YES, YES, Y'ALL

EDITOR: This is the way to show what's in fashion or is next to come, everyone ["Worn Out" fashion pullout, April 19].

Photograph REAL people, who wear REAL clothes, that they REALLY bought themselves, preferably HERE (so that we can share in the fashion fun, too, you know?).

Fashion should be accessible, not shown to be out of the realm and affordability of the Average Schmuck-o. The kids here dress with eternal imagination and flair. I am from NYC—I have been to London, France, Germany, Africa, D.C., a lot of "hip" places, and I can honestly tell you that here in the Arctic Northwest people really do know their fashion stuff.

Not only are folks literate about films here, but they also know what's hip, what's in, and what to combine with what to look BOFFO. This city ain't just about goofy-ass Gore-tex shit and Birks.

Abbie Ormsby

LOOK OUTSIDE YOURSELF

EDITOR: In response to Sage Van Wing's review of Consolation by Michael Redhill ["New in Books," April 19]: Yeah, here's the angry (or rather, slightly uppity) Canadian you had to guess would respond.

Sage, I know you were just trying to be funny, but do you really think Toronto is "a topic seemingly so dull"? Do you really need to be "tricked into caring" about a city with a metro population of more than 5 million people (as compared to Seattle's 3.3 million)?

A place with... wait, let me pull out the tourist brochure... the third-largest theater district in any English-speaking city on earth, a city of countless beautiful, urban neighborhoods, an affordable (by American standards) center of artistic excellence, the most multicultural city on earth, a city of parks and festivals and public amenities matched by few other places in North America?

I'm a Canadian living in Seattle. I love Seattle. But even in a cosmopolitan place like this, even in a lefty paper like The Stranger, that typical American parochialism finds a way to manifest itself. Listen up guys: We're not your little brothers. Canada is a country unto itself—not the 51st state, not America-lite, not a North American Siberia full of people yearning to head south of the 49th.

I've met a lot of wonderful friends in Seattle. But I've also encountered a degree of ignorance about the rest of the world that would be shocking in any other civilized country on earth. Despite what some of us Canucks think, Americans are a smart bunch. But maybe if you could unglue your collective gaze from your own navels sometimes and direct it to the world around you—the U.S., and the rest of the world, would be better for it.

Crack a book guys! Maybe Consolation is a good start.

Jim Sandler

OPEN LETTER TO BETHANY

BETHANY JEAN CLEMENT: How does it feel to spew the sarcastic tripe that could make you appear intelligent... or could possibly ruin the livelihood of Cafe Stellina's owners ["You Could Have It So Much Better," April 19]?

You said that it would not be difficult to write this drivel about a corporate eatery. You claim that it was difficult to write it about a "mom and pop" establishment whose owners are so obviously working their butts off (like you said, you can see them working behind the counter) but... you wrote it anyway.

You, Bethany, are the first person I know of who was selectively seated and served nonstop negativity—Stellina style. My experience has been quite the opposite of yours. Indeed, I am not a professional restaurant reviewer, nor do I claim to be one. I am simply a repeat customer of Stellina—I return for the creative menu selections, the fresh and well-presented entrĂ©es, and their attentive, knowledgeable staff. I return to Stellina and I recommend Stellina to my family, friends, and colleagues. And, as a fellow 12th Avenue business owner, I have heard many rave reviews from other locals as well.

I feel weird having to say it, but Bethany, you need to reread your article, interrogate yourself, and ask what, why, and how your overly opinionated editorial truly assists Cafe Stellina in strengthening its high points and improving upon its shortcomings.

Lori Pomeranz

NO MORE LINDY

DEAR STRANGER: Well, I don't know Lindy West—but I don't know Charles Mudede and I love his writing. He could be an arrogant hamster-torturer for all I know; still, when I read his stuff, it's entertaining and I learn things. He recently name-dropped Spinoza in an article and, far from sounding pretentious, he made me want to read Spinoza. So, I know this is The Stranger, but I just can't shake that feeling of trying to not be mean-spirited when I say I hate Lindy West's writing!

Lindy writes her reviews with contempt and sarcasm. Don't get me wrong, I love contempt and sarcasm if it's in the context of being witty and insightful. Anyway, dear Lindy, please, please don't write movie reviews anymore. Or I'll stop reading them—but I was reading The Stranger before you wrote for it, so you should be the one to leave. Best regards in a new career.

Phil Early