There's no doubt that the newspaper business is as difficult as any right now. I get my news from a variety of places, but I'm still a subscriber to the Post-Gazette, and I read it online every day.

As CEO of the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, I speak frequently with peers around the country and can attest that our arts and cultural community has been fortunate, in happier times, to get greater newspaper coverage than in many other cities. However, I'm concerned that this story won't be told nearly as often, or as well, with the recent loss of full-time critics Christopher Rawson and Jane Vranish.

For a majority of arts organizations in town, marketing budgets are slim to nothing -- consistent print advertising is simply out-of-reach. Many depend on previews and reviews to tell their unique story, beyond simply titles and dates. Most of these organizations are made up of local citizens with great artistic vision. They invest heavily in our region, creating premieres, bringing in international talent, and supporting the local economy. These stories need to be told by more than a picture with a caption, a stock press release, or a part-time stringer.

Like most Pittsburghers, I am a football fan and couldn't be prouder of our Steelers. It's interesting to note, however, that arts and cultural participation is notably higher here than the national average, as shown by the 2008 Regional Indicators Report. In fact, the study shows that 58 percent of those surveyed said they had attended an arts event in the previous year, compared to 40.6 percent going to a sporting event.

Arts and culture rebuilt Downtown Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh was named "Best Mid-Sized Arts City" by American Style Magazine. It's clear to me that the arts and cultural coverage given by the PG has helped tell this story. Customers of ProArts­Tickets, a program of the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, representing more than 50 local organizations, cite the newspaper as one of their main sources of information leading to a ticket purchase.

Now more than ever, the arts are an important part of maintaining perspective and focus in our lives. I hope that the Post-Gazette will find new ways to continue to report on Pittsburgh's vibrant arts and cultural community, that we would get our fair share of coverage, and perhaps, more than our fair share, given the facts cited above.

Mitch Swain
CEO, Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council

I am writing to personally thank and recognize Jane Vranish for her incredible service to Pittsburgh's dance community over the past 35 years.

From the first performance of the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre to the early days of the Dance Council, Jane has been a dedicated supporter of the art form in all of its many variations and rhythms. She has attended thousands of performances, witnessed as many rehearsals and has spoken to countless emerging and established dancers, choreographers and artists. Her dedication and passion for dance are both exceptional and irreplaceable.

In her reviews and previews, she has illuminated the nuances of dance to millions of readers and has helped to cultivate the marvelous dance audiences of this region.

Thank you, Jane, for helping the dance community keep moving and soaring to new heights.

Paul J. Organisak
Executive Director, Pittsburgh Dance Council

Thanks to Scott Mervis for the refreshing, honest, well-written review of Lisa Lampanelli's HBO special ("An insulting hour with the Mean Queen," Jan. 29). I realize comedy is oftentimes purely a matter of personal taste, but from what I've seen of Ms. Lampanelli's act on Comedy Central, she does insult humor without the humor.

There's a vast difference between what she does compared to Don Rickles or even Jeffrey Ross. Again, I'm sure you'll get negative reactions from her admirers, but I'm glad I'm not the only person who doesn't find Ms. Lampanelli the least bit amusing.

Marc Bodell
Highland Park

I just saw the list of nominees for the Oscars.

Um, did Clint Eastwood tick somebody off, or were the awards' reviewers just suffering from cranial endorectumitis?

His film, "Gran Torino," was amazing -- maybe low budget compared to those with tons of pyrotechnics, but rich in its depth and suspense; beautifully written, and exquisitely performed. This was a story with a message all of America needs to hear.

Maybe the Oscars' Web site just forgot to add him in? Maybe some gang-bangers intimidated the folks doing the nominating.

Or, perhaps, I am not schooled enough in the intricacies of The Art to gather intuitively what the critics saw as detracting from this film to the point it is not even mentioned. If that's the case, then I am thankful, because I was really moved by it -- and being moved and inspired, is what someday will give me the heart needed as an actor to do justice to great stories people need to hear.

Thank you, Clint Eastwood.

Angelle Guyette
Lawrenceville

In last week's Weekend Feedback (Jan. 29), Rich Rosenbaum complained that the local newscasts wasted time on teasers, commercials and other hype. I have no idea what he is talking about. I TiVo the 6 p.m. KDKA news and the 11 p.m. WTAE news every night. It takes 12 minutes to watch the one-hour newscast and 7 minutes to watch the half-hour newscast. I never see any of the things that he mentioned thanks to that ole skip button on the TiVo.

Bob McAfee
Ross