more questions for my British (and UK-resident or previously UK-resident ) friends

I'm writing a letter of introduction to a woman I've not met, at the suggestion of a personal and professional friend of hers, someone who I'n guessing is in her 50s or early 60s. She is, as far as I can gather, a somewhat bohemian personality, part of the literary world and currently working for a private relief agency.

Should I address the letter "Dear Mrs XXX" (she's been married, but is separated, though not divorced [newspapers put all sorts of thngs into interviews]) or "Dear Ms XXXX"? It seems to me that "Dear [her given name]" is right out, no matter how bohemian someone is or may have been.

Yes, these are the things I fret about. I don't want to goob up a first impression.

*sigh*

There are many things that make the 21st century better than the 19th, but I sometimes think--in the small, restricted sense of social and cultural relationships between peoples--how wonderful it would be to be able to bring back the days of Anthony Trollope, Edith Wharton, and Henry James, when Americans seemed to Brits like overly formal and polite country cousins with more money than nous(but well meaning and willing to learn), instead of the less flattering we so often have today of loud, overbearing, cultural and political warlords.

today we are all Kansans...

OK, Missourians. ;-)

Kansas City is playing the New York/New Jersey Red Bulls tonight. If they tie or KC wins, the Red Bulls' season is over. If NY wins, they get to go to the divisional playoffs.

Go, Wizards! :-) Beat the Scum in their own Metroswamp and leave them to fester for another season...

I'll even overlook the fact that you have Jake Dancy on your sports comentator payroll (but only for tonight--every other night I'll think it's a disgrace he's allowed on the air.)