. It was easy to get testy when something went wrong. Further, the potential of the theater really wasn't realized. It is is a historic building with a classic feel to it.

If I had to solve these simple issues I would:

a) Accept cards

b) Promote films playing there (if only through fliers around town).

c) Use the space for more events that the business owner could rent out.

d) Better compensate employees (or get something beyond the measly tip glass)

e) Encourage more friendly service.

f) Truly gauge which movies will work in the area and which will not.

g) Have an open house poster sale and advertise this sale throughout town.

I would hate to see this theater gutted. I would also hate to see it turned into a bookstore like the theater on Hillsborough Street by N.C. State. There are many things that can be done to improve the business here in Chapel Hill.

Bryan Grossman

Chapel Hill

Free parking could bring back the mojo

Free downtown parking in downtown Chapel Hil all nights and weekends. Make that happen, elected leaders. Then let the entire Triangle know about it.

The competing venues have free parking. Downtown Chapel Hill doesn't and is hurting because of it! We've lost all seven of our movies screens and a little of our mojo. It's time to act.

Dand Murphy

Chapel Hill

Outdoor Academy a real eye opener

Mary Oliver concludes one of her poems, "I don't want to end up simply having visited this world." We read that line in English class sitting in an antebellum barn in The Great Smoky Mountains National Park. In a lot of ways, the line sums up what I've gained in the past four months. Your see, back in January, I left my regular school and traveled to the mountains of North Carolina to spend a single semester with 29 other students at a school called The Outdoor Academy.

Our classes were out-of-the-box; most literally took place outside. One period I'd be hiking through the woods with my biology teacher looking for liriodendron tulipefera, and the next I'd be sitting by the lake learning how to find the derivative of polynomial equations in math class. The Outdoor Academy promised us school credit through rigorous experiential classes and the chance to expand our education through whitewater canoeing, sustainable gardening, rock climbing, blacksmithing, and dozens of other activities. We got all that and so much more.

After a single semester here, I feel more rooted in this world, not simply a visitor, and I'm excited to share my experiences. If you're interested in finding out more about The Outdoor Academy and how you can attend, visit their Web site: www.theoutdooracademy.org.

Dan Pungello

Carolina Friends School

Let sixth graders choose next school

I happen to know that when some rising sixth graders and their families find out they will be attending a middle school they do not desire to go to, they become very disappointed. Students being disappointed and frustrated may cause them to not want to go to school daily, this could also make learning and school environments unpleasant.

In my opinion the solution to this inequitable problem is to allow these children and their families to choose what middle school they are to attend.

Michaela Simmons

Chapel Hill

New Web site shares Chapel Hill memories

I recently launched a Web site that is intended to be a repository of memories and history of Chapel Hill: www.chapelhillmemories.com

I spent the first 45 years of my life in Chapel Hill (from 1949-1994), and since I was 8 have recorded and collected stories, photos and music related to Chapel Hill and the University of North Carolina.

I hope that you can mention or link to this Web site in your publication. Chapel Hill Memories has received a good response from many current and former Chapel Hillians, and many intend to contribute to it in the future. The blog was also given an award in May by the Preservation Society of Chapel Hill.

Charly Mann

Bartlesville, Okla.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

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