LETTERS

ISLAND TIME
The article about the 48-hour getaway to Coupeville (“Weekend Getaways,” September 2008) brought back memories. Until recently, members of my family have almost always lived there. Toby’s Tavern originally housed my great-great grandfather Alonzo’s mercantile store in the late 1800s. A large photo of him and his brother standing in front of the building remains hanging over the bar. In high school, my mother “camped out” in the Captain Whidbey Inn at a time when it was closed to the public and owned by one of her teenage friends’ parents. Much later, she was a regular at the Oystercatcher and introduced my wife and me to Susan Vanderbeek, the original owner.

No trip to Coupeville is complete without visiting all of these places and many more. I haven’t been back in quite a while. Thanks for the reminder that I may need to make some travel plans.

Terry Coates
Raleigh Hills

VANISHING SPLENDOR
In your August issue, you revealed my favorite place to go swimming, Pegleg Falls in the Mt Hood National Forest (“Nature Calls,” August 2008). Unfortunately, you’ve ruined my favorite place! Last weekend, instead of the usual 10 to 15 visitors, there were 50 or so people in this tiny spot. Some of them left garbage (that we picked up), were loud and drunk, and didn’t respect the area. I love to share the location of this swimming hole with others, but to see people not respecting this place really angers me. I beg of you, please never mention Pegleg Falls in your magazine again.

Ashley Cox
Via e-mail

OVERDUE PRAISE

Thank you to Kasey Cordell for writing the excellent article on school libraries (“Checked Out”) in the August 2008 issue. Everyone I’ve spoken to about the piece—including members of the Oregon Library Association and the Oregon Association of School Libraries board of directors (I was lucky enough to share the article at a meeting the day after it came out)— raved about how wonderful it was. We can certainly use all the publicity we can get about the decline in staffing and funding of school libraries.

Nancy Johnson Sullivan
Madison High School
Northeast Portland

HOLD THE PASTRAMI

I went to Kenny & Zuke’s based on the stellar review (of the Cobb salad) in the “Best of the City” feature in the August 2008 issue of Portland Monthly magazine. The reviewer absolutely raved about the pastrami. But the thick, dry meat found between slices of rye in the pastrami sandwich we tried were overcooked and flavorless. Nearly every bit of fat had been trimmed from the brisket, leaving the moistness and distinct taste of pastrami far behind.

A tent card on the table noted the head chef’s training in France, but what this guy (and your reviewer) needs is a two-week apprenticeship at Katz’s Deli in New York City. Kenny & Zuke’s may be a lot better looking than Katz’s, but I’ll take New York pastrami over this deli debacle anytime.

Jim Rigby
West Hartford, Conn.

DIG THE PIG

I have been following the letters regarding the ad for Beast restaurant (Letters, July-August 2008) that you have run in previous issues. Some of the letters are almost militant in their detestation, while others are more open-minded. I admit, when I first saw the ad it shocked me. Then it inspired conversation, and soon my husband and I were placing a bet on how long it would be until the ad was replaced. When I opened up my August copy, the question was answered on page 77.

When I first saw the ad it shocked me. Then it inspired conversation.

The new ad (depicting two women standing behind a table of fresh produce) is nice, if a bit austere. Of course, most magazine readers will just roll their eyes and chalk up the new ad to peer pressure. As for me, I’ll be in the kitchen cooking up some pork chops to pay off that bet.

Michele Goosen
Vancouver, Wash.

NICE SHOT

My compliments to photographer Rafael Astorga for the great photos in your latest fashion feature (“The Hot Spot,” July 2008). You see the fashions, but it’s the lighting that’s truly unusual and downright gorgeous. It’s one of the best spreads you’ve ever done.

Alyce Cornyn-Selby
Southeast Portland

CORRECTION
The model on the cover of our August “Best of the City” issue was misidentified. Her name is Eileen Peters. Portland Monthly regrets the error.