A COMPELLING TALE
Like many stories in the media since Sept. 11, Issa Qandeel's brought back difficult memories [2003 Best of Seattle, "People & Politics: DiscoveryBest Unsung Hero," Oct. 15]. My close friend was killed in the Twin Towers. I spent the week after the attack in N.Y.C. with friends and relatives trying to make some sense of the horrific scene.
The depth of Qandeel's compassion is amazing. Of all the stories surrounding that dayand I heard some amazing ones at my friend Rich's funeralhis is one of the most compelling.
One point that day made clear in my mind is that anyone who kills, or attempts to kill, innocent people is the worst form of criminal. Patrick Cunningham is sick and dangerous. If he needs treatment, he should get it; but he shouldn't breathe the air of a free man for several decades.
Michael Trentalange
Seattle
READER RESPONSE
I'm glad to know we are hip enough to have a best place to pee in Seattle and to get advice about the best place to buy movie popcorn, best place to fish, best place to tango, and best place to buy great hipster shirts [2003 Best of Seattle, Oct. 15]. But did other readers miss the mention of our best book stores? What happened? I was hoping there would be some mention of the newly opened Ravenna Third Place, with its cozy sofas next to the fireplace and huge stock of used books, but it was mentioned only in passing as the home of one of the Honey Bear Bakery sites. Lots of opinions about Seattle's best desserts and pastries, but no discussion of book stores this year? I thought we were a great book town.
Julie Larios
Seattle
CLASSIC MISTAKE
I guess if one is to offer up a letter of correction, it should start off by saying something good. As a frequent reader of the Weekly, I have come to expect excellence. The issue on the Best of Seattle [Oct. 15] outdoes itself. Congratulations!
Now, on to the bad. You include the best Caesar salad (at El Gaucho), describing it as "made according to the classic recipewhich means anchovies" ["Food & Drink: Readers' Picks"]. While I truly like anchovies nestled in my Caesar salad, they are not part of the classic recipe. As a foodie, this recipe comes up in discussions quite often.
Alan Zelt
Kenmore
THE TRUTH ABOUT TREES
I am pleased to see that Seattle continues to place an emphasis on issues of environmental quality. Knute Berger's article about its trees made me nostalgic once more for the place I have always regarded as my real home [Mossback, "How Green Is Our City?" Oct. 15].
The attributes that Berger bestows upon trees are most apt, but he should note that the claim that trees reduce noise is a fallacy; rather like the ubiquitous claim that one can see the Great Wall of China from space, it doesn't bear scrutiny. I mention this only to encourage Berger to keep promoting the value of more trees in the city but not through false claims, which might be seized upon by opponents.
David Hancocks
Melbourne, Australia
EAST FOR PEACE
While I agree with Geov Parrish that there is much work to be done and focus is important to accomplish results, I want to correct some misimpressions possibly generated by his article ["We Told Them So. Now What?" Oct. 15]. First (and least important), my last name is spelled Bovarnick.
Second, Eastside Suburban Peace Network is comprised of folks in Bellevue, Issaquah, and Sammamish. Our mission statement is: "We come together as neighbors to work for peace and social justice. We use communication, advocacy, and nonviolent action directed at creating and maintaining just and peaceful U.S. policies at home and abroad." There are other peace groups on the Eastside addressing similar concerns that are not formally part of Eastside Suburban Peace Network, including those in Redmond and Woodinville.
Third, Eastside Suburban Peace Network is not connecting with the sustainability movement nor the Earth Charter movement. While both efforts are noble and worthy, the focus of Eastside Suburban Peace Network has always been and will continue to be peace and social justice.
And finally, I agree with Parrish that the Eastside is a "seemingly unlikely venue" for peace and social justice work, but it is only unlikely to those on the west side of the lake who suffer from a myopia born of the pervasive aversion we all feel toward sitting in traffic on a bridge. We Eastsiders know that there are thousands of like-minded folks here, organized and organizing to build world peace from our own backyard.
Ellen Bovarnick
Eastside Suburban Peace Network
Bellevue
LEFT GET TOGETHER
Bravo to Geov Parrish for telling truths we all need to hear ["We Told Them So. Now What?" Oct. 15]! The "left," or whatever you call those who are against right-wing conspirators, needs to be just as devious in its fight to win the middle. Instead of splintering into jealous constituencies that need to prove their legitimacy, all the subgroups need to unite to rid us of the evil symbolized by G.W.
