FEEDING THE POOR

DEAR MERCURY—For some inexplicable reason, you’ve
stopped including the prices for menu items in your restaurant reviews.
Seeing as we’re in the thick of a recession, and I’m moments away from
selling my goddamned kidney on the black market, it would be
appreciated if you would deign to provide this information in the
future.

-Gabriel Mehlman

WIN-LOSE SITUATIONS

DEAR MERCURY—To the angry lawyer who chose to spout off
in I, Anonymous this week, you must be high [“Guilt Trip,” I,
Anonymous, July 30]. This country would go to hell in a hand basket if
we acquitted every single drug possession case that came across a
prosecutor’s desk. Knowing nothing more about the case against
your client but the few sentences in I, Anonymous, in the end your
client didn’t just lose the case because the jury chose to convict,
your client also lost because you did not provide superior legal
counsel. Take some responsibility yourself.

-jc

TO BE CONTINUED?

TO THE EDITOR AND THE ANONYMOUS WRITER(S) OF THE NEW COLUMN PENNED
BY “MAYOR TOM POTTER” [“Hot Under the Collar,” New Column! July
30]—This is absolutely insulting and disrespectful to attribute
this racist, ageist drivel to our former mayor. Best that the
Mercury not continue this “column” next week, nor the week
after, and so forth, by your cowardly ghostwriters.

-Andrea Cano

PURTY PICTURES

DEAR MERCURY—Wow! Incredible! Outtasight!! [Cover, July
30] This has to be the best cover art that I have seen on any
publication in quite some time. Hats off to Matt Furie!

 -jexl4

GOOD GAME

DEAR MERCURY—A friend of mine pointed me to this
article as “something of interest to read” [Dungeons & Divas,
Feature, July 30]. I have to say, without embarrassment, that it ended
up bringing tears to my eyes. I’m female, and have been gaming for over
21 years. I currently have two active games and three games on deck, am
involved in the local indie game GoPlayPDX network, work with game
designers and publishers, play test, wear a carved quartz d20 around my
neck, and go to conventions all over the place. And I still get
the strange looks when I walk into the “boys club” RPG stores, get
talked down to by vendors at game fairs, and have to prove myself as
“worthy” of the hobby.

-Nievita

STILL ENCHANTED

DEAREST MERCURY—Thank you so very much for bringing
back my childhood [“The Best of Enchanted Forest,” Feature, July 23]!
Even as I aged and began to notice the seams showing, the dust that
needed cleaning, the dated look of some exhibits, it strangely never
lost that air of having grown organically within that lovely forest. As
I aged into my teens I heard wild tales of the fun that could be had at
Enchanted. Fellow theater friends delighted me with their tales
of virginity lost and drugs discovered while working the
forest. Then in my early 20s I felt that ole familiar tug of Enchanted
calling to me. Still not a driver, I forced a friend to take me and lo!
The haunted house still scared! The Crooked House still unnerved! The
Fantasy Fountain still delighted! Now 39 (HWP, working at Powell’s on
Burnside, still don’t drive), I sometimes smile at the memories and
take comfort that the Enchanted Forest is not a dream. It really
happened. And can happen again when I find someone, somewhere who will
take me.

-Christopher

WELL THANK GOODNESS you’re “Height Weight Proportionate,”
Christopher! With physical gifts like that you’re sure to find a ride
to the Enchanted Forest. Especially if you promise to share your two
tickets to the Laurelhurst Theater and lunch at No Fish! Go Fish!,
where you can tastefully retain your figure.