STRANGER: Christopher Frizzelle did not find much to like during a weekend in South Bend, which he called a "falling-down, half-deserted place" ["Road Trip, South Bend," Aug 5]. He did run across "12 fat people" having a yard party, a "fetid" river, benches "dedicated to dead people," a "rancid" restaurant, a bookstore specializing in "religious supplies," and a bowling alley where he could be "drunk and stoned" without being "gay bashed."
What a shame. Christopher missed a few things, like some of the best oysters around that tend to show up in Seattle restaurants. He somehow overlooked the Pacific County Historical Society that has a great selection of books and exhibits on the diverse people who developed the timber and marine resources of southwest Washington. He could have walked for miles along the river, viewed the abundant bird life and watched the river change direction with the tide. And he could have spent a little time talking with the natives--about their lives and hopes for a region that has known the economic downside much longer than high-tech Seattle.
But more to the point, what a snide and condescending diatribe. What a sad commentary on how some see the hinterland of this state, where people work hard to put food on the table--both theirs and ours. As for you, Christopher, my advice is to stay home and take a few walks around Green Lake. Sit on the many benches dedicated to dead people, smell the heavy odor of decomposing algae, and contemplate a new career.
Dick Nelson
The hellhole that is south bend
STRANGER: Oh. My. Fawking. Gawd. I don't believe Christopher Frizzelle bothered with coming to South Bend! And no mention of the encompassing swarms of mosquitoes? The duck/trout pond at the courthouse? The new city hall? The recently condemned Lumber Exchange Building? The ever-present, ever-watchful (if you're an "outsider") cops? The junk shop along the highway just before the H&H (the scary motel he referred to)? If he'd stopped at Wild Horse Trading Company (a very tidy antique store), I or one of the owners would have recommended Cafe Omni, a very nice, very good little restaurant that has American, Japanese, and a bit of Mexican food. And Gordy turning down money (in reference to the $20/$40 bowling shoes)? I don't believe that happened! No mention of the wild nightlife that takes place at the mini-mart? I am hoping that this article will help open some eyes to those in this hellhole of a town to be a bit more open to suggestions by the revitalization committee!
Thanks, Chris, for a fine, truthful review of our smelly little outhouse we call home!
M
ABSURD & OFFENSIVE
ERICA C. BARNETT: Thanks for exposing the ridiculous situation at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer ["Broadway Review," Aug 5]. As an architect who has lived and practiced in Seattle for over a decade, I was both saddened and disgusted by the events outlined in this story. I've enjoyed Ms. Olson's writings over the years, especially since she's basically the only game in town. What's next for the P-I? Caving in to the major studios when they complain over a "D-" or "F" review and firing William Arnold? Melanie McFarland getting a cease-and-desist order when she trashes the latest sitcom from the WB? Or maybe Maureen Dowd getting a civil suit for libel from Misters Bush and Rumsfeld over her biweekly diatribes against the current administration?
The idea of an architect/firm threatening a newspaper and a specific critic is both absurd and offensive. The reality of their successful ouster of Ms. Olson, and the Post-Intelligencer's lack of integrity for supporting a true discourse on design at a crossroads for Seattle's urban future (monorail, waterfront, new "signature" civic buildings, private development--Cascade, Pioneer Square, Denny Triangle, et al.) is a very sad state of affairs for the architectural community in Seattle.
Scott Ogden
SAINT OLSON
STRANGER: God bless Sheri Olson. Why does a city with such amazing natural beauty have some of the worst architecture found anywhere? Offenders include the putrid Seahawks Stadium (color by Oscar Mayer), the Gateway Tower (who doesn't think it looks like a penis?), and the ridiculously precious Seattle Art Museum. Never mind the dozens of new apartment buildings with five floors of gray vinyl siding. They look so cheap, I steer clear in case there's an earthquake.
The new building at the north end of Broadway is another unfortunate example of truly bad design, and Sheri hit it on the head. The horrendous mixed brick colors, the gable-after-gable roofline, and the cheesy stucco bands cause me to avert my eyes whenever I'm nearby. With many other butt-ugly projects to claim, Weber + Thompson need their assumed licenses revoked before they brown our town again. Visit their website if you dare and see what horrors are coming.
Seattle desperately needs an architecture critic that recognizes the good and the bad to help educate a city so seemingly oblivious to the art. Perhaps The Stranger could fill this void and provide an occasional guest column for Sheri to enlighten a city so in need.
David Wright
