Restore Little Hollywood

None of us old timers remember it, but at one time Olympia was also known for the quantity of clams and oysters that fed many poor workers (“It’s Still the Water,” July 2012). Part of the lore of the town years back was the shantytown on the waterfront known as Little Hollywood. This was all before the town’s boosters lobbied the Legislature to put in the Deschutes Estuary dam. To make Olympia really as great a place as your article purports it to be (and don’t get the wrong idea—I love it here, that’s why it has been home for me for over 30 years) we need to return the Deschutes to a free-flowing river and let the estuary reestablish itself as the productive tidal area it once was and can be again.
Zena
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Creature Comforts

It’s always nice, and in a way comforting, to read a nostalgic story about something we grew up with or around (“Souvenirs from MARs,” July 2012). Whilst refurbishing old Mold-A-Rama machines may be a little “out there” to some, it demonstrates the fact that people will always enjoy fixing old toys.
Beau Stacey
Coburg, Australia

Not Pictured

How about small-but-influential the Dray in Ballard (“Beer Book 2012,” July 2012)? Only a dozen taps but always an intriguing selection of a good hundred bottles and cans. Plus the website has one of the best beer guides you will ever find. Chuck’s Hop Shop in Greenwood has over 1,000 bottle selections plus 30(!) taps. The Noble Fir in Ballard has 18-ish well-chosen taps heavy on West and Northwest selections, plus another 30 or so bottles. They rotate taps frequently, feature Washington ciders fairly prominently, and were perhaps Ballard’s biggest contributor of Seattle Beer Week events.
Keith Salas
Ballard

Say Uncle

Little Uncle wasn’t mentioned (“Market Driven,” June 2012)? They were at Columbia City Farmers Market last year and moved up to a counter on Madison after the farmers market closed for the season. It’s the freshest Thai food you’ve ever tasted.
Tom Marshall
Columbia City

Missed Meat

You missed one: Gabriel’s Fire in Mountlake Terrace (“BBQ Meat Sheet,” June 2012).
Chris
Kenmore

The Cuddliest Bear

We’ve known salvage and rescue Captain John Aydelotte for years, and while he seems very rough on the outside, he’s just a big teddy bear (“The Saltiest Dog,” June 2012). I have been very fortunate in that I have never needed his services, but if I did, he would be the only one to call.
Captain Jeff
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Crime and Punishment

I’m writing in regards to the Mudroom article in the June issue of Seattle Met (“Gun Fight”). The first six paragraphs describe the actions of a man defending himself after being punched and kicked to the ground by another who had obvious intent to do grave bodily damage; “I am going to kill you” are the words you printed. And in the last paragraph you call the self-defender, who wasn’t charged with a crime, a “killer.” What would you have proposed the unnamed victim of the attack have done? Allowed the murderous assault to continue? Tried to talk his way out of the situation while being beaten to a bloody pulp by the assailant? 
Leonard Sigman
Des Moines 

Pastoral Support

As a retired pastor, I would like to voice my support on behalf of Father Michael Ryan for his integrity and openness in consulting with his parish pastoral council on such key issues (“What Would Father Do?” June 2012). May his tribe increase and our laity be consulted more frequently! 
Father Thomas P. Ivory
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Issue of Faith

While Father Ryan did accurately gauge the feelings of his local church by not supporting the Referendum 74 petition drive, that is simply not his job (“What Would Father Do?” June 2012). His job is to present the orthodox and apostolic Catholic faith, regardless of what his local church thinks. 

I find it sad that you make Father Ryan out to be the hero when he went along with his St. James community, choosing to mirror secular culture rather than promote Christian truth concerning true marriage. The real hero is our Archbishop Sartain, who went directly against popular culture and stood firm and defended our Catholic principals.
Charles Wadlow
Kirkland 

In Favor of Father

As a lifelong Catholic, I totally support the Christlike attitude of Father Ryan, who is one of the few priests willing to stand up in the face of opposition from the hierarchy (“What Would Father Do?” June 2012). Here in Cleveland, Ohio, one of those Christlike priests, Father Marrone, was just suspended by our hierarch. God bless both of these brave men: Fathers Ryan and Marrone. Shame on Archbishop Sartain and Bishop Lennon.
Ray Bordine
Lodi, Ohio 

Danger Ahead

Whatever you think about crazy cyclists or a-hole drivers, it is unconscionable that SDOT would identify a hazard with the South Lake Union streetcar tracks that some employees even called “fatal” and not do a darn thing to rectify it (“Crash Course,” June 2012). A simple sign that says “Extreme hazard: No bikes” does not sound too expensive or complicated to implement. They are lucky no one has died there.

One would like to think that this was the result of sheer ineptitude or carelessness within SDOT, and not malicious intent. But that doesn’t make the outcome any better.
Liz Bromley
Issaquah

Great Debate

Finally! A well-written article that articulates both sides of a relevant and interesting debate in Seattle (“Crash Course,” June 2012). I learned a bit more about how Seattle has dealt with its growing pains and how our democratic process is (hopefully) shaping the future of this city for the better. 
Allen F.
Belltown 

Bike Central

Nice article, but there is a big hole in your map (“Washington Bike Towns,” June 2012)! The middle of the state is so accessible and an incredible place to ride. Pick a spot on Highway 2 east of Stevens Pass (Plain, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Wenatchee) and you are literally minutes from some of the best mountain and road biking options in the state! Wineries, local fruit, incredible views, incredible beers (Icicle Brewing Co.), best biking weather most any day—no other place offers as much.
Patrick Walker
Leavenworth

Shrewd Shoppers

It’s amazing how fast homes are flying off the market (“Best Places to Nest,” June 2012). Buyers really have to be reasonable during their house hunt or they’ll be sorely disappointed.
Ben Brashen
Kirkland