What's left after logging

I read with interest your article about the Olympic Peninsula town of Forks in the Oct. 21 Pacific Northwest magazine article about the value of trees ("Falling For Trees").

I sympathize with the local folks who have had difficulty converting their economy to a more tourist-friendly one from the industrial-forest economy it has been. But tourism simply does not go well with miles of ugly, severely clear-cut hillsides that can be seen from state and federal "scenic" highways and from national-park forests and beaches.

One thing that would really help make places like Forks more economically diverse would be if the Legislature or the Washington Forest Practices Board finally did something to require timber companies to consider aesthetics as they plan their logging.

Timber companies could also do a lot of good if they voluntarily agreed to take views into account when planning their timber harvests.

Numerous conservation and recreation groups have been asking the board to do something for years, but pleas have fallen on deaf ears.

Peter Goldman

Director, Washington Forest Law Center

Catching up with an old friend

As a Seattle expatriate, I am always happy when friends send me copies of Pacific Northwest, but it turned out to be especially interesting when my husband brought home a copy of the Sept. 11 edition ("Bridging The Narrows").

A few of the highlights: Valerie Easton's Plant Life piece on the Chicago Botanic Garden's trial of garden-worthy asters; Greg Atkinson's recipe for Plum Ketchup; Mike Lindblom's fascinating and readable cover piece with outstanding photos by Steve Ringman on the new Tacoma Narrows suspension bridge; Ben Benschneider's eye-catching photo of a sweet, straightforward, bright Pike Place Market family room overlooking two dynamic cityscapes; a letter to the editor that led to Valerie Easton's July 10th column on a 20th-century home and garden that highlight the past and celebrate the birds, butterflies and insects of the 21st century; and how comforting to find Paul Dorpat's Now & Then and see the familiar aspect of Albion Place North and North 36th.

Ellen M. Morrison

Cloverdale, Ore., Queen Anne 1977-1997

Punch line

We just wanted you to know, Steve Johnston is the highlight of our Sunday paper. Every Sunday, the first thing either my husband or I do is check Pacific Northwest and look for his name. We always are so disappointed when Sunday Punch is not there. Thanks for all the smiles Johnston has given us; hope to see his name a bit more in the future.

Wendy and Scott Wands

Woodinville

Send letters to the editor to Pacific Northwest magazine, The Seattle Times, P.O. Box 70, Seattle, WA 98111, or e-mail pacificnw@seattletimes.com. Include a telephone number for verification.